[TRANS] WiNK UP (April 2021): Solo Cover Series Vol.2 - Kouchi Yuugo
SixTONES Solo Series Vol. 02
Kouchi Yuugo
For the second round of the solo cover series, we have the group’s eldest and their first-gen leader Kouchi Yuugo. We captured and packed in expressions such as his close-to-natural morning routine based on a morning when he’s in a good mood, and him smiling ear to ear with his birthday cake. In the interview, it’s condensed with Kouchi’s current thoughts about his relationship with the members and memories about his Johnnys Junior days.
Kouchi-kun’s mood
Morning sun
★★★★
I’m in a super good mood when I wake up from the morning sun! I’ll open the curtains once I wake up and bask in the sun rays.
Waking up after falling back asleep
★★★
I feel good I guess. But I’m the type to easily get tired from oversleeping.
Bright coloured clothes
★★★
I don’t have any bright coloured clothes, so it was refreshing. I often wear monotones. They’re all colours that melt into the night-time.
Strawberry birthday cake
★★★★★
It was delicious! It was nice that it was custard instead of whipped cream in the strawberry cake.
- About your first WiNK UP appearance (Aug 2009)
I basically remember everything, but I don’t have any memories about my first photoshoot (laughs). Something that was memorable when I first started working was the “KAT-TUN LIVE Break the Records~” concert. I was still a kenkyuusei [“research student”; not officially a Johnnys Junior] then and participated [in the concert] during the “School Kakumei!” audition process, but I honestly couldn’t dance at all. I didn’t audition out of my own will, so to be honest, I didn’t really have the motivation. But I was selected as the person who delivered the poster present to the guests at the concert, so Kamenashi (Kazuya)-kun would talk with me and I also remember chatting with Shintarou too. Shintarou was literally just a kid (laughs), even though he was there as one of the centers as a back-dancing Junior. He spoke casually to everyone regardless of age, so he was really cheeky.
- Someone you think you can’t win over since Junior days
I didn’t have a rival. There wasn’t anyone that I was conscious of either. I didn’t plan to continue promoting as a Junior, so I didn’t have those feelings. But I do think Nakajima (Kento) is amazing. When I worked with him after grouping up as B.I. Shadow, there was once where we were supposed to meet up at Shibuya station to go to NHK together, and he said “we have to become big enough that we can’t walk through Shibuya”. I didn’t understand what he was saying and thought “what is he on about?”; well more like, I was a little spooked. We were in the same group, but Nakajima has been an idol through and through from the moment I met him and he was also very aware - I just couldn’t tell him that I didn’t plan to continue showbiz. Hokuto was amazing too. He had a senpai that he admired and was overflowing with eagerness. Fuma was the only one who felt like a friend that was younger than me and seemed the most like me, so I hung out with him often and talked with him lots as well; he was the person I was able to open up to honestly. Back then, I couldn’t dance as I wanted in part from being overwhelmed by Nakajima and Hokuto’s strong eagerness, and going to lessons was depressing and I hated it.
- Happy and frustrating things from your Johnnys Juniors days
Hmm… What was frustrating was that the 6 of us had more opportunities through “Shiritsu Bakaleya Koukou” and was given the chance to do a concert, but afterwards, it became Jesse & Hokuto and the other 4, and I suppose being “the other” was frustrating. Our stage costumes changed and I think I became “twisted” in a good way. I think all 4 of us were twisted. Something happy was when we received our group name. The 6 of us were able to do a concert again, and deciding on the notation of our group’s name with Johnny-san backstage made me really happy. I really loved that moment. I thought the name that Johnny-san came up with [alone] would become a group, so I didn’t expect deciding on a group name would be like this and I remember being super happy. We were able to promote as 6 again, and even received a group name too; I don’t think I could forget that feeling.
- Changes as a group
This is more about me myself than the group, but the moment my switch was flipped was when I first started the stage play “Shounentachi”. Putting it simply, we ourselves were lacking and were relying heavily on Snow Man. Being compared to Snow Man’s capabilities, I had no skills and no talent and I thought “what should I do?”, and began to learn voice percussion and acrobatics and such. Becoming a part of SixTONES, was the moment I decided this is the path I’ll go on in my life. It was my first job since becoming a part of SixTONES, so that probably intensified my determination.
- A year since debuting. Your thoughts now.
