Koji Yakusho Spotted in Stylish Dandy Attire on Set of New Netflix Drama by Kankuro Kudo

The duo of Koji Yakusho and Kankuro Kudo.

In a white jacket and white shirt, sunglasses hanging around his neck, with romantic gray hair and a white beard, the dandy man is actor Koji Yakusho (69).

Around midday in mid-August, he was walking down a sidewalk facing a busy street in Shinjuku, Tokyo, pulling a large carry-on bag. As a woman on a bicycle approached from the front, he smiled and spoke to her, seemingly asking something. However, the woman passed by with a puzzled expression. He then spoke to a businessman walking by, but was met with a glare, and he appeared confused.

“On September 12, it was announced that a Netflix series titled ‘Ore no Koto, Nanka Itte Ita?’ (Did Anyone Mention Me?) written by Kankuro Kudo (55) would be globally released next year. In the series, Yakusho stars as Takasegawa Gen, a stage actor driven by a desperate desire for approval, trying to make a comeback.

Takasegawa is a world-renowned stage actor, but upon returning to Japan after two years, he faces the tragic reality of being completely forgotten by the world. The series is a human comedy depicting whether he can regain the spotlight.” (TV Magazine Writer)

It seems that during filming, Yakusho’s character was shown asking people on the street if they knew him, reflecting his interactions with pedestrians. When the cut was called, Yakusho was seen discussing with the staff with a serious expression, engaging in a detailed meeting. Regarding his role in the series, Yakusho shared:

“Based on Kankuro Kudo’s meticulous, quirky, funny, and strangely moving script, I’m happily shooting with the staff and cast in the sweltering heat. This is my second time playing an ‘actor’ role. The filming will span over a long period, but I will keep working hard to ensure that this becomes a piece of work everyone can enjoy.” (From Netflix official website)

“Yakusho is also rumored to appear in the sequel of VIVANT, a TBS Sunday night drama slated for June next year. In the first season, which aired in July 2023, Yakusho played the leader of a mysterious terrorist group called Tent and the father of the protagonist, Yusuke Nogi.

However, Beki, Yakusho’s character, was shot and presumed dead by Nogi. But with Yakusho’s name listed in the cast for the sequel on TBS’s website, speculation has already begun, with viewers wondering, ‘Was Beki actually not dead?’ ‘I had a feeling! The finale must have had some foreshadowing.'” (TV Magazine Writer)

So far, TBS has not officially confirmed Yakusho’s participation. Regardless, Yakusho seems set to continue surprising viewers with his performances in various dramas next year.

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