Cover Move over oppa, and make room for these Japanese actors (Photo: Netflix)
Move over oppa, and make room for these Japanese actors (Photo: Netflix)
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As Korean dramas expand globally, a new wave of Japanese actors is crossing borders and captivating audiences with standout roles in high-profile K-dramas and international co-productions
Fans are going from oppa to senpai as more and more Japanese actors are crossing over into K-drama territory and joining cross-border co-productions. Audiences can swoon over Kentaro Sakaguchi’s soulful gaze in What Comes After Love or catch his cameo in Romantics Anonymous. Meanwhile, fans of Kamen Rider Fourze can enjoy Sota Fukushi’s romantic second-lead turn—and sharp jawline—in Can This Love Be Translated?, where he competes with Kim Seon-ho for Go Yoon-jung’s heart. Below, more Japanese actors whose work deserves your attention.
In case you missed it: From ‘Start-Up’ to ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’: 15 K-dramas and movies that made Kim Seon-ho a star
Kentaro Sakaguchi in ‘What Comes After Love’
Above Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi has won the hearts of fans in ‘What Comes After Love’
Kentaro Sakaguchi, the Japanese actor known for his breakout role in Signal and romantic tearjerkers like The Last 10 Years, won over K-drama fans with his chiselled jawline, soft, yearning gaze and melancholic leading-man aura in What Comes After Love.
In the melodrama about second chances, he plays a Japanese author who reconnects with the love of his life, played by Korean actress Lee Se-young, while promoting the novel he wrote about their cross-cultural romance. The series is a perfect blend of J-drama sentimentality and K-drama slow-burn tension that had audiences swooning.
See more: Lisa’s male lead Kentaro Sakaguchi shines in roles from romance to action
Sota Fukushi in ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’
Above Sota Fukushi showcases impeccable comedic timing in the K-drama ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’
Japanese actor Sota Fukushi of Kamen Rider Fourze fame has built his career on live-action adaptations of beloved manga, including Bleach, and has earned the nickname of Japan’s “romantic prince” for his string of leading-man roles in film and television. He is no stranger to K-drama either, having starred in Hoshi Kara Kita Anata, the Japanese adaptation of the global Korean hit My Love from the Stars.
Recently, Sota Fukushi starred in the Netflix K-drama original Can This Love Be Translated? alongside Kim Seon-ho and Go Yoon-jung. Playing a character caught in a love triangle with the main leads, he quickly sparked second-lead syndrome among viewers, drawn to his dreamy visuals and playful charm.
See more: All the Go Yoon-jung K-dramas you need to watch after ‘Can this Love Be Translated?’
Shun Oguri in ‘Romantics Anonymous’
Above Shun Oguri is tsundere-coded in ‘Romantics Anonymous’
In this Japanese-Korean co-production, seasoned Japanese actor Shun Oguri stars opposite Hallyu queen Han Hyo-joo. He is known for starring in live-action adaptations of manga, such as Hana Yori Dango (the drama remade as Meteor Garden in Taiwan and Boys Over Flowers in Korea), Gintama and Detective Conan.
Already an established leading man in Japan, he commands the screen in Romantics Anonymous with the same charisma he displayed in earlier romantic roles. The slow-burn romance he and Han Hyo-joo portray on screen is equal parts humorous, tender and charming. Watch till the end to see the much-talked-about cameo by Song Joong-ki and fan favourite Kentaro Sakaguchi.
Eiji Akaso in ‘Gimbap and Onigiri’
Above Fall in love with Eiji Akaso in this sweet youth romance
Japanese actor Eiji Akaso rose to prominence through his role in Kamen Rider Build and has since built a reputation for romantic roles. He showcased his charm in the hit film Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! and also ventured into K-drama territory with the Japanese adaptation of She Was Pretty.
In Gimbap and Onigiri, he stars opposite up-and-coming Korean actress Kang Hye-won. The series is a cross-cultural youth romance, where food becomes a quiet yet powerful bridge for a couple navigating intimacy, identity and connection across borders.
Sho Kasamatsu in ‘Taxi Driver 3’
Above If you’re in the mood for bromance instead of romance, catch Sho Kasamatsu’s villainous turn in ‘Taxi Driver’ season 3
Sho Kasamatsu’s memorable roles include a yakuza member in the Michael Mann-produced Tokyo Vice, the Disney+ horror thriller Gannibal and the zombie apocalypse drama Love You as the World Ends.
Playing a villain in the third season of Taxi Driver, there’s no question Sho Kasamatsu was a scene stealer, but he was unlikely to steal hearts. And yet the Japanese actor managed to win the sympathy of audiences, thanks to his strong screen presence and bromance with the K-drama star Lee Je-hoon
From the soft romance of Kentaro Sakaguchi to the sharp charm of Sho Kasamatsu, these Japanese actors bring their own brand of charisma to the screen. It’s no wonder audiences can’t wait to see more.
Maggie Adan is a content writer, editor, and strategist with extensive experience across print, digital, and social media publishing. Formerly editor-in-chief at K-Zone Philippines, Summit Books and Content Lab, she has written lifestyle stories covering everything from entertainment and travel to beauty and wellness. A storyteller at heart with a keen editorial eye and a passion for narrative, she contributes to various publications and helps brands create and curate content for their social media platforms.
