Aya Ueto

Nakai, Ueto star in upcoming drama about finding a marriage partner

Monday 13th April, 03:00 AM JST

TOKYO —

SMAP leader Masahiro Nakai, 36, and actress Aya Ueto, 23, will star in an upcoming Fuji TV drama called “Konkatsu!” – an abbreviated term for “kekkon katsudo” or “marriage-hunting,” coined in recent years to describe a pro-active approach to finding a marriage partner.

Nakai plays a man in his mid-30s who is devoted to his work and hasn’t given much thought to getting married, but suddenly finds himself out of a job amid the economic downturn. He considers working for the family “tonkatsu” (pork cutlet) business but finds an ad for a part-time position at the local ward office. The ad stipulates they are looking for someone who is already married, and the man lies in his application, saying he is. After this, he starts looking for a partner, and enlists the help of his friends, family and colleagues.

At a press conference to promote the drama, Ueto asked Nakai what three things he wants in a marriage partner, and he said: “I’d like a woman who goes to bed early, someone who can be by herself, and let me be by myself, and thirdly she has to be a good cook and make a good breakfast.”

Nakai returned the question and Ueto said: “He has to be diligent or serious, is polite, and can make me feel safe.” She also said that she wants to get married before she turns 30, and wants to master all the house chores.

It’s the first time for Ueto to play a leading role in the coveted Monday 9 p.m. slot, and it has been more than 10 years for Nakai. Tatsuya Ueda, member of J-pop group KAT-TUN, 25, and actress-celebrity Yumiko Shaku, 30, will also appear in the drama.

“Konkatsu!” will air from April 20.

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Latest 15 of 16 Total Comments Show All

saborichan at 09:53 AM JST - 13th April

"someone who can be by herself, and let me be by myself"

Sounds like he has a good idea of shared time and alone time, not a surprise from a J-star that probably doesn't get much quiet time.

Why's the girl got to be so young, though?
cracaphat at 10:48 AM JST - 13th April

Japanese tv is so lame and predictable in what it shows.
jonnyboy at 11:04 AM JST - 13th April

The ad stipulates they are looking for someone who is already married

i assume this is legal? disgusts me if it is, although i can understand why employers like married people: tied into a marriage they are forced to be obedient and more likely to put up with sh*t. single people are more able to show the finger and walk away
northlondon at 11:55 AM JST - 13th April

The ad stipulates they are looking for someone who is already married, and the man lies in his application, saying he is. After this, he starts looking for a partner, and enlists the help of his friends, family and colleagues.

Hasn't Nakai already played this role in real life with Kumi Koda ?
Osakadaz at 02:06 PM JST - 13th April

what a change for most men who usually pretend they aren't married.Another vapid excuse for hammed-up acting and not much of a storyline.I can't imagine how they can base a whole show on the simple premise that they are offering.Just finished watching HBO's "Deadwood"...now that pretty much beats anything I have seen on TV ever.Actors who can really act..what a revolution.
herefornow at 02:24 PM JST - 13th April

He certainly has three interesting criteria for a partner -- someone who: goes to bed early, leaves him alone, and can cook him a good breakfast. No sense being concerned about anything important like whether she is intelligent, funny, sincere, generous, or things like that. Just so long as she stays out of his way and feeds him in the morning. And this from a 36 year-old guy. No wonder J-marriages are often devoid of any real love. That's not what the J-guys want anyway.
soldave at 02:48 PM JST - 13th April

herefornow - He forgot to add "and doesn't mind when I spend most nights at a hostess bar after work".
Wakarimasen at 04:37 PM JST - 13th April

I love what they want from partners or to be themselves..... master house chores indeed
Hotbox08 at 05:43 PM JST - 13th April

“He has to be diligent or serious, is polite, and can make me feel safe.”

Sounds like a sensible woman to me. Glad she isn't superficial and not mentioning things like money or looks.
Nessie at 07:31 PM JST - 13th April

a marriage partner

In English we call this a spouse.
Sarge at 08:02 PM JST - 13th April

"a marriage partner"

Or, in Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's case, just a partner.

Whatever happened to good old mail-order brides?
Dubya at 11:10 PM JST - 13th April

"marriage partner" Have we really dumbed down this far?
Bogi at 11:34 PM JST - 13th April

I’d like a woman who goes to bed early, someone who can be by herself, and let me be by myself, and thirdly she has to be a good cook and make a good breakfast.

He has to be diligent or serious, is polite, and can make me feel safe.” She also said that she wants to get married before she turns 30

Sounds like the producers are trying to appeal to 97.3% of the Japanese population. How revolutionary!
gogogo at 12:54 AM JST - 14th April

The true Japanese eduction system, Japanese TV dramas..
Yelnats at 02:57 PM JST - 14th April

Well I hope they do not let Nakai sing in this drama. He sings the flattest of the whole bunch.