♥ KOJI x SHINGO Tanabata Cross Talk ♥
TV Navi Smile Vol. 17 / 2015
(released July 7th)
YAMAMOTO KOJI NO CHOTTO KYUUKEI SHIMASEN KA!
(Yamamoto Koji's Let's Take a Short Break!)
Special Last Talk
YAMAMOTO KOJI X KATORI SHINGO
Koji: This cross talk corner has been serialized for 11 years, y'know. And this is the 100th issue.
Shingo: Heee.... it ends after the 100th issue? Why is it ending? Have you lost your popularity?
Koji: Shut up! (laugh) Anyway, I made a request to have Katori-kun as the last guest.
Shingo: Thank you. It's an honor.
Koji: We meet a lot lately, huh. From last year's Ocean's 11 to OjaMAP, the movie "Galaxy Turnpike"...
Shingo: I feel that "Ocean's 11" was the most special one. Because we were with Arisa and we all of the same age, I was thinking, "So such a miracle can really happen." Next, OjaMAP huh, we work together again too fast, this time...
Koji: I'm a member of OjaMAP Family, y'know.
Shingo: Yeah, I'm happy about it, but at the same time... Anyway, Galaxy Turnpike is Mitani-san's movie, it's been a long time since he asked me to join his movie.
Koji: After "Shinsengumi!" was over, the next time we meet at work was "MONSTERS" drama huh. And "SmaSTATION" actually... but I guess "Ocean's 11" was the one where we really work together again as a team. We played a pair of roles again 10 years after "Shinsengumi!"... I was thinking "We finally get to work together again"... but I didn't expect we get to meet so frequently again right after that. After "Ocean's 11" was over, you said "I had enough of theatrical plays" but then you had "BURST" right after that.
Shingo: Yeah, true. (laugh)
Koji: I went to see it twice, y'know.
Shingo: You did.
Koji: An acquaintance was angry to me saying "Yamamoto-san, I heard you went to see BURST twice, I couldn't even get a single ticket, yknow."
Shingo: (laugh)
Koji: How was "BURST"?
Shingo: It was fun.
Koji: A two-man play with Kusanagi-kun. It was great. You must've not star a genuine stage play like that for a long time, right?
Shingo: Yeah, stage play is almost, like, the first time for me. I had once a stage play in PARCO before, I think it was 21 years ago.
Koji: 21 years ago? How old were you? 17?
Shingo: Yeah. After that, the theatrical plays I did were only "Ocean's 11" and Mitani-san's TALK LIKE SINGING. Those are all.
Koji: Do you like stage plays? I know it's not a question I should ask now, but what do you like the most? You have concerts too... but I think stage play suits you, no?
Shingo: No, it doesn't feel that way to me... I have almost zero sense on that...
Koji: Oh, really? I had a play too, "Arashigaoka" when you did BURST, I went to see yours right before my play started, and then I went again right after my play was over, cause yours was still playing. It was totally different than the first time I saw, I was surprised. I felt like watching a different play. I thought "Amazing,"
Shingo: I enjoyed it. I don't hate it.
Koji: But there's nothing you hate, right?
Shingo: Yeah, nothing.
Koji: You can do everything. You do hosting too. What else you haven't done yet?
Shingo: Tell me about it. (laugh)
Koji: We've met in Shinsengumi when we were 26, y'know.
Shingo: I never thought of it, that's really something.
Koji: It's been 12 years since then.
Shingo: Wow.
Koji: I've been working hard too, y'know. (laugh)
Shingo: Yamamoto-san, what do you wanna do now?
Koji: My goal? I guess, I want to get married.
Shingo: Get married? (laugh) No, no, not that, I mean about your work!
Koji: Work?
Shingo: Get married... this is not gokon (singles dinner party)! "What do you wanna do from now on?" "I want to get married" that sounds like you're desperate. Anyway, your work.
Koji: I'm basically all about stage play. (Watanabe) Ken-san does stage play too in the US, I want to have a play there too.
