Mulher Peixe Dourado (2022)

Time Management Fail

The story had potential, but the writing wasn't executed well. Some parts dragged on and other parts needed more time for true character and storyline growth. There were parts that didn't even make sense (explained in the SPOILER ALERT). The reason for the high rating is all because of Takanori Iwata's superb acting and Ryoko Shinohara did well with her role too. Some of the sub-plots weren't needed at all, especially when there was limited scene time. The production was okay and the scenery of the film locations were beautiful (both in the fish shop and outside of it). Music was fine, but nothing that stood out. FX for Shinohara's character were okay, but could've been better. IF I rewatch any of this, it will be just Gun-chan's parts and maybe one of the other couples (the house wife that was a great cook and the young guy that was the husband's colleague). Hence the 7/10 rating.

SPOILER ALERT:
Most of the couples with their kissing scenes were gross. Were the guys trying to be fish? The director had the guys swallowing a lot of the woman's face and very WET kissing sounds. Seriously disgusting. But what truly irritated me was that Sakura left Haruto at the end, just to open the hair salons. She didn't have to stop being with him just to work at a new location. It made her character seem selfish and cruel, instead of having personal growth and maturity. The ending hinted at their continued connection, but after all the "intimacy" the show presented, it fell flat.

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A bit boring but great metaphor for wives

The strongest part of the show is the metaphor about goldfish. Like pets, humans need love and care in order to thrive. Without TLC any relationship is bound to fail.

Tbh the only wife I cared about was the fishbowl one. The goldfish boy was cute. The other wives just didn't interest me that much. I ended up skipping a lot of scenes to finish quickly. Not the best infidelity drama I've seen but it was my first real Japanese drama.

The ending was ok. Kinda bummed the fishbowl wife didn't end up with her fling but I'm glad she was able to reconcile with her husband and start anew. For some couples it goes to show that sometimes you can get back to a happy relationship if you work at it and truly listen to your partner's needs. Not everyone needs the same thing but there has to be compromise and balance for things to be healthy.

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Sakura The Fool WIth a Horrible Last Episode!

Unfortunately, I have found that Japanese dramas are much more hit-and-miss than K-dramas. You know you’re taking a chance. This series is actually pretty decent until the absolutely horrendous final episode which makes as much sense as a five-legged mule. I’m not sure if the writer was drunk that day or simply lost all control over the story and the characters.

The series is about a collection of wives who are involved in affairs, although the focus of the show is mostly on Sakura, who finds herself in an abusive relationship with her husband who beats her and cheats on her. He’s basically an animal who believes that a wife is someone to control and must do whatever he tells her. In short, he believes that a wife is property.

Of course, we have a plethora of reasons for these women. An abusive husband, a husband who continuously ignores his wife, a husband who puts everyone else ahead of her, etc. You get the picture.

The irony is that most people in the world are able to realize when a relationship begins, but very few are able to recognize when a relationship ends. And in Sakura’s case, it’s only a question of how much more abuse will she put up with until the obvious is staring her in the face. The abused is just as responsible for the situation as the abuser. Remove either one, and abuse no longer exists.

Sakura finally flees her husband and runs into Haruto, a local man who runs a small goldfish shop. There is an instant connection between the two, and we later find that there is an event from the past that also unites them. Haruto is a kind, gentle man who doesn’t just sell goldfish. He loves and cares for them. Gandhi once stated that how a person treats animals is often an indicator of how they treat people.

