'Romantics Anonymous' Netflix Review: Japanese-Korean Mental Health Drama Is Perfect Fall Fodder

DMT

3 days ago

'Romantics Anonymous' Netflix Review: Japanese-Korean Mental Health Drama Is Perfect Fall Fodder

The Japanese drama Romantics Anonymous, based on the French movie of the same name, tells the story of Hana, a young woman who struggles in social settings and can’t make eye contact with anybody, and a man named Sosuke Fujiwara, a young man who’s a germophobe thanks to childhood trauma and can’t stand being touched by anybody. We get to see how they come to know each other and help each other work around their phobias while doing what they love, delivering chocolate to the world. Romantics Anonymous is a joint venture between Korean and Japanese media. The lead actress is beloved Korean actress Han Hyo-Joo, while the rest of the cast is Japanese. The show majorly comes across as a Japanese one, considering it’s set in Japan, but one look at the credits will tell you that it’s written and mostly produced by Korean people. 

To be honest, there’s nothing particularly striking about Romantics Anonymous, but that’s what makes it so unique. The show is a slow romance that focuses more on the individual than the couple. It’s a reminder that before you fall in love with somebody, you must first learn to deal with your own shortcomings. What I love about the series is that it doesn’t falter in telling us that there’s nothing wrong with either Hana or Sosuke, something we often see in this form of media. They’re not trying to fix themselves, only to improve. In typical Japanese drama fashion, there are two male leads, and the second lead is a bit of a bad boy, named Hiro. Hiro and Sosuke are best friends, and fortunately, we never have to see them be rivals. 

Given this is a show about chocolate, we see a lot of the chocolate-making process. From the beautiful brown fluid to the formation of the perfect cube to be displayed in the storefront, everything looks stunning. The idea that chocolate can bring people together can really be felt through this series, and as a fan of chocolate myself, it truly made me feel more involved in the show. Visually, the show is magical, with muted colors, perfect to set the tone for the fall season and make you feel a little bit warm and fuzzy inside, like you’re stealing that piece of chocolate for yourself on Halloween night. The cinematography is fantastic, with remarkable match cuts, really piquing your interest both technically and otherwise. 

The best part about the show, though, has to be the chemistry between the cast members. From the people who make the chocolates together to Hiro and Sosuke, the relationships are palpable, making the whole thing feel real. You root for this chocolatier and the company she works for because everyone there feels like a genuine person. While there is some drama, it’s not overdone, and you never feel overwhelmed by the themes the show is presenting. The main focus is on the characters, and that comes through clearly. Speaking of, each actor does a great job in the roles they’ve been handed. Shun Oguri from Boys Over Flowers is delicate and stern as Sosuke. This character is borderline tropey, but it works, and I love how he played it. Jin Akanishi is great as Hiro too, brooding and masculine, almost like a rockstar but in the most Japanese way imaginable. Yuri Nakamura is subtle when she plays Irene, and her friendship with the characters is beautiful. But the person I’m most desperate to talk about is Han Hyo-Joo as Hana. 

I’ve been a fan of Han Hyo-Joo since her Beauty Inside days. The actress has an incredible malleable quality that makes her go from role to role seamlessly. I think she’s one of the most versatile actresses I’ve seen, hands down. But, in this role especially, I’ve been floored by her abilities. First of all, I didn’t recognize her because the hairstyle and styling make her look fully Japanese. However, when I realized who I was looking at, I still couldn’t believe it because her demeanor as Hana is not like anything I’ve seen her do before. She’s shy, reserved, and oh so anxious when she’s in a crowd. However, it’s the small gestures and the way that she moves her head and her eyes that really make all the difference. 

You can already tell I quite enjoyed this show, and I must add that the story itself is great too. I’m excited to see what this collaboration can bring to us next, because if it’s this well done, then it’s certainly going to take over town. Korean dramas and Japanese dramas are quite distinct from each other, and this mixture of the two genres is delightful to see. The show definitely has a little bit of both, but more of a Japanese touch this time around. Additionally, there are a couple of special cameos you don’t want to miss. 

If you’ve been a fan of K-dramas and never watched a Japanese one before, this is the perfect place to start. On the other hand, I could even recommend this to someone who has never ventured into Asian TV because, despite the very Asian nature of it, I think there’s a global quality to it. At the end of the day, you can already tell I’ve loved it, so I’m not going to hesitate to give it 4 out of 5 stars. It’s only 8 episodes long and can honestly be finished in one sitting. Even if you don’t care so much for the story, even just to look at, the show is super pretty. But, it’s also very meaningful, so don’t miss Romantics Anonymous on Netflix. 

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