Love Begins in the World of If – Series Review & Ending Explained

Episode 1

Episode 1 Review

OMG, I'm so sad for Kano! The poor guy seems miserable. 😭 This first episode is depressing because it focuses so much on his terrible job conditions. Kano's coworkers don't appreciate his work and talk smack behind his back. The clients are difficult to work with, especially the one blaming him for the missed deadline. Plus, Kano is a naturally quiet guy in a team full of extroverted salespeople, so he hasn't made any friends. If I were him, I'd wanna quit the job so badly. That amount of stress would destroy anyone's mental health.

The episode ends with a cool plot twist. Kano makes a wish for a happier workplace, and it comes true. I'm excited to see how his office life changes in the next episode. By the way, I would do things differently. If I were Kano, I would simply wish for enough money to retire and never have to work again. Forget a parallel world. Give me a parallel retirement fund instead!

The first episode does a brilliant job of making Kano's life feel like a social dystopia. It's not "dystopian" in a sci-fi sense, but it feels that way because the office is so cold and soul-crushing. His coworkers treat him like he's invisible or, worse, a burden. It's that specific kind of misery where you're surrounded by people, but still feel completely alone. The next episode is a total 180. Suddenly, everyone gets along with him! They're all friends now! The contrast is jarring in the best way possible. It feels like he's teleported from a dystopian office into a total utopia.

What If

I really love the concept of this story. In life, there's always that "what if…" lingering at the back of our minds. What if we made another choice? What if we could change our situation? These hypothetical scenarios are rooted in our insecurities. If you were 100% confident, you'd never obsess about "what if" this, "what if" that, or the "what if" of it all. If you don't trust yourself, that's when you second-guess everything. The parallel world may seem like a complex idea, but it's actually a plot device to explore Kano's self-doubts.

Kano wishes to fit in at work. What if he weren't socially awkward and could connect with his colleagues? This wish is relatable. All the introverts out there may understand his desire to be part of the group. When Kano's wish comes true, he becomes friends with everyone. Deep down, his insecurities haven't vanished. Even when the other guys include him in activities, he's still shy and nervous. Kano only starts to feel more comfortable when Ogami invites him to hang out one-on-one. It shows that becoming sociable isn't something that just happens overnight with a wish. It's more of a work in progress.

Episode 2

Episode 2 Review

At the start of the episode, Kano is so confused about the parallel world. He has no idea why his coworkers are suddenly acting so differently. Like, they're actually being nice to him? And inviting him to hang out? Kano is in total disbelief. I crack up at how he tries to justify the weird behaviour. Is Ogami drunk!? Are they playing a prank on me!? Did HR talk to everyone overnight!? Is Ogami still hungover? Finally, he accepts the alternate universe explanation, but only after going through every other wrong guess.

With that said, Kano's confusion is justified. It must be a total mindfuck to wake up and find that your workplace has changed without any explanation. The worst part is that Kano has no memory of his experiences. Everyone sees him as this social butterfly who goes to happy hours and plays golf. But for our Kano, he hasn't lived through this life in the parallel world. Kano feels incredibly weird, getting treated like a close friend by people he still remembers as strangers.

My favourite moment of Episode 2 is Kano and Ogami's dessert date. Two adult men bonding over a macaron? It's giving such strong Old Fashion Cupcake vibes! This scene is great because it shows off Ogami's charm. You can see the natural salesman in him by the way he's schmoozing his coworker. I also like seeing Kano relax for the first time. He doesn't have to worry about coworkers, clients, or weird parallel worlds. Instead, he's just eating sweets and laughing at Ogami's jokes. Keep coming out of your shell, bestie! We love this version of you!

Ogami (Parallel World)

The parallel world version of Kano is really charming. Just like the chocolates and macarons, he can be so sweet. You see examples of his thoughtful behaviour throughout the episode. He's constantly checking in to make sure Kano is doing okay. He goes out of his way to include his quiet coworker in chats or group activities. Plus, he gives encouragement and reminds Kano of his self-worth. In the original reality, Ogami is nowhere this friendly. He should've learned from his clone and made Kano feel like part of the team.

