Inoue Mao, who starred in the very popular manga turned TV drama, Hana Yori Dango, takes on the role of Mio in “First Kiss”. Because of an incurable heart illness, this spoiled brat has been living ten years in the U.S. for medical treatment. Mio decides to take charge instead of let her medical condition to control her life and agrees to undergo a high risk heart surgery. But she first returns to Japan to visit her older brother, Kazuki (played by Hideaki Ito), whom she has been separated from since their parents divorced. She discovers that Kazuki had not become a successful photographer like what he’s been telling her. In fact, he’s become the opposite.

I’ve started watching this series. It looks interesting so far. Inoue Mao is doing a good job playing her role, although there’s definitely a similarity in “Mio” and “Makino” in Hana Yori Dango. In both, she played a strong and determined lady. The only difference is that she also plays as selfish brat person in First Kiss, to which she was the opposite in Hana Yori Dango.