[JO1] AR 220112

JO1 meets…

Talk theme “their aesthetics”

The series that makes the hidden “dreams” of the 11 members of JO1 come true. Part 3 is the dream session of Shiroiwa Ruki with HYDE who influenced him deeply and continued to be admired by him. A close up of their cherished mindset, their thoughts for the fans and their shining charms!

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Ruki -> HYDE
The first time I came across a L’Arc~en~Ciel song was around the second year of middle school. I was shocked by the coolness of “Link” which was on my friend’s Walkman and after returning home I looked them up on my computer on the spot and purchased more songs. Since then HYDE-san has been my inspiration the whole time. In middle school I listened to nothing but L’Arc songs and in the section of “who you want to become” of the graduation book, I wrote “I want to become HYDE-san. The reason is that everything about him is perfect.” (Laughs)
I also went to a lot of lives and when I started my own band I also wrote the songs and lyrics. It’s really like a dream to be able to talk with the person who had been pretty much my whole youth. My nervousness and excitement are at the maximum and I wasn’t able to sleep until 4am last night.

HYDE -> Ruki
Before the meeting today I was aware of JO1’s existence. I remember that I saw the name, I wondered “How do you read this name? Joy?” (Laughs)
I watched their performances and I thought their dancing was sexy. I think it’s important to have sexiness in your movements when standing on stage.
Shiroiwa-kun is actually cute when you meet him, and when young people like him idolise us I think “It’s great that I’m doing this”. I also started making music because I admire my favourite artists, and I’m really happy that I continued besides all the troubles I had, making a way for the next generation.

I am “challenging” the stage with the strong feeling of “I will attack everyone!”
Ruki: I’m so happy to meet you today!! Since my middle school years I’ve been listening to L’Arc~en~Ciel songs and I’ve been influenced a lot by you, so it’s almost like HYDE-san formed me into the person I am today.
HYDE: Is that so? Because when Shiroiwa-kun was born I was already active.
Ruki: I was born in 1997 and in middle school I watched the Tokyo Dome footage from that year, being surprised that “such a beautiful person exists in this world?”. The first album I bought was the 20 year anniversary album “BUTTERFLY” and I really can’t count my favourite songs. There is “snow drop”, when driving “Driver’s High” or “Kaze ni kienaide” are the best and (continues to talk about the songs)
HYDE: Thank you very much (laughs)
Ruki: I respect you a lot and I can only learn from you, so would it be alright for you to ask you something?
HYDE: You can’t learn something from me (laughs)
Ruki: No, I can! Your absolute aura on stage… I admire this a lot.
HYDE: It’s not something I’m especially aware of because I naturally switch into the mood when stepping on stage. The reason for this might be that I don’t want to be looked down on by the audience (laughs) As an artist I always want to control the situation and create the atmosphere, so even when I’m lazy backstage, when I step on stage, I turn on the switch, thinking “okay, I will lead everything from now on!”. It feels a bit like a fight.
Ruki: Wow, I’ve learned something!
HYDE: Of course, there are also times when I consciously switch. At performances overseas, there are a lot of different people in the audience, so I am “challenging” the stage with the strong feeling of “I will attack everyone!”. Also, Japanese people have the custom to see a virtue in being considerate of the other one and giving in, but this doesn’t work. You can’t win thinking “It’s okay to be the second one”. So the feeling “I’m the number 1” is important.

It‘s okay to be mischievous
The roughness of youth is also charming

Ruki: HYDE-san is also very talented in drawing. Your work view in your MV and stages is always splendid, but how did you develop your aesthetic sense?
HYDE: I spent my youth in the 80s, so I have been influenced by heavy metal and British music. Back then the music had a gothic vibe and there were a lot of artists wearing make-up. I liked this European mood, so these might be my roots.
Ruki: I see. I would like to know if there are any works I should expose myself to in order to improve my personality as an artist.
HYDE: eh? What could it be? Our eras are different, so I think it would be good to choose something with a contemporary sense. I feel that there aren’t enough mischievous characters nowadays. Isn’t everyone a clean and good kid? I think a slightly sharp feeling will seem fresh in the future. I also like a boldness like the one of Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad.
Ruki: I think I want to cherish the roughness that comes from being young and the momentum that is only possible now. Also, if I was the audience, I wouldn’t want to support someone with no self confidence. Thus, I want to be someone who shines more than anyone else after stepping on stage.
HYDE: This way of thinking is really good. Also, I think the singing abilities are also important. I played a lot of shows with local bands in the USA, but everyone was such a good singer. You have to sing each song properly to win. I used to think that all I had to do was to charm with my performance, but once again I felt that it’s different. Recently, during performances I always try to keep in mind to sing like in the recordings.

