“Enjoying the challenge” The key to open the door to JO1’s Kawashiri Ren’s world ~2nd part~
Actually, for the editorial department I watched JO1’s stage at the Louis Vuitton event in Osaka last year. Wow~ really? I’m glad. It was the only event other than the pre-debut fan meetings when we performed in front of the audience. Everything was a series of “first” and I was really nervous too, but everyone was hyped up, so I was really happy!
The nervous feeling was conveyed, but the venue was hyped and the atmosphere was like do your best everyone! (Laughs) really, it was fun because everyone was hyped up.
My image of the performance from back then and what I felt when watching various new MVs is that the dance-range of all members has widened and that the image of the songs is completely different. I think in the earlier mentioned “gathering” period it was practised a lot, but as the dance leader is there something you came up with to lead them? That’s right. Everyone is a different human being, so I’m aware of how to convey it fitting to each member. I’m good at dancing, but there are also members who are good at talking, members who are good at singing, members who are good with expressions or acting, and everyone is individual, so I’m also learning from everyone.
What do you want to continue to convey with JO1’s future activities as an artist? I want us to become people who people say about that they got interested in music and dancing because they admire us.You change from people who grasped their dreams to people who give dreams. Because I’m someone who thinks “I want to become this!” while watching various artists, I’m enjoying it a lot and I feel blessed that I can do this work nowadays. Singing and dancing is really fun and I want to continue to convey this enjoyment and I want to feel this together with the fans.
On April 28th the 3rd single “CHALLENGER” was released, but what is the song that expresses the meaning of “stepping into an unknown new work” in your opinion the best? Of course, it’s the title track “Born To Be Wild”.
If you had to express the song’s message shortly? It’s “the joy of challenging”.
“The joy of challenging”, those are good words. They fit perfectly in spring. The release is in April and there are also a lot of people who start a new life. I think at first you are nervous and there are also hard things, but it’s about “taming the nervous feeling”. I hope that our songs will support you so you can welcome the new unknown world with joy while feeling nervous.
Other than that, which song do you like personally? Please tell us about its points. I’m listening to nothing but the songs from the 3rd single and I also like the song “Get inside of me”. The image of the song is a HAPPY atmosphere and I’m imagining a scene where during a live performance we sing it as the last song while everyone holds hands. An atmosphere of everyone having a Happy End. It made me think I want to have a live soon.
You might be able to see it during the year end tour! (Laughs) I’m suggesting this! The song is good for that (laughs)
Please let me ask you about Fukuoka and private things from now on. You lived here until you were 19 years old, but after leaving Fukuoka what is the charm of the area and the people here that you felt anew? I felt that the air here is very clean. Isn’t Fukuoka quite the big city? It’s a big city, but the air is clean, there are both mountains and the city and there are a lot of places which are rich in nature. Once again I thought it’s a really good place. When I lived here it was something I took for granted, so I didn’t notice it, but when I come back from Tokyo, that kinda makes me feel good (laughs).Feeling this once again after leaving Fukuoka! Where is a place that brings up memories of your school years? A place...it might be Kego Park. I have a good friend who still lives in Fukuoka and we used to talk about the future there!
Kego Park! No matter if it’s day or night a lot of young people gather there. By the way, what did you talk about? Yes, it’s a place full of memories. That friend is a really funny guy. Nowadays he works hard as a designer, but back then, we talked about the future “it’s going to be crazy (yabai)!” The word “yabai” has various meanings, right? “Amazing”, “surprise” and so on. Back as a high schooler we said “I want to become a yabai person” in a sense of “one of a kind” like “In this field, there is only that guy” which is hard to describe with other words.
One of a kind as a designer and as an artist, together becoming such people and inspiring each other, that’s a good relationship! Even now during lessons I’m practising while wearing the clothes he designed, but it reminds me of those times. I’m practising while thinking “I’m working hard so I will become yabai!” (laughs)
You seem to often remake your clothes, but is arranging clothes in your favourite design because of the influence of your friend? I like arranging things. I also message him for advice on how to make the piece like I imagined it.
From what I’ve heard, you are an artist who has a sensitivity in all kinds of things! Not only singing and dancing, but you have established a rich sensibility in your world view. You show this in various scenes. Wow. I’m glad (laughs) Thank you very much.
