Romantics Anonymous (2025) 匿名の恋人たち
Directed by Tsukikawa Sho, starring Oguri Shun as Fujiwara Sosuke, Han Hyo-joo as Lee Hana, Akanishi Jin as Takada Hiro, Nakamura Yuri as Irene, Ito Ayumi as Kawamura Motomi, Okuda Eiji as Kuroiwa Kenji.
Watched 17 - 19 October 2025 — 8 episodes (NETFLIX)
*This Japanese feel-good comfort drama doesn't immediately grab or captivate you but it slowly sneaks up on you, leaving you with a warm feeling inside once the show is finished. At least, that's how it was for me. I'd easily watch it again.
*The main characters both suffer from an anxiety/phobia-based disorder: Han Hyo-joo as Lee Hana suffers from scopophobia, the fear of making eye-contact; Oguri Shun as Fujiwara Sosuke has a strong fear of germs and physical contact as a result of a childhood trauma. (Incidentally, I was chuckling every time Sosuke was carrying the big suitcase with clean shirts around.) I liked how they discovered that they could touch the other or look the other in the eye without getting an anxiety attack and how they decided to help each other and practice in order to get better.
*I like both leading actors and their characters. After taking over the prestigious chocolate shop Le Sauveur, Fujiwara Sosuke wasn't only thinking of the business side or making profit but he recognised the craftmanship of the chocolatiers and supported them. I also liked Hana's character. She moved around awkwardly because she was always keeping her gaze down, but it made her endearing. I'm familiar with Korean actress Han Hyo-joo and loved hearing her speak Japanese so fluently. I wasn't sure about the leads as a romantic pair in the beginning but they have good chemistry and I enjoyed their unusual romance.
*The notion that chocolate brings happiness is being enhanced by the visual mouth-watering chocolate scenes. It was great to see how the chocolates were being made. I also loved to see how passionate the team of chocolatiers at Le Sauveur was, how well they worked together, and how in order to make the best chocolates, there was no room for egos or personal ambition. This is best illustrated with the character of Kawamura Motomi, Le Sauveur’s chief chocolatier. I expected a competition struggle between her and Hana and that Motomi was going to be the antagonist, but for Motomi the success of Le Sauveur was the most important thing and she gracefully accepted Hana as the participant in the world chocolate competition.
*There's often gorgeous cinematography with beautiful scenery shots. I especially loved episode 6 when the team visits the winery and we see a carpet of lush purple lavender fields.
*The violent scene where Hana is being robbed and attacked with a knife was so out of place and didn't fit with the show's vibe. How coincidental that Sosuke came right on time to rescue poor Hana.
*The support Hana receives from the Le Sauveur team is heartwarming, especially during the final chocolate competition. And I absolutely loved how Sosuke left the important shareholders meeting early to be by Hana's side and how we see him cheering her on from the far back of the room and waving at her happily. This scene made me teary-eyed.
*In the last episode all loose ends are wrapped up neatly. There is a reconciliation between Sosuke and his father (finally connecting through physical touch) and also with his cousin. The 2nd leads, Hiro and Irene, also seem to get their happy ending. Yet, the very last moment with Irene's therapy session and showing cameos of two famous actors (Kentaro Sakaguchi and Song Joong-ki) is really superfluous.
*Just one more note ... With the wedding (yay, Sosuke and Hana are getting married!), a year had passed and Hana was still hindered by her phobia. I can understand that overcoming it takes a lot of time but I had hoped she would have made some progress with the help of Sosuke. I do love how our OTP makes a run for it, leaving the wedding guests behind, but I agree with an online reviewer saying that it's great that Sosuke and Hana share this safe private bubble — where they can totally be at ease with each other — but wouldn't it be better to confront their fears publicly?
*I love the theme song Confession by Kim Chaewon & Dalpalan!!!