[JO1] Tokyo Calender 231121

The current standpoint of JO1’s Kinjo Sukai whose activity areas continue to expand

As the presence of fall grows stronger, we are in the neighborhood of West Azabu, Minato-ku (Tokyo). There are lots of competent stores lined up and even at such place as the “N’onaka” in the 2nd street of Azabu, this person’s muscular presence of 180cm stands out. The interview took place in the time of the rehearsals for the performance at the Kyocera Dome in late November. When asked about his feelings of being able to have a solo concert in a Dome just 3 years after the debut, it made him smile broadly, saying “We, too, couldn’t imagine this.”.

His almond eyes give him a cool impression, yet his smile is friendly. “We have also worked hard, but that we can stand on the stage of a Dome is especially because of all JAM. We are rehearsing full of motivation so that none of the people who come to the Dome leave feeling lonely.”

The JO1 members are not my rivals, but like my siblings

He shared with us the highlights of the Dome performance without spoiling too much.
“One of JO1’s charms is how close we are with JAM. In the Dome, distance is born due to its nature, so we are going closer to them. Please look forward to how the performance turns out.”

Before the Dome performance, he has another huge event. It is the release of the movie “OUT” in which he stars. This is his first movie. “I worked together with the director Shinagawa Hiroshi previously on the WOWOW drama “Drop”. Back then I also felt that the Shinagawa team was kind. There was also a staff member who told me “Welcome back” and the cast was harmonious which made it easy to do.”

In “OUT” JO1’s Yonashiro Sho and Ohira Shosei also appear.
“I can still remember when the 3 of us went to the casting. We acted one scene in front of the director Shinagawa, the producers and such, but in the end Shinagawa-san showed a bright smile. I thought we did bad, so on the way home we encouraged each other “it wasn’t good” “we gonna work harder on acting”. We were on some high as the tension was loosing, so we just talked the whole time. So when it was decided that we star in the movie I was as happy as surprised.”

Kinjo-san shows diverse activities such as acting, dancing and appearing on variety shows, but he is the most confident about singing.
“I take pride in being able to sing every song well. It was like this since the audition before the debut, but I pursue a way of singing that makes one think they want to listen to it again even if it is for example just one phrase.”

We wants to appear along MISA-san who he admires

When we asked him about musicians who inspired him, he gave us two names.
“One is Tori Kelly, I think her singing skills are amazing. And another one is MISA-san. The more I took vocal training and the more I learnt about music, I understood that MISA-san is far the best in any means. My ultimate dream while continuing music is to perform with MISA-san."

When we asked about the changes JO1 has gone through in the 3 years since their debut, he answered the kind of the relationship the members have with each other has slightly changed.
“In the time between the audition and the debut, I thought of them as rivals. But since each one’s roles and positions were solidified, I don’t think of them as rivals anymore. Now they feel like family and someone else plays a cool role or is being recognised, I also feel happy. I get motivation from all the members and we have a relationship of mutual encouragement.”

Lastly, we talked about his impression about the area West Azabu which we had visited today.
“I’m from Osaka, so I’m not that knowledgeable about Tokyo. I have this vague image of rich people living in Minato-ku. But West Azabu has a downtown-like atmosphere, there are hidden restaurants like this one and I came to feel like I could surprisingly fit in well here. Right, JO1 sings the title song of the movie “OUT”, but the title of this song “HIDEOUT” has the meaning of a hidden place like a secret operation base. I connected the movie and the interview well, right? (laughs)”

So how about Kinjo-san making West Azabu his hideout and living there?
“Good idea! I would like to live there. But since all the members are operating together, we have to search for a property where everyone can move into…I guess you have to construct such a building in West Azabu (laughs)."

2023, as the pandemic has also calmed down, became a year of JO1 making new leaps forward. They held their first Asia tour consisting of Jakarta, Bangkok, Taipei and Shanghai, and their performance in Los Angeles also received positive reactions. Their growth in the 3 years since their debut is a miracle and no one knows where else this global boy group can go. The expectations are high that they are able to do something huge, someone no one has ever done before. Even constructing a building in West Azabu doesn’t have to be just a joke.

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Born 2000, from Osaka. He applied for the survival auction “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN” in 2019 and managed to debut as a member of JO1. He is known for his overwhelming singing abilities. Because of his handsome looks, he seems like a cool person especially when meeting him for the first time, but according to himself he is “just the typical guy from Kansai”.