Mukodono 2003

ムコ殿2003 · The Son-in-Law 2003

  • Winter
  • Spring 2003
  • Summer
  • Autumn
Mukodono 2003 key art
© Fuji TV
NetworkFuji TV
Broadcast17 Apr 2003 – 26 Jun 2003
Episodes11 Episodes
ViewershipAverage 12.6%
Fan score 6.7 from 15 reviews

Synopsis

Fall, 2002: A good-looking guy is kissing a beautiful girl. On the movie screen is the most stylish and striking commercial this fall. The handsome guy on the screen is Yuichiro Sakuraba, and the women in the audience at the movie theater can't take their eyes off the screen during this kiss scene.

The Japan Budokan: Young female fans are screaming at the top of their lungs. The star singing sexily under the spotlight is Yuichiro Sakuraba. When Yuichiro winks at the audience, they squeal wilder than ever.

The television is showing scenes from a documentary-style program that follows the life of Yuichiro Sakuraba around the clock. While watching the show at his agency, "Office Triangle," Yuichiro is getting dressed. Wearing glasses and a headband, the "real" Yuichiro looks like nothing more than a geek.
"I'm sooo darn tired! Kin-san wouldn't let me sleep on the plane."
"Of course not! The press and your fans were on the plane. How could I let them see you drooling and snoring out loud?" says his manager Sujiyama.
"I don't drool..."
"Oh, yes you do. Right, Kawamura?"
"He sure does. He even farts from time to time," says Sakuraba's personal driver, Kawamura.
Takuro, the president of the agency, is the only one laughing.
"I'll bet ya all the stars fart."
"See! Taku-san agrees with me!"
"Stars DO NOT fart!!"
"What about you Kin-san? Do you fart?"
"I... For heaven's sake, stop calling me Kin-san!"
"The tour in Taiwan was a big success, and everybody loves Yuichiro's new commercial, so let's just forget about it."

Yuichiro is riding his motorcycle home in his tacky sweatshirt, when a kitten jumps out in front of him. In an attempt to dodge the kitten, Yuichiro falls on his side, and hits a pedestrian. Yuichiro seems to be in pain, but he is more worried about the person he collided with.
"I'm okay. I was the one walking absent-mindedly."
Minami Ishihara looks up at Yuichiro.

It was love at first sight for Yuichiro. But the moment he feels relieved to know that Minami has no bruises, he realizes that he has hurt his foot, and can't walk.
"OUCH!!"
Minami insists on taking him to the hospital, but Yuichiro keeps saying, "That's not a good idea." So she helps push his motorcycle home with him.

They arrive in an underground parking lot of a gorgeous apartment building, where an elevator takes them straight up to Yuichiro's room. At first, Minami is amazed, but gets suspicious when Yuichiro keeps his helmet on even inside the room. Minami nurses him. Yuichiro's eyes are fixed on Minami. But she's terrible at nursing him. That's what touches Yuichiro's heart even more. When Minami is ready to leave, Yuichiro stops her, and is ready to reveal himself. With his heart racing, he slowly takes off his helmet.
But Minami has a blank look on her face. "What?"
Minami can't tell that the geek in front of her is Yuichiro Sakuraba, the star.

"What songs do you like?"
Yuichiro starts asking leading questions, but Minami doesn't have a clue to what he's getting at. Unable to tell her who he really is, the two just exchange phone numbers and part.

When Yuichiro is later scolded by Sujiyama, Yuichiro decides to keep the encounter with Minami a secret. After an exhausting day, Yuichiro returns home from work, picks up Minami's business card, and smiles to himself. A 31-year-old librarian. She's six years older than Yuichiro. He gathers some courage and dials the number.

His first date with her is in a disguise...It is also Minami's first time to cook a homemade dish... Next is their first Christmas together...And finally their first kiss.

There's one big problem though. Yuichiro still hasn't told Minami that he's "Yuichiro Sakuraba" even after they've been dating. Because his real last name is different, and he hasn't yet found the opportunity to tell her, Minami is unaware of her boyfriend's true identity.

Spring, 2003: Yuichiro is recording a song that's soon to be released. At the same time, he's also shooting a commercial with a young actress by the name of Hikari Aikawa.

