Winter Reverse Harem Dramas 2021 Reviews Part 1: Fling at Convenience Store, No Going Back Romance, Life of Namjoo, 3B No Koibito, Mairunovich & Girl2k

This is the record-breaking number of dramas in one season! Nine reverse harem dramas not including 300 Year-Old Class of 2020 which seems like a promotional show? I can't see myself doing one review at a time. It's going to take me forever so I'll review them in one go. I have yet to finish cdramas: Celestial Authority Academy, In Love With Your Dimples and Unique Lady/Lascivious Lady Season 2. Those are 20+ episodes each. 

It's also hard to rank them as they have different formats but I've grouped them according to country of origin. Some are super short whilst others are just right. There were some that I loved but the ending left me sad. And there was one or maybe two that are not a reverse harem! Reverse harem baiting!!! asdfjisojgjrjgk And there's one drama where the heroine didn't choose anyone! Now, now...not gonna tell which drama was that. *evil laugh*

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Coincidentally, all these  dramas are short and didn't disappoint. Okay, there's one with a problem from a reverse harem perspective. Read on. I'll also include links for First Impressions for episodes 1 to 3.

Fling at Convenience Store (6 eps/12 mins runtime) First Impression 

Yeo Joo Ah is the forever convenience store worker. She meets four guys in the store...sweet manager Kim Donghyun, tsundere part-timer Jung Su Bin, puppie cutie toyboy Bong Jaehyun and chic mint chip squad, Jung Wooseok.

This is an interactive drama and I'm happy to say that my favorite guy ended up as the winner. It's no-brainer that he will be a fan favorite as his scenario is cut above the rest and his looks go perfectly with his character's personality. The others really didn't have a chance. Plus points for how he showed his affection for her in the end. The shortest series among all the dramas. 

No Going Back Romance- (10 eps/12 mins runtime) First Impression 

So Dam was sleeping in the classroom but she remembers someone confessing to her. She's now trying to figure out who among her three classmates is in love with her.

This one has the sweetest situations for each guy and to think it's super short. Aaaand it ended up as not a reverse harem! I don't mind if it's not reverse harem but I don't like being baited by the setup.  The guys and the FMC are different shades of cuteness. Like I want to go back in time and be 18 again...oops that's a different drama. Okay, in my mind I have ranked each guy but I want to pretend they are on equal ranking. I'm selfish like that. In a hindsight, it was easy to guess the guy who confessed but I got so greedily distracted by their looks.  

Life of Namjoo- (6 eps/20 mins runtime) First Impression 

Jin Nam Joo sees the future whenever she sneezes but it led to the disastrous end of her relationship. Her father, also a fortune teller, warned her to stop listening to her powers. He also foretells she'll meet three men and she must choose wisely.

This is the one that made me want for more. The main couple here is older than the previous two dramas which are both wholesome. The chemistry between the two leads is just daaaamn. The spiciest couple among all the winter dramas. It's such a waste to see them in such a short drama. 

At some point, it made me doubt its' reverse harem-ness.  Also, I was wondering who the third guy was as it's nearing the end until I realized that the ex-boyfriend was counted. It ends with a new conflict and there's still a story waiting for the second guy. Give us the second season!!!

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These two are my early favorites out of all the First Impressions but I was disappointed with the ending of these jdramas. Maybe it's just me. But still, both are across the board entertaining and fun. 

3B No Koibito- (10 eps/30 mins runtime) First Impression 

Haruka Kobayashi had a case of runaway groom and haven't found luck with love since then. Her friend warned her to avoid 3B at all cost: bandman, beautician and bartender. And of course, she finds herself living with all three men.

As I have mentioned in the initial impression, I loved the antics of the unreliable guys and how they started in different relationships with other women. Meanwhile Haruka is unassumingly pretty. She doesn't mince her words towards the guys but she has heart of gold. I just hate how she gets her wall up for them but she easily fell for the 4th B!

