 |
| Kiyohara Kaya to Star in TBS x Studio Dragon Summer Drama ‘Hatsukoi DOGs’ – When the Dogs Fall in Love First (TBS) |
Featuring Narita Ryo & Na In-woo in a love triangle wrapped in fur, fate, and emotional baggage.
Hold onto your heartstrings and your leashes – this summer, love is going to the dogs, quite literally. TBS has just dropped the adorable bombshell: the upcoming Tuesday 10PM slot in July 2025 will be “Hatsukoi DOGs”, starring the always-compelling Kiyohara Kaya, alongside Narita Ryo and Korean heartthrob Na In-woo, who’s making his Japanese drama debut.
And yes, the title does have a pun. You’re welcome.
Co-produced with Korea’s storytelling powerhouse Studio Dragon, this East-meets-East drama is based on the hit webtoon Dog-Like Romance by Bohyeon & Moon Sseoni – and it’s all about two humans who absolutely suck at love, and the dogs who have to drag them into it.
Meet Aiko, the Lawyer Who Only Loves Her Dog (Until Now)
Kiyohara Kaya plays Hanamura Aiko, a whip-smart, emotionally unavailable divorce lawyer who’s pretty much allergic to romance – not surprising, given her front-row seat to her parents’ marriage meltdown.
Her heart? Frozen.
Her vibe? Queen of Single Life.
Her best friend? A fluffy rescue pup called Sakura, who’s the only one allowed in.
But then—bam!—in trots Shirasaki Kai (Narita Ryo), the socially awkward but secretly hot director of a 24-hour animal hospital, with his own dog Shogun in tow.
When their pups lock eyes and fall head-over-tail in love, their humans are forced into an awkward kind of proximity... and we all know where this goes (or do we?).
 |
| TBS Teams Up with Studio Dragon for New Drama “Hatsukoi DOGs” This July |
Cue: Na In-woo as the Walking Plot Twist in Gucci Loafers
Just when things are getting flirty, bam again – enter Woo So-ha, played by Na In-woo, a mysterious chaebol heir from Korea with a big secret and even bigger shoulders.
He’s the human equivalent of “oh no, he’s hot” and throws the budding Aiko-Kai situation into full-on emotional chaos. Is he here to steal hearts, stir the pot, or both?
Behind the Scenes: Big Names, Fluffy Co-Stars, and Multilingual Mayhem
Kiyohara Kaya’s return to the Tuesday drama slot is a nostalgic full-circle moment – she first led a drama there back when she was a teen.
"I’m happy to be back," she says, adding she’s struggling (adorably) with legal jargon but loving the challenge of her first ever lawyer role.
Oh, and she’s learning Korean on set. Queen behaviour.
Narita, who hasn’t shared the screen with Kiyohara Kaya in nearly four years, is equally thrilled.
He’s also head-over-heels for his canine co-stars, saying, “The dogs are the real stars. I'm just trying to earn their love too.”
As for his vet character, he’s a classic “I trust dogs more than people” type – wounded, quiet, but oh-so-watchable.
Na In-woo, on the other hand, is all nerves and excitement. “I was worried at first, but now I’m full of hope,” he shares, praising both his co-stars and calling Narita “Aniki” (yes, really).
His character So-ha may look like he has it all, but deep down, he’s lonely and seeking connection – or maybe redemption.
Producer Says: ‘The Dogs Fall in Love First. The Humans? Not So Much.’
Producer Miyazaki Masako was hooked the second she read the original concept – two dogs fall in love and drag their emotionally constipated owners into something resembling romance?
“It felt so now,” she says.
“We all wish we could be a bit more like dogs – honest, direct, open. That’s the story we want to tell.”
The project is the first full-blown collaboration between TBS and Studio Dragon, promising a blend of Japanese drama heart and K-drama flair.
The team includes director Okamoto Shingo (of Eye Love You fame) and Korean director Noh Young-seop, making it a real cultural crossover behind the scenes as well.
LINE Manga Launch + Big-Screen Potential?
The webtoon that started it all is now available in Japanese via LINE Manga from May 5 – so fans can dive into the source material ahead of the drama.
And given the cast, production calibre, and sheer adorableness of the dogs, don’t be shocked if this one ends up on streaming charts across Asia.
Mark Your Calendar:
Hatsukoi DOGs airs Tuesdays at 10PM on TBS, starting July 2025. Expect barks, banter, beautiful people, and probably a lot of tissues.
Because when dogs fall in love first, humans have no choice but to catch up.