If Episode 2 was about the rice cooker episode, then this Episode 3 is about “Operation: Cream Puff.”
credit: JoyofBaking
Let me explain “Operation: Cream Puff” to those who are reading my blog but not watching the dorama. This is Dr. Koichi’s bright idea. Back in Episode 1, he says that he can make Tendo fall for Nanase as a woman. While he can’t make Nanase an experienced nurse, but he can do that at least. It’s obvious from the get-go that Koichi is a stereotype. He’s the devil who makes an irresistible offer to a desperate protagonist.
Nanase dismisses him outright. But then curiosity gets the better of her, and she follows him up on it. He says, “Tendo has a sweet tooth. By the way, I don’t like sweets…. This morning, I saw the last box of the best-selling cream puff. Someone was about to buy it, so I bought it before him, even though I hate sweets. It’s my competitive side, I suppose. I think it will work on him.”
Nanase doesn’t understand, so he explains, “I’ll pretend to flirt with you. His competitive side will kick in. This is ‘Operation: Cream Puff.’”
Personally, I don’t like the idea that Tendo falls for our heroine due to rivalry. That’s a weak motivation for love and 21st century writers should stop portraying women as some sort of toy to be fought over by brats. Thankfully, both the writer and director didn’t take Koichi’s suggestion seriously. “Operation: Cream Puff” is just a trope the writer used to move the story along, and offer a glimpse into the personalities. But Tendo doesn’t fall for Nanase because he feels he had to compete for her. And the script supports this.
For one, he knows that Nanase is infatuated with him. Prior to spotting her and Koichi talking together in the hallway, she confessed her feelings for him — for the second time — in the rooftop. For another, he’s more irritated that she dares to mock his personality than he’s bothered by her friendliness with Koichi. He sees them both together, and thinks that they’re two of a kind; they’re outgoing people, and he’s not.
Nanase: Ignoring your personality, I like you…as a doctor.
Tendo: (stops walking beside her) Ignoring my personality? (now, he’s offended) You’re in no position to speak.
Meaning, he thinks his personality is better than hers. She implies that she tolerates his bad temper because he’s such a good doctor. But from his perspective, he’s the one who’s been tolerating her bad performance, thanks to his forbearing personality. In his mind, he’s the aggrieved party.
Nanase: Can you give me another chance?
Tendo: A useless nurse just adds to my workload.
Nanase: Then can you train me to be useful?
Tendo: Why do I have to suffer?
Nanase: You say that, sensei, but actually you want a super newbie like me to join.
This is a funny dialogue. It reminds me of the whack-a-mole game. He keeps rebuffing her but she ignores his insults.
She can persist in her usual chirpy way because, after their rooftop encounter, she’s discovered that:
a) Tendo has been faking it all along. He has always remembered their encounter from five years ago, and he didn’t forget her worried look. He merely pretended to be indifferent to her. And,
b) Tendo can be flustered. When he called her by name in the heat of the moment, he realized he “lost” to her. And he scooted out of there.
Thus, to me, this whole dialogue between Tendo and Nanase isn’t at all cringe-worthy. I see it as her victory lap; he deprived her of her victory lap up in the rooftop when he escaped, so she’s doing it now. Plus, she’s letting him know that she can see through his gruff exterior. She’s pestering him because she can get away with it.
Tendo: I’ll schedule an EEG scan of your brain waves for tomorrow. (Note: I’m using the translation from kissasian. He meant to say that she must be out of her mind for imagining that he’d want a super newbie like her to join him)
Nanase: You want to see a super newbie EEG, right?
Tendo: (finally giving in) If you get in my way even just a little, I’ll drive you out in seconds.
See that? From this whole interaction, he doesn’t appear to be jealous after spotting Koichi and Nanase laughing in the hallway. Contrary to Koichi’s expectation, his “competitive spirit” isn’t the driving force for his feelings for Nanase. Tendo doesn’t operate like him.
And this is one subtle difference between “Love Lasts Forever” and “Itazura na Kiss.” In “Itazura,” the guy doesn’t like the girl, and finds her repulsive. Here, in LLF, Tendo treats Nanase like a sparring partner. The easiest way out for him is to ignore her and walk in silence. But he prolongs the bantering when he replies to her.
In Episode 2, Koichi sets his plan in motion.
Nanase: Uhm…do you ever go on dates. (he spits out hot coffee) If you live with your sister, that means you currently…don’t have a girlfriend?
Tendo: I don’t need to report to you.
Koichi: (appearing out of nowhere) There you go again. Putting on airs. Don’t worry, Sakura-chan. He’s definitely not seeing anyone.
Tendo: (muttering) Here he comes to complicate things. (Tendo’s correct here.)
Nanase: Then I volunteer to be your date partner!
Tendo: Denied!
Again, without context, she seems awfully thick-skinned and foolhardy. But viewers should remind themselves that this scene came after the rooftop revelation. She enjoys provoking him to get a reaction from him. She can get under his skin like no other.
