Meet Ayano Kudo, ‘Love Like a K-Drama’ star who won Japanese beauty pageant at age 12

Ayano Kudo is one of four Japanese actresses on Netflix's new show 'Love Like a K-Drama'
 Japanese actress Ayano Kudo to star in Netflix's new show ‘Love Like a K-Drama’ (@ayano_kudo_official/Instagram)
Japanese actress Ayano Kudo to star in Netflix's new show ‘Love Like a K-Drama’ (@ayano_kudo_official/Instagram)

TOKYO, JAPAN: 'Love Like a K-Drama' crosses language boundaries, countries, and cultures to give eight actors the chance to find true love while sharing an apartment in Seoul.

Ayano Kudo, one of four Japanese actresses on the Netflix show, is in her twenties but already has nearly a decade of acting experience.

Ayano is a Japanese actress and television personality or 'tarento', who was born on May 28, 1996.

She won the 12th National Beauty Pageant (Japan Bishojo Contest) in 2009, Grand Prix, and won the model category when she was 12 years old.

She played Haru Amano in the film adaptation of 'Thriller Restaurant' ('Gekijo-ban: Kaidan Resutoran').

'Love Like a K-Drama' Ayano Kudô has over a decade worth of experience (Instagram/ayano_kudo_official)
'Love Like a K-Drama' actress Ayano Kudo has over a decade's worth of experience (@ayano_kudo_official/Instagram)

Who is 'Love Like a Drama's Ayano Kudo?

Ayano made her Japanese television debut with 'Suzuki Sensei' in 2011. She then appeared in 'Hunter: Women After Reward Money', '13-sai no Hellowork', 'Blackboard: Jidai to Tatakatta Kyoshitachi', 'Kuro no Onna Kyoshi,' 'Limit', 'Henshin Interviewer no Yuutsu', 'Cinderella Date', and 'Tatakau! Shoten Girl'.

She later did roles in movies like 'Gekijoban Kaidan Restaurant', 'Suzuki Sensei', 'Ku no Kyokai', and 'Katsu Futaro!!'

‘Love Like a K-Drama’ star Ayano Kudo is a Pageant winner (Instagram/ayano_kudo_official)
‘Love Like a K-Drama’ star Ayano Kudo is a pageant winner (ayano_kudo_official/Instagram)

What to expect from ‘Love Like a K-Drama’?

The reality dating program 'Love Like a K-Drama' follows four Korean actors and four Japanese actresses as they live together and form partnerships in an attempt to obtain lead roles in six short K-dramas.

Will they be forced to watch their love interest getting intimate with their rivals, or will they be able to pass the audition with the person they truly love? Viewers can only find out when the show airs on Netflix.

The series, which was shot in Seoul, begins on November 28 with fresh multi-episode installments released every week. Dreams, passion, and friendship intersect beyond the borders of Korea and Japan, capturing the spirit of grief and loss as seen in a traditional K-drama but with a breathtakingly realistic touch.

While some of the male stars may have a rudimentary understanding of Japanese, the gang relies on smartphone translation software to successfully communicate. They become close over time as a result of shared dinners, beverages, audition practices, and mutual understanding.

Some people even acquire new languages, eventually bonding via unsaid subtleties and shared environments.

Most of them are so focused on their work that they don't have time for romantic relationships. As the series progresses, you'll watch their development as actors and their hardships as they face new problems, such as a growing romance with the actor with whom they are partnered, that are generally not visible behind the scenes.



 

'Love Like a Drama' will premiere on 28 November on Netflix

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘The Bachelor’ is set to return after almost two years since its last season on air
2026-11-07T11:25:50.000Z
The ‘Love Is Blind’ Season 11 cast has more to unpack, and here’s what to know about catching the reunion before its Netflix release.
2026-11-05T19:30:37.000Z
‘The Amazing Race’ Season 39 heads to Sri Lanka, where a live Double U-Turn vote creates tension and forces teams to fight to stay in the race
2026-11-05T06:20:44.000Z
After a chaotic merge vote in Episode 7, a 27-year-old professional wrestler became the first ‘Survivor 51’ juror
2026-11-05T05:47:05.000Z
A former ‘RHOBH’ star has filmed with the Season 16 cast, but questions remain about her role. Her latest update offers a glimpse of the reunion and the drama ahead.
2026-11-04T20:49:29.000Z
‘Dancing with the Stars’ will host a brand new theme along with a face-off in next week’s episode
2026-11-04T10:25:19.000Z
‘Love Is Blind’ Season 11 finale sees Wilson and Wilnie clash over expectations before splitting
2026-11-04T09:35:45.000Z
Among the engaged couples featured on the show, only one made it to the altar and said ‘I do.’
2026-11-04T08:23:28.000Z
During his recent appearance on Oliver Hudson’s podcast, David Charvet reflected on his feud with Collin
2026-11-04T07:40:50.000Z
Riley Green also struggled to accept the young singer as a ‘human’ after witnessing her latest performance.
2026-11-04T05:48:33.000Z