It has been revealed that Jun Matsumoto of the popular group "Arashi" will star in the TBS Sunday Theatre "19th Karte" (Sundays at 9pm) in July. This will be Matsumoto's first drama appearance since starring in the NHK Taiga drama "What Will Ieyasu Do?" which will be broadcast in 2023, and his first appearance on Sunday Theatre since "99.9 - Criminal Lawyer - SEASON II" which aired in January 2018. Matsumoto, who has expanded his horizons as an artist in various fields, including directing live performances, will take on the role of a doctor for the first time in his 30-year career.
The drama is based on Katsuhito Fujiya's manga "The 19th Chart: Akira Tokushige's Medical Examination" (Zenon Comics/Core Mix, currently being serialized). The drama is based on the theme of "general medicine," the 19th new field added to 18 other specialties such as neurosurgery and ophthalmology, and is a human medical entertainment that depicts a general practitioner who not only examines illnesses but also lends a helping hand to the patient's way of life itself based on their mental and lifestyle backgrounds. The script is written by Aya Tsubota, who is known for the "Kounodori" series (TBS).
Matsumoto plays Akira Tokushige, a member of the newly established General Medicine Department. He doesn't have the skills to perform highly difficult surgeries or the genius mind to do so, but his greatest weapon is his ability to thoroughly listen to his patients and, at times, see through their lies and engage in dialogue. He is calm and nonchalant, and at first glance seems elusive, but deep down he has a strong desire to save people.
Matsumoto commented, "Tokushige, who I play, faces patients in the new field of 'general medicine' while sensing the future in which Japanese medicine will change. I would be happy if this work can broaden understanding of the current state of Japanese medicine and 'general medicine' even a little. I hope that viewers will feel warm-hearted and become a little more positive about medicine... I hope to deliver a drama that gently pushes them forward."
Masuda Chiai, who planned this production, described the main character, Tokushige, as "someone who quietly continues to pursue what he wants to be, even as he struggles with himself. He is a person with a gaze that has seen many things through." She added, "I think this is a character that only Matsumoto Jun could portray. It's not over once a life is saved; life beyond that contains not only sweetness, but also bitterness. We will present the story of people who persevere through life as entertainment."
