Hinatazaka46's Kosaka Nao takes on her first drama commercial in Kansai Electric Power's new TV commercial

■Kansai Electric Power’s new TV commercials, “Anxious Father” and “Grandmother Living Alone,” starring Abe Sadao and Kosaka Nao (Hinatazaka46), begin airing

Kansai Electric Power’s new TV commercials, “The Anxious Father” and “Grandmother Living Alone,” starring Abe Sadao and Kosaka Nao (Hinatazaka46), began airing on August 14th.

Based on the theme of “Electricity is warm,” the stories of Abe and Kosaka each depict how electricity warmly watches over family time.

Abe plays the role of a busybody and clumsy father, while Kosaka plays the role of a grandson, marking his first attempt at a TV drama.

Abe, who played the clumsy father in the “Anxious Father” episode, used his real-life interactions with his children as a reference for his role. In the scene at the end of the commercial where they fight over the remote control, he even shared a laugh with Kurosaki Akiyo, who played the son, after the cut. The shoot was peaceful from start to finish, with an atmosphere just like a real parent and child.

In the “Grandmother’s Living Alone” episode, Kosaka showed off a casual fashion and hairstyle that she doesn’t usually wear. Her co-star Ginpocho said of Kosaka, “She’s so cute, it’s mesmerizing.” She showed no signs of nervousness even during her first filming, and showed her charming side as an “idol” who brightened up the set.

The behind-the-scenes video, which shows the harmonious atmosphere on set, and interview comments from Abe and Kosaka have also been released. Be sure to check it out.

■ Abe Sadao Interview Comments
Q. Do you have any memorable stories about your family and electricity?
Abe:I remember that when I came home from school or club activities, I would know whether my family was there or not by checking whether the lights were on at home, and I would feel happy when they were on.
Q. Do you have anything in common with the father character you played in the commercial?
Abe:I realized that I tend to interfere with my children’s lives, asking things like, “What time will you be home today?” or “What’s for dinner?”
Q. What scene was the most difficult to film?
Abe:There was a scene where my child says something shocking to me, and I try to brush it off by imitating my son and saying, “Nothing…” It seemed easy, but it was actually surprisingly difficult.
Q. What part of the role of a father in the commercial do you relate to?
Abe:When I was a teenager, I had a somewhat awkward relationship with my parents, and when I became a parent myself, I realized, “Ah, that’s what it’s like.”
Q. Please give a message to our viewers.
Abe:This commercial is a first-of-its-kind short drama of a parent and child. I hope viewers can sense the bond between a clumsy father and son, glimpsed in their short conversation, and the warmth of electricity that keeps watching over them.
■ Nao Kosaka (Hinatazaka46) Interview Comments
Q. Do you have any memorable stories about your family and electricity?
Kosaka:When I was a student and coming home from club activities, the lights of my house visible from outside made me think, “I worked hard today,” and my heart would warm as I thought, “I can’t wait to see my family again.”
Q. This was your first time filming a drama commercial. What were your impressions of acting in the role?
Kosaka:I had a lot of fun filming because I could feel the story. I also added ad-libs and filmed with rough acting, so it felt fresh.
Q. There is a memorable scene in which the grandson tears up in relief at his grandmother’s return. How did you feel acting in this scene?
Kosaka:When I think about the fact that it was actually my grandmother, I get very worried, and I felt that this emotion was very real and it was a very natural reaction while acting.
Q. Please tell us which scene you particularly resonated with.
Kosaka:When I saw the expression on Ginpocho-san’s face as she gently embraced me as my grandmother, I also felt a warmth in my heart. Even now, when I see my grandmother, I feel happy to see her smiling face, so it was a scene I could empathize with.
Q. Please give a message to our viewers.
Kosaka:This is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to film a drama-style commercial, and I think you’ll enjoy my realistic acting. I think it’s a commercial that everyone who watches it can really relate to, so I hope you’ll take the time to watch it.