entertainment

Jero makes acting debut in upcoming movie 'Donju'

16 Comments

Enka singer Jero, 27, will appear on the big screen for the first time when “Donju” opens in cinemas nationwide in May. Jero plays a minor role of a young punk, in the movie directed by Hideaki Hosono and adapted from the stage play by Kankuro Kudo - for which Kudo won the Akutagawa Prize in 2005.

"Donju" is set in a host club without any hosts, and revolves around a novelist played by Tadanobu Asano, 35, who somehow survives numerous attempts on his life after he writes about his classmates’ painful past.

"Donju" also features Yoko Maki, 26, Kazuki Kitamura, 39, Yuusuke Santamaria, 37, and Aimi Satsukawa, 20. Jero plays a character called Akira, who makes ends meet by selling books, engaging in door-to-door sales, and making deliveries for a raamen shop. He injects spice and humor into the movie in a way not unlike Gajiro Sato in “Otoko wa tsurai yo.”

Jero was offered the role last summer while he was in the middle of his national tour. “The offer came out of nowhere, so I was a bit surprised by that, but it’s a unique story with a unique cast and I wanted to take the challenge,” he said.

Hosono said: “I wondered how funny it would be if we had him join the strange world that is theater, and offered him the part.”

After shooting of the film had finished, Hosono had nothing but praise for Jero, and said: “He was courteous on set, demonstrated a good sense of what acting is about, and showed his charming side each time. I hope to work with him again.” Producer Sachiko Sone remarked on his sense of humor and said she thought a lot of offers will come his way.

Jero sings "Rurou no machi" in the movie, a song featured on his first original album “Yakusoku” due to go on sale Feb 25.

© News reports

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


16 Comments
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a minor role of a young punk

I'm absolutely sure there was no type-casting involved.

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a minor role of a young punk

This is only the begining. Soon he'll be playing the role of US President alot.

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I've only seen this young man a few times on TV. I can't get over the fact that this "Will-Smith-looking" man is singing Enka. He seems very good at it, it's just that I expected to see a typical Japanese person before I looked at the TV the first time I heard him. Good luck to him.

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As long as he is making the cash good for him

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It is spooky how someone who is not an actor can be one suddenly.

I was talking to Marc Almond last night ans he had never heard of this fella. Must be a Japan thing darlings.

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a minor role of a young punk

I'm absolutely sure there was no type-casting involved.

I wonder if he will be wearing a cap tilted to the side and have a "gangsta" sneer when he talks.

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Is he actually any good like.

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As an enka singer he is excellent by anyone's standard. If you like that sort of thing of course.....

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ChrisBiggins,

This is Japan, so surely you know that being in a drama or singing on TV, neither makes you an actor or singer just a 'talent', who is expected to be able to do everything asked of them. Jack of all trades, master of none.......... springs to mind.

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isnt that what he did for a living before starting to sing professionaly???

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Who is this guy??? I mean go to Karaoki, and you find many like him, Not!

But so what A Gaijin singing enka, get a life Japan. Tezbo

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I hear its sort of like an enka version of West Side Story.

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I'm sure he'll get the "Best Gaijin Enkaist" award.

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Jero is a Quarter Japanes & he is a great Enka singer. I think will do very good on the big screen. Many Singers are also good actors, I dont know why?

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His grandmother was Japanese, and his mother was born in Japan and lived there until she was about 13. He learned to sing enka as a small child because his grandmother played it a lot in their house. He also speaks Japanese.

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LOL, an enka singer who loves his grandma playing a punk. Jero just looks so genuine and kind, I wonder if he can be convincing.

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