[translation] Myojo 2017: Inoo Kei 10K Long Interview
Hello! Happy holidays, everyone! :D
I found out that Inoo Kei's 10k Long Interview back in 2017 was already translated before, but my friends told me that the post seems to be deleted already. That's why I decided to finally read this interview and share the translation to you! I've actually been working on this for more than a month, but I only got to finish it today hahaha.
I didn't get the time to read this interview in 2017, and time just went by without me getting to read this at all until this year. I regret not reading this before because this interview is full of feels. But at the same time, I think this is also a good timing to read his interview because he already achieved some of the things he mentioned here, which makes me happy and proud. Inoo doesn't usually talk about some of the things he said here, so reading this made me feel like he showed us a side of him that he doesn't usually show to the public.
Okay, so enough of me telling my feels HAHAHA. I hope you enjoy reading! :)
JUMP’s history will still continue from now on
It’s been 10 years since your debut. Did it feel long or short?
Hmm, I don’t know. When I hear that it’s been 10 years, it feels long but it also feels short when I reminisce about it. I wonder which it really is?! Was it long? Or was it short? I don’t know. (laughs)
But without a doubt, it’s been a deep 10 years.
It was deep. I think we were able to write a history that only we can create.
In these 10 years, what was the most memorable event for you?
Maybe our Yokohama Arena concert, where we announced our debut. That was the day when a group called Hey! Say JUMP started. I couldn’t forget that day. We wore white costumes. White?! Maybe I’m wrong. (laughs) Well, more than the minor details, the important part was when the stage curtain was lifted then we sang and danced to our debut song “Ultra Music Power.” It was certainly memorable.
Do you remember the cheers on that day?
There was no room to catch the cheers [of the crowd]. I don’t remember whether the cheers were loud or not. I think it was something that couldn’t fit in my capacity at that time. It’s been 10 years since that day and if you say that it was long, then it was long. If you say that it was short, then it was short. But what I can say for sure is that the history of JUMP will still continue from now on.
What I felt as the most turning point of our 10th anniversary is the extent of the width of our seniors’ backs. When we debuted, we were called to be guests on “Domoto Kyoudai.” (T/N: Domoto Kyoudai was a show hosted by Kinki Kids.) At that time, it was Kinki Kids’ 10th anniversary. I remember looking at their wide backs. It’s the same for TOKIO, V6, and Arashi. The backs of our seniors on their 10th anniversaries were wider. (T/N: I interpret having “wide backs” as an expression to say that they have gained a lot of experience already.) With that in mind, I feel that we have to do our best even more as we welcome the joy of our milestone year.
It’s only a bit, but I think I can give back.
Looking back on Inoo-kun’s individual 10 years, it’s a must to talk about “Inoo Revolution” in the past few years.
About that, I have feelings of gratitude and respect for my seniors. My seniors contributed a big part in what I have now. During 24hr TV (T/N: 24hr TV is an annual charity event by NTV), Okada-kun kept calling me cute. Many seniors including Kamenashi-kun and Ohkura-kun mentioned my name in various instances. Those are some of the main factors that enabled me to do different kinds of work now. This time, I’d like to do something in my own ways that could make people notice my kouhai/juniors.
It is said that one of the factors igniting your popularity was your “mushroom haircut” displayed on the cover of October 2015 issue of Hanako (T/N: Hanako is the name of a magazine). Was that hairstyle advised to you by someone?
That was just a coincidence. (laughs) I dyed my hair blonde for the drama “Naruyouni Narusa.” When I dyed it back to black after the drama’s filming, the quality of my hair became a little different from what it used to be. I thought maybe it would settle down a bit if I dyed it to a different color. I’ve never dyed my hair unless it was for work, so I thought I would try dyeing it brown for the first time. Since I’m already dyeing it brown, I changed my hairdresser as well. That hairdresser was coincidentally from the same hometown as me and we had a lively conversation. After that, I left it up to the hairdresser.
After that, your hair became a mushroom cut?
Yeah, but the only request I could say was “don’t change the look too much.” Then at that timing, my hair just became like that. I didn’t think of it as a mushroom cut. I found out that people called my hairstyle as “mushroom cut,” so I went with that from there on when I got my hair styled. (laughs)
The amount of work you got after that was remarkable. What was it like to gain so much attention?
Leaving out the minor details, I felt happy. My mom, dad, grandfather, and grandmother… They didn’t put it into words, but I think there was a part of them that felt worried. Something like, “you’ve made your debut, but you can go to university.” (laughs) (T/N: I’m not exactly sure but I think Inoo meant that his family allowed him to go to university because there’s a part of them that was worried with how his current work situation at that time was.) So after being able to appear in various TV shows, I think they were a bit relieved.
