On March 15, 2025, the TV Tokyo 60th anniversary drama special "If it's sunny, that's good" held a lively talk event featuring lead actress Yuko Araki and co-star Kyoko Yoshine. The collaboration marked their first time working together, and both expressed their admiration for each other. Araki noted, "I came to like her even more," highlighting the positive energy Yoshine brought to the set. Yoshine praised Araki's supportive nature and her ability to evoke sympathy, foreseeing their bond deepening throughout the project.
The drama is adapted from Yoko Ogawa's popular novel of the same name and showcases the story of nurse Akina Takahashi. The unique plot sees her accidentally time slip to 1945 during wartime, where she embarks on the challenging task of working as army nurse Sae Yukino at a field hospital in the Philippines. This poignant narrative will air on TV Tokyo on March 30, 2025, at 9 PM.
Yoshine's character, Mitsu Fujiwara, is Yukino's close friend, and she reflected on their time together during filming. "There were difficult times when we would go out for dinner and share our problems. When I began to cry, Yuko-chan cried too. Her kindness is overwhelming, and I feel saved by her," said Yoshine, underlining the strong emotional support they provided each other.
Araki reciprocated with admiration, emphasizing Yoshine's integrity and earnest approach to her craft. "She has such bright eyes and faces everything with sincerity, inspiring me as someone from the same generation. We often discussed acting and relied on each other," Araki recalled.
The talk event featured light-hearted moments, such as the "Telepathy Quiz" where both actresses took turns guessing each other's thoughts on various subjects. When asked about the most challenging scene they filmed, both instinctively responded with the 'sea scene,' where they braved cold temperatures for hours.
The emotional atmosphere from their discussion permeated the event as Araki shared her experience with the show's title theme song, "If it's sunny, that's good," performed by DREAMS COME TRUE. "Filming brought many challenges, but the song really lifted my spirits. It encapsulates the struggles and resilience of those living under difficult circumstances, and I hope our audience can find inspiration through it," she said.
Looking toward the premiere, Yoshine added, "While there are many hard scenes, I also hope viewers can enjoy the bright moments and feel small joys throughout the drama." Their heartfelt exchanges echoed through the event, showcasing the strong bond formed between the two, promising viewers dynamic performances from these rising stars.
This upcoming series not only reflects on historical themes but also emphasizes the human spirit's tenacity against adversity. With exceptional performances and compelling storytelling, "If it's sunny, that's good" is expected to resonate deeply with its audience.
Following the event, both actresses enthusiastically expressed their gratitude for working together, displaying the camaraderie they built during the production. "It has been such a joy to meet each other and support each other throughout the filming process," Yoshine said before they left the event together, smiling and clutching their prizes for successfully answering the quiz.
With the production details spearheaded by acclaimed screenwriter Megumi Okada, and various notable cast members like Riku Hagiwara and Noriko Eguchi, the drama promises to be not just entertaining but also deeply moving, reflecting the lives of those who have faced unimaginable challenges.
For anyone eager to witness this poignant tale, "If it's sunny, that's good" will soon be airing on Prime Video and will also be available on terrestrial television, bringing its heartwarming story to households across Japan.