My Second Aoharu (2023)

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

if you're ever in doubt whether to watch it or not, DON'T BE AND START WATCHING. I SWEAR YOU WON'T REGRET WATCHING IT.

This is one of the best J-drama I have watched this year. I gotta say I started watching this because of Alice and Michii but I stayed for the whole cast. The first eps got me hooked and for me, there is NOT a boring scene at all. I FREAKING LOVE ALICE FACIAL EXPRESSION, she is a really good actress that I loves and respected for a long time. As for Michii, I have loved him since his debut, watching him grow up to act in this kind of romance drama made me feel like a proud mom.

I love that this drama doesn't only focus on the romance part but also the importance of friendship. Sayako is my favorite character in this drama. Despite her age, she braces herself to attend college even though she feels like she's too old for it. She tries hard to fulfill her dream and along the course also learns that college is not all about study. There's more to it than just committing yourself to studying. She learns the value of friendship, love, and many more. She's very open to everyone's opinion even though they're all younger than her.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS DRAMA TO EVERYONE!!

Leia Mais

Cute, but watch for the friendship, not for the romance

The good:
- I actually enjoyed the plot, the photography, the music.
- It didn't feel like a cheap drama at all and the acting was pretty decent.
- The strong point for me though was the group friendship bond, it felt authentic and it was a pleasure to watch.

What could be better IMO:
- I was just disappointed at the romance, cause it just felt underwhelming. The main couple felt like very good buddies to me. I couldn't see any attraction, no sparks at all between them.
- Maybe because of the real life age gap between the actors they couldn't show natural looking physical proximity? I don't know. I actually liked the plot but I wasn't convinced that they were a couple at all and therefore I enjoyed the show less.
- Plus those middle school like kisses definitely did not help...

Leia Mais

Getting second chance in 30s

My second Aoharu already tells the brief of the story by its title. Sayako is a 30s woman who once gave up on her dream. Until one day, she met Taku, 10 years younger male than her, who advised her to give another shoot for her dream.

This dorama is really refreshing. Once again, the concept of sharing house is still a good idea. Throughout the episode, we are served with the brief and harsh reality of workers nowadays, college life, and the beauty of friendship and love. Despite of the number of characters, they were portrayed beautifully along with their backstories.

Taku and Sayako's love story is also well-done depicted. One of the refreshing age gap doramas, since it is a love story between young and adult collegers. The thing I love about their relationship is they are growing and supporting each other. They also advised each other. And the best thing, they resolve the misunderstanding by having good communication. I love sometime Taku would be mad when he was still considered as a kid. Even he is still young, he knows himself the best. Both Alice (I really love with her facial expression) and Micchi really did well with their characters.

Another typical ending with the promise of marriage. Also, the OST from Naniwa Danshi is cute and makes you want to sing along.

Give a shot if you don't mind with age gap romance with the spark of youth story.

Leia Mais

Heavy on friendships, kind of light on romance

I'm just going to say that this show made me smile a lot. The FL's character was a walking, talking disaster and got into the funniest predicaments. Going into college in her 30's and realizing that it's not like she imagined, until a rag-tag group of young adults invite her into their circle. I loved watching all of them together.

Hirose Alice as Sayako was wonderful. I loved watching her character grow into herself, becoming someone she always imagined she'd be.

Michieda as Shunsuke as Tako was very good as well.

As for the romance, the two of them were so cute together and my heart cried when they broke up. I thought the breakup went on entirely too long, but they moved naturally back into their friendship/relationship after years apart.

It's only 10 episodes, and the time flew as I watched. Give it a try, I bet you'll enjoy it.

Leia Mais

Fluffy and thoughtful

Fluffy and thoughtful... and that is exactly how I like my J-dramas. It strays outside the romantic comedy box quite often but does not suffer for it.

I liked the casting and thought that the characters were well designed and very believable. Each was credibly played by their actor. There are no extras. Every character is permitted to have their independent story and say their personal piece.

I had not seen Hirose Alice in anything before and was a bit surprised to see that her background was in modelling and not the stage. She's much more than just a pretty face with a big grin and the directing made her look very good. Her performance was confident and her expressions were right on. Her motion and personality could fill the screen. As a lead she impressed me and I'll certainly watch her again.

If you like underdog stories, noona romances, or college ensembles I highly recommend this series.

Leia Mais

The story helps you about your life

Thanks to myself that i continued to watch this until its ending episode, it helps me with my recent problem about school. Maturing is liking the story of this jdrama, the age gap, sayako's personality despite her age, taku letting go of sayako even though it hurts so much, and just about sayako's decisions for her life, i love it so much i don't know why, but i realized because i understand sayako, everything that she did in her life gives her a lesson "do what you really want to do", and tears flowed from my eyes, do what you want! and do what you really like! I am so happy i found this one and I am happy about sayako and taku too because now maybe haha they are now married, and i know that Taku loves her more than she do.

Leia Mais

Optimistic, uplifting, amazing!

