Singer and actor Abe Aran

Whether you enjoy or worry about an uncertain future will make a big difference in your life.

Singer and actor　Abe Kenran (Abe Aran)

■ Profile
Born on August 1997, 8, in Tokyo.
He has been active mainly as an actor, and has participated in a wide range of productions including movies, dramas, and stage plays.
He is also active in a wide range of fields, including music as the vocalist of "7ORDER" and planning and producing his own original videos and merchandise.

Abe Renran began his entertainment career in his first year of junior high school, and has been active as an actor in stage plays, dramas, and movies, and is also a member of the musical group "7ORDER." Abe, who is known for his positive and unwavering attitude, spoke to us about what he keeps in mind when working, his outlook for the future, and the secret to staying positive.

■Because of my activities, I was able to focus on my studies during my student days

I entered the industry in 2010, when I was in my first year of junior high school, after my mother sent my resume to an agency. I loved baseball as a child, so I wasn't interested in the entertainment industry. Smartphones had just come out at the time, and my mother begged me to go to an audition, saying, "I'll buy you one, so please go." In the end, I didn't get a smartphone (laughs). I've always loved studying, and being active in the industry made me feel even more obligated to study, so I started studying even harder. If I hadn't been doing this, I might have just played around. In addition to the cram school I'd attended since I was little, I also attended a prep school, balancing school and my work. Even as a student, I felt like I was juggling two jobs: studying and working. Going to university was a way to show my parents my gratitude, but I also worked hard because I thought it would be cool to study. Visible results, such as awards and having my top grades displayed, helped me gain confidence during my student days.

■All experiences will eventually come together and come to life

I feel that music, acting, and dance are all connected. Each has its own rhythm and flow, so the connections become clear. For example, when interacting with others in a work role, it's important to sense the other person and respond accordingly. That breathing is similar to dance and music sessions, and I think it's useful in both.
In some ways, I think acting is similar to studying. Each and every scene in a work has a purpose: "I want it to look like this." I understand what's important, and then I always work backwards from that goal and think about how I should approach it. However, there are times when memorizing everything isn't necessary, so I try to leave out the unnecessary and approach the work efficiently. Even when I watch movies as a hobby, I enjoy thinking about the theme of the movie while I watch.
I entered the entertainment industry in my first year of junior high school, and looking back, I encountered many different adults and it felt like my first year in the workforce. I was fortunate to have a good environment, so I was able to get to where I am today without any problems, but I think that the experience of fighting in a tough world where there are always rivals is useful to me in many ways.

A memorable work was my first starring role in the drama "Close Range Love: Season Zero" when I was 16-17 years old. It's not easy to play the lead role, so it made me feel even more responsible for my work. I sometimes read books on acting methods, but I believe the best way to learn about acting is through actual experience. I value a constant attitude of continuing to learn, and I never think "I'm good," but always approach things with a beginner's mind. This is also a Zen philosophy I love. I believe that by approaching things with a clean slate, I can absorb new knowledge like a sponge, which will lead to improvement. Last year's play "Rabbit Hole" made me want to do more realistic acting. Everyone, from my co-stars to the director and staff, was stimulating, and it was purely enjoyable. There were both frustrating and enjoyable moments, but this production made me want to be more positive.
Since starting activities as 7ORDER, I've felt the gratitude of people even more. Packaging the CDs by ourselves with the sealing stamps was a great experience that allowed me to feel the support of the people who are supporting me even though I can't see them directly.

■ Be yourself and be positive

I am involved in a wide range of activities in many different fields, but my core belief is that "wherever I go, I am myself." What is required varies depending on the place, but I place importance on working with an honest attitude, doing things that excite me, and being able to be myself.
The rewarding part of this job, and what gives me a sense of purpose in life, is working together to create something we think is good, sharing it, and getting a response from a variety of people. It's wonderful to come together with the sole purpose of making something good, and it's also great to see that left behind in a tangible form.
I'm always positive, but in my teens I often had ups and downs and would get depressed. It's because of that experience that I've now come to the conclusion that "there's no point in overthinking." You either embrace life as you keep walking, constantly unable to see what's ahead, or you worry. In my case, I'm the former type, and I think the direction of your life will change dramatically depending on which you choose. I also think it's important to find something that helps you relax, like moving your body. I recommend increasing the number of moments when you feel "positive after doing this."

■ Looking to the world as a base for future activities

From now on, I would like to put more effort into my acting career. I would like to try anything that interests me. I particularly love classic dramas, so I would like to appear in period dramas such as taiga dramas. I respect Hiroyuki Sanada, an actor I admire, and I would like to try my hand at both domestic and international productions, such as "SHOGUN," which is being produced by a Hollywood and Japanese team.
If I am able to find a place to work overseas, I would like to spread Japanese culture to the world.

■Message to university students

I think people should take action immediately if they are interested in something. I am conscious of this myself. If you don't act immediately when an idea strikes your mind, you will miss the opportunity later, so I try not to put it off and tell myself, "I'll do it today, not tomorrow." When I was 20, I traveled around the United States alone, and that experience as a student, in a good way, was fearless and remains deeply useful to me today. I want to cherish my own measuring stick of "what I find valuable," not think too much about the future, and live life to the fullest in the present.

Student Newspaper Online Interview March 15, 2024 Shiori Ohno, Sophia University Junior College, 2nd Year

Akane Tachibana / Sophia University Junior College 2nd year Shiori Ohno / Chuo University 2nd year Renpo Maeda / Komazawa University 4th year Kyo Honda / Kokugakuin University 1st year Shion Teranishi