The first episode of the TV drama series "Mamono" starring Kumiko Aso (TV Asahi, Friday 11:15pm *excluding some regions) was broadcast on April 18th. The drama is a love suspense story about a lone lawyer, Ayame Hanajin (Aso), who falls in forbidden love with Toya Minamoto (Akihisa Shiono), who is a suspect in a murder case. Shiono, who plays Toya, became a hot topic on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers
The drama is an original work co-produced by TV Asahi and SLL, a major Korean production company that has produced global hits such as "Itaewon Class."
At night, Ayame receives a phone call from Natsune (Kana Kita), the wife of Touya Minamoto (Akihisa Shiono), asking for help. Thinking that her husband has been abusive, Ayame rushes out of the house to save him, but it is Touya who shows up at the place where they were supposed to meet. "She was drunk. I just exaggerated," Touya apologizes.
Meanwhile, a recklessly driven cyclist crashes into Ayame. Toya protects her and holds her tightly, but she is confused by his sweet yet challenging gaze.
Afterwards, Ayame reunites with Touya. When Ayame worries about Natsune, Touya laughs, "I know, I want to tell you." When Ayame firmly tells him, "Don't make fun of older people," Touya asks, "Are you always angry like that?" He looks into Ayame's face and smiles, saying, "Why don't you laugh more?"
Just then, a dog named "Sunny" arrives. Playing with Sunny, Toya says, "Dogs like me, but humans don't like me," and Ayame sympathizes. Seeing Ayame like that, he says, "I want to see your other sides."
On social media, comments like "It's amazing! Shiono-kun in Monster is really cool", "Shiono-kun in Monster is irresistible", "Shiono-kun is sexy", "Shiono-kun's sexiness is insane", "I only just found out about Akihisa Shiono after watching the first episode of Monster, but I'm completely hooked", and so on, were posted and excited the group.
