Staff Praise for Meguro Ren’s Excellent Customer Service Leads to Overwhelming Offers
He maintained a humble attitude with all staff members
Ren Meguro of Snow Man (27) was undoubtedly one of the most successful idols of last year, and he’s now drawing intense attention from the industry.
“Meguro made his CD debut as a member of Snow Man in January 2020. Since then, he has become a core member of the group, appearing on numerous music and variety shows. His acting skills are highly regarded in the industry, and in 2023, he won the Excellent Supporting Actor Award and the New Actor Award at the 46th Japan Academy Awards for his role in the movie Tsuki no Michikake. His starring drama Umi no Hajimari (Fuji TV), which aired in July last year, achieved 70 million views on TVer, making it the most-watched drama of the summer season.
Meguro’s success isn’t limited to acting. He also serves as the CM character for Kirin Beer’s Hare Kaze, which, within just a month of its release, became the top-selling beer product in the company’s last 15 years. He boasts significant influence as an advertising icon,” said a sports newspaper entertainment reporter.
This year, he’s set to star in the movie Gekijouban Trillion Game, and there seems to be no end to the offers. So, why has he become so popular?
“Meguro is always humble with staff and easily engages in casual conversation. Unlike some former Johnny’s talents who give off a ‘don’t talk to me’ vibe, he’s the complete opposite. On one occasion, during a drama shoot, when one of the co-stars clashed with staff over the direction of the production, Meguro calmly suggested an alternative, helping to diffuse the tension. His acting ability aside, I believe the reason for his numerous offers is his strong leadership qualities, which allow him to excel as the lead in any drama or film he’s part of,” said a drama producer at a major TV network.
God’s response on set
Meguro’s exceptional conduct on set isn’t limited to just the previous instance.
“Previously, Snow Man was managed by one of the industry’s most hot-tempered managers. During an interview with Meguro on a certain program, the session ran a few minutes over schedule. Even though the camera was still rolling, the manager left the room in anger. While we may have mismanaged the timing, it was inappropriate for the manager to storm out while the camera was still on.
However, Meguro himself didn’t seem bothered at all by the incident. He calmly said, ‘Sorry about that, I’m totally fine, so let’s continue the interview!’ His thoughtfulness saved the situation, and it created a sense of wanting to work with him again in the future,” said a director of a major TV network’s information program.
Beloved by both viewers and television professionals, Meguro will undoubtedly continue to receive a steady stream of offers this year.
Interview and text by: Hirotsuru Fujiyama PHOTO: Yoshito Murata