Last night I watched the last episode of Hana Yori Dango, a jdorama that I have come to like a lot ^O^ If you haven't seen it, you don't know what you're missing! Go get it now! d^O^b! This interview really only covers the first episode, so if you already got pass that then don't worry, there are no spoilers ^_~

J-SPY no.74
JDorama - HANA YORI DANGO
Year 2005


D.T.'s NOTE: PLEASE keep in mind that I translated this interview myself, and I certainly DO NOT appreciate stealing. If you want to post it on your own site then e-mail me to ask. Okay!??!!? This interview has been translated from a Thai magazine as indicated above. The Thai interview itself was translated from the original, Japanese interview. So you see, as being traslated many times, no doubt the interview has been altered in one way or another. Therefore, it is very liable to mistakes. If you have any comments, questions, or corrections to make, please feel free to e-mail me at destination_truth@yahoo.com. I want to make these interviews as accurate as possible, and would gladly accept any advices or whatever you care to give ^O^ Thanks, and enjoy!



HANA YORI DANGO (Boys Over Flowers) is a JDorama based on the phenomenally popular manga of the same title. Its most famous star is probably Matsumoto Jun of ARASHI who plays Domyouji Tsukasa, leader of the group called "F4" (there was also a Taiwanese version of this drama, it's where the group that I don't like but is somehow popular, F4 came from I think?) which controls the Eitoku Academy, a highschool full of rich and elite-leveled students. Other members of F4 are played by Shun Oguri (as Hanazawa Rui; he also starred in Gokusen with MatsuJun), Shouta Matsuda (as Soujirou Nishikado), and Tsuyoshi Abe (as Akira Mimasaka). The F4 are the richest and most powerful boys in school and are feared (or admired) by everyone except for one girl, Makino Tsukushi (played by Inoue Mao) who stands up against F4's rule. It sounds serious but this is actually a very colourful JDorama; it has both comedic and serious sides that make it very enjoyable to watch. Eventually it becomes a piquant love story between a number of characters in the dorama (mainly between our hero and heroin, Domyouji and Tsukushi). I'm a huge fan of this dorama and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for some time well spent d^O^b

This interview is kind of a report done by a reporter who went to the set of HANA YORI DANGO while it was being filmed. So it's in first person ^_^ Oki? Let's go!


LIVE REPORT FROM THE DORAMA THAT USED UP TO 150 ACTORS
When we heard today that the dorama, HANA YORI DANGO, began shooting for the first time, we quickly
packed our cameras and went to the studio. The scene were about 150 Eitoku Academy students bullies any unfortunate student that has been "red-tagged" (a method of control used by F4; when someone ticks them off, a red tag is placed on that person's locker. It's basically a "declaration of war" where the whole school gathers together to bully that one person) in the cafeteria was being set up.
When I entered the studio, I almost fainted because I happened to run into MatsuJun who was changing into the clothes and accessories he was going to wear on set. How can someone be so cute?! (*heart attack*). After giving out instructions to everyone, the crew ordered the 150 extras to get in place for real filming; an image that impressed us very much. All the extras bowed to the crew, accepting their advices, at the sametime. And the longer the 150 students had to cheer on F4, the more serious the atmosphere in the studio got.

"It's so nice and cool here." I turn to the source of the voice and almost screamed for the person standing next to me was none other than Oguri Shun who plays Hanazawa Rui. It seems like Shun-san couldn't stand the hot and mucky atmosphere in the studio that he had to sneak out to get some fresh air outside. As we waited for the next scene to be set up, MatsuJun went to peek at the monitor that was showing the many girls gawking at the F4 boys in awe. And when it was the scene where some of the girls screamed out, "F4 is so cool!" with an expression that seemed like they were going to melt, our hero laughed out loud with no consideration and proceeded to walk into the changing room with an embarassed look (he still gets embarassed at this level?) on his face.
The selling point of this JDorama is probably the storyline that a number of bothersome things come and ruin Tsukushi-chan's peaceful life. Whether it be love or revenge (in a cute way) between our heroin and the leader of F4, Domyouji. It was very fortunate for us to see the secene where Tsukushi-chan punches Domyouji in the face and says, "This is a declaration of war!"

