King & Prince's Ren Nagase will be starring in his first Netflix Original movie.

On Thursday (25/01), Netflix Japan announced that Ren Nagase of J-pop superduo King & Prince will be taking the lead role on Drawing Closer (余命一年の僕が、余命半年の君と出会った話。). The upcoming series is directed by Takahiro Miki, known for Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight and Tang and Me.

主演:#永瀬廉
ヒロイン:#出口夏希

ベストセラー小説「#よめぼく」を実写化。
Netflix映画『余命一年の僕が、余命半年の君と出会った話。』制作決定！監督は #三木孝浩 。

今を大切に生きようとする二人が織りなす
“期限付きの恋”の物語💝
続報をお楽しみに。#映画よめぼく pic.twitter.com/wuxLvXV5oP

— Netflix Japan | ネットフリックス (@NetflixJP) January 24, 2024

"From the moment I first read the script, I was totally drawn to the sense of tenderness and fragility," Nagase shares in a press release. "The literal ticking clocks of the characters’ respective illnesses make their nascent feelings for each other all the more precious, and I tried to focus hard on capturing the single-minded devotion Akito has for Haruna."

He adds, "Regardless of the acting challenge, I can’t help but feel extra pressure from this being globally syndicated on Netflix! The theme of love in spite of hardship is one which I think to be capable of transcending any culture or border, but I will still work very hard to do my part in presenting this film as a suitable representative of Japanese entertainment for audiences around the world!"

Drawing Closer tells the story of aspiring artist Akito Hayasaka (Nagase) as he grapples through darkened days following the discovery of a cardiac tumor and the realization that he only has less than a year to live. He meets Haruna Sakurai (portrayed by actress Natsuki Deguchi), who barely has six months to live, and together draw color back into Hayasaka's life.