150 million yen to feature Arashi in a CM

The cost of featuring an artist in an advertisment usually reflects the artist's degree of activity or popularity that year. Recently, the estimated CM fee of some popular artists in Japan have been revealed.

(fee in 2010 → fee in 2011)
Arashi - 150 million yen → 150 million yen
Oguri Shun - 25 million yen → 25 million yen
Mizushima Hiro - 35 million yen → price not available*
Mukai Osamu - 30 million yen → 35 million yen
Fukuyama Masaharu - 50 milion yen → 50 million yen

Ayase Haruka - 35 million yen → 35 million yen
AKB48 - 30 million yen → 30 million yen
Sawajiri Erika - 30 million yen → price not available*
Ueto Aya - 30 million yen → 30 million yen
Yamada Yuu - 8 million yen → 8 million yen

*Mizushima Hiro has left his agency, Ken-on, to pursue a writing career. Sawajiri Erika is not attached to any agency now and has disappeared.

For example, the price of hiring Mukai Osamu has increased because of his rising popularity. (Entame)

There are a lot more listings at the actual site where I got this from, so you might want to take a look. It's quite easy to figure out, since it's just kanji names and numbers.

Mukai Osamu spotted at bar

Finally, some interesting news about Mukai Osamu (28)? Up to now, this increasingly popular actor has not had much gossip around him, except for a few whispers about him dating Kitagawa Keiko. He previously studied agriculture in Meiji University and is said to be rather naive around women. (though I kind of doubt this...)

Tokyo Sports has reported that he frequents an exclusive, members-only bar in Nishiazabu, Tokyo. Nishiazabu is an area with many bars and restaurants, but is quieter than the neighbouring Roppongi area. There, he is very popular with the female patrons, and a certain race queen mentioned that she has meets him often in that bar.

After his large breakthrough as an actor in the asadora jdorama "Gegege no Nyobo", there seems to be a large battle between whether he will continue as a model or focus more on acting. (Azashi)

Who looks best in glasses?

October 1st is “Glasses Day” in Japan (as set by the Japan Ophthalmic Business Association), and Oricon style has announced the results for the ‘ranking of celebrities who look good on glasses’. This is the fifth year that such a ranking has been held. I only posted, those photos which I thought were worth posting, check out the rest here. (tokyohive)

Actors

10. Hayami Mocomichi

9. Oguri Shun

8. Tokoro George

7. Bae Yong Joon

6. Tamori

5. Miyagawa Daisuke
4. Fukuyama Masaharu (looks hot here doesn't he^^)

3. Mukai Osamu

2. OgiYahagi (comedian duo)

1. Yashima Norito

Actresses

10. Kanno Miho

9. Manabe Kaori

8. Shibata Rie

7. Tokito Ami

6. Nakama Yukie!!!

5. Takagi Miho

4. Kitagawa Keiko

3. Angela Aki

2. Becky (THE DOG IS SO CUTE!)

1. Mitsuura Yasuko

In my opinion, the dog deserves to win! 1 October is such a popular day for holidays... It's Children's Day in Singapore and the 61st National Day for China! :D

Filming for "Hotaru no Hikari 2" over for Okamu Musai

Actor Osamu Mukai has been wrote in his blog that the shooting of popular dorama "Hotaru no Hikari 2" os completed. Previously he had reported that filming of TV series "Gegege no Nyoubou" has also come to an end. While the filming for the others is still ongoing, Mukai seems to have finished ahead of time.
In his blog, he also posted a two-shot with co-star Ken Yasuda and he wrote about him and the filming sight, "This is the first time I'm filming together with Yasuda, yet we have gotten really excited while talking about Hokkaido. Just like Fujiki, he is a good 'older brother' "
While "Gegege no Nyoubou" and "Hotaru no Hikari" are still being aired, fans of the two dramas have been bemoaning the approaching endings. (Music Japan+)

Hotaru no Hikari 2 interviews - NG Queen, getting the name of the drama wrong!

There's been a lack of interesting news, so at the moment I'm just translating some articles I find. These two are on Hotaru no Hikari 2. :D

"Hotaru no Hikari 2" is set to be the champion for this year's summer rankings. Since the show is airing in Taiwan as well , here some excerpts from an interview with the lead actors of the show, Ayase Hauka, Naohito Fujiki and Osamu Mukai.

When told that the show was doing well in Taiwan, Ayase Haruka exclaimed, "What will happen if everyone thinks that Japan is made out of himono onna!" She spoke of cast member Itaya Yuka going to Taiwan to promote the drama, "How lucky! We want to go to Taiwan to eat xiao long bao (dumplings) too! As the Taiwanese and Japanese names of the show are different, the absent-minded Ayase asked, "Isn't the Taiwanese name 'Himono onna in China'?", causing everyone to burst out in peals of laughter. After being corrected by a staff on the site, she blushingly apologised.

