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Arimura Kasumi & Sakaguchi Kentaro reunite for romance Beyond Goodbye
September 27, 2023
Okada Yoshikazu's original screenplay unfolds a miraculous love story between two people connected by fate. Arimura Kasmi portrays Saeko, who is overwhelmed with grief after losing her boyfriend Yusuke to a car accident on the day he proposed to her. Sakaguchi Kentaro plays Naruse, whose life is saved when he receives Yusuke's heart through transplant surgery. When the two meet, Naruse feels something in his heart. Two photos released by the production show the leads standing at a train station in Hokkaido.
The release date for Beyond Goodbye has not been announced yet.
Text / Sanwei
Sakamoto Yuji's In Love and Deep Water on Netflix in November
September 21, 2023
In Love and Deep Water (Crazy Cruise in Japanese) is Sakamoto Yuji's first work following his Cannes-winning script for Kore-eda Hirokazu's Monster. The writer works again with director Taki Yusuke after their previous collaboration for the 2021 TV series Omameda Towako and Her Three Ex-Husbands.
In Love and Deep Water is described as a mystery and romantic comedy set on a luxury cruise liner heading to the Aegean Sea. Yoshizawa Ryo stars as Ubukuta Suguru, a butler on the cruise ship who mindlessly responds to passenger requests. Miyazaki Aoi plays Banjaku Chizuru, a mysterious woman who boards the ship for a certain reason. A mystery unfolds when a murder occurs on the ship.
The ensemble cast includes Yoshida Yo as the ship's new captain, Kikuchi Rinko as a movie producer who is carrying on an affair, and Nagayama Kento as a young actor aiming for Cannes. Also onboard are Izumisawa Yuki, Makita Aju, Okayama Amane, Matsui Airi, Mitsuishi Ken, Hasegawa Hatsunori, Takaoki Saki and Yasuda Ken.
Text / Sanwei
Ueno Juri returns to silver screen for Rinjin X
September 7, 2023
Based on the same-titled novel by Pallus Ayako, Rinjin X is set in a world where interplanetary refugees forced to leave their home planet due to conflict have arrived on Earth. Following the lead of the U.S., Japan decides to accept "X refugees" who assume the appearance of humans to live among ordinary people. The identities and addresses of X refugees are unknown. Anxiety and unrest spread through society as people fear and speculate about who is X.
Hayashi Kento plays tabloid journalist Sasa Kentaro who approaches a woman suspected of being X – Kashiwaga Ryoko played by Ueno Juri. He hides his true identity in hopes of getting a scoop, but the two grow closer over time. Sasa begins to fall in love with Ryoko, but he can't shake the suspicion that she might be X. Their relationship full of lies and mysteries will take unexpected turns.
Other cast members include Taiwan actress Huang Pei Chia as international student Lin Yi Ren who is also suspected of being X, and Nomura Shuhei as Ren's pub co-worker Nimura Takuma who dreams of becoming a successful musician. In addition, Shimada Kyusaku and Bakarhythm play editors of the tabloid that Sasa works at, while Kawase Yota portrays a veteran freelance reporter recruited for an article on X.
Rinjin X: Giwaku no Kanojo will be released in Japan on December 1, 2023.
Text / Sanwei
Reborn Rich, Attorney Woo & The Glory win at 18th Seoul Drama Awards
September 6, 2023
In the International Competition Category, Best Miniseries awards go to Korean drama Reborn Rich and Chinese drama The Long Season. Chinese drama Meet Yourself claims the Best TV Series title. Fan Wei (The Long Season) and Korea's Bae Suzy (Anna) win Best Actor and Actress, respectively, while Iran's Nima Javidi is named Best Screenwriter for The Actor.
In the International Invitation Category, five actors will take home the Outstanding Asian Star trophies: Park Eun Bin (Extraordinary Attorney Woo) from Korea, Luo Yunxi (Till the End of the Moon) from China, Yagi Yusei (My Beautiful Man S2) from Japan, Gun Atthaphan Phunsawat (Midnight Museum) from Thailand, and Kathryn Bernardo (2 Good 2 Be True) from the Philippines.
The Grand Prize in International Competition and Golden Bird Prize in International Invitation Category will be announced at the SDA awards ceremony.
Text / Violet
Penthouse stars and creators reunite for revenge drama 7 Escape
August 31, 2023
7 Escape, also known as War For Survival, follows seven villains involved in a missing person case who get pulled into a bloody revenge survival game. Uhm Ki Joon leads the drama as Matthew Lee who runs the largest mobile platform company in Korea. He is determined to bring the evildoers to hell with a death game designed by him.
