[First Impression] What did you eat yesterday?

How did I get here?

I do not know if it was my penchant for watching cooking shows or just a mere curiosity as to how middle-aged childfree couple go about their daily lives that got me curious on the show. Whatever it was, I wanted to finish the entire story. And I can’t wait to make some of the recipes I got from this show.

Premise

The show was about the daily routine of Shiro and Kenji, a middle-aged couple. Shiro, a disciplined lawyer from a small law firm, meticulously monitored his diet and kept a close eye on his finances. With no children to rely on in his later years, he firmly believed that money would be his safety net. On the other hand, Kenji was a carefree and dramatic hairdresser who effortlessly complemented Shiro’s strict demeanor with his cheerful personality.

Together, this dynamic duo followed a well-structured schedule that governed their lives. At 6 PM sharp, Shiro wrapped up his day at the office and made a quick stop at the supermarket before rushing home to prepare his lover a scrumptious meal. Kenji joined Shiro a little while later. It was during their shared dinner that they found joy in each other’s company.

In their social interactions, whether with friends, colleagues, acquaintances, or even unfamiliar individuals, Shiro and Kenji faced the uncertainty of potential discrimination for being gay. They lived within a conservative society and understood that open acceptance might not always be forthcoming. This reality was portrayed by Shiro’s personal experience, where his own mother subjected him to unfair comparisons, equating his sexual orientation to criminal behavior.

First Impression

This was my first time watching a BL drama featuring a middle-aged couple as the main characters, and it was a refreshing take on BL dramas. The couple was already in an established relationship, so there was no need for love confessions after a dramatic night run. And the focus on romance took a backseat as it was already implied.

Shiro was your typical emotionally constipated man who struggled to express his gratitude, anger, confusion, and a range of other emotions. However, he compensated for this through acts of service, such as cooking for Kenji, carrying heavy bags for Kenji, managing the household budget, and maintaining their diets. While it might have been difficult to like him initially, it became easy to root for his personal growth.

On the other hand, Kenji was a social butterfly who was affectionate, slightly loud, but well-intentioned. He struggled with self-discipline and responsibility. From my perspective, he was someone who would have been enjoyable to have as a friend, but perhaps not as a lifelong partner. Now, I don’t want to undermine the fact that he likely shouldered most of the emotional labor in their relationship, but let’s face it, being responsible with budgeting and dieting in your 40s was important and not something that needed reminding.

I’m going to binge this show. I’m going straight to final review after this post. The show does not warrant a mid-series given it’s only 12 episodes.