[OWV] Classy 220730

https://classy-online.jp/lifestyle/223444/

[OWV] The reason why he changed his lifestyle and says “My recent boom is to wake up early” is…?

The 4 member boy group OWV will be releasing their 6th single “Time Jackerz” under the concept of “Live” on 27 July. Inspired by the leadtrack “Time Jackerz” , CLASSY brings you an interview with the topic “time” in which OWV are dressed in the timeless and classic “Parisian casual” style. The last one is OWV’s aniki Honda Kosuke-kun who captivates with his powerful dancing.

I recently moved and… “The time to meet people” has increased!

Just like our readers, OWV are doing a lot of things both at work and in private. Please tell us whether you have any specialities or habits on how you use your time?
I hope to increase the time spend with other people, both at work and in private. With the staff members on a schedule or with friends that I could not meet easily… And actually I moved recently! I made a fresh start after living at the same place for nearly 8 years and my current home is closer to the area where I work, which allowed me to shorten my commuting time. Because of this my personal time has increased. Now I can get ready to go out while gracefully taking my time to listen to music. In the last two years I could hardly meet people casually, so I want to take advantage of this newly gained time to gradually increase my time to interact with lots of different people.

Spending some leisure time at the cinema… That’s what I would do if I could control time

If you could timejack one day, what would you do?
If I think realistically I would go out somewhere. Because I feel that I want to make this free day a special time. I’m actually an indoor person, so when I had a free day I would just sleep, but recently I like to wake up early. The other day I went to sleep at 4 in the morning and woke up at 6 am again, even though I had no plans for that day (laughs). Back then, I went to the area where I used to live! I’m not riding the train anymore which I used to take pretty much every day for 7 years, so for the first time in a while I took it and leisurely did some shopping… Yet it’s only been 3 months since I moved (laughs)!

When I think not so realistically, if I could timejack a day, I would rent out a whole cinema and take my time to watch some movies all by myself! I would randomly watch anime, dramas and other things I am interested in on the big screen. I usually wear a hat (when I go to the cinema) and it’s so hot under it~ I want to take off my hat and the mask and enjoy the movie at my pace while eating popcorn in a more casual manner.

Sure enough OWV is what I want to love my whole life long!

Is there any “thing/event you love timelessly”?
Sure enough it’s OWV. I believe it is something I will love and be loved my whole life long! The answer is a little too perfect, isn’t it? (laughs)

If I chose something specific, it would be my projector. I recently bought a projector with lighting, so when I am at home I always watch videos and movies on the big screen. It’s completely different from watching things on my phone. It also has speakers, so the sound comes down from the ceiling. It makes me feel as if I was in a cinema, so I think I will love it timelessly. Right, I love cinemas! I think I could live in one for a week without a problem (laughs).

I want to constantly evolve the raw OWV that appeals at live shows

If you were to promise a “timeless charm” of OWV to QWV, what would it be?
Our live performances. We keep in mind to have a concert that makes the audience forget the time. Also the concept of our 6th single is “live”. We always put emphasis on the “live” experience in our performances. During rehearsals, we spend a lot of time on how to make the live show more exciting, such as how to encourage the audience, how to ask questions to the audience, and when to say the right things! You can see there the true essence of OWV, which is completely different from what you can see in our music videos and other videos, so please come to our live performances.

Lastly, if you were to pick just one “timeless masterpiece” from the new single, which song would it be?
“Time Jackerz”. I think it is a song that is in a good sense not contemporary, but it also doesn’t feel old, rather it has a timeless charm. It’s also perfect to blast if you gear yourself up, thinking “I want to do a little better from now on” or if you just want to immerse yourself into the music without thinking much. You can follow the beat the whole song, so in no matter what situation you are listening to it, you will feel hyped up! Please make sure to check it out!

[OWV] JJ 220729

https://jj-jj.net/lifestyle/158391/

[OWV] What is the “emotional summer memory” that Sano Fumiya-kun has made with the other members…?

The popular boy group OWV will be releasing their 6th single “Time Jackerz” under the concept of “Live” on 27 July. This summer we can finally enjoy typical summer events again. Along with photos of OWV wearing Yukata, we bring you interviews with each member under the theme of “Enjoying summer!”, where we talk about summer-related topics. The fourth one is with Sano Fumiya-kun who contributes to OWV’s performances with his ethereal visuals and overwhelming performance skills.

FUMIYA SANO
Born 25 May 1997. 25 years old.From the prefecture Yamanashi. A talented dancer who has a lot of experience as a back dancer for national and international artists. By choreographing some of OWV’s songs and more, he contributes to the high quality of their performances.

I ought to be the one who can handle bugs the best in the group…! Honda-kun meanwhile is the weakest (laughs)

When you hear the word “summer”, what is the first thing that comes into your mind?
Bugs! (laughs) Don’t they become more in summer? I believe I can handle them the best out of the OWV members. When I was in elementary school, I once caught a palm-sized spider with my hands (With a proud expression he retold it ‘I caught it like this from above and threw it away’). By the way, Honda-kun is the weakest when it comes to insects. He reacts insanely loudly in front of it. Like “Uwaaa!”. When I hear him I wonder “What’s wrong?”, but then I look at him and it’s just a drone beetle… This small beetle causes him to be louder than during a live show. I want him to stop, however, cause it’s bad for his heart (laughs).

I want to enjoy a music festival with a frankfurter in my hand

Do you have a place you want to visit with the members this summer?
I would like to go to a lot of music festivals also to learn more. Well, actually I would prefer to appear there myself than just to watch it. I want to eat and drink something with others while listening to the music of various other artists! It would also be fun to enjoy it as if it was a summer festival with some yakisoba or frankfurter in my hands.

That too lucky and blissful summer moment with GariGari-kun…!

What kind of day would be “the best summer day” for you?
A day where I keep on winning more GariGari-kun! Wouldn’t that be awesome? You could stay cool the whole time (laughs). By the way, I guess the maximum I can eat is 15.
TN: GariGari-kun is a flavored ice popsicle brand in Japan and when you finish eating it, the message that you can win another one might appear on its wooden stick.

The DIY was a failure! This is the year to enjoy “Soumen that flow”!

Please tell us what comes into your mind when you hear the word “summer food”.
Nagashi Soumen! I made those alone at home last year. Instead of a typical store bought appliance, I made it myself by cutting a leftover plastic bottle in half and taped it together from the kitchen tap to the living room. Then, when I tried to make it flow, the water leaked out halfway because it was so poorly made, so the corridor became all wet (laughs). Because it turned out to be a failure it became “non flowing soumen”, so this year I want to build it together with the members so that it will flow and to make “Soumen that flow”!
TN: Nagashi Soumen = literal translation “Flowing Soumen”
Soumen = a type of Japanese noodles
To better imagine what Fumiya tried, please check out some YouTube videos of it,

The emotional memory of chatting in a park

Tell us one of your “unforgettable summer memories”! During our show “OWV Road”, when we ended up talking at night in a park where we had driven to. We had bought snacks and drinks at a conbini and just talked. It kinda felt like youth. We passionately talked about the future of the group, what we want to do and so on. Yes, sometimes OWV can also have serious conversations (laughs).

Make sure to listen to it at a BBQ or when you are outside in summer!

Now, please pick a song from the new single that “suits summer the best”!
Fumiya: It should be “Summer Days”, right? I believe this song hypes you up no matter the time of the day and it makes you want to go and have fun even when it is hot outside. I think it would be really good to listen to it while having a BBQ.

[OWV] Classy 220728

https://classy-online.jp/lifestyle/223445/

[OWV] The reason why Nakagawa Katsunari claims “OWV’s charm is… We have a gap!” is…?

The 4 member boy group OWV released their 6th single “Time Jackerz” under the concept of “Live” on 27 July. Inspired by the leadtrack “Time Jackerz” , CLASSY brings you an interview with the topic “time” in which OWV are dressed in the timeless and classic “Parisian casual” style. The third one is with Nakagawa Katsunari-san who is OWV’s pride with his tall and handsome visuals.

As I want to have time for myself… I want to master being a short sleeper

Just like our readers OWV are doing a lot of things both in work and in private. Please tell us whether you have any specialities or habits on how you use your time?
I was such a long sleeper back during my student days. I became a short sleeper after starting work because the time for myself became scarce! I realized recently that I am the type of person who wants to have time for himself to do his favorite things even if it means cutting down on my sleeping hours. I guess it’s nothing but a self diagnosis on how much I am a short sleeper, but I used to be useless when I didn’t get 8 hours of sleep, but nowadays I can be active all day long with just 4~5 hours of sleep.

My secret of not being tired despite my short sleeping time? First of all, if you worry about things like “What if I'm late tomorrow?”, you cannot sleep well, so I go to bed immediately without brooding about things. I am someone who falls asleep quite fast, so when I feel I am sleepy I fall asleep on the spot (laughs). I also try to sleep when we move to another place, even if it is just for 20 minutes. Furthermore, I try to make sure to soak in the bathtub all year around! I even take a bath when I think “I better go to sleep right now”. I remind myself that “Bathing is time to relax ♪” and spend about 30 mins to 1 hour in the bath, stretching, watching movies or relaxing. I guess keeping this in mind helps me not to feel tired even though I have such a short sleeping time.

If I had a free day… I might not leave the house (laughs)

If you could timejack one day, what would you do?
If I think about it realistically, if I had a free day, I might not leave the house (laughs). Having a whole free day is something precious, the readers can surely relate, so I would like to use the time to relax… On my last free day I went to the sauna with Shuta. I can recommend this because it resets both your physical and mental exhaustion.

In my dreams I would like to visit various countries if I could timejack. There are so many countries, but in reality it is impossible to visit all of them, right? I believe it would be a waste to die without knowing about the cultures and local qualities of various countries, so I want to visit a lot of countries if I was able to timejack. First I would like to visit the USA. Both the mainland and Hawaii would be fine. It’s just my personal impression, but I like the US because they are open minded about a lot of things and can spend their time as they please. I don’t want to make too many plans beforehand, I just want to do what I feel like doing on that day.

Climbing the stairs towards adulthood… What he wants to make his hobby in the future

Is there any “thing/event you love timelessly”?
It’s the Rolex watch I received from my father on my graduation.
Kosuke: But you usually don’t wear it?
Because if I wore it now, it would not suit me yet… (embarrassed). It is stored in the safe in my parents’ house until I become worthy of wearing it. This is the only nice watch I have right now, but I would like to start the hobby of collecting nice watches which you can love timelessly. In the future I want to pass on the watches to my children! What kind of watch did I buy recently? An Apple Watch (laughs). It seems to take some time to collect watches that you can love timelessly.

I want to pursue an OWV typical show where “you can enjoy both the music and our talks”!

If you were to promise a “timeless charm” of OWV to QWV, what would it be?
How good our lives are and our gap! This year the opportunities to be invited at events like KCON where we perform together with other artists have increased. My goal is a show where fans of different artists become one in enjoying the music together, and if I continue to remember this, it can surely deliver a timeless charm to QWV as well. And with gap I mean that during our performances we show our cool side but when we talk during the MCs we turn into high school boys. But well, to sum it up, it is the satisfaction of our live shows. What is the content of the MCs? Exclusive stories, that’s pretty much the content (laughs).

Lastly, if you were to pick just one “timeless masterpiece” from the new single, which song would it be?
It would be “Time Jackerz”. Actually it is a song we have been waiting to release for some time. Finally the time for everyone to listen to it has come, so we made it our title track for this single! I had the feeling it could become a timeless song and the determination to make it one. It’s a song I really want you to hear at a concert. Depending on the setlist we could perform it as the first song to impress everyone, or after a MC to change the calm atmosphere, or we could mixit in for some impact and create some unity with the audience, or… It is a versatile song, and I can’t wait to perform it live!

[OWV] TOWNWORK 220727

https://townwork.net/magazine/job/workstyle/131552/?vos=dtwnsnss1614717

Interview with Honda Kosuke & Nakagawa Katsunari (OWV) - “Believing in ourselves and following through it guides us to the OWV image we envision”

The boy group OWV, formed by 4 former trainees of a popular audition program, have released their 6th single “Time Jackerz”. We interviewed the members Honda Kosuke-san and Nakagawa Katsunari-san about secret stories from the music video filming, their song recommendations, as well as about their part time job experiences and what they have in mind regarding their work.

“Time Jackerz” is an essential song for the future “OWV”

What kind of songs are on your 6th single “Time Jackerz”?
Katsunari: The overall concept is “Live”. Because we often had the chance to hold concerts and we appeared at a lot of events last year, we made “Time Jackerz” with the wish that the people coming to the venue would “simply enjoy this single as well”. The coupling song “Summer Days” expresses summer in OWV’s own way and “Alright” is a song that suits the twilight in summer. The whole single has a clear composition and development and I think it is a thrilling release.

Please tell us your impression of “Time Jackerz” when you first heard it.
Kosuke: It was actually quite some time ago when we first heard it, but back then I felt “It is going to be an essential song for the future OWV”. And now, the time has finally come to release it. It has a new sound feeling and you can immediately imagine how we perform it on stage. This is the part I am the most excited about.

Was there something hard or you struggled with during the recording?
Katsunari: While the key is not that high, as it is a dance tune and has a steady 16th note rhythm, I kept in mind to add some accent to the Japanese rap parts so It will not become boring. I thought a lot about how I should express the song by singing my parts, recording them and then listening to those.
Kosuke: When I am singing the phrase “Here is the Danger Zone” alone, there is a melody that only appears at this part, so I was quite worried about which tone I should use.
Katsunari: Both Honda-kun’s and my parts contain rap, but we studied this part in our own ways and coordinated the recording, so it is a part I’m quite attached to.
Kosuke: It might be the song we have discussed the most. We had the feeling that we wanted to release it at a challenging point for OWV, so it took longer than before to bring our singing together.

A 3kg jacket and leather. Struggling with the outfits at the MV filming

The MV with its cool and futuristic look is impressive, but please tell us an episode from the filming.
Kosuke: The costume I was wearing for the outdoor scenes had a pair of super stylish jeans with a string-like strap connecting to both knees. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t open my legs further than shoulder width, so this was a struggle. The jacket also weighed about 3kg…
Katsunari: 3kg is a lot (laughs). It is like the weights they use in “Dragon Ball”.
Kosuke: Yes! It was the hardest to dance while wearing an outfit like Piccolo.
Katsunari: Tops and bottoms of our main outfit are made of leather. It made me sweat the most out of the group and I could even be in the Top 5 of Japan…
Kosuke: Top 5 is high. I guess I am usually at the 2050th place?
Katsunari: With a population of more than 100 million people, the 2050th place is in the upper ranking (laughs). It was the filming with the most dancing ever. Dancing in leather made me sweat like Niagara Falls.
Kosuke: Your punchline is a bit of a bummer (laughs). You didn't land it properly so it sank.
Katsunari: It fell into the waterfall (laughs).

In reference to the title track, what time do you cherish the most?
Katsunari: For me it is the time when I take a bath. No matter how exhausted I am, I love to get into the bathtub every day and use different bath salts depending on my mood.
Kosuke: You really do it every day?
Katsunari: Yes, every day.
Kosuke: Even when you are super tired and get back home at 5 am? Even then you take a bath?
Katsunari: What’s with that talk (laughs).
Kosuke: I value the time I spend alone. When I am with other people, I end up thinking about something, so it is vital for me to have time to eat dinner alone, go to the cinema or just relax.
Katsunari: I envy that you can do things on your own, Honda-kun.
Kosuke: If you happen to spot me… Please don’t talk to me (laughs).

Living together with stink bugs had been hard, but encountering my friends was precious (Nakagawa)

I heard you had several part-time jobs in the past, so could you please tell us about those?
Katsunari: I have worked in a cafe, in a one Michelin star sushi restaurant, at a moving company and in a resort. The most memorable experience was the one at the resort. Back then I was living in the Hyogo prefecture and me and my friends were talking about saving some money and as I heard you could make a lot of money there, I decided to work at a ski report in the Niigata Prefecture. I stayed there for a month, but in the dorm stink bugs frequently appeared.
Kosuke: Just by imagining it… (laughs bitterly)
Katsunari: I lived with stink bugs for a month and even worse, as it was off-season, there was barely any work and I returned home having earned less money than if I had worked a part time job in my hometown, which left me with mixed feelings (laughs). But it was fun that people from various regions came there together and I made a lot of new friends, and in addition I could snowboard as much as I wanted, so I am glad that I went.
Kosuke: Let me try to sum my part time jobs up. In a cafe, at a karaoke place, at an izakaya, in a call center, at a pizza store, at a pasta shop, at an exclusive restaurant, at a bar, I was an event staff… I did quite a lot. At the call center, there was the quota of selling two contracts during the six hour shift, but my low voice is apparently not suitable for this kind of job, so there had been days where I couldn’t even sell one contract. My boss told me “Honda-kun, you can stop an hour earlier today” and I spent that one hour listening to a recording of 5 hours of me calling people while my seniors instructed me how I should do it. When I listened to recordings, I felt, Indeed no one would buy something from this voice (laughs bitterly).
Katsunari: How did you sound like?
Kosuke: “Hello, we currently have this campaign and….” (reenacts). It made me realize that there are jobs in this society that I am not suited for, and it was a good lesson for my life. I think people who continue to do this job are amazing.

If you have a dream you want to realize, you should say it out loud (Honda)

More than two years have passed since the group formation, but is there something you value in your work?
Kosuke: I have a clear image of OWV in mind, so that I won’t stray from that, I keep that principle in mind while looking for fitting content that the fans will enjoy.
Katsunari: For me it is to believe and stick to my own decisions. There are many cases in which OWV is involved in the direction and selection of the songs, so I believe that if we don’t believe in ourselves, we won’t do the right thing. There might be moments in the future when I think “This was the wrong choice”. However, I think this is also a part of the fertile ground that OWV was built on.

You two made your first step towards your dream by challenging an audition program, but please give advice to the younger generation who are also struggling on a daily basis.
Kosuke: I want to tell them “Say it out loud”. I think if you have something you want to do, you should tell it to the people around you, so that you can get information about it from and you can also get the courage that you are not struggling all alone. For example, even if it is a dream that others would laugh about, you can be more serious about it yourself by declaring it openly and because I believe there is such a thing as words can alter the reality, you should say the dream you want to realize out loud.
Katsunari: I think you should not forget to enjoy it no matter what job you are doing. Regardless of whether you do a job like us, be a student or work in a company, if you spend the same amount of time doing something, you will get more out of it if you enjoy it than if you don’t do so. There might be times when it is hard and tough for you, but I think it would be better to do it while finding something you enjoy in it. I think that curiosity and having a good time becomes the power to do your best, so I try to enjoy everything I do.

[OWV] JJ 220727

https://jj-jj.net/lifestyle/158392/

[OWV] What Urano Shuta-kun wants to do in order to make “the best summer day” happen is…?

The popular boy group OWV will be releasing their 6th single “Time Jackerz” under the concept of “Live” on 27 July. This summer we can finally enjoy typical summer events again. Along with photos of OWV wearing Yukata, we bring you interviews with each member under the theme of “Enjoying summer!”, where we talk about summer-related topics. As the third interview we bring you one with Urano Shuta-kun, their main vocalist who has a variety skills and a free and high voice that both improve day by day.

SHUTA URANO
Born 17 June 1997. 25 years old. From the prefecture Kanagawa. He is the main vocalist with a rich and expansive high voice. He is also the mood maker of the group who has been refining his skills to respond in variety programs over the years.

Eating watermelon after dinner is a bliss 🤍

When you hear the word “summer”, what is the first thing that comes into your mind?
Summer means~ cicadas!

By the way, Sano-kun also answered “bugs”.
No it was almost the same! Well then, watermelon! I love those. At home, we serve watermelon after dinner during this season. Actually, it is already like this. I eat quite a lot of it. It is best to eat some chilled watermelon after coming home from the summer heat outside.

It is a bit of a cliche, but I want to travel to Hawaii with everyone

Do you have a place you want to visit with the members this summer?
I want to go to Hawaii with them~ We ride a banana boat or jetski and when we are tired we chill at the beach or in the hotel. At night we eat a delicious steak and watch the beautiful scenery… Ah this would be so nice~ It is hot in Hawaii, but just being in another country is great! But we have to be careful not to get sunburnt (laughs). Ah, I want to fly to Hawaii right now!

The ideal day would be full of the things I like to do… gym, sauna, movies and dramas.

What kind of day would be “the best summer day” for you?
I would wake up a bit early. It is nice to spend a whole day sleeping, but I might regret it a little later. I wake up at 6, drink coffee and eat some bread, before going out. I guess I could go to Hawaii just like this~ (laughs) Just kidding, if I stay realistically, I would go to the gym and sauna! I want to spend it efficiently, doing all the things I like! But since it’s summer… It’s a bit of an hassle to leave the house during the day… (laughs) Just like Katsu-kun I hate the heat.If I wanted to make a blazing hot summer day the best summer day, I would get up early, but I would only leave the house in the evening! I would go shopping then. During the day, I would watch movies and dramas, turn on the air conditioner to the highest level, eat watermelon and relax! I am too much an indoor person, right? (laughs)

Competing with everyone in a fast eating challenge!

Please tell us what comes into your mind when you hear the word “summer food”.
Cucumbers!
(When he answered this, Honda-kun teased from the side “But you don’t even eat those!”)
Alright, watermelon! No, Kakigori. Last year we all made Kakigori together and ate it. This year I want to make a fast eating challenge out of it. Like who can eat Kakigori the fastest (laughs)

Onsen and a drive along the coast… Especially this year I want to travel with the members!

Tell us one of your “unforgettable summer memories”!
Shuta: The summer of PDJ~ Something more recent would be our “-WIND-” live! There are barely any special summer memories as OWV, so I would like to travel with the members even if it is somewhere close. Or we could go to an Onsen or on a drive. A drive along the shore would be nice… Yes, it would surely be fun! (Urano-kun seemed happy while he imagined this 🤍)

What is the song that makes Urano-kun say “When it comes to summer, there is only this one choice!”?

Now, please pick a song from the new single that “suits summer the best”!
Shuta: No matter how I look at it, it’s “Summer Days”. It is the only possible choice because the song is perfect for this summer. I want you to listen to it on blazing hot days or in midsummer. Or when you do something outside, or in the train or car when you go to a music festival or summer festival. But, you have to stay quiet even if you unintentionally get into the mood. Everyone, please stay quiet on the train!

[OWV] Classy 220726

https://classy-online.jp/lifestyle/223273/

[OWV] Urano Shuta-san’s favorite item since his childhood, which is “absolutely essential in his life” is…?

The 4 member boy group OWV will be releasing their 6th single “Time Jackerz” under the concept of “Live” on 27 July. Inspired by the leadtrack “Time Jackerz” , CLASSY brings you an interview with the topic “time” in which OWV are dressed in the timeless and classic “Parisian casual” style. The second one is with OWV’s main vocalist Urano Shuta-kun. He is also the mood maker of the group with his smooth high tone voice, so let's directly check out what he has to say about "time"!

My routine is to prepare everything before going to sleep!

You seem busy every day, but do you have any specialities or habits on how you use your time?
I lay out all the things I need on the next day before I go to sleep. For example, I neatly lineup my wallet, lip care, eye drops and so on on my desk, so in the morning I can take everything in one go and leave the house. When we shoot somewhere else or sleep in a hotel, I put the bath set on the table and prepare everything to be able to depart right away on the next day.

Ah, but… (speaks a little more quietly) Honda-kun can’t do that all… (laughhs). He is always searching for something like “Where did that paper go?” (laughs).

If I could timejack… I want to become a bird and fly around the world!

If you could timejack one day, what would you do?
I want to fly through the sky for one day. I want to become like a bird and fly around the whole world. It's more efficient to fly around the world when you are a bird than to get on a plane or something and go through the boarding process (laughs).

The theme for today is “Paris-like”, but would you like to visit Paris, too?
Yes! I enjoyed the “Paris-like feeling in Tokyo” at the shooting today, so I want to fly around the world lightly and freely and visit Paris like places in every country of this world.

Even in the dorm of PDJ! His favorite time that is essential during sleep is…

Is there any “thing/event you love timelessly”?
The towel I always use when I sleep! I can’t sleep if I don’t have it. I also brought it with me to the dorm of PDJ. As I use it for as long as I can remember, I had to replace it once because it was falling apart. Ah, of course I wash it, too (laughs). If I forget it when we go somewhere else, I have no choice but to endure using one of the towels provided by the hotel as a substitute but… I have been using this towel for years and this is the only truly essential thing in my life! I believe I will continue to love it for a long time. Yesterday we went to Osaka and I made sure to have it with me! The first one had a pineapple pattern in red and yellow and on the current one there is a picture of Donald Duck (laughs).

“Being understood without a word” This atmosphere is timeless

If you were to promise a “timeless charm” of OWV to QWV, what would it be?
It should be the atmosphere. Everyone knows that we are close, right? Hence, I think even if we don't say anything anymore, you understand our moods just by the atmosphere. I’m sure this is conveyed also in our live streams and schedules. I think QWV love this atmosphere and it is our charm. Family, friends, brothers… Our bond is hard to describe, but they always were and will always be timeless special people for me. People I always feel comfortable with.

Lastly, if you were to pick just one “timeless masterpiece” from the new single, which song would it be?
“Alight”! I think it is a song you can always listen to no matter the place or season. If you listen to it when you are feeling down or depressed, it can lift up your mood and even when you are not down, it can make you feel more positive! I want you to especially pay attention to the lyrics. I want you to listen to it when your efforts are not acknowledged or you make a joke and no one gets it (laughs). I think everyone can gain a new positive outlook from the lyrics that I sing: “Baby, you are working hard, aren’t you? But still sometimes… ♪” It means “I am at your side”, but well, I haven’t been in a situation yet where I failed and felt down, but when it happens, I want to listen to this song (laughs). I will listen to it during the about 5 times when I screw up in the future (laughs). Hence, when you also screw up, please listen to “Alright” and pay the most attention to the part I am singing!

[OWV] JJ 220725

https://jj-jj.net/lifestyle/158414/

[OWV] The song Nakagawa Katsunari-kun “wants you to listen to when you feel summer fatigue” is…?

The popular boy group OWV will be releasing their 6th single “Time Jackerz” under the concept of “Live” on 27 July. This summer we can finally enjoy typical summer events again. Along with photos of OWV wearing Yukata, we bring you interviews with each member under the theme of “Enjoying summer!”, where we talk about summer-related topics. As the second interview we bring you the summer Nakagawa Katsunari-kun, OWV’s pride with his tall and handsome visuals, wants to enjoy.

KATSUNARI NAKAGAWA
Born 16 March 1997. 25 years old. From the prefecture Hyogo. He's an all rounder who charms with his powerful and smooth raps and vocals. The gap between his handsome visuals and calm personality heals one QWV after another.

A summer trauma was born from the centipede incident!

When you hear the word “summer”, what is the first thing that comes into your mind?
Bugs! (laughs) It is because of something that happened during high school when I made a firework display with a few friends. I felt something strange on my back, but as it was dark I couldn’t see anything. But I just knew that there was something… so when I brushed it off with my hand, it turned out to be an insanely huge centipede…! Just by remembering it, I’m trembling again (laughs). Luckily I didn’t get stung, but it became a summer trauma for me.

Also, summer means “family vacation” for me. Traveling with my family had been an annual summer event, but because of the pandemic we were unable to… I can’t wait for the day we can restart the family vacations, as they are so important to me as if “summer means family vacation” is carved into my DNA. I think the last one was to Hawaii in the year before Produce. In Hawaii there is a morning market at the foot of Diamond Mountain every weekend. Whenever we went to Hawaii, we had the family routine of going to eat breakfast there. Back then I wasn’t a morning person and yet it was a refreshing and meaningful time. It is one of my memories from the family vacations.

If I went on a summer vacation with the members… I would go to Hokkaido to defy the heat!

Do you have a place you want to visit with the members this summer?
Since I cannot tolerate heat well, I want to travel with the members to Hokkaido and a lot of delicious things like seafood! I want to work hard so that we can have a concert in Hokkaido one day.

This year is the 3rd summer I spent with OWV. Because of the pandemic we were hardly able to go out and even though we spent so much time together, I barely have summer memories with them… The single summer memory I have is when only the members went on a drive at the beach on the way to return the car after wrapping up the location filming for our show “OWV road”!

The best summer for indoor people needs first of all an air conditioner!

What kind of day would be “the best summer day” for you?
Since I am an indoor person, I want to play games with my friends in a cool room while drinking an ice-cold juice (laughs). I don’t like summer because I sweat a lot… I only need to walk two steps outside and I will be already sweating! It is different from the pleasant sweat you have when you play some sport, you know? I want to avoid sweating as much as I can, so I shut myself in an air conditioned room (laughs).

Hashimakis are an essential summer festival food!

Please tell us what comes into your mind when you hear the word “summer food”.
Pickled cucumber. When I see them at the conbini I think “Ah summer is here!”. Out of the OWV members, only me and Honda-kun often eat it. And if I went to a summer festival? I used to eat Hashimaki in the car on the way home when I went with my family. Do you know this? It is my favorite food from the food stalls and it’s something similar to Okonomiyaki wrapped around chopsticks. If you find it, you need to try it!

A plush toy incident took place at my grandpa’s home

Tell us one of your “unforgettable summer memories”!
When I was in kindergarten I had a hamster plush toy that I really loved. When I went to the house of my grandparents alone I accidentally dropped it in a nearby river. My grandpa was so kind and said “Wait a bit!” and did his best to get it out for me… This is one summer scene I remember from my childhood (laughs). This plush toy is still at my parent's house!

“Alright” is a song that suits summer evenings

Now, please pick a song from the new single that “suits summer the best”!
It’s “Alright”. It is a song that can be enjoyed regardless of the season, but it suits the evening hours in summer with its warm and enveloping lyrics and melody, so it’s perfect for soothing your exhausted heart while watching the sunset. Please listen to it when you are suffering from summer fatigue!

[OWV] QJWeb 220725

https://qjweb.jp/feature/73715/?mode=all

OWV’s goal for their 3rd year since their formation. Appealing “OWV’s style” in every direction with their refined performances and MCs

OWV is a 4 member boy group formed by Honda Kosuke, Nakagawa Katsunari, Urano Shuta and Sano Fumiya. Their dynamic performances let you forget that they have only 4 members and their very own quality is their eagerness regarding “talks” showcased in their variety program appearances and their MCs at live shows.

