Actress Nagasawa Masami will be starring in a drama series in Taiwan. The series is based on popular Japanese manga �Chocolat� and will be broadcast in Taiwan during a golden time slot in the summer of next year. After that, the drama series will be shown in about 10 other Asian countries including Japan, Korea and China.

Nagasawa will be speaking in Mandarin for the entire series. Filming starts at the end of September and will take place for about 4 months in Taiwan. Nagasawa commented on her reason for accepting the offer, stating, �I�m very curious about acting and performing in another language, so by all means, I�m accepting it!� It�s reported that Nagasawa has been practicing Mandarin for every week since spring.

The manga was originally by Kubonouchi Eisaku and is set around a cake shop run by a former gang. Due to various circumstances, the lead character arrives from Japan and the story revolves around the bond she forms with the former gang members, and the former gang boss who eloped with her deceased mother. The lead character is of Chinese descent and grew up in Japan, and thus speaks Mandarin with a Japanese accent.

The series will consists of 13 episodes, each 90 minutes long. Co-starring in the series is popular Taiwanese actor Lan Zhenlong (33). Japanese director Kitamura Toyoharu, who�s been active in Taiwan, will also participate in the drama series.

Regarding her first overseas challenge, Nagasawa commented, �I haven�t yet come to the full realization that I will be making an appearance in a drama series overseas. It will be great if we can create an interesting piece of work and have good teamwork among the staff and co-stars.� The original manga has been translated into many languages and is familiar to readers overseas. About this, she added, �I will be happy if it�s a piece of work that people can enjoy, just like the original manga.�

Source: Sponichi

Image: Sponichi and Lan Zhenlong's official blog