Tomohisa Yamashita arrived in Hong Kong specially for this cover shoot. In the days leading up to it, he had prepared thoroughly, hitting the gym to ensure he brought his finest form and irreplaceable charm to GQ Hong Kong’s inaugural issue.
“Every time I come to Hong Kong, I am struck by the richness of its culture and history, and I want to explore more.” As light and shadow shifted, his presence magnified under the lens: delicate features and a sculpted jawline honed by time grew even more resolute; his eyes, as deep as a midsummer night’s sky, seemed to pierce the soul, radiating a calm and steady aura. Off camera, he carries an ease and curiosity towards all things, a mix of boyish playfulness and refined maturity. This blend of youthful passion and poised masculinity aligned seamlessly with the fresh gentlemanly style of GQ Hong Kong — a legend of this era written in every frame.
Within the philosophy of the chicken and egg, perhaps what is needed is not an answer, but the celebration of existence itself and the crowning force to keep moving forward. Yamashita has grown alongside his audience, portraying stories that belong to everyone, reminding us that we are never truly alone and that we can imagine lives beyond our own. “Acting allows me to connect with people on a deeper level through the characters I play.” In the subversive classic Ikebukuro West Gate Park, he stunned as an introverted otaku, leaving a lasting impression. He was Kusano Akira, the cheerful mischief-maker in Nobuta wo Produce; Ken Iwase in Proposal Daisakusen, who travels time again and again for his lost love; Naoki Kamiya in Buzzer Beat, who struggles both on the basketball court and in romance, overcoming weakness and growing braver; Kosaku Aizawa, the aloof yet brilliant doctor carrying out helicopter emergency missions in Code Blue; and Takane Hoshikawa, the noble monk in From Five to Nine, comically relentless in his pursuit of love. Who has not thrown themselves recklessly into a dream, fallen for someone without daring to confess, or endured the searing pain of heartbreak that seemed unending? “I’ve always sought to take on a variety of roles, and meditation has helped me immerse myself more deeply into the inner worlds of each character.”
Music and acting are at the core of Yamashita’s being, his outlets for self-expression. Beyond shocking audiences worldwide in Alice in Borderland Season 2 with a near-bare performance that mirrored the manga character, he has stepped onto the global stage with roles in HBO’s thriller The Head and Apple TV+’s drama Drops of God, demonstrating fluent English alongside international actors. While the future cannot be predicted, Yamashita already has his eyes on his next challenge: “I want to play a character facing intense psychological struggles, or take on bold action sequences to expand my acting range.” Alongside his screen work, he has also left behind hit theme songs such as “Seishun Amigo,” “Hug Me, Miss,” and most recently “I See You” from his album Sweet Vision. “Music allows me to express emotion directly and instantly shift the atmosphere.”
There is no doubt Yamashita is an icon. But what does that title mean to him? “Being iconic means having a lasting influence — the ability to evoke emotions and memories, and to contribute to society and culture in meaningful ways.” He approaches his work with professionalism, relentlessly pursuing the art of music and acting, always striving for breakthroughs. In doing so, he shines brightly, much like Bulgari’s Serpenti and B.zero1 collections, which evolve through the ages, renewing themselves and becoming timeless classics through continuous devotion to craftsmanship. “An icon is not just about the present — it must withstand the test of time. It’s about vision and style that continue to inspire and bring value, leaving a long-lasting impact on the world.”
Leaving an imprint on the world, he insists, comes down to mindset: “Fame and achievement are not always the same. What matters most is dedicating yourself fully to what you love and maintaining the discipline of tireless hard work. Fame may be fleeting, but your work and your character will endure. My foremost goal has always been to bring joy to fans and colleagues.” He adds, “From my mentors, I’ve learnt the true meaning of resilience in adversity, of devotion, and of facing challenges with fearless courage.” To become a classic, one must look inward as well as outward. “I strive to remain true to myself, holding fast to my core values while embracing the possibility of change.” Understanding oneself is a challenge everyone must face, and the wisdom gained through time is what fuels both his craft and his life with unending drive.
Photography: Luke Casey
Editorial Director: Jumius Wong
Creative Direction & Styling: Sean Kunjambu
Producer: Katherine Ho
Makeup Artist: Cathy Zhang
Hair Stylist: Keith Wo
Photography Assistants: Cliff Chik, Chan Tsz Kin, Mike Lam
Production Assistant: Monkey
Fashion Assistants: Priscilla Ng, Sing Lei, Chan Lok, Leonie Wassermann
Location: Cloud 39 of The Henderson, Henderson Land
Text: Sing Lei
Fake pheasants & eggs were used in this shoot
