Hard To Say I Love You (Sunao ni Narenakute)

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Drama: Hard to Say I Love You (International English title)
Romaji: Sunao ni Narenakute
Japanese: 素直になれなくて
Director: Michio Mitsuno, Mizuki Nishizaka
Writer: Eriko Kitagawa
Network: Fuji TV
Episodes: 11
TV Ratings: 11.2% (weekly average)
Release Date: April 15 - June 24, 2010
Runtime: Thursday 22:00
Language: Japanese
Country: Japan

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

"Sunao ni Narenakute" revolves around 5 young people who meet in Shibuya, Tokyo through popular microblogging site Twitter.

"Nakaji" (Eita) works as a photographer and follows in the foot steps of his father who also worked as a photographer.

"Haru" (Juri Ueno) is a temporary teacher at a private high school. She is insecure because of her temporary status. Tukiko Mizuno is also in a one-sided love with Nakaji.

"Peach" (Megumi Seki) keeps having an affair with her boss.

"Doctor" (Yeong Woong Jae Jung) is stressed over his bad business dealings.

"Rinda" (Tetsuji Tamayama) works in the glamorous publishing field. He is concerned with his impotence.

Cast



Eita	Juri Ueno	Kim Jae-Joong	Megumi Seki	Tetsuji Tamayama
Keisuke Nakaji	Tukiko Mizuno	Sonsu Park	Hikaru Nishimura	Kaoru Ichihara
"Nakaji"	"Haru"	"Doctor"	"Peach"	"Rinda"



Eri Watanabe	Haruka Igawa	Jun Fubuki	Koji Kikkawa
Mariko Okuda	Toko Yamamoto	Shoko Mizuno	Ryosuke Nakajima

Additional Cast Members:

Haruka Kinami - Min-Ha Park
Yuichi Nakamura - Shu Mizuno
Shogo Sakamoto - Kenta Matsushima
Ryo Ryusei - Masafumi Takahashi
Rina Aizawa - Yuki Maeda
Tetsushi Tanaka - Takashi Minehara
Toshihide Tonesaku - Takafumi Shiraishi
Mayumi Asaka - Misako Ichihara
Sayaka Kotani
Takahiro Matsukawa - Kato
Asaya Kimijima - ep.7
Toshiya Toyama - ep.10
Jyonmyon Pe
Yasuto Kosuda
Yuichiro Nakayama
Noriyoshi Tsumura

Trailers

Episode Ratings

Episode	Date	Ratings (Kanto Region)
01	04/15/2010	11.9%
02	04/22/2010	13.2%
03	04/29/2010	10.8%
04	05/06/2010	10.3%
05	05/13/2010	10.9%
06	05/20/2010	11.6%
07	05/27/2010	11.6%
08	06/03/2010	11.8%
09	03/10/2010	10.4%
10	06/17/2010	9.9%
11	06/24/2010	10.8%
Average		11.2%

Source: Video Research, Ltd.

Comments

Helena Mar 22 2018 3:38 am The drama had good potential. It would have been better as a comedy though. Linda's story was more interesting than the Ueno-Eita drama. The love-line between Tamayama and Eita was not realistic. A very odd couple. This is one of the first Japanese dramas I've seen. I've been on a binge of them lately after discovering Japanese actor Tamayama Tetsuji. The storylines of Japanese dramas are quite good and they have creative plots, but the realization isn't that great. The acting is too stilted and the lines don't ring real. The dramas look low-budget. I don't like the recent spate of Korean dramas–they have taken a turn for the worse by trying to appeal to the kpop crowd–but Koreans can make the occasional good one. I thought Jaejoong was OK in this drama. He suits these slice of life Japanese dramas. I prefer him in Japanese dramas than Korean ones.

Kou Dec 11 2015 6:03 pm I just want to answer some comment below. Jaejoong may not be a good actor here, but i believe it is one of his first drama series. He is not that good but he is not that bad either. I think he just portrayed his role here perfectly or he is not that so much behind in acting in comparison with the others. I love all the cast, and it is also a great story. I love Eita and Ueno Juri.

