Kasumi Arimura Stars in Netflix’s New Series About Falling in Love with an Organ Donation Recipient

The Busan International Film Festival, held for the first time in eight years.

“Kazumi-chan!”

In Busan, South Korea, where autumn has arrived earlier than in Japan, the air was cool at 18°C, but the fans’ cheers were warm.

On October 2, Kasumi Arimura (31), dressed in a black dress, graced the red carpet of the Busan International Film Festival. Her Netflix series “Sayonara no Tsuzuki,” co-starring Kento Sakaguchi (33), was officially invited for the first time as a Japanese work in the On-Screen category for streaming dramas at the 29th Busan International Film Festival, which will be available for streaming on November 14.

“It might seem surprising that Arimura, who is active in terrestrial dramas and movies, is appearing in a streaming work, but this is not her first time participating in a Netflix project. She played a former sex worker named Chihiro working at a small bento shop in the film ‘Chihiro-san,’ which was released in February 2023. The film included intimate scenes, making it a hot topic among industry insiders.

Compared to terrestrial broadcasting, projects produced by major streaming services have more flexibility in both budget and production time. They pay higher fees, allowing for careful character development over time. Since these works are distributed globally, if a project hits, it can increase the creator’s recognition overseas. It’s truly a win-win situation.” (Film magazine editor)

This year, in addition to this work, Arimura has appeared in the film “Dear Family” and the drama series “Umi no Hajimari” (Fuji TV). Next spring, the release of the film “Hanuman” is also on the horizon. Regarding the constant stream of offers she receives, entertainment reporter Kaoru Shimada analyzes, “Arimura’s acting has a unique depth that is unparalleled.”

“Today’s viewers tend to get tired of performances that strongly project emotions, which were once quite common. Arimura has the power to move people’s hearts with subtle gestures and expressions, as Yuji Sakamoto described it as ‘like being shown a mysterious magic trick that is hard to put into words.’

Her depth in acting makes her well-suited for roles involving people in difficult situations. In the film ‘Tsuki no Michikake,’ she portrays a woman who is drawn to a young university student despite knowing their love is forbidden. In the drama ‘Umi no Hajimari,’ she plays a woman suddenly faced with the reality that her partner, whom she is considering marrying, has a child. In ‘Sayonara no Tsuzuki,’ she skillfully portrays a woman who falls in love with the recipient of her deceased lover’s organ donation, showcasing Arimura’s strong presence in each role.”

What kind of magic trick will she show us next?