Shingo: Ah, that's great. Ken-san was nominated for Tony award, right?
Koji: Ken-san have made a great example.
Shingo: Is that award the world's most prestigious award for stage play people?
Koji: Yeah. It's something amazing. By the way, when we're in this business for a long time, don't you think it's strange how we meet the same people over and over? I feel like I meet Katori-kun the most, at work. How can that happen? Ah, don't tell me... you asked the staff to call me? Like "I want Yamamoto Koji."
Shingo: Yeah, you're my "connection."
Koji: I get jobs because I have connection with you?
Shingo: I told them "Hey, give the job to him." (laugh)
Koji: With a single word from the boss, huh.
Shingo: No, no, no, that's a joke. (laugh) I have no idea! Suddenly everyone was like "Should we call Yamamoto-san?" and I told them "No, don't call him!"
Koji: Wow. Then, it's really something, that we get to work together this much. Well, we are the same age and always friends in private, but to think that we get to keep having works together like this... made me think, our encounter in "Shinsengumi!" was really destined to happen.
Shingo: ... anyway, back to topic. As a stage actor, don't you ever want to establish a theater troupe?
Koji: Nah, don't think so. When I produce a play, I use the name "TEAM YAMAMOTO", but it just means me and the musicians. We choose the cast through auditions.
Shingo: Hee...
Koji: You wanna join?
Shingo: I definitely won't. (laugh)
Koji: It's okay, you can have the leading role.
Shingo: I won't join.
Koji: I'm fine with role #2... anyway, back to topic, do you like your job?
Shingo: I like it. (laugh)
Koji: You're really busy lately. You were so busy too, when you were shooting "Shinsengumi!" Sometimes your eyes would look like marbles.
Shingo: Yeah, true. Taiga drama films for 1 year, so it was really hard. I totally didn't realize that. When Mitani-san talked to me about taiga, I told him "I want to keep doing my regular jobs the same as always." I said that because I did feel that things gonna be hard if I take the job.
Koji: You had 7 regular shows that time huh?
Shingo: Yeah, and I asked recklessly "If you let me do things in my pace and my style..." well, of course they'd say "Of course, of course! You may do things as always!" then I said "Okay, I'll work hard for it" and apparently, mayhem was what waiting for me.
Koji: There were 2-3 days that you didn't get proper sleep, huh.
Shingo: Yeah.
Koji: Once you heard "OK, cut!" you'd immediately go "zzzzz"
Shingo: Yeahhh... (laugh) I don't do that anymore now, but that time there were times I went from NHK (midnight filming) straight to Studio ALTA (morning filming).
Koji: I went to ALTA and sneaked into your dressing room. (laugh)
Shingo: You did that a lot! (laugh) We used to have drinks with everyone after filming Shinsengumi till morning, then I went to ALTA. When I thought "OK! Iitomo's over!" and I went into my dressing room, suddenly I found you in my room still drinking, and you went "Hey!"
Koji: We were really crazy! We were suppose to stand by for filming at 8 o'clock in the morning, and yet we were drinking till 6 o'clock dawn, we went home, take shower, and went back filming again. We often met the asadora (morning drama) cast huh.
Shingo: Yeah!
Koji: We were badasses, back then. (laugh)
Shingo: Just like the real Shinsengumi. (laugh)
Koji: 2004 huh... next year taiga will be Mitani-san again and Sakai-san is the lead.
Shingo: I meet Sakai-san only once a year in our year-end gatherings. I'm really happy I get to meet them again in year-ends.
Koji: Oh, right! The place where we usually have our year-end party is closing down this year. What should we do?
Shingo: We always have it there, in the same place. What do we do now?
Koji: You should build your own restaurant.
Shingo: What? (laugh)
Koji: How about your home?
Shingo: Let's have it at my home this year, then.
Koji: That'll be great!
Shingo: No, no, not great at all!
Koji: There's gonna be another year-end gathering this year, don't worry.
