How long? 10 episWhen & which tv stn? 1995/TV Asahi
Who's in?
Nakayama Hideyuki ~ Tachibana Naoto
Tomosaka Rie ~ Tateno Natsumi
What's it abt? (edited from Dramawiki)
Natsumi's mother promised to return when she was 3 years old, but she never return. All Natsumi remembers were the broken promise and a small teddy bear given to her by her mum. Now, Natsumi is 16 years old and a high school drop-out, she sleeps on benches in the park, does odd jobs and shoplifts when she has to. The only thing that keeps her going is the promise made to her childhood friend, Chiaki, that she would someday make enough money so that they could live together. Chiaki has been hospitalized for years now with an illness, and Natsumi is determined to make enough money so that Chiaki can get the surgery she needs.
Meanwhile, two companies are about to be merged together through an arranged marriage. Tachibana Naoto took over Tachibana Corporation as president after his father's early death. He is to marry Sayuri, the 19 year old daughter of the president of the Iwasaki Corporation. However, two weeks before the wedding ceremony, Sayuri runs away from home, leaving a note that simply says "A marriage without love is not a marriage I want." Both companies were depending on this union of families and companies to help their respective businesses. The president of Iwasaki Corporation, is desperate to get her back for the wedding.
When an employee of his runs into Natsumi on the street, he realises she looks exactly like Sayuri. He brings her to the Iwasaki residence, and they strike a deal. The rough and crude Natsumi who lives on the streets must transform into the elegant and refined rich girl Sayuri for three months, in exchange for a very large sum of money. Part of her duties include getting married to Naoto!! But can she pull off this elaborate scheme without any members of the Tachibana family finding out?
Love & Hates:
Read the novel version years back before watching the drama. It's a pretty old drama la, can't get used to the fashion at that time. Hahaha!
Plot-Kinda like a fairy-tale? Actually the plot is sort of expected, but there are many touching scenes between Natsumi & the Tachibanas.
Cast-I only know Tomosaka Rie, who's famous for acting as Miyuki in "Kindaichi Files" with Domoto Tsuyoshi. I liked her performance here, though her chemistry with Nakayama was kinda sparkless. They looked more like siblings.
Saying abt Nakayama, he's not handsome, and I was shocked to see how he looks like now..omg! Ha! Anyway, it would be better to find a more handsome lead? Nakayama's acting was unnatural sometimes, he didnt really pull off as a rich guy well somehow. Not dashing enough, his way of speaking is kinda "act cute" at times...ha!
The other cast was alright...liked the performance of "Chiaki" and The Tachibana bros.
Themesong is "Unbalanced" by Takahashi Katsunori.
Worth watching?
It's quite an old stuff to watch, butta it's still enjoyable!
