Yuki Amami Drops New Drama Ahead of Emergency Interrogation Room Release!

They held a dinner with co-stars, without their managers

The actor currently rising in the entertainment world is none other than Kimura Takuya (52), known as “Kimtaku.”

With former SMAP leader Nakai Masahiro (52) retiring due to a personal scandal, Kimura, still holding a top-tier position in the industry, is drawing attention.

Kimura is known for his dedication to work, with his scripts often worn out by the time a drama begins. He memorizes not only his own lines but also those of his co-stars, which shows his immense dedication. As a lead actor, he sometimes stays on set after his scenes are finished, watching others’ filming.

“Despite this, he is attentive to even new assistant directors on set. His gifts are on a different level—during summer shoots, he brought in a refrigerator packed with ice-cold drinks. It’s famous that he doesn’t have a dressing room but instead hangs out in the studio’s common area with co-stars and staff. Sometimes, they even hold a billiards tournament with drinks as the prize. Anyone who has worked with Kimura is amazed by his thoroughness,” says a TV station insider.

Actress Amami Yuki (57) was deeply impressed by Kimura’s dedication. The two starred together in the April 2024 drama “Believe－Kimi ni Kakeru Hashi－” (TV Asahi), where Amami played “Kimtaku’s wife.” Like Kimura, Amami is known for her dedication to work and is often referred to as the female version of Kimtaku.

“Before the start of a lead role, Amami holds a dinner with her co-stars, without managers, to deepen their bond. Although she rarely drinks, she loves socializing. After the dinner, they usually head to a darts bar to continue having fun together,” shares an entertainment industry insider.

However, she also refrains from unnecessary outings and drinking parties during the COVID-19 pandemic, adhering to the principle of not causing any trouble on set. There’s also a story where Amami scolded a fellow actor who went drinking during the pandemic.

Unfortunate events keep happening, but the team remains united on set

Amami divides her roles between her lead projects and others. In her collaboration with Kimura in Believe, the lead role was clearly Kimura’s, and Amami remained in the background, fully supporting him.

At the drama’s wrap-up party, even though the final episode was playing, some staff members continued talking. Kimura sharply reprimanded them, saying,

“Shut up!”

Sensing his anger, Amami stepped in first, 

“You all need to be quiet.”

She told the staff.

“Amami was greatly inspired by Kimura’s attentiveness to the cast and crew, thinking, ‘That’s amazing, I need to learn from that,'” said a drama associate.

Amami is also awaiting the release of Kinkyū Torishirabeshitsu THE FINAL, a movie that was delayed due to the incident involving kabuki actor Ichikawa Ennosuke. Actor Kanji Ishimaru (59) replaced Ennosuke, but many scenes had to be reshot, with the movie now set to release next year.

“Since the movie’s release was delayed by over a year, TV Asahi plans to air a new series of Kinkyū Torishirabeshitsu to boost interest. Filming for the drama has just started, and we expect the full picture to emerge by this summer. The special drama that was supposed to air alongside the movie has been shelved due to the arrest of Aykato Nagayama (36) for drug charges. With all the unfortunate events surrounding this project, everyone, including Amami, is working together to ensure the success of the Kinkyū Torishirabeshitsu movie,” said a TV Asahi insider.

The new drama series is expected to air in the October season (TV Asahi PR responded to Friday Digital inquiries by stating, “We have no comment on future programming plans”).

Amami, who often serves as the leader on her projects, prefers smooth progress on set. 

“This scene is fine as it is, isn’t it?” she might suggest.

The Kinkyū Torishirabeshitsu movie represents Amami’s culmination of effort, and fans are hoping for its successful release this time.