Shingo: Of course.
Koji: Do you get days off recently?
Shingo: Sure.
Koji: Right, you're releasing a book right?
Shingo: Yeah I'm releasing a book! (SHINGO DICTIONARY released July 30)
Koji: I read it a bit, it's really interesting. I read it on the train home from OjaMAP filming.
Shingo: The Shinkansen home from Kanazawa. When I spread the manuscript, you came sit next to me.
Koji: I heard you asking me to come next to you.
Shingo: I didn't tell you to come at all. When we were departing in the morning, you also asked "Should I sit next to you?" You really don't have to sit next to me. (laugh)
Koji: There are many ways to read that book, huh. You're so busy and yet you write quite a lot. You write everyday?
Shingo: There are times when I write everyday, there are times when I write a few entries in one day.
Koji: Few times? There are pictures, too. Why don't you promote it here? Everyone, it's a very interesting book!
Shingo: When I showed it to you a bit, you kept saying "This is good, it's good!" you seem to like it a lot. I just wrote about myself though. I always uploaded monochrome pics, but they were all actually taken with colors, and so for this book, I'll provide the color version of the pictures.
Koji: Just like the pictures taken in the Edo period, they were all black and white, but the western people colored them, huh. And it became so real, huh? So you planned it that way. You must've thought it all out. You're smart.
Shingo: I'm working on it in between works.
Koji: You direct concerts too...
Shingo: Yeah, I do everything. I don't do it all alone though.
Koji: Back to topic. (laugh) What do you wanna do now? Something you wanna make? Probably something like art? You draw paintings and you write books.
Shingo: It's fun.
Koji: You've showed me your paintings too before, I didn't expect you'd draw things so seriously like that, so I was surprised. How many have you drawn?
Shingo: I drew so many that I don't know anymore just how many of them I have.
Koji: When do you draw them? You have works too, or do you unexpectedly have many free time?
Shingo: Hahaha, actually I do have many free time.
Koji: So you have many free time. (laugh)
Shingo: I have two paintings that I'm not done yet, in my home.
Koji: Always?
Shingo: Yes. I draw two different ones at the same time. Like, when I wake up in the morning, suddenly I notice something's missing from the other painting, so I start drawing that other one.
Koji: Hee...
Shingo: I'd throw 1mx1m canvas on my bed, and draw things while watching TV and stuff.
Koji: When did you start drawing like that?
Shingo: I start drawing on canvas just in the last couple of years.
Koji: Really. And you've drawn so many of 'em?
Shingo: I was surprised of how expensive canvas is. (laugh) 1mx1m canvas costs 10,000 yen, y'know. If I buy 10 of 'em, it'll cost 100,000 yen. If I want to draw 100 of em, then I have to pay 1 million yen.
Koji: Yeah, of course. (laugh)
Shingo: It's a totally different matter than drawing on 10 pages notebook!
Koji: Of course. You told me you just went to the art supply store the other day.
Shingo: Yeah, I go there often.
Koji: I go to art store sometimes, too. Ah, time's up? Hey... why don't you cancel all your work schedule after this? (laugh) Oh well... really, thanks for the 11 years.
Shingo: Right, this is the last one!
Koji: And it's not because I've lost my popularity okay? (laugh)
Shingo: Really? I'm worried about that... (laugh)
Koji: I want you to give your closing words, Kyokuchou.
Shingo: How was this serialized corner?
Koji: There were many people I couldn't meet if it isn't because of this corner, that was the interesting part. There's also a jinx when I meet someone for the first time in this corner and then I get to work together with them in the next drama.
Shingo: Heee....
Koji: Like EnKen-san (Endo Kenichi), Amami Yuki-san, I get to talk with so many people.
Shingo: I'd like to read all those 100 issues.
Koji: Thank you to everyone who has been reading it for 11 years. And I'm sure this time is the most long-waited cross talk for some people, including me. Kyokucho, Katori Shingo came and let me sit on the chair (during photoshoot), and Katori-kun had to stand behind the chair. I can't believe it... Well, I guess I AM the leading role here. (laugh)
Shingo: Of course.
