Ie Naki Ko(1994)

Ie Naki Ko is a Japanese drama following Suzu, a resourceful young girl who will do whatever it takes—stealing, conning, hustling—to earn money for her mother's life-saving operation. Beneath her pragmatic determination lies a deep sadness that few around her recognize. The series balances Suzu's scrappy survival instincts with quiet emotional vulnerability as she navigates poverty and desperation. A critical and commercial success, Ie Naki Ko won the 1st Television Drama Academy Award for Best Drama and Best Theme Song, plus a Special Award. It became the highest-rated NTV drama of the 1990s, averaging 24.7% viewership.