Netflix is set to release Romantics Anonymous, a new Japanese-Korean series that has been creating huge waves on the internet. Scheduled for October 16 release, the 8-episode show features well-known Japanese actor Oguri Shun and Korean Han Hyo Joo, and is adapted from the 2010 French-Belgian romantic comedy film of the same name.
The just-released trailer gives a peek into the bittersweet yet complex relationship between two vastly different people — both united by their shared love of chocolate. Han Hyo Joo plays Lee Ha Na, who is shy and tries not to make eye contact because of nervousness. Oguri Shun stars as Fujiwara Sosuke, a germaphobe chocolatier who has trouble with physical touch. Though they are not each other’s “type,” the couple repeatedly finds themselves thrown together in uncomfortable, witty, and poignant moments that push their limits — and slowly bring them closer.
The melodrama is not only about romance, but also explores emotional recovery and identity. Secondary characters also have an effect on the development of the central couple. Irene, who is both a doctor and therapist to Sosuke and Ha Na, assists the two in dealing with internal issues, although she herself struggles with alcoholism. Takada Hiroshi, an owner of a bar and Sosuke’s closest friend, happens to be an unsuspecting object of desire for Ha Na.
The cast also features Akanishi Jin, Nakamura Yuri, Narita Ryo, and Ito Ayumi, among others, to add richness and variety to the story.
With its irresistible setup, emotional depth, and exotic cultural mix, Romantics Anonymous will be a tear-jerking experience for lovers of offbeat romance — all served in a sumptuous, chocolate-scented wrapper.
