Anyone familiar with this blog knows I’m a huge fan of Ren Meguro (目黒蓮). Besides being one of the nine talented members of the J-pop group Snow Man, he’s a gifted actor who has starred in some of my favorite series, including Trillion Game, silent, and My Love Mix-Up.

In Where Does the Sea Begin (海のはじまり) Meguro plays Natsu Tsukioka, who learns his college girlfriend, Mizuki Nagumo (Kotone Furukawa), has passed away. This news reignites unresolved emotions and unanswered questions stemming from their abrupt breakup seven years prior.

At the funeral, Natsu meets Umi (Rana Izutani), Mizuki’s daughter, and is shocked to discover she’s the baby Mizuki claimed to have aborted – a child he desperately wanted her to keep. As Natsu navigates uncharted territory as a father, he tries to forge a relationship with Umi and uncover the truth behind Mizuki’s decision to keep their child a secret.

Father and daughter: Ren Meugro and Rana Izutani

While Meguro shines in the role, Rana Izutani is an incredible young actress. At just seven years old, she effortlessly portrays moments of confusion, childlike joy and profound sadness with remarkable believability.

“When I debuted with Snow Man, I was 22 about to be 23,” Meguro reflects on his acting journey. “Before that moment, honestly I was questioning my career path, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but then I found one of my old journals and an entry from many years before reignited my passion. I had written about wanting to star in a project – a goal that (at the time) seemed impossible at the time. Yet, it became a reality. The experience felt surreal. I was determined to create memorable work that would bring joy to others. My goal was to leave a lasting impression on everyone’s heart. I hoped the project would be cherished by many and aimed to enjoy the filming process while striving for excellence.”

Where Does the Sea Begin originally aired on Fuji TV from July 1, 2024, to September 23, 2024. This series reunites Meguro with the creative team behind his hit 2022 series silent and is now available for international streaming on Rakuten Viki.

More Meguro, More Snow Man, more television reviews soon so….

Stay Tuned!