Ryo Yoshizawa

Q: What was your first thought when you heard about this series?

I was like, “here comes the lead for the renowned Monday Night ‘Getsuku’ series!” I’ve been watching drama aired on the slot ever since I was a kid, and the term ‘Getsuku’ was a familiar one for me, long before I had entered this industry. I was so happy to think, “oh, I get to star in that!” Plus, playing a doctor’s role had been one of my long ambitions.

Q: Were you genuinely happy to be offered the role of a doctor?

I was happy, but the character I play is a newcomer, a guy who doesn't know much suddenly goes into the medical field. It is a story of a character’s growth through repeated failures and setbacks, so I don’t really feel that it’s a typical medical story. However, I think my impression is sure to change as the episodes progress.

Q: What do you always try to keep in mind when playing the main character?

He didn’t have a strong motivation for becoming a doctor. But, as he begins to work in the busy medical field, he gets stimulated by his surroundings. And thus, he starts to change as a result. This is where I feel I should make sure to express, such as the freshness of what he receives.

Q: From your perspective, how do you perceive your character?

I think he is smart to some extent since he is a doctor. It is not that he wanted to be one, but he probably has some self-confidence somewhere. He is the kind of guy who speaks highly of himself to his childhood friends and those close to him. But the moment he is out in society, he becomes kind of a timid person. I felt that I could understand that part about him. So, I feel that the drama reveals the character's downsides as a person, and embarrassing aspects etc. without shrouding it.

Q: Since you are playing the role of a pediatrician, I am sure you are working with many children. Do you remember how you were like as a kid? Like, did you have any fear of hospitals?

I don't remember going to hospitals much as a child. Maybe I was kind of a heathy kid?

Q: You mentioned that you have been watching ‘Getsuku’ since you were young?

I used to watch a lot of TV, and I think I had a strong yearning for such an industry when I was young. I used to watch not only dramas but also artists singing on music shows, thinking how cool they were. I was just a kid very much into TV.

Q: Which content particularly left a strong impression on you?

“Pride” (2004). I enjoyed it when I was still in elementary school. Also, “Operation Love” (2007) was very popular in my class.

Q: The story is set in Hokkaido. What are your favorite places and memories from the area?

Everything is good. The food is delicious, the air is good, and the scenery is like, “how vast is this place?” (laughter). Everywhere you see is like something out of a picture. I would like to go there whenever I have the time. When I was working for a morning drama and I was staying at a hotel, there wasn’t the current pandemic situation, so we went out to eat together after filming. And of course, the food was delicious.

Q: You mentioned earlier that you wanted to play the role of a doctor. Do you feel that some of the medical terminologies are difficult, or for example, the mannerisms of a doctor are a challenge?

In terms of medical terminologies, I am a newcomer to the position, and the director's intention is not to make me sound too much like a full-on doctor, so I am not too worried about that for now (laughter). However, I think adults don't like going to the hospital either, but children dislike it even more, so as a pediatrician, I want to be careful about this part. I have not had much experience in serious acting with children, so I am always learning.

Q: Are you good at communicating with kids?

I think I am rather good at it. I like children a lot. However, the way I usually interact with them, I tend to talk from a child's point of view, so I might become childish myself (laughter).

Q: Finally, a message for the viewers?

I have always been bad with the sight of blood (laughter). Even though I know it's part of the drama, but when I see such scenes, it doesn’t make me feel too good. However, as a doctor this time, I am sure to see quite a bit of it, so I must do my best. This is my first time to play a doctor and as a leading role in a regular TV drama series, so there are a lot of things I’m still not sure about. By being supported by other awesome cast members, I will continue to work hard without being overconcerned. Thank you.

Original Japanese Interview Article: https://www.fujitv.co.jp/PICU/interview/index01.html