It has been revealed that actress Yuki Uchida and Takuto Teranishi of the popular group "timelesz" will co-star in Fuji TV's Thursday drama "Last Note" (Thursdays at 10 PM) starting in July. This is the latest work from producer Reiko Misao, who has worked on "Hirugao: Love Affairs in the Afternoon" and "Even If You Don't Do It For Me," and it will be Uchida's first leading role in a Fuji TV drama series since "Give Me Wings!" (1996), and a memorable first leading role in a commercial television drama series for Teranishi.
This love story is written by Tomomi Matoba, who also wrote the popular marriage suspense drama "Otto yo, shinde kurenai ka?" (TV Tokyo), as well as "Sarogacy" (Fuji TV) and "The Vengeful Widow" (TV Tokyo). The title "Last Note" refers to the final scent of a perfume that changes over time, and the story depicts a mature, pure love where feelings that were thought to be hidden until now become fragrant, like the special lingering aftertaste of a perfume's "last note."
The story centers on two main characters: Aoi Ichinose, a 49-year-old woman who, having gone through marriage, divorce, and setbacks at work, feels she "doesn't need any more changes" and lives a life of maintaining the status quo; and Subaru Higuchi, a 30-year-old man who, after trouble befalling his best friend, gives up on his dreams and lives a life of suppressing his true self.
Two people who had been living their lives as they pleased due to their own circumstances, meet by chance and, upon touching upon their true feelings that they had kept hidden from each other, their destinies change in a way that makes it impossible to turn back. Despite facing numerous insurmountable obstacles, such as a nearly 20-year age difference and various interpersonal relationships, the two are irrevocably drawn to each other. What kind of "last note" will this most intense love story of a lifetime, brought together by two people who were never meant to cross paths, leave behind...?
"Last Note" will air every Thursday at 10 PM starting July Getsuku.
◇Comment from Yuki Uchida
--Please tell us how you felt when you received the offer for this project.
"I consider acting in a love story at this age to be a challenge for me. I had the opportunity to act in love stories when I was younger, but I haven't been involved in them for a while. Now, at this age, it's a challenge to see if I can deliver a realistic performance and expression. This work also involves an age difference, so it's not just a story about falling in love or not falling in love; it incorporates a worldview, and the process of why one falls in love with another person is completely different from love stories in one's 20s or 30s. I want to portray that carefully, and since I've been focusing on supporting the production as a supporting actress for a while, this time I want to create a work that can be delivered directly to everyone."
--What are your impressions of Mr. Teranishi?
"They are very natural and unpretentious, which allows me to express myself honestly, and above all, they help me think about how to present things, so I feel like we've already established teamwork. They are professional and I think they are very caring people."
--How do you plan to portray the character of Aoi?
"Aoi is a woman who has placed too much expectation on her life and has become overwhelmed. She has made many mistakes and has regrets, but she lives on thinking, 'This is fine, I'll just maintain the status quo.' Having experienced both the good and the bad up to this age, she thinks, 'Life probably won't change that much from here on out,' but deep down, she wants to fulfill the dreams she longed for and wanted to achieve when she was younger, and if there is another life, she wants to walk it. It is at this time that she meets Sumiharu, played by Teranishi, and the story is about how she gradually begins to change. I want to portray the realistic inner conflicts of a woman in her 50s, and I hope to deliver a performance that makes viewers think, 'Yes! That's exactly it!'"
--Please give a message to viewers who are looking forward to the drama.
"As we get older, there are times when we think, 'It would be easier to just give up,' but I think it's actually okay to take one more step to change, and that happiness can be renewed. This drama is a romance drama, but it's more than just that. I want to make a drama that makes viewers think, 'Will I be able to enjoy tomorrow?' and I hope that it will lighten the hearts of those who watch it."
◇ Takuto Teranishi
--Please tell us how you felt when you received the offer for this project.
"This is my first time starring in a commercial TV drama series, so I'm nervous in many ways. However, after reading the script, I'm really curious to see what happens next, and I think there are many people who are holding themselves back, so I hope this can be a work that can encourage those people. I'm really happy to be working with Ms. Uchida."
--What are your impressions of Ms. Uchida?
"She's a really friendly person who talks to you in a very approachable way. I was nervous at first, but thanks to Ms. Uchida being so unpretentious, I was able to be myself, so I'm very grateful."
-- How do you plan to portray the character of Sumiharu?
"The character I play, Sumiharu, is roughly the same age as me. He has a real dream, but he keeps it hidden and just goes with the flow. I think there are many people like that in my generation, so I want to portray him in a way that feels true to life. I hope you enjoy watching Sumiharu's journey as he meets Aoi, realizes his true feelings, and finds liberation."
Please give a message to viewers who are looking forward to the drama.
"Because TV dramas are broadcast every week, I want to create a show that makes viewers look forward to it every week, wondering, 'What will happen next? What will become of Aoi and Sumiharu?'"
◇Producer Reiko Misao (Fuji Television Drama & Film Production Center)
"Up until now, in my work on dramas depicting so-called forbidden love, I have always valued a sense of realism that makes viewers feel, 'This is my story,' even within stories that have a slightly dark side."
Having worked on many such projects, I wanted to create a romance drama this time that would make viewers think, "I wish this were my story..." and feel a sense of longing. Now that romance dramas involving infidelity and other such themes have become commonplace, I wanted to depict a straightforward romance. In this modern age where romance is becoming less of a priority, I wanted to portray once again the power of love to enrich people's lives, and that's how this project was born.
The story centers on a man and a woman 20 years apart in age, both on the verge of giving up on life for different reasons. Their encounter sets in motion a chain of events that had stalled their lives, and they begin to reclaim their lives together.
One of the main characters, Aoi, is a charming woman who handles her work with ease, but she has also experienced the ups and downs of life and wishes to "live without causing any more trouble." Yuki Uchida is an object of admiration for many women, both now and in the past, and possesses a natural charm. She is exactly the Aoi I envisioned, and I was confident that Ms. Uchida could express Aoi's delicate emotional fluctuations, so I asked her to take on the role.
The other main character, Sumiharu, is a man who has had much taken away from him by his circumstances and lives suppressing his true self. I had seen Takuto Teranishi in a drama before and he made a strong impression on me, but after seeing him in various other works again, I was captivated by his inner strength and rich expressiveness. I asked him to take on the role because I believed he could convincingly portray Sumiharu's complex inner world, his outward appearance, and the many different expressions he shows.
The story of two people with a 20-year age difference who are quietly drawn to each other and reclaim their lives through love will surely make you think, "I wish this were my story..."
I hope this drama can enrich the lives of all of you who watch it, even just a little. Please look forward to watching it every week."
