Several weeks ago, this column covered TBS's romantic comedy series "Love Story," in which Miho Nakayama plays a not-so-successful book editor whose employer tries to force her to quit by assigning her to its most difficult author. Though, as with all "trendy dramas," this one is mainly about love, Nakayama's role as a career woman is what attracts the desired demographic.
In fact, the concept that a fulfilling career and a full love life are not mutually exclusive ideas seems to be the dominant theme for this season's drama series. Almost every night of the week you can find a show whose heroine is struggling with the work she does and the man she loves . . . or thinks she loves. fffdc Monday -- Since there are more women than men attending university in Japan right now, it's only natural that more women will be going on to and graduating from medical school. Nevertheless, Kyoko (Makiko Esumi), the heroine of "Love Revolution" (Fuji TV, 9 p.m.), seems a little young to be a full-fledged heart surgeon at a major Tokyo hospital. Not only that, but she is being considered for a prestigious teaching position at a university.
Despite her shining career succes, Kyoko has man problems. Her TV-reporter fiance, Suga, is told of Kyoko's job offer by a female rival who wants him to herself. Having expected Kyoko to quit her job and join him after he is transferred to Washington, Suga breaks the engagement. In this week's episode, Kyoko impulsively quits her hospital job and dashes off to the airport to try to get Suga to take her back, but a medical emergency stops her and . . . Tuesday -- Most people think of bar hostessing as a job in which unskilled women of almost any age can earn good money quickly, though, considering what the work entails (getting men drunk and making them feel good about themselves), it isn't considered a very prestigious one.