How Takuya Kimura became one of East Asia’s best-loved stars: from era-defining Japanese boy band SMAP and beloved TV drama Love Generation, to style icon and endorsement king
Born in Tokyo on November 13, 1972, by the age of 15, Kimura had joined talent agency Johnny & Associates, and was selected as one of the five members of SMAP just a year later. The group shot to almost instant fame following the release of its debut single, Japanese No 2 hit “Can’t Stop!! Loving”, quickly gaining a solid fan base. That audience may have mainly consisted of teenage girls in the beginning, but soon widened as the group’s career progressed.
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The members also dabbled in acting in TV drama series, particularly Kimura, whose screen work is probably more well known than his songs. His first significant role was in Asunaro Hakusho, an adaptation of the manga series by Fumi Saimon, but it was his lead role in Long Vacation that cemented Kimura’s status as the “king of ratings”, while following series such as Love Generation and Hero all received a positive reception too.
It wasn’t just that the drama series continued to generate high ratings. What Kimura wore on- and off-screen easily sparked the latest trends across East Asia. Accessories like thick black-rimmed glasses, his Rolex Explorer I, Red Wing boots, and even the crystal apple in Love Generation were once sought-after items. With his slender figure, striking facial features and heartthrob status, it is not difficult to understand Kimura’s charm.
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Indeed, he has appeared in countless advertising campaigns and most of them became the talking point during that particular period. For example, he was the very first male artist to star in a lipstick ad (for Kanebo in 1996), wearing it himself, while the famous Gatsby deodorant ad became a classic that spawned many more renditions. It’s also worth mentioning that he has been awarded “Best Jeanist” by the Japan Jeans Makers Association several times.
Kimura’s two daughters, Cocomi and Koki, have both entered show business too, with the latter signed up as ambassador for quite a few luxury brands. During lockdown, we were also able to peek into the Kimura residences thanks to Cocomi and Koki’s social media posts.
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Kimura has been fairly active on Instagram in recent years, sharing his life outside filming. One of his latest works is The Swarm, an international drama series in which he speaks in English instead of Japanese – promising to only broaden this iconic star’s appeal.
- Takuya Kimura is turning 50 this year, but the Tokyo-born star is as popular as ever, with a healthy Instagram following and a starring role in English-language drama The Swarm
- Variety show SMAPxSMAP welcomed guests including Michael Jackson, Madonna and Lady Gaga, while dramas Long Vacation and Love Generation were defining millennial TV moments