It was revealed on March 14th that actor Marika Matsumoto will appear in the drama series "Jinji no Hitomi" (Fuji TV, Tuesdays at 9pm), which will begin on April 8th and star Genta Matsuda of the popular group "Travis Japan". Although Matsumoto has appeared as a regular in the "Saikyou Obahan Nakajima Haruko" series produced by Tokai TV and "Tokumei! Tokubetsu Keisatsu Kaikan" (2023) produced by Kansai TV, this will be her first time as a regular in a Fuji TV drama series.
Additionally, the appearances of Hinako Sakurai, Shinya Niiro, Heitetsu, Honami Suzuki, and Fumiyo Kohinata were also announced. This will be Sakurai's first regular role in a Fuji TV drama series. For Heitetsu, who gained attention on the Korean production company SM Entertainment's debut survival program "NCT Universe: LASTART," this will be his first regular role in a drama.
"Jinji no Hitomi" is Fuji TV's first "exhilarating office entertainment" that focuses on the human resources department. Set in a long-established stationery manufacturer where the voices of the field, such as the sports-oriented sales and product development departments, take top priority, the story begins when Matsuda plays Hitomi Ren, a human resources expert, who is headhunted by a foreign company to the HR department of the administrative division, which is struggling to "change this hot-blooded culture" and "make the working environment fair." However, contrary to everyone's expectations, Hitomi is a foolish and overly pure person who always manipulates those around him with his unconventional behavior... and so the story unfolds.
Matsumoto plays Hori Manami, a training officer in the Human Resources Department who is extremely knowledgeable about the company's internal affairs. She used to work in the secretarial department and is a beautiful woman of unknown age who is extremely knowledgeable about the company's internal affairs. Her beauty has earned her fans of all ages, and she independently obtains information about various employees. She sometimes uses this to her advantage, completing the tasks given to her efficiently and thoroughly, and living a fulfilling life both at work and in her private life. Hori is aware that there are people who do not like her, but she also has secret beliefs about her work that she does not reveal to those around her, and Hori finds Hitomi's unconventional behavior that is not typical of an office worker amusing.
Matsumoto said of the role, "The character Hori, I play, is a mysterious, solitary woman, yet for some reason, popular with men. She's someone you don't know what she's thinking, and she's easily misunderstood. But Hori is someone who has a gap between her superficial self and her inner self. If you just hear the description of her as an 'informed person' you probably wouldn't get a good impression, but I believe that information is channeled to her because she is trusted by those around her, and I want to cherish the philosophy and humanity that lies within her."
Sakurai plays Moriya Shiori, a young employee in the human resources department who observes Hitomi. She is a young employee who anonymously serializes an essay manga set in the company on social media. She lives for her hobbies and has no desire to get promoted. Hitomi came into the company with much fanfare, but his strange behavior is noticeable, so she observes him and takes notes, thinking that he would be "perfect material for her essay manga." While she is interested in Hitomi as an object of observation, she is reluctant to observe him because his frank, pushy and cheerful personality is the complete opposite of the quiet Moriya, but as she continues to observe Hitomi, her feelings begin to change.
Sakurai is enthusiastic about the role, saying, "The character I play, Moriya, has strong otaku-like elements, but I would like to preserve that individuality while enjoying the fast-paced exchanges between the people in the HR department. I think there will be some overlaps with what is happening around viewers. I would like to fulfill my role, hoping that the drama will make people's hearts feel a little lighter!"
In addition, Niiro will play Keisuke Sunaga, a highly ambitious employee in the personnel department, Heitetsu will play Min Woo-jin, a half-Korean, half-Japanese recruiter in the personnel department, Suzuki will play Miwa Hirata, a troubled personnel manager, and Kohinata will play Yoshihisa Satoi, the managing director who promoted Hitomi. In addition, Takehiko Ono will play Osamu Ogasawara, the bold but old-fashioned president of Hinode Pencil, Ryo Tsuwano will play Makoto Togashi, a worrisome employee in the personnel department, and Yuriko Maeda will play Kyoko Aizawa, a gossipy but unreliable employee in the personnel department.
