Production press conference of spring 2013 drama "Monsieur!"

The production press conference of TBS spring 2013 drama "Monsieur!" was held on 7 April at a cafe-restaurant named "rapport" in Sangenjaya, Tokyo, which is created specially for this drama and will operate from 8 April to 31 August. Cast members KEIJI, Machida Keita, Anan Kenji, Sakata Rikako, Harukawa Kyousuke and Isomura Yousuke attended the press conference where KEIJI commented that he hopes to see lots of customers come to this restaurant in order to get a better understanding of the drama and the dishes featured.

The drama features a pair of siblings Baba Masaya (Machida) and Baba Mineko (Sakata) who are striving hard to save their restaurant "rapport" after the former chef passed away. Suddenly, Date (KEIJI), a chef who came back to Japan from Paris, appears at "rapport" to work there but there is something suspicious about him and his motive in coming to the restaurant. At the same time, a loanshark Kanezono (Anan) comes to the restaurant to demand for immediate repayment of the outstanding debts which leads Date to do something...

As this is the first drama leading role for KEIJI, he admitted that he was surprised when he got the role. Machida revealed that KEIJI is usually very cool and collected but the character Date is very easily excited and very passionate about cooking so it was a challenge for KEIJI who has to be 10 times more hyper and excited than he usually is. In addition, as KEIJI is a qualified cook, he will be able to show off his cooking skills for real in this drama.

The drama will begin its run on TBS from 22 April at 2.42am on Mondays.

Opening hours and details of "rapport"
Operating from 8th April 2013 to 31 August 2013
Opening hours: 11.30am to 10.30pm
Address: 1F Oasis Sangenjaya Building, 1-37-13, Sangenjaya, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo

Source: TV Dogatch

EXILE's KEIJI in his first leading role in TBS spring drama "Monsieur!"

EXILE's performer KEIJI will be starring in his first leading role in a drama as reported on 10 February. He will be playing the role of a genius chef in the TBS spring drama "Monsieur!" who helps a restaurant escape the brink of going bust. This will also make him the second EXILE member after AKIRA (GTO in 2012) to have a drama leading role. In actual fact, KEIJI also holds a chef's licence and he had even developed some products with popular chef Kawagoe Tatsuya last November so he will not have any major problems with the cooking scenes. Nonetheless, KEIJI commented that he still feels nervous about scenes where he has to talk while chopping ingredients. Filming is currently underway.

KEIJI made his acting debut in April 2011 with a role in the FujiTV drama "Namae wo nakushita Megami" and had teamed up with fellow member TETSUYA in the BeeTV drama "Kimi to Boku to Yakusoku". He can also be seen in this season's "Saikou no Rikon".

Source: Nikkansports