Stage play "Pops?" featuring artist/actor ISSEI

The determination to stay true to what you love and continue to pour your passion into music.

Artist/Actor ISSEI

■ Profile
Born on August 2004, 2, in Tokyo.
They debuted on January 23, 2025, with their 1st Digital Single "Go Getter feat. AK-69".
Since her debut, she has been active in a wide range of fields, including as an artist and actor.
Her major acting credits include the CBC drama "What if there was no 'romance' in the world?" (2025) and the TV Tokyo drama series "Plunder and Marriage" (2026). Her upcoming project is the stage play "Naruse Goes to Conquer the World" (scheduled to run in July 2026).

ISSEI, who continues to expand his range of expression while working as an artist, spoke to us about his enthusiasm for the stage play "Pops?" which premiered on April 16th, the importance of continuing to challenge himself, and his passion for music. As a 22-year-old of the same generation as us, he can talk about the struggles and determination he has, and the strength he has to stick to what he loves.

My interest in this industry began when I watched a drama in elementary school and thought, "Acting looks fun." I especially remember being shocked when I watched a rerun of "Boys Over Flowers." Actually, I wasn't originally the type of person who wanted to be in the spotlight. I jumped into this world when I was in the first year of junior high school, and I really started with a casual curiosity, thinking, "Maybe I'll give it a try." When I first started, I didn't know anything and couldn't do anything yet, so I spent every day desperately trying to keep up with those around me. When I became a high school student, I chose an online school in order to balance work and studies. My life revolved around work, but the time I spent with friends at school was invaluable to me. When I was busy with work and couldn't attend for extended periods, I sometimes worried about the distance between myself and my friends, but I was able to fully participate in events such as school trips, and looking back now, I think it was really fun.

■Things you're not good at are opportunities for growth

During my student days, I didn't have a clear vision or goals, but from around high school, my will became stronger and what I wanted to do became clearer. When it comes to work, what I'm most conscious of is enjoying it. No matter the situation, I try not to view things too negatively, but instead transform them into something positive, thinking that it will be good for me. Rather than doing things I'm good at, I'm the type of person who gets more passion from taking the time to confront things I'm not so good at, like acting, and challenging myself through trial and error. I've come to realize that I can grow much more by working hard on things I'm not good at.

■ Similarities with Anzai, whom I play in the stage play "Pops?"

The play I'm appearing in, "Pops?", is about an "unsuccessful band" that's struggling to make ends meet, burdened by debt and inheritance issues, and lacking even the funds to perform. They work part-time at a detective agency while aiming for a hit so they can "pay back 200 million yen in three years." It's a play with a lot of drama, and I was really surprised when I was cast. It's a role unlike anything I've ever played before, so I think that because it's a new challenge, everyone will be able to enjoy a new side of me. There are many things I can relate to about the character I play, Anzai. In the play, his deceased grandmother asks him, "Why do you play music?" Anzai's response, "Because I love music," resonated with my own feelings. He's a character who seems to be in a different space than the other members of the band, and he has a sense of isolation, but I think that's similar to me. It's not just that he's clumsy, but it's a manifestation of his "stubbornness" that he can't compromise on because he truly loves music. I myself am not a very talkative person, so I feel a strong connection to the quiet passion that Anzai keeps hidden inside. This show will also feature pop songs from the Showa era, so we hope people of all ages will come. I would be happy if we could create a show where everyone in the venue can feel a sense of unity.

■ Passion for music and dreams for the future

For me, the most enjoyable moments are when I'm working on live performances or other live-action projects. Also, music is something entirely different, beyond just a job. I feel the most joy when I'm actually making music. It's because I have this genuine urge to do it that I've been able to continue for so long.
If you can choose what you love, even if it doesn't work out, you can always try again. I think that because I'm young, I can start over as many times as I want. There are times when I feel down mentally, but I like the sense of accomplishment that comes from working on projects that take a long time and are difficult. I'm competitive, so I want to keep going until I win! Also, I value gratitude when it comes to my work. I have many opportunities to interact directly with fans at events and such, so I make sure to express my gratitude clearly in words. My dream for the future is to have a successful solo concert with the music I love. In particular, I want to create many good songs that express my feelings, centered around hip hop. I would also be happy if more people get to know me through the music I create. As an actor, I am interested in roles and projects that I haven't tried yet. I have been doing martial arts for a long time, so I would like to try a role with action scenes that will allow me to make use of that experience and strengths someday.

■Message to university students

I'm 22 years old, the same age as many of you, but there are definitely things you can only do at this age, and decisions you can only make at this time. Trying something new at this age will have a completely different weight than trying something new at 30. Looking around me, I get the impression that many young people are conservative and try to play it safe, but I think that's a huge waste. Failure and mistakes are directly linked to your growth, so my stance is that it's better to fail a lot as early as possible. You only live once, so if you find something you're passionate about and want to do, don't worry about what others think, and just take the plunge. Let's do our best together!

Interview with Student Newspaper Online on December 26, 2026 by Shinoda Hinano, a second-year student at Tokyo Kasei University

Stage play "Pops?"
The entire show will consist of original songs in the style of idol rock. Sing, dance, laugh, and cry together with the audience—a new form of entertainment is about to begin!

Yurie Watanabe (2nd year, Josai International University) / Ayami Matsuyama (1st year, Aoyama Gakuin University) / Hinano Shinoda (2nd year, Tokyo Kasei University) / Rurika Abe (2nd year, Showa Women's University) / Satsuki Sakakura (3rd year, Tokyo Metropolitan University)