Ryoki Miyama’s Scandal Stirred a Familiar Unease in Reporters

He’s what you’d call a cheerful and sociable extrovert

One of the most talked-about celebrities right now is likely Ryoki Miyama (26), known as RYOKI from the popular dance and vocal group BE:FIRST.

Despite having been engaged to a female YouTuber who reportedly gave him over 100 million yen, Miyama broke off the engagement. This led to him being mockingly dubbed an “Itadaki Danshi” (a man who just takes), and even facing allegations of engagement fraud. Ultimately, Miyama was forced to announce a suspension of his activities with the group and his departure from the agency. Yet, the situation shows no signs of calming down, with his former fiancée hinting at legal action.

Still, for those unfamiliar with BE:FIRST, the honest reaction might be, “He’s all over the news, but who is he, really?” Even for casual fans of BE:FIRST, many may only know him as just one member of the popular group, with little idea of who Miyama is as a person.

To get a clearer picture, we asked people who know Miyama well about his character. A writer who has interviewed him multiple times since BE:FIRST’s debut described him as follows:

“In a word, he’s extremely talkative. He’s quick-witted, has a rich vocabulary, and holds engaging conversations. It’s not that he dominates the conversation—he’s good at exchanging dialogue, so he never comes off as annoying. He’s your typical outgoing, talkative extrovert. That’s why, despite the current scandal, I always got the impression that people around him were fond of him.”

This strong communication skill seems to have worked in his favor professionally as well. A source at his agency shared:

“He’s also pursued solo acting and has been steadily rising. Since he’s not shy and easily wins people over, he’s become quite favored among industry veterans.

His breakout role was in the hugely successful NHK morning drama Tora ni Tsubasa, where he played the supportive younger brother of the main character—a role that really boosted his image. In fact, before Tora ni Tsubasa, he had already appeared in another NHK drama. It seems he left a good impression on the staff there, which helped him land the role in Tora ni Tsubasa.”

Listening to these accounts, Miyama seems like a genuinely likable guy. However, the previously mentioned writer recalls a subtle unease during their first interview with him. Ironically, it was because Miyama’s talkative and charming demeanor reminded them exactly of a certain problematic figure.

And who might that be?

Are talkative and sociable men unsuited for family life?

“It’s Masahiro Higashide (37). He’s also extremely talkative and loves a good debate. Words just pour out of him one after another, which makes interviews lively and fun. He talks passionately and in depth about his work, which made him seem like a very serious person.

But I remember wondering, can someone who enjoys meeting and talking to people this much really focus on family life? The interview took place right after he married Anne, so that question briefly crossed my mind—but as we all know, the rest is history. That’s why I felt a similar unease about Ryoki Miyama, but I didn’t expect them to resemble each other this much”

While these sociable, talkative extroverts who entertain those around them and speak passionately about their work can be trusted colleagues and energize a team, does that necessarily mean they’re suited for family life? Ryoki Miyama, rumored to be in a relationship with actress Shuri (34), may soon face that question himself. Yūri Nishina, a writer known for her insights on celebrities and expertise in marital issues, offers the following perspective:

“Men who are considerate of others and devoted to their work are often viewed positively by colleagues and seen as dependable by women—so they tend to be popular. But such men also tend to have strong ambitions. An ordinary man might be intimidated by the idea of marrying the child of a major celebrity, but it’s precisely because of their ambition that these men are able to take that step without hesitation.

However, when they’re young, their ambition can also lead them to betray their partner with the mindset of ‘I’m attractive, so I want to keep playing the field.’ Higashide married at 26; Miyama is currently 26. For an ambitious man, that might have been too early to consider marriage or engagement.”

Perhaps men, at their core, are often more concerned with being loved than with loving. Women may want to be cautious of men who speak a little too eloquently about their dreams.

FRIDAY Digital is always looking for tips and information from readers. Please send them via the submission form below or through our official X account.

Information form: https://friday.kodansha.co.jp/tips
Official X: https://x.com/FRIDAY_twit