[HSJ] [Yamada Ryosuke]- X Trend Interview (2023.6.20)
I actually finished editing this and fixing the formatting on this translation only for LJ to not save it the first time lol c':
Translation of Yamada's X Trend interview under the cut. This might be one of my favourite interviews of his.
Yamada Ryosuke: Starring in “Ousama ni Sasagu Kusuriyubi”
“I want to live without being swept along.”
https://xtrend.nikkei.com/atcl/contents/18/00746/00015/?n_cid=nbpnxr_twed_cms
Of course he’s well known as a member of idol group, Hey! Say! JUMP, but he’s garnered a lot of attention an actor as well in his role in “Ousama ni Sasagu Kusuriyubi” (TBS)- That Yamada Ryosuke had his 30th birthday on May 9th, 2023. How does he maintain his motivation for his work? We also asked him about how he thinks of his future now that he’s in his 30’s.
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In May, you reached a critical turning point in your life: 30 years of age. After you joined the company, you’ve spent about 2/3 of your life in Johnny’s & Associates now. How do you maintain your motivation for work?
I don’t really know what counts as the time I joined the company. I auditioned when I was 10 years old, wasn’t really told clearly that I passed, and started working (laugh). So in my mind, I think I started working when I was 10. If we put it that way, then I’ve been in this line of work for 20 years already? That’s long.
I don’t really have a strong feeling of, “I want to do this. I want do that.” I’m not particularly good at thinking about the future, or reflecting on the past. I think maybe something astounding will happen tomorrow, or maybe it’ll happen 3 days from now. That’s the kind of person I am.
For artists who work in groups, there’s many who view the motivation of their solo work as “doing something to benefit my group.” Yamada-san, how do you think about that?
It depends on what it is. When I’m acting in a drama, I don’t think about my group. Honestly, these kinds of things are based too much on hindsight, so I don’t really know. No matter if it’s a movie or drama, if success doesn’t come out of it, then you don’t get to benefit from those efforts. If I were to say things harshly, the industry that we’re in is entirely based on results and the people who don’t produce those results quickly disappear. That’s why I put a great deal of emphasis on how to create those results. In the end, [if my work] ends up being connected to my group, then I think I’m lucky. That’s why I’m approaching this drama [I’m filming] by putting the full extent of my effort into each and every day.
Transforming; The way he approaches work
In the drama he’s putting his full effort in, “Ousama ni Sasagu Kusuriyubi”, Yamada plays the role of Nitta Togo, who has a contractual marriage with a woman he doesn’t even like; Haneda Ayaka, played by Hashimoto Kanna, in order to save his bridal company that’s on the verge of collapse. However, he gradually grows to like Ayaka, while struggling to express it; a “tsundere millionaire.” There’s comedic elements to the show, and Yamada’s acting has been well received.
As the story progresses, Togo’s “dere” (sweet) side starts to show pretty strongly.
His sweet side starts to really show around episode 4. Someone whose core is cool, but shows a different side of themselves with only certain people seems more charming, so I acted while consulting the producer and director often. Togo is the kind of character who can effortlessly say kind of cheesy lines that I would normally never say. To make an interesting drama, I’m putting in the effort to not be embarrassed [while depicting this character].
Togo sacrifices parts of himself for the company that his parents run. Do you relate to his feeling of “living up to people’s expectations”?
I’m honestly not sure in what way people expect things of me, but it’s because of those expectations that I am able to get work and have people watching me; so I try my best to not forget to be conscientious of that.
How do you make the work you want to do a reality?
I talk with management [at my company]. That’s the most efficient way (laugh).
You tell them about what you want to do on your own?
I do. I think I’m at an age where it’s okay for me to talk about those things. If I were to do that within my first year of debuting, that might be viewed as me speaking out of line, but at this point [in my career] I’ve gathered a fair amount of experience and have seen many things.
I don’t think this is an era where we should just do as management says, and I find that way of thinking old-fashioned. In my opinion, as times change, what is considered work, and the way people think about it continues to evolve. As talents who have to stand in front of the camera, I think it’s important to believe in what we see and engage with it. Telling staff about something they might not have noticed, coming to an understanding; then going, “Let’s try it,” and bringing something new to life is something I really love to do.
I want to live without just drifting along
Your 30’s are a time when you gain a lot of kouhais to watch over, and when you pay close attention to how your senpais live their lives. The company that Yamada belongs to, Johnny’s & Associates, has also had many kouhai groups appear, and senpais who have continued to work in this industry for a long time.
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I think your work has also become an example for how your kouhais should proceed with their careers. When you’re planning your work, do you think about how it will benefit your kouhais?
Not at all. I don’t live for the sake of my kouhais after all. My first priority is my fans. There’s people who enjoy seeing me, and even those who view me as a reason for living, so that’s [what’s important] for me. Of course, I’m working for the sake of my own life as well.
Conversely, there’s probably many senpais in Johnny’s & Associates whose way of life you view as a reference.
I don’t really admire anyone. Of course when I first joined the company, I did have that feeling of admiration, and even now I think it’s amazing that I can be in the same space as them, but I don’t feel a desire to imitate them. If I walk the exact same path as them it’d be boring, and I won’t be able to surpass them. In that case, the way I’m saying this is a little harsh, but making people acknowledge “Yamada Ryosuke’s way of thinking” will lead to me being able to live my life more authentically.
In order to do that, do you have to produce results each and every time as a result?
That’s true. Though I don’t get a concrete sense of that actually happening (laugh). I haven’t ever really felt satisfied. Generally when I’m watching a work that I’m in, I’m reflecting on how to improve.
You’ve been steadily getting work, and appear to be progressing in your career rather smoothly. But actually, you’ve been moving forward while reflecting on your mistakes?
Well, I am progressing rather smoothly though, right? (Laugh) The way people measure [success] varies, doesn’t it? So even if I don’t think so, I’m sure there’s those who think I’m doing very well. I’m the type of person who has the mindset of, “If you say so, then isn’t it fine?” I’m not living with the goal of being liked by 100 people. If even just 1 person takes an interest in me, then I’ll treasure that 1 person.
There’s not that many people who have that kind of [mental] strength.
Am I strong? I think I’m being cowardly, if anything. If I was a strong person with confidence, I’d work with the motivation of making all 100 people like me.
I’ll be living freely in my 30’s (laugh). I’ll do what I like without being pulled along by outside influences, and just move along at my own pace.