To be honest, I only see tasks to complete. I was working hard towards debuting when I was a Johnnys Junior, but now that I’ve been given the chance to debut, I’ve come to see that I have many flaws. In terms of capabilities, when I witness the talent of artists that I’m with at music shows and other guests at variety shows, I realise that I’m nowhere near capable yet. My mind switched on again, realising that I need a different type of effort after debuting. Making our debut, we’re not just in the Johhnys pool now but the big seas; we’re grasping onto the lifebuoys of our company and recording company at the moment, but we wouldn’t be able to stay afloat without them, so I believe that we have to become able to swim ourselves as much as possible. In my head, 3 years from now, I will turn 30 and even if I’m bad at it, I hope to be able to swim at the least. Understanding that I have to work on this properly myself through ups and downs, I realised again the incredibility of the experience of debuting.
- What relationship do you want to maintain with the members?
Unchanging from when we were established and an unchanged distance between us, I hope to maintain a relationship where we can say stupid things to each other. I hang out with some members in private depending on who it is, but even if it’s just once a year, I hope to have a relationship where we go out for a meal together as 6. No matter how many years pass, being able to go for a meal on our establishment day that we all treasure would be nice.
We were able to promote as 6 again, and even received a group name; I don’t think I could forget that feeling.
Looking back at SixTONES first-gen leader KOUCHI YUUGO right from his very first appearance
Kouchi Yuugo is here for the SixTONES solo cover and opening page series! In addition to the message board to his members and the fans, we also squeezed in bits about Kouchi’s charms such as a playback corner looking right back from his first appearance and some offshoots too.
To MEMBER & FAN
Message board from Kouchi to the members & fans
To Jesse
I don’t think SixTONES would exist without Jesse and I’m happy and grateful for his efforts as the group’s center. He’ll smartly make the call when we need to decide on something as a group, so I hope he can continue to lead us forward, and continue to shine as SixTONES center. Jesse, stay as you are without changing and please take care of me in the future too.
To Kyomo
Taiga is an essential weapon to SixTONES and I think he has the strongest core within SixTONES. Thinking about it like that, Hokuto and Taiga are similar (laughs). There are many things that I can work hard in because I know that Kyomoto is also doing his best, so I hope he can continue to polish himself and allow that to link back to SixTONES.
To Hokuto
He’s been in many productions lately non-stop, and I’m super proud as someone who’s been together with him the whole time since joining the company. He’s spreading the SixTONES name in arenas different to music, and also the presence who’s bearing the most as an actor. I think the work we have right now are linked back to his efforts, so I hope he can continue that and let us sing more theme songs (laughs).
To Juri
Juri has things like his indispensable rap for SixTONES’ music, and his musicality is also a huge saviour. Other than that, he’ll consolidate SixTONES’ ideas from yet another different angle to Jesse, and take the lead. I think he does it because he doesn’t consider it to be difficult, but I’m counting on him in the future as well.
To Shintarou
I don’t have anything else to say to Shintarou (laughs), but I honestly think Shintarou’s merit lies with him doing things with a happy-go-lucky attitude. He’s the type to do the things he wants to and not do the things the doesn’t want to, so I hope he can keep that happy-go-lucky personality and work hard at things freely.
To fans
I’m so grateful that I can’t even express it properly. There are jobs where I can actually feel the hardwork of the fans, and as time goes on, I think the distance towards the fans has contracted in a good way. Our activities would become meaningless without the fans, and we’ll continue to do things like surprising the fans or ‘betraying’ their expectations, so please keep your eyes on SixTONES!
