Actor Munakata Junji is currently appearing in the NTV drama series “Please Be More Unfortunate Than Me” (starting July 9th, Tuesdays at 12:24am), co-starring Yoshitani Ayako and Asakawa Rina.
This work is a TV drama adaptation of the popular webtoon “Please Be More Unfortunate Than Me,” which won the grand prize at the “comico Women’s Manga Original Awards” held on the novel submission site Everystar in 2022 and was serialized on comico.
The story begins when Natori Keiko, a full-time housewife in her first year of marriage and the older sister, played by Yoshitani Ayako, who just wants a normal, ordinary life of happiness, loses her husband to her beloved younger sister, Aihara Shiho, played by Asakawa Rina.
Munakata won the judges’ special award at the 35th Junon Super Boy Contest and entered the entertainment industry. He made his acting debut in MBS Drama Toku-ku’s “Crashing JK and the Disabled Teacher,” and this year he appeared in Lemio’s “A World That Will Definitely Become BL vs. A Man Who Definitely Doesn’t Want to Become BL” Season 3 and YTV’s “Secret Alliance.”
This will be Munakata’s first regular role in a TV series, and he will be playing Uchiyama Takuto, a university classmate and boyfriend of Shiho, played by Asakawa.
This time, we interviewed Munakata, who is steadily building his career as an actor.
We spoke to Munakata about his current situation, including the highlights of the drama, how he approaches his role, and his future goals.
–This is your first time as a regular in a TV drama series, so honestly, how did you feel when you found out you were going to be in this series?
MunakataI was honestly surprised! When I received the script, I was told that I was cast and would be a regular! I really felt the weight of it. I’ve only been in this job for a year, so I’m still inexperienced, but I’m really grateful to have been given this opportunity, as it’s a chance to gain a lot of experience.
-What kind of role is Uchiyama Takuto playing this time?
MunakataI played the role of Shiho’s lover, played by Asakawa-san. Shiho treats him roughly, but he still cares for her, and there are scenes where we can see that. I felt that we were similar in that I couldn’t bring myself to express my dissatisfaction, so I played the role with the feeling that I wanted to make her happy in the end.
–What are the points to look out for in the character of Uchiyama Takuto, played by Munakata?
MunakataI played the part where Takuto shows his kindness towards Shiho without being conscious of it. Still, I really treasured the part where he has feelings of dissatisfaction towards Shiho but can’t bring himself to say it, and I hope you’ll pay attention to that expression and the scene where he finally lets out all the feelings he’s been holding back.
–Mr. Munakata, are there any parts of your own personality that you think are similar to Uchiyama’s character, or any parts that you think are opposites?
MunakataI guess it’s the fact that he can’t bring himself to say it. I really sympathized with the part where he takes action himself and says, “You’re not allowed to do this,” even though I find it hard to say it myself. I feel a bit lonely but can’t say it, and I feel that way too, so I thought it was adorable and we were the same. The character and I are the same age, and we had a lot in common, so I thought it was an interesting role to play.
–What do you think is the overall appeal and interest of this work?
MunakataFirst of all, the title “Please be more unhappy than me” is amazing (laughs). An older sister thinks that a normal life is happiness, and a younger sister for whom her older sister’s unhappiness is her own happiness. In their exchanges, the question of “what is happiness” comes up. I think the idea that “you have to grab your own happiness” is an important thing in life, and makes you think. It may seem unrealistic, but since everyone has their own way of pursuing happiness, I think it could actually happen…
–As this is your first regular role, how enthusiastic did you approach the filming?
MunakataI went in thinking that I would give it my all, with all my passion and ability for acting. Still, as we proceeded with the filming on set, I found many issues, and I felt that going to the set and communicating with others myself would be a valuable experience, so I was reminded once again that going to the set is very valuable.
— Asakawa, who plays Shiho this time, is a senior at the same agency, so did you receive any advice or learn anything from her on set?
