The TV Asahi drama "If I Fell in Love with a Terminator," starring Ryota Miyadate of the popular group "Snow Man," will begin airing on April 4th (Saturdays at 11 PM). It's a sci-fi romantic comedy about a heroine in her 40s who falls in love with an android who comes from 400 years in the future to protect her from someone who is targeting her.
Miyadate will be starring in his first TV drama series as the android Tokizawa Eita, while the heroine, Kamio Kurumi, will be played by Asami Usuda. We asked the two, who are working together for the first time, about the atmosphere on set and what to look out for.
--This is your first time working together. Could you tell us about your impressions of each other and what the atmosphere was like on set?
Usuda: Miyadate-san has such "mature manners." He's very composed, but he also has a great sense of humor, and the cameraman and I are desperately trying to hold back our laughter right before filming (laughs). He creates a really comfortable atmosphere on set. Thank you.
Miyadate: That's good (laughs). I play an android, so all I can do is speak in a monotone, but I think the dialogue works because Usuda accepts my acting in such a way that it embraces everything. I just have to throw everything at her, and she accepts it all. She matches my breathing perfectly.
Usuda: I've seen Miyadate-san working closely with the director to incorporate the humorous aspects of this work into his acting, and I think he's very skilled at that.
--One of the drama's themes is "protecting what is important." Do you each have a "principle you want to protect wholeheartedly"?
Usuda: It's the quality of sleep. I think the amount of sleep affects everything, and I feel like my personality gets worse if I don't get enough sleep (laughs). I think that getting enough sleep allows me to maintain my concentration and be kind to others, so I really want to "protect" the quality of my sleep.
Miyadate-san: Filming dramas involves irregular hours, so sleep is important, isn't it? For me, it's about not getting too comfortable. I'm fortunate to be a regular on various programs, but I try not to get too used to it, and I make sure to approach each one with a fresh perspective.
--Mr. Miyadate, I'd like to ask you what kind of reactions did the other Snow Man members have to your first leading role in a TV drama as an android?
Miyadate-san: Some of the members have previously starred in TV dramas, so they gave me encouraging messages like, "It's going to be tough from now on, but do your best." As for playing an android, they didn't really tease me about it (laughs). But they were like, "You're just acting like yourself." They said that Eita's smart and elegant demeanor was just like always.
--What are the notable visual features of Eta?
Usuda: He looks great in a suit, very smart. Kurumi is often seen in loungewear or pajamas, so I think the contrast makes for a nice picture. I love the time we spend together.
Miyadate-san: Thank you! Actually, Eita's tie changes with each scene. The color changes to reflect the changes in his emotions.
Usuda: Oh, I see! I just learned that it's linked to emotions.
Miyadate: Actually, that's true (laughs). So, you can get a sense of what Eita is thinking from the difference in color. I think it's something to look forward to!
