Cut 2008.08 (Ohno)
Translation of Cut 2008.08 feat. Ohno! Yes, the one with the gorgeous shoot ♥ *points below* This was a request from a friend as she mentioned that this interview hasn't been translated yet. But that was like a LONG time ago (I'm sorry I delayed this translation for so long ;__;), so I don't know if it has been translated since then^^; But I went ahead with it since I promised I would do it :p And my "daughter" also said she wants to read this anyway XDD Lol. It's a pretty long interview btw^^
Scans credit to Supia :)
☆ Words in grey: my side-notes/comments. Please do not repost my translations & credit if using. Thank you :)
Erm, before you go on reading, let me say this... This interview was quite difficult to understand at times, so pardon me if some parts of my translation sounds strange^^;;; I tried my best to translate, but this one is probably not as accurate as my usual translations :p
Though I have complicated feelings that I’m getting so much attention, but I’ll just continue to do my best.
The reporter's comment on Ohno:
I cannot forget the impact that was left on me when I first watched his stage play. His movements were so agile, as if he was in a weightless environment; his elocution was controlled & well-paced; and his facial expressions conveyed his feelings & emotions to the audience very well…… It was so different from the usual relaxed/calming aura that he gives off, so I was shocked by the gap in his character. I was fascinated & charmed by his amazing acting skills & physical faculties. I think people who have seen him act, sing & dance or have come across his paintings & figures, something which he does as a hobby, would understand this - Ohno Satoshi is not only good at everything he does, he is capable of charming us with everything he does, a born performer.
This February, he held his first art exhibition entitled “FREESTYLE” & it was a great success. And now, he is filming his first lead drama, Maou…… Up till now, people weren’t really aware about his talents, but now, this veil is gradually being lifted. On top of that, all the people who have come into contact with him are surprised by his character - His persistence in seeking his own style & doing things in his own way; how he is not trapped by prejudice; and his neutrality whereby he never excludes anyone. He is in such a competitive industry, yet he only sees himself as a rival. This disposition of his is pretty original.
In the drama “Maou”, Ohno plays the role of a lawyer named Naruse Ryo, a vengeful devil who wants to avenge his brother’s death. Maou is the remake of a Korean drama. It’s a drama riddled with mysteries & suspense and it illustrates the conflicting emotions experienced by humans. Everything in the drama foreshadows what is going to happen in the end, allowing the viewers to have a cathartic* experience. So in this sense, it is quite an ambitious piece of work. This interview was conducted before the filming of the drama was finished, so there are many parts where he still seemed to be groping for his way. But we get to hear him talk about his thoughts, what goes through his head & how he felt when he was acting as Ryo.
*Catharsis: The term in drama refers to a sudden emotional climax that evokes overwhelming feelings of great sorrow, pity, laughter or any other extreme change in emotion, resulting in restoration, renewal and revitalization in members of the audience.
My impression of Ryo is that he is a guy behind a mask.
Ohno-san, I kind of have the impression that you don’t really watch dramas.
Yeah, I don’t watch anything. I rarely watch TV [laughs]. And yet, I play the lead role in a drama. That’s…… problematic eh? [laughs]
[laughs] But your performance in stage plays is amazing, so we’re all looking forward to your drama.
It’s really tough. The scenes are not filmed in sequence, they’re done in a random order & we have to race against time too, so you really need to focus on the set. You have to pay attention of the camera’s position & you have to take note of the flow of the story, I’m getting confused [laughs]. In stage plays, I can get into my role & express my feelings/emotions naturally. But now, to be honest, how I should I put it… I am not satisfied with my acting.
It’s frustrating when you’re not completely satisfied with your performance right.
That’s right [laughs]. I do try my best & put in all my effort in doing it…… but I still think it’s difficult.
You play the role of Naruse Ryo. What kind of impression did you have of this character when you first read the script?
A person who wants to takes revenge because of the death of his brother…… In a sense, he is sick. Coming up with schemes to make his targets suffer & doing this kind of thing in the red room [does the pose of using a knife to mark a cross on the photographs], isn’t he sick? [laughs] But it’s not entirely his own fault that he became like that. An incident changed him & he has been living behind a mask since then. That was my impression of Ryo. So even though he wants to take revenge, he cannot show it on his face. Then how am I supposed to convey how he feels? [laughs] So though I think that his facial expressions should be mainly emotionless, but I’ll follow the script when I act. And my speech, though it’s not till the point that it’s monotonous, but I try not to modulate my voice so much & speak in a indifferent manner [laughs].