Grim Oct 27 2014 10:28 pm Can anyone tell me the song that plays when the episodes start up with the title showing?

awindydreamer Sep 02 2014 4:06 am This is just my opinion, I love the first 5 episodes because I felt the love chemistry and their character between Haru and Nakaji. But what I don't like is the character of Haru which is getting like "I don't care about Nakaji" or "I love Doctor more than Nakaji" at the end of some episodes before the ending. The chemistry between Haru-Nakaji is getting blurred and unclear when you see after eps 5. Also the ending, I was unsatisfied with the ending, I want like more conversations and scenes at the end between Haru-Nakaji. And one more, I was pissed off when Haru was looking for Nakaji at the airport, I was so irritated. I was like "why didn't she just call his name like 'Nakaji! Nakaji!'" That's all. This is just my review. ちょっとイラっとしたけど、まあまあ良いドラマだったよ。

fadhil Feb 10 2013 10:08 am I like japanese dorama so much. I bought this movie just to see how much different ueno in this movie. very well there is much more corner can be get more depth. why jae-joong? bad actor and ending story very ambigu. we need the climax !!

Esteban Oct 18 2012 8:08 pm Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Internet explorer. I'm not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I'd post to let you know. The style and design look great though! Hope you get the issue resolved soon. Many thanks

LittleL Mar 23 2012 4:47 am I'm currently watching this and I like it very much (I'm at episode 5). I don't agree with the comment under me, it's a nice drama with good actors and a decent plot. I admit it's nothing amazing but come on, it's a slice of life serie, it doesn't need a special FBI force or a complex plot to be good. I like all the actors so far and I don't see why people think Jaejoong is a bad actor. True; he's not the best but that doesn't mean he's bad either. Just because there are girls who fangirl all over him doesn't mean haters are right to say he's bad just because they want to argue with those types. I admit I'm a fan of him (I like DBSK/JYJ a lot) but I can honestly say that I like his character and him as actor without being extremely biased. The rest of the cast is good too, they fit their characters and they play so well :) I can't wait to see how things will go in the end, it's one of the better drama's I know :)

Nijin Jan 29 2012 3:19 am It started out ok, but the story wasn't well-developed. Why focus on the Doctor-Haru love story when it's plain as day that they are not compatible, and that there are MORE important/interesting storylines, such as Linda's and Peach??

I watched this for Eita, Ueno and Tetsuji and I can't believe the drama focused more on Jaejoong's character. Awful and unnecessary character (plus the sister is irritating and creepy) , and it didn't help that Jaejoong is a bad actor. NOt sure about now, but in this drama he was definitely not the best actor.

And the ending is as ambiguous as ever. Let's just all watch Last Friends, and wait for a better Ueno-Eita drama.

"nakaji" Oct 18 2011 10:36 am Tracks used in dis jdorama~

Love Actually - Glasgow Love Theme Love Actually - Portuguese Love Theme Nadia Oh – Got Ur Number Slumdog Millionaire – Riots Stereophonics – Maybe Tomorrow The Holiday – Busy Guy - Hans Zimmer & Henry Jackman The Holiday – Cry - Hans Zimmer, Lorne Balfe & Heitor Pereira The Holiday – If I Wanted to Call You - Hans Zimmer & Atli Örvarsson The Holiday – Iris and Jasper - Hans Zimmer & Lorne Balfe The Holiday – Maestro - Hans Zimmer The Holiday – Separate Vacations - Hans Zimmer, Lorne Balfe & Imogen Heap The Holiday – The 'Crowch - Hans Zimmer, Heitor Pereira, Lorne Balfe & Imogen Heap The Republic Tigers – Fight Song (Sunao ni Narenakute Version) The Ting Tings – Be the One The Ting Tings – Great DJ The Ting Tings – Keep Your Head The Ting Tings – That’s Not My Name Weaver – Hard to Say I Love You (Conversation Mix) Weaver – Hard to Say I Love You (Sunao Mix) WEAVER - Hard To Say I Love You ~Ii Dasenakute

Chisato Oct 11 2011 7:33 pm Assistindo por causa do Jae Joong... S2

lolizerr Aug 24 2011 5:46 am in sunao ni narenakute, ueno cute o^.^o

xxjenjaexx Aug 08 2011 11:11 am i remember i started to watch this drama because of jaejoong and i was immediatley hooked on the first episode, all the actors were amazing and i became a fan of ueno juri!

holly Jul 30 2011 10:01 am watched this for the first time tonight with some dorm friends, and it was fun pointing out the random spots in Tokyo that they filmed in (i'm living in nerima-ku for the summer ^_^)

as for people asking names of songs, I was surprised because I recognized almost all of them, hahah. They usually used songs by the English (as in, from Britain) band "The Ting Tings", such as Local DJ, That's Not My Name, etc.

