Hiroki Narimiya cast as Yutaka Ozaki in biographical drama
Yutaka Ozaki
The life of singer-songwriter Yutaka Ozaki(尾崎豊）is being dramatized for television for the first time. Hiroki Narimiya (成宮寛貴),28, will play the role of Ozaki as part of a special drama and documentary project by digital broadcasting station BS Japan.
Ozakiis one of the most iconic singer/songwriters of Japan. Debuting in 1983 with “15 no yoru,” he won the hearts of Japanese teenagers who could relate to his realistic lyrics about love, rebellion, and growing up. He died an untimely death on April 25, 1992 of heart failure, most likely brought on by an overdose. Since then, his songs have been covered many times by the popular artists of today.
To commemorate BS Japan’s 10th anniversary, the station is producing a mini-drama, tentatively titled “Kaze no Shonen ~ Ozaki Yutaka Eien no Densetsu.” The show will be a portrayal of Ozaki’s life, using an original screenplay based on a book by Akira Sudo, who was Ozaki’s producer.
Narumiya debuted in 2000 in the play “Horobikaketa Jinrui, Sono Ai no Honshitsu to wa (Perishing Humankind, What is the Essence of Its Love?).” He was chosen for the part of Kane out of the 3000 actors who auditioned. In February 2001, Narumiya made his movie debut in “Oboreru Sakana”, a Toei production. In 2002, he appeared as Noda in the television drama, “Gokusen.” With his life-sized performance in this role, Hiroki won both serious acclaim and popularity.
Narumiya has received many offers to model overseas for high-fashion brands, which fits in his plans to pursue work outside Japan as both a model and actor.
The drama will cover Ozaki’s life from the age of 16, when he first met Sudo through an artist audition. The show is expected to air on TV Tokyo in late March.
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