Animals (2022)

- Older woman/ younger man - Funny and the acting is good - the struggles of the FL is so relatable

Sena is a college music graduate who dreams of becoming a professional musician and a world-class pianist. Unfortunately, he has not been able to find any breakthrough opportunities and has to settle for currently teaching piano at a local piano school. Minami is an out-of-work model. On her wedding day, she was dumped by her fiancé, and when she rushed to her fiancé's apartment, she finds out that not only was her fiancé Sena's flatmate but that her fiancé had also skipped town along with all her savings. Rendered penniless, she then moves into Sena's apartment, occupying the empty room that was her former fiancé's. The two down-on-their-luck persons with very different personalities find themselves bonding over their similar situations in life.

Older woman/ Younger man. great story . story 10/10. acting 10/10. one can relate to the characters work struggles

Relationship between adults, male lead passionate about his artistic career, female lead changes her life due to her encounter with the male lead.

Shikamori Umi is an overwhelmed office worker. Her boss always pushes Umi to the limits saying that she is essential to the company, and makes her not able to get enough sleep or time for herself. One day, when Umi is working on the set of a live broadcast, she falls asleep. This results in a viral moment where she is described later as the 'sleeping AD' and an employee of a black company, as well as her boss being called 'old fashioned' and from the showa-era. She doesn't like herself and what she has become while working in the office, and instead of returning and remaining the same, she tries her luck in a makeup agency called Animal Beauty. With her new mindset she becomes an intern, where she meets Kazao, a photographer who becomes her friend, and Sakaki Keisuke, the handsome CEO of Animal Beauty. While trying her best at work and in changing herself, will she be able to fall in love and overcome her difficulties?

Shikamori Umi is an overwhelmed office worker. Her boss always pushes Umi to the limits saying that she is essential to the company, and makes her not able to get enough sleep or time for herself. One day, when Umi is working on the set of a live broadcast, she falls asleep. This results in a viral moment where she is described later as the 'sleeping AD' and an employee of a black company, as well as her boss being called 'old fashioned' and from the showa-era. She doesn't like herself and what she has become while working in the office, and instead of returning and remaining the same, she tries her luck in a makeup agency called Animal Beauty. With her new mindset she becomes an intern, where she meets Kazao, a photographer who becomes her friend, and Sakaki Keisuke, the handsome CEO of Animal Beauty. While trying her best at work and in changing herself, will she be able to fall in love and overcome her difficulties?

Kikazaru is a 2021 spring drama, and Animals is a 2022 summer drama, so similar vibes (camera language, color grading, wardrobe, etc) The First ML in both dramas work in a less 'conventional' area of work (Kikazaru: chef & Animals: fashion photographer). Both face serious career questions regarding the future. The relationship with the FL forms the 'other end' of things the ML must consider. Both the lead couples have a playful, bickering, sibling-like vibe initially. The central 'love triangle' appears to be working on a similar dynamic. The FL and the Second ML boss have a fun camaraderie, but what seems like attraction is actually just massive admiration, adoration and respect of the FL towards the Second ML, who in both dramas, is played by a more senior/ established actor (generally, both have mostly played First Male Leads). Since both dramas are set in the design world (Kikazaru: furniture & fashion, Animals: cosmetics & fashion magazine), the backdrop is against a highly glamorized & fashionable, metropolitan Tokyo.

Both are love stories with similar love interests; all 4 of the men are very passionate about what they want to do for a living. One man from each series are younger men actively trying to make their dream come true while the other love interest are older men who've been doing with their dream job for years already. If you are open to a bigger younger-man/older-woman age gap, I highly recommend Last Cinderella.

Similar vibe when it comes to work and finding the strength to survive when all else seem to be falling apart professionally.

Both take place in a cosmetics brand office world and tell a story about an older woman and a younger man (27 & 23 respectively).

Pontifex Rembrary, a character known for his divine powers, gets transported to a new world while fighting a devil. He possesses the body of Woo Yeon Woo, a member of an unpopular idol group, and helps turn the group's fortunes around after a disastrous live performance. With his charisma and divine powers, he becomes popular among fans but faces challenges from his past, contending with strange religious groups and the devil.

- Older Woman/Younger Male - Hopeless Female Lead - Supporting Male Lead - He Fell First/He Fell Harder

Umi and Kazao are finally dating. Umi spends days deepening her love with Kazao, who is overseas, through video calls, and feels lonely that he can't get in touch with her. When she discusses the situation with her best friend Makoto, she hears from Yuka that she saw Kazao walking with a woman in the downtown area.

A psychological drama about unhealthy interpersonal relationships explained often through elaborate flashbacks. Takanako Mayuko, who grew up in an idyllic mansion with the perfect loving family, blames her childhood best friend for everything that has gone wrong in her life. While maintaining the façade of friendship, Mayuko finalizes the revenge she’s been secretly plotting for decades.