Discovering the Unexpected Appeal of ‘Kururi’ and How It Captivates Middle-aged Men with its Romantic Comedy

TBS is currently airing “Kururi – Who Fell in Love with Me?,” a series centered around a heroine with amnesia and three men who know her well.

Initially, the storyline seemed like a typical romantic comedy with a beautiful woman and handsome men. However, this show has more depth than it first appears.

 

Despite the ratings staying around the 5% mark without significant changes, the program maintains its viewership. The program’s stability is attributed to a dedicated fan base, which includes a significant number of middle-aged viewers. What captivates them is the lead actress,  Meru Ikumi, a.k.a. “Meru” (Nukumi Meru).

In this article, we’ll delve into Ailin’s career journey, likening it to a hop, step, jump, while exploring her charm that resonates with middle-aged men.  

“Hop: Exploring ‘Sunday Nights’ as a ‘Discovery Drama’”

Ikumi’s remarkable rise began with the spring 2023 drama Sunday Nights Are for. (ABC TV, TV Asahi).

 

This production depicted an unconventional tale of friendship woven by three seemingly ordinary women. Sachi (played by Nana Seino) balances supporting her physically impaired mother (played by Emi Wakui) while working. Shoko (played by Yukino Kishi) is a taxi driver living alone.

 

Meanwhile, Ayaka (played by Ikumi) resides in a rural area and works at the same factory as her grandmother (played by Nobuko Miyamoto). What they all share is the burden of inner unrest as they navigate through their daily lives. 

The unlikely encounter of the three, who were not supposed to meet, happened during a radio program’s listener-exclusive bus tour. Despite being strangers, they somehow hit it off and felt like they gained new friends.

However, despite feeling connected, each of them carries negative feelings associated with friendship, such as regret and betrayal, causing them to distance themselves from each other. Screenwriter Keiwa Okada delicately captures these subtle emotions in the script. 

During the bus tour, the three of them bought three lottery tickets together. When one of the tickets won 30 million yen, it added a twist to the story. They decided to split the winnings equally upon reuniting, but they struggled with handling the unfamiliar large sum of money. Eventually, they discussed opening a café together with their combined investment.

 

Overcoming obstacles like Ayaka’s mother (played by Akiko Yada) who takes her daughter’s money and Sachi’s father (played by Shinori Omi) who constantly asks for financial help, they wonder if they can change their lives, which Shoko often describes as boring. These women, who seem clumsy at living and are afraid of finding happiness, were both heartbreakingly and endearingly portrayed.

Among them, Wakaba’s twisted feeling of being uncomfortable with her own beauty and standing out is painfully evident. She has attracted the attention of the opposite sex without doing anything, leading to jealousy and bullying from her female peers.

Ikumi, portraying the emotions of a real-life woman with natural acting, won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 33rd “TV LIFE Annual Drama Awards.” This drama was where many middle-aged men discovered Ikumi Airu.

Step: Sexy Tanaka-san as a Growth Drama

Ikumi then starred in Sexy Tanaka-san, which aired on NTV in the fall of 2023. Unfortunately, this series later became embroiled in controversy surrounding the death of the original manga artist.

In the show, Ikumi plays Shuri, a temporary office worker who uncovers the secret life of Kyoko Tanaka (portrayed by Haruka Kinami), also known as Tanaka-san, who works in the company’s accounting department. While Kyoko excels at her job, she appears plain and gloomy in her forties. However, she has a hidden persona as a sexy belly dancer.

Tanaka-san, who has struggled to interact well with others since childhood and has lived while suppressing herself, says, “There is no right answer in belly dancing. You have to think for yourself and search for it.”

On the other hand, Shuri is a loved type of girl who is liked by everyone. However, despite being liked by everyone, she feels unsettled because she lacks the feeling of being truly loved by someone. Furthermore, while continuing her unstable temporary job, she has been constantly focused on mitigating risks to avoid unhappiness. 

Through her pushing activity towards Tanaka-san, who doesn’t care about how others perceive her, Shuri gradually begins to change. She starts living according to her own values.

 

This transformation seemed to overlap with Ikumi’s own evolution in some way. Shuri was outstanding not only as a character but also as part of Ikumi’s growth story in this remarkable drama, earning her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 118th TV Drama Academy Awards. 

Jump: Kururi – Who Fell in Love with Me? as a Starring Drama 

In the Tuesday drama “Kururi – Who Fell in Love with Me?” Ikumi takes on her first solo leading role in a prime-time slot.

Makoto (portrayed by Ikumi) loses her memory after falling down the stairs. She can’t remember her name or anything about herself. The only clue she has is a wrapped men’s ring.

Soon, men who claim to know her start appearing. There’s Asahi (played by Kamio Fuju), a coworker who considers himself her only male friend. Then there’s Kotaro (played by Seto Koji), the owner of a flower shop who claims to be her ex boyfriend. Lastly, she meets Ritsu (played by Miyase Ryubi), a younger man she encounters by chance.

The lack of knowledge about her identity and past generates a feeling of suspense. Makoto desires to learn about herself, yet she also finds it slightly frightening. In her current state of amnesia, she’s uncertain whether she resembles the preferred self she once was. 

On the other hand, I have learned that there is another way of thinking. Amnesia is to be free from the spell of selfhood, and it may be possible to reset one’s life.

Before this drama started, it seemed to be a simple amnesia drama. However, this was not the case. What is noteworthy is the novelty of the story in which the search for the past self and the creation of the future self proceed simultaneously. It delves into the universal theme of what is the true self?

Moreover, despite such themes, the series isn’t dark or heavy. Ikumi’s inherent brightness supports the overall tone of the drama. 

 

Ikumi’s performance doesn’t involve assertive statements like look at me or I’m here. She doesn’t strive to present herself well, but rather embodies a genuine sense of naturalness, almost selflessly. Her appeal as an actor stems from her deep empathy with the characters she portrays, fully immersing herself in the role. Viewers naturally support the heroine who seamlessly merges with Ailin.

 

As the drama approaches its conclusion, the gradual unveiling of memories brings uncertainty about what they might reveal for Makoto. The outcome remains uncertain. However, regardless of how events unfold, viewers sincerely hope that Makoto, portrayed by Ikumi, doesn’t face unhappiness.

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