It has been revealed that actor Shunsuke Kazama will be starring in the TV Tokyo drama series "10 Things I Want to Do Before I'm 40" (starting July 4th, Friday nights at 12:12). The office love story is about a worn-out boss who is about to turn 40, played by Kazama, and a handsome subordinate in his late twenties. The cool, tall, handsome subordinate will be played by Shoji Kohei, who was selected through an audition and is known for his roles as Crystalia Takamichi/ Kohei Shoji in "Mashin Sentai Kiramager" (TV Asahi) and Granutes Lage 9/Kamen Rider Vram in " Kamen Rider Gavv ).
The original work is the manga of the same name by Mamita (serialized in Monthly Magazine Be-Boy/published by Libre), which has created a new sensation in the BL industry, with a total circulation of over 750,000 copies and winning first place in the BL Awards 2024 General Comics category. Suzume Jujo (Kazama), who has not had a lover for over 10 years and spends his days commuting between his office and home, suddenly realizes that his 40th birthday is only three months away. Feeling anxious about this turning point in his life, Suzume makes a list of "10 things I want to do before I'm 40". However, the list is accidentally seen by his handsome junior subordinate, Tanaka Keiji (Shoji). However, at Keiji's suggestion, the two decide to make the list come true together. Their mundane days turn into fun days spent together, and they turn each other into "special people"...
Kazama will team up again with director Chihiro Ikeda, who worked on "First Love, Zarari" (TV Tokyo), which won the Excellence Award in the Drama Division at the 50th Broadcasting Culture Foundation Awards, with Karin Ono as the lead. The script will be written by Saito Yo, who has worked on the drama series "Aibou" (TV Asahi), among others.
◇Comment from Shunsuke Kazama
When I read the original work, I thought it was a work filled with kindness, warmth, and sadness, like a holiday evening. I love Suzume and Keiji, and I want everyone who watches the drama to feel the same love for them, so I will act like a treasure.
Suzume and Keiji deepen their relationship based on the list of "10 things I want to do before I'm 40," but what I want to do now is to deliver this work to everyone's hearts and make them love it. I would be happy if you could relate to the hearts of Suzume and Keiji in the drama "10 things I want to do before I'm 40."
◇Comment from Kohei Shoji
Ever since I auditioned, I felt like this role was a good fit for me. I was happy if I was chosen, but when I was actually chosen, I was happy and surprised. I am still inexperienced, so it is a great honor to be able to spend a lot of time with the main actor , Shunsuke Kazama, and act with him. I am doing my best just to keep up, but I am learning from everything.
Keiji is a kind and observant person. That is why he has the ability to express himself clearly and, conversely, to be sensitive in dealing with others. As his relationship with Suzume changes, Keiji's own feelings also change, and both of them are compelling characters.
While making the most of the fascinating original work written by Mamita-sensei, we will work with Suzume to create new appeal through the film adaptation!
◇ Comment from Program Producer Rina Sobue (TV Tokyo Drama Business Department)
I have had great confidence in Shunsuke Kazama's sincere attitude towards his character creation since we worked together on "Hatsukoi, Zarari". This time too, he said from the beginning about the character of Jujo Suzume, "Even though he's an old man, he's somehow cute. The important thing is how to show that cuteness," and I thought it was really great that Kazama was chosen for this role! Kohei Shoji, who plays Tanaka Keiji, was selected through an audition, and the result was unanimous. Not only his acting, but his posture and the atmosphere he exudes are just like Keiji himself! He seems relaxed despite his age, and he is very considerate of others. I think Shoji's own personality is similar to Keiji's.
Although it is a work depicting love between two men, it is a story that evokes the frustration, fun, and joy of the beginning of love that everyone can relate to. I'm sure it will be a drama that touches the hearts of many people.
◇Comment from the original author, Mamita
The main reason I accepted the offer to have it adapted into a film was because I thought that by making it into a drama, my family and friends who don't read BL would be able to talk about my work and my works more easily. And also, because I simply loved TV Tokyo's dramas!
So I asked the production team to make a work that people who are not familiar with the BL genre can enjoy, and to feel free to create it as they wish. I would be happy if more people become interested in BL as a result of watching this drama.
I'm looking forward to enjoying the TV drama version of "10 Things to Do Before You're 40" with everyone!
