megumi s.

I've watched quite a few dramas (mostly japanese, but a few chinese), so I've seen amongst the "best", so I had pretty low expectations for this drama. I thought that they would rely too much on their all-star cast. Plus it's not an original idea to pair an older, career-driven woman with a younger and more naive male (for example, "kimi wa petto" and "anego").

I was surprised that I liked it this much. It surprised me since at first I thought that Kamenashi and Itoh Misaki were an odd pair, but I liked the setting (in an advertising company), which really made it interesting to see how ads are really made and the ideas the characters come up with. Plus I'm glad that it was much much better than the previous year's "Anego", which lacked a lot of things (read my review on that).

Recommended!

The acting, mainly on the part of Ikeuchi Aya's character (played by Sawajiri Erika) was AMAZING. This story is more than a romance with the twist being that the girl is ill; the story focuses mostly on the girl's bravery and setbacks as she faces her horrible illness. There is romance but it is not the main point like it is in other dramas, which I personally think is good. The real girl it is based on must have been unspeakably strong.

a MUST see.

Despite all odds, the main girl Kano Masaki really strived to make the most out of her life. The main complaints people have about this drama is that it's "unrealistic". I personally don't think so. They say it's unrealistic for a teenage girl to prostitute herself? No. They say it's unrealistic for a famous musician to fall for a high school girl? Not really; it's UNLIKELY, but not unrealistic. The emotions that both Kano Masaki and Ishikawa Keigo and everyone around them - friends, coworkers, family- is understandable and totally realistic. My only complaints is that it can be melodramatic (running in the rain, "i can't live without you", etc.) and often goes in circles (well, are they gonna finally be together or not?!), but overall i don't feel those problems are that bad.

The matters of loss, of broken families, of frustrations with career paths, searching for meaning in life, the cruelty of those who don't understand how you feel... this drama is more than just a mushy romance. Highly recommended.

it's not the most riveting drama, but it's a comedy! and i think a good one at that. some of it is outrageous, but the characters are all so funny in their own way, especially Narimiya Hiroki and Oguri Shun's characters. i gave it a high rating not because it's the best i have ever seen, but because if you approach watching it knowing not to take it seriously and just enjoy yourself, you'll really really like it. however be warned: it drags a bit.

i loved it, but i understand totally why it got a lot of low ratings. it's really hard to stomach. all the characters except for Aya Ueto and Sonim's characters are really demented. it's not meant to be logical, which one should keep in mind if they decide to take this drama on. it was meant to be dark and twisted, exploring how deceitful humans can be in the face of desperation... and cynicism. however for me, i couldn't stop watching! it's gripping with so many twists and turns.... all the actors/actresses did an amazing, convincing job. i expected it to be mostly a mushy, romantic drama but in fact it had a lot more than that.

ute, funny.... but there were things i really didn't like that brought my rating down from a 7-8 (what i give to decent/good dramas). first off it just caused more emotional stress and let-downs than i think was needed, and they really made the ideas of one-night stands and extra-marital affairs seem too acceptable. and while that might be the reality (i don't know), it still seemed like it was perfectly ok for someone to cheat on their spouse!! T_T