Utsukushii Kare (2021)

Problematic

It seems almost forced how many excellent reviews this drama has. And there is a difference between excellent and good. I know there is some sort of war has been going on between "haters" and hardcore fans. It came to the point where I simply want to provide at the very least some form of criticism to this show, which it absolutely deserves, as pretty much any other show out there.

First of all, I am not a hater. But I certainly do dislike the show very much. I have to point out that I have nothing against the actors as I have no interest in making it personal. The problem that I have with the show is the premise of it.

Another issue I want to address is how much negative feedback someone criticising it receives. It's like some form of hysteria, and, more than anything, it just makes the show much more unattractive, and experience watching and trying to participate in a discussion almost unbearable. The community around it feels sick and unhealthy, toxic in itself. Though, somehow it fits the drama.

Now, about the show itself.

As I have pointed out previously, I don't like the premise of the show. Basically, a very insecure guy is being obsessed with a very beautiful lad and, apparently, falls in love with him for the beauty. And the good-looking lad at some point is in love with the fact that someone is obsessed with him, and that person too, presumably. What do these people have in common? What would they talk about? Do they even enjoy spending time with each other? What do they do? Who knows. Worse than that, we see a dynamic of a "king" and his "servant", where the insecure character falls into the serving the overly idolised person. Literally, serving. And it is presented as a dynamic that no one is concerned with? I don't really care about the feelings involved in this whole ordeal, nothing in the drama makes me sympathise with both characters. This sort of behaviour should be looked down upon and not presented as a form of beautiful kind love. Even if it is love, it is twisted and it should be made clear, which show completely fails to do.

One might argue that all kinds of love should exist, and, to be honest, fair enough. But where do we draw boundaries? Some things should be noted, it should be shown that this twist in their relationship is out of the ordinary and is unhealthy. It bears consequences, there's complexity. It's not just black and white, well, it's not supposed to be. Well, not in the show. The show is very one dimensional in portraying it, and one sidedly positive. It is way too simplistic.

What it fails to do completely is to actually show any kind of love. All I personally see, these were obsessions over different characteristics of each character, there was nothing to suggest that what they feel towards each other is true love. The show told us about that, but what it was supposed to do was to show it. It didn't.

Romanticising this sort of relationship is deeply alarming. The creators/writers should understand what public they aim this show for, who would watch. Yes, creators do have such responsibility, it has nothing to do with triggers per se but a general common sense and understanding. It has nothing to do with censorship either. Does this show has a right to exist? Yes, absolutely. Do I think it's a good series? Absolutely not.

This relationship between those two is just a relationship that can happen. Sadly, I would like the shows of this sort to address how this relationship if not bad, then at the very least realistic. This is a very polished and romanticised version of what these sort of relationships actually look like. Too many logical flaws as well. Even twisted logic doesn't justify certain actions, there's no full picture.

On other fronts. The actors are pretty okay but I didn't feel the chemistry. It is shot well. Sadly, nothing can save this show for me. It feels hollow. Good looks but not much on the inside.

Someone in the community I follow mentioned this part of a famous poem in my native language (which I found a translation of) and I can't help but think how much it fits not only the couple but the show itself.

"But if it's so then what is beauty?
Why is it so idolised by all?
Is it a vessel, empty absolutely?
Or fire flickering behind a vessel's wall?"

On that note, I hope this review would also help someone to see other perspectives of the show. There are plenty of people who didn't like the show but simply don't say anything in order to avoid the backlash. And those who loved it, loved it, perhaps, a little too much and hence even the rating of the show is higher that one might expect. It doesn't reflect the reality. At least it feels so to me. I might be wrong, but at this point I don't really care much.

I just wrote down some thoughts I had and it wasn't a really organised review. I would like to leave it here and leave the show behind me too.

Cheers.

Leggi di Più

One of the Best in 21

This is an astonishing BL series full of angst, pain, and heartache. It is hard to watch because love here is not a storybook fantasy but an obsession. Well, more like possession. It is raw, gritty, and unhealthy. Yet compelling. This is not romance; its abuse. Told astonishingly and acted brilliantly. One of the best for the year 2021. This kind of story needs to be told.

It is a toxic love story that should not be romanticized. It does not make it less brilliant, but we should not try to fit a ‘square peg into a round hole’. It is haunting and will leave you feeling something. You must decide what to feel.

If you want to read my full review, go to my website at BLBliss.com/

Leggi di Più

Not your typical flower-boy-type of BL.

Bullying in (any type of) drama always hits too close to home for me. Seen few dramas where the main theme was bullying, the execution wasn't always good, because it is hard topic to work with without coming up with excuses for aggressors. In Utsukushii Kare, there's something deeper to think about.

N O T S P O I L E R F R E E / N O M A J O R S P O I L E R S

Hira Kazunari was never the cool kid, he was always shy, the slightest attention making him stutter. He knows it and he runs with it, tired of fighting and just waiting for the high school to be over. Kiyoi Sou was given good looks that make all his classmates orbitate him, without actually trying to get to know him better. He knows it, and he runs with it, using his flower boy privilege. When Kiyoi transfers to Hira's class, Hira immediately feels attracted to him. Seems like letting Kiyoi bully him, making Hira his lackey, is the only way to stay close to him. Unfortunately Kiyoi's also been bottling his feelings up and Hira practically stalking him is pushing his buttons.