Also, with regard to the members. I didn’t have solo work for many years. During that time, they stood in front and spread the name “Hey! Say! JUMP.” Now finally, although it’s not repayment… The members have pulled me all this time, but now I feel like I can give back to them even just a little.
Is there a change among the members after 10 years?
I wonder?! I think they basically didn’t change. (laughs)
When we asked the members about the change in Inoo-kun, a lot of them commented that you haven’t changed. It’s just that people have finally discovered you. Arioka-kun told us that you’ve been cute since before and that whenever you go out for meals, he was worried that there would be panic within the restaurant.
Ah~ Daichan exaggerates his stories a lot. Being tossed around in variety shows, it’s sad to think that I’ve ended up changing. (laughs)
Hahahaha!
After all, I’ve been continuously watching the members for 10 years or more. They may have grown, but I don’t feel like they’ve changed. Because people’s roots don’t really change much, right?
Maybe you’re right.
Recently, I’ve been able to do various works. I’ve been told a lot that I changed. But for me, my foundation didn’t change much. If it’s something that changed, I think it’s the way people look at me. Of course, being told that I’ve changed makes me happy, but it makes me sad at the same time. That’s why being told that I didn’t change by the members, who have been the ones closely looking at me the most, makes me happy.
I see.
Ah, maybe Takaki changed. (laughs) Rather than Takaki changing, it’s more like our relationship changed. I think we became closer. In the past, we didn’t talk much. But now our nonsense topics match and I started thinking that Takaki is an interesting person. I’m happy that his interesting side is now being shown on variety shows little by little too. Well, Takaki has a cute and kind feel ever since before.
Which instances is he kind?
Hmm, his casual kindness. Even though someone doesn’t say that he feels unwell, he somehow notices and casually helps.
Can you also tell us about the other members? Let’s start from Yabu-kun.
I wonder what. I think it’s incredible how we auditioned [for Johnny’s] on the same day and ended up being in the same group. Recently, Yabu was a guest in “Merengue no Kimochi.” (T/N: Merengue no Kimochi is a variety show where Inoo is one of the MCs.) Neither the both of us nor all 9 of us were called as guests. We appeared as host (Inoo) and guest (Yabu) on the show. Somehow, that moment made me feel our growth as a group.
How about Yaotome-kun?
Hikaru~ I wonder what. I don’t think Hikaru particularly changed too. He’s being teased a lot recently, but he hasn’t changed, at least in my perspective. I’m doing “Radirer! Saturday” (T/N: Radirer! Saturday or read as Rajira! Saturday is a weekly radio show hosted by Inoo and Hikaru.) with Hikaru. We had our 100th broadcast the other day. We have a strange relationship in which we definitely meet once a week [because of the radio show]. I’m happy that both of us can do such a radio show together that is broadcasted live and listened to by people from different generations.
Next is Arioka-kun.
He surely didn’t change at all. Ever since before, he can be noisy around BEST and 7. He often says that he wants to be the bridge between BEST and 7, and he really became that. But the reason why Daichan became the bridge is because of his lovable character. Right now, he appears in “Hirunandesu” and he is also loved by the studio people. (T/N: Hirunandesu is an afternoon variety show where Hikaru and Daiki appear in every Tuesday.) That’s a very happy thing. I think it’s wonderful how he is gradually spreading what he has completed within JUMP onto outside the group.
Arioka-kun commented about the Inoo-kun from a few years ago. He was worried that you seemed like you would quit if someone told you to quit.
I see. I might have been seen as someone like that, but my feelings before and my feelings now still hasn’t changed. Of course, I may have felt frustrated that I was the only one without work when I was still a student. Since Daichan is kind, he must have thought about that upon seeing that version of me at that time. But because it’s now that I am able to say this. When I look back, my feeling of gratitude for allowing my selfishness of going to university is stronger than my feeling of frustration of not having work.
During a previous interview, you said you don’t like talking about hardships and painful memories. I don’t think you’ll talk about those this time as well, but was there any time when you thought of quitting of being an idol?
Hmmm. The moment I thought about quitting… maybe right now! Because no one knows what’s going to happen next. (laughs)
You’re right. (laughs) Then, how about Nakajima-kun next?
