[Discussion] Woman
[Discussion] Woman
Woman
Information from Jdrama Weblog
Official Website
Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Station
NTV
Cast
Mitsushima Hikari, Tanaka Yuko, Oguri Shun, Kobayashi Kaoru, Nikaido Fumi, Tanimura Mitsuki, Suzuki Rio, Usuda Asami, Takahashi Issei
Story
Aoyagi Koharu (Mitsushima Hikari) is one of some 1 million single mothers in Japan. Her husband Makoto (Oguri Shun) was a globe-trotting mountain climber until he married her and they had children. He quit mountain climbing and switched to a safe job but ironically died in a freak accident. Koharu lives bravely for the sake of their two beloved children Nozomi (Suzuki Rio) and Riku despite the family’s poverty. One day, she is reunited with her mother Uesugi Sachi (Tanaka Yuko) whom she last met 10 years ago. Sachi divorced her husband and abandoned Koharu for love after a chance reunion with Kentaro (Kobayashi Kaoru), the man she liked from way back. Now she learns that she has two grandchildren …
New drama for this summer. Has it already been 2 years since Soredemo, Ikite Yuku? Maybe there will be something exciting following.....in the form of Woman. With the scriptwriter of Mother and Saikou no Rikon involved and of course the fantastic Hikari Mitsushima what can go wrong? Not much, if you ask me. Even with a storyline that sounds pretty average to me on first read, I think we might be in for a treat this summer with this drama. I'm looking forward to it!
Information from Jdrama Weblog
Official Website
Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Station
NTV
Cast
Mitsushima Hikari, Tanaka Yuko, Oguri Shun, Kobayashi Kaoru, Nikaido Fumi, Tanimura Mitsuki, Suzuki Rio, Usuda Asami, Takahashi Issei
Story
Aoyagi Koharu (Mitsushima Hikari) is one of some 1 million single mothers in Japan. Her husband Makoto (Oguri Shun) was a globe-trotting mountain climber until he married her and they had children. He quit mountain climbing and switched to a safe job but ironically died in a freak accident. Koharu lives bravely for the sake of their two beloved children Nozomi (Suzuki Rio) and Riku despite the family’s poverty. One day, she is reunited with her mother Uesugi Sachi (Tanaka Yuko) whom she last met 10 years ago. Sachi divorced her husband and abandoned Koharu for love after a chance reunion with Kentaro (Kobayashi Kaoru), the man she liked from way back. Now she learns that she has two grandchildren …
New drama for this summer. Has it already been 2 years since Soredemo, Ikite Yuku? Maybe there will be something exciting following.....in the form of Woman. With the scriptwriter of Mother and Saikou no Rikon involved and of course the fantastic Hikari Mitsushima what can go wrong? Not much, if you ask me. Even with a storyline that sounds pretty average to me on first read, I think we might be in for a treat this summer with this drama. I'm looking forward to it!
Last edited by MaiKitty on Jul 5th, '13, 10:11, edited 1 time in total.
Yeah, one of most anticipated drama for me too. Same production team made the series Mother. Tanaka Yuko was great in Mother. Suzuki Rio's role is difficult, I read that she plays someone who tries to act like an adult. There's a lot of hardship ahead for Koharu. Single mothers' income on average is a third of the average salary in Japan, I read somewhere.
Japanese blurb from newspaper/magazine
http://tieba.baidu.com/p/2346262000
Promo with Mitsushima Hikari and Suzuki Rio (Still captures of tv blurb)
Filming has started
http://photo.weibo.com/2414665100/wbpho ... 20sg0lc779
Japanese blurb from newspaper/magazine
http://tieba.baidu.com/p/2346262000
Promo with Mitsushima Hikari and Suzuki Rio (Still captures of tv blurb)
Filming has started
http://photo.weibo.com/2414665100/wbpho ... 20sg0lc779
A timely topic. Unless the single mom has a well-off and unusually supportive family (I can think of a couple of cases), mother and child are looking at a very grim slog. I can think of one family in which the dad has gone from "enjoying his drink" to "abusive drunk" over the course of three years (the family business being on life support is not helping) and the mom, though she clearly cares for her husband, is going to have to make a very tough choice for her and her seven-year-old kid. If she leaves, she's going to be crazy poor and will have to give up many of the dreams she has for her son, like a decent school.