Nanase: (startled) That was fast. (lol. he didn’t even stop to consider)
Koichi: If you’re that cold, I’ll take her first. (putting an arm around her)
Tendo: What? (eyeing Koichi)
Nanase: (eyeing Koichi, too) You’re joking again.
Tendo’s face here is hilarious.
It’s hilarious because it appears as if he’s about to protest Koichi’s interference and doesn’t want Nanase stolen from him. But as it turns out, he’s merely appalled that Koichi has bad taste in women. lol.
From her end, Nanase doesn’t want Tendo to misconstrue her relationship with Koichi. So both Tendo and Nanase are shocked by Koichi’s words but for opposite reasons.
Koichi: (whispering to her) The cream puff strategy.
Nanase: (changing behavior) It’s an honor, Kisugi-sensei.
Tendo: (eyeing Koichi) You’ve got bad taste. What’s so good about this burdensome, troublesome rock?
Nanase: Troublesome rock?
Here, Nanase begins to lose her bravado. It’s okay when Tendo brushes her off when they’re alone together. But in the front of Koichi, she becomes sensitive to his rejection.
Koichi: (defending Nanase) You’re really mean, you know?
Nanase: Never mind. The troublesome rock will leave now. Sorry to bother you. (she leaves)
Koichi: I think she’s cute, though.
Unlike Koichi, Tendo doesn’t fall for her cuteness. So far, two things impress him about Nanase: her quickness to help others and her ability to read or connect with people, like Kando.
Also, in this particular scene, he discovers belatedly that Nanase had given him a custard bun. I like @Fern’s idea of a “butterfly effect” in this dorama. Thanks, @Fern! In dorama, the “butterfly effect” means that a small action of Nanase can cause small changes in her surroundings which later lead to big, unforeseen consequences on her relationship with Tendo. If you watch the extra 15 minutes for this episode on blitzfansub.com, you’ll see the “butterfly effect.”
In Episode 3, the “Operation: Cream Puff” gets underway.
I like the way Tendo is shocked to find Koichi at Nanase’s apartment.
A note here: Over-the-shoulder shots like these — when Koichi and Nanase are seen together from Tendo’s eyes, and Tendo is seen from Nanase’s eyes — serve to orient us to the frame of mind of Tendo and Nanase.
Here, from Tendo’s perspective, he’s breaking up a secret meeting between them. And from Nanase’s perspective, he’s angry at seeing Koichi there in her room. And because we’re seeing both their states of mind, we’re unconsciously connecting them, even though they’re across each other. We “feel” for both of them.
He recovers quickly and pretends that he’s unbothered. It’s funny that both gentlemen try to explain their presence in her apartment. In my opinion, neither owes anybody an explanation because Nanase is free to invite whoever she wants inside her home. Tendo says he heard that she fainted and wanted to check on her, then pointedly asks Koichi what he’s doing there.
Koichi says that he also heard from Ryuko that Nanase fainted so he came over to check on her.
But he outdoes Tendo in his thoughtfulness because he brought her fruits for her for Vitamin C and her fever. She thanks him for the delicious fruits and he tells Tendo that she has a cold.
Now, this is different from Tendo’s earlier assessment. He said that she hadn’t been eating well and her blood sugar was low. And he only gave her water and medicine while Koichi came with fruits in hand. So hearing Koichi’s diagnosis, he saunters over to her,
and checks her pulse.
Normally, I would have thought nothing of this scene. Go ahead, Doctor, touch meeeee!!! But this gesture carries a undercurrent of possession and familiarity. Tendo is letting the other guy know that Nanase is his “person” or his responsibility. That’s why he can walk up to her and hold her wrist as if he’s done this before.
That’s also why Nanase is shocked by the physical contact. He’s never done this before.
Ha! There’s a missing trope here. If this was a kdrama, her pulse would have been erratic. He declares that she’s fine now, and she thanks him too, saying that she’s got her appetite back because of him.
I like how the rivalry is being set up in this scene. When Koichi tried to check her forehead for her temperature, she shied away. But when Tendo checks her pulse, she stands still. The checking the heart rate is intimate than checking forehead. Next, Koichi believed she has a cold while Tendo thinks her fever and fainting were due to her not having eaten. Tendo is right however because he observed Nanase that afternoon. Then, Nanase thanked Koichi for the fruits he brought from the store, but Nanase credits Tendo for the return of her appetite. It’s clear that two doctors are being contrasted. And the funny part here is that Tendo is unconsciously countering Koichi’s every move, and playing defense, like when he checked her pulse.
Koichi seizes the moment to enact his “Operation: Cream Puff.” He gets Tendo’s bag, hands it to him and dismisses him.
Koichi: Then, you can go home now. I’ll stay with her.
Tendo: What?
He asks “What?” because he doesn’t understand why Koichi has to be the one to stay. This is a reversal. Remember, in Episode 2, when he exclaimed, “What?” he accused Koichi of having a bad taste in women because he was saddling himself with a troublesome rock like her.