Even though he acts like the sweetest guy, the parallel world version of Ogami isn't perfect. The series drops tiny red flags that you may miss at first. Right at the start of the episode, Ogami picks up Kano and carries him. It's instantly met with resistance. No, put him down! Later, Ogami tries to be playful and ruffles his partner's hair, but Kano isn't having it. No, don't touch his head! In both cases, Ogami oversteps his boundaries. Kano is his coworker, an adult man who deserves professionalism and respect. Yet, Ogami patronizes Kano, treating him almost like a child.

Episode 3

Episode 3 Review

Oh my gosh, Ogami's actor (Daisuke Nakagawa) looks soooo dreamy in this series! The height, the body, the face, the smile… It's all coming together like the perfect package. Every time he looks at the camera with an enticing grin, I feel butterflies. Daisuke was in More Than Words, one of my favourites from a few years ago. To be honest, I've kinda forgotten about him since then. After watching Love Begins in the World of If, I'm officially obsessed. This series has drilled him into my memory for good.

Besides being a total hunk, Ogami is attractive because of his personality. He's basically the perfect work husband! Ogami is so attentive to Kano's needs. He's always around for a pep talk when his coworker feels down on himself. He gently encourages Kano to be more social without ever being too pushy. Plus, Ogami is just as caring with everyone else. The moment he gave his jacket to the female client? Oh my gosh, that sweetness just made him hotter! This episode really shows the best side of him. Ogami has many great qualities that make me swoon, so I understand why Kano is falling for him too!

My favourite moment of Episode 3 is the final scene. Kano and Ogami spent the whole day together on a successful sales pitch. They capped it off by drinking and confiding in each other all evening. Suddenly, Ogami leans in, bringing his face close to Kano's! My heart stopped for a second. Oh my god, is the first kiss happening right now!? Instead, Ogami just traces a finger over Kano's lips and pops a chocolate into his mouth. He gives a grin before pulling away. Oh, this man is such a tease, like dangling a carrot in front of BL fans. I'm officially hooked!

Perfection

In Episode 3, Kano and Ogami are doing a sales pitch together. Even though things are going well, Kano loses confidence. He compares himself to Ogami, who's just too perfect at everything. His coworker is totally in his element, charming the clients and saying all the right things. Kano looks at him and sees everything he's not. It makes him feel inferior, like he'll never be as good in his own job. Thankfully, Ogami steps in to pull him out of his head. He gives constant reassurances and makes Kano feel better about himself.

"No one is perfect." Ogami admits he wasn't born with these sales skills. Everything he does comes from years of job experience and paying attention to people. To prove his point, Ogami shares stories about messing up when he first started in sales. He even read the same self-help book Kano has. It's such a humanizing moment that shows Ogami isn't some naturally gifted sales superstar. He had to work for his success. It gives Kano hope that being good at his job is actually achievable. If Kano puts in the time and gets enough experience, he might become as good as Ogami one day.

Kano has another big realization. At first, he thought this parallel universe was a magical utopia where everyone became nice for no reason. It turns out the alternate version of him was just kind and humble. Instead of closing himself off, Kano reached out and asked for help whenever he made a mistake. That's why his coworkers are close to him now. Kano realizes these kinds of friendships are possible for him too. If he just opens up and treats people well, they'll usually return the favour. He must put in the work to build real relationships with the people around him.

Episode 4

Episode 4 Review

Kano leaves the parallel world at the end of Episode 4, even though it means walking away from a comfortable life. Kano had everything he wished for, like nicer coworkers and a potential romance with the sweet version of Ogami. It's a lot to give up, but he still chooses to leave. Deep down, he knew he didn't belong in this world. It was just a place he made up to escape his own reality. Kano can't grow as a person if he stays here being coddled forever. He has to go back and face his real life, even if it's a lot harder.

