DORAMA WORLD

YAMATO NADESHIKO _ ***1/2 _ Matsushima Nanako, Tsutsumi Shinichi _ A love-or-money romantic comedy that's equal parts wacky-funny and dormatic, following the relationship complications between Matsushima Nanako's gold-digging flight attendant Jinno Sakurako, and Nakahara Otsuke, a debt-ridden fishmonger/MIT-educated mathematician played by Tsutsumi Shinichi.

Will Sakurako, who grew up poor in a fishing village and is now seeing a rich doctor, choose wealth or the poor fish-slicing diamond-in-the-rough with the heart of gold? Let's just say the show won't be breaking any new ground _ not a single character with a heart condition in sight, though there are a couple of medical emergencies.

The main couple is only moderately engaging _ they never develop the chemistry of such greato dorama screen couples as GTO and Azusa sensei (in fact this show packs plenty of in-jokes from Matsushima's earlier hit), or Senna and Minami from Long Vacation. It's probably because Sakurako spends most of at least 9 1/2 episodes shitting on the poor fish guy who can't seem to get his proof on.

But Matsushima Nanako's performance elevates this show above more derivative entries in the genre. She can flip from caring friendly sempai to manipulative "Goukon Queen" with a smile, and she pulls off the comedy and the sentimental, teary bits convincingly. "Perfect Woman" indeed _ Tsutsumi as the thankless straight-man doesn't stand a chance.

A strong supporting cast led by wide-eyed, kawaii Yada Akiko as Wakaba, a fellow stewardess who's smitten with Otsuke and doesn't mind he's poor; a smirking Nishimura Masahiko as best friend Dr. Sakuma; and Kakei Toshio as out-of-control drinking buddy Kasuya provide most of the laughs and some dorama, making this a well-worthwhile 11-episode ride.

Now Showing: Gokusen (that Nakama Yukie is one hot little number), Batsu Kare