Uchi no Musume wa, Kareshi ga Dekinai! (2021)

Home is a feeling, and this felt like home

This will go down as one of my favourite feel good dramas because of how much I loved every single thing about this show, from the actors to the characters they played, to the writing. I felt compelled to write this review, because I hope & want more people to watch this show, and shower their love for this gem.

The writing was definitely the winning aspect of the show, which was perfectly complemented by actors who brought the script to life. Whoever that casted for this show needs a raise because replacing any of the actors would not make this show what it is. The acting was A1 and the entire cast had explosive chemistry together. I believed in their world, and wanted to be a part of it so bad. Their interactions together (right from the main leads to the supporting cast) felt real, organic and fun. Watching them made me feel like I was third wheeling because it looked so intimate. Conversations would sometimes start at point A and end at point Z, making me grin. The fun was well balanced with the heart, in the way the characters looked out for each other, loved each other & supported each other. I connected with them, & rooted for them each step of the way like they were real people that I cared about.

Kitagawa Eriko clearly surpassed herself with this drama, giving us a peek into a mother and daughter's heartwarming journey, a journey of unrequited love & a journey of friendship. The writing was sensitive in the subtle way that the writer didn't feel the need for the characters' relationships to be defined or confined by terms. They were all special to each other without having the need for their relationship to be spelled out. Aoi/Gon and Sora/Hikaru did not need to be partners for their relationship to be any more complete. You can see there was unrequited love there, but it wasn't presented in a heart-breaking profound way. It was what it was (and I loved that they were all self aware of each other), & you can see that they would still continue to love each other regardless. Sora and Aoi, despite not being real mother/daughter were probably more intimate than any mother/daughter. All the characters were friends, yet they were more than that, and I love that the finale did not give us an answer to this. They may or may not be any more. It’s like a puzzle where every piece forms a crucial part for it to be complete. It’s the same thing with this drama. Each character came together to make this what it was & they would continue to exist in each other's world. They are all inseparable regardless of how their relationship to each other changes.

There was no major dramatic moment or climax or decision that the characters had to make, and this is where the writing shone so much in keeping you engaged with the characters' emotional states. The world of Uchi No Musume felt small sometimes with just these small group of characters interacting with each other, yet it was huge & limitless at the same time, thanks to how progressive & real it was. Don't ask me to describe the plot of this show because I don't know how to.

I love that the show represented characters of different age groups (right from college students Sora/Hikaru to old man Shinchiro) & subverted society's expectations of how they were to behave or be. And the show never told us that, it showed us that in the way the characters interacted with each other & in the representation of the turmoils they faced. Aoi despite being a 40 year old was ditzy. Sora despite being an otaku was not socially awkward. Irino who looked to be image conscious turned out to be a sincere & mature guy. Gon who seemed mature but was somewhat a manchild looking for love. Shinchiro despite being 70+ had romantic relationships & was technologically advanced. Sally acknowledging that she had toxic parents & was looking for the stability that calm 70+ Shinchiro offered. Wataru who did not have romantic relationships because he was waiting for his school friend (the show mocked this trope).

The ending OST was beautiful & while I don't know what it means, it always uplifted me each time it played with the credits rolling. The styling was on point (keeping the characters in mind). I love how all of them dressed comfortably most of the time. That felt real. The set design was extremely beautiful, esp Aoi's room which had clouds on the wall, and stars on the ceiling. I want a room like that so so bad. I love how Aoi's big white, expensive house was contrasted with Odaya's design that felt cheap and warm yet claustrophic. Interesting how most of the cast interactions happened there, in that little space, making it look all the more intimate.

I don't know what else to say except that it's been a long time since I watched a show that had me so attached to the characters, and their world that leaving this makes me feel sad. They will always be a part of me, and many years to come, I will be thinking of what they are up to. These were not just characters. For me, they were real people that exist somewhere in this universe.

S2 please, writer san!

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Best Asian drama I have seen

I don't tend to give out 10s but honestly, this is one that deserves it. The story was really well balanced well and really entertaining, the acting was next level, the music was great and I would love to rewatch it. Truly, a wholesome comedy that can really pull at the heartstrings. I really liked how we followed the story of both mother and daughter and we get to see the parrels. All the actors, young and older, were amazing. I started watching because I'm a fan of Hamabe Minami, but I leave loving all these actors. I cannot believe that more people didn't watch this. It deserves way more views than this.

