Fri, April 3, 2009 (8:07pm EDT)
NHK has revealed the lead actress for its 81st morning drama series, "Werukame." Gravure idol Kana Kurashina (21) was chosen from an audition of 1,775 actresses to take on the role. She is said to be only the second Asadora heroine to come from a gravure background, after Mao Miyaji in the 2002 series "Manten."
"Werukame" was first announced in January. The comical story revolves around a young woman named Nami (played by Kurashina) who gets laid off from her job at a Tokyo publisher. She reluctantly returns to her home in Tokushima where she finds a job at another publisher, but she is forced to deal with her family and former acquaintances.
Kurashina first gained major attention in 2006 when she won the grand prize in the Miss Magazine contest. Although she is mainly a gravure idol, she has also appeared in several films and dramas, including the "Elite Yankee Saburo" television series.
"Werukame" begins on September 28.
"Werukame" was first announced in January. The comical story revolves around a young woman named Nami (played by Kurashina) who gets laid off from her job at a Tokyo publisher. She reluctantly returns to her home in Tokushima where she finds a job at another publisher, but she is forced to deal with her family and former acquaintances.
Kurashina first gained major attention in 2006 when she won the grand prize in the Miss Magazine contest. Although she is mainly a gravure idol, she has also appeared in several films and dramas, including the "Elite Yankee Saburo" television series.
"Werukame" begins on September 28.
Fri, April 3, 2009 (5:02pm EDT)
AKB48 member Ayaka Umeda (20) has been appointed as this year's Tokyo Tower image girl. She attended a debut event at the tower's main observation deck on Thursday. Like previous image girls, Umeda will participate in various Tokyo Tower events throughout the year, such as the lighting ceremonies.
Last year's image girl was former AKB48 member Ayumi Orii (23).
Last year's image girl was former AKB48 member Ayumi Orii (23).
Fri, April 3, 2009 (2:00pm EDT)
Popular actor Hiro Mizushima (24) and singer-songwriter Ayaka (21) surprised the entertainment industry on Friday when they held a press conference announcing that they recently married. In addition, it was revealed that Ayaka will be putting her music career on hold.
The two apparently first met three years ago, but it wasn't until a magazine interview last spring that their relationship began to develop. The pair started seriously dating in August. They decided to register their marriage on February 22.
Mizushima explained, "She is indispensable to me. I thought, if I let go of her, I'll regret it my entire life." Ayaka commented, "My first impression of him was that he had really powerful eyes, and he could completely see through me. Right now, he is someone I respect from the bottom of my heart."
It was also learned that immediately after Ayaka's debut in 2006, she became ill with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder. Ayaka tearfully reported that her symptoms have been increasing. As a result, Ayaka will continue with her music until the end of this year, after which she will put her career on hold. Mizushima promised to protect and support her.
The two apparently first met three years ago, but it wasn't until a magazine interview last spring that their relationship began to develop. The pair started seriously dating in August. They decided to register their marriage on February 22.
Mizushima explained, "She is indispensable to me. I thought, if I let go of her, I'll regret it my entire life." Ayaka commented, "My first impression of him was that he had really powerful eyes, and he could completely see through me. Right now, he is someone I respect from the bottom of my heart."
It was also learned that immediately after Ayaka's debut in 2006, she became ill with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder. Ayaka tearfully reported that her symptoms have been increasing. As a result, Ayaka will continue with her music until the end of this year, after which she will put her career on hold. Mizushima promised to protect and support her.
