Asian A.V. Club newsletter #26
Introducing actress, model and songwriter Kōki! As she embarks on a burgeoning film career, we got to chat with her about her latest role in the sweeping international romance Touch.
Most kids with famous parents rebel against the family business and pursue other endeavors, but for Mitsuki Kimura, aka Kōki, her parents careers inspired her to become a successful talent in her own right. Gracing covers and fashion campaigns as a model, Kōki decided to follow in her father’s footsteps as an actor in 2022 (playing twins no less!)
With Touch, Kōki is brought to the global stage as young Miko, a feisty woman enjoying her freedom in the swinging 60’s of London, while haunted by her past in Japan. We talked to Kōki about her love of acting, the influence and respect she has of her parents and the importance of becoming ‘zero’ before each scene.
Asian A.V. Club: Growing up, do you remember a moment that made you realize that you experienced ‘movie magic’?
Kōki: I think it might have been my dad watching ‘Scent of a Woman’ on TV and I was peeking in. And I was just really surprised because I was crying and being so emotional. The fact that the performance could give such a big impact on someone in the audience and still deliver such a beautiful message. I think that was the moment that I realized the beauty of acting.
Asian A.V. Club: When you were growing up, did you understand what your parents [Takuya Kimura, Shizuka Kudo] did for work and were they good about making your life as normal as possible?
Kōki: They're really open about it. I loved watching my dad's movies and TV series. And then I loved listening to my mom's songs and going to her concerts. So, I knew all my life that they acted and sang. But I remember the first time I saw my dad's kissing scene. (laughs) I remember crying and calling him up asking ‘why are you kissing someone else!’ But after that and growing up, I learned so much watching my dad’s acting and that made me want to be involved also. So, they had such a huge impact.
Asian A.V. Club: I’m sure there were lessons that you learned over the years watching your parents that helped you develop your personal craft. Whether you understood it or not, what were the personal ethics that was already ingrained when you took on your first job as an actor?
Kōki: I think growing up watching my parents working so hard, from early to morning till midnight, and then still sending me to school, making my lunchbox and stuff like that. Also, I'd say the amount of effort and passion they really put into the work and the dedication to the responsibilities they had to have within themselves. Those were the baselines that I’ve felt since I was really small, their responsibility, the strength, the passion, and the professional stance they have towards working. I think that's what I love.
Asian A.V. Club: Do you remember the ‘talk’ you had with your parents about wanting to go into this business?
Kōki: Actually, I did! I was inspired by my dad and wanted to become an actress, but I said to my mom, ‘I think I really want to start in this industry and challenge myself in modeling first.’ And she was like, ‘okay, I'll support you in every way I can.’ But the day before the shooting of my first magazine shoot, I got extremely nervous and anxious. And I was like, ‘Mom, I think it was too early for me.’ And she was like, ‘but tomorrow is the shooting day.’ (laughs) She then said something that really impacted me. She said, ‘the moment you think is right for you, is the right moment. You have to be confident in your own decisions.’ Since I was the one that wanted this, I had to be confident about it. And then I started booking more jobs afterwards.
Asian A.V. Club: When did you feel it was the right moment for you to then transfer into film? And not just any role, but twins in dir: Takashi Shimizu’s J-horror film ‘Ushikubi Village (Ox-head Village)’. That’s a pretty big jump from modeling.
Kōki: I'll say. (laughs) I always had the feeling that I really wanted to act and challenge myself. For that role, I didn't necessarily pick that film because it was horror, I just really loved the story. Then to be able to act as twins, I thought it’s a rare opportunity, so I just wanted to try it.
Asian A.V. Club: I've talked to actors who have done horror films, and they have to learn how to balance the physicality of it, because it can be very grueling. Did you figure out how to control the different levels of fear that your body has to experience throughout the shoot?
