Although I Love You and You is a Japanese BL series about a small restaurant owner and an office worker. After his last breakup, the main character only focuses on running his shop instead of dating again. He develops a secret crush on a new customer who enjoys his cooking. As they befriend each other, their budding relationship has romantic potential. However, the protagonist's ex-boyfriend returns and complicates these feelings.
From the relaxing story to the positive messages, Although I Love You and You is a sweet and harmless romantic comedy. The lead couple didn't interest me at the start. The attraction seems forced, the interactions feel awkward, and the actors lack chemistry. The series wastes time on the secret crush and love triangle instead of developing the relationship. While the main characters eventually grew on me, I still prefer the rival as the love interest.
Although I Love You and You Summary
Title:
好きやねんけどどうやろか
Series Info:
Japan (2024)
Genre:
Romantic comedy
About:
Although I Love You and You is a cute & sweet BL drama.
Plot
Sakae is a small restaurant owner who runs the business by himself. He inherited Tamae from his late mother. His shop is most frequented during the evenings, drawing a regular crowd. Sakae has an outgoing personality and likes chatting with customers. Due to his hospitality, they become loyal patrons who return every night.
One evening, the conversation topic turns to romance. Sakae's customers, who are older married men, are curious about the young restaurant owner's love life. He admits to being single. He isn't interested in dating anyone and wants to focus on running his shop. Secretly, Sakae is still healing from his last break-up. He hasn't dated anyone since his ex-boyfriend dumped him.
Soga arrives at the restaurant. He's a new customer visiting the shop for the first time. Soga is an office worker from Tokyo who relocated to Osaka for work. With his suit, glasses, and polite demeanour, Soga stands out from the regular clientele. Soga enjoys the delicious food and praises Sakae's cooking. Sakae feels delighted to receive the compliment. Later, another customer causes a drunken ruckus and spills alcohol on Soga. Instead of losing his temper, Soga takes out a handkerchief and cleans the mess.
Sakae falls in love at first sight. He's enamoured with Soga's gracefulness and develops a secret crush on the office worker. Soga returns to the restaurant and brings a coworker, Kanda, to eat with him. As the two colleagues chat, Kanda accuses Soga of disliking her. She thinks he looks down on her Osaka background. Sakae, who overhears the conversation, immediately jumps to Soga's defence. Sakae's friendly attitude helps clear the air between Soga and Kanda.
Afterwards, Sakae and Soga befriend each other. Soga becomes a regular customer who returns to the shop frequently. The restaurant owner and the office worker grow closer. Despite his secret crush, Sakae lacks the courage to confess his love. Soga seems blissfully oblivious and treats their bond as platonic. While Sakae grapples with his feelings, his ex-boyfriend Mizuki returns. Mizuki's meddling presence complicates the budding relationship between Sakae and Soga.
Although I Love You and You Cast
Characters
Sakae
Hideyoshi Kan (簡秀吉)
Sakae owns the small restaurant, Tamae. He inherited the business from his late mother and runs it by himself. Sakae has a friendly personality and likes to chat with his customers. After getting dumped by his ex-boyfriend, Sakae has remained single. He falls in love at first sight with Soga, a new customer at the shop. Despite his secret crush, Sakae struggles to confess his feelings to Soga.
Hideyoshi Kan
Hideyoshi Kan (簡秀吉) is a Japanese actor. He is born on October 23, 2002. His first BL project is the 2024 drama, Although I Like You and You.
Soga
Jun Nishiyama (西山潤)
Soga is an office worker who relocated from Tokyo to work at the Osaka branch of his company. He is a hardworking employee and well-respected among his peers. Soga visits Sakae's restaurant for the first time and enjoys the delicious food. Subsequently, he returns to the shop and becomes a regular. Soga befriends Sakae, unaware his new acquaintance has a secret crush on him.
Jun Nishiyama
Jun Nishiyama (西山潤) is a Japanese actor. He is born on July 12, 1998. His first BL project is the 2024 drama, Although I Love You and You.
Mizuki
So Okuno (奥野壮)
Mizuki is Sakae's ex-boyfriend. He used to live with Sakae and work at his restaurant. However, Mizuki dumped Sakae, moved out, and quit his job. A heartbroken Sakae has never dated anyone since the breakup, choosing to focus on work instead. As Sakae and Soga become closer, Mizuki suddenly returns. Mizuki's meddling presence complicates Sakae's feelings for Soga.
