“I feel that Korean films are ahead of Japanese films. I think I need to learn about Korean cinema.”
Japanese actor Matsushige Yutaka meets Korean audiences through film after dramas and variety shows. This is through ‘The Lonely Gourmet: The Movie’.
On the afternoon of the 7th, Matsushige Yutaka attended the press screening and Korean press conference for the film ‘The Lonely Gourmet: The Movie’ held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Yongsan, Seoul, and said, “I am happy to be able to screen ‘The Lonely Gourmet: The Movie’ across the sea in front of you.”
He continued, “I felt that Korean people loved the work while I was in Korea. Honestly, I think young people in Korea love this work more than in Japan,” he said with a smile.
He added, “When planning this film adaptation, I had a desire to go beyond the framework of Japanese films and make it on a larger scale. That’s exactly what Bong Joon-ho is known for,” and shared, “I wrote a letter asking him to direct, thinking that if it was director Bong, who I had previously worked with, he would cook up something interesting. Unfortunately, at that time, our schedules didn’t match, so it didn’t happen. Instead, I received a warm response wishing for the success of the work,” which surprised many.
He then said, “If no one else was available, I thought I might as well direct it myself. I never imagined that my film would be screened at the same time as director Bong Joon-ho’s work (‘Mickey17’). It was surprising. I was able to make a film in the spirit of challenge and got a good opportunity,” he shared. Matsushige previously collaborated with director Bong on the Korean-French-Japanese co-production film ‘Tokyo!’ (2008).
Matsushige expressed, “I have been acting for over 30 years, but this is the first time I have led the entire process in this work. While I was involved in the production, I found it difficult to think about how to attract audiences to come watch our film.”
When asked to describe Matsushige Yutaka as an actor, he humbly replied, “When I see myself as a director, I think I do ‘okay.’ However, I don’t think I perform beyond my imagination. So I think I’m an actor that can be entrusted with a sense of relief.”
‘The Lonely Gourmet: The Movie’ tells the story of Goro, a professional solo diner, on an unintended adventure from Paris, France, to the southern winds of Korea and Geoje Island, and even to Japan, in search of the ultimate broth. Matsushige Yutaka, who has been the long-time lead actor of the Japanese long-running drama ‘The Lonely Gourmet’ since 2012, took on the roles of director, screenwriter, and planner, drawing attention.
He has a strong attachment to food, even cooking in extreme situations, but maintains a slim figure, revealing, “I really like fermented foods in Japan.”
He continued, “Korea also has various fermented foods, including kimchi. So my intestines are always active, leaving no room for gaining weight. I haven’t been conscious of gaining weight and have enjoyed fermented foods like this until now.”
Additionally, he is currently meeting Korean viewers with the Netflix food variety show ‘Crazy Restaurant’ alongside Sung Si-kyung, saying, “I happen to be doing variety shows with Sung Si-kyung and Netflix, but I don’t have ambitions to enter Korean variety shows,” he laughed.
He also expressed his desire, “Netflix aired an omnibus version of ‘The Lonely Gourmet’ called ‘Each Lonely Gourmet.’ On one hand, I would like to make a Korean version.”
In conclusion, he stated, “Korea is a neighboring country, and I think we should cooperate. I believe that to overcome adversity, Japan and Korea need to collaborate as a community of fate. I think my remaining mission is to play a role in continuing that connection. If there is something I can do, I sincerely want to contribute,” he added earnestly.
Scheduled for release on the 19th.