It has been a long time since a drama made me feel so many butterflies and actually moved me almost to (happy) tears. I never cry: happy or sad! Never! But this was perfect as perfect can get in this imperfect world made by us, imperfect humans. Maybe this was just exactly what I needed at this moment in my life.

This is the story of Sayako, who, 30 years old, faced with a wall in her life and challenged by a young man met by accident, decides to try to realize her dreams of becoming an architect. After finally entering college, she finds a room in a house shared with 5 other architecture students. Initially she is scared of age difference, but her bubbly optimistic disposition wins everyone and she finds great friends and love amongst them.

Sayako is an amazing character, brave, persistent, refusing to have regrets later in life and therefore doing everything in her power to succeed. She gives us all a great lesson in life: it is never too late to realize your dreams!
The whole cast of characters is amazing: her roommates, her landlord who is interested in her but has trouble showing it, her parents who support her in her endeavour. And of course Tako, the ML whose remarks have shaken her life far beyond the imagined. Just like in many j dramas, there is not one single mean character. Everyone is sweet, helpful, understanding and it is not annoying or boring.

There must have been flaws in this drama: unwillingness to communicate about the crucial decision in life, could be one rare one...but I cannot think of anything major and frankly, I am feeling so good at the moment that I do not want to think about it!

This drama should be prescribed by doctors because it makes you feel good, leaves you with a silly smile plastered on your face and the need to gush to everyone about its effect.

Leia Mais

Beautiful & Courageous Journey to achieve your Dream with lovable characters

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25 (rounding up to boost Jdrama average rating LOL)

“My Second Aoharu (Youth)” is the perfect title for this drama. The drama never loses its focus on the courageous journey of Sayako (FL) to achieve her dream to be an architect. Though this dream was 12 years later than anticipated, the drama gives us an uplifting journey of perseverance, hard work and guts. And this is what I like the drama the most. Misfortunes happened to Sayako, but she never drowns herself in self-pity. Instead, she takes the plunge to go back to college and achieve her dream.

The drama has a lot of lovely characters. Sayako was a little too much to handle in the beginning, as I am not a fan of super loud and over-the-top acting (anime-style). But she grows on me and never veers towards the super annoying side. It’s impossible not to be influenced by her positivity and as viewers, I am rooting for her 100%. The house she lives in is also full of friendly and lovable housemates. It would be a dream if you have housemates like that. It’s all fun and games, and helping each other night There’s no animosity or chaos.

The romance is a mixed bag for me, and it’s not because it’s a noona (aka older woman/younger guy) romance, which is not my jam. I actually quite like how the leads meet, develop into good friends before lovers. The chemistry of the leads loses its spark when they first get together (about the ⅔ of the drama). There aren’t enough cute or romantic scenes between the two. Skinship is limited to a couple OK kisses. They also feel more like best friends or siblings, instead of lovers. However, I really like how Taku (ML) understands Sayako. He admires and appreciates her charms (good and bad) and is the only one who keeps on reminding Sayako of her initial goal. Whenever Sayoko is confused and lost regarding her studies or future, Taku is the one to shed some light and clear the fog in front of her. Taku is portrayed as such a mature young adult that the age gap is not as prominent. Sayako often acts very young with her crazy antics as well. Towards the last ⅓ of the drama, decisions need to be made between career/love. Those were the episodes that tug my heartstrings the most. The plot is predictable and some might not like how the drama tackles that, but these episodes are much better than those in the middle of the drama.

Sayako’s family members have very little screen time, but they are fun. I love that they’re so positive despite growing up poor. Sayako’s best friend provides additional comic relief. She has just enough screen time to add some more fun to the drama without getting annoying. The step-parent/child relationship is also interesting and beautiful to see.

I was unclear on a few storylines (or plot holes) and I wasn’t sure if I just missed them. With the rules of the house, how did everyone end up living together again? I thought Kanta had a girlfriend. What happened to her? Did I miss something between Kanta and Sumika? Also, I thought Kanta is a year or two older and should not have graduated with the rest of the guys, am I wrong?

Despite these plot holes (?) and mixed feelings about the main romance, I had a very enjoyable time watching this. I’m glad Sayako’s journey has always been front and center, despite the romance, family, and housemate storylines.


Completed: 9/28/2024 - Review #492

Leia Mais

Good Enough

Japanese Drama '' My Second Ao Haru '' is a drama about second chances in life.

The drama has a pretty enjoyable main story, with an impressive plot and many sweet moments. The relationship between the main female lead and her new friends was enjoyable and adorable as well as they helped each other overcome their problems.

The love story, on the other hand, was not as enjoyable. And that was not because of the age gap, which wasn't that much of a big deal. But, the way it was pace and the tropes that were used, it was eye rolling and boring.

Also, the female lead often acted a bit too much and she was too loud, but, other than that, she gave an enjoyable performance. The rest of the cast did a good job as well.

So, overall, five out of ten.

