■“I want to convey the overflowing feeling I had when I read the script for the first time, but I feel like it would be a waste to put it into words, so I’m left feeling like, “Hmm.” (Gen Hoshino)
The new year’s special drama “Slow Train” starring Takako Matsu will be broadcast on TBS from 9pm on January 2, 2025.
This work is a new era home drama written by Akiko Nogi’s original script, starring Takako Matsu and co-starring talented actors such as Mikako Tabe, Tori Matsuzaka, Gen Hoshino, and Jung Hyuk Ju.
■Takako Matsu, Mikako Tabe, Tori Matsuzaka as siblings
Matsu, who is active in a wide range of fields as an actor, singer, and voice actor, plays the eldest daughter Yoko Shibuya. This will be his first appearance in a TBS drama in six years since the Sunday theater “No Side Game”. Like this work, the drama “Quartet”, starring Matsu and directed by Hiroyasu Doi, has been a hot topic since its broadcast, winning numerous awards including the Excellence Award in the Television Category at the 54th Galaxy Awards.
Yoko, who plays the role in this work, is a freelance editor. He is not married, and as the head of the Shibuya family, he lives in his parents’ home in Kamakura, where he lived with his parents and grandmother.
Mikako Tabe plays Yoko’s younger sister Miyako. Miyako, who has been wandering about even after she turned 30, changes jobs and places, suddenly announces that she is going to Korea, and the Shibuya family is thrown into turmoil. How will Tabe, who has been praised for his natural acting in numerous dramas and movies, shine under Nogi’s script and Doi’s direction?
The younger brother Ushio is played by Tori Matsuzaka. Ushio, who works as a track maintenance worker at Enoshima Electric Railway, is in charge of all household chores for the Shibuya family. Ushio has a lover, but there seems to be something she has not revealed to her sisters… Matsuzaka, who has been active in a variety of fields, continues to have a strong presence in this work, with works based on his own magazine serials being made into films.
In their private lives, it will be interesting to see what kind of “siblings” the youngest Matsu, younger sister Tabe, and Matsuzaka, who have an older sister and younger sister, will play.
■Gen Hoshino plays a character deeply connected to the three people. Ju Jeong Hyuk appears in a Japanese drama for the first time!
Gen Hoshino will also appear as a person who is greatly involved in the three people’s lives. Hoshino has also appeared in “It’s a shame to run away, but it’s useful”, “MIU404”, and the movies “Voice of Sin” and “The Last Mile”. Nogi, who has written charming characters for Hoshino, this time draws the popular author Ken Momeki. He is a troublesome writer who is obsessed with Yoko, his former editor, and persistently follows her around.
In addition, Joo Jeong-hyuk, who has been attracting attention for numerous Korean dramas such as “Woo Young Woo is a Genius” and “I’ll Tell You the Honestly!?,” will be appearing in a Japanese drama for the first time.
■Screenwriter Akiko Nogi and director Hiroyasu Doi, the first collaboration since the movie “Voice of Sin”
This work is an original work by Akiko Nogi, who has been in charge of many hit works such as the drama series “Unnatural” and “MIU404”, the currently airing Sunday theater “Diamond in the Sea”, and the blockbuster movie “The Last Mile”. Script.
Nogi has directed many works including the movies “A Bouquet of Love,” “I’m Going to See You,” and “Hanamizuki,” as well as the dramas “Beautiful Life ~The Days We Were Two~,” “Quartet,” and “Kounodori.” Hiroyasu Doi, in whom I have full confidence, will be in charge.
Nogi and Doi have previously worked on the drama series “Flying Public Relations Room” (original story: Hiroshi Arikawa), “It’s a shame to run away, but it’s useful” (original story: Tsunami Unno), and “Reprint! ” (original story by Naoko Matsuda) and the movie “Voice of Sin” (original story by Takeshi Shioda), and this is the first work directed by Doi based on Nogi’s original screenplay.
■A new era home drama set in Kamakura and Busan, South Korea.
Siblings Yoko Shibuya (Takako Matsu), Tsuko (Mikako Tabe), and Ushio (Tori Matsuzaka), who live in Kamakura, lose their parents and grandmother at the same time in a traffic accident. Months have passed and I am on my way home from the 23rd anniversary memorial service. Tsuko suddenly tells Yoko and Ushio, “I’m going to Korea!” This confession leads to a turning point in the journey of “life” for the three siblings.
Yoko, Tsuko, and Ushio are now faced with their own happiness instead of their previous “happiness as a trio.” The story then moves from Kamakura, Japan to Busan, South Korea.
It is a treasured new-age family drama that is thrilling, heart-pounding, and will make you smile at the end, focusing on the “family” that continues to exist universally even in changing times.
