Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Rich Man, Poor Woman, which captivated audiences worldwide with its charming story of a genius tech CEO with face blindness who meets a broke university student with photographic memory, creating an unexpectedly perfect match.
Rich Man, Poor Woman premiered on July 9, 2012, and ran for 11 episodes until September 17, 2012, followed by a special episode in 2013. Each episode runs approximately 54 minutes and was produced for Fuji Television as part of their prestigious Monday 9 PM time slot. The series stars the charismatic duo Shun Oguri and Satomi Ishihara, alongside Saki Aibu and Arata Iura. The series is available on various streaming platforms including Netflix, bringing this tech-savvy romance to international audiences.
This delightfully crafted J-drama explores the collision between extreme wealth and financial struggle, genius-level intelligence and emotional intelligence, and individual ambition versus teamwork. Set in the competitive world of Tokyo’s tech industry, Rich Man, Poor Woman presents a modern Cinderella story with a twist: both characters have something the other desperately needs, creating genuine mutual dependency rather than simple attraction.
What makes this series particularly engaging is its exploration of how personal limitations can become strengths when the right person comes along, showing that true partnership involves complementing each other’s weaknesses rather than competing.
When Opposites Create Perfect Balance: The Central Plot
Rich Man, Poor Woman follows Toru Hyuga, a 29-year-old billionaire CEO of Next Innovation who suffers from prosopagnosia (face blindness), making it impossible for him to recognize people’s faces. Despite his incredible success in the tech world, this condition leaves him socially isolated and dependent on others to navigate personal relationships. His carefully controlled world gets disrupted when he meets Sawaki Chihiro, a hardworking university student struggling to find employment despite her exceptional academic record.
Chihiro possesses something Toru desperately needs: an extraordinary photographic memory that allows her to instantly recognize and remember every person she meets. Their relationship begins as a practical arrangement but evolves into something deeper as they discover how perfectly their contrasting strengths complement each other’s weaknesses.
Rich Man, Poor Woman doesn’t rush into romance but takes time to establish how their unique conditions affect their daily lives, making their eventual connection feel both inevitable and genuinely meaningful rather than superficially convenient.
Toru’s Journey: Genius Meets Vulnerability
Shun Oguri delivers an exceptional performance as Toru Hyuga, creating a character who is simultaneously incredibly powerful and surprisingly vulnerable. His portrayal showcases the isolation that comes with extreme wealth and success when combined with a neurological condition that makes personal relationships nearly impossible to navigate alone.
Toru’s character arc throughout Rich Man, Poor Woman demonstrates how professional brilliance doesn’t automatically translate to personal happiness or social skills. His relationship with Chihiro forces him to confront his emotional limitations while showing how genuine connection requires more than just intellectual compatibility.
The performance captures Toru’s arrogance and insecurity in equal measure, making him a character that viewers can find both frustrating and endearing as he learns to value emotional intelligence alongside his business acumen.
Chihiro’s Determination: Dreams Meeting Reality
Satomi Ishihara brings warmth and determination to Chihiro Sawaki, a character who represents the struggles of talented young people in a competitive job market. Her journey throughout Rich Man, Poor Woman showcases how persistence and adaptability can turn disadvantages into opportunities when the right situation presents itself.
Chihiro’s evolution from a desperate job seeker to an integral part of Toru’s company demonstrates her intelligence and work ethic. Her character challenges typical romantic drama conventions by being neither helpless nor overly idealistic, instead showing genuine competence and professional ambition that complement rather than compete with the male lead.
The chemistry between Chihiro and Toru develops naturally through shared work experiences and mutual respect, creating a romance that feels built on solid foundation rather than just physical attraction or dramatic circumstances.
When Business Becomes Personal: Professional Stakes
The pivotal moments in Rich Man, Poor Woman occur when personal relationships begin affecting business decisions and vice versa. The series explores how Toru’s face blindness affects his ability to lead a company and how Chihiro’s presence changes the entire dynamic of his professional relationships.
The drama doesn’t shy away from showing how workplace romance can complicate professional environments, but it also demonstrates how the right partnership can enhance both personal and professional success. Rich Man, Poor Woman uses the tech industry setting to explore themes of innovation, teamwork, and how personal growth can drive professional achievement.
These moments create genuine tension because they affect not just the romantic relationship but the livelihoods and dreams of everyone involved in the company.
Supporting Characters: The Tech World Ecosystem
The strength of Rich Man, Poor Woman lies in its realistic portrayal of the tech startup environment, featuring various employees, investors, and competitors who create a believable professional ecosystem. Kosuke Asahina, played by Arata Iura, serves as Toru’s business partner and closest friend, providing insight into Toru’s character while representing different approaches to business and relationships.
The series features various colleagues and competitors who represent different aspects of the tech industry, from idealistic programmers to ruthless investors. Rich Man, Poor Woman also explores the relationships between different levels of employees, showing how company dynamics affect everyone from executives to entry-level workers.
These supporting characters prevent the series from becoming too insular, creating a comprehensive portrait of how personal relationships affect entire professional communities and business ecosystems.
Success on Fuji TV and International Recognition
Rich Man, Poor Woman achieved strong ratings for Fuji TV’s competitive Monday 9 PM slot, with the premiere earning 13.9% viewership. The series resonated with Japanese audiences who appreciated its fresh take on workplace romance and its realistic portrayal of modern career challenges and relationship dynamics.
The show’s success led to international popularity and inspired a Korean remake in 2018, demonstrating the universal appeal of its central premise. Rich Man, Poor Woman‘s blend of romantic comedy with business drama has made it a favorite among viewers seeking smart, contemporary stories about professional and personal growth.
The series’ exploration of universal themes like overcoming personal limitations, finding meaningful work, and building authentic relationships has made it compelling to international audiences who appreciate character-driven storytelling with emotional depth.
A Smart Romance Worth Your Time
If you love contemporary romantic dramas with intelligent characters and realistic workplace dynamics, Rich Man, Poor Woman is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. This Japanese drama offers everything viewers crave: charming chemistry, professional ambition, personal growth, and a love story that feels both heartwarming and believable.
Why This Series Stands Out Among Romance Dramas
Rich Man, Poor Woman distinguishes itself from typical romance series by grounding its love story in realistic professional challenges and personal limitations that feel authentic rather than contrived. The series combines excellent performances with smart writing that respects both its characters and viewers, making it essential viewing for anyone seeking romantic stories that balance emotional satisfaction with intellectual engagement.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 11 episodes + 1 special episode (2012-2013)
Platform: Netflix, Fuji TV (original broadcaster), Viki
Release/End Year: 2012-2013
Current IMDb Rating: 7.4
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Production Type: Japanese Drama (J-Drama)
Status: Completed series
Main Protagonists: Shun Oguri (Toru Hyuga), Satomi Ishihara (Chihiro Sawaki)
Main Antagonist: Personal limitations and professional challenges