THE SHORT VERDICT:

In my opinion, this little show manages to do a lot, despite its very short run-time.

As a rom-com, it’s familiar yet fresh, managing to weave rom-com tropes that we recognize, into a Japanese-quirky narrative that I found difficult to predict.

And then, concurrently, we’ve got healing journeys for our main characters, which, at their core, feel relatable and meaningful, because don’t we all have some healing to do, yes? 🥲

Add on the facts that: 1, we get both Han Hyo Joo and Oguri Shun playing our OTP, 2, the chocolates in this show are lovingly filmed and look absolutely delicious, and 3, this is only 8 short episodes, and I don’t see how you’d want to say “No” to this one. 😉🥰

THE LONG VERDICT:

My friends, I’ve only been looking forward to this show ever since its trailers started coming out, because, Han Hyo Joo and Oguri Shun, in a rom-com??? 🤩🤩 Are you kidding me?? 🤩

I literally couldn’t say yes fast enough.

And now that I’ve come out the other side, I’m so, so happy to report that this little show, is, indeed, as cute and quirky as the trailers promise.

What more could a drama fangirl ask for, yes? 🥰

OST TRACK: CONFESSION

I couldn’t find an OST album for this show, so instead, here’s the song that I associate most, with this show.

I love that it’s so breezy, feel-good and so quintessentially Japanese. I dunno; listening to it not only brings back the feels of this drama, it also brings back memories of J-doramas I’ve enjoyed in the past.

If you’d like to listen to it on repeat while reading the review, just right-click on the video and select “Loop.”

HOW I’M APPROACHING THIS REVIEW

First I’ll talk about how to manage your expectations going into this one, and what viewing lens would be most helpful.

After that, I talk about stuff I liked on a more macro level, before I give the spotlight to selected characters and relationships, in a separate section. Finally, I spend some time talking about my thoughts on the finale episodes.

If you’re interested in my blow-by-blow reactions, &/or all the various Patreon members’ comments during the course of our watch, you might like to check out my episode notes on Patreon here.

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS / THE VIEWING LENS

Here are some things that I think would be helpful to keep in mind, to maximize your enjoyment of your watch:

1. This is Japanese-quirky

If you are new to J-doramas, and are possibly wanting to check this out for Han Hyo Joo, then you might need a bit more time to adjust.

The Japanese brand of quirky is quite unlike the k-brand of quirky; it’s a little exaggerated and therefore anime-like, but at the same time, there’s a very quintessential Japanese flavor about it that might take a little getting used to, if you’re new to J-doramas.

That said, I do feel that the level of quirk in this one, is quite mild, and leans more whimsical than truly zany.

2. The anime lens [LIGHT FOUNDATIONAL SPOILERS]

I think the biggest source of quirk comes from Han Hyo Joo’s character Ha Na, who suffers from scocophobia, and finds it physically impossible to look people in the eye – except for her late mother and Chef Kenji (Okuda Eiji), with whom she works.

I find her gestures and quirks quite exaggerated, and it low-key gives me Extraordinary Attorney Woo vibes (review here!), though I doubt that that’s the intent (ie, I don’t believe that Show wants to communicate that Ha Na is on the spectrum).

I find it easiest to digest it as being anime-inspired, and therefore, I find that a live anime lens is pretty handy, while watching this show.

STUFF I LIKED

Show’s brand of pretty whimsy 

I find Show’s brand of pretty whimsy quite lovely, from the tinkly pretty music that opens the show, to the beautiful chocolate truffles filmed so lovingly.

The chocolates look delicious and dreamy, and I have to say, this show really makes me want to eat some chocolate, so fair warning that you might want to have your chocolate stash available, while watching this one. 😁

Just look at this! 😋

Our story world is very wholesome

Very similar to A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You (review here!), this drama world is very wholesome and peopled by decent characters.

No character is truly bad, even if they might give off a questionable vibe at first, and I really enjoyed that about this drama world.

I just really like the idea of this drama world being peopled wholly by good folks. 🥰

[MINOR SPOILER]

E1-2. For example, I was quite taken aback by how shouty President Kuma (Yonemoto Takato) turned out to be, when he finally arrives back home; no wonder Ha Na’s first instinct is to scurry out of the way and hide behind Sosuke. 😁

But then how wholesome, that he turns out to be very good-hearted and not at all fierce or intimidating, despite his shouty tendencies.

[END MINOR SPOILER]

The writing is quite thoughtful

For a cute little bonbon of a drama, Show manages to serve up writing which I found nicely thoughtful.

[MINOR SPOILER]

For example, each episode is named after one of the bonbons in that special set, and the theme of the episode, which would primarily center around that particular bonbon, would often also be applicable to our characters.

For example, episode 3 it titled Wasabi en Soie, and is about bringing wasabi out from the shadows, to come out to the forefront, and this is a great mirror of how Ha Na’s working to come out of the shadows, and be unafraid to face the world.

What an unexpected metaphor; it works perfectly, and I love it. 😍

[END MINOR SPOILER]

It’s tropey but not predictable

I don’t know if it’s because I don’t watch that many Japanese dramas and therefore am not familiar with the narrative patterns their dramas take, or if it’s because Japanese dramas don’t actually fall into any kind of familiar pattern, but I found it pretty refreshing, to not be able to guess what’s going to happen next, in our story.

