The press conference report for the original drama “MISS KING,” starring NON, has been released.
A press conference report for the original drama “MISS KING,” starring NON, which will be available for free streaming on “ABEMA” starting Monday, September 29th and simultaneously worldwide on Netflix, has arrived.
The full text is available on NON's official website.
＜Starring NON: Press Conference Report＞
“This is the first role where I haven't shown a smile this much.”
“The feeling of being dragged into it.”
NON breaks new ground as a dark hero for the first time!
■Official Trailer
This film marks a new frontier for NON, as conveyed by the official trailer.
We held a press conference with NON, who plays the protagonist Asuka Kunimi, where she discussed the highlights of ‘MISS KING’, anecdotes from filming with her co-stars, and the appeal she found in shogi.
―What were your impressions after reading the script?
First and foremost, I thought, “This looks incredibly interesting!” The subject matter of shogi was something I'd never been offered before, so I was thrilled. I also found the portrayal of Asuka gradually opening up and becoming engrossed in shogi very appealing and rewarding. I didn't know the rules of shogi and had never even touched the pieces, so at first I was worried, “Will I be able to understand this?” But more than that, I found the process of Asuka becoming unable to stop loving it, and the story itself, fascinating.
―The gap between Asuka Kunimi starting from rock bottom and being portrayed by the bright-eyed NON is also worth noting.
This might be the first time I've played a character who never shows a smile. I'd never played a role with such a background—bearing misfortune or feeling miserable—and while reading the script, I was excited about how I'd interpret Asuka. But once I got on set and started acting... every day felt heavy (laughs). When scenes kept showing Asuka in a rough emotional state, I'd end up vicariously experiencing those scenes too, so I'd feel weighed down right along with her. I'd feel inexplicably sluggish, or feel exhausted even when the shoot ended early—like I was being dragged down.
――How did you learn shogi when you first started playing?
With the words of my shogi instructor, “If you play 100 games a day, you'll definitely get better!” in mind, I diligently practiced every day starting about a month before filming began. To get used to holding the pieces, I even played “shogi while doing other things”—like grabbing a piece with my free hand while eating breakfast after waking up (laugh). The teacher held the pieces by curving his middle finger into an arch to pinch them, but forming that arch was the hardest part at first. At first, the pieces would fly off in all directions, but with practice, I gradually learned to maintain that arch. Once I did, pieces that I could only move correctly about once every ten tries started to stabilize—first to about once every five, then once every three. As I kept at it, I grasped the knack for gripping and sliding the pieces. Maybe the muscles in my fingers needed for adjusting my strength developed (laugh).
―I hear that in addition to technical aspects, the players' conduct was also studied.
Before filming began, I watched ABEMA's shogi programs and learned a great deal. While drama and movie match scenes are edited with cuts, isolating expressions and situations to appear dramatic, actual matches are generally serene. You can't tell what the players are aiming for or thinking as they make their moves, and their contemplative gestures have countless unconscious variations. It's precisely because it's not acting that I felt its profound depth.
―What were your impressions when you actually filmed the game scenes?
Acting while playing shogi is incredibly difficult. When I was just casually playing shogi without thinking, I could do it pretty well. But once I got on set, with the cameras rolling and trying to pour Asuka's emotions into it, there were so many moments where I thought, “Huh!? Why...?” Since we were acting in a minimal space with just the shogi board between us, longer match scenes required various reactions. Moving a piece always had a reason behind it. Director Seita Yamagishi and the shogi consultants explained the emotional aspects, and I had to match my expressions accordingly. Memorizing the game records and moves while layering acting on top of that was difficult.
―What was your impression of Shido Nakamura , who played the role of Yuuki Shoichi—a great shogi player and also Asuka's target for revenge?
Shido Nakamura is both Asuka's father and her greatest enemy in her quest for revenge, so he deliberately kept his distance to maintain that tension. We barely spoke during the filming of our scenes together, but on the final day, he spoke to me very kindly and told me he'd followed me on Instagram. Actually, I'd been secretly checking his Instagram too, and I'd hesitated to follow him, wondering if it would be weird... Hearing that, I followed him right away, and we became mutual followers (laugh).
―How was filming at Reiko Sakai's (played by Kana Kurashina) shop, where Asuka could speak her true feelings?
Filming with Kana Kurashina was soothing. While Reiko is kind, she also has this cool, sharp-tongued side. But it was precisely because Kurashina-san portrayed Reiko with such enveloping warmth that I understood why Asuka opened up to her. I personally had a lot of fun too. But since there are quite a few serious scenes at Reiko's shop too, I'd feel soothed by Kana-san, then tense up again... That rhythm of relaxation and tension felt like a mille-feuille of comfort and stress (laughs).
