Title : Hajimete Koi Wo Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi, A Story to read when you first fall in love
Episodes : 10
Genre : School, Romance, Comedy, Slice of life, Drama, Older woman, Three men, Friendship, Life Choices, Fluff, Sweet, Cute
Story : 6 out of 10
Characters : 7 out of 10
Cinematography : 8 out of 10
A drama about life choices and three love interests, that, however, focuses more on one of them.
Story
Junko is working as a teacher in a private institute. Back in the day, she was an A student, who, however, failed to enter Tokyo University and her self esteem went downhill ever since. Her best friend, Yakumo, is her solid rock. He is an office worker and he is in love with her, but never mustered the courage to confess to her.
As Junko fails society by being a 31 year old with no career and no partner, she feels like her life is only gloomy. That’s until she meets a boy with pink hair, Yuri. Yuri is the son of a powerful man, who is, however, cold towards his own son. Yuri is failing his studies and his future doesn’t look that bright. But, he is passionate and he wants to change that. With Junko’s help, they start the difficult task to help him pass his exams and enter a university. In the mists of it, Yuri falls in love with Junko. But he has yet another rival for Junko’s heart, his teacher in school, Yamashita. The later used to be classmates with Junko, who was his first love. Now, newly divorced, he meets her again and the old feeling resurface.
The story is a mixture of romance and rediscovering yourself. Actually, the best part of this drama was how Junko realized that her passion was teaching and helping others and how she made amends with her family and herself. The way she handled society who looked down on her because she had failed to accomplish what she supposed to have till she reached her thirties was the way she handled herself as well.
Now for the romance part, that one was just okay. The three love interests, although different and intriguing, lacked intensity and chemistry with the leading lady. Plus, the one with Yuri was kind of off, as he was too young and Junko seemed to need someone more mature to keep up with her and her needs and not someone she had to take care of. Plus, the ending was disappointing when it came to self-discovering and it used quite cliché trop to finish off things. But, romance vice, it was okay.
Characters
Junko is a woman in her thirties who loves studying. She is passionate about it and loves to help others. She is gentle as well and she has a bright personality, often making fun of herself and putting herself down, until she finally realizes that she is happy the way she is. Fukada Kyoko was, as always, lovely and she actually looked really young, fresh and elegant.
Yuri is a high school student who doesn’t give much thought about his future. He has bright pink hair that makes him stand out and he often is perceived as a trouble maker. However, he is a sweet boy, sensitive and passionate. Yokohama Ryusei is one of the young talents from Japan that are rising rapidly. He was really good as Yuri and his performance was flawless.
Cinematography
The drama managed the pace well, however, the story was spread too thinly over the ten episodes length and it often got boring.
Overall
My overall rating it 6 out of 10. Although the drama started strongly, it had some boring moments and the romance was tiring at times.
K&J Reviews 
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