Koji: Sorry about that. Thank you so much. Anything else you wanna say? Anything you wanna promote?
S hingo: Next issue, 'Katori Shingo no Chotto Kyuukei shimasen ka!' will start! Please look forward to it!
Koji: This is not the end, but the beginning of something huh. (laugh) It began with Katori Shingo and ended with Katori Shingo. That was a long talk.
Shingo: *looking at the list* Hey, Yuka-chan was the first guest. Yuka-chan!
Koji: You're right! (laugh) Okay then, see you again!
~*END*~
July 7th was Tanabata day or Star Festival in English, many Japanese write their wishes and hang them on the tree believing their wishes will come true on this day. ShinKoji wrote their wishes.
Koji wrote "May I be able to have a meal out with Katori-kun soon"
Shingo wrote "May there be another (Shinsengumi) year-end gathering again this year"
Aww... Both wishes so cute^^
Shingo: Heee.... it ends after the 100th issue? Why is it ending? Have you lost your popularity?
Koji: Shut up! (laugh) Anyway, I made a request to have Katori-kun as the last guest.
Mhahahaha... Kyokucho-Fukucho saikou! I love Shingo teasing Koji like that.
Shingo: I feel that "Ocean's 11" was the most special one. Because we were with Arisa and we all of the same age, I was thinking, "So such a miracle can really happen."
Hieeeeeee~~!! "Most special one, because we were with Arisaaaaaa," he said T_T
Koji: I'm a member of OjaMAP Family, y'know.
Shingo: Yeah, I'm happy about it, but at the same time...
Haha Shingo is feeling complicated about this. I understand... if possible, I don't wanna work together with my bestfriend/close friend, too... I prefer just hang out with them
Koji: My goal? I guess, I want to get married.
Shingo: Get married? (laugh) No, no, not that, I mean about your work!
Koji: Work?
Shingo: Get married... this is not gokon (singles dinner party)! "What do you wanna do from now on?" "I want to get married" that sounds like you're desperate. Anyway, your work.
Mwahahaha... this one was so funny!! Wakatta, wakatta yo, Koji-kun! You wanna get married so bad, ne... the poor guy. This is what you get for playing with so many women at the same time, in the past! lol.
Koji: Ah, don't tell me... you asked the staff to call me? Like "I want Yamamoto Koji."
Shingo: Yeah, you're my "connection."
Koji: I get jobs because I have connection with you?
Shingo: I told them "Hey, give the job to him." (laugh)
Koji: With a single word from the boss, huh.
Shingo: No, no, no, that's a joke. (laugh) I have no idea! Suddenly everyone was like "Should we call Yamamoto-san?" and I told them "No, don't call him!"
This one was hillarious too LOL! Which ever it is, be it Shingo's single lift of a finger that Koji gets to appear in his shows, or be it was the crews asking for Koji to appear... either way, it's still a miracle, in my opinion!!
I did think once, whether Koji get close to Shingo, just to use him, so he can get more popularity being friends with a SMAP, mhahahaha.... like how some Japanese fans were joking about, that Koji slept with Shingo so he can get more jobs LOLOLOL! (a mock to the cases of young actresses or actors who has to sleep with the producers to get jobs)
But nah... from everything he said, and he has done, Koji's love for Shingo is true love hahaha
Koji: Well, we are the same age and always friends in private, but to think that we get to keep having works together like this... made me think, our encounter in "Shinsengumi!" was really destined to happen.
Shingo: ... anyway, back to topic.
Ahahaha... Shingo was too embarrassed to respond to that!
Koji: You wanna join?
Shingo: I definitely won't. (laugh)
Koji: It's okay, you can have the leading role.
Shingo: I won't join.
Koji: I'm fine with role #2...
Hahahaha... I really love their conversation! And aww.... Koji really prioritize Shingo more than anyone...
