From Idol to Actor: Ren Meguro’s Journey in Japan’s Showbiz

Historical perspective

Japan’s entertainment landscape has evolved beyond the rigid idol‑only or actor‑only categories that defined earlier generations. In today’s Reiwa era, performers are expected to sing, dance, act and even model. This creates a class of versatile multi‑hyphenates. They can thrive across media. This shift echoes the diversified show‑business path pioneered by groups like SMAP in the 1990s. Streaming platforms and global fashion partnerships have super‑charged this evolution. Ren Meguro embodies this modern ideal. He began as a trainee within Johnny & Associates (now Starto Entertainment). In 2020, he debuted in the idol group Snow Man. He quickly rose to prominence as a lead actor, award winner, and international brand ambassador.

Ren Meguro – biography

Ren Meguro (目黒蓮) was born on 16 February 1997 in Tokyo. He joined Johnny & Associates in 2010. He spent several years in junior units. He was announced as a member of the idol group Snow Man on 17 January 2019. Snow Man’s official debut arrived on 22 January 2020, launching Meguro as part of one of Japan’s highest‑selling male groups

After the group’s debut he turned to acting. In 2021 he starred in the TV Asahi series Kieta Hatsukoi (My Love Mix‑Up!) as Kosuke Ida, earning praise for his gentle portrayal of a high‑school student. The following year he co‑led the Fuji TV drama Silent, playing Sou Sakura. Sou Sakura is a young man who loses his hearing. The series became a social phenomenon. It also won a Hashida Award. He continued with supporting roles in the NHK morning drama Mai Agare! (Soar High!) in 2022–23 and then headlined Trillion Game in 2023 as the charismatic entrepreneur Haru Tennōji. In 2024 he played Natsu Tsukioka in the drama Where Does the Sea Begin?.

Meguro transitioned to film with his performance as Akihiko Misumi in the 2022 movie Phases of the Moon. He continued with the Snow Man ensemble film Mr. Osomatsu (2022) and the romantic fantasy My Happy Marriage in 2023. His screen presence and growing popularity culminated in early 2024. Italian luxury house Fendi appointed him its first Japan men’s brand ambassador. It was the first time the company gave that title to a Japanese man in its near 100‑year history. Later that year he received multiple newcomer awards (see below).

In November 2025, international exposure beckoned. Industry news outlets reported that Meguro was cast in the second season of FX’s Emmy-winning drama Shōgun. According to United Press International and other sources, he will play Kazutada. Production is slated to start in January in Vancouver. Variety also noted that Meguro joins the series as Kazutada and described his TV credits, including Silent and Trillion Game.

Actor description

Ren Meguro’s acting is defined by restraint and emotional nuance rather than overt dramatics. On screen he conveys vulnerability through subtle shifts of expression and measured dialogue. His tall stature and calm gaze give him a quiet magnetism that suits both romantic leads and introspective roles. Meguro adapts effortlessly to youth romance (My Love Mix‑Up!), serious human drama (Silent), and business‑thriller narratives (Trillion Game). His ability to balance idol charisma with thoughtful acting has made him a defining figure of the Reiwa generation.

Career timeline

Year	Event	Details
1997	Birth	Born in Tokyo on 16 February.
2010	Trainee	Joined Johnny & Associates as a junior performer.
17 Jan 2019	Group membership	Announced as a new member of Snow Man.
22 Jan 2020	Idol debut	Snow Man made its official debut.
2021	First lead drama	Starred in Kieta Hatsukoi (My Love Mix‑Up!) as Kosuke Ida.
2022	Breakthrough drama	Co‑led Silent as Sou Sakura; series became a hit.
2022–23	Asadora role	Appeared in NHK’s Mai Agare! as Hiroaki Kashiwagi.
2023	Lead drama	Headlined Trillion Game as Haru Tennōji.
2024	Lead drama	Starred in Where Does the Sea Begin? as Natsu Tsukioka
2022	Film debut	Appeared in Phases of the Moon as Akihiko Misumi
2023	Film lead	Played Kiyoka Kudo in My Happy Marriage
Feb 2024	Fendi ambassador	Became Fendi’s first Japan men’s brand ambassador
Nov 2025	International casting	Cast in FX’s Shōgun Season 2 as Kazutada

Selected filmography

Television dramas

Year	Title (Network)	Role
2021	Kieta Hatsukoi (TV Asahi)	Kosuke Ida
2022	Silent (Fuji TV)	Sou Sakura
2022–23	Mai Agare! (NHK)	Hiroaki Kashiwagi
2023	Trillion Game (TBS)	Haru Tennōji
2024	Where Does the Sea Begin? (Fuji TV)	Natsu Tsukioka

Films

Year	Title	Role
2022	Phases of the Moon	Akihiko Misumi
2022	Mr. Osomatsu	Ensemble role (Snow Man)
2023	My Happy Marriage	Kiyoka Kudo

Awards and honours

Year	Award	Work / category	Result
2023	Japan Academy Film Prize (46th)	Newcomer of the Year – Phases of the Moon	Won
2023	Kinema Junpo Awards (96th)	Best New Actor – Mr. Osomatsu, Phases of the Moon	Won
2023	Yokohama Film Festival (45th)	Best Newcomer – As Long as We Both Shall Live, Phases of the Moon	Won
2023	TAMA Film Awards (15th)	Best Emerging Actor – My Happy Marriage	Won
2023	Hashida Awards (31st)	Hashida Newcomer Award – Silent	Won
2024	Elan d’Or Awards	Newcomer of the Year (multiple works)	Won

Why Ren Meguro matters

Ren Meguro exemplifies the modern Japanese entertainer. His seamless shift from trainee to idol, then to award‑winning actor, mirrors Japan’s evolving entertainment landscape. By balancing gentle vulnerability with quiet strength on screen, he draws audiences across age groups. His 2024 Fendi ambassadorship underscored his international fashion appeal, while his casting in the U.S. drama Shōgun signals a new phase of global recognition. As the Reiwa era progresses, Meguro stands as a cultural bridge connecting idol fandoms, prestige drama, cinema and high fashion.

Sources

• Fashion Headline – Snow Man’s Meguro Ren appointed as Fendi’s Japan men’s brand ambassador fashion-headline.com.
• UPI – J‑pop star Ren Meguro joins Shōgun Season 2 upi.com.
• Variety – ‘Shogun’ Season 2 adds Ren Meguro to castvariety.com.
• Yokohama Film Festival (45th) – award winners en.wikipedia.org.
• NanteJapan – Japan Academy Film Prize winners fashion-headline.com.
• Tokyohive – TAMA Film Awards results tokyohive.com.
• Silent – Hashida Awards recognition en.wikipedia.org.