Article: "Sexy Zone's First and Last JCD Performance as Five..." (translation)
I translated an article about Sexy Zone's final performance as five on Johnny's Countdown 2022-2023 (2022.12.31). It also includes a post-broadcast message from Marius to the fans.
Please let me know if I've made any mistakes.
Article
https://thetv.jp/news/detail/1118864/
Sexy Zone's First and Last JCD Performance as Five… Marius Yo's Final Message to Fans
The New Year's Eve concert "Johnny's Countdown 2022-2023" (11:45pm - 12:45am, Fuji TV), held in Tokyo Dome by performers from Johnny & Associates, was broadcast on December 31, 2022. Among these performers was Marius Yo from Sexy Zone, who had been on hiatus due to his health. He had announced that he would end his activities in his group, leave Johnny & Associates, and retire from the entertainment industry after this year's Countdown. Subsequently it was decided that all five members of Sexy Zone would perform together for the last time at Johnny's Countdown.
Debut song "Sexy Zone" performed in Hit Song Medley
It was on the 29th of September 2011, that Sexy Zone's formation and CD debut were announced at a press conference in the Imperial Theatre. Their debut song "Sexy Zone" was the image song for the 2011 Volleyball World Cup and drew public attention.
When the group appeared on stage in glittering black sequin costumes, the audience cheered as if they had been eagerly waiting to see all five members of Sexy Zone. Moreover, 22 year old Marius with his side swept hair exuded sex appeal.
In addition to Sato Shori's "Sexy Rose" line, which is one of the highlights of the song, during the lyric, "Our hands reaching for the sky", Marius was the first to raise his hand high, making a striking image. In that moment you could feel the strength in all the members.
Members welcome 2023 with arms around each other's shoulders
Finally, as the countdown ticked down to move from 2022 into 2023, at the moment the new year started those five had each other's arms around their shoulders, welcoming the new year with a smile.
With MC Inohara Yoshihiko's invitation to Marius, "There is one of us Johnny's for whom this will be their final appearance", he dashed towards the centre of the main stage heading for the two MCs. Marius was asked to introduce the next corner, and so he announced that coming up next was "Johnny's Shuffle Medley". The whole audience laughed at his wonderful pronunciation and the two MCs had high praise for his intonation.
He introduced the next corner "Group Change Medley" in cool fluent English with a wink.
"Sexy Zone, here we go!" The bond between five during an ad break
MCs Kokubun Taichi and Inohara Yoshihiko suggested Sexy Zone form a circle during an ad break, since they had some time to go before the broadcast would resume. The group formed a circle and shouted without mics, "Sexy Zone, here we go!!!", and the bond of those five reverberated throughout the venue. Suddenly, they were asked out of the blue to do something since they still had 45 seconds to spare. Being put on the spot one member said, "Inocchi senpai! Look how much we've grown!", while making a triangle with their hands, and then all five did odd sexy poses, causing Inohara to fall to his knees laughing uncontrollably.
Marius graduates - "RUN"'s last performance as five
After Sexy Zone changed into silver costumes, Marius introduced "RUN", the song that would mark their final performance together, saying that Sexy Zone will keep on running.
The song "RUN" was released during Matsushima Sou's hiatus, so this would be the first time they performed it together as five. At the start of the song, Nakajima Kento thrusts his fist forward with slightly trembling fingers. During the line, "Raise our hands together", Kikuchi Fuma holds up the palm of his hand with his fingers spread wide, strongly embodying the number five. Sato Shori pours his emotions into the line, "Don't give up here, don't quit now", singing his heart out.
Matsushima, who often worked together with Marius as a pair, had tears in his eyes as he threw his arm around Marius. All five savoured the moment, and it seemed as if "RUN" shone a spotlight on those young five and their future endeavours, highlighting that this was just the start of those five young lives.
Marius' tearful farewell after the live broadcast: "Please work hard to follow your dreams"
Towards the end of the live broadcast, as all 140 J&A members gathered together, an MC thanked Marius for his hard work. Then, asked about Sexy Zone's future, Sato responded, "The story of Sexy Zone, including Marius, will continue, so let's make history together", turning to face Marius with a fist pump.
After the live broadcast ended, Marius gave one final message to the fans.
"Thank you very much for today. First off, to the greatest Sexy Zone members ever, to our fans who have kept on supporting us for 11 years, to seniors and juniors, and to the entire Johnny's Family: I want to thank you all so much. I will treasure the time I spent with you for the rest of my life. Please work hard to follow your dreams, and I will also do my best. I'd also like to ask you to please continue looking out for my older brothers, Sexy Zone. Please support them!"
Marius continued to express his gratitude as much as he could, waving and bowing towards the fans until they couldn't see him from the venue anymore. Many obstacles had stood in their way, but now it was as if they were full of joy at being able to perform as five in front of an audience. For Sexy Zone, this concert was an invigorating success.
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Notes
- The article says that Marius was the first to raise his hand during the line, "Our hands reaching for the sky", but in the broadcast it looks like Sou was the first to have his hand up
- The article says that this Countdown was the first time the five of them performed "RUN", but they already performed it as five in the online POPxSTEP concerts in 2021
- The MCs asked Marius to introduce a couple of corners, which he did pronouncing the names in English, rather than Japanese
- Shori references the line from their song "Sexy Zone" when he says, "Let's make history together" (the song contains 時代を創ろう, Shori says 一緒に時代作ろう)
- Video snippets of the SZ parts that weren't in the live broadcast