AnanyaS
India
This review may contain spoilers
So when I read the synopsis for this drama, I was like, "Yeah, I'm gonna pass." And it wasn't because this seemed like yet another drama dabbling with the time travelling trope, albeit with a somewhat unique approach. No. It was actually because,... well how do I put this? I wasn't really sure if the theme of the drama would suit my taste or not, what with the main lead being a host and all. (Yes, I'm rolling my eyes at me too). Anyway, after seeing a few positive posts about this on the feeds, I decided to give it a chance. And, well, who am I kidding? Yamazaki Kento is as big as an incentive I'm ever gonna have to give a drama a go. Now that I have finished this drama, I'm glad that I went with it, 'cause I enjoyed it a lot. ( For the most part.)
Now, on to the "actual" review:
- Not to sound redundant or anything, but let me just say that if you're a YK fan, you should really watch this. And if you're not, then you MUST watch this, because it'll make you his fan. Yes, the man (uh, boy?) has done that good of a job here. I'm not trying to underappreciate the rest of the cast or characters here (I'll get to them later). That being said, I believe that this is one of YK's finest works. First of all, because it's so different from all his previous roles (which even I can tell, even though I haven't seen all of his works.) And second, because he did such a tremendous job portraying Eight/ Otaro. So, do watch this, for him!
Okay, gushing over!
- This is the first time in my drama-watching life, that I've finally understood the allure of a 'bad boy'. Eight is no typical tsundere male lead. He, for sure, does not have a heart of gold. And he's definitely not misunderstood. He is a greedy opportunist. But you'll love him. Oh, you'll so love him. There is no other way! Even when he's downright manipulating someone, you won't be able to help but fall for his smirk. Seriously, that smirk (you'll know it when you see it)! Don't worry though, you will get to see his human side. But it won't be until much much later. And it'll just make you love him more.
- Now, on to the plotline. Like I said, at first glance, it might seem like a typical time travelling drama. It's not though, not really. Not just because their 'approach' to the whole idea was different. Since the synopsis is pretty vague, I won't go into much detail, just in case it gets spoiler-ish. So I'll just say that the storyline was actually pretty interesting, much more than it seemed. It's really intriguing, actually.
- The suspense in the drama is maintained at a good pace. I mean, it's not by any means, nail-biting suspenseful, but it did have it moments where the viewers were like, "Oh gosh, what's gonna happen now?!" Which was exaggerated if you watched it while it was airing (what with only one episode per week), even if (if being the keyword) it might not seem like that big of a deal if you're marathoning the drama. Still, I'd say the writers did a good enough job with the suspense genre.
- All the actors did a really wonderful job portraying their characters. Whether it was Saiko, Mikoto, Takauji, Harumi or any other character. The intensity of tension, anxiety, confusion, romance between them, it was really on-point. And that's actually one of things I really liked about this drama.
- About the ending. Once again, can't really say much about it, 'cause, spoiler! But if you happen to see a comment or two, and it makes you hesitate to watch this, please don't. Hesitate, that is. Just watch the first episode and you'll see for yourself what I mean.
- The OST is a good listen. I'm not familiar with J (or K/C) artists, but even I found the song catchy, and found myself humming ( 'cause that's all I can do, really) to it.
If you managed to not quit reading this review after the first two points (for all I know, all my gushing, erhm fangirling, over YK could have the opposite effect, and could have actually driven you away from the drama. In which case, gomenne) and got up to this point, I'll just say this. I seriously hope that you give this a chance.
Happy Watching!!
Now, on to the "actual" review:
- Not to sound redundant or anything, but let me just say that if you're a YK fan, you should really watch this. And if you're not, then you MUST watch this, because it'll make you his fan. Yes, the man (uh, boy?) has done that good of a job here. I'm not trying to underappreciate the rest of the cast or characters here (I'll get to them later). That being said, I believe that this is one of YK's finest works. First of all, because it's so different from all his previous roles (which even I can tell, even though I haven't seen all of his works.) And second, because he did such a tremendous job portraying Eight/ Otaro. So, do watch this, for him!
Okay, gushing over!
- This is the first time in my drama-watching life, that I've finally understood the allure of a 'bad boy'. Eight is no typical tsundere male lead. He, for sure, does not have a heart of gold. And he's definitely not misunderstood. He is a greedy opportunist. But you'll love him. Oh, you'll so love him. There is no other way! Even when he's downright manipulating someone, you won't be able to help but fall for his smirk. Seriously, that smirk (you'll know it when you see it)! Don't worry though, you will get to see his human side. But it won't be until much much later. And it'll just make you love him more.
- Now, on to the plotline. Like I said, at first glance, it might seem like a typical time travelling drama. It's not though, not really. Not just because their 'approach' to the whole idea was different. Since the synopsis is pretty vague, I won't go into much detail, just in case it gets spoiler-ish. So I'll just say that the storyline was actually pretty interesting, much more than it seemed. It's really intriguing, actually.
- The suspense in the drama is maintained at a good pace. I mean, it's not by any means, nail-biting suspenseful, but it did have it moments where the viewers were like, "Oh gosh, what's gonna happen now?!" Which was exaggerated if you watched it while it was airing (what with only one episode per week), even if (if being the keyword) it might not seem like that big of a deal if you're marathoning the drama. Still, I'd say the writers did a good enough job with the suspense genre.
- All the actors did a really wonderful job portraying their characters. Whether it was Saiko, Mikoto, Takauji, Harumi or any other character. The intensity of tension, anxiety, confusion, romance between them, it was really on-point. And that's actually one of things I really liked about this drama.
- About the ending. Once again, can't really say much about it, 'cause, spoiler! But if you happen to see a comment or two, and it makes you hesitate to watch this, please don't. Hesitate, that is. Just watch the first episode and you'll see for yourself what I mean.
- The OST is a good listen. I'm not familiar with J (or K/C) artists, but even I found the song catchy, and found myself humming ( 'cause that's all I can do, really) to it.
If you managed to not quit reading this review after the first two points (for all I know, all my gushing, erhm fangirling, over YK could have the opposite effect, and could have actually driven you away from the drama. In which case, gomenne) and got up to this point, I'll just say this. I seriously hope that you give this a chance.
Happy Watching!!
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