Meisa Kuroki and Shingo Katori in drama Getsu 9

SMAP's Shingo Katori (34) will star in Fuji TV's next Monday night drama series, it has been learned. The currently untitled series will have Katori playing a marriage agency advisor who prides himself on bringing together countless couples, with his motto of "the man who sells happiness." Meisa Kuroki (22) and Naohito Fujiki (38) have also been cast.

The screenplay is said to be an original love story. Kuroki plays one of Katori's clients, though she is "too beautiful" - the agency's advisors are not used to finding a match for someone like her. Although Katori begins to fall for her, he puts his effort into trying to set her up with the rich and handsome lawyer played by Fujiki.

This is Katori's fourth time starring in one of Fuji TV's "Getsu 9" dramas (Mondays 9:00pm). For Kuroki, this will be her first appearance in that time slot.

The series is scheduled to premiere in April.

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Smap katori Shingo cancel perfomed on Smap X Smap

SMAP member Katori Shingo was originally set to appear for the live broadcast of Fuji TV's program SMAP X SMAP. However, he could not attend after catching the flu. Katori has had the flu since last Saturday. While he has spent the last few days resting, it's hard to say when he'll be back to work again.

Towards the end of last year, SMAP had been extremely busy with work, especially preparing for their Michael Jackson tribute at NHK's 60th Kohaku Uta Gassen. Not wanting to disappoint, they trained very hard for their performance. Perhaps Katori was over exhausted, which made him more susceptible to catching the flu. Yesterday's SMAP X SMAP was the first time they had a live four hour broadcast. The special guests were none other than their kouhai, KAT-TUN. In the Bistro SMAP program, they invited Hatoyama Miyuki to appear. Hatoyama is the wife of Japan's current Prime Minister.

Katori Shingo Catches the Flu; Not Fated to Meet with Japan's First Lady
Source: Mingpao
Translated by: sparkles_n15 @ asianfanatics.net