The Pride of the Temp (2007)
A sharp, socially conscious Japanese workplace dramedy about an elite temp worker whose unbreakable rules hide a deeply personal secret.
The Pride of the Temp - Series Information
- Original Title: ハケンの品格
- First Air Year: 2007
- Last Air Year: 2020
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (57 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 18
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: January 10, 2007 (Canada - PG), January 10, 2007 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: Nippon TV
- Alternative Titles: Haken no Hinkaku (JP), 超级特派员 (CN), Haken's Dignity (US), 만능사원 오오마에 (KR)
- Production Companies: Office Crescendo, Nippon Television Network Corporation
- Production Countries: Japan
The Pride of the Temp - Plot
Oomae Haruko is an A+ Temp worker who never cracks a smile or minces words, and leaves work on the dot. But her cynical nature indicates she has something painful to hide. Satonaka Kensuke has just been promoted to head S&F's new Marketing Division. Saddled with a rag-tag group of subordinates, he is struggling to lift his division off the ground. When Oomae is placed in Kensuke's department, she finds herself doing more work than she's ever done before. This is a timely drama that examines the different attitudes toward temp workers and regular employees, and the ways to overcome frictions in interpersonal relationships. This follows an October report on labor conditions by the Labor Ministry, which showed that, after regulations were relaxed, the proportion of regular employees to Temps had doubled compared to that of eight years ago.
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The Pride of the Temp - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Ryoko Shinohara
- Kotaro Koizumi
- Ryo Katsuji
- Yo Oizumi
- Ken Yasuda
- Tomorowo Taguchi
- Yusuke Kamiji
- Ai Kato
- Masao Komatsu
- Yuka Itaya
Writers
- Miho Nakazono
- Yûko Watanabe
- Masatoshi Yamaguchi
The Pride of the Temp - FAQs
What is The Pride of the Temp about?
The series follows Haruko Ōmae, a supremely skilled temp worker who never smiles, never stays late, and never reveals her past. Placed in a chaotic marketing division led by the newly promoted Kensuke Satonaka, she ends up doing more than she bargained for — and so does he.
Why does Haruko Ōmae never smile or work overtime?
Haruko's rigid rules — no overtime, no smiling, no personal attachment — are a defense mechanism rooted in a painful past she keeps tightly guarded. As the series unfolds, her armor slowly cracks, revealing the emotional depth beneath her ice-cold professional exterior.
Where can you stream The Pride of the Temp?
The series is available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, including their ad-supported tiers. It's also accessible through the Doki Amazon Channel. Availability may vary by region, so check your local platform for the most current options.
Is The Pride of the Temp based on a true story?
Not directly, but the drama is deeply rooted in real social conditions. It was inspired by a Japanese Labor Ministry report revealing that the ratio of temp workers to regular employees had doubled over eight years following deregulation — making its workplace tensions feel strikingly authentic.
Who are the lead actors in The Pride of the Temp?
Ryoko Shinohara leads the cast as the formidable temp Haruko Ōmae, opposite Kotaro Koizumi as her flustered boss Kensuke Satonaka. The ensemble also includes Ryo Katsuji, Yo Oizumi, Ken Yasuda, Yusuke Kamiji, Ai Kato, and Yuka Itaya, among others.
How many seasons and episodes does The Pride of the Temp have?
The series ran for two main seasons — Season 1 with 10 episodes and Season 2 with 8 episodes — plus a collection of 4 special episodes, bringing the total to 18 episodes. The show concluded in 2020, more than a decade after its 2007 debut.
How was The Pride of the Temp received by audiences?
The show was a genuine hit in Japan, praised for its sharp writing, Ryoko Shinohara's commanding performance, and its timely commentary on labor inequality. It resonated strongly with viewers navigating Japan's shifting employment landscape and earned a devoted following that welcomed the revival season in 2020.
What shows are similar to The Pride of the Temp?
Fans of The Pride of the Temp often enjoy other workplace dramedies like The Office (US), Mad Men, and Suppli. For more Japanese workplace humor, Dandarin Rules and Sleepeeer Hit! offer a similar blend of office politics, social commentary, and character-driven comedy.
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