The new original KDDI x TVer program "Our Company! ~Secret Lunch Party~" starring talent Anna Murashige and freelance announcer Maasa Takahashi began streaming exclusively on TVer from 11:00 am on March 17th. New episodes are released every Monday. There are 12 episodes in total.
This is the second original program in the KDDI x TVer content co-production project, and is a talk variety show where we listen to the "secret stories" of people working in society. The guest for episodes 1 to 4 will be actor Akiko Hinagata.
The setting is lunchtime at a certain company. Murashige and Takahashi have a daily routine of chatting over a playlist where working women's worries and "secret stories" are uploaded as audio. They empathize with "Monku-chan" who uploaded the audio to the playlist, and express anger at "Konna-san" who troubles "Monku-chan", while eating "recommended sweets" that accompany their conversation with the guest, and engage in real and refreshing talk.
As an exclusive content on TVer's official SNS, the three cast members, who tend to poke their noses into everything, will be broadcasting "We'll Choose the Best Answers" in which they will arbitrarily decide on the best answers to "messages that are difficult to reply to" sent in by "complainers."
◇Comments from Anna Murashige and Maasa Takahashi
--First of all, how do you feel now that the first recording has been completed?
Takahashi: I was nervous at first, but as the recording progressed I got used to it and was able to relax and enjoy myself! Listening to Murashige-san and guest Hinagata-san's stories, I discovered many new things, like, "I see, there's a way of thinking like that." As expected, different generations have different values, so the differences were interesting, and I learned a lot from it, like, "This is how young people perceive this feeling!"
Murashige: I usually have a lot of fun on variety shows, so it was refreshing to talk so seriously about relationships in the workplace. There were so many things I could relate to, and I couldn't help but say "I know what you mean!" over and over again. There were parts that overlapped with my own experiences, so it was really interesting.
--Various "Monkuchan" stories appeared during this recording, but was there one that stood out to you?
Murashige: The episode about the "troublesome guy" who would forget no matter how many times you taught him how to do his job and had him take notes, and then when you warned him, he would pretend to remember and say "I got it, I got it" was very memorable. I also have many moments when I get annoyed by people like that (wry smile). I could really empathize with that, and I feel like I've found a solution for how to deal with people like that.
Takahashi: After hearing various stories, I felt that people of Generation Z are really reliable and judge things more realistically and calmly than when I was younger. In the end, it's just a preconceived notion that makes us think, "Young people these days are..." I realized that because we are from different generations, there is a lot we can learn from each other.
--In keeping with the show's title, "Secret Lunch Party," please tell us some of your "secret stories"!
Takahashi: Actually, I've never been interested in sweets. But the sweets served during today's recording were so delicious that I wanted to take some home with me (laughs). I don't usually eat a lot of sweets, but I think I've come across something that makes me think, "I want to eat this!" and I'm getting addicted to sweets.
Murashige: I often appear as a silly character on variety shows, but actually I'm quite conscious of manners and I try to be polite. So I was very happy when Takahashi and Hinagata praised me during this recording, saying, "You're doing it right!" Something I had been keeping secret came out (laughs).
--Who would you like to watch "About Our Company! ~Secret Lunch Party~"?
Murashige: I want everyone in Generation Z to watch it! I think it will help them realize that they are more capable than they think, and it will also help them relieve stress from work. I would be happy if they watch it and laugh, saying, "That's so true!"
Takahashi: I would like not only all working women in society, but also managers with subordinates to watch this. It gives you an insight into the way the younger generation thinks, and I think it's full of hints for how to make the workplace even better.
--Please give a message to everyone watching on TVer.
Murashige: It's refreshing to see a program that reveals people's grievances about their bosses. I don't have much contact with people in a "boss" position, but there were still a lot of stories that made me think, "That's so true!" I think that anyone who works can definitely relate, so please watch it!
Takahashi: Everyone has troubles at work and relationships. I hope that watching this show will help you feel better and lighten your mood a little! ◇Comment from Akiko Hinagata, guest of episodes 1-4
(After the recording) I feel like we talked about a lot of things that we don't usually say. It was really fun to talk while remembering things like, "Oh, come to think of it, this kind of thing happens, doesn't it?" It was a different atmosphere from a variety show, like chatting in a dressing room, and we were able to talk about a lot of things naturally. These kinds of conversations can surprisingly help you realize things about yourself.
I hope you'll watch this show casually during your breaks from work or during your lunch break. It's a show you can enjoy and empathize with, so if you watch it while relating it to your own workplace, I think you'll enjoy it even more.
When you're stressed out at work or lose confidence, it can make you feel better to suddenly realize that there are people like this out there. I hope this program can provide some emotional support in that way. Please feel free to enjoy it!
