'Serizawa, Who Is in a Group of Popular Kids, Acts Strangely in Front of Me' to Premiere on August 10 (Mon) Late Night!

Starring cast photos and scene stills for the two leads, along with three additional cast members, have been revealed for the popular series 'Serizawa, Who Is in a Group of Popular Kids, Acts Strangely in Front of Me,' adapted from a novel published by Starts Publishing Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Futoshi Sekine) under its youth BL label 'BeLuck Bunko.' The popular kids group surrounding Serizawa, played by Ryuto Yosaka, one of the dual leads, consists of Tomoaki Takeuchi, played by Kaito Kimura; Yuma Saeki, played by Shotaro Tanaka (DXTEEN); and Shun Iwasaki, played by Yuki Hayama. This work is a youth boys' love comedy depicting the relationship between a lonely boy who loves BL and the most popular, handsome guy in school. It's a highly anticipated project from the creative team that previously brought us popular works like 'I Joined a Group of Unfriendly People on a School Trip.' Please look forward to this series as it builds further excitement towards its broadcast premiere.

Official Website https://www.ytv.co.jp/youkya_shudan/

Original Novel Introduction: https://novema.jp/article/beluck/youkya/drama

First Public Release of Lead Actor Photos and Scene Stills!

Lonely Boy Who Loves BL & School's Most Popular Handsome Guy

Suzuki, a lonely boy, had his "BL novel" secretly written about Serizawa, a model for the popular kids' group, read by Serizawa himself. He panicked, thinking he'd be ridiculed, but to his surprise, he was praised extensively...? Since then, Serizawa has been constantly interacting with him and inviting him out. "Why me!?" he wondered, but before he could even process it, their distance rapidly closed -- "I have no intention of letting you go, Suzuki." Before he knew it, he was caught in Serizawa's pace... a super rapid approach!? A non-stop youth boys' love comedy filled with Serizawa's overwhelming, sweet, and possessive love that doesn't stop, as he acts strangely in front of Suzuki.

Additional Cast Decided! Comments Also Arrive

● Role of Tomoaki Takeuchi / Kaito Kimura

One of the popular handsome guys in the group. A talented student who looks cool and is the most sensible. He's the calm tsukkomi (straight man). He's known Serizawa the longest and occasionally shows meaningful expressions or asks probing questions towards Serizawa and Suzuki, who are rapidly closing the distance between them.

<Comment>

I'm Kaito Kimura, playing Tomoaki Takeuchi. I'm a student. It's youth!

The romance between Suzuki and Serizawa is irresistibly sweet with the unique charm of that "time," making you want to cheer for them!

In this drama, you might get a glimpse into the personal lives of the characters surrounding the two, which aren't depicted in the original work.

We are currently in the middle of filming, and everyone is enjoying their youth! Of course, I'm also having fun playing Takeuchi every day ♪

Please join us in cheering for the romance between Suzuki and Serizawa!

[Profile]

Born May 16, 2001, from Ibaraki Prefecture.

Selected for the "My Graduation" project, he made his acting debut in the film 'Ashita no Watashi e' (2022). In 2025, he will play Mashiro Kumade / Goju Polar in the Super Sentai series 'Number One Sentai Gojyu-ger.' He has upcoming roles in the reading play 'ROOM 2026' (July 31 - August 1) and the film 'Matchmond' (September 11), marking him as a promising young actor.

● Role of Yuma Saeki / Shotaro Tanaka (DXTEEN)

One of the popular handsome guys in the group. A stylish, beauty-conscious, considerate, and refreshingly handsome guy with a gentle aura. He's very popular but devoted to his girlfriend, the type to openly show affection in public.

<Comment>

I'm Shotaro Tanaka, playing Yuma Saeki! When I heard I was cast in my first regular drama series, I was incredibly happy as it's been one of my long-held goals! The character I play, Saeki, is not only popular but also bright, kind, stylish, observant of others, and able to empathize with people.

I want to portray him carefully, conveying not just his popular side but also his inner charm and good qualities as a person.

The series has pure, laugh-out-loud funny scenes, heart-fluttering moments, the friendship of the popular group, and the romance between Suzuki and Serizawa – it's a wonderfully exciting andドキドキ (dokidoki - heart-pounding) work, so I hope many people will watch it. I'm still nervous, but I'll face the role earnestly and do my best while experiencing plenty of youth on set. Thank you for your support!

[Profile]

Born October 18, 2005, from Yamanashi Prefecture.

A member of the 6-member global boy group "DXTEEN." He made his acting debut in the drama 'Saigo no Hokago' (2025), broadcast on Nihon Eiga Senmon Channel. The group successfully held their first arena concert in January this year at Ariake Arena, Tokyo. His presence, enhanced by his 180cm height, is also a charm, and he is a young artist expected to achieve even greater success.

● Role of Shun Iwasaki / Yuki Hayama

One of the popular handsome guys in the group. A member of the judo club. A well-built, athletic, and handsome guy. Although not intentionally, when bullies or troublemakers pick on the quiet Suzuki, he acts as a bodyguard just by standing there.

<Comment>

Iwasaki, whom I'm playing, is a member of the popular group in class, a high school student belonging to a sports club who is true to his appetite.