[SPOILER ALERT]

For example, at the end of episode 4, I’d been horrified by the way Sosuke runs out on Ha Na’s confession, which she thinks she’s making to Hiro (Akanishi Jin), and I’d imagined that she’d be in a lot of emotional pain in at least episode 5, because what had happened had been quite mortifying, in my opinion, but.. she’s not quite, really, and I was very pleasantly surprised by this.

[END SPOILER]

STUFF THAT WAS OK

The subtitles don’t reflect when our characters speak in Korean

This is not a deal-breaker for me, but I thought I would mention that it’s not apparent in the subs, when any of our characters switch to Korean.

If you’ve been watching kdramas for a while, you should be able to still pick up on the fact that a character is switching to Korean.

Most often, it’s Ha Na who switches to Korean, since she’s the only Korean character in our main cast, but occasionally, other characters use Korean words as well, and it lends a nice layer of nuance to the goings-on if you are able to pick up on this, because then you’d be able to appreciate that they’re making an effort to speak Ha Na’s language.

SPOTLIGHT ON CHARACTERS / RELATIONSHIPS

Han Hyo Joo as Ha Na

Han Hyo Joo is, in a word, fantastic, in this show. 🤩

She makes Ha Na completely different and unique from other characters that I’ve seen her portray, like recent examples Moving or Happiness (reviews here and here!).

I mentioned earlier that Ha Na’s quirks do remind me of Park Eun Bin’s rendition of Attorney Woo (review here!), but at the same time, I do think that she makes Ha Na different from Attorney Woo, particularly in the details of her delivery.

I also feel that she manages to make Ha Na feel like a character that very much belongs in a Japanese drama, ie, the quirk feels “Japanese-flavored,” for lack of a better description.

It is very impressive to me, that Han Hyo Joo is able to speak such fluent Japanese, and not only that, even act in Japanese, while making her character also feel quintessentially Japanese, in terms of her quirks.

As a character, I have to say, I grew to really love Ha Na.

I love what a kind and compassionate person she is, and how she’s led by her heart. More than that, I love how brave she chooses to be, to do the difficult things, when she could just as easily choose not to.

For these reasons and more, I rooted for Ha Na wholeheartedly, all the way to the very end. 🤩

Here are some Ha Na-centric highlights from my watch.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. I thought it was endearing that Ha Na would try to confess her lie to Hiro, in that scene in the garden.

For a hot second, it had looked like she was going to confess that she liked him, but instead, it turned out to be her earnestly trying to confess her lie; that she doesn’t actually like jazz, but likes rock.

Aw. That’s cute, that she’s so sincere about wanting to be honest with Hiro. 🥲

E3-4. I love that we get to see how much joy it brings Ha Na to deliver those chocolates to Le Sauveur, even though she’s had to work all night to make them in time for the morning delivery.

She truly loves her work, and I love her for it. 🥲

E3-4. I am very pleased that it’s Ha Na’s brilliance as a chocolatier that brings about the recipe change for the wasabi bonbon, whereas even the most senior chocolatier at Le Sauveur is convinced that nothing could top Chef Kenji’s recipe.

It makes me feel that Ha Na’s just as talented and competent, as Chef Kenji himself. 🥲

E3-4. I’m proud of Ha Na for actively wanting to make a change in her life and come out of her shell, even though it’s always paralyzed her to attempt to do so. This is courage.

Plus, change is always effortful, so I respect her for actively seeking to change, even though it would be easy for her to just keep things the way they are, and just live her life that way.

I am so impressed with her, that when her colleagues press her to go onstage to sing a song while they’re at Hiro’s jazz bar, she actually pushes herself to say yes.

Going onstage is huge for someone who can’t bear to be looked at by other people, yes? And especially so if you’re going onstage to sing a song, when you’re not a professional singer.

But Ha Na does it, and I’m so freaking proud of her. Plus, it looks like she even starts to tell them that she’s the Anonymous Chocolatier, even though she gets skittish halfway, and doesn’t manage to. The very fact that she tried, makes me feel proud of her. 🥲

E5-6. It’s not that Ha Na’s bungled confession doesn’t bother her, or that she’s not mortified by it all; we do see her angsting over it, and wondering what to do with Hiro’s bamboo sword, and even entertaining the idea of passing off her confession as being for his sword, pfft.

The thing, though, is that this angst doesn’t take over her consciousness at all, and when it’s time to start work, she files it away, and focuses on the work at hand.

Our Ha Na is a stronger person than I’d first imagined, given her social paralysis, and I can’t help but feel proud of her. 🥲

E5-6. I really enjoyed witnessing the pure joy on Ha Na’s face, when she’s allowed to join in the chocolate-making process, even though her job at Le Sauveur is a server, and not a chocolatier. 🥲

Honestly, I’ve grown very fond of Ha Na, and I’m just happy when she’s happy. 🥰

[END SPOILER]

Oguri Shun as Sosuke

I’ve had a bit of a soft spot for Oguri Shun ever since I watched him in the OG 2007 Hana Kimi (now available on Netflix Singapore, by the way! 🤩), so I was thrilled to see him cast in this, and opposite Han Hyo Joo, no less, who’s one of my favorite Korean actresses.

