The sixth episode of the drama series "First Love DOGs" (TBS, Tuesdays at 10pm), starring actress Kiyohara Kaya, will be broadcast on August 5th. Miyase Yuka, the warm-hearted and beloved manager of a dog cafe, is played by Fukada Kyoko. Fukada, who is also known as a "dog lover," says she is excited every time she shoots at the dog cafe. We asked Fukada about her impressions of her co-stars and what she felt on set.
◇ Surprised by the dogs' acting
-What impression did you get when you read the script?
I have a dog myself, so veterinarians are very close to me and are someone who takes care of me. It was refreshing to see the behind-the-scenes side of these people, and it made me realize how grateful I am to the veterinarian who takes care of me. When I read the script, I wondered, "Can dogs really act like this?", but when I saw the footage, I was surprised to see that it really came to fruition.
--What kind of person is Yuka?
I think she's a very bright, free-spirited, and straightforward person. Her part-time job at the veterinary clinic, her part-time job at the law firm, and her part-time job at the dog cafe are all very different spaces. I hope that the dog cafe scene will be a bright and soothing one.
-What was the atmosphere like shooting at a dog cafe?
We shoot at an actual dog cafe, and every time I go I find myself looking at all sorts of things. The first thing I bought was a dress for myself (laughs). I even have matching outfits for my dog, so I choose my own outfit first, and then buy treats for my dog. Every time I go I think, "I want this," and it becomes a fun experience in between shoots. Also, the dogs that come to the cafe are really cute. I often talk about dogs with their mothers.
--In episode 5, the past between Kai, played by Ryo Narita, and Win Morisaki, played by Morisaki Win (Kai's best friend from college, a veterinarian and entrepreneur), is revealed. There is also a scene where Watanabe Riku Hagiwara Riku (an animal nurse at Shirosaki Animal Hospital), confesses his feelings to her.
Even when I was reading the script, the story unfolded in a way that made me wonder, "Is this really okay?" (laughs). I was a little happy to be able to play such a popular Yuka. I was also worried about her past, wondering, "Is it okay to continue like this?", but Yuka also had a background of being very close to Kai and Sagara, and she also had a love affair. There are complicated feelings, but I think it's an important page in one's youth.
--Please tell us about an episode with your co-stars.
The scenes with Kiyohara-san and Narita-san are really cute and make my heart flutter. Narita-san and I seem to have similar tastes in food, and in between filming we often talk about things like, "Have you ever been to this restaurant?"
On set, Na In-woo is the mood maker, and you can often see him calling out to the staff, "We're on standby!" Every time we meet, he surprises everyone by learning a new Japanese phrase.
◇A "dog-first" filming location
-How was it acting alongside Shogun and Sakura?
It's really soothing. I get to pet them in between takes. There's such a wonderful atmosphere on set that it makes me think, "I never thought there could be a filming site that puts dogs first like this."
- Through this film, was there anything that happened that deepened your bond with your beloved dog?
In the first episode, Kai said, "A day for a person is three days for a dog, and a year for a small dog is four years, and for a large dog it is seven years. Precious time passes by quickly," and when I heard those words, I thought, "I want to give more and more love." So, at home, when my dog comes to me asking for a pet, I make sure to pet him all the time.
-Please give a message to the viewers.
I think the most interesting thing to watch is how each character will live their lives and what path they will choose.