This group is releasing their 6th single “Time Jackerz” on 27 July. A unique world created under the concept of “Live” strongly expresses the group's colors as if it was to say “This is OWV!”. They are known for their “live performances skills”, but this single pushes those up to a new level.

In this interview we asked them about their particulars regarding live performances and their thoughts on “Time Jackerz”, while at the end we asked them to express their goal for their 3rd year after formation in one word.

The MCs at live shows are like “one song”

Was there some response regarding your appearance at “KCON 2022 Premiere” which took place on 14 and 15 May?
Kosuke: There was.
Shuta: Personally, rather than having performed to the point of confidently being able to say “There had been some response”, I believe our determination to blow everyone’s minds was stronger than the one of any other group.
Fumiya: However, I wanted to talk a bit more.
Shuta: In this case, I wanted to perform more songs, too.
Katsunari: You wanted to do more of everything (laughs).
Fumiya: It gave us confidence that people thought “It was fun” even after such a short performance like this event had been.
Shuta: And we found a new task for us. I hope we can create an even better stage than the one at “KCON 2022 Premiere”.

You appeared along with various other boy groups like JO1, INI, Enjin and OCTPATH, but was there some concrete challenge you felt as a group?
Fumiya: That we don’t have many members…
Katsunari: We don’t have any minors. There isn’t any freshness.
Fumiya: Also, two members (Nakagawa & Urano) can’t drink any alcohol.
Katsunari: It became more and more out of topic (laughs).
Fumiya: I was just joking (laughs). But I believe not having many members is not a disadvantage for us.
Shuta: I felt that is not our final goal. We can do better.

You also performed at the “Rakuten GirlsAward 2022 SPRING/SUMMER” on the 14 May.
Shuta: At this event we cut songs into a half so that we could insert MCs. Out of the 4 songs we performed, we performed 2 songs in short versions.
Fumiya: But I think there are also a lot of groups who think “Let’s have people listen to a lot of our songs”.
Shuta: It had been Honda-kun’s idea to “make time for the MC”.
Kosuke: OWV is particular about our MCs, hence we can proudly say that “MCs are also part of OWV’s charms”. That’s why we have meetings about the MCs until midnight on the day before a show.
Fumiya: For us, a MC is not just an interlude, it feels more like a song.
Shuta: That’s the high quality we are aiming for.

What do you keep in mind for the MCs?
Kosuke: I guess it is to often address the audience when we perform at an external event. We also keep in mind not to make inside jokes.
Fumiya: We use phrases that everyone can understand. If we use words in a way that is popular within the group, they become like an inside joke, so we make sure of using words that everyone knows.
Kosuke: On the other hand, if it is our own live show, we go all out with our jokes (laughs). This is a point that we want you to look forward to.

Not only your performances but your talks are also becoming more and more polished.
Katsunari: We have nurtured them in the 2 years since our debut.
Fumiya: After all, since our agency is what it is (OWV’s agency is Yoshimoto Kogyo), there are nothing but people who have better talk skills than us. I feel it is a great privilege for us that we can watch their talks closely.
Shuta: We are constantly experimenting, but I hope that the audience will enjoy our frank MCs, too.
Fumiya: Because we would hate it to be like “The Iromonea” where we have to make people laugh.
TN: “The Iromonea” is the shortened name for the variety show “Unnan Kyokugen neta battle! Za Iromonea Warawaseta to hyakumanen” (literally: Unnan’s extreme joke battle! The Iromonea If you make us laugh, you get 1 Million Yen), hosted by the comedy duo “Ucchan Nanchan” or short “Unnan”

Is there something other than the MC you keep in mind during a show?
Fumiya: Tying my shoelaces properly so they will not untie during the show.
Shuta: This is really important. I tie them in a double knot. It is something basic, but I try not to neglect stretching.
Fumiya: Speaking of something unique to me, I guess it would be not to eat before the live. It is more of a jinx than a habit, but I feel I can do better if I don’t eat before.
Shuta: Also, I keep in mind to look into the face of every single person in the audience. I can also see the ones far away.

This is “OWV’s style” as a song

I would also like you to ask about “Time Jackerz''. Which rather describes the timing of the release? Is it the first one of your third year, starting from your formation day, 11 April 2020, or is it the last one of your second year, starting from your debut date, 30 September 2020?
Kosuke: If I had to choose, it would be “The first one in our third year”. For the previous single “You” we challenged a mid tempo ballad for the first time, which prompted us to think again “What is a typical song for us?”. With the first song in our third year we wanted to make the statement of “This is OWV!”. We wanted to show the world more of “OWV’s style”. We believed that “Time Jackerz” could be the song that leads us through our activities in 2022 during which we put emphasis on live shows.

Were the three songs chosen by the members?
Katsunari: Actually we received the 3 songs some time ago already.
Kosuke: We felt “We want to release these songs as OWV one day” and released them at the perfect timing now.

The concept of the single is “Live”, right?
Katsunari: I think OWV’s strength is to be able to charm everyone also at live performances and this single is designed for live performances. Hence, we choose “Time Jackerz” believing that it will shine at concert venues.

The lyrics of “Time Jackerz” were written by GASHIMA.san who had also written the lyrics for your debut single “UBA UBA” and the composers of the song are people working for the first time with you.
Katsunari: Being able to showcase songs created by a variety of people, lets us show new sides of OWV. so I think this is a huge benefit for us. Shuta: To say it frankly, GASHINA-san is like a kind older brother. He accompanied us for the vocal directing.
Fumiya: There are also passages in the lyrics that had been changed during our discussions. We moved forward while we made suggestions “I would like to do this like this over here”, so it strongly feels like that we made this song together.

Which lyrics were changed to reflect your intentions?
Shuta: For example “We gonna take this moment away” at the start of the song.
Fumiya: The original lyrics were “Pretty tropical”, weren’t they?
Katsunari: It had been something absolutely different (laughs).

The choreographer is Kasper-san who has also made choreographies for EXO or SHINee. Did you decide together to ask him to make one for you?
Katsunari: Normally everything dance related is done by Fumiya and Honda-kun, but this time me and Shuta were like “How about him?”
Kosuke: Originally, me and Fumiya suggested several choreographers for this and when we decided “We will ask this person”...
Fumiya: It was like a confession scene in “Ainori”, when they said “Wait a minute!” (laughs).
Kosuke: As it was something rare for these two to suggest a choreographer, we decided to honor their opinion.
Shuta: But you liked the idea, too?
Kosuke: Of course! Because Kasper-san’s choreography fits the image of “Time Jackerz” and above all it’s cool.
Fumiya: So far we had a lot of choreographies that appealed with their formation, but “Time Jackerz” has a lot of movements while the formation itself is simple. I feel like I never have a break because I'm moving around at full force the whole time.

Costumes that showcase “the near future”
Your costumes also have quite some impact.
Kosuke: The visual concept is “near future”. As the release is in July, you might think of something summer related, but “Time Jackerz” is a song that you can always listen to because it clearly demonstrates OWV’s colors. We did not want it to be a song that has a “summer song” image, so we dared to use leather for the material. We chose a costume fitting to each member while consulting with the stylists.
Shuta: Each one of us has his individuality shining, right? Also it is rare that only Fumiya got an outfit with a white base while for the rest of us a lot of black is used. I think all of us got something they like about their outfit.
Katsunari: In my case it is the triangle from my shoulders to my chest. This design had originally been a normal square. Another keypoint is the sharply angled pattern on my legs. By making it overall look sharp and stylish, I aimed to bring it closer to the “near future” concept.
Shuta: I was particular about the silhouette of the jacket. I wanted it to have a square form, so I chose one with a box silhouette. Also, I think the chains. As my pants have no pattern, I wanted to add some contrast with accessories.

How about you, Honda-kun?
Kosuke: Personally I like the white lines on my jacket because they make me look like Kamen Rider.

You look like you could henshin (=transform) just like this.
Kosuke: Should I try it? Okay, I’m gonna do the henshin scene from episode 30.
(gets up from his seat and moves to the outside of the room)
Katsunari: It’s okay, he starts with his appearance.
(Honda-san vigorously runs straight from the entrance, imagining he was jumping in front of an enemy doing evil at this moment. Then, while running, he keeps the imagined enemy in check with his eyes)
Kosuke: Henshin!
(Saying this, Honda-san rushes in front of the members and the interviewer without striking a pose)
Shuta: You did the henshin without a pose (laughs)!
Kosuke: In the later half of the Kamen Rider series they do it without a pose.
Katsunari: They enter the fight just like this, right?

Thank you very much for this precious henshin scene (laughs). Next, how about you, Sano-san?
Fumiya: So my henshin…
Shuta: No not this (laughs).
Fumiya: I chose a silhouette that seemed to have some mobility. Besides that, it is sporty and small sized just like Sano Fumiya. By the way, I can open the zippers on my sleeves.
Katsunari: Eh, I didn’t know that.

I have heard there had been the request “Please open the zippers of your sleeves” during yonton (an event in which they can communicate with the fans online).
Fumiya: I don’t think I revealed that myself. I replied “Congrats” to the person who noticed that (laughs).

Was it intentional that your hair color is a darker tone this time?
Fumiya: Yes it was. Because Honda-kun’s hair is quite red.
Katsunari: And Shuta’s hair is also a light blonde.

“Time Jackerz” is full of audio and visual highlights

The second song “Summer Days” is really catchy, isn’t it?
Katsunari: The track and the melody of the song have an impact as if they pierced through the blue summer sky. I think it is going to be a lot of fun when we perform it at an outdoor event.
Shuta: It makes everyone want to wave their towels while sweating (under the summer sun), right?
Katsunari: The melody line is easy to grasp and I think it is a song that everyone easily relates to.

Following “Roar”, “Get Away’” and “You”, Lauren Kaori-san also wrote the lyrics for the 3rd song, “Alright”.
Katsunari: She is someone who puts our characteristics into the lyrics.
Shuta: She wrote great lyrics that speak to you.
Katsunari: I think it is a song that heals your exhausted body and mind. The melody is gentle and it would be nice to arrange it with an acoustic guitar.

