Hyomil

Fukada plays a clinical psychologist recruited by the National Police Agency in an attempt to stay one step ahead of a bomb terrorist.

Sounds more exciting than it is. Its a decent movie but fairly dry and slow-paced. Kyoko Fukada can generally liven things up, but she isn't given much opportunity to shine, with only a few token lighthearted touches thrown in. Nor do they take an intense approach that would've generated more suspense. Would've helped if they'd cut it down from 1hr. 54mins. or added more depth to the characterizations. They hit a few beats but it fails to really build momentum and capitalize on the parts that work, so it ends up feeling rather pasted together.

If they'd stuck with what worked, this would have been a gripping, moving series from beginning to end. I kept marveling at how immediately and consistently disarming Kyoko Fukada is, managing to play a character who's overtly stupid, whiny, and childish yet still comes across as guileless, humble, understanding, helpful, selfless, likable, and funny. I can remember only one moment where I saw something resembling a smirk (when her fiancé seemed like he might be mimicking her in the hotel). Impossible not to like her, and its rather terrifying how good she is at keeping it that way, with no sense of what might lie underneath should she ever slip.

Unfortunately, they tried to mix in parodies of police dramas with a lot of characters who are nothing but comedy props and it falls painfully flat again and again until you're groaning as soon as you see them start up, yet they do little to rework these parts by the end of the series. Maybe they felt they had no choice because the series is based on a manga. Fukada's character is transferred out of her department to work for a eccentric shut-in because she's seen as stupid, yet after seeing more antics of the other officers, she seems like an absolute genius in comparison. If you can bear with it through these parts, the rest is great. For more of Kyoko Fukada, I recommend Yama Onna Kabe Onna (2007).

Note: English fansubs for this are better than those on the Ember Power DVDs and their timings are based on them.

J-Drama that's heavy on comedy. Takes place in a department store with many female salespeople packed into a small area selling purses. The literal title is "Mountain woman, wall woman," referring to the chest region. Kyoko Fukada, somewhat distant/flat in Fugoh Keiji, comes alive here, and has to be seen to be believed as the super cute/perky/innocent "mountain woman" who's the desire of all the men, the envy of all the women, and a subject of lead Misaki Ito's character's nightmares and fantasies. Eiko Koike is also a standout, but the whole cast is good. As it goes on, the series drifts back to more standard drama that's less successful, but its at its best in the earlier episodes with the sharp interactions between the women and crazy antics.