It’s one of those dramas that have the structure in which a lead has a specific standpoint in life so, in every episode, they get to influence positively a member of the cast in escalating difficulty to deal with; like Mother Game, Kirawareru Yuuki, etc.
In this case, the setting is a company workplace, specifically of web design and maintenance, and as you can probably guess there’s room for a lot of comparisons between how people used to work and how people work nowadays. There are about 3 or 4 generations of employees depicted in the drama, and the differences between work ethics are interesting to watch.
Thankfully, this is not like HOPE, where the aim was to wax poetic about an older working practice, here every perspective is explored and ultimately the drama focuses on people’s wellbeing and the exploration of why Japanese society is so work-focused, to the detriment of people’s health at times.
The cast of characters is interesting, although there wasn’t enough room in the drama for all of them to be as showcased as they could have been. Normally, in these types of dramas there isn’t a romantic aspect underlying and if there is, it’s very minor, so that the plot can focus on the characters and their development. This one, though, has a sort of love triangle happening, which isn’t developed enough to consider it the main element of the drama, but it isn’t minor enough to not take a part of the plot.
The handle of that "romantic" aspect, if we can call it that, wasn't the best. Some decisions seemed to come out of nowhere and some plot devices used to further it along seemed rushed, which may have to do with the inability to adapt everything from the source material in 10 episodes. I don’t really care much about romance, so it isn’t a problem for me, but I felt that some decisions regarding the male characters and their actions lacked background information and seemed underdeveloped, in a narrative sense.
Yuriko Yoshitaka does a very good job as the lead, in a role that could have really influenced the whole thing negatively had the actress not been good or had they chosen someone who has a type-cast and would influence the audience’s perception easily. She really carries through the energy of the drama and works very well with her whole cast.
My favorite scene, acting wise, goes to Dori Sakurada, Yuuki Izumizawa and Yuriko Yoshitaka , their scene disclosing Shu’s past and Kurusu’s present was my favorite in the drama.
Overall, this one was good. It touches on heavy subjects at times, but never loses its hopeful spirit and does leave you with a good message and the idea that working expectations are changing and should be revised. That things regarding work don’t just have to do with obligation and money, but with an overlying cultural education and social construct around it, which applies differently to everyone.
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But to be honest, I signed up for the drama because of the possible romance between Mukai and Yoshitaka. And since romance isn't the main theme of the show, its understandable that they are only showing little interactions/moments but hey, for me it was enough. I've got the ending I wanted and I'm happy. So if you're planning to watch this how, always remember this is not a Korean drama. They don't do a detour here - they lived up to the title of the drama from start to finish. They go straight to the point and what you see is what you get. No scheming and overly crying, so for those who are spoiled by the usual korean drama shenanigans, then this ain't for you.
Though I'm screaming for "I want more romance", I still thoroughly enjoyed the show. And since I love the whole casts particularly the main leads, I am being generous with my ratings.
BTW, The show also has a great soundtrack. I love love the song "Ambitious" by Superfly. The lyrics of the song is also fitting with the drama. These are my favorite lines of the song:
"I don't like now, But I'm living right now.
The future that one can easily reach won't be that easy.
Stop worrying about it, Tomorrow you'll still get up again.
Never let go of what you're longing for
You attractive adults"
"I don't like dreams, please don't hurry me.
Never give up what you are longing for,
Its so hard for you adults".
Overall, I'm positively recommending this drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
I heard about this series when it made into the news in my country how a tv series was making Japan reconsider their own work-culture, at first I was impressed with such a blunt news so I decided to give it a try. I would like to thank IrozukuSubs for subbing this show, otherwise I would not have been able to watch this. so thank you very much.The show is about Yui Higashiyma a director on a marketing company where their motto is "workers should not work overtime", ever since she was first admitted in this company she also made that statement "I will leave when I'm done" and that takes everyone around her by surprise considering the Japanese overwork culture. Throughout the episodes we see several issues that might happen in your average worker life: a mother afraid people won't take her seriously, a loner that stays in the office for his lack of hobbies, an overworker that feels his life would have been nothing without a job, a charismatic designer that was told since she lack skills she should help the company in unconventional matters, an eager beginner willing to show his skills but unable to know his own body limits and more.
Story wise I thought the series was quite interesting, based on a book of the same name and that also had a repercussion for the author boldness, I particularly think it didn't affect a so deep rooted sense as the Japanese work culture, but in our Contemporary times we have seen an improvement and how companies slowly but surely are improving the relation with their workers. Filled with examples Japanese people would hear at their work places, or even things they themselves would have felt at some point in their career, so the highest point of the series most definitely is this one.
The cast is good, at least those that have a minimal influence in the show. Takumi was terribly written, even when the outcome of the series where he lies and says he cheated on Higashiyama, made me feel really sorry for him, he is a nice guy, but not "nice guy", he deserved better. Higashiyama has a motherly figure caring for those around her, here I think Yoshitaka, the main actress, nailed it, however her acting was goofy, overdramatic and/or "cute-sy" in uncalled for moments. I've seen Korean dramas and I know actress do that in SK but in "serious" plays they really show their skills, I will give Yuriko Yoshitaka the benefit of the doubt and not believe that she was casted by her pretty face. Fukunaga, Yusuke Santamaria, was an exception I really enjoyed him with mysterious and, maybe, untrustworthy looks, he was able to deliver great moments; on the guest side Sakuramiya, Kurumi Shimizu, was greatly delivered, I will look for more of her works. The other characters didn't give me much of an impression: Taneda was your average drama hero; Shizugatake was well introduced, but poorly developed; Mitani was too caricatured with her "robotic" personality; the rest of the team was "meh"; Shu suited perfectly with his brother, because his personality and acting were tasteless; Ou Tan deserves praises for being the comedy relief, she is supposed to help the character break their tension; those two old men on Shanghai restaurant I have nothing to say, couple of words per episode isn't much too judge.
