Yamashita Tomohisa: 0409 Vol. 81
0409
Vol. 81 "Lies"
"I don't like lies, but then again, I don't usually notice them. Anyway, I would get tired of constantly suspecting a friend or girlfriend of lying." Yamapi says this with a smile, but explains that he only began thinking this way recently. We also asked him some burning questions about love and relationships.
We've done this theme before, haven't we?...Just kidding! I tell stupid lies like this all the time. (Laughs.) Once in grade school, I woke up and decided I didn't want to go to school, so I pretended to be sick saying "My stomach hurts!" to see if I could get a day off school. Only my grandma was home at the time, and she let me stay home. I thought I was so lucky to get the day off. But I got lonely having to stay in the house and lie in bed even though I was completely fine, so I ended up going to school anyway, just a bit late. But it takes a certain measure of courage to come to school in the middle of class. I didn't like that, so from then on I never faked sick again. (Laughs.)
In second or third grade, I used to go to a tutoring program and karate lessons after school. They were on the same day, and tutoring was first, but because I didn't want to go to tutoring I waited in front of the karate school until the lesson started. Because I was a kid, I didn't realize the tutoring school would contact my mom. When I got home that day, my mom slapped me hard on the cheek and yelled at me for not going to class. I don't lie to my parents anymore. Even if I did, they'd find out the truth soon enough, and I would apologize right away.
I don't worry if other people are lying to me or not. I don't like to be lied to, but I don't usually notice that the person is lying, so it doesn't matter. For example, wouldn't it tire you out to constantly suspect your girlfriend or boyfriend of cheating? The truth won't change whether you worry or not. It's a waste to constantly worry and imagine the worst, and it will only make you sad. But it was only recently that I began thinking this way. I would worry about my girlfriend when I was a teenager, but that's no fun for either person.
Girls often look at their boyfriends' cell phones. When I hear that I think, "Oh, what a stupid thing to do...It's really better not to look." I would bet that almost every guy has had their cell phone looked at by a girl. It's happened to me too, but I would never do it myself! Everyone has the right to their own privacy. I wonder what girls are looking for when they look through their boyfriend's phone? Nothing good can come from it. (Laughs.) If you really can't trust the other person, then next time you should determine if the person is trustworthy before you date him.
What I look for in a girl is consistency in what they say and do. That's because I'm the complete opposite. (Laughs.) I mean, my mood changes depending on the day. At work, I have to be consistent and diligent, but I want my private life to be more free. I sleep when I'm tired and go out when I want to. I believe that in order to become a good actor, one needs to have a lot of different experiences. For instance, I went to college, so I know what college life is like. But for people who have never been, all they can do is imagine it. Of course to play a doctor or other professional positions you have to use your imagination, so I go and observe the real people doing their jobs in order to understand it better. But often it's best if you have the experience personally. That's why, though I won't do anything bad, I want to be free to experience a lot of things!
In the past, when I had to perform crying scenes, I would pretend that someone had died so the tears would come. But as I've gotten older, maybe I've become more sensitive, but it's become easier to imagine the characters' emotions. Since around the time I was in Kurosagi, the tears have begun to come more naturally. Looking back, it's only been a little over 5 years since then. To me it feels longer. It feels like that all happened a long time ago. My schedule was so packed at that time, maybe it felt like time was moving faster than it actually was. Maybe my internal clock moves faster than actual time? For the past several years, I was able to act in a drama at least once every year until my last drama, Code Blue 2nd Season, in January 2010. After a year and a half, a lot of people say to me, "You haven't been in a drama for a while!" I mean, I also did Ashita no Joe in that time, so it doesn't feel like I've had that much time off. But since a lot of people ask me when I will be in a drama again, I've noticed the gap growing between me and the people who watch me on TV. I've started to think that maybe it's bad if I don't constantly appear on TV. Plus, it's probably easier for people to feel close to someone they see on TV rather than in a movie, because they watch TV in their own home.
As I'm sure everyone knows from yesterday's announcement, I have officially left NEWS. You only live once, and I want to try as many things as possible in this one life I have. It's comfortable to be with the other five, but it didn't feel quite right to be immersed in that environment. When I brought this up to the group, I think they were puzzled at first. But in the end I was able to persuade them and they accepted my decision. The day before our 8th anniversary announcement, "Thanks for 8 years", I sent everyone a text saying, "I am who I am today because of all my experiences with NEWS." They answered me with, "We're looking forward to the new Yamapi." Even as we continue on in different directions, what we built together will never change. I would like to apologize to NEWS' many fans. In order to make it up to you, I want to give you excellent music and performances. That's all that is on my mind right now.
[Seventeen, December 2011 / translation by amapi - Please credit if using/quoting]
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As always, thank you to watchful21 for the scans. I am SO sorry for being late on this one. Moving preparations, homework, and finals took precedence over translation these past two weeks. I only have a little more work to do before fall break begins! Yay! And who's excited for Yamapi's new drama this winter?? I know I am!! I read in the article about his new show that he will go to an actual funeral parlor and meet with the people working there in order to prepare for his role. Just like he said in this issue of Seventeen. :)
As always, comments are much appreciated. I love to hear what you have to say and see how many people are reading my translations. Thanks always for reading. And happy birthday to vhal, nixie_s, and simple_tyx! I'm always open to lj friend requests, and I will be sure to add you back so we are mutual friends!
-Amanda