Writtenexclusively for Tokyohive by Kat Gruss

Lights. Camera. Action! The stage has been set for the live action adaptation of Yuma Mashi’s steamy manga series, Kaettekitara-ippai Shite (roughly and unofficially “Let’s do it lots when you get back” in English), and the only thing missing is a rising star to fill the role of the male lead; a notorious playboy who becomes an erotic fiction author’s willing live-in muse.

There can only be one for this role, and Ken Kojima–member of the up-and-coming rock boyband Ae! group–is just that guy! He recently took time out of his busy schedule to sit down with us, express his thoughts about the drama, and introduce himself to the world.

What was your reaction to receiving this role?

I was so excited to learn that I was cast in this role because it was my first time as a lead and only my second drama overall, so there was so much that was new, and everything was exciting! Also, the theme song Junjo Pathfinder (純情パスファインダー, roughly "pure pathfinder" in English) is from Ae! group so that just adds to how special this role is. Then again, I wasn’t fully aware until filming started just how much of the story involves love scenes!

What has been your favorite part about filming this drama?

Actually, probably the love scenes (haha). I think that there are more love scenes than any of the dramas my peers have been cast in, but they’re also what deepen the story between the characters. The director had everything meticulously designed, even down to the way we kissed.

How do you relate to your character in the drama? What parts of the character resonate with you?

At first, I honestly didn’t think there was anything in him I could relate to, and in fact the more I played him the more mysterious he became to me. On the other hand, I did relate to how he doesn’t want to talk about everything with everyone. He keeps his emotions hidden, so even when he’s struggling, to the outside eye he looks like everything is okay. I can be like that too, so that’s where I started connecting with him.

As an actor, do you typically try to become the character, or do you try to bring your real self into a role?

Probably the latter. It helps because if I can find a connection inside of me, I’m able to deepen the bond I felt with him, and the performance overall becomes more honest.

What were your and Ae! group’s reactions to knowing you’ll be doing the theme song?

When we heard the news from our manager that it had been decided we were all together, so we all got to share the moment and that was really special. At first, our reaction was simply "hooray" since it means so much in and of itself to be part of a theme song, and only later did we learn it would be a love song to fit the drama’s theme. Our first love song, in fact! We’ve never done that before so it became even more exciting!

If you were to describe Ae! group to a stranger, how would you describe the group?

We’re so much more than what might come to mind when you hear the word “boy band.” We’re a group of boys who dance and sing, of course, but we also play our own instruments and have a lot of interests beyond music like acting and other arts. We want to be a well-rounded group, so we’re always working on bettering ourselves in any way we can and put everything we can into bringing that to the forefront of our performances. That is what Ae! group is.

I heard that you oversee coming up with ideas for the comedy/skit section of your concerts. How do you come up with the idea for the skits?

Rather than coming up with a quick idea on the spot, I try to develop little parts of it ongoing on a daily basis. Each time I meet the others I ask “how about this?” and refine the overall flow based on their feedback. Or, at least that’s what I try to do. Sometimes I forget, and every time a live show approaches, I get pressed for deadlines - which is sometimes when I think up my best work.

Within Ae! group, you are well known for your words of wisdom, you great sense of comedy, and your unique personality. What is something fans would be surprised to know about you?

There are more than 350 "Kojima’s words of wisdom" so far, apparently. I never intended for it to become the thing it did, but my group member Masaya Sano thought they were interesting and just started writing them down. He wasn’t supposed to show them until I died or something, sort of like a “Quotes From a Great Man” sort of thing. But eventually he started talking about them during our stage and show MC segments which made the fans aware of them and it grew from there.

What is your favorite one so far?

目の前にあることは真実ではないかもしれないけど現実ではある。

“What is before you may not be truth, but it is still reality.”

Earlier this year you went viral for finding eels in Dotonburi. If you or Ae! group could go viral again, what would you like to go viral for doing?

Maybe for something like the Inazuma Rock Fes. We, as Ae! group, got to perform there for the first time recently and it really felt so good. I think I speak for all six of us when I say we’d love to be invited to another festival like that in Japan or elsewhere in the world and go viral.

What was it like performing at the Inazuma Rock festival? How was the crowd’s energy and what were their reactions to your performances?

Our live shows are made with all our fans in mind. We want to make sure that they have a great time, and more importantly want to come back again! When we were invited to the Inazuma Rock Fes, we immediately brainstormed a set list that included songs people would know and thus be easier to sing along with us, but never could we have expected the kind of energy we got back in return. People were singing at the top of their lungs, with hands up and towels singing around. The festival was boiling with an excitement we had never seen in person and felt amazing to be a part of.

Were the reactions of your current fans and those who were hearing you for the first time as you expected?

Everyone was enjoying themselves so much that it was not as we expected, but in a good way. Our fans are the best and not only made their presence known but in doing so gave us more power than we could have ever imagined throughout the set. By the time we capped off with our original song PRIDE, it was like sharing that power back to all of them, and it was great!

Do you have a message for the world?

Once we’re ready, meaning we’re on the top of our game here in Japan, we do want to travel and introduce the rest of the world to Ae! group. Little by little, we want to reach everywhere, and transcend beyond the limitations of language as only entertainment can. Until then please keep reading and sharing these international interviews and watch the dramas that get streamed worldwide. Those in particular are great ways to get to know us as individuals, but if you really want to get to know us, watch our Ae!Tube YouTube videos! It might still take a little more time before we’re ready to step out to where you are physically, but it doesn’t change the fact we want Ae! group to be heard the world over.

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Whether he is performing on stage with Ae! group or imparting words of wisdom that will last for generations to come, Ken Kojima is a rising star among Japanese talents. He is someone that will, no doubt, be adored all over the world in the future.

For more content from Kojima and Ae! group, check out the explosive performance of their original song, PRIDE, featuring subtitles in 7 languages thanks to readers and fans!

Kojima’s starring drama, Kaettekitara-ippai Shite, is unfortunately not available for streaming overseas at this time, but if you would like to watch it internationally eventually let the network know by commenting on their official X account at @dramaDIVE_ytv! 

Catch Ae! group every Tuesday at 8pm JST on YouTube!

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