It seems difficult to find a good balance to achieve that.
Yeah, because usually, if you see the guy you want to take revenge on, you would be glaring at him or something. But in Ryo’s case, he stays calm & keeps his composure. So I cannot put in too much emotions & that is difficult. So I recreate the mood in my mind before the filming starts & when they say “Action!”, I’ll go into a dazed condition [laughs]. Because if I don’t it in an indifferent manner, I’ll have too much expression on my face.
So you get into the mood till the point right before the filming, then you do the emotionless expression, so there is just a slight hint of the emotions that you were feeling before.
Yeah, something like that. But I think it’s more than just hate, it’s past that point already. Because he smiles when he sees the guy he hates, like I’m going to make you suffer even more from now on.
For the scenes where you have to act with your eyes, how do you approach them?
I just do it in my own way [laughs]. I don’t look at the other characters…… How should I put it, I don’t look at them in the normal way, it’s like there is a thin film in between. Because Ryo wears a mask, he is behind that mask.
Recently, actors put themselves in their characters’ shoes, imagine how their characters’ past are like & they’ll make notes on their scripts. Do you write notes about Ryo’s past as well?
Nope, I don’t. Because Ryo is a character who controls everything, so I need to know everything. The script itself, what Ryo did in the past & how he thinks, everything has to be in my head.
Is there any part of Ryo that you can identify with?
Hmm~ I can’t say for sure, but if I to be were in his position, maybe I would become like that too. The moment I lose someone important to me, the trigger (to take revenge) might be pulled. Though it’s something you won’t really know until it really happens to you, but I definitely do not want to become like that [laughs].
[laughs] So for the role this time, instead of trying get into your role by identifying with him, you recreate everything from zero.
Yeah, through imagination. This is a flawless plan, so if I do this, this will happen & things will turn out the way as I expected. And when things go exactly as planned, Ryo knows exactly how his targets would respond & when they really do react that way, he feels… how should I put it, should I say happy? I don’t understand that feeling [laughs].
How did you feel when you first read the script?
This has become really complicated. I couldn’t just simply say “This is an interesting story!”
What was complicated about it?
Because of one incident, he hurts all the people that are related to it…… And in the process, good people turn evil/bad. I think that’s really scary.
You feel like “What? I have to do this in the drama?”
Yeah [laughs]. Hahahaha. That’s why it’s complicated. But Ryo is not totally evil either. Though his scheme proceeds as planned, but as he comes into contact with people, the good & fragile side of him comes out. And if this drama can, well... I won’t say teach a lesson, but if it can convey something about the meaning to live, that would be good.
How was it like having to deal with such a role?
Ah, you know, to say the truth, I don’t know what I’m doing [laughs]. During concerts and variety shows, that is on the days when I don’t have drama filming, I leave the role of Ryo right. Then though I want to hang out & go drinking with my friends, but I make it a point to go home right after work & hide myself in my room.
Are you waiting for Ryo to ‘come back’?
Not so much of that…… More like I think I should be alone [laughs]. It’s not really about getting into the role, but I think it’s better to do that.
I think everything that happens in life has a meaning.
Talking about Ohno-san’s solo activities, the exhibition you held this year got a lot of attention.
Ah~ I just wanted to show the fans what I’ve been doing, but in the end, it turned out to be such a big event [laughs]. But I’m grateful that more people got to see my artwork. And if they felt something from it, then I’m really happy. I’m glad I did the exhibition.
People’s attention has suddenly all gathered on Ohno-san. How do you feel about it?
Well, the feeling is complicated but I’ll just keep doing the best I can. So in a sense, I’m not really conscious about it. Like for this drama, though everyone set high expectations [laughs], but I don’t feel much pressure.
The television is a valuable form of media as a majority of the people use it & hence, it has a wide reach. So isn’t it good/meaningful that Ohno-san is appearing in a drama now?
Hmm~ From the point I was told that I would be doing a drama & I’m in the process of filming it now, there is no way that all these would be meaningless because I think everything that happens in life has a meaning. And well, since I’m already doing it, I want this to be something memorable.
What do you want the audience to get from this drama?
