Matching: TRUE LOVE Premiere Screening Held in Tokyo

Actress Tao Tsuchiya and Snow Man member Daisuke Sakuma attended the red-carpet event and premiere screening of Matching: TRUE LOVE in Tokyo on August 20. The highly anticipated sequel reunites director Eiji Uchida with the cast of the original Matching, which became a major box-office hit following its release.

Set in a modern world where meeting people through dating apps has become commonplace, the first film explored the fear and danger lurking behind seemingly casual encounters. Upon its release, Matching ranked No. 1 among Japanese live-action films at the box office for two consecutive weeks, ultimately earning more than ¥970 million and attracting over 673,000 moviegoers.

For the sequel, the story expands beyond dating apps to a “matching tour” held on a southern island. Tsuchiya once again plays Rinka Tadashima, the protagonist who lost family and friends in a series of murders connected to app-based matchmaking. Sakuma reprises his role as Tomu Nagayama, Rinka’s mysterious lover, who suddenly disappeared from her life but remains deeply connected to the unfolding story.

The sequel also introduces new cast members, including South Korean actor Kwak Dong-yeon, Hana Toyoshima, and Yuki Kura.

Kwak plays Lee Sung-il, a participant in the matching tour on a tropical resort island. As chaotic events unfold, he supports Rinka while keeping a suspicious eye on Tomu.

Toyoshima portrays Aira Ito, a university student and the younger sister of Rinka’s best friend Naomi, who was murdered in the previous film. Despite struggling with a sense of loss, Aira takes a step toward finding a new relationship.

Kura plays Aran Nomura, an art university student with an unusually intense interest in the series of murders surrounding app-based matchmaking.

During the stage greeting that followed, Tsuchiya declared, “Matching is back on the big screen!”, drawing warm applause from the audience. Sakuma, who returns as Tomu, said he had no hesitation about joining the sequel. “When I heard Tao-chan was going to be in it, I said yes right away,” he revealed.

Tsuchiya shared a similar sense of excitement about returning to the series, saying, “Both as Rinka and as myself, I was happy to be able to meet Tomu again.”

Tsuchiya also spoke about the significance of making a sequel to an original screenplay, saying, “It’s rare for an original film to receive a sequel, so I took on this challenge with the hope of creating a great second installment together with everyone involved.”

She went on to reveal her deep attachment to the Matching series, adding, “If there were ever a third film and we could tie up all the foreshadowing from the first movie, I feel like I could have no regrets left in my acting career.

Cast Shares Their “Fateful Encounters”

The red-carpet event was followed by a completed-film screening and stage greeting attended by the cast. During the event, the cast members were asked to share a moment in their lives that they considered a “fateful encounter.”

Sakuma’s answer on his board was unexpectedly simple: “My fingertips….”

His seemingly mysterious response prompted him to explain that he had recently started cooking more.

Sakuma revealed that he had been making pasta and had tried chopping garlic and infusing its aroma into olive oil. After chopping garlic himself for the first time, he became curious about the scent lingering on his fingertips. When he smelled his fingers, he was surprised by how pleasant the aroma was.

Since then, he said he had developed an unexpected habit: “I try to touch the garlic with my hands as much as possible, and afterward, I keep smelling my fingers for a really long time.”

“This is seriously irresistible. The garlic smell on my fingertips is the best,” Sakuma said enthusiastically.

His unexpected confession left his fellow cast members astonished, while the audience burst into laughter.

At the end of the stage greeting, director Eiji Uchida expressed his hopes for the film, saying, “It means a lot to be able to continue this original story together with everyone. Japanese cinema is welcoming larger audiences again, and films are gradually regaining their strength. I hope we can ride this momentum and have as many people as possible come see the movie.”

He also reassured audiences with a lighthearted comment: “It’s not that scary, really! (laughs) I’ve heard people say they didn’t see the previous film because they thought it would be too frightening, but this one isn’t that scary either. I hope as many people as possible will come and watch it.”

Sakuma encouraged audiences to experience the film on the big screen, saying, “It’s a full-fledged, full-scale production unlike anything you often get to experience in Japan, so I hope you’ll enjoy the much bigger and more ambitious Matching TRUE LOVE.”

Tsuchiya closed the stage greeting by reflecting on the warm and lively atmosphere of the event. “The film begins with this kind of glamorous and joyful atmosphere, and I hope you’ll immerse yourselves in the world where the characters lose their way in love. I would be happy if you watch it while asking yourselves what fate and love really mean.”

Korean Updates would like to extend our sincere thanks to KADOKAWA  for the kind invitation to the Matching: TRUE LOVE premiere screening and red-carpet event in Tokyo. We are grateful for the opportunity to attend and cover this special occasion.

Article & Photo by: Jennifer