Takenouchi plays an aquarium employee named Kengo, who seems ordinary at first glance but actually possesses a secret that he would sacrifice everything in order to protect. Meanwhile, Ueto plays Risa, a young woman working in the sex trade in order to pay off her brother's debt, though her situation has led her to contemplate suicide. These two characters, both full of despair, meet each other and end up entering a contract marriage purely for its benefits. However, as they overcome various troubles, their relationship begins turning into true love.

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  Ueto Aya (Makihara Risa)

  Main Role

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  Takenouchi Yutaka (Okada Kengo)

  Main Role

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  Sugimoto Tetta (Kawamoto Junji)

  Supporting Role

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  Harada Mieko (Okada Kazuko)

  Supporting Role

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  Inagaki Goro (Makihara Shuichi)

  Supporting Role

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  Kitano Kie (Okada Maria)

  Supporting Role

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• Oct 26, 2011 10 of 10 episodes seen

  amrita828
  14 of 14 people found this review helpful
  Other reviews by this user
  • Overall  9
  • Story  9
  • Acting/Cast  10
  • Music  7
  • Rewatch Value  8

  Touching. Romantic. Lovely. Addicting in a slow, pensive way. This drama is a little wonder, one I fell in love with without a clear reason: it's not sparkling, the action is reduced to the bare minimum, and so are words. But there's an intensity in the long silences which makes the unspoken a lot louder than whatever is being said.
  
  Most of it is due to the excellent cast. I knew Ueto Aya from Attention Please and loved her there: she was the reason why I watched that drama and the only reason why I completed it. There she was feisty and entertaining, here she plays the role of a disillusioned young woman, wary of men - who can blame her? - and in desperate need of warmth and a sense of belonging. Her acting is outstanding, one can't help falling in love with her fragility, her courage and beauty.
  Takenouchi Yutaka is just as awesome. His character is that of an honest man who leads a simple life but is ready to go to any length in order to save his sister. He's so sedate throughout the whole drama, I expected him to burst out at some point. But he didn't, and I realize now this is what makes him into such an endearing character. He expresses a world of meaning via glances and silences: I loved it.
  The encounter between Risa and Kengo is poignant and their interaction from that point on is always defined by a sedate fire. Nobody shouts, or desperately cries or have fits of anger, and yet the chemistry is powerful.
  I don't think it's accidental that Matsuda Shota speaks in a very sedate and calm way too through the whole show. This is the imprint of Nagareboshi. Just like the beautiful jellyfishes that float around in the aquarium. I never thought I could come to consider jellyfishes such beautiful creatures.
  The side cast is just as brilliant, mostly the women.
  
  The photography deserves a mention too. There are some truly outstanding sceneries of Japan shown in this drama. I was captivated by the colours and the general atmosphere. I love it that Japanese can produce wonderful dramas without the pomp and the shine we have been accustomed to with the usual super stars sporting gorgeous outfits or your average hero under the shower. This is a simple yet complicated love story between two very average people. It could be us.
  
  The music is beautiful, although not my genre. I usually prefer instrumental pieces in dramas, so I don't really care much for songs. But it suits the pace and the feel of the drama perfectly.
  
  If you like well acted, slow developing stories without love triangles or squares, played on style more than actual happenings, this drama is for you. I suppose it's for mature viewers - and I'm not referring to age. read more

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• Jun 13, 2011 10 of 10 episodes seen

  KdramaQueen89
  5 of 5 people found this review helpful
  Other reviews by this user
  • Overall  9
  • Story  9
  • Acting/Cast  10
  • Music  8
  • Rewatch Value  8

  Story- Touching story of a brother who would do anything to save his sister. This includes marrying a girl for her liver. The romance is subtle but sweet. There is a bit of sadness in there. Everyone gets a happy ending though. I liked that this wasnt a romance where it was twisted and had a tragic ending.
  
  Acting/Cast- The leads had great chemistry. Everyone acted in their roles well. I didn\''\''t like Aya in Attention Please but she proved me wrong in this drama. I liked that the male lead was so sweet and nice. The brother was a jerk throughout as the villian but he redeems himself in the end.
  
  Music- Very nice score that went along with the mood of the drama.
  
  Rewatch- Its one to rewatch but not right away.
  
  Overall- This is a touching drama that the actors carry with thier wonderful acting. read more

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• 
  Boku to Star no 99 Nichi

  Similar underlying concept. Both based on the development of a relationship from a contract -Boku to Star bodyguard contract & Nagareboshi marriage contract. The latter deals with more serious themes but if you enjoyed one you'll most likely enjoy the other

  reportRecommended by Doomed