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"Uchi no Musume wa, Kareshi ga Dekinai!!" is an adorable drama which shines thanks to a lovely cast and, most of all, to a perfectly written script that works like a clockwork. Kitagawa Eriko is indeed one of the best Japanese scriptwriters, and she's proved that once again here. The finesse with which she portrays the intricacies of the human soul, seriously! Many lines are so marvelously written that I had to pause more than once to applaud! I can't go in details because it would be a real pity to spoiler anything...let's just say that, while this could be defined a "romantic dramedy", that label would be absolutely insufficient to actually describe the depth of this beautiful tale of people, life and love.

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Totally not what I expected!!!

When I started this drama, I expected something more cliche, like the mother and daughter fighting over a man and putting the most focus on romance than anything else. The shift in plot was a very pleasant surprise. I loved the mother-daughter relationship, everything about it was very wholesome.

I enjoyed the ending a lot too, I liked how they stuck with the motherly love message until the end. I feel like the title of this drama is very misleading. The main focus of the drama isn't the daughter finding a boyfriend at all, it's more about a mother and daughter's relationship and following their journey of learning more about and understanding each other.

I hope this drama has a special sequel or a movie or something, it's just so cute the whole cast has grown on me.

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A Crazy, Funny, Heartwarming drama

10/26/2021 - 8.25 rounding up to 8.5

It's always hard to know whether I enjoy a jdorama that's adapted from a manga or anime, as sometimes I find the acting or the story to be too dramatic for my taste. This drama is just crazy enough that it hasn't gone overboard. But if Minase Aoi acts a little more childish, I might have lowered my rating.

This drama's main focus is the mother/daughter relationship and the meaning of family (blood-related or not). Aoi and Sora's relationship gives me a very Gilmore Girls vibe. Both moms and daughters are witty, funny and sarcastic in their own ways. Both families have gone through a lot of hardships to form such a tight bond. I really enjoy how Aoi and Sora grew throughout the show. It is a little hard for me to stomach how childish Aoi could be at times, but then I also enjoy some of her crazy dialogs. The way these two ladies are so honest and speak their own minds is very refreshing to see in an Asian dramas. Oftentimes, there are too many quiet pushovers, but I'm happy to see that more Asian female leads are showing more power and strength and ready to fight back in this male-dominant drama world. Additionally, the extended family from Odaya is a great addition to the mom/daughter dynamic. Family is more than blood. The way Gon and his dad are there for them is very heartwarming.

Aoi and Sora have their own separate romance storylines. All the potential suitors are decent guys, and I do like the main love interests for both ladies. The secondary love interests are a little bland comparatively and there's definitely no second-lead syndrome for me. I actually would have loved to see more scenes of them together with the main love interests in the end. The last episode only very casually and indirectly shows us who then end up with. I would love to actually see them together, esp. Sora + Hikaru. They are so cute together and I wish a little more time is reserved for them and a more direct confession from either one of them.

Speaking of Hikaru, I would like to learn more about his relationship with his family. We only got a snippet through his phone call with his mother. I was hoping we know more, and then to have Sora be by his side to support him. Alas, we didn't get anything.

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This is worth your time

I just want to tell you that after watching hamabe minami dramas this is one of her best role. She can act naturally like a typical fujoshi. Her age IRL and in drama was the same and megane hamabe was so cute. I can watch this all day, because of her. Also adding Fukuhara in the story was a good choice I like her also. So combining them was like a dream for me thank you to for giving us viewers such quality actors and actress. Im still hoping of another plot twist for the side characters since Im rooting them also, I cant wait to watch the next episode because the story is getting interesting and I think I need to prepare myself for the next episode since it has full of drama and emotion.

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Amazing story and characters

I've never given a drama a 10 before but this one deserved it. I cried and laughed and felt so scene watching this. The show's title makes it seem as though it will just be a light mother-daughter comedy but it's so much more than that. It explores what love is, both romantic and familial and the different struggles women of different ages go through. The story was so good and unpredictable. I didn't guess many of the plot points coming. Both the main and minor characters were interesting and complex which I really loved. They felt so real! I really recommend this drama, I know I will come back to rewatch this soon!