What it means to live on… no, maybe not that, but it would be good if it has a positive effect. Though it’s quite a complicated story, but if it makes you re-think about how fragile & scary human beings can be, I’ll be glad. And also, if you watch the drama & learn that you shouldn’t take revenge, that would be good [laughs].
The five of us are really ordinary. And I think that’s good.
Drama, concerts & all the Arashi’s jobs, you are in a situation where you have to put in 120% of your efforts, how is it that you can so single-mindedly focus on your job, on being an idol?
……….Eh…… Well…… I can’t tell you [laughs].
[laughs] It’s a secret?
Well, I do think about various things everyday. What should I do from now on, what does the situation that I’m experiencing now means & etc. I think about various things.
Now, everyone is saying this is Arashi’s moment because you guys are getting so popular. How do you feel about this?
I wonder what do they mean by it’s our moment? I don’t get it [laughs]. We’re just doing what we’ve been doing all these while.
[laughs] The world has notice how awesome Arashi is.
And it seems like there are 5 people who haven’t [laughs]. We all think it’s unbelievable, because we’re just been doing what we’ve been doing all these while [laughs]. But well…… Though I don’t get what people mean when they say it’s our moment, but I guess…… they don’t just see us as idols, they see us as 5 different individuals. The five of us are really ordinary & I think that’s good. I guess that’s why our fans follow us.
What does Arashi mean to Ohno-san?
Something like “Thank you” [laughs]. Becoming Arashi is definitely something big in my life. And I am who I am today because the five of us have worked really hard & we have come a long way. So Arashi is really like…… my treasure.
What is the most important task to you now?
Do whatever that is assigned to me. The drama as well as all the other Arashi’s jobs, I’ll do my best in all of them & clear them one by one. And it’ll be good if I can do something big, something that will be remembered by the people.
This interview is really insightful eh? We rarely get to hear him talk about things so seriously^^ It's interesting to hear how he goes about acting as Naruse Ryo~ And I admire how how he believes that everything that happens in life has a meaning. "Whatever it is that I am experiencing now will definitely have some meaning in my life." -> This is a quote from him in another magazine. I think it's really meaningful & I once had it on my sidebar for quite a while :)
Oh, one more thing. I just posted subbed Maou DVD extras (the Maou fun meeting with unseen footage) in [info]tsuribaka ! *in Maou mood now* xD So go over to get it now! :D Watching Maou again after reading this interview is just... ♥!
Scans credit to Supia :)
☆ Words in grey: my side-notes/comments. Please do not repost my translations & credit if using. Thank you :)
Erm, before you go on reading, let me say this... This interview was quite difficult to understand at times, so pardon me if some parts of my translation sounds strange^^;;; I tried my best to translate, but this one is probably not as accurate as my usual translations :p
Though I have complicated feelings that I’m getting so much attention, but I’ll just continue to do my best.
The reporter's comment on Ohno:
I cannot forget the impact that was left on me when I first watched his stage play. His movements were so agile, as if he was in a weightless environment; his elocution was controlled & well-paced; and his facial expressions conveyed his feelings & emotions to the audience very well…… It was so different from the usual relaxed/calming aura that he gives off, so I was shocked by the gap in his character. I was fascinated & charmed by his amazing acting skills & physical faculties. I think people who have seen him act, sing & dance or have come across his paintings & figures, something which he does as a hobby, would understand this - Ohno Satoshi is not only good at everything he does, he is capable of charming us with everything he does, a born performer.
This February, he held his first art exhibition entitled “FREESTYLE” & it was a great success. And now, he is filming his first lead drama, Maou…… Up till now, people weren’t really aware about his talents, but now, this veil is gradually being lifted. On top of that, all the people who have come into contact with him are surprised by his character - His persistence in seeking his own style & doing things in his own way; how he is not trapped by prejudice; and his neutrality whereby he never excludes anyone. He is in such a competitive industry, yet he only sees himself as a rival. This disposition of his is pretty original.
In the drama “Maou”, Ohno plays the role of a lawyer named Naruse Ryo, a vengeful devil who wants to avenge his brother’s death. Maou is the remake of a Korean drama. It’s a drama riddled with mysteries & suspense and it illustrates the conflicting emotions experienced by humans. Everything in the drama foreshadows what is going to happen in the end, allowing the viewers to have a cathartic* experience. So in this sense, it is quite an ambitious piece of work. This interview was conducted before the filming of the drama was finished, so there are many parts where he still seemed to be groping for his way. But we get to hear him talk about his thoughts, what goes through his head & how he felt when he was acting as Ryo.
