Production press conference and first-episode-screening event of new NHK drama "Ecchan Showa Dame Papa Koi Monogatari"

The production press conference and first-episode-screening event of new NHK drama "Ecchan Showa Dame Papa Koi Monogatari" was held at the NHK HQ in Tokyo on 12 July which was attended by cast members Yusuke Santa Maria, Kadowaki Mugi and Hirao Nanaka. The drama begins its run from 15 July in the Saturdays 6.05pm timeslot.

The story which is based on the same-titled novel by Shishi Bunroku, will be set in Ginza, Tokyo in the 10th year of the Showa era. Yanagi Etsuko (Hirao Nanaka) is a 10-year-old girl who loves to sing while her father Rokutaro (Santa-Maria) is a struggling lyricist who is still pining for his late wife. Seeing this and deciding that her father can't live like this anymore, Etsuko tries to help Rokutaro find his new life partner and her new stepmother. Etsuko's first target is her form teacher Muraoka but things do not progress as she expects. As such, she changes her target to Ikebe Kyoko (Kadowaki Mugi), a salesgirl who she happens to meet at a departmental store and grows to like. However, Rokutaro's elder sister Tsuruyo also introduces another woman Kaoru (Ishida Nicole) to her brother. Kaoru is the daughter of a director in the bank which is a shareholder of Tsuruyo's husband's company and it seems like she and Rokutaro are on course to get married even though Etsuko would rather have Kyoko become her stepmother.

Yusuke said that this speedy and interesting drama will probably be the turning point in his career and he has plans to do up to Part 3. With regard to his character who will be liked by a number of women, Yusuke remarked happily that this must be the No.1 period in his life when he's most sought-after by the opposite sex. Nonetheless, he admitted jokingly that he might not have been picked to be the lead if this story is set in the modern era and if he was much younger because apparently, his current age i.e. 46 and how his looks have "deteriorated" clinched the deal for him.

Yusuke also revealed how Hirao had given him a handmade cover for his scripts as a gift for Father's Day which made him very happy and felt like she has become like his real daughter. Hirao commented that she has enjoyed the filming and said that the drama is very interesting. As for Kadowaki, she said that although the Showa era was not a time where people had lots of luxuries, this story set against such a backdrop will definitely resonate with the viewers. Upon hearing this, Yusuke thanked Kadowaki for saying everything what he intended to say and joked that they should make this into a morning drama which runs for at least 6 months.

Sources: Nikkansports / Eiga.com / Oricon