It has been revealed that actress Kawaei Rina will be starring in the April drama series "Damemane! - We'll Manage Useless Talent" (NTV, Sundays at 10:30pm). She will play a sharp-tongued new manager who runs around the entertainment industry trying to revive useless talents while being manipulated by the cold-hearted "super sadistic manager" played by Ken Yasuda Ken.
Kawaei plays Kandagawa Miwa, a new manager at the talent agency "TOYO Productions" who struggles to revive fallen entertainers while hiding the fact that she was a legendary child actor who suddenly retired after a certain incident. Using the acting skills and ability to capture people's hearts that she developed as a child actor, she encourages the talents on the brink and helps them get back on their feet. Furthermore, Miwa is a sharp-tongued character who is not afraid of her superiors and will attack them in a familiar manner, and the back-and-forth exchanges between her unreasonable superior, played by Yasuda, are said to be a highlight of the film.
Yasuda plays Miwa's boss, Shinichiro Saigawa, who is calm, rational, always uses polite language, and has a strong attitude of sticking to his own beliefs. He is a mysterious and sadistic boss who is sometimes described by others as "an elusive person." Because he speaks without showing his emotions, he appears cold at first glance, but deep inside he has kindness and a sense of responsibility.
The series is directed by Toichiro Ruto, known for "Ossan's Love," and written by Takeshi Miyamoto, Masaaki Nishigaki, and Udai Iwasaki of the comedy duo "Kamomentaru." This is the first time that Director Ruto has directed a drama for Nippon Television.
◇Comments from Kawaei Rina and Ken Yasuda Ken
--About the role
Kawaei: The new manager I play, Kandagawa Miwa, is a refreshing, positive new employee at first glance, but she often lets her emotions show and is quite sarcastic behind the scenes. This contrast between her public and private life is very appealing, so I hope you will pay attention to that as well. Another highlight is her struggle to manage people with strong personalities. I think I need to work hard and show my individuality so that I don't get lost in the crowd of quirky people.
Yasuda: Saigawa is very calm and rational, and always uses polite language when speaking to others. He is good at cornering and pushing people into a corner, and he gives precise instructions. He is a character who gives Miwa a sadistic mission and manipulates her, but he is not just a cold boss, and there is actually a reason for this. He has a deep connection to Miwa's past, and it is interesting to see how this gradually becomes clear in the story.
--About the drama script
Kawaei: Miwa is a former child prodigy, so she will face the talents while expressing various emotions such as joy, anger, sadness, and happiness as instructed by Saigawa-san, but I think there are some parts of Miwa's true feelings that are similar to theirs. I'm really looking forward to playing that role. Above all, the talents in the entertainment division 4 have really strong personalities, so I think there will be some ad-libs when we go to the floor of the division 4, and I'm looking forward to interacting with everyone.
Yasuda: I read the script with a grin on my face. What I felt overall was that there is a worldview that turns the pain that each person is carrying into humor. It's like turning something tragic into comedy. I really felt that atmosphere in the book, turning things that people find suffocating in today's society and specific episodes into positives, turning tragedies into comedy.
--This is your first time acting together. What are your impressions of each other?
Kawaei: When I actually met him, he was twice as funny as I imagined (laughs). I thought he would be a quiet, reserved person when he's off work, but I found him to be a cheerful and fun person (laughs). I'm grateful to be able to act with him, and I'm really looking forward to it.
Yasuda: I have the image of her as a multi-talented person. I think there must be a good gap between Kawaei as the character and the normal Kawaei. She has a wide range as an actor, and she delivers her lines clearly and crisply, so they really hit home in your ears. I think she is a person who can use her emotions and has a heart that properly handles joy, anger, sadness and happiness. As for my concern, since they are enemies, I would hate for her to become a really scary person if she devotes herself to the role (laughs).
-What orders did Coach Ruto give you?
Kawaei: When we tried on the costume, he said it would be nice if we could work together to create the character. The role this time is quite two-faced, so we talked about how we would like to show that contrast in a cute and pop way. The director said that he wanted to create a drama that would make viewers want to work hard for the week, so I hope we can create something that is cheerful, fun, and makes everyone feel positive.
Yasuda: He said it would be great if we could work together on this. I think about the efforts of the scriptwriter who creates something from scratch, and I have a strong desire to follow the script. When I read the script this time and talked to the director about a part that I was a little worried about how to act, he told me that I didn't have to force myself to act, that I could naturally cut out that part, and that we should work together to create the story, which was very reassuring.
--About the upcoming shoot
Kawaei: Yasuda-san has appeared in many different works, and I have the impression that he has a very wide range of roles. I think he is a really wonderful actor no matter what role he plays. This work has a lot of comedy parts, so I am really looking forward to acting together.
Yasuda-san: I want these three months to be ones where we can think, "That was fun," and "I wonder if Kawaei-san is doing well," or "She's still doing her best," when we finish acting together, and think things like that. Anyway, I'm disliked in my role, but I don't want to be disliked on set (laughs).
--A message to our viewers
Kawaei: This drama is a "life revenge comedy" about people who give up on their dreams, suffer setbacks, and take revenge on themselves for the kinds of things that you've probably experienced. I hope the comedy will make you laugh, move you a little, and become something to look forward to in your week. Please be sure to check out "Damemane!"
Yasuda: Even if today is not a good day, you can definitely do your best tomorrow. I want to create a drama that makes you feel that way. Please enjoy watching it.
◇Comment from Director Toichiro Ruto
Managers aren't all that glamorous; they sweat a lot, and follow up behind the scenes. It's really tough. And yet their names don't appear in the credits. They're unfortunate. But it's an incredibly important job. They are constantly pouring out love and light. That's why the performers can shine so brightly. We've turned the tragedy of these managers, who continue to light up their own corner and illuminate people, into a comedy, and we'll deliver it to you in a hilarious way!! It's encouraging to be able to work with the little giant Kawaei-san again this time. I'll take on the challenge with my head and body full to the brim, so that I can accompany her unfathomable talent and pack in all her charm. I'll combine that with Yasuda-san's acting ability, who is like a monster, and there'll be a surprise rabbit, and more. There's so much I want to say, so please look forward to it!!!
◇ Comment from Producer Kiyoko Fujisawa
When I thought of the heroine as a "former child prodigy," I knew that she had to be someone with solid acting ability, and I knew the casting would be difficult. However, I was blessed with a miraculous connection, and as a producer, I couldn't be happier that Kawaei was chosen to play the lead role. In the drama industry in particular, Kawaei is highly regarded by directors and producers for her overwhelming acting ability. I am really looking forward to seeing how Kawaei, who also has talent as a comedienne, will play the tricky main character, Miwa.
Saigawa, played by Ken Yasuda, is a deep character who, while throwing seemingly reckless missions one after another to the protagonist Miwa, makes you think that in the end it was all in Saigawa's hands. I am convinced that only Ken Yasuda Ken can play this difficult role. As Kawaei said, "He's twice as funny as I imagined,"Ken Yasuda is not only skilled at serious acting, but also has an outstanding sense of comedy. In this production, I hope to be able to fully convey a new side of Ken Yasuda and the charm of his comedy, which is a little different from what we've seen before.
And please look forward to Director Ruto's comedy, which will be his first time directing for Nippon Television. Many actors said they wanted to appear in Director Ruto's work, and as a result, a super luxurious cast was realized. Please look forward to the upcoming announcement of the cast.
