During Christmas and New Year every year, major Japanese TV stations prepare a large number of special programs, allowing everyone to sit at home and enjoy leisurely and happy times with their families. Among the many special programs for the 2021 New Year, the appeal of “The Fable II: The First Chapter” starring the great Kimura Takuya and the long-running “The Solitary Gourmet” for 8 years is far less than the 2021 special edition of the hit drama “It’s Shameful to Escape, But Useful” in 2016, becoming the best special program for this year’s New Year!
Starring the “National Wife” Yui Aragaki and the “Genius of the Entertainment Industry” Gen Hoshino, “It’s Shameful, But It’s Useful” achieved excellent viewership in 2016, sparking a craze for the “Love Dance.” After a 4-year hiatus, this “newlywed couple” Miki Moriyama (played by Yui Aragaki) and Takashi Tsuzaki (played by Gen Hoshino) reunited to star in a special edition with the theme of “Cheer for Humanity.” Through their tearful journey as new parents, they vividly present various issues such as Japanese workplace culture, women’s status, same-sex marriage, childbirth, and the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking massive discussions among Japanese netizens. Some of the dialogues in the drama, upon closer examination, evoke an unprecedented sense of shared empathy, with everyone marveling at how the SP edition of “It’s Shameful, But It’s Useful” is truly a microcosm of real life!
1. 「我們要一起學習、一起做父母，所謂夫婦不是應該這樣嗎？」
After Shili and Pingkuang registered as a married couple, Pingkuang told Shili, who had just confirmed her pregnancy, that he would be her support. However, his seemingly caring and considerate words triggered Shili’s nerves. She felt that Pingkuang’s words were equivalent to just receiving orders, so she had to learn and work hard on the parenting journey alone. Whether as a couple or as a married couple, two people live together, learn, experience, and grow together. If only one person makes an effort and the other symbolically complies with requests, the balance will be lost, and the two will no longer walk on the balance line of shared life.
2. 「你的那句喜歡，對獨自煩惱的我來說有像一道光。」
Successful businesswoman Yuriko Ishida was diagnosed with uterine cancer, but unfortunately, there was no one around her to share the anxiety of being ill. She even had to find a long-lost lesbian classmate who confessed her feelings to her after they reunited to accompany her to the hospital. In a society that still rejects the LGBT community and holds misunderstandings and non-acceptance towards homosexuals, Ishida Yuriko, who sees through life and death, chooses to accept and acknowledge others’ choices, and says a comforting word to them. When you open your heart to accept others, it is a release for both yourself and the other person. Learning to respect each other is a gain, not a loss.
3. 「不能請假這件事，本來就不對！」
As office workers, both Shiori and Hiraku feel helpless and aggrieved when it comes to requesting maternity and paternity leave from their company and bosses. They worry about inconveniencing their colleagues but also need to stay home to care for their newborn baby. After discussing it in detail, the couple both agree that “not being able to take leave is simply wrong”! This statement resonates with all Japanese office workers, and even with those of us who are also office workers! Vacation time is one of the benefits for employees, and as long as it is not abused, taking leave is actually a reasonable and justifiable thing to do!
4. 「女人之間可以互相抱怨，男人更傾向一個人承擔一切，最後爆發！」
To take care of the pregnant chestnut, while balancing work and household chores, the pressure has been boiling recently, facing the edge of collapse, affecting the harmonious relationship between the couple. Chestnut and Yukiko Ishida complained, and in the conversation, they told Yukiko Ishida about the different ways men and women deal with negative emotions, awakening the dreamer with a word, making the chestnut, who is used to complaining about hardships, try to stand in the position of balance, and understand the frustration of men bearing unhappiness alone.
5. 「不管是男人還是女人，都有辛苦到過不去的時候」
After receiving Shi Tian Bai Yuzi’s guidance, Shi Li returned home to encourage Ping Kuang to express his feelings of unease. His wife’s understanding and embrace, gently allowed Ping Kuang to finally let go, shouting “it’s been tough,” in exchange for Shi Li’s “thank you.” This “thank you” is an acknowledgment of Ping Kuang’s willingness to take off his armor and face his own encouragement. Men, no matter how strong they may appear on the outside, also have a vulnerable side within. There will always be times when things are tough to get through, and expressing oneself appropriately is definitely not a sign of weakness, but rather a demonstration of your courage to face your own strength!
6. 「大家環抱著各自的小小宇宙…去擁抱生活就好」
Shili and Ping Kuang welcomed their baby successfully, but unfortunately encountered the pneumonia epidemic. Shili and the baby fled to the countryside to fight the epidemic, living separately from Ping Kuang. Each character in the drama must adapt to the new post-epidemic era in response to changes in society. Facing changes, they hold their ground, embrace life with a positive attitude, feel the beauty of the world, and continue to live on despite the hardships!
