This drama has all the potential to be a great drama. Brilliant writer with a beautiful setting (Hokkaido/Fukushima), star-studded cast (who can all act), beautiful OST. But none of those things could have salvaged the really really weird, convoluted plot. Way too many characters vying for the "main character/main supporting character" spot, I don't know if it's because they're all prominent actors(ress) that he felt compelled to tell all their stories - which means no one's story got told well.

The relationships here are so convoluted for no reason. By the time the 100th love triangle popped up I was so done, I thought surely this has to be a joke. Multiple love triangles/interest CAN work well as shown in Sakamoto 's very own Quartet later that year, but they have to be lighthearted and cannot be serious the way ItsukaKoi was, otherwise it's just a tangled mess.

The acting is all solid, and I really enjoyed Takahata Mitsuki in particular, but even that and the beautiful OST could not possibly have saved these convoluted shenanigans.