Tetsuya Komuro’s “The Underground Idol Formula” Short Drama Set for December 23 Premiere!

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Tetsuya Komuro Delves into the World of Underground Idols with New Short Drama

Music maestro Tetsuya Komuro, renowned for shaping the sound of J-Pop, is set to captivate audiences once again with his latest venture: an original short drama titled “Chika Idol no Houteishiki” (The Underground Idol Formula). This highly anticipated series, which Komuro himself produces, provides music for, and even appears in, promises to reveal the untold stories behind the underground idol scene. All 30 episodes are slated for an exclusive release on DMM Short, DMM.com’s vertical short drama service, starting December 23, 2025, at 12:00 PM JST.

Underground Idol Formula Key Visual

The drama draws its inspiration from the three-member girl group “OVAL SISTEM,” a unit also produced by Komuro, who debuted in April 2025 with the song “SNS tte.” “The Underground Idol Formula” serves as a prequel, dramatizing the journey leading to OVAL SISTEM’s formation. Komuro’s involvement stems from a desire to “go viral again,” a sentiment he shared at a DMM Short release event in May 2025, hinting at the ambition driving this project.

A Star-Studded Cast and Unprecedented Scale for a Short Drama

Komuro’s long history of discovering and nurturing talent lends unique authenticity to this Cinderella story of aspiring idols. The drama features an exceptional cast, including Lily Franky, making his debut in a short drama, alongside rising stars Oto Abe, Hiori Katada, and Miyu Kano. Their collective presence elevates the series to an unusual scale for the short drama format.

The series also boasts compelling live performance scenes, featuring original songs penned by Tetsuya Komuro specifically for the drama. These tracks, including the theme song “Never Alone” and the insert song “I Surrender,” are scheduled for release on various subscription services starting December 23.

Behind the Scenes: A Glimpse with the Cast

A key visual and an exclusive off-shot photo of the main cast have been released, showcasing the camaraderie on set. The image features Lily Franky (playing Onbu), Oto Abe (Aiko), Hiori Katada (Ruka), and Miyu Kano (Iberry) in a relaxed, team-like atmosphere.

Cast Off-shot Photo

Character Spotlights

  • Onbu (Lily Franky): A former prodigy in the commercial music industry now struggling as a timid middle-aged man. He rediscovers his passion for music after encountering Aiko.

  • Aiko (Oto Abe): A girl with a natural singing voice, facing a challenging family background but possessing an unyielding passion for music.

  • Ruka (Hiori Katada): A devoted fan of Aiko, who found solace in Aiko’s singing during a difficult period of bullying.

  • Iberry (Miyu Kano): A live house staff member and a karate expert who turned to the guitar after an injury, becoming a strong supporter of Aiko.

The Story: A Quest for “Real Sound”

The narrative follows Onbu, a once-celebrated but now lonely music producer, who finds a new purpose in life through Aiko’s captivating voice. Believing in her talent, he plunges into the cutthroat underground idol world, a realm rife with exploitation, harassment, and betrayal. As Aiko faces mounting challenges, she is joined by Ruka, a girl who found hope in her music, and Iberry, a former band member who abandoned her dreams. Together, they form the unit “OVAL SISTEM.”

Questioning whether a voice can truly save someone, Onbu and the girls leverage social media and live performances to rise from the underground, striving to reclaim their self-worth and hope through the power of music. This is a story of girls on the brink, and a producer searching for the “real sound.”

Voices from the Set

The cast and Komuro-san shared their insights into the project. Tetsuya Komuro expressed his inspiration for the music, stating, “I was very inspired by Onbu, a character who feels like a loser, and that’s how the songs and lyrics were born.” Lily Franky, on his first vertical short drama experience, playfully remarked, “I’ve never seen myself moving on a phone before, so please watch ‘my vertical’ (referring to the vertical video format) (laughs).” This highlights the innovative approach of DMM Short and the unique viewing experience it offers.

Oto Abe reflected on the script, saying, “The story delicately portrays the light and shadow of idols, and the subtle shifts in their emotions, which deeply moved me.” Hiori Katada emphasized the impact of Komuro’s music, describing it as “overwhelming” and noting how Lily Franky’s acting was “truly creative and breathtaking.” Miyu Kano shared her personal connection to her character, who plays the guitar, and expressed hope that viewers would take away the message of “cherishing human connections and never giving up on dreams.”

OVAL SISTEM: The Real-Life Inspiration

The drama’s inspiration, “OVAL SISTEM,” is a three-member Japanese girl music unit produced by Tetsuya Komuro, who debuted on April 12, 2025. The members are:

  • Aiko Sumida: A talented singer from Actors School Hiroshima, known for her viral performances in Korean-Japanese music programs.

  • mochiluca (Ruka Mochizuki): Also active as an enka singer, she won the New Artist Award at the Japan Record Awards in 2021 and has performed piano on TV.

  • iBerry: Gained recognition for her TM NETWORK cover videos on social media in 2022, leading to participation in TM NETWORK recordings for her highly praised performance skills.

The Future of Kawaii Culture in a Vertical World

“The Underground Idol Formula” represents a fascinating evolution in how idol stories are told and consumed. By leveraging the vertical video format of DMM Short, the drama taps into contemporary viewing habits, particularly among younger audiences. This innovative approach, combining a legendary producer’s vision with a compelling narrative about grassroots idols, could significantly influence the global perception and reach of Japan’s vibrant Kawaii idol culture. It showcases how traditional entertainment forms are adapting to new platforms, potentially inspiring a new wave of storytelling that connects directly with a global audience in an intimate, mobile-first way.

Distribution Details:

To watch, a DMM Premium membership (550 yen/month, or 650 yen via App Store/Google Play) is required, with a 14-day free trial available.

About DMM TV and DMM Short:

DMM TV is a comprehensive video streaming service from DMM, offering a wide range of content from anime to dramas and films. DMM Short, a service within DMM TV, specializes in vertical short dramas. It is set to deliver approximately 100 titles and 3,000 episodes annually, including about 40 original productions.

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