*Catharsis: The term in drama refers to a sudden emotional climax that evokes overwhelming feelings of great sorrow, pity, laughter or any other extreme change in emotion, resulting in restoration, renewal and revitalization in members of the audience.
My impression of Ryo is that he is a guy behind a mask.
Ohno-san, I kind of have the impression that you don’t really watch dramas.
Yeah, I don’t watch anything. I rarely watch TV [laughs]. And yet, I play the lead role in a drama. That’s…… problematic eh? [laughs]
[laughs] But your performance in stage plays is amazing, so we’re all looking forward to your drama.
It’s really tough. The scenes are not filmed in sequence, they’re done in a random order & we have to race against time too, so you really need to focus on the set. You have to pay attention of the camera’s position & you have to take note of the flow of the story, I’m getting confused [laughs]. In stage plays, I can get into my role & express my feelings/emotions naturally. But now, to be honest, how I should I put it… I am not satisfied with my acting.
It’s frustrating when you’re not completely satisfied with your performance right.
That’s right [laughs]. I do try my best & put in all my effort in doing it…… but I still think it’s difficult.
You play the role of Naruse Ryo. What kind of impression did you have of this character when you first read the script?
A person who wants to takes revenge because of the death of his brother…… In a sense, he is sick. Coming up with schemes to make his targets suffer & doing this kind of thing in the red room [does the pose of using a knife to mark a cross on the photographs], isn’t he sick? [laughs] But it’s not entirely his own fault that he became like that. An incident changed him & he has been living behind a mask since then. That was my impression of Ryo. So even though he wants to take revenge, he cannot show it on his face. Then how am I supposed to convey how he feels? [laughs] So though I think that his facial expressions should be mainly emotionless, but I’ll follow the script when I act. And my speech, though it’s not till the point that it’s monotonous, but I try not to modulate my voice so much & speak in a indifferent manner [laughs].
It seems difficult to find a good balance to achieve that.
Yeah, because usually, if you see the guy you want to take revenge on, you would be glaring at him or something. But in Ryo’s case, he stays calm & keeps his composure. So I cannot put in too much emotions & that is difficult. So I recreate the mood in my mind before the filming starts & when they say “Action!”, I’ll go into a dazed condition [laughs]. Because if I don’t it in an indifferent manner, I’ll have too much expression on my face.
So you get into the mood till the point right before the filming, then you do the emotionless expression, so there is just a slight hint of the emotions that you were feeling before.
Yeah, something like that. But I think it’s more than just hate, it’s past that point already. Because he smiles when he sees the guy he hates, like I’m going to make you suffer even more from now on.
For the scenes where you have to act with your eyes, how do you approach them?
I just do it in my own way [laughs]. I don’t look at the other characters…… How should I put it, I don’t look at them in the normal way, it’s like there is a thin film in between. Because Ryo wears a mask, he is behind that mask.
Recently, actors put themselves in their characters’ shoes, imagine how their characters’ past are like & they’ll make notes on their scripts. Do you write notes about Ryo’s past as well?
Nope, I don’t. Because Ryo is a character who controls everything, so I need to know everything. The script itself, what Ryo did in the past & how he thinks, everything has to be in my head.
Is there any part of Ryo that you can identify with?
Hmm~ I can’t say for sure, but if I to be were in his position, maybe I would become like that too. The moment I lose someone important to me, the trigger (to take revenge) might be pulled. Though it’s something you won’t really know until it really happens to you, but I definitely do not want to become like that [laughs].
[laughs] So for the role this time, instead of trying get into your role by identifying with him, you recreate everything from zero.
Yeah, through imagination. This is a flawless plan, so if I do this, this will happen & things will turn out the way as I expected. And when things go exactly as planned, Ryo knows exactly how his targets would respond & when they really do react that way, he feels… how should I put it, should I say happy? I don’t understand that feeling [laughs].
How did you feel when you first read the script?
This has become really complicated. I couldn’t just simply say “This is an interesting story!”
What was complicated about it?
Because of one incident, he hurts all the people that are related to it…… And in the process, good people turn evil/bad. I think that’s really scary.
