NEWS 10ve post
I’m no good in expressing myself, but I can’t just miss that special day.
Last night I came across interesting tag on twitter asking “what did you do 10 years ago?”. In September 2003 I had just entered university, was very excited about study and had no idea that somewhere thousands miles away people who will become very precious to me were gathered together.
I started watching anime in spring 2005 and was anime fan for couple of years until I discovered existence of dramas. At that time my internet connection was still pretty limited, but it local P2P network I managed to find several titles, namely Hana Yori Dango, Kimi wa Petto and Nobuta wo Produce. I liked Matsujun, but didn’t pay any attention to the fact he belongs to some agency and treated him just an actor (according to my blog posts that I re-read last night, I fancied him. Lol, I don’t remember that at all). I found Kame & Yamapi more interesting but then my vacation started, and at that time this meant that I have to go back to parents who didn’t have internet at that time. Sooo, September came, I returned back to interwebs, and first of all I started downloading not anime but Hanazakari no Kimitachi e - seems I was hooked by dramas already. Reason for downloading Hanakimi was Shirota Yuu, who I liked after watching TeniPuri musicals - technically he was the first Japanese actor/artist I had even fangirled. So I was reading his trivia at some site and it said that his best friends are Akanishi Jin (who’s that?!) and Yamashita Tomohisa (heeeeey I know his name, that's the guy who played Akira!). I googled for the last and found that he’s a member of some boyband, tried to look for that “NEWS” group and… failed XD So I looked for band of other actor, Kamenashi, and Google worked brilliantly for “KAT-TUN” :D I felt really stupid for liking some boyband, but couldn’t help but watch KT videos, read fanfiction about them and roam through LJ. And eventually I managed to find news_jpop. Is was probably a destiny that it happened on November 11th. Tegoshi’s hatachi. I still remember what exactly post I was smitten with - here it is. Of course most of links are broken now, but back than I was just amazed. I fell in love with that boy - and this hasn’t changed since then ^^
At that time I had completely no idea how much would this affect my life.
You know, before NEWS I was always switching from one fandom to another, and I wasn’t even really thinking about myself as part of some community of fans. Who would know that this new interest will be any different?
2007 was just great time to become fan. NEWS had their fresh start with Hoshi wo Mezashite, released N.E.W.S. DVD, released pacific and weeeek and kicked off tour. Weeeek PV like was knockdown cause I of my fetish for boys in suits, so I dusted down (lol) and started following NEWS’ activities.
Of course at first I was mostly interested in them just because I liked their music and looks. I bet it’s like this for everyone, at first you notice exterior. But as I was watching their videos, reading interviews and jwebs, I was getting interested in their personalities. Some of them were exposed more, some less. It was kinda like cracking a riddle - trying to understand their real characters (I should admit that riddle named Masuda Takahisa was the hardest one).
I didn’t notice how couple of years passed, when NEWS come to standstill. It was that time when I realized that I care about them then just some music group. I was genuinely worried about what is happening with them - are they okay? can I do something to help them? That were not thoughts of some third person, I felt that they are as important to me as family members are. Probably it was that time I felt like there is some string that attaches me to NEWS.
Nevertheless NEWS moved on and announced concerts in Osaka & Tokyo. By that time I was ready to go to Japan for them. 5 concerts were pure bliss despite the fact I was always sitting so so far away from them, but I saw NEWS in the flesh, damn it! Before that trip I was a bit afraid that maybe they won’t be as great as I expected, what then? But lives were beyond expectations!
Let me skip 2011 okay? Anyway through all solicitudes and worries my bond with NEWS grew stronger. I can’t describe it, it is just there. And I feel like it’s the bond that can never be broken.
