matsumoto jun

I have two Japanese Dramas that I am looking out for this season, SMILE and ATASHINCHI NO DANSHI.

SMILE stars Matsumoto Jun, member of the Japanese boy group ARASHI and best known for his roles as Yamada Shin in Gokusen and as Domyouji Tsukasa in Hana Yori Dango.   I have been waiting for this series for a couple of months ago since I first heard about it on the net.  Matsumoto Jun is going to be playing the role of Hayakawa Vito, a Half-Japanese, Half-Filipino whose dream is to put up a restaurant with a multinational cuisine.  As part of his portrayal as a Filipino, Matsujun will have Tagalog dialogue and reports say he has worked on making his accent convincing.

He stars opposite Aragaki Yui, better known for her roles in Galcir (aka Gal Circle), My Boss My Hero, and most recently Code Blue.  She plays a girl that lost her voice due to a traumatic incident in her life.   She is saved by Vito in a chance meeting.  Despite the problems and challenges both characters have faced they are always happy and enthusiastic have a smile on their faces.

I have only seen the first episode but it looks promising.  I am personally looking forward to seeing Vito's Filipino dialogue.  Makes me even wonder if they shot the series here.  That would be awesome.