It has been revealed that actors Rena Tanaka and Yudai Furukawa will co-star in the July drama series "Dear Husband ~The Perfect Wife's Lies~" (Yomiuri TV/Nippon TV, Thursdays at 11:59 PM). The suspense drama follows the mysterious death of a controlling wife, which leads to the revelation of her unknown lies and hidden side. This will be the first time that both actors have starred in a drama series on Nippon TV.
Maiko Sakai (played by Tanaka) and Yuichi Sakai (played by Furukawa) were an "ideal couple"—the wife was a successful female CEO and the husband was the main Caster of a daytime news program. However, there was a secret unknown to the world: the wife's "obsessive love" for her husband.
"Everything is for my husband," she says, exposing rival scandals for his sake, monitoring his movements with GPS for risk management, and even eavesdropping if necessary. When the husband reaches his limit living with such a wife, he presents her with divorce papers, but she flatly rejects them.
However, the very next day, his wife suddenly dies under mysterious circumstances. As the husband grapples with his loss, his wife, who was supposed to be dead, reappears before him... This is a completely original psychological suspense drama about a married couple, with a script by Erika Toyama, known for works such as "The Wife Who Had Her Liver Taken" (NTV) and "Renai Kinshi" (Yomiuri TV).
The drama series "Dear Husband ~The Perfect Wife's Lies~" will air every Thursday at 11:59 PM starting July 2nd. The first episode will air at 12:09 AM on the 2nd.
◇Comment from Rena Tanaka
--How did you feel when you received the offer?
I was truly surprised. The script had a shocking storyline right from the first episode, and I was completely captivated by Maiko's character as I read it. There are many mysteries and it's very enigmatic. I think the character will change a lot depending on how I portray her, so I find it very rewarding.
--What were your impressions after reading the script?
Each episode is incredibly thrilling, but there are also some funny scenes and heartwarming moments, so I think it will make you think about various kinds of marital love. While the strong character of Maiko leaves a lasting impression, I hope you'll enjoy it while paying attention to the relationship between the two husband and wife, and also considering it as a suspenseful story.
--About your role. What aspects would you like viewers to pay attention to?
The character of Maiko has this intense side to her, being a terrifying wife, so when I first read the script, I was surprised that she would do things like that, but I've already gotten used to it, and I'm starting to think, "Huh? Maybe it's becoming normal?" (laughs)
I was playing a completely different role until recently, so I feel quite a gap myself, but this time it's a story about a woman's love and I think it's also connected to her way of life, so I want to actively enjoy acting in that aspect as well. I'd like to surprise everyone a little.
--Please tell us your impression of Yudai Furukawa.
We met for the first time about three hours ago, and my first question was, "Do you exercise?" His answer was, "No," which made me think, "Oh, so he's not the type to exercise" (laughs). Let's get to know each other better!
--Please give a message to our viewers.
There are so many things I want to say, but some things are hard to express, and I'm struggling to figure out how to convey them to everyone. Many characters appear in each episode, and there are relationships with each of them, so I hope you'll pay attention to how those relationships connect. The episodes aren't just about the present; they also include stories about the couple from several years ago, so I hope you'll pay attention to what has happened to this couple up until now. And then there's love, of course. Maiko is driven by a lot of love, so I hope you'll pay attention to how her love unfolds.
--How did you feel when you received the offer?
I am incredibly happy to be given the opportunity to star in this drama, and to be able to co-star with such a wonderful person as Rena Tanaka. I myself enjoy watching suspense dramas, so I am very honored to be able to participate in a suspense drama like this one, where the plot is unpredictable. As for the character I play, Yuichi, the more flawed he becomes, and the more the story develops, the more the story unfolds, so I think it will be a very challenging but rewarding role. I will do my best.
--What were your impressions after reading the script?
I enjoyed the first viewing as a thrilling suspense story, and on the second viewing, I noticed many hidden clues, making the second viewing even more enjoyable. I found the suspense aspect and the way the impression of the story changed drastically from beginning to end to be very interesting.
Initially, the story depicts the twisted love between a doting wife and a popular freelance announcer, and when the wife dies, it becomes a suspense thriller as the protagonist investigates the truth behind her death. However, I believe that by the time you finish watching, it will feel like a relatable human drama about people who possess great love.
--About your role. What aspects would you like viewers to pay attention to?
The character of Yuichi is a popular freelance announcer who is, of course, very capable at his job, but outside of work, he's rather unreliable and laid-back.
By genuinely connecting with people, you'll be liked and able to influence those around you. While you have a certain charm, your trusting nature can also make you vulnerable to being taken advantage of.
He's not the type to be good at navigating social situations, but his wife, Maiko, compensates for his weaknesses, and together they've reached their current position. However, he's starting to get a little fed up with his wife's overly intense love, and there's a rift between them.
--Please tell us your impression of Rena Tanaka.
I was reminded of what a wonderful person you are, seeing how stoically you take care of your body. I had the image of you being a cool beauty, but as we talked, I felt that you have a very gentle aura. It hasn't been long since we first met, so I hope we can become even closer friends in the future (laughs). I look forward to it!
--Please give a message to our viewers.
While I hope you'll simply enjoy it as a suspenseful thriller with a compelling storyline, I also believe it ultimately contains a relatable message that will make you think. I sincerely hope you enjoy it.
◇Comment from producer Koji Hirota
On a personal note, this year marks my 10th wedding anniversary. I've known my wife for about 20 years, and we've spent a long time together. Even though we've walked through life together, I'm ashamed to admit that I sometimes encounter sides of her I never knew before. Was it truly that I didn't know, or was it just that I was choosing to ignore them...? As we get older, I feel the strangeness of marriage—"the closest, yet the furthest." This strangeness creates a "gap" between husband and wife. What happens to a couple when that "gap" accumulates over the years? I wanted to capture the drama that unfolds in such a situation, and that's why I planned this drama.
"Everything is for my husband," says Rena Tanaka, who plays Maiko, a wife who showers her husband with an almost obsessive amount of love.
I am grateful to be working with Ms. Tanaka, who has appeared in numerous films and dramas, and I believe that her own "loveliness and charm" will make Maiko not just frightening, but also captivating and irresistible. Playing Yuichi, the husband who can no longer bear his wife's love, is Mr. Yudai Furukawa. I am looking forward to seeing how Mr. Furukawa, with his handsome features and impressive singing and dancing on stage, will break down when pursued by his obsessive wife, and I hope that a different charm from his previous works and stage performances will be conveyed to everyone through the role of Yuichi.
I also hope you'll look forward to the story of "marital love" depicted by screenwriter Erika Toyama, who has been working with us since the very beginning of the project. I would be delighted if as many people as possible could watch this universal story of a married couple, along with the suspense and excitement that is characteristic of Platina Night Thursday dramas.
