“I was so happy to meet him after such a long time” - Japanese model Kentaro Sakaguchi reveals meeting BTS’ J-hope recently

BTS' J-Hope recently reunited with his longtime friend, Japanese actor and model Kentaro Sakaguchi, marking their first meeting since the BTS star's release from the military. During an Instagram live session on November 6, 2024, Kentaro shared his excitement about seeing him again after a long time.

He mentioned how enjoyable it was to catch up with him. The two met on October 26, 2024, after a gap of 1.5 years, a moment J-Hope had captured on his Instagram stories, showing them sharing a meal together. Many were thrilled to see this reunion and the friendship between the two stars.

The Japanese star quoted,

“I was so happy to meet him after such a long time”

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J-Hope and Kentaro have maintained a close friendship for over 7 years

BTS' J-Hope and Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi share a unique and heartwarming friendship that has captivated fans. The two first reportedly met through mutual friends in the entertainment industry around 2017, although the exact details of their initial meeting remain unknown.

Despite coming from different backgrounds, J-Hope from the K-pop scene and Kentaro from Japanese cinema, their bond has grown over the years, showing the power of shared interests and genuine camaraderie.

Kentaro, well-known for his roles in films like Narratage and The 100th Love with You, has built a strong following in Japan and internationally. Their friendship was notably highlighted in 2019 during the MAMA Awards when Kentaro presented an award to BTS.

Fans were delighted to see Kentaro and the BTS star exchange warm smiles, walk toward each other, and share a genuine moment on stage, openly acknowledging their bond. This interaction further cemented their friendship in the eyes of fans. Over the years, they’ve had several moments together, strengthening their connection.

When J-Hope was discharged from the military on October 17, 2024, one of his first meetups was with Kentaro. The two reunited not many days after on October 26, capturing the moment with photos the singer shared on Instagram. One photo’s caption read,

"Hyung (Kentaro) keeps getting younger and younger,"

a playful nod to their close friendship and Kentaro’s youthful appearance.

Recently, Kentaro went live on Instagram, allowing fans to ask him about their reunion. He shared his joy about meeting J-Hope again after 18 months, saying,

"Oh, yes! I met Hobi, for the first time in a while after he was discharged. I was so happy to meet him after such a long time. I’m glad he looked happy. It’s been about a year and a half since the last time we met, and I was happy to see him doing so well."

Fans were thrilled to hear Kentaro speak so fondly about his friend. Kentaro is set to make his debut in the Korean drama scene with the mini-series What Comes After Love, where he stars alongside Lee Se-young.

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Fans are looking forward to seeing how both stars continue to support each other in their respective careers and anticipate more interactions between them.