So Okuno
So Okuno (奥野壮) is a Japanese actor. He is born on August 21, 2000. His first BL project is the 2021 movie, Pornographer: Playback. He also appears in Given (2021) and Although I Love You and You (2024).
Supporting Cast
Kanda
Sae Murase (村瀬紗英)
Kaname
Kazuki Horike (堀家一希)
Saeko
Mikoto Hibi (日比美思)
Takagi
Shin Shimizu (清水伸)
Kojimachi
Keishi Arai (荒井啓志)
Ryuji
Karuma (カルマ)
Customer #1
Takashi Yukawa (湯川崇)
Customer #2
Miyabi Koteyama (小手山雅)
Client
Kimiyoshi Kibe (岐部公好)
Kajiwara
Wataru Imamura (今村航)
Cast Highlights
- Mizuki's actor (So Okuno) has supporting roles in the 2021 Japanese BL movie Pornographer Playback. He also appears in the 2021 series Given.
Although I Love You and You Review
Review
Drama Review Score: 7.2
Although I Love You and You is a harmless romantic comedy. The lighthearted story has a casual, relaxing vibe. Its humour may not be super funny, but a few playful moments amuse me. During each schmaltzy episode, the characters experience growth, overcome misunderstandings, and learn to trust each other. Even if the writing lacks sophistication, I still appreciate the sentimentality and positive messages. Although I Love You and You is a feel-good BL drama with lots of sincerity.
This series seems sweet and inoffensive, so I feel bad for not liking it more. However, the lead couple doesn't interest me. Sakae and Soga are mismatched. They have almost nothing in common, from opposite personalities to conflicting hobbies. Despite ample time together, I fail to understand what draws them to each other. Also, Sakae falls in love at first sight, but his instant attraction to Soga is baffling. The story portrays Sakae as lovestruck, even though he barely knows his companion beyond superficial details. His secret crush is too silly and contrived.
There's weak chemistry between the leads. Sakae and Soga have awkward interactions, displaying little sparks in their mediocre relationship scenes. They are more compelling when interacting with the supporting characters than each other. Sakae's actor (Hideyoshi Kan) behaves forcefully during the comedic moments. He doesn't deliver the punchlines or exaggerated reactions with natural ease. His costar (Jun Nishiyama) lacks the magnetism you expect from a leading man in a BL drama. Soga is too ordinary as a protagonist and needs more charisma.
The biggest surprise is seeing So Okuno, who portrays the ex-boyfriend. I've wanted this actor to take on a BL role for years. His casting feels like fulfilling one of my wishes from the genie's lamp! Better yet, Mizuki is a juicy love rival with lots of personality. The saucy minx seduces the protagonist, kisses passionately, and flaunts his shirtless physique. As he oozes desire in every scene, the series awakens all my hidden fantasies of this dreamy cutie pie. To my annoyance, So's first venture into BL is only a supporting part. Damn, why isn't he the main character!?
The second lead syndrome has cursed me. Mizuki is too appealing as a rival, outshining the official love interest. I prefer Sakae & Mizuki's dysfunctional romance over the bland courtship with Soga. Sadly, this supporting character isn't meant to be the endgame. The series gives Mizuki excessive attention at the expense of developing the main couple. Eventually, I warmed to Sakae and Soga's pairing. I like seeing them navigate various relationship issues. I wish the storylines had focused more on the their dating phase than the secret crush or the love triangle.
Although I Love You and You takes too long to resolve the couple's conflict in the finale. I'm annoyed that Sakae and Soga don't fight harder to save their relationship. Still, they find a decent compromise and finish the love story happily. Overall, this unremarkable, middle-of-the-road drama doesn't rock my world. With that said, I have no animosity against it. The feel-good series is soft, sweet, and sentimental. It also earns points for satisfying my BL fantasies about So Okuno, hehe~ 😚 Although I Love You and You is fine if you want a light and casual viewing experience.
Summary
Casual story
Although I Love You and You is a casual, lighthearted romantic comedy. While the writing lacks sophistication, the story promotes sentimental themes with positive messages.
Mismatched romance
Initially, Sakae and Soga seemed mismatched with each other. I didn't understand their attraction. They grew on me in later episodes, but I still prefer Sakae's dysfunctional relationship with his ex.
Awkward acting
The leads are missing chemistry. Sakae's actor (Hideyoshi Kan) feels too forceful in comedic scenes, while his costar (Jun Nishiyama) lack charisma. However, I adore Mizuki's performer (So Okuno)!
