TOKYO (TR) – This week, tabloid Shukan Bunshun reported that popular actress Mei Nagano is not only dating Korean actor Kim Mu-jun but also involved in an affair with former co-star Kei Tanaka.
Nagano, 25, is currently one of Japan’s most in-demand talents for commercial endorsements due to her perceived clean image. But evening tabloid Nikkan Gendai suggests that her revealed carnivorous ways will impede such prospects in the future.
In revealing her relationship with Tanaka, who is 15 years her senior and married with two children, a reporter for Bunshun found Nagano inviting an apparently drunk Tanaka into her apartment in Minato Ward late at night on April 19.
The pair met when they co-starred in the film “And the Baton Was Passed” in 2021. Their roles were of father and daughter.
“Some people commented that they were like a real father and daughter, though they were not related by blood,” a film reporter tells Gendai. “The depiction of a family bond that goes beyond blood ties brought tears to many audience members. Although it was known that they got along well [during the filming], she was caught crossing the line by becoming involved with the ‘father.’ So the difference is huge. Fans of the movie are expressing their dismay via comments on the internet.”
In fact, this was not the first time that she had invited Tanaka to her home. By October of last year, they had already become so close that she had given him a spare key.
That’s not all. Nagano plays the heroine in the TBS drama series “Caster” alongside 26-year-old Kim. Apparently, she spent the night with the Korean actor the day before inviting Tanaka to her home.
“If she was playing around with an older actor and cheating on [Kim], that’s going to damage her clean image,” an ad agency source says. “If this is her true nature, her sponsors will be shocked.”
“We are checking the facts”
The big problem will be the huge compensation that might need to be paid as a result. Nagano has 11 commercial contracts. And they are all with big, well-known companies, like Suntory Holdings Limited, NTT Docomo, Inc., JCB Co., Ltd. and Kao Corporation.
“We are checking the facts,” a representative of Kao, which sponsors “Caster,” told Gendai regarding the reports.
“At this point, no official announcement has been made by any company, but Nagano may be charged more than 100 million yen in penalty fees for each commercial,” the aforementioned ad agency source assures. “Based on similar cases in the past, such as those involving Masahiro Higashide and Becky, the penalty fee for each commercial is often two to three times the contract fee.”
When contacted, Stardust Promotion, which represents Nagano, denied the allegations. “Tanaka and Kim Mu-jun are senior performers and colleagues. There is no truth to the fact that they are dating,” the agency said. “However, we have sternly told Nagano to be aware that her actions have led to misunderstandings. We also deeply apologize for the great concern and inconvenience caused by this report to all those involved, the clients and staff involved in advertising and productions, and the fans who support her.”
