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aibanokokuhaku*(translator's note. I kept switching between using handsome and manly to describe the concept of 男前 because I felt both were important to the concept. Enjoy!)
Arashi's Aiba Masaki on becoming a "handsome (manly) man".
SPECIAL INTERVIEW Arashi's Aiba Masaki talks about how he decided to become a "handsome man" and what it means in his own words . In front of distinctive coworkers, he still embraces a rather modest persona. However, he is, unquestionably, at the top. That is Mr. Aiba Masaki. He will play the leading role in a new drama this spring as well. A man who the era seeks to look upt to talks about what it is to be "a man," and what is work.
--
Well first, what is it about "handsome man" as an idea that intrigues you?
Predictably, I think handsome men are gentlemen. They can follow the rules, but are also smart. When I was young, I was in that headspace where I liked being on the edge and choosing when I wanted to break the rules or not. But as I have gotten older, I now feel that following the rules whenever I can will make me a more flattering man.
That portrait you painted just now, in my mind, is like Ken Takakura in "Black Rain".
He is really cool. Of course Yusaku Matsuda is too, but Mr. Takakura definitely! When it comes to someone with my image of a handsome man, there is no comparison.
Alright, my next question is a bit of a toughie. So, Takakura is no mizer-- it was always easy to understand his intention. In that way, I can get a very Aiba-esque vibe from him. From this spring, during Golden Time (20:00~22:00), you will be playing a protagonist in a drama. It has been 8 years since your first Golden Time drama and you had one in 2015 as well. What changes in you are you conscious of during this time?
From the first drama that is when I felt I had made a name for myself. I felt a lot of responsibility and fighting spirit, which seems pretty natural to me. The directors made sure to really relate to me that the lead character this time is going to be stronger than what I have done before, and to think of ways to make myself stronger in preparation for it.
You had to then become more strong in order to produce a better result as an actor. I guess there are directors like that, eh? But it wasn't just for your acting life that you have been changing.
It's not easy. I had to inspire myself to produce the level of depth needed.
Steadily, you seem to be making your way to the top of Japanese showbiz. To be only 34 years old but want to have a handsome, masucline image gives off a very professional, business aura.
Is that so? Work is something that we all have to do, but I think I will be happy as long as I have no regrets. Sometimes, I make mistakes, but if I worry less about the result and more about putting in 100% effort, then I can move forward. I also take things one step at a time.
It seems perfection is impossible to find, and that is just one facet of reality you have been contemplating.
But with work you have to pretend there is a perfect, or at least an end goal. Otherwise, you will have no motivation to complete tasks. Work and private life in and of themselves don't provide enrichment. [You need a blance of both.] To just work constantly is strange, isn't it?
Strict work seems to have made Aiba into a passionate actor. Work has both its challenges and rewards, its dull and important moments, so you have found a way to live [and thrive] in these challenges.
I have come to appreciate how much I can really do. At first I had no idea what kind of person I would become or if I could handle this lifestyle. But we only have one life. I had times where I was anxious, scared, and nervous. But because of those memories too, I have to keep working hard.
(And so he continued to elaborate.)
But as soon as one hurdle is cleared, another one comes. It will continue like that until the end. It feels like a struggle at times. But I want to be in a place where I don't struggle, but for everyone, even me, it seems impossible.
We all continue our personal struggle. But with your new charisma, the beauty of your struggle in this era will be something others seek out for themselves.
Arashi's Aiba Masaki on becoming a "handsome (manly) man".
SPECIAL INTERVIEW Arashi's Aiba Masaki talks about how he decided to become a "handsome man" and what it means in his own words . In front of distinctive coworkers, he still embraces a rather modest persona. However, he is, unquestionably, at the top. That is Mr. Aiba Masaki. He will play the leading role in a new drama this spring as well. A man who the era seeks to look upt to talks about what it is to be "a man," and what is work.
--
Well first, what is it about "handsome man" as an idea that intrigues you?
Predictably, I think handsome men are gentlemen. They can follow the rules, but are also smart. When I was young, I was in that headspace where I liked being on the edge and choosing when I wanted to break the rules or not. But as I have gotten older, I now feel that following the rules whenever I can will make me a more flattering man.
That portrait you painted just now, in my mind, is like Ken Takakura in "Black Rain".
He is really cool. Of course Yusaku Matsuda is too, but Mr. Takakura definitely! When it comes to someone with my image of a handsome man, there is no comparison.
Alright, my next question is a bit of a toughie. So, Takakura is no mizer-- it was always easy to understand his intention. In that way, I can get a very Aiba-esque vibe from him. From this spring, during Golden Time (20:00~22:00), you will be playing a protagonist in a drama. It has been 8 years since your first Golden Time drama and you had one in 2015 as well. What changes in you are you conscious of during this time?
From the first drama that is when I felt I had made a name for myself. I felt a lot of responsibility and fighting spirit, which seems pretty natural to me. The directors made sure to really relate to me that the lead character this time is going to be stronger than what I have done before, and to think of ways to make myself stronger in preparation for it.
You had to then become more strong in order to produce a better result as an actor. I guess there are directors like that, eh? But it wasn't just for your acting life that you have been changing.
It's not easy. I had to inspire myself to produce the level of depth needed.
Steadily, you seem to be making your way to the top of Japanese showbiz. To be only 34 years old but want to have a handsome, masucline image gives off a very professional, business aura.
Is that so? Work is something that we all have to do, but I think I will be happy as long as I have no regrets. Sometimes, I make mistakes, but if I worry less about the result and more about putting in 100% effort, then I can move forward. I also take things one step at a time.
It seems perfection is impossible to find, and that is just one facet of reality you have been contemplating.
But with work you have to pretend there is a perfect, or at least an end goal. Otherwise, you will have no motivation to complete tasks. Work and private life in and of themselves don't provide enrichment. [You need a blance of both.] To just work constantly is strange, isn't it?
Strict work seems to have made Aiba into a passionate actor. Work has both its challenges and rewards, its dull and important moments, so you have found a way to live [and thrive] in these challenges.
I have come to appreciate how much I can really do. At first I had no idea what kind of person I would become or if I could handle this lifestyle. But we only have one life. I had times where I was anxious, scared, and nervous. But because of those memories too, I have to keep working hard.
(And so he continued to elaborate.)
But as soon as one hurdle is cleared, another one comes. It will continue like that until the end. It feels like a struggle at times. But I want to be in a place where I don't struggle, but for everyone, even me, it seems impossible.
We all continue our personal struggle. But with your new charisma, the beauty of your struggle in this era will be something others seek out for themselves.
