The grass is always greener next door - Japanese and Korean dramas - Hollywood Cinema [www.hlwyy.com]

"The Grass on the Other Side" is the starting work of renowned screenwriter Shoukou Hashida, creator of the extremely popular long-running series "Warm and Cold Human World." Originally aired in 1976 as an NHK television drama, the show tells the story of a woman who married a white-collar worker and is the second son in her husband's family. She diligently works as a housewife while clashing with her mother-in-law, who has run away from her eldest son's home to live with them.

The intense rivalry between Yoko Yamamoto (playing the daughter-in-law) and Sadako Sawamura (as the mother-in-law) left an indelible impression on viewers at the time, turning the phrase "the grass on the other side" into a popular term describing mother-in-law and daughter-in-law issues.

TBS producer Akira Arakawa commented: "Even now, the relationship between mother-in-laws and daughters-in-laws remains an evergreen theme." Hence, the decision was made to remake the series after 33 years, with original author Shoukou Hashida herself modernizing the script. The role of the 21st-century new daughter-in-law is played by Asuka Seto, and producer Arakawa noted: "She has a strong presence that can hold her own against Hitomi Izumi, who plays the mother-in-law." This marks Asuka Seto's first performance in a Shoukou Hashida work.

In the story, the well-meaning daughter-in-law gives a gift to her mother-in-law, only to be harshly scolded and told she doesn't want anything from her. Meanwhile, the man caught between them, Kouji Ohtsuka, chooses to ignore the situation entirely, leaving the unfortunate housewife daughter-in-law at her wit's end. Asuka Seto, known for her diverse acting roles, is portraying such a down-to-earth housewife for the first time since marrying V6 member Hidehiko Inohara in September 2007.

In the drama, Asuka Seto also plays the mother of two elementary school children. With great enthusiasm, she stated: "This is my first time playing both a daughter-in-law and a mother, and I will strive not to be overwhelmed by Ms. Hitomi Izumi's powerful presence."

Hitomi Izumi, who plays the sharp-tongued mother-in-law opposing Asuka Seto, is known for her role as the victimized daughter-in-law in "Warm and Cold Human World." Now, with the roles reversed, she can unleash all the frustrations she endured in "Warm and Cold Human World" onto Asuka Seto. Regarding this, Hitomi Izumi remarked: "Although I understand Asuka Seto's feelings as I've experienced it myself, I will spare no effort in bullying her thoroughly."

Additionally, these two women—of different ages and experiences, and adversaries within the drama—shared similar views on men, agreeing that they often have a certain degree of maternal attachment.