Elaiza Ikeda Spotted Handing Out Flyers for Upcoming January Drama

A striking figure even in understated fashion

On a Sunday in late October, at the Suidobashi intersection in front of Tokyo Dome (Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo), seven young people were energetically calling out to passersby. They carried handmade signs reading “NAZE,” with individual names like “Yuya” and “Kimgon” written on them.

Among them was a woman holding flyers in both hands, handing them out to people passing by. She wore a duffle coat that complemented her straight black hair—Eliza Ikeda (29).

“This is a scene from the filming of TBS’s Friday drama DREAM STAGE, set to air in January 2026. The drama is set in the K-pop industry. It tells the story of Jun Azuma, a producer (played by Tomoya Nakamura, 38) who was once expelled from the music industry, and seven struggling trainees who aim for their dreams across generations and nationalities.

Ikeda plays Minase Endo, the manager of the boy group ‘NAZE,’ formed by the seven trainees. Minase is diligent and earnest but lacks self-confidence and struggles to assert herself. The drama portrays how she and the young members of NAZE inspire each other and grow together,” says a TV magazine writer.

Looking back at the filming, the NAZE trainees were bright and lively, almost like a festival, energetically promoting themselves to passersby. Ikeda, on the other hand, had a vacant expression and seemed somewhat subdued. Even so, her 170 cm tall, striking figure stood out, and several passersby noticed her and paused.

This marks Ikeda’s first appearance in a terrestrial drama in a year, since TBS’s Sunday theater drama Umi ni Nemuru Diamond in October 2024. Regarding playing a talent manager, she commented on the official program website:

“I picture the sincerity and earnestness of the manager who has taken care of me for many years and overlay that onto Minase.”

“For both NAZE and the adults, this is a story filled with the spirit of youth. I hope viewers can feel, through this work, the value of time spent thinking of and supporting others, and the earnest, slightly awkward challenges of imperfect people.”

Since much of the filming takes place in Korea, this may have been a rare opportunity to capture scenes domestically.

FRIDAY Digital welcomes tips and information from readers. Please submit via the form below or to the official X account.

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