Kōji Mukai

Kōji Mukai is a Japanese singer, actor, and television personality, best known as a member of the chart-topping boy band Snow Man. As part of Snow Man, Mukai has achieved record-breaking sales, multiple Japan Gold Disc Awards, and sold-out dome tours across the country. He is also a solo YouTube creator and a goodwill ambassador for Thailand-Japan tourism. Fans know him as the group's energetic, multilingual standout, equally skilled at acrobatic dance and cracking jokes on variety shows.[edit]

Mukai Kōji, born on June 21, 1994, in Thailand, carries a unique bicultural heritage as the son of a Japanese father and a Thai mother. His family later relocated, and he spent his formative years growing up in Nara Prefecture, Japan. From an early age, Mukai developed a passion for performance, beginning hip-hop dance lessons in elementary school. He was also deeply captivated by the vibrant performances of Johnny's Entertainment groups he watched on television, which sparked his ambition to enter the entertainment world.

At the age of 15, Mukai took a significant step towards his dream, successfully auditioning and joining Johnny & Associates as a trainee. This period was marked by rigorous training and dedicated hard work. For several years, he honed his skills, performing as a backup dancer for many senior acts within the agency, gaining invaluable stage experience and perfecting his craft.

His perseverance paid off in 2012 when he was selected to join the junior unit Snow Man. At its inception, the group consisted of six members and quickly became a prominent fixture in various stage plays and television variety segments, laying the groundwork for Mukai's future success.[edit]

Snow Man made their major debut on January 22, 2020, with the double A-side single "D.D." / "Imitation Rain," selling over 1.8 million copies in its first week — a record for a debut single by a male group. The group released multiple chart-topping albums, including "Snow Mania S1" (2021) and "i DO ME" (2023). In 2022, Mukai landed a role in the TBS drama "My Family" alongside Takuya Kimura. In 2023, Snow Man held their first five-dome tour, performing to over 500,000 fans. Mukai launched a solo YouTube channel in 2024, which quickly gained over 500,000 subscribers. In 2025, he expanded to Southeast Asia with fan meetings in Thailand. As of 2026, he is filming a new drama and preparing for Snow Man's first world tour.[edit]

Mukai is known as the energetic, funny, and bilingual member of Snow Man. His fashion blends street-dance style with bright, casual streetwear. Fans see him as humorous and relatable, with acrobatic dance skills and the ability to switch between Japanese, Thai, and English. The official fandom name is Snow Mania, and fans coordinate light-stick choreography and hashtag campaigns. On social media, Mukai uses a light-hearted, interactive tone, mixing languages to reach a broad audience. His content focuses on travel, dance, and behind-the-scenes moments.[edit]

Kōji Mukai commands a global spotlight that bridges the massive commercial machinery of Japan's premier boy band, Snow Man, and the fervent international communities in Thailand. His presence transcends typical idol boundaries, fueled by record-breaking album sales and high-profile acting roles that have cemented his status as a cultural bridge between nations. Despite this immense visibility, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). The platform notes that while Mukai is a central figure in a group with millions of dedicated followers, he does not yet secure an individual numerical rank within their current scope. Fans who support Mukai identify primarily as supporters of Snow Man, as there is no evidence of a formal, official, or widely recognized individual fandom name specifically for him distinct from the group collective. This unified identity allows the fanbase to coordinate light-stick choreography and hashtag campaigns that drive the group's chart-topping success without fragmenting into separate sub-clubs.[edit]

Mukai holds the unique distinction of being the only Snow Man member born outside Japan, having entered the world in Thailand before moving to Nara Prefecture at age two. He maintains a close bond with his pet dog Momo, a small mixed-breed that frequently appears on his social media channels. An accomplished cook, he specializes in authentic Thai dishes like pad thai and green curry, reflecting his heritage. Before entering the industry, he was a devoted fan of Thai actor Mario Maurer, a fact that later informed his own acting choices. His friendship with fellow member Ryohei Abe is so well-known among fans that it earned the nickname "Abekoi." A recurring legend in his career involves his reputation as the group's variety powerhouse; fans often describe him as "hungry for laughter," a persona that defined his contributions to shows like *Sore Snow Man ni Yarasero*. Another iconic milestone was his lead role in the live-action film adaptation of *Osomatsu-san*, which reached one million ticket sales shortly after its release in 2022. His international mythology also includes starring in the Thai drama *Dating Game The Series* and the co-production *(LOVE SONG)*, projects that solidified his status as a star bridging Japanese and Thai pop culture.[edit]

Mukai was born in Thailand to a Japanese father and a Thai mother. He is the eldest of three children, with a younger brother and a younger sister. The family moved to Japan when he was young, settling in Nara. He often mentions his mother's Thai cooking in interviews. He maintains a residence in Tokyo. He is close with his siblings and credits his family for supporting his entertainment career.[edit]

Mukai is a member of Snow Man alongside Hikaru Iwamoto, Tatsuya Fukazawa, Raul, Shota Watanabe, Ryohei Abe, Daisuke Sakuma, and Meguro Ren. He is particularly close with Ryohei Abe, and the pair are often paired on variety shows. He co-starred with Takuya Kimura in the 2022 drama 'My Family.' Thai actor Mario Maurer has been a personal inspiration.[edit]

Kōji Mukai has kept his romantic life private, and no confirmed relationships have been reported by credible media as of 2026. Strict management policies at Johnny's (now Starto) historically discouraged public disclosure. Fan rumors exist but are unsubstantiated. As of 2026, Mukai is single with no publicly known partner or children.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Kōji Mukai's estimated net worth is approximately $4 Million as of 2026. His financial foundation rests on Snow Man's group activities, which generated over ¥20 billion in sales in 2023 alone. Individual members receive shares from music, concerts, merchandise, and endorsements, with Mukai's annual income from the group estimated at ¥50–80 million JPY. He supplements this earnings stream through television appearances valued at ¥1–3 million per episode and his solo YouTube channel, which generates estimated ad revenue of ¥5–10 million annually. Additional income flows from individual endorsement deals with cosmetics and fashion brands, personal merchandise sales, and exclusive fan meetings. As a Starto Entertainment talent, exact figures remain private.[edit]

As a member of Snow Man, Mukai has won multiple Japan Gold Disc Awards, including Best 5 New Artists (2021) and Best New Artist of the Year (2021). The group also won Best Group Video at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards Japan. Mukai has not received individual acting awards.[edit]