I absolutely don't know why I should recommend these... I just think that when the story moves on, the "feel" in these 2 dramas is very similar. Of course, MARS is more deeper and everything but still the feeling is similar. Find out for yourself and decide ^^
Piece (2012)
Similars
While watching "Gekiryu~Watashi wo Oboete Imasuka?", I felt the same bittersweet feeling with "Piece". The plot is similar: former friends from high school try to resolve an accident which occurred many years ago. Step by step, layers are shown, prejudices and lies are revealed. During this journey, they will question themselves about the meaning of their present lives and learn about each other. "Piece" has more mystery, "Gekiryu~Watashi wo Oboete Imasuka?" is more focused on the people’s lives.
maybe because of the pacing~ watching both series, you'll get that familiar feeling of being at home. the background songs are really nice to listen. casting has johnny's overload. must watch for fans ^^
Piece is not about students with abilities but it's a fantastic psychological thriller based around a group of school friends with a lot of the same darkness.
Both stories had the same kind of impact. Both are about universal truths of love and heartbreak and give you meaningful life lessons. Both are complex stories about complex people. There are no shallow, typical characters or dialogs.
Once again, deep and meaningful characters and stories.
It's like no other drama really.
Poignant and beautiful.
Similarities:
1) Both are about mystery with flashback storyline.
2) Strong romance involved.
3) Both are about the pursuit of a certain name/people
in Both dramas:
**Mystery/romance and even crime dramas
**Very similar MLs (it's main similarity of these dramas). mysterious and very charismatic, dark lonely antihero type ML, whos past is secret/mystery and also trauma for him. He is quite playboy, playing with girls feelings while not feeling himself anything, lying them, not regretting causing pain for girls who love him. He doesn't care much about anything, about material or even not material things, it's very hard to know what happens in his head or heart. It's very hard to make him feel anything, especially love.
**Though he is so closed type guy, from first view some may think he is very flirty and even funny, he is that way with FL too.
**FL is interested, intrigued and attracted by ML, wants to know more about him, support him... he opens up with her more then anyone (but still not so much, especially in "Piece")
**While drama develops, opens secret past of ML, overall his secrets and mysterious personality - is he so dark/guilty or not? is he killer or not?
Overall "Smile has left your eyes" is much (!) better and another level drama, "Piece" has this vibe and good details but isn't executed (or story isn't written enough good) as well... but these similarities is there and ML's really are very similar.
#So after Pieces it will be great to watch this great Kdrama (which has original Japanese version);
#After SHLYE you may enjoy with some similar vibes (but not expect same level drama).