From idol trainee to global ambassador for Italian luxury fashion
In short: Ren Meguro’s trajectory from a 2010 trainee to a Fendi global face illustrates the modern evolution of Japanese stardom. His journey highlights how traditional idol systems can bridge into high-fashion prestige and mainstream cinematic success, culminating in historic milestones for Japanese men in the luxury space.
Meguro’s career began in October 2010 when he joined Starto Entertainment (formerly Johnny & Associates). He spent years navigating the 'Junior' system—a training branch for aspiring talent—before being selected for the pre-debut unit Uchuu Six in November 2016. This period of preparation preceded his official debut on January 22, 2020, as a member of the idol group Snow Man. He was chosen for his initial pre-debut unit in late 2016. His group debut occurred on January 17, 2019, alongside two other new members.
While many idols remain tied strictly to music, Meguro diversified rapidly into acting and high-fashion modeling. He secured his first leading role outside of idol projects in August 2021 with 'My Love Mix-Up!'. His transition to serious dramatic work was cemented by roles in the film 'Phases of the Moon' and the TV drama 'Trillion Game', which led to him receiving critical recognition for emerging talent at the 5th Tama Film Awards. His dramatic portfolio includes the adaptation of a Naoki Prize winning novel by Shogo Sato. Alongside Mio Imada, he appeared within a cinematic rendition of As Long as We Both Shall Live.
His influence extends significantly into the fashion industry. A regular model for Fineboys Magazine since late 2018, he achieved a level of popularity that caused the magazine's website to crash for five seconds upon announcing his cover. In 2024, this momentum peaked when he became Fendi’s first Japanese men's brand ambassador and the first Japanese person to serve as the primary model for one of their global advertising campaigns. He first appeared on the magazine's solo cover in May 2020. His work earned him an award for his performances in both My Happy Marriage and Phases of the Moon.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Ren Meguro
- Also: Wikidata — Ren Meguro · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-ren-meguro.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Film genres · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