He seems straightforward and perhaps not thinking much, but he can be a reliable person when it counts.

When I first read the original work, I felt that the way Iwasaki, Saeki, and Takeuchi warmly watched over the evolving relationship between the two protagonists as the story progressed was wonderful.

Based on the friendship of the popular group, I want to enjoy filming while thinking about how I, as Iwasaki, can be a positive presence in this work.

And, as he's in the "judo club," I'll work hard on my physical conditioning!!!

[Profile]

Born October 27, 2001, from Osaka Prefecture.

He gained attention after being cast as Blue Buster / Shishiro Narita in the Super Sentai series 'Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger' in 2024. He has since appeared in the drama 'If no Sekai de Koi ga Hajimaru' and the FOD short drama 'Who DID Love?'.

He is expected to have a successful career, including his first starring role in a stage play, 'Namiya Zakkaten no Kiseki,' in 2026.

Series Overview

Drama 'Serizawa, Who Is in a Group of Popular Kids, Acts Strangely in Front of Me'

Broadcast Date: Starting August 10 (Mon) Yomiuri TV, Drama DiVE slot, every Monday at 1:29 AM

*Broadcast times are subject to change.

*Affiliated stations are currently being coordinated.

*Free catch-up streaming available on TVer after broadcast.

Original Work: Yuzu Tsubaki 'Serizawa, Who Is in a Group of Popular Kids, Acts Strangely in Front of Me' (BeLuck Bunko / Starts Publishing)

Cast: Kosuke Koizumi (Genin wa Jibun ni Aru.), Ryuto Yosaka, Kaito Kimura, Shotaro Tanaka (DXTEEN), Yuki Hayama, and others.

Screenplay: Subaru Yamashita ('I Joined a Group of Unfriendly People on a School Trip,' 'Saionji-san wa Kajio Shinai,' 'Minato Shouji Coin Laundry,' etc.)

Director: Ryo Kawasaki ('25 o'Clock, Akasaka de,' 'Minato Shouji Coin Laundry 2,' 'Kurosaki-san no Itto na Ai ga Tomaranai,' etc.)

Ichiro Oyama ('361 - White and Black -,' 'Secret Alliance,' etc.)

Takeshi Shioguchi ('Koi ga Hetademo Ikite Masu,' 'Shiro demo Kuro demo nai Sekai de, Panda wa Warau.,' etc.)

Producers: Yohei Koike, Kazunari Maenishi, Tomoyuki Shijima, Akihiko Takaishi

Chief Producers: Hiroyuki Fukuda, Akihisa Yamamoto, Kentaro Uchi'ai

Production: The icon ('I Joined a Group of Unfriendly People on a School Trip,' '25 o'Clock, Akasaka de,' 'Dekite mo, Dekinakute mo,' etc.)

Production Copyright: ©Yuzu Tsubaki, Starts Publishing / 'Serizawa, Who Is in a Group of Popular Kids, Acts Strangely in Front of Me' Production Committee

Official Website https://www.ytv.co.jp/youkya_shudan/

Streaming TVer https://tver.jp/series/sr3ax1vftw

Official Social Media

Drama Official X: @dramaDiVEP_ytv https://x.com/dramaDiVEP_ytv

Drama Official Instagram: @dramaDiVEplus_ytv https://www.instagram.com/dramadiveplus_ytv/

Drama Official TikTok: @dramaDiVEplus_ytv https://www.tiktok.com/@dramadiveplus_ytv

"ytv Drama Yomiuri TV Official" YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ytv_drama?si=fPLDYnVgYTDSVAdy

Official Hashtag

#陽キャ集団

For book cover images, please include the notation [©Yuzu Tsubaki, Howako/Starts Publishing].

For all other images, please include the notation [©'Serizawa, Who Is in a Group of Popular Kids, Acts Strangely in Front of Me' Production Committee].

Original Work Introduction

©Yuzu Tsubaki, Howako/Starts Publishing

'Serizawa, Who Is in a Group of Popular Kids, Acts Strangely in Front of Me' (BeLuck Bunko / Starts Publishing)

Author: Yuzu Tsubaki, Illustrator: Howako

Price: 759 yen (690 yen + 10% tax), ISBN: 978-4-8137-1849-9

[Synopsis] Suzuki, a shy and introverted boy with a blushing problem, has his fantasy novel, written as a hobby, read by Serizawa, a popular and handsome classmate. He panicked, thinking he'd be ridiculed, but to his surprise, he was praised extensively...? Since then, Serizawa has been constantly interacting with him and inviting him out. "Why me!?" he wondered, but before he could even process it, their distance rapidly closed -- "I have no intention of letting you go, Suzuki." Before he knew it, he was caught in Serizawa's pace... a super rapid approach!? "Take my feelings properly." "Believe me. Because I love only you." A non-stop obsessive seme BL!

◆ Inquiries regarding the drama: PR Representative, ING Co., Ltd., Contact: Kubo, TEL: 03-5459-0290, Mail: hazuki.kubo@ing-ad.com

◆ Inquiries regarding the original work: Starts Publishing Co., Ltd. Public Relations, Shirato, TEL: 03-6202-0311, Mail: contact-stp@starts-pub.jp

◆ PDF available here

d607-2198-4c27d86bed8ef4d98408180365b6748d.pdf