Ayase Haruka returns in “Hitori De Shinitai”

As a child, Narumi Yamaguchi always looked up to her Aunt Mitsuko (Sayaka Yamaguchi) for her stylish lifestyle which focused on career more than creating a family, and as she grew up Narumi (Haruka Ayase) followed in pretty much the same way- dedication to her job (as a museum curator), a carefree homelife with a cat, and her personal hobby obsessing over 

No thought had even been given for things like starting a family or even looking for a romantic partner, but when her Aunt Mitsuko passes away one day and Narumi learns that she died isolated, alone and unnoticed by relatives or neighbors for DAYS before discovery, this puts into her mind a fear of getting old and suffering the same lonely fate!

 She knows she has to change her mindset, and begins her new resolve with the slogan "I DON'T WANT TO DIE ALONE!" posted upon her wall! She must re-enter the dating pool, and to that end, has created a profile on a marriage app and announces to her amused co-workers that she is currently seeking a marriage partner! 

 her new mantra: "I Don't Want To Die Alone!"

The pickings, however, are slim, and the ones who DO choose her seem to be all of a much older set. She realizes she herself may not be much of a catch as a 30-something cat lady, and bemoans  her luck!

 A studious and stoic co-worker of hers overhears her lofty boasts of entering the dating field as well as her complaints of inability to meet ‘the one”, and confronts her, asking her just WHAT she expects out of marriage. His name is Yuya Nasuda (Hayato Sano), and unlike Narumi, seems to have no delusions about the realities of marriage. 

He points out that most are only looking for someone to take care of elder parents and do housework, and even if they DO find the right partner, how does that future extend to happiness? True, you won’t be alone, but your partner may pass before you and leave you alone anyway. And Kids? Unless they’re raised right, even THEY may not be around for you at the end.

This is a blow to Narumi, who is discovering there may not be a happy ending for her even if she DOES find someone. And just what is so wrong about the way she has been living, anyway? “I was happy, I was content!” she thinks. 

She has a moment of enlightenment when her cat sits on her motivation banner and covers up the "Don't" part in "I Don't Want To Die Alone". 

Reading it again, she then she realizes that this sudden rush to get married is rooted in the fears of dying in an abandoned way like her aunt, and NOT in pursuit of happiness-  that it isn’t about HAVING someone- it’s about planning things right and taking care to NOT end up the same way. 

 The saying “I Don’t want to Die Alone” is then taken back by her and repurposed with a NEW motto: I want to life my life to the fullest by myself…and I WANT to Die Alone!!!” With this new mindset, Narumi starts her new step for a meaningful life living alone while taking care to ensure she is doing things to have a good passing as well! 

New mantra: "I WANT to Die Alone!"

She will have to convince those around her, (especially her old parents, who are VERY concerned for her future’s well being), but she plans to make a go at it- and who knows? With the like-minded Nasuda around, romance may be closer and more inevitable than she thinks! 

In any case, should be a FUN journey!

 As you all know, I LOVE Haruka Ayase- with her 2007 drama “Hotaru no Hikari” she almost singlehandedly brought me back to the J-drama world, and I’ve always tried to see everything she’s done, and I was excited when they announced this drama weeks back!  When I clicked on the drama site and saw episode one up, I wasted NO TIME grabbing it and watching it!!!

Not quite sure where this drama is going (it gives me the vibes of her 2014 drama “Kyo wa Kaisha Yasumimasu”, but as this drama breaks out into song (which Ayase herself seems to be singing), I guess it’s more like a wacky, loose comedy? 

In any case, it’s only 6 episodes long, so definitely worth sticking around for! 

 BTW, Ya gotta hand it to Sayaka Yamaguchi- in this drama she's playing a stylish and svelte Aunty, why just the other week I was watching her as the over-the-top crazy Mother in “Dear My Baby” with murderous intentions on Kota Nomura!

Sayaka Yamaguchi: From Stylish:

...to Stalkerish!!!

Kota Nomura: "Yikes!"

LOL

Postedby zdorama @ zdoramaagain.blogpsot.om

Dear My Baby: Watashi ga Anata wo Shihai suru Made

Dear My Baby: Watashi ga Anata wo Shihai suru Made

Keiko Yoshikawa (Yuki Matsushita) is a passionate and driven talent manager who has just been unceremoniously dumped by her latest star Reina just as she attains super-stardom, leaving her feeling betrayed and discarded by someone she has cared for with all her heart over the years.

Stumbling the streets in despair after the news, she bumps into a young man whom she immediately sees as star-making material, and, forgetting her sadness, jumps at the chance of discovering and nurturing a new talent! Below: Life has no meaning anymore!

...or DOES it?

A chance encounter in the street

Yoshikawa expressing her desire to sign him and make him a star.

He's on board!

His name is Takuto Moriyama (Kota Nomura), and as a guy who has dealt with abandonment issues all his life, warms to the kind and appreciable words from Yoshikawa’s mouth. He shyly agrees to become her new protege, and within weeks is on his way! But he will find that he may have gotten himself into a situation he can’t get out of: For as passionate as Keiko is about making him a star, her over-the-top possessiveness with him will be greater and, perhaps due to her earlier betrayal, will seek to keep and control every single aspect of his life in the days to come!!

At first, Yoshikawa makes good on her word to get Takuto in the door. And though he doesn't seem to have much actual talent, she stays by him and coaches him mercilessly every day, wanting him to be the best he can be for his auditions...

 However, when the casting agents and directors don't warm up to Takuto, we see that Yoshikawa can be dangerous and aggressive in getting her way, using favors, psychological tricks and even flat out BLACKMAIL to force the agencies to hire her new charge. Underhanded and conniving, she ALWAYS gets her way!!

Though Takuto is too naive to see how unhinged Yoshikawa can be at first, outsiders can tell what’s going on right away and try to warn him. One person who really shows concern for him is actress Miyu Nagumo (Yurika Nakamura), Takuto's female co-star in the drama they are in together. She takes a shine to him and eventually becomes his safe harbor away from Yoshikawa’s talons.

And as Miyu and Takuto’s relationship deepens from co-stars to perhaps something more, so does Yoshikawa’s OBSESSIVE grip on him, creating tensions that continue to build up until its' inevitable explosion….

HAHAHA, oh MY, I do LOVE an over-the top stalker story, and at the halfway mark DEAR MY BABY is checking off all the boxes! Utterly fantastical and entirely predicable in its storylines, it's nonetheless one of the most ENTERTAINING shows on right now!!

PS: I also love how loveable Yuki Matsushita has been making a new career playing these crazy stalker-y Mom figures- you all may remember her turn as Fuka Koshiba’s possessive mommy in “Tokusatsu Ga Ga Ga”, and here we have her turned up to 11!!!!

GOTTA see what happens NEXT!!!!