From Kouchi
Kouchi Yuugo’s History 2009 ⇒ 2019
Looking back at Kouchi Yuugo’s history through interviews
2009
[First Cover & First Appearance]
Hokuto-kun taught me various things in detail during rehearsals, and that’s honestly a great help all the time. There’s only a few months’ difference in the time we joined the company, but I think it’s amazing that he’s so composed. And when he gives me advice, he’ll add “I can’t say much as someone who’s just joined the company but…”. It made me realise that he’s a considerate person. (August 2009)
2010
[The earliest memory he can remember]
When I was in preschool, I went on a family holiday with everyone including my grandma. I went in the pool, but my father picked me up and threw me back in… that was the game we played. It was super duper fun and as I shouted “again!” over and over, I got water right up my nose midway and I remember bawling my eyes out. Seriously, it seems like I was a crybaby in the past (laughs). (May 2010)
2011
[A meeting that changed his life]
I’ve had more chances to come in contact with adults since beginning this job, and I feel like that’s changing me. Before, there were only my teachers at school and cram school, or relatives, or my friend’s parents… that’s basically it. I had no idea how to approach them in the beginning. Especially when the cameraman-san would say things like “ok, smile”, I’d go “even if you tell me that…” (laughs). But when I actually tried talking with them, everyone was kind and their stories were interesting and informative. Also, this is an absolute given, but my life took a 180° turn after I joined Johnnys. (April 2011)
2012
[Impression of Jesse when they first met]
Age-wise, Jesse’s 3 years younger than me, but he’s a senpai you know. I thought he was “a kid who’s good at dancing~” back then. The reason we started getting close was “ABC-za”. So it’s actually pretty recent. We had chatted normally up till then, but somewhere, I think there’s a part of us that’s both shy. And the decisive factor has got to be the drama “~Bakaleya Koukou”. We became a pair and suddenly got really close. Now it’s gone past being a younger brother and more like an “aikata” [‘partner’; typically used for partners in comedian duos/trios] instead (laughs). (August 2012)
2013
[What do you think about amanojyaku [contrarian] and tsundere [hot-cold personality] girls?
Those types of girls, I like them! Someone who’s cold all the time, but fawns on you heavily once in a while… that’s nice. Also, a clumsy girl who’s actually a top student at school… or like, being able to play an instrument even though they don’t seem like the type to be interested in music… A close example would be the Nakajima-Kento-can-play-piano pattern (laughs). I was shocked. I thought, he can do everything… (laughs). (March 2013)
2014
[A Junior who has their feelings written on their face?]
Probably Shintarou. He’s really pure and that sort of thing is adorable. When he’s sleepy, he has this expression that makes anyone want to say “are you shleepy?~” to him (laughs). On the reverse, Kyomoto’s the one who’s hard to read. He’ll get angry in silence sometimes, so I don’t realise a lot of the times. It’s only afterwards that I’ll get surprised and realise “eh, you were angry that time?!”. Maybe I’m just oblivious (laughs). (May 2014)
2015
[If you had to plan out an adult-like date?]
My ideal is a sunset cruise! I’ll drive to the port, and stop in front of the valet to drop off my keys… that alone is adult-like right! We’ll make a toast with champagne on the cruise ship whilst watching the sunset, and enjoy the night view. When we return to port, the car will already be there ready for me. Ha~ it’s great! (laughs). My actual Christmas? I went to Odawara alone to eat ten-soba [tempura soba]. (January 2015)
2016
[The switch in depending on his members]
For example, say that one of my members memorises the wrong move for the dance. It’s a little bit off for me to point it out as the eldest at those times, so I end up letting Juri point it out. Juri’s honestly so reliable~ When I got into an argument with a friend at school, I asked Juri “I want to make peace, Juri can you help me think about what to message them?”, but as expected really, he yelled back at me “Are you an idiot. Think about that yourself!” (laughs). But I was able to mature another step thanks to that. I’m seriously thankful to Juri! (March 2016)
2017
[Cool & Cute SixTONES]
SixTONES are a little hardcore and aggressive within the Junior units… that’s what it feels like right? Amongst that, I know full well that I stick out like a sore thumb (laughs). But I don’t think about emitting the same aggressive aura as the others, and want to stay natural. That’s why when everyone else is acting cool, I’ll smile if I’m having fun even if it’s at a part where I think “eh, this song?!” (laughs). But, I certainly don’t want to forget about being ambitious. (May 2017)
2018
[Kyomoto Taiga’s OFF]
He’s honestly a happy-go-lucky person. And his mess backstage is no joke! I’m the type who wants to keep it tidy! Also, when I was looking for my shoe paired with my costume, I found a shoe with “Kyomoto” written on it. I thought “it couldn’t be…”, but when I caught him, he said “…ah, this is Kouchi’s”. Usually, you’d feel something’s wrong if you wear someone else’s shoes right? (laughs) (February 2018)
2019
[A recent “SixTONES” aru’aru {commonplace occurrence}]
Lately, our highschool-boys vibe is no joke (laughs). We originally have that kind of side, and it’s gotten even stronger recently. It’s the same with our concert MCs. It’s almost “exactly like backstage”. (Jesse comes closer and says “what’s the matter, are you lonely Kouchi? Shall I come over?) I’m in the middle of answering an interview, you can see that right? …There’s been a lot of these annoying interactions lately. Almost that it’ll be better if we get scolded by the adults once (laughs). But saying so, I love SixTONES who are like this. (July 2019)