Modelpress Group Interview Ren x Ruki x Sho

JO1 Kawashiri Ren× Shiroiwa Ruki × Yonashiro Sho 「We want to make a new genre called JO1」

A series of interview of the global boy group called JO1 which was formed from the survival audition show "PRODUCE 101 JAPAN" The third part of the group interview is with Kawashiri Ren、Shiroiwa Ruki、Yonashiro Sho.

JO1「PROTOSTAR」Interviewー（From the left）川尻蓮、白岩瑠姫、與那城奨（C）モデルプレス

【Kawashiri Ren×Shiroiwa Ruki×Yonashiro Sho】「PROTOSTAR」The part I want you to notice！

Kawashiri: For me, it's the dance scene for "Mugendai". I had the honor to do the breakdance part as the center. At the end of the breakdance, we have a scene where we kiss this (does a guts pose, showing his upper arm muscles...). (embarassed laugh). It's from one of the trainees of Produce 101 Japan. （※Honda Kosuke's kinniku kiss (muscle kiss)） Yonashiro：Signature pose？ Kawashiri：Yes. Coincidentally, something similar was used in the choreography. We thought, ”Oh This!” and felt excited. For those who watched the show, I think you'd be able to know this. You won't be able to see it without the breakdance part, so if you happen to see it I'd be happy. Shiroiwa: For me, can I answer with something personal (laughs)? For the first time in my life, I dyed my hair purple. I think it stands out in the MV, so I want you to notice that. ―Why did you dye it purple? Yonashiro: At that time, you were considering purple right? Shiraiwa: As expected, there were opinions saying I shouldn't change my haircolor but at that time, it somehow ended with that color. The beautician asked what color I would like and I told him/her to decide for me. He/she told me it'd green. At that time, it was ash that's a bit greenish. But then, I said purple would be better than green and so it became purple. ―Did you like your hair purple? Shiraiwa: I think I liked it more than I thought. Though, I was scolded by my family. All: (laughs) Yonashiro: Something like, "What's with this purple color?" Shiroiwa: Yes. The truth is, I didn't tell my family that I would dye my hair. But then, they saw my uploaded picture and was surprised that their son's hair turned purple. Yonashiro: they would be surprised (laughs). Shiroiwa: They contacted me immediately and said,"What did you do?" (laughs). Yonashiro: For me, it's the Mugendai's MV's costume. Mine was the only one without sleeves. All: Ahhh~ (laughs) Shiroiwa: You were very exposed. Yonashiro: It was winter in Korea during the shoot, but mine was a net tanktop under a vest. All: (laughs) Yonashiro: It was really cold and that was all I could think of. From then on, whatever outfit it may be, I think I could wear it. Kawashiri: The amount of cloth would decrease drastically (laughs). Yonashiro: Truthfully, since Produce 101 Japan, they have drastically decreased. ―And in the end... Yonashiro: In the end, there won't be anything. It could just be body paint. All: (laughs) Shiraiwa: With just a scarf in your neck. Yonashiro: yes yes (laughs). Shiroiwa: Even when it's cold or hot (laughs)

【Kawashiri Ren x Shiroiwa Ruki x Yonashiro Sho】what did you find difficult since the start of your group?

―there was the coldness during the MV shoot, that was difficult, right? Yonashiro: I was cold. It was really cold. Shiroiwa: The shoot was really cold. Yonashiro: Everyone was wearing long sleeves, but they kept on saying, "It's cold. It's cold.". At that time, I thought,"You should look at me." Kawashira: Up until now, we did a lot of dance and singing practice, but for the MV shoot it wasn't just dancing.We needed to act out some parts and that was really difficult. I think it was a first for everyone. There was a scene where we had to go inside a magic mirror. We won't be able to see the outside but we are seen from the outside. In that spot, the camera would be filming us from outside and we won't know where the camera would be. In that condition, we had to act and adjust our gaze and that was difficult. Yonashiro: Yes, it was. We didn't know where the camera was once they say,"Start". Kawashiri: The three of us here, we had a shoot on that spot, right? ―With that experience, did you get the hang of adjusting your expressions? Kawashiri: As I thought, experience is important. It was really difficult at first but after repeating the process several times, I got the hang of it. ―Is there anything else you had difficulty with? Shiroiwa: Normally, a month would pass along swiftly but that one month... Yonashiro: it felt so long, right? Kawashiri: There were a lot of things we had to do. Shiroiwa: First we have to memorize the choreography, do the recording, and film the MV. In between those, we had several photoshoots. During Produce 101 Japan, I thought it was really difficult but afterJO1has been decided, that one month, I think I've grown a lot. It was a month where we went to a country we were not used to, met different people and had various experiences. It was really difficult. Three days after we remembered the choreography, we filmed the dance scene (for the MV). ― Was the schedule from morning until night? All: That's right. That's right! Shiroiwa: It was a repetition of starting early in the morning and going home late at night. Yonashiro: We were fairly tired. ―We had an image that Yonashiro-san is tough (under those situations). Yonashiro: It was like a test of stamina and will power. I didn't feel tired immediately but I would just suddenly realize that I'm really tired. Shiroiwa: I mean, we thought 1 month has passed but when we look at the schedule, it's only been one week (laughs). It was that difficult but we want everyone to think that "JO1 is amazing" or "cool" when they watch it. ― The reaction was really amazing when the teaser was released, right? Shiroiwa: That's why I was really happy at that time. I thought,"I'm glad I did my best". I also thought that it was worth it when I saw everyone's reaction when we performed live during the fan meeting. ―How was the fan meeting? Yonashiro: I was really nervous during the first day. More than 4000 fans who chose us was there. It was still before our debut and we had to perform our new song. We still had some parts we don't know yet. ―You were that nervous but then how was it when you stood on stage? Yonashiro: I just did everything I could. I also thought that if we just continue, we would get used to it. The singing voice's power was amazing.

