Vocabulary:
- eventual /ih-VEN-choo-uh/
- eccentric /ik-SEN-trik/
- failure /FEYL-yer/
- hardship /HAHRD-ship/
- encouragement /en-KUR-ij-muhnt/
[adjective] happening at a later time
His hard work led to his eventual success.
[adjective] tending to act in strange or unusual ways
Their neighbor is kind yet eccentric.
[noun] lack of success
Trying to bake a chocolate cake was a failure.
[noun] something that causes suffering
Families faced hardships during the war.
[noun] something that makes someone more confident
Her coach’s encouragement helped her win the match.
Sakura Ando stars in NHK’s (Nippon Hoso Kyokai, Japan Broadcasting Corporation in English) 99th morning drama, “Manpuku”. In this drama, Ando plays as Fukuko, the wife of the eventual inventor of instant noodles. Ando describes her character as a candid person and playing the role on camera feels refreshing since she usually plays eccentric characters. “Manpuku” tells the story of a couple who went through business failures and hardships before and after World War II.
Ando hesitated to take the role as she gave birth to her first child last year. She thought that as a mother, she must focus on her child. However, she was encouraged by her family who all work in show business to take the role. Being a mother and her family’s encouragement made her feel more powerful as an actress. Ando is the first mother to become a heroine in a serial morning drama.
Ando hesitated to take the role as she gave birth to her first child last year. She thought that as a mother, she must focus on her child. However, she was encouraged by her family who all work in show business to take the role. Being a mother and her family’s encouragement made her feel more powerful as an actress. Ando is the first mother to become a heroine in a serial morning drama.
True or False:
- Fukuko from “Manpuku” is a straightforward character.
- Sakura Ando usually plays weird characters in movies or TV dramas.
- “Manpuku” tells the story of a woman’s hardships with her child.
- Sakura Ando’s family all work in the finance sector.
- Sakura Ando hesitated at first when the role was offered to her.
Discussion Questions:
- What makes serial morning dramas popular?
- Who is/are the most popular actor/actress in your country? Please explain your answer.
- Do you think TV shows can influence how people think? Please explain your answer.
- Do you think people who work in show business should quit once they have a family? Please explain your answer.
- What do you usually do to encourage yourself at school or work?
Express Your Opinion:
- “You can’t learn acting through any classes.” – Dulquer Salmaan
- “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Eistein
- “Television is chewing gum for the eyes.” – Frank Lloyd Wright