'Marry my husband' has been newly reborn in the Japanese version.

On the afternoon of the 26th, a production announcement for the Japanese version of the drama 'Marry my husband,' planned by CJ ENM and Studio Dragon, was held at the Ramada Hotel in Sindorim, Guro-gu, Seoul. The event featured actors Fuka Koshiba, Takeru Sato, and Chief Producer Jaeyoung Son, who shared their thoughts.

'Marry my husband,' based on the popular web novel of the same name, is a drama planned and produced by Studio Dragon and aired on tvN in 2024. It gained great popularity by providing thrilling catharsis through the story of a woman who witnessed the affair of her best friend and husband and was murdered, leading to her return and revenge.

The Japanese version of 'Marry my husband,' titled '私の夫と結婚して,' is not a remake of the Korean drama but an adaptation of the web novel. CJ ENM JAPAN and Studio Dragon, the country's largest drama production company, are responsible for the planning, along with Jiyurol Pictures, the producer of the film 'The Girl We Liked That Year,' and Shochiku, a major production company in Japan with a long history.

The direction is handled by director Gil-ho Ahn, known for works such as 'The Glory,' 'Memories of the Alhambra,' and 'Stranger.' The script is written by Satomi Oshima, a well-known screenwriter in Korea, who received an excellence award for the script for 'Ninety Years Old, What's So Joyful About It?' at this year's Japanese Academy Awards. Additionally, Jaeyoung Son, the PD in charge of the TVN version of 'Marry my husband,' and PD Lee Sang-hwa from CJ ENM's Global Content Production team will work together as chief producers for the Japanese version of 'Marry my husband,' showcasing the production capabilities of K-dramas.

Chief Producer Jaeyoung Son explained, "While planning the Korean version, the original web novel was released and gained popularity in Japan. So, we thought, why not plan the Japanese drama together? As I discussed this with the company, we began. Typically, when a Korean drama is produced overseas, it is in the form of a remake, but since the Japanese version of 'Marry my husband' was planned before the Korean version was filmed, it is an original drama version, not a remake. This was a new attempt and a significant challenge for us. Just as K-pop is already making strides, I thought that if K-dramas are planned by Korean producers and directly produced locally, it could be a meaningful endeavor to broaden the horizons of K-dramas."

Fuka Koshiba plays the role of Kanbe Misa, who lives her second life (originally played by Kang Ji-won). He introduced his character, saying, "In the first life, she is betrayed by her friend and husband. In the second life, she becomes a strong character resolved to take revenge. Despite being swayed by her friend and husband, she is a character who has a strong heart that believes in love, even though she cannot live as the protagonist of her life herself. Even for revenge, she is entangled with the person who killed her and has a strong conviction to push through until the end of what she decides."

He revealed that he had watched the Korean version of 'Marry my husband,' starring Min-young Park and In-woo Na. "After meeting with the director, I saw it, and he said, 'If you haven't seen it yet, don't watch it,' but I did anyway. It was so fun. There's a scene at a reunion where the protagonist transforms. I thought I should definitely express a scene that captures the viewer's heart in the Japanese version. At the same time, I resolved to express Japan's emotions and feelings well while watching it," he conveyed.

Takeru Sato plays the role of Suzuki Wataru, Misa's superior (originally played by Yu Ji-hyuk). He said, "Suzuki Wataru holds secrets, making it difficult to explain. I decided to establish one central axis for acting. I resolved to use my life for Misa's happiness. I think if I hold on to this central axis well, it will definitely become an attractive character, so I performed it accordingly."

He also watched the Korean version of 'Marry my husband.' Sato Takeru said, "When I first met the director, he said he hoped I hadn’t seen it, but I honestly told him that I had already seen everything. I enjoyed the Korean version, so I wondered how we could be good in creating the Japanese version. I thought about how to expand the strengths of the Korean version and improve it while we discussed the script meeting for the Japanese version."

When asked about the differentiation of the Japanese version, Chief Producer Jaeyoung Son stated, "While the Korean version focused on the immediate thrill, refreshment, and direct enjoyment that can be felt right away, since the Japanese version is ten episodes long, we aimed to showcase character relationships, psychology, and deep emotions. We also added features unique to the Japanese version. This means depicting the protagonist's fate in a life scenario form, viewing life as a theatrical stage where a woman, who has never been the protagonist, struggles to regain her place as the main character after receiving a chance in life. We worked hard to express and show the life scenario and theatrical stage visually well."

He also mentioned the differences in emotional expressions between Korea and Japan, saying, "There is a refined emotion. During script meetings with the director and screenwriter, the screenwriter showed a scene of infidelity from another Japanese drama. The husband, his mistress, and the wife were sitting together, drinking tea and talking. The director and I were surprised by this. We wondered why the wife doesn't slap the mistress and why she talks calmly, but that is the Japanese sentiment. Many such aspects were blended into the script, allowing it to be expressed with somewhat more refined emotions."