MunakataI got a lot of advice. He told me things like, “You should be around here when the cameras aren’t rolling!” and taught me how to behave on set, which helped me relax and was a great help.
-After working together with Asakawa, did you notice anything special about her acting?
MunakataI thought she was amazing. Shiho has two sides to her and is a pretty difficult character, but I felt like I was watching a real woman with a bad personality and I definitely didn’t want her to be my girlfriend (lol). She’s good at bringing out the realism, and I thought she was a wonderful person who seemed to enjoy playing a difficult role and loved it.
-What was your impression of Yoshitani Ayako?
MunakataAt first, I had an image of Yoshitani-san as a very calm person, but I felt that he has great communication skills, but is also a soft-spoken and beloved person. There is something that can be conveyed through his acting, and I learned a lot from him.
-How did you communicate with the director and staff on set as you filmed?
MunakataI worked with the director and producer to make sure there was no misunderstanding about the image of Takuto’s character. It was my first time linking my image of Takuto with the director’s image, so I found it difficult, but as filming progressed, Takuto gradually became clearer in my mind, so it was a really good experience.
-Were there any episodes or memorable moments that happened on the set?
MunakataEven though it was just a role, it left an impression on me that Asakawa-san, who played Shiho, treated me so roughly (laughs). I felt like this is how Takuto feels right now, and I once again felt the joy of acting.
-Was there anything you were conscious of when playing this role?
MunakataRather than switching between the role and myself, I often tried to think from Takuto’s perspective. I think it’s important because I get a lot of ideas for acting in my everyday life, and I don’t have much experience with character creation, so I don’t know anything about it, but I feel like I’m starting to see my own way of doing things, like maybe this is what it’s all about.
–Looking back on the year since your debut as an actor, how do you feel you have grown as an actor?
MunakataThe moment I realize how much I’ve grown is on set. When I wonder what I should do, I look back on my experiences and remember what I did at that time, so I think the experience on set was the biggest factor. There are still some things I don’t know about the areas where I’ve improved, so I can’t say for sure that I’ve done it. But when the director says to me through workshops and lessons, “You’re getting better,” or “You’re getting used to it,” I feel like I’m growing little by little.
–I have the impression that you are the type of person who speaks to the staff on set, but is there anything you keep in mind when you’re on set?
MunakataI am conscious of proactively communicating with people. I am simply interested in the way the camera person thinks, what kind of people the staff on set are, and what they are thinking. I think there are many hints for creating a character from such things, so I try to proactively communicate with people.
-How did you spend the first half of 2024?
MunakataEven when I have nothing to do, I naturally think about acting. When I used to play soccer, I was always thinking about how to get better. I’m a small person, so when I play sports, I always thought about how I could beat bigger players, and I was always touching the ball at home.
I have grown steadily by always making such things a habit, so I think that the same goes for thinking about the acting I am doing now. I think that making it a habit will help me grow steadily. So I think about acting every day in my daily life, and even when I am watching a movie or drama, I am always conscious of comparing myself to them, thinking about what would be interesting if I did this here.
–Do you make a conscious effort to expose yourself to works of various genres on a regular basis?
MunakataI am conscious of it. I received advice from many people that the most important thing at first is to watch and study, so I have been exposed to more works. I wasn’t interested in stage plays at first, but when I actually watched one, I thought live acting was interesting, and although I think there is a lot of pressure in performing in front of an audience, I think the sense of accomplishment would be amazing, and I watch with excitement, wondering what it would be like if I were to stand there myself.
-Are there any genres other than film that you would like to try in the future?
MunakataUltimately, I want to become a movie actor. To achieve that, I think I need to gain some experience on stage, which will allow me to take a step forward. I know it will be difficult, but I want to keep trying.
-Is there anything you’re obsessed with right now?
MunakataPhotography. I’ve become interested in cameras and I’m thinking about getting a film camera, but I’m a little hesitant because it seems difficult to use, so I’m starting to feel unsure of what to do.
