The highly anticipated film welcoming the spring of 2025, "First Kiss," has released a translation and the original text of the written interview questions and answers with writer Yuji Sakamoto. The film "First Kiss" tells the story of Kanna (Takako Matsu), who accidentally meets her husband Kakeru (Hokuto Matsumura) again after losing him in an accident during a divorce crisis. It will be released exclusively in Megabox on Feb. 26 (Wed).
Yuji Sakamoto noted, "First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the reporters from South Korea who asked such thoughtful questions after watching the film. If I get the chance, I would be more than happy to meet the reporters and audiences in Korea next time. I hope you show great interest in the film "First Kiss.""
He continued, "The film "First Kiss" originated from the story of creating a film that becomes a lifelong memory. It chronicles a middle-aged couple in a state of apathy during a divorce crisis. The wife, across time, learns to love her husband again as he was in his youth." He added, "Is this an infidelity? Or is it a marital affection? It’s a couple's story but named "First Kiss." What does that mean? I wrote the script with the hope that viewers would embrace these contradictory emotions with a fluttering heart. I also can’t help but look forward to the day I see the finished film, given the joy of working with the best cast and the endless energy and ideas of Director Tsukahara."
Sakamoto also added, "I believe it will be a film that brings smiles to everyone—those who are currently in love, those who yearn for love, and those who nostalgically remember past experiences. Please raise your expectations to the maximum and wait for it."
Next is the full Q&A with writer Yuji Sakamoto.
Q. Why did you focus on marriage as the main theme in this work "First Kiss"? A. I thought it was interesting to depict the form of two strangers living together. Marital issues are universal, yet they are not easily maintained.
Q. The logline "Falls in love with her husband again after 15 years" is impressive. Where did you find the inspiration, and why did you want to write this story? A. It first came from the combination of the actors. I thought about what kind of story could be interesting with actors aged 45 and 29.
Q. When "First Kiss" was brought to screen for the first time, what was a touching moment that exceeded your expectations during the scriptwriting? A. It was when the two actors performed according to the ages set at 45 and 29. I was surprised that they were able to express themselves so wonderfully based on their voices, postures, and the speed of their movements.
Q. Kanna could have informed Kakeru in advance to prevent the baby carriage from rolling off the station platform, allowing him to survive. Have you ever considered that conclusion? A. Most of it is predetermined, so under the theme that whatever you do will lead to the same place, that part remains unchanged. What ultimately does change is what Kanna "always wished for" in the beginning.
Q. Your creative power, consistent artistic quality, and originality are impressive. What’s your secret to continuously producing works? Do you have daily goals, yearly tasks, or a life list? A. I think I receive a lot of help from those around me. My ability is not extraordinary; it is through the encouragement of those around me that I feel motivated to write something good. I believe that if I don't have expectations, I won't create.
Q. There have been several collaborations between Korea and Japan with works like "What Comes After Love," "Broker," and "Perfect Family." I'm curious if you, as Yuji Sakamoto, have an interest in collaborating with Korea. A. I am very interested. I have met many wonderful Korean creators so far. Since I consider myself a veteran in Japan, I would be very glad if I can serve as a bridge connecting the younger generations in both Korea and Japan.
Q. How did you find the performances of actors Hokuto Matsumura and Takako Matsu, and where do you think the charm of the script stood out? A. Both are already esteemed as excellent actors. I wrote the script to bring out the charm of both, and they delivered performances that transcended the script. Especially in comedy, I think there must have been challenges to maintain a sense of reality, but those scenes demonstrated the delicate balance between the two. The scene with the dogs surrounding them turned out to be particularly entertaining.
Q. Yuji Sakamoto's works have often drawn attention for their relatable dialogues. Do you typically incorporate real experiences into your works, and if so, what experiences influenced this work? A. I tend to draw from my experiences when writing any story. It may be closer to emotions than experiences. I write based on the emotions I felt when I laughed, got angry, and cried. I believe that relationships, not just marriages, are always difficult. However, I feel that if one faces them sincerely, emotions that could turn into films will emerge.
Q. This movie offers a healing story that provides hope, showing that one can fill their vessel with happiness and love instead of unhappiness and loneliness, depending on their mindset. You mentioned wanting to create different stories each time; what distinguishes this work from your previous ones? A. I believe that warmth and loneliness are like a pendulum, and it's important to have both. I do not seek to separate those two emotions depending on the work; rather, I want to capture them as equally precious feelings. Additionally, I feel that experiencing loneliness can be a very fulfilling experience. Perhaps this time I emphasized that a bit more. Everyone has negative feelings, but if you explore and mature them instead of just expressing them, they may eventually transform into positive emotions.
Q. Through repeated time travel, Kanna ultimately grows and finds happiness. This process involves language play and situations that build emotions, captivating the audience. If there is a secret to weaving humor (laughter) and emotion (tears) together, what is it? A. Following up on the previous answer, I believe that laughter and tears reside in the same place within the heart. They are not different; what matters first is that the heart moves, sways, and stirs. Whether it’s laughter or tears, if the emotional state of the characters is genuinely stirred, it can flip in an instant. Perhaps what’s important is that people are fragile and vulnerable. When depicting human beings as fragile beings, it naturally brings forth both laughter and tears.
Q. If there is a metaphor behind the foods that appear in this movie, such as dumplings, mille-feuille, shaved ice, and snacks, what would it be? A. Hmm? Perhaps they were used because they appear in the context of depicting everyday life.
Q. Lastly, your works have been particularly popular in Korea. What do you think is the secret to their success across the ocean? A. If that’s true, I'm very happy. I also really like Korean works. I hope we can grow closer. Perhaps my sincerity and goodwill have been conveyed, which makes me feel a bit shy.
[Photo] Media Castle Co., Ltd.