The title of Fuji TV's new romantic comedy series, "Fukigen no Jiin" (Mon., 9 p.m.), has a double meaning. The main character is a university research geneticist, so the title could be translated as "The Gene for Ill Temper." But this female researcher, played by Yuko Takeuchi, is nicknamed Jean, so the title could also mean "Grouchy Jean."

Her real name is Yoshiko, and the reason she's grouchy is a guy named Nambara (Masaaki Uchino), an ex-boyfriend who shows up at Yoshiko's university as a guest professor. Nambara is a notorious playboy, and when he and Yoshiko were going out, she caught him with another woman, and has never forgiven him for it. Nambara, however, can barely remember what she was upset about, and makes a move on her as if nothing ever happened.

Yoshiko's research is into the behavior of ladybugs, but she tends to reduce everything to the genetic level. When friends talk about their problems, she can't help coming up with an evolutionary explanation for everyday disappointment and heartache.