 |
Nogizaka46’s Inoue Nagi is stepping into the world of acting in a big way! She’s set to star in TV Asahi’s new drama, Spring!, which premieres on March 21 at 11:15 PM.
This marks her first-ever lead role in a terrestrial TV drama, making it a major milestone in her career.
The drama is a fresh and emotional take on high school life, centring around Aoi Ousaka, a top student in her third year of high school.
Despite her academic excellence, she shockingly fails the first half of her university entrance exams.
While dealing with the disappointment, she receives an invitation from Tasuku Murase, a lively and popular classmate who also failed.
Together, they join a three-day essay writing crash course, hoping to pass the highly competitive second round—only 10 students will make the cut.
As they struggle with their writing and self-doubt, something unexpected happens—their hearts begin to grow closer.
In just three days, what starts as an academic challenge turns into a heartfelt journey of love, self-discovery, and youthful emotions.
This drama is not your typical high school romance—it dives into the rarely explored theme of essay writing, showing how words can shape a person’s future and even bring two people together.
Written by Saaya Matsushita, Spring! won the 23rd TV Asahi New Screenplay Award, proving its strength as a compelling and well-crafted story.
For Inoue Nagi, this role is both exciting and nerve-wracking.
She shared her thoughts, saying:
"The story feels so pure and honest. My character, Aoi, struggles with expressing her emotions, while Tasuku is too straightforward, which makes things awkward but charming. I really connected with their journey."
One must-watch scene in the drama features Nagi wearing a traditional hakama, showing off her elegant calligraphy skills—a visual treat that adds depth to her character’s personality.
Inoue also reflected on her own "youthful moments", saying, "Being part of Nogizaka46, standing on stage, sometimes crying, sometimes clashing with my teammates… this is my youth. And now, stepping into acting, I feel like I’m living a new part of it."
The drama’s supporting cast is yet to be announced, but with a unique concept, emotional depth, and a fresh-faced lead, Spring! is shaping up to be a must-watch for J-drama fans.
Will Aoi and Tasuku pass their exams? Or will love be the real test they face? Find out when Spring! premieres on March 21!