After Sakura finally divorces her husband, she goes back to him to try and save their joint hair salon business—which made no sense. Why not work to open your own? You get bit by a shark once, then you’re the fool to go back, hoping not to get bit again. This had me scratching my head. But this wasn’t nearly as bad as Sakura leaving Haruto to pursue her career as the manager of a hair salon. Why leave him at all? Why not pursue this endeavor while staying with him? After all, he wasn’t an obstacle. It made no sense at all. In the end, she basically used him, and became an abuser herself. When she left, I thought their final scenes were silly and completely unsympathetic, despite them standing there foolishly with tears running down their faces.
Equally sad was Sakura’s husband tearfully telling his wife during a mediation session—a precursor toward divorce—that he always loved her but felt insecure. This was the biggest pile of cow dung I’d ever heard in my life! Her husband has no clue what love is, and he never loved his wife. Love is never about controlling someone else, and it certainly isn’t about physical abuse or infidelity. It was like listening to a gutless child whining. All victims are cowards because they never take responsibility for themselves. It’s always someone else’s fault. And yet, Sakura can’t see the problem because she’s much like a naïve and immature child herself.

Overall, this was a decent series. The storyline involving Hisako and the trauma behind her frequent headaches. That would have made a far more interesting series than centering the story around Sakura. If the end had been done better than it was, this series might have a least been good. It wasn’t.

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Softcore Debauchery

When I tell you I scooted through all 8 episodes in one night only cause I wanted to see how it would end and boy was I ever so disappointed. Ok, first off... I want to throw skittles at the Netflix algorithm for saying this was a 97% match for me. It used to get me so well, but now I feel betrayed. Let me tell you why.

The story is super weak. I feel like the main couple was supposed to come off like theybwere rich because they lived above the 15th floor in some building and had like 2 salons, but it didn't come across well at all. I don't really understand if there was love between the main female and 2nd male lead. But what there was in abundance was softcore sex scenes (I'm talking you just can't see genitals, okay?) and infidelity that was being incited by some weird lady in the building. There was even a scene with male characters in the show, who had no prior interaction with one another, sharing random facts about male genitalia. I promise you it was just a free-for-all on scruples here! Then for it to end in such a stupid way. What a waste.

I do not recommend this for anyone that doesn't want to watch adult themes and many adult scenes. As I warned my mom so she wouldn't try to check it out if Netflix happened to do her wrong like me, this is just softcore p0rn with a bit more developed story. I do not recommend.... unless that's what you're into.

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Lots of explicit scenes! Lol

It’s an 18+ maturity audience. My first ever Japanese drama- and whoa! I thought the Japanese were quite conservative in this manner??! I guess not! Lots and lots of soft porn scenes, use of tongue, fingers and more.

The storyline is typical- rich wives having different issues with husbands; husbands having affairs or neglecting their wives etc The plots are quite predictable and I did feel for each of the storylines. I also did tear a little at some points.

The ending was somewhat disappointing, cos it felt like she had forgiven her ex-abusive, unfaithful husband to help him rebuild the company they both started together. No no no.. a big FAT NO! Did not and could not agree with the last 10mins. If she had embraced her freedom, left him to rot, cut all ties and started her own business - that would have been correct. Forgive him- yes, but help him get back on his feet? No.

If you’ve never watched a Jdrama, give it a try. It’s a good insight to how poorly Japanese women are treated in their culture. Sad to say.

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I pesci rossi non possono andarsene da soli

Un edit prima di iniziare: oggi ho visto "An Affair" del 1998 di E J-yong, con Lee Jung-jae. Ha moltissime somiglianze con questa serie giapponese, non è possibile che siano mere coincidenze: anche lo stile, il carattere dei personaggi, il finale, la vasca dei pesci… Secondo me l'autrice del manga e la sceneggiatrice si sono ispirate proprio a questo film, ampliando la storia per una serie. Me ne sono accorta verso la metà del film.

È una storia di corna. Tutti tradiscono tutti ed è la più tragica rappresentazione di quanto possa essere disfunzionale il matrimonio inteso come convenzione sociale, come ancora in parte succede in Giappone, quando è una sistemazione economica e sociale per entrambi, spesso combinato dalle famiglie, in una cultura in cui il cittadino deve lavorare e procreare per l’equilibrio della società.

