My dear friend, Matsumoto Jun (松本潤) was born on August 30, 1983. He is a Japanese singer and actor from Johnny's Entertainment Group. He is best known for being a member of the popular J-Pop group Arashi, together with Masaki Aiba, Kazunari Ninomiya, Satoshi Ohno, and Sho Sakurai. Jun has been critically acclaimed in the acting field for his work in various films and television dramas. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Matsumoto is the youngest child of his parents. He has an older sister whose support of Kinki Kids influenced his decision to join Johnny's Entertainment in 1996
Jun is a serious and very dedicated to worker in anything that he has done previously and currently right now too as well. Jun-chan has been declared by his bandmates as a very caring friend for all the Arashi members. He is also known to be the group's "Concert Leader," as he always takes charge in the group's concert planning. ^^ Matsumoto was once designated the "Comedy Leader" of Arashi but has more or less lost that image as he grew up. Now known more for his frank nature and sharp tongue, he has been called "DoS" ("extreme sadist") by his bandmates and openly admits to being rather neurotic and methodical. Despite this, all of Arashi have stated that he cares most for the members and the group itself. He is close to his bandmates and has stated that they have never properly fought since they were brought together by the agency, mostly in part to the peaceful nature of the group's leader Satoshi Ohno and band member Masaki Aiba -- a claim supported by bandmate Sho Sakurai. He is also known for his serious work ethic -- often juggling several projects (music, television, film and radio) at the same time.
Jun began his career in the entertainment industry as a back-up dancer for other groups like many other Juniors in the agency before he was drafted into a five-member group named Arashi in 1999 at the age of 16. He graduated from Horikoshi Gakuen, a renowned high school known for its many performing arts alumnae, at the age of 18 with other contemporaries Kyoko Fukada and Ai Kato whom he counts as his high school senpai. He is best known for being the youngest member of the popular boy band Arashi. Since the group's debut in 1999, it has achieved 20 number one singles, 6 number one studio albums, 1 number one greatest hits compilation album and has sold 9.9 million records in Japan alone to date.
A simple profile of Jun! ^^
Name: 松本 潤
Name (romaji): Matsumoto Jun
Nickname: MatsuJun, Jun-sama, Jun-kun (by all of Arashi), Jun-chan (by his mom), Devil Jun (in his JR days), Do-S (DoS) banchou (Bambino), Junjun (close friends), Jun-pon, Jun-tan, Junnichi (old school friends), Junji
Interests: Music, DVDs, Photography, Reading
Preferred Sport: baseball
Favorite Food: Soba, Dried Plums, Mango
Favorite Colors: White, Black, & Blue
Enjoys: go to the beach and play with dogs… even though he doesn’t have a dog, shopping and buy clothes, likes to change his hairstyle
His new and personal community website is: http://jun-online.webs.com/ ...Please check it out when you have time and join the fun of his new site!! ^o^
Fun Facts about Jun:
1. Fellow Arashi member Sho Sakurai was once his private tutor. In fact, Sho was the one who encouraged Jun to finish High School.
2. His 17th birthday presents from the members: Electric Massager (Sho), Skateboard (Aiba), Self Portrait (Ohno), 5 Small Turtles (Nino). Jun felt really happy that the members remembered his birthday.
Those turtles Nino gave him are “fine”. Other than changes in size, they were once frozen to death, and were ‘revived’ after being dipped into hot water. Last August 30, 2007 (his birthday) his mother sent him a birthday e-mail. Attached to it was a picture of his turtles and a message along the lines of "Your turtles have grown one year older too."
3. The places he would love to visit are Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Recently he was able to visit both-- Las Vegas, for the filming of Hana Yori Dango Final (2008) and L.A. for the advanced screening of his movie Kakushi Toride no San Akunin (2008).
4. Although often mentioned that his blood type is "A", in technicality his bloodtype is really rhesus negative-- a very rare blood type. (Shocking isn't it!)
6. Matsujun is also nearsighted. On stage, screen, and magazines, he usually wears contacts. Outside his work and during his free time, he is mainly seen by many wearing a pair of glasses.
7. Junjun is a huge fan of American superstar Janet Jackson, often referring to his opportunity to meet his idol during several of his media interviews. He is also a fan of American actors Johnny Depp, Kevin Spacey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and enjoys Kabuki.