Of course, Oguri Shun looks perfectly, roguishly handsome as male lead Sosuke.

As a character, I must confess that Sosuke sometimes did things that perplexed me and made me give him the side eye.

Of course, Show peels back his layers to show how good-hearted he is, underneath, and I couldn’t help but let Sosuke back into my good books, each time I’d mentally put him on probation for something he said or did.

And I very much appreciate that Show gives Sosuke a growth journey that includes him learning from his mistakes. 🥲

Here’s a collection of my thoughts around Sosuke, over the course of my watch.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. Our male lead Sosuke comes across as a lot more “normal” than Ha Na, though of course he really isn’t, because he struggles with a phobia of germs, with a specific horror around touching other people.

We aren’t told the full story, but judging from the flashbacks that we see, it’s not hard to infer that Sosuke had developed this phobia, after his close-contact visit with his very sick elder brother, had likely led to said brother’s passing.

Oof. That’s a traumatic experience indeed, and it makes sense that he would develop a phobia of germs and touch afterwards, from the guilt of it all. 😔

And, I’m sure it’s all complicated by the likelihood that Sosuke now feels extra burdened to do well as heir to the company, which I believe would have been his brother’s role, had his brother been around.

I do think that that’s why Sosuke guards his secret so fiercely, which I’m sure just adds to his reputation of being brusque and rude.

E1-2. Putting myself in Sosuke’s shoes, I can understand why he would ask to meet the Anonymous Chocolatier in person, because it does make sense that he would at least want to know the person behind the moniker.

I don’t like Sosuke’s statement, that he intends to terminate the Anonymous Chocolatier’s contract, and get all the recipes from them – and then get the in-house chocolatiers to prepare the special truffles instead.

Clearly, Sosuke’s a businessman first, and this is likely a cost-cutting measure, to bring everything in-house.

That said, I didn’t have a terrible impression of Sosuke coming away from episode 1, because of the way he hires Ha Na, after she bumbles her way into an interview.

Even though she doesn’t have qualifications, and comes across as very socially awkward, he decides to hire her, based on what she says about her heart, and it being all that she has.

This already hints at the fact that Sosuke’s kinder than he comes across.

E1-2. What a reveal, that Sosuke hadn’t fired Mama like everyone had believed, but had even made arrangements for her pension and medical expenses, and even introduced her to a good doctor.

That’s.. completely opposite of the kind of persona Sosuke has been projecting, and I like this indication that he’s much kinder than he first appears – especially since we’ve seen some pretty inconsiderate behavior from him, in relation to Ha Na.

E3-4. I appreciate that Sosuke actually takes the time to invite input from the staff instead of just deciding to discontinue the wasabi bonbon from a pure profit-and-loss perspective.

This tells me that he’s got some level of genuine interest in the business, even though I’m sure he’s most likely leaning more towards the business mindset of it all, since he does matter-of-factly state that if they don’t make any changes to the recipe, the wasabi bonbon will get discontinued.

Still. Some interest is better than no interest, so I’ll take it. 😁

E5-6. Over on the business side of things, I’m not exactly surprised that by the end of episode 6, Chairman Dad  (Sato Koichi) would put pressure on Sosuke to get all the relevant recipes, and start the process of shutting down Le Sauveur, because this had been the original assignment anyway, which we were privy to.

I do think it says a lot about Sosuke, that he tries to reason with Chairman Dad about Le Sauveur being the best chocolate shop in the country; it shows that he’s truly come to believe in Le Sauveur and what it stands for, and the quality and craftsmanship it represents.

In fact, I feel like this sincerity comes through more and more, as we see Sosuke respond to the various situations that Le Sauveur comes up against.

When that lady asks if it wouldn’t be possible for Le Sauveur to produce the same version of the Orangette bonbons that her sister had used to buy her, 30 years ago, Sosuke doesn’t dismiss the request, but asks the Chief Chocolatier if it can’t be done.

And then when Ha Na asks if there are records of old Le Sauveur employees that they can look up, it’s honestly pretty heartwarming, that Sosuke not only goes along with the idea, but personally calls Ms. Saegusa, to ask for her help.

Plus, he’s there to personally greet her, and thank her for coming all the way.

It’s crystal clear that he’s sincere in managing Le Sauveur; I can feel that he wants Le Sauveur to do well, and that he wants to do good by his employees and customers.

Sosuke’s showing himself to be more sincere than I’d originally expected, and I definitely like that very much.

I especially like that it’s his memory of his father buying the orangette bonbons many years ago, that triggers Ms. Saegusa to recall the tweak to the recipe that Chef Kenji had made, in response to a request by Sosuke’s father.

That feels like a two-way exchange of sincerity, which I like very much, particularly, since that two-way quality is one of the themes of these episodes, though not this episode, specifically.

E5-6. I am pleased with Sosuke making the decision to take everyone to visit Mama at her home.

That’s so thoughtful of him, and really shows that he’s not at all the cold businessman that everyone had once assumed.

[END SPOILER]

Sosuke and Ha Na

What a quirky, cute OTP relationship this turned out to be. 🥲

One of the things that I really appreciate about this OTP connection, is that they each see the other person in their weakness and limitations, and have compassion for each other, as they both work together to get better.

