The live-action Japanese drama "Gourmet of Solitude," based on the manga of the same name and starring Yutaka Matsushige as protagonist Goro Inogashira, has been a yearly staple since 2012. This April saw the premiere of its 11th season, marking a fresh chapter after a three-and-a-half-year hiatus.
During a press conference for the "Gourmet of Solitude" series at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ) on the 16th, lead actor Yutaka Matsushige dropped a bombshell: he's personally visited nearly 200 restaurants during filming – a truly staggering number! He even pitched his top pick for a Hollywood remake.
Matsushige mused, "For some reason, 'Gourmet of Solitude' is incredibly popular in Asia, with so many people tuning in. Now, with streaming, there's a chance for even more global audiences to discover it, and I truly feel honored." He reminisced, "This show actually started quietly as a late-night Tokyo TV broadcast. It began low-key, but gradually, more and more people fell in love with it."
He elaborated, "A late-night drama solely focused on eating unexpectedly exploded in Asia. For instance, in Korea, there wasn't a culture of dining alone before, so perhaps that novelty resonated, leading to its spread across East Asia." Regarding his nearly 200 restaurant visits during filming, he chuckled, "Whenever I think back, I can vividly recall 'that dish at that place was delicious,' and the staff immediately agree. Every restaurant holds deep memories. If I had to pick a favorite, I'm actually quite easily won over by Chinese cuisine."
Beyond filming across Japan, the show has also ventured overseas to places like Korea, Taiwan, and Paris. Some eateries, thanks to their exposure on the program, have even become pilgrimage sites, drawing fans from afar who follow the show's routes to eat and explore – turning it into a unique form of tourism.
During the event, a burning question was posed: "Do you really finish everything you eat in the show?" Matsushige clarified that filming is done sequentially, following the story, and he genuinely eats every bite from start to finish, presenting it almost like a documentary. "Yes, I eat it all! You can watch with peace of mind (laughs)."
When a reporter asked, "If there were a Hollywood version of 'Gourmet of Solitude,' who would you want to play Goro?" Matsushige didn't hesitate, immediately naming Nicolas Cage. He chuckled, "Honestly, I don't really look much like the original manga character. So someone with Nicolas Cage's vibe would actually be closer to the original image, and I think that would be well-received."
He then added, "If Nicolas Cage declines, then I'd have to ask George Clooney." This quip sent waves of laughter through the room.
Finally, Yutaka Matsushige shared his hopes for the future: "I wish that through the act of 'eating,' different countries can foster greater understanding and exchange." This long-running series, which spotlights local eateries, has inspired many viewers to actually travel and explore these spots after watching.
It seems Matsushige still has a grand vision for "Gourmet of Solitude," so perhaps fans won't have to worry about him, the self-proclaimed "show's biggest hater," suddenly quitting anytime soon!
via： 《孤獨的美食家》官方X