■ “He really taught me so many things. Kin-chan’s presence was a big part in shaping who I am.” (Katori Shingo)
It has been announced that Katori Shingo will be appearing in the special drama “Kin-chan’s Sumi-chan: The Woman Who Loved Hagimoto Kinichi,” which will be broadcast on Nippon Television from 6:30 p.m. on August 31st as part of “24 Hour TV 47.”
Kinichi Hagimoto is a rare comedian who started out in a theater in Asakusa and became a national star. This drama will feature rare footage and a little-known story about his and his wife Sumi-chan, who continued to support him behind the scenes.
This time, it has been decided that Katori Shingo, who has a special relationship with Kinchan, will play the role of the manager who has been with Kinchan since his youth, nearly half a century ago, and who continues to accompany him to this day.
It is well known that Katori has teamed up with Kinchan as hosts on Nippon Television’s “All Japan Costume Contest” for over 20 years, but in fact the history between the two of them is even longer and more intense.
Their first appearance together was in 1994. Katori was selected as a regular at the tender age of 17, and Hagimoto, who saw his talent through his ability to adapt to variety shows, his quick thinking and charm, enthusiastically guided Katori, who hungrily absorbed his teachings.
Katori looks back on that time as follows: “Kinchan taught me so many things, but one big thing was when, when I was a teenager, he told me, ‘Shingo, you don’t have to think about anything. Just say what you think.’ From then on, I was able to develop a style of voicing whatever comes into my head on variety shows and the like. I think that was a big part of shaping who I am as Katori Shingo. I learned many other techniques from him, but he taught me that it wasn’t just about variety show techniques; ‘You need to have heart, you need to have love.'”
In this way, the two have built a relationship that is difficult to describe in a few words, like that of parent and child, teacher and student, or old friends for 30 years. “Kin-chan is a very important person to me. I love him.”
Before the recording of the 99th All Japan Costume Contest in 2023, Katori painted a portrait of the late Kin-chan’s wife, Sumi-chan, and gave it to Kin-chan as a surprise gift. Katori gave the painting the title “Sumi-chan’s Kin-chan.”
Katori said, “I think Sumi-chan was someone who neither denied nor affirmed Kin-chan, but who always supported him warmly. Kin-chan must have been very happy to have Sumi-chan as his wife. I am very much looking forward to being able to take part in a drama that depicts the ideal couple that only Kin-chan and Sumi-chan could create.”
This drama will feature archive footage and never-before-seen close-up footage of the many legendary programs in which Kin-chan revolutionized the entertainment industry, including the first episode of “24-Hour TV” hosted by Kin-chan. There will also be a heartwarming scene with Shingo Katori. Enjoy the documentary along with the drama.
Another highlight is his first drama co-starring role in 18 years with Atsushi Ito, who plays the role of Kinichi Hagimoto in this work. In 2006, Katori played the main character Son Goku in Fuji TV’s “Journey to the West,” and Atsushi Ito played his important companion Zhu Bajie. After 18 years, this is a long-awaited “reunion” between the comedian and his manager, once again as “comrades.”
Katori commented, “I was very happy to be working together again! It was great fun meeting him for the first time in a while and reminiscing about old times. In this film, my beloved Kin-chan is played by my favorite actor, Ito-san….Ito-san was Kin-chan! Kin-chan’s very distinctive way of speaking, the way he suddenly pops in, is very similar to his. I was also happy that my favorite actor was playing my beloved Kin-chan.”
Ito said, “I was nervous as it was our first co-starring in a long time, but while we were getting ready I called out to him, ‘Goku! It’s been a long time!’ and he called back, ‘Zhu Bajie!’ (laughs). Katori-san has seen Kin-chan up close and knows his manager. Today, Katori-san was able to express how much the manager cares for and loves Kin-chan, which made it very enjoyable for me to act.”
After filming their final scene together, they took commemorative photos of each other and said with smiles on their faces, “Let’s take a photo!”, “I’d love to work together again in a few years!”
■ “Kin-chan’s Sumi-chan: The woman who loved Kin-ichi Hagimoto” story
Hagimoto Kinichi, known as the “100 percent viewership man,” has left a brilliant legacy in the history of Japanese entertainment.