It does take some time for the romance to get going in earnest, but I enjoyed the journey very well, and found it all very endearing and wholesome.

I do think that Oguri Shun and Han Hyo Joo share a nice amount of warm chemistry, and I liked it best when Sosuke and Ha Na relaxed and felt happy, in each other’s company.

Here’s an overview of the various stages of our OTP’s connection, over the course of our story.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. I have to say, I do quite love the very dramatic slo-mo dual fall that we get at the end of episode 1; it sure sets the stage for this love story very effectively, with each simultaneously discovering that the other person is the exception, when it comes to their phobias.

Ha Na finds that she can look Sosuke in the eye, and Sosuke finds that he can tolerate touch with Ha Na, without breaking into a panic.

I am amused, too, that Ha Na’s first instinct, is to think of Sosuke as a “bad guy,” since that’s the only other option besides “dream guy” that Mom had presented to her, as possible people with whom she’d be able to make eye contact. 😁

On that note, I personally find it quite amusing, the way we see Ha Na conveniently break into Korean, every time she wants to mutter an insult in Sosuke’s direction.

It’s not apparent in the subs, unfortunately, but if you’ve been watching kdramas for a while, your ear should be able to pick out the insults, as they are pretty common words and phrases.

We see this quite often in episode 2, when Sosuke gets Ha Na to join him in visiting the yuzu supplier, to get him to continue supplying Le Sauveur, and it’s quite funny that Ha Na keeps denying that she’s insulting him, even though Sosuke totally seems onto her. 🤭

I can’t blame her for muttering those insults though; he really does deserve them.

First, there’s how he blatantly says that he’s so smart, after successfully regurgitating the details about the yuzu that he’d first heard from Ha Na.

I mean, I get that he’s a germophobe, but the way he orders her to tie those plastic bags around his shoes, is a little much, I thought, not to mention the way he makes her carry his bag, and then causes her to fall down that slippery slope into the mud, and then does such a poor job of trying to help her out of the mud, by extending a stick to her. 🙄

But ok, at least Hiro is there to help her out, and Ha Na is quite thrilled to be around Hiro, so I guess points to Sosuke for getting Hiro along for the ride?

E1-2. I rather like that conversation that they share, while in separate onsens.

In this scene, Sosuke strikes me as being quite unguarded and genuine, like in the way he calls out to Ha Na to ask what song she’s singing.

I do like the fact that Ha Na seems very able to carry on a thoughtful conversation with Sosuke, particularly since she can’t see him as they speak. She definitely comes across as more relaxed, and I like that.

It’s certainly Ha Na’s musings about how we all have secrets that we never want anyone to find out about, that leads Sosuke to then change his stance with the Anonymous Chocolatier.

He not only agrees to continue working with the Anonymous Chocolatier, but even doubles the order – to Ha Na’s chagrin, since she’s the one who now has no time to make the chocolate truffles that he’s just ordered.

I appreciate that it takes a lot of courage for Sosuke to make that final request in episode 2, to shake Ha Na’s hand.

For anyone else, it’s just a handshake, but for Sosuke, he’s choosing to take a risk which might result in him experiencing an unpleasant panic attack, but he musters up the guts anyway.

It makes sense that he would freeze during the handshake, because this is literally the first handshake he’s experienced, since that fateful day when he’d visited his sick brother.

It’s no wonder that his eyes well up with tears, at the emotion of it all, and I like that Ha Na notices and asks him about it.

..Which leads to a pretty brisk, snappy sort of exchange, which I marvel at a bit, because this is the most confident we’ve seen Ha Na thus far, isn’t it?

I do love that, just 2 episodes into our story, we’re already starting to see Sosuke and Ha Na affecting each other in ways that they hadn’t expected – and smiling about it to themselves, a little bit, with Ha Na musing that maybe Sosuke’s not a bad guy after all, and Sosuke marveling at how warm Ha Na’s hand is.

What a great note on which to close these episodes, with this connection between Sosuke and Ha Na poised to develop even further, now that they’ve become a bit more comfortable with each other.

E3-4. I’m actually really happy with Sosuke, for recognizing that Ha Na’s having a bit of a paralysis moment, and, knowing that she is somehow able to look at him, and have him look at her, tells her to look at him.

It feels like he’s reaching into her panic, and pulling her out, and I really like that. 🥲 And he also makes sure to get her off the stage, to safety, and I really like that too. 🥲

Additionally, he makes himself look kind of lame, by making up a cover story that he’s got a very big announcement to make – and it’s that he’s paying for all their drinks for the night, pfft.

Y’know, I do find it endearing that Sosuke would be willing to compromise his dignity to protect Ha Na, in a manner of speaking.

I also really like that he goes after her to check on her. To me, this lands as coming from someone who deeply understands how it is, to be not ok. 🥲

It’s true that he does that thing where he gives her the umbrella, all cool, suave and protector-like – and then negates it all, by running to take the umbrella back, which, hahaha, makes him such a dork in my eyes. 🤭

Also, I can’t hold it against him too much, because I already know that Sosuke actually wants to offer her the umbrella; it’s just that his obsessive compulsion physically prevents him actually going through with it. It literally feels like he’d have a panic attack, if he’d tried to force himself to follow through and go without the umbrella, y’know?

