Japan TV series “Hanzawa Naoki” is the most successful and talked-about foreign drama of the year in Taiwan. Broadcast locally by Taipei City-based satellite TV provider Videoland Inc., the program attracted 550,000 viewers for its Oct. 7 premiere.
The popularity of the series is credited with spurring a number of so-called Hanzawa effects islandwide, including a new workplace philosophy. The program’s signature line “A tooth for a tooth. If someone does me wrong, I will pay him back double, tenfold, hundredfold,” has become a catchphrase across Taiwan, employed in various TV commercials and by public figures.
Taiwan director Chen Yu-shan said the program’s strong following is largely due to the fact that the audience empathizes with the lead character Naoki Hanzawa, an up-and-coming young banker who manages to meet unreasonable demands, avoids becoming scapegoat for his superiors, rises above power struggles and achieves his career goals.
“They can relate to the dilemmas and difficult situations he faces in workplace as they do themselves,” she said.
Chen, who recently produced the hit Chinese-language TV drama “Prince of Lanling,” said the idea of a bullied employee striking back and holding managers responsible for wrongdoings holds enormous appeal.
“Such actions make sense on TV but probably not in real world. So the show offers a kind of emotional compensation because most people wouldn’t act the same way, or can’t afford to do so.”
The 10-episode series has also won critical acclaim and legions of fans in Japan and on the Internet. It is adapted from a novel by Jun Ikeido, 50, a seven-year bank employee who now works as a management consultant and part-time author.
Taiwan director Chen Yu-shan believes that Taiwan has the power to create a successful TV series like “Hanzawa Naoki.” (Staff photos/Rachel Chan)
Viewers at home and abroad have been won over by Hanzawa as he tries to recover sizeable nonperforming loans, while the bank is being scrutinized by tax officials and financial regulators. Played by popular Japanese actor Masato Sakai, Hanzawa is a man of intelligence, courage and cunning.
Critics are on the same page when it comes to the secret of Hanzawa’s appeal: He has a unique way of handling situations and is not afraid to challenge authority.
In a recent interview with the Japan media, Sakai said if people were to stand up against their bosses in real life like Hanzawa does, they would probably end up quite miserable.
Echoing the actor’s remarks, Chen said the story might be a bit extreme at times but it never wanders too far from reality.
“Technical banking terms and the process of issuing and administering loans help give the series a real-world feel,” she said. “A well-knitted plot, strong cast, sophisticated production and special filming techniques also play their part in building support for a story local TV would shy away from.
“This is a good example of turning a seemingly niche-market subject into a popular TV series.”
Chen said Taiwan’s TV stations and production companies should leave their comfort zones and challenge themselves with different topics. “Hanzawa’s success in Taiwan is evidence that the local audience is ready for something new.”
Renowned Taiwan actor James Wen is keen to play the role of Naoki Hanzawa as he considers it a very challenging and interesting one.
Renowned Taiwan TV actor James Wen also hopes actors, investors and producers in Taiwan are inspired by Hanzawa and can move away from mainstream offerings. “By doing so, this would create more room for creativity and offer new possibilities for the local TV industry,” he said.
“The reason why Hanzawa is such a hit is because it is different. Over the past decade, Taiwan mainly produces so-called idol dramas centering on the relationships between pretty-looking actors and actresses,” Wen said.
“When you try a new dish after eating the same thing for so long, it is most likely going to amaze you. Hanzawa is a perfect example.”
Wen said he was deeply impressed by the performance of actors in the series, describing them as being exaggerated but not coxcombical. “Many of the actors in the series performed on stage, so their acting is multilayered and possess real depth.”
As to what Taiwan can learn from the example of Hanzawa, Chen and Wen agreed that it is time for production companies and TV stations to offer the audience something bold and new.
“I do not mean that producers should now shift from market-oriented drama to do a niche-market one that makes no money,” Chen said.
“The amount of investment correlates with ratings. This means that for producers and investors to create a quality series that sells, they have to be more creative and open-minded, as well as taking into consideration cultural influences and social conditions.” (JSM)
Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw