Furukawa Yuki

Part 2. “My impression toward Naoki and Kotoko’s First Kiss scene is very Deep”

Speaking about female lead, Miki Honoka, that 10 years younger than himself, Furukawa shows his brotherly love in general tone, occasionally he laugh and speak resembling Naoki, and playing pranks with her.

Q : How is your first impression toward female lead, Miki Honoka? Could you tell us how it feels to work with her?

A :

First time I saw her, she’s giving a very energetic, powerful impression of a girl. She possess a side that very similiar with “Kotoko”, at that time I was just thinking “if I act with her as drama partner, it will be fine (easier to get into the role)”. Overall, (she) is a very good girl. In the filming set, she talk more than I do, we ourselves also have pretty many exchange (TL note: communication), (our relationship) is a relationship between good friends.

Q : During filming, could you share with us interesting things that happen between you two? It could be about role’s communication, it also could be about private interaction and the likes.

A : Um, sometimes I can intentionally “create difficulties” for her (playing pranks). Before, our crew go together to eat roasted meat, because of Miki-san’s shooting schedule, she can’t come. Later when meeting her, I intentionally take out the picture of us dining together before to let her see it, she shouted with anger: “you’re very bad”…… this little jokes and the likes.

Q : Kiss scene in this drama is a very important point, when shooting, what’s the thing that you pay attention the most?

A : When shooting two persons first time kiss scene, because Miki-san’s age relatively young, so she was very nervous. I’m older, so at the kiss scene I have responsibility to guide her role: Although I’m also nervous, but I told myself to show my adult (mature) side, with such mind I acted that scene.

Q : Kiss scene that you yourself most impressed with is?

A : Now there’s no public kiss scene, and each kisses of this comic are very classic. However, my impression toward Naoki and Kotoko’s first kiss scene is very deep.

Q : One is the 100% perfect boy outside inside, but the other one is average, a bit stupid girl. In your opinion, what is the reason that Naoki attracted to Kotoko?

A : I think it’s Kotoko’s efforts, (if you) read the original work, it would be seen clearly how hard-working Kotoko is. Regardless of what happens, even knowing herself is not competent, (she) will likely work hard with every efforts that she have, Naoki feel moved (by this).

Q : The most attractive part about Kotoko that yourself attracted to is?

A :

Um, instead of saying “efforts”, it should be said that her “desperate” side (faith to work hard in every things she do) is very appealing to me.

Q : Has Naoki and Kotoko rain kiss scene (that show they) clearly like each other already been shot? Chinese audiences are really looking forward to this classic kiss.

A : Un, just finished it up 2 days ago. The shoot is quite not easy, because it is in the rain, not a made-up rain, (but) is really a rainy day, it took several hours to take satisfactory results for the director. This one scene is a very important one, I haven’t seen yet how is the complete image (TL note: scene), but I think (the shoot) looks good. (I’m) also looking forward to audiences reaction.

Q : This two people also make people care about their future development, would this drama shoot their married life?

A : Haha, allow me to keep secret temporarily, we will know when time come.

Part 3. First time disclosure (about) Entry Experince, before, Family oppose (Him) becoming an Actor

During interview, (this is) the first time Furukawa disclosed details about (his) entry process (to entertainment sector). Surprisingly, (he said) became an actor is the most fun things, he express (it’s) “to repay the kindness of (my) parents”, every time he launched a new drama, his parents will be very happy. Under the gorgeous appearance, (he) still has a simple filial heart.

Q : We all know that through chosen as Keio University’s “Mr. Campus” (Japanese universities election for the most handsome man) opportunity, you enter entertainment sector, could you give us the details since when you wanted to become an actor?

