Takuya shared behind-the-scenes stories about his activities in Korea.
Recently, Takuya met with OSEN for an interview at his agency Different Company's office in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, in the morning.
Takuya was born in 1992 and is from Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. His real name is Terada Takuya. He debuted in Korea's entertainment industry as an idol in 2012, and from 2014 he appeared as Japan's representative on the program "Non-Summit," winning great affection from viewers.
Afterward, continuing steady popularity on "Tokpawon 25 Hours," he appeared in the short film "Grandpa Ich-chan," the independent film "Dok-chin," and "The Daechi Scandal" with Ahn So-hee, and has been actively pursuing acting. Recently, he joined KBS2's variety show "Mr. House Husband" (hereafter "Mr. House Husband 2"), taking on his first observational variety show challenge and meeting a broader public.
When asked about joining "Mr. House Husband 2," Takuya opened, "Isn't it an observational variety show? In that respect, I felt some burden. But I thought I could show parts of myself I hadn't shown before through this program, so that gave me great courage." He added, "Because of the nature of the show, families are exposed. In Japan, it's rare for family members to appear together on variety shows. So while I felt some burden, I think my family felt even more burdened than I did. Although we have already filmed, I feel great gratitude to my family and I also feel sorry to them," conveying his sincerity.
He also said, "Before filming ("Mr. House Husband 2"), I asked my family if they could appear together, and my mother said, 'If it helps you, let's do it,' and willingly joined me. I feel grateful for that.' He laughed, "There inevitably are some setups and roles, but my mother seems to play her role even better than I do. She's almost at an actor's level."
He also spoke about changed reactions and perceived popularity after appearing on "Mr. House Husband 2." He said, "People who have known me for a long time know what kind of person I am, but I originally didn't use social media much and didn't check comments often. These days I can check reactions more easily, and because I run a personal YouTube channel I check comments."
He added, "Lately people recognize me. Should I call them my mother's generation? Reactions in daily life have definitely changed. When I go to restaurants, aunties even give me extra service. I've received messages from people nearby. Even entertainer friends and friends in Japan said they couldn't see me on TV but watched me on YouTube." He continued, "Beyond YouTube, people have gotten to know me anew through variety work, and because a certain age group among fans has formed, many people send messages saying I'm not their son but that I'm a young man navigating real life well."
He also shared behind-the-scenes stories about "Non-Summit," the show that made his name widely known in Korea. He recalled, "That was my first variety show. It's basically a debate program, and I spoke less Korean then than I do now, so I had to work hard for that show."
He continued, joking, "At that time there were more foreign cast members than on 'Tokpawon,' and above all the members talked a lot. They were chatterboxes." He added, "In that environment, if I had to mention something or take a stance, it required a lot of effort from me then. Because it's a debate program, there was a lot to prepare in advance as well as for interviews. When deep topics came up I had to research and learn, so it helped me grow."
Takuya also expressed special affection for "Non-Summit" and its cast at the time. He said, "Still, I became close with the members. 'Non-Summit' has a special meaning for me. Connections from that time continue now on 'Tokpawon,' not only with members but with staff as well, and it's been over 10 years. Moreover, 'Tokpawon' is now in its fourth year. Because the members are people I've known for a long time, filming 'Tokpawon' doesn't feel much like work."
When asked which member came to mind most, he said, "If I had to name one, it would be Hyunmoo hyung. Since 'Non-Summit,' Hyunmoo hyung took care of me, quietly but well. He kept in touch, we've met privately, he bought me meals, and he looked after me. We still film together now, and we keep in contact and see each other occasionally," sharing the warm story.
Having worked in Korea's entertainment industry for 15 years, he said, "When I first came over I didn't know Korean at all. I only knew phrases like 'annyeonghaseyo' and 'gamsahamnida.' I took training and classes and studied on my own. That's how I started Korean. I took classes for about a year. After that, as I worked and made acquaintances, it became natural. In the past when I spoke Korean I would think in Japanese first, but these days I think in Korean right away," he said, describing his changed daily life.
So what has sustained him through a long period in Korea's entertainment industry? Takuya said, "When I watch a media content, I like characters who grow. I'm also going through the process myself. I think about how I grow. Honestly, Korea no longer feels like a foreign place to me. I think of Korea as my second hometown. I continue while dreaming of growing here."
We also heard about Takuya the actor. Asked about difficulties with acting in Korean, he confessed, "People around me often compliment my Korean ability in daily life. But when acting, if I play a Korean role it's hard to be perfect, so that's always a concern."
He added, "I pay attention to pronunciation when talking with close acquaintances. So I read books and work to increase my vocabulary." He said, "Acting is easier in Japanese, of course, but among people in the entertainment industry there are many who act like I do. I think, 'If not me, who will do Korean-language roles?' So I keep challenging myself."
Takuya also said it was even harder to play a character who couldn't speak Korean. Referring to "The Daechi Scandal," he said, "My character was a Zainichi Korean and an international student. The character had to be poor at Korean, but I had always tried to speak Korean well and had never tried not to. When the director said he wanted me to be worse at Korean, that was actually difficult. I learned by talking with a Japanese friend while pretending not to know Korean," he laughed.
Takuya, who said he is currently shooting his next project, described the kinds of roles he wants in the future: "Looking at comments, many people say 'You'd suit romance.' But I'm now 35. Of course I would do romance, but if there's a character I want, it might be the opposite. I'd like to try action, noir genres, and extremelike roles such as a yakuza image. Recently I practiced action when preparing for auditions. I'm good at taking hits," he joked. He added with a laugh, "But fans seem to want to see a pretty side of me. That could also be possible if the opportunity arises."
Takuya, who debuted as an idol and is still recognized for his outstanding singing, was asked about the label 'singer.' He said, "On broadcasts the title 'former idol Takuya' tends to follow me, but I haven't made plans as a singer. Ironically, after leaving the idol group I had more opportunities to sing on TV and elsewhere. Recently I showed songs on broadcasts, and even though I don't have plans as a singer, watching me on stage on those shows brought support and response. I think I should open my heart a bit more to singing. Not only as a singer, there may be opportunities to show myself on stage."
At the beginning of the year Takuya debuted as an author with the hand-copying book "Pieces of Kindness." Regarding this, he said, "I've always wanted to publish a book. In the hand-copying book I included small everyday feelings. In other words, sentences about 'small but certain happiness' were incorporated so that readers who copy the passages would share emotions with me. I enjoyed finishing this book. Going forward I'd like to publish essays or books in Korean. I currently upload essays through YouTube videos, and maybe those could become books later if there's an opportunity."
He also said, "I'm not afraid of challenges. Coming to Korea itself was a big decision and a challenge. I like trying various things, and I'm still working in diverse ways." He added, "I've acted, but I don't think I've firmly established myself as an actor. I feel I'm still in the process. I challenge myself and grow; I think I'm in that process. I'm currently auditioning. Later, I hope to be remembered for a long time by the public as an actor who has grown."
He hinted at the positive possibility of holding a fan meeting, saying, "So far, as a broadcaster—on variety shows and YouTube—I've worked in many ways. Ultimately, what I want people to remember is my work as an actor. I have a next project and continue to challenge myself. I plan to keep challenging until the day I can present myself as 'actor Takuya.'"
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]