Actress Mio Akiyoshi

Opportunities and dreams are born from small opportunities

Actress Mio Akiyoshi

■ Profile
Born January 31, 2006 in Miyazaki Prefecture. Actor and model.
She won the grand prize at the "bijoux AUDITION 2024 supported by KeyHolder Group" held in March 2024. She has been appearing in the Rakuten GirlsAward 2024 Autumn/Winter, the ABC Mart x adidas "GRADAS" advertisement, and has appeared in other music videos, expanding the scope of her activities.
This will be his first drama appearance in the January 2025 TV Asahi Thursday 9pm drama "Private Banker."

The TV Asahi drama "Private Banker" will start on Thursdays at 9pm in January. Honami Suzuki plays Kumiko Iida's daughter, Seri Iida.NanaThe actress who will be playing the role is Mio Akiyoshi. She won the grand prize at the Bijoux Audition 2024 and87ageWhenShe moved to Tokyo from Miyazaki and pursued a career in showbiz. We spoke to her about the appeal of this drama and how she prepared for her role.

My entry into the entertainment world was triggered by an audition my mother applied for. When I first heard that I had passed the written selection, I thought, "That's great, I'll be able to go to Fukuoka," and started out with a lighthearted attitude. However, little by little, a spirit of challenge began to grow. As I auditioned in Fukuoka, Osaka, and Tokyo, spending time with the other auditioners who were serious about their work made me realize that I too had to be serious about it. The most memorable audition was the acting workshop leading up to the final audition. When I was acting out a scene where lightning strikes, the director asked me, "Have you ever been surprised before?" and I realized how difficult it is to express emotions I'd never experienced before. Also, during the audition in Osaka, I was inspired by watching the others rehearse their scripts, so I practiced my pair acting until the very last minute. Looking back, that moment may have been the moment that flipped my switch to the entertainment industry. I'm often asked about the difficulties of balancing school and work, but I value "not pushing myself too hard" and "being myself." Perhaps thanks to that, staff often tell me, "Your character is honest and lovable" (laughs).

■The scariest thing in the world is dying

What I find most rewarding right now is creating a work together with the staff and co-stars on set. The sense of accomplishment when a work is completed and the new knowledge I learn on set are very stimulating. In particular, when I see how the big names carefully do the obvious things, I want to emulate them. When creating a character, I often don't know the right answer and it's a process of trial and error, but I do my best to gradually give shape to the character by reading the script over and over and thinking about the character's inner thoughts and background.
There are many moments when I feel like I'm being overcome by anxiety, but I try to think, "The scariest thing in this world is death. Compared to that, nothing else is scary." Thinking like that makes me feel almost completely at ease. I think what keeps me going is not only my competitive nature, but also my strong unwillingness to compromise on myself. Even when I feel like I don't have enough strength compared to others, I ask myself, "Why can't I do this?" and continue to work hard, which has helped me overcome it.

■ドラマ"Private Banker"Appearance in

When I was chosen to appear in the film, I heard that I would be acting alongside some big names, and I was worried about causing trouble on set, and wondered if I was the right person for the role. However, thanks to the support of the director and staff, I gradually became less nervous and was able to learn a lot. Iida Serina, the character I play, is a cool and serious character who supports her mother while balancing school and the store. Her personality is a little different from my own, but in order to prepare for the role, I not only read the script carefully, but also practiced in my daily life, being conscious of the tone of my voice. I don't usually speak very loudly, but this time there was a scene where I had to shout, so I worked hard on that.

■ Doing the obvious things carefully

I entered this industry thanks to a recommendation from my mother, and up until then I hadn't really had any aspirations for it. However, as I have continued acting, I now want to broaden my possibilities through new discoveries and learning on set. I was really impressed by Suzuki Honami, who I co-starred with in this drama, for her careful demeanor and friendly personality. I would like to become an actress like her someday.

■Message to university students

It was a small opportunity that led me to start this job, but I seized it and that's why I am where I am today. You never know when or where an opportunity will present itself. Don't miss that moment and keep on hoping. I also think it's important to approach everything with a positive attitude. Especially in school life, there are many opportunities to broaden your horizons through many experiences and encounters. Find what is important to you and move forward believing in the possibilities.

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on May 16, 2024 by Daiki Shimada, a fourth-year student at Hosei University