JO1's Mamehara Issei "Diamond Sleeping in the Sea" Interview

Mamehara Issei, a member of the popular boy band JO1, plays Seiya, the grandson of Izumi (played by Miyamoto Nobuko), who appears in the modern-day part of the TBS Sunday Theatre drama "Diamond Sleeping in the Sea" (Sundays at 9pm), starring Kamiki Ryunosuke. This is Mamehara's first time appearing in a commercial TV drama series, and we asked him about his impressions of the set and his co-stars, including Kamiki. The drama is a story of love, friendship and family spanning 70 years, set on Hashima Island (Gunkanjima) in Nagasaki Prefecture, which developed through coal mining from the beginning of the Meiji era to the postwar high economic growth period, and in modern-day Tokyo. The drama is written by Nogi Akiko, directed by Tsukahara Ayuko, and produced by Arai Junko, the team behind the dramas "Unnatural" and "MIU404" (same network) and the movie "The Last Mile". ◇After the first broadcast, "Mame-chan" became a trending topic JO1 members are also happy to appear in the Sunday Theatre --Please tell us how you felt when you were chosen to appear in the Sunday Theatre. I was very happy, but at the same time, I felt a lot of pressure. Personally, it was my first time appearing in a commercial TV drama series, and while I was honored that it was on Sunday Theater, I was also very worried about whether it would be okay. --What is your most memorable work from Sunday Theater so far? I played baseball, so I watched "Gekokujou Kyuji" (October 2023). The development was fresh and interesting, not just a baseball drama, and the lead actor, Ryohei Suzuki, was very cool! This work was produced by director Ayuko Tsukahara and producer Junko Arai, so I was nervous before the filming started, including that. --How did you feel about being able to participate in a work produced by such two people and screenwriter Akiko Nogi? Each of the works you all work on is detailed, and I am always drawn to the story with foreshadowing everywhere. It was definitely a pressure for me to act in a work by such wonderful people. --After the first broadcast, "Mame-chan" became a trending word after "Kamiki-kun" and "Izumi-san". What kind of reaction did you get from those around you when you were decided to appear? My family was very surprised. That's because I kept quiet about my appearance until the information was released. Up until now, I always told them in advance when the work was decided, but this time I thought it would be more interesting to not tell them (laughs). Maybe that's why they were even more surprised, because at the same time as the announcement, I received a message with a mixture of surprise and happiness saying, "Why didn't you tell me?" --What kind of words did the members of JO1 say? They were happy and said, "Wow, it's a Sunday Theater!" When the members found out about the cast, they were like, "There's Mame in this group!?" and were more fascinated by the people around me than me (laughs). They sent me off saying, "Go ahead and do it!" as the filming started. ◇Imagine the image of a college student and "be conscious of lethargy" while creating the role --Please tell us your thoughts when you read the script. The story unfolds with parts on Hashima and in the present day mixed together, and before I read the script, I wondered how they would express the transition, but as I read on, I found it interesting that various hints were connected, so I read it all in one go. --In episode 5, Izumi's true identity was revealed, but what was your reaction when you found out about that development? Izumi's grandson, Seiya, probably felt like, "That's obvious, isn't it?"... In the first half of the story, we were building up to know who Izumi is, and in a casual scene, he revealed that she was Asako. I was really surprised that he said it so casually! --Once again, what kind of person is Seiya? Seiya is a student aiming to enter the law department, and he is always tired and tends to stay in his room. He is the son of a wealthy family, and he has a strong side to his father, so in the play, he is always playing with his smartphone or wearing headphones, and I am conscious of his lethargy. Since the setting is close to my age, I expanded my imagination by thinking about what it would be like if I were a university student. --What are some similarities between you and yourself? I'm not similar at all (laughs). So it was difficult when I went to the set on the first day of filming. Director Tsukahara told me that because he feels inferior as a student who has failed entrance exams, he takes a step back and looks down on the chaotic Ikegaya family, and finds people who seem to have it harder than him entertaining. In addition, he requested that I show Seiya's personality not only through my lines but also through small gestures, which opened up a new drawer for me. --Did Director Tsukahara or Producer Arai make any requests? In the filming of the scene where I eat the Eight Treasures dish in episode 1, Director Tsukahara told me, "I want you to act while eating until your mouth is full." I worked hard from the camera rehearsal, and afterwards he said, "It was really good!" It was the first day of filming, so I was very relieved and my tension was relieved. Arai came to me directly and said, "I want to create a point that will make