Regarding the fact that director Gil-ho Ahn was chosen for the Japanese version, which differs from the Korean version, he said, "The initial planning started in 2023. It was before the Korean version came out, so we didn't know how successful it would be. At that time, we thought of starting a project that could pursue more diverse trials and go overseas. The director had an interest in collaborating on overseas projects, planning the Korean and Japanese versions simultaneously. We sought to discuss from 2023 onward, and as the timing matched and the planning extended, the director thought this project was fun, so he decided to join us."

When asked about his experience working with the Korean production team, Takeru Sato stated, "I watch Korean dramas often at home. I particularly found works by director Gil-ho Ahn excellent, so I was thrilled to collaborate this time. I could learn a lot on set. I feel grateful for the good experience."

He continued, regarding the differences in the shooting environment, "I thought there would be a significant difference, but when I actually engaged, it turned out that what we do primarily involves relating well with the character I was responsible for. In terms of imagining the character's emotions and living as that person, there weren't many differences. I initially thought communication with the staff would be difficult due to the language barrier, but despite not knowing Korean, I understood what the director wanted to convey. Realizing we were facing the same work and creating something together, I didn’t find the language difference burdensome. Rather, it was a well-understood environment, and acting was easier than expected and fulfilling."

Fuka Koshiba also expressed, "I have a great interest in Korean dramas and movies. My favorite movie is a Korean film. I really like 'Miracle in Cell No. 7.' It's a work that moved me so much that I watched it many times until my eyes swelled up." He added, "I was happy to work with Korean directors and producers, and when I received the offer, I immediately responded that I would take it out of joy."

He mentioned, "The director is charming. After filming, he would compliment me, saying, 'You did well,' and tried to communicate actively. Initially, I was worried about feeling the language barrier regarding delicate expressions and whether there would be mismatched parts. But he understood the emotions I portrayed in my acting, which alleviated my initial anxieties. I also spent fulfilling days on set."

When asked whether he felt relieved, being the first Japanese drama made by a Korean production team, Fuka Koshiba answered, "I felt quite pressured. The Korean version was very popular, and since it is a product favored by many fans in Korea, I felt the burden that it would not be seen as a mere remake. This is a work produced by a Korean production team with Japanese actors, and the latter half of the drama also includes an original story from Japan. I am confident that fans who have watched the Korean version will enjoy the elements we have added that distinguish it from the Korean version."

Takeru Sato also stated, "I felt a significant burden. This is a burden of a level I can carry, and I think it’s a situation worth taking on." Regarding local reactions in Japan, he said, "I could only watch up to the second episode. Since I enjoyed the Korean version, I felt that good things remain good, and I found enjoyment in watching it multiple times. Of course, the acting of the actors changes slightly, and even if the same events occur, I sensed different emotions emerging from them. In the latter half, it will evolve into an original story for the Japanese version. While reading the script, I found myself gripping my hands in anticipation of what would happen next. I hope the viewers find it enjoyable too."

Chief Producer Jaeyoung Son also shared her thoughts on the response from viewers who have already watched the Korean version of 'Marry my husband,' saying, "Given that various reinterpretations of the same item are possible, I think viewers will find this enjoyable. There is the feeling of a Korean drama and also the feeling of a Japanese drama. A very unique feel has emerged in this drama. I believe that the synergy created by blending the strengths of both countries has contributed to the uniqueness of our drama."

Finally, Chief Producer Jaeyoung Son urged, "Those who have seen the Korean version will find a different feel, and those who are watching for the first time will discover the charm unique to the Japanese version. I would appreciate it if you enjoy it." Takeru Sato also added, "While reading the script, I felt a flutter in my heart after a long time. I was intrigued by how the story would develop, and I found scenes in the Japanese version where the character's past was expressed, along with a storyline that allows even the villains to resonate emotionally. There were also touching moments in the second episode. I want to express my gratitude to director Gil-ho Ahn for allowing me to work in a great environment. I hope many people enjoy it and support it."

Fuka Koshiba added, "This work also has an original story unique to the Japanese version, and all the actors worked hard to portray it perfectly. I want to portray the villain not just as a simple character but as a human who is more fascinating and worth exploring. Working with the Korean production team has become an invaluable learning experience. I will strive hard to embrace many such challenges in the future."

Meanwhile, the Japanese version of 'Marry my husband,' titled '私の夫と結婚して,' will be premiered on Amazon Prime Video at midnight on the 27th.

[Photo] OSEN reporter Jeong Hyung-jun

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