7 Escape is scheduled to premiere on September 15.
Text / Violet
Ha Jung Woo and Im Si Wan's sports film Road to Boston opens on September 27
August 31, 2023
Road to Boston captures the rousing story of Korean marathoners Sohn Kee Chung, Suh Yun Bok and Nam Sung Yong taking part in the Boston Marathon in 1947. This marked the first international marathon event for Korean runners after Korea's liberation from Japanese rule in 1945. Marathon gold medalist Sohn Kee Chung (Ha Jung Woo) stood at the top of the podium at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, but the Japanese national anthem was played at the ceremony. In 1947, runner Suh Yun Bok (Im Si Wan) emerges as the next Sohn Kee Chung. With the help of Sohn as his coach, Suh participates in the Boston Marathon with the Korean Taegeuk flag on his jersey.
Besides the leads, Road to Boston also co-stars Bae Sung Woo (Beasts Clawing At Straws), Kim Sang Ho (The Negotiation) and Park Eun Bin (The Witch: Part 2. The Other One) in a special appearance.
Text / Violet
Gackt and Nikaido Fumi return for Fly Me to the Saitama sequel
August 31, 2023
Takeuchi Hideki is back to direct Fly Me to the Saitama II, and stars Gackt and Nikaido Fumi reprise their roles as Asami Rei and Hakuhodo Momomi who raised rebellion with the Saitama Liberation Front in the first film. The sequel picks up with a completely original story that takes on the great East-West divide between Kanto and Kansai.
Watanabe Anne joins the cast as Kikyo Kai, a nobleman who leads the people of Shiga Prefecture towards the abolition of the toll system. Kataoka Ainosuke plays Kashoji Akira, the ruthless governor of Osaka Prefecture who controls the Kansai area using the pass system and the mysterious Koshien facility, and mistreats Kansai people who aren't from Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. Kataoka's real-life wife, Fujiwara Norika, plays his wife in the film.
Hotta Mayu, Takahashi Maryjun, Kunihiro Kawashima and Tsuda Atsuhiro appear as members of the Shiga Liberation Front. The cast also includes Kato Ryo, Masuwaka Tsubasa, Ozawa Maju, Nakahara Shoko, Tendo Yoshimi, Tomiko Claire, Kawasaki Mayo, Momoko, Yamamura Momiji, Wakui Emi, Akira 100% and Asahi Nao.
Fly Me to the Saitama II will be released in Japan on November 23, 2023.
Text / Sanwei
Yamazaki Kento stars in live-action Golden Kamuy film
August 30, 2023
Golden Kamuy is set in late-Meiji-era Hokkaido during the gold rush. Yamazaki Kento plays the protagonist Sugimoto Saichi, a former soldier whose fighting prowess on the battlefield during the Russo-Japanese War earned him the nickname "Immortal Sugimoto." Becoming a panner after the war, he is angling to find buried gold left behind by the indigenous Ainu people. Sugimoto is assisted on his quest by an Ainu girl named Asirpa, portrayed by Yamada Anna, who wants to avenge the death of her father, a miner involved in the legend of the lost gold.
Other cast members include Maeda Gordon as sniper Ogata Hyakunosuke, Yamoto Yuma as genius jailbreaker Shiraishi Yoshitake, Kudo Asuka as sergeant Tsukishima Hajime, Yanagi Shuntaro as twin soldiers Nikaido Kohei and Yohei, Otani Ryohei as Matagi hunter and private Tanigaki Genjiro, Katsuya as judo master Ushiyama Tatsuuma, and Kiba Katsumi as swordsman Nagakura Shinpachi. Furthermore, Ohkata Hisako and Akibo Debo portray Asirpa's grandmother and uncle, respectively, and Makita Sports plays the man who tells Sugimoto about the existence of the gold treasure. Tamaki Hiroshi takes the role of Tsurumi Tokushiro, a lieutenant in the 7th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army, while Tachi Hiroshi plays former Shinsengumi commander Hijikata Toshizo, both of whom seek the gold treasure to fund rebellion.
Golden Kamuy is being produced by CREDEUS, the production company behind the Warring States-era Kingdom film series starring Yamazaki Kento. Kubo Sigeaki, who is best known for the HiGH & LOW series, serves as director, and TV veteran Kuroiwa Tsutomu, who also worked on the Kingdom series, is in charge of the screenplay.
Golden Kamuy opens in Japan on January 19, 2024.
Text / Sanwei
Queendom Puzzle reveals debut lineup of project girl group EL7Z U+P
August 23, 2023
EL7Z UP consists of the seven top finalists of Queendom Puzzle. H1-KEY's Hwi Seo was crowned the overall champion, while woo!ah!'s Nana and Purple Kiss's Yuki came in second and third in the final ranking, respectively. Lovelyz's Kei, WJSN's Yeo Reum, Rocket Punch's Yeon Hee and CLC's Ye Eun took the remaining four spots of the group.
