Kaho Minami

Summary

Kaho Minami (南 果歩, Minami Kaho, born January 20, 1964) is a Japanese actress of Korean descent active in film, television and commercials.

Kaho Minami
南 果歩
Born (1964-01-20) January 20, 1964 (age 60)
Hyōgo, Japan
OccupationActress
Years active1986–present
Spouses
(m. 1995; div. 2000)
(m. 2005; div. 2018)

Life and career edit

Kaho Minami was born on January 20, 1964, in Amagasaki in Hyogo, Japan, and is of third-generation Korean descent. She graduated from Toho Gakuen College of Drama & Music in Tokyo, Japan.

While attending college, Minami auditioned for the first time and got the main role in her debut film, Kohei Oguri’s For Kanako (1984). Soon after, Minami played the main role on TBS television’s drama series in 1985. Her stage play debut was as Juliet in Romeo & Juliet, directed by Tamasaburō  Bandō, the legendary Kabuki actor. In the many decades following, she has appeared in numerous projects that span across theater, movies, television dramas, in both main and supporting roles. She starred in many films by filmmakers including Gakuryu Ishii's Angel Dust (1994),[1] Masayuki Ochiai's Horror film Infection (2004),[2][3] Tian Zhuangzhuang's The Go Master (2006),[4] and Kazuyoshi Kumakiri's Sketches of Kaitan City (2010) .[5]

Other notable appearances internationally are Oh, Lucy! (2017) with actor Josh Hartnett, Gensan Punch (2021) by Filipino director Brillante Mendoza, and Pachinko, a 2022 TV series by Apple TV+ based on Min Jin Lee's novel of the same name.

Personal life edit

Minami was married to actor Ken Watanabe from 2005 until 2018. Their divorce was announced about a year after a media outlet reported that Watanabe, who later admitted to the allegation, had been cheating on Minami.[6]

She focuses on various volunteer projects including the enlightenment activities of sharing her own experience as a breast cancer survivor.

Filmography edit

Film edit

Television edit

  • Sannen B Gumi Kinpachi Sensei (1985–1987)
  • Tobu ga Gotoku (1990), Suga
  • Genroku Ryōran (1999)
  • Specialist (2016)[11]
  • And Life Goes On (2019)[8]
  • Awaiting Kirin (2020), Miyoshino[12]
  • Love Begins When the Money Ends (2020), Sachi Kuki
  • Pachinko (2022), Etsuko

Accolades edit

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2022 Peabody Awards Entertainment Pachinko Won [13]

References edit

  1. ^ Phipps, Keith (April 4, 2002). "Angel Dust". The A.V. Club.
  2. ^ Vijn, Ard (August 31, 2007). "INFECTION (KANSEN) R3 Hong-Kong DVD Review". Twitch Film. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Stuart Galbraith IV (16 May 2008). The Toho Studios Story: A History and Complete Filmography. Scarecrow Press. p. 434. ISBN 978-1-4616-7374-3.
  4. ^ Uhlich, Keith (September 28, 2006). "The Go Master". Slant Magazine.
  5. ^ Lee, Maggie (January 7, 2012). "Sketches of Kaitan City: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
  6. ^ "Japanese actor Ken Watanabe has split with actress wife: agency". The Japan Times. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Hot Japanese Stars Sometani Shota and Maeda Atsuko Say 'Sayonara Kabukicho'". 14 July 2014.
  8. ^ a b "劇場版 そして、生きる". eiga.com. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  9. ^ Frater, Patrick (28 September 2021). "Brillante Mendoza's 'Gensan Punch' Set as HBO Original Movie (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  10. ^ "「奇跡の漁師ピアニスト」映画化 伊原剛志さん主演 佐賀で撮影". Mainichi Shimbun. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  11. ^ 草なぎ剛主演、連ドラ版『スペシャリスト』に夏菜&和田正人が新加入 (in Japanese). oricon ME inc. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  12. ^ "麒麟(きりん)がくるの出演者・キャスト一覧". The Television. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  13. ^ Voyles, Blake (September 14, 2023). "83rd Peabody Award Winners". Retrieved September 14, 2023.

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Official profile at Hori Agency
  • Kaho Minami at IMDb