Cast comment
■Takako Matsu
Under the direction of Director Doi, whom I trust with all my heart, I spent time with Tabe-san and Matsuzaka-kun, my best sister and brother, and I was able to create a warm drama by spending time with my best sister and brother. When I was reading the book, I felt as if magic had been cast under the pressure of being told by the scriptwriter, “This is a guess,” Mr. Nogi said.
Gen Hoshino, who had the most enjoyable interactions in the scenes, and Joo Jeong-hyuk, who played a role that has a lot of meaning in this drama and faced his first Japanese experience with a positive attitude, were charming actors. “Ordinary” people appear.
I hope everyone will enjoy this story created by people who love TV dramas.
I love the title “Slow Train”.■Mikako Tabe
When I was approached, I felt like it was a reward to be able to spend my days with such a wonderful staff and cast! I remember my heart dancing.
I had so much fun every day on the exciting and exciting filming set, and on the last day I lamented, “Is it already over?!”
It was my first time playing the role of the “middle of three sisters,” but I really liked the character of Miyako, who seems to be unsteady and fluffy, and is sometimes weak, but has an unyielding will.
I can’t help but think that siblings have a perfect balance.
I hope you will enjoy watching these three people, each with their own different personalities, while having a good time on New Year’s night.■Tori Matsuzaka
I have three siblings, and I grew up between my older and younger sisters, so I felt a strange sense of comfort on the set of “Slow Train.” The days I spent with Matsu and Tabe’s older sisters and photographed them as younger brothers were both nostalgic and fun.
It was my first time working with Mr. Hoshino since Taiga, and I was really happy to be able to act in this way.
Being able to collaborate with Joo Jeong-hyuk across borders was a great asset.
Director Doi is someone I have a close relationship with, having worked with him on several films. When we first worked together on “Kirin no Tsubasa,” there was a play where I, who was inexperienced, faced Hiroshi Abe. The director sent me an email the day before filming, telling me, “Don’t think, just feel.” It is still used as an indicator.
Nogi’s script is easy to read, and the words come straight to you. This is a book that depicts daily life in such realistic detail that I can only relate to it.
This is a gentle and warm work that depicts family love, sister-brother love, romance, and various relationships.
At the beginning of 2025, I hope that you will be able to start the year with a warm feeling along with “Slow Train”.■Gen Hoshino
I keep writing and deleting comments. I want to talk about how great the story is, and I want to convey the overflowing feeling I had when I read the script for the first time, but I feel like it would be a waste to put it into words, so I’m left feeling like, “Hmm.” Although the filming period was short, I am happy to be able to participate in this project. I’m looking forward to the broadcast.■Chu Jeong Hyuk
Japanese translation: Hello, I’m Joo Jeong-hyuk, who plays the role of Yoon-soo. I had been practicing Japanese for a few months before filming “Slow Train,” and it was a new challenge for me, so I was excited but also anxious. So, I was a lot nervous when filming for the first time on set, but the director, staff, and actors were very kind to me, and I think I was able to really enjoy filming with ease. Thank you very much. And I want to meet everyone. Also, there was an interpreter on set, so we were able to communicate very easily, and I remember having my co-stars check to see if my Japanese was okay every time a cut was made. I hope I was able to express it well.
This was my first time performing in Japanese. Although my Japanese ability is still a long way off, I would be happy if people would watch it with warm eyes and love “Slow Train”!Staff comments
■Screenplay: Akiko Nogi
Director Hiroyasu Doi has given me important advice and lessons throughout my life as a screenwriter. Towards the end of 2022, I received a call saying, “I want to make a special drama before I retire,” and I said, “I’d be happy if it would be part of Doi-san’s graduation!” This project began. During Sinahan, I visited Busan, which was a rare and enjoyable writing experience. The broadcast will take place on the second day of the New Year, when the feeling of loneliness at the end of the year turns into a new year. Sit comfortably in front of the TV with your family, with anyone, or alone.■Direction: Hiroyasu Doi
A “home drama” about people living today has been created.
That winter time, when I was able to face Mr. Matsu and other actors I respect and admire Mr. Nogi’s script that captures the times with a gentle gaze, it was a happy time that makes me smile a little every time I think about it. .
Where will the lives (slow train) of the three Shibuya sisters living in Kamakura go?
Please look forward to the new year of 2025.■Producer Sakura Komaki
A wonderful cast and staff who truly love TV dramas have come together across borders to create a magical home drama. I hope you will enjoy watching it during the New Year. Please take a look!
(C)TBS
Program information
TBS“New Year Special Drama ‘Slow Train'”
2025 01/02 (Thu) 21:00~
Cast: Takako Matsu, Mikako Tabe, Tori Matsuzaka, Gen Hoshino, Joo Jeong-hyuk
Production work: TBS
Screenplay: Akiko Nogi
Producer: Sakura Komaki
Supervising producer: Jun Nasuda
Cooperating producers: Han Cheol, Masuda Chia
Directed by: Hiroyasu Doi
Program site
http://www.tbs.co.jp/slowtrain/
