Beyond Goodbye

I actually read a study about how memories are stored in the heart and it's documented that there are people who remember what the previous owner felt, so I was really interested to watch this show. I think the writers did a decent job with the plot but personally, I felt like something was missing from the show. It was definitely quite emotional and the cast did an amazing job, however towards the end, the pacing was a little off and some scenes felt rushed.

Regarding the relationship between the characters, I think it was written well because it showed the many grey areas experienced by the human heart, and it was hard for me to blame any of the characters for their actions as they were simply human beings with complex emotions. I could easily understand and empathise with the characters. Also, the sceneries shown are breathtaking and it made me want to go to Otaru just to experience it. The cinematography is my favourite part of this show honestly.

The first episode started with a bang, but the show buries itself in an avalanche of ambivalence and a soapy cross between blah and meh. Major casting issues with this one. Kentaro Sakuguchi as the romantic male lead is a dud from the get-go. Zero star quality. And the "Mr. Nice Guy" piano player was a clueless yawn. Maybe to a lot of people, this love story has depth and heart (quite literally), but I had to stop watching midstream because of its total lack of chemistry between Kasumi Arimura and her rizz deficient love interests. It's not like Arimura is normally an ice-queen either. Her astonishing work with Takeru Satoh in Rorouni Kenshin: The Beginning was scorching, and in her more recent work in shows like Meet me after School, Call Me Chihiro and Ishiko and Haneo her hidden sizzling desires had me like "d*mn, that woman is hot.". Bottomline is that Beyond Goodbye's arty editing and top tier cinematography just wasn't enough for me. Chemistry is just one of those things where you know it when you feel it. And I just wasn't feeling it here.

A coffee loving piano player who is deeply in love with his gf, dies in an unfortunate bus accident on the day he was going to propose to her. After his death some random man with a heart problem receives the piano player's heart. This man has a wife, does not play the piano and never drinks coffee. Surprise, surprise, you won't see this coming but after he's recovered this man now all of a sudden is at the exact same spot as the dead piano player was years before, playing the exact same Jackson 5 song on said piano and of course the widow fiancee happens to be there at the exact same day and time as well and hears him playing from afar and obviously starts running to him. LOOOL. She just fails to encounter him but soon after she meets him anyway and he develops confusing feelings for her (duh) but remember he has a wife and then finally there is no clear resolution. What a waste of time, story is full of absurd coincidences and plot holes. Not worth it. 3/10.

With the first 2 episodes I really think that this series started strong. Like the premise of a love story that is kind of confusing at the same time frustrating, mix it up with a storyline like this. But, towards the end, what happened? It is like there is no clear point as to where the story is leading. There could have been a better story for the characters. The supposed lead here is the female lead but why is it the male lead the one that experienced all the pain? It is unfair to his character unless the story is in his POV which is clearly no. Also, there is no clear justification on the action of the male lead.. if he is acting on his will or still controlled by the 'transplanted heart' cos seriously if he acts in his own volition then clearly he is cheating on with his wife.. that just makes no sense. There isn't actual committing of feelings. And in the last episode with the call of the wife reminding the female lead of not hot having sex with her husband is too ridiculous! Like a cringe moment.

Im sorry but this is a little messed up. But this really started strong. Give this to a Korean production I think they'd give better storytelling and a proper ending.

The direction and acting of this movie is absolutely phenomenal. I don't think they could have pulled it off without the actors, especially since the plot was a little ridiculous. Either ways, loved watching these actors on the screen and I truly felt the emotions they were trying to convey. I didn't expect to love Mrs. Naruse as much as I did, but she was such a greatly written side character. The colors were a little too saturated but the settings and mood were beautiful. And of course, it's always a treat to see the beautiful Kentato and Kasumi's chemistry...that in itself should be a reason to watch this.