What a breath of fresh air. This drama is bitter sweet, you know that what the characters are doing, saying, their behavior and things unspoken, are the root of all their problems, you know it and the creators (the novel author) knows it, and they will use it against you... With a sweet release at the end. ;))

Do you think Kiyoi is just an ordinary flower boy? Kiyoi is mainly a human being hearing for most of his life that his looks will get him everything, but he knows first hand that is not true. He's been expected to behave certain way and the beauty spell is broken, when he does the opposite the society is expecting of him. It actually makes other superficial, not him.

Do you think Hira is shy weirdo? Hira is mainly a human being that never got the help he needed as a kid. His parents tried so hard to label him as "normal", so Hira ended up even more closed up, in his own world, desperately trying to find the reason for living. And the status quo becomes Kiyoi.

In a sense, those two are destined to each other, needing each other more, than they realise and that makes the relationship they have so hard on both of them. It is also something that pushes them closer in the end, to the point where they have to communicate like two broken adults they are and stop hurting each other. And that is going to be a long journey for them. (yeah, hoping for second season, but not sure if my kokoro can handle it)

I love the way they went with both sides of the story. Kiyoi's story could've more episodes, but I understand the time they got for this was limited and they probably went for a surprise. It was surprise for me for sure. Nice surprise. I liked the cast, I had some hard time dealing with first two episodes before I realised this wasn't only about bullying. Utsukushii kare is about teens that grew up without anyone talking about their problems, which shaped them into who we see at the beginning. The character developement was there and without it, it just couldn't work.

Not feeling like rewatching it (yet!, there's too much stuff on my Plan to watch list), but I am considering reding the novel Utsukushii kare was based on. It probably doesn't have English translation, so training my Japanese it is.

Leggi di Più

Hate to love

I honestly don’t write reviews like ever but I really liked this drama so I decided why not actually right one

I thought I would hate this series just because their relationship was so shit and kinda toxic in the beginning but the ending is so good and idk like the whole like development of their relationship is so interesting to see and to see how they both talk about their past was amazing, like it was said in a way where I could relate to both of their stories.

And like it might sound really cliche like “nerd boy and popular guy” or whatever but trust me it’s so worth it like it’s cliche but at the same time not, I genuinely can not even describe this whole thing properly but if you’re thinking of watching it trust me watch it, even if you din’t like the beginning just trust the process.

Specially as like I did not want to spend my time watching a series with 30 episodes but this was so short and good that even though it might seem slow it passes by really quickly like I finished this within like 3 or 4 hours and even the episodes themselves are not very long.

⚠️Spoilers ahead⚠️
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Also for me there was a big personality plot twist, like I did not expect to see their relationship go like that. It was in the since of who is more dominant like I thought it would definitely be kiyoi but surprisingly it wasn’t it was hira and to see his friend come in and stuff it was just all really interesting.

Leggi di Più

Had to watch twice to digest.

The first time i watched this I was really expecting a love story, so i was let down rapidly from the first episode.

You know? I really loved Hira's character, not only because how well played we was by the actor, but because i kinda feel him in some ways too. I feel like im just as much of a misfit as he does and i want to be just as invisible as he wants, so him being bossed around and straight up bullied made me feel an intense pity for him.

I wanted him to end with the other guy. The guy who helped him when he needed, the guy who told him not to apologise properly, a guy who genuinely cared for him. But i had to watch this show twice to understand that that's not what Hira wanted.

Even with how toxic their dynamic is, Hira and Kiyoi seem to be perfect fot each other, and they're happy too, so whatever. It's a show anyway.

It is pretty interesting to watch, outside the real life parameters of healthy relationship I recommend. I'm just concerned with the many people that truly believe this is a beautiful love story.

Leggi di Più

a really good surprise

I've been into BLs lately, and honestly, this one was one of the best I've watched so far. At first, I thought it was a random and nice drama, and the me crying at midnight while watching the last episode can only beg to differ.
I loved the acting, especially Yagi Yusei's acting in the end : it was so natural, and felt so real, and honestly the 5th episode was what made me completely see the drama in a new light, how Hira and Kiyoi are like a mirror to one another, how similar they are in reality
anyway it's a a really short drama that's really worth watching

Leggi di Più

Short, addictive and disturbing BL story

This drama showcases a disturbing BL story. It is not that graphic at all but somewhat dark and twisted, as it is centred around the romance between a bully and his "stalker". Their relationship is almost a master-servant one, with one of the guy being apparently ready to do anything for the other. There are also hints of S&M undertones as the most subservient of the character seem to be looking forward some of the abuse as a way to get closer to his classmate who fascinates him.

It is a short drama (6 episodes of 20 minutes) but it is addictive: even though the pace can feel a bit languishing at time, it is clearly done with purpose. There are some quite dark intentional directing choices in parallel of some more poetic and quiet instants. However, one of the consequence of the shortness of the show is that it is difficult to have huge characters development as well as complex plotlines.

