[Tips] Short Drama Commentary: Watashi ga Renai Dekinai Riyuu

I've recently finished the 2011 Fall J-drama Watashi ga Renai Dekinai Riyuu (The Reason I Can't Fall In Love) and I strongly recommend it(!). This is one of those life-lesson dramas, but instead of being another drama that rambles about life, it focuses specifically on the theme of love. The plot of the drama follows the lives of three young women (Karina, Yoshitaka Yuriko, Oshima Yuko) who are roommates, all in their 20's, that share their love experiences and worries together. This lighthearted romance drama, by the end of its last episode, had garnered an average of 15.8% viewership ratings. I'm sure it was due to the show's relatable situations and hardships, as well as well-known cast members in the entertainment industry that had attracted many supportive fans of the show, both young and old. There must be at least one main characters' situation that anyone can relate to, whether they think that love is troublesome, are afraid of getting hurt, don't know how to love, don't know where to search for love, or is having troubles with a current loved one. This romance drama is lighthearted and also makes a great show for couples to watch together in order to better understand one another. Even though the plot of the drama follows the lives of young women, this drama provides tips that anyone - women, men, etc. - will find useful for their own love life woes.

Acting:
The acting in this drama was a lot better and more believable than the previous drama I watched, Mitsu no Aji. There were many experienced actresses/actors that came together for this project and I think that the three main actresses really got into their characters well.

Music:
There are two songs used in this drama and both are sang by Namie Amuro, one of the most famous Japanese female artists, aka J-Hip Pop Queen. The theme song is called Love Story, while the intro/ending theme is called Sit! Stay! Wait! Down! Both songs are beautiful, addictive, and fit the theme of the drama very well.

Favorite Tip (Ep. 9): 

1.) Nobody really knows what's going on - Maybe things aren't going well now, but maybe tomorrow they will

2.) People are the same way - If you're lost, slow down and think about what's irreplaceable to you

3.) When you find it, you need to choose if you believe you can get it, or give up instead 

(If you always go on the path that gets you that irreplaceable thing, you will be successful in life)

In Short:
1.) Tomorrow can be a better day
2.) Something irreplaceable
3.) To believe or give up?

Another Tip:
1.) Find the person who is your Number One
2.) Be with a person who can treat you like you are their Number One
3.) In an affair, you become Number Two (other numbers that aren't one)

Another Tip: Cure For A Failed Love (Ep. 5)

1.) Start a new love

2.) Find something to dream about

3.) Talk with your (girl/guy) friends

(Mix together and take as needed)

Relationship tips I would personally like to share:
1.) Love is a relationship between two people, and is not a one-person show. Like a show, a relationship should have a lot of things going on to keep the show alive and running. I believe a relationship is healthy when both partners are able to showcase their affection for each other through various different methods. The relationships that are usually stuck on the rocks, I believe, usually become one-person shows. Examples: Are you that couple that is always together, and yet, there is always "nothing to talk about"? Are you with someone that calls you annoying whenever you try to bring up something to avoid having "nothing to talk about" or calls you annoying because you want to "talk it out"? Being in an unproductive relationship means that someone is not putting in their share of the workload to run the show, and thus, the show ain't going anywhere. Whether they realized it or not, he or she is most likely too stubborn to change, taking love for granted, or tired of being tied down. Just like the inevitability of falling in love, falling out of love is very possible. You can always go back to try and create new various methods to showcase with each other. Create new novelty.

2.) Just be honest - with your crush/partner, but mainly with yourself. Say what's on your mind. If you are uncomfortable with a situation, speak up and save yourself or your partner from being hurt or regretting something later.

3.) Always talk, type, or reply clearly to avoid typical misunderstandings. Misunderstandings due to awkward Instant Messages/ Texts/ Phone Calls may happen most of the time, but the one taken the most for granted is when talking in person. Find different ways to explain things if the other does not understand what you are saying.

4.) Courage is an essential part of taking that first step to move on, whether it's the first step into a relationship, or a first step out of one. Everyone shows a different degree of courage.