Unbreakable Bond: Hama Shogo and Hyodo Kokai Unleash Sizzling Chemistry in New Drama
September 16, 2024 10:00 AM
Scene from TBS Drama Stream’s “Dokuren: Poison Turns into Love” (C) “Dokuren: Poison Turns into Love” Production Committee
Actors Shogo Hama and Kokai Hyodo co-star in the TBS Drama Stream drama “Doku Koi ~ Doku mo Sugireba Koi ni Naru ~” (starting September 17th, every Tuesday at 11:56 pm *Broadcast times are subject to change, excluding some regions). The story is about an elite lawyer and a genius con artist who team up as secret partners. The two co-stars gave an interview together about this unprecedented suspense and boys’ love comedy.
[Photo]Full-body image of Hama Shogo and Hyodo Koukai in “Dokuren” highlighting their tall stature
The drama is based on a novel of the same name written by Keisuke Makino. The genius lawyer, Reima Shiba, passed the bar exam with the highest score while still in college, and became the youngest co-partner at a major law firm. He is valued as a legal advisor for many major clients. One day, Shiba meets the mysterious genius conman, Haruto, at a bar. Shiba was looking for a capable work partner, and Haruto invited him to be his partner. Recognizing Haruto’s talent for impersonating others, Shiba decides to “keep” Haruto in his home. They begin living together as a completely secret partner. Shiba, who is a beginner in love, is gradually “poisoned” by Haruto, who is good at being spoiled and will do his best for his owner no matter what danger he faces, and he finally falls in love with him…
This will be the first time the pair have starred in a TBS drama. When asked how they felt when they first received the offer, Hama replied, “I was very happy. I was also just surprised and wondered if I was the right person for the role. Leading a role means you have to shoulder the responsibility of the production, so I knew I had to put all my energy into it.”
Hyodo also commented, “Personally, I have been involved in the TBS dramas, the Sunday Theatre ‘Gekokujo Kyuji’ and the Friday Drama ‘9 Border’, and seeing the backs of everyone who is active at the forefront leading the way made me want to become a man who can carry the weight of a production on his shoulders, and I thought that I had to become an actor, and then I heard about this offer. It made me feel like I had to work hard.”
Although the two will both be taking on big roles, they seem to have already built a strong relationship of trust with each other. Hama said, “I’ve known Hyodo for a long time, and this is our third time acting together. I really felt a connection with him, and I’m happy to be able to take on the double lead role together, and I’m excited and thrilled that we’ll be able to create the world of the film together,” to which Hyodo replied, “Hama-kun also said this, but I felt a connection with him as he’s a senior who I’ve known since I was young, and I really trust him as an actor, so I’m really happy that the two of us will be able to take on the responsibility of the film together,” revealing their already good chemistry.
Hama plays Shiba Reima, a brilliant lawyer with a sharp mind and excellent sense of legal practice. On the other hand, he has difficulty reading the mood or people’s minds. He lives in a high-rise apartment building, but leads a solitary life where he talks to succulents. His hobby is solo camping, and he likes to escape from hard work and social interactions and spend time in nature. However, his camping skills are extremely poor and he is clumsy. By chance, he takes on Haruto and has him support his work from behind the scenes, but despite being his “owner,” he is at the mercy of Haruto’s free-spiritedness and boldness, which throws him off balance. Shiba, who has a tsundere personality and no experience in love, is frustrated by his inability to express the feelings he gradually develops for Haruto.
Introducing his role, Hama said, “I think it’s because he’s able to complete a lot of things on his own, but he’s a rational character who doesn’t waste anything.” When asked what people should look out for in the role, he revealed, “I think when he meets Haruto, he will feel a variety of emotions, but I think that kind of panic is what makes Shina cute, and it will lead to a charming gap.”
Meanwhile, Hyodo plays Haruto, who is eloquent and has the ability to impersonate anyone, making a living by committing fraud. Shina recognizes his talent and they become his secret partner, helping him out behind the scenes as a lawyer. He gradually begins to find Shina’s sensitivity and clumsiness endearing, and is drawn to him. He doesn’t reveal his true feelings, but he shows it through his actions and speaks frankly, toying with Shina. He also has a mysterious backstory, being of no fixed address, with high survival skills, and looking after boys and girls with troubles.
Introducing the role he plays with a smile, Hyodo said, “He has a strong character, a genius con man, a doggy-like swamp boy (laughs).” He continued, “The script has a lot of words like doggy-like swamp boy, but since the character is a genius con man, I wonder what the intention is behind those words…I want to properly express not only the surface but also the hidden side, and create a character with depth.”
Finally, they were each asked to give a comment to the viewers. Hama said, “It has elements of love, suspense, and comedy. It’s a drama that changes as the story progresses. I hope you’ll look forward to seeing how Shinba, the character I play, is stirred up by Haruto and changes more and more. I also hope you’ll look forward to the unexpected love story between the two and the cool partner-figure between them!”
Hyodo also commented, “I want to create a work that is entertaining in terms of comedy elements, and that makes you feel the love between the two of them, that makes you think they’re so cute, that makes your heart flutter, and that makes you want to root for them. And as the suspenseful storyline reaches its climax in the second half, I want us to work hard together so that you will be drawn into the story and want the two of them to do their best, so I hope you will pay attention to that as well!”