Actor Kyoko Yoshine stars in the TV drama series "Madoka26sai,Kenshui Yattemasu!" (TBS, Tuesdays at 10pm). Eiji Okuda plays Shigeji Kakuta, the head of the medical department and urologist at Kiyosaku General Hospital, who is respected by other doctors as a "god". He watches over and pushes the main character Madoka Wakatsuki (played by Yoshine). We asked Okuda about his impression of Yoshine and how he is playing the role of Kakuta.
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-After playing the role of Kakuta, what kind of character did you think he was?
Kakuta is known as "God" at Seiou General Hospital. He is someone who understands everything, watches over the hospital and the planet of medicine, and knows everything about it. Part of his role is to watch over the growth of the interns, so it was quite difficult to make his feelings as simple as "1 + 1 = 2."
While playing the role of Kakuta, I felt like I had gotten rid of all my preconceptions and become "nothing". Still, he has consciousness, personality, skills, and the heart of a doctor. Since he decided to become a doctor when he was in the fifth grade of elementary school, he has always had aspirations and has lived watching over young doctors. I think that is Kakuta. I just made up a background for his character on the spot (laughs).
-You play the role of head of the medical department and are responsible for overseeing the entire operation. How do you spend your time on set, Mr. Okuda?
I'm always watching you all. And when I do that, at some point I discover a new side of you and your true nature. And when that true nature syncs with the role, it's indescribably interesting.
Then, I felt that the other person was Madoka, Tezuka Saeko played by Kimura Tae, and Kinosaki Tomoya played by Sato Ryuta. I didn't try to do it intentionally, it just happened naturally as I read the script. I feel that I have changed as a person by playing the role, and that I have come to carry that feeling in my daily life.
-Please tell us your impression of Yoshine.
This is the second time we've worked together, and it's wonderful. The last time we worked together was a period drama, and we only had one day of filming together, so when I heard that Yoshine would be starring this time, rather than being excited, I thought, "Great, now I can really see Yoshine." Her personality, enthusiasm, and the way she approaches the role of Madoka are truly something that only she could portray. She beautifully expresses the way she grows as a doctor despite her hesitations.
Above all, I have never seen Yoshine-san look distressed. I feel that it is because she is such a leading lady that the other actors are also able to face the filming without showing any distress. Every time I go to the filming, I have a casual conversation with Yoshine-san, and it's just like Tsunoda and Madoka.
--Kadota gives Madoka advice in a questioning style, rather than making assumptions. What do you personally think about that advice, Okuda-san?
He sees through Madoka's true nature and gives her advice after considering her future as a doctor. That's the role he plays. Instead of telling her to do it, he gently asks her, "What are you going to do?", and she begins to embark on an adventure to find the answer herself. The better the work, the more the role becomes familiar to you, as if by illusion, and I felt the same way about this work.
--Please tell us about a scene that left an impression on you.
It was a scene where Madoka and I were walking in the hospital garden. The scene where I was talking to her was something I had never experienced before. Her serious gaze left an impression, and I could see that something in her brain was moving at that moment, and she was taking in Tsunoda's words.
Also, the scene where he showed her around the hospital room and explained how doctors deal with patients and their everyday conversations was also impressive. I felt that Madoka was learning and growing by watching Kakuta. I didn't know what department Madoka would choose until I got the script for the final episode, so I was excited and expectant when I spoke to her.
I learned about "super rotation" from this drama, and after talking to medical instructors, I was surprised to hear that real interns also said, "It's like Madoka and the others," and I realized how tough it is. In the past, interns worked all night, but now they are called "customers." We need to think in a way that suits the times. It's fine for our generation to be nostalgic about the Showa era, but now that 100 years have passed since the start of the Showa era, it's important to embrace the good things of the modern era and adapt to the new era and live together. This work, which shows such an attitude, is very interesting.
--Kadota, you understand the feelings of a trainee doctor.
I know that. In episode 5, there was a scene where Kakuta scolded Momoki Kento (played by Yoshimura Kaito) for his SNS post, and I think that was the strongest look he had in the entire series. In the past, I think he would have said something like, "What do you think you're doing? Tell me," or "Just stop it" (laughs).
I feel like Kakuta is holding back there. However, that doesn't mean he's giving up, but rather that nothing will happen unless his true nature changes. So he consulted with other doctors about what he should do to change his true nature, and probably held a meeting to guide him. I'm acting while imagining what goes on behind the scenes that aren't depicted in those scenes.
--There was also a scene where you were challenged to play Mölkky (a game in which you throw a wooden stick called "Mölkky" to knock down wooden sticks called "Skittles" which have numbers written on them and score points).
At first, I wondered, "What is Mölkky?", but when I tried it, it was a lot of fun (laughs). If I couldn't defeat it, I would be so frustrated... I had to act happy if I could defeat it, but I was so engrossed that I couldn't lie in the play. My grandchildren are at the age where they are engrossed in this kind of play, so I would like to play with them, and the whole family can play. I asked Morita (Tetsuya), who plays veteran patient Hashiguchi Kenta, about the price, so I would like to buy it (laughs).
-Through this film, how did you feel about the gap between the Showa generation and today's trainees?
There is certainly a generational difference. However, this work does depict "what is a doctor?" That's why I thought it was a work with a medical intern theme. On the other hand, when you watch the news, there are times when sloppy examinations by doctors become a problem. I feel anger and sadness when I see such news. By studying medicine as an actor and experiencing it for a short period of time, I was reminded that I should not be happy or sad about such social issues.
Furthermore, by playing the role of Kakuta, I feel that I have become kinder to people, including the way I speak. Before, I would give my opinion or argue with the other person even when they were in the middle of their sentence, but now I listen to the end. I think it's a big change that I can do that naturally now.
In addition, there are many women among the staff working on this work, which has had a positive effect. I feel that an environment where everyone can demonstrate their strengths, regardless of gender, is important for future work, and this is the world I am aiming for.
--What are the highlights towards the end?
The story depicts the trainees as they begin to walk towards their own futures. Through the process of finding their path as a doctor, you will be reminded of the meaning of "living for others." This work is not just a youth drama, but a deep human drama. I hope you will watch it to see what choices they will make towards the final episode.
