Kocchi Muite yo Mukai-kun (2023)

This is not a love story

Rather, this dorama is about the changing societal expectations of relationship, the roles of gender, and their interplay. Questions like what does 'to protect the woman' in a relationship or the significance of a piece of paper to define your romantic connection is discussed in modern society where nuclear family is no longer the norm. So, this is not a love story. It's a story on navigating modern relationship, both platonic and romantic. It doesn't necessarily give you an answer but it treats the audience as intelligent and invites you to ask these questions yourself. This is probably one of the most thought-provoking dorama I've watched ever that questions self-love and the relationship without shoving an answer down my throat, which I so much appreciate and recommend this.

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Kocchi Muite yo Mukai-kun left me wanting more.

Like so many RomCom J-dramas that have come before it, Kocchi Muite yo Mukai-kun chooses to deny its viewers a romantic climax to the "will they/won't they" flirtations of the two main romantic protagonists. I really enjoyed seeing the differing viewpoints and hearing the inner monologues that added both clarity and a comedic element to seeing the two sides to each of the romantic interactions between the various couplings. Japanese writers seem enamored with these open ended conclusions to romantic storylines, but I feel that they're simply disappointing viewers that have invested their precious time in watching and hoping for a more conclusive finale to the story. In the end, the stylistic choice to do so comes off as cowardly and lazy. I really enjoyed these characters and I found the portrayal of different individuals' perceptions of relationships and fulfillment, engaging and interesting. Unfortunately, the final episode left me disappointed and wanting closure.

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