Interesting, light-hearted, with some serious critics about their culture, worth the watch, not magnificent, but something to take notes and remembers. Now it is my time to go, I'm going first, otsukaresama deshita!
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This review may contain spoilers
I appreciate the glimpse into the working habits and styles of the Japanese. How they can and do overwork themselves because they feel that it's a requirement. I love that Yui stood against that flow, but at the same time, also had to yield to pressure at the end because of decisions made outside her control. Watching the work ebb and flow and see her have to compromise when she didn't want to was very true to real life. Yoshitaka Yuriko did a terrific job as Yui and is one of my favorite Japanese female leads to date. Now to what I didn't care for, the romantic manipulations that were thrown in just for "drama." I mean, yes, we're watching dramas, but that was unnecessary. I liked Takumi. A lot. He was a lovely man with a generous and giving nature, so I can't picture him cheating on Yui and I can't picture their lives falling apart like that. He would have been the type to understand and be supportive of her while her work life is crazy busy, not cheat on her. But, Yui's and Takumi's relationship needed to fracture in order for her to be with Kotaro. It was really just a manipulative ploy that I didn't care for because while the rest of the drama felt almost true to life, that part was very contrived. It didn't matter to me that Yui and Kotaro had been together before. She was good with Takumi so I resent that the writers felt the need to reunite her with Kotaro. It was unnecessary and made me knock a couple of points off an otherwise excellent drama.
I'm a KAT-TUN fan so it was fun seeing my first drama with Nakamaru Yuichi. Even though he ended up on the losing side. Mukai Osamu was likable as Kotaro. And I truly loved the rest of the cast, particularly Shishido Kavka as Mitani-san. She is AMAZING and I have to watch more of her dramas. This is the first time since "Good Morning Call" that I've liked Sakurada Dori. He surprised me since I've disliked the last 3 dramas I either watched or skimmed through with him in them. I didn't think I could like him in a role anymore, but I think I liked Shu apart from him if that makes sense. Sakurada Dori usually plays skeezes now and that is not Shu's character. Dori didn't do the role a disservice so I was able to accept him as the emotionally damaged and distraught younger brother.
The drama is super clean, no skinship whatsoever really unless Takumi and Yui are teasing are each other when they're still engaged which is awfully cute. They were comfortable together so they poke and touch each other a little bit and it worked for the characters as a couple.
It's a drama about many important and touchy subjects in Japan, like women working after they become mothers, like feeling obligated to work overtime, like not being able to voice concerns to upper management and actually have them listen to you, etc. For all of these reasons, I feel it's important to watch. Even though I didn't agree with the romantic ploys, it was still an excellent drama.
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A light watch and look into Japan's work culture
What better drama to watch than "No Working After Hours/Watashi, Teiji de Kaerimasu" when I have been doing a lot of overtime myself at work? This is a light and easy watch for those who are interested in learning more about the work culture in Japan.The drama touches on several important social and work issues that could probably happen in many cultures:
1. Training new employees using the outdated methods seniors were trained and treated.
2. Power harassment
3. Sexual harassment
4. Hobby/Interest harassment
5. Balancing family and work life and difficult choices made
6. Balancing work and personal life and difficult choices made
7. Unhealthy work hours and after effects
8. Different expectations when you are men vs women, single vs married
However, do not go in expecting the drama to go in details and give you satisfying results each time. I've read complaints about how the sexual harassment issue was dealt with and I agree that it wasn't handled as well as I would have liked. With only 10 episodes, there no way they can address all issues properly.
Our female lead is in the middle of all these situations - when she's the one dealing with them and when she's supporting her colleagues. She is a likeable lead and not one of those naive, innocent, submissive Japanese characters.
I would not expect a great romance. The 'slight romance ' tag is accurate and even so, I was not satisfied. The chemistry between ML and FL is definitely better than with tj boyfriend. However, there aren't enough romantic scenes in either relationship. This is a workplace drama first and foremost.
I would recommend this if you want a light watch but not a serious drama that tackles all these issues. The employees are all supportive and likeable. The 'villain' can be frustrating but may not be truly malicious.
Completed: 8/3/2023 - Review #337
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Need of the century!
Here is a Jdrama that is both entertaining and life changing. It’s what Japan and most Asian or any person needs in this century. Death by overwork is common in Japan and we need more jdramas like this. The FL gives her heart out for the role and so do all the actors. There’s exceptional character development and strong story line with central theme. Perhaps there is no other Asian drama so grounded and close to the reality of working class than this one. Unless you are a singer or actor or born with golden spoon you’ll find this the most relevant drama available.Was this review helpful to you?
Unfortunately, the series really couldn't live up to it, due to a shallow, poorly-written script. Now, that the complexity of real life must be simplified in order to produce fiction, that's something to be expected of course; but this doesn't mean that oversimplicity is okay! Whoever wrote this totally forgot nuances: everything here is either black or white, and the episodic structure (which would have been totally fine in a, say, crime series, but is instead tremendously out of place in a series which is supposed to be focused on characters' development!) doesn't help at all, quite the opposite. Characters are depicted as bad until the main character / deus ex machina intervenes, and *BANG!*, they're not bad anymore and they can join the forces of Good against the Axis of Evil - made of whoever doesn't agree. I found in this series the shallow, dichotomic, idiotic approach which is so typical of our current Western society (and which I can't stand at all), and that *deeply* annoyed me.
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