Written by Orelf2 for Dumpling Box.
Keiichiro “Kei-chan” Koyama of the STARTO group NEWS to star in a drama as a lead role for the first time. This makes it his first lead role 24 years into his career in the idol industry.
The drama, “Takasugi-san’s Obento”, set to start on October 2nd and air on NTV, is based on the popular manga of the same name by the mangaka Nozomi Yanahara.
Koyama plays the role of a man who tries his best yet tends to end up just spinning his wheels.
Entering the entertainment industry in 2001 at the age of 16 and debuting with NEWS in 2003, Koyama has been active in various fields, recently mostly as a commentator on various information programs.
Although being active for nearly 24 years in the industry and playing several lead roles in stage plays in the past, such as “Great Nature” (September 2015, Tokyo Globe Theater), “Hello Goodbye” (November 2012, Tokyo Globe Theater) and his must-never-be-forgotten role as Troy Bolton at the “High School Musical” Japanese stage adaption in 2007 (June in Aoyama Theater, July in NHK Osaka hall), this is his first time to play a lead role in a TV drama.
His acting career on TV includes occasional minor roles in TV dramas, the most memorable ones being “Ns’ Aoi” (2006, Fuji TV) starring the famous actress Satomi Ishihara, “Lucky Seven” (2012, Fuji TV) starring Arashi member Jun Matsumoto, and “Juuyou Sankounin Tantei” (2017, TV Asahi) starring Kis-My-Ft2 member Yuta Tamamori as well as guest roles in popular TV dramas such as “Kurosagi” (2006, TBS) and “Yukan Club” (2007, NTV).
His career as an idol was never focused much on acting and his last acting appearance was 6 years ago, in 2018 on NTV’s highly successful drama “Zero: Ikkaku Senkin Game” starring fellow group member Shigeaki Kato, in which he played the role of Mitsuru, an original character of the drama.
In this new drama, Koyama will portray Harumi “Haru” Takasugi, a single geography researcher who is an enthusiastic yet hapless man, working hard and doing his best but his effort all end up falling in vain.
The story begins when one day Haru suddenly finds himself becoming the guardian of Kururi (played by Kokoro Hirasawa, best known for her role as the protagonist Aya in Studio Ghibli’s “Earwig and the Witch.”) a young yet highly responsible middle school girl who lost her parents.
This heartwarming drama, depicted with a comedic touch, portrays the growth of these two somewhat opposite characters through the “family flavors” made with Haru’s sincere yet clumsy efforts.
Koyama’s comment
I’m Keiichiro Koyama from NEWS. After 24 years in the entertainment industry, I’m honored to take on my first leading role in a drama series. I’m both excited and feeling the pressure of this new challenge, but I will give it my all while enjoying this new experience of playing the lead role in a drama.
Just like making a bento, we’re working hard with the cast and crew all as one, and shooting with a strong team spirit. I was worn out from the very first day of filming, but I’m determined to push through and give my best until the end without letting my efforts fall in vain.
This drama is fun to watch, enjoyable to make and brings a heartwarming feeling, so please look forward to it! I hope the kindness and warmth of this drama reach as many people as possible.
Comment by Production Producer Kyohei Ikeda
After reading the original manga, which is set in Nagoya, I wanted to share with people across the country the local sense of “value” and the unique cultural traits of Nagoya residents, and proceeded with the live-action adaptation.
For the casting, I previously saw Koyama expressing his love for Nagoya in a regular show (“Taichi-san!”, Tokai TV). Moreover, not only does he resemble the character Haru in appearance but also has both an intellectual side and a naturally enthusiastic yet airheaded side. I felt that he was perfect for the character of Haru, the “enthusiastic yet sometimes out of sync” man, and extended the offer to him. This drama is about re-recognizing the “form of a family” through “bento” and reaffirming “why you live in that place now.” This is Chukyo TV’s first nationwide network drama and I hope to convey a sense of warm happiness across Japan together with Keiichiro Koyama, who is taking on his first leading role, and Kokoro Hirasawa, who is in her first role as a heroine.
Previously responding “someday soon” in response to fans saying recently that they want to see him acting again, Koyama is delivering once again and making his fans’ wishes come true sooner than expected.
With this exciting announcement, fans can look forward to not only Koyama’s acting again after so long but also many scenes with Koyama cooking in every episode as well as having our favorite airhead going full-on airhead on national TV.
The show will premiere on Nippon Television on October 2nd and will be aired every Wednesdays at 12:29 AM.