Koichi: She still has a fever. We can’t leave her alone, right?
Tendo: (irritated) What are you saying? Why would you do that?
See that? He’s not questioning the need for somebody to stay overnight with Nanase. He’s questioning why Koichi, not him. He’s implying that Nanase isn’t Koichi’s responsibility at all. Logically then, if Nanase isn’t Koichi’s responsibility, then that only leaves him; she’s HIS responsibility.
Koichi: Then you stay with her. Sakura-chan is Team Tendo, after all. Please look after her, okay?
He doesn’t deny Koichi’s remark that she’s on Team Tendo. Koichi gives Nanase a thumbs up for the success of his mission, “Operation: Cream Puff.”
After Koichi leaves the room, Tendo glares at her.
On the whole, “The Operation: Cream Puff” works for Tendo, but it also backfires on Koichi. He claims he isn’t sweet things, implying that Nanase isn’t his type but at the staff dinner, he decides to enter the fray and woo Nanase for real. I think he’s moved by Nanase’s earnest pledge to train hard to become a nurse. When Tendo’s ordered to accompany Nanase home, he looks back as if he wants to escort her home himself.
I really didn’t see Koichi as a threat, but a plot device. Remember now: in Episode 1, Koichi said that he couldn’t make her an experienced nurse, but he could make into desirable woman. Here in this Episode 3, Tendo makes a counteroffer: he’s going to make her a worthy nurse. He offers to train her after she declares at the team dinner to start focusing on her job to become a worthy nurse.
Nanase: Of course I like you, Doctor. I really like you. But that’s why I want to become a great nurse. So…therefore… I’m going to put all my energy into work.
I think it’s a mistake to assume, like the head nurse did, that Tendo would only like her once she became a good nurse. That’s the advice of the head nurse: “Hurry up and become a better nurse. Then, Dr. Tendo will notice and start treating you as a woman.” To me, she has the order wrong. Tendo first sees Nanase as a woman with a lot of promise despite her many flaws, and only then, does he offer to help her become a better nurse. He offers to train her because he already likes her as a person.
To switch topics here, did anyone notice that the number of times Tendo said “What?” in this episode? Besides that opening scene when he heard Koichi offer to say overnight with Nanase, I can count five other times he said, “What?!” in confusion. Let me see now.
1. When she couldn’t fall asleep. He didn’t know what to do with her so he ordered her to hurry up – as if that would help her.
BTW, an interesting thing happened in this scene. Nanase thinks she dreamed that Tendo took care of her at night, checking her temperature and giving her water.
That’s why when she met Tendo the following day, she didn’t bring it up.
However, I doubt that dreamed the whole thing up. I think she had a brief moment of lucidity and then fell promptly back to sleep. The fact that she had the thermometer in her hand when she woke up,
meant that she was awake when he handed it to her.
But she nodded off sometime after he helped her drink water.
The half-full bottle beside her meant that she woke up and drank water.
Poor girl! She thought he smiled at her only in her dream.
Of course, she had no way of knowing that the sight of her sleeping peacefully would make him smile.
2. When Dr. Rokuru saw the bandage on his arm and praised him, “What a proud mentor!” He didn’t immediately grasp what Dr. Rokuru meant.
Dr. Rokuru knew that he had volunteered his arm for Nanase to practice on. He downplayed the significance so Dr. Rokuru praised himself saying that he was proud that his number one student finally decided to mentor others. Meaning, Tendo was changing his ways.
3. When the head nurse questioned him at the dinner, “At the very least, you adore our Warrior-Chick, do you?” He didn’t know that word had gotten out that he hugged Nanase.
Here, the head nurse and the rest of the staff wanted to get to the bottom of the “sweet hug” that Nurse Numazu overheard Nanase telling Koichi. The head nurse was acting like a mother hen to Nanase and Oprah for the nursing staff when she asked him what the hug was all about.
As a result of her indiscretion, Nanase apologized and resolved to put all her energy into becoming a good nurse. “From now on, I’m focusing solely on work and pushing forward.”
I liked that she was willing to own up to her failures and correct her distracted behavior. It would’ve been so easy for the writer to make Nanase into a victim/martyr after Nurse Sakai threw shade at her by saying “I want to learn. You want to be liked” and by complaining to the head nurse that she had to cover for her. But I’m glad that Nanase acknowledged that she was being a burden to her fellow nurses.
However, I thought it was funny that Nurse Sakai felt threatened by Nanase’s new goal to improve herself. Nurse Sakai said that she had to up her game, too.
4. When Dr. Rokuru ordered him to take care of inebriated Nanase.
Dr. Rokuru’s reasoning seemed innocent enough: they lived in the same place.
But Koichi also lived in the same building, right? And he wouldn’t have called Nanase a “troublesome rock.”
I think Dr. Rokuru was aware that Tendo broke his usual practice of skipping team dinners and joined them because Nanase was there. Everybody was shocked when he appeared.