Is the one who raps at the beginning of the second verse Honda-san?
Kosuke: That’s right. This part had been quite difficult.
Katsunari: You have to put so many words on the melody.
Kosuke: The key however is perfect. It is not too high, but it was difficult to sing at this speed in this tone. I asked Katsu to sing this a lot for me.
Katsunari: It made me happy that you practiced while listening to the demo I recorded.
Kosuke: Ah, don’t mention it.
Katsunari: The aniki seems a little tsundere, doesn't he? (laughs)

Please tell us the highlight of the bluray “OWV LIVE TOUR 2021 -CHASER- at Kanagawa Live Stage” that is part of the FC limited edition.
Kosuke: Please enjoy the concert that has been created by sound and light.
Fumiya: Aren’t fountain shows described like that? Something along the lines of a show of sound and light? (laughs)
Kosuke: There was sound and light and we were the fountains.

Expressing the goal of the 3rd year since the formation in one word

Lastly, please let me know our goals for the third year after your formation.
Kosuke: We want to show our faces at even more different places. Because after “KCON 2022 Premiere” and “Rakuten GirlsAward 2022 SPRING/SUMMER” I thought that it is important to break into places with an audience that doesn’t know us yet. And I want more people to think “OWV’s live performances are fun!”. To make it short, appearing at a lot of events.
Fumiya: That sounds as if you were writing a summer diary. Like “eating a lot of watermelons” (laughs).
Kosuke: Other than live shows, I want to use the third year to expand our range of activities.

Please let me ask you about your personal goals, too. If you are okay with it, please do it in one word just like during our interview for “Ready Set Go”.
Shuta: What was it last time… I really don’t want it to be the same.

By the way last time, Honda-san picked “進” (advance), Nakagawa-san “破” (Breaking), Urana-san “密” (dense/intimate) and Sano-san “色” (color).
Shuta: Hearing what we chose last time actually raised the hurdle.
Fumiya: It became more difficult after Shuta asked (laughs).

Then, what should we do? (in this moment Nakagawa-san left his seat to take his solo-pictures)
Kosuke: I got one. “挑(む)” (to challenge). After all, I want to make it a year full of challenges.
Shuta: What could it be for me? I guess “タノ(楽しむ) (to enjoy).
Kosuke: Could it be that you mean a different “to enjoy” than we are imagining right now?
Fumiya: Indeed, the meaning is kinda difficult.
Shuta: Like going chomp chomp chomp chomp steadily as if we were cutting down a tree! Because I have the wish for us to be an OWV who can entertain QWV with a unified heart even after we have become grandpas. I believe under no circumstance we should forget to enjoy it.
Kosuke: I get what you mean. We will always enjoy it.
Fumiya: I chose “浸(る)” (to be immersed). I want to make it a year in which we make people who don’t know us yet immersed in our charms and at the same time I want to immerse myself more in the time spent with these members and improve the quality of our performances further. Regarding our fans who know us already, I hope they can listen to more songs from us and immerse themselves deeper into OWV.
Kosuke: In my case…
Shuta: Ah, he’s trying to change his answer!
Kosuke: In the end it would be “時" (time). I want to have a good time with QWV and I want us to become a group who makes the time everyone gives us more intense, so the release date of “Time Jackerz" fits to this.
(Nakagawa-san returns after wrapping up his shooting)
Shuta: Katsu-kun, we are at the topic of expressing our goals for the 3rd year in one word.
Katsunari: Since OWV are close with each other, I go with “タノ(楽しむ) (to enjoy).
Shuta: You picked the same one as me!
Kosuke: Wait (laughs) Weren’t you the one who said “I really don’t want it to be the same”?
Katsunari: But it might be that my answer is kinda unusual.
Kosuke: It might be that Katsu’s “タノしむ” might be another kanji.
Katsunari: It is the kanji “楽” (raku / ease)
Shuta: It is the same as mine! (laughs)!
Katsunari: I have spent two years together with the members and every day was truly fun. So, I wonder what kind of fun the third year will bring. Or should I change it to another word?
Kosuke: No it is fine just as it is. I feel “楽” is the most appropriate way to close this.

Everything fell into the place beautifully as if it was scripted.
Kosuke: Actually, I had planned that from the start… No, I’m just kidding (laughs).

TN: Japanese lesson time. The kanji 楽 got various readings and meanings depending on the context. As a verb or adjective it is (usually) read as tano as seen for example in the words 楽しむ “to enjoy”、 楽しみにする (to look forward to) or 楽しい (enjoyable/ fun).
However when it stands alone 楽 is read as raku, where it can be a noun, meaning “comfort” or “ease” for example or an adjective meaning “easy”, “without any troubles” and so on.
Also, there are of course much more meanings but for this I tried to pick the ones that felt the closest to their intentions. I hope this explains Shuta’s and Katsunari’s conversation a bit better.

[OWV] Classy 220724

https://classy-online.jp/lifestyle/223305/

[OWV] “I can easily eat a 1.000 gram steak!” Sano Fumiya-san reveals his surprising eating routine!

The 4 member boy group OWV will be releasing their 6th single “Time Jackerz” under the concept of “Live” on 27 July. Inspired by the leadtrack “Time Jackerz” , CLASSY brings you an interview with the topic “time” in which OWV are dressed in the timeless and classic “Parisian casual” style. The first one is with Sano Fumiya-san who is known for his refined performances that are shaped by his rich dance experience!

Shortening my meal times! I eat a 1kg steak in one meal

You seem busy every day, but do you have any specialities or habits on how you use your time?
I am the kind of person who prepares his items the night before. I am shortening the time I need in the morning by taking some extra steps the day before so that I don’t have to hurry up when I wake up. Also there are my meal times. I skip breakfast and lunch and instead I eat a lot at night! Hence, I eat one meal per day and sometimes even nothing… I shorten my meal times and make them more efficient. But I am aware that I sound weird… (laughs). But that one meal is very huge and I can easily eat a 1.000 gram steak! Well… that’s a bit weird, isn’t it? (laughs)

Hijacking a train for a surprise show!?

If you could timejack one day, what would you do?
I want to perform in a train! When I was a child, I once watched a Kamen Rider show starting in a train after I boarded it. I remember that… out of nowhere a monster boarded the train and while I was still surprised by that, Kamen Rider also appeared, so I would like to hijack a train like this with OWV, too. Wouldn’t that be fun?

Only to be revealed here, his mischievous elementary school days

Is there any “thing/event you love timelessly”?
It is a paper board that was given to me by a teacher who is deceased now. During elementary school, I was such a mischievous kid that I visited the principal's office so often to the point I became friends with the principal (laughs). Hence, at my graduation ceremony my teacher gave me this board with “和” (harmony) written in calligraphy, meaning “constantly keep harmony in your mind”. I always keep this safe with me so that I won’t forget harmony.

Making you laugh once a day, OWV will make sure of it!

If you were to promise a “timeless charm” of OWV to QWV, what would it be?
What we can do is to make you laugh once a day! There is also a very hilarious recent episode… (laughs) It’s about Honda-kun. He recently moved and tried to be cool by ordering a big sofa. It arrived yesterday but it is so huge that he has no room left for himself (laughs). It still doesn’t fit his capacity, but he tries too hard to be cool about it (laughs). But we as OWV can also laugh about it!

Lastly, if you were to pick just one “timeless masterpiece” from the new single, which song would it be?
Fumiya: Sure enough it would be “Alright”. I think it is a song a lot of people can enjoy regardless of the season. My personal favourite part is when I sing words that don’t sound like me. I hope you will pay attention to the parts I’m singing.

[OWV] JJ 220723

https://jj-jj.net/lifestyle/158415/

[OWV] What is “the secret post-concert routine” that Honda Kosuke-kun told us off?

The popular boy group OWV will be releasing their 6th single “Time Jackerz” under the concept of “Live” on 27 July. This summer we can finally enjoy typical summer events again. Along with photos of OWV wearing Yukata, we bring you interviews with each member under the theme of “Enjoying summer!”, where we talk about summer-related topics. The first interview is with OWV’s Aniki Honda Kosuke whose intense dancing is his charm.

KOSUKE HONDA

Born 11 April 1995. 27 years old. From the prefecture Fukushima. He has a caring and manly personality and is well liked as a big brother like figure. He is known for his powerful dancing and he is also sometimes in charge of choreographing for the group.

My summer holidays in school were my youth with having club activities all summer long!

When you hear the word “summer”, what is the first thing that comes into your mind?
School club activities. In middle school I was in the baseball club and in high school in the track and field club, so my summer holidays consisted of me having club activities the whole time. In summer there were big tournaments and I was cheered by a lot of other athletes and I cheered for them… I think that the summer days I spent at the fields were my youth!

I want to go to a riverbank to have a BBQ with all the members!

If you thought of a place you want to go to with your members this summer?
I don’t care whether it is in the mountains or a riverbank somewhere else, but I want to go to some riverbank and go fishing and have a BBQ! Of course together with all members. Someone can be fishing, others can swim, someone makes the food and so on. At night we have fireworks and it will be a day trip. I wonder if we could do so for video content or a photo shooting since I mentioned it here. Even if we go there for SNS content, it is like we do something in private for us as we usually spend a lot of time together, so it is all okay (laughs).

The best summer day for Honda-kun would be… “I want to go back home to my family and sleep the whole day”

What kind of day would be “the best summer day” for you?
Going back home to my family and sleeping the whole time (laughs). I only went home once since OWV had been formed. Because of the current situation it is hard to do so. Lazing around, dozing, eating ice cream whenever I want to and playing with my sister and nephews… My nephews are 4 years old and 6 years old! I met them when I went home that one time and they were so adorable. I bought them all kinds of things (laughs). I wonder what my friends from my hometown are doing right now. I guess they are still there, so I would like to meet them again for the first time in a while. Ah- it would be fun!

His favorite “summer food” since elementary school days are “cucumbers”!

Please tell us what comes into your mind when you hear the word “summer food”.
Pickled cucumber. This is the summer food! As far as I can remember it I have been saying that cucumbers are my favorite food since elementary school, so I am a hardcore fan. Out of the OWV members only Katsu eats them, too, but the others don’t. I believe they prevent heat stroke, so please rehydrate yourself and replenish your salt intake with a pickled cucumber!

His post-live routine with Sano-kun is…?

