The drama series "Tokyo Holiday" will begin airing on TV Tokyo's "Kidora 24" (Thursdays at 12:30am) on April 3rd. The two leading actors are popular Thai actor Gulf Kanawut and actor Miori Takimoto. Although this was their second meeting, the two already work well together, teaching each other Japanese and Thai during the interview. They talked about their impressions of each other and the roles they would like to try in the future.
◇What are your impressions of each other?
The drama is an original love story like a modern-day "Roman Holiday," in which Atit (Gulf), a Thai national actor who is so busy with work that he is at risk of losing what is important to him, meets and falls in love with Sakurako Ishida (Takimoto), the only daughter of a sweet shop called Tokiwa in Japan, and begins to reexamine what is important and what true happiness is.
-What were your thoughts when you read the script for the first time?
Takimoto: Gulf is a Thai actor who is a globally active star, and I thought it was interesting that this setting was used as is in the story. An ordinary girl meets a star by chance, and the story unfolds like "Roman Holiday." I was excited to read the story, wondering how their relationship would develop, whether it would turn into love or friendship.
Gulf: When I read the script, I was looking forward to filming and wanted to work hard to create something good. The role of Atit is similar to me in some ways, and there are romantic comedy elements, so I think I'll be able to bring out cuteness in any scene.
--Please tell us your impressions of each role.
Takimoto: Sakurako-chan is an ordinary girl who lives her life to the fullest with many thoughts. Although she has a desire to go out into the wider world, she has given up on it somewhere. She has some limitations on herself, but I'm looking forward to seeing how Sakurako-chan expands her world after meeting Atit.
Gulf: I have something in common with Atit. When I'm tired of work, I sometimes want to go somewhere else and take a break. When I first started acting, I felt like I wanted to run away, just like Atit. I didn't actually run away, but I'm looking forward to experiencing that with this role (laughs).
--This was your second time meeting, so what are your impressions of each other?
Takimoto: Even though Gulf is a big star, he is a very gentlemanly and kind person who doesn't show any sign of that. On the day I first met him, we filmed an official TikTok video for the show, and it was fun to get a glimpse of his charming side. We did a "smile and straight face challenge" where you instantly switch between a smile and a straight face, and I saw Gulf playing hard like a child, so I thought he had a boyish side to him, which was wonderful.
Gulf: I think that by shooting TikTok together, I was able to get along with Miori a lot. Before meeting her, I was really nervous because some of my lines were in Japanese, but when I looked at her during the script reading, she always smiled and made me feel at ease, so I'm really glad that I got to work with her this time.
◇Gulf's top place to visit in Japan is "Tokyo DisneySea"
-Thai entertainment works are becoming popular in Japan, including the drama "Tharn Type" in which you starred in 2019, but have you ever watched any Thai dramas or movies, Mr. Takimoto?
Takimoto-san: Actually, I haven't seen it. But Thai BL (Boys Love) dramas are very popular. So I'd like to see "TharnType" in which Gulf-san appears.
Gulf: You might be surprised when you see it. There are a lot of scenes that are more intense than the "kabedon" technique...
Takimoto: That sounds very stimulating... By the way, have you ever watched a Japanese drama, Gulf?
Gulf: I watch a lot of Japanese anime, and I especially like "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba." As for dramas, I've also watched "Alice in Borderland" and the "HiGH & LOW" series. I've worked with Japanese actors Tomohisa Yamashita and Ayaka Miyoshi a few times, so we're on speaking terms whenever we meet. When I came to Japan at the end of last year, I had dinner with Yamashita and ate sushi. I've also gone out drinking with Miyoshi.
Takimoto-san: I was surprised by the unexpected friendships you made. It sounds like fun.
-- Mr. Gulf, you come to Japan often, but is there anywhere in Japan you would like to visit? Also, are there any tourist spots that Mr. Takimoto would like to recommend to Mr. Gulf?
Gulf: I want to go to Tokyo DisneySea. Last time, I went with a friend who doesn't like heights, so we went to Disneyland instead of DisneySea. I love thrill rides, but my friend can only ride rides that say "Pregnant women can ride." Next time, I want to go to DisneySea with a friend who can ride thrill rides.
Takimoto-san: I'm from Tottori Prefecture, and there's a museum called the Tottori Sand Dunes Sand Museum that exhibits sculptures made from sand. They have sculptures on various themes, such as the Chinese Terracotta Warriors, all made from sand, and they're really worth seeing, so I highly recommend it.
Gulf: That sounds really interesting! There are no museums like that in Thailand, so I'd like to go someday.
◇What role would you like to play in a Japanese drama in the future?
--This is your first lead role in a Japanese drama, Gulf-san. Are there any roles you would like to try in future Japanese dramas?
Gulf: I like to move my body, so if I have the chance, I'd like to try an action movie. I usually do things like rock climbing, so I'd like to try surfing or other activities like that in the drama.
Takimoto-san: You seem to be good at action. I also really like action, so let's work together again sometime (laughs). Shall we fight next time?
Gulf: I don't think battling is a good idea, so how about me going to help Miori and fighting alongside her?
Takimoto-san: That's kind (laughs). Let's do that!
-Finally, please give a message to our readers, including what the highlights of the drama are.
Takimoto: The concept of "Tokyo Holiday" is "for busy modern people". I'm really looking forward to being able to deliver this gentle, heartwarming, and warm love story to the people of Japan who are busy every day carrying various things. I think it's a story that will warm your heart and resonate with you when you watch it, so I hope you'll watch it.
Gulf: It's a romantic comedy that has some similarities to "Roman Holiday," and one of the highlights is the cute exchange between Atit and Sakurako. I hope you'll pay attention to the chemistry between the two characters while watching "Tokyo Holiday."
