machikomomo14

[machikomomo14]

[20220406] Week #00 

Kuroshima Yuina’s Chimudondon Interview

"As Nobuko is doing her very best, I'll also give my utmost best acting her!"

"Chimudondon" is a 50-year old story about four siblings born and raised in Yanbaru, Okinawa that could make you laugh and cry depicting the course taken since the return to the Mainland in 1972.

On the official drama homepage, we interviewed Kuroshima Yuina-san, who plays the heroine Higa Nobuko, before the broadcast starts on April 11 (Monday). Nobuko loves food and eventually dreams of Okinawan Cuisine. How does Kuroshima-san portray her?

----- How did you feel when you received the offer to play the role Nobuko of Chimudondon?

Kuroshima Yuina: I've never thought I'll be playing the heroine, so I was surprised! I have had the opportunity to play a role in Massan (2014~2015) and Scarlet (2019~2020). Exactly because I have seen the difficulties of the heroines up close, I felt greatly pressured at first.

However, I got a lot of support from the people in Okinawa, like "You'll be all right." and I was able to be a little positive about it.... Starting with the announcement of the new heroine in Asaichi (NHK Morning TV Show), reading the script, and meeting with the staff, while doing these, the positive feeling of "I want this shooting site to be very fun! I'm going to enjoy this!" grew stronger in me. It's always been fun ever since the drama shooting has started. I don't feel tired yet *lol*.

----- I've heard that you are trying to remember all the names of the staff, talk to them cheerfully, and enliven the shooting site.

Kuroshima Yuina: There are so many people involved in Asadora so I, myself, want to remember everyone's names. I've also heard that many staff members meet for the first time, so I suggested "Why don't we all put a nameplate?". I'm glad to have suggested it because they were very pleased!

I like the sense of camaraderie where many people are creating one drama, so I want to do whatever I can. I may have been pulled by the role of Nobuko. I recently realized, "So I'm this cheerful when I'm playing an energetic and positive role!" *lol*

----- Last year (2021) November to December, you flew out in the studio (shooting site) and had the shooting Okinawa. How was it?

Kuroshima Yuina: First of all, the story is set in Yanbaru (Northern part of Main Island of Okinawa), a very wonderful place! I'm from Itoman City (Southern part of Main Island of Okinawa), and I used to go to Yanbaru with my family once a year. Even after I became an adult, I hiked with my friends in Ta-Taki Falls (A waterfall in Yanbaru) and went back to Itoman sopping wet.... *lol*. I was once again overwhelmed by the dynamic scenery created by the seas and mountains, rivers and waterfalls. You can see them beautifully in the drama, so please look forward to it!

For the shooting site in Okinawa, It was the first time the four siblings of Higa Family gathered as they had scene altogether. On the first day of the shooting, we had a "yuntaku" (Okinawan word for "chitchat") in the lodging room. We get along with each other that it feels like we're real siblings.

----- In your perspective, what kind of siblings are the Higa Family?

Kuroshima Yuina: Niinii (eldest son, Kenshu played by Ryusei Ryo) is a troublemaker, but also has an adorable side [The sun of Higa Family]. Neenee (eldest daughter, Ryoko played by Kawaguchi Haruna) is a reliable role model and the joker. Younger sister Utako (Kamishiraishi Moka) has a shy personality but kind and adorable, the healer in the shooting site *lol*.

There are many similarities between us and the role that we are playing! Ryusei-kun a~lways talks to Nakama (Yukie)-san and when Nakama-san says "help me *lol*" Haruna-chan would jokingly say "stop that already!" to him. Then there's Moka-chan laughing.... something like that *lol*. All of us might being pulled by our roles. Higa Family is a very comforting family.

----- What are the similarities between you and Nobuko?

Kuroshima Yuina: Just like Nobuko, I also love eating. The Okinawan foods that have been prepared for the shooting were really delicious that I tend to keep eating even after the take. Another similarity is might be fast in running. I've done lots of running roles, but I feel that I have obtained the knack of running faster even more shooting in Chimudondon.

----- You said a while ago that since you are being pulled by your role, it makes you cheerful as well. By acting Nobuko, what's the thing you consciously value?

Kuroshima Yuina: It's trivial but I try to move a lot. Nobuko is a vigorous girl, and even in scenes with little actions, I try to move my hands around. However, as Nobuko has the impression of "can't leave alone" (as a character) I think I couldn't express acting her well if I don't confront her, so I take a leaf out of her book intending to be a lovable character! *lol*.

----- At last, the broadcast will start on April 11 (Monday). Please tell us once again your enthusiasm for Chimudondon!

Kuroshima Yuina: Nobuko is cheerful and positive, but at times, she gets gloomy thinking about what she wants to do in the future, and she faces many walls even after she found her dream. Eventually, she aims to be a professional chef but it's a difficult thing to do, and I also find it difficult in accumulating practices for the role. Undefeatable Nobuko and Undefeatable Me, I hope I could skillfully reflect these two. As Nobuko is doing her very best, I'll also give my utmost best acting her! Please do look forward to Chimudondon!