the fans happy" during the filming of a certain scene in the second half. I was instructed on gestures and gestures, but I was confused because it was something I had never done before. I don't know if I did it well, but Arai-san was laughing, so I think it will be fine! (laughs) ◇Co-star Kataoka Rin told me, "You're relaxed in a good way." --What was the atmosphere on set like from Mamehara-san's perspective? As a viewer, I think it's amazing that I've seen so many actors on TV, so it's still strange and nerve-wracking to be able to act with such seniors, but everyone welcomed me warmly. In particular, with Omi Toshinori, who plays my father Kazuma, there was a scene in episode 3 where he looked at Kanoko (Miho Jun), who says to Chikage, "You're in a different world from you, who passed the entrance exam to medical school," and when I saw the video again, I thought, "We're father and son." I was very happy to realize that I was a part of the work. --What kind of conversations did you have with the main actor, Kamiki-san? Before my debut, I took singing, dancing, and walking lessons, and I was surprised to hear that Kamiki-san had taken the exact same lessons. Kamiki-san, who talks a lot about his hobbies, is very knowledgeable and has a wide range of conversation genres. He is so knowledgeable that he can't stop talking once he starts, and he is like an older brother to me. --Do you ever talk about acting? Kamiki-san matches my acting, which is still inexperienced, and naturally shares the flow with me, saying, "If you move like this, I'll do it like this!" When I'm in doubt, he casually leads me by saying, "Why don't you try doing it like this?", which is very helpful. --Kataoka Rin, who also plays Izumi's grandson Chikage, said, "Mamehara-san is relaxed in a good way, and thanks to him, I can easily get into character." I tend to get anxious even though I look like this. People around me often say, "You don't seem very anxious," and it seems that Kataoka-san thinks the same, but... In fact, I'm always extremely nervous (laughs). --By the way, what is your impression of Kataoka-san from Mamehara-san's point of view? He is one year younger than me, but I had the impression that he was very mature and calm. However, the other day, I heard that he eats little a day but exercises and trains quite a lot, and I couldn't help but say, "You should stop that" (laughs). As we continue filming, his natural side is becoming more apparent, but when he's acting, he gets into the role so well that the contrast is wonderful. --In episode 5, there was a scene where he had to choose between chocolate and matcha ice cream. Seiya chose matcha, but at that time, Kataoka actually wanted matcha... Is that so!? Seiya didn't care which one he chose, so he just picked the matcha. Normally I would say, "I don't care which one, so you can choose!", but since it was Seiya... please forgive me! (laughs). ◇Entering the second half, "The acceleration from here on will be greater than ever" --Is there anything you want to challenge yourself with as an actor in the future? I would like to experience various roles, but I'm especially interested in playing a high school student, which I haven't played yet. I've always admired school dramas where students wear uniforms and many appear, and I think this is a role that I can only play at my age, so I would like to try it. --What did you gain as an artist from this work? Director Tsukahara told me, "You can do it freely as you want," and it was a chance for me to face "expression freely" again, and I learned a lot. In my acting, and even in my regular performances, I sometimes express myself according to the atmosphere of the song, so I hope I can use my experience in this work in such situations. --What kind of work do you think this work will be for you, Mamehara-san? I'm sure it will be a work that makes me feel like I've grown a lot...! Acting with such wonderful actors is a valuable experience for me, where I learn a lot every day. And I think this has given viewers a chance to know a little about the actor "Mamehara Issei," so I would definitely like to take this to the next level! --In reference to the line in the play, "Don't you want to change your life?", what words of encouragement would you like to give to the readers from Mamehara-san, who won the audition, made his debut, and greatly changed his life? My motto in life is "Give it your all, not the right answer." I think this applies not only to acting, but to everything. If you try to find the right answer, you will fail and get depressed, or you will become anxious about whether you can do it well, so it is important to give it your all now. This is what I myself felt throughout 2024. So, if you are thinking of trying something new in the future, don't worry too much, just go for it with all your might! --Finally, please tell viewers what to look forward to in the future. The story is entering the second half, and the acceleration will be even more intense from here than ever before. You can't take your eyes off the developments that will exceed your expectations, like "This person!?". And as the story progresses, Seiya also grows little by little. At first, Seiya tended to be a recluse, but now we can see him going out and taking various actions. I hope you will enjoy watching these subtle changes!