Not Your Typical Adult Romance Drama

Fuufu no Himitsu is a Japanese drama about a married couple who are involved in a murder. The drama begins with the scene of a body being buried, but it is not clear who is being buried or who is doing the burying. The story then unfolds as we learn more about the couple and the events that led to the murder.

When I first heard about this drama, I thought it would be a typical adult romance drama with a lot of cheating, just like many Korean dramas. I forgot for a moment that this is a Japanese drama, which is very likely to have different colors~♪

I only started watching this drama after the teaser for episode 8 was released and I saw Toyoda Yudai's character crying hysterically on the beach. At that time, I thought "This kid is a good crier". Drawn in by his performance, I decided to give the drama a try.

It turns out that the first scene in the drama was a scene of burying a corpse, and at that time it was not shown who was burying it and who died. I WAS SO CURIOUS and ended up marathoning episodes 1-8.

You know what, I watched it with the expectation that Toyoda's character would be sad. He was sad, but he was the one who was creepy from the first smile, even though it turns out that other characters were more hair-raising.

There was no cheating in this drama. Instead, there was a MURDER. There was one female character who was the couple's employee in the flower shop, played by Momotsuki, that went on a date with the barista. They went to a hotel, booked a room, and the female character was choked. We wasn't shown how she ended up, but the next day, the main character (she was a florist) told the barista that her employee resigned.

Back to the very first scene, the burying corpse scene. Little by little, we are told who was involved in the burial process. Then I had to wait patiently for the identity of the body they buried to be revealed. It's a devastating loss ?

Speaking of the cast, this drama included two seniors with good track records, Usuda Asami and Gouriki Ayame. The rest are all newcomers. But I'm truly impressed by them, able to perform at the same level as their more experienced co-stars. They achieved an excellent level of creepiness, right when it's needed.

I believe if you want a light story, Fuufu no Himitsu won't be the best choice. But if you are more into deep dark suspense story, this one is worth to try.

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Slightly Dark but Heartwarming Series

Ah~ so this is how it feels to watch BL which is an original screenplay. Most of BL series out there, specifically Japanese, is an adaptation from manga and light novel.

To begin with, the premise of the story sounded interesting. I assumed it would be dark and angsty, but turned out it is lighter. Surely, the moment when the two main characters confronted each other and bickered are a bit scary. The tension was in a right amount to pull me into their emotions. Besides, I also agree that this series, which the interesting premise hinted complexity potential, needs longer duration to show more proper closure for Fumiya and Ritsu.

Next off, the cast was superb! I have no complain. Their acting skill, especially Suzuki Kosuke's potrayal is stunning. We all know that Fumiya, played by Suzuki, is a person who bottles up his feeling and thoughts. Suzuki successfully showing them from his eyes, the way his expression changed from one second of disappointment to patiently smiling, hiding all his negative emotion. Never thought he could play so much better than the main role in one of his previous work. For Honda Kyoya, I was a bit surprised for the transformation he showed me for this series. I mean, his image from Animals (that makes me start adoring his visual) totally different in here. He is totally into Ritsu whose appearance is warm and fluffy, also the sweet soft voice, just right to presents us his emotional sensitivity. Again, eyes, like Suzuki, Honda also displayed how Ritsu easily moved and hurt through them. I love to see them sparkling from happiness and filled with tears when Ritsu is in pain (⁠*⁠˘⁠︶⁠˘⁠*⁠)⁠.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡

About the music. I would give a 10, but I'm not into the OP soundtrack, so I lower the score a bit. I love Miwa and her songs since many years ago and the ED song sounds perfect for me. All the background music was perfect. As expected from the same composer as Eternal Yesterday. The difference is just, the bgm sounded more suspenseful than making me feel sad. The tension in them kills me (in a good way) (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)⁠✧⁠*⁠。

I gave 8/10 for rewatch value since I am someone who watch shows that is emotionally stimulating, Jack O'Frost can be an alternative choice. The unhealthiness in the relationship makes me cussing Ritsu and Fumiya unstoppably for 6 weeks + 1 week before it aired + 1 week when it was not airing.

Overall, the time when I overthink the plot, making theories, and cussing the characters only show that I invested in this series. It was a fun rollercoaster ride and worth my time! ♡⁠˖

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I love this drama so much, but it is clearly not for everyone

Just because I love this so much, it doesn't mean this series is for everyone especially about the age-gap. For me, that is not the problem since Shin doesn't force himself as a child to reach out to Minato. He is waiting for 10 years to start.