It‘s natural to have areas where you don’t get along!
It’s comfortable to compromise at the right moment
The source of lasting long is a sense of distance

HYDE: JO1’s dancing is really cool. Do you have a choreographer?
Ruki: Yes, Korean choreographers made those for us. We watch the videos and uniform those ourselves. Originally, they taught us directly, but currently it is done remotely and each day we practise for about 8 hours.
HYDE: You practise each day… for 8 hours!?
Ruki: Pretty much every day.
HYDE: Amazing. This would be impossible for me! (Laughs)
Ruki: Some time ago, we had our first live concerts with an audience in the second year since our debut, but we performed about 20 songs per show, so we danced from the morning until 3 am at night.
HYDE: Don’t those long times make the efficiency suffer?
Ruki: We aim for a synchronised dance that aligns the movements of the 11 members, so we try to improve the accuracy and there are also members who are itching to practise… (laughs)
HYDE: ha~ (admiration) so lively~
Ruki: Yes! (has a wide smile over his whole face) In an interview I read previously you said that “the trick to make a long living group is not to interfere too deeply” which made a huge impression on me. Taking this as a reference, I try to keep a comfortable distance from the members.
HYDE: It’s good to be close, but naturally there are areas where you don’t get along and if you push yourself too hard, it is exhausting. So, I try my best to compromise only where it is necessary. I feel this is enough. I still don’t know the LINE ID of the L’Arc members (laughs)
Ruki: I understand! I think it’s charming when someone has a little mysterious side, so I try not to step too far while also staying too far even in the case of the members. That’s why I feel that I can overlook the group as a whole and have a good relationship with them. Thanks to HYDE-san’s teachings!
HYDE: I can’t say anything clumsy when I think there is someone who I influenced that much! (Laughs) I say some quite random things, right?
Ruki: I love that, too! Like “Is that serious? Is it a joke?” In the end, only you know the answer which is mysterious and wonderful. I also learnt this.
HYDE: fufufu (embarrassed laughing) thanks

What is the “core” of both of them as an artist?

If you want to shine more than anyone else, you also have to work harder than anyone else

Ruki: It's the second year since we made our debut, but is there anything we should keep in mind in this period?
HYDE: “In your 20s, work in any case” was what I thought to say, but if you are dancing 8 hours a day, it’s enough (laughs). I think young artists and athletes are similar. Top athletes like Ichiro-san worked very hard to get where they are. So if you want to shine more than anyone else, you might have to work harder than anyone, too.
TN: Ichiro is probably the most famous Japanese baseball player out there. He was a star both in Japan and in the USA.
Ruki: Without a break we are working! (Serious) but right now we enjoy this.
HYDE: Amazing! Recently, I've been working until dinner, but after drinking some drinks I’ll be in the off mode. But I’m doing some work. Drinking slowly is a good way to switch ON/OFF.
Ruki: I can relax after drinking Cola. My reward for doing my best at work is Cola most of the time. Today I’m surely going to drink it, too!
HYDE: Awesome! There is a CM coming (laughs)
Ruki: That would be awesome! Please let me tell you about my secret dream. You have appeared in a broadcast program called “Sashimeshi” in which two people eat together… it might be impolite to say, but I yearn for the two of us to appear there together.
HYDE: This makes me happy. Something like a live stream is nice. (From the editorial department the question came “how is the possibility of a collaboration at Halloween event you are organising?”) absolutely, if he dresses as a girl (laughs)
Ruki: I want to try that (direct answer)
HYDE: You would surely be cute. Your skin is also pretty.
Ruki: (hastily) really!? Earlier you mentioned the name, but when I saw HYDE-san dressed as Harley Quinn before, I was really impressed by your beauty.
HYDE: oh- thank you.
Ruki: ah, I’m so happy I don’t want this to end… Thank you very much for this honour and happiness today.
HYDE: I can only say the same. Well, but I was surprised to find out in the talk that you are quite the hardcore fan. Please join my circle, Shiroiwa-kun (laughs)
Ruki: uwoah, finally!! (With teary eyes) my parents are also huge fans, so I think they might cry reading this talk.
HYDE: I’m also going to learn about JO1 (laughs)

HYDE
Our work can’t go on if there are no listeners, right? Hence, I value building a good relationship with the fans. I think it’s cool if the artist changes with the times, but there are also a lot of fans who find comfort in the unchanging things. I feel it’s important to find a balance in order to continue to have activities for a long time. For example, the new song is a new challenge, but the next time you return to your roots. You can’t do what everyone is looking for, but because there are various ways, I’m active making sure that both the people who newly know me and the fans who liked me for a long time can enjoy it.

Ruki
Just like HYDE-san said, I think without fans we can’t stand on stage. Hence, since the early times of the debut I strongly value to “think from a fans’ point of view” when being active. By being aware of whether we are just doing what we want to do, whether the content could be appreciated, whether this stage has been cool, it will be naturally visible what we should choose or do. I always try to find out what the people supporting us are looking for in us and try to give the best possible response.