I was asked recently, what do I like in NEWS, what makes them special to me. And I was like “hmm, everything?” lol
I love their music without any doubt. In general you can say it’s typical jpop - and you’d be right. But they have their own style. It changed with years, yes, but it’s still pretty consistent. NEWS songs are often pretty uptempo, they are that kind of that makes you want to sing along or dance. I love members voices, each has own characteristics. Koyama’s voice is sweet and soft (and he improved so much with time!), Shige’s is bit hoarse and low, Tegoshi’s is a great vibrato, Massu’s is soothing. All together they create great harmony. And I love lyrics of many of their songs. I write about lyrics the last not because it's the least important, but because it's harder to appreciate lyrics than melody. Previously I had to rely only on translations, and only since last year I can finally get sense of them by myself, and now I like them even more. Many of NEWS songs are about going forward, they are songs of support. NEWS also have some songs with quite naughty lyrics. And some love songs - happy and sad as well. Just few days ago I read interview in TV Pia, crosstalk of NEWS with zopp-san, lyricist of many of my favorite NEWS’ songs, and it gave me some interesting insights. NEWS songs suit them so much cause they are created with NEWS image in mind.
I love their looks. All members are so handsome! It’s hard to be unbiased but I think that NEWS is the most handsome group among all Johnny’s. Few last days since the anniversary event people are posting lots of photos of NEWS through years they spent in agency, and it’s amazing to see how much had members grown! They still were kids when their debut was announced, they are men now. Really hot men xD TBH personally I think their sexiness shows up the most when they don’t try to show it off.
At the same time they are still kids inside. And that side of them shows up more and more often I’d say xD It’s really fun so see their pranks, read how the tease each other, this always brings the widest smile to my face.
They are so close to each other, that they more like family rather then just friends, or workmates. They act naturally, and how they act is simply adorable. That’s that changed with years too of course. Sometimes before there was some awkwardness between them, but I don’t see it now, not anymore!
And their personalities… Each of them is so different. We have Koyama, our leader. He keeps saying that he is unreliable person, it’s not true! He is the heart of the group. He loves NEWS from the start and was always the one who cared about other members the most. All Johnny’s fans use word “member-ai” now not thinking about the fact that it’s Koyama who brought that word. If Koyama is the heart, then Shige must be the brain of NEWS. Cool and smart, he can look at group objectively, that’s what NEWS need too. As I had already said, Massu used to be the biggest puzzle for me, and I think only couple of years ago he started showing his real potential. Massu is an idea man, and outfits he makes for members are wonderful. Sometimes questionable, but wonderful anyway xD And Tegoshi, my ichiban. The underground leader. He is the most straightforward amongst members, and sometimes says in public things that others would consider too explicit, what others won't dare to say. He motivates members, staff and fans, so can I name his the soul of NEWS then?
I said about the bond before, and that’s not just my words, members themselves admit it too. There is the bond between members & their fans, bond so strong that they say that NEWS = 4+FAN. Maybe that’s reason why they never disappoint us in expectations. They know better than anyone else what fans want, and do their best to make things that will make us happy. They are really involved into producing themselves now, be it new songs, tour goods, setlist or anything else. Yes, we have to wait for them to bring something new. But even when they are having some solo activities - MCing, acting, writing - they are always Koyama Keiichiro from NEWS, Kato Shigeaki from NEWS, Masuda Takahisa from NEWS, Tegoshi Yuya from NEWS. People get to know them and get to know NEWS through this. And then they join their abilities and shine even more.
I still kinda can’t belive that it’s 10 years NEWS anniversary today! TEN! And out of these ten years I’m following them for almost 6 years - whoa! More than half of that period. So many events in my life happened because of them. Three years ago, after coming back from Live!x3 concerts I started learning Japanese. My skills are still really bad, I can’t converse well, I lack kanji knowledge etc etc but slowly I’m getting to understand it more and more. Would I start learning it I haven’t meet NEWS? No. In school I always hated those exercises when we had to translate few sentences from Russian into English. And just look at that my post XD I started using English to connect with other NEWS fans. Oh yes, fans. I got to know and meet in person so many wonderful people because of NEWS! I won’t name anybody, but I’m really happy to have such precious friends as you ♥ For all these events I have to say big thanks to NEWS. Whenever I feel down, I listen to their songs, and this cheers me up. When I think that something is impossible I look at them, who had never gave up, even when future looked grim, and get power to continue. Thank you NEWS!
Dear NEWS, happy 10ve anniversary!
I hope to continue walking hand to hand with you many many years. Now when you had finally found your true shape, you can shine bright. I hope next ten years will bring you (and us) many great discoveries, new songs, new concerts. More than first ten years did!
てずてってとって愛してる♥
I think it's the longest text I have ever written in English xD Thank you to everyone who read through until the very end.
