It is because Ueno has a strong conviction that a piece of work where everyone can confront with honesty and sincerity contains a 'special kind of strength'. The critically acclaimed 'Last Friends' too, whether it's between the director, staffs or the other co-stars, it's a work that was born out of many conflicts and discussions.
"I'm really glad to be able to work together with actors/actresses from the same generation in that drama. Watching each one of them sincerely come face to face with their characters and act even through the worries, through the conflicts, I understood something. "Ahh, it's not just me(that think that way)". It was encouraging."
"For me as well, for the whole duration of playing Ruka, I worried about a lot of things. It was a constant battle. For example, the scene in episode 9 when Ruka goes to confront Sousuke(acted by Nishikido Ryo), there was a line in the script where Ruka was suppose to say, 「あんたの偽物の愛になんか負けやしない」(Your false love, I won't lose to something like that). I thought to myself, 'This line, I won't be able to say it as Ruka'. The writer, Asano-san and the director, I understood the enthusiasm they were trying to inject into the lines. But Sousuke's love being imitation or false isn't something that can be decided like that. Ruka also can't be the only one that is always right. That's why I suggested 「あんたの愛なんか本物だとは思えない」(Your love, somehow, I can't think of it as being real love), saying it almost with a jealous tone. Because I wanted to protect this character named Ruka, I fought. If it's about Ueno Juri, anything is fine, but if it's for the sake of the role or for the work(drama/movie), I'll fight no matter what."
"Actually, towards the end, Ruka's scenes have been abruptly and drastically cut down. But alas, because they wanted to have the scenes at the share house, things have to be re-shot again. But that's okay. How many seconds(that was shown of her), things like that isn't important. The prove of Ruka living her life is there, so if people is able to see that then it's fine. Towards the final moment, everyone still had their worries; there was a time where we filmed 2 days straight without any sleep. But, being able to create a work together that everyone can sincerely and seriously come face to face with, and because of that bringing in a lot of critical acclamations, I'm really happy."
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Uhuh...our girl is a fighter so don't mess with her~! XP
The rest of the article can be read here. Interestingly, there's a page dedicated to analyzing the increase of Juri's female fans too. With graphs!
:D:D
( till the end, I cannot hate Sousuke 