A :

At that time I’m studying Science and Technology at Keio University. But in the three years span from first years till third years , I haven’t found things that I really want to do. You know, in Japan, the third years must enter “job hunting” (finding job war), during this time I received an invitation to participate in “Mr. Campus” election, that time I just want to challenge new things, so I participated, and in the end I get my victory. Three years in university, I continously doing dance, besides dance, I also must do other things so I can do job hunting. “Mr. Campus”, initially, barely a challenge for me. In 2010 (the following year after the Mr. Keio election), happens to be currently Horipro 50th anniversary, as part of the commemoration, they hold an audition for new talents. Participants including every university “Mr. Campus” and amateur (public), I also received the invitation, in the Horipro’s audition process, it’s the first time I savor the feeling that become an actor is a very interesting things, I suffer a shock (that not small). This is the first time in my life that I found things that I truly want to work hard for. After that I decide to stop job hunting activities, actually at that time I also partake at graduate school exam, moreover I get accepted, at the same time giving up chances on advancing my studies, I work hard toward (becoming) an actor. To sum it up, first time be in touch with acting is when I auditioning for Horipro, and I had a strong interest (in acting).

Q : What role you play when auditioning?

A : Friendship story. At that time everybody that participating have zero experience in acting, we training (acting) together for about 2 months, at the end of final we deliver our practice content (divided into small groups, each group prepare a short drama, then perform at final, the performance ranking will be decided through our acting). At this process, I feel the pleasure of acting: When performing in front of people, I liberating (TL note: showing) my other self. In each different roles there’s different side of myself that can be found, isn’t it a very interesting thing? That’s the first time in my life that I savor the joy of an actor. However, at Horipro audition, I got an examiner Special Award, not the Highest Award.

Q : Um, I also heard because that time you didn’t get the Highest Award, you’re not very happy?

A :

Not so much unhappy as it (this kind of unhappiness) is a reality (entertainment sector’s brutal competition) of the decision. That time participants that enter final selection only 10 people, besides this 10 people, at the same period there are still many new people (being prepared or already sign with the firm), if you’re not first (don’t get the Highest Award), that imply that your strength is not enough to compete with so many people, so the idea is the firm refused to sign you. But, this is truly things that I myself want to do, if I really give up, I probably will regret it for the rest of my life, despite getting “runner-up” (refer to Special Award), but I finally decided to working hard and give it a try. After Horipro’s audition, I really give up the opportunity on going to graduate school.

Q : Your family really opposed (you) entering this line (of work), right?

A :

Right. Their consideration is: Since I attend Science and Technology of Keio University, there is no need to be an actor (both career is completely different). But compared to oppose me, they’re more worried about me. Although initially they opposed me, but after seeing my act in the movie, they gradually change from the opposition’s stance and assist me. Works where I appeared, is a sense of “filial piety” (repay parent’s kindness). (When) they see me play drama, they’re very happy.

Q : Are your parents now watching “Itazura na Kiss”? How they evaluate your performance?

A :

En, they’re watching. Especially my mom, very happy!!! After watching it live, they still record it to watch it repeatedly. My family said this drama is very interesting.

Q : Entering entertainment sector so far, the most fun things that you feel is?

A :

(without hesitation) The most happiness is I can repay my parent’s kindness.

Q : What role that you want to challenge in the future?

A :

I have some special skills, I can speak English, good at dance and so on. If English, I already act in this year drama (“ANJIN~English Samurai”, most dialogue in English). And roled that I haven’t play yet is a dancer. And I really like to play mahjong. If I can show these special skills in the works/drama, it should have a good results.

Q : You’re now a popular outbreak in China, is there any Chinese actors that you want to work with?

A :

Um, I don’t really know Chinese drama. But I like Mr. Chen Long (TL note: Jackie Chan) very much, (if) I have an opportunity to meet him then I will!

Q : Also in other words an action movie, you won’t resist (it)?

A :

I almost don’t have any experience shooting an action movie, to be honest, I have no confidence.

Q : If you’re good at dancing, action scenes shouldn’t trouble you.

A :

Um…… En, in fact, not only an action movie, I also want to participate in Chinese works’ shooting, although now I can’t speak Chinese. If there’s a chance, I would like to play a role of Japanese people in Chinese works and the like.

Q : Rumors said, you already received invitation to starred in Chinese movies, TV series, is this true?

A :

Not yet. I look forward to this (kind of) opportunity.

Thanks again to Jun for translating this!!!source part 2