King & Prince's Nagase Ren Takes Center Stage in Upcoming Romantic Comedy
Actor Nagase Ren, 25, and actress Yamashita Mizuki, 25, star together as they navigate the ups and downs of filming their new romantic comedy.
Bringing together contrasting backgrounds, the story revolves around Nagase as the privileged grandson of the chairman of a large apparel company. His character, who has lived freely and lightly, is set to encounter Yamashita's character, who has grown up facing the challenges of being from humble beginnings. The narrative develops as both characters collaborate on creating children's clothing, leading to their first experiences of love and failure.
At the press conference for the drama, Kaga Takeshi, who plays the chairman, admitted he hadn’t met the rest of the cast prior to filming, humorously stating, “I just started filming, and I haven’t met anyone other than Nagase.” He went on to express his surprise at what he learned about Nagase, remarking, "He is said to be quite shy, but on set, he was bursting with energy, displaying tremendous character work. It has been great to witness his growth as the lead.”
Nagase reflected on the collaboration, mentioning how getting to know Kaga helped ease the on-set dynamic. "I felt we connected quickly. Perhaps because of our rapport, it allowed me to take creative risks with my character." He recalled one surprising moment during filming when he unexpectedly hugged Kaga, causing the veteran actor to forget his lines—a moment they both laughed about later. “I didn’t mean to throw him off. He’s extremely supportive, and filming has been incredibly enjoyable with him around,” Nagase added, crediting Kaga's kindness and expertise for the positive atmosphere.
Kaga echoed Nagase's sentiments, admitting he was taken aback during their rehearsal when Nagase hugged him unexpectedly, laughing, “I was so startled my lines slipped my mind! But such little interactions are what make this experience enjoyable.”
The ensemble cast also features Naniwa Danshi's Nishihata Daigo, 27, and Koseki Yuta, 29, who joined Nagase and Yamashita at the production launch. With this dynamic range of characters and actors, this romantic comedy aims to capture hearts and entertain audiences.
Overall, King & Prince's upcoming drama is anticipated to showcase not only the actors' remarkable performances but also the heartfelt story of love and personal growth set against the backdrop of children's fashion design.