The hugely popular " Getsuku " drama "Long Vacation," starring Takuya Kimura and Tomoko Yamaguchi, which recorded a peak household viewership rating of 43.8% (according to Video Research, Kanto region), will be remade overseas for the first time. MakerVille, a subsidiary of major Hong Kong media company PCCW Media, will produce the remake, which will be broadcast and streamed on various platforms including ViuTV, also under the group's umbrella.
"Long Vacation" is a love story that begins when Minami Hayama, played by Yamaguchi, is abandoned by her fiancé on the day of their wedding and ends up moving in with Hidetoshi Sena, played by Kimura, a young man aspiring to be a pianist and the roommate of her fiancé. Written by Eriko Kitagawa, the drama became a social phenomenon at the time of its broadcast, with the "Monday Getsuku phenomenon" of office ladies disappearing from the streets in real time, and the "pilgrimage" to the "Shin-Ohashi Bridge" over the Sumida River and the buildings used as filming locations becoming hot topics. The final episode, which aired on June 24, 1996, recorded high ratings of 36.7% household viewership and a peak household viewership of 43.8%.
While there had been considerable interest in a remake of "Long Vacation," particularly in Asia, a contract had not yet been signed. This latest agreement with MakerVille coincides with the 10th anniversary of their ViuTV channel, and the collaboration proceeded smoothly after the contract was signed because the direction aligned with MakerVille's desire to utilize a hit IP that originated approximately 30 years ago.
In the Hong Kong remake, "Leisurely Holiday (Hong Kong Version)," the role of young pianist Hidetoshi Sena will be played by Edan Lui, a member of the popular Hong Kong boy group "MIRROR." In addition, the role of the cheerful and innocent Minami Hayama will be played by popular talent and model Ali Lee.
At its 10th-anniversary event held on April 23rd, ViuTV introduced the Hong Kong remake of the series. The event featured a performance inspired by the famous scene where Hidetoshi Sena and Minami Hayama bounce a superball together. The remake was described with the following statement: "We are pleased to be able to deliver this beloved romance drama, which has been enjoyed by so many people for 30 years, once again through ViuTV. The relationship between Hidetoshi Sena and Minami Hayama is surely a memorable one for many."
◇Comment from Eriko Kitagawa
I am deeply honored to hear that "Long Vacation" is being remade in Hong Kong. It's a Japanese work from 30 years ago. Times have changed. Smartphones and the internet weren't widespread back then. The setting has also moved from Japan to Hong Kong. I worked tirelessly, day and night, to write the script, the actors performed with all their might, the staff worked hard, and everyone in Japan watched it with all their might. Thank you for finding it. I'm looking forward to seeing how it will be reborn! Good luck!
