[OWV] CREA 210305

The one and only group, OWV.
Until they seize the victory.
The 4 members of OWV made their debut in wake of an audition program.
We asked them about their body and mind training methods that are the origin of their stoic performances that steal their viewer’s hearts.

Everything is my sales point. After all, because my existence is irreplaceable - Honda Kosuke
Born 1995. From the prefecture Fukushima. Has experience as working as a choreographer. Is like a big brother. His favourite drama is “Alice in Borderland”

I have confidence in my own choices and abilities. If it’s my own chosen path, it won’t be a mistake - Sano Fumiya
Born 1997. From the prefecture Yamanashi. His charm is his impressive dancing. His special skills are karate and long distance running. The artist who influenced him is BIGBANG

I want to aim even higher. Avoiding to be obsequious, I’m always smiling! - Urano Shuta
Born 1997. From the prefecture Kanagawa. His song that lives from his high tone voice is popular. SHINee is the artist he admires.

More than worrying, the “amount of actions” is important. The amount of practise is connected to self confidence. - Nakagawa Katsunari
Born 1997. From the prefecture Hyogo. In charge of rap. His favourite YouTube channel is “Kimagure Cook”

The boys group OWV was formed by Honda Kosuke, Nakagawa Katsunari, Urano Shuta & Sano Fumiya. All members were former trainees of the top class audition program “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN”. Since their formation in April 2020, about 11 months have passed and it‘s said that the way how they deal with work and their way of thinking to train themselves has been updated.
Katsunari: After debuting, the opportunities to work have increased and finally I was able to acquire confidence. Originally, I had social anxiety, no confidence and I worried a lot, but more than I thought I finally realised that I’m the type whose emotional handling is connected to the amount of actions and practise. It’s “slow but steady wins the race”!
Shuta: Composure is important, isn’t it. People think of me as a narcist -laughs- but actually I don’t have any confidence. Yet currently, the members powerfully push me forward. And we praise each other no matter what.
Katsunari: Everyone has the habit of vocalising each one’s good points, right. (We are doing this) naturally without realising that.
Kosuke: Yes. Shuta has a gift for playing the piano, creates a good mood always and I think he’s really amazing.
Katsunari: Honda-kun, what about me? How about (that I’m) “humble”? -laughs-
Kosuke: Yes yes. You are humble -laughs- Katsu has the overview and helps to balance the whole group. It’s important to respect the people around you.
Fumiya: I try to listen to what professionals from other fields say. Generally speaking, I try to not fail to get motivation from my surroundings.
Shuta: That’s great. Because I’m so stoic, I observe too much and it also tends to become hard sometimes.
Kosuke: Eh! I feel that when you think about the roles rather than saying “I can’t do this”, (it’s better to say) “I will do that” and you can complete it without becoming depressed by comparing yourself to others. When I graduated high school, my hometown teacher told me to “be unparalleled in history” and that motivates me until today.
Shuta: That’s right. When you compare yourself to amazing people, I think you should try to understand what you can do and be affirmative about those so that you won‘t become obsequious and masochistic.
Fumiya: Tell me what you concretely do!
Shuta: Recently, I made a video made off pictures of me before the debut and checked it. When doing so, I was able to realise “How much I have grown since the past”. I think “I became better, didn’t I?” and I can start to feel positive, so I can recommend that.
Katsunari: Amazing! Nice. Also, it’s quite effective to detailedly set your goals, isn’t it. Big dreams are also important, but by working hard on the small goals that you could be in your reach, your motivation will last.

It’s fun because they are a team

Sano-san who is driving forward OWV’s dance performances, is a daredevil, but he does not lack a cool headed self analysis.
Fumiya: What I’m training right now is team thinking. During middle school I did baseball, but I was the type not to forgive losing because of other people’s mistakes. I’ve realised myself that team play wasn’t my thing and I switched to the track and field club for individual competition in High School -laughs-
Katsunari: For real? -laughs-
Fumiya: But through dancing I was able to think it’s fun to work in a team. I was able to become tolerant of people. Especially because I want to continue as OWV with those 4 members forever, I try to align the balance as a team and my own mentally.
Kosuke: Has it become mellowed up?
Fumiya: I think I’ve become able to accept it obediently even when there are people who are better than me. Previously, I hated losing and as a student I used to think of myself as superior for some reason, but I stopped that. I feel that I became much more peaceful.

