Actor Riho Yoshioka plays Tachibana Yomogi, a woman who works at a real estate company, in the NHK evening drama "Hira Yasumi" (Monday to Thursday, 10:45 p.m.), starring Amane Okayama. Yomogi is a hard worker and is considered an ace at work, but she leads a life where she is always focused on work and has no time to spare. She becomes acquainted with Hiroto (Okayama) by chance, but is often irritated by his carefree nature. Yoshioka spoke about her character, Yomogi.
The drama is based on the manga of the same name by Shinzo Keigo, which has been serialized in Weekly Big Comic Spirits since 2021. The story follows 29-year-old part-time worker Ikuta Hiroto (Okayama) who inherits a single-story house from his neighbor, Wada Hanae (Negishi Tokie), and begins living with his 18-year-old cousin Kobayashi Natsumi (Mori Nana), who moved to Tokyo from Yamagata. People with difficult life problems gather around them...
◇The appeal of the original work is that it depicts "everyday life that you wouldn't tell anyone about, in manga form."
After reading the original work, Yoshioka commented, "I felt like the breathing of the people living in Asagaya, where the story is set, and the reality of the town were constantly flowing through the manga as an atmosphere."
He further commented, "Every day is busy, and there are so many things that need to be done, but it feels like it gives you a little break from that everyday routine. I think the appeal of this work is that it features so many characters like that. Especially the main character Hiroto and his cousin Natchan. By seeing the everyday lives of these two characters, who would deliberately not tell anyone about them, in the manga, you realize, "Ah, that's right. These kinds of things are important when it comes to interacting with people." This is what I particularly like about this work."
Regarding Yomogi, who she plays, she said, "I was able to play her life-sized, and I could relate to a lot of her feelings. She's at an age where she's treated as if she's 'should be able to do a lot of things,' but that doesn't mean that her hard work is recognized. When she was a new employee, people used to care about her, but recently that doesn't seem to happen anymore. It's the accumulation of these little things that makes her tired... I was able to empathize with the feeling of 'Oh, I really just work all the time,' and play the role."
She also said, "I think Yomogi is the character that Hiroto is most suited to. She wants to live freely and be herself, but she's a little lost as to what it means to be herself. She receives a lot of energy from Hiroto and changes just a little. It's just a small change, but that was a lot of fun to play."
He sent a message to viewers saying, "I think this work and the 'Yoru Dora' time slot are a good match. Even if you come home from a hard day's work and think, 'I honestly can't watch any more dramas,' I'd be happy if you would turn on the TV for just 15 minutes. I think Hiroto will teach you some tips on not trying too hard. 'Hira Yasumi' features many human-like characters who are living their daily lives to the fullest, just like you all. You can connect with these characters and feel a little healed. I would be happy if you watch it in that way."
◇There will also be a fan event in Asagaya, the setting of the story
Additionally, the "Night Drama 'Hira Yasumi' Fan Festival in Asagaya" will be held on November 29th and 30th (10am-4:30pm) in Asagaya, Tokyo, where the series is set. The venue is Beans Asagaya Tekute, located at the south exit plaza of JR Asagaya Station. There will be a commemorative photo opportunity in front of the series' giant key visual, venue-exclusive messages from the cast, and an exhibition of props and stage equipment (Hiroto's bike, a stenciled goldfish, Natchan's manga manuscript and notebook, etc.) and panels. Yoshioka will also be making a guest appearance on "Dosta" (General, 1:50pm) on November 15th.
