(QR) Jdrama: One Night Morning

 The Plot 

A story of eight different couples with fleeting, delicate relationships and their “simple breakfast” as if to make up for what is lacking in body and soul after spending a night together, including a man who is reunited with a former high school classmate whom he continues to have feelings for; a university student’s first date with a girl whom he met through a matchmaking app; sex friends, who have been carrying on with their rather businesslike relationship.

These days, I prefer watching short drama with mostly 25 minutes each episode. And this drama fulfills my preference.

Each episode has its own main characters with their own stories, mostly about love and dreams. 

Episode 1: Pickled Plum Onigiri

Seeing a crush gave her home made food to someone was something unbearable. Murata Ryota attended a class reunion after being an adult. Many people talked about their career, meanwhile, he thought he was just a failure. Manatsuki Chiharu has been his crush since he was in high school. Meeting her again made him happy. He remembered her giving her homemade pickled plum onigiri to her friend, but ended up in trash. Murata picked them up, and ate them.

Feeling not confident among your friends in school? You’re not alone,babe…

Episode 2: Honey Toast

Graduating from university, you’ve gotta graduate from virginity, too. That’s what Sudo Michitosi thought. Therefore, he searched for someone from a dating app, and had a date. He insisted to graduate from virginity that night. But, something came up. 

Aa a non Japanese, I just wonder how someone can be so embarrassed to stay virgin.

Episode 3: Fine White Noodles

Have you got someone that you drew attention to him/ her without you realize it? Onogashima Moe never realized that she always glanced at Momokawa Ko, her colleague. She found out that he always had white noodles for his lunch. 

I did have one, the one I always followed with my eyes, anytime anywhere. Did I like him? Well, I just felt lost when he finally was not around me any more. 

Episode 4: Beef Bowl (gyuudon)

To be an introvert and not able to tell the truth is torturing. Hatamoko Tamako found Ushio Teppei always skipped classes and enjoyed his meal, gyuudon, under the infirmary where Tamako did her extra lesson. When Ushio got caught for something he didn’t do, Tamako couldn’t say anything.

Feeling guilty can haunt someone for years and years to come. The words “I should have done better…”, or “I could have helped….,” must be ringing most of the time. 

Episode 5: Egg Sandwich

Have you been obsessed with victory? Iwamoto had been working hard for a competition. Never had she known that someone had been watching her. He ran together with her at the school corridor to get egg sandwich from school canteen. And she always won! One day, when she was down, egg sandwich from her rival soothed her. 

This is another sweet story from the main leads. Both of them kept their feeling without spoiling it but, as the audience knew how they felt.

6. Cup Ramen

When did you set your goal for what you’re going to be in the future? Some people set their goal at their very young age. They struggled to reach their goal only to get disappointed they realized that it’s not that easy. Onodera Komugi wanted to be an idol, while Nakamura Satoshi wanted to be a mangaka. 

A dream will stay as a dream if you don’t strive to realize it. No matter how many hurdles, you’ve got to overcome them. 

7. Tsukimi Soba

It must be the hottest episode ever. One character that showed up in episode 3 had her own episode. Mitsume Shiori was in the brink of committing suicide when Hotta Makoto approached her. From then on, they had a special non platonic relationship. They developed their relationship as a sex friend. 

Another sweet story with an unexpected coincidence. Tsukimi soba? I wonder how many tsukimi soba restaurants in Japan. Is it like soto or meatball stalls in Indonesia? :D

8. Steamed Meat Bun

I can say that this is the most wholesome episode. After watching the whole episodes, I recognize one character that was always there, yup, the convenience cashier. He finally got his own story.

We never know what we did give a big impact to other people. I felt it when I saw the drama from episode 1 to 7. The cashier looked indifferent and unfriendly,  yet he lent his hand at the right time. Even giving nods could calm the characters. 

I can say that all stories in this drama are quite relatable to our life. People can see themselves in those characters: being lonely, being depressed,  experiencing failure, being in love for some time, etc. Some have their happy endings. And I hope you do have your happiness in your life.

My rating: 

Story: 9/10

Acting/ casts: 9/10

Music: 7/10

Re-watch value: 8/10

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