Actor Junpei Yasui will appear in the 108th episode of the NHK Asadora drama "Bakebake" (General TV, Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM and others), which aired on March 4th, as Kuroda, the doctor examining Toki (played by Akari Takaishi). This is a surprise casting following musician and TV personality DAIGO, who appeared in the 107th episode (broadcast on March 3rd). This will be Yasui's fourth Asadora appearance, following "Hanbun, Aoi" (first half of 2018), "Chimudondon" (first half of 2022), and "Boogie Woogie" (second half of 2023). Yasui spoke about how he received the offer for this work and his joy at being in the role.
In episode 108, Toki is unable to move on the way home from Ran's (Misako Renbutsu) house. He is taken to the hospital by Takeru (Sugita Rairin) and Masaki (Yukito Hidaka), who happen to be passing by, and is examined. Toki is worried that he may have a serious illness, but after the examination he learns that he has been blessed with a new life...
Yasui's scene is about a minute and a half at the beginning of the film, where he appears as Kuroda, a renowned doctor who watches over the citizens with a gentle gaze, and tells Toki that she is pregnant and congratulates her.
Regarding how he came to appear in the film, Yasui recalled, "Producer Hashizume (Kuniomi) contacted me and asked if I would be willing to appear in just one scene. I immediately agreed. Hashizume had been so kind to me on 'Boogie Woogie,' so I had no reason to turn him down if it meant I could repay his kindness. This is a friendly appearance with Hashizume."
"Another wonderful coincidence is that our theater company was coincidentally performing a story about Yakumo Koizumi on stage in 2024. It was just one scene, but I was overwhelmed with emotion to be able to take part in the wonderful scene where I told Toki how happy I was. I was given a share of their happiness. On the day of filming, when I arrived in Osaka, the staff member said to me, 'Welcome back,' which made me so happy," he commented.
