The fourth episode of the drama series " Taigan no Kaji ~Kore ga, Watashi no Ikiru Michi~" (TBS, Tuesdays at 10pm), starring actress Mikako Tabe , aired on April 22nd. The episode depicted Akiko, a former nursery school teacher played by Momoko Tanabe, struggling with the well-meaning "pressure to have children," which became a hot topic on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers
Akiko is the wife of Dr. Waka (played by Daichi Asai) at Tsutamura Clinic. She is a caring woman who always greets patients with a smile at the reception desk of the clinic.
At Tsutamura Clinic, where Dr. O is hospitalized and Dr. Waka manages the pediatrics and internal medicine departments, the regular patients are concerned about who will take over the clinic. Akiko is secretly troubled by the well-meaning pressure from her patients that "if we have a grandchild, Dr. O will be better," but she thinks, "My job now is to give birth to a child."
Meanwhile, rumors spread that Akiko is undergoing fertility treatment. A patient says to her, "You're trying to get pregnant, aren't you? I heard you're going to the clinic for fertility treatment. I'm rooting for you," and Akiko's smile freezes.
Other comments adding to the pressure include, "They say if you see a picture of a baby, you'll get pregnant soon," and "I've heard that stroking a pregnant woman's belly is good for you."
Shiho (Tabe), who saw Akiko in the midst of the turmoil, called out to her, "You shouldn't be here," and took her out of the hospital.
On social media, people were talking about the film, saying things like, "The acting by the actress playing Akiko was so realistic. I couldn't bear it if I was in her position," "The pressure to have a child must be immense for Akiko. I feel so sorry for her," "The pressure to have a child must be too hard," and "The heavy pressure to have a child imposed on the wife of a local doctor. The urging, with no ill intent whatsoever, is chilling."
Tanabe became known as the "Chikuzenni Girl" among viewers after her character Jun Ichinose, who she played in the 2021 drama "Rikokatsu" (TBS), brought Chikuzenni and oden to a birthday party.
On social media, comments such as "Chikuzenni Woman!", "Akiko is Momoko Tanabe! I had no idea because her appearance always changes completely for each role", "She looks like Chikuzenni Woman now! lol", and "My mom and I still turn into Chikuzenni Woman whenever Momoko Tanabe shows up!" were posted and attracted attention.
The film is based on the novel "Taigan no Kaji" (Housework on the Other Side) by Kiko Akano (published by Kodansha Bunko). It depicts the "endless work" of housework through the protagonist's interactions with "people on the other side" who have different positions and ways of thinking than her.
