Actor Win Morisaki and Snow Man’s Koji Mukai are set to co-star in the original Japan-Thailand film collaboration (LOVE SONG), slated for release in the fall of 2025.
Directed by Weerachit Thongjila, the visionary behind the globally acclaimed BL drama 2gether (2020), this heartwarming story weaves a tale of love across borders. With Morisaki and Mukai, both of whom share roots in Southeast Asia, as the leads, the film warmly and humorously captures the growing bond between two individuals who reunite in a foreign land. The narrative unfolds across the vibrant settings of Tokyo and Bangkok.
The story follows Souta (Morisaki), a meticulous and overly serious researcher who is suddenly transferred overseas from Tokyo to Bangkok. There, he unexpectedly crosses paths with Kai (Mukai), a former crush from his university days. Now thriving as a photographer and musician in Thailand, Kai reignites dormant emotions within Souta as he observes his old friendโs creative pursuits. For Kai, the surprise lies in Soutaโs enduring memory of the โunfinished songโ he used to sing during their student days. As they reconnect, the melody that once linked their hearts begins to resonate again, slowly drawing them closer.
Win Morisaki takes on the role of Souta, delivering a delicate portrayal of a work-driven individual awkward in matters of love. Known for his Hollywood debut in Steven Spielbergโs Ready Player One (2018) and his global acclaim in film and television, Morisaki brings a wealth of talent to the role. Adding to his impressive resume, he recently won the George Lucas Award at the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2024 for his short film Sen, further showcasing his multifaceted artistry.
He shared about the role, โWhen I was offered the role of Souta, I felt a lot of anxiety because the character is so different from me, but I approached this project with determination, believing it would change my life. While I struggled with the script, my concerns disappeared when I heard Mukaiโs voice during a reading session. The director described Souta as โserious and meticulous,โ but when he meets Kai, he reveals a slightly clumsy, imperfect side that made him charming.”
Then continuing about how the relationship between Souta and Kai made him realize something important for Souta’s development, “I came to realize that Kai, with his freedom and flexibility, is the โfinal keyโ that broadens Soutaโs life. Despite language and cultural barriers between the Japanese and Thai teams, we worked together without compromise, creating scenes that I believe are etched into the film. Iโm looking forward to its completion!โ
Opposite him, Koji Mukai of Snow Man steps into his first solo leading role as Kai. Beyond his music career, Mukai has gained popularity as an actor and television personality, most notably as the beloved “Massaman” in Endless Pranks Grand Prix; ่ธ่ฝไบบใๆฌๆฐใง่ใใ๏ผใใใญใชGP (Fuji TV). With his Thai heritage, Mukai challenges his usual image, taking on a mysterious and layered character. His heartfelt portrayal of Kai, a sensitive and passionate artist, cements his debut film role as a standout performance.
โBeing able to work in Thailand is a significant experience for me, and I was thrilled when I got the offer,” Mukai shared about the role. “While I felt nervous and pressured, I was also filled with excitement. The character I played, Kai, is artistic, clumsy, and unable to be completely honest, but he knows exactly what he wants to do. He has a somewhat selfish side, where he holds back from saying what he truly feels toward Souta.”
“Soutaโs pure and straightforward personality allowed me to fully immerse myself in playing Kai, and Iโm deeply grateful for that. The director, who loves Japan, always had a warm smile while monitoring the shoot. Initially, I was confused by the differences in filming styles, but in the end, we created something spectacular,” he shared with great enthusiasm.
While Mukai is known for his proficiency in Thai, something that he brilliantly showed in the YouTube video with him and WEST.’s Takahiro Hamada playing golf, it’s not the language the general public is used to seeing him speak. “I also challenged myself with Thai dialogue, and the movie captures many expressions of me that are different from the usual Koji Mukai of Snow Man. I hope this film becomes a signature work for me, one that I can proudly add to my profile, and that it resonates with many viewers.โ
At the helm is director Weerachit Thongjila, a master of the BL genre, who now ventures into his first original feature film and Japanese project. Speaking about the cast, he shared, โWin Morisakiโs portrayal of Souta brings to life a lovable character with sincere acting, while Koji Mukaiโs heartfelt performance highlights Kaiโs deep passion for music and love, showcasing his delicate emotions.โ
Producer Ryouko Nozoe of KADOKAWA reflected on the filmโs central theme, saying, โEven without words, there are things you can understand. The unfinished love song that connects Souta and Kai will surely resonate with the audienceโs own feelings of longing for someone. The heartfelt singing will undoubtedly strike a chord with viewers.โ
(LOVE SONG) promises to be a poignant and resonant story of love and music, one that bridges cultures and hearts alike.