Turn to me Mukai-kun

Derived from the evocative manga by Yoko Nemu, Turn to Me Mukai-kun offers an alternative approach to the overcrowded genre of romantic comedy dramas. At its heart is Mukai, a rather plain office worker who has forsaken love for a decade after an unceremonious break-up with his last significant other, Miwako. However, his humdrum existence takes a turn when Nakatani, a temporary worker, enters the scene.

A Break from Tradition. What sets this drama apart from its contemporaries is its unconventional format. It sidesteps typical rom-com tropes to provide a more realistic, albeit sometimes jarring, account of attraction and human connection. This deviation is both its strength and weakness, while it adds layers of authenticity, it sometimes disrupts the narrative flow, creating an uneven viewing experience.

Hits and Misses. The series shines when it delves deep into the often confusing dynamics of love, marriage, and loneliness. It tackles the disparity between attraction and emotional intimacy, crafting scenes that resonate on a visceral level. However, the drama's attempt to balance this intricate exploration with everyday mundanities occasionally falls flat.

A Work in Progress. Is it groundbreaking? Perhaps not. But it's not a run-of-the-mill rom-com either. Turn to Me Mukai-kun may not hit all the right notes, but its discord adds a unique flavour to a genre often criticized for its predictability.

It's not a common Japanese romcom. The drama presents intriguing philosophies, however has poor conduction and weak romantic chemistry (especially between the endgame couple)

The common mindset in almost every female characters in this drama is that they dislike the idea of marriage and the social roles it brings. While they're not wrong in a few certain aspects, all of them overthink it so much that by the later part of the drama, it's dreadful to finish the series. I basically had to forced myself to reach the end. Because of the overthinking and over-analyzing, these women ruin their own respective relationships. I myself am a woman but this extreme feminism is annoying.

Like all great Japanese dramas, this one explores the complexities of romantic relationships and and the nuances of inner turmoil. What happens to people and how do they react when they begin to realize what "dependence" does to their individual identities?

What I loved:

• the understated and very realistic acting by the entire ensemble cast
• no anime-like comedic tropes
• the exploration of the definition of independence
• how characters behave and have patterns of speech that matches their personality

What was iffy:

• the subplot of Mami & Genki-Kun was too drawn out

> could have progressed and been resolved faster

• Kanda and Sakaida's break was too abrupt
• would have felt more complete if we got to see her telling Kanda what he did wrong

> that would have followed the pattern of storytelling whereby a problem in a relationship is exposed for what it truly is.