At the age of 17, he shows up in front of Minato, asking to be a friend.
At the age of 18 when he is already legal, he asks Minato to be his boyfriend.

IMO, after the rejection until Minato finally comes clear with Sakuma Sensei, the story is dull. I didn't even rewatch those eps until I finally watch the final eps and decided to rewatch everything from eps 1.

The indecisive Minato was frustrating, but that is also what keeps me going. I always complained about his behavior but I couldn't leave him alone. Me everyweek: "COME ON DUDE PLEASE SHOW ME A DEVELOPMENT ON YOUR CHARACTER THIS EPS" :')

About their acting, this is Nishigaki Sho's first role as a main lead. For the manga reader like me, he represents Shin so well but a little bit brighter personality. In the manga, Shin has darker personality. He creeped me out sometimes (still read it, tho), but Shin in this drama is not. As a newbie, I think this is a good breakthrough for him.

As about Takuya, I am not into Bullet Train, so I barely knew him before haha but I actually already saw him acting in My Brother Loves Me Too Much and Our Dearest Sakura. Not that impressive. And even though I am not into Cherry Maho, I saw him there. I thought that he can pull the comedic thing. So, at first, it did not surprise me when he acted on funny scene. BUT WHEN HE CRIED, AND FRUSTRATED AND MAKING ME WANTED TO SLAP HIM BECAUSE OF MINATO'S INDECISIVENESS, I know he pulled this character well. He makes Minato more annoying in the drama than in the manga.

Okay, this is my first review. What else should I talk about?

Anyway, I'll rewatch this when I have more free time. I mean, it is considered long with 12 eps for japanese BL. I'm gonna miss the emotional dynamics I experienced when following this drama. Also, gonna miss them so bad bad bad. <3

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The unexpected path of a romcom series

For a person who watch Japanese Boys Love from time to time since Takumi-kun era and witness how Japan progressively making drama and movie with this specific genre, I think Minato Shouji Coin Laundry is one of their well-made drama with this theme.

Minasho 1-2 receiving so much loved from local audience. The followers of its social media increased continually and most of them is Japanese. On the other hand, this series is much criticized by international audience mainly because of the age-gap plot, the absence of intimate and rated scenes, Minato’s personality, also lately, because of the amnesia path the story took-which also surprised myself, tbh. But when you are following Japanese BL (actually, not only BL) drama, movie, manga, anime, I think people out there would find that many of their plot is unique and probably, unacceptable.

But here I am defending this drama, again. Already did the same thing last year for previous season.

To begin with, 2023 was welcome by BL that is a total flop manga adaptation, followed by another one or two flop adaptations. It was frustrating. There was one drama that good enough to watch, but the others are a let down. Why a let down? The anticipation I had as the manga’s fans is wasted, not because of the screenwriting, but the way the actors delivered the emotion to me.

With Minasho, it is different. Of course, Minato Akira is annoying hahaha but by me feeling annoyed by what he did, the actor succeed to pull me into the story. Kusakawa Takuya is consistent in this aspect. Nishigaki Sho, the Katsuki Shintaro actor, showing many side of his acting skill in this season. He shows his ability to convey various emotion this time. Also, Kusakawa & Nishigaki’s crying scenes are beautiful. Compared to some BL I’ve watched before, I can still count how many actors can shed tears properly for their heartbreaking scenes.

Season 2 is an original script, written by the manga author, because the story in its manga is way behind. We expected their cuddly daily life after being boyfriends, but nah, we did not get it as easy as flicking fingers. Especially, if we fully understand how Minato Akira’s personality is, and for that deeper understanding, you have to be a fan of the manga or at least, the previous season of this drama.

This series is a serotonin booster because of their fluffy interaction. But it can’t be helped if most people’s preference to boost their mood is by watching hot bed scene, this series will not fulfill the need since it’s a romantic comedy. Even the supposed-to-be-a-bed-scene is amusing.

The opening sequence is interesting. They recorded it with phone and slipped some of the Minato and Shin’s daily life video. I love the concept, not the over-cheerful song, tho.

The ending sequence is on another level, but same concept with season 1. It’s a symbol of the progress of the main couple’s dynamics. The song is easy-listening and unexpectedly fit in every mood in this season. It sounds like a happy song, but it can make you cry when the episode is frustrating, as in EP 10-11. In ep 12, too, but in a good way.

So, before started watching, I hope you find this review to be able to decide if this drama is your cup of tea.

See you in another review!

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