I like how this episode shows a darker side to Ogami. On the surface, he seems supportive, but there's an ulterior motive. He brings Kano to the sales pitches like it's a joint effort. In reality, Ogami claims all the credit. In the real world, Kano handles sales on his own because Ogami trusts him to work independently. It's such an "aha!" moment for Kano (and for me). Up until now, we were smitten with the Ogami from the parallel world, but this breaks the illusion for us. Ogami is suffocating Kano's potential. It's a massive reality check that makes the story deeper than a fluffy fantasy where everything goes perfectly.

The apartment scene is the best part. After a relaxing meal, Ogami flirts with Kano, who seems confused. Ogami must state the obvious, "I'm hitting on you." 😆 I know Kano should return to his reality, and this version of Ogami has flaws. Even so, I kinda want Kano to stay in the parallel world. Their romance is so close to happening that they should hook up first before Kano goes back. Also, this episode has made Ogami a more complex character. It'd be interesting to see Kano explore a relationship with this Ogami, a nice guy who holds him back professionally.

Support

This episode's client is sneaky, and Ogami calls him a "wolf in sheep's clothing." The irony is that the label fits Ogami himself perfectly. This parallel version of Ogami seems genuinely nice, and I don't think he's faking it. He does care about Kano. The issue is that Ogami's kindness has a dangerous side. Underneath that sweetness, Ogami is professionally predatory. Ogami is a "wolf" for using Kano as a prop to help his own career. The "sheep's clothing" part is the flirting and the charm, which lure Kano into a sense of security.

Some of Ogami's kindness is patronizing behaviour in disguise. It starts with the physical stuff, like the head-patting and hair-ruffling. Ogami may think it's a playful gesture, but it shows a lack of professional respect. You wouldn't give your boss a noogie or a pat on the head! Ogami also calls Kano's job a support role and reduces him to a sidekick. By "protecting" him from the stress of leading, Ogami is actually stealing Kano's opportunity to prove himself. While the real-world Ogami might behave coldly, he forces Kano to take the lead and make his own decisions.

When Kano returns to the real world, the scene is similar to the ending of Episode 1. In the parallel world, Ogami scooped Kano up and carried him in his arms, which made Kano look helpless. In this reality, Ogami helps Kano up from the ground without carrying him. It's a symbolic choice. The story shows that Ogami lets Kano stand on his own two feet. He shows more respect for Kano's agency, treating him like a capable adult who can find his footing. The real Ogami can support Kano while still giving him the space to be his own person.

Episode 5

Episode 5 Review

After Kano returns to the real world, he makes a conscious effort to change. The next morning, Kano 2.0 arrives. He's new and improved, just like an iPhone upgrade. He's already more social, chatting with his coworkers and asking them for help. The funniest part is the office reaction. To Kano, this change makes sense after everything he went through in the parallel world. To everyone else, it's a total shock. They’re all looking at him with WTF expressions, hilariously bewildered by the sudden personality transformation.

I love how the story uses an angry client to show how much Kano has grown. A business owner is fuming over a missed deadline. It isn't Kano's fault, but he's the one who has to take responsibility. Previously, a similar mistake broke him. Ogami had to step in and apologize, while Kano retreated into his shell with his confidence shattered. This time, we get Kano 2.0. He owns up to the mistake and wins the client over with a heartfelt speech. He picked up some of that smooth sales charm from the parallel-world Ogami, but the real growth is his courage. Kano became strong enough to tackle a conflict head-on.

I like comparing the two versions of Ogami. In the parallel world, he's tuned into Kano's needs and always reassures him. In reality, Ogami is there to help, but he doesn't overstep. A real workplace doesn't revolve around one person's mood. Coworkers might be friendly, but they won't spend their day coddling you or making sure you're okay every five minutes. I've come to appreciate the real-world Ogami for those boundaries. He doesn't say the perfect thing or know exactly what to do. That makes him feel like a real person instead of a character in a fantasy world.

Growth

Kano's growth happens fast in this episode. He walks into the office, starts conversations, and builds rapport instantly. He's even joking around with the guys. It's a massive shift, but it highlights a simple truth: being friendly shouldn't be that hard once you get out of your own head. The coworkers reflected the energy Kano gave off. When he was silent and closed off, they kept their distance too. Now that he's putting in the effort to be sociable, they're being nice right back. All it took to fix his work life was a little initiative.

