Top Ten Underrated Dramas: Number Ten - Love Shuffle

[walkwithheroes]

I've decided to do a top ten list of the most underrated dramas. How did I chose? Well, I looked at several things: the ratings in the country of origin, how much people were talking about it when it aired, and how often it is recommended on boards and in forums today.


We start off with number ten, ,Love Shuffle a series written by one of my favorite drama writers- no one does human drama like him - Nojima Shinji.


Drama Name : Love Shuffle
Country : Japan
Air Dates : 2009-Jan-16 to 2009-Mar-20
Summary : 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. - Tokyograph
Cast : Tamaki Hiroshi (Nodame Cantabile, Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi); Karina (Real Clothes,Daisuki!!);Matsuda Shota (Liar Game, Hana Yori Dango; DAIGO (of J-rock group: BREAKERZ); Yoshitaka Yuriko (Tokyo Dogs, Taiyo to Umi no Kyoshitsu); Kojima Hijiri (Tokyo Tower, Warui Yatsura); Kanjiya Shihori (Buzzer Beat, Kimi Hannin Janai yo ne?); and Tanihara Shosuke (Watashitachi no Kyokasho, Mop Girl)
Why It’s Underrated : Honestly I think it is the show's premise that pushes people away from the drama. It really does sound like a melodramatic thing that is purely about love triangles and angst. Another thing that may turn some away is the fact that it is a much more mature and at times dark drama. Plus, the large cast may have driven people away, as some hate having to deal with larger casts.
Why You Should Watch It : All eight of the main characters get their moment to shine and all possible romances get a moment in the sun. (You can multiship and it's totally fine.) All eight of the main actors have amazing chemistry with one another, which makes all the friendships that are formed during the shuffle believable.

The truth is, around episode four, it stops being about the 'love shuffle' and starts being about the friendships and relationships that these people form. All of them start out the same utterly lose and unsure of their futures - but, they all end up in better places.


Also - who could forget the awesome OTPs, catchphrases, and twists that came out of this one? It's a truly brilliant human drama that really looks into the hearts of these people.



9/10 rating from me. It brought me one of my favorite drama 'ships, some of my favorite characters, and made me love Pandas. I couldn't give it any less.



Love Shuffle video using Love Today by Mika

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Comments

[boycottbananas.livejournal.com]

Y'know, I think Love Shuffle became more popular after it was aired. I definitely see a lot more people talking about it now than when it was airing.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

I agree that Love Shuffle is one of those dramas that becomes more popular through word of mouth. I know that a few people of my flist have given it a go post-airing.

[lastingdreams8.livejournal.com]

AMEN! :D
You summed it up perfectly :D
And it's true, if you don't give it a chance, the premise seems like one big octagon of a love affair or something XD

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :D


The summary really doesn't let people know what the show is really about. It really never goes into octagon land in terms of the love shuffles. Which, is something I was so thankful for. I liked that it was always more about the people.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I must check it one day. I think "Love Shuffle" really suffered from "Bad title" syndrome. When it aired I thought was one of these "partner swapping" stories .

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

It really does suffer from "Bad title" syndrome. It's a brilliant show. Around episode four, the love shuffle really stops mattering.

[timescout.livejournal.com]

This was one of my "on the whim" -picks. And as per usual ended up watching it in couple of sittings. Yes, one of my favourites for this year.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

I agree - it was also one of my favorites of the year. Actually, it was one of the best Jdramas I had seen for a long while. Much more 'old school' in terms of nonwackiness and better storytelling.

[bohochick19.livejournal.com]

Totally agree with everything that you said. Reading the show's title was a turn-off but I 'm glad I was in a Shota Matsuda phase and had recently seen Tamaki Hiroshi in Nodame Cantabile that I gave it a chance, and it was a good thing because this drama has become one of my top faves!

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

It's one of my favs too. I had seen the cast in other things, but they all really impressed me here. It is an awesome show and I hope more people give it a chance.

[shelketuesti.livejournal.com]

I actually just decided to rewatch this drama because it fits the winter atmosphere for some reason and finally it's subbed completely.

I agree with you, it was totally underrated - I kept asking myself why nobody on my f-list was interested in this and even googled around in order to find at least SOMEONE to talk to about this drama. No community either, it was heartbreaking.

I think I'm going to write a pimp-post for this drama asap >D

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

It's one of those wonderful dramas that doesn't become well known until after it airs. Usually, it's people looking for another show with one of the six actors, that find it now. It's so sad that it is underrated, because it was one of the best shows of that season. I'd go so far to say it was one of the best shows of the year.


Please write a pimp-post, as this show needs more love. :)

[partypaprika.livejournal.com]

So I saw this post a little while ago on dorama_chat and your "Why you should watch it" totally made me want to watch it. I started watching Love Shuffle last week and oh my god, I couldn't even help myself. If I hadn't had school, I think I might have marathoned it all in one sitting instead of spreading it out over a few days. I'm so glad that you did this write up because if I hadn't read it, then I might not have watched Love Shuffle. And Love Shuffle was absolutely amazing. I totally fell in love with most of the characters and the various ships and one of the best stories that i've watched in a jdrama. It made me want to have floor pajama parties, develop an awesome catch phrase and ....feed tamaki hiroshi and matsuda shota some food pronto. Anyways, this post was fantastic and it definitely worked on me. I'm definitely looking forward to your other underrated dramas.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

:) I'm really glad you liked this one. It really is one of my favorite jdramas of all time. I do agree that the men in this were very skinny. I've done number 9, but I'm a bit behind.

Thanks for reading.