We Still Subbing

Hirate Yurina, who have led Keyakizaka46 as the group's outstanding Center announced her sudden withdrawal in January 2020. About one month have passed since that shocking announcement. We are posting the full text of her interview for VOGUE JAPAN 20th Anniversary Visual Book when she was still in the group. She strongly and honestly talk about what she think as a member of Keyakizaka46 and personal thoughts. (...) To cherish the things in front of me everyday, to spend everyday without a lie. The interview took place in 15th September 2019. Just short before the Final Performance of Summer National Tour in Tokyo Dome. She appeared wearing her own clothes, covering her whole body in black, looking straight ahead with big eyes that seemingly about to fall. From both her appearance and the words she spoken, there is a strong force in her transientness. I can understand her overwhelming presence, that have stirred the imagination of many creators.  When I as...

In 2019, the full-scale participation of 2ki, a tour, Tokyo Dome, the introduction of a selection system and many more happened in a year in Keyakizaka46. The members have been running with an understanding each of it, but sometimes it's good to stop. What did they see when they look back upon the year of the raging storm? Interviewer:　It's a year-end interview. The theme is looking back on 2019, but you might be sick and tired of it, so you can choose a different theme. What should we do? Ozeki:　I may haven’t done a “looking back” interview. Yamasaki:　I only got interviewed about that once. Interviewer: Ah, that’s right. Ozeki:　Otherwise, we can just talk about whatever Ten is interested in. (laughs) Yamasaki:　Recently, I have only been watching children's videos. The behavior of kindergarteners is interesting, so I just watch it. Ozeki:　I see. I'm addicted to cooking hot pots. The other day, I cooked tonkotsu-soy sauce hot pot. Interviewer:　Is that t...

Direct transmission from 1st gen About half a year has passed since the last time we spoke in BUBKA’s 2nd gen feature. Has anything changed with your state of mind? Hikaru: I think the awareness of being a member of the group has become stronger than before, and I am also slowly getting used to live performance. Until the anniversary live at Budokan, all I was worried about was to not make a mistake, but during the Republic of Keyaki, for the first time, I thought live performances were fun. It was my first time riding a cart, throwing a water balloon. Though the water balloon was caught without being broken (laughs). There was also the feeling of openness of an outdoor live performance, so it was really fun. In the last interview, how you say “I was a cold person, but my emotions appeared since I entered Keyakizaka” left an impression. Hikaru: In the past, I didn’t have many friends, but now it’s fun to be with the members, and my emotions started to appear naturally. There...

To jump high, you need to bend your knees and lower your body. You can say that the situation they are in right now is when they are crouching to take a leap. But what they face is a hill. Last time, you said "A work that lasted more than 3 years is a lifework", for Nagasawa-san is Idol a lifework? Nanako: Hm… Actually, the commitment isn't that strong. I wear outfits that they think suits me, I let the make-up artist handle my hairstyle and such. It might not be a good way of saying it but I have an easy feeling about it. There are discoveries such as "Oh, my atmosphere could change like this", and you could say that it's fun. Surprisingly, there are people who objectively see me, and they were right about me.  I could genuinely accept it. In fact, when I was a child I never said "Because I'm like this". I don't know if this can answer the question. On the other hand, something that cannot be compromised. Is there anything that y...