Kano 2.0 is trying to be more confident, but he loses his nerve before the client meeting. His old anxiety kicks in, and he begins to spiral. At this moment, Ogami reaches out and gives him a pep talk. That's what parallel-world Ogami would do, but it turns out the real-world version has that sweet side to him too. Ogami offers emotional support, reminding Kano that he's capable. They do a bit of hand-holding, but Ogami lets go once Kano feels better. In the end, he still lets Kano handle the client meeting on his own. Ogami is a good mentor because he knows when to give a push and when to shut up.

Ogami is growing too. In the past, he was pretty detached. He's the type to just let Kano sink or swim. But in this episode, he actually steps up as a mentor. He realizes Kano still needs some guidance from time to time. A little bit of support at the right time is what makes an employee actually capable of independence. Yes, Kano should ask for help. But also, Ogami should take the initiative to help a struggling coworker. By the end of the episode, Ogami has cleared the air with Kano. They understand each other better, and there's more warmth in their work relationship!

Episode 6

Ending Review

Love Begins in the World of If needed more episodes. Ideally two or more, but even just an extra one would've kept the finale from feeling so rushed. While I enjoyed the romance in the parallel world, it didn't feel as strong in the real world. On Kano's side, I can understand that he transferred his feelings from one version of Ogami to another. For Ogami, we haven't seen enough of him. He remains underdeveloped as a character, and his feelings for Kano are even less clear. His sudden confession in the finale seems too random.

My favourite finale scene is when the parallel-world Ogami appears. Kano sees a vision of him during the night, surrounded by fog. In that moment, Kano felt insecure about his relationship with the real Ogami. The other version shows up because reality has become too difficult. Kano is tempted to escape into a fantasy where love is effortless and guaranteed. Yet, Kano doesn't take the bait. He no longer needs a fake world to feel okay. Kano chooses to stay in this reality, even if it feels painful. Rejecting the other Ogami is the ultimate proof of Kano's character growth. He's done running away from his problems.

The story jumps straight from the love confession to the sex scene. This transition is so awkward that it almost cheapens the romance. Kano and Ogami's intimacy would've felt more satisfying with a better build-up. But hey, I'm not gonna say no to skinship in a BL drama lol. The couple's sex scene was hilariously camp! I screamed when Ogami pushed Kano onto the bed, and I cackled at those raunchy lines about devouring Kano. Ogami said some other things, but I was too distracted by his huge biceps to actually pay attention. He's soooo hot~ 🤤

Ending Explained

At the start of the series, Kano created the World of If. It's a parallel universe where every problem in his real life doesn't exist. No more angry clients, no more awful coworkers. In this imaginary utopia, everything goes the way Kano wishes it would. He never has to worry about being rejected or failing because the world is rigged in his favour. Kano also falls for the fantasy version of Ogami, a perfect colleague who understands all his problems. He offers Kano constant reassurance and encouragement.

Kano uses this fantasy world to escape from reality. It's his safe space that gives him an easy version of his life. However, the World of If is secretly dangerous. This perfect paradise stops him from becoming a functional adult. The biggest danger is that he lives in a bubble. Everyone, especially Ogami, treats him with kid gloves. Because Kano never fails, he never learns how to recover. Ogami coddles Kano and handles all his problems. While that feels like love, his overprotectiveness keeps Kano from growing. Under his care, Kano remains the same insecure and fragile person forever.

Kano rejects the World of If. He won't hide in a fantasy that coddles him by pretending everything is safe. Yeah, the real world is messy. His workplace can be tough, and he may get his heart broken. Yet, these experiences are what Kano needs to grow as a person. He may make mistakes, he may get upset. But then, he learns to be stronger. The World of If has taught Kano to love his own strength. He stops feeling helpless and takes the initiative to fix his problems. Ultimately, Kano learns to become resilient. He can face reality without a fantasy world to protect him.