Why NHK’s Morning Drama Boogie Woogie Ended with an Incomplete Final Episode
The NHK morning drama “Boogie Woogie” reached its grand finale with Hanada Suzuko’s (played by Shuri) farewell concert, concluding the six-month “singing and dancing” drama.
This morning drama was inspired by the model of the heroine, Kasagi Shizuko, who was a post-war superstar known as the “Queen of Boogie.” In the final episode, she performed a live rendition of “Tokyo Boogie Woogie,” earning praise for her breathtaking performance.
However, there are also voices of skepticism regarding Suzuko’s retirement.
“In Episode 125, aired on March 28, Suzuko confessed her reason for retirement, saying she wanted to be the best puppet for composer Yoshiichi Hatori (played by Tsuyoshi Kusanagi). However, since there were hardly any scenes depicting physical limitations leading up to this moment, many viewers were left puzzled,” says a producer from the production company.
During the war, Suzuko believed in the power of entertainment and overcame numerous hardships. But with the end of the war, Suzuko faced the greatest crisis of her life.
After giving birth to her beloved daughter, her husband Aisuke (played by Koji Mizukami) passed away without ever seeing her.
“I want to die too.”
She murmured, but with the release of the hit song “Tokyo Boogie Woogie,” Suzuko revived like a phoenix. This miraculous V-shaped recovery was the highlight of the show, providing more than enough catharsis for the audience.
