Actress and model Sae Okazaki

Like water that can freely change shape, I aim to become an actress who can become anything.

Actress and model　Sae Okazaki(Okazaki Sae)

■ Profile
Born December 1995, 11 in Aichi Prefecture.
In 2012, she won the grand prize at the magazine "Seventeen" and made her debut as an exclusive model.
She is currently active as an exclusive model for the magazine "Ray."
He began working as an actor in earnest in 2015, and played the lead role in the drama "Hanayome Miman Escape." He is scheduled to appear as a regular in the drama "Mountain Doctor" starting in July 2024. He is active in a wide range of fields, including acting and modeling.

Okazaki Sae made her modeling debut at the age of 17 and has been active in a wide range of fields as an actress. She has appeared in many productions and has captivated many people.Mountain DoctorIn the drama, Okazaki plays an anesthesiologist, portraying the harshness and excitement of mountain medical care. We spoke to Okazaki about his commitment to character development and the highlights of the drama.

I started working in the entertainment industry at the age of 17. I'd always been interested in fashion, but I'd never really considered joining an agency and becoming a model. It was a chance encounter with a photographer that led me to become a model. Through that connection, I was able to work as a model for the magazine "Seventeen," and my world changed dramatically. It wasn't my own choice, but rather that encounter that led me down this path. I continued working in the entertainment industry while attending school. I was truly blessed to be able to work in the entertainment industry while living a normal student life, participating in club activities and events, and making many memories.

At first, modeling was a constant source of tension. Especially during my first shoot for "Seventeen," the tension outweighed the fun. But as I gained more experience, I gradually began to enjoy it. Then, around the age of 20, I decided to try my hand at acting. The world of drama and television was a distant dream for me, and I was filled with anxiety. I was scared to even read the script, and at first, it was difficult for me to get used to the set. But I kept trying, thinking, "If I'm going to do it, I want to do my best," and I've continued to take on the challenge, which has brought me to where I am today.

■ A new challenge at "Mountain Doctor"

"Mountain DoctorI was incredibly happy when I was cast in "The Mountain Medical Team." The drama centers around mountain medical care, a first-of-its-kind experience for me. I began by researching mountain medical care, a field I'd never heard of before. The conditions in the mountains and in hospitals are completely different, so it's a field that requires both judgment and skill, making it a new challenge for me. That's why I was so excited about this new step. While the term "doctor" is used broadly, the perspective and focus vary depending on the department, so I worked hard to prepare for the role by learning specialized knowledge from doctors working in the field. I play the role of an anesthesiologist, whose job requires me to constantly monitor patients' entire bodies, constantly checking their breathing and heart rate, and always maintaining a broad perspective.

In addition to playing the role of an anesthesiologist, I was also conscious of digging deeper into the character's inner self. The character I play is bright and strong-willed, but also has a sensitive side, having issues with his parents. He is conflicted with his innermost feelings, but hides them so as not to show them. I hope to inspire and give hope to the viewers through this human role.

■About the appeal of the drama

"Mountain Doctor" depicts the still-unknown field of mountain medicine. Through the doctors' struggles, challenges, and failures, the drama conveys their strong desire to save patients. Medical care in the mountains is very different from medical care in a hospital, testing their judgment and skills under extreme circumstances. Doctors must respond to unexpected troubles and crisis situations they face in the mountains. As a result, a single mistake can be fatal, and there is a constant atmosphere of tension. I hope that viewers will come away with a sense of the rigors and wonders of medicine through this drama.

The drama not only depicts medical procedures, but also human growth and conflict. The doctors experience failure, but continue to move forward with a strong desire to save patients. I think viewers will feel that doctors are just another human being. By depicting the process of trial and error, I hope to convey human growth and hope to viewers. I also think viewers will enjoy not only the hospital operations, but also the mountain rescue operations unique to mountain medicine and the thrilling realism that can only be found in nature. Each scene depicts the human story in detail, so I hope viewers will enjoy paying attention to the emotional changes and conflicts of each character.

■Message to students

I would like to continue challenging myself to play a variety of roles. One thing I am particularly conscious of is the desire to "become water." My goal is to be able to flexibly play any role. Water has no color and no shape. That is why I believe it can become anything. I also want to tackle any role seriously, no matter how difficult it may be, and breathe life into it.

What I want to convey to all students is the importance of taking on challenges. Failure is a step towards success, and the drama depicts this process. I hope that by challenging yourself with any challenge, you will move forward with hope and courage without fear of failure. I myself have grown through many challenges. Whether it's in your studies, club activities, or anything else, I hope that you will believe in your potential and take the first step towards a challenge.

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on May 7, 2024 by Daiki Shimada, a fourth-year student at Hosei University

"Mountain Doctor"

Credit Transfer
Makeup by Kento Takeuchi and Nozomi Naganawa
・Stylist Yuma Mori
・Photographer: Kosuke Shimoda