Tell us one of your “unforgettable summer memories”!
Last summer we were able to have shows in Tokyo and Osaka, but being able to travel to Osaka and perform there for the first time was an unforgettable experience. After the live ended, the members gathered in the hotel room and we talked a lot while watching the footage from that day. Fumiya and I have that mysterious post-live routine where the first thing we drink after a show is Smirnoff vodka and that after party after our first live in Osaka prompted this. We usually don’t drink it, but out of our excitement we bought it somehow. Because we rarely drank it before together with the strange excitement after the show made it really good! Since then, we always drink a bottle of Smirnoff after a show (laughs).

Also after the “Warai Mirai Fes” that took place during the golden week, we drank Smirnoff. That day ust the four of us stayed in Osaka and we had a small after party in the hotel room. As KCON was coming up, we decided on the line distribution for the cover song while singing it in the bath… We talked until the morning and it was such a funny night~ Shuta and Katsu cannot drink alcohol, but it was OK since we talked together with the same excitement. The OWV members are really always together. Yesterday we came back from Osaka at 3 pm and after going home for a moment, we met again at night and went to eat Yakiniku. We met while saying “But we're gonna see each other tomorrow again!” (laughs).

I want to hype up performances in summer with “Summer Days”!

So, please pick a song from the new single that “suits summer the best”!
I want you to listen to “Summer Days” at our shows in summer. “Time Jackerz” is more a song that gets you fired up, while “Summer Days” is more a song that no matter who listens to it, they can get into the vibe of it. I think it became a song that will be essential for our summer shows, so please check it out!

[JO1] Nippon Housou News Online 220727

https://news.1242.com/article/375977

JO1’s Shiroiwa Ruki fully enjoys his hotel life in South Korea “I really wanted to show it to someone…”

On the night of the 20th July (Wednesday), the radio program ‘JO1 All Night Nippon X’ (every Wednesday at 24~24:58 on Nippon Housou) aired in which Shiroiwa Ruki of the 11 member global boy group JO1 acts as the main personality. As the weekly changing personalities Kawashiri Ren and Mamehara Issei joined him. Following the broadcast from the week before, they revealed they were still in South Korea and talked about their hotel life during this stay.

Issei: We are currently in South Korea. During the last broadcast Sho-kun had said “I go out quite often”, didn’t he?

Ruki: He did.

Issei: I spend a lot of time in the hotel, so I would like to know about everyone’s hotel life.We have quite some time at night after practise and the rest finished, so I wonder what you guys are doing?

Ruki:: Compared to other members I barely go out, too.

Issei: Ah, that’s true.

Ruki: As I spend a lot of time in the hotel, I changed the arrangement a bit to make it more like my own room so that I feel more comfortable. Normally, I spend such times without taking out everything from my suitcase. However, this time I took everything out, stored it properly and made it like my own room. It became really neat!

Issei: Eh~!

Ruki: I felt like Maybe there is no one who got the same level of neatness, so I ended up wanting to show it someone, so yesterday I told Sho “Please come to see my room”.

Ren: I see.

Ruki: He said “Oh my god! This is not a hotel, but your room!” And then, Sho-kun copied me and made his room neatly. It is really that when you make the room like your own one back home, the coziness becomes perfect! By the way, Ren-kun, how is your one?

Ren: It is a jungle!

Issei: A jungle?

Ren: Ah, have you come to my room already?

Ruki: No.

Ren: I am sensitive to dryness. My throat tends to get dry during sleep. So also at home I have a humidifier, an air purifier, and a built-in air humidifier to keep my throat moist.

Issei: (laughs)

Ren: So even at the hotel we are staying at, I have a humidifier at my bedside and one on my desk,to have it humified like in a jungle.

Issei: This is really a jungle (laughs).

Shiroiwa talked about how he keeps his hotel room as neat as room at home, so much that he invited the member Yonashiro Sho over to take a look. Meanwhile, Kawashiri talked about keeping his room moist with two humidifiers. After hearing about these particular hotel lifes, Mamehara confessed “My room… is a mess”, which made the other two laugh.

[JO1] Nippon Housou News Online 220713

https://news.1242.com/article/372960

JO1’s Kinjo Sukai “Today, well, I will talk about ‘U-kun’ and ‘Mi-chan’” - the latest news about his beloved pets

On the night of the 6th July (Wednesday), the radio program ‘JO1 All Night Nippon X’ (every Wednesday at 24~24:58 on Nippon Housou) aired in which Shiroiwa Ruki of the 11 member global boy group JO1 acts as the main personality. As the weekly changing personalities Ohira Shosei and Kinjo Sukai appeared in this episode. He reported the latest news of his pets, Hercules beetles, which are the world's largest beetles.

Kinjo had also appeared on the 8th June episode and back then he revealed that he keeps two Hercules beetles as pets. He gave them the names “U-kun” and “Mi-chan” and happily talked about how he carefully raises them.

Ruki: Sukai, have you anything interesting recently?

Sukai: Rather than something interesting, I think I have “a story everyone is interested in”.

Ruki: Well, okay (laughs)

Sukai: Today I would like to delve deeply into the talk about “U-kun” and “Mi-chan”.

Ruki: Please do so.

Sukai: My “U-kun” and “Mi-chan” are larvae of Hercules beetles, the world's largest beetles, and I am raising them now.

Ruki: I see.

Sukai: When I talked about them the last time (during the broadcast on 8th June), I had just started keeping them and they still felt like babies, but recently they have grown a lot. I said that before, too, but I diligently control the temperature because I want to raise them in a very good environment. They eat a lot of soil.

Shosei: oh!

Sukai: Their weight quite increased a lot, too, but the bigger the weight of the larva, the bigger it will be when it becomes a beetle.

Shosei: Yes yes.

Sukai: So, I am aiming for 200 grams! But, I know that’s absolutely impossible. Still, they have grown so much that it really surprised me.

Shosei: So amazing~!

Ruki: You keep two beetles, right?

Sukai: Right. A male and a female one.

Afterwards, Kinjo’s beetle talk continued and he passionately spoke about the troubles of breeding and his feelings for the two. By the way, “U-kun” and “Mi-chan” also live in Kinjo’s bedroom and he softly said “Somehow, I feel that I want to be with them and that I am raising children.”.

[JO1] QJ Web 220706

https://qjweb.jp/feature/73135/

Shiroiwa Ruki, Sato Keigo and Mamehara Issei talk about “JO1’s All Night Nippon X”. The idea of “the vibe of a night during a study trip”.

Since April 2022 “JO1’s All Night Nippon X” (later shortened to ANNX) has been airing. Shiroiwa Ruki, who serves as the main personality of it., welcomes two other JO1’s members as partners each week and the program features a free talk and various activities.

Each week the Twitter hashtag “#JO1ANNX” takes the first place of the Trend ranking (*excluding 22 June when “‘#HappyTakumiDay”, celebrating JO1’s Kawanishi Takumi’s birthday, took the first place) and unexpected chemistries, born from the units, are one of the charms of this program. QJWeb closely followed the 22 June broadcast in which Sato Keigo and Mamehara Issei appeared. Before the broadcast we held an interview with the three members.

The way they spend the day before the radio and the broadcast day

At the two partners, when did you get to know about your appearance?
Issei: It was quite early this time.
Keigo: Right. But it depends.

After your appearance is decided, does the way you spend the day before or the broadcast day change?
Keigo: I do not really prepare myself, but I try to get a good sleep, so that I will not come here being exhausted. Today, too, I slept well.
Issei: Because it is a program at a late hour, right. Normally at this time… I play games or sleep (laughs).

Shiroiwa-san, are you told about the appearing members at the same time as them?
Ruki: Yes, mostly at the same time.

What do you think about the two today?
Ruki: Yes… Right (laughs). Keigo has times when he is in a good form and times when he is in a bad form.
Keigo: Right.
Ruki: When we match, we really do.
Issei: (laughs)
Ruki: However, there are times when he gets out of control, so… each time I am doing it, wondering “How is his form today?”.
Issei: Like a director (laughs).
Keigo: Today I hope to match with Ruki-kun.
Ruki: Oh! I am really grateful.

Keeping in mind the whole group

You have this fixed schedule each week and I am sure that you must have a lot of things going around in your head during your broadcast, Shiroiwa-san. Is there anything that has changed in your daily life or have you started a routine since ANNX has started?
Ruki: That’s right… I have started to meditate. There is quite a lot of what I think about. Like the radio, but also other things like work. So, I close my eyes and meditate for 15 minutes during the day, while not thinking of anything and reset my mind once. I have started to do so every day.
Keigo: That’s amazing.
Ruki: I used to have the habit of overthinking before sleeping and I wanted to stop that. In order to lighten both my mind and heart, I made time to close my eyes and not to think of anything before I go to sleep. Since I started to do this, I became able to talk more relaxed.

Do you think “Ah, I could talk about this on the radio” when something funny or interesting happens in your life?
Ruki: I do. In addition, as the members change weekly, I try to keep in mind to remember something that is related to the whole group rather than an individual episode.

Do you feel like you are preparing yourself for the radio on a daily basis?
Ruki: Yes. I even take memos in order not to forget things. For example, today, I made sure to remember what Keigo and Mame talked about when they last came here. Because I hope to create a flow that connects to these previous broadcasts.

When your appearance is decided, do you think about your stories for free talk in advance, Sato-san and Mamehara-san?
Keigo: No, not really.
Issei: Right. I feel the same.
Keigo: Because I feel it is better to talk following the flow naturally than to prepare for it.

His future task as the main personality

However, isn’t a live broadcast scary?
Keigo: I think it could be easier to have our usual casual conversations like this.
Ruki: This is my ideal, too. I hope we can bring a carefree and relaxed atmosphere as if we were in the dressing room to the fans and listeners. Because we like the vibe of the nights of a study trip (laughs), we have the hope that people hear and know us in a casual state and not in our usual work mood. But, once it starts, sure enough, everyone will watch us and there are also reactions and we cannot help but get tense.
Keigo: I tend to get into it. After all, it is a live broadcast.
Ruki: Right. But, I have the ideal that I would like to do it in a just casual manner.

Sato-san you expressed that “you get into it”, but you do not get nervous?
Ruki: In the beginning he was? Like before it started?
Keigo: I do. Because it is a live broadcast and it is a place to do it properly. So… it is hard for me to… get into the right form. For today, I hope to do it calmly.

