[Sportschosun reporter Jorge Young] Japanese actor Sho Kasamatsu is making a full-scale push into the Korean market.
On the 26th, Star Platinum announced that it had signed an official Korean management contract with Sho Kasamatsu. The agency first worked with him through the 2025 Netflix film "Good News" directed by Byun Sung-hyun, and has now signed a management deal for his activities in Korea, signaling a full-fledged start to his career there.
In a handwritten letter written directly in Korean, Sho Kasamatsu said, "I grew up watching Korean productions for a long time, and I am so happy that I can now work in Korea. Whether in Korea, Japan, or the United States, I want to keep working with joy, just as I have always done." He added, "I want to keep challenging myself and always give my best, regardless of whether it is a big role or a small one. To production companies and directors I have not met yet, please call me anytime. I will gladly come running."
Han Hee-sung, CEO of Star Platinum, said, "Sho Kasamatsu is an actor with strong acting skills and sincerity, as well as a genuine passion for Korean productions. We will do our best to help him meet more audiences in Korea and on the global stage, so please give him your support."
Since his debut in 2013, Kasamatsu has steadily built his career in Japan's film and television industry for more than a decade. He made a strong impression in HBO Max's "Tokyo Vice" and later built a global OTT fan base with Disney+'s "Gannibal." More recently, he was cast in Takashi Miike's Hollywood project "Untitled Kyoto Project" alongside Charli XCX, Milly Alcock, and Norman Reedus, further raising his profile on the international stage. In Japan, he is also regarded as a "transformational actor" for his wide acting range across genres and characters.
His first project in the Korean market was "Good News," and he later appeared as the first villain of the third season in SBS's "Taxi Driver 3," cementing his popularity with the public. After appearing in "Taxi Driver 3," he was also invited as a presenter at the 2025 SBS Drama Awards and took the stage. His fluent Korean, which he learned on his own while enjoying Korean films and dramas, also drew major attention. In particular, his interviews conducted entirely in Korean at last year's Toronto International Film Festival and Busan International Film Festival sparked an enthusiastic response from local fans.
He is set to return next with the film "Shaving," which he completed filming in March while co-starring with Roh Jeong-eui. He is also awaiting the release of the new film "Pamun," starring Byun Yo-han, Esom, and Kim Jun-han, directed by Kim Sun-kyung.
Jorge Young
