My first J drama has set the bar INCREDIBLY high and is right up there with my gold standard Hello Again! The writers have concocted a clever story with two extremely likable, attractive leads who start off with a happy beginning and elevate their romance to the happiest of endings. They're a couple of good hearted young people who find themselves in a hasty marriage and then start to fall in love with each other. It's just popcorn bubble gum sweet to watch their flirtations as their feelings deepen as much through their thoughts as their dialogue.

Everyone in the drama is as happy for their newlywed bliss as we in the audience are. His ex, their families, and their co workers all support their surprise marriage. There's no jealousy or resentment about how they tried to keep the relationship a secret or she's not good enough for someone's precious son. Every mini conflict results in a harmonious resolution and cementing their bond even further.

She sets out to "conquer" his heart and they're soon declaring their love and quickly behaving comfortably enough with each other to become physically intimate by the second episode! The skinship only picks up from there as the close-ups, kind words, and lovemaking will melt your heart as they get to know each other as husband and wife. The scene when she meets his mother is beyond cute and touching.

I'm surprised that Marriage Honey is only my first J drama as I lived in Japan for three years in the 90s and still love the sound of the language and Japanese movies. Now living in China I've sought out dramas in Mandarin, especially those from Taiwan, which bears some cultural similarities to Japan. Marriage Honey exemplifies the Japanese ethos of preserving harmony so I'm not surprised at how perfectly romantic this drama is and how captivated I was by every episode.