You feel like “What? I have to do this in the drama?”
Yeah [laughs]. Hahahaha. That’s why it’s complicated. But Ryo is not totally evil either. Though his scheme proceeds as planned, but as he comes into contact with people, the good & fragile side of him comes out. And if this drama can, well... I won’t say teach a lesson, but if it can convey something about the meaning to live, that would be good.
How was it like having to deal with such a role?
Ah, you know, to say the truth, I don’t know what I’m doing [laughs]. During concerts and variety shows, that is on the days when I don’t have drama filming, I leave the role of Ryo right. Then though I want to hang out & go drinking with my friends, but I make it a point to go home right after work & hide myself in my room.
Are you waiting for Ryo to ‘come back’?
Not so much of that…… More like I think I should be alone [laughs]. It’s not really about getting into the role, but I think it’s better to do that.
I think everything that happens in life has a meaning.
Talking about Ohno-san’s solo activities, the exhibition you held this year got a lot of attention.
Ah~ I just wanted to show the fans what I’ve been doing, but in the end, it turned out to be such a big event [laughs]. But I’m grateful that more people got to see my artwork. And if they felt something from it, then I’m really happy. I’m glad I did the exhibition.
People’s attention has suddenly all gathered on Ohno-san. How do you feel about it?
Well, the feeling is complicated but I’ll just keep doing the best I can. So in a sense, I’m not really conscious about it. Like for this drama, though everyone set high expectations [laughs], but I don’t feel much pressure.
The television is a valuable form of media as a majority of the people use it & hence, it has a wide reach. So isn’t it good/meaningful that Ohno-san is appearing in a drama now?
Hmm~ From the point I was told that I would be doing a drama & I’m in the process of filming it now, there is no way that all these would be meaningless because I think everything that happens in life has a meaning. And well, since I’m already doing it, I want this to be something memorable.
What do you want the audience to get from this drama?
What it means to live on… no, maybe not that, but it would be good if it has a positive effect. Though it’s quite a complicated story, but if it makes you re-think about how fragile & scary human beings can be, I’ll be glad. And also, if you watch the drama & learn that you shouldn’t take revenge, that would be good [laughs].
The five of us are really ordinary. And I think that’s good.
Drama, concerts & all the Arashi’s jobs, you are in a situation where you have to put in 120% of your efforts, how is it that you can so single-mindedly focus on your job, on being an idol?
……….Eh…… Well…… I can’t tell you [laughs].
[laughs] It’s a secret?
Well, I do think about various things everyday. What should I do from now on, what does the situation that I’m experiencing now means & etc. I think about various things.
Now, everyone is saying this is Arashi’s moment because you guys are getting so popular. How do you feel about this?
I wonder what do they mean by it’s our moment? I don’t get it [laughs]. We’re just doing what we’ve been doing all these while.
[laughs] The world has notice how awesome Arashi is.
And it seems like there are 5 people who haven’t [laughs]. We all think it’s unbelievable, because we’re just been doing what we’ve been doing all these while [laughs]. But well…… Though I don’t get what people mean when they say it’s our moment, but I guess…… they don’t just see us as idols, they see us as 5 different individuals. The five of us are really ordinary & I think that’s good. I guess that’s why our fans follow us.
What does Arashi mean to Ohno-san?
Something like “Thank you” [laughs]. Becoming Arashi is definitely something big in my life. And I am who I am today because the five of us have worked really hard & we have come a long way. So Arashi is really like…… my treasure.
What is the most important task to you now?
Do whatever that is assigned to me. The drama as well as all the other Arashi’s jobs, I’ll do my best in all of them & clear them one by one. And it’ll be good if I can do something big, something that will be remembered by the people.
This interview is really insightful eh? We rarely get to hear him talk about things so seriously^^ It's interesting to hear how he goes about acting as Naruse Ryo~ And I admire how how he believes that everything that happens in life has a meaning. "Whatever it is that I am experiencing now will definitely have some meaning in my life." -> This is a quote from him in another magazine. I think it's really meaningful & I once had it on my sidebar for quite a while :)
Oh, one more thing. I just posted subbed Maou DVD extras (the Maou fun meeting with unseen footage) in [info]tsuribaka ! *in Maou mood now* xD So go over to get it now! :D Watching Maou again after reading this interview is just... ♥!