Le mogli sono pesci rossi in bocce di vetro, considerate dai mariti un mero ornamento e semplicemente trascurate, intrappolate socialmente in una situazione da cui non è accettabile scappare. Come spiega la similitudine dei pesci rossi, “non possono andarsene da soli, hanno bisogno di essere aiutati… prima di tutto bisogna osservarli… quando appaiono i sintomi di una malattia, spesso è già troppo tardi…”. In una società in cui il nubilato e il divorzio sono entrambi malvisti, paradossalmente il tradimento è dato quasi per scontato e il protagonista, che accoglie nella sua casa e nel suo letto la donna in fuga dal marito, si considera quasi un benefattore. Anche gli altri uomini, a pensarci.

Tutto il dolore di queste donne può essere riassunto dalla frase che una di loro, depressa, dice al marito, che lavora come un pazzo per garantirle un alto tenore di vita: “Non ti ho sposato per diventare ricca, ma per passare più tempo con te”. Come cantava Mia Martini, “gli uomini ti danno tutto quello che non vuoi”.

A questa miseria relazionale la storia intreccia l’altra grande sofferenza della posizione sociale, simboleggiata dal piano del condominio dove tutti abitano. Il primo episodio inizia con la festa di compleanno della coppia “migliore”, che abita al 43° piano e ha invitato solo quelli dal 30° piano in su. Relazionalmente invece sono la coppia peggiore: lui è un traditore seriale, la maltratta e addirittura le mette le mani addosso.

La serie è quasi perfettamente suddivisa tra trama orizzontale e trame verticali. Ogni episodio porta avanti la storia insensata tra una 49enne sposata scappata di casa e un 33enne che la ospita nella sua mansarda sopra al negozio di pesci rossi, e nel contempo racconta l’infelicità di una delle altre coppie, mostrando la crudezza bestiale di rapporti sessuali infedeli, colpevoli e prepotenti. Ognuna delle mogli subisce un diverso tipo di costrizione: il marito la obbliga ad avere rapporti con un altro, oppure la tiene come terzo incomodo nella convivenza con la madre/suocera, oppure la rifiuta perché non vuole figli… Tutte sono ugualmente invisibili e trascurate, tenute lì come un pesce rosso in una boccia, appunto. E tutte si vendicano e si realizzano andando a letto con un altro, spesso anche lui sposato.

Come in questo dialogo tra due amanti, entrambi sposati:
LUI: La propria moglie è la creatura meno desiderabile.
LEI: E quale sarebbe la più desiderabile?
LUI: La moglie di un altro.

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Adult and dark, yet interesting perspective of marriage and infidelity

This series leaves little to the imagination when it comes to the intimate interactions between the couples who are featured. However, that aside it did explore some interesting angles of infidelity.

The main couple who owned the salon were the most triggering. His blatant infidelity in sleeping with anything in a skirt and abusive behavior towards his wife was infuriating. It was understandable why she left him and ran into the arms of the guy who owned the goldfish shop.

The depressed alcoholic wife and her runner husband were the most likable out of all the couples. They still loved each other and wanted to be together, but their lack of communication with each other is what nearly destroyed them. I was glad to see them figure things out before they made a mistake, specifically the wife, which would’ve done irreparable damage to the marriage.

The storyline with wife who ended up having an affair with her cheating husband was weird. I thought the way their story wrapped was too easy and unrealistic. He cheated on her and that cheating was so painful it caused her to develop a mental disorder. Instead of him getting her help when he learned of her mental problems, he took advantage of her memory lapse and ultimately used that to worm his way back into her life and their marriage. Very manipulative. He did not deserve her forgiveness after all he’d done.

The wife who was fixated on getting pregnant by her asexual husband and the wife whose husband wanted to watch her sleep with with his co-worker were the least interesting. As was the interior designer who had a pity marriage which made her bitter and unlikable.