As expected, I’ve been looking at him ever since he was little during our junior days so if I’ll say a change on his appearance, then it’s that he became an adult. Also, I think Yuto will still be the coolest even when he’s in his 40s or 50s. I saw him with a bit of beard growing out during our day-off last time. He looked so cool that time. You know, Daichan and I would definitely be the type of old men who would try to look young when we grow older. (laughs) I’m not the type of guy who emits mature sex appeal. But Yuto would look cool even in his 50s. I recently thought that he’d become a refined actor.
How about Okamoto-kun?
I think Keito is the member, who wants to do something for the group the most. When I look at him, that’s what I think. Of course, all the members think so too, but I think he feels the strongest about it. He spreads his antenna in different directions. He plays guitar and composes songs. He often reads books and goes to watch stage plays. He’s attending university now too. I see that he’s earnestly devoting himself to various things. I don’t know when and how that part of him will come out to the world. I’m really looking forward to seeing that day come.
What about Chinen-kun?
I’m happy that he was chosen as the presenter for the World Gymnastics on October. I also have a lot of opportunities to talk with different people on “Mezamashi TV.” I feel that the characters of the interviewer and interviewee show depending on how they connect the distance between them. When Chinen faced the gymnasts, his character was certainly great. Chinen himself can do backflips and is good in moving his body, so there’s no doubt that he can ask different topics compared with the other reporters. I think he can convey the fun and difficulty of gymnastics to the audience. I’m looking forward to seeing Chinen’s work, and at the same time learn from him.
Lastly, what about Yamada-kun?
Yama-chan?! Yamada hasn’t changed since before. I think he’s a person who notices a lot of things. And because of that, I wonder if he carried a lot of burden on his back. At the time of our debut, he was the only one who got the most exposure. Even if it wouldn’t be weird for him to be put in an environment with “just himself,” he was the one who looked out for the group among anyone else. Finally, now the members are going out. (T/N: I interpret the previous sentence as the members having more exposures and going out as in doing solo work.) How do I say this? I don’t know what Yamada thinks about it, but I’m happy if this lifted a bit of weight off his shoulders. Yeah.
In Yamada-kun’s 10k long interview, he said that you went with him until in his dressing room after an important discussion about JUMP’s future in 2013 and told him “thanks.” Do you remember that?
Ahh, yes. But it’s a given to express your gratitude, right? It doesn’t matter whether they’re younger or older. If no one managed and took the responsibility at that time, the discussion might not have been possible.
Thanking him was nothing special. (T/N: Inoo is saying that it’s normal to say thank you to someone.) Because when I went to a location shoot for “Tensai! Shimura Doubutsuen,” I normally said thank you to the animal who did its best on that day. (laughs)
But of course, there’s weight in the words “thank you.” I’m quite the type of person who can say those words without being shy. Ah, I lied. Maybe I was shy to say thank you in front of everyone, so I secretly followed Yamada in his dressing room just to say it. (laughs) After all, for example, isn’t it embarrassing to directly say “it was interesting” whenever I watched a member’s movie or drama?! I get embarrassed if I say it or if I’m being told that.
Even so, is there any member who will say that he watched another member’s show?
Usually, everyone says it. Mostly Takaki and Keito. Yuto also says, “I watched Mezamashi on the way to work.” Ah~ I should be able to say such things as much as possible too. I’m such a cold-hearted guy. (laughs)
I used to think that I shouldn’t cry.
Recently, it’s famous that you’re getting along with Aiba-kun.
Yes. Aiba-kun is the only one who I regularly go out for meals with. There are times when he has regular programs and drama filming. His schedule is so packed. But whenever we meet, he never shows that. Honestly, I think he’s amazing. He’s a wonderful person.
Do you also ask for advice?
Yes. He kindly listens to me and he makes time for someone like me even though he’s already so busy.
I didn’t see Inoo-kun as someone who would consult his worries to someone.
I didn’t consult or ask for advice to people that much before. It’s because Aiba-kun is kind. He also sympathizes with my thoughts. Also, I think I started consulting with him because as I got older, I became weaker as a person.
What do you mean?
Hmm, I feel that my heart became weaker. In the past, I didn’t cry on TV. But now, I cry whenever my chest is struck/moved. I used to think that I shouldn’t cry. There was even a part of me who thought, “why are they crying?”
You mean you thought you shouldn’t cry on TV?
No matter how much you cry, you won’t be the person concerned. Isn’t it a bit strange to shed tears when you only know the surface of that person’s sadness? The one who wants to cry and is feeling pain is the person concerned. That’s what I thought before.
What made you change that way of thinking?
