I was supposed to make a rumor digest before I continue with my GnS recap until I saw 3 posts about this never-dying issue. Since the end of Hana Yori Dango, rumors that the two are dating have forever circulated. Since Arashi will be hosting Kohaku (again!) and Mao will be in next year’s taiga aside from being one of the judges in Kohaku, rumors has it that the two will be announcing their engagement in Kohaku. Mere speculations or is there a bit of truth from it all?
As reported,
Viewing tickets for the upcoming 65th Kohaku Uta Gassen has sold like hotcakes in prices reaching up to 300,000 Yen in auction sites. The reason: engagement announcement between Matsumoto Jun and Inoue Mao. NHK thinks that it’s a blessing from heaven that aside from Arashi as this year’s host, Mao will start her year-long taiga drama in “Hana Moyu“. The engagement will definitely create a positive effect before “Hana Moyu” starts on Jan 4th. After the engagement, the wedding is likely to happened on September next year once Mao is finished with the drama’s filming.
The two has been rumored to be dating for nine years after “Hana Yori Dango”, there were photos of them dating but most magazines were pressured by Johnny’s not to release them. Matsumoto was also linked to other actresses like Nakama Yukie and Shibasaki Kou but Mao has always been the favorite. More fans started believing rumors after the two were reported to had attended Oguri Shun and Yamada Yu’s wedding and that they were seen wearing matching “Boucheron” rings.
In Johnny’s side, they want a more dignified announcement of Matsumoto and Mao’s engagement. They don’t want another Kimura Takuya and Kudo Shizuka moment so it’s likely that they will announce the engagement before the year ends.
I don’t want to write it off that the two are not in a relationship because I’m also shipping these two. I mean, they even appeared in one magazine back 1999 when they barely knew each other. It’s fate, it’s definitely fate. haha. However, if you think about the timing of an engagement, it’s obviously done to rack up ratings for Kohaku and Hana Moyu.
johnny's news in english 
Where do you find that magazine from 1999? That is so cool.
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I ship this two too!!!! i believe that they are indeed a couple, but the engagement news, I doubt it. Inoue Mao can still do more dramas and movies at her age of 27, and Matsujun is a member of popular arashi and considered the most popular member though so I think they will not rush like this publicly. And besides, both of them are very private with their personal lives so they will not do such things for publicity. However, if this become true, I would be verry happy to them!!! :))
NHK Kouhaku done their best to attract attention of viewers. Thanks to Inoue mao and Matsumoto Jun, right? In my opinion, Kouhaku do not need to do this stuff to attract higher ratings, besides arashi is the host (definitely many will watch it).
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Don’t believe it one bit, I need solid proof first. Like them ACTUALLY announcing it. However! I would be overjoyed if it turned out to be true.
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If it’s true, I think it’ll be more their agencies announcing this relationship.
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This is a dream finally came true.. Omedettou.. More love and success to both of you… Our support
for you too will live forever and ever..
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But i still want nakama Yukie for him
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Nakama yukie is already married…
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I had the same thought when I read this. It seems more like a PR stunt to get people to watch Kohaku, but if it turned out to be true I would be so happy for Jun.
It’s always lovely to see Johnny’s tying the knot and starting their own families, especially when it’s guys from the older groups.
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I’m pretty sure this is yet another rumor, like it was the past 5-10 times (I lost track). Although in my case i have never shipped them (actually even in HYD i wanted Tsukushi to end up with Rui… sorry). But if you ship them that’s your choice, go right ahead XD. Personally, I just hope its another rumor to add to the list.
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Unlike you, I’m shipping these two but I totally agree that there’s a bunch of dating rumors between the two of them that I think I have to convinced myself that they are just friends, nothing more, nothing less.
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