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From a direct viewing experience, 'Hanzawa Naoki' is purely a feel-good drama. It follows the classic formula of setback-then-comeback: in every story, the protagonist, a bank employee, faces a credit crisis, is suppressed by his superior, and then turns the tables from a hopeless situation.
The series doesn't actually involve much in-depth financial knowledge. Instead, Hanzawa Naoki feels more like a detective.
Although it's about a banker's rise to success, each case involves him being framed, then using his Sherlock Holmes-level detective skills to uncover the truth. Crucially, every case reveals his boss to be a habitual embezzler who tries to pin the blame on Hanzawa. After solving the case, Hanzawa retaliates dramatically.
The iconic line "I'll pay you back tenfold" and every instance where a superior kneels and apologizes represent a classic Japanese-style overthrow of authority.
In the socially repressed environment of Japan, this kind of storyline hits hard. After all, many people there live as obedient salarymen, and watching someone like Hanzawa metaphorically slam their hated boss to the ground gives them a massive emotional release.
Even in the protagonist's previous worldâChinaâwhere the environment wasn't as repressive, this formula was still incredibly addictive.
As for viewers in Great Zhou, the reaction was mostly one of curiosity.
After all, this was Jing Yu's first time depicting the sociocultural setting of fictional Japan, and he did it with surprising realism.
Also, the slightly exaggerated acting style of the cast added a unique flavor. While watching, it may feel like a bit muchâbut upon reflection, it's hard to think of a better way to perform it.
In one sentence: addictive.
Of course, none of Jing Yu's works in recent years have failed to hook audiences in Great Zhou, just in varying degrees.
The first episode of 'Hanzawa Naoki' earned a viewership rating of 9.5%. For Jing Yu, that was above average.
Keep in mind that it had been a year since 'Attack on Titan' finished airing, and the TV market had declined. Streaming platforms had grown to rival traditional TV, so viewership ratings were heavily affected.
Also, Jing Yu's previous high-rated works were all epic action titles with flashy effects. In contrast, 'Hanzawa Naoki' is a workplace drama, which doesn't appeal as much to kids, one of the main viewer demographics. Kids are more into 'Ultraman', 'Gundam', and flashy special effectsâeven if they don't understand the plot. So ratings are naturally influenced by genre.
The day after the show premiered, employees at Bluestar Media & Film Company walked into work with their heads held high. The department head even submitted the ratings report to Jing Yu's office early in the morning.
But to Jing Yu, it was just a glance. He didn't dwell on it.
People grow. At this point, Jing Yu is no longer emotionally swayed by the success or failure of a single project. One or two blockbuster hits no longer make a big difference to Bluestar's development.
Bluestar is now the largest private media company in the industry. Creating successful projects is routine, and his fans expected nothing less.
So even though the ratings for 'Hanzawa Naoki' were strong, the internet didn't erupt with praise like it used to.
People just appreciated it, complimented it, and discussed the series normally.
Which was exactly what Jing Yu expected.
In his past life, 'Hanzawa Naoki' was a phenomenon in Japan, with average ratings hitting 20â30%.
But Japan only had five or six major TV stations, with fewer competitors splitting the audience. Streaming wasn't as disruptive either. So it's not surprising a hit show could achieve that level of ratings.
It's the same reason why Spring Festival Galas on multiple channels in China used to get 40%+ viewership.
The show's high ratings in Japan were mostly due to how it mirrored local society and satirized social issues.
It's like how 'Your Name' had explosive box office in Japan but more moderate success overseas. Sometimes, a "god-tier" work is only that in its own region. Once placed in a different societal context, it becomes just a "great" show.
So in Great Zhou, 'Hanzawa Naoki' is one of the latter.
Even though viewers love anime and J-drama-style productions, the cultural setting is different. It's hard for them to deeply empathize with the characters' despair and frustration.
So 9.5% for episode one? Not shocking. It didn't even break 10%.
But honestly, that's still an impressive number.
While fans kept calm, the media went all out hyping it.
Praising the worldbuilding, the story structure, and hailing Jing Yu's "kingly return."
Any article mentioning Jing Yu was guaranteed traffic.
Even though 'Hanzawa Naoki' aired in the spring season and Jing Yu seemed to be stepping back, he still posted a short promo video after episode two aired on his social media.
That was his way of promoting it.
But he's trying to separate his personal fame from the company. His popularity helped the company grow in the past, but things are different now. If the company only thrives when he's involved, that's not sustainable. One person alone can't elevate a company to global status.
So now his promotional efforts are measured.
That spring, the TV drama market in Great Zhou was completely dominated by 'Hanzawa Naoki'.