This isn't a dorama plot - it's real life. I hope this dorama will do the subject some justice. Whew...that's some load to get off my chest.
This isn't a dorama plot - it's real life. I hope this dorama will do the subject some justice. Whew...that's some load to get off my chest.
A 15s teaser after the broadcast of the 9th ep. of Kumo no Kaidan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBykvc27oEI
And as a reminder, based on that chart on the japanese blurb,
Although the single mother storyline seems a bit lighter than Mitsushima's previous Soredemo Ikiteyuku, her role's life looks tragic as usual.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBykvc27oEI
And as a reminder, based on that chart on the japanese blurb,
Wow, thanks for sharing, Cyberwave. I'm sure it won't be as depressing as Soredemo but hopefully just as good. The trailer looks awesome and I just can't wait to see Hikari having the lead role in a drama. She absolutely rules the screen even if she only runs through the frame or says one little sentence.
It seems like John Lennons "Woman" is the theme song? Interesting.
It seems like John Lennons "Woman" is the theme song? Interesting.
Yes, she freaking rules, and I can't believe it's only the 1st time Hikari has leading role in TV dramas.MaiKitty wrote:Wow, thanks for sharing, Cyberwave. I'm sure it won't be as depressing as Soredemo but hopefully just as good. The trailer looks awesome and I just can't wait to see Hikari having the lead role in a drama. She absolutely rules the screen even if she only runs through the frame or says one little sentence.
Given the promising quality writer Sakamoto Yuji (It's the 3rd time he collabrates with Hikari as well), and those supporting cast with superb acting skills, I have really high expectations in this drama. So I hope it wouldn't turn out to be just a series of tear jerking moments, without digging deep in the current situation of single mother in Japan.
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I, too, am a big fan of Mitsushima Hikari. Between Amachan, this dorama and the upcoming Pan to Soup to Neko Biyori, the J-screen will be positively teeming with top female talents, real actresses with many impressive film and stage credits to their names. It's feast or famine, and I, for one, am ready for a feast!
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After reading the network WWW site info, sounds like a good drama to explain the situation of some working widowed women in Japan, but I'm concerned that the entire plot depends on people following the exact details of the Japanese welfare system, so this might be of less interest to people outside of Japan. Anyway, a drama is a drama, and even if some of the problems are some arbitrary restrictions set by some provision in some law, it is still a drama. Everyone in the welfare states has to live with this sort of stupidity, although the exact details may differ from country to country. We can't all move to Hong Kong, Singapore, etc. to live without these sort of endless rules.
kotsukotsu
Considering the fact that over 95% of doramas ever made never allow reality to intrude upon their noble mission to entertain the masses, I'd say your concerns are probably misplaced. Still, no one is forced to watch. I managed to miss the "Cinderella" dorama, and countless others of its kind, without the slightest difficulty.
As for single moms (or anyone without $$) living a life of glorious freedom in HK....
Considering the fact that over 95% of doramas ever made never allow reality to intrude upon their noble mission to entertain the masses, I'd say your concerns are probably misplaced. Still, no one is forced to watch. I managed to miss the "Cinderella" dorama, and countless others of its kind, without the slightest difficulty.
As for single moms (or anyone without $$) living a life of glorious freedom in HK....
http://www.ntv.co.jp/woman2013/chart/index.html
The official website has been updated with synopsis of the first episode and characters' description and relationship chart. Unfortunately it appears that the video preview for the first episode cannot be viewed outside Japan.
The official website has been updated with synopsis of the first episode and characters' description and relationship chart. Unfortunately it appears that the video preview for the first episode cannot be viewed outside Japan.
As predicted Woman is a cry-fest for me. I only watched raw/w japanese subs, but almost couldn't stand the first episode. It is so emotionally draining, that I'm not sure I'll watch it english subbed. I don't know why it is so hard for me to watch it, it wasn't even THAT sad.
That said, I think it is good. Maybe a little bit slow, as there is no real sense of direction where the story is going. But it was only the first episode.
That said, I think it is good. Maybe a little bit slow, as there is no real sense of direction where the story is going. But it was only the first episode.
It sure is a cry-fest! I think the first episode is at a right pace though. But I think they meant it for an introductionary episode as we get to see all the characters involved. And I think they directed it pretty well, the first part...
And the kids are adorable. Everybody did well in the first episode, needless to say, Mitsushima never really disappoints.
