LiLiCo, well-known as a film commentator and talent, has recently announced her remarriage to Ryohei Odai, 46, formerly of the popular group ‘Junretsu.’ At 47 years old, LiLiCo reflects on her past and her positive outlook on marriage.
Despite having previously gone through a divorce, LiLiCo did not hesitate at all when it came to remarrying. "Looking back, I realized there's no point in listing ideal traits. Instead, what truly matters is enjoying conversations," she stated during her reflections on her new marriage.
Her connection with Ryohei ignited quickly; upon their first meeting, LiLiCo felt instantly inspired to marry him. "I had the same feeling, the ‘bi-bi-bi’ moment, as I did with my first husband. By just our second date, we were already discussing marriage. He mentioned wanting to work toward marriage, and I jokingly suggested we should file our marriage registration the next day!" Although they didn’t immediately register their marriage, the excitement illustrated their quick progression.
The couple has different hobbies—LiLiCo enjoys drinking and socializing with friends, whereas Ryohei has interests such as fish observation and construction toys. Despite this divergence, LiLiCo has taken to engaging with Ryohei’s hobbies, remarking, "Now it feels like I have another hobby!"
“I think it’s important to find someone who can have stimulating conversations. Even if hobbies differ, as long as you can enjoy being with each other, that's what matters," she shared. Given her own experience with her first marriage, which lasted for six years, she advocates for the shared reality of remarriage, aiming to avoid the idealistic dreams often associated with first-time marriages.
One of the more surprising aspects of their relationship is Ryohei’s status as someone experiencing marriage for the first time. Reflecting on this, LiLiCo remarked, "I thought it would be easier to marry someone who understood the realities of marriage, like me, but life is full of surprises!" Her confidence is unfaltering, stating, "I never hesitated about remarrying. If someone dreads living with another person or finds it difficult to coexist, then there’s no way we can have marriage based on love."
She reflected, too, on her thoughts surrounding marriage itself. "Even if the previous relationship didn't go well, it didn't mean I had negative feelings toward the institution of marriage itself. Living with someone has its challenges, and it isn’t always easy, but it can be totally worth it.”
Offering her perspective on preparations for life together, she suggested spending three consecutive days living together to vet compatibility and find out if they can handle each other's idiosyncrasies. LiLiCo argues, "You should experience life together for 24 hours so you can see if there are any habits or quirks you find unbearable. If there are things like these, it might be tough to sustain living together!"
These days, with increased life expectancies, LiLiCo sees no reason to spend time with someone who doesn’t contribute positively to her happiness. "Life expectancy is around 80, and if you’re lucky, you can live to 100! Why waste time with someone who doesn't bring joy? It’s much healthier to share your life with someone who appreciates you and brings joy to your life!"
LiLiCo’s candid insights on marriage provide not just personal reflections but also practical advice to those considering their own intimate partnerships, emphasizing the importance of emotional connection above all else.