Koji: I went to ALTA and sneaked into your dressing room. (laugh)
Shingo: You did that a lot! (laugh) We used to have drinks with everyone after filming Shinsengumi till morning, then I went to ALTA. When I thought "OK! Iitomo's over!" and I went into my dressing room, suddenly I found you in my room still drinking, and you went "Hey!"
Whaaaat! This has shocked many ShinKoji fans! We have heard the story when Koji was waiting in Shingo's dressing room in Alta on his birthday, but we've never heard that Koji came to Alta and waited for Shingo often! That's new! lol, Kojiiii.... such a passionate guy
Koji: We were badasses, back then. (laugh)
Shingo: Just like the real Shinsengumi. (laugh)
Kyaaaaaa~~! *imagining badass Shingo, Koji, Sakai Masato, Fujiwara Tatsuya, Odagiri Jo, and co*
Koji: Oh, right! The place where we usually have our year-end party is closing down this year. What should we do?
Heee... I didn't know it was always the same place, and its closing down now? Aww... Koji have to find a new place... Shinsengumi year-end party in Shingo's house! I want that to be broadcasted on TV lol!
Shingo: The Shinkansen home from Kanazawa. When I spread the manuscript, you came sit next to me.
Koji: I heard you asking me to come next to you.
Shingo: I didn't tell you to come at all. When we were departing in the morning, you also asked "Should I sit next to you?" You really don't have to sit next to me. (laugh)
LOL, Koji always try to stand/sit next to Shingo, even when the camera's not rolling. I wish we get to see when they were on the train home to Tokyo, they were sitting next to each other, Shingo checking the manuscript, Koji reading some of them.... ahhh, why didn't they place some candid cameras for this!! I can watch that for hours XD
Shingo: I was surprised of how expensive canvas is. (laugh) 1mx1m canvas costs 10,000 yen, y'know. If I buy 10 of 'em, it'll cost 100,000 yen. If I want to draw 100 of em, then I have to pay 1 million yen.
Koji: Yeah, of course. (laugh)
Shingo: It's a totally different matter than drawing on 10 pages notebook!
Awww... Shingo is so passionate talking about drawing... and he talk something so obvious, like a little kid here, too cute!
Koji: Ah, time's up? Hey... why don't you cancel all your work schedule after this? (laugh)
Koji still want to talk more with Shingo and he demand Shingo to cancel all his works and go have drink with himself lol
Koji: Katori Shingo came and let me sit on the chair (during photoshoot), and Katori-kun had to stand behind the chair. I can't believe it... Well, I guess I AM the leading role here. (laugh)
Omg, Koji give yourself some credit! Are you really okay being Shingo's sidekick forever? You want to serve Shingo your whole life that much? Next time, you work together with Shingo, I want you both as DOUBLE LEADS, I don't want you to be Shingo's sidekick anymore XD But I guess Koji will say "I'm not worth enough to be put on the same level with Katori Shingo" lol
Shingo: *looking at the list* Hey, Yuka-chan was the first guest. Yuka-chan!
OMG! Shingo randomly mentioned Yuka! I didn't see it coming! XD
Promos for Galaxy Turnpike gonna be fun! There's gonna be many possible fun combi-s! Shingo-Ayase, Shingo-Mitani, Shingo-Yuka, and of course, Shingo-Koji, I wanna see them all!
This cross talk is really a gem! The talk really showed how comfortable they are with each other and how close they are as friends, I love it! Few long-time ShinKoji fans, mentioned, that compared to their previous cross talk in this same magazine, this last one shows that ShinKoji has gotten closer as friends. I wouldn't know, because I didn't read the previous ones, but yeah, I can tell they're real friends from this talk. And not just the contents of the talk, but all those ShinKoji pictures (there's more than the ones I have here)!!! Precious! And Shingo with moustache... yum! He seem to really like to grow his facial hair.... I hope he get a badass role very soon, where he can grow his facial hair as much as he like^^