Japanese actor Sho Kasamatsu is making his first-ever appearance on a Korean variety show, bringing a sharp sense of humor and remarkable linguistic fluency to MBC’s long-running talk show Radio Star. Appearing on the upcoming "K-Variety Odyssey" special alongside Ryu Seung-soo, Jo Hye-ryun, and Mimi, the 14-year acting veteran shared heartfelt ambitions for his expanding career in South Korea while delivering plenty of candid, self-deprecating laughs.
Kasamatsu quickly impressed the hosts by conducting his appearance in natural Korean. He explained that his language skills developed organically through his love of Korean music, dramas, and films, as well as extended on-set interactions with local directors and production crews. As the recording unfolded, his growing comfort with the language paved the way for several entertaining behind-the-scenes stories about his time working and traveling in the country.
Among the standout moments was Kasamatsu’s recount of a humorous airport reality check. After receiving messages from Korean fans promising to greet him upon arrival, the actor admitted he spent 30 to 40 minutes in an airport restroom perfecting his look to match the iconic "airport fashion" of Korean celebrities. Stepping out with high hopes, he discovered an empty terminal with only two of his agency staff members waiting, later prompting him to post a playful social media update declaring that his supposed popularity in Korea had been proven a lie.
The actor also reflected on the demanding nature of Korean action sets during his preparations for Taxi Driver 3. Expecting a light rehearsal of one or two hours, Kasamatsu found his training suddenly extended to an eight-hour marathon once the crew learned his return flight to Japan was not until later that night. He observed that while Japanese action sequences often rely on strategic camera angles to soften physical contact, Korean choreography favors direct, hard-hitting impact. Despite walking away covered in bruises, he described the intense experience as a deeply rewarding memory.
Beyond action training, Kasamatsu touched on cultural differences on set, sharing his initial surprise and eventual respect for the traditional gosa ritual—praying before a pig’s head for safety and success—prior to filming the movie Shaving. The episode also features lively banter with Mimi, who quizzed him on whether romantic Japanese manga clichés happen in real life, culminating in a charming caricature face-off between the two. Viewers can watch Sho Kasamatsu’s variety debut when the episode airs on September 2 at 10:30 PM KST.