The cast does an OK job, and Hagiwara Riku (as the disturbed and bullied protagonist) is carrying the show. The alchemy between the main leads is primarily driven by the intensity of the script and the directing decisions taken.

I would recommend this to people looking for an addictive dark short BL story and who do not mind romanticised toxic relationship. Be aware that the show can be triggering and mind the tags.

Leggi di Più

Give it a chance!!!

I was sort of on the fence on this one because it didn’t really seem that interesting from the synopsis. But I was so wrong. I was instantly hooked from the first episode. I really have nothing else to say other than please give it a chance if you haven’t watched it!!! It really was an experience. Although I do wish there were more episodes, I feel like 6 episodes was enough to show their story. The thing that really made me love this was Hira. He honestly reminds me so much of myself. I know what it’s like to want to do anything and everything for someone you love which is probably why I liked him so much.

This show was just all around beautiful. The story, it sounded really cliché but it was so different from others at the same time. The actors really knew how to act, which sounds stupid to say but I’m serious. They really were able to pull off their roles amazingly. The characters, they were honestly really realistic which is always something I love in a drama. The music, I absolutely loved it. The production crew, absolutely impeccable. I don’t even know what they did to make every episode look amazing and that’s why I love them. The editing, amazing. Dare I say, perfect. I really enjoyed watching this and I will definitely be rewatching!!!

Leggi di Più

Best.

I watched the first season (in one go), I'm not sure that I want to watch the second one. It's not that I didn't like it, on the contrary, I was obsessed. There is something about the characters.... I identify to both of them, I feel like both of them. And their trope, I mean...there is no better trope imo : two people, one always alone and ostracized, the other always surrounded but so despiseful and bored, and just hurting from loneliness in a crowded place, so they match. Kiyoi, sometimes a bully, sometimes a real b*tch, always in denial, always so deeply focused on Hira, so invested, I've never seen someone depict love obsessional focus that well. Both of them are like that, it's scary, but only to the audience. Between them, it's just a world, they create a whole world, just the two of them, I'm fascinated by the way they seem real, conscious, thoughtful. I can't watch the second season, I'm too scared of it being shitty. (This one is a Japanese BL, not Thai)

ANYWAYS this is my all time favourite, if you watch it, you'll get it !!!!

Leggi di Più

Short and concise

Dec. 25, 2021

I finished this drama during Christmas and I must say that I really loved this series. I am so sad on how short it is as I feel like additional episodes could have explained things better. For some odd reasons, I understand why others might have avoided or disliked this drama due to the different take that a lot of Jdramas do especially when it comes to their BL series. Fair warning as to why I gave a 9 instead of 10 is due to the annoyance that I got from the male lead at first.

A person who is treated like a 'king', yes he was misunderstood but I was really frustrated at the lack of communication of his and the other male lead. Like I feel like the directors and writers really wanted to delay their romance to put angst which I did like. However, it could have been avoided along with the time skip if the leads just learned how to communicate with each other. BUT the reason why I am so forgiving towards these "flaws" is because I really love the background history of each leads.

Leggi di Più

it kept getting better

ok first things first, loved the ost it was fire.

moving on, idk if it will make sense for me to give it anything less than a 9 star review. up until ep3 i was sort of creeped out by some scenes, dont ask me why, idk. im genuinely terrified of stalker stories so whenever kiyoi would call hira "stalker" something in me was very unsettled.
ep5 and 6 were by far my fav. they couldve been a series of their own and i would eat it up. i loved the subtle character development hira had when kiyoi came into his life. it was short but i think they did justice to the story.
the acting was amazing. idk what else to say bc i was genuinely impressed by these two. im glad i finally gave this series a chance i definitely dont regret watching it!!

Leggi di Più

masterpiece of art

This is one of the BL that people are going to attack because they think its a toxic. But not as toxic as the one who spamming hate for this drama :)

I really like how this drama shown the two perspective of two boys who had different thinking. One think he is not good enough to be with another, another think that he should stay silent but ends up hurt his feeling. I know maybe most people have different perspective since we are all growing in the different area.

In my opinion, Hira has a very low self-esteem since he always been bullied since he was kiddos. That's why he idolized his first love and crush ever, Kiyoi. That's because he thinks that he never gonna be able to be together with Kiyoi. Kiyoi seems bully but actually he wants to be closed with Hira. He even mad his classmate because that classmate called Hira 'Hihi' which means they are refer to Hira stuttering. In the class, that's only Kiyoi who called Hira 'Hira'. Not believe? Just replay the episode 2 when the police wanna chase them.

For Koyama, he is only be kind to everyone which is very cliche. I know some people ship them, if you guys ship them so much, just watch the extra cut. And maybe you can read old BL manga cuz good boy + loser boy is very common. Even in wattpad you can found many.

That's why Hira and Kiyoi is very good for me. Because I love that kind of tension relationship and how they manage to still be together. Love is not about just have a sweet memories with them, its also about how strong you are when be together with him. The stronger you are, the stronger the love.

Leggi di Più