Episode 1 was indeed an introduction to the different people in this series. It felt very subdued, and soon very depressing. Tanaka Yuko is again a failed mother, but it feels so different from her role in Mother. Actually all of the cast, except Mitsushima Hikari san, feel different from the previous roles I've seen them in. Quite incredible in this industry that loves to type cast. It must be the director.
This is no criticism on Mitsushima san by the way. She's not so different in this because she's always extraordinary!
I'm looking forward to episode 2, but am also very worried about it becoming even more and and more
This is no criticism on Mitsushima san by the way. She's not so different in this because she's always extraordinary!
I'm looking forward to episode 2, but am also very worried about it becoming even more and and more
Woman episode 1 was really good. Got a bit teary there in the middle. A lot of room for back story and development for Koharu's relationship with her mother, not entirely sure of their emotions and thoughts during their conversation. The hardship and challenges in Koharu's life feel very real, though there are a nice balance of the brighter side of life too.
Living expenses in Japan are so expensive compared with wages. I remember a drama from the 90's where the single mother made 900 yen per hour as a supermarket cashier. And here over 15 years later, the hourly wage is still 900 yen per hour. And day care costs 800 yen per hour...
MaiKitty wrote:
Thanks for creating a discussion for Woman. Hikari Mitsushima in both movies and dramas deliver topnotch performances and I expect nothing else.
I think she will be given a lot of scenes to show her dramatic range and with Tanaka playing her mother, there are expectations as to their acting duels. Their first confrontation is awesome!
It's always good to have a drama written by a capable scriptwriter with a very talented cast. Too many mediocre shows (Last Cinderella for one and that Shota Matsuda-starrer where the actor magically jumps from one building to another as if he's Superman) have the Jdrama fans been bombarded with.
A quality drama/show is always a breath of fresh air.
I think she will be given a lot of scenes to show her dramatic range and with Tanaka playing her mother, there are expectations as to their acting duels. Their first confrontation is awesome!
It's always good to have a drama written by a capable scriptwriter with a very talented cast. Too many mediocre shows (Last Cinderella for one and that Shota Matsuda-starrer where the actor magically jumps from one building to another as if he's Superman) have the Jdrama fans been bombarded with.
A quality drama/show is always a breath of fresh air.
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This drama is so hard for me to watch because it reminds me so much of my childhood and how my own mother struggled working three jobs to support us.
There's one thing in episode 2 I am a little confused about though...
So far though the drama is really good. Mitsushima Hikari is a fantastic actress!
There's one thing in episode 2 I am a little confused about though...
Episode 3 reveals!
Great discussion! I have no idea other viewers are also speculating on the molesting issue and that Shiori is supposedly a victim, though it's still to be confirmed...
just dropping by to share this awesome theme song for the show. I love it the first time I heard them use it (that scene where Koharu was carrying little Riku up the stairs at the station). Great PV too by the way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI_rg-TnGNs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI_rg-TnGNs
Oh, I agree Riku is so adorable. What a cutie. And I love how Nozomi always looks after her younger brother. I think it is so amazing that children this young can act in these dramas, and you feel like they don't act, they are the characters. I think Japan has fantastic child actors! So much talent.
^Yep, I'll be very surprised if there is another twist to this, this is the way it'll go. I still think Shiori is selfishness incarnated, no matter what she does. Each and every action from her is selfish. In episode 7, when she finally confessed what she did to Koharu, she blamed her mother for the way she turned out! She doesn't tell her father what she has done, because he is the only one still thinking of her as a good child....gosh.
Even though it is quite predictable by now, I think Woman hit the slowest point in episodes 5&6. Episode 7 was better, and I really liked episode 8. I also feel kind of sorry for welfare-worker-san and his issues. Interested in where that'll go. And Yuki is a true friend!
Even though it is quite predictable by now, I think Woman hit the slowest point in episodes 5&6. Episode 7 was better, and I really liked episode 8. I also feel kind of sorry for welfare-worker-san and his issues. Interested in where that'll go. And Yuki is a true friend!
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Episodes 9 & 10 were amazing. I think if you compare Woman to Soredemo... and Mother in all the sadness, I think it is the most positive one, no matter how it'll end. And the reason for that is Koharu. She is an awesome woman. Strong until the end. She takes her children seriously and still allows them to be children. Of course, Hikari Mitsushima acts like a pro, but I also think that Koharu as a character is written wonderfully.
