Haruka Kudo is a Japanese actress and former pop singer. She was born on October 27, 1999, in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, and made her debut in the entertainment industry in 2010, as a member of the pop group, Morning Musume. That same year, she made her debut as an actor, taking her first role in a theatrical production. In 2012, she made her television debut and in 2018, she made her first appearance in film. Since then, she has appeared in a variety of theatrical productions, films, and television dramas, including “Sweat and Soap” (2022).

Kudo Haruka

Brother Trap

In high school, Sato Tamio (Daichi Watanabe), or Satomin to his friends, lost the only girlfriend he ever had. Though he was the one to end things between them, he never found anyone to replace the woman he once loved. Spending the years that followed completely alone, Satomin never once regretted his decision as his confidence in his ability to find his true love never wavered.

After graduating from university with a degree in art, Satomin took a job as a temporary art teacher at a local high school. At the time, he wasn’t worried about his new job being temporary, but as the years went by and his position never became permanent, Satomin began to sink into a deep depression. Feeling lost and alone, Satomin decides, on a whim, to visit a local love hotel where he secures the services of a woman named Serika (Haruka Kudo). In one of those rare moments of “love at first sight,” Satomin falls madly in love with Serika as does she.

Desperate to make Serika a permanent part of his life, Satomin tries, but his lost confidence in himself has severely hindered his ability to find love. Will he be able to find a way to overcome his self-doubt or will this brief encounter with love be nothing more than a fleeting gift?

Adapted from the manga of the same name by Akane Torikai, “Romance Storm Zone” is a 2022 Japanese romance drama directed by Koyama Takashi and Mizunami Keita.

Romance Storm Zone

Destined to Meet you

Despite her timid nature, Asako Yaeshima (Yuno Ohara) has a passion for her work. A member of the accounting department at Lilia Drop, a toiletry and cosmetics company, Asako absolutely loves the company she works for, as its products are the only ones on the market capable of helping her keep her chronic sweating and rather strong body odor under control. 

Having been teased mercilessly as a child, Asako has developed quite a complex about her natural odor but her company’s products have given her the confidence she needs to overcome her insecurities. At least until the day she meets Kotaro Natori (Kanta Sato). 

A product development planner for Lilia Drop, Kotaro has a highly developed sense of smell which he employs daily. While working on the company’s newest product, he encounters a smell unlike any he has ever sniffed before. Following the scent to its origin, Kotaro finds himself face-to-face with Asako. Unable to resist Asako’s unique musk, Kotaro finds himself drawn to the timid accountant. 

Inspired by her scent, Kotaro asks her to test the company’s newest product and allow him to sniff the results for a week. Unable to find a way to say no, Asako agrees to Kotaro’s unusual request. As the two begin a truly unique working relationship, they begin to realize that they are both so much more than a strong smell and a powerful sniffer. Naturally drawing closer together, will Asako and Kotaro’s working relationship spark a new office romance? 

Based on the manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Kintetsu Yamada, “Sweat and Soap” is a 2022 Japanese romantic comedy drama directed by Shuhie Shibue.

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