Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020 -
Kenny - What is going on???
24 May 2020
Okay. I am trusting you have read the spoiler and so know the environment and people in this show. But in case you are ignoring that advice and need the brief background here it is:
Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020 is a reality TV show about 6 men and women aged between 20 and 31 living together in a share house somewhere in Tokyo. Kenny (Kenji) - the oldest person in the household (31 yo) is the object of desire of two of the women in the household: Haruka and Risako. Haruka is a 24 year old actor and model. Risako is a 21 year old fitness instructor.
In episode 9 we witness a fight between Risako and Haruka - the nexus of which is their shared interest in Kenny. Risako’s attack on Haruka with “I am tired of your victim narrative” is just gorgeous. At the conclusion of the altercation Haruka goes into the boy’s room to talk to Kenny. She offers Kenny her heart on a silver platter.
He rejects her.
How many men would turn down a stunning 24 year old actor and model who races a Corvette and has a golf swing to die for? Kenny did. He explained that he had feelings for Risako. Okay then. He knows Risako is interested.
So what happens in episode 10? Kenny sets up an intimate candle-lit movie night on the rooftop balcony for Risako and himself. Kenny and Risako sit hip to hip in a hammock watching the movie and talking. And what does Kenny do?
Nothing.
What is Kenny playing at?
The panel reviewing what is happening in the house are struggling to work out what Kenny is doing. One panel member believes Kenny’s motivation for being in the show is merely to promote his band and his self image. That might be the case.
Here are some other possibilities for Kenny:
1) He has no libido or romantic desire and therefore no interest in either Risako or Haruka. However, if that was the case, why would he go to all the trouble and expense of setting up an intimate movie viewing with Risako?
2) He is in an undisclosed exclusive relationship with another woman.
3) He believes that it is cool to move slowly and it will increase Risako’s desire for him.
4) He lacks the confidence and skills to make a move on Risako even though she is giving him all sorts of green lights. The cameras, panel and worldwide audience probably don’t help with that.
If it’s option 3) then he is mistaken. It’s often important to take these things slowly - tension and drama is part of the game I guess. But this guy is moving at a snail’s pace and he is risking losing Risako entirely if he doesn’t make a move soon.
Option 4 seems plausible to me. If that’s the case then we must feel compassion for him. Many of us men have failed to make a move at the time we should have. After the evening one of the other male members of the household tells Kenny he probably should have kissed her. Absolutely. Or at least put his arm around her.
Well - I can’t wait to find out what happens in episode 12. Let’s hope Kenny makes a move. Or if he isn’t interested he needs to stop leading these women on.
Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020 is on Netflix.