How Japanese actress Mei Nagano got caught in wild cheating scandal with TWO of her co-stars
Mei Nagano is currently one of Japan's most sought-after actresses, landing major hits in both film and television as well as racking up lucrative endorsement deals with luxury brands like Prada and SK-II.
At just 25, she's already been nominated for three Japan Academy Film Prizes (Japan's equivalent of the Oscars), and her Netflix series Burn the House Down topped the streaming charts in 2023.
Known for her squeaky clean image, Nagano was caught in a mammoth scandal this week when Japanese tabloid Shukan Bunshun claimed that she has been having an affair with married actor Kei Tanaka - who is 15 years her senior.
Tanaka, who shares two children with his wife Sakura, previously starred with Nagano in the 2021 film And So the Baton Is Passed, in which she played a high school student and he played her stepfather.
The tabloid released a selfie of the pair posing cheek-to-cheek together on Halloween and another image of them holding hands.
They also published photos of Tanaka leaving Nagano's apartment, where he had spent the night after they went out drinking together.
Making things more complicated, Shukan Bunshun also claims that Nagano has been romantically involved with South Korean actor Kim Mu-jun, 26, who has a supporting role in her latest drama series, News Anchor, which is currently filming.
They also claimed that Mu-jun had been staying in Nagano's apartment while he was in Japan to film the series with her.
Both men have denied being involved with the young actress.
When confronted by a reporter from Shukan Bunshun outside of Nagano's house, Tanaka said that he had only spent the night because he'd drank too much, according to Nante Japan.
His agency then put out a statement, refuting allegations of an affair.
'We want to believe that there was no affair. Kei Tanaka has been with our agency since he was 15 years old. He's never been involved in any scandals with women before,' the agency said, according to Channel News Asia.
'This is a situation where excuses are difficult to make. As an agency, we deeply reflect on what has transpired and strongly urge him to exercise restraint and self-awareness.'
Mu-jun's agency followed suit, stating that the actor and Nagano were nothing more than 'close colleagues.'
Nagano's agency offered a similar statement, saying, 'there is no truth to any romantic involvement.'
'However, we have sternly conveyed to Mei Nagano that her actions this time could easily lead to misunderstandings,' they added.
For now, Nagano will continue filming News Anchor, although there is speculation that her screen time may be reduced as a result of the scandal.
There is also the question on whether or not the scandal will affect any of her endorsement deals.
The actress is currently an ambassador Prada and is the face of countless other brands in Japan.
Last month, Prada was forced to terminate their contract with Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun after his secret relationship with late actress Kim Sae-ron was exposed shortly after her suicide.
One of Nagano's major fan accounts has already closed down in the wake of the scandal.
Despite the furor, Nagano has a busy year ahead with several projects in the pipeline.
Her new film Kakukaku Shikajika premieres in May, and then she will star in a big budget historical drama Kakukaku Shikajika due for release in 2026.
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