Playback 2014: Mao Inoue’s Midnight Adventure and Yakiniku Date with Jun Matsumoto

Last summer, speculation arose that Jun Matsumoto and Inoue were on the verge of marriage, as a fashion insider revealed on their blog that Matsumoto and Inoue were present when they were invited to the home of Shun Oguri and Yu Yamada.

Idol Matsumoto and Inoue, with the upcoming NHK Taiga drama (2015’s Hana Moyu), are both in a period where they must avoid scandals at all costs. Therefore, they likely refrain from meeting alone, taking extra precautions.

In “Hana Yori Dango,” after trials and tribulations, Inoue and Matsumoto’s characters were supported by their friends and eventually came together. Similarly, in the real world, it seemed they were steadily progressing with the support of their friends Ikuta and Oguri.

However, despite frequent reports of marriage and breakups, there has never been any concrete information about the progress of their relationship. It has become a urban legend once again.

In January of this year, Inoue appeared as a guest on a New Year’s special of “Sanma no Manma.” When asked by Sanma Akashiya, “Are you not married yet?” she promptly replied, “I am not married.” She also denied the previously reported marriage rumors, saying, “I have been rumored to be getting married many times online, but if I don’t deny it, it will be seen as confirmation. I often receive congratulations, but there really is nothing.”

On May 16th, Matsumoto announced his departure from the agency STARTO ENTERTAINMENT and his decision to become independent. However, among some fans, rumors of marriage have sprung up again, with Inoue’s name still being mentioned as a possible partner. Until one of them actually gets married, the two from “Hana Yori Dango” will remain an eternal couple for fans.