Tendo downplayed it saying that they requested him to attend.
5. When Nanase suddenly asked for water.
She was going to be sick and she wanted water.
According to Kissasian, he handed the water to her, saying, “You’d better remember this.” According to the blitzfansub, he said this instead, “You’ll pay for this.” Because of the confusing subs, I’m going to interpret his remark as both a) a warning that she’d regret this behavior, and b) a tongue-in-cheek remark that he expected gratitude for his act of kindness. After all, she hadn’t repaid him for watching over her when she had that fever.
Nanase took it as a warning, however.
Nanase: Of course I will remember. You’re just going to yell at me again. “You idiot!” “Dumb, foolish rock!” “You roadblock and good-for-nothing!”
Tendo: No one said that much about you.
Huh? Did he have amnesia?
Nanase: It’s fine if you do. After all, all I am is a useless nurse.
Tendo: (silent)
I’m glad he was silent here. He knew that when a man finds himself in a hole, he should stop digging. Nanase returned the water bottle to him and he replaced the cap for her. My take here is that this wasn’t the first time he gave her water to drink. He’s done it before when he stayed with her overnight. Only she thought it was a dream.
Tendo: If you’re serious about what you said, if you truly want that to become a worthy nurse…
Nanase: I do! Seriously.
Tendo: Then, I’ll teach you. I wouldn’t say this to someone with no potential. You’ll definitely be a valuable asset. So be confident. Even if you find an obstacle in your way, learn to overcome it.
Nanase: You too, sensei. I can’t tell you to overcome it, but if you lost someone precious to you. And worked so hard that people call you a devil. And you’re always making a stern face. It must be hard. So I’ll make you laugh, Doctor. Whether it’s a dry laugh or a half laugh or a loud laugh, anything’s fine. As long as you’re happy, me too. Happy. Happy. Happy.
Tendo looked at her sleeping face, then smiled.
According to kissasian, he said, “Don’t sleep.” According to blitzfansub, he said, “And you’re asleep.” My take here is that this moment is a replay of the first time she flaked out on him and thought she dreamed the whole thing. He was amused that she could drift off so easily again just like when she had the fever.
Now that I’ve talked about all six “What?” moments in this episode, what’s my point here? It’s simple, really. These “What?!” moments indicate his growing befuddlement when it comes to Nanase. Typically, he’s quick to grasp a situation, but when it comes to her, he ends up confused.
#packmule3, where can I find this. I ha be e Netflix.Viki Rakuten with Kokowa, Amazon Prime, Asian Crush and YouTube. Is there another streamer I need to get. I’m so hooked on Asian content-so much is just so good and this one looks like so much fun.
If I may answer your question, you can watch it at kissasian and blitzfansub. There are extra minutes for each episodes if you will watch at blitzfansub.
Thanks @pm3! I find it cute to see the trio – Koichi, Tendo and Nanase, whenever there’s a kind of teasing moment for Koichi to Tendo and Koichi to Nanase. Operation cream puff is successful, if I may put it this way, based on your cream puff photo, as you take a bite and savor its flavor, the more you can enjoy the taste. Just like Tendo, as he allows Nanase’s admiration for him, it’s like he is biting the cream puff slowly, and later the fruits of Nanase’s hardwork to win Tendo, that’s the time to enjoy the sweet taste.
Hi @packmule3 🙂
Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this series. It is so simply done yet so enjoyable. I watched it via blitzfansub and learnt a bit about the process of subtitling as well as picked some cultural nuances. Maybe one of these days I will watch it on kissasian.
Since I can’t do a binge watch session right now so I will enjoy your readings of the drama. I hope you enjoy it a lot. Tendo sensai and Nanase are just too cute… I love the last few episodes for obvious reasons.
I did read the manga but the live action is way better.
PS: lost romance seems to be buzzing nowadays, maybe it would be worth checking out at some point. (Adding a recommendation just in case)
I love cream puffs! 😋😁 Arigatou for episode 3 review. 🙇🏻♀️
I’m going to rewatch now and enjoy it more.
Ah, I like that ‘what?’ being asked a few times being a sign that something is changing in him and it’s all because of a boulder. ☺️
Where did you read the manga, @No one? I want to check it out for comparison.
Are you using a new email address? Your comment went to my “to be moderated” inbox?
Heyyy! “Lost Romance” looks interesting. A romance book editor finding herself in a romance book where she’s the villain? It’s like “W” with a twist. And it’s only 20 episodes? I’ll wait till it’s all subtitles bec I don’t want to wait for subs on YT.
Did you notice it in this episode? He kept asking “What?!” when he’s stunned or confused. 😂
I’m working on Jerry Yan’s “Thank your lucky star.” Will be back later.
Yup! Yup! The word ‘what?’ would mean stunned for me 😁 Tendo’s always been precise and not one to pause or get stumped.