And with the spirit of an actor, even after just being punched and knocked over by Mao-chan, after the shooting was completed, MatsuJun still talked to the heroin as though nothing had happened (well duh, they didn't really have a fight ^_^)

PRINCE DOMYOUJI - A MUST TALK!
"The Domyouji Role"
"Actually I'm a huge fan of this work myself. Honestly though, at the beginning I had wanted to play as Hanazawa Rui more *laughs* But after sitting down and really considering the personality, character, and the way of talking of Domyouji, the member of F4 that is most influenced by Tsukushi again, I began to understand the reasons that made this person aggressive, and I began to want to play this role more and more. Because this counts as another very challenging role for me. My number one goal is to play this role as similar to the Domyouji character in the manga as much as possible.

"Preparation before taking on this role"
"Sometimes I get pretty worried and stressed out about me having to play such a bad and mean person as Domyouji *laughs* When he's mean, he's super mean, but when he improves himself, it's the type that others are surprised and taken unawares by. Everyday before going on set I have to talk everything out with the director and the crew about how I should act in each scene, which made it very fun and very challenging to take on the role of Domyouji Tsukasa. It's as though the character of Domyouji was created by everyone in the crew. I haven't been in a dorama that portrays highschool student life for a long time now; by having the opportunity to work with many people who are the same age as me makes it possible for me to hear criticisms and opinions on my acting from others; I can fix the problems and improve, which is a very good thing.

"Eitoku Academy"
"Usually as a highschool student, one must wear a uniform to go to school, one must sit through classes all day, and afterschool, participate in activities, but none of the F4 members do that at all. Even though they're highschool students like everyone else *laughs* When I'm acting the part I try not to think about why they're not sitting in class even though they're highschool students and things like that. And the other thing I don't even want to think about is the age *laughs* (MatsuJun plays a 17 year old even though he's 22 =P hehe -D.T.)."

"Fashion"
"The one similar interest between Tsukasa and I is fashion and having manicures done. Because usually I would go to a manicurist to take care of my nails but if I'm really really busy and have no time to go, I would do it myself occasionally. I heard a while back that politicians place a lot of importance on taking care of their nails, and when I came to act in this dorama I found out another tidbit; these little missies and pampered misters also place a lot of importance on their nails too.

The one thing that I'm most vexed about but cannot do anything to solve is this hairstyle. Because it's a hairstyle that teenagers nowadays don't have anymore. When I wear the costumes onto the set there's no problem, but when I change into my own daily clothes, it gives me a huge headache. Because this hairstyle doesn't go with any of the clothes I like. Oh, and the other thing I want to complain about is that Tsukasa's pants are very lean and tight. I don't think it has to be that tight actually *laughs*"

CHARACTER INTRODUCTION
"Domyouji Tsukasa" (Matsumoto Jun)
A highschool student in his 3rd year of Eitoku Academy. Not only is he the leader of F4, he's also the only son of the incredibly wealthy and powerful president of the Domyouji Corporate Empire (therefore he is the heir to it). Growing up in such an environment (being pampered and rich and spoiled) he has come to believe that "money can buy anything" but after having met Tsukushi, he changes in a good way.

"Hanazawa Rui" (Oguri Shun)
A pretty boy and the son of a famous businessman. He has the most number of female admirers who are head over heels for him among F4. Usually he's quiet and pretty solitary but if he sees someone else in trouble, he can't help but lend a hand.

"Nishikado Soujirou" (Matsuda Shouta)
The happy guy of F4. Even though he seems to be pretty upbeat and dating a different girl every day, he's actually the descendent of the Nishikado family, who are very famous for their skills in making Japanese tea.

"Mimasaka Akira" (Abe Tsuyoshi)
The son of a powerful businessman (although in the dorama I distinctly remember them saying that he's the son of an underground boss O_O Well, whichever is corret, let's just say he's the son of someone you'd never want to mess with ^_^). He has the feel of being older than his real age which makes a number of older women fall for him; his friends hence nicknamed him, "Madam Killer."


So what are you waiting for!?!?!? Go get this JDorama NOW!!!!

THE END.

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D.T.'s NOTE: Now that you've read the interview, I would love to hear your opinion about it. Was it confusing? Was it good? Please e-mail me ^O^ Also, I am accepting requests for interviews. So if there is a certain artist you want to read about, e-mail me and I'll see if I can find an interview of the requested artist. No guarantees though. But please, let it be someone within the JRock and JPop vicinity ^O^ Thanks!
E-mail: destination_truth@yahoo.com