[drama]Tengoku no Koi a Stepping Stone for JE Expansion
I have been reading news reports here and there about Tengoku no Koi, but still have not tuned in to watch. It turns out that I am not the only one. The drama is doing abysmally in the ratings, premiering at 3.7%, which is respectable for its noon timeslot, but by the fifth episode, those ratings dipped to 2%.
What is interesting about the drama is sadly not the drama itself, despite the intriguing storyline. The story is about a 40-something housewife who becomes entangled in a risque love triangle with two men in their 20s, one a budding musician and the other reminiscent of her first love twenty-some years past. It should make for a good watch, but the more provocative question is this: why should we even care about a low-rated noon-drama?
If you are a Johnny's fan, or coming from the other way, not, you should care about Tengoku no Koi. You still don't have to watch it, but it is huge for JE and huge for Japanese Entertainment. It's like Hollywood franchises going soap. It's a huge gamble for both sides. Johnny's has two fairly unknowns taking the lead in a controversial drama, with huge adverts in Shibuya and newspapers. It is a Johnny's production in all but name, with Nakayama Yuma's "Love's Knife" as the ending themesong.
The point was to introduce the general public (meaning housewives and the retired) to two fresh faces not too associated with Johnny's, see how the drama fares, and perhaps spread out into more noon dramas with other lesser-known talents. JE has already conquered prime-time. It was about time they moved to noon dailies.
Uchi and Sho are no Ohno and Toma. In fact, I'd say that it's the exact opposite in terms of fame.
Uchi has stage credits and a couple of dramas, but he's not really a leading man. Most people forget that he used to be a part of Kanjani8 and NEWS. He's been pulled left and right regarding his junior/solo status for years. Tengoku no Koi seems like a "go big or go home" for Uchi. It'll be a test of his mettle in how JE decides to support him in the future. I'd like to be optimistic, but seeing as I'm not a fan of Uchi's acting and I honestly don't think JE will put him back in music, I'd throw my wager on a not-so-good outcome.
Sho is still new at the game, despite his growing acting credits, but there are whispers that he's being hailed (and don't throw rocks at me) as the next Ikuta Toma. If that is true, I'm still sticking to my theory that Sho can't sing. At all. AT ALL. I'm still waiting for a probably-neva-gonna-happen album from Masuda Ryo. Anyhow, good for Sho. I think that he's had more success than failure, so no matter what happens to Tengoku no Koi, Sho is definitely not on the chopping block.
If Tengoku improves, Johnny will likely put your favorite juniors or forgotten members in noon dramas to up their exposure. If JE succeeds, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that other big name companies will send their talents into the fray, too. I really don't think Matsumoto Jun will be headlining anytime soon, but if I were Johnny, I would so put Kimura Takuya there. He might see it as a demotion, but I'd say noon viewers are closer to his target audience and would enjoy his eye-candy.
If Tengoku flops, as it seems to be doing at the moment, I see JE regrouping for a new strategy. If Johnny is anything, he is persistent. Tengoku no Koi will continue to air in 30 minute segments every weekday until December 27th, plenty of time for it to find its groove. I wish it luck and will reluctantly sit down to watch it one of these days, if only to hear Sho say with smaltzy goodness, "You wanna make love with me?" It's gotta be gif-worthy.
Did I mention the fake chest hair that is making headlines? Oh. My. GAWD. I really can't express how much I love you, Sho, and your epic fails. You really do just run into them chest head on, don't you?
What is interesting about the drama is sadly not the drama itself, despite the intriguing storyline. The story is about a 40-something housewife who becomes entangled in a risque love triangle with two men in their 20s, one a budding musician and the other reminiscent of her first love twenty-some years past. It should make for a good watch, but the more provocative question is this: why should we even care about a low-rated noon-drama?
If you are a Johnny's fan, or coming from the other way, not, you should care about Tengoku no Koi. You still don't have to watch it, but it is huge for JE and huge for Japanese Entertainment. It's like Hollywood franchises going soap. It's a huge gamble for both sides. Johnny's has two fairly unknowns taking the lead in a controversial drama, with huge adverts in Shibuya and newspapers. It is a Johnny's production in all but name, with Nakayama Yuma's "Love's Knife" as the ending themesong.
The point was to introduce the general public (meaning housewives and the retired) to two fresh faces not too associated with Johnny's, see how the drama fares, and perhaps spread out into more noon dramas with other lesser-known talents. JE has already conquered prime-time. It was about time they moved to noon dailies.
Uchi and Sho are no Ohno and Toma. In fact, I'd say that it's the exact opposite in terms of fame.
Uchi has stage credits and a couple of dramas, but he's not really a leading man. Most people forget that he used to be a part of Kanjani8 and NEWS. He's been pulled left and right regarding his junior/solo status for years. Tengoku no Koi seems like a "go big or go home" for Uchi. It'll be a test of his mettle in how JE decides to support him in the future. I'd like to be optimistic, but seeing as I'm not a fan of Uchi's acting and I honestly don't think JE will put him back in music, I'd throw my wager on a not-so-good outcome.
Sho is still new at the game, despite his growing acting credits, but there are whispers that he's being hailed (and don't throw rocks at me) as the next Ikuta Toma. If that is true, I'm still sticking to my theory that Sho can't sing. At all. AT ALL. I'm still waiting for a probably-neva-gonna-happen album from Masuda Ryo. Anyhow, good for Sho. I think that he's had more success than failure, so no matter what happens to Tengoku no Koi, Sho is definitely not on the chopping block.
If Tengoku improves, Johnny will likely put your favorite juniors or forgotten members in noon dramas to up their exposure. If JE succeeds, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that other big name companies will send their talents into the fray, too. I really don't think Matsumoto Jun will be headlining anytime soon, but if I were Johnny, I would so put Kimura Takuya there. He might see it as a demotion, but I'd say noon viewers are closer to his target audience and would enjoy his eye-candy.
If Tengoku flops, as it seems to be doing at the moment, I see JE regrouping for a new strategy. If Johnny is anything, he is persistent. Tengoku no Koi will continue to air in 30 minute segments every weekday until December 27th, plenty of time for it to find its groove. I wish it luck and will reluctantly sit down to watch it one of these days, if only to hear Sho say with smaltzy goodness, "You wanna make love with me?" It's gotta be gif-worthy.
Did I mention the fake chest hair that is making headlines? Oh. My. GAWD. I really can't express how much I love you, Sho, and your epic fails. You really do just run into them chest head on, don't you?