The woman he married, Sumiko, was a very popular dancer at the theater where Kin-chan took his first steps as a budding entertainer. Sumiko was supposed to be out of reach, but she always supported and helped the rookie Kin-ichi, who was somehow hopeless. As time passed, and Kin-ichi grabbed one opportunity after another and climbed the ladder to become a big star, something happened that caused her to suddenly disappear, leaving behind a note. What was the surprising action that Kin-chan took at that time, risking his career in showbiz?
The couple surprised the world with their dramatic love affair and were blessed with three children, but the family they built was a little strange. Kinchan had always thought, “As a husband, he must be the worst,” and “We’ve never celebrated birthdays, wedding anniversaries, or gone on trips together…” But as the years passed, and after Sumi-chan passed away, Kinchan finally began to face the feelings she had for him for so many years.
This story of awkward but heartwarming love spanning half a century will be told, interwoven with precious footage of Kin-chan preserved in Nippon Television’s archives.
Q. This film is about Kin-chan’s wife, Sumi-chan, who he hasn’t talked much about until now. How did you feel when you read the script, and how did you prepare for the role?
Katori: I consider myself someone who knows quite a bit about Kin-chan, but I was surprised to see things depicted in this drama that even I didn’t know. It depicts a Kin-chan that even I’ve never seen before, so I think that when it’s made into a film, I and everyone else will be even more surprised.
I think this drama will allow you to learn a lot about how Kin-chan has experienced all these things to get to where he is today.Q. This time you are playing the role of a manager who has been accompanying Kin-chan since he was young. Did you prepare for the role?
Katori: I’ve been close to Kinchan for decades, so I know his manager very well. I think the heart of the real manager who is always close to Kinchan is present in my role.Q. This is your first full-scale co-starring role with Atsushi Ito, who plays Kin-chan, in 18 years. How did it feel to act together again after such a long time?
Katori：I was very happy.
Ito-kun, my favorite actor, is my favorite Kin-chan…I’ve never said “Ito-kun” before. When we met for the first time in a while, Ito-kun said “Goku-san!” and I said “Ah! Hakkai!” We were in a drama together called “Journey to the West”. When we talked during a break, he said, “I tried to say Katori-san a few times, but it’s impossible. I can’t get rid of ‘Goku-san’ after all.” It was a lot of fun talking about old times.
Maybe from now on I’ll be able to call him “Kin-chan.”Q. From your perspective, did you think that Atsushi Ito’s portrayal of Kin-chan looked similar to him?
Katori:Well, it was Kin-chan.
Kin-chan’s way of speaking is not all distinctive, but suddenly a distinctive tone pops in. It really was like that. Even when we were rehearsing, I was like, “Huh? Kin-chan…?” Moreover, he has many patterns of Kin-chan, and after discussing with the director, he brings out a different pattern of the Kin-chan that I know. It’s amazing!Q. What does Kin-chan mean to you, Katori-san?
Katori: He really taught me so many things. One big thing was when I was a teenager, Kinchan told me, “Don’t think.” I was alone in a small room with Kinchan in silence for about two hours, and it really felt like I was being lectured for two hours. Was he teaching me something? I wondered what it was, but at the end, Kinchan said to me, “Shingo, you don’t have to think about anything. Just say what you think.”
From there, I was able to create a style of voicing whatever comes into my head on variety shows, etc. I learned many other techniques, but I was taught that it’s not just about variety show techniques, but that “you need to have heart and love in it.”
I believe that Kinchan’s presence was a big part in shaping who Katori Shingo is.
Kin-chan is an amazing person and I love him.Q. It’s been a while since you last appeared on 24-Hour TV.
Katori: I’m happy to be able to participate again after such a long time! I’m especially happy to be acting alongside Atsushi Ito, who I worked with in Kinchan’s drama. Even when I wasn’t able to participate, I supported him by watching in front of the TV, but this time I’m really happy to be able to participate, so I hope a lot of people will watch it.
Program Information
Nippon Television“24 Hour TV 47”
08/31 (Sat) 18:30 – 09/01 (Sun) 20:54
Hosted by: Shinya Ueda, Shinichi Hatori, Asami Miura (Nippon Television announcers)
“Kin-chan’s Sumi-chan: The woman who loved Kin-ichi Hagimoto”
Broadcast from 21:00 on Saturday, August 31st
New Map OFFICIAL SITE
https://atarashiichizu.com
“24 Hour TV 47” program site
https://www.ntv.co.jp/24h/