Lu Jun 22 2011 5:27 pm does any one know the songs used in the first epi? plz reply !

Jun Jun Jan 30 2011 4:31 pm This drama was just like Last Friends but without the DV or the character development. The story started out well, but just went backwards. There was little character development and no real plot progress. Probably one of the worst dramas I have ever seen. I love Eita and Juri, and I hope their next drama will be better.

analeeze Jan 26 2011 11:21 pm I've always loved Eita-Ueno tandem! :) The story is just so heart wrenching. :( Definitely one of the best I've ever seen. Although, yes, the ending was somewhat a disappointment. Nevertheless. EITA!

Kyouko_Nyanko Dec 19 2010 5:51 pm Some people need lives if they're only watching this drama for jaejoong throughout the entire drama...just sayin'. It's such an interesting and....well..touching drama, and if for this entire drama you're watching it just to see one person talk.... what a waste of the drama <.<....

Throughout this entire drama its just like...somethings tickling my heart for some reason. The characters have this awkward love shape (more than a triangle...not quite a pentagon....) and its like... AHHHH JUST BE HONEST ALREADY!...

...but then again this drama is called "I can't be Honest" :P so....

Anyway! It's a great drama, touching though in a sad way.....

so glad my mom made me watch this! haha

qeyzn Dec 07 2010 1:19 am aaah~~ i have to say this, he's the most beautiful japanese drama actor now.. hehe..

qeyzn Dec 07 2010 1:17 am jae joong oppa... ^^tsuki da, omae ga^^ jaejoong's the main reason i'm going to watch this drama.. the torrents are getting slower nowadays.. *point to be noted, jaejoong's japanese are getting so much better.. i think people might confused him as a real japanese in the future.. ^^oppa, fighting!!!^^

Rei Sep 23 2010 7:57 pm I haven't seen it yet, but i'm start to download it now. Don't know much 'bout Jaejoong, but I rather like Ueno Juri (Nodame Cantabile) and Eita (Voice) of course. So I'll give it a try since the rating quite high

dramafreak Aug 26 2010 3:40 am i hate bursting people's bubbles, but i have to say, the ending was a disappointment for me... i can't believe they finished the series like that! i wish they made an SP, just so that they could tie up all the loose ends T_T probably never gonna happen though...

pupunk hoon Aug 16 2010 11:56 pm Minna san..How can i get the full OST..want it badly..Thanks for reply..

hale Jul 26 2010 1:34 am i can't believe that BrendaRahRah would use such racist terms as "jap drama" in this site that reviews jdramas. Perhaps BrendaRahRah should watch dramas from other countries.

nonsibi Jul 07 2010 9:35 pm

42 - Kriciachua, it's E. Kitagawa's screen-writing, a complicated youth love story. Enjoy watching it...

kriciachua Jul 06 2010 4:58 pm I started watching this yesterday and I just need to finish the last two episodes .. I watched it because Juri Ueno was there .. Until I was drowned unto it .. The love story was so complicated that I can't even relate or understand it .. And I have difficulty in understanding what really love is .. What is love ? I've been reading articles about this but I can't really understand it .. XD By the way, I really love this drama .. Even the song like Great DK of The Ting Tings .. :)

mrsjaejoong Jun 16 2010 10:05 am honestly when i first heard it i thought it would be stupid because it involved twitter even though jaejoong was in it. i got curious to see jaejoongs acting and i wanted to support him so i watched the first episode and now im hooked!!!!! i love this drama and it keeps me at the edge of my seat the entire time. im so glad i watched it and now im waiting for episode 10. I NEED TO SEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! all five actors are amazing and i soo love the love "circle" that is going on in the drama, i have a feeling that cute jaejoong is not going to end up with haru but i guess thats ok FIGHTING!!!!!!

Veith Jun 15 2010 4:09 pm i first learned about this drama because jaejoong is starring in it...but as the series progress i'm hooked...great drama

nonsibi Jun 14 2010 3:11 pm I think it is wise to put Jaejoong in this drama although his acting is not that bright. He is still learning and practicing his Japanese. It is nice to see an actor with muscle between skinny one :) I love watching E. Kitagawa's dramas, she is a good screenwriter/writer. Ganbatte!!