Kōki: First of all, I was really surprised with how much concentration was actually needed in order to shoot a horror film. I had to be able to control my concentration levels and how much of my emotions to pour into it. During rehearsals, I did it with like 200% of my energy and I couldn’t control it. I could feel my gasoline running out so quickly before the end of the day. So, I thought it was really important to think about when I turned my switch on and off, stuff like that. There was a day where I had to do a lot of screaming scenes and my voice would get cracked. And the director would tell me, ‘I told you not to scream in the rehearsals.’ I was like, ‘I’m so sorry!’ (laughs) It was physically demanding, but I learned it was really important to understand where to relax and where to put all your strength in a scene.
Asian A.V. Club: Were there lessons that you learned from that film that you brought on to play Young Miko in ‘Touch’?
Kōki: Before entering ‘Ox-heart Village’, I had a few acting lessons. And the teacher told me about a tip on how to make myself zero. Basically, it was to teach me to make myself clear, and then allowing myself to have that really clear mind in order to go into the role. It's kind of a breathing exercise, but it was something that really helped me to stay grounded. So that is something that I always do before going on set. I think that really helped me.
Asian A.V. Club: What was your initial meeting like with director Baltasar Kormákur (101 Reykjavik, Adrift, Beast)? I’m curious because Miko is such the heart and soul of this film, how did he explain her to you?
Kōki: Baltasar made me feel really comfortable from the beginning. I remember him saying that if I had any opinions or any thoughts about a scene, feel free to talk to him. I really felt like I can say anything to him, and my voice would be heard. And he was so open minded.
He explained about how he wanted to make Miko a mysterious and very interesting character. She has a very strong and confident side of herself, but she also has a very delicate and loving tender side. It was a very interesting balance. And then she also has a Hiroshima past that she wants to hide from other people. So, I think it’s an interesting background and a complex kind of character. He wanted to make Miko, someone who can keep people guessing like, what is she going to do next? What is she thinking?
Asian A.V. Club: If there is an air of mystery, does that affect how you would do the line?
Kōki: Oh… I'd say it wasn’t as calculated, but also Miko takes the lead sometimes as well. She can be extremely confident. I found that more challenging because that is like the complete opposite with me.
Asian A.V. Club: How did you work on the chemistry that we see on screen with you and Palmi (Kormákur)?
Kōki: Oh…he was such a lovely person. I had absolutely no anxiety or worries with him. Because he was so friendly. And I felt like I could speak anything to him of the scenes or personal things. I mean, the first time I met him, I didn't feel like it was the first time actually. You know when you meet a person and you think, I've met them before, that’s what it was like with him. He’s very open and that really helped me imagine this relationship.
Asian A.V. Club: The actor Masahiro Motoki was in a very famous boy band in the 80’s and has since become a very respected actor, what were the conversations like with him and did you know him growing up through your parents?
Kōki: I actually knew him since I was small. (laughs) And his family and our family, would spend time together. But now, being able to act with him was such an honor for me because I am in such close distance with him, I was able to learn so much. I got to see his passion and concentration and the amount of effort he puts into his work was truly inspiring. It was just a privilege.
Asian A.V. Club: So now that you’re two movies in and counting, what kind of conversations do you get to have with your parents about work nowadays?
Kōki: I love listening to their opinions. I'd say, ‘What did you think about the scene? Or what scenes that you like? Or what do you think I could have done better in the scene’, and they would give me a lot of advice. I so really grateful that I get to have teachers and people I look up to so close in my family. I mean, I’ve respected them since I was small, but the amount of respect I have for them right now is even more so because I understand that it’s truly amazing that they've accomplished so much. I respect them more and more and more every day. Being able to talk about work with them is the best. With me and my dad, we can talk about acting for hours. I’m so lucky and grateful to be able to talk passionately about it in the family.
Asian A.V. Club: That truly is a gift! Thank you, Koki, can’t wait to see what you do next!
Kōki: Thank you!
Touch is showing in cinemas now