Happy ending
Although I Love You and You has a happy ending that resolves the couple's conflict. Sakae & Soga find a decent compromise to their relationship drama. However, their tension drags on for too long.
Decent artistry
The series looks visually presentable. I like how much time the characters spend in the sauna, showcasing many shirtless scenes. More Japanese BL dramas should follow this example!
72%
Although I Love You and You is a sweet BL drama with positive messages and a casual vibe. The lead couple seems incompatible, flirts awkwardly, and lacks chemistry. I prefer the love rival instead.
Although I Love You and You Episodes
Episode Guide
- Start Date January 12, 2024
- End Date March 15, 2024
- Episodes 8 episodes
- Episode Length 24 minutes
Although I Love You and You has 6 episodes. Each episode is around 24 minutes long. It is a medium-length BL drama, and you can finish the entire series in around 4 hours. Although I Love You and You started on January 12, 2024 and ended on March 15, 2024.
Although I Love You and You is an adaptation. The original story is a manga by Ryoko Chiba (千葉涼子).
Episode Reviews
Episode 1
The first episode is only so-so as an introduction. It's hard to take Sakae's crush seriously when he falls in love with Soga over a handkerchief. Some of the humour also misses the mark.
Episode 2
Why are Sakae and Soga making such a big deal over the failed confession? The cooking lessons are kinda cute. While the writing is heavy-handed, the story's messages seem well-meaning.
Episode 3
This romcom is sweet and harmless. I feel bad for not liking it more. I don't sense any sparks between the leads. This episode highlights the mismatched characters. Opposites don't always attract.
Episode 4
I didn't know So Okuno was in the cast!? Finally, I can see him in a BL role and kiss a guy. I like how Sakae is considerate of Kanda's feelings after the rejection. His conduct raises my opinion of him.
Episode 5
OMG, I'm switching ships! Team Mizuki FTW! That sexual fantasy is way hotter than anything from the lead couple. I hate Soga for getting in the way of Mizuki & Sakae. Give Mizuki the lead role!
Episode 6
Sakae may have a dysfunctional relationship with his ex, but I prefer shipping him with Mizuki over Soga. I don't want to settle for the bland lead couple. Mizuki's character is so much more fun.
Episode 7
As much as I like Mizuki, he isn't the endgame. Stop wasting time on the ex and focus on the lead couple. Aww, I like Kanda's little pep talk. Okay, at least Soga & Sakae are finally together!
Episode 8
I like this episode's storyline. The couple works through relationship issues, starting a new tradition instead of repeating past mistakes. Sakae & Soga have grown on me after they start dating.
Episode 9
Sakae's empty relationship journal is funny, haha. No, I don't want the couple to be apart! Quitting the job or trying a long-distance relationship are better solutions than breaking up.
Episode 10
The finale spends too long on the breakup drama. The couple doesn't try hard enough to make their relationship work. However, I like how Sakae and Soga reach a decent compromise in the end.
Although I Love You and You Information
Links
- Gagaoolala Although I Love You and You Gagaoolala
- MyDramaList Although I Love You and You MyDramaList
- Website Although I Love You and You website
- YouTube Although I Love You and You YouTube
Creator
Ryoko Chiba (千葉涼子) is a Japanese artist and the creator of Although I Love You and You. The manga is adapted into a 2024 live-action drama.
Director
Keisuke Shibata (柴田啓佑) is a Japanese director. His first BL project is the 2023 drama, Mr. Sahara & Toki-kun. His other works include the 2024 series Although I Love You and You, which he co-directed with Yuya Takahashi (高橋雄弥).
Is it possible that you made an error with your "Romance" rating? I respect and value your reviews, which are serious and intelligent, but sometimes your words don't match the ratings – and this is an extreme case. Thanks for your many reviews and hard work!
Thank you for reading! Ahhh, I'm debating between the ratings and what words to use. I have been switching them back and forth, even moments before publishing. My mind is a bit foggy on the right vocabulary, but I'll go back to rewrite something more suitable.
The romance rating also factors into my fondness for Mizuki and Sakae's relationship scenes. I liked the love rival's scenes and rooted for his romance. In the later episodes, I also liked Sakae & Soga more, which raised the score. Overall, I have mixed feelings on both pairings.
Overall this is a review which I can agree with 🙂
But if you take the episodes ratings together, it would have been a B- rather than a C+ 🙂