Jack o' Frost (2023)

Frostwork

Jack o' Frost is a very pretty drama that simply lacks any real substance. It has an artistic quality to it that is certainly pleasing to the eye but beyond that I just didn't find much to really recommend it. Due to it's short length, it's characters inevitably lack depth and the story itself isn't what it could have been. Even so, it's decent enough for what it is.

On paper the story sounds intriguing. Two lovers live together, but after a fight one night, one of them runs out and ends up getting hurt, the end result being he's an amnesiac, but specifically, he can't remember his lover or anything related to him. It's a promising concept and there's a variety of ways the story could go; I can't say that I love what they did with it. Fumiya decides to take it as a second chance. At least, that's what he says. His actions though, don't match up. Up until Ritsu figures out that they had been together before his accident, Fumiya toes the line between roommate and lover, clearly wanting to step over it, recalling in flashbacks his relationship with Ritsu, but also very consciously NOT stepping over it even as Ritsu begins to reveal his growing attraction for Fumiya. It's a conundrum that's never really fully explained other than a brief mention that leads me to think that fear was the overwhelming reason, fear that Ritsu would regain his memories and the game would be up.

Fumiya doesn't present as the most sympathetic of characters, but I found him interesting in that aspects of him were realistic, particularly his tendency to bottle his emotions and then explode. While I don't think that part of him was well explored, I do think the idea of it at least was relatable. I also can't say that his decision to remain silent about his relationship with Ritsu was the way to go, I think it was quite selfish. But on the flip side, how many of us wouldn't jump at the opportunity for a second chance at certain relationships, events, moments, etc.? Again, this was another aspect that I found made him realistic.

Ritsu was a far more ambiguous character due to his amnesia. Without a past to define his present, he was instead defined by his lack of memory and his uncertainty. And since the story is primarily told from Fumiya's point of view, that added another layer of disconnect. It all added up to make it harder to relate to him. In general, I found him to be rather boring. Perhaps it was deliberate, but I did find the contrast of him having a rather dull character compared to his more vibrant/interesting artwork was the one thing that gave him some degree of dimension.

There is an underlying theme that even if you are given a second chance, it means nothing if you don't fix the problems that were there to begin with. However, that theme doesn't seem to be put into practice as the leads undergo very little character development and seem destined to end up right back where they started.

The acting was hit or miss. Of the two, I think I preferred Suzuki Kosuke's performance. I did like their chemistry overall. It was nothing earthshattering, but a more subtle kind, and I thought it suited the drama.

I liked the progression of the drawing in the end credits. It was a neat way to incorporate Ritsu's talent with drawing.

I really enjoyed the music. The background music was beautiful and was well used. I also liked the opening and closing songs though I don't feel they really fit with the tone of the drama.

Jack o' Frost is not one of my favorite Japanese BLs that I've seen but I still found it to be charming in its own way. If nothing else, it's artistic quality and tone makes it worthwhile and the story isn't bad, I just think it could have been better developed. Given it's short length, it's an easy watch for a lazy afternoon.

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Sad in the beginning; Sad at the end

This series never veered far from its core value of sadness. It was sad at the beginning and remained so throughout and added a healthy dose of gloominess. While it had magical moments, none reached a pinnacle or reached any insights to changing behaviors. It has a masterful feel of darkness enveloping it from its subject matter to its cinematography to the depression of its characters. Even the weather is gloomy. It takes you on a mournful journey which interestingly enough you are not sure if it will be completely successful in its glumness or maybe lead to hosannas from heaven. It does neither, at least for me. It has one of the worst 'getting-back-together' scenes I have ever seen.

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This was so cozy

I didn't expect to like it that lot!

The acting was great! Even with small gestures they transport so many emotions and messages, I am really impressed. They were able to express so much and for me it was totally understandable how they felt and what they thought, even without big words or gestures. I was able to understand each one and why they made the decisions they made. ^^'

Ritsu is just wholesome. He's so cute and looks absolutely like a mischievous fairy. Both lead actors were perfect for their roles! I also liked that there weren't many sidecharacters. The show focuses mainly on Ritsu and Fumiya. That's good! And also Fumiyas actor does a great job! He nailed to express the inner conflict, Fumiya felt, so perfectly.

