[JO1] Real Sound 220222

https://realsound.jp/2022/02/post-972526_2.html

JO1 Kinjo Sukai - a sincere singing voice that is essential to the group’s leaping progress & a brilliance that is more than just a “spice”

JO1’s Kinjo Sukai has resumed his activities with the group after taking a hiatus since October 2021 due being diagnosed with an adjustment disorder. His return was on 14th February. This might be the biggest Valentine’s Day present for JAM (as JO1’s fans are called). A video announcing his return was published and he showed a healthy self. It is beyond delightful to see all 11 members together again, “within a reasonable frame” of course.

Kinjo is 21 years old and from the prefecture of Osaka. When he participated in “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN” he had been inexperienced in singing and dancing and was assigned to the lowest class, F in the first class evaluation. However, he continuously worked hard and rapidly made progress. I also remember the remarkably loud cheering for him when I was covering the National Producers (as the viewers were called) at the recording site. He is “a hard worker” who showed his various charms such as his cool visuals, his outstanding style, his memorable voice, his hungry attitude and his caring side to his friends during the audition, and in turn managed to gain one of the debut seats in the end.

Just like his catchphrase “saredo poker face” (even so keeping the poker face), he seems like the cool type on the first glance. However, inside of him boils the blood of someone from Kansai and when the talks of all members unfold, it is not rare that he shows mischief and livens up the place. Also, he is a passionate person with a hidden fighting spirit and his serious personality peeks through here and there. Also in the announcement video of his return, his sincere words of “I’m truly sorry for letting you wait so long, but from the bottom of my heart I really really wanted to meet JAM.” “From now on, all 11 of us have started anew and we are going to work hard to make our way to JAM. By all means please continue to support all 11 members of JO1.” were impressive. Also when he appeared on “Odoru! Sanma Goten!!”, which was broadcasted on 13th July 2021, he carefully listened to Akashiya Sanma’s talk and made proper responses. Looking at various interviews, his talking has a good balance of answering frankly and precisely which conveys his integrity.

This sincere personality is essential for the group to make further progress. Furthermore, Kinjo‘s singing is also indispensable for JO1 after all. With no experience he joined “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN”, but he steadily achieved success in the vocal position. His development never stopped since he became a part of JO1 and now he displays a strong presence as part of the “vocal line” along with the main vocals Kono Junki and Yonashiro Sho. He also made a solo appearance in the “ATELIER” series that was uploaded in March last year, performing a Korean version of JO1’s song “GO”. In his gentle and soft singing, in which a slightly sexy bass sounds, you can feel a different virtue compared to both Kono and Yonashiro. In a previous interview he called his own role “ a spice like black pepper”, but you end up feeling his brilliance is more than just a “spice”.

Kinjo is still 21 years old. His future is infinite and his characteristic hard working side will allow him to grow even further. I wish for him to be active as an artist for a long time while taking good care of his own pace.