Snow Man Members Star in Two Exciting New Dramas This Summer

This summer, members of the popular nine-member Snow Man will showcase their acting talents in two highly anticipated dramas.

Shota Watanabe in “Aoshima-kun is Mean”

Shota Watanabe and Anne Nakamura will co-star in TV Asahi’s new Saturday drama “Aoshima-kun is Mean” (airs every Saturday at 11:00 PM), starting in July. This will be their first time co-starring together. The drama portrays a classic rom-com about a handsome, popular, and seemingly indifferent “soushoku-kei” (herbivore) man played by Watanabe, and a nearly 35-year-old “himono-onna” (dried fish woman) who has given up on love, played by Nakamura.

The drama is based on the popular comic by Yu Yoshii, which topped the 2020 annual rankings on “Mecha Comic.” Watanabe’s character, Mizuki Aoshima, is a systems department employee at a beverage company called “Cat Beverage.” He’s popular, friendly, and exceptionally good-looking, but he avoids deep relationships due to past experiences, making him a typical “herbivore man.”

On the other hand, Nakamura’s character, Yukino Katsuragi, is a 35-year-old senior administrative department employee at the same company. Despite being responsible and dedicated, she’s often treated as an “office lady.” She helps her juniors with their tasks and enjoys solitary activities like drinking alone at her favorite bar and staying home all weekend. She has distanced herself from romance, enjoying her single life as a “dried fish woman.”

Although Aoshima and Yukino work at the same company, they have never spoken until they coincidentally meet at Yukino’s favorite bar. When Yukino remembers that she promised to attend a friend’s wedding with her boyfriend and realizes she broke up with him six months ago, she panics. In a desperate move, she asks Aoshima to pretend to be her boyfriend for a day. Surprisingly, he agrees, but he has an ulterior motive.

This classic rom-com promises to deliver a scenario that all women dream of in every episode. As Aoshima and Yukino pretend to be a couple, their feelings begin to change. The story follows Aoshima’s growing interest in Yukino and how she navigates the ups and downs of their agreement. The drama’s theme song will be Snow Man’s new track “Kimi wa Boku no Mono,” a sweet love song that captures the excitement and emotions of falling in love.

Shota Watanabe Comments

―How did you feel when you were selected for this role?

Since romantic comedies are a genre I haven’t challenged myself with much, I was really happy. My Snow Man group members were also excited, saying, “You’re in another drama!” Knowing that the original work is very popular, I felt some pressure, but I’m motivated to deliver a “fun summer” experience to everyone.

―What are your impressions of Anne Nakamura, who you’re co-starring with for the first time?

She has appeared as a guest on one of our variety shows, but that was the only time we interacted. Without knowing much about her personally, I had the impression that she was very cool. So, I was preparing myself with strategies on how to approach her. However, she turned out to be the exact opposite—very relaxed and friendly. I felt relieved and excited about filming with her.

―Do you relate to your character in any way?

I can relate to Aoshima’s obliviousness towards the opposite sex and romance. I also enjoy being alone quite a bit and prefer having silly conversations with my male friends daily. I felt a sense of kinship in that regard. As for the “handsome character” aspect, I don’t think I need to prepare for that. I want to act with strong confidence, thinking, “I’m already handsome!” (laughs).

―What do you think is the main highlight of this work?

The process of falling in love from a pseudo-relationship, where feelings change, is well depicted. Reading the script and the original work made me realize that love can start unexpectedly. So, don’t rush; it’ll come suddenly. I hope viewers will see that. I also want this drama to encourage those who feel like they’re done with romance. And since it’s summer, I hope it’s a refreshing and pleasant watch.

―If you were to describe yourself as a certain type of guy or girl, what would it be?

I’d say I’m a “goofy guy.” I often hear the Snow Man members telling me not to mess around. During meetings, if someone is speaking seriously, I’m the type to make funny faces behind them to make others laugh. I’m often told I’m always goofing around and smiling.

―What are you looking forward to on set, and what is your “user manual”?

I’m shy, but I like to communicate and build relationships with the cast and crew. However, I’m not great at initiating conversations, so I’d appreciate it if people would talk to me.

―Lastly, do you have a message for viewers looking forward to the show?

This story is about how real romance starts unexpectedly, so I hope it encourages those who want to fall in love. I hope it becomes a fun, heart-fluttering, and adorable drama that people will want to watch over and over again. Please look forward to it!

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RyoheI Abe in “GO HOME ~ Metropolitan Police Department Missing Persons Consultation Room ~”

On May 31st, it was announced that Ryohei Abe from Snow Man will appear in the new NTV drama “GO HOME ~ Metropolitan Police Department Missing Persons Consultation Room ~” (starting July 13th, airing every Saturday at 9:00 PM). Abe will play the role of Junnosuke Teshima, an elite detective who acts as a bridge between the Missing Persons Consultation Room, where the protagonist Sakura Mita (Fuka Koshiba) and her partner Makoto Tsukimoto (Yuko Oshima) belong, and the First Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Department.

The drama is set in the “Metropolitan Police Department Missing Persons Consultation Room,” which aims to identify the identities of the “nameless bodies” of approximately 20,000 unidentified individuals nationwide and return them to their families. The story follows the peculiar Sakura, who volunteered to join the department, and her colleague Tsukimoto, who is ten years her senior and completely opposite in personality and interests. Together, they solve mysteries based on the few clues left behind by the deceased in this mystery-human drama with an entirely original storyline. The show promises to depict the untold stories of the dead and the thoughts they left behind, creating a unique police entertainment drama.

Teshima is a talented detective with a promising future. He is the former subordinate of the Missing Persons Consultation Room’s chief, Tonegawa, and willingly takes on the role of liaison between the Consultation Room and the First Investigation Division. However, he sometimes finds himself at the mercy of the quirky members of the Consultation Room. Despite this, he has feelings for the older investigator Tsukimoto and keeps an eye on her.

Producer Tetsuhiro Ogino explained the casting choice: “Abe, who is unique as an idol with a qualification as a weather forecaster and who shines in quiz shows, seemed perfect for the intelligent young ace detective Teshima. During the script readings and costume fittings, the staff was impressed by Abe’s serious, intelligent, polite, and humble nature. The gap between Teshima’s sharp detective side and his cute side, secretly harboring feelings for Oshima’s older investigator character, is a must-see!“

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With Shota Watanabe and Ryohei Abe both starring in new dramas this summer, fans of Snow Man have much to look forward to. “Aoshima-kun is Mean” promises a refreshing and heartwarming rom-com, while “GO HOME ~ Metropolitan Police Department Missing Persons Consultation Room ~” offers a unique and gripping police drama. Both shows are set to captivate audiences with their intriguing storylines and stellar performances.

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