Ryōko Kuninaka

2.1. Childhood and Education

Born in Naha City, Okinawa, Kuninaka was an energetic child, often described as a tomboy with short, tanned hair, frequently mistaken for a boy. During her elementary school years, she studied soroban (abacus). In junior high, she was an active member of the track and field club. For high school, she specifically chose Okinawa Prefectural Naha Commercial High School because she enjoyed soroban and was good at mathematics, but also, as she herself stated, she found the summer uniform "cute" and wanted to wear it.

During her high school years, Kuninaka did not participate in club activities, instead focusing on a part-time job at a light meal shop in Naha City. She commuted by bus almost daily after classes, and her summer breaks were particularly busy. Despite enjoying her high school life, she faced anxieties about her future and career path, often sharing these concerns with friends. She felt a sense of urgency about not having a hobby or finding something she loved, pondering what she wanted to become. It was during this period, while working her part-time job, that she was scouted. Although she felt uncertain about the prospects of a career in entertainment, her parents encouraged her, saying, "Everything is an experience. Just go and see. If it doesn't work out, you can always come back." Following this, she moved to Tokyo to pursue her career.

3.1. Debut and Early Career

Kuninaka made her first television appearance in 1998 as a regular cast member on the Fuji Television program "Idol High School Geino Jogakkan." The following year, in 1999, she made her debut as an actress in the TBS drama "L×I×V×E." In the same year, she secured her first lead role in a late-night drama, "Warui Onna 'Player'," also on TBS.

Her breakthrough came in 2001 when she starred as the heroine, Eri Kohagura, in the NHK morning drama series "Churasan". Her performance garnered significant critical acclaim, earning her the Broadcast Newcomer Award at the 39th Golden Arrow Awards and the Newcomer Award at the 26th Elan d'Or Awards. In 2001, she also took on her first historical drama role in NHK's "Goban no Tsubaki," for which she received the Best Actress Award at the 27th Bulgaria Golden Chest International TV Festival. In 2003, Kuninaka debuted as a singer with her single "Ryukyu Moon", which served as the theme song for "Churasan 2." She made her film debut in 2003 with "The Man Who Wipes Mirrors." In 2005, she took on her first lead role in a prime-time commercial television series, "Minna Mukashi wa Kodomo Datta," broadcast on Kansai Television.

3.2. Acting Career

Kuninaka has built an extensive acting career, showcasing her range in numerous television dramas, films, and stage productions.

3.3. Singing Career

Ryōko Kuninaka embarked on a singing career in addition to her acting work.

Her debut single, "Ryukyu Moon", was released on April 25, 2003, and served as the theme song for the drama "Churasan 2." She followed this with her second single, "Meguri Aeta ne," released on September 29, 2004, which was the theme song for "Churasan 3." Her first album, "Furusato" (ふるさと_Furusato^Japanese, meaning "Hometown"), was released on February 18, 2004. In November 2004, she also released a music video collection on DVD titled "Oto Keshiki" (音景色_{Oto Keshiki}^Japanese, meaning "Sound Scenery").

3.4. Other Media Activities

Kuninaka's presence extends to other media forms, including radio and numerous commercial endorsements.

Her radio engagements include being a regular on the FM-FUJI program "JUNGLE PARADISE" in 1999.

She has been featured in a wide array of television commercials for various brands:

• Nivea Kao: "8x4" (1999), "Atrix" (2006)
• Nissin Foods: "Men Shokunin" (2001)
• Energy Conservation Center: "Smart Life" (2001-2002)
• JR East: "Suica" (2001-2002)
• Toyota: "Toyota Service" (2002)
• NTT Communications: "CoDen" (2003)
• Kirin Beverage: "Ryukyu Go" (2003)
• Toshiba: "Non-Freon The Senzokko" (2003)
• Calbee: "Potato Chips" (2004)
• Ajinomoto: "Ajinomoto KK no Kihon Dashi" (2005-2008)
• Lion: "Smile Contact Pure" (2005)
• Alico Japan (2006-2008)
• Yamada Bee Farm: "Honey Lab Skin Care" (2009)
• Takeda Pharmaceutical: "Benza Block IP Plus" (2013)
• Just: "Water Stand" (2017)

4.1. Family and Marriage

On November 21, 2014, it was reported by Sports Nippon that Ryōko Kuninaka was planning to marry actor Osamu Mukai in December of the same year. The couple had co-starred in the Kansai Television drama "Hungry!" They officially submitted their marriage registration on December 28, 2014, a day considered auspicious in the Japanese calendar.

On April 20, 2015, Kuninaka announced her first pregnancy. She gave birth to a baby boy on September 30, 2015, a fact announced via her agency's official website, though the specific birth date was not disclosed. She returned to work in June 2016, making her comeback appearance in episode 9 of the TBS drama "99.9 - Keiji Senmon Bengoshi -". On September 25, 2017, she announced her second pregnancy. She gave birth to her second child in 2018 and subsequently returned to work in November 2018, starring in "Ashita no Atashi," an episode of Fuji TV's "Yo nimo Kimyo na Monogatari '18 Aki no Tokubetsuhen."

4.2. Personal Relationships and Reputation

Kuninaka is known for her close friendships within the entertainment industry and has maintained a positive public image.

She shares a close friendship with singer Hitomi Shimatani, with both referring to each other as best friends. They have co-starred in television productions, including episode 8 of the 2002 Nippon TV drama "Tantei Kazoku" and the variety show "Buruburu Untouchable" on TV Asahi, which aired on October 12, 2007.

Kuninaka also developed a deep bond with actress Yoshiko Tanaka after co-starring in "Churasan." Kuninaka regarded Tanaka as a "mother" figure in Tokyo, and they shared trips together, including a visit to South Korea. They also appeared together in a special episode of "Mori no Sasayaki" (Fuji TV, Tanaka was a regular narrator), where they visited Oze on July 31, 2010. In their personal lives, mirroring their drama roles, Tanaka affectionately called Kuninaka "Eri," and Kuninaka referred to Tanaka as "Mother." Following Tanaka's death from breast cancer on April 21, 2011, Kuninaka tearfully expressed her grief at the wake on April 24, stating, "I received so much from her, but I couldn't do anything for her. I will always remember her calling me 'Eri' in her lovely voice."

She also maintains a close friendship with SHEILA, whom she co-starred with in "Kekkon Dekinai Otoko" (Kansai TV). They frequently travel together, and Kuninaka affectionately calls SHEILA "Shei-nee."

In terms of public perception, Kuninaka's portrayal of the heroine in "Churasan" left a lasting impression. In a "Memorable Asa Drama Heroine" poll conducted by the Asahi Shimbun and published on September 25, 2010, Kuninaka ranked third. She was preceded only by Fumie Kashiyama (for "Ohanahan") and Yuko Tanaka (for "Oshin"), highlighting the significant impact of her role and her positive reception among the public. Kuninaka stands at a height of 62 in ^{(158 cm)} and has a B blood type.