"Where Are You Now? ~I Put a GPS on My Favorite Idol~" is currently airing on TV Asahi's late-night drama slot "Dora Dora Daisakusen" (Saturdays at 12:30 AM). It's a "reverse stalker mystery" in which an ardent idol fan discovers the true nature of the boy band member they're following after attaching a GPS to them, and is pursued by them. We spoke to former Nogizaka46 member Hina Higuchi, who plays the heroine Seyama Asuka, former 7ORDER member Aran Abe, who plays the boy band member Golpas, and former TREASURE members MASHIHO, Abe Iori, Iwasaki Tomoyasu, and Ogata Ryu about behind-the-scenes footage and highlights of the show.
--It's impressive to see how the relationship between Asuka, who was the one being tracked by GPS, and "Golpass" gradually changes.
Higuchi: I hope everyone will look forward to seeing how Asuka, who has been promoting "Golpas" with a frighteningly straightforwardness, will change.
Iwasaki: The story is one in which the various sides of each character are revealed one after another.
--All the characters have a dark side, but which character did you think was scary?
Higuchi: As for Asuka, it's Alice (played by Abe), who is my favorite. It's shocking (laughs).
Abe: The character I played, Alice, is a character that makes you realize that when the light is strong, the shadow is also strong. I think she is a person who has become distorted because of her desire for perfection.
Ogata: Soma (played by Abe) is a puppy character, but behind the scenes he's drinking alcohol in Minato Ward...I realized that you can't judge a person by their appearance (laughs).
Abe: I think that even more because of the difference from usual.
Higuchi: He's usually a kind person.
Abe: Thank you (laughs)! But are there really people like Souma?
Abe: I thought, "Yeah, there are people like that" (laughs). But I think that's professional in its own way.
-What is your impression of the chairman, Mr. Higuchi?
MASHIHO: It was very bright even during the early morning shoot. It was helpful that everyone was so frank with us.
Ogata-san: She was just like a sunflower. She bloomed from morning till night.
Higuchi: Maybe it was because of the image of my clothes and hairstyle, but when I went down the stairs on set, Ogata-kun said, "I thought maybe a sunflower was coming down" (laughs).
Abe: Just the two of us in a picture book world (laughs)!
-What was the most memorable scene?
Higuchi: There was a scene at a handshake event, which was really refreshing. When I was in Nogizaka46, I was the one who was "on the receiving end," so I thought this is what it was like (laughs). It was my first handshake event, and it was fun because it made me realize that I'm the type of person who tries to cram (something to say) into a limited amount of time.
Iwasaki: There's a live performance scene, and once I'm on stage, my idol switch flips on and I want to entertain everyone (in the audience) before I leave. I realized I'm an entertainer.
Abe: You should tell someone else about that (laughs).
--During the live performance scenes, Higuchi-san was in the audience. What was that like?
Higuchi: It was truly overwhelming. It's such a great song and scene that I think it would be great to actually release it!
MASHIHO: I worked hard in my lessons, so I'm happy that the results are showing.
Abe: MASHIHO choreographed the dance. He even acted as a teacher, coming up with flexible formations during lessons.
--Even the choreography is amazing! How much practice did you do to prepare for the live scenes?
MASHIHO: We had lessons for five days. We had originally planned for four days, but everyone's schedules matched up for another day, so we decided to add another day.
Ogata: After performing this time, I once again gained a new respect for idols. Singing and dancing at the same time, and making facial expressions... I realized how difficult it is.
Abe-san: Everyone is learning the dance so quickly. Especially Abe-san!
Abe: I've also worked hard in Nogizaka46(laughs).
Higuchi: No, no (laughs). But the merchandise that appears in the show is also made with great realism down to the smallest detail. It would be a shame to just use it in the drama! I want them to release a song!
MASHIHO: I'd love to do that!
