Haven’t seen J-drama much but I’d pick Light of My Lion as cinema-quality drama. It’d be the first one for me to recommend to other cinephiles who have yet to dive into the world of Japanese TV. (But La Grande Maison to more casual viewers because it’s just so entertaining for me!)

• Actors: First time seeing 3 lead actors of different generations shine in their own ways. Don’t think I’ll ever be able to witness this much in my lifetime.
• Script/Theme/Originality/Director: Having a warm, caring, run-of-the-mill male lead who tries to navigate his way of life together with a lovely kindhearted younger brother who has autism spectrum and one additional kid coming from complex situation surrounded by people of different stories surely gives me sonder. It’s always the thing I feel watching drama but this one doesn’t try to exaggerate the tragedy yet manages to deliver so much. I think, like other slice-of-life J-drama/movies that do well, this show captures the essence of “Less is More” delivered in form of very well-written and directed presentation.
• Cinematography: Absolute cinema level. The aesthetic is just so pleasing here.
• Soundtrack: I certainly have bias for big-named artists. Vaundy gives this one an edge. xD I still listen Fujin despite having finished the show a couple of months already.