Mimichiro Jun 13 2010 12:58 pm L O V E this drama! Is it really just 11 episodes? The story line is AWESOME and they couldn't have casted a better group of actors for it! OMG just finished watching episode 9 and was like O_O!!!

nhs Jun 05 2010 5:50 pm and btw, the "imagine all the girls a-a-a-a-a and the boys a-a-a-a..etc" song is "great dj" by ting ting tings. if anyone has the full tracks list, please share it here.

BrendaRahrah May 29 2010 2:12 pm This is definitely not a typical cliched drama that jumped out of a romance novel. The story line is really awesome and not forgetting to mention, the way it's filmed. one of the few jap dramas that got me so hooked on.

beneva May 29 2010 8:42 am Reunion eita n juri.....can't wait! Yes...its like Asunaro hakusho modern version. The most my dorama fave ever. Curious with jaejong act skill. Proud to writer....good job!

kishasland May 28 2010 7:33 am I am now watching this dorama, it is great!! The storyline is refreshing and not so typical. Looking forward to the remainder of the series.

noi May 24 2010 6:48 am @19: you're not alone. most of jdrama fans might want to watch this because: 1. eita-juri couple, or 2. kitagawa eriko-sensei, or 3. both of them ^^ anyway, this kind of angst plot reminds me of last friends. is it just me or eita looks more handsome here? ///<

des May 20 2010 3:39 pm Love this drama but this is like a grown-up version of Asunaro Hakusho, a Saimon Fumi drama aired in 1993 that was scripted by the same scriptwriter.

There are 5 young people in the group, 2 women, 3 men. The leading female character is optimistic, strong, and innocent, and is in love with the leading male character. While the leading male also has feelings for the leading female, he has too much baggage, so he does not pursue the leading female (at least not right away anyway). The leading male has a troubled girlfriend who gets jealous of the leading female, so she harasses her. Among the group, one of the guys has feelings for the leading male. The leading female's best friend, i.e. the other girl in the group, has feelings for the guy who likes the leading male. The leading female's best friend gets pregnant and decides to raise the child on her own. The third guy in the group is in love with the leading female, and although the leading female only has eyes for the leading male, he still sticks around to protect and pursue her.

Sunao ni Narenakute and Asunaro Hakusho both seem to share the same backbone?

Kia May 20 2010 9:14 am I really love this drama so far. The writing for it is amazing! Yes, I did only hear about this drama because Jaejoong was in it but after the first minute of the first episode I was hooked. {the part with the blood coming from the door} I watch this every Thursday! And I tend to forget Jaejoong is even in it, since there's so many stories and his acting in his role is very convincing!

But right now I'm a bit upet because in the 6th episode Haru starts dating Songsu. This REALLY makes me mad because she loves Nakaji NOT Songsu. You can't just date a guy because he saved your life. I really think this is going to end horribly for Songsu. But anyway, this is a great show! I want to watch more of Kitagawa's stuff! :D

((and i also agree with blahblahblah's comment: I really hope there's people out there who are watching the show to support IT and not just for jaejoong. if he werent in it and it was still just as good I'd still watch it.))

Blahblahblah May 17 2010 10:36 am Such typical fangirl responses. Can we have some intelligent audience members instead of hormonal, salivating boyfriendless girls who worship the dirt under an entertainer's feet? Thank you.

grace May 12 2010 4:03 pm kyaaaaaah ! jaejoong oppa ?? i'll not gonne miss this kyahahah ! xD

XxReina-Chan1xX May 11 2010 12:44 pm I only began watching this when I had heard that Hero Jaejoong ((♥)) would be in it. Now I'm addicted and am looking forward to the next episode! ^_^

                                           ♥♥♥♥♥♥ Jaejoong Oppa is the best! XD ♥♥♥♥♥♥

Jayce May 09 2010 11:16 am JaeJoong Oppa Hwaiting <3

khloud May 03 2010 5:34 am iam watching it becuz of hero jaejoong :)

mmjae May 01 2010 9:02 pm when i found this my jaw dropped on the floor in a place where it could never be found. i'm so excited for this ~!! I love jaejoong and ueno juri <3333 best of all it came out on my birthday =]

zarah Apr 30 2010 11:56 am god i'm getting impatient waiting for the next episode!! XD love the eita-juri tandem since summer time machine blues :D

indieFox Apr 26 2010 1:55 pm does anyone know where I can find the tracklist of songs which were played during the secound episode? There was an english song I liked where Peach&Rinda talked in the cafe...

