Actor Ryoko Yonekura appeared on stage on the opening day of the film "Doctor X FINAL" (directed by Naoki Tamura) in which she plays the lead role, held in Tokyo on December 5th. When asked what new challenges she would like to take on now that the series has reached its conclusion, Yonekura was overcome with emotion and choked up when she uttered the line that Kanbara Akira, played by Kishibe Ittoku, said to her in the film, "You are my pride," but she renewed her resolve, saying, "I want to become an actor who can give it my all and take on challenges head-on. I want to be someone that people can be proud of."
When asked how she felt on the opening day of the final episode, Yonekura began by saying, "It's the last time... that we can be together like this." She continued, "For 12 years, we've been making time every day to concentrate and chat about trivial things together. I don't think I have any regrets, but it does make me a little sad to think that the day I can meet everyone like this will never come. But I put all my heart into making this movie. I have no regrets. Probably (laughs)." She spoke of her deep feelings with a touch of humor.
When asked what made her think, "I want to become an actor who can take on challenges head-on and give it my all," Yonekura revealed, "I decided to calm down and take a look at it, so I went to the screening room again the other day." She explained, "After thinking about what I should have done, or how I could have managed it, and all of that, I ultimately thought that, although I gave it my all during the filming of the movie, I would like to become an actor who can take on challenges head-on and give it even more of my all."
She continued, with a serious expression, "I would like to become an actor who can blow away things like hesitation. When I remember the words Akira said to me, I think I also want to be someone that others can be proud of."
In response to the same question about new challenges, Uchida Yuki said, "When Yonekura saw the movie and said she wanted to work harder as an actor, I thought, 'I feel the same way!'" She continued, "Even as I get older, I don't want to forget my original intentions. I wouldn't say I'm a lone wolf, but I want to believe in my skills, hone my skills, and become a good actor, an actor with character. So it's the same as with (Yonekura)." They seemed to be in perfect sync, just like in the movie.
The film is the final installment of the TV drama series "Doctor X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon," which began airing on TV Asahi in 2012. The story uncovers the "secret of birth" of the protagonist, the solitary freelance surgeon Michiko Daimon. Also attending the press conference were Kei Tanaka, Mio Imada, Masanobu Katsumura, Kishibe, Shota Sometani, Daigo Nishihata from "Naniwa Danshi," Kenichi Endo, and Director Tamura.
