AKB48’s J-pop Icon Kashiwagi Yuki Encouraged by Up-and-Rising K-pop talents

연합뉴스 / 2024-04-30 09:18:55

▲ This image, provided by AKB48 in April 30, 2024, shows the Japanese idol group's iconic member Kashiwagi Yuki. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, April 30 (Yonhap) -- "I want to be a pillar of support in the daily lives of my fans. I strive to give them strength by watching TV or concerts and to show them a bright and healthy appearance."

Japanese idol group AKB48's leading member, Kashiwagi Yuki (柏木由紀, 33), emphasized in a recent video interview with Yonhap News, "The existence of fans is essential for the very existence of the idol industry."

The singer-actress added, "No matter what happens to me, thinking about whether 'this will make fans happy or give them strength' has been empowering."

▲ This image, provided by AKB48 in April 30, 2024, shows the Japanese idol group's iconic member Kashiwagi Yuki. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

AKB48, a Japanese representative girl group operated by dozens of members, has enjoyed nationwide popularity since its formation in 2005, selling over a million copies of singles per release during its heyday.

Among them, Kashiwagi has been active for 17 years since her debut in 2007, witnessing the group's rise, prime, and stability phases. It is unprecedented for a member to stay in a girl group for 17 years, and she will graduate (the Japanese expression for withdrawal) from the group on the 30th.

"I feel somewhat sad to have been active for 17 years, but I'm excited and looking forward to the second new chapter of my life, not as 'AKB48's Kashiwagi Yuki'," she said.

AKB48 held its first fan meeting in Seoul on the 20th of this month. Kashiwagi expressed her joy, saying, "I was very happy because I didn't know if I would receive such strong support," and added with a smile, "I saw many beautiful photos taken by Korean fans, and I saved them."

She recalled meeting Korean fans one by one at a fan signing event after the fan meeting, saying, "They gave me many warm words such as 'I hope you are happy' or 'Thank you for being an idol,' which remain in my memory."

Even among the hundreds of former AKB48 members, Kashiwagi has garnered the most popularity. With her pure voice, outstanding singing ability, and sincere attitude toward fans, she has gained many fans in Korea as well.

"I was very conscious of how I could stand out among the many members of AKB48 and how I could secure my own fans," she said.

She also expressed her wish for more opportunities to showcase individual members among the large lineup of AKB48. "Recently, I have been thinking that although AKB48 is well-known in Japan, due to frequent member changes, there haven't been many opportunities to showcase each member individually," she said, adding, "I hope there will be more opportunities to introduce our junior members one by one in the future."

Interestingly, Sakura, a former member of AKB48 and currently a member of the Korean group Luce Sera, and Juri Takahashi from Rocket Punch, both hail from the same hometown as Sakura and Kashiwagi, Kagoshima.

"I think it's really impressive to see people who are pursuing their dreams as K-pop idols beyond their goal of debuting as AKB48 members," she said.

Moreover, she mentioned Honda Hitomi, who returned to AKB48 after promoting with IZ*ONE in Korea, saying, "When she returned, she shared a lot of dance practice methods she learned in Korea with us. She played a role in spreading new practice methods within our group."

▲ This image, provided by CJ ENM, shows Japanese idol singer Honda Hitomi attending K-CON 2022 in Chiba, Japan. Honda returned to AKB48 after promoting with IZ*ONE in Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

In the future, she plans to continue her activities as a solo singer on stage and on TV variety shows, leveraging her strengths. She considers now, before her graduation, as the best moment.

"If there are fans waiting for me in Korea, I definitely want to go back. Even at a recent fan meeting, they told me, 'Please come back,' so I want to visit Seoul again," she said.