I think the first one was a letter sent to our radio show. An earthquake disaster occurred in Kumamoto last year. We got a letter from the evacuation center that said, “It’s really tough, but I feel encouraged after hearing JUMP’s songs.” I, who was in the studio in Tokyo faraway [from Kumamoto], couldn’t do anything. But there are people who are saved even just a little by our songs. I thought that was nice. I thought I’m glad that I’m part of JUMP; that I’m an idol… I couldn’t hold back my tears because I was filled with that feeling and powerlessness.
That was quite an influence.
Yes. That was when I thought about it. No matter where I am, I wouldn’t be the person concerned. But if there are people or even just one who feels something from my tears, or who will take a step forward to see if he/she can do something, then maybe crying isn’t something I should be embarrassed about.
Maybe that doesn’t mean you got weaker, but rather you got stronger. I’ve wanted to ask you this since earlier. How do you define an “idol?”
Hmm. Right now, I think it’s a job where you can see a person’s humanity and character. Of course, I think there’s a lot of people who like [idols] for their singing and dancing. But the stories that these idols talk about on magazine interviews and on TV are things related to everyday life. Interacting with the radio listeners gives a natural feeling too. That’s looking at the person himself/herself and not only his/her surface/appearance. Even if that person is acting or doing variety shows, I think there’s still a part where you can see his/her character, way of life, and way of thinking. I wonder if that’s what an idol is. That’s why I think it’s wonderful when [fans] love that person even after [seeing those parts].
I see. Then, do you have any change of attitude towards your fans? You unusually shouted, “I love you!” during the MC of your tour last year, right?
I said that?! Well, I guess I said it but there’s no particular reason why. The most important thing in a concert is the atmosphere of the venue. If I said it, then it’s because I wanted to say it that time. It was the flow [of the situation.] If I didn’t say anything, it wouldn’t end. (laughs)
There’s a mail from the editorial department asking if you ever had any moments when you thought you didn’t like something about the fans.
There’s none. The person asking might go, “eh? There’s none?!” But there’s really none. Ever since before, I’ve always thought of fans as my comrades. My biggest comrades! There’s no way I’d dislike them. When I was still a junior, there were fans who sent me fan letters even if I was just staggeringly back dancing. At that time, I wonder how much those fan letters encouraged me. There were also people who shouted “kyaaa” for me during concerts when I had almost no work. Those voices supported me. I’m just a selfish person who says what I want on TV and live my life in my own way. I think I will continue to live life the way I want to. Despite that, they still support me. There’s nothing happier than that. That’s why fans will always be my treasured comrades.
Then, do you like yourself as an idol?
Yes. I’m sure it’s because things beyond your own imagination happen. I think that’s the most fun [in being an idol]. For example, an incredible number of people gather at our concert venues. That’s a scenery I’ve never imagined before. I want to meet something that’s beyond my imagination. When doing a drama, you get to meet with a version of yourself who you wouldn’t normally meet if you just lived normally. Your emotions that arose at that time are emotions that you wouldn’t normally feel. It’s like that with variety shows too. Suddenly being taken to places you never imagined going to while doing hard things as well as fun things. One time, I was attacked by monkeys. (laughs) (T/N: I just want to share that this was from one of his guesting in Tensai! Shimura Doubutsuen with Aiba. Haha) That was unexpected. I think the appeal of idols is to be able to make a lot of unimaginable things to happen. That’s why I’m glad that I’m an idol.
Even though you submitted your application for Johnny’s to be able to eat delicious food. (laughs)
About that… I’m really feeling that now. When I was in kindergarten, I was watching TV and thought that I wanted to enter this world. I don’t remember it exactly, but the people on TV looked like they were having fun. I do interviews on “Mezamashi” (T/N: Mezamashi TV is a news program, where Inoo appears every Thursday.) and I meet kids who happily say, “it’s Inoshira! It’s Inoshira!” “I watch your show! It’s fun to watch!” Maybe the feeling I had while watching TV when I was in kindergarten is similar with the feelings these kids are holding. When I think that I might be doing the same thing as the Johnny’s talent I saw on TV on that day, I feel happy. If those kids would think what I’m doing “looks fun” or that “they want to be like me” similar to how I felt watching those Johnny’s on TV when I was young, it would be wonderful!
That’s right. I just remembered that you said in a previous interview that “even if you went the wrong path, it’s better to live a life with many choices.”
I remember that. I said that indeed. Looking back at myself now, I’m glad I’ve increased my options. After all, no one thought that the qualification for driving a small boat that I casually took at that time would be useful when we went to a remote island for “Shimura Doubutsuen.” (laughs)
If there’s a white canvas representing yourself, I wonder if life is similar to putting a point and making those points bigger. Putting various points also means increasing your choices/options.
Point?