Fans had also gotten used to not seeing Jing Yu in projects for a while.
January flew by. February arrivedâtime for the Lunar New Year.
In the snowy city of Modo, Jing Yu, for the first time since arriving in this world, truly felt like he was celebrating the New Year.
Because now, he wasn't alone. He had a real familyâYu Youqing.
Although they could have hired a hotel chef, they chose to cook the New Year's Eve dinner themselves. Jing Yu helped out while Yu Youqing took charge in the kitchen, and together they spent half a day preparing a feast.
"There's no way we're finishing all this," Jing Yu said with a subtle expression, looking at the massive spread.
If it had been catered, no big deal. But cooking it themselves made it feel different.
"Don't worry. There are a few stray cats on the hill behind the villa. We can feed the leftovers to them," Yu Youqing smiled.
"You're oddly thoughtfulâand even have the time for that?" Jing Yu asked in surprise.
"Well, what else? You're gradually stepping back from filming, and I am too. We're financially secure, but the media keeps trying to dig up dirt on me to attack you, so I have to stay extra cautious. Might as well find joy at home," she replied while handing him a chicken drumstick.
"So this is the life of the rich, huh?" Jing Yu said, watching the snow outside.
"I used to think being rich meant indulgence and luxury every day. But over time, I realized it's just⊠normal. Honestly, ever since we became celebrities in Great Zhou, everything we do is watched. In some ways, regular people have more freedom."
"You're not saying you regret it, are you? Missing the simple life?" she teased.
"Of course not. Nothing to regret. Just being dramatic. When you're broke, you have one worry: making money. When you're rich, you have a hundredâbut even all those together aren't as heavy as being poor."
"I'd rather be a dramatic millionaire."
Then he added, "Still, it's a bit of a shame that you're stepping back from the spotlight so young. Got plans for the future?"
"The company's running smoothly now. I can start handing off responsibilities to department heads."
Jing Yu looked at her seriously. "Since coming to this world, all I've done is film or design games. I've never really seen it. How about⊠once I wrap up a few things in the next month or two, we take a world tour?"
"A world tour?" Yu Youqing's eyes lit upâbut then she shook her head.
"Come on. You've got like ten ongoing projects. You think you can just walk away?"
"If the company can't run without me, why am I paying everyone such high salaries?" Jing Yu replied.
"I've written all the plans, scripts, and project outlines. Even though I'm not making final calls, I've given them all the guidance. If they still can't handle it, they're not worth keeping."
"âŠAlright, fair point," she said, visibly excited.
"If we really go, how long are you thinking?"
"Who knows? The world's huge. Maybe forever. We'll just come back when we've had enough."
"What if you never get enough?"
"Then the company will have to drag me back. Honestly, I want them to grow up. More than anything, I want them to create a new franchise that can rival 'Pokémon'."
As always, Jing Yu was a man of action.
He started delegating immediately.
He used to micromanage because his team wasn't skilled enough to meet expectations. Even now, their original projects weren't stellar.
But he'd already created the core ideasâthe "soul." His team could handle the rest.
Take 'Hanzawa Naoki' for example. The finished product felt different from the original Japanese version, but Jing Yu believed the quality wasn't lacking. The local flavor added by his team even improved some aspects.
He temporarily handed over authority to Cheng Lie and the senior management team.
Of course, he only handed over operational control, not financial control. There was no way he'd trust others with the billions in the company's account.
Even while traveling, he'd hold video meetings and authorize major expenses remotely.
He even joked in a meeting that he hoped the company wouldn't collapse while he was out enjoying life.
That whole transition lasted about a month.
When everything was in place, Jing Yu packed his bags, took his wife, and quietly left Modo.
Only then did word begin to spread among his fanbase.
Jing Yu didn't try to hide it. And given his fame, hiding was impossible anyway. Once fans abroad spotted him and Yu Youqing traveling, the internet blew up.
"Old thief, what are you doing? A world tour?"
"Wait, shouldn't he be in the office working on new projects? Why's he flying around with his wife?"
"A friend at Bluestar said he's totally hands-off nowâother people are handling everything."
"What? Is he really just gonna enjoy life now? That came out of nowhere."
"What happens to us? No more new shows?"
"I'm worried. If he gets into golfing, fishing, and mahjong, and loses interest in creating... we're doomed."
"This is bad. Creators in the Great Zhou already tend to retire after making money. If even he turns into a couch potato, what hope do we have?"
"Please, no. 'Hanzawa Naoki' only has a few weeks left. Don't tell me 'DeathNote' next season will be his final work?"
"Don't say thatâI'm panicking now. I never imagined Old Thief would really retire."