I also really liked the OST! It was so fitting and the whole atmosphere were kinda cozy. Also there clothes were really nice, haha. I don't comment often on the outfits, but they looked really good and I love Ritsus hair! Because it's set in winter and it's always cold, the atmosphere is just magical and, like I said, cozy, when they wear their pretty oversized pullovers.

It's just so calm, but full of emotions! The locations were great and really helped to transport the whole feeling.

The chemistry got me every time. The tension between them really made my heart flutter.

I also liked the flashbacks' placement. It totally makes sense and gives a lot to the story to understand both sides better (and also understand that Ritsu wasn't the bad guy here! Just watch carefully and you get the little hints here and there).

The little details in this shows are really cute (pay attention to the picture in the ending sequence of every episode :) )

It's a show that shows (lmao) how important healthy communication is. How important it is, to take care of each other and appreciate each other.

Totally recommend this. Probably gonna rewatch it, or at least some scenes of it. They are way too cute with each other and it's just a wholesome show.

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It's so beautiful the lowratings are a scam.

Sep 27, 2023

HOLY SHIT. I have been putting this bl in the back burner because the ratings were saying about how boring this show and not great. However, I decided to finally pick it up after months and months of postponing it. First episode hits so damn good.

I already felt hooked to this drama right from the pilot. Every episode was pretty good in my opinion. I have some few critiques with the plot. But damn, I personally think that this drama was critiqued way too harshly. Maybe because it is more on the melodrama side and it is not the typical fluffy BLs out there.

Also, I just want to shout out Fumiya's character because he is such a green flag. He literally climbed by bl green flags list so fast, I need him in my life.

As of today's date, this show has a rating of 7.7 which I believe is too low. This deserves an 8.0 rating at the very least. Jack o frost bl is literally so much better in terms of many aspect in comparison to the highly rated bls for this year js.

I hope you give this show a chance like I did. Cause it definitely deserves a much better recognition !

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Amnesia Plot done right

This brought me back from my BL slump I have been in recently. I normally don't like Amnesia plots because they feel very forced and unnecessary to me but in Jack O´Frost they did it right. The whole story revolved around Ritsu trying to remember his time with Fumiya and falling in love all over again, while Fumiya realises that he needs to work on himself for their relationship to work. I loved how natural and well rounded the characters felt and how sweet they were with each other . They didn't have weird drama that felt out of place or a forced side couple it was simply them getting to know each other even more and falling in love harder after revisiting their memories. I think this is definitely a comfort BL with a big rewatch value.

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Romantic

Feb 2024
Not fast paced, but a gentle, quite emotional and different romance.
Sometimes saying what bothers us, when loved ones act selfishly, is the only way to prevent that happening again and again. On the other hand, that can be difficult if we are made to feel it will be perceived as controlling, or if we think it will drive the other away.
That doesn't imply a healthy relationship at all.
Such issues and more, are warmly faced up to in this rather lovely and very romantic drama.
Our 2 male leads are very attractive together and at times it felt like watching real life.
There are not many characters in this production, but those who are were so good.
I was kept engaged throughout, as the thoughtful yet simple plot slowly unfurled.
I would very happily watch this again.

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unthawing my love for you

I wanted to watch this ever since I saw the cast, and thankfully for me the premise was interesting.

The first episode throws you in the middle of a breakup and confused me as I was wondering if I missed anything. You are thrust into the ending of a relationship when you expect to see one bloom. So that gives this show a step up, it gives it the direction to have that relationship unfold and unravel through the duration of the show.

With one episode it gives off a bittersweet pace and it’s not quick but not boring either. By the end of the first episode it really started to slowly sink in as I realized that Ritsu forgot his memory of Fumiya. Although I knew that going in it honestly hurts. Thinking about how harsh their breakup was, and then to how gentle and sweet Ritsu is having never remembered at all. He doesn’t remember who Fumiya is to him and it’s setting up a very interesting story.