Osamu Mukai, who is very good in cooking, made fun of the himono onna Ayase acts as in the drama (Ameimiya Hotaru), saying that the character is too exaggerated. He pointed out "Look at her trackpants, the area at the knee is all worn out and she continues to wear them!" (yule)

"Hotaru no Hikari 2" is going to have some Taiwanese flavour! It is currently being broadcast in both Japan and Taiwan. According to the staff behing the drama, there will be something related to Taiwan in the 9th episode of the drama. Taiwanese viewers are all hoping that there will be a filming in Taiwan if there is a third series.

The three co-stars Ayase Haruka, Fujiki Naohito and Osamu Mukai have become good friends during the filming of this drama, and Fujiki and Osamu talked about how Ayase is an NG queen, complaining that she often laughs when filming. Though she was busy denying this, Osamu told her, "Do you know how many times you NG in one day? Someimes even I don't know what I can do to save you.". (yule)

Everyone has only praise for Mizushima Hiro~

“BECK” was finally released yesterday, on the 4th of September. Cast members Mizushima Hiro, Sato Takeru, Kiritani Kenta, Mukai Osamu, and Nakamura Aoi showed up at the premiere event at a theater in Tokyo and greeted the audience.

Cast members had a lot of positive things to say about Hiro, who played the leader of the band. Takeru said, "Please co-star with me again*!" While Kenta expressed, "I love you (To Hiro). He seems little cold, but he is actually a very nice and hot guy.".

After Hiro heard their kind words, he shyly said, “I am sweating like crazy. Not only from being bashful, but also from feelings like ‘I’m glad that I tried my best for the movie’. I can’t describe my feelings.” (tokyohive)

*BECK is the second time that Mizushima Hiro and Sato Takeru are co-stars. Last year, they co-starred in the jdorama Mei-chan no Shitsuji.

Rejoice! Mizushima Hiro's short hair is back!!!

Notice how hot Hiro looks now?

Another private showing for the upcoming movie, “BECK“, was held in Tokyo on the 28th, and the cast of the film all showed up.

As many of you already know, the movie is originally a popular manga, and it’s the story about a rock band named “BECK”. Members of the band are Mizushima Hiro (Guitar), Sato Takeru (Vocals and Guitar), Kiritani Kenta (Vocals), Nakamura Aoi (Drums), and Mukai Osamu (Bass).

Mizushima Hiro appears in the movie with long hair, and he confessed that he was told by his friend’s kid, “Hiro-kun, you don’t look good with that hair.” He also said, “I was hurt because kids are very honest…but let me tell you it was a wig!”
“BECK” will be released very soon on September 4th! (tokyohive)

I am so glad he has his regular hair back! It's the return of the drop-dead gorgeous Mizushima Hiro~ I think I really hate BECK for destroying Mizushima Hiro's good looks these past few months. The trailer and all actually annoy me.

Hooray for short hair! ♥

Which yonger celebrity do you want as a boyfriend?

BIGLOBE Kirei Style surveyed women in their 40s on who their ideal boyfriend would be, and the results were recently revealed.


10. Sato Takeru
9. Ichihara Hayato
8. Eita
7. Yamashita Tomohisa
6. Mizushima Hiro

5. Matsuda Shota
4. Oguri Shun
3. Arashi (these women are so understandably greedy :p)
2. Miura Haruma
1. Osamu Mukai
(tokyohive)

Pictorial post

Actor Osamu Mukai (28) in his days as a student. According to the date of the photo, he was 22 then.

Kamenashi Kazuya in his days as a Johnny's Junior, before he went for plastic surgery. (you can have fun debating about this one)

Sato Takeru in high school? I'm pretty sure this isn't really his high school picture because 1. There's no way his hair could have been that messy for school, and 2. It's taken against a background of... trees?!

Yamada Ryosuke's sister!

Sources: Osamu Mukai - gazoudaisuki; Kame as a Jr. - Arujingu; Sato Takeru - Auragazou; Yamada Ryosuke's sister - Auragazou

Kitagawa Keiko and Osamu Mukai spotted together on her bithday! Poor Pi-chan~

Kitagawa Keiko (24) has almost always been romantically linked to Yamashita Tomohisa of NEWS, but it seems that she has found a new love interest - her newest co-star from "Paradise Kiss", Osamu Mukai (28).

Kitagawa and Osamu were seen together at a pub in Sangenjaya on 22 August. While some might be quick to dismiss it as over-dramatisation by tabloids and fans, Kitagawa Keiko's 24th birthday fell on 22 August 2010, the day they met up. Many would think that she would have chosen to spend such a special day with her long-time rumoured-to-be boyfriend, Yamapi.

A witness who was at the same pub said, "I first noticed Osamu, who was tall and very handsome. I was lucky to see him, a friend of mine who a fan of his pointed him out to me." (Entame)

The source does say that there are pictures of the two of them from that day, but when I clicked on the links provided... the picture above is all I got.

