Wan-Peng

Came here via Run On. There are no kisses, back hugs, aegyo, romance, Chaebol villain/villainess, fancy make-up, fashion, blah blah blah... but plenty of human suffering, pain, kindness and realism. Like so many commentators here say, this is hands down one of the best K-dramas out there. Im Siwan and Lee Sung-min are terrific in this now slightly dated series and supported by a great cast, who captured all the office politics, so-called meritocracy and cruelty of the working world. This drama will make you cry, laugh and also ask why is the world so cruel that it can't recognise talent, hard work and decency.

I binged watched this series after randomly clicking on Netflix. It’s almost a cliche in that high-school crush turns into adult love but of course, there’s a twist her. Basketball star Ayukawa - Matsuzaka sensei - is now wheelchair-bound architect who runs into ex-school mate Kawana - Yamamoto sensei - professionally. Stuff happens but they fall in love and there are trials and tribulations of trying to make a relationship work when one partner is disabled. There are family objections, childhood crush/love interest etc. But what I loved about this series is the understated acting and unflinching discussion about what happens to someone with spinal problems. The fact that you lose bowel control, bladder probs, UTI, sex - tricky if you’re paralysed waist down, buildings without lift. There’s no glossing over the fact that life in a metropolis like Tokyo is challenging for someone using a wheelchair and it just gets the point across without pontificating and drama. For me, it’s just a nice change from K-dramas and all the glamour, gloss and sometimes overstretched plots. Highly recommended!