EL7Z U+P is set to officially debut in September, and attend MAMA Awards 2023 later this year.
Text / Violet
Shigeoka Daiki stars in Higashino Keigo-based mystery film
August 11, 2023
Published in 1992, Aru Tozasareta Yuki no Sanso de revolves around seven actors who gather at a mountain villa for the final audition selection of a new stage production. The play is a murder drama set in an isolated mountain lodge that has been snowed in and cut off from contact with the outside. The actors are under strict orders by the director to follow the play scenario and not contact anyone. Over the following days, people begin to disappear one by one as the remaining actors try to solve the mystery while suspecting each other of being the culprit. Shigeoka Daiki plays the main character Kuga Kazuyuki, who assumes the detective role of the group.
Aru Tozasareta Yuki no Sanso de is directed by Iizuka Ken whose varied filmography includes Step, Rainbow Days and Arakawa Under the Bridge. The film will be released in Japan in New Year's 2024.
Text / Sanwei
Disney+'s sci-fi action K-Drama Moving airs on August 9
July 31, 2023
Based on the same-titled webtoon from Kang Full, Moving revolves around children who are hiding their superpowers and their parents who are hiding painful pasts and secrets, and how they get through huge dangers together. Park In Je (co-director of Kingdom Season 2) helms the supernatural family drama.
Besides the leads, Moving also includes the cast of Kim Shin Rok (Beyond Evil), Kim Hee Won (The Light in Your Eyes), Park Hee Soon (My Name) and Kwak Sun Young (Hospital Playlist).
Text / Violet
Kim So Hyun and Hwang Min Hyun's mystery romcom My Lovely Liar airs on July 31
July 28, 2023
Kim So Hyun takes the role of Mok Sol Hee, nicknamed the "liar hunter," who has the power to tell whether a lie is a lie. To her, this special ability is a curse that makes her a lonely person who can never trust the world. She encounters the mysterious Kim Do Ha (played by Hwang Min Hyun), a notable music composer who was once a murder suspect. No one believed his claims of innocence even though he was released without being charged. Seo Ji Hoon (Men Are Men) plays detective Lee Kang Min, while actress Lee Si Woo (The Fabulous) plays top solo singer Sha On.
My Lovely Liar is set to air its first episode on July 31.
Text / Violet
Miyazawa Rie stars in Ishii Yuya's new film Moon
July 26, 2023
Miyazawa Rie plays Dojima Yuko, a formerly famous writer who starts working at a facility for people with disabilities. At this facility located deep in the woods, she witnesses other staff's callous and abusive treatment of residents. Yoko's colleague Sato-kun, portrayed by Isomura Hayato, is especially outraged about the situation. His anger and sense of justice continue to grow and grow until that fateful day arrives.
Nikaido Fumi plays another facility employee who works with Yoko and Sato, while Odagiri Joe plays Yoko's husband.
Tsuki will be released in Japan on October 13, 2023.
Text / Sanwei
Iwai Shunji's Kyrie no Uta starring AiNA THE END opens in October 2023
July 25, 2023
In her feature film debut, AiNA THE END plays the title character Kyrie, a street musician with no fixed address who can only make her voice heard by singing. Hirose Suzu plays Ikko, a mysterious woman who threw away her past and volunteers to be Kyrie's manager. Matsumura Hokuto plays Natsuhiko a young man trapped in the past as he continues to search for his missing fiancee. Kuroki Haru plays Fumi, a elementary school teacher who stands by those who have been hurt.
The supporting cast includes Murakami Nijiro as guitarist Fuukin, Soshina of Shimofuri Myojo as keyboardist Sazanka, singer Otsuka Ai as Kyrie's mother, Okina Megumi as Ikko's mother, Kichise Michiko as Natsuhiko's mother, Eguchi Yosuke as Natsuhiko's uncle, and Kitamura Yukiya as a music producer. Asada Miyoko, Matsuura Yuya, Kasahara Hideyuki, Yayama Hana, Toyohara Kosuke, Matsumoto Marika, Higuchi Shinji, writer Robert Campbell, and singer-songwriters Nanao Tabito, Ando Yuko and Ishii Tatsuya appear in the film as well.
The music for Kyrie no Uta is created by Kobayashi Takeshi, who has worked with Iwai Shunji for many years including on the films Swallowtail Butterfly, All about Lily Chou-Chou and Last Letter. Kobayashi also wrote and composed the film's theme song Kirie Awaremi no Sanka performed by AiNA THE END.
Kyrie no Uta will be released in Japan on October 13, 2023.
