Young Couples Connect with Mika Tabe’s Drama Housework on the Other Side Earning Praise from Both Women and Men

A gently realistic solution

As the spring dramas of April are almost all out, with many hot topics, Oricon conducted a survey asking, “Which of the spring dramas starting this April are you most looking forward to?” The result showed that “Taigan no Kaji – Kore ga, Watashi no Ikiru Michi!” (TBS) ranked 4th.

Although it missed the podium, it clearly stands out in terms of buzz, as its first episode surpassed 3 million views on TVer, making it the highest number for a TBS drama. The drama is based on the “workplace novel” Taigan no Kaji by author Keiko Akino, which took her five years to write.

The protagonist, Shiho Murakami, a full-time housewife, is played by Mikako Tabe (36), who stars in her second TBS Tuesday drama since Watashi no Kaseifu Nagisa-san five years ago. Having married in 2019 and now a mother of one, Tabe is perfectly cast for the role. On social media, she’s been receiving praise with comments like surprisingly cute. However, it’s not just her that’s making waves, but the themes and content of the drama itself.

According to TBS’s official website:

“(Shiho) will interact with people she never expected to meet, such as working moms and elite bureaucratic dads on maternity leave. As she clashes with the people on the other side—who have completely different ways of thinking and living—how will they connect with each other? We want you to witness this journey together.”

The show deals with relatable issues like balancing work and parenting, and the rise of involved fathers. In each episode, Shiho finds gently realistic solutions from the perspective of a housewife. This has garnered support not only from female viewers but also from male viewers.

An Antithesis to Current Values

According to a writer for a television magazine:

“When it comes to dramas with a housewife as the protagonist, one might typically imagine a comedy or mystery where the housewife solves difficult cases. However, this drama’s theme revolves around housework and child-rearing. There aren’t any major incidents or accidents, and it tackles common problems in the daily lives of ordinary people, resolving them from the perspective of a housewife in a human drama.

In other words, it’s not a drama where professionals solve problems in an exhilarating, satisfying way. It’s real and serious, but with a soft landing, leaving viewers with warm feelings. That’s why it has gained popularity.”

In the drama, Shiho’s neighbor, a working mom played by Noriko Eguchi (44), says to Shiho, “Housewives like you are an endangered species these days.” Before the broadcast, there were concerns about which demographic the drama would appeal to, especially given the housewife protagonist and the focus on housework and child-rearing. However, the show has resonated with a broad audience, including working mothers, dual-income couples, and even men taking parental leave for child-rearing.

As the television writer mentioned, “The theme of housework and child-rearing isn’t limited to stay-at-home moms; it resonates with working moms, dual-income couples, and men taking paternity leave. That’s why mothers struggling with child-rearing, as well as people of all genders, have empathized with it.”

Movie journalist Harumi Nakayama explains further:

“Endangered species are considered valuable, and this is a rethinking of values. Nowadays, stay-at-home moms who aren’t working are often seen as envied and scorned by their peers, as they are assumed to be wealthy and have leisure time. However, this drama emphasizes that being a housewife involves a lot of work and isn’t easy. The problems faced are the same for everyone. It’s an antithesis to current values.”

Historically, female protagonists in dramas were often career women, such as teachers, flight attendants, doctors, nurses, lawyers, police officers, or office workers. Today, the focus is shifting toward quality of life. While work is important, personal happiness and life come first. This is what makes the show resonate.

Although the theme may seem out of touch with current times, it actually reflects society’s changes. In today’s harsh environment, the drama is serious but doesn’t become too heavy, allowing viewers to watch it with a soft and warm mindset. Moreover, since the setting involves a family, which many can relate to, it makes the drama feel more familiar. These elements contribute to its popularity.

The first episode received a relatively good start with a 6.5% household rating and a 3.9% individual rating. With increasing word-of-mouth and rising ratings, it seems likely that the show’s viewership will continue to rise.