The wall that cannot be broken by Kobayashi Yui, “Keyakizaka” hits all end (Sakamichi's Tuesday 18th August 2020 column in Nikkan Sports)

Keyakizaka46’s Kobayashi Yui (20) talks about the new song “Dare ga sono Kane wo narasu no ka?” (Will be released on the 21st as an online single). For Keyakizaka46 who have announced the closing of their 5 years long history, this will be their last single. She talks about the charm of the song, her feelings toward the group, and message towards the fans

Kobayashi Yui showing the Keyakizaka46 pose

“Dare ga sono Kane wo narasu no ka?” is a song that mixes Keyakizaka46-like strong messages with a kind atmosphere. The lyrics have a phrase that gently calls out to someone.

“I think that in the past, there have been a lot of lyrics about 'Boku (I)' blurting out our own opinions toward the other people in the past. But in this song, the 'Boku (I)' thinks that 'We've all said a lot of things, but if we stop and listen for a moment, wouldn’t we be able to see something new?'.”

The song begins with Kobayashi’s narration. “The answer is in the narration at the start, but no one hears it, and the song goes on. It's an image of fighting against a lot of things, and then, at the end, releasing our feelings”, she explains.

“The performance is quite intense. The initial part of the choreography where everyone is scattered, I think it’s expressing how we have different opinions. When we come together in the chorus, there is an awareness to make it look powerful.”

It has been one and a half years since the release of “Kuroi Hitsuji” in February 2019. “I really do feel like we had been keeping our fans waiting for a long time, and wanted to move quickly.”. COVID made it difficult to hold a new event, but last month, they were able to hold their first online live performance. And then, in the encore, they announced the shocking announcement of a rename and a restart.

Kobayashi Yui (right) taking pictures with members during the online live practice in July.

From left, Koike Minami, Ishimori Nijika

It’s only natural for her to have special feelings toward Keyakizaka46, in which she has spent a dense 5 years of history since their formation in August 2015. While choosing her words, she revealed her feelings.

“We have been through a lot of things in the past, but each time I thought that if I worked hard enough, I could get over it, and that's what drives me. But this time, there are parts where it is impossible to overcome with just that. Emotionally, there was frustration.”

She slowly formed her words.

“But right now, I thought that it’d be nice if I could positively do my best. If I change the part where I face these feelings head on, then perhaps when we make a fresh start we would be able to create something better, so I hope.”

In her official blog after the announcement of the name change, she said, “But we can't overcome it with just those emotions”.

“There is the feeling that the 'Keyakizaka' brand image that we have created so far become a barrier. It may become a burden for the members whether they can continue the 'Keyakizaka' that is demanded by people in various industries and the public. Not all of us are strong, so there was a part that couldn't go forward with our emotions alone.”

The current plan is to close the curtain on Keyakizaka46’s history in the last live performance held in October. “I want to create something that could hit our 5 years of history as a whole. After all, as a part of Keyakizaka, I want to live that day properly.”

“The last 5 years have been very important for the members, and I think for the fans it has become something unforgettable. I don’t want them to feel it as a burden in the future. Rather than saying 'We’ll rewrite that and work even better', I think it’s better to to preserve those memories and move forward with a new one.”

While many fans and related parties are saddened by the name change, it's also a fresh start with new possibilities for the group.

“We are the ones who made the decision, so we have to take responsibility for it, and we have to be a group that makes people think 'Let’s continue following them'. While keeping the interest of various people, we also want our fans to become genuinely energized by seeing us and not feeling so heavy. I hope that they can wait for us.”

She entered Keyakizaka46 in the summer of her first year of high school. In the past eight singles, she has experienced standing five times in the front (front row position), the highest among the active members. With her high performance skills, she has been entrusted with important roles during difficult times, such as filling in for Hirate Yurina (19) as the Center for 2018’s NHK Uta Gassen. “From now on too, I want to become someone who can support the group in various places. I want to do my best in modeling and personal activities to keep the fans from losing interest”, she says.

 “I know there are still many more challenges to come in my life, I want to experience more good and bad things so that I can become a proper adult.”

She is currently just 20 years old. In the face of a major group milestone, each word that carries a weight will be a driving force for the next.

Kobayashi Yui showing the Keyakizaka46 pose

------

Translation: toomuchidea

QC: SatoneShichi

Original article