Season 1 |
Episode Guide
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Released on TBS in Japan from October-December 2022, I Will Be Your Bloom (Kimi no Hana ni Naru) is a Japanese drama about a J-pop boy band on their way out. They’ve already lost one member to the pressure and the remaining seven are falling apart.
As the clock ticks toward an inevitable appointment with their company CEO, they’re given a lifeline when their manager brings in a new ‘housemother’ to look after them. She convinces them to fight on before their contract expires in six months.
Like many Japanese dramas, it’s not particularly polished and spends less time on musical performances than you may imagine. It’s more about the inner-workings of the group and how they subtly influence each other and are encouraged by the new ‘adult’ on the scene.
While it’s not over-produced, it’s also not over-glamorized. From what we’ve seen in recent world news, the life of a popstar is probably a lot more difficult and restrictive than this. And the ‘adults’ as they’re referred to, a whole lot more controlling.
But this is about a group on its way out, so part of the story is that they receive little attention. And it shows in the absence of both opportunity and direction.
The new housemother, Asuka, is anything but harsh. As a former schoolteacher who even taught one of the group members, she offers kind wisdom to each individual, reminiscent of her school counselling days. Eventually we get into why she’s no longer a teacher – she’d flunked out.
Spending all her time helping other teachers keen to push off workload as well as helping students on an individual level, she gets caught out when she drops a ball, coupled with a parent’s complaint and eventually exits in disgrace.
Now, more than a year later, she applies for a well-paying job that includes room and board – a too-good-to-be-true offer that lands her with a bunch of discouraged young men, including a familiar face who’d witnessed her previous failure, plus a huge mess of a dormitory. As she sets things to rights, they each start to build confidence.
It’s the song-writer Dan who’d been inspired and then disappointed by Asuka as a teacher. In episode 1 we witness how she’d encouraged him to do something with his music-centered dream. And eventually how betrayed he’d felt when she suddenly disappears from school.
Honda Tsubasa plays the housemother. The group are played by young actors, but some of them may be familiar, including Takahashi Fumiya from the Kamen Rider series reboot, who plays Dan.
The first episode is a little dry, but several 45-minute episodes in and you start to see something materialize as each character gains hope. And by the last several chapters, you’re as sucked in as their fanbase of Bloomys.
The story covers everything from the stress of song-writing and leadership across to fans, super-fans and anti-fans, betrayals and giving up on personal interests for the betterment of the group. There’s a flash of romance and an interesting CEO (you can tell it’s a female scriptwriter) but it’s mostly an ensemble piece.
It doesn’t end exactly as you guess it will. But it’s also a satisfying end. If you’re not bothered about HD quality and interested in the inner-workings of the pop industry, it’s a fun and emotional watch accompanied by cheerful J-pop sounds and modicum of youthful angst. Catch the full series on Netflix or Bilibili with subtitles.
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Verdict - 7.5/10
7.5/10
Hi Tiaragirl,
Yes, I so agree – J-drama does have a certain something that’s different. Although I have favorite K-dramas and C-dramas too (totally agree about Yang Yang! & I LOVED The Untamed), J-drama is my go-to for a charming watch.
For more Asian stories about musicians, try ‘idol dramas’ which star singers (idols) and often (but not always) include music as part of the story. You can search idol drama on TRG.
Hope that’s helpful. Thanks for reading and for commenting!
Hey Maggie,
Yes, this drama is Japanese. The band was formed for the story and released an album with music from the series. But from what I’ve seen, they’ve not continued as a band, unfortunately.
Yes, BTS is Korean. If you enjoyed watching a story about musicians, there are plenty more. You can often find Asian drama starring singers (so, often with a musical element to the story) if you select ‘idol dramas.’
Hope that’s helpful. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Val,
Great news you enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I’ve not yet seen news of a season 2. But you never know… I’ll keep my eyes peeled.
Thanks for reading and for commenting!
Hi Will,
I’ve done some research but not been able to confirm the shooting location. If I find out, I’ll be sure to comment on this thread.
Thanks for reading and for watching!
Hi Mina,
So many readers agree with you – and me too!
Thanks for reading and for commenting!
Hi Yesy,
I’m so with you! Bring on Season 2 🙂
Thanks for reading and for commenting!
As someone who has been immersed in Kdramas for the past year and a half due to severe illness, I had pretty much run through all of them. Then I started on Cdramas, but there are too many episodes and I am not interested in Fairy Stories or gamer stories and their ilk (although I will watch ANYTHING with Yang Yang). So, I started watching Jdramas and found them quite different from what I expected. So, this was quite endearing to watch and I enjoyed a different take on the trappings of fame in only ten episodes, to boot! I will be watching more, for sure. . .
I didn’t realize this was Japanese. the Female lead looked very familiar to the woman in the KDrama King the Land. I’m totally hooked on these heartfelt Asian Dramas. So great with no commercial breaks and with minimum of violence and lots of weaving in of secondary plots. I watch on Netflix and am noticing that US Netflix is starting to run Japanese and Chinese dramas. When I don’t hear the traditional Korean “ hello how are you” I now know I must be in a different cultural landscape than
Korea. This film made me what to know more about BTS ( they are Korean correct?) I thought that’s was who Chaney was representing ( am I wrong?).
I was apprehensive abt watching. I thought it would be too young for me. I enjoyed alot and found myself shedding tears towards the end.
I look forward to a 2nd season but hope it doesn’t ruin the storyline.
Does anyone know which city in Japan this was filmed in?
Hi Mina,
Agree, they definitely left a space to continue the romance and the story. Maybe if we all cheer loud enough, they’ll hear us in Japan 🙂
Thanks for reading and for commenting! Be sure to let us know what you’d like to read about next.
Oh wow, that’s great! It’s a nice intro to Asian drama and there are so many more from which to choose. Be sure to let us know what you try next – there are plenty of recommendations right here on TheReviewGeek 🙂
I literally loved the first season I wish they would make more seasons so I can binge on them over and over again. The romance between Asuka and Dan is so cute and would love it to bloom into something more than just friends.
One of my favorite series ever!! I recently started watching asian dramas and this has to be one of my favorites. I really hope they make a season 2, where Dan and Asuka are together🥰
Hi Kikaki,
IKR? I’ll keep my eyes peeled for S2 – I wouldn’t mind another round 🙂
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Pls want season 2.plzzzss
Hi Yumi,
So pleased you enjoyed it. The soundtrack appears to be on Apple Music. Enjoy the tunes!
Thanks for reading & commenting
So pleased you liked this little gem 🙂
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Never! But pleased to hear you’re enjoying it 🙂
Be sure to let us know what you think once you’ve finished the series.
Thanks for reading & commenting!
Where can we get the soundtrack for this? or at least the songs they sang on the series?
I hope there is a season 2 !! I want to see Dan and Asuka together! The whole time I was waiting for them to kiss and they never did they only hugged. I expected more with the relationship honestly but other than that I liked it a lot!!!
I hope that season 2 comes! Almost ready with season 1 and l hoor that Asaka and Dan comes together 😍 2 chapters to go please no spoiler 🤣
Hey Robin, thanks for reading and for commenting! I haven’t seen indication of yet. But I will keep my eyes peeled and follow up. If there is an S2, who would you hope to see with Asuka?
Loved it! Is there going to be a season 2?