How do you differentiate it from your fan club web radio “Jamming with JO1”?
Issei: This is because well… it is our close circle (laughs).
Keigo: Right, we can do inside jokes.
Ruki: It is our “home” where only people listen who know us well and like us, so every single teasing changes it. I was told that by Keigo, but during ANNX my teasing towards him becomes nicer (laughs). Sure enough, during ANNX I have to pay attention to the way people see me. I have to be considerate to various things because there are listeners who do not know about JO1. We can take a step away from this in “Jamming”.
But I hope ANNX will become like this. I hope that we can gradually make it our home. I want to make the radio more JO1-like. It is still kinda difficult… So this is my future task.

The chemistries with the weekly changing members

Did you ever have some typical live broadcast accidents that made you say “back then, I was actually really panicking”?
Ruki: There was one.. During the one for which Sukai and Shion joined. It was a prerecorded broadcast, however. Out of nowhere, a staff member explained that we have to cut one song. We could not play 3 songs, but only two. This is not something rare, but back then the arrangement between the staff member (who sat next to me in the booth) and me did not go well and they told me “After you said the announcement, the jingle comes”, but there was no “announcement” in the script. I did not understand what I was supposed to say and I stayed silent for about two minutes during the conversation. I was panicking at that moment. But Sukai and Shion kept on talking for me the whole time.

Kinjo-san and Tsurubo-san understood the situation and followed it, right?
Ruki: I was communicating with a staff member right in front of them, so I think they made the connection for me. Actually I should have been the one to lead, but I feel bad for making the two younger members take care of it for me. Yes, there was such an episode.

Lastly, please tell us once more what you recommend about “JO1’s ALL NIGHT NIPPON X”.
Ruki: Each week, two different members appear, but I think one of the points that make the show enjoyable is the chemistry that is created by these units.It is interesting to see the differences in who comes together and the ones in age. I also do my best to make it work each time and I hope you will enjoy the various chemical reactions.

By the way, do some members volunteer, saying “I want to appear”? For example, in the broadcast you mentioned that Kono Junki-san is a “semi-regular” for it.
Issei: Recently, he has not come, right?
Ruki: Indeed (laughs). I want him to appear and I want more and more members to come, but hardly everyone… It is, in fact, a live broadcast and there are some who are still nervous, so they say “It is something I am not used to” (laughs).
Issei: (laughs)
Ruki: But after it ended we went home together, saying “It was so much”. I hope they will grow accustomed to it slowly and keep on coming.
TN: The next week (29 June) however, Junki did appear again.

[JO1] Josei Seven 220804

Part 2 because the shooting in Okinawa was just too good!

A "summer treasure" for you

When these two are together, they are constantly smiling. This mutually effectionate chemi YonaRen, made from JO1's Yonashiro Sho and Kawashiri Ren, showed us their exclusive cool and sweet expressions. Since we were unable to include all pictures in the 14 July issue, there is part 2 of the "JO1 x Okinawa" project! Enjoy the "shining present" of the two!

So stay in the shinning present

Yonashiro Sho and Kawashiri Ren are the two oldest members of the group. They are known to be dependable within the group, but they had been somewhat excited that only the two of them would have a shooting in Okinawa. When they arrived at the airport of Naha, Kawashiri-san said “This already feels like Okinawa!” and smiled innocently while holding a souvenir he had bought on the spot. There was also the surprise of Yonashiro-san’s parents coming to see them at the airport.

Sho: For me, Okinawa is not just the place where I was born, but also the place that formed me. There are a lot of people like me who leave Okinawa to see the world, but by leaving Okinawa you can once more understand the virtues of it.
When I come back to Okinawa, everyone will welcome me like a family. It is both a place to come back to and “my source of energy”.

On the other hand there is Kawashiri-san who visits Okinawa for the second time since his high school days.

Ren: When I was in high school I traveled with my family. This time, I was able to enjoy the time in Okinawa fully because I was able to come with a member of my group with whom I spend even more time than with my family now.
Also, back in high school I believed ‘tanned guys are so cool’, so I wanted to get tanned in Okinawa. But this time I fully protected myself with a parasol and sunscreen. So the way I feel regarding the sun has changed (laughs)

With a smile the two looked back to the shooting locations in Okinawa. About two months after the shooting, on September 3rd, their first arena tour “2022 JO1 1ST ARENA TOUR -KIZUNA-“ will start.

We received a message for JAM from them.

Sho: It will be our first arena tour. So far we were only able to hold concerts with an audience in Tokyo, but this time we are going to visit the JAM in other areas. It will be the place to convey our gratitude to a bigger number of JAM. Through this tour we hope to give back to everyone even more.

Ren: What I felt during this shooting in Okinawa is that each place has its own unique atmosphere. For example, if you interact with people from Okinawa, you somehow feel they are “typical Okinawan”. We can visit a lot of places during the next tour, so I hope to feel what is the “typical feeling of that place”.
All JAM are very kind people. I hope that we can make this a time when we can feel the bond between us and JAM, to embody the title of the arena tour, “Kizuna” (bond).

We are sure that as long as it is them, they will bring a wonderful treasure to their fans.

Is there something you want to try this summer?
Sho: I would like to try diving.
This time our shooting was “on the land” as we went to eat something and rode horses, so next time I want to do something “in the water”!
Ren: (after listening to Yonashiro-san’s answer) Diving would be nice, too~ Also, it is still hard to do in this day and age, but I would like to go to a summer festival.

The feature was also published over here: https://www.news-postseven.com/archives/20220807_1780880.html?DETAIL

[JO1] Stage Navi 220527

The global boy group JO1 is made of 11 members chosen in the audition program “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN”. They, who keep on attracting attention with their refined performances, released their second album. This time, we asked the group leader ,Yonashiro Sho, and the dance leader, Kawashiri Ren, who leads their performances, about the group’s songs, the appeal of their performances, all about from their debut to now, conflicts they felt as the leaders and finally their bond with the members.

You released your second album “KIZUNA” on May 25th. 2 years have passed since your debut and I believe just like the says the bond of JO1 has deepened in this time, but what kind of feelings are put into this album?
Sho: From our debut in 2020 until now, we overcame various hardships by cherishing our bonds. However, I feel that now as we have entered our third year, we are at our true starting point. As we had been unable to do our activities as we had imaged them due to the pandemic, JAM supported us the whole time and last year at our first lives with an audience we had been able to meet them, so I hope to have more concerts and give back more to JAM who support us in the future. That’s why, there is both our bond with JAM and the bond of us in “KIZUNA”. Those are the two bonds that make the album.
Ren: Of course, we have to improve our singing and dancing, but by experiencing live shows with an audience I was able to feel the connection with JAM and also the one among the members once more and deeper than ever. I think this album was made while keeping this “connection” in mind. In terms of performances, I think all 11 members being uniform is a certain thing, but also the cohesiveness of the group as a whole while each individual also stands out on his own is easy to understand, so I would be happy if you could pay attention to this.

There are 7 new songs starting with the lead track “with Us”, and 12 other songs that had been featured on your 3rd to 5th single, but please tell us your personal favorite of those.
Sho: I really like “Touch!”. The melody feels a little soft, but this is something really nice in my opinion. I like this feeling that makes me want to listen to it over and over.
Ren: All songs are my favorite, but today I feel like choosing “ZERO”. Actually JO1’s logo changes a bit with every CD, but this time it was changed under the motive of a gear. The image of these gears being interlocked into each other and everything being connected is strong. This emphasizes the theme of bonds which we talked about earlier. Especially the lyrics of “ZERO” “Our story that is stretching endlessly It was decided from the moment we met The circle you call fate” is something I really like. The keyword “The circle you call fate” fits to how I feel today, so I think I pick “ZERO” as my favorite song today (laughs).

Well then, please tell us about an event that deepened the bonds of you two further.
Sho: I feel there was not that one occasion. Because I often talked with Ren since our debut already. After practice ended Ren and Junki came to my room and we talked for a long time. While talking about a lot of things like about the group or about the future, I guess our bonds deepened without us realizing it. And we often go out on free days. Hence, there is not that one occasion…
Ren: Right (laughs). I think surprisingly we have been talking a lot since the audition already. Cause we are both the kind of people who proactively start to talk to other people. Since we became JO1 members we somehow do things together (laughs).
Sho: But actually, we weren’t engaging much with each other during the audition.
Ren: Because we were only the same team for the very last performance. So I guess from then on (we became closer).

As you are the leader, Yonashiro-san, and you are the dance leader in JO1, Kawashiri-san, I believe you are often relied on by the other members. Is there anything you were able to consult with each other?
Sho: I consulted Ren way too often that I can’t even remember one thing (laughs bitterly). As JO1 has 11 members, what everyone wants to do is different, our personalities, our values and the way we express ourselves are also completely different. Ren teaches everyone the dances while I support them in their daily lives and I often observe their personalities. We are the two oldest members of the group, so we have a little more life experience than the others, right? That’s why, it might be that things that are common sense for us are not like that for the others and in the beginning we struggled a lot with that or rather we said something like “sure enough it’s different”.
Ren: In this business there is no right answer. It is also not like winning a game. It is not a world that has something that makes you improve for sure when you train like this, so in the beginning we had no idea what was the right way for us to proceed. In this day and age where we could not see what was awaiting us I often talked with Sho-kun and the other members about what we should do.
Sho: Exactly that’s why I feel that being attentive to everyone’s feelings is the most important thing. There might be times when I think something should be done but the others think differently, and just like Ren said, there is no right answer. Hence, it might happen that even though we think something is right, it will not be the case. Besides, we get to know about other values by being with others. This is the environment in which we can improve, so I feel we have to talk with each other on the spot.

