■ “Even though I had a lot of different thoughts in mind, I managed to create something that gave the impression of taking a breather!” (Kamio Fuju)
The special drama “Nearest Utopia,” starring Kamio Fuju and co-starring Kita Kana, will be broadcast from 10 p.m. on September 25. The main theme of the drama will be “Back to Back,” performed by Kamio Fuju.
The show, which is the first time the two have worked together, is a drama about a man and woman who are torn between their dreams and reality, who meet by chance and spend time together over “alcohol” and “music,” creating a miracle. Kamio is currently in the spotlight for taking on the challenge of singing and playing the guitar for the first time.
In this work, Kamio plays the main character, Kudo Takashi, a singer-songwriter who dreams of becoming a successful musician and mainly performs on the streets, and this is his first time performing on a drama, singing and playing the guitar.
“Back to Back” is a completely original song written specifically for this film. In the film, Takashi, played by Kamio, meets Yuri Kizaki by chance, and while they spend time together, they create this song and bond over it, finding hope in life, making this song an important part of the story.
Kamio was nervous and anxious about his first ever recording session, which took place in late August. When he entered the room, he touched his hands and shyly replied to the staff’s calls, showing signs of being uneasy. Then came the first song. The atmosphere changed completely as soon as he started singing, and he was immersed in the song, making hand gestures especially at the climax of the chorus. After that, he received guidance from Kishi Yosuke, who was in charge of the lyrics and composition, and continued to sing the song while making fine adjustments each time. Kamio carefully interpreted the advice he was given and continued to improve the quality of his singing, and by the end he looked brimming with confidence in his singing.
Kamio has received a lot of praise on social media when he has previously performed on variety shows. This is his first time singing on a drama. At the event to commemorate the release of his personal book “Kamio WHO’S?” in August 2021, he performed the song while playing the guitar, but he has been practicing this song hard in between his busy schedule for this production.
A teaser video using the main theme “Back to Back” will be released on the show’s SNS at 10pm on September 18th. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to enjoy Kamio’s singing voice ahead of the show’s broadcast.
In addition to “Back to Back,” Kamio will be performing “Wish Upon a Star” and “Proof” by flumpool, a rock band whose vocalist is Ryuta Yamamura, a musician whom Takashi admires. We hope you will look forward to the synchronization of Kamio’s charming, beautiful voice and the feelings of the main character, Takashi, in the play.
■The film’s poster visual is finally complete
Additionally, the poster visual featuring a representative scene from the film has been released for the first time. Yuuri (Kita) sits back to back leaning against Takashi (Kamio), who is smiling and gazing off into the distance while playing the guitar. Yuuri is also smiling and looking away from Takashi, holding a beer can in one hand. The position of the two is a visualization of a representative scene that appears many times in the film. The soft setting sun envelops the two, with golden hues, creating the image of them being in a “utopia.” This shows how the two awkward people gradually connect with each other as they spend time together over “alcohol” and “music,” and how they each find hope in their own lives.
The poster visual is set in a space where you can hear music in a relaxed atmosphere for just the two of you, and is accompanied by a catchphrase that incorporates the theme of the work, “What sounds are you hearing in your life right now?”, making viewers want to look back on their own lives. In the same way, the special drama “The Nearest Utopia” is warm and calm, but at the same time emotional. Please look forward to the broadcast.
■ Comment from Fuju Kamio
●After finishing the first recording
I was nervous because I was not used to it! Moreover, Yosuke Kishi, who wrote the song, was there, so I was even more nervous because he was watching me. However, everyone praised me, so I felt at ease and was able to enjoy the recording in the end!●What was difficult?
The parts where I mixed in the breath and added the edge voice were difficult. I don’t usually pay attention to it, so at first I didn’t know the right answer, but Mr. Kishi explained it to me in an easy-to-understand way, saying, “Try doing it like you’re talking to yourself, like you’re mumbling,” so even though I had a lot of thoughts overlapping, I managed to imagine the feeling of taking a breath and somehow it came together! I think I did my best!●About the poster
It’s really good!! The expression is so refreshing! My character doesn’t have such a refreshing feel, so I don’t think you’ll see this expression in the drama, and I think it’s a very precious cut. The shoot was pleasant! The location was a park facing the sea, so there was a sense of openness, and the weather was good that day, so we were able to shoot comfortably.■Comment from Yosuke Kishi (lyrics and composition)
About the thoughts behind “Back to Back”
This song is not quite love, but it is about caring for the other person, and I wanted to cherish the love of others, and I wanted to somehow create a song that is neither too much nor too little. After reading the script, I wanted to write a song that would reach the person in front of me, the person within a 1-meter radius, rather than a song that would reach a million people.●About Kamio’s singing
When I met Fuju, he told me that it was difficult, but he sang so beautifully that I thought he was better than a professional singer (laughs). I was so happy to see him doing his best as an actor in the role of a singer-songwriter! Fuju, you should sing. I’m already a fan! I’ll write the first eight songs for you (laughs).●Message to viewers
There are many scenes where people drink alcohol, so I would especially like people who like to drink at home while listening to music to listen to this song. Also, it’s a typical singer-songwriter song, so I would like people who like that kind of song to listen to it, and since I made it so that anyone can sing it, I would be grateful if you could sing it at karaoke! I think this drama teaches us that “the people we care about may be so close that we don’t even notice them,” so I would be happy if after listening to the song, it becomes an opportunity to contact family, friends, and important people and ask them, “How are you doing?”
Program Information
Fuji TV special dramaThe Nearest Utopia
09/25 (Wed) 22:00-23:34
Cast: Fuju Kamio, Kana Kita, Ryoko Kobayashi, Makoto Tanaka, Kanro Morita, Ryuta Yamamura (special appearance by flumpool), Mitsuru Fukikoshi, and others
Screenplay: Riku Kataoka
Directed by Michiko Namiki
Produced by: Ayano Kurihara
Production cooperation: Fine Entertainment
Produced and written by: Fuji Television Network
“Nearest Utopia” program website
https://www.fujitv.co.jp/moyori_no_utopia/
Kaede Kamio OFFICIAL Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/kamio_fuju/?hl=ja