Mukai Osamu and Kitagawa Keiko for "Paradise Kiss"

Anime News Network reports that Ai Yazawa's popular "Paradise Kiss" manga series will be turned into a live-action film, starring Kitagawa Keiko and Mukai Osamu. The project will be announced in the next issue of the fashion magazine Zipper.

"Paradise Kiss" tells the story of a high school girl named Yukari (Kitagawa) who meets a group of fashion school students. After they transform her into a model, she gains a passion for fashion and meets a romantic interest.

The supporting cast is said to include Kato Natsuki, Omasa Aya, Kaku Kento, Igarashi Shunji, and Yamamoto Yusuke.

The release date for the film is not yet known. (Tokyograph)
 
Mukai Osamu is everywhere these days! Hotaru no Hikari, Mei-chan no Shitsuji, AtaDan, Kikou, Ninkyo Helper... (no complaints from me though)

BECK promotional event in Osaka

Another private showing of the upcoming movie “BECK” was held at Zepp Osaka on August 19th, and Mizushima Hiro, Mukai Osamu, Sato Takeru and many other cast members showed up.

Since Osaka is the hometown of Hiro’s wife, he said that he was happy to come back to Osaka. He also told a previously unknown story about how the guitar he used to practice with was actually borrowed from Kimura Takuya (SMAP).

“BECK” will be released on September 4th. (tokyohive)

Aww... Hiro's so sweet and I really love him but I just can't stand his hairstyle for this movie!

Which male celebrity wold you like watch fireworks with?

A survey of 400 female on "Summer Love" was conducted by Japan cosmetic brand "LC LOVE" the other day. In the survey, one question asked was "Which male celebrity do you want to watch fireworks with?".


Mukai Osamu got first place with a wide lead over the others. The reason was mostly becasue "He looks both intelligent and tender." The 2nd place was Arashi, the group has a strong image of unity. However, Aiba Masaki, a member of Arashi won the 3rd place, while Matsumoto Jun was tied for 7th place with Oguri Shun.
The top 10 below:

1 Mukai Osamu
2 Arashi
3 Aiba Masaki
4 Sato Takeru
5 Kamiji Yusuke
6 Koike Teppei
7 Matsumoto Jun
7 Oguri Shun
9 GACKT
10 Ikuta Toma
(Music Japan+)

Most ideal husband - A tie between Kimura Takuya and Fukuyama Masaharu

500 women in their thirties have voted SMAP’s Takuya Kimura (37) and actor/singer Fukuyama Masaharu (41) as the man they would want to marry the most, reports Mainichi Shinbun Digital. The survey revealed that both stars tied at first place for the ideal husband.
The majority of people chose both stars because they had thought Kimura or Fukuyama would look after their family the best.
In the “most ideal lover” catergory, however, Fukuyama took first place, with three times as many votes as second-placed Kimura.
The women who had voted for a different person in the best husband and best lover categories were then asked why they had a change in heart. The most common answer had been that a lover was someone you had fun with, but a husband was someone who would bring safety and balance into your life.

Most Ideal Husband
1. Kimura Takuya
1. Fukuyama Masaharu
2. George Tokoro
3. Tsuruno Takeshi

Most Ideal Lover
1. Fukuyama Masaharu
2. Kimura Takuya
3. Mukai Osamu
(MomoEdgewood)
And because I had no idea who the heck George Tokoro is, I did a quick Google search and found this:

George Tokoro (55) was rushed to hospital after apparently suffering from heatstroke earlier this week, his talent agency said.
At around 7 p.m. on Aug. 3, Tokoro complained that he felt ill when he was working in a garden on the premises of his office in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, and was rushed to a hospital, according to the agency. He is believed to have suffered from heatstroke.
Tokoro recovered shortly afterwards, and returned to work the following day. (Mainichi)

He doesn't look that good, though.

BECK cast at HMV Shibuya

The cast members of upcoming movie, “BECK“, appeared at HMV Shibuya and held a talk event on August 1st. “BECK” is originally a popular manga and is the story about a rock band named “BECK”. Members of the band are Mizushima Hiro (guitar), Sato Takeru (vocals and guitar), Kiritani Kenta (vocals), Nakamura Aoi (drums), and Mukai Osamu (bass).
To see these hot stars, 100 fans (limited) rushed to the event at HMV Shibuya. HMV Shibuya is the huge flagship store of HMV Japan, that not only has a huge range of titles, but also an event stage where popular artists perform. However, it has been decided that they will close the store on August 22nd. Mizushima Hiro said sadly, “This is where I spent a lot of time during my student days. Thank you for the great memories.”
“BECK” will be released on September 4th. (tokoyohive)

I just had to blog about news concerning Mizushima Hiro, no matter how old or insignificant it is. :)