Hotaru no Hikari 2 interviews - NG Queen, getting the name of the drama wrong!

There's been a lack of interesting news, so at the moment I'm just translating some articles I find. These two are on Hotaru no Hikari 2. :D

"Hotaru no Hikari 2" is set to be the champion for this year's summer rankings. Since the show is airing in Taiwan as well , here some excerpts from an interview with the lead actors of the show, Ayase Hauka, Naohito Fujiki and Osamu Mukai.

When told that the show was doing well in Taiwan, Ayase Haruka exclaimed, "What will happen if everyone thinks that Japan is made out of himono onna!" She spoke of cast member Itaya Yuka going to Taiwan to promote the drama, "How lucky! We want to go to Taiwan to eat xiao long bao (dumplings) too! As the Taiwanese and Japanese names of the show are different, the absent-minded Ayase asked, "Isn't the Taiwanese name 'Himono onna in China'?", causing everyone to burst out in peals of laughter. After being corrected by a staff on the site, she blushingly apologised.

Osamu Mukai, who is very good in cooking, made fun of the himono onna Ayase acts as in the drama (Ameimiya Hotaru), saying that the character is too exaggerated. He pointed out "Look at her trackpants, the area at the knee is all worn out and she continues to wear them!" (yule)

"Hotaru no Hikari 2" is going to have some Taiwanese flavour! It is currently being broadcast in both Japan and Taiwan. According to the staff behing the drama, there will be something related to Taiwan in the 9th episode of the drama. Taiwanese viewers are all hoping that there will be a filming in Taiwan if there is a third series.

The three co-stars Ayase Haruka, Fujiki Naohito and Osamu Mukai have become good friends during the filming of this drama, and Fujiki and Osamu talked about how Ayase is an NG queen, complaining that she often laughs when filming. Though she was busy denying this, Osamu told her, "Do you know how many times you NG in one day? Someimes even I don't know what I can do to save you.". (yule)

Ayase denies relationship rumors at "Hotaru no Hikari 2" press conference

Today was the press conference for NTV's upcoming summer dorama "Hotaru no Hikari 2" starring Ayase Haruka (25), and many reporters were curious to get a response from Ayase about her alleged relationship with actor Osawa Takao (42). Unsurprisingly she clearly denied the rumors. "There is nothing like that going on (between us)," she said.

"Hotaru no Hikari 2" is the sequel to the popular drama series that aired in the summer of 2007. The story is based on a novel by Hiura Satoru and focuses on the life of Hotaru, a so-called "himono onna". Himono as in "dried fish", because she's a woman who refrains from love and rather lies around at home. The first season started with Hotaru ending up living together with the director at her workplace played by Fujiki Naohito (37). Eventually she experiences what it means to fall in love and this time she even starts to think about marriage.
Yasuda Ken (36), who will appear in the second season again, gave an advice to couples who are currently thinking about marriage. "I think it would be better to start living together before making that decision," he said. Ayase was impressed and responded, "I'll keep that in mind." About filming the sequel she said, "I'm happy that we are filming part two and will enjoy the filming."
Fujiki is happy too and joked about his age, "I'm happy that the drama is returning. It's been three years and the director is still the director, except that I've grown older… That's my personal problem, though."
Usuda Asami (25) also attended the press conference.
"Hotaru no Hikari 2" will be the new Wednesday 10pm drama of NTV and start with the first episode on July 07. The first episode will be 15 minutes longer. (Kawaii Joyuu)

Ayase Haruka to return in "Hotaru no Hikari"

It was reported on Sunday that the popular 2007 drama series "Hotaru no Hikari" is returning for a second season, and Ayase Haruka (25) will once again play the starring role.

Originally based on a shojo manga by Satoru Hiura, the first series told the story of a young office lady named Hotaru, who has no interest in romance and instead prefers spending her time lazily at home. However, her life changes when circumstances lead her to live under the same roof as her boss. Although the first series focused on Hotaru's reawakening to love, "Hotaru no Hikari 2" will be more about her path towards possible marriage.

Fujiki Naohito (37) will also return for the new series. NTV plans to broadcast the show on Wednesdays at 10:00pm, starting in July. (Tokyograph)