Last night I came across interesting tag on twitter asking “what did you do 10 years ago?”. In September 2003 I had just entered university, was very excited about study and had no idea that somewhere thousands miles away people who will become very precious to me were gathered together.
I started watching anime in spring 2005 and was anime fan for couple of years until I discovered existence of dramas. At that time my internet connection was still pretty limited, but it local P2P network I managed to find several titles, namely Hana Yori Dango, Kimi wa Petto and Nobuta wo Produce. I liked Matsujun, but didn’t pay any attention to the fact he belongs to some agency and treated him just an actor (according to my blog posts that I re-read last night, I fancied him. Lol, I don’t remember that at all). I found Kame & Yamapi more interesting but then my vacation started, and at that time this meant that I have to go back to parents who didn’t have internet at that time. Sooo, September came, I returned back to interwebs, and first of all I started downloading not anime but Hanazakari no Kimitachi e - seems I was hooked by dramas already. Reason for downloading Hanakimi was Shirota Yuu, who I liked after watching TeniPuri musicals - technically he was the first Japanese actor/artist I had even fangirled. So I was reading his trivia at some site and it said that his best friends are Akanishi Jin (who’s that?!) and Yamashita Tomohisa (heeeeey I know his name, that's the guy who played Akira!). I googled for the last and found that he’s a member of some boyband, tried to look for that “NEWS” group and… failed XD So I looked for band of other actor, Kamenashi, and Google worked brilliantly for “KAT-TUN” :D I felt really stupid for liking some boyband, but couldn’t help but watch KT videos, read fanfiction about them and roam through LJ. And eventually I managed to find news_jpop. Is was probably a destiny that it happened on November 11th. Tegoshi’s hatachi. I still remember what exactly post I was smitten with - here it is. Of course most of links are broken now, but back than I was just amazed. I fell in love with that boy - and this hasn’t changed since then ^^
At that time I had completely no idea how much would this affect my life.
You know, before NEWS I was always switching from one fandom to another, and I wasn’t even really thinking about myself as part of some community of fans. Who would know that this new interest will be any different?
2007 was just great time to become fan. NEWS had their fresh start with Hoshi wo Mezashite, released N.E.W.S. DVD, released pacific and weeeek and kicked off tour. Weeeek PV like was knockdown cause I of my fetish for boys in suits, so I dusted down (lol) and started following NEWS’ activities.
Of course at first I was mostly interested in them just because I liked their music and looks. I bet it’s like this for everyone, at first you notice exterior. But as I was watching their videos, reading interviews and jwebs, I was getting interested in their personalities. Some of them were exposed more, some less. It was kinda like cracking a riddle - trying to understand their real characters (I should admit that riddle named Masuda Takahisa was the hardest one).
I didn’t notice how couple of years passed, when NEWS come to standstill. It was that time when I realized that I care about them then just some music group. I was genuinely worried about what is happening with them - are they okay? can I do something to help them? That were not thoughts of some third person, I felt that they are as important to me as family members are. Probably it was that time I felt like there is some string that attaches me to NEWS.
Nevertheless NEWS moved on and announced concerts in Osaka & Tokyo. By that time I was ready to go to Japan for them. 5 concerts were pure bliss despite the fact I was always sitting so so far away from them, but I saw NEWS in the flesh, damn it! Before that trip I was a bit afraid that maybe they won’t be as great as I expected, what then? But lives were beyond expectations!
Let me skip 2011 okay? Anyway through all solicitudes and worries my bond with NEWS grew stronger. I can’t describe it, it is just there. And I feel like it’s the bond that can never be broken.
I was asked recently, what do I like in NEWS, what makes them special to me. And I was like “hmm, everything?” lol
I love their music without any doubt. In general you can say it’s typical jpop - and you’d be right. But they have their own style. It changed with years, yes, but it’s still pretty consistent. NEWS songs are often pretty uptempo, they are that kind of that makes you want to sing along or dance. I love members voices, each has own characteristics. Koyama’s voice is sweet and soft (and he improved so much with time!), Shige’s is bit hoarse and low, Tegoshi’s is a great vibrato, Massu’s is soothing. All together they create great harmony. And I love lyrics of many of their songs. I write about lyrics the last not because it's the least important, but because it's harder to appreciate lyrics than melody. Previously I had to rely only on translations, and only since last year I can finally get sense of them by myself, and now I like them even more. Many of NEWS songs are about going forward, they are songs of support. NEWS also have some songs with quite naughty lyrics. And some love songs - happy and sad as well. Just few days ago I read interview in TV Pia, crosstalk of NEWS with zopp-san, lyricist of many of my favorite NEWS’ songs, and it gave me some interesting insights. NEWS songs suit them so much cause they are created with NEWS image in mind.
