Actor behind KFC Japan’s suave, new Colonel Sanders says the role fulfills his ‘biggest dream’

May 17, 2022

KFC Japan hired a man in his early 30s to play Colonel Sanders, the founder and iconic symbol of the popular American fast food chain.

Japanese actor Kento Kaku wore the familiar white suit in a new KFC commercial set to air in Japan on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old star has appeared in J-dramas such as “Tokyo MER” and “Naoki Hanzawa,” and his charisma and debonair appearance inject a youthful, modern approach to the traditional Sanders who global consumers have become familiar with.

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Kaku explains in a promotional clip that he is the ideal person to take on the iconic role because he has been eating KFC ever since he was a child. According to Kaku, he would often eat fried chicken while heading home from after-school activities.

“My biggest dream in this industry was to appear in a KFC commercial!” he was quoted as saying.

The new commercial features the tagline “Won’t you have KFC today?” and introduces KFC Japan’s Tokutoku Pack, a limited-time offering that comes with four, six or eight pieces of fried chicken.

Featured Image via @KFC_jp

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