By Ysa Rodriguez
On July 18th, the breaking news about Miura Haruma’s passing on TBS’ Ongaku no Hi (Music Day) sent shockwaves in Japan’s entertainment scene. International fans immediately picked up the tragic story from entertainment websites as did the local J-pop community who poured their grief and disbelief on social media, trending Haruma’s name on that fateful day.
The 30-year old Haruma is mostly known to international fans when he starred in the tragic story of the movie “Koizora” (Sky of Love) in 2007, where he was Hiro, a young man who falls in love with Mika and dreams to become the sky so he can watch over his beloved. To Haruma’s fans, he was their first love as a renowned actor in J-Drama.
Haruma debuted in the TV drama “Agri” in NHK in 1997 as a 7 year-old child actor. Tracing back to his steady climbed to showbiz success, Haruma’s filmography comprises of five TV movies, 25 drama series, and 25 films.
In 2006 to 2007, Gokusen’s first two seasons were shown over GMA-7 and it was in Season 3 where Haruma was introduced to his share of Filipino fans in 2008. His succeeding work on “Kimi ni Todoke” (From Me To You), Bloody Monday, and the live action movie “Attack on Titan” were well received and endeared him more to his local fan base.
In 2009, Haruma’s first venture into stage acting was in the play titled “Hoshi no Daichi ni Furu Namida.” But it’s his unforgettable performance as a drag queen named Lola in the Japanese adaptation of a Broadway musical “Kinky Boots” that garnered him the Haruko Sugimura Award in 2017.
In 2016, Haruma ventured into stage acting when he bagged the lead role in the Japanese adaptation of a Broadway musical “Kinky Boots.” His unforgettable performance as a drag queen named Lola garnered him the Haruko Sugimura Award in 2017.
With greater confidence in his singing talent, he debuted as a recording artist last year and released his debut single titled, “Fight for your Heart.” The track was the official theme song of the drama series “Two Weeks,” with Haruma starring in the lead role. The series is a remake of the popular 2013 South Korean drama of the same title.
His second single, “Night Diver”, was released posthumously last July 25. Haruma was supposed to appear in Music Station for his live performance, instead the show aired his music video.
The full single will be out on August 26, with proceeds to be donated to ACT AGAINST AIDS’ chosen charity in Laos, a charity activity that Haruma supports annually.
Haruma’s drama special “Taiyou no Kou” (Gift of Fire) with Yagira Yuya and Arimura Kasumi was broadcasted on August 15 on NHK. Based on a true story, it tells the story of young scientists who are experimenting and developing an atomic bomb against the United States of America during World War II.
Haruma’s sudden demise came in the middle of filming of his upcoming drama “Okane no Kireme ga Koi no Hajimari” (Love Will Begin When Money End) with co-stars Matsuoka Mayu, Miura Shohei, and Kitamura Takumi. With three episodes already in, the drama series is set to air this coming September 15. According to TBS, the production will proceed with a change of script.
Coming up next year, Haruma will be seen in his last big screen assignment via the movie “Brave: Gunjou Senki” with co-star and friend Arata Mackenyu. Japanese entertainment sites report that its filming was already completed last January and its release will push through as planned, without any changes in the film material.
Since this writer was working late at night the previous day, I was sleeping when the news was first circulated online. When I checked my Facebook account, I learned that he had already passed away. At first, I was in denial, and yet I immediately shed tears. It was so painful since I am a huge Miura Haruma fan ever since I saw his movie “Koizora” (Sky of Love) in 2008. That’s more than 10 years of knowing and appreciating this talented young man.
Two days after Haruma’s passing, I wrote an open letter to him on my blog, having been grateful to have become his fan as someone who will forever hold the precious fangirling moments and celebrate his life works by enjoying them over and over again. As fans, we would remember him; his bright smiles and his mark on our lives. Yes, we are still hurting, but I am sure that those close to him, his family and friends (actors Takeru Sato, Miura Shohei, ONE OK ROCK lead singer Takahiro Moriuchi), are hurting more than us.
While updating the Miura Haruma Philippines site, a moth flew in and rested on my laptop. I would like to think it was Haruma saying “thank you,” while conveying that everything’s going to be alright as he has already found his peace and happiness.
Fans may leave messages to Haruma on the memorial website opened by his talent agency, AMUSE Inc.
1 comment
I am a fan of Haruma miura from South Asia,
It’s true that he really had such a bright smile,😍 his smile was so alluring, 💓 and he always smiled so heartily❤
I truly admire his talent and I love him so much 😍😘😘😘❤😍
May his soul rest in peace 🙏😔