I liked how the series explored the many different situations that could lead to cheating. I also liked how they showed that marriage is not unicorns and rainbows. Though some of the reasons for cheating were strange a lot of the situations were realistic even if they weren’t right. I was satisfied with the endings for each couple except for the wife who lost her memory of her husband and I explained why previously. I was pleased with the ending for the salon owner. Though it was completely unrealistic that her abusive and controlling husband would’ve let her walk out of the marriage, in reality he would’ve killed her, I was glad she was able to free herself from him with minimal damage. The gold fish guy was a god send, but I never bought he was the love of her life. He was there to help her through a difficult time in her life and once he served his purpose fate moved her to the next phase in her life. She needed to be on her own again, relearn who she was and establish herself without having her entire livelihood depend on a man. I was very happy she was able to do this. And therefore was not upset when her and goldfish guy never reunited.

This was a really good series, very different from the usual love and rainbows that permeates these “romance” dramas. It was easy to watch. The acting was good and the storylines were engaging.

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Living in a Fishbowl

Likes
1. Not the usual wholesome jdrama because this is netflix produced so so many bed scenes. But i like that the scenes didnt look awkward but very natural.
2. I like the side stories of the other wives (more than the main fishbowl wife) and if i had to rate their stories i liked Lunchbox wife the most, then Outsourced wife, Renovation wife, Headache wife and Chaperone wife.
3. This drama didnt glorify affairs but shows us why women would have affairs. I wouldnt say i agree with them but I get where they are coming from. They're not happy with their husbands but they dont want to get divorced since that would disrupt their lives and they dont want to get together with the other guy. So they have an affair and still stay with their marriage. Weird but i'm sure these scenarios happen in real life. And i like that there was no preachy tone in the drama and one year later, the wives were definitely happier but still engaging in their affairs.
4. The main fishbowl wife was the only one who stood up against her abusive husband and walked away from a bad marriage. She was the strongest one and I hope she is happier now.

Dislikes
My main issue with this drama is the main wife's story was so boring and took up most of the time. It was obviously rebound and i feel bad for the younger guy. Also the younger guy is love with her after one incident years ago was unrealistic. I'm very happy they didn't end up together.

Rating: 8/10

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It's fine

Infidelity is definitely something I hate and I could never forgive something like that. However, this series shows the complexities of real relationships, not the lovey-dovey fairytale that were used to and...honestly...I even understood why they did what they did, which is very weird for me.

The acting, music, setting and story were okay. It is not a masterpiece but it is worth your time.

I don't mind nudity or sexual content so it doesn't bother me as much. Where all the scenes necessary? No, but it wasn't vulgar like some people say. Believe me I've seen weird and vulgar and this is not it.

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This was a really well written drama. Infidelity truly isn't my thing - actually, there are very few things that I find less appealing and the whole concept just doesn't sit well with me, betrayal of any kind has my skin crawling and stomach churning - but I liked that this drama didn't just have the female characters cheat on their husbands for the heck of it but every one of them had a good reason for doing it.

Still, it says a lot about me, I guess, that my favorite stories where The Chaperone Wife and The Headache Wife. And the main arc of Sakura and Haruto, of course.

With Haruto, what I found interesting was his relationship with his dad and that his dad actually approved of his decision to stand by Sakura and keep his shop instead of coming back to the company, but being who his dad was, he couldn't just say it out loud but his little smile was more than telling!

Also, a side note, for a country that's considered more than a little prude, Japan sure knows how to make steamy dramas. Wow.

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an amazing view on the reality of married lifes

So, I went into this drama not expecting much, the story seemed interesting so I gave it a try, and it's good I did. This j-drama depicts the married life of a group of women. They are all different but one thing in common is they have trouble with their marriage due to different reasons. Through that tough time they end up finding comfort in other man's arms and bed. The thing is, this drama has a lot of infidelity, and of course it's a wrong thing but I found myself feeling for pity for most of the women. It's actually really interesting to see them fall into the sin and then trying to live with it. They also end up growing as people and learning from their mistakes which makes them have a good ending in the finale, at least I thought it was a proper one for every woman. I know that people might be resistente to watch this drama due to the story itself, but you should give it a try, it's a really good drama that explores real problems of the married life. Attention, besides infidelity, this drama also has violence and domestic abuse.

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