And he does squeeze out an apology, even in the midst of building panic, so that should count for something, yes?

..Which is why Ha Na ends up chasing after him, all the way back to Le Sauveur, because she gets worried that he might collapse from the panic, along the way.

Aww. I do like this idea that they have a built-in empathy for each other, because they understand what it’s like, to be paralyzed by your mind, and just be unable to function.

Seeing them look out for each other like this, despite their awkward relationship, is actually pretty touching. 🥲

It feels quite perfect, that this leads to an honest, open conversation, where Ha Na shares more about her years growing up, and how she’s working so hard to change, but isn’t getting anywhere.

It feels extra special, actually, that Ha Na would say that all she wants is to be able to look the person whom she likes in the eyes, and  then when Sosuke asks if there’s someone like that to her, she answers honestly that there is.

This definitely feels like a deepening connection to me, because you don’t just talk about such personal things with anyone, right?

I do think that the foundation of this connection, isn’t so much that they regard each other as special in a romantic sense; it’s more like this special-ness has been bestowed on them both, because they are able to tolerate in each other, the very thing that drives them away from other people.

Perhaps because Ha Na sets the tone by opening up first; I was pleasantly surprised to also see Sosuke opening up about wanting to mess around with his friends too, and shake hands with others.

Most personal of all, is the fact that Sosuke shares that it’s not that he thinks that other people are dirty; it’s that he thinks he’s the one that’s dirty.

I have to admit, his confession did turn my understanding of him on its head, but on further thought, my logical brain does struggle with that, a little bit, because if he thinks he’s the one that’s dirty, then why does he need to change his shirt every time he touches someone?

But then, I rationalize that this state of mind isn’t a logical one; it’s complicated and therefore likely self-contradictory, and I’m willing to buy that he genuinely thinks that he’s dirty, and that all his efforts are his way of trying to become cleaner – but it’s apparently a state that he doesn’t think possible to achieve, and that’s just really sad.

I thought it was very relevant to the times, and quite poignant too, that Sosuke would say that he’d felt most comfortable during the pandemic, because everyone else had been avoiding physical contact, just like him.

The fact that Sosuke says that it made him sad that a nightmare for the world would make him happy, makes me think that he’s a good person at heart.

It feels like a natural next step, that they would agree to practice with each other, so that they can both get better.

And, I have to say, it does give me a thrill, that it’s our reticent Ha Na, who makes the suggestion that they practice together, like rehab, and then it’s also her, who takes the first step to hold out her hand for a handshake.

It’s so endearing to me, that she’s being proactive about this, when she usually struggles so much, to talk to others. 🥲

It feels like a healing moment for Sosuke, as he leans in from their practice handshake, to a practice hug, and Ha Na slowly pats him on the back.

And then it also feels like a healing moment for Ha Na, as she looks into Sosuke’s eyes, and relives what it had been like, to look into her mother’s eyes, back when she’d been little.

It’s honestly pretty gratifying, to see that this healing is mutual, and I do love that Sosuke says to Ha Na, “Let’s get better,” because that really feels like a team thing, where the aim is that they will both benefit, and equally. 🥲

It’s actually pretty great to see them then start to practice, with Sosuke suggesting that they have lunch at Cielo, and then proactively inviting Ha Na to practice making eye contact with him; it feels like he sincerely wants to help.

And then, it was quite funny, that he gets all hot and bothered by her gaze, and keeps having to get up to change into a new shirt, muahaha.

It’s hilarious to me, that with this one single premise, Show is able to wring soooo many shirtless scenes out of Oguri Shun – without it ever feeling like it’s just been shoved in there for gratuitous reasons. There’s always a narrative reason for it, and it amuses me, because the narrative reason is within such easy reach. 😁

I also love that conversation while they’re eating burgers in the car, because it’s so laidback and honest.

The way Ha Na casually talks about how she’d feel so nervous, if she’s with the person she likes, and unlike Sosuke, they’re handsome, kind and smell nice, which then triggers Sosuke into asking if she means that he’s ugly, unkind and smelly.

I LOVE the way Ha Na chuckles happily, and then unabashedly tells him, “Obviously.” HAHAHA cute!

It’s really lovely to see them interacting easily like this, and even ribbing each other in fake peevishness. This feels like a connection where they’re genuinely comfortable with each other.

HOWEVER.

There is a distinct point in episode 4 at which I chafe, and that is when Sosuke basically bullies Ha Na into going with him to visit the supplier of liqueur for their bonbons, even though she tells him, several times, that she has other plans.

I honestly felt offended on Ha Na’s behalf, because he treats her plans so lightly, and promptly ruins her date with Hiro, in favor of his own goals.

I really didn’t like this, even though I understood in my head, that it’s important that Ha Na goes on this road trip with Sosuke, and that her presence there with him, would definitely be important to our story.

It just didn’t feel right, that Sosuke’s essentially gaslighting and threatening Ha Na into going with him, right?

The only way I could digest this, was to use an anime lens, but even then, I’d say that I struggled somewhat, to buy what I was selling myself. 😅

But it does turn out to be true, that Ha Na’s presence works out to be critical, in the meeting with the supplier, because it’s Ha Na’s ability to discern the daughter’s recipe tweaks, in the light of her mother’s, that gives the daughter the resolve to keep the business going, where before, she’d expressed a desire to shut it down.

