On April 23, Japanese tabloid Bunshun — often likened to Korea’s Dispatch — published photos showing Nagano in intimate proximity with actor Kei Tanaka, a married man with children. Additionally, the outlet claimed that Nagano had also been spending private time with Korean actor Kim Moo-joon, her co-star in the drama Caster. The double controversy triggered widespread condemnation, shaking Nagano’s once-pristine public image.
After five days of silence, Nagano Mei addressed the scandal on a late-night radio program aired April 28, offering a brief apology that many found lacking in substance.
“Regarding the recent controversy, I understand many of my supporters must be concerned. I am truly sorry. However, this is all a misunderstanding. I’ve deeply reflected on how my carelessness has caused distress to many. From now on, I’ll be more cautious in how I interact with male colleagues,” she stated.
However, her remarks were criticized online for being vague and evasive, as she did not directly address her alleged relationships with either Kei Tanaka or Kim Moo-joon. Public sentiment remains skeptical, especially with compelling photographic evidence already released.
Despite denials from all parties — Nagano Mei, Kei Tanaka, and Kim Moo-joon — the scandal has had tangible effects.
Nagano Mei’s screen time in the drama Caster has reportedly been cut, and the actress is facing a harsh wave of public disapproval. Her management agency has maintained that she did not engage in any inappropriate relationships, and both male actors have insisted that their connections with her were strictly platonic.
Kim Moo-joon, for his part, stated that his visit to Nagano Mei’s home was in the presence of her family and mutual friends, denying any romantic involvement.
Nagano Mei, born in 1999, was discovered in elementary school and quickly rose through the ranks of Japan’s entertainment scene. With her bright, innocent appearance and healing smile, she became a staple in youth dramas and was seen as a top contender for the title of Japan’s “ideal girlfriend.”
She rose to fame at age 16 with her role in My Love Story!, followed by hit series like Koe Koi, Daytime Shooting Star, and Peach Girl, which cemented her reputation as a top-tier A-list “pure image” actress.
Now, the actress — once praised as “the girl who cries like a goddess” — faces the first major blow to her career. With her image tainted by a love triangle scandal and allegations of an affair with a married man, Nagano Mei’s future in J-entertainment remains uncertain.
