It has been revealed that actor Fumino Kimura will be starring in Fuji TV's Thursday Drama "Love's School" (Thursdays at 10pm). The drama is a love story between a serious high school teacher played by Kimura and a host who is bad at reading and writing played by Raul of the popular group "Snow Man". This will be Kimura's first time starring in a drama series on the same network. It will also be Raul's first time appearing in a primetime drama series, and the two will also be acting together for the first time, making it a production full of firsts.
Ogawa Manami (Kimura), an overly serious high school teacher who grew up in a strict family, gradually becomes closer to Kaoru (Raul), a host who is poor at reading and writing, as they continue their secret "private lessons" to teach him language and society, but the two are mercilessly assailed by various criticisms, reproach, hatred and jealousy...This is a love story.
The script was written by Yumiko Inoue, known for "Hirugao: Love Affairs in the Afternoon" (Fuji TV) and "Emergency Interrogation Room" (TV Asahi), and the story is the first love story for a TV drama since "Hirugao." Nishitani Hiroshi, who has worked with Inoue on "The White Tower" and "Hirugao," will be at the helm.
Kimura plays Manami, a Japanese teacher and homeroom teacher for the Aoi class at Pietas Girls' High School. She grew up in a family with old-fashioned values, far removed from host clubs, and lived her life doing as her parents told her to, even becoming a teacher at her alma mater at her father's urging. She has always lived her life doing as her parents told her to do. Because she is a cautious and overly straightforward person, she once made a big mistake in the past. When it comes to romance, she is shy and has never had a very deep relationship.
Currently, she is dating a man whom she met through her father, and he has proposed marriage to her. However, there are some things he says that bother her, and she is a little anxious about the future, but her father tells her, "If you've decided to get married, it's not good to hesitate," which makes her even more worried. Also, at the high school where she works, there are unreasonable parents, and the students don't pay her any attention in class, and the class is on the verge of collapse. While she laments every day that she wants to get away from this place, she receives an unbelievable call saying that "a student has been deceived by an unscrupulous host," and her world changes...
Raul plays Kaworu, a host working at the host club "THE JOKER." He has a younger brother. He grew up in an unbalanced home environment, neglected his studies, and did not receive much compulsory education. He also did not receive much love from his mother. As a result, he is not good at studying, including reading and writing kanji. Although he mostly contacts customers by phone, he has risen to the top using his friendly smile and conversation skills, and has reached the No. 7 position at "THE JOKER." His role is that of a man who desperately lives his life dealing with women, despite being interrupted by Tsubasa, the No. 1 host.
One day, Kaoru discovers that one of Aimi's students has been attending his school, pretending to be a non-high school student. He meets Aimi, who rushes into the store as a teacher to bring the student back. Kaoru also asks him to sign a letter of intent promising not to contact the female student again, but then Aimi finds out about a problem that he had been keeping secret from anyone...
Regarding her first co-starring role with Raul, Kimura commented, "The other day, when we were shooting a scene with just Manami and Kaworu for the first time, there was a moment when I realized he is a very hard worker. We shot it in a long take of over 10 minutes, and he ad-libbed one after the other, and each one was filled with so much heart. I was able to approach the filming with a rich heart, trying not to ruin the ball that Raul was throwing."
Raul said of his impression of Kimura, "Although he's a wonderful actor who has appeared in many productions so far, he's also very humble and always treats me warmly despite being younger than him, and I've already gained his respect for him! He also has a calm atmosphere, and there's a good sense of calm, composure and warmth on set."
◇Comment from Fumino Kimura
--This will be your first lead role in a Fuji TV drama series. What were your honest thoughts when you found out you were going to be in this series?
I was happy to be involved in an original work by Inoue Yumiko, but at the same time I felt an immense sense of tension. However, a romance story is a rare opportunity in my career, so I felt it was fate that I was approached at this time, and I immediately said I would do it.
--What were your thoughts after reading the script, and what was your impression of the character you play, Manami?