In the end, it’s Ha Na who saves the day, by making the daughter feel seen and valued for herself, and that feels like an important theme, because I believe Ha Na herself also desires to be seen and valued for herself, even though she currently finds it so hard to be looked upon, by others.

In the end, even though I’m still low-key upset with Sosuke for disrespecting Ha Na’s position and personal plans, I do like that he tells her that he sees a gift in her – the ability to express her true feelings – and encourages her to use that gift, to tell the person whom she likes, how she feels.

That does mollify me somewhat, and then there’s also that detail, that Sosuke brings a gift of chocolates for that lady in group therapy with him, who talks about not feeling able to connect with her grandkids, so that she can practice connecting with them – because, in Ha Na’s words, for kids, a gift of chocolate is the ultimate happiness.

Aw. Ok, that is pretty thoughtful, and Sosuke’s creeping back into my good books again. 😅

BUT THENNNN.

We have that debacle at the end of episode 4, where Ha Na attempts to confess while she believes that the person behind the kendo mask is Hiro – but it turns out to be Sosuke, and Sosuke does the most awful thing, by running outta there, when Ha Na squeaks out her love confession to Hiro, to him.

ACKKKK.

How absolutely mortifyingggg. That’s like kicking a puppy right when it’s been brave to try to do something for the first time, and I am just about as horrified as Ha Na is, as she gurgles and wails in humiliation. 😩

I seriously don’t know how Show is going to get Sosuke back into my good books after this fiasco that’s hurt Ha Na so much, but I’m morbidly curious to see what tricks Show’s got up its sleeves, so you can be sure I’ll be tuning in to find out. 😅

E5-6. I do appreciate the various indications that our would-be OTP have become more comfortable around each other, and have become closer.

Like the way Sosuke opens up to Ha Na, and tells her that the story about his dad buying chocolates, hadn’t been about him, but his brother, and that he feels guilty, that he’d eaten the chocolates that his brother had saved for him, by not eating them himself.

I love how Ha Na gives Sosuke a new perspective on the matter, reminding him that it gives people joy to give chocolates as well as to receive them, and that his brother must have felt very happy, to see him enjoying the chocolates.

That’s a very lovely way of helping Sosuke reframe his memories, and it also feels like a gentle yet unobtrusive gesture of comfort as well. 🥲

With the way things unfold in episode 5, I was unwittingly letting Sosuke back into my good books – but then he goes and does the thing where he tells a sleeping Ha Na about the mix-up, and when he realizes that she didn’t hear anything that he’d said, he closes the matter by saying that it’s not that he didn’t tell her, but that she didn’t hear him, because she’d been asleep.

I was like, “What? Are you seriously going to pass this off as your effort to come clean to her??” 🤦🏻‍♀️

Sometimes, I find Sosuke very thoughtful and endearing, and then sometimes, I just want to slap him upside the head for being a doofus.

I’m trying to rationalize that this was because he wanted Ha Na to believe that Hiro had rejected her, because he’s having feelings for her, and would rather that Hiro’s out of the picture.

EVEN SO. I find it hard to excuse what I see as cowardice &/or selfishness, depending on how I digest this convenient withholding of information, and I can’t help but side-eye Sosuke over this. 😒

And yet, it still mollifies my fangirl heart, to see him enjoy the way Ha Na’s head falls on his shoulder, and the way he leans into it and snuggles back, while leaking a bit of a wistful smile. 🥲

What a big thing, really, for a person who literally can’t stand to touch or be touched by other people.

I feel like Sosuke must be talking about himself, when, at the group therapy session, he talks to that kleptomaniac lady, and says that he thinks he knows what it feels like, to want to change, for the person one likes.

I’m guessing he must be entertaining similar thoughts, of wanting to change, for Ha Na. 🥲

E5-6. I like the way Sosuke appears, to cover Ha Na’s eyes, so that she doesn’t have to see the person whom she likes, hugging someone else.

Aw. Ok, that is quite nice, to see Sosuke’s protective instinct at play, for Ha Na. 🥲

Like the way he blurts out that Ha Na is Miracle Touch, and also, the person in whom he’s very interested right now.

I do think that this is his way of protecting Ha Na’s dignity, in front of the person she likes, who’s just hugged another woman, but also, when Ha Na asks him about it, he starts to say that he’s interested in her because she’s his employee, but also, falters for a bit, when he admits that he’s interested in her – before backpedaling again.

Aw ok. I like that he’s cognizant of the fact that he likes her. 😁

E5-6. I’m also glad that Ha Na musters up the courage to tell Hiro that she wants to apologize, because she’s stood him up twice, which I feel is a very big step for Ha Na, who’s struggled so much with speaking to Hiro, in the past.

I am also amused that Sosuke’s watching Ha Na’s interactions with Hiro like a hawk, from the sidelines, where he’s trying to look all casual and nonchalant, but really looks like a big dork. 🤭

But, I can’t help it, Sosuke’s winning me over, bit by bit, with his sincerity.

I really liked that beat where he takes Ha Na to the very spot that’s featured on her phone wallpaper, which had been a photo taken by her dad, during his travels.