8. He considers the founder of Johnny's Jimusho, Johnny Kitagawa the biggest influence in his life.
9. Surfing is one of Jun's hobbies. His so-called mentor is his senpai Tatsuya Yamaguchi of Tokio.
10. In ten years the job he would want to be doing would be to be the host of Shounen Club Premium.
11. Aoki Kotomi, the author of the manga "Boku wa Imouto Ni Koi O Suru", confessed being so excited that she nearly fainted when she found out that Jun was chosen to play the lead role of brother, Yori. She is a big fan of Matsujun and named one of her manga characters "Jun" because of him.
12. Jun often cries while watching movies. When he was younger he watched the movie Forrest Gump with his family. Moved, he could feel the tears coming out already at some points of the movie, but because he was with his family he was embarrassed to cry in front of them. Finally, when he could no longer keep in his emotions, he ran out of the theatre and cried.
13. When he first read the Hana Yori Dango manga, his favorite character was Hanazawa Rui. However, when he was given the role of Tsukasa Domyouji, he revisited the manga again and was able to identify with Domyouji's character so much that he admitted to crying while reading some parts of the manga.
14. His best friend in Arashi is Aiba Masaki. Other Johnny's he frequently spends time with are his kouhais Nishikido Ryo and Akanishi Jin.
15. He didn’t like the Hana Yori Dango curls as much as any of us because of the fashion problems it posed on him. When he was on set, it was fine because he had costumes; but once he was out, he couldn’t find anything in his wardrobe to compliment his curly hairstyle.
16. Little Jun used to idolize Sho Sakurai.
17. Jun used to have a room so messy that sometimes when he slept, he would jerk awake when clothes fell onto his face. Now though, he has a sort of clothesline above his bed, and he just grabs the clothes he wants to wear, saying its a lot more convenient.
18. Jun is very picky about movie/drama scripts, and will only act the roles and scripts that interest him.
19. Sato Atsuhiro is a very respected senpai of Jun. He feels that they are "fated" to be friends since they share the same birthday and hobbies.
20. Jun is the first Japanese male to make it to the cover of the Japanese Marie Claire magazine. The only guys to grace its cover in its 24 year history have all been foreign superstars including David Beckham.
21. He likes dry plums so much that he snatches them away from Aiba.
22. Jun is quite a big fan of Harry Potter franchise.
23. He’s so close to band member Ohno Satoshi that he doesn’t use honorifics anymore while talking to him.
24. His height when he first entered Johnny’s: 150cm.
25. Jun enjoys baths and often spends hours in them, listening to music and relaxing.
26. When he was in 2nd grade, there was an incident wherein he ran out onto the road and was knocked over by a van and was severely injured. Despite this, he was as chirpy and cheerful as he could be. So cheerful that when the ambulance came, he just kept apologizing to the man, saying he was naughty for running out onto the road.
27. Jun became interested in Johnny's when his older sister was in second year of middle school, when she became a fan of Kinki Kids. Jun watched videos of Kinki Kids with his sister, and decided to apply to Johnny's Jimusho. He sent his CV on the day of his Elementary School graduation, thinking it may be of good luck. Usually applicants then receive a letter inviting them to audition, but Jun received a phone call directly from Johnny Kitagawa inviting him to a rehearsal in the old TV Asahi building. He is the only Arashi member who did not have to go to audition.
28. Jun hosts Jun Style, a radio show in Japan.
29. At the Arashi debut event on a ship off Hawaii, he had the job of holding a large flag. However, Sho mentioned later that because the wind was so strong, Jun was almost blown away.
30. He really likes KichiToka workroom's "Sound of Waves" and has watched it over four times.
31. On his off days he likes driving out to the sea. He mentioned in his appearance on "Oshare-ism" that he usually drives there alone, and when he gets bored he rings his friends from the sea to arrange to meet up.
32. He is good friends with his high school classmates, namely Shichinosuke Nakamura (Kabuki actor) and Ryuhei Matsuda.
33. His closest friends that are dear to him are as follows so far: Sho Sakurai, Satoshi Ohno, Masaki Aiba, Kazunari Ninomiya, Dorothy Wong, Pika-chan, Angie Matsumoto, Tammy Chaim, Shaigon Tsukiji, Oguri Shun, Mao Inoue, Abe Tsuyoshi, Matsuda Shota, Matsushima Nanako, Nishihara Aki, Sada Mayumi, Ai Otsuka, and many many others...^^
34.
