After Husband’s Scandal, Shuri’s Marriage and Pregnancy Raise Expectations

Overcoming Miyama’s Broken Engagement Scandal

Actress Shuri (34) announced on August 29 that she has married Ryoki Miyama (26) of the seven-member boy group BE: FIRST. She also revealed that she is expecting their first child.

The couple posted a joint handwritten statement on their respective Instagram accounts:

“We, Ryoki Miyama and Shuri, would like to announce that we have officially married. We are also blessed with a new life between us.”

They added:

“Our parents and everyone around us who has supported us are looking forward to the birth of this new life.

We will continue to work together to build a peaceful and happy home. We hope for your warm support.”

Their relationship faced challenges earlier this year. In April, a weekly magazine reported on Miyama’s broken engagement with entrepreneur and YouTuber R-chan, and it was also reported that Shuri’s father, Yutaka Mizutani (73), initially opposed the relationship. Despite these issues, the couple has now married and is expecting a child. Shuri’s mother, Ran Ito (70), congratulated them via Instagram:

“Shuri, congratulations from the bottom of my heart. I have always been watching over you, and of course, I will continue to do so.”

Some speculated that Miyama’s broken engagement scandal might negatively affect Shuri’s acting career, but industry insiders dismissed such concerns:

“With this marriage, any worries are unnecessary. Miyama’s scandal is now a thing of the past. More importantly, Shuri has an impressive track record as an actress.”

Shuri made her acting debut in 2011 and gained attention for her role in the NHK morning drama Toto Nee-chan (2016). Her performance in the film Living, loving (2018), directed by Kōsai Sekine, was particularly remarkable.

In the film, she played Neiko, a heroine suffering from bipolar disorder and hypersomnia, who struggles to get out of bed and isolates herself, neglecting work. Shuri’s portrayal captured Neiko’s intense emotions—suddenly running off, confronting her live-in boyfriend played by Masaki Suda (32), and being unable to control herself or maintain relationships. Her all-in performance conveyed the exhaustion of simply living, establishing her presence as a new type of actress.

For this role, Shuri received the Best Actress Award at the 33rd Takasaki Film Festival and the New Actor Award at the 42nd Japan Academy Prize, among other accolades.

The skill she demonstrated in Shinya Tsukamoto’s film Hokage

In Shinya Tsukamoto’s 2023 film Hokage, Shuri delivered a powerful performance as a woman running a small izakaya in a war-torn black market immediately after World War II. Living by selling her body, she gradually forms a connection with a boy who sneaks into her shop, finding hope amid despair. Her portrayal added a new depth to her acting.

“Shuri expressed the unique worldview characteristic of Tsukamoto, known for masterpieces like Nobi (2015) and Zan (2018). She won the Best Actress Award at the 97th Kinema Junpo Best Ten, solidifying her reputation as a leading actress through Hokage,” said a film industry source.

Following her pivotal roles in Living, Loving and Hokage, Shuri starred in the NHK morning drama Boogie Woogie (2023) as Suzuko, modeled on Shizuko Kasagi, the postwar “Queen of Boogie,” gaining nationwide recognition.

Her parents are also top stars: her father, Yutaka Mizutani, won the Kinema Junpo Best Actor Award as the youngest recipient for Seishun no Satsujinsha (1976) and remains a lead in the TV Asahi series Aibou. Her mother, Ran Ito, rose to fame as a member of the legendary idol group Candies and continues to work as an actress and singer.

Despite the pressure of having top-star parents, Shuri established her position as an actress through her dedicated approach and unique, individualistic performances. Now, after overcoming scandals, marriage, and childbirth, audiences eagerly anticipate the new dimensions she will bring to her acting career.