Fan CastingSukiyaki: The Kyu Sakamoto Story

At the crossroads of music, history, and culture, "Sukiyaki: The Kyu Sakamoto Story" is a gripping six-part miniseries that explores the life of Kyu Sakamoto- an unlikely global superstar. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing post-war Japan, the series captures how Sakamoto's poignant voice resonated across continents, making him the first Asian artist to top the U.S. Billboard charts in 1963. But behind the smiles and pop fame lay a man caught between the weight of international expectations and the complexities of personal life. Each episode peels back the layers of Sakamoto's world: from his childhood in war-torn Japan, growing up in the shadow of a nation rebuilding itself, to his unexpected rise as a pop culture icon. The series will explore his whirlwind fame in Japan and the West, his marriage to beloved actress Yukiko Kashiwagi, and the pressures of maintaining his career in a changing music landscape. Viewers will also witness the emotional toll of his struggles with depression and personal insecurities that often contrast with his public persona. The miniseries culminates in the tragic JAL Flight 123 crash in 1985, which claimed his life, leaving behind an enduring legacy that continues to inspire. Through Kyu's music, the show highlights how the universality of emotion-heartbreak, hope, and resilience- transcends language and culture.