Original Title: パーフェクトクライム
Network: TV Asahi, ABC
No. of Episodes: 10 episodes
Release Date: Jan. 20 - March 24, 2019
Cast: Triendl Reina, Sakurada Dori, Mashima Hidekazu, Ochiai Motoki, Nagao Mariya
Genre: Smut, romance, drama
Notes: Based on a manga, 23 minutes per episode

Review:

I watched it to complete my list of smut dramas featuring our dear Prince of Smut Manga Live Action Adaptation, Sakurada Dori, a.k.a. Fifty Shades of Dori.


At the beginning, I didn't like this drama because Kaori was having a not-so-secret illicit affair with her Boss, Fuyuki. (Despite Fuyuki-buchou's pretty name, he cheats on his wife! But hey, it's not like I absolutely abhor affair dramas because I loved Hirugao with every fiber of my being.) I couldn't believe how Kaori immediately fell in love with Shinonome after their brief interactions, leaving his boss. Despite her narrations, Kaori felt like a naive, submissive, and horny woman to sleeps with anyone who makes her believe she's being loved.


The show only became interesting when the point of view switched to Shinonome, giving us flashbacks of the events prior to meeting Kaori and stealing her heart. It's interesting that how twisted he was, returning to Japan, with a purpose of destroying Kaori, who was ruining the relationship of Fuyuki-buchou and his wife, Miwa, the person Shinonome loves so much he's willing to be the devil for her.


Ironically, he couldn't perfectly accomplish the bad guy role and ended up showing concern for Kaori, which gradually blossomed into love. After Shinonome's point of view, the show began to show both Kaori and Shinonome's line of thoughts and it was lovely.


Despite of that, I think this drama has poor execution. Com'on, this is a revenge romance show! Even though the narrations were deep and well-thought, the actions and pacing were bland and boring. I could see great potential in the plot that could've been fully utilized. The acting of the whole cast was so-so, and maybe it also has something to do with the way the show was directed. I wanted more dramatic scenes, more heart-stopping, heart-throbbing lines. I wanted more emotions! Show me the angst, show me burning fire of hate and lust combined into one!

Plus, I need to mention how I loathed how Fuyuki-buchou justified his cheating, mentioning to Kaori that he loves both of them. Like, what the hell? And it was so irritating how Miwa blindly loves this scumbag despite knowing her husband was having sex with another woman. I couldn't even stand how they could stick with their marriage like that. It's so messed up, that lots of people got tangled to their mess.

Overall, this is a half-baked revenge smut drama with poorly executed story, forgettable music, and mediocre cinematography. You could watch it if you literally do not have anything else to watch, but if you're in the mood to watch something really good, this show is not for you.

Still, my score is pretty generous because I liked the plot, the narrations, and one of Kaori's last line at the ending, which was an imitation to Shinonome's line when at the beginning.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Photos (c) Perfect Crime's official Twitter account