Welcome to my Saturday blog post where I give thoughts on dramas I’m watching, whether at the beginning, middle, or end. Whatever I want, because I’m petty that way.
This week I lost all track of time and reality, so only posted a recap of episodes 9-10 of Japanese College introvert-with-hearing-loss-extravert-with-hearing BL I Hear the Sunspot. I’d love to be as lucky as Taichi, who has his future handed to him by a stranger.
Next week I’ll be back to my 2 recaps a week.
What did I watch this week? I’ve got two shows to talk about, the first is an initial review of:
Cinderella at 2 AM – 새벽 2시의 신데렐라 – 2024
Currently airing Korean rom-com, I’ve watched 2 of 10 episodes.
A woman discovers her younger-subordinate-boyfriend is heir to the company and takes his mother’s money in return for dumping him. This is how the story starts.
I’m fascinated by East Asia’s fascination with Cinderella. It seems strongest in Japan, where not a single school cultural festival can go by without a performance. But it’s also prevalent in other countries. Sometimes, as the random clips littering my YouTube suggest, Cinderella is just a synonym for “Princess”.
So far, they’re going all out with the Cinderella-ness with two separate shoe incidents in the first episode. Except, instead of running from the ball, our Cinderella takes the queen’s money and runs. But our chaebol prince is as determined to go after her as the fairy tale prince.
The tone is light-hearted romcom, without veering as much into cartoonish slapstick as the recent My Sweet Mobster. The show knows how to lean into the humor for moments that are both meaningful and ridiculous. The comedically annoying coworkers are mostly annoying me so far but there’s a strong chance they’ll get their redemptive moments.
The show caught my attention because of our chaebol prince, who I’ve seen play a royal prince previously in Under The Queen’s Umbrella. He’s good at playing princes: tall, handsome, and with a nice deep voice. The female lead is doing a good job with a character whose set-up can easily make her unlikeable. She’s given enough backstory and internal conflict to make me feel for her even as I question her rejection of a rich younger man who adores her, and she adores in return.
I like the concept of Cinderella “at 2 AM”
What does Cinderella do after the ball, when all the magic is gone and she’s just herself? Suddenly becoming rich seems nice in fantasy, but the reality is probably very different. It’s also rare to see a story start with an established couple, and I’m interested to see Cinderella cope with the reality of her princes’ wealth and family.
I liked the first two episodes a lot and the 10-episode run time feels promising, I just hope it isn’t 10 episodes just of him chasing her. Also, I hope the mother isn’t redeemed, but I won’t hold my breath.
I also finished:
Cosmetic Playlover – コスメティック・プレイラバー – 2024
Recently aired Japanese office BL with 8 episodes.
A cosmetic salesman senpai encourages his promising-but-resentful kouhai and earns the intense affection of the younger man.
Senpai and kouhai definitions, in case you need it.
The poster tells you all you need to know about the production value involved here. There’s not a whole lot to look at besides the actors. Despite that, I enjoyed this show as though it were a cheap but tasty fast-food burger.
Because it is very fast. Our leads are in a relationship almost before one of them knows it. The kouhai is bitter and disillusioned thanks to a disappointing history in the modeling industry. But once he realizes his senpai is genuine and kind, the poor man is doomed. Our kouhai does intense, simmering passion very well.
From there they move at a rapid pace through various relationship problems which a Thai BL could easily spend 12 longer episodes on. Encouraged by his senpai, our kouhai applies his natural talents to his job and starts caring about his life again. Meanwhile, his senpai struggles with his lesser talents, feelings of insecurity, and long-term unrequited love. There’s also professional backstabbing, jealousy, and cohabitation. It’s shocking they didn’t fit cooking in too.
I appreciated this quick pace because it allowed me to enjoy their relationship deepening and growing. Most Japanese BLs are slower, with a plot blueprint that takes us through both characters POV’s and ends on the relationship beginning. This drama offered something different, giving us backstory but focusing on the present as the two went beyond the initial romance.
So is this an amazing show?
No. It’s visibly cheap and the story is nothing new. The speed means there’s no time to be deep or thoughtful. But I can easily see myself rewatching it when I’m in the mood for something quick, easy, and satisfying.
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