Mon, June 8, 2009 (4:36am EDT)
The rumored romance between talento Yukina Kinoshita (21) and comedian Toshifumi Fujimoto (38) was confirmed on Sunday, when Fujimoto openly admitted it on the air during "Owarai Wide Show Marco Porori!" on local station Kansai TV.
Fujimoto, who is part of the duo FUJIWARA, was asked about his love life, and he readily acknowledged that he is currently in a relationship. He did not go as far as mentioning Kinoshita by name, but he used one of her popular slang expressions in answering the question.
Kinoshita, on the other hand, has not yet publicly admitted to the relationship.
Fujimoto, who is part of the duo FUJIWARA, was asked about his love life, and he readily acknowledged that he is currently in a relationship. He did not go as far as mentioning Kinoshita by name, but he used one of her popular slang expressions in answering the question.
Kinoshita, on the other hand, has not yet publicly admitted to the relationship.
Mon, June 8, 2009 (3:11am EDT)
Actor Hiroshi Tachi (59) will be starring in a new TV Asahi drama series along with actress Nao Minamisawa (18). They will play a father and daughter in the family comedy "Dandy Daddy? ~Renai Shosetsuka Ryunosuke Izaki~" that airs this summer.
Tachi plays the part of the widower Ryunosuke Izaki, a popular romance novelist whose books are always bestsellers. Despite that, he is overprotective of his daughter Akari (Minamisawa) in matters of love, constantly monitoring her activities.
This is Tachi's first drama series since "Papa to Musume no Nanokakan" in 2007, in which he played a father who unexpectedly switches bodies with his teenage daughter (Yui Aragaki).
The supporting cast includes Aya Hirayama (25) and Hideo Ishiguro (20). "Dandy Daddy?" premieres on July 9 in TV Asahi's Thursday 9:00pm time slot.
Tachi plays the part of the widower Ryunosuke Izaki, a popular romance novelist whose books are always bestsellers. Despite that, he is overprotective of his daughter Akari (Minamisawa) in matters of love, constantly monitoring her activities.
This is Tachi's first drama series since "Papa to Musume no Nanokakan" in 2007, in which he played a father who unexpectedly switches bodies with his teenage daughter (Yui Aragaki).
The supporting cast includes Aya Hirayama (25) and Hideo Ishiguro (20). "Dandy Daddy?" premieres on July 9 in TV Asahi's Thursday 9:00pm time slot.
Mon, June 8, 2009 (1:43am EDT)
Last week, Johnny's Jimusho announced the formation of a new unit called "Yuma Nakayama with B.I.Shadow." Now, that group's five members will be teaming up with Hey! Say! JUMP's Ryosuke Yamada and Yuri Chinen to form a temporary seven-member unit known as "NYC boys."
The group made their first stage appearance on Sunday during a Johnny's Jr. concert. The name comes from the initials of Nakayama, Yamada, and Chinen. The "NYC boys" will serve as the special supporters of the Women's Volleyball World Grand Prix, which takes place from July 31 to August 23. The competition is being aired on Fuji TV, and the unit will sing the theme song, titled "NYC."
"NYC" is being sold as a double A-side with "Akuma na Koi," the debut single of Yuma Nakayama with B.I.Shadow. That release goes on sale July 15.
The group made their first stage appearance on Sunday during a Johnny's Jr. concert. The name comes from the initials of Nakayama, Yamada, and Chinen. The "NYC boys" will serve as the special supporters of the Women's Volleyball World Grand Prix, which takes place from July 31 to August 23. The competition is being aired on Fuji TV, and the unit will sing the theme song, titled "NYC."
"NYC" is being sold as a double A-side with "Akuma na Koi," the debut single of Yuma Nakayama with B.I.Shadow. That release goes on sale July 15.
Mon, June 8, 2009 (12:02am EDT)
The main cast has now been revealed for the upcoming manga-to-drama adaptation "Tomehane! Suzuri Koukou Shodoubu." The show was earlier discovered via an advertisement for extras, but at the time it had not yet been officially announced.
The drama's lead actress will be 17-year-old Aki Asakura, who made her showbiz debut in 2007. She has appeared in dramas such as "Puzzle" and "God Hand Teru," as well as films like "Kanki no Uta," but this will be her first starring role.
The drama will focus on the character of Yuki Mochizuki (Asakura), unlike the manga. Yuki is the nation's top judo athlete at the high school level, but she somehow ends up as part of her school's calligraphy club. Asakura began training in both judo and calligraphy back in March to prepare for the role. Her supporting cast includes Sosuke Ikematsu (18) and Hideki Takahashi (65).
NHK will broadcast "Tomehane!" on Thursdays at 8:00pm, starting in January 2010. Filming is already scheduled to start this Tuesday.
The drama's lead actress will be 17-year-old Aki Asakura, who made her showbiz debut in 2007. She has appeared in dramas such as "Puzzle" and "God Hand Teru," as well as films like "Kanki no Uta," but this will be her first starring role.
The drama will focus on the character of Yuki Mochizuki (Asakura), unlike the manga. Yuki is the nation's top judo athlete at the high school level, but she somehow ends up as part of her school's calligraphy club. Asakura began training in both judo and calligraphy back in March to prepare for the role. Her supporting cast includes Sosuke Ikematsu (18) and Hideki Takahashi (65).
NHK will broadcast "Tomehane!" on Thursdays at 8:00pm, starting in January 2010. Filming is already scheduled to start this Tuesday.
