Jun Matsumoto and Shun Oguri are BFFs in real life just like in 'Hana Yori Dango'

Back in those days, Hana Yori Dango was the epitome of Japanese drama. Who did not know the Flowers Four or F4? In case you forgot, they are none other than Tsukasa Domyoji, Rui Hanazawa, Sojiro Nishikado and Akira Mimasaka.

It has been 14 years since the show made it to Japanese television screens. But it seems the friendship of two of the actors — Jun Matsumoto who played Domyoji and Shun Oguri who played Hanazawa — has changed…for the better.

Their level of friendship came to light when Oguri made a guest appearance in Matsumoto’s programme segment in variety show Arashi ni Shiyagare. In fact, the two have known each other for more than 15 years, having first met in television drama Gokusen in 2002.

The programme segment called “MJ Club” shows MJ (short for Matsumoto Jun) and one of his friends from the entertainment industry carrying out an activity together. In this episode, the two had to make curry from scratch using a variety of spices.

Matsumoto joked, “The guests who have appeared so far are also friends of Shun. In a way, this segment can also be called ‘Oguri Club’.” As it turns out, Oguri actually introduced Matsumoto to quite a number of his friends, who then became good friends of Matsumoto’s.

As they were moving from location to location, Oguri confessed, “He is like family to me.” Matsumoto added that he often attended Oguri’s family events, such as the birthday parties of Oguri’s father, mother and even cousin! Apparently and surprisingly, Oguri’s father would also invite Matsumoto out for a drink when he is feeling down.

“It is mysterious how Jun is in some of my family photos,” Oguri laughed.

Furthermore, this family-like friendship is not just one-way. Matsumoto disclosed that when his father turned 60, Oguri showed up too. “He appeared in my dad’s 60th birthday celebration photo,” Matsumoto chuckled.

With regard to their thicker-than-water friendship, fans have been exclaiming on social media:

“It’s Domyoji and Rui Hanazawa!” said one Twitter user.

“They are too close,” another fan posted.

“I want to have a friend like this too,” said another.

True enough, such a friend is hard to come by. If you have a friendship like Matsumoto’s and Oguri’s, be sure to hold on to that friend tightly!