In this case, do you have something you keep in mind in order to deepen the bonds with the members?
Ren: It might be something very trivial, but it is to say things like “Good morning” or “You have worked hard today”. Out of the 24 days a day has, we might be together for 20 hours, so the sense of saying something like “Good morning” is fading fast. So I try to turn it on again by saying “Good morning”. As long as I live I plan to say “Good morning” in the sense of work is about to start and “You have worked hard today” in the sense of ‘you have done well today, see you again tomorrow’. It is something natural for me to greet the people we work with, or rather it is a matter of courtesy to say this for me, but some members who have not worked yet or have not experienced this business yet seemed to be puzzled by this at first. Like “Why are you saying Good morning in the middle of the night?” But I also thought like this in the beginning (laughs). Thus, I keep these greetings in mind.
Sho: I am both the leader and the oldest member, so I am careful to make the greetings loudly. If I don’t do that, other members might assume it’s okay not to greet. I don’t mean to set an example. but if I don’t use honorifics when I am talking with the manager, the members won’t do so either and since I don’t want to be a bad example I always keep in mind to keep the way I appear acceptable.

Because you two are the oldest members, you might feel a little tense at times, right?
Ren: I am not sure whether it is something good or not, but I am the type of person who wants to match the atmosphere of the other one or what they are looking for. For example, if there is someone who seems to like cheerful people, I may joke around and talk cheerfully in an interview or in a serious discussion like this, I will talk about what's on my mind so far. Even when I am with the members, when I feel now is the time to have fun I will join them and fool around, but on the other hand when I feel they don’t want my attention, I will leave them alone and I just end up thinking about the other one. It is not that I am acting like this on purpose, but I subconsciously adjust which part of myself I will show. Thus, I feel like I never let my guard down. It might be that I don’t want people to feel bad around me.
Sho: Back right at the early times of our debut, I felt I had to do the things properly to a perfect degree.
Ren: At first, you worked so hard that you pretty much overdid it, didn’t you? (laughs bitterly)
Sho: I ended up being exhausted by this (laughs). But I realized that surprisingly in this business just being polite is not everything. This is just my opinion, but if you are too polite, you can make others feel distant from you. So, recently I feel like I try not to create too much distance, and if it is possible become friends with everyone. Because it is usually more enjoyable to talk about things that interest you than talk about superficial things that are not really interesting, and there are also people accepting this. However, I felt if I made up something, I would get caught on the spot.

Prior to the album release, on 22nd April, you digitally released your first collaboration track “YOLO-konde” which was produced by STRAY KIDs’ 3RACHA (BangChan, Changbin & HAN) and JO1 wrote the lyrics.
Sho: It was the first time they provided a song for us and I was really happy to collaborate with Stray Kids-san like this. They told us they want us to perform the song with our own way of performing and singing, so we wrote lyrics while thinking what we can express in this song. On the demo version Stray Kids are singing, but this was so well done. I was deeply impressed by the world view and high quality of Stray Kids-san who produce their music themselves, and I strongly felt that JO1 should be able to do the same in the future.
Ren: We wrote the lyrics based on a circus concept, so while I was in charge of making the choreography I kept in mind to make the most out of this vibe while not making it boring to look at, and I asked the other members for their opinions. I hope you all will check it out too and tell me your opinions about it.

Kawashiri Ren

I trust my senses and aim for the top

When asked about the good sides of the members, who he often watches over as their dance leader Kawashiri Ren answered “That they are competitive”.
“There are both members who say it openly and members just keep it in their hearts. But they all have something ‘I won’t lose to anyone else just in this one thing’ even compared to the others, which is something good in my opinion. I feel having someone who can be your friendly rival so close leads to current JO1’s strength.”

This friendly rivalry led to everyone’s huge improvement in regard to performances.
“Junki dances naturally, and Sho-kun is also serious about dancing. Their personalities also come out in their dancing. Ruki has a clear idea of ‘coolness’ in his mind and is good at showing this. Once Shion is into something, he is stronger than anyone else in it. When something gets him, all his goodness comes out. Sukai has insane athletic skills (laughs). He is also smart. Hence, he is one who can do what I tell him on the spot. Keigo got his own “Keigo-ness” (laughs). I think it is great that exudes his own vibe in everything he does. Shosei’s hands are cute when he dances (laughs). Like they always curl up a little. Mame is more amazing than me in his own field. Our genres are different, but it is so amazing what he can do in his age and I simply respect him for this. Syoya has his own sensibility, but it resembles mine a little. When I tell the members ‘Raise your hand as if it was heavy’, I can say ‘Do it as if your hand was stuck in jelly’ in Syoya’s case. When I tell him something in a way he can easily imagine, he can do it in an instant, which I like about him. Takumi is someone who has multiple eyes. He can look at himself from above and from the side. I feel he dances while having those images in his mind which is really amazing. In my case, I want to trust my senses. I want to trust my senses in the way that when I think it will look beautiful if I raise my hand here, I move like that.

JO1 reached its 3rd year and a new chapter opens up in front of you. What are your future goals?
“Our greeting is always ‘Go To The TOP’ but we don’t put emphasis on what the Top actually is. We keep on aiming for the top and work hard to get there. I think this is the right path for us, so I would like to keep on cherishing this greeting.”

[JO1] Josei Seven 220714

Traveling with JO1’s Yonashiro Sho and Kawashiri Ren
A secret summer vacation in Okinawa

Finally the real summer is here! No doubt that especially this year a lot of people think “I want to have fun in Okinawa!”. The invincible chemi of “YonaRen”, made of Yonashiro Sho and Kawashiri Ren, from the global boys group JO1 show us secret spots that have been introduced nowhere else and places that are different from your usual tourist spots. Let’s hop on the plane and go on a summer vacation that the two and the readers have never experienced before!

Yonashiro Sho (26)
From Okinawa. He leads the group as the oldest member. His charm is that he is impressive as their reliable leader, but actually he is also an airhead.

Kawashiri Ren (25)
From Fukuoka. He is the reliable performance leader with his dance skills. He choreographed the new song “ALL HOURS” that was released in June.

Enjoying a exclusive gourmet experience

“It smells like the home of my grandma!”
A nostalgic smells brings a smile to their faces

The Fukugi tree is the “village tree” which protects the Onna Village in Okinawa. And ”Fukugi” is an Okinawa Soba restaurant, located in a traditional-style house surrounded by those Fukugi trees. When the two entered it, the owner, Matakichi Hiroko, who runs the restaurant all by herself, greeted them with a smile. “It smells just like the home of my grandma~”
TN: Since there are no furigana, I am not sure whether I transcripted the name of the store owner correctly. It is possible that the name is read differently.
To Yonashiro-san’s surprise, the restaurant is in a traditional house that has not been renovated in the more than 80 years since it was built, with the exception of the kitchen.
The menu contains only three dishes: “Sooki soba”, limited 15 servings per day, “Sanmainiku Soba” and “Juushii”, an Okinawan rice dish limited to 7 servings per day. Kawashiri-san struggled with how to eat the “Sooki soba”, but Yonashiro-san, who hails from Okinawa, advised him “You bite into the sooki (meat from the rips still attached to the hard bones) just as they are”. We also witnessed the scene of Yonashiro-san picking up the Sanshin and teaching Kawashiri-san how to play it. “It was a taste that made me want to say ‘I am home’.”
These words slipped out of Kawashiri’s mouth on the way back. So he decided on Okinawa as his “Second home”…?

Yonashiro-san ordered the “Sanmainiku soba” (600¥). “It was a very nostalgic ‘Okinawan taste’!”

Kawashiri-san also challenged playing the Sanshin that was found in the restaurant. He played a wonderful melody while being taught by Yonashiro-san.

A family friendly experience at “Gangster’s world” (the ‘Restaurant Old Gangster’)

The two were in high spirits while posing in front of the “gangsters”. “It felt like I went back to old America.” (Yonashiro-san)

The first feature! (of JUNKY ICE)

With its pop interior and “piled up ice cream” it is recognised as Okinawa’s most photogenic spot!

Named by Kawashiri-san!
“Chimu dondon
choco dondon”

It happened that Kawashiri-san almost spilled his toppings. But Yonashiro-san rushed to his help, extending his hands (to catch them).

Get to experience horse riding at an unexplored picturesque scenery

With the best horses at the best location

Kawashiri-san was encouraging his horse even during the shot under the burning sun. “Roney, just hang on just a bit longer”.

Yonashiro-san was super delighted, saying “I met a ‘genius horse’.”

Yonashiro-san and Kawashiri-san rode “Goody” and “Roney”. Initially they were surprised by the size of the horses, but soon enough they became friends.

Riding along the beautiful shores of Okinawa is a big attraction of the “Okinawa Horse Riding Club”. Kawashiri-san gave his seal of approval by saying “The location was undeniably the best”.

Fully enjoying a luxurious time

The two were about to enjoy a “morning champagne” fitting to the luxurious atmosphere of their room. But they struggled with popping the cork…

Careful… Careful

Pop!

A graceful “morning champagne”!

The “AQUA TERRACE“ in front of the hotel is a 2200m2 area that offers a variety of contents like open air pools.

Kawashiri-san said “The room had some cuteness in the middle of the luxurious feeling.” A refreshing feeling from the early morning on!

All rooms are equipped with wide balconies. “I was so happy to be able to greet the morning while smelling the sea”, said Yonashiro-san as he relaxed and enjoyed the view after the shot finished.

As the last part of the Okinawa trip, they went “Treasure hunting” in a store that is full of Okinawan culture!

Yonashiro-san selected a set containing a coffee mug, a saucer and a spoon. While staring at all those sizes and forms, he finally made his choice. “I love coffee, so I really hope you will use it!”

Kawashiri-san selected a bracelet with a “wave” motif that was made from brass from Miyakojima. “I just knew it was the one! Actually I also bought a bracelet here in Okinawa, so if you happen to win it, please enjoy the feeling of us matching.”

The last store they visited was the store “Proots”. This is a coined word out of “chanpuru”, meaning “mishmash” in the Okinawan dialect and “roots” expressing origin and source, showcasing the theme of “sending Okinawa‘s netsuke culture to the world” in a variety of products such as accessory, art, drinks and food.
“I was once more reminded of the coolness of Okinawan pottery. I want people in the whole country to know about this store that is full of the charms of the past!”, said Yonashiro-san.
They took their time to select “souvenirs” for our readers. They seemed to have made satisfying choices that “they would have wanted to use themselves”.
As the conclusion of the trip we took a pic in the plane. “For me Okinawa was “my source of energy”, said Yonashiro-san while Kawashiri-san commented “I fully enjoyed the time in Okinawa!”.

“Bye bye Okinawa! We're gonna come back!”

The feature was also published over here: https://www.news-postseven.com/archives/20220720_1775113.html?DETAIL