How heartwarming, that it’s at this spot, that the two of them bond a little more, by talking about their fathers, and how their fathers expressed love. 🥲

I also like that Sosuke is proactive about asking Ha Na how she is (in light of being indirectly rejected by Hiro), and that, when Ha Na expresses that it’s better for someone like her to be alone, he basically defends her to herself, saying, essentially, that there’s nothing wrong with her, and that she’s a good person, and a lovable person with a lovely smile.

Listening to him talk like this, I’m like, wait, is he.. confessing, here??

Honestly, it sounds like he is, but nothing actually comes of it, because the next thing Ha Na does, is thank him for practicing with her all this time, and.. their practicing partnership comes to an end.

It does look like they’re both wistful about their special agreement no longer being in force, and it does seem to me that they both want more?

In that scene in the elevator, the way Ha Na drunkenly reiterates that she’s just his employee, does seem to hint that she would like to be more than just an employee to him? And the way he walks back to the elevator, wanting to stop it, also seems to hint that he has more that he’d like to say to her?

Aw. It feels like our would-be OTP is a little bit stuck right now, doesn’t it?

[END SPOILER]

Akanishi Jin as Hiro

Out of our core group of characters, I feel like Hiro gets the least backstory.

In fact, I feel like he’s mostly just there to be Hiro’s handsome friend who’s always willing to lend a hand, when Hiro calls on him.

Well, there’s also the thing where he’s the resident gentlemanly, handsome guy on whom our female characters crush, thus nudging our story along.

[MINOR SPOILER]

One of the things that I found amusing about Hiro, is that he’s just constantly trying his best to return coats to women who’re running away from him.

He does it at the beginning of episode 3 with Irene, and he’s also been trying to return Ha Na’s coat – even though he has no idea that the coat belongs to Ha Na, at this point. I am quite amused by this. 🤭

[END SPOILER]

Nakamura Yuri as Irene

I have to confess that I found Irene quite strange as a character, for much of our story.

Mainly, it’s this early scene in episode 3, that really threw me.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E3-4. It’s so strange that second female lead Irene, actively expresses discontent, that Hiro hadn’t taken advantage of her for sexytimes, when he’d had the chance.

Uh. After a steady diet of kdramas, and to a lesser extent, c-dramas, where this is definitely not the prevailing attitude or approach of most characters, especially female ones, I found this a bit jarring, to be honest. 😅

My brain was like, “Wait.. are you seriously saying that you wish that he’d forced himself on you, while you were drunk..? 😳”

[END SPOILER]

To Show’s credit, we do eventually get some context and explanation for why Irene’s like this, later in our story.

Hiro and Irene

I have to confess that I was mostly quite indifferent towards this potential secondary loveline. 😅

[BROAD VAGUE SPOILERS]

However, because Hiro’s such a nice guy, and because we do eventually see that he does have feelings for Irene, I found myself starting to root for this loveline to go somewhere, for the sake of his happiness.

I will say, though, that through the entirety of this loveline, I most appreciated Hiro’s restraint and gentlemanly approach towards Irene.

Whatever unreasonable request she made, he would respect it, and well, I respected him for being able to do that, even when the requests that she made, were the opposite of what he wanted. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]

E7-8. Aww. That was lovely. I found myself smiling and feeling very cozy through much of this finale 🥰, and that feels quite rare and precious, honestly. 🥲

Coming into this finale, I’d felt like Show had quite a lot of ground to cover, and I’d wondered whether our finale might feel rushed as a result.

I needn’t have worried; this finale felt well-paced and perfectly in character with our gently quirky little show.

Even though Show has to deal with the threatened closure of Le Sauveur, Cousin attempting to oust Sosuke and CEO from their positions within the company, Ha Na getting outed as the Anonymous Chocolatier and the fallout from that, AND the minting of not only the OTP relationship, but also, the minting of the secondary OTP relationship, it didn’t feel rushed, to my eyes.

The thing that I liked the most about this finale, is how heartfelt it is.

When our various problems get solved, it’s heart that unfailingly comes to the forefront, and I liked that very well.

Like in the decision on Le Sauveur’s representative at the World Chocolate Masters, for example.

Ha Na feels so apologetic towards the Chief, that she creates this elaborate ruse, so that the Anonymous Chocolatier can teach the Le Sauveur team how to make Pure Kenji, which is her signature bonbon, and Le Sauveur’s bestseller.

And in turn, Chief eventually insists that the Anonymous Chocolatier represent Le Sauveur after all, because, despite following the directions closely, the taste is still somewhat different.

I like how selfless both of these decisions are, and how both Ha Na and Chief make those decisions out of consideration for the greater good of Le Sauveur. 🥲

When Ha Na’s identity as the Anonymous Chocolatier is outed, I appreciate that she writes that very heartfelt letter to everyone at Le Sauveur, telling them her truth, and that she’d never meant to deceive anyone.

Later on, when she returns to Le Sauveur, I found it so heartwarming to see how everyone welcomes her with open arms and generous affection. 🥰

Before that happens, though, we do have Ha Na makes that trip to the fictional Koita Republic, to get special cacao, as a way to help everyone at Le Sauveur, and ends up almost getting mugged by that group of thugs – until Sosuke shows up and sends them all packing, with some well-executed kendo moves.

