It has been announced that the drama series "The Kidnapping Day" (TV Asahi, Tuesdays 9pm) starring actor Saito Takumi will begin airing on July 8th. This human mystery follows a kind-hearted but clumsy kidnapper played by Saito and a genius girl with amnesia played by child actor Nagao Yuno as they embark on an unusual escape spree while being pursued by the police and unidentified men who are targeting the girl for some reason. Saito, 43, and Yuno, 8, make up an "unusual buddy" duo with a 35-year age difference between them.
The original work is a serial drama produced in 2023 by ASTORY, a Korean production company that has produced hits such as "Signal" and "Lawyer Woo Young-woo is a Genius." The story has become a hot topic due to its fast-paced plot and the heart-to-heart exchange between a genius girl who does not know love and a clumsy kidnapper. The Japanese version is written by Kentaro Ushio, a hit maker who has worked on TBS's Sunday Theater series "Downtown Rocket" and "Naoki Hanzawa."
The story begins when the protagonist, Shinjo Masamune (Saito), is trying to kidnap Nanase Rin (Yuno), the daughter of a wealthy hospital director, at his wife's suggestion in order to secure the money for their daughter's heart disease surgery. Masamune hesitates, but his wife urges him on. When he approaches the director's house, his target, Rin, jumps out in front of his car. He narrowly avoids an accident, but when Rin wakes up, she has lost her memory, and Shinjo has to play the role of "father" from then on, due to a lie he quickly told.
Saito said about his role, "I think Shinjo is a lovable character who has a silly reason that makes you think, 'This guy couldn't help it, he ended up like that.' In fact, in my private life I am Shinjo himself. The time has finally come when I can show my true self (laughs). I am approaching filming with the attitude of 'not switching on any weird switches.'" He said he is approaching the role in a natural way.
Regarding his partner Yuno, he praised her, saying, "During the script reading, the director told her, 'Let's not act like a child actor this time,' but the way 'actor Nagao Yuno' responded immediately to that is amazing (laughs)! In the scene where Rin speaks several languages, she was given her lines just before filming, and I was surprised that she spoke them fluently during the actual shoot. I would never be able to remember them!"
On the other hand, Yuzuno commented, "I've seen Takumi on TV before and thought he was really cool, but when I met him in person he was even cooler and is very stoic about acting! I learn so much from watching him and I'm always impressed and thinking, 'Wow, he's amazing!' He talks to me a lot on set and is just so kind. He's really kind from head to toe!"