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Uchi no Musume wa Kareshi ga Dekinai was SHEER DELIGHT to watch from the very first minute and never let go til the last episode’s final beat!!
Featuring a fine little cast, this was an ensemble-led drama where everyone shone, and yet, the heart and soul of the show was the love between this eccentric Mother and Daughter as they go about life and romance!
I cannot tell you how many times I was just sitting there crying my eyes out with how wonderfully touching the scenes with Mom Aoi and daughter Sora, their each and every moment showing you how much these two loved each other. 
And the writing…There were so many zippy, fun and witty scenarios as well as incredible, wonderful lines of dialog that warmed me, inspired me and just flat out BROKE MY HEART!(sadly most of them I can’t quote without giving away important story points!)
This is one drama I will really have to sit on and decide where I want to place it in my list of all-time faves, because, oh boy, this was a HUGE one!!! One of the most satisfying dramas I’ve seen, and DEFINITELY one to go alongside all of writer Eriko Kitagawa’s other amazing dramas!

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A wonderful Heartwarming Mom-Child Story!!

I just completed watching this beautiful dorama and here I am writing my second review ever on MDL.

I Loved the concept of this drama and being an otaku myself and a single child of a single mom I could relate to almost everything.
I don't have a lot of friends and have a hard time expressing my emotions to others so I can stand in Sora's shoes and feel what she feels.
And I loved how she and her mum are more like friends instead of your regular parent-child relation. But I guess that's how it is when your Parent had you at a very young age. Like my Mum was 20 when she had me.
Anyway not gonna fill the review with my own story. Really Sorry ?.

Loved the acting and the chemistry between all the cast. Loved how the writer dealt with the story arcs which are somewhat taboo-ish and rarely shown like Gon-chan's Father and Sally's relationship.

This one is one of those few dramas where I didn't skip a single second throughout the 10 Episodes. I wish if they had more episodes pr another season tbh. I wanna see more of Hikaru and Sora. How they go through after this and where their relation goes.
Also would like to see more of Hikaru's story too.

Overall it was a really good watch. Will rewatch this soon and perhaps more often.

This will really be somewhere up there in my all time favourite drama list and recommendations.
If you haven't watched it yet then PLEASE do!!
The 10 hour that you'll spend wouldn't be regretful.

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Great story, slow at start

I really though it was romantic love comedy, but actually it was and it was not (in some way).
I mean it has many romantic plot but main story is on familial love, familial bond.

Story is very slow and first 2-3 episodes didn't draw me in. But .... last 4-5 episodes is great. Please don't drop in 2-3 episodes, continue watching until finish and you'll feel the greatness of this drama.

There's one moment that was too cute in episode 9 .... wow what a scene, I really really love that one.

After finished watching, I'm thinking .... a little more ... just a little more .... of romantic scene but no. It just finish as it is .... a little disappointed. I think they only want to show familial love more and not on romance ... what a waste.

Just go and watch this one, Funny, cute, feel familial love, it was very good one for sure.

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An Awesome Light Hearted and Touching Drama

Everyone in this drama just has superb chemistry. It's a really sweet and touching Drama about a mother-daughter pair played by the irrepressible duo of Miho Kanno and Minami Hamabe.

The best part of this drama is that every relationship shown is just so precious. Okada Kenshi is seriously one of the sweetest on screen guy around, ever so patient, understanding and supportive.

You gotta give it to the writers. Even saori's relationship with Gon's father is so sweet despite the crazy age gap.

I've a huge fan of Minami and I can say this was totally worth my time. Just a wholesome drama all around. Kudos to the casts.

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It's been a while since I binge-watch a jdrama. I love them for many reasons and the biggest one is the genre slice of life. Uchi no Musume wa, Kareshi ga Dekinai is a heart-warming series about mother and daughter.

Here is what I love about the series:

The cast. It's been a while since I’ve seen Kanno Miho work so I was super excited for this series. Plus I love Hamabe Minami, she was super cute in here. I love that she is not your typical cute innocent main lead. Instead she this fun, sarcastic, manga enthusiastic. I love the interaction between daughter and mom.

The age gap and the potential romance line for each character. It was exciting and I couldn't wait to see who ended up with who.

Screenwriter Kitagawa Eriko. I’ve seen a lot of her works and the one that I can watch on repeat is Orange Days. This felt like a story similar to Orange Days, in the sense that it focused on the relationship between the characters.

I was hoping to see more romance for mom and daughter. I think there was more that could have happened but I think that was for another story. This one is about the relationship between them as mom and daughter. I recommend watching it if you’re looking for a cute, fun and wholesome series.

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