▲ Actor Jun Matsumoto
On January 19, NHK TV announced that "Arashi" member Jun Matsumoto (37) will star in the 62nd work of the Ōkawa drama "What to Do?" broadcast in 2023. Ieyasu". The protagonist of this drama is Tokugawa Ieyasu, who founded the Edo shogunate, and is one of the three heroes of the Sengoku period. Ryota Furuzawa (47) is the screenwriter of the show.
This is Matsumoto's first appearance in the Okawa drama, and for the Arashi members, it is also the debut after the announcement of the suspension of activities last year. Following the SP drama "Forever Elder: The Man Named Hokkaido Takeshiro Matsuura~ ( broadcast in 2019), Matsumoto Jun re-starred in the NHK TV series. It is also after "V6" member Junichi Okada (40 years old) starred in the Ōkawa drama "Military Division Officers and Soldiers" (broadcast in 2014), and the Second time that the Janis Office starred in the Oikawa drama.
▲ Poster of "Eternal Elder: The Man Named Hokkaido Takeshiro Matsuura~"
Regarding the announcement, Matsumoto said, "I was shocked at first! Actually received an invitation to star in the Big River Drama!? And it's also known as Ieyasu!? I also like mr. Ryota Furuzawa, the screenwriter! "But while I was happy, I was also very uneasy. I don't know if I can play such an important role. "The first time I heard this news was in November last year," Matsumoto said, saying that this was the time node before the end of Arashi's activities, "Until the end of 2020, I will fight with everyone until the last minute as part of Arashi." So now I can't give a definite answer, I hope the other party can give me some time, thank you for the understanding of each staff member. He gave a clear response at new year's day: "After the new year, I reconsidered it again. I am about to step off this ship called "Arashi" and embark on a new adventure. At this time, taking over the big river drama was really a big challenge for me. But if I can pour my heart and soul into it with everyone, I am willing to fight for it. ”
▲ Screenwriter Ryota Furuzawa
It is the first collaboration with screenwriter Mr. Furuzawa. "The image of Ieyasu created by Mr. Furuzawa is very novel. It would be nice if I could work with everyone to create a different Ieya health that has been different so far. I hope that I can enthusiastically interpret the characters who rise and fall in the chaotic world, try their best to survive, and calm the warring states world," he said, adding, "I hope that my works can not only satisfy the audience who like to watch the Big River Drama on Sunday nights, but also bring joy to the younger generation of audiences." And I'm going to work on that, so stay tuned. ”
For the official announcement, Matsumoto Jun also commented in the video: "At the end of last year, I decided to get off the ship 'Arashi', and when I wanted to embark on a new adventure, I received an invitation to this big river drama. I will also do my best to bring you a wonderful interpretation. ”
This drama is the 62nd drama of Ōkawa drama after "Here Comes the Kirin", which began airing in February, and "13 People of Kamakura-den" in 2022. It depicts the legendary life of the historical figure Tokugawa Ieyasu, a story full of miracles and hopes when a weak teenager ends a troubled world. This is a work based on Tokugawa Ieyasu for 23 years, following his 39th work, "Aoi Tokugawa Sanshiro" (starring Masahiko Tsurukawa in 2000), and a single-character work that has been absent for 40 years after Tokugawa Ieyasu (1983). So far, the role of Tokugawa Ieyasu has been played by many outstanding actors such as Kitaoji Shinya (77 years old), Toshiyuki Nishida (73 years old), Satoshi Terao (73 years old), Masahiro Takashima (55 years old), Seiyo Uchino (52 years old), and Sadao Abe (50 years old) in the Yamato drama. In recent years, in "Here Comes the Kirin", he was played by Shunsuke Kazema (37 years old) from the same Janis Office.