Text / Sanwei
The Glory's Song Hye Kyo wins Grand Prize at 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards
July 20, 2023
Big Bet was hailed as Best Drama and cast member Lee Dong Hwi won Best Supporting Actor. Ha Jung Woo (Narco-Saints) and Bae Suzy (Anna) were recognized as Best Actor and Actress, while Park Ji Hoon and Shin Ye Eun picked up the Best New Actor and Actress awards respectively. Park Jae Chan won the OST Popularity Award ("Our Season," Our Season: Spring with Park Jae Chan), as well as the TIRTIR Popularity Star Award alongside Kim Yeon Koung, Cha Eun Woo and Lee Kwang Soo. Weak Hero Class 1's Choi Hyun Wook
Netflix's Siren: Survive the Island was named Best Entertainment Program. Yoo Jae Suk (Playou Level Up: Villain's World) and SNL Korea's Joo Hyun Young collected the Best Male and Female Entertainer awards, and Bloody Game's Dex and SNL Korea's Kim Ah Young received Best New Male and Female Entertainer awards.
Text / Violet
Miyazaki Hayao's How Do You Live? out on July 14
July 13, 2023
How Do You Live? is reportedly an original story inspired by Yoshino Genzaburo's same-titled 1937 novel Kimitachi wa Do Ikiru ka, which tells the coming-of-age experiences of a teenage boy. Details about the film have been shrouded in secrecy as Studio Ghibli has chosen to not release any trailers, synopsis, cast information or promotional materials before the film's release besides a single poster featuring a sketch illustration of a bird-like creature.
Text / Sanwei
34th Golden Melody Awards
July 3, 2023
Rapper Kumachan won Best Mandarin Album with PRO. Song of the Year went to "The Best Time" performed by anpu, and her other song "Bruce Lee" won the Best Arranger award for Chico Tsai. LaLa Hsu received the Best Composer award for "Anything But" performed by Best New Artist winner Hung Pei Yu. Francis Tsai's Time's up was selected as the Best Vocal Recording Album. Cosmos (The Moment) and Crispy (Take It Slow. I Will Be There) were named Best Band and Best Vocal Group, respectively
In the non-Mandarin language categories, Enno Cheng won Best Taiwanese Album and Best Female Taiwanese Singer with her album Mercury Retrograde, while A Chi (Thank You My Love) was crowned Best Male Taiwanese Singer. Best Hakka Album went to Rita Lin's Yam Fung Ieu, and Best Hakka Singer to Julia Peng (The Dream I Made in the Livingroom). Matzka's cinevuan Neighborhood 7 No. 86 won Best Aboriginal Album, and Kasiwa received the Best Aboriginal Singer award.
Late musician Eric Lin was recognized with Special Contribution Award, and legendary singer Ouyang Feifei was honored with the Best Contribution Award.
Text / Garden
Translation / Sanwei
Ninomiya Kazunari, Nakatani Miki & Osawa Takao in Fuji TV drama ONE DAY
June 30, 2023
Ninomiya Kazunari plays Sugoroji Seiji, an amnesiac man who wakes up at a wharf in Yokohama near a corpse. Seiji becomes a fugitive as he searches for clues to the shooting incident while tracing his lost memories.
Osawa Takao plays chef Tachiaoi Tokio who is busy preparing the Christmas dinner menu. The lonely widower is working tirelessly on Christmas Eve when a stranger suddenly breaks into his restaurant.
Nakatani Miki plays TV newscaster Kurauchi Kikyo who has learned that her news program is getting cancelled and that she will get transferred to a cooking program. Heading to the scene of the shooting, she holds herself together to chase her last news story.
The three main characters are originally unrelated and living their own separate lives. The stories of the three people progress concurrently as their destinies gradually intertwine on this one day. Hints about the overarching mystery appear from the first episode, building towards a reveal in the final episode.
ONE DAY ~Seiya no Kara Sawagi~ is written by Japan Academy Prize-winning screenwriter Tokunaga Yuichi (Fly Me to the Saitama) and directed by hitmaker Suzuki Masayuki (Hero). The series will air in Fuji TV's Monday 9 p.m. slot for autumn 2023.
Text / Sanwei
Netflix reveals new cast of Squid Game Season 2
June 30, 2023
Besides the original cast, Im Si Wan (Run On), Kang Ha Neul (When the Camellia Blooms), Park Sung Hoon (The Glory) and Yang Dong Geun (Connect) were announced for new characters earlier in the month. On June 29, Netflix announced more cast members, including Park Gyu Young (Sweet Home), Jo Yu Ri (Work Later, Drink Now 2), Kang Ae Shim (Divorce Attorney Shin), Lee David (Law School), Lee Jin Wook (Sweet Home), T.O.P Choi Seung Hyun (Iris), Roh Jae Won (Once Upon a Small Town) and Won Ji An (D.P.).
Squid Game Season 2 is again helmed by creator and writer-director Hwang Dong Hyuk. The death game survival series is slated to air in 2024.
Text / Violet
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