It has been revealed that actress Mio Imada will star in the July drama series "Crossroad ~A Promise of Emergency Medical Care~" on TV Asahi. This will be Imada's first drama series since the NHK morning drama "Anpan," and her first leading role in a drama on this network. Furthermore, it will be her first time playing a doctor, making it a drama full of firsts for her.
"Crossroads ~A Promise of Emergency Medical Care~" is a medical drama that brings together the staff of "Doctor X" (TV Asahi) and "TOKYO MER ~The Running Emergency Room~" (TBS), with a script by Izumi Takahashi, who worked on "PJ ~Air Rescue Group~" (TV Asahi) and the "Tokyo Revengers" film series, and directed by Takuro Oikawa, known for works such as "The Japan's Number One Jerk Salaryman*" (Fuji TV), and Yuji Nakamae, known for works such as "My Stepmother and Her Daughter's Blues" (TBS).
The story is set on the front lines of emergency medical care, where every second counts. Though their professions differ—emergency physicians, paramedics, and police officers—they share a burning desire to save someone. The drama depicts the struggles of these young people as they try to uphold their own sense of justice, albeit with their inexperience. They face real-world social issues such as power harassment, abuse, and illegal foreign workers, as well as unjust social systems and laws, and organizations that prioritize avoiding conflict.
Imada has experience playing a nurse and participating in surgical scenes in "Doctor X ~Surgeon Michiko Daimon~," which she appeared in from 2019. However, this time she will play Haruka Haruki, a young emergency physician who faces patients' lives 24 hours a day and performs surgeries and procedures with her own hands. She works in the emergency department of Yokohama Bay Area Hospital, vowing to "never give up on saving any life." Although she is more enthusiastic than anyone else, Haruka is still developing as an emergency physician. She tries to face patients' deaths and the problems they face with all her might, but each time she is painfully reminded of her own powerlessness...
"Crossroads: A Promise of Emergency Medical Care" will air from July, every Tuesday at 9 PM.
◇Comment from Mio Imada
--Please tell us your thoughts when you received the offer to appear in the show.
There are many works that deal with the theme of emergency medicine, but this one is a story where emergency doctors, paramedics, and police officers interact, which I thought was really interesting. Even during the daily filming, I was reminded that "the desire to save people's lives is being passed down like a baton," and it made me think about a lot of things.
--This is your first time playing a doctor. What preparations did you make for the role, and what are you paying particular attention to?
We have a medical consultant on set, so they teach us the proper techniques and movements as we go along, and we practice them repeatedly at home. I'm not particularly dexterous, and I can't move naturally unless I understand the underlying medical mechanisms behind the flow of movement, so I practice relentlessly until my body remembers, but it's really difficult! At the same time, the more I learn about the intricate mechanisms, the more interesting it becomes, and I'm learning so much.
--In "Doctor X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon," you played a nurse, but this time you'll be wielding a scalpel yourself. Are there any differences in difficulty compared to playing a nurse?
While some of the knowledge I learned about operating room rules during "Doctor X" is proving useful this time, I also feel that there's still so much I don't know. Even though I watched surgeries from right next to the doctor during "Doctor X," the world looks completely different when you're actually on the doctor's side! Holding a scalpel is more nerve-wracking than I imagined, and I'm experiencing the intensity of being a doctor, including suturing, every day. I'm learning so much every day, and it's incredibly fulfilling! I'm truly grateful for this opportunity.
--What are your impressions of Haruka, the main character you will be playing this time?
Haruka is a person with a passion that moves people's hearts. Even in situations where most people would hesitate, her single-minded desire to "save patients" allows her to push forward, drawing those around her in. I myself could never influence everyone with passion like Haruka does! That's why I admire her, and while acting, I feel like I have a very reliable person beside me, which is reassuring. Of course, Haruka is still young, and it's true that she has some unconventional and immature sides. However, I want to portray her in a way that doesn't come across as childish selfishness, but rather as a character that everyone wants to root for. I myself am looking forward to seeing how she grows through various experiences.
--Filming is progressing day by day, but what is the atmosphere like on set?
It's incredibly cheerful, and the atmosphere is fantastic. The actors playing the main characters are all around the same age, and they have a comfortable relationship where they can have fun chatting about trivial things. I hope that kind of atmosphere comes through in the finished product.
--Please give a message to our viewers.
"Crossroads: A Promise of Emergency Medical Care" is a drama about emergency physicians, paramedics, and police officers who each grapple with their own internal conflicts and struggles, yet confront the same goals, their own sense of justice, and various lives and emotions. As we grow older, it becomes rare to experience such profound emotional upheaval, but while filming, I felt, "Is this what they mean by 'whether you cry or laugh, morning will come'? This is a coming-of-age drama for adults," and I was deeply moved. I hope this drama will inspire everyone to think, "I'll do my best again tomorrow." Please watch it!
