THE on-going Viu drama series 'From Saga With Love', a star-studded romantic drama set in Malaysia and Japan, is gaining a fan following in the Land Of The Rising Sun.
'From Saga With Love' is in its first season and boasts a stellar cast of new and old actors and actresses, with newcomers Siti Khadijah Halim, Sophia Albarakbah, Fimie Don and Ikmal Amry as the main stars.
Other household names in its lineup include Hun Haqeem, Vanidah Imran, Fatimah Abu Bakar, Sharifah Amani, Zulin Aziz, Alvin Wong, Zoey Rahman, Sharifah Sofia, Fahmy Reza, Riezman Khuzaimi and Doppo Narita.
The romantic comedy directed by Umi Salwana Omar began filming its second season in Saga, Japan on May 16, and while in the country, Siti Khadijah, Sophia, Ikmal, Fimie and Hun had the opportunity to meet and speak to the Saga Prefecture Governor Yoshinori Yamaguchi at his office the day before filming began.
The meeting was also attended by Umi Salwana, series producer Lina Tan, Viu production director Imillya Irwani Roslan, the Saga administration department head, Saga Film Commission representatives, interpreters and the Japanese media.
The arrival of the cast and production team of 'From Saga With Love' was welcomed by Yamaguchi who expressed his strong support for the drama series which he hailed as a positive contribution to cultural ties between Japan and Malaysia.
"'From Saga With Love's' first season received very good feedback and I am very excited to look forward to the sequel of this drama series," said Yamaguchi.
Siti Khadijah, who plays the heroine Karma, said she was excited to reprise her role as the "honest-to-goodness" character in the new season.
"I am very happy to return to filming in Saga. This is my small but hopefully significant contribution in strengthening the good relationship between Japan and Malaysia."
Sophia said visiting a less known but beautiful part of Japan was a dream come true.
"Saga is a lovely place and I will always cherish its beauty and friendly people."
Siti Khadijah, Sophia and the rest of the cast also presented Malaysian-made souvenirs to their Japanese hosts and vice-versa.
The meeting received widespread coverage from Japanese media giants such as NHK TV, Saga TV, Bunbun TV, Saga Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun.
'From Saga With Love's' second season promises a lot more excitement and adventure, and will meet Viu audiences in October.
The first season introduced viewers to Karma, a girl-next-door from Kuala Lumpur played by Siti Khadijah.
She is a social media influencer who "doctors" information about herself in order to become the personal assistant and interpreter for famous actress Bianca Rozario — played by Sophia — who is going on a film shoot in Saga, Japan.
Various disastrous, hilarious, interesting and educational occurrences befall Karma and Bianca during their stay in Saga, and the duo gradually get to know, learn from and admire each other.
'From Saga With Love' was announced as one of the five Viu Originals series to air for last year and this year on Dec 1, 2022.
The original title of the drama was 'Dear Karma', before it was changed to 'From Saga With Love'.
Filming took place in Saga, which is located in the north of Kyushu Island, Japan.
It is the first Malay drama to be filmed in Saga, with the help of the Saga Film Commission.
This is the second Viu Originals drama starring Sophia after 'Devoted' (2019).
It was announced last February that 'From Saga With Love' would be renewed for a second season.