Completion screening event of TV Tokyo drama SP "Kohaku"

The completion screening event of TV Tokyo drama SP "Kohaku" was held on 4 September which was attended by the main cast members Nishida Toshiyuki, Terao Akira and Suzuki Kyoka. The drama SP will be shown at 9pm on 15 September.

The drama SP which is based on the same-titled novel by Asada Jiro, features Nishida as Yoneda Katsumi, a police detective who is about to retire and Terao as Arai Toshio, a fugitive and an unresolved case which happened 25 years ago. One day, Yoneda happens to come across a booklet about a cafe by the name "Kohaku" which reminds him of an arson-cum-murder case that happened in Kichijoji 25 years ago. Yoneda then travels to Kohaku which is at Uozu in Toyama Prefecture, where he meets the master of the cafe Arai and his regular customer Hirai Sachiko (Suzuki). Coincidentally, the three of them have huge secrets to hide which are about to be revealed as they come to know one another better.

Nishida and Terao are both 70 years old and had appeared in movies such as "Tsuribaka Nisshi 7" and "Hanochi" previously but never got the chance to act opposite each other. As such, this drama SP marks the first time when they could pit their acting skills against each other. Nishida praised his co-star for being able to "reset" himself every time he gets a new role so that there would be no traces of his past characters so Nishida admired him for that attitude. In response, Terao said that he was looking forward to working with Nishida this time and praised the latter for having an unique screen presence. He also expressed his wish for them to work together again in future.

Nishida then expressed regret over something which he never got to overtake Terao in because they both released singles in 1981 during the same period. However, Nishida's song "Moshimo piano ga hiketa nara" was always ranked No.4 in the weekly charts on TBS music show "The Best Ten" because Terao's smash hit "Ruby no yubiwa" spent 12 consecutive weeks at the No.1 spot. However, Terao said that Nishida did overtake him in something because the latter came to his concert to sing but he hasn't had the chance to do the same yet.

Suzuki who observed the two veteran actors up close during the filming, commented that Nishida was always in control and very kind to everyone. On the other hand, Terao was like a young man who livened up the atmosphere. As such, when she saw them talking, it felt as if there was nice jazz music being played and it was a blissful environment for her to be in. Suzuki then pledged to work hard and become like them one day and shine in her own way.

Sources: Nikkansports / Eiga.com