Filmography
Dramas Jun starred in:
1. Bambino! as Ban Shogo (NTV, 2007)
2. Hana Yori Dango 2 as Domyouji Tsukasa (TBS, 2007)
3. Yonimo Kimyona Monogatari Imakiyo-san (Fuji TV, 2006)
4. Hana Yori Dango as Domyouji Tsukasa (TBS, 2005)
5. Propose (NTV, 2005, ep1)
6. Kimi wa Petto as Momo/Goda Takeshi (TBS, 2003)
7. Yoiko no Mikata as Sawada Shin (Gokusen) (NTV, 2003, 5-min guest appearance)
8. Gokusen as Sawada Shin (NTV, 2002)
9. Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo 3 as Kindaichi Hajime (NTV, 2001)
10. Kowai Nichiyoubi (NTV, 1999)
11. Bokura no Yuuki ~Miman Toshi~ as Mori (NTV, 1997)
12.Myu no Anyo Papa ni Ageru as Yamaguchi Hayato (NTV, 2008)
13. Smile as Hayakawa Bito (TBS, 2009)
14. Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo: Murder on the Magic Express as Kindaichi Hajime (NTV, 2001)
15. Mukai Arata No Doubutsu Nikki ~Aiken Roshinante No Sainan~ as Kindaichi Hajime (NTV, 2001, Cameo)
16. The Worst Dates as Yuusuke (NTV, 2000, ep2)
17. V no Arashi as Matsumoto Jun (Fuji TV, 1999)
18. Kowai Nichiyoubi "Furugiya" as S (NTV, 1999, ep10)
19. Nekketsu Ren-ai Dou "Case 2: Leo A-type Boy" as Nikaidou Akira and "Case 11: Gemini B-type Boy" as Fukunaga Kousuke (NTV, 1999, ep2 & 11)
20. Hitsuyou no Nai Hito as Ohno Takuji (NHK, 1998)
21. BOYS BE... Jr. "Hakunetsu! Renai Shitai Shoukougun" as Yuu (NTV, 1998, ep1)
22.Mou Hitotsu no Shinzou as Kitamura Tooru (NHK, 1997)
23.Bokura no Yuuki ~Miman Toshi~ as Mori (NTV, 1997)
24. Hoken Chousa Shigarami Tarou no Jikenbo Kijin Jiken (TBS, 1997)
Movies Jun Starred in:
1. Hana Yori Dango Final (2008)
2. Kakushi Toride no San Akuni(2008)
3. Kiiroi Namida (2007)
4. Boku wa Imôto ni Koi wo Suru (2007)
5. Tokyo Tower (2005)
6. Pika**nchi Life Is Hard Dakara Happy (2004)
7. Pika*nchi Life Is Hard Dakedo Happy(2002)
8.Shinjuku Tanteidan Shonen (Shinjuku Boy Detectives) (1998)
9. Yellow Tears
Stage Plays Jun has performed in:
West Side Story (2004)
East of Eden (2005)
Stand By Me (1997)
Commercials Jun has starred in:
AU KDDI
Pepsi Nex (solo)
Tongari Corn
C1000
Pino
O'Zack
McDonald's
Coca Cola
Parco
Petit
The Awards Jun Won so Far:
Year Awards
1. 2007 Best Actor (Bambino[1]), [53rd Television Drama Academy Awards][2]
2. Best Supporting Actor (Hana Yori Dango 2[3]), 10th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Jan-Mar 07)
3. 2005 Best Supporting Actor (Hana Yori Dango[4]]), [47th Television Drama Academy Award]
4.. 2002 Best Supporting Actor (Gokusen[6]), [33rd Television Drama Academy Awards]
In Depth Details about Jun's acting career so far: 1997- present
Jun made his television debut as an actor in 1997 in the mystery-thriller series, Bokura no Yūki ~Miman Toshi~, opposite both members of Kinki Kids and band mate Masaki Aiba. He appeared on the silver screen for the first time a year later in Shinjuku Tanteidan Shōnen but his breakthrough did not come till 2001 however when he was cast as Hajime Kinda'ichi in the third season of Kinda'ichi Shonen no Jikenbo taking over the role from senpai Tsuyoshi Domoto and co-starring opposite Anne Suzuki. Arashi's single, "Jidai", was used as the theme song for the drama and was named "Best Theme Song" at the 30th Television Drama Academy Awards.
