Ryoko Shinohara

Exclusive Interview Fall, 2015

From “Lady Girls”

Ryoko Shinohara

From a hyper-competent, career-oriented woman in Last Cinderella to a beautiful, highly-intelligent detective in the Unfair series, an extremely talented 42-year-old actress Ryoko Shinohara switches her role as her character demands it. After two years since her last lead role in a serial drama, Ryoko returns as Aki Nakahara, the lead heroine in Lady Girls. In this interview, Ms. Shinohara shares her candid thoughts and experience in playing the role of a "lady girl."

Q

It's been two and a half year since you last starred in a drama series, which was Last Cinderella. For Lady Girls, what was your first impression of the drama's concept?

A

I feel really happy to work with the same production team of Last Cinderella. The character I played in Last Cinderella had a very cheerful and upbeat personality, but for Lady Girls, I wanted the story to take more mature and sophisticated route, so I've been discussing how we can go about doing that with the producer. We hope to create a drama that resonates with many female viewers.

Q

Your character, Aki Nakahara, is a 40-year-old single woman who is very giving to others yet she struggles to find her own happiness. How would you like to play your character in the story?

A

I want to develop the character of Aki to appear and feel very "real" and someone that viewers can relate and resonate with.

Q

There are scenes where the three women, you, Moeko played by Michiko Kichise and Midori played by Sawa Suzuki, get together in every episode. What's it like working with Michiko and Sawa?

A

I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with them. Michiko and Sawa are both really wonderful actors with their own originality and charm, and they have very natural, unaffected acting styles. I'll do my best to keep up with them and work together to make the drama entertaining and characters endearing.

Q

What's your impression on Yosuke Eguchi who plays the character of Fumio Takayama?

A

He's very friendly and personable, so it's been a lot of fun working with him on the set.

Q

What do you find attractive about your character Aki?

A

Aki is very competent and thrives at her job, but at the same time, she's not perfect and encounters her doubts, conflicts, and weaknesses, too. That makes her more "human" and "real." Also what's great about her is that she's very kind-hearted and deeply cares about her friends.

Q

What's your thought on the term "Lady Girl" which is also the title of this drama?

A

I thought the title sounded interesting and evocative. I mean, it sort of raises the question about until when women can call themselves "girls." I hope the female viewers would identify with the characters and the plot, and trigger them to feel that they are still "a girl at heart." I personally want all women to remain a girl at heart and shine regardless their age.

Q

Are there anything that men should be aware of when dating a "lady girl"?

A

Let's see...well, I think the best is to be just genuine and accepting instead of trying to assert yourself with thoughts and logic. That kind of pure-hearted, innocent quality can win the hearts of "lady girls."

Q

Fumio Takayama played by Yosuke Eguchi is quite outspoken and argumentative. It's going to be very interesting to see how the relationship between Aki and Fumio will evolve as the story progresses.

A

Yosuke plays the character of Fumio wonderfully. He adds some quality of being sensitive and pure-hearted to his character, which makes Fumio charming despite his cynical nature. I think women seek that sort of "a little bit of spice" in guys.

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