Japanese actor Sakaguchi Kentaro chose the 30th Busan International Film Festival as his first public appearance after sensational dating reports, including allegations of an affair and seeing multiple people.
On the evening of the 17th, the 30th Busan International Film Festival (commonly BIFF) opened at the Busan Cinema Center. Ahead of that evening's opening ceremony, Sakaguchi Kentaro attended the red carpet, surprising many.
Sakaguchi Kentaro was recently embroiled in a scandal by the Japanese entertainment weekly Shūkan Bunshun. Shūkan Bunshun reported that Sakaguchi Kentaro had a four-year romance with A, a hair and makeup stylist three years his senior, including living together, but broke up after simultaneously seeing top Japanese actress Nagano Mei.
Nagano Mei had already stirred controversy over allegations of an affair with Tanaka Kei, another actor from the same agency as Sakaguchi Kentaro. This raised suspicions that Sakaguchi Kentaro and A might have been involved in a four-way relationship beyond just seeing multiple people.
Originally, Sakaguchi Kentaro had confirmed his attendance at this year's BIFF early for the film Final Piece and was even preparing for an individual interview. In the end, he canceled the individual interview amid the fallout from the successive scandals.
BIFF released an official statement to domestic reporters saying, "The Final Piece press conference has been unavoidably canceled due to the guest's circumstances. We ask for your understanding regarding the sudden schedule change."
However, he did appear on the BIFF red carpet. He came to Korea with the Final Piece team, including Japanese actor Watanabe Ken. The appearance drew greater attention as his first public outing since the dating controversy surrounding Sakaguchi Kentaro.
Perhaps a sign of the controversy. Sakaguchi Kentaro appeared thinner than before. He looked noticeably different from when he attended an eyewear brand event in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul on the 3rd. His notably hollowed cheeks and sharper jawline attracted attention.
Meanwhile, the Busan International Film Festival, which marks its 30th year this year, opened that day and will be held around the Busan Cinema Center through the 26th.
[Photo] Naver Chijijik source, OSEN DB.
[OSEN]