As I have more opportunities to have my photos taken and look at my own photos, I have a sense of what looks good. I have a clear idea of what looks good, and I’m a little confident in my aesthetic sense, so I’d like to try that out too.
-What kind of summer do you want to spend this year?
MunakataSurfing. My father was a surfer, so I did a little in the past, and when I inherited the board from my father, I thought I had to do it myself, and I think surfing is probably connected to adapting to other people. The ocean is natural and fickle, so I think you can grow as a person by adapting to it.
–Mr. Munakata, you played soccer throughout your school days. Do you think your sports experience is connected to how you are today?
MunakataAll of my experiences in soccer have become the foundation of who I am today. There were many times when I felt insecure while playing soccer.
I was a little worried about being the only junior in a new environment with seniors, but how I do it is entirely up to me, so I think my strength is being able to jump in and do things on my own. But I don’t have any sense of danger. So I want to think carefully before I act so that I don’t run around aimlessly.
–Munakata-san, you have studied to be a firefighter and have had a variety of experiences in the past. Do you think these experiences will be an element that will help you in your future acting career?
MunakataMy school teacher always told me, “Become the kind of person who can help a friend who is being bullied.” He told me to be the kind of person who can think about others, and that the most important thing in being a firefighter is to not feel the pain of my friends. He said that studying is important, but he also told me a lot about the inner self of a person. I want to cherish that, even as I meet many different people in my life.
-Finally, please give a message to those who are looking forward to the film.
MunakataThis is a production that I approached with the intention of pouring all of my current passion and ability into, so I’m a little scared to see where Takuto’s emotions lead and the vague parts that he feels, but that’s also a part that I would love everyone to see.
I put out all the parts of myself that I couldn’t put out, so I would like everyone to see where Takuto’s emotions go and the ending. I think it would be very interesting if you could also think about what happiness is, so I hope you will look forward to it!
▼Program Overview
Title: Drama DEEP “Please be more unfortunate than me”
Broadcast information: Nippon Television Network, Tuesday Platinum Night
Starts on Tuesday, July 9th Every Tuesday from 24:24 to 24:54
Distribution information: After broadcast on terrestrial TV, each episode will be distributed on TVer and Hulu
Cast: Ayako Yoshitani, Rina Asakawa, Riki Seto, Sae Murase,
Junji Munakata, Ami Tomite, Yorie Yamashita, and Satoshi Jinbo
Original work: “Please be more unfortunate than me” by Saimasa/Everystar Takeno Takeno・Masiki/comico
Screenplay: Keiko Kameno
Music: LUO YA JHE, Nohei Ueda, Kobaslee, TI, Ryo Noguchi
Directed by Kumiko Nagao and Shinnosuke Senda
《Producer》Yoshida E
Produced by: Yoshiki Fujii
Producers: Hirofumi Ito, Yosuke Kiguchi
《Cooperative Producer》Marina Ishii
Production company: AXON unicos
《Production》Nippon Television Network
《Munakata Junji Profile》
Born on August 24, 2001, in Fukushima Prefecture.
He won the judges’ special award at the 35th Junon Super Boy Contest, and just one month after entering the entertainment industry, he made his acting debut in MBS Drama Toku-ku’s “Crashing High School Girl and the Lost Teacher.” His main appearances include Lemino’s “A World That Will Definitely Become BL vs. A Man Who Definitely Doesn’t Want to Become BL” Season 3, YTV’s “Secret Alliance,” and his first regular role will be in Nippon Television’s Tuesday Platinum Night “Drama DEEP” slot “Please Be More Unfortunate Than Me” (Tuesdays from 24:24 to 24:54), which starts on July 9th.
《Munakata Junji Official SNS》
■Munakata Junji_Official Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/shunjimunakata/
■Munakata Junji_OfficialX
https://twitter.com/shunji_munakata
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