It has been announced that Mariya Nagao, a former member of the idol group AKB48, will star in "I Hate You ~A Woman's Desire and Jealousy's Whirlpool~," which will be streamed on the short drama distribution service BUMP from 7 PM on April 22nd.
The drama revolves around three women: Tsubaki, a solitary number one hostess who is willing to sell her body for the sake of sales; Sumire, a rookie hostess who rises through the ranks with her innocent and pure service; and Toshi, Tsubaki's childhood friend who continues to harbor unrequited feelings for her. It is a drama of love and hate that depicts the jealousy, pride, and twisted forms of love that swirl among women in the world of the night.
In her first solo starring role in a short drama, Nagao plays Tsubaki, the undisputed number one hostess at the upscale Roppongi club "ENVY." Traumatized in her childhood, she has never known love and is cold and calculating, yet she also shows a vulnerable side in unexpected moments.
Kanami Takasaki plays Sumire, the second-ranked hostess who stands in Tsubaki's way, while Amon Hirai plays Toshi, Tsubaki's childhood friend who finds himself caught between the two hostesses.
◇Comment from Mariya Nagao
I feel very honored to be playing the role of Tsubaki, the No. 1 hostess. In preparation for playing the role of a hostess, I also read the original manga. I had a general idea that the world of nightlife is not easy, but after reading the original work, I realized just how tough that world really is.
Among them, Tsubaki is incredibly passionate about her work and is very determined to be No. 1. That's partly due to her pride, but also because of the lonely story that led her to get there. I felt that Tsubaki possessed both strength and weakness, and I focused on portraying that aspect especially during filming.
And the best part is the banter between me and my junior and rival, Sumire! Kanami Takasaki, who plays Sumire, and I are so competitive that we can't help but laugh when the director calls "cut" (laughs). Be sure to watch the scene where we glare at each other! And the romance scenes with Toshi are also a highlight. There's a scene where I realize how important Toshi is to me, who has always been there for me without me even noticing, and I think that's where you can see Tsubaki's human side! Be sure to watch it with excitement and suspense!
