On October 16, Shingo Murakami’s agency STARTO ENTERTAINMENT confirmed that Murakami recently held a wedding ceremony with a non-famous woman. The agency expressed gratitude to fans for their continued support and asked the public to refrain from speculating about his wife’s identity.
With this announcement, Murakami becomes the second active SUPER EIGHT member to get married, following Tadayoshi Okura, who got married earlier this year in February.
In July, Murakami made headlines after reports emerged that he had been spotted on holiday with a woman in her 20s in Hokkaido and Okinawa, sparking dating rumors that have now turned out to be true.
Murakami debuted in 2004 with Like eighta group originally formed under Johnny & Associates, home to legendary artists such as SMAP AND Arashi. Known for their energetic Kansai charm and songs in Kansai dialect, the group quickly became a cultural phenomenon.
Originally an eight-member group, Like eight have seen several lineup changes over the years: Hiroki Uchi left in 2006 following a scandal, while Subaru Shibutani (2018) and Ryo Nishikido (2019) left to pursue solo careers. The group currently promotes as a five-member unit.
In 2023, the entertainment industry was rocked when the late Johnny Kitagawa, founder of the former Johnny & Associates, was posthumously sued for decades of sexual abuse against trainees. The scandal led to a public apology from the agency and its rebranding to STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.
To distance ourselves from the controversy, Like eight they officially changed their name to SUPER EIGHTmarking a new chapter in their career by focusing on band-style music rather than traditional idol performances.
Sources: Daum