Another thing that I'm digging is the mood. The grainy look. The atmosphere of the neighborhood.  The cozy home that reminds me of my hometown.  That closing credit with her and the guys living contently under one roof.

The story can be idealistic at times though.  I really didn't know who to root for until the drama finally led me to the guy. My heart just melted in the ending and for that guy.  

 

Mairunovich (8 eps /50 mins runtime) First Impression 

Kinoshita Mairu is popular as "poison mushroom" (a pun for 'ugly'). She meets Tenyu who gives her a makeover. She's able to have the confidence to go on dates and meets Naru. Meanwhile her neighbor Mirai is not happy with the changes in Mairu.

Mairu is totally adorable. Her comical expressions remind of Nakatsu of Hana Kimi. Her logic makes me wonder if she's mature or stupid. But it's admirable that she tries. Naru is my second lead syndrome go to guy but Mirai  grew on me. I feel bad for both of them.  What are you doing Mairu you should choose them all. And I wasn't done yet with Naru. There's something natural to him. His character made me feel like he's a real, hurting, vulnerable boyfriend. And I just love his speaking voice too! 

My expectation for Mairunovich is that it's going to be a tropey, typical story. But it's not what I expected at all. You feel like you want to protect them all. Aya's character was also one of the biggest surprises. Tenyu also had a sudden harem in the end which is more defined over Mairu's reverse harem that are on different timelines. Mairu turns out to be the low-key playgirl among all the winter dramas. It was the perfect ending but I was not satisfied as I wanted to see them more as a couple. 

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Girl2k (10 eps/45 mins)  First Impression 

Momay is two thousand years old. She may be able to finally die if she falls in love. The prospective candidates are her boss Thawin, the client Mr. Prom, her mentee Moo Tod and the barista/who-lives-near-her-place Kampan. 

There's so much wrong with this drama. Lots of things that didn't make sense but I have come to accept it because this type of dramas is similar to my country's soap operas. They make it super obvious and comical. The villain is obvious from the start too. So many loopholes. 

But if you can get past that it may be enjoyable for you as it was for me. I always have a US sitcom that I'm watching on top of all the reverse harem and non-reverse harem shows. I want something that will make me forget and make me laugh hard. But lately, I've been getting my fill from campy reverse harem dramas with Girl2k, Princess I Have Five Husbands, and even Celestial Authority Academy (but I get bored with all the supporting storylines.) 

The heart of the drama is the ensemble cast. She has such fun and loving colleagues. But not a fan of ageist jokes towards Kanyao. I like her style and I think she's the voiceover too? Maybe the joke's on me because it was really meant for two centuries old, Momay? Momay's beauty is mesmerizing. I think there's more to her acting but that's how her character goes. The guys had some moments but no favorite guy. The reverse harem is also questionable. Two of the guys are douche and the other one is like a filler character.  

Hands down the catchy song is THE official theme song in my head for the season. The ending made me sad for a really absurd drama. And I have finally finished a thdrama!

And we finally saw the office setup that starts at the elevator and goes down to a lower floor. But then the calendar bothered me with dates that jump to March then back to February again. Not a good idea for continuity. 

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Which ones are your favorites? It's hard for me to choose only one drama so I'm gonna lump them all and hereby dub them as my favorites for the season which is really true. I'm not confident I can finish the cdramas. I'm still interested in Celestial Authority Academy and In Love With Your Dimples but the other guys are being set up with other girls. And Unique Lady...ahhh I really don't think I can watch this. What do you think? Should I still give the three a chance?

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Purchase titles/ related to the titles mentioned: (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases):

Hanazakari no Kimitachi e 2011 (Hana Kimi) / For You In Full Blossom 2011 -Japanese Drama TV Series (3 DVD set, English subtitles)https://amzn.to/3usCWNo

Hana-Kimi (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1: Includes vols. 1, 2 & 3 (manga) https://amzn.to/3f5XHrD