El patito feo que surcó los cielos (2018)

A Teen Body-Swap J-Drama

SWITCHED is a Japanese drama. Although rated M for mature, it did seem more aimed at teenaged audiences. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and I didn't mind the silliness amid the darker subject matter. However, I tend to agree with many reviewers about the offputting techno dance music feeling jarring and out of place in this drama. The sound director really botched this one up. I understand anime's usually fly with this kind of music and this series was inspired by webtoon/manga, not sure if there's an anime yet, so that kind of explains the vibe they we're going for. Even still, it was kind of obnoxious, even for a teen series. It just didn't fit.

Overall, this was a good series, not the greatest due to some predictable, and slightly problematic writing and the aforementioned music choices. Was worth a watch and had some good messages about living in another shoes and what not. It was entertaining, but had a lot of wasted potential, I felt. It only scratched the surface of what it might have achieved, and I'm not sure why it didn't go deeper. Still, it was worth a view. Definitely a well made series.

[NOTE: Kaga rocked!]

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Surprising Good

I know the plot before watching it and expected it to be average but it is surprising good and real in some sense. The first episode when she laughed with her best friend during the painting scene got me, wow it is such beautiful scene. Then the rest of the episodes didn't disappoint either. Acting is good too and there's a good message to this show about the body and self.

The downside is perhaps the supporting character kaga didn't get the girl but it is a realistic portrayal of romance. Then this series is too short, only 6 episodes. I am hoping to see more of normal ayumi but there isn't much except for the last episode.

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Yet another body swap tale, though this time told in a slighly darker form.

The popular body swap genre has been around for over a well over a century. From F. Asley's Vice Vera to Freaky Friday, it's essentially the same rehashed tale of individuals who switch places, live each other's lives, gain a better understanding for each other before they switch back and all is good again.
Though the story has been done many times before, Switched to it's credit brings something new to the genre by creating a much darker and more dramatic storyline based around depression, loneliness, envy and bullying. An while the darker plot-line is effective, it's also full of silly plot holes and slightly dumb characters. When the male leads discover the female leads have switched bodies, the reaction is not of shock and astonishment but instant acceptance.
The acting was a bit mixed, the two male leads were at best pretty average but excellent performances from the two female leads essentially carried the show along.
For me there were moments I liked it and at points the story was quite emotional, but in equal amounts it was pretty silly and tedious. It's ok as a live action drama but probably would have worked far better as an anime.

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Couple Issue

The story line was quite fasinating actually. Kaga was superb cute with Ayumi as Umine. After every moment we experiened with Mizumoto, i felt that he was a real bad guy. He is acting so well! I hesitated when i figure out who was the bad one but there is no bad one. I think the message they want to say is so important. In these days, pretty much everyone knows what really bullying is. I was also the one who bullied from some girls that i knew them as a friend and I kinda get Umine's feelings. What Umine had done was also wrong in some ethical way. But you'll get it why she is acting that way. Also the wrong couple was together in the end but aganist all odds, it was so good! Give a chance please!

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Too underrated and deserves more attention

Honestly, this series deserves more attention, I feel like from the trailer of the series doesn't seem that enjoyable but once you watch it, it's honestly amazing. At first, I was kind of debating on if I should watch this or not since I thought it didn't look interesting but the plot and characters are so well developed it makes you want to continue watching.

The way the actors and actresses portray their characters is amazing. Their acting is so good that you will love some characters, hate some characters, and overall this series leaves you shocked by the very ending. The music wasn't that memorable in my opinion and I don't even remember the music in all honesty.

The thing I hate most about this series is that the ending, it leaves you upset that you didn't get the outcome you wanted and it makes you so sad. Overall, you should watch this series it's entertaining and I feel like the plot build-up makes it very entertaining and this is why it deserves more attention.

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