- Title: ラブシャッフル
- Title (English): Love Shuffle
- Format: Renzoku
- Genre: Romance, comedy
- Broadcast network: TBS
- Broadcast period: 2009-Jan-16 to 2009-Mar-20
Synopsis
Usami Kei is a salaryman who has risen in status due to his engagement with Mei, the wealthy daughter of his company’s president. Shortly after she breaks off the engagement, a power failure leaves him stuck in the elevator of his apartment building. Trapped with him are three others living on the same floor – Airu, a trilingual interpreter, Ojiro, a model photographer, and Masato, a psychiatrist. While waiting, their conversation hits upon their love lives and the question of whether there is truly only one fated partner for everyone. As a result, they decide to try “shuffling” their relationships with each other. –(source)
To be honest, I didn’t like the name of the drama and the synopsis really turned me off, I mean shuffling partners? It’s like those weird “reality” TV shows that I can’t even stand to watch.
But I saw Shota Matsuda in it. He was in Hana Yori Dango, and eventhough he is quite a looker, I liked his acting even more. I still didn’t watch it though even if the Fave Actor Factor was there. But since a lot of good reviews had been posted about this show, I bit the bullet two weeks ago and watched ten episodes in three days.
To my surprise, Tamaki Hiroshi was playing Usami Kei, one of the leads too. Everytime I see him onscreen I shout, “Chiaki senpai!” because of his role in Nodame Cantabile. Aside from that his role in Tada Kimi Wo Aishiteru really made me cry. That’s why it took me three days, you see, sometimes if I like a drama or movie I’d delay watching it, because I DON’T WANT IT TO END!
I really laughed a lot watching this drama, it’s one of the best dramas I’ve ever seen so far. Although it touches on heavy subjects like suicide, same sex relationships, and pyschological illnesses it’s not a burden to watch like some dramas. I loved the scene where Karina and Hiroshi’s characters would spit out wine everytime “gay” or “bi” was mentioned because Ojiro (Matsuda Shota) didn’t know that he resembled Masato’s (Tanihara Shosuke – who played Maity Sensei is Love Com) previous lover. It was hilarious! Because both Karina and Hiroshi’s characters had a hard time keeping things in secret.
I also loved the catchphrases like, “uso datta itte yo, JOE” based from context clues, “Say it ain’t so, Joe”? And then there’s the “Yay, Panda!” which turned into a game, like,
Ojiro: What did I use in the kitchen just now?
Kairi: Frying Pan-da!
And all that cuteness!
The chemistry between the cast members was awesome, and you can tell that they really loved working with each other. How Ai-Ai (Karina) bullies Usa-tan (Tamaki Hiroshi), DAIGO’s cute but stalker-ish character teaming up with Usa-tan to be known as the Tara-chans! Ojiro’s bad-guy-with-a-golden-heart vibe. It was just refreshing to see that! The storyline wasn’t overwhelmed by the powerpacked cast which is a good thing because other dramas had that tendency.
I also liked the theme songs for this drama – oldies but goodies! The main theme song is Fantasy by Earth, Wind and Fire. Plus Eternal Flame by The Bangles, I find myself always singing to this song whenever I feel like I need to sing! 
I really missed Dancing Queen though! The four main characters sang this in the beginning of the drama, and I have such a soft spot for ABBA!
The pair that I liked the most was Ojiro and Kairi! The bad guy and the suicidal girl tandem really made me fall hard. And I agree with most reviews, I really didn’t see the need for Mei’s character. I was really frustrated, irritated and I really wanted to have her killed off, she was so hesitant, manipulative and cruel – but since she’s so adorable and all it made me even dislike her character.
Sometimes a drama with an outrageous plot sinks because there is no way that it can end without making the viewer feel like the writer was just pulling his leg. But I loved the way how the characters were developed and how the story progressed. It didn’t have a cliche ending which was amazing or else I would have mourned for the wasted time. It wrapped up exactly the way I wanted it to be!
I mean my sister thinks I’ve watched every drama made from Taiwan, Japan, and Korea (well, not really since I can’t keep up with new releases! Haha, I was just kidding!), and if that were true, I would be so jaded about every drama that comes along, because let’s face it, networks have different types of formulas for dramas and after having seen some, you’ve probably seen them all. But I was impressed with Love Shuffle and loved every bit of this drama, it’s just sad that the ratings weren’t that good though. If you want something fresh and a drama where things wrap up nicely watch this!
Here’s a trailer:
0 Responses to “Drama Rec: Love Shuffle”