Aragaki Yui: When I'm working, I try to enjoy it as much as possible. I've never really thought of it as work.

<Profile>
Actress Yui Aragaki
Height: 167cm
Birthplace: Okinawa Prefecture
Date of birth: May 1988, 6
Hobbies and skills: drawing illustrations, karaoke

I'm still exploring the appeal of being an actress.

You entered the workforce earlier than people your age and are now working. What is your attitude towards work?

"It all started when I was working as a magazine model. When I'm working, I try to enjoy it as much as possible. I've never really thought of it as work. In addition to acting, I've also been doing music recently, but I don't have any particular enthusiasm for acting or music. I just go with the flow and the atmosphere of the moment."

Are there any challenges or difficulties you face in your work?

"It's about managing my health. This job requires an irregular lifestyle, so I have to be careful about managing my health. In terms of the work itself, there are many sad scenes in "Koizora," but there aren't many people who would normally choose to feel sad. So, sad scenes are tough."

What is the appeal of being an actress?

"Honestly, I don't really know (laughs). I'm still searching for it myself. The fun part is not being alone, it only works when there's someone else, and you create a work together. I'm not sure if acting is the best fit for me."

Mika is Yui Aragaki herself

Are there any similarities between you and Mika, the protagonist in the movie "Koizora"?

"People around me told me that Mika and Aragaki Yui are similar. I think it's because they have similar energy levels and ways of speaking. In other roles, I've had difficulty with characters who were high-energy, but this time I was able to do it smoothly without any particular difficulty, so I think we are similar after all."

How did you prepare for the role of Mika?

"I don't usually try to prepare for a role. I have a basic profile and an image of the script, but it changes depending on the tone of my co-star and the atmosphere on set. Mika is an extremely ordinary girl, and I've never experienced anything like that, but I thought she was very similar. After we read the script together, the director just told me to just come to the set as I was, so I didn't try to prepare for the role in any particular way."

Do you have a favorite scene in the movie "Koizora"?

"It's a scene at the wedding where it's just Hiro and Mika. It's the first time that Higuchi shows Mika his 'weak feelings,' and Mika, who has always been supported by others, now supports him, making this a scene that takes on a new dimension. Also, the background is beautiful, and there are warm tears at the end, so it's one of my favorite scenes."

I'm sure what I'm learning now will be useful.

What kind of work do you want to do in the future?

"Recently I've been doing music, which I feel lucky to be doing because it's something I've always been interested in. There are people in the world who want to release a CD but can't, so I feel really lucky. I'd also like to try painting and taking photographs. I also like wearing clothes, so I'd like to continue working as a model, which I've been doing for a long time. I'd also like to try taking photographs where I become part of the landscape."

Please give us a message for the students.

"Some of you are working towards what you want to do, while others are still searching for it. I think what you are learning now will be useful, so please take your time and do your best!"

From forGirls October 2007 issue