I suppose it makes sense that the first Japanese Drama that I review stars Oguri Shun in the leading role, since he is by far one of my favourite Japanese actors. So, Rich Man, Poor Woman is the first to make it on to my blog, but it won't be, by any means, the last.
Unlike K-dramas, J-doramas tend to have a shorter run time, ranging from 10 to 11 episodes and lasting 45 to 50 minutes. While sometimes, it can feel as if the drama hasn't really delved into everything possible, it can also make for a well put together and compact tale. Rich Man, Poor Woman falls under the well put together category.
Basically, the title is self-explanatory. We have a rich man, Hyuga Toru (Oguri Shun), founder and C.E.O of Next Innovation. It is the leading computer design company in Japan, growing daily and constantly producing new an innovative products. It is at the forefront of its sector and full of promise. Hyuga is the typical computer geek, meaning he is skilled in developing new technologies, but not so skilled in dealing with people. He has zero tact, and his direct and to the point nature comes over as condescending and insulting to those around him. Hyuga is a further enigma, due to a peculiar malady, which causes him simply forget the names of people he has met, or even worse, forget the people all together. We witness this repeatedly and most clearly, through his assistant Yasuoka (Asari Yosuke) whose name he doesn't know even though Yasuoka has worked for him for a number of years.
Then, there is the poor woman, Natsui Makoto (Ishihara Satomi). She is a final year Tokyo University student caught up in the massive job search of recent graduates. She is a talented and bright individual with a photographic memory, however, she has been unsuccessful in her job search. She attends a job interview at Next Innovation and is immediately dismissed with hundreds of other candidates, simply because Hyuga won't interview anyone who doesn't currently have three other job offers. With no offers on her plate, something overcomes her and she rises in protest. She gives a moving speech, but that has no effect on the tactless and socially repressed Hyuga. Interestingly, she gives her name as Sawaki Chihiro, which strangely but, clearly has an affect on Hyuga. Natsui, eventually makes it into the company on a trial basis, due to her ability to memorarise large amounts of data, and her presence further surprises everyone at the company when Hyuga remembers her name- Sawaki Chihiro. It's an interesting twist, as we try to uncover why that name holds such particular importance to him.
Rich Man, Poor Woman is a definitely a romantic comedy, but there is so much more within this tale than simply the growth of love between two individuals. We also look at the issues of friendship, trust and loyalty, as well as the deception and lies that make up the corporate world. Hyuga's relationship with his business partner Asahina Kosuke (Iura Arata) demonstrates how cut throat the corporate world is, where a friend can turn to foe in a matter of seconds. Furthermore, it wouldn't be a drama without some love triangle popping up along the way, and the other Asashina in the tale, Kosuke's sister, Yoko (Aibu Saki) fulfills her role to a tee, as the other woman that the viewer really dislikes and wishes she would just get out of the way so that the main pair can move forward. Hehe.
As is usually the case with J-drarmas starring Oguri Shun, it is funny, yet serious. He always does a phenomenal job portraying that aloof business mogul, with a soft interior, who just needs the right woman to crack his outer shell. It is well put together and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Therefore, Rich Man, Poor Woman get 4.5 stars on the Bel Scale.
According to Bel: It's a richly romantic tale that you won't want to miss.
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