Not gonna lie; I did get stars in my eyes, a little bit, at how badass Sosuke is, with a stick in his hand. 🤩

Of course, the more swoony thing, is how he goes after Ha Na, instinctively knowing that she’ll need him. 🥲

I love how Ha Na just hugs him without thinking twice, in her relief. And then, I love even more, that moment when, later, after Ha Na agrees to represent Le Sauveur at the World Chocolate Masters, and holds out her hand for Sosuke to shake it, he takes her hand – and turns that handshake into a handhold instead.

Squee! 😍

I love how natural and matter-of-fact he is about it, like holding Ha Na’s hand is the most normal thing in the world.

And then, when Ha Na hesitantly mentions that he’d said that they didn’t need to practice anymore, I love how he says, still so matter-of-factly, that it isn’t practice, but “sarang.”

Eee!! 😍😍

It’s true that Ha Na demurs and even admonishes him a bit, saying they’re not there yet (because in Korean, it’s a Big Deal to use the word “sarang”), and the thing that I love most about this moment, is how they’re both grinning so happily and comfortably, together. 🥰

Our romance gets interrupted by Sosuke’s dad’s collapse, and Cousin’s takeover attempt, but I do like that it’s Ha Na who inspires Sosuke, by reminding him that while he can’t solve the situation alone, with everyone’s help, it would be possible.

I really like how so many people pledge to support Sosuke, thanks to how he and Le Sauveur have affected them positively in the past. That was very wholesome.

Sosuke’s speech at the shareholders’ meeting really struck me as being very sincere – and yes – heartfelt.

I love that he shares from the heart, the things that he’s learned from managing Le Sauveur; that chocolate can bring happiness to everyone, and that he would like to make the world a little happier.

The thing that really blew me away, though, is the fact that, after he says his piece, he informs everyone that Ha Na’s representing Le Sauveur at the World Chocolate Masters, and then hightails it outta there, so that he can be there for Ha Na.

And he’s right on time, too, coz Ha Na’s just starting to freeze up in the spotlight, when he arrives.

I love how having him there, gives Ha Na the settledness that she needs, to get through that challenging moment, of speaking on stage in front of so many people. 🥲

And again, I love how personal her sharing is; that she’d been saved by chocolate, and that she made this chocolate, hoping that it could do the same for others too.

Aw. That’s really meaningful, and I can see why Ha Na would win over the judges and emerge the winner of the Masters. 🥲

Afterwards, I love how, even though everyone’s rallying round her to congratulate her, she runs to find Sosuke, and then runs right into his arms for a hug, and confesses that she likes (or loves) him (in Japanese).

How cheeky, that Sosuke would correct her with a naughty grin, that it’s “sarang” 🤭 – before leaning in to kiss her.

Of course, Sosuke and CEO Dad don’t get ousted, and the thing that I liked most about this arc, is the way Sosuke makes up with Cousin afterwards, by admitting that he’d been lacking in affirming Cousin’s value in the company, and inviting Cousin to lead the company together with him.

I thought that was very gracious, given how Cousin had just accused him of being incompetent and mentally ill, in front of the shareholders.

And then there’s also how Sosuke finally has that moment of connection with CEO Dad, where he grasps Dad’s hand, the way he’d been unable to, all those years ago, when his brother had died.

Oof. I thought that was very meaningful. 🥹

Ordinarily, I’m not much into time skips, but in this case, I did appreciate the one-year time skip, which allows us to see how our various characters are doing, in an epilogue-esque sort of way.

I thought it was very meaningful that in the wake of Sosuke leading the Futago Confectionery, that Chief would be appointed to lead Le Sauveur instead.

That said, I was most excited for the wedding of our OTP, of course.

Before I get to that, let me just say that I’m glad, for Hiro’s sake, that Irene comes back, and is now more open to connecting with him.

And what a cute echo of Sosuke’s handhold move, when he, too, turns Irene’s proffered handshake, into a proper handhold. 😁

Like I said, though, I was way more invested in Sosuke and Ha Na getting married.

I love so, so much, that their union isn’t about either of them getting “fixed” from their psychological issues, but that, together, they can be whole and happy, even though their healing is still work in progress. 🥲

It’s honestly such a great start to their marriage, that when Ha Na freezes at the ceremony and tells Sosuke that she “can’t,” he doesn’t hesitate for a second. He simply takes her hand and runs out on the ceremony with her.

This tells me that as far as Sosuke is concerned, Ha Na’s comfort and wellbeing is paramount, and it doesn’t matter if it’s socially rude; he’s going to do what it takes, to protect her comfort and wellbeing.

I LOVE that. That, my friends, is love. 🥰🥹

Looking at them be so happy together, and fully embracing themselves and each other, flaws, limitations and all, my heart is truly full.

Yes, we don’t have to be perfect to be loved, and I love that Show makes sure to tell us that, in no uncertain terms. 🥲

THE FINAL VERDICT:

Wholesome, sweet and uplifting. Very much recommend.

FINAL GRADE: B++

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PATREON UPDATE!

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The next drama I’m covering on Patreon, in place of  Romantics Anonymous, is Twelve Letters [China].

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