Kyoko Fukada reveals what it was like on set of "First Love DOGs": "Na In-woo is the mood maker"

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.