Coco Apr 25 2010 6:13 pm AWWWWWW sing get splashed with that water was just plain terrible.....poor hero i just hope hes not the one that dies at the end of the drama ......ill cry if does .....in fact i cried when his boss was mean to him .....TU LO PUEDES HACER NO TE RINDAS TuT

CHINYEO Apr 21 2010 12:46 am jaejoong is very cute & so sweet when hear him talk! but he appear very short timing in Ep1.... hope to see more of him the next episode. but poor thing he get splash with water.... I wonder how many hearts are broken seeing him being treated in the drama....

IsabellaLi Apr 20 2010 2:00 pm I love Ueno Juri and Eita! I was so happy when I found out they'd be co-starring in a drama together and was not disappointed with the first episode. I'm looking forward to seeing how their relationship grows and seeing the side characters getting fleshed out.

dramafreak Apr 20 2010 5:33 am am i the only watching this for ueno juri and eita? anyways, first ep came out with subs!! loving it already - have watched it three times XD too bad next ep hasn't even aired yet *sigh

iulia Apr 19 2010 12:50 pm does anybody know the song from the teaser:D?....

Sherry-Casseast Apr 17 2010 3:35 am my GOD!! i want to watch this film... but i can't... huhuuhu... hwaiting Jaejoong oppa... cassiopeia alwayz love you... ^^ <3

jaella Apr 16 2010 1:02 pm waaaaaaaaaaa I LOV HIM!!!!!! is so cute fighting jaejoong!!!!♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

hyung Apr 15 2010 5:55 am reaallllly like jaejoongie... i watch because jj too..!!!

paoieee Apr 14 2010 11:27 pm Jae joong! im only watching this because of jj. idk the other artists... exciting plot. haha

JinKazama Apr 08 2010 5:54 am Wow, Jae Joong is my favorite artist! I wish I have a chance to watch this! ^_^

jaejoong_is_my_fever Apr 07 2010 12:04 pm yaaayyyy!!! i'm so going to watch thiss..can't wait..jaejoong oppa is in it>>>i know this will rock..i just know..bcz he is there i'll love it>>

sarah Apr 05 2010 12:21 am Jae Joong I love u.. always want to see u in the movie:D

zahra Mar 26 2010 1:15 am owh no!! my favourite!!! Ueno-Eita-JAejoong!!!

My God! i love who making this this three favourite of mine is gathering!!!haha..

wyy Mar 16 2010 2:44 am i watch becos of jaejoong! yea yeaa.

jaejoongsaranghae Mar 15 2010 10:40 am I want to watching it just becuse my jae star in, and ueno juri too. But, my Jae be a Doctor,, OMG,, i'm really impatient to see him.. Jae saranghae

luvJJ Mar 15 2010 7:36 am only Jaejoong !!

I watch becuz of him .

intan Mar 11 2010 2:57 pm oh my gooodd!! im so looking forward to this! eita-ueno juri-tetsuji tamayama-jaejong in one screen!! cant waiiiiittt~~~

sly Mar 09 2010 6:25 am oh em gee Hero-Juri-Eita love triangle oh em gee really couldn't ask for more...oh wait, just wish Hero could keep up with Juri-chan's acting prowess...hihi ^^

JJ Mar 09 2010 1:58 am Jaejoong plays a role of a Korean man who moved to Japan with his younger sister five years ago from Korea.

Through twitter, he receives support from Haru (Juri Ueno) and gradually starts to have a loving feeling toward her.

Thats what dbskknights said

HeroJJ_love Mar 07 2010 12:27 am only wanna watch iit because Jaejoongie is in it <3

Xangai Mar 03 2010 3:56 pm I'd love Hero in this drama. I'm eager to see his potential :p

twitter Mar 03 2010 2:36 am so who is Hero Jaejoong in the story? the doctor??

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Hard To Say I Love You (Sunao ni Narenakute)

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Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

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