I thought she was a dangerous person (laughs). I don't take things as seriously as Manami, and there's no one around me who I can look up to, so I had a lot of trouble preparing for the role. When I confided in Director Nishitani (Hiroshi) that I was worried about, he said, "I think it's like Simon & Garfunkel's Scarborough Fair is playing," which made a big impression on me, and I try to remember that when I'm in doubt about something. Once we started rehearsing and filming began, I got a lot of hints not just from myself, but from the staff and cast, and I feel the joy of creating it together every day. The story is full of danger from the beginning, but when you get caught up in the "Nishiya magic," it's a little funny, so I hope you will enjoy Director Nishitani's unique direction.
-What is your impression of Raul, with whom you are acting for the first time?
I had an image of him as a very skilled and skillful person with great dance skills, but when I shot a scene with just Aimi and Kaworu for the first time the other day, I felt that he must be a very hard worker. We shot it in a long take of over 10 minutes, and he improvised one after another, and each one was very heartfelt. I was able to approach the shoot with a rich heart, trying not to destroy the ball that Raul was throwing. It was an important scene that showed the future of the two, so it was fun to play catch ball while letting my imagination run wild.
--Message to viewers
I think this is a drama that depicts people seeking what they want most, exposing all the failures and hurtful moments that they probably don't want others to know about. It's 10pm on a Thursday, and many of you may be feeling tired. In that situation, I want this drama to strike a chord in the hearts of those who watch it, and give them energy for tomorrow. I hope you will all watch it.
◇Comment from Raul (Snow Man)
-What were your honest thoughts when you found out you were going to appear in this film?
Both the screenwriter Inoue (Yumiko) and director Nishitani have worked on some of my favorite works that I've watched with great enthusiasm, so I was very happy to receive the offer. When I was offered the role of a host, I thought it would be interesting because I had never imagined myself becoming a host.
--What were your thoughts after reading the script, and what was your impression of the character Kaworu?
It was very interesting. Both Manami, played by Kimura-san, and Kaworu, played by me, have interesting characters. The characters are not perfect, but realistic, and are portrayed with an exquisite balance. I was surprised that I could be so excited just by reading the words. Kaworu is a host with a bad upbringing and is ambitious, but he actually has a hidden purity. This is the first time I've worked with Director Nishitani, and he's given me a lot of hints about acting, which has changed the way I approach acting. Director Nishitani has given me many lessons and discussions with me before the filming started, and now I'm filming with complete trust. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to me in the future.
--What is your impression of Fumino Kimura, with whom you are acting for the first time?
Although he is a wonderful actor who has appeared in many productions up until now, he is also very humble and always treats me warmly, even though I am younger than him, and I have already come to respect him! He also has a calm atmosphere, bringing a good sense of calm, composure, and warmth to the set.
--Message to viewers
This is a story about how Manami and Kaworu, who are different in terms of their positions, ages, backgrounds, and values, connect with each other. The closer they get, the more they rebel and the more painful it becomes... As a viewer, I'm the type who watches while rooting for their relationship to progress, but it's also good to watch while thinking, "No, that's impossible!?" or "They should just give up," so I hope you enjoy it in your own way. After the broadcast, you'll be excited about whether you're in favor of or against their love! I hope you'll look forward to the broadcast!
◇ Comment from producer Ayano Kurihara (Fuji Television Network, Drama and Film Production Department)
When Inoue first told me that he was thinking of a love story between a high school teacher and a host, various words came to mind: forbidden? Messy? ... but when I read the script, I felt that this was a story of an awkward love that was endlessly sad and clear. In a society where economic and educational disparities are widening and it can even be said to be divided, the story depicts the love and courage of two people who overcome the high walls that exist between them.
The main character, Manami, played by Fumino Kimura, is a high school teacher who is bad at living because she is so serious. From Kimura's always taut, straight back, you can really feel Manami's suffocating need to be "right."
Meanwhile, Kaworu, played by Raul, is a host who lives freely in the world of nightlife. His sad expression that appears from time to time gives us a heartwarming glimpse into his past, when he was deprived of love.
Manami and Kaworu live in completely different worlds, but they find out that they share the same loneliness and are drawn to each other...Kimura and Raul, who exude different charms, express the way their love grows little by little in a cute and careful way. Every day, watching the two of them, I wonder why loving someone can be so difficult, painful, and happy. I can't wait to share this feeling with the viewers! The elite staff including Inoue and Director Nishitani, as well as Kimura, Raul, and other gorgeous cast members are swimming in the sea of the story as a team. Please look forward to the broadcast in July!
