Taiga Actor’s Stunning Comeback from Swelling

Yoshizawa Ryo (30), who quickly rose to the top as an actor after starring in NHK’s Taiga drama Seiten wo Tsuke (2021), tarnished his reputation with a drunken incident. Late last year, he accidentally entered a neighboring apartment while intoxicated, leading to police involvement. As a result, he lost commercial endorsements, and the release of some projects was postponed, turning into a serious situation.

However, those familiar with the industry say that Yoshizawa’s love for alcohol was well known. A writer who has interviewed him multiple times since his early years shared the following:

“When I asked Yoshizawa-san how he spends his days off, he would always say, ‘I stay home and drink alone all day.’ We would joke about how he was like an old man despite being so young, and he seemed to enjoy making it a running joke himself. It’s unfortunate that he ended up making a mistake due to alcohol.”

In the past, starring in a Taiga drama was typically reserved for veteran actors with solid popularity and experience. However, in recent years, young actors with promising futures have been given these roles, using them as a stepping stone for their careers. As a result, these younger actors may still have immature tendencies and behavioral risks.

This raised the question: How strong are other Taiga lead actors when it comes to drinking? During our research, another well-known heavy drinker emerged—Matsumoto Jun (41), who starred in the 2023 Taiga drama Dousuru Ieyasu.

“Matsumoto-san has many drinking buddies, and both he and his friends frequently talk about their drinking experiences in interviews. Despite his busy schedule, he always seems to make time for drinks.

One time, he had an interview scheduled in the morning. When he arrived early in the day, I was shocked—he clearly had a lot to drink the night before. He looked dazed, wore a grumpy expression, and, above all, his face was incredibly puffy. I honestly wondered if he would even be able to film properly.

But when he came back after makeup, I was stunned again. He had transformed into his usual handsome self, looking completely refreshed. Seeing that level of control made me realize why he has survived as a top idol for so long. Judging by his ability to recover, I doubt he would ever make a major mistake due to alcohol.” (Magazine editor)

The saying “Drink, but don’t be consumed by it” is well known. So what about this year’s Taiga lead, Yokohama Ryusei (28)?

An online ranking of celebrities who publicly declare they don’t drink places Yokohama in third place. While he can drink, he reportedly avoids alcohol for the sake of his work. Even if he doesn’t possess Matsumoto’s remarkable recovery skills, at least there seems to be no reason for concern.

※ FRIDAY Digital welcomes tips and information from readers. Please send your information via the form below or through our official X account.

Information form: https://friday.kodansha.co.jp/tips
Official X: https://x.com/FRIDAY_twit