The world of Japanese idols has always been one shrouded in mystery to those outside of Japan. What are the lives of idols like? Is it a demanding job? What is the salary like? With the moderate success following Beckii Cruel’s rise as a Western idol with cult following, many more Western girls became hopeful in following their dreams of becoming J-pop idols.
We caught up with retired idol keekihime, former member of idol group Tone Jewel, to ask her about her experiences and views about the idol industry as a Westerner.
The stereotypes that people have of idols will be broken down and shocking truths are revealed. Also revealed is her key to success, how she improved her Japanese language ability, why she quit being an idol and more!
Model and actress Mizuhara Kiko took on the Ice Bucket Challenge, which has gained popularity worldwide, and uploaded it to Instagram. The person she nominated and the person who he was with has been fast gaining attention.
Singer Anna Tsuchiya will release a new mini album ‘LUCIFER‘ on October 22.
The visuals for the album feature Anna representing good and evil, much like ‘LUCIFER’ the fallen angel himself. Totaling five songs, the title track is a cool rock track and will be used as the CM song for new survival horror game ‘Psycho Break’.
The mini-album will also have re-recording of her older songs ‘Somebody Help Me’, ‘Taste My Skin’ and ‘FROZEN ROSE’.
Yamapi and Nana Komatsu star in a new forbidden love film ‘Kinkyori Renai‘ (localized in English as ‘Close Range Love’) based on Rin Mikimoto’s manga of the same name.
Nana Komatsu plays Yuni Kururugi, an accomplished prodigy skilled in all her subjects except one: English.
Luckily her school gets a new part-time English teacher, Haruka Sakurai (Tomohisa Yamashita), who becomes a favorite amongst the other female students for his studly looks. Yuni starts visiting his office for additional help and despite his tsundere personality, she eventually begins one-on-one tutoring sessions with him. As time progresses, she starts developing a crush on him and confesses her love to him.
It was confirmed that Kinki Kids’ 18 year music program ‘Shin Domoto Kyoudai’ will be ending. It will air its ‘Last Stage’, with a Special Live on September 28.
In October 1996, the duo started the program ‘LOVE LOVE Aishiteru’ during Saturday night, was later renamed to ‘Domoto Kyoudai’ (Domoto Brothers) in 2001 and renewed as ‘Shin Domoto Kyoudai’ (New Domoto Brothers) in 2004 to its current Sunday, 11:15 pm timeslot.
What is the new show format and why is SDK, despite being well received, ending?
AKB48 – Kokoro no Placard
SiD – ENAMEL
Yoshida Yamada – Hibi
THE ALFEE – Eiyu no Uta
palet – VICTORY
Edit: All images associated with this post have been removed by request.
Yuko Oshima (25) has finally unveiled the cover to her first photobook since leaving AKB48, and it’s causing a bit of a stir between fans and detractors alike. Titled Nugiyagare! or “Take it the hell off!” by Yasushi Akimoto (56) himself and photographed in Ibiza by Mika Ninagawa (41), who directed the group’s infamous Oshima-centered “Heavy Rotation” PV in 2010, its racy concept has some wondering if this is the right move for the lovable idol’s debut solo endeavor.
FEMM’s 13th music video this year has been released!
Following their smasher “Dead Wrong” (and our interview with them which you should check out as well), their new song “The Real Thing” features your favorite mannequins RiRi and LuLa singing about wanting to experience real love. The video shows the interactions between a man and a digital FEMM, predominately in purple wigs but also serving other looks, being controlled through a series of keyboard commands and trackpad movements until things get out of control.
Check it out below!
