Japanese actress Ichikawa Mikako, alongside co-stars Suzuki An and Hiraiwa Kami, engaged in heartfelt reminiscing as they wrapped filming for their drama "Hot Spot." This touching moment occurred at the set of the local eatery, "Montblanc," where memories from the past five months flooded back during their crank-up, leading to tears among the trio.
The show, which airs every Sunday at 22:30 on Japanese television, encapsulates the story of Kiyomi Endo (played by Ichikawa), a single mother employed at a business hotel located at the foot of Mt. Fuji. The plot centers around her interactions with Takashi (played by Kakuta Akihiro), portrayed as an alien resembling an elderly man. Their unique bond serves as the backdrop of this local human-alien comedy, rich with emotional depth and humor.
On the day of the crank-up, Ichikawa reflected on the supportive atmosphere on set, expressing, "The atmosphere on set has been really good since the first day. When the filming is over safely, I'm sure I'll only feel lonely, but now I'm terribly lonely. Thank you very much for helping me get through the five months." Suzuki also shared her sentiments, stating, "I think it's miraculous to have such a wonderful set, and I was so happy to be part of it. If I started talking, it would take about three hours, so I won't talk too much today, but I really think Mikako-chan was great!"
Hiraiwa chimed in, sharing her joy over the filming experience: "Every day was fun, all the scenes were fun, and I was happy to be able to work in such a wonderful setting. I want to time-leap to my high school self and tell her, 'You'll be a great actress and have fun even when you're 45.' Thank you all."
During the emotional moment, they united to cheer on their fellow actor Kakuta, who still had one scene left to shoot. "Do your best. I'm rooting for you, Kakuta!" they exclaimed, creating unity and joy even as emotions overflowed. Kakuta light-heartedly responded to their encouragement with, "That’s not even the line!" bringing laughter to their sentiments.
The excitement surrounding "Hot Spot" leads to the final episode set to air on March 16, 2025. It will reveal significant developments: Kiyomi learns of corrupt dealings involving the hotel owner (Tsutsui Mariko) and the mayor (Kikuchi Yumi). Along with her childhood friends, Hatchi (Suzuki An) and Minami (Hiraiwa Kami), Kiyomi embarks on a mission to expose the impropriety and halt the sale of the hotel to save Takashi.
Takashi's plight takes center stage as he sneaks back to the owner's office to gather evidence of fraud. Unfortunately, complications arise when both the hotel owner and security arrive, trapping him in what could be termed as dire circumstances. This narrative promises to keep viewers engaged until the last minute, with tension mounting over Kiyomi and her friends' ability to change the course of their futures.
The beloved series "Hot Spot" has captivated audiences with its blend of humor and heart and explores strong themes of friendship, courage, and the fight against injustice. Viewers are sure to be glued to their screens on the drama's finale, carrying hopes for both resolution and surprises. The final episode promises to deliver not only laughs and tears but also moving moments of camaraderie, showcasing the strong bond shared by the cast throughout the production.
Four of the core cast members, Ichikawa, Suzuki, Hiraiwa, and Kakuta, are expected to appear live on the program "Shuichi" the day of the finale, where they will undoubtedly share more reflections on their time on the series. Meanwhile, fans eagerly await how Kiyomi and her friends will navigate the obstacles they face, setting the stage for perhaps the most memorable conclusion yet.
With the episode being at the mercy of potential delays due to sports coverage, viewers should keep their plans flexible to catch this noteworthy culmination of their favorite series on Japanese television. The finale of "Hot Spot" is aligned to air on March 16 at 22:30, underlining the importance of community bond, both on-screen and behind the scenes.