For example, in my case, having gone to university is one point. Another point is being able to do idol work. For my university point, I studied architecture and met my respected professor. That point gradually grew and grew. My university point widened and now I’m able to overlap it with my work point. A number of points that I thought were unrelated [with idol work] gradually became bigger and overlapped [with idol work].
What do you mean?
When I was in university, I talked with people staying at temporary housings in disaster areas and took several surveys. At that time, I thought of it as something unrelated to idol work. But there’s no doubt that [the experience of] talking with people has helped me whenever I do interviews on “Mezamashi TV” now. I wonder if that overlap is the individuality or the strong point of a person. That’s why I think it’s important to hit various points. Of course, I think a person has strengths and weaknesses. Maybe there’s even a point you want to erase. But there’s a possibility that even those can be useful.
Did something like that happen to you?
When I was in high school, I couldn’t make friends. That was a part of my past that I wanted to erase, but if I think about it now, I think my capacity as a high school student couldn’t accept that I was able to debut as part of Hey! Say! JUMP. That’s why I put up a wall distancing myself from my classmates.
Is there a possibility that those points you want to erase could become important points?
Well, it’s because I graduated high school that I was able to go to university and meet the professor I respect even now. Moreover, it’s because my high school life was gloomy that I was able to enjoy and have fun even more during the filming of our movie “Peach Girl.” (laughs) No one knows where and which points would be useful. That’s why I think there’s nothing useless in our lives. Of course, I think the way of life of people who decide to go to one path and master one point like a craftsman is wonderful. It’s not about what’s good or bad. In my case, this way of living is what suits me. That’s why I want to continue marking as many points as possible and increase the number of firsts in my life. It’s because I want to see sceneries that I’ve never seen before [M1] , and I want to come across emotions [that I would feel] for the first time.
Because my feelings about the members are special
For Inoo-kun, who has marked different points so far, which of those would you say is your turning point?
Hmm, it’s hard but my stage play “Karafuto Ojisan” was a very big turning point. It made me think whether I want to continue this kind of job in the future because it was a stage play that made me realize the difficulty and enjoyment of acting. Until this stage play, I was just doing what I was told. There were a lot of things I didn’t understand about acting. [Through this stage play,] I was able to know the difficulty and fun of acting even a little.
You were told by Wishing Chong, who directed your play, that you should act more.
Yes. I feel that that stage play became rooted in me. Performing as one of the lead roles in a stage play of three people gave me a lot of confidence and courage.
What kind of future do you envision for yourself?
Hmm, I wonder if I have to decide on that. I like acting, and I’m happy if I make people laugh on variety shows. And there’s also the interestingness of news programs. Maybe I have to think about what I want to be, and which position I should stand in, but I don’t think about it much. (laughs) I think there are works given to me because of my surroundings, especially the fans. Right now, I just want to do my best in what’s in front of me.
What will happen to JUMP after 10 years?
I’m happy if one or two members would be married and have kids. (laughs) Because I want to see them [getting married]. Aren’t the members more like relatives than relatives? [I want to see] if their kids look like them or not. [Saying things like,] “it’ll be cute if it’s his kid.”
Lastly, a message for the members now that you’re welcoming your 10th anniversary.
I wonder what. Let’s make it a year that we can say “it’s been a wonderful 10th year anniversary” in the future. That means we have to work hard now and from now on. Ahh, but my feelings for the members are a bit special.
Special?
Hmm, a person’s relationship with others can often be categorized as family, friends, and colleagues. But [when it comes to the members], those areas aren’t often crossed right?! [My relationship with] the members is different. We were already together since we were young. There’s a sense of being childhood friends too, but we also have a relationship like a family, and a relationship as comrades and rivals during work. Members are a combination of various elements. And in 10 years, I was together with these members during fun and hard times. That’s why the feelings I have for the members are different from my feelings for my family and friends. The kind of relationship I have with them is the kind that makes me feel emotions that I’ve never felt before; emotions I wouldn’t normally feel. Meeting members like them is a miracle in itself. They’re irreplaceable assets. There were sceneries I was able to see because I’m with these members. The feelings I was filled at that time couldn’t be conveyed to other people besides us even if a thousand words were used. If I could add one thing to say to the members, even if it’s embarrassing, maybe it’s “thank you” for making me encounter many feelings of firsts.
Note:
- Japanese and English are not my native languages, so I apologize if there are some mistakes. Feel free to correct me. :)
- The texts in blue are the main sections/divisions of the interviews.
- The italicized texts in bold are said by the interviewer, while the texts that aren't italicized and aren't bold were Inoo's answers.