Did you SEE Jerry Yan’s ‘package’? Was it 6? 😈 I tried to count but it was distracting as he was in a bath tub. 🤣
lol. He doesn’t have the “no nudity” clause. But yes, I saw the bath tub scene and I started laughing. Wait. I finished about 14 minutes of the madcap. So let me post it and update as I go along. I’ve to look for screenshot though.
Well for a first timer like me, seeing him in a drama, the no nudity clause was fine by me. 😂
Wait I haven’t seen the drama, I only saw his packs, I mean the bathtub scene. 😈
What?? Cheater!! How did you see his packs, then? On instagram?
I was surprised because I wasn’t expecting to see it. But cowabunga! He looks good. I’ve to give him that.
Wait. Opening a thread for that cdrama. Hold your comments.
Ok, Queen! 🙇🏻♀️
hahhh?! i need to look for cream puff after reading this ☺️
thanks packmule for your review and cant wait to read on Jerry Yan new drama as well! ganbatte kudasaiii
p/s i also saw the bathtub scene on Instagram 😂
This dorama should have some at least a bit of Tendo sensei’s abs exposure if not as sexy as that of Jerry Yan! We only have the after shower wet look of him with the towel on his head. It should be at least shirtless with the towel on his waist! 😉😜😋
Gosh, that dinner scene. I thought that Nanase covered both the cringe and the heroics. Yet another public declaration from her (and it could have ended very horribly then) but also a pubic pledge to become a better nurse. By the end all of the guys and most of the girls wanted her on their team.
Dr Koishikawa invited Tendo. In an earlier episode he said that he wanted to see Tendo mature as an adult. He played matchmaker in a sense, by putting Nanase on Team Tendo. because he cares about Tendo.
I’m not as sure as you are, @packmule3, that Tendo would be as interested in Nanase if she didn’t work to correct her incompetencies. He has said caring for patients is his priority. He wouldn’t tolerate her if her mistakes with patients continue and she would be one more in the list of staff who quit under him. The lead nurse is another matchmaker. I think that her advice, coupled with Sakai’s comments help Nanase realise that she has to improve her game to win Tendo. By the end of episode one, of course, he’s already noted her positive and unique abilities.
I really liked the blood draw scene (at about 31.28) and how it was set up. Earlier Dr Kisugi offered his arm for practice, but Nanase put the sheath back on the needle and asked him questions about Minori instead. Dr Kisugi didn’t insist, did he?
I wrote this to @agdr03, ‘He (Tendo) was willing for her to do it and wanted her to succeed. (Gosh, he looks exhausted and thin and like a potentially painful blood draw is the last thing he needs.)
He starts with a threat, ‘Make sure you’re ready, because if you fail…’, and she gives up immediately. I think he realises it was the wrong tactic. Then he says, ‘Then quit being a nurse right now.’ It seems harsh but it is realistic. You can’t be a nurse if you can’t do blood draws but he also hopes that she will fight to keep moving forward both for career and confidence. He is correct. Finally, he gives her hints on how to relax and how to make the patient comfortable – his main concern. But his help and teaching changes the atmosphere. His idea to let her ask him any question was a good one and his answer inspired her. By the end, I thought the atmosphere became soft between them.’
I think that trust improved on both sides. I thought it was very well directed and filmed. I agree that he is flustered by her. He looks completely blown away by her quite drunken but well aimed speech on the bench.
@Eureka, Jerry Yan. Wow. But Tendo sensei is brains over brawn, right? And more of a marathoner than someone who goes to the gym.
Yes @fern, I’ve grown up and more matured ha ha ha (I’ve seen Jerry almost 20 years ago)so I prefer Tendo’s character as you said, looks and brains over Jerry’s physique (but I still watch Jerry’s drama). I’m not a loyal fan like Nanase.
Operation cream puff is as sweet as the support of good people around Tendo and Nanase. Those matchmakers and even the patients who cheered for Nanase to become a better nurse plus those who were understanding enough to give both of them a chance.
Our experience of the pandemic need a working environment like this dorama. How I wish! What I know, those positive attitudes in the scenes are realistically and actually happening in Japan.
I’m behind with my review of Ep 4!!!
I’m a grown up, too, but I let my inner teenager run wild when I’m here. 💁♀️
I realized my The King: Eternal Monarch posts didn’t go through while I was away. But if I tweak and post them now, I’ll have to get off Team Tendo, and jump onboard Team Lee Gon against Sigh. Too little time and too many guys to juggle.
@Eureka, I thought Tendo didn’t need to show his ‘packs’ because that towel on his wet hair/head was sexy enough for me. 🥰
Queen, no worries about the posts. Why don’t you do episode 4 then go to Lee Gon? ☺️
True. His towel head was sexy enough. He reminded me of a Jedi Knight?
