Title: ゴールドGōrudo (Gold)
English Title: Gold
Country: Japan
Language:Japanese
Year: 2010
Episode: 11
Cast:
- 天海祐希 Amami Yuki
- 長澤まさみ Nagasawa Masami
- 松坂桃李 Matsuzaka Tori
- 矢野聖人 Yano Masato
- 武井咲 Takei Emi
- 反町隆史 Sorimachi Takashi
- 寺島進 Terajima Susumu
- 水上剣星 Mikami Kensei
- 大江駿輔 Oe Shunsuke
- 夏八木勲 Natsuyagi Isao
- 賀来千香子 Kaku Chikako
- エドはるみ Edo Harumi
- 水野真典 Mizuno Masanori
- 綾野剛 Ayano Go
SYNOPSIS
Saotome Yūri is a charismatic personality who runs a successful business of sports gyms and aesthetic salons. She married a wrestling gold medalist and she has raised three oustanding children who are possible candidates for the next Olympic Games.
The Saotome family is obssessed with winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games. The closest they ever got to winning an Olympic gold medal is with Yūri's brother Saotome Shūichi but he died in an accident before he can realize the family's dream. Yuri has raised her children with the hope that they can get an Olympic gold medal for their family's pride and honor.
REVIEW
I initially found Gold interesting because it talks about parenting, and we all know it is a very complicated and sensitive issue. I'm really fascinated with Saotome Yūri's ideas about parenting, and you have to admit that she may be doing something right if she has managed to raise three outstanding children.
Saotome Yūri: Parents provide food for their children, maintain a clean home, and give them allowances. Who would these children respect in the future if they are in a disrespectful relationship with such parents? Manners of speech are important. Those who have the courtesy to rephrase their words are much more adequate. There are many things you must have ingrained in them by the time they reach sixth grade: holding their chopsticks properly, always having good posture, respecting their elders, properly saying their greetings. In other words, this is creating a foundation for your children. This must be taught strictly no matter how many times you repeat yourself. An intimate friendly relationship is impossible.
...
Saotome Yūri: It would be fine if you live on an unpopulated island. Spoil them and let them run free. But children will go out into society; they will live encountering other people.
...
Saotome Yūri: Those raised by wolves will become wolves. And those raised by lazy people will become lazy, right? No, there's also the risk of intelligent people becoming nasty and sly.
...
Saotome Yūri: There is 10% of people who are born good. And there is also 10% of people born bad. That isn't influenced by environment. As parents, we should be thinking of looking after the remaining 80%. Both good and bad people depend on the foundation, and children can go either way. You must perfect their foundation by sixth grade.
...
Saotome Yūri: (The most important thing that children must remember is) perseverance. I heard that there are many children who easily become uncontrollable. It's the result of being spoiled. The most important thing is to have them remember patience...
Saotome Yūri: Patience, listens to others, a strong heart that doesn't give up or run away, doesn't make excuses, doesn't cheat, and more than anything, doesn't blame others. A lovely child on the inside and out. (It is possible) to be a 'beautiful' child.
...
Saotome Yūri: Everything is decided before they enter junior high, whether they have the qualifications to interact with people in society.
Although Yūri's ideas about parenting are admittedly controversial, I do think some of her ideas have merit. However, I can't help but feel bothered about judging a person's future self by the time they are in their early teens.
Some people make the right choices in their childhood and will continue to do so until they become adults. Some people make the right choices when young but will fall into the wrong path when they become adults. Some people make the wrong choices when young but will learn from their mistakes and make the right choices in their future.
This is a strange drama in terms of plot development. I did not really care much for the story though as I just watched this drama because of Yūri and her ideas.
Saotome Yūri: Pride. In other words, a sense of beauty is extremely important.
I like that although I tend to agree with her opinions most of the time, I still question myself if it is really a right or correct idea. I also like that even though I don't agree with some of her opinions, I can sort of see the reasoning behind her ideas.
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Gold