I anticipate a story of showing their relationship and how it got to that point. Fumiya getting frustrated with Ritsu because he’s falling in love with a person he gave up on.. there is so many good things this show can do. Honestly it might need more time to do it with as little episodes as it has.. but either way I think it will do well.

So far I’m just happy to see Honda Kyoya in a show that gives him hype. Visually he is stunning, and acting here he is perfect. Balancing innocence of being somewhere he doesn’t know or recognize, and an honest attitude. He is just a soft person altogether and Honda portrays it really really well.

The visual shots of this show keep up with the overall aesthetic, nothing is out of place. Suzuki Kazuke looks unrecognizable in a good way, I mean I know and recognize him from other dramas- but he really gets into this roll. The heartbreak of having this person you shared your life with for several years not remembering a single thing, it’s frustrating him but you can tell he’s hurt all together.

Overall this drama is really good and started off well. Watch it for a melancholic romance.

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Cozy Warmth for Cold Days

This show has quickly become a comfort watch for me. Something about the way the beautiful cinematography, the quiet intimacy of the dialogue, and even the big fluffy scarves and sweaters all add together... it's deeply soothing to me.

I really like the concept of the story. So many romance dramas focus on the couple getting together, so having the focus be on an existing couple is plenty unique on its own. Combined with the intimate exploration of one specific relationship as well as reflections on what makes relationships work or fall apart in general, this makes for a truly unique premise.
A premise that is then beautifully executed. The acting is stellar, the pacing is perfect, and the dialogues feel natural and realistic which is important for a quiet show like this that is quite dialogue-heavy.

I also especially love how much sense each individual character's actions make. Fumiya's desperation to preserve his relationship by concealing the past, Ritsu's quest to get his memories back, Shuji's concern over lying to his brother. All these motivations feel logical and realistic. The story as a whole is fairly grounded despite the slightly outlandish setting. The characters inhabit a real world with real issues and face real consequences for their decisions.
But at its core this is not a story about the tragic disintegration of a relationship; it's a story about love. About cherishing the people you hold dear, about openness and honesty, about the deliberate effort it takes to make a relationship work, and about the simple pleasures of spending time with the person you love.
There are no grand confessions, no unnecessarily dramatic fights, no meddling exes, no plot-convenient misunderstandings.

So if you're looking for a down-to-earth romantic drama with a cozy slice-of-life feel and not too much angst, then I would absolutely recommend this one. It is also simply a good queer love story so anyone who likes those will very likely enjoy this series as well.
As a side note - the music is also excellent and I could honestly listen to the opening and closing themes over and over again on repeat if that sways you either way.

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Memory

This show is about memory, and the repetitions the show allows, with the flashbacks being not for us but for them, they are remembering, and even then in the end we get deeper memories pulled out. It's a beautiful show, well acted, beautifully filmed. Short, but just on top of its story, beginning breakup to end 2nd chance.

It starts with Fumiya breaking up with Ritsu, who runs out has an accident and loses memory. Fumiya then decides to let them fall back in love again, rather than explain the relationship and breakup. Ritsu is suspicious of the attention, but Fumiya clearly is falling back in love, and having trouble with the setup he set up. He's seeing original Ritsu when they first got together again and is having trouble not being with him. First Fumiya's flashbacks give him a chance not just to remember the good times, but to regret what has been lost, to feel like the new situation isn't quite right at all.

And we end with Ristu getting his memories back, including the earliest one of Fumiya, before their official first meeting.

Great use of flashbacks to really show how memory is part of love.

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warm vibes and I loved it

it gave me sad feeling even though it had happy ending. However I loved ittt so much it gave warm feeling all the way. I loved how they acted as well, they made me live with them the story. Also, I loved how cute the bottom is and how gentle their love scenes together, I always wished all the way that if they had more love scenes as they were so beautiful and cute . The way Ritsu remembered everything was beautiful too, the incident made them reconsider their break up as sometimes the easiest thing to do in any relationship is breaking up once it comes to problems. And The soundtrack is sooo beautiful

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