A woman's magazine got a scoop on Osamu Mukai and Ryoko Kuninaka in December of last year when they were spotted dating. There were also reports of Kuninaka sleeping over at Mukai's apartment in January this year, and Mukai's agency admitted that Kuninaka did sleep over but denied that they had a romantic relationship.
And because of this kind of private life, it seems like Mukai has also changed at work.
"There used to be a time when Mukai would obviously look displeased when the media surrounds him, and was even called the 'male version of Erika Sawajiri'. But he's been smiling more and more in interviews these days, and has been showing a lot of consideration to the staff as well." - (gossip show staff).
The only problem now is when "D-Day" will be.
"It seems that both sides are seriously set on marriage, and all that's left is for Mukai's camp to talk to his commercial sponsors and such, and then they can have the marriage anytime. They might even get married within the year at the soonest. Mukai has always wanted a child, and it seems like he'll be a passionate 'ikumen'* as well." - (showbiz writer)
* (ikumen - man who takes care of and raises his children)
Kuninaka's popularity soared when she was the lead in NHK's morning drama Churasan, while Mukai is extremely popular with women thanks to his pleasant image. And by the looks of things, it doesn't seem like their popularity will be affected negatively by this marriage. If they do tie the knot, expect them to rank in the top half of the "ideal couples" category in the showbiz world.
It's been 10 months since then, and it seems that their relationship has made progress.
"It's more than sleeping over at each other's apartment. They're pretty much living together already. They've been avoiding the eyes of the media as they have been refraining from dating each other in Tokyo, and have instead been showing up a lot in Yokohama. They don't even put on disguises when they enjoy their dates. They have matching accessories in their wallets, and they're showing off how lovey-dovey they are." - (tabloid writer)
And because of this kind of private life, it seems like Mukai has also changed at work.
"There used to be a time when Mukai would obviously look displeased when the media surrounds him, and was even called the 'male version of Erika Sawajiri'. But he's been smiling more and more in interviews these days, and has been showing a lot of consideration to the staff as well." - (gossip show staff).
The only problem now is when "D-Day" will be.
"It seems that both sides are seriously set on marriage, and all that's left is for Mukai's camp to talk to his commercial sponsors and such, and then they can have the marriage anytime. They might even get married within the year at the soonest. Mukai has always wanted a child, and it seems like he'll be a passionate 'ikumen'* as well." - (showbiz writer)
* (ikumen - man who takes care of and raises his children)
Kuninaka's popularity soared when she was the lead in NHK's morning drama Churasan, while Mukai is extremely popular with women thanks to his pleasant image. And by the looks of things, it doesn't seem like their popularity will be affected negatively by this marriage. If they do tie the knot, expect them to rank in the top half of the "ideal couples" category in the showbiz world.
Source:
http://gn-study.blog.so-net.ne.jp/_images/blog/_e91/gn-study/mukaiAndKuninaka.png
http://www.daily.co.jp/gossip/article/04797258.jpg
