On December 23, Japanese actor Kenichi Yamada, 41, appeared on the popular television show 'Shiyabu Kuri 007'. The highlight of the evening was the surprise reunion with actress Ayumi Yamaguchi, who portrayed Yamada's love interest, Shoko, on the NHK drama 'Chura-san' back in 2001. Viewers were taken aback by Yamaguchi's timeless beauty, leading to waves of excitement online, with many commenting, "She looks the same!" and "She’s incredibly cute!".
The drama 'Chura-san' centered around the character Eriko, played by Ryoko Kuninaka, who grew up on the Yaeyama Islands before moving to Naha and eventually pursuing nursing in Tokyo. The show poignantly depicted the warm bonds between Eriko and her family, particularly her caring grandmother from Okinawa.
Over 23 years after their first collaboration, Yamaguchi, now 43, recounted her memories of working with Yamada, describing him as "a beautiful boy, very handsome but not very talkative". Viewing footage from their past performances, she shared, "Seeing it made me feel butterflies; even at 43, I admire it!" Yamada reflected on their reunion, noting, "Her eyes haven’t changed; I recognized her right away."
The emotional reunion elicited numerous reactions on social media, with fans expressing their nostalgia for 'Chura-san'. Some comments included, "Oh! It’s from 'Chura-san'!" and "I can’t believe how cute she still is at 43!". Viewers also commented on how both actors seemed youthful and how lovely Yamaguchi has become over the years.
During the show, Yamada reminisced about the challenges he faced as a rookie actor on 'Chura-san'. He recalled, "I was overwhelmed at the time. The script was handed to us daily, so I was 'all over the place'." Yamaguchi could relate and highlighted how much they've both matured since their days on the series.
Both actors demonstrated the strong bond formed during their years of experience in the entertainment industry, and their light-hearted banter showcased the ease with which they fell back together on-screen, evoking fond memories for the audience and creating new ones to cherish.
Previously featured on the show were fellow actors who participated with Yamada, including Kenta Matsuyama, Shota Sometani, and Ryuhei Matsuda. This rare reunion element, with actors reconnecting with their past, has become popular on 'Shiyabu Kuri 007', adding to the program’s viewer appeal.
The public's fascination with the cast of 'Chura-san' symbolizes how transformative television can be, as it continues to inspire fond reflections and hopes for romantic nostalgia between iconic characters. Fans are excited to see how these cherished connections will evolve as they follow the stars' continued journeys.