All members consider skincare as something important

In December 2020, you became the official Japan ambassadors for “Givenchy Beauty”. It seems like before the debut there were both members who had no knowledge about skincare and makeup and members who were passionate about beauty.
Shuta: I used not to pay attention to it, but I developed an interest in skin care. I’m trying out more and more beauty methods I heard from the people from Givenchy and our hair & make up staff.
Kosuke: I started to think that looking after yourself now is to create your future self. Because of shootings the times when we use make up have increased, so i feel that you also have to pay attention to cleansing. By diligently listening to people and researching, your knowledge deepens, so it’s fun.
Katsunari: You want to be in my best condition for shootings, right. I think usually I don’t use make up and focus on skincare.
Fumiya: I’m glad that I was able to ask people who went to beauty schools or who knew more about makeup during the audition. Honda-kun is always diligently using his face roller.
Kosuke: yes, I’m always using it -laughs- in the past, I didn’t like my face much, but I think especially that’s why I’m working hard and there are parts that I can give my full attention to. I’m also fasting before important shootings.
Katsunari: During fasting Honda-kun won’t touch cooked rice at all. However I think “a little bit is fine”.
Kosuke: I really like charisma like the one ones GACKT or ROLAND have, but didn’t they create their bodies super stoically? By thinking “Also people who are actively in the front row are pushing themselves like that” I’m motivated.

At last, each day you lead a very busy life, so I would like to ask about your stress relieving habits.
Shuta: I also value the time when I don’t think about anything. Because I’m still living with my parents, I end up talking to them -laughs- but I also like the time when I sit in the massage chair and day dream.
Katsunari: When I want to relax, I drink coffee and make my brain realise “I’m having a break now”.
Fumiya: I’m making time to dance that has absolutely no connection to work. Because I want to boost my motivation, too, while relaxing.
Kosuke: What makes me look forward the most is to go to eat delicious hamburgers with the members after fasting.

5 questions to get to know OWV better

1) What kind of work do you want to challenge in the future?
Shuta: Actor or voice actor
Kosuke: I want to play the bad guy in a drama. I want to play the role of someone who is actually a really good guy but intentionally acts like the bad guy -laughs-
Katsunari: Model
Fumiya: I want to try some creative work in which I create something from the beginning

2) What is your own the source of inspiration?
Shuta: I get quite the motivation from watching performances of K-POP artists.
Kosuke: anime, manga, dramas and music. Those are like a textbook in life for me because they let me experience emotions that I usually can’t experience in my daily life.
Katsunari: performances of other artists
Fumiya: a childlike heart

3) What do you do to switch between work and private?
Shuta: I change from contact lenses to glasses.
Kosuke: in private I don’t leave my home so that my body can relax
Katsunari: before work, I try to strongly tell myself “I’ll give my all” .
Fumiya: I’m the type who is not really aware of such boundaries. I might be the “work as life” guy

4) Someone you admire who you want to work with in the future?
Shuta: Wentz Eiji
Kosuke: Nozawa Masako
Katsunari: I want to appear in a variety program together with Chidori who I like a lot
Fumiya: I become someone who is thought to be like that.
TN: Wentz Eiji - singer songwriter, variety personality & actor. Acted for example in Kamen Rider - THE FIRST
Nozawa Masako - voice actress. Son-Goku’s (& his sons) voice actress
Chidori - Japanese comedy duo

5) Something you want to get or try one day?
Shuta: a cruise travel
Kosuke: I want to become someone who influences people
Katsunari: A cool car
Fumiya: persuasiveness