I’ll follow your suggestion. Ep 4 then Lee Gon again. I was explaining why LG was chosen as BoD Boyfriend and not the guy from Crash Landing on You. 😂😂
Per Wikipedia, Takeru Sato has just won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 104th Television Drama Academy Awards (Japan) for his role in An Incurable Case of Love [Love Lasts Forever]. Huh? Why wasn’t he nominated for Best Actor? If he wasn’t the male lead of LLF, then who was? Or are they saying Mone Kamishiraishi was the only lead actor in the show and everyone else supported her?
This is what I found out about these awards:
The Television Drama Academy Awards is not a formal award ceremony. In fact, a ceremony is not even held for the event. The Drama Academy Awards is actually hosted by the magazine, The Television Weekly, in which nominations and results are revealed through a 3-5 (sometimes more) page spread. The combined votes of the magazine’s readers, the magazine’s team of juries, and TV journalists decide the winners of each category. This event is held 4 times a year. (https://mydramalist.com/article/2013/03/23/japanese-drama-academy-awards)
The winners of the 104th Television Drama Academy Awards were announced in August…so, hot off the press. Love Lasts Forever raked in a lot of awards.
Best Work
Best Actress – Mone Kamishiraishi (Sakura Nanase)
Best Supporting Actor – Takeru “Ken” Sato (Dr. Tendo Kairi)
Best Supporting Actress – Karina (Tendo Ryuko)
Drama Song – “I Love…” by Official Hige Dandism
@Fern, I’ll have to make notes on my favourite scenes for this drama but I’ll do Tendo’s close up scenes first. 😊
That practice on getting blood will be included because Tendo really became Nanase’s mentor then. I thought it was nice that you might as well practice on the one you like since most of the time he might be making sure that you’re doing it properly so Tendo was the best candidate and he offered. 😊
I thought the staff dinner was the 3rd time Nanase announced that she likes him and true, I was cringing for her BUT it got her motivated to be a great nurse so I’m fine with that.
Forgot to cite my source: https://thetv.jp/feature/drama-academy/104/awards/
Oh is there a protest about Lee Gon’s status as Best Drama Boyfriend against Captain Ri? 😂
That should be fun but who can beat travelling worlds/universe against travelling to Switzerland? 😁
I’ll wait for your post. 😊
🤣 Thanks for the update.
Yes, I agree. That’s a head-scratcher. Why is he supporting actor? But I like your theory that Mone is lead, and he’s supporting. That is, there’s only one award for best performer (and it’s awarded to either male or female) then another award for supporting performer. Award is unisex or gender-neutral.
😂
But who knows?
No, there wasn’t any protest. But I’m just stating my reason so there’s no misunderstanding. 😂😂
Ah yes! That’s his name, Capt Ri. JungHyuk, wasn’t it?
Thanks for that @Welmaris and like you I question it too. I thought Takeru Sato is definitely not a supporting actor in the drama. I want to know why his award is like that. I’m very happy though that LLF got a lot of awards. 😍
Ah okie, yes it’s Captain Ri Jung Hyuk. ☺️
It’s good even the song won an award. I like it and also the slow piano version of it in the drama. ☺️
Should I do a “Team Tendo or Team Jerry” on the blog for news, clips, re. those guys?
I can’t believe that LLF got awards. I’m glad they did. We were onto a winner. 😂
Ya! I think it’s cool! 😍😂 It’s a great drama and really as much as it’s simple as a whole, the point is having a joyful positivity in life makes you get your other half. 😂
I’m giving you an award too for telling us about this drama! 🥰
Here you go – For choosing my first Dorama which is unforgettable! 🏆🏆🏆
Yes please, just put up a Team Tendo or Team Jerry thread. ☺️ Thank you.
Awww. Thank you.
I like it a whole lot more than Mischievous Kiss/Itazura Na Kiss.
I forgot: I also have to watch “Giri/Haji” on Netflix for my girlfriends’ bookclub/movie night get-together on zoom. Lol. My girlfriends have been raving about Takehiro Hira. 😂😂 They don’t know who Sato Tekaru is but they’re definitely into this Hira guy.
It’s funny Hira is Americanized.
Will do! First thing in the morning. I’m already in bed and I’m too lazy to go downstairs for my laptop.
Also @growing_beautifully suggested “Flower of Evil” and I need a calm place to watch an emotionally taxing drama. 😂
That will be fun to read “Team Tendo” and “Team Jerry” but it will be a challenge for me since Jerry is the original hearthrob!
I have to check who is Takehiro Hira, sounds interesting!
Then, I’ll just make it a Team Tendo vs Team Jerry Open Thread, and let you all just list down pros and cons of each character/actor.
Takehiro Hira graduated from Brown and he’s 6 feet tall. 😂 That’s all I remember when my friends were talking about him.
Giri/Haji is on Netflix and it sounds exciting coz t’s action/detective story. Takehiro Hira is a good looking Japanese too. 👮👁
I haven’t yet watched Giri/Haji because it looked emotionally taxing, as you say. I’m pretty sure there’s no happy ending possible. But it’s awfully tempting and takes place only a train ride away.
