[OCTPATH] sweet web 241226

[OCTPATH NISHIJIMA RENTA] “I think girls who are fully confident are sweet.”

The first appearance of Nishijima Renta from the boy group OCTPATH, which was formed by former trainees of “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN SEASON2” on sweet web❤️
Their colourful multi-genre 2nd album “Present” was released on 25th December, and is truly a Christmas present from Nishijima-san!
We bring you a lot of Nishijima-san’s charm - the one of a straight forward looking and hardworking person - along with lots of cool photos.

You are currently 21 years old. Is it correct that you began to aim to become an artist and started to learn dancing during your first year of highschool at age 16?
Renta: That’s right. The turning point was during my 3rd year of middle school when I went to see a concert of my favourite Korean artist BIGBANG. I was absolutely inspired, thinking “wow!! I want to become someone who can stand on stage and impact people like this!” At this time, I was preparing for the highschool entrance exams and I had been a soccer kid since elementary school. I was so serious about it that I wanted to become a professional player, yet I announced to my parents “I want to quit playing soccer and join a Korean agency!”.

And did your parents support this?
Renta: My dad told me from the start “Do what you want to do”, but my mom had high hopes for me to become a soccer player, so she was really against it, saying “If possible, I want you to continue soccer”. But I had that weird confidence that “I can do it!”, so I promised them that if this has not happened until I graduate highschool I would give up and it happened that I passed an audition and went to Korea during my first year of highschool.

It is amazing how fast you went from having the dream to moving forward on it. And then you joined OCTPATH in November 2023, but how was this year for you?
Renta: It was a year full of memories and a lot of work, so the time passed really quickly. The hardest time was at the beginning, when I had to learn about 15 songs in a month right before my first concert with them. That time, it was so insane (laughs). I thought I was a fast learner, but I felt pretty rushed.
TN: The article here makes a mistake and states that Renta joined in November 2024 (as of 26 December 2024, 9:30 PM JST). For the sake of clarity I put the correct date in the translation.

OCTPATH’s second album “Present” , released on Christmas, is your first commemorative album since you joined the group.
Renta: Of course the title track “Present” is my recommendation, but personally I am attached to “Car Stereo”, the first ballad since I joined the group. It is a medium tempo ballad with a gentle atmosphere, and I think you can enjoy its chill feeling while driving or listening to it while looking up to the night sky.
Also, “Silhouette” is good, too. The intro sounds a bit like Japan in the 90s and 00s and from there on the sound takes an unexpected turn, giving it a K-Pop vibe. I hope you also pay attention to my rap part which is really rhythmic.

As sweet web, we have another song we are curious about…
Renta: Right, it is “Sweet -2024 ver.-“, isn’t it? The 2024 version means that my voice is also included. It honestly makes me happy and it is a song that makes me really grateful to hear.

Which was an especially memorable episode with the members during the album production?
Renta: On the day of the MV shooting, we came together at around 4 am and we returned home the next morning. It was funny to see how the members went from absolute sleepiness to “late night excitement”. It felt like youth. I thought, “that’s the kind of fun that only a MV shooting can bring.”

I heard that the “OCTAVE” MV was also filmed in Korea.
Renta: Yes. There was no translator, so I translated not only for the members but also for the manager when dealing with the hotel or taxi drivers. It was quite difficult, but it prevented me from forgetting my Korean. Above all, it was a lot of fun to be able to visit my beloved Korea together with the members.

What kind of atmosphere is when all eight members come together off stage?
Renta: I think everyone has a different character and thus there is a good balance. According to the MBTI test, I am the introvert type I, but in real life I am often fiddling with my phone. I am like a quiet observer of the extrovert E type members who dance and joke around.

By the way, you made your long-awaited model debut in 2024.
Renta: SAPPORO COLLECTION was my first runaway. It was truly a memorable moment. Ever since my time in Korea my role model has been Cha Eunwoo, who is multi talented as an idol, actor and model. I wanted to be like him , so I worked hard on my body and other things, which all had been worth it.

Please tell us about a Christmas memory.
Renta: It is a story from my childhood, but there was a ball that became famous when Honda Keisuke made a free kick around the World Cup of 2010. I wrote a message to Santa asking for it, and when I went to sleep, I didn’t expect to find it under my pillow the next morning. I still remember how happy I was back then.
TN: After a quick research it seems like he means the official ball “JABULANI” of the 2010 World Cup. It became quite famous in Japan for the unusual curf it flew after Honda’s free kick.

Please give advice to girls who are struggling to choose a Christmas present for their beloved one.
Renta: If it were me, I would be happy to receive a handmade present that I can wear, such as a scarf or accessories. I would also appreciate something bought from a storer, but a handmade gift is one of a kind.

Please tell us about traits of girls that you think are sweet.
Renta: What I think of as sweet is someone who never stops smiling and someone who is curious and always willing to try anything. Also, I think it is better to be straightforward and fully confident than having no confidence. For fashion I like a calm look. If it is winter (fashion), knitwear is cute, isn’t it?

By the way, who is the sweetest member in OCTPATH?
Renta: I guess it is me who, once I have made up my mind, I will carry it through to the end (laughs). If not me, then Takahashi Wataru. During dance practice we posed next to each other and I thought we were making eye contact in the mirror so I jokingly winked at him, but he did not react at all. When I looked clooosely I saw that Wataru was only staring at his own reflection in the mirror. That was sweet ❤️

And lastly, please give a sweet message to the fans.
Renta: 2024 was a really blessed year. I am truly grateful to THme, the embers and everyone who supported me. I hope to meet you in 2025 in a more evolved form so that I can prove this feeling. As for OCTPATH, we will continue to strive towards our goal of (performing at) Budokan, so please watch over us kindly.