Vertical Short Drama Creator Group "Gokko Club" Releases New Vertical Short Drama "Warming Up Frozen Time" in Collaboration with Mizuho Bank on March 30th

Q. After filming, what were the most impressive scenes or episodes, and what are the highlights of this drama?

The most memorable scene for me was when my grandmother and I had our family photo taken by my older sister. It was an ad-libbed scene, but it showed the entire history of our family in that moment, so it was a warm scene that really brought the later parts to life.

Q. This work is a story that sends encouragement to young people who will become new working adults from April. Is there anything you would like to challenge yourself with this spring, Mr. Yoshida?

I went to England this New Year, and I'm going to Australia soon, so I want to study English more so I can speak it better! I want to study until I can travel abroad alone!!

Q. In Episode 1, there's a scene where trading cards appear. Are there any nostalgic games or items you were obsessed with as a child, Mr. Yoshida?

I used to collect baseball player cards! So I remembered getting angry when my family dropped a rare card, just like at the beginning of the main story, lol.

◎Finally, please give a message to everyone who will watch this drama!

I hope that everyone will once again cherish the important people and environment around them.

Q. After filming, what were the most impressive scenes or episodes, and what are the highlights of this drama?

The scene where the protagonist is deeply moved by the deliciousness of his grandmother's pickled vegetables. I was also a grandmother's girl, and I loved the pickled vegetables my great-grandmother made at my grandmother's house. I can't eat them anymore, but I will always remember that delicious taste.

Q. In the story, "grandmother's pickled vegetables" are an important key to warming the protagonist's heart. Do you have any "gifts from family that warmed your heart" or "memorable tastes" when you were busy or tired, Ms. Iikubo?

There have been a few times in the past when I reached my limit with work, but at those times, my family always supported me. There were times when they flew all the way to Osaka, and there were times when I returned to Tokyo for just one day from a regional area. I will never forget the taste of the food and restaurants I ate at those times.

Q. This work is a story that encourages young people to take a new step. Ms. Iikubo, you have also continued to take on new challenges in the past, such as holding solo exhibitions. What do you value when taking on challenges?

My challenges were always possible because I was blessed with the people around me. I am inspired by various people: those who have many hobbies, those who always live creatively, and those who are stoic about one thing. I feel very much alive because of the people around me, so I cherish everyone around me.

◎Finally, please give a message to everyone who will watch this drama!

Starting a new life or jumping into a new environment is always scary, and anxiety can sometimes outweigh excitement, but I hope that the unknown encounters that lie ahead will become a joy in life, and that I can enjoy my life while always feeling the presence of the people around me. I hope this drama will provide such insights!

When you start living alone in a new life, everyone will eventually have a day when they suddenly feel grateful to their parents, grandparents, and siblings because they can no longer live with the family they used to take for granted. With that empathy, and wanting to convey the preciousness of family to generations who are not yet independent, I chose this theme for the work. It's a classic theme, and I think many adults in the world have experienced it, but it also contains the desire for people to look back and be grateful once again. Because I want them to convey "thank you" and "I'm sorry" as soon as possible.

The reason for making it about a grandmother and grandchild is that the relationship between grandparents has a big impact when made into a work. It's basically the same as a parent-child relationship, but there's a "depth of words" and "love" that only grandparents can convey, so I focused on that.

What I wanted to convey in this work is, after all, "love and gratitude." Don't take things for granted. Even if you know it, humans are creatures who tend to let their guard down, so I hope this work will remind them. I believe that "love" has continued to exist unchanged throughout the long history of humanity. In this work, I depicted such "things that have remained unchanged since ancient times" as a story of love and gratitude being passed down. Please enjoy it.

I'm sure it's been said many times, but convey what you think immediately. Embarrassment is only temporary, but regret lasts a lifetime, so let's live a life without regrets. After watching the work, please give us your feedback in the comments. Please watch a lot.

New Life Campaign Page:

https://www.mizuhobank.co.jp/campaign/newlife2026cp/index.html

＜Benefit Details＞

1) New account opening at Mizuho Bank, etc.: 10,000 yen equivalent (Mizuho Points)

2) Designation of Mizuho Bank as salary transfer account, etc.: 7,500 yen equivalent (Mizuho Points)

3) New enrollment & usage of Mizuho Rakuten Card, etc.: Up to 20,000 yen equivalent

(Up to 15,000 Mizuho Points + up to 5,000 Rakuten Points)

4) Account opening & NISA account opening at Rakuten Securities, etc.: Up to 2,500 yen equivalent (Rakuten Points)

＜Campaign Period＞

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 – Monday, June 1, 2026