Kimura Yoshino returns to leading roles
7 Apr – Japanese actress Kimura Yoshino is preparing to be heartbroken and reunite with her first love in a cruel twist of fate for NHK's drama series "Hatsukoi".
According to Tokyo Graph, this would be her first leading role in a NHK drama in nine years, with her last being in 2003 for "Nikoniko Nikki".
In "Hatsukoi", Kimura is set to play as a speech therapist, Midori, who is betrayed by her first love, Mishima, played by Ihara Tsuyoshi. After marrying a younger man, she is diagnosed with liver cancer and is torn to realise that the only man who can perform the difficult surgery to save her is Mishima.
The drama is written by Nakazono Miho, whose previous works are seen in "Yamato Nadeshiko" and "Haken no Hinaku". Aoki Munetaka would play as Midori's husband while Sato Eriko, Hashimoto Ai, Cunning Takeyama and Sonim make up the rest of the cast.
"Hatsukoi" is planned to begin airing on 22 May for 8 episodes.