^ Indeed Koharu's character is written wonderfully, not that it's without flaws, but they manage to portray her really well, both as a woman and mother.
The ending might be open again, who knows...Soredemo didn't give us an ultimate conclusion and we're still hoping down the road, both the lead characters will be together. So maybe they'll leave it open again this time for Woman.
You know I watched the first few episodes again last night and still, I can't help but tear up at some scenes, this is a show I can watch repeatedly and still cry like a baby.
The ending might be open again, who knows...Soredemo didn't give us an ultimate conclusion and we're still hoping down the road, both the lead characters will be together. So maybe they'll leave it open again this time for Woman.
You know I watched the first few episodes again last night and still, I can't help but tear up at some scenes, this is a show I can watch repeatedly and still cry like a baby.
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Personally, I think they could do without the story with the social worker and the female doctor unless they are trying to mock and to draw attention to the current social welfare system in Japan(Someone's check got cut because the family brought flowers to the funeral). I don't see how their story contributes to making the story any better than it is. I'd rather they go more in depth with Shiori. I want to know more about her school life before she was bullied and after her incident with Shin. To me, Shiori is still a mystery person with a lot of question marks even at this stage of the story. She's obviously sorry for what she did and if she's not a match, I can see her taking her own life away as a last resort to repent. Her Mom and Dad may follow suit as well. Then the story will spin of of control into despair and sadness....
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Sorry for my misleading post, Fumiya is a character in Soredemo Ikite Yuku (if you're a fan of this drama, I recommend you watch this too, Mistushima Hikari (koharu) stars in the drama together with Eita). I was referring to the character in that drama. Nothing to do with this drama, but kind of similar, in a way.digitalcoconut wrote:am i missing something? what do you meant by..avieamber wrote:About Shiori
which one is Fumiya? what kid? which episode mention this? (i probably miss it coz im very novice in Japanese and watched it without subs). and im on 9th episode.
The sub-story - social worker and his wife. I don't know what relation they have with Koharu really, I guess that's just a subplot the writer decided to show like you said, the welfare situation in Japan. I agree they should've shown more depth into Shiori's life before Shin-incident happened too because it's just a story by Shiori's friend to her mother that we know about the bullying. But even that wasn't enough to justify her actions. Oh well, it'd be genius if somehow the subplot has some kind of twist in the end but I highly doubt so.
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^OIC. thanks for clarify that..
im downloading the 10th. so far, im loving this drama. i was skeptical after 1st and 2nd episode. too ordinary, too cliche i thought.. maybe because i have a high hope, i loved Mother and this drama have the same team behind it.
but the 3rd one made me changed my mind (when they revealed a bit about the Shin accident, 'molester' and about why Koharu have a bitter relationship with her mother)
im downloading the 10th. so far, im loving this drama. i was skeptical after 1st and 2nd episode. too ordinary, too cliche i thought.. maybe because i have a high hope, i loved Mother and this drama have the same team behind it.
but the 3rd one made me changed my mind (when they revealed a bit about the Shin accident, 'molester' and about why Koharu have a bitter relationship with her mother)
^You have to watch Soredemo, Ikite Yuku. It is kind of hard to me and if you ask me any other day I would give you a different answer, I guess but Soredemo is my favourite of the trinity that is Mother, SIY and Woman.
I guess, I'm the odd one out, but I enjoy the story of Shunsukes parents. It makes the dramaverse of Woman vaster. It shows that there isn't only the microcosmos of the family, there are other people with very real problems, problems the viewer can relate to. Because let's face it, Koharus situation is very special. Single parents are more often found in the form of Yuki or Shunsukes parents' - divorced couples who don't have sweet memories of the love of their life and who fight in front of their kids. Well, I just want to say I like the story for the realism it is adding to the story, and I also think it shows how hard it can be for the father in Japan.
I guess, I'm the odd one out, but I enjoy the story of Shunsukes parents. It makes the dramaverse of Woman vaster. It shows that there isn't only the microcosmos of the family, there are other people with very real problems, problems the viewer can relate to. Because let's face it, Koharus situation is very special. Single parents are more often found in the form of Yuki or Shunsukes parents' - divorced couples who don't have sweet memories of the love of their life and who fight in front of their kids. Well, I just want to say I like the story for the realism it is adding to the story, and I also think it shows how hard it can be for the father in Japan.
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