Leia Mais

youth, love and pursuing your goals

As a first year student i must say it was very inspiring. The way sayako always tried her best and was always the nicest person..
The show gives a great view at how things really are. Of course its never as perfect as they showed but it was still quite realistic. It gave me strength to try even harder and hope that theres always a way out of a slump.
Even tho i am starting collage much sooner than sayako i could still relate to her. She was experiencing her "second youth" and it was showed perfectly - her happiness and strugles as an adult living among teens.
And the romance, I must say that i was very invested every episode more and more. They started dating sooner than i thought, but thanks to that the show was even better!! Two last episodes were a little bit disappointing as i dont like time skips. Even tho as for a time skip they did a really good job! It did not feel rushed or anything.
As for acting it was the best!! Whole cast did an amazing job! Its my second series with Michieda and wow! he is an amazing actor.
The music was suitable, but nothing special (personal opinion).
All in all i highly recommend watching this series. Its a drama about youth and love. It teaches us that finding courage to do what we really want can come to us at any age, thanks to people around us.

Leia Mais

I’m not sure what to say about this drama that I neither love nor hate. Maybe it’s easier if I started breaking the parts I enjoyed. So what I liked:

1) Hirose Alice’s acting as the thirty-something year old woman who got a fresh start in life by entering a college to study what she missed out on a decade ago because of an unfortunate accident (apparently, she had quite a few of these). Her quirky expressions when she’s excited, and her stern face when she’s focused, were all captured on film.

2) The various characters living in a shared house. Their camaraderie, despite their distinct personalities, was refreshing and natural. They supported each other in their school work and their respective career paths. When there’s a disagreement, they talked it out or gave advice when requested, but mostly they listened to each other.

3) The inspiring messages the show imparts about not giving up, nor is it too late to pursue your dreams at any age as long as you strive for the path you created.

Now on the parts where I thought were disappointing:

1) I love noona romances, but the main pairing lacked chemistry. I’m not even expecting sizzling or hot-for-each-other attraction. But it wasn’t even lukewarm. Not to say Michieda wasn’t adorable as Taku, but it seemed like forced attachment on his part when paired with Sayako. So it was difficult for me to buy into their romance. All I see are two people who play a lot of rock-paper-scissors.

2) There are half-baked characters in the drama that don’t really serve a purpose for me, and are easily forgettable.

3) The time skips that flashed rapidly at the end. Are we supposed to believe that neither of them even attempted to contact each other during those years? I get it that both of them are doing what they thought it would be good for the other person, sacrificing their relationship so both can focus on their career. But if Shogo didn’t tell Taku that Sayako rejected him long ago, would Taku have gone back and looked for Sayako? And she’s no better at the end, postponing marriage until when she’s settled? Until what, she turns 50 and is too late to have kids?

Anyway, watching this drama is like expecting a firework display but ended up with just a birthday candle.

Leia Mais

30sai no daigakusei

Combien de vies peuvent être vécues par une actrice ? Pour les sœurs Hirose, il faut multiplier ce nombre par deux. Mais, même si Alice a pris de l'avance, Onesan oblige, c'est surtout par les multiples vies dans un même drama qu'elle gagne la compétition. Quand elle a recommencé sa vie à zéro dans Shitteru Wife, elle gagnait 10 ans de moins. Ici, dans My Second Aoharu, elle en perd 10 ans et ça pour à nouveau nous faire rire, par ses grimaces et nous faire fondre, par son sourire.

C'est le décalage entre ces étudiants tout juste sortis du berceau, insouciants et un peu enfant gâté et cette trentenaire qui cultive la poisse comme Elisabeth Borne les 49/3 qui vous fera sourire, même si ce n'est pas au niveau de 35 sai no Koukousei. Le rêve de petite fille d'Alice était de devenir architecte. Contrariée par des accidents et la pauvreté de sa famille, elle décide de se remettre aux études à 30 ans. Mais l'architecture n'est qu'un prétexte à un harem manga destiné aux célibataires japonaises.... trentenaires donc. Si Alice est égale à elle-même, drôle et efficace dans le pitoyable, on est agréablement surpris du jeu de certains. Le Johnny's Michieda Shunsuke est très juste alors que je l'avais trouvé très mauvais dans Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo. On comprend qu'on puisse tomber sous son charme même à l'âge canonique de 30 ans.

En suivant la série, vous assisterez donc à une sorte de Friends dans un joli cottage de la station balnéaire de Kamakura. Il y aura bien des 'ganbatte !', des nuits à passer à travailler sur un projet ou à étudier dans les bouquins pour réussir dans le monde de l'architecture, mais vous verrez surtout une sitcom feel good qui réchauffe les cœurs en cet hiver morose. J'en dirais pas plus pour ne pas dévoiler toutes ces situations où les cœurs chavirent à chaque épisode et qui font le sel de la vie en communauté, vous savez, quand on est tous beaux, jeunes et plein de talent. À part, la vieille de 30 ans, évidemment.

Leia Mais