I think it’s important to have a friend who can inspire you, but are you also inspired by the fact that you work in different genres? I messaged my friend on Line yesterday (laughs). That’s right, I’ve learnt a lot of things. I watched a video of him designing something, but I thought it would be nice to see him redoing what he drew again. I’ve learnt about the joy of being particular about something and doing something steadily.When talking about Fukuoka, Ramen! comes into the mind, but please tell us about your favourite Ramen store! There is also “Ichiran”, but I also like “Irukaya” in Ohashi. Also, I forgot the name of the store, but there was a store that had “the second serving of noodles for free on rainy days”. When I was taking a stroll with my friend by bike and we became hungry (laughs). Right when it was lightly raining we came across the store and went inside, and there was written “the second serving of noodles for free on rainy days ” (laughs). We asked” It’s raining right now, so it’s free?” And we both ate that second serving! I remember that it was really delicious and we were stuffed afterwards.
Is it in Tenjin? Free on rainy days, it’s a keyword that catches your eyes. I can’t remember the place. We discovered it while going home on bike, so I’m not sure about the place and I haven’t been there since then.
How do you like to spend your off days? I’m making chicken ham!
That’s amazing! Do you often cook by yourself? Yes, I often do that.
You are conscious of the health aspects of your diet. My daily rhythm is unsteady, so I try to be conscious about my diet. I try to be conscious about eating Natto, Tomatoes, Broccoli and chicken breast. Broccoli and chicken breast are the best together!
Now tell us your favourite (phrase from the) hakata dialect! “Nan shiyo~ to” (what are you doing?) The members like it too (laughs)
What kind of city do you want your hometown, Fukuoka, to become in the future? A city that is rich in entertainment.
Fukuoka is very close to South Korea and it is seen as a gateway to Asia, so it’s an optimal base of cultural exchange, but is there anything you are attached to? It is the city where I used to live, so there are also memorable places, but the very first dance genre that I’ve done was the “Locking dance”. The creator of the “Locking dance” was someone from overseas, but it is said that one of the members came to Fukuoka and by his students it was spread through the whole country. When I heard that Fukuoka was the origin city I thought it was amazing. I hope that it’s not only dance, but also various other types of entertainment will flourish and evolve in Fukuoka and that the city will become a place where a lot of cultures deepen their exchange.
Please give us a message to the people unrelated to their age who are taking up the “challenge” of something new or facing their dreams. It might be something commonly said, but “Challenges have a meaning“ is something that is said often and recently I can really feel it. I think that nothing wins against experience. Actually, there are a lot of things that we don‘t notice in the practise room and we notice them for the first time at a live show. But I think mistakes happen, so you have to take up the challenge of being prepared for it and then recognise it. Even in mistakes there is something to gain from, so I think it's best to steadily challenge everything.
Lastly, a message for the fans in Fukuoka. First of all, thank you for reading until here. We still can’t meet the fans, but we wait for the day when we can meet and give our all during practise while feeling the big love from everyone supporting us. We want to keep on doing what we are doing right now. We are waiting for the long awaited tour at the end of the year and JO1 will continue to challenge various things. Please continue to support us on the side, thank you very much.
In contrast to his dynamic dance moves and always cool stance, an innocent smile was visible through the interview. He answered while choosing each word carefully and it was impressive how each joint of the conversation was overflowed with gratitude. The keyword of “thoughtful” surfaces when you describe him. Beautiful phrases were subtly weaved through the interview and it gave us a glimpse into his literary side. He will become one of a kind. In order to realise the ideas he had budded on the soil of Fukuoka to the stages of the world, he is continuing to challenge the self assigned aims earnestly. After the interview ended he was asked about the song he is the most attached to, he answered “Young” which was a song from the audition. “It was the final song I performed in the audition and it decided my debut. The lyrics fit perfectly to me back then. When I sing that song, the memories from back then are recalled and it becomes a very intense feeling.” He values the song of the day when he got hold of his dream. He also told us that it reminded him of his roots. When we become adults. don’t we unconsciously give up on “having dreams”? When you want to get hold of a new world, surrender yourself to the feelings we all had as children and a new door will surely open for you. “Enjoying the challenge” This might be the “key” to the world where something is gained from challenges, his words of “take the challenge to your dream” pass through generations and bring everyone back to the roots.
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