I’ve watched the first 2 eps of ‘Count Your Lucky Stars’. There’s a bit of a ‘She was Pretty’ vibe starting out. It will be interesting to compare the LF with Nanase, who to my Western sensibilities started off pretty naive and annoying but improved.
@Eureka, yes, the sort of support that people give each other in LLF is sorely needed now, rather than blame and toxicity. There was no unresolved negativity in the dorama. Even the bored chaebol who wanted to torment Tendo got realistic understanding and ultimately redemption.
@packmule, yes please to a thread for Jerry and Sato. I could use a bit of either or both with breakfast.
I understand your view of LG as best boyfriend, but like Se-ri, I find that Capt. Ri is my type. Shallowly, of course. I like the way he moves and expresses himself better. I remember what’s forbidden, so I won’t write anything about his smile.
Heading out for a run in the rain.
@ Fern wrote:
the sort of support that people give each other in LLF is sorely needed now, rather than blame and toxicity. There was no unresolved negativity in the dorama. Even the bored chaebol who wanted to torment Tendo got realistic understanding and ultimately redemption.
That’s the word I was looking for! Nontoxic.
I agree with you and @ Eureka. It’s soothing but interesting. It’s just what I need when I come home, either feeling fatigued or absolutely incensed with the world. lol.
Mona’s happy face is a happy pill. Working on Ep 4 today.
Good morning! ☺️
Sorry I left without saying ciao while I was on the blog this morning my time. I was actually waiting in the car while my parents hand in their resignation. Their officially in retirement as of today. 😊
That Giri/Haji sounds interesting but if it doesn’t have a happy ending, I’m not game enough. You know me and my happy ending. 😁 I haven’t checked out Takehiro Hira though. Will I change my mind? That is the question.
I did try to watch LLF on blitzfansub but there’s still no sound, the video plays good but I can’t find the sound button and I’ve played with my volume too so I don’t know where the problem is. ☹️
Is drama cool an alternative?
It’s on drama cool but you won’t get the additional minutes. Did you try watching the blitzfansub on your laptop?
I also couldn’t get the audio on my iphone, but in one of the episodes, an audio icon suddenly popped up on the right-hand corner. I clicked on it and the sound came on. Weird.
When I tried this with the other episodes, the audio icon wouldn’t appear. So I can’t explain why the audio works on some and doesn’t with others.
Anyway, for the 15 minutes, the first, second, and tenth episodes’ additional clips/director’s cuts are the relevant ones to the couple.
Check them out here:
https://blitzfansub.com/koi-wa-tsuzuku-yo-dokomade-mo-directors-cut/
I think kissasian has the director’s cut for the 10th episode.
Congratulations on your parents’ retirement!!! Woohoo! Now they’ll have more time to spend with their daughters and grandchildren! Do they plan to retire somewhere? Do they want to travel? I hope their health allows them to see the world together. 🙂
Thank you. 😊 I’m only watching on my iPad but I’ll try on the home computer tomorrow. I don’t have a laptop, only my boys. 😁
I forgot @Fern watched it at drama cool, so that’s ok then.
Yes, I saw the first 15 minutes additional scene without a sound and I finally figured the cat deity. 😁 I was laughing at Nanase’s reaction to his dance. 😂
You should see Tendo do the cat dance, too. Ugh!! Awkward.
Konbanwa!I was talking (online) to a Japanese acquaintance earlier and she said that Satoh Takeru is so popular in Japan because he is a complete package – good in singing, dancing and of course acting. No wonder, we like him in this dorama!
He is very much single but there were rumors that he is a kind of “playboy”, she said because of his good looks, a lot of women are into him.
Wait, what? You don’t have a laptop? That’s too funny. I’ve three laptops open in front of me right now.
And what’s even funnier is that it doesn’t matter how many laptops I have, I’m still a computer dunce. My sons have been telling me for years to switch to a Mac because apple products work for me.
Thank you Queen. ☺️ It was a sad and happy time for them I think because initially they wanted to work 2 days but because of Dad getting sick from an infection his doctor cannot placed where it came from, they’ve decided to just completely retire. It’s for the best especially with Covid now and even with Dad much better. 29 years is a long time. 😊 They said they will de-clutter their house first which I think is a great idea. 😁
Yes, they love to travel so hopefully the world can get back to travelling. 🙏
Wait a second there.
I don’t find Satoh Takeru handsome. No. Have you seen his youtube clips on his YT channels? He looks scrawny. And at 5’7 (I checked), he’s rather short.
But but but …
I do like his character on the dorama. I like the way the actor portrayed him. He’s good. And beside Mone (who’s only 5 feet!!! My goodness. She’s pocket-size), he’s the perfect height.
But no offense here. In real life, if he was to appear in front of my house, I’d probably think he was a hobo or something. He looks hungry. 🙂
Oh yeah I saw Tendo’s cat dance and it was awkward. 😬 I prefer him to sing than dance.
