Tomohisa Yamashita, ‘Drops of God’ Star, Takes Over Sequence Mania

Everybody says: “I really like you,” not less than in Lille, the place Japanese star Tomohisa Yamashita – on the town to advertise “Drops of God” – introduced followers to tears. With one admitting that due to his 2005 collection “Nobuta Wo Produce,” the place he performed the character of Akira, she determined to not commit suicide 14 years in the past. 

“You saved my life,” she stated.

In between interacting with a clearly overwhelmed viewers, Japanese singer, dancer, speak present host and actor (“Name me Tomo,” he informed his followers) mentioned his multifaceted profession, one which began when he was simply 11 years outdated. 

“Once I was a baby, there was a collection on TV and the primary function was performed by a teen. I spotted there have been stars my age and reached out to businesses for auditions.”  

In 2004, he joined boy band NEWS.

“The producers introduced us collectively and stated: ‘O.Okay, you’ll be in a band. It was so sudden. We have been roughly the identical age and received on fairly nicely. We’d struggle, in fact, however we had a typical objective,” he stated, horrified by one of many band’s early movies screened through the masterclass. 

“I’m breaking out in a chilly sweat. Sure, that’s me as an adolescent. Stylish,” he laughed. 

“We gave loads of concert events, noticed our followers on a regular basis and that was important to me. This can be a private opinion, however [Japanese entertainer] ‘idol’ is somebody who instills confidence and hope into different individuals. That’s how I see it.”

 Yamashita additionally mentioned his transfer into appearing, mentioning TV drama “Code Blue” as his favourite function. 

“It was a major slice of my life. This half has been important to me, I performed it for about 10 years,” he admitted.

“What drives me is curiosity. I’ve all the time been curious, at the same time as a baby. I’m always considering of the place I shall be in 5, 10 years. It’s tough once you do a number of issues, however you study from it. It fuels your work as an actor. Being right here is a vital expertise too.”

Working exterior of Japan was his objective from the beginning, he stated, mentioning Spanish present “The Head,” Kevin Hart starrer “The Man from Toronto” and even later resolution to go away his company in 2020 to work on his personal.

“I needed to broaden my horizons. As I stated, I’m a curious particular person.” 

“My objective, wherever I’m, is to present hope and a way of that means to individuals watching me. But it surely was my childhood dream to work overseas. My grandmother’s older sister married an American and her grandchildren would go to us in Japan. She would stroll into the home, not taking her sneakers off. You all the time take your sneakers off in Japan! It actually caught with me. I believed: ‘I wish to see the world and get a really feel of what’s accepted in one other tradition’.”

Netflix’s “Alice in Borderland” marked one other essential step, though it additionally compelled him to embrace nudity on display. 

“I had a towel at first, nevertheless it was summer season, it was sizzling. Ultimately, it was fairly nice,” he laughed upon seeing one other embarrassing clip.  

“I needed to overlook about modesty and disgrace, however anyway… Since that function, I’m not afraid of something. It sparked one thing in me. While you play an element, it’s important to reveal your self, additionally metaphorically. You actually should be bare in entrance of the digital camera. I learnt an incredible deal on that present.”

As messages from worldwide followers began to pour in, extra worldwide initiatives adopted. Together with “Drops of God,” based mostly on a preferred manga and premiering at Sequence Mania, the place he performs a wine skilled. 

“Once I received the half, I began to get to know wine. I tasted loads of them, in order that was a really good time in my life. Behind a bottle of wine there’s historical past and custom, it’s all very romantic. I stayed at a winery for the shoot and the proprietor’s dream was to make higher wine than his grandfather’s. It’s a deep, religious world,” he stated, admitting he misplaced weight for the present. 

“While you shed extra pounds, your sense of odor turns into extra acute. There have been loads of little particulars like that within the present. I believe it’s important to turn into your character to a sure extent. It’s essential to actually dedicate part of your life to this.” 

Teasing an upcoming appearing challenge in Paris, he additionally mirrored on his future.

“I wish to be like [baseball player] Shohei Ohtani: I wish to do many issues. However I began out in music, so it stays essential, and so is assembly individuals. I wish to depend on these random conferences.”