'Oseisa' Shunsuke, Japanese romantic hit following 'Love Letter'

Japanese actor and singer Shunsuke Michieda (21) led the romantic hit in Japan.

On the morning of the 25th, Shunsuke held a press conference at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul to appreciate the box office success of the movie 'Even if this love disappears from the world tonight' (directed by Takahiro Miki).

Shunsuke, who appeared at the press conference that day, drew attention by shyly greeting people in Korean. He said, "Hello, I'm Shunsuke Michieda. I'm not good at Korean yet, but I've been studying a little. I'm glad to meet you all. Thank you."

Shunsuke then expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality of Korean fans. “I came to Korea yesterday, and I am grateful that the Korean fans welcomed me with such warmth and enthusiasm,” he said, adding, “I am moved because I think it is a wonderful city and wonderful streets.”

This event was held to express gratitude for the success of ‘Even if this love disappears from the world tonight’. 'Even if this love disappears from the world tonight', which was released on November 30th last year, attracted 970,000 viewers as of the 25th and is looking at 1 million viewers.

This film has been the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film of all time since 2007, and the highest-grossing Japanese romance film of all time since the 2000s. Following the Lunar New Year holiday 'Love Letter' (director Shunji Iwai, 1999) and 'Ju-on' (director Takashi Shimizu, 2003), it has risen to the top three most successful live-action Japanese films of all time. In addition, it is evaluated as the highest-grossing work in the romance category since the movie 'Love Letter'.

Shunsuke said, “I am very grateful that it has become a huge hit in Korea 20 years after ‘Love Letter.’ Exactly one year ago today, I read the script for this movie, and at that time, I never imagined that I would come to Korea. Here is this movie.” “The fact that I am there is a surprise to me,” he said. He then said, “Thank you to the actors, director, and staff who appeared with me.”

‘Even if this love disappears from the world tonight’ is a fresh and poignant love story between ‘Maori’, a high school girl who suffers from ‘anterograde amnesia’, which causes her memories to be reset when she wakes up, and ‘Toru’, an ordinary high school boy who lives a dull daily life. This is a work depicting . Shunsuke received favorable reviews for his performance as Kamiya Toru.

Shunsuke said about his real-life personality and the character 'Tohru' he plays in the movie, "I think we have about 60% in common. In the movie, Tohru is good at housework and cooking, but I'm not good at it, so I subtracted 40%." However, like Toru, there is a part of me that wants to do something for others. I want to do something cool and a great work for my fans. This is 60%."

Also, when asked if he thought the love in the movie could exist in real life, he said, "It may be difficult, but there will be positive and strong women like Maori in this world, and there will also be wonderful men like Toru who can sacrifice themselves for others." “If we meet and become a couple, I think there will be a wonderful love like in the movies,” he said with a laugh.

Shunsuke also said, "The teenage years are a time that ends very quickly and shines brightly. I wonder if there can be such great love, but I think many fans liked Transparent because it has such a dramatic worldview." “The video contains sparkling elements that only teenagers can enjoy,” he said.

He also added that he was most happy and grateful when teenage audiences or couples in their 20s watched the movie and said, "I learned something about precious love."

Shunsuke opened up about being called a 'millennium male idol' in reference to his handsome appearance, saying, "I'm grateful, but at the same time, I'm embarrassed," and "I'm embarrassed to even say it to myself." He continued, "You mentioned my beauty, and I am grateful if my beauty or appearance gave me strength in this film, but the reason for this good result was the excellent acting of my co-stars, the director's meticulous direction, and the staff who did everything. “I think it’s because there was,” he said.

He also expressed his affection for Korea. When asked which Korean actor he would like to work with, he said, "I really like Song Kang, and as a fan, I watch a lot of his dramas and works. I want to meet Song Kang and convey my love." When asked what Korean drama he had watched, he said, "I didn't have much time, so I couldn't watch it, but I recently watched the Korean drama 'True Beauty,' which came out two years ago. There are a lot of Korean-Japanese collaboration movies these days, so whenever I get the chance, I will definitely appear in a movie made by a Korean director." “I want to try it,” he answered.

Regarding the role he would like to play in the future, he said, "I have played a lot of high school students so far. Although I am currently in my 20s, I would like to play more high school students because this is the only time I can play the role of a teenager. It is the complete opposite of the image I had as an adult. “I want to play a role,” he said. He said, “I also think I want to act like a detective or an office worker.”

Shunsuke concluded by saying, "I am so happy that this film has crossed the ocean and received so much love in Korea. I hope it will be a work that provides strength and motivation in everyday life."

The press conference that day proceeded smoothly in a calm atmosphere. However, in response to the simple question, "You said you have 60% similarities to Tohru, what is your actual view on love?", the host said, "I'm sorry, but I decided not to take questions about my private life or my view on love," and did not convey the question, earning scoffs from reporters.

Meanwhile, Shunsuke, who made his acting debut in 'Becoming a Mother' in 2017, also debuted with the Japanese seven-member boy group Naniwa Danshi in 2021 and is currently active as an idol.

Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr