Lee Jun-young Makes Japanese Film Debut in Yamada Yoji's 'Tokyo Taxi'

Actor Lee Jun-young, known for his role alongside IU in the Netflix series 'You Have Done Well', is set to make his Japanese film debut in 'Tokyo Taxi', directed by the legendary Yamada Yoji.

Lee's casting in Yamada Yoji's 91st film was kept under wraps, with the announcement coming only after he had completed filming, surprising many.

'Tokyo Taxi' is a touching human drama based on the popular 2022 French film 'Une Belle Course'. Set against the backdrop of Tokyo's evolving landscape, it explores themes of life's regrets, reconciliation, and miraculous moments.

The film features top Japanese stars such as Takuya Kimura, Chieko Baisho, Yu Aoi, and Takaya Sakoda. Lee Jun-young joins this stellar cast as a key character, playing 'Kim Young-gi', the first love of the protagonist Sumire (played by Chieko Baisho) during her youth, sharing deep emotional scenes with Yu Aoi.

Lee Jun-young, known for his intense emotional performances, is generating excitement for his transformation in 'Tokyo Taxi', marking his first foray into Japanese cinema. This debut is expected to expand his reach beyond Korea, solidifying his status as a 'rising star' on the global stage.

Lee expressed his gratitude, stating, "Thanks to Director Yamada's emotion-focused direction, I was able to immerse myself naturally into the character. It was a brief but profound experience, and I am honored to have worked with such esteemed actors on my first Japanese film." He added, "I hope audiences can feel the warmth of humanity through this film."

Director Yamada Yoji, known for classics like 'It's Tough Being a Man', 'The Twilight Samurai', and 'Tokyo Family', continues to be a pivotal figure in modern Japanese cinema. His reunion with Takuya Kimura after 19 years since 'The Twilight Samurai' is drawing significant attention in Japan.

'Tokyo Taxi' is set to premiere nationwide in Japan on November 21.

Reported by Kim Se-ah, TenAsia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr