Category: Artists

Sakurai Sho will make guest appearance on My Girl

by Fiona

Arashi member Aiba Masaki is playing the lead role in the drama series ‘マイガール / My Girl’. Fellow member Sakurai Sho will guest star!
It has become something of a tradition where fellow Arashi members appear as guest stars in the final episodes of dramas that feature one (or two) of the members as lead actors. For ‘よい子の味方 / Yoi Ko no Mikata’ with Sakurai playing the lead, Matsumoto Jun, Ohno Satoshi and Aiba appeared as guests. Ohno also guest-starred in ‘山田太郎ものがたり / Yamada Taro Monogatari’; the lead actors were Ninomiya Kazunari and Sakurai. Ohno played the lead role in ‘魔王 / Maou (Maoh)’, and Ninomiya made an appearance in the final story.

For the upcoming episode Sakurai will become ‘Sato’, the new employee at the photo studio where ‘Masamune (Aiba)’ works. Sato will be crucial in showing Masamune’s feelings. Sakurai soon became a natural part of the cast. “Everyone was cheery and kindly welcomed me in.”
Aiba in between rehearsals discussed extensively with Sakurai about the timing and pace of their characters’ conversations to better ready themselves for the filming. Aiba said that their talk renewed his love for the group. “Arashi is superb.” Their consulting each other also showed how passionate and serious Aiba was about the drama.
The filming of Sakurai’s scene started at 23:00. When he appeared at the film set the staff and cast members loudly applauded. After an hour, the filming was complete. While taped music played in the background Sakurai was even handed a bouquet of flowers. Since it was the final day of filming for the entire drama, he joined the staff and cast members when they took a group photo.
Sakurai later talked about it during an MC at a concert held on December 4th. Ninomiya asked “Did you actually join them [in the photo]?” Matsumoto took a step closer and said “I hope you had the decency to stand to the side.” Sakurai smiled shyly and replied “Well, uh, everyone said I should go ahead…” He revealed that [despite having only a bit role] he stood dead center in the group photo alongside Aiba.
The drama’s official blog also recounted Sakurai’s guest appearance, and made a surprising announcement! “We succeeded in including a scene where we have a rare close-up of his eyes. Sakurai-san said it was a ‘great honor’ to have that scene included. We hope you enjoy watching that part.” Fans can’t afford to miss that crucial scene.

From Music Japan

I’m going to look forward to this, just cannot believe that My Girl will be ending soon. I wouldn’t mind see Koharu-chan is a few more episode, she is just too kawaii.

Now there’s only Jun-kun left that hasn’t made any guest appearances since Sho-kun’s Yoiko no Mikata. I would love to see him in a drama with Riida or Nino, ne.

Possibly Related Posts:


Ikuta Toma Talks about Matsumoto Jun: Past and Present

by Fiona

I’ve always it interesting whenever a senpai or kohai talks about our beloved Arashi.. This one illustrates Ikuta Toma’s recent encounter with Jun-kun.

Ikuta Toma “For the first time in ages I went out to eat dinner with Matsumoto Jun. Afterwards we ended up going to Matsumoto’s house…I had a great time talking about lots of different things. Matsu-Jun [Matsumoto] is a very earnest person. He’s a great source of motivation. While we were talking we discovered that we were using the same perfume. We ‘argued’ who should switch to a different one! ‘I’ll change first!’ ‘No, I will!’
That reminded me of when we had costarred in the theater production ‘Stand by Me’. We quarreled practically everyday (laugh). We fought over the most insignificant things. But hey, we were just middle school students back then.
Now those ‘brats’ have grownup, and there we were talking while having a drink…gee, we’ve matured a lot (laugh).”

Fans would definitely have wanted to be there between them! The two longtime friends must have been surprised to find that have unwittingly been using the same perfume. Does anyone know exactly what brand they’re using? As they grow older they are bound to continue being good friends and also be good influence for each other!

From Music Japan

I found it rather cute that Toma-kun and Jun-kun have the same taste in perfume and argued who would change first. Also, I’m happy to know that their relationship has remain unchanged, still much like their junior days.

I’ve seen a few of Toma-kun’s dramas, his acting is quite good and certainly one to watch for. Looking forward to his new move with Gakki!

Possibly Related Posts:


Matsumoto Jun on filming Showa Period drama

by Fiona

I was browsing on Music Japan and found a little article regarding Jun-kun and his new drama special.

In spring next year the special TV drama ‘わが家の歴史 / Wagaya no Rekishi [lit. ‘Our Family’s History’]’ will be broadcast. The drama was written by Mitani Koki, and the lead actress is Shibasaki Kou. The supporting cast who will become family members and close friends of Shibasaki include, among others, Arashi member Matsumoto Jun, actresses Horikita Maki and Amami Yuki, and actor Sato Koichi.

Matsumoto will play the part of Shibasaki’s younger brother. He made reporters laugh by jokingly commenting “When I hide my thick eyebrows with my hair, my eyes look the same as Shibasaki-san’s. I’m glad I really look like her brother.” Shibasaki in real life doesn’t have brothers or sisters. She smiled and said “I’ve always wanted to have brothers and sisters, so it was fun to experience what it’s like.” Mitani voiced his confidence in no uncertain terms. “I’ve combined all the best things about dramas of the Showa period (1926-1989) into a great script. Now all is up to the cast members.”

Matsumoto commented about the ongoing filming. “Lots of attention is being paid to the stage sets and props, so it really feels like you’ve time-warped back to Showa. The filming is really fun! We had some Chinese mitten crabs. I can’t wait to see the entire drama.”

Since the story centers on the Showa period, will Matsumoto be wearing Showa-style clothes…? The first things that come to mind about Showa are the grey suits…glasses with thick black rims…and neatly parted hair. How will the usually stylish and casual Matsumoto look in Showa mode? Will he still be able to look cool? What do you think?

From: Music Japan

Possibly Related Posts: