Kentaro Sakaguchi (34) has been caught in a love triangle that is making headlines across Japan and Korea. A report from Shukan Bunshun on September 10 revealed that the star was living with an older hairstylist while secretly dating actress Mei Nagano (25).
Sakaguchi had been sharing a luxury apartment in Tokyo with a hairstylist referred to as A, who is three years older than him. Their relationship appeared serious. Neighbors often saw them walking his small white dog together, and their daily life resembled that of a long-term couple.
Behind this stable image, however, Kentaro Sakaguchi was also seeing Nagano. The two had worked together in films such as My Love Story!! and Masked Ward. Fans once called them “Meitaro,” to celebrate their on-screen chemistry. What many did not know was that their bond had turned romantic in real life.
While they collaborated professionally on several occasions, the duo was reunited in 2022 at a high-profile Prada dinner. Nagano, speaking playfully among friends, reportedly said Sakaguchi was “pursuing her like crazy.” Soon after, the two were spotted together on casual outings, holding hands in public.
What many did not realize at the time was that Sakaguchi was already in a serious relationship with the hairstylist. According to reports, he eventually confessed his connection with Nagano to A in spring 2025.
The situation esclated when A learned of Kentaro’s involvement with Nagano. She allegedly took his phone and called Mei Nagano directly. During the call, she is said to have shouted, “Stay away from my boyfriend!” The confrontation revealed the secret relationship and left both women caught in the middle of a painful triangle.
Sources state that while he spoke of ending things with the hairstylist to be with Mei Nagano, he hesitated and stayed in the relationship longer than expected.
Mei’s agency confirmed that she had dated Sakaguchi but insisted she did not know about his live-in partner. Kentaro Sakaguchi’s agency admitted he had been living with A but did not comment on the romance with Nagano.
By autumn of last year, Mei Nagano’s name was linked to actor Kei Tanaka. The two were said to be seeing each other, but the situation became awkward when Nagano, after drinking, accidentally called Tanaka by Sakaguchi’s nickname, “Ken-chan.”
Sources claim Tanaka was already aware of her history with the “What Comes After Love” star and reacted calmly, though the moment revealed lingering feelings on her side. In a twist of fate, the hairstylist, Kentaro Sakaguchi’s girlfriend, had once worked as Tanaka’s hairstylist and makeup artist.
Following the scandal, reports say Sakaguchi has moved out of the apartment he once shared with A.
His agency added that the actor had parted ways with her after she expressed her wish to marry. They stated that he has decided instead to focus on his career and has since ended the relationship, and they are no longer living together.
On the other hand, Mei Nagano is no stranger to controversy. Previously, she was embroiled in a huge controversy for her romantic involvement with married actor Kei Tanaka. For someone once praised for her pure image, these back-to-back scandals are especially damaging.
Amid the scandal, fans online revived talk of the so-called “Prada Curse.” This internet theory suggests that celebrities associated with the luxury brand Prada often face scandals or setbacks soon afterward. Both Kentaro Sakaguchi and Mei Nagano became Prada ambassadors in Japan in 2022, and their current troubles have reignited chatter about superstition.
While clearly a coincidence, the meme has gained traction, especially as other Asian stars like Kim Soo Hyun, EXO’s Chanyeol, and Chinese actors Zheng Shuang and Li Yifeng were linked to controversies during or after their Prada partnerships.
Kentaro Sakaguchi began as a model at 19 before making his acting debut in 2014. His big break came with NHK’s Okaeri Mone (2021), where his role as Dr. Sugimoto turned him into a national favorite. His fame later grew beyond Japan, especially in South Korea, where he became a popular actor and model.
Last year, he appeared as a male lead in ENA drama, What Comes After Love, with Lee Se Young. In addition, he starred opposite BLACKPINK’s Lisa in her short film, Dream, as her boyfriend, released last month.
