Beside the Hearth at Alice-san's House(2025)

Beside the Hearth at Alice-san's House is a series about reconnection and rural life. Alice returns to her hometown after a decade away and moves into a traditional farmhouse centered around an irori—a sunken hearth where families gather to cook and eat. There she reunites with a childhood friend, and through quiet moments and shared meals, the two begin to rebuild what time and distance had fractured between them. The show unfolds at the pace of country living, finding warmth and meaning in everyday rituals. It's a gentle exploration of homecoming, the pull of the past, and how simple acts of togetherness can heal old wounds.