ラブシャッフル Love Shuffle

Title: ラブシャッフル Rabu Shaffuru (Love Shuffle)
English Title: Love Shuffle
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Year: 2009
Episode: 10
Cast:

• 玉木宏 Tamaki Hiroshi
• 能瀬香里奈 Nose Karina (香里奈 Karina)
• 松田翔太 Matsuda Shota
• 吉高由里子 Yoshitaka Yuriko
• 大湖 Daigo
• 貫地谷しほり Kanjiya Shiori
• 谷原章介 Tanihara Shosuke
• 小島聖 Kojima Hijiri

SYNOPSIS

Earth, Wind & Fire - Fantasy

Usami Kei is an ordinary salaryman. The only reason he was accepted at the company he currently works for is because he is dating the company president's daughter Mei. Kei and Mei are already engaged to be married but Mei suddenly breaks off the engagement.

Shortly after Mei breaks up with him, Kei gets stranded on the elevator of his apartment building because of a power outtage. Inside the elevator, Kei meets up with three people who live in apartments on the same floor that he does. Airu is a trilingual interpreter who is a daughter of a diplomat, Ojiro is a photographer who knows his way with women, and Masato who is a psychiatrist.

While trapped on the elevator, the four discuss their love lives and they start to question whether there is truly one fated love partner for everyone. Kei, Airu, Ojiro, and Masato agree to "shuffle" their relationships with each other as a result.

REVIEW

The Bangles - Eternal Flame

Love Shuffle is a really weird drama because four people, who are in romantic relationships in various degrees of commitment, decided to swap partners after accidentally meeting at an elevator. It was also surprising how their respective partners agreed to the plan.

There are a lot of main characters in the drama, eight in total, and these characters have varied personalities and histories. I suppose considering the selection, there is a strong possibility that the viewer can find a character he can relate to or identify with.

However, the characters in the drama have extreme personalities that I think it's a little difficult to relate to them. There are some things that you can identify with, of course, but I'll be amazed if there's someone who can actually relate to one character as a whole. I think the characters in the drama are truly one-of-a-kind.

It's really intriguing how these eight characters have swapped partners but they all remained good friends. I find it weird to have something going on with someone who has a history with a close friend.

I suppose it is possible that a friend's ex will actually be the one you were meant to be but personally, friends' exes are off-limits. It's not just about honor and courtesy, which are major considerations, but more about how weird it will be for everyone involved. I don't think I want that kind of drama.

One thing that you should learn from the drama is the fact that it is important to choose wisely about where you should live. I mean, it's a serious matter considering that it can provide a way for one to meet good friends and romantic partners.

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ラブシャッフル Love Shuffle