Ryoko Yonekura: Being an actor who can live a life other than my own is both interesting and rewarding

An actor　Ryoko Yonekura(Yonekura Ryoko)

■ Profile
Born in 1975. Worked as a model from 1993, and turned to acting in 1999. Made her Broadway debut in the musical "CHICAGO" in 2012. The drama series "Doctor X: Surgeon Daimon Michiko" (2012-2021) recorded high viewership ratings. Official Instagram: @ryoko_yonekura_0801

◆Please tell us what made you enter the entertainment industry.

I entered the entertainment industry when I was in high school. At the time, I never imagined I would enter the industry. But then a friend asked me, "Why don't you apply?" I was so happy to hear those words that I practiced hard every day in order to pass, and I ended up winning the judges' special award out of the many other applicants. After starting out as a model, a few years later, I decided to challenge myself to see how far I could go, so I turned to acting. I've faced big obstacles every time I've played a different role, but I find acting, which allows me to live a life other than my own, very rewarding.

◆ Playing the role of an international funeral director

Drama"Angel Flight International Funeral Repatriation SpecialistShe plays the main character, Izawa Nami, in the series, and her role is to help bereaved families say a proper final farewell to their deceased loved ones and get their lives started anew.
What I learned through this role is that people are approaching death from the moment they are born. I realized that it is up to each of us to make the most of the time we have left. This work makes me reconsider the importance of properly interacting with others on a daily basis.

◆Please give us a message for the students.

I would like to spend as much time as possible with my co-stars and communicate with them. I believe that you can connect with others by looking them in the eye, rather than just communicating by email, and I would like to continue to value this in the future. I would also like to urge all students to make it a point to meet someone in person and convey an important message.

■After the interview　

Her bright smile was like a blooming flower, and her comical remarks. The warm gaze she directed at us was just like the glamorous and warm-hearted actress Yonekura Ryoko in the drama. Her sincere personality, which remains unchanged even in everyday life, was very impressive.　　

Student Newspaper April 1, 2023 Issue Tsuda University 4th Year Student Miyata Ayako