I love their looks. All members are so handsome! It’s hard to be unbiased but I think that NEWS is the most handsome group among all Johnny’s. Few last days since the anniversary event people are posting lots of photos of NEWS through years they spent in agency, and it’s amazing to see how much had members grown! They still were kids when their debut was announced, they are men now. Really hot men xD TBH personally I think their sexiness shows up the most when they don’t try to show it off.
At the same time they are still kids inside. And that side of them shows up more and more often I’d say xD It’s really fun so see their pranks, read how the tease each other, this always brings the widest smile to my face.
They are so close to each other, that they more like family rather then just friends, or workmates. They act naturally, and how they act is simply adorable. That’s that changed with years too of course. Sometimes before there was some awkwardness between them, but I don’t see it now, not anymore!
And their personalities… Each of them is so different. We have Koyama, our leader. He keeps saying that he is unreliable person, it’s not true! He is the heart of the group. He loves NEWS from the start and was always the one who cared about other members the most. All Johnny’s fans use word “member-ai” now not thinking about the fact that it’s Koyama who brought that word. If Koyama is the heart, then Shige must be the brain of NEWS. Cool and smart, he can look at group objectively, that’s what NEWS need too. As I had already said, Massu used to be the biggest puzzle for me, and I think only couple of years ago he started showing his real potential. Massu is an idea man, and outfits he makes for members are wonderful. Sometimes questionable, but wonderful anyway xD And Tegoshi, my ichiban. The underground leader. He is the most straightforward amongst members, and sometimes says in public things that others would consider too explicit, what others won't dare to say. He motivates members, staff and fans, so can I name his the soul of NEWS then?
I said about the bond before, and that’s not just my words, members themselves admit it too. There is the bond between members & their fans, bond so strong that they say that NEWS = 4+FAN. Maybe that’s reason why they never disappoint us in expectations. They know better than anyone else what fans want, and do their best to make things that will make us happy. They are really involved into producing themselves now, be it new songs, tour goods, setlist or anything else. Yes, we have to wait for them to bring something new. But even when they are having some solo activities - MCing, acting, writing - they are always Koyama Keiichiro from NEWS, Kato Shigeaki from NEWS, Masuda Takahisa from NEWS, Tegoshi Yuya from NEWS. People get to know them and get to know NEWS through this. And then they join their abilities and shine even more.
I still kinda can’t belive that it’s 10 years NEWS anniversary today! TEN! And out of these ten years I’m following them for almost 6 years - whoa! More than half of that period. So many events in my life happened because of them. Three years ago, after coming back from Live!x3 concerts I started learning Japanese. My skills are still really bad, I can’t converse well, I lack kanji knowledge etc etc but slowly I’m getting to understand it more and more. Would I start learning it I haven’t meet NEWS? No. In school I always hated those exercises when we had to translate few sentences from Russian into English. And just look at that my post XD I started using English to connect with other NEWS fans. Oh yes, fans. I got to know and meet in person so many wonderful people because of NEWS! I won’t name anybody, but I’m really happy to have such precious friends as you ♥ For all these events I have to say big thanks to NEWS. Whenever I feel down, I listen to their songs, and this cheers me up. When I think that something is impossible I look at them, who had never gave up, even when future looked grim, and get power to continue. Thank you NEWS!
Dear NEWS, happy 10ve anniversary!
I hope to continue walking hand to hand with you many many years. Now when you had finally found your true shape, you can shine bright. I hope next ten years will bring you (and us) many great discoveries, new songs, new concerts. More than first ten years did!
てずてってとって愛してる♥
I think it's the longest text I have ever written in English xD Thank you to everyone who read through until the very end.