It has been announced that actor Matsu Takako will star in the New Year's special drama "Slow Train," which will be broadcast on TBS from 9:00 pm on January 2, 2025. Co-stars include Tabe Mikako, Matsuzaka Tori, Hoshino Gen, and Joo Jung-hyuk, and the script will be written by Nogi Akiko, known for TV series such as "Unnatural" and "MIU404."
Matsu will play Shibuya Yoko, a freelance editor. She is the head of the Shibuya family and lives in her parents' home in Kamakura, where she used to live with her grandmother. Tabe will play Yoko's younger sister, Miyako. Even though she is over 30, Miyako has changed jobs and moved around a lot. She suddenly announces that she wants to go to Korea, causing a stir in the Shibuya family.
Matsuzaka will play Ushio, a maintenance worker at the Enoshima Electric Railway, while Hoshino will play Momeki Ken, a popular writer who plays a major role in the lives of the three characters. This will be Chu's first appearance in a Japanese drama, who has attracted attention in works such as "Lawyer Woo Young-woo is a Genius" and "I'll Tell You Honestly!?".
The story begins when Miyako suddenly confesses to Yoko and Ushio that she is going to Korea, and the three siblings reach a crossroads in their life's journey. Yoko, Miyako, and Ushio move from their previous "happiness as a trio" to facing their own "individual happiness". This is a thrilling and exciting family drama that will leave you smiling at the end. The drama is directed by Doi Yudai, who has worked on films such as "We Made a Bouquet of Love".
Comments from the cast and staff are as follows:
◇Takako Matsu
Under the direction of Director Doi, whom I trust wholeheartedly, and spending time with my wonderful sister and brother, Tabe and Matsuzaka, we were able to create a heartwarming drama. During the script reading, I felt like I was under a spell when the screenwriter Nogi told me, "This is a story written for you."
There are many charming, "ordinary" people in the drama, such as Hoshino Gen, with whom I had the most enjoyable exchanges in the scenes, and Joo Jeong-hyuk, who played a role that had a very meaningful meaning to his existence in this drama and was positive and cheerful even though it was his first time speaking Japanese.
I hope everyone will enjoy this story, which was made by people who love TV dramas. I love the title "Slow Train."
◇Mikako Tabe
When I heard about the role, I remember feeling excited, thinking, "It's like a reward to be able to spend my days with such a wonderful staff and cast!" Every day was exciting and exciting on set, and on the last day I lamented, "It's over already?!"
This was my first time playing the role of the middle child of three siblings, but I really liked the character of Miyako, who seems unsteady and vague, sometimes weak, but has a strong will that cannot bend. I can't help but think that siblings are made up of an exquisite balance. I hope you will enjoy watching the three characters with their different personalities while giggling on New Year's nights.
◇Matsuzaka Tori
I have three siblings, and I grew up sandwiched between two sisters, so I felt strangely comfortable on the set of "Slow Train". Spending time with Matsu-san and Tabe-san's two sisters and filming as the younger brother was nostalgic and fun. This was my first time acting with Hoshino-san since the Taiga drama, and I was really happy to be able to act in this way. It was a great asset to be able to act with Joo Jeong-hyuk-san across borders.
Director Doi is someone I have worked with on many projects and have a deep connection with. In our first film together, "Wings of the Kirin," I, an inexperienced actor, was on the set opposite Abe Hiroshi. The director sent me an email the day before filming, saying, "Don't think, feel." I still use those words as a guide. Nogi's script is easy to read, and the words flow right in. It's a book that realistically and minutely captures everyday life, and I can only sympathize.
It's a gentle and warm work that depicts various relationships, such as family love, sibling love, and romance. I hope that the beginning of 2025 will be a warm start with "Slow Train."
◇Hoshino Gen
I keep writing and deleting comments. I want to talk about how great the story is, and I want to convey the overflowing feelings I had when I first read the script, but I feel like it's a waste to put them into words, so I'm not sure what to do. Although the filming period was short, I'm happy to have been able to participate in this work. I'm looking forward to the broadcast.
◇Joo Jung Hyuk
Hello, I'm Joo Jung Hyuk, who plays Yun Soo. I've been practicing Japanese for two or three months to film "Slow Train," and it was a new challenge for me, so I was excited, but also anxious and worried. So I was very nervous when I first filmed on set, but the director, staff, and actors were very kind to me, and I think I was able to film really easily and enjoyably. I'm grateful. And I want to see everyone.
Also, there was an interpreter on set, so I was able to communicate very easily, and I remember my co-stars checking if my Japanese was okay every time the cut was called. I hope I was able to express myself well. This was the first time I acted in Japanese. My Japanese skills are still not very good, but I hope you will look at it with a kind eye and love "Slow Train."
◇Nogi Akiko
At various points in my life as a screenwriter, Director Doi Yuta has given me valuable advice and lessons. At the end of 2022, I was contacted saying, "I want to make a special drama before I retire," and this project began with the idea that "I'd be happy to do it as Doi's graduation project!". During the Chinahan program, I visited Busan and had a rare and enjoyable writing session. The program will be broadcast on the second day of the New Year, when the slight loneliness of the end of the year is replaced by a new one. Please sit back and relax in front of the TV, whether you're with your family, with anyone, or even by yourself.
◇Doi Yuta
A "home drama" of people living today has been created. That winter, when I was able to face Nogi-san's script, which captures the era with a gentle gaze, and the actors I respect, including Matsu-san, was such a happy time that I can't help but grin every time I remember it. Where will the lives (slow train) of the Shibuya family, three siblings living in Kamakura, head? Please look forward to the New Year of 2025.
◇Komaki Sakura Producer
A wonderful cast and staff who truly love TV dramas came together across borders to create a magical home drama. I think you'll enjoy watching it this New Year. Be sure to check it out!