Jun gained further popularity as an actor in 2002 when he starred in the first season of Gokusen with Yukie Nakama, Shun Oguri, Tomohiro Waki, Hiroki Narimiya, and Yuma Ishigaki. His portrayal of the troubled but highly intelligent student, Shin Sawada, drew acclaim and won him "Best Supporting Actor" at the 33rd Television Drama Academy Awards. He later returned with most of the original cast to star in the special epilogue episode in 2003. His character also made a cameo in bandmate Sho Sakurai 's comedy series, Yoiko no Mikata, in the same year. Jun took another high-profile role in the live-action adaptation of manga series, Kimi wa Peto, as Takeshi "Momo" Goda, starring opposite Koyuki the same year. Arashi starred in their first film together in 2002 entitled Pika*nchi Life Is Hard Dakedo Happy and came together again for its sequel, Pika**nchi Life Is Hard Dakara Happy, in 2004. He also starred in the film Tokyo Tower as a womanizer with a preference for older women with senpai Junichi Okada in the same year.
In 2005, Jun took the most prominent role of his career to date when he was cast as Tsukasa Domyōji in the live-action adaptation of shojo manga Hana Yori Dango. Co-starring opposite Mao Inoue, Shun Oguri, Shota Matsuda and Tsuyoshi Abe, the series was a success with an average viewership rating of 19.6%. Matsumoto's portrayal as the air-headed and arrogant leader of four heirs to billionaire business empires won him "Best Supporting Actor" again at the 47th Television Drama Academy Awards. The show's success spawned a second season which aired in 2007 and was an even bigger hit with television audiences with an improved viewership rating of 21.7% at the end of its run. The second series were lauded with more accolades when it was named "Best Drama" while Inoue and Jun won "Best Lead Actress" and "Best Supporting Actor" at the Television Drama Academy Awards and the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix respectively. TBS decided to end the series through a film, Hana Yori Dango -Final-, which hit the big screen on June 28, 2008 in Japan. The film stayed at number 1 at the box office for 3 consecutive weekends and stayed in the top 10 for 10 weekends with returns of more than 6 billion yen at the end of its run. The film was also released in Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea.
In 2007, Jun starred in Bambino! which won him his first "Best Lead Actor" trophy at the 53rd Television Drama Academy Awards. In the same year, Arashi starred in their third film together entitled Kiroii Namida while Matsumoto was cast in his most controversial role to date when he co-starred with Nana Eikura in the independent film Boku wa Imoto ni Koi o Suru as the lead character, Yūki Yori, who falls in love and develops a romantic relationship with his younger twin sister. Jun also continued to choose more varied characters when he took on his first jidaigeki (period piece) role in a 2008 re-make of Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress, Kakushi Toride no San-Akunin: The Last Princess, with other award-winning actors Hiroshi Abe, Kippei Shiina, and Masami Nagasawa. He also re-united with Bambino! co-star, Karina, in the special television movie, Myū no Anyo Papa ni Ageru, which aired as part of the 24 Hours TV charity special in 2008. He portrayed a man diagnosed with CIDP struggling to recuperate and return to normal life with his wife and young daughter. This tanpatsu was highly rated with a viewership rating of 25.6%.
Due to his highly acclaimed role as Domyouji Tsukasa in the Hanadan trilogy, Jun was awarded GQ man of the year under the Singer/Actor category.
Jun will be playing Vito, a half-Japanese, half-Filipino character in his new drama, Smile. He will be working with Yui Aragaki and Kiichi Nakai in this drama. The drama is due to start in April 2009.
Fuji TV announced on September 10, 2009 that Jun would star in a three-part drama special called Wagaya no Rekishi (わが家の歴史 History of our Family) scheduled to air for three consecutive days in the spring of 2010.
In January 2010, Jun co-starred with the other members of Arashi in their first drama in nearly ten years in the human suspense drama special Saigo no Yakusoku (最後の約束Last Promise). Jun portrayed Nozomu Gotō (後藤 望 Gotō Nozomu), a 27-year-old motorcycle courier rider who is caught up in a building hijack.
In July 2010, FujiTV Mondays at 9 PM slot, it will air "Natsu no Koi wa Niji-iro ni Kagayaku" (Summer Love Shines in Rainbow Color), starring Jun as the lead role in the story. Jun will play Taiga, a not-so-popular second-generation actor. His father was a very popular actor in his time. But Taiga, only get to appear in variety shows, most of the time. He's a tsundere type of guy, which means, being on the surface sharp and sarcastic (tsuntsun) but underneath lovestruck and fawning (deredere); characteristic of a gap between acted out actions and feelings in mind; normally being sharp but at some prompt suddenly becoming lovestruck; hot-cold personality type.
Recent Comments