Skip to main content

Candy Color Paradox (Japanese Series)

Investigative journalism is a unique storyline, which as far as I remember, has not been explored in BL genre. So naturally when I read the synopsis, I was intrigued. Luckily enough, they didn't say that just for the sake of it, but they also show 2-3 scenarios where the journalist ego about investigating. This Japanese show, with its occasional over the top reactions and a modest 8 episodes of around 24 minutes each is a fun, vibrant drama, that can easily be seen in one go. It does have its shortcomings and we will talk about those later.

Onoe is a young journalist who works for a weekly tabloid publication Dash. HIs colleague Kabu specializes in writing about famous stars and scandals and Onoe sees Kaburagi as a rival at work and calls him an "annoying punk" as Onoe's articles always get overshadowed by him. Kaburagi is handsome an popular with ladies and he also flirts back. One day due to employee shortage the two of them are tasked together to make a team and One is tasked to partner with Kaburagi on the next case. Reluctantly they both agree. Trying to save cases like famous actress having an affair, a political committing financial fraud and finally a famous actress luring young actresses into porn. Withe each case, the initial annoyance between the two slowly start to convert into more with both of them being honest about their feelings but also not being completely expressive at the same time. Kaburagi slowly warms to his new partner and likes teasing him. He constantly flirts with Onoe, making him flustered. Eventually , as you would expect, after a few misunderstandings, the two are able to accept their love for each other (with help and push from their boss and their common friend who runs a restaurant).

The shows does tackle the overall theme of journalism to a good extent. It address some taboo topics in a light hearted way, but also once in a while brings the topic son ethics in journalism that the duo face while investigating the cases. The polar opposite Onoe and Kaburagi complement each other's strengths and flaws, forming a compatible partnership. Onoe's earnestness is at odds with Kaburagi's pessimism. Yet, their relationship strengthens as they learn from each other's perspectives and grow as individuals. But the problem with all this is that the relationship just come out of nowhere. The build up is just aotthereand randomly they both end up kissing each other. And somehow that felt fake. Despite good acting by both leads, as a couple their chemistry failed. As I say this, I also might contradict myself because the romance is hardly there. The duo just try to improve their relationship with every case and somehow somewhere also fall for each other. The show has a happy ending and actually has a repeat value but not for a typical BL show. I wish there was more focus on BL aspect, more on the relationships, good build up. Instead we get to see investigations, which were good (although very stupid and no one follows suspects in such obvious ways), but not good when I am here to watch a BL and not get too much of that. Still a decent one time watch. (6/10)

Comments

Miisu said…
I remember suggesting you watch this piece around the time I watched the George Michael documentary and what he had to deal with (and we came to an agreement that being a tabloid journalist requires a big amount of a**hole-ism in the person's character). This series showed the inside of such work and kinda pointed out that it's possible to work in that field and remain a decent human being. But that was Japan, not the Pudding Islands.

Another thing I liked was the story showing that every mess clears when you apply a healthy amount of communication to it.

And lastly, the amount of BL was tiny indeed, but all is compensated by that sweet morning-after bed hair of Kaburagi:) Got my Oscar for The Best Bed Hair instantly. Amazing, how one natural scene can make the whole series seem more natural and real - all other BL characters so far wake up with freshly styled hair and never-smearing lipstick, and then there's that honey-colored bed hair... Whoever added that scene is a true talent.
Golu said…
Communication can indeed solve a lot of problems and issues for sure.
Sailor Maan said…
I agree, too bad teh romance is too little too out of nowhere too late anyway. With many miserdunstandings to try to make a lacking plot for the romance. It's more the different persoalities at first that learn from the other and make them grow that was interresting.
Also I was excited because it's based on a manga and I was eager to spot the differences. And, well, reading the manga is still on my to do list ^^; And now I don't remember much of the series. Stupid me...
Miisu I so much agree with you, sometimes a single scene can touch /strike you and save a show. You won't remember a thing about the actual show, but may watch that scene over and over again.
Golu said…
"You won't remember a thing about the actual show, but may watch that scene over and over again."

I couldn't agree more. There is this one scene on my fav film "Big Eden" which I can anytime revisit and brings me to tears every time.

Popular posts from this blog

The Shortest Distance is Round 3: Fallen Flowers

Continuing with the weird trilogy of "The Shortest Distance", I am so glad that finally I am done with part 3 and won't have to deal with this again in future. Thankfully, as of now the makers have not announced any further parts; which will save all of us on this earth from the embarrassment of watching this in near future. After the first 10 minutes are used in sort of recapping bits of first two parts, the story moves forward. Haruto is now starting to have feelings for Ruka, the mysterious pole dancer from second part. In a fit of rage, Ruka ends up killing the goat man and to save him and Haruto, Shibahara asks them to go underground. Meanwhile Shibahara continues the search for Seiya (the guy who had cut off Haruto's penis). It turns out Seiya is now also taking care of the original club owner from part 1. Both of them were released after they had informed Shibahara of Aoyama's secret location. Shibahara tortures Seiya's boyfriend leading to Seiya killin

One Summer Night (Korean)

I really wanted to like this film but for non native speakers, these movie leaves a lot to be understood and the way scenes were unfolding in front of me, I wasn't sure many times what was really going on. The story had potential button getting any back story on any of the characters limited my ability to empathize with any of these actors. Film starts with two North Korea military guys Yong Joon and Jae Sung having sex and they are caught red handed and they run. Three years later we see Yong Joon in Seoul leading a very mundane and poor life. He has a boyfriend Tae-Kyu, who is a weird guy. He is carefree, doesn't do any work and is completely emotional and financially dependent on Young Joon. In fact, even Yong Joon will go to any lengths to protect him , fend for him and taking care of him to the extent of even taking up prostitution. Suddenly one day Jae Sung appears in their life again. His motivation is not clear but it is obvious he wants Yong Joon back in his life, who

Ultimate masturbation: Shigoki no yama (Japanese) [The Ultimate Masturbation]

I would never know what was the point behind making this film. Was it supposed to be a comedy, cos it wasn't. It wasn't even porn. It was just a silly attempt at making something absolutely senseless and ridiculous. The story, as well as direction is equally shoddy. You could laugh for having seen something so bad, but I wouldn't call that comedy. An old man runs a camp about gay masturbation. The explanation given is that gays masturbate for pleasure unlike straight men, for whom the act is seen as shame or because they can't find a woman. One day a straight man shows up and wants to join the camp for his thesis. After discussion, he is allowed in. Rules include that you can masturbate together, you can masturbate one another, but there is no fellatio or anal sex. Some students of course breaks rule. The teacher then talks about 2 forms of masturbation which gives ultimate pleasure. He shows one without touching and then refuses to talk of the other. Somehow suddenly,