The current entertainment industry demands a frantic pace from its biggest stars, where millimetric schedules and public duties dictate almost every second of their lives. Yet, for artists deeply devoted to their craft, true freedom is often found in the small moments of pause they manage to carve out of their daily grind. Far from conventional spotlights and rigid scripts, major celebrities also need to reconnect with the purest essence of life. This profound need for a breather and total authenticity is precisely what has driven the charismatic Kaito Takahashi, one half of King & Prince, to launch a very special project that has already captured the affection of his fans. Following the resounding success of his unforgettable expedition through European lands, the artist is now preparing for a radical change of scenery with the official announcement of his brand-new, exclusive production for the Hulu platform: a series titled “King & Prince Kaito Takahashi in New Zealand: The Things I Don’t Need to Do, But Want to Do,” (“King & Prince 髙橋海人 in ニュージーランド ～僕のやらなくてもいい、やりたいこと～), whose anticipated run will kick off on October 17 to unfold a total of six episodes filled with endearing moments, laughter, and disarming honesty, dropping on the following dates:
Episode 1: October 17
Episode 2: October 24
Episode 3: October 31
Episode 4: November 7
Episode 5: November 14
Episode 6: November 21
Additionally, Nippon Television will air a condensed version in the late-night slot on October 17 and 24.
To fully grasp the magnitude and heartwarming tone of this new adventure in New Zealand, one cannot help but look back at the foundations of this format, which were laid during his unforgettable first season in the historic and sophisticated city of Milan. That initial installment was born almost organically, taking advantage of a work trip tied to the worlds of fashion and design and transforming it into a deeply intimate travel journal. In Milan, Kaito offered us an unprecedented perspective of his personality: he walked through centuries-old alleys in search of inspiration, reflected on the weight of his artistic evolution with surprising maturity, and moved us by opening his heart to share his most personal thoughts over drinks. That format proved that no television artifices were needed to captivate viewers, just the genuine curiosity of a young artist willing to let himself be surprised by local culture, cuisine, and small everyday anecdotes. The emotional connection established with the audience stemmed precisely from that ability to remain vulnerable, cheerful, and completely detached from the prefabricated persona often imposed by grand musical stages.
Now, vastly surpassing the expectations set by its predecessor, this second season shifts the action to the breathtaking and wintry geography of New Zealand, a destination where untamed nature serves as the ultimate backdrop for the singer’s most entertaining whims. Far from settling for a conventional or predictable tourist route, Kaito carefully drafted a comprehensive list featuring a total of twenty-four unique desires and eccentricities he longed to fulfill during his stay. This list, entirely free of pretensions and guided solely by his most sincere impulses, includes quirky ideas such as scouting ahead to “spy on the enemies for future whale swimming,” visiting a sheep farm with the firm intention of analyzing and figuring out who truly leads among the animals, or hugging the region’s ancient giant trees to absorb the raw energy of nature.
Throughout the episodes making up this exclusive release, the show will spare no dreamlike imagery or high-voltage emotional experiences for its protagonist. Among the standout activities viewers can look forward to are breathtaking stargazing sessions at Lake Tekapo, widely considered one of the places with the clearest, most pristine night skies on Earth, a tender and respectful face-to-face encounter with the kiwi, the iconic endangered national bird, and thrilling offshore excursions to spot majestic whales in the archipelago’s deep waters. But beyond the grandeur of landscapes stretching from the North Island to the South, the true engine of the show remains Kaito‘s human filter: his endearing habit of hunting down ingredients and flavors to exchange homemade recipes between Japanese and New Zealand cultures, his constant impulses to add unusual dishes to his dinner menus, or his sincere, heartwarming mission to find the absolute best souvenir gift for his bandmate, Ren.
This trip to New Zealand is not merely a routine entertainment program; it represents the consolidation of a personal space where Kaito Takahashi can breathe in absolute freedom, with no cameras forcing situations and with the total complicity of a crew that respects his pace.
In Milan, we discovered a young man exploring his artistic and urban facets in the old continent. This time, we will witness his most adventurous, wild, and reflective side sheltered by nighttime campfires and breathtaking landscapes. It is, ultimately, an open invitation for fans worldwide to pause for a moment, turn off the noise of everyday life, and get carried away by the contagious joy of an artist who prefers to walk through life following the impulses of his heart.
Follow King & Prince for more updates!
MORE KING & PRINCE ON DUMPLING BOX!
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.