Tokyo Taxi: Lee Jun-young’s Japanese Film Debut

A still photo from the Japanese film Tokyo Taxi has caught attention. It shows Lee Jun-young and Aoi Yu sharing a quiet moment under a soft beam of light.

They stand close, eyes locked. Lee moves as if dancing, while Aoi Yu watches him with warmth. His intense gaze adds depth to the image. It hints at the charm he may bring to this film.

This marks Lee Jun-young’s first role in a Japanese movie. He plays Kim Young-gi, the first love of the main character, Sumire, in her youth.

Aoi Yu plays young Sumire, and most of Lee’s scenes are with her. Their chemistry looks strong even in still images. Fans are curious how this will shape the emotional tone of the film.

Tokyo Taxi is directed by Yoji Yamada. This is his 91st film, an extraordinary number by any standard. Yamada is one of Japan’s most respected filmmakers.

His past works include The Twilight Samurai, Tokyo Family, and the long-running It’s Tough Being a Man series. This history gives the project weight. It also raises expectations.

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The Story Behind Tokyo Taxi

Tokyo Taxi is based on the 2022 French film Une Belle Course (released internationally as Driving Madeleine). That film became a hit in Japan. This Japanese adaptation places the story in a Tokyo shaped by time and change.

The film follows Sumire Takano, an 85-year-old woman played by Chieko Baisho. She rides with a taxi driver, Koji Usami, played by Takuya Kimura.

He is taking her from Shibamata in Tokyo to a senior care home in Hayama. On the way, she asks to stop at places tied to her past. These stops open the door to her hidden stories.

Sumire shares moments of regret, of love, and of reconciliation. Through her stories, Koji also changes. What starts as a simple ride becomes a journey through a life. It’s a look at the last chapters of someone’s story, and how even at the end, people can still find peace.

Lee Jun-young appears in flashbacks as Kim Young-gi. He is Sumire’s first love, the boy who once held her heart. His role is short but crucial.

He gives life to her happiest memories, and these memories shape the woman she became. Aoi Yu plays the younger Sumire, and their scenes show the warmth and pain of youth.

A Secret Casting and a Personal Milestone

Lee Jun-young’s casting was kept secret until filming was complete. Not a single photo leaked. This is rare in today’s industry. Even insiders were surprised when the news broke. It shows how carefully the production was managed.

Lee has spoken about the experience. He said working with Director Yamada was intense and deeply emotional. The director focused on feelings, not just visuals.

Lee said this helped him connect naturally with his character. He also said it was an honor to work with such respected actors on his first Japanese film.

This role is more than just a one-time project for Lee. It marks his first official step into the Japanese film industry. It shows how Korean and Japanese cinema continue to exchange talent and stories. His presence adds a global touch to a film rooted in Japanese tradition.

A Film With Legacy and Expectation

The production brings together legendary names. Takuya Kimura reunites with Director Yamada after 19 years since The Twilight Samurai.

Chieko Baisho also shares the screen with him for the first time in 21 years since Howl’s Moving Castle. This adds another layer of history to the film.

Tokyo Taxi is also the centerpiece of Shochiku’s 130th anniversary celebrations. This shows how much importance the studio places on it. The film aims to blend nostalgia with change, showing how Tokyo has evolved along with its people.

The original French film won several awards and has a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score. It was praised for its emotional honesty. The Japanese version wants to carry the same spirit but through a Japanese cultural lens.

That is not an easy task. The tone must stay gentle, yet honest. If it becomes too heavy, it could lose the heart that made the original beloved.

But Tokyo Taxi has the right pieces. Yamada’s direction is known for subtle emotion. The cast is seasoned. Lee Jun-young adds a cross-cultural edge.

If the film balances its quiet tone with sincere emotion, it may become one of the year’s standout Japanese dramas.

The film will premiere across Japan on November 21, 2025. Viewers are already curious how Lee’s scenes will unfold. His role may be small in screen time, but it carries big emotional weight.

If done well, it could leave a lasting impression and open new doors for him in Japan.

Tokyo Taxi looks like a soft yet powerful meditation on life’s final chapters. It shows how memory can shape who we are, and how one small meeting can change a life forever.

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