Freelance announcer Yumiko Udo is currently appearing in the Tuesday drama "Toki Sude ni Osushi!?" (TBS, Tuesdays at 10 PM). This is her first appearance in a television drama series, and she plays Izumi Isoda, the best friend of the protagonist, Minato Machiyama (played by Nagasaku). We asked Udo, who says she is approaching acting with the "feeling of a newcomer," about her thoughts when she received the offer and what she felt on set.
◇"Actually, I'm surprisingly negative."
The drama tells the story of Minato Machiyama, who, having finished raising her children, is bewildered by the "time to herself" that she finally has again at the age of 50, but begins her second life and jumps into a "sushi academy" where she can become a sushi chef in three months.
--This will be your first appearance in a television drama series. What was the deciding factor in accepting the offer?
Playing the role of Hiromi Nagasaku's best friend is something you can't just wish for. If I'm given that opportunity, I'm willing to be embarrassed and whatever people say, so I decided to take the role.
--What were your impressions after reading the script?
I thought it was a very gentle drama. It seems like something that could happen in anyone's life, and there were parts that resonated with me, making me feel like I was watching myself. I felt it was a very relatable and heartwarming work.
--What kind of role is Izumi?
What we have in common is that we both worked hard to survive in a male-dominated society. But Izumi is a woman with the integrity to draw a line somewhere and say, "This isn't right," and move on to the next step. She's not just cheerful, but she's become positive through various experiences, and she naturally brightens up the people around her. She's a bit of a free spirit and does things at her own pace (laughs).
But when I play Izumi, I think about how grateful I would be to have someone like her as a friend. She's the kind of person who makes you think, "Oh well, it's okay," when you're feeling down.
-- Do you see any similarities between yourself and him?
The director told me, "You're similar to Ms. Udo, so please act like Ms. Udo," but actually, I'm surprisingly negative (laughs).
However, in the end, there's always a moment when I think, "Oh well, let's just go for it!" and take the plunge. This appearance is a good example; even though I think that normally I should probably stop, I still go ahead and try it. I think we're similar in that respect.
--What was it like working with Ms. Nagasaku?
I've seen Ms. Nagasaku in movies and dramas before, and I always thought she had an overwhelming presence on screen, but when I actually worked with her, I found her to be incredibly natural. Yet, she still manages to leave a strong impression on screen. Seeing that, I thought, "This is what a professional is."
And they make me feel so natural on set. When I first greeted them, I said, "I don't have any acting experience, so I'll do my best not to cause any trouble," and they replied, "It's okay, just be yourself, Udo-san" (laughs). Those words immediately put my mind at ease. They create an environment that makes it easy for me to work, and no matter what I do, they make sure the scene is done properly. I feel that they are truly professional and kind people, and I'm just happy to be by their side.
--So, how about playing the role of a best friend?
Having seen her work before, I've always thought of Nagasaku-san as an amazing actress, so playing her best friend made me a little anxious because I had to be on equal footing with her. However, this time I experienced for the first time what actors often say about "being brought out by your co-stars," and it really clicked for me. I don't have to do anything special; the people around me are making Izumi the character she is. That's the feeling I have on set.
--Among the works in which Ms. Nagasaku has appeared, which are said to have an "overwhelming presence," are there any that particularly stand out in your memory?
It's the film "Asa ga Kuru" (2020) directed by Naomi Kawase. She played a very difficult role as a mother, and I was deeply drawn in. Her expressions were so natural that I felt like I was completely immersed in the story, and it was very impressive.
--In this film, you play a charming mother. What were your impressions of the filming process?
I'm amazed by how quickly they can switch between scenes. One moment they're talking cheerfully, and the next moment the atmosphere completely changes. I'm truly impressed by their ability to change the mood of the entire place.
◇From "listener" to "performer"
--Did you do any preparations in advance?
Since I don't know any actors, I couldn't consult with anyone, so I went into the filming without any special preparations. It's rare to have the opportunity to challenge myself in a completely different field at this age, so I thought I'd just try doing things my own way, and if it was wrong, I'd get corrected on set. I was determined to enjoy the process, including seeing how far I could go and what I couldn't.
However, since I'm playing a Pilates instructor, I have been doing a little strength training (laughs). As for character development, I felt that what I had planned beforehand and what we created together on set were completely different, so I realized that I didn't need to be too tense about it.
--What are your thoughts on acting without being conscious of the camera?
Normally, as an announcer, my role is to convey information without putting myself forward, but this time, I have a personality, and I have to put that forward. That's very difficult. I'm used to looking at the camera, so when I was told to "just live naturally," I felt like I wanted to stare directly at the camera (laughs).
However, thanks to everyone, including Ms. Nagasaku and Ms. Nekozawa (Tsubaki), who plays Ranko Komiyama, creating such a natural atmosphere, I feel like I'm more immersed in it than I had imagined.
--You've interviewed a variety of people, but is it different when you're facing actors on a stage?
It's completely different. I've had the opportunity to interview Kenichi Matsuyama, Yui Nagasaku, and First Summer Uika (who plays Kurumi Kakigi) for extended periods before, but in those cases I was the one "interviewing," so I wasn't that nervous. Rather, I had to take the lead, or rather, I had to be in control, to do it. But this time, I feel like I'm stepping into a ring I've never been in before, approaching it with the mindset of a "newcomer" who's relying on everyone's experience.
--This film tells the story of a protagonist who, after a long time, finds herself with "time to herself" and begins her second life. Is there anything new you would like to try now, Ms. Udo?
Up until now, I've pursued my passion as much as possible on television, through live broadcasts and news programs. However, as I approach the halfway point of my life, I feel that from now on, no matter what anyone says, I need to jump into anything I want to try. Otherwise, no matter how new the job, I'll end up living only within the confines of my familiar experiences.
As I enter the second half of my life, I want to push myself to the limit once again, to discover a new version of myself, a different potential, a different kind of energy. This acting job is one example of that, and I've also established my own general incorporated association, "100+ (Hyakutasu)," and am currently engaged in related activities.
I started this project because I wanted to do something about the long-standing social problem of the elderly, something like "elderly people energizing other elderly people," but it's really tough. As an announcer, I've worked in an environment that was somewhat well-structured, so it's not easy to think about and manage everything myself, including finances.
However, I also feel like if I don't put myself under that kind of pressure, I'll just drift through life aimlessly. That might be okay, but in order to be able to think "that was fun" in the end, I want to enjoy various things as long as my energy allows, not so much by building something up, but more like knocking down a tower of blocks.
-- Do you have a message for our viewers?
We're often told to "relax and live life without putting too much pressure on ourselves," but there are times when we simply have to put in the effort and persevere. For those of you who are feeling overwhelmed during those times, I think this drama is like an aromatherapy for people who are working hard right now, gently encouraging you without being pushy. I hope that after watching it, you'll feel like "it's okay" and be able to face tomorrow.
And personally, I'm secretly looking forward to the possibility of a scene where we get to eat sushi during filming (laughs). I think the film will be a warm and heartwarming production, including the atmosphere on set, so please be sure to watch it.
