Kentaro Sakaguchi. Photo by Yonhap News
Kentaro Sakaguchi (34), a Japanese actor well known in South Korea, has canceled all official appearances at the 30th Busan International Film Festival due to the aftermath of a controversy over his private life.
On September 15, the Busan International Film Festival announced, "The press conference for the film 'Final Piece' has been inevitably canceled due to the guest's circumstances," adding, "We will provide further information about upcoming events at a later date." The festival organizers also stated that interviews were canceled for the same reason.
Sakaguchi was invited as the lead actor in the film 'Final Piece,' alongside Ken Watanabe, to the 30th Busan International Film Festival, which opens on September 17. He was scheduled to participate in events meeting with audiences, a press conference with domestic journalists, and interviews, but all of these have been canceled. However, the screening of the film will proceed as planned.
Recently, the Japanese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported that Sakaguchi has been living together in Tokyo for four years with stylist A, who is three years older than him, and that he has also been in a relationship with actress Mei Nagano since 2022, raising suspicions of "two-timing." Sakaguchi's side acknowledged his relationship and breakup with A, but did not comment on his relationship with Mei Nagano. In contrast, Mei Nagano's side stated, "It is true that they dated in the past, but she was not aware of A's existence."
The controversy has grown even larger as Mei Nagano was previously embroiled in rumors in May about an affair with older married actor Kei Tanaka and a dating rumor with Korean actor Kim Mujun.
'Final Piece' is a drama based on the bestselling novel 'Banjo no Himawari,' which ranked second in the 2018 Japan Booksellers' Award. Set in the world of shogi, it follows the mystery of a murder case. Sakaguchi plays Keisuke, a genius shogi player suspected of being the murderer.
Sakaguchi, who began his career as a model, gained recognition in Japan through films such as 'Our Little Sister' and dramas like 'Let's Go, Joushahan!' and 'Copycat Criminal.' He also appeared in Korean drama remakes, building a fanbase in South Korea, and last year starred in the Coupang Play series 'Things That Come After Love.'
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