―The buddy chemistry with Shogo Todo (played by Naohito Fujiki), with whom he builds a mentor-apprentice-like bond, is also a highlight.
When I first met Fujiki, my partner in this project, I thought, “He's so cool!” and got really excited. His presence, expressions, and mannerisms had this sensual charm that made me weak in the knees. It was surprising and refreshing to see him play a rough character like Todo, and I thought the combination of Todo's roughness and Fujiki's sensuality made for an incredibly cool role. He's also incredibly thoughtful. On a chilly late night, he brought us steaming hot meat buns right from the machine, and I ended up eating two!
―What do you find appealing about shogi through this drama?
In the world of shogi, there's a culture called “post-game analysis.” Even when the outcome is clearly decided, the loser must approach it positively. I felt this was a uniquely shogi-specific world. What fascinates me is that it doesn't end with victory; it's about engaging in dialogue with the game and your opponent right up until the very last moment. The fact that so many people are driven to pursue this essence of shogi to its limits truly moved me. Playing with single-minded focus, thinking only of the game. Sometimes spending hours on a single move, the sensation of concentrating all your focus on the board is unlike anything else.
―Did you yourself get hooked on the fun of shogi like Asuka?
I understood the basics of how each piece moves and their roles, but since I've only ever played against computers, I do want to master it a bit more. After filming, the shogi consultant told me, “You have a good grasp of the game, NON-san! If I teach you, I could even give you a dan rank!” So honestly, I've developed a bit of a desire to become at least somewhat competitive (laughs).
―Finally, please share a message for our viewers.
Asuka endures such misery that she feels she's never played such an unfortunate role before, but she confronts adversity by discovering shogi and plunging into its world. Through her encounter with the healing presence of Reiko, played by Kurashina-san, and by opening her heart through shogi, viewers should feel the courage radiating from Asuka as she becomes utterly absorbed in this path. Life brings unpleasantness and misery, but this drama is a story that gives you a push forward during such times.
(Photography: Kou Yushien)
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
Set against the backdrop of shogi, Japan's proud traditional culture, the authentic human drama ‘MISS KING’ beautifully and powerfully depicts a woman's life as she confronts adversity. It will be available for free streaming on ABEMA starting Monday, September 29 at 8:00 PM, and will also be released worldwide simultaneously on Netflix. Please look forward to it.
■ABEMA Original Drama ‘MISS KING’ Overview
Free streaming begins Monday, September 29, 2025, at 8:00 PM (All 8 episodes)
Top Page URL:https://abema.tv/video/title/90-2038
Special Preview Video URL:https://abema.tv/video/episode/90-2038_s1_p501
＜Episode 1＞
Broadcast Date & Time: Monday, September 29, 2025, 8:00 PM
Broadcast Channel: “ABEMA SPECIAL” Channel
Broadcast URL:https://abema.tv/channels/abema-special/slots/9gaaXdgA6scLDd
■"MISS KING" Story
Born to a genius shogi player father, Asuka (NON).
She spent a happy childhood with her mother and father,
but one day, her father abandoned them both and left.
Asuka lived in poverty with her mother, but eventually her mother also passed away from illness, leaving Asuka utterly alone.
Meanwhile, the father who abandoned Asuka achieved success in the shogi world and basked in the spotlight.
Seeing him sparked murderous intent in Asuka, who attempted revenge. Yet, in that very moment, she unexpectedly displayed shogi talent.
Recognizing Asuka's talent, former shogi player [Tōdō (Naoto Fujiki)]—who shared a bitter past with Asuka's father—proposed a plan: “Let's seek revenge through shogi.”
As part of this scheme, under Tōdō's guidance, Asuka aimed to become “the first female shogi professional in history.”
This is the story of a woman imprisoned by hatred who reclaims her life through shogi.
■Cast
NON
Naohito Fujiki and others
Kurashina Kana
Kaoru Okunuki
Shuto Mori
Yui Narumi
・
Tokuma Nishioka
・
Sayaka Yamaguchi
Shido Nakamura
■Staff
Planning: Shota Hatanaka
Screenplay: Kanato Araki / Gota Ishida / Seita Yamagishi
Producers: Sora Kobayashi / Yuichi Sakurai / Eiji Shibuya
Directors: Seita Yamagishi / Keijiro Tsubakimoto
Production Company: Socket
Production and Copyright: ABEMA
■"MISS KING"Official Social media
Official X：https://x.com/abema_drama
Official Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/abema_drama_missking
Official TikTok：https://www.tiktok.com/@abema_drama_missking
Official YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/@drama_ABEMA