I think it’s funny too that I don’t have a laptop. 😂 My gosh, is your eyes still at 20/20 vision? If yes then that’s awesome. 😁
Ooh. 29 years in the same job! That’s a long time. I’m sure their workplace and coworkers would have loved to send them off with a special event. But given this weird time, it’s hard to host any celebration.
Maybe you can plan something big after this pandemic crisis is over. 29 years of service should definitely be recognized — and celebrated in style. 🙂
@agdr03, all the best wishes to your parents upon retiring. It can be bittersweet. I think it’s a relief off your mind in this current situation. Your dad can start messing with cars again and your mom might find an extraordinary hobby. De-cluttering is a fine idea for them as a starter.
I was watching LLF on Dailymotion, which had SO many long adverts. All the same ads and two in a row. It finally drove me bonkers.
@Eureka, I can believe that he has an enormous fanbase. I think the Tendo character suits him.
Yes, they work in a private hospital and their bosses wanted to have a farewell/retirement party but it will have to be later as there’s still restrictions in restaurants and home gatherings here. But we will definitely have a party for them.😊
Thanks @Fern, it does give us peace to know that they don’t need to travel for 40 minutes and wake up at 4:30am everyday and yes with covid, they’re much better at home. ☺️ Mom’s hobby is shopping but she can’t do that so she’ll have to find something else. 😁
@packmule, I know what you mean about thinking Sato Takeru is scrawny. If one of my daughters brought him home instead of a rugby type, I’d want to start feeding him up right away. Healthy food, not cream buns. In Jerry’s case, I might get scared if he showed up and lock up aforementioned daughters.
Looking forward to Ep. 4.
@Eureka, I think Satoh Takeru has his charms and appeal and it came out through Tendo-sensei. ☺️ I’m happy he’s very popular and he will probably gain more fans because of Love Lasts Forever. ☺️
I haven’t really paid attention to physic. Maybe because he’s always wearing the doctor coat? 🤔
hahahaha! Good comparison, Fern! I’ll borrow that for the Team Tendo vs Team Jerry post I’m TRYING to work on… but I keep getting distracted by all your comments.
The close-ups of Jerry doesn’t work on me as the close-ups of Tendo. I don’t know. I have to see Jerry Yan look into the camera and LEER. Sato Takeru does it very well.
I don’t think his lack of physique is noticeable because he wears big overcoats coats, and loose tshirts…but go ahead and watch a few of his YT clips. He doesn’t have broad shoulders. lol.
Based on the bathtub scene, Jerry Yan has the shoulders and… uhhh… shoulders. Let’s just limit it to the shoulders.
I like that comparison too @Fern 😂
Oh, no questions asked about the shoulders, that one I can see clearly. 😁 and yeah, let’s keep it to the shoulders, I can’t have other below parts on my mind before sleeping. 😂
I’ll leave you ladies to it. 😉
Goodnight agdr03!
On my list today:
-Episode 4
-Team Tendo vs Team Jerry
-Ep 2 of Count Your Lucky Stars
-Lee Gon post is now moved down
-HP post on SH and the cute nurse is also moved down.
Dear @packmule, I’m with you about Tendo’s close-ups. Also, he’s an expert at the side-eye. I really like watching him. Mea culpa.
But I’m getting used to watching Jerry, too. He’s a novelty for me and at ep. 4 I’m waiting for some more character development. He’s rude and irritable. Is he normally in action-type dramas? He has the sort of face that could be good guy or bad guy. I’m having some difficulty with the subs and may try to watch on another format other than Youtube.
Howdy! 😊
Thanks for that list, Queen. I’ve started on CYLS and I already feel bad for the FL with her bad luck. 🤦🏻♀️ I’m watching on Viki.
I tried to watch LLF in drama cool but it’s stopping for some reason so I really need to transfer to the computer tonight. 😊🤞🏻I’m serious in wanting to count Tendo’s close ups. 😂
@agdr03, Dramacool can be VERY annoying. I’ve been avoiding Viki because of the fees, but I guess you get what you pay for.
What episode are you at in LLF?
I’m sort of gliding through CLYS. It’s very easy going.
Morning @Fern 😘
I’ve ditched drama cool as it’s not working for me. I’m not subscribed to Viki so I have the commercials every now and then. 😊 I’m watching CYLS there, I’m only on episode 1.
But I just tried blitzfansub on the computer for LLF and it works! 🎉😍 Hubby said no way! But I said yes way! 😈😂
Hurrah for your computer! You can see the extras now. 🌟🌟🌟
@Fern, which episode are you in now with CYLS? I’ve started on 4.
I feel that when Tendo went back for his bag at Nanase’s place and he sees Dr Kisugi there then that’s when he first felt jealous. He even held her hand just to check if she’s good. 😃
On rewatch, I feel Tendo was impressed by Nanase when she said that she will do her best in becoming a good nurse and that she will make him smile, laugh and be happy. I bet no one ever told him that after losing Minori.