Kieta Hatsukoi (2021)

Extremely warm, charming and high quality but...

In general, it can be called very good. Cinematography, acting, friendship, sound are very good in every way. The reason was this, for me it was a point where the glass overflowed, especially what I hate to see in BL dramas. Aoki is a man and all his life he knows himself as a hetoro called normal (especially in a place like Japan) Then there is a misunderstanding between him and Ida, exciting, everything is good. After a series of events, she acknowledges that she is in love with Aoki Ida. WHAT? Was it that easy and simple? He doubts himself a little and accepts it immediately. HOW? Is it that easy to realise you're gay if you haven't realised it since you were a child?

Anyway, it saddens me when I don't see that emotional depression and denial followed by painful acceptance in a Bl.
(The same problem seemed to be relatively present in Cherry Magic!, but there, too, Kurosawa's interest and love was so sweet that it could make anyone who is straight gay. ?)
(A good example I can give is Chu Sang Woo in Semantic Error. His suspicion, his escape, his inability to accept was very realistic)

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Super cute, but then falls into common web drama traps

This was SO cute. I think there's very few actors that could take on the role of Aoki — who's sort of a bumbling, clumsy character that could'e easily become annoying — but the actor managed to make him so adorable, endearing, and a fantastic lead to follow.

I also really loved the side characters; it's nice that there's not really a villain in the drama at all, which makes it a lot more light-hearted and fun, and also allowed the show to discuss discrimination and internalized homophobia without making them really depressing and hopeless.

The premise itself surprisingly gets resolved pretty early, and it's more focused on the gradual development between the leads. I liked being able to see them hanging out without being "forced to," but my favorite part was actually still the beginning, where they were getting to know each other.

I was really pleasantly surprised with this drama...all the way until the last few episodes, where they started doing the "big climax cliche" that many shorter dramas do: the dreaded break-up + big realization + romantic reunion. It was probably the first moment in the drama that felt cliche, whereas previously the show had managed to make common tropes still seem fun and refreshing. I also think it just felt a little rushed to have it all at the end, though I don't think it's that out of the ordinary for a drama with this runtime.

Overall, it's fun and I liked it — it's a show that you don't have to think that much about.

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I will definitely be watching this again

I will definitely be watching this again

I needed a cutesy BL in my life...and this did just that.

Aoki was so adorable. Every time something happened with Ida his brain would go into crisis mode and he would do anything to try to fix it and ask for help.

Ida played the role of the very dense himbo.

There were plenty of misunderstandings, but they got over them quickly.

The date they had was so cute. Especially the part that was filmed with the phone. Everything just felt so real and their love for each other was blossoming.

For the music, that one song kept playing. But it was fine because it was a good song.

Final verdict, 9/10. Would definitely watch this again.

Sorry for any grammar errors and spelling mistakes. English is my first language, I'm just bad at it.

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"É muito bonito, é muito silencioso, é muito discreto, é muito contido. E eu amei!"

Eu confesso que não sou a maior fã de histórias muito equilibradas, principalmente as que se passam em ambiente escolar. Gosto de tramas que acontecem chacoalhões que mudam a vida dos personagens de baixo para cima. Dito isso, assistir Kiekoi foi um processo de aprender a respeitar o tempo da história. Passei por alguns shoujos ao longo da vida, então meio que foi o padrão: um tempo para perceber que um personagem gosta do outro, de desenvolver esse entremeio e só então estarem juntos. Isso é muito interessante porque nesses espaços a gente vai conhecendo melhor cada um dos quatro e descobrindo junto com eles o que "gostar" de alguém significa (e para cada um deles tem um sentido único conforme suas personalidades). É ótimo ver tramas que nos põe para revisitar certas memórias, e eu voltei para a minha adolescência quando eu mesma me vi diante desses sentimentos pela primeira vez.

Acho o Aoki (protagonista) um personagem muito quentinho e muito redondo, isto é, com camadas de complexidades muito bem roteirizadas e representadas magicamente pelo ator (um beijo para o querido). A Hashimoto também é uma estrela na série e a dinâmica entre os dois amigos é divertida de acompanhar.

Dou umas estrelinhas a menos na história por uma questão bem pessoal, mas é uma boa escolha pra se ver de manhãzinha e dar uns risinhos.

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I've watched this show three times already and I love it more every time!

This is my favorite BL! It's a very sweet love story with none of the usual harmful tropes that often show up in BLs. I love the manga and the changes made from the page to the drama adaptation improved the story, in my opinion. I love that this is a story built around an adorable crush and that the female character wasn't treated like a villain or a jealous monster. Hashimoto supports Aoki and he supports her.

The premise is very cute and explores the question of what it really means to like someone. I love all of the characters. Aoki and Ida are adorable together and, for what I think I heard was their first acting job, both actors did a wonderful job! The comedic timing was on point!

Definitely a recommend.

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Drama BL Cute dan Sweet Tanpa Kissing Scene

Sumpah, suka banget sama drama ini. Awalnya rada kesel sama alurnya, kek bulet gitu. Tapi lama-lama, menarik dan seru.
Dua pemain utama dengan karakter yang berbeda, bener-bener gk gue sangka si. Si Ida yang cool, lebih ke bingung si dia ini, gk tau apa yang dia rasain. Orangnya tuh kek belum terlalu banyak mengeksplor hal yang berbau dengan cinta, makanya pas dihadepin hal tersebut dia bingung. Terus karakter Aoiki yang lebih ekpresif, dia tau apa yang dia rasain dan sangat jujur tentang perasaannya (kadang terlalu jujur si.wkwkkwk).

