TOKYO (AP) 鈥� Actors Gen Hoshino and Yui Aragaki, who played offbeat but endearing lovers in a hit Japanese TV show, are really getting married.
The couple announced their life-imitates-art decision in a joint statement posted Wednesday on Aragaki鈥檚 Instagram.
鈥淲e would like to announce that we, Gen Hoshino and Yui Aragaki, are getting married,鈥� it said. 鈥淲e hope you will continue to warmly support us both.鈥�
Aragaki and Hoshino co-starred in the 2016 comedy, 鈥淣igeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu,鈥� or 鈥淚t鈥檚 Shameful to Run, but It Works,鈥� as youngsters who enter a roommate-like contractual marriage. That story spoke to the dilemma of Japanese society, where people are increasingly holding off on marriage and children, resulting in one of the lowest birth rates in the world.
, composed and sung by Hoshino, which ran with the credits, also was a megahit, including its dance moves.
Caroline Kennedy, who was then U.S. ambassador to Japan, had posted a video clip on YouTube of the embassy staff and herself doing the dance.
鈥淗eartbeats throb within distance,鈥� the song 鈥淜oi,鈥� or 鈥淟ove,鈥� goes. 鈥淕o beyond man and wife.鈥�
The show, based on a 鈥渕anga鈥� comic, also highlighted the perennial gender inequalities of Japan. The heroine has a university degree but loses her job and, without better opportunities, decides to work as a housekeeper. The relationship that develops is a comfortable mutual respect, devoid of fiery eroticism. It gradually evolves into love.
An award-winning recording and touring musician, Hoshino, 40, has starred in many movies, including 2020's 鈥淭he Voice of Sin.鈥� Aragaki, 32, started as a fashion model and is featured in Uniqlo and Toyota ads.
No date has been revealed for their wedding.
A post on the Twitter account for their TV show had five crying-face icons and typified the reaction buzzing through Japan: 鈥淥h, wow.鈥�
鈥淲e hope to work together to build a calm happy life. As an individual, I would like to continue to face up to each and every one of the jobs I take up, be it in music, acting or writing, with sincerity, more than ever,鈥� Hoshino said on his Instagram.
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Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter
Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press