One night, after they have been dating for a couple of months, Yuichiro gives Minami a ride home on his motorcycle. It's midnight, and everybody is asleep... they thought.
All of a sudden, the light on the porch comes on.
"Minami, we've all been waiting for you!"
Minami's sisters come pouring out of the house.
Toko is the eldest, followed by Nishie, Kitae, and Akira. They've been eagerly waiting to see Minami's "young boyfriend."

Reluctantly, Yuichiro steps into their house. The eldest sister Toko is a cop. The second oldest sister in the family is Minami. The third is Nishie, a doctor. The fourth Kitae, is a flight attendant, and the youngest Akira goes to a well-known private high school.

Every one of the Ishihara sisters has both brains, beauty, and a no-nonsense attitude. They just blatantly stare at Yuichiro, and thoroughly check him out.

Eavesdropping behind the door is their father Mamoru, a gynecologist. He's the only male in the family, and always seems to lose to his daughters. He cares a lot about his daughters, and is proud of them. But none has gotten married yet.

The girls just keep on chattering, and continue bombarding Yuichiro with questions, until finally, Mamoru yells. "What are your intentions for my daughter?" With all eyes glued on Yuichiro, he stammers, "Well... that's a difficult subject." Now everybody's talking at the same time, about different topics, and it's total chaos. Yuichiro feels pressed, and answers, "Of course, to eventually get married." Amidst the confusion, Yuichiro suddenly proposes. Nobody is more surprised than Minami herself. Somebody says, "He looks familiar." Yuichiro can feel his sweat trickling down.

Finally the time has come for Yuichiro to reveal himself in front of the Ishihara's, including Minami. She can't believe that her boyfriend is the famous Yuichiro Sakuraba.

After a lot of ups and downs, and coping with many issues occurring all at once, Yuichiro and Minami get married. What's more surprising, Yuichiro marries into the family of his bride. Will Yuichiro be able to maintain a balance between being a star and being a son-in-law?

Synopsis: Fuji TV

Cast & characters 17 credited

Theme song

  • “Omae yanai to akan nen” おまえやないと あかんねん — Nagase Tomoya

Videos 1 on YouTube

Fan reviews 15 reviews

6.7/ 10
10 2
9 3
8 1
7 3
1–6 6

Not the best, but watchable

7 / 10

Limes · 2008

Inevitably, this drama will be compared with its predecessor, the original Mukodono, but this certainly isn't a sequel to it - in fact, it seems to be more of a remake than anything else. The characters have totally changed, with the exception of the star, Sakuraba Yuuchiro. With a bigger budget than what was had with Mukodono, Sakuraba Yuuichiro returns, and this time, he's not just a superstar - he's a megastar! Despite the glitz and the glam, and the good cast, the drama is rather weak.

My first complaint: there is hardly any chemistry between Minami and Yuuichiro. The whole courtship from the time they met to him proposing to her was a rushed and botched job; there were no emotions between them, only script.

Second: stupid gags aren't comedy and are not fun. It's just lame and stupid.

So why a 7? (Surely because I'm a Tomoya-fan.) Well, I thought the acting was really rather good, despite the roles and the script they were given. Once again, Nagase overacts to a endearing, lovable degree - and that's what I love about him. The two older female leads were excellent in their respective roles. Shinohara Ryoko once again was in her element; I wished she had been given a bigger role for all her talent.

Not to mention 'Omae yanai to akannen' is a rather sweet song to listen to.

Overall, it was watchable, but not particularly re-watchable. I loved the cast and the acting, but the storyline was generally weak and sometimes unbelievable. Despite its flaws, I still managed to sit through all episodes without once rolling my eyes or walking away, so - a seven.

unreasonable

3 / 10

akitsu · 2006

The first impression of the drama was quite good. Cast also wasnt that bad. But! While watching I start to ask myself what the *** is going on here?! The whole story is just sooo absurd and I believe that the scenarist wanted to create a comedy, but it didnt work out. Too bad...

Pretty Bad

3 / 10

shikirocks · 2005

Don't watch ths!!!!

All 15 reviews