[News] Cha Seung-won stars in Tokyo play.

 

[News] Cha Seung-won stars in Tokyo play.
Cr. - http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/

Cha Seung-won, 42, took on his first theater role in Japan on Saturday.

The Japanese press reported that Cha starred alongside Tsuyoshi Kusanagi from former idol group SMAP in the play “Bring Me My Chariot Of Fire” at the Akasaka ACT Theater in Tokyo.

Cha said the two actors have been friends for over five years.

“Since I’ve known [Kusanagi], he’s maintained his integrity and we have a strong friendship,” Cha told reporters at a press conference ahead of the show.

Kusanagi said he was excited about the chance to work with Cha.

“It’s the first time I’ve taken to the stage with a Korean actor, so I’m excited,” said the Japanese idol group singer from the 1980s.

The play was written by Korean-Japanese writer Jung Eui-shin and is set in the early 20th century. The play focuses on the friendship of artists from Korea and Japan who work together to preserve traditional Korean arts.

[News] ‘ATARU’ to return with a special drama on New Year’s Day.

[News] ‘ATARU’ to return with a special drama on New Year’s Day.
Cr. - http://www.tokyohive.com/

On October 25th, it was announced that the TBS drama ‘ATARU‘, which aired in the spring will be returning with a special drama on New Year’s Day.

‘ATARU’ is starring SMAP’s Nakai Masahiro as the lovable ‘Chokozai’ aka ‘Ataru’ who is suffering from the savant syndrome. He commented, “I’m glad that I can act as Chokozai again, but this feeling of joy is also mixed with a certain anxiety. I hope we all will have a lot of fun at the set again.”

The drama tells the story of ‘Chokozai’, who helps two detectives – played by Kuriyama Chiaki and Kitamura Kazuki – solving with various difficult cases using his extraordinary memory and deductive skills. The drama was a big success with ratings as high as 21.7%.

In the special drama, the younger brother of Chokozai, ‘Tasuku’ becomes the prime suspect in a serial murder case that resemble the 1997 crucifix murders in America. Though Chokozai returned to America in the final episode of the drama, he will come back to Japan in order to help out his brother.

The producer of the drama explained that it was a miracle that he managed to get all of those busy actors together again for the special. He said, “It’s such an inexpressible feeling, I cannot describe it with words. I was moved to tears.” The drama’s main theme is the bonds between family and friends. He continued, “I hope we can send out a warm message and give all viewers a great amount of energy for their start into the new year.”

[News]SMAP announces new single, “Boku no Hanbun”

[News] SMAP announces new single, “Boku no Hanbun”
Cr.- tokyohive

SMAP recently announced that they will be releasing their new single, “Boku no Hanbun“, on December 21st!

SMAP’s 46th single will be written, composed, and arranged by Saito Kazuyoshi. It’s described as a slow tempo ballad of unrequited love.

This song was first presented during SMAP’s fan meeting event, “Shuku 20 Shuunen! SMAP Fan×FuN PARTY 2011“, which was held on November 12th at Tokyo Dome. With Kimura Takuya on acoustic guitar, the boys sang in a lyrical manner to express the sorrow of the song.

The single will come in both limited and regular editions. The limited edition includes a DVD containing a live clip of “Boku no Hanbun”. Additionally, the single will come with one coupling song.