Dan pada akhirna pun tanpa sadar kalau mereka berdua ini saling mencintai. Gemes...wkwkwkwk. Pemeran pendukungnya juga sangat mengambil peran. Jadi bukan karakter yang hanya untuk menuhin drama, tapi dengan adanya mereka dramanya jadi semakin bagus. Rekomen nonton ini.

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A Breath of Fresh Air

**Brief Synopsis**
B (Student): Aoki
T (Student): Ida

- Beginning: B and T are students of the same class. During the first quiz of the year, B forgot his eraser and have to borrow one from a girl who has a crush on T. This eraser - with T’s name and a heart on it - was seen by T, making him think that B has a crush on him. B wants to explain but after the real owner begs him to keep it a secret, B pretends the eraser it’s his own. T promises that he will think it over seriously. To do so, he decides to start spending more time with B, who ironically actually falls for T.

- Middle: But before T gives him an answer, B tells his best friend about his situation and his best friend, without even waiting him to stop him, drags him over to T and explains the who misunderstanding. T is obviously taken aback but tells B he doesn’t mind. He stops spending time with B and B, heart broken, starts to stare at T a lot, something his best friends notices. B finally is confronted by said best friend and he admits his feelings for T. His best friend encourages him to confess. During a school trip, B finally confesses to T who suggests they should start dating. B, not wanting T to date him without liking him, does not agree and tells him to think about it.

- End: They start spending more time again together but before they could have their happy ending, T still has to confess his feelings. B is also unwilling to tell people they were dating which hurts T. But B was doing it for T’s sake, something he doesn’t understand and has a fight with B. The series ends with him finally understanding that B was doing it for his sake and that he actually loves B; he confesses to B and they start dating for real. The last scene is a reminder of the first scene where B asks for an eraser, but this time T gives him one and on the eraser, we see B’s name with a heart.

**My Opinion**

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT IT:
- I absolutely loved the concept. It’s different, it’s new, it’s refreshing. It’s also very well executed. It’s not too long and not too rushed. We see the character’s emotional journey and how they got to where they are in the finale. Although there aren’t a lot of build up but whatever is there is good.
- I loved the ending, it’s a throwback to the first scene and shows the audience what has been changed without telling them.
- I really like how B and T looked together. B is hyper and T is very calm. Their personality matches together perfectly because T really likes B’s little reactions.
- The writing is pretty nice. Sure the plot is full of school drama cliche tropes but they aren’t dragged out and gets to the point. Each scene serves a purpose.
- I really like how serious B is about this relationship. Even if he was super happy that T asks him out, he wants to make sure T has the right reasons to date him, which is an extremely mature decision.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT IT:
- The acting is truly horrible at times. Reactions and expressions of anger or joy are exaggerated and unnatural. Sometimes the acting is too plain, emotionless and other times way too exaggerated, borderline cringey. Like many Japanese drama, some actions often seen in manga and anime are reproduced in real life, which makes them extremely cringey and make people wonder about B’s mental state. It is not normal for a high school student to hide inside a garbage bag because he was emo.
- The romance is really slow burn meaning things progress really slowly. This show focuses on the relationship so there is no intimate scene, not even a kiss. But even without those scenes, there is no doubt they care about each other.
- B can be very extra at some times. I really hate the exaggerated facial expressions he makes at times, which makes him look really ugly.
- I’m not really happy that the angst is because of misunderstanding. B and T do their best but they still lack communication which is why T doesn’t understand why B doesn’t want to let other people know about them. Just talking it out would avoid a lot of problems.

**Conclusion**
This is an okay watch with an interesting concept that you should give a chance.

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Nothing but love for this series!

My love mix-Up!(Kieta Hatsukoi) the series hooked me from scene 1. I’ve rewatched it several times, with the same enthousiasme and love. It’s my absolute favorite (BL) Japanese drama. The superb storyline without flaws, the last moment plot, the twists and turns, the shyness and cuteness, attention voor the use of (sun)light, 2 OST’s sung by the ML actors. Then there is the acting from straight faced Meguro Ren (wait until he starts smiling), Fukumoto Riko (so talented), Suzuki Jin (light hearted character, well done) got me for 4h. Special attention for the talented ML Michieda Shunsuke, with his facial expressions. Without him the series wouldn’t have been the same. For some his comedy alike character will need getting used to it, but it’s perfect. Do not forgot the sideline couples in this series. I won’t spoil about them.

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Delightful BromCom Avoids Most of the Worst BL Cliches

There' s a lot to like here. The pacing is even and each episode offers new surprises while avoiding most of the worst BL cliches. Special recognition should be given to the inspirational camp sequence where teaching the students that cooperation is superior to competition wins the game. Bravo! The main plot where two more or less straight dudes accidentally think the other has a bromantic interest in him is an interesting premise. We've seen this where one guy has the wrong impression but I don't think I've ever seen BOTH share the misconception. Later, of course, they become attracted to each other. Despite the promising plot, I found the main characters, Aoki and Ida a bit stiff and dull. Aoki plays a bit into the Y-drama effeminate male stereotype while Ida is mostly bland and two-dimensional -- but, on the plus side, Ida isn't the abusive, closeted gay cliche. The question of what two dudes do on a date is asked over and over again, but we never get a really good answer. Instead we get repetitive series of misunderstandings followed by apology scenes, which gets a bit tiresome. The intertwined double love triangles Aoki-Hashimoto-Ida-Aida/Akkun is nicely rendered here, so we never feel like we've left the main story for a side plot. I can't fault the lead actors, who are clearly doing their best with rather dull character development. But don't let my overall rating discourage you from watching this light BromCom. There was a lot of potential here that was not fully developed.

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