【Kawashiri Ren x Shiroiwa Ruki x Yonashiro Sho】Room sharing stories everyone's curious about

― In that fan meeting, you talked about how you played a game to decide the room arrangement. Yonashiro: Rather than a game, we did roulette or lottery. You can do it using a smartphone application. Shiroiwa: We have 11 members, so in the hotel, we'd be paired per room and one member would get a room by himself. There were a lot of members who wanted to have the room to himself, same goes for me, so everyone was fired up (laughs). Yonashiro: Everyone would fight to get that one room. Shiroiwa: We always decide with a simple game. Ren-kun likes those games the most (laughs). Kawashiri: (laughs) Shiroiwa: He likes those simple games like rock paper scissors (laughs). For example, even if it's for a bread he didn't particularly want, but if everyone wants it, he'd still participate in the rock paper scissors. Kawashiri: I wanted to do rock paper scissors (laughs). Shiroiwa: Even if he didn't want the bread? (laughs) He really likes those type of games and he'd always get fired up alone. Kawashiri: When I get the lone room, it's not like I want to have that room, so everyone would ask me to give it to them. We did a game where I'd close my eyes and spin around. I'd give the room to the person that will be in front of me when I stop. Yonashiro: Ren-kun would be surrounded by 10 of us and would spin around. The person who gets pointed by Ren gets the room. Kawashiri: Yes (embarassed laugh). I wanted to play. ―Who gets the lone room most of the time? Shiroiwa: It was very random but I think Ren-kun got it twice? Kawashiri: I think Shion also got it twice. Yonashiro: Shousei also got it twice. Shiroiwa: I really wanted to get that room but I wasn't able to get it even once. ― Who are you mostly paired with? Shiroiwa: Shosei. We were together for 3 consecutive times. ―How was Oohira (Shosei) in the room? Shiroiwa: It's really embarassing but normally, before going to sleep, I would play a Disney song as background music (laughs). I also watch comedy acts while sleeping. I think there are people who would think its noisy so when I'm in a hotel, I don't usually do so. With Shosei, we both like Disney. It seems like we do the same thing before sleeping so we got along well. We watch Disney together in the room. We like the same things and watched various things together. That's what I remember well. ―Do you have other "Room episodes"? Yonashiro: Room episode, huh? When we go home tired at night, not necessarily to relieve stress, but don't we have those times when we want to refresh? During those times, Ren-kun or somebody would send a message to everyone asking to play a game together. When someone says,"I want to do something with everyone.", they would say, "Let's play with trump cards." From there, we'd all gather together and get excited. It's always fun.

【Kawashiri Ren x Shiroiwa Ruki x Yonashiro Sho】Dream as a group

JO1／（後列左から）與那城奨、金城碧海、白岩瑠姫、鶴房汐恩、大平祥生、佐藤景瑚 （前列左から）木全翔也、川尻蓮、豆原一成、川西拓実、河野純喜（C）モデルプレス

Shiroiwa: There's something I've always been thinking about but haven't told the members yet. Of course, there's the goal of going around the world but for me, first, I want to try something new in Japan. Yonashiro: That sounds cool. Shiroiwa: For example, there's the songs like "Mugendai" and "La Pa Pa Pam". I want to try something a little different to JPOP. There isn't something like that in Japan yet so I want us to be the first to do so. I would be happy if there are people who would think we are cool and try to imitate us. I can be particular with the outifit or concepts. We could do something different every time like a cool or cute outfit. I think there aren't a lot of people who use make-up. I want people to think we look good and become the first ones to try different things. There would be different opinions but I want to listen to those opinions and without changing our beliefs, I really want to make a new genre called,"JO1". Kawashiri: (Silently holds out his hands to Ruki and shakes hands) Yonashiro: That sounds really passionate. Shiroiwa: (laughs) I've been talking about that a lot but if I talk about this, people would think I'm too passionate. Yonashiro: Isn't that nice? I'm glad Ruki went first. I was going to say I want to perform in MSte (Music Station). All: (laughs) Shiroiwa: But even if we perform at MSte, nothing would change if we just perform normally. Yonashiro: You really think one step ahead. Shiroiwa: It just means I want people to see something different so I want to try a lot of different things. Kawashiri: Me too. The origin of our name is "To go to the world" as our definite goal. Since it's still far away, before that, I want to clear a closer goal one by one and become a group with various experiences. Among that, like what Ruki has said, I want to try something new in Japan. There would be members who would compose songs and members who can create choreography. There are 11 of us so there are different people with various talents and personally, I want the 11 of us to produce our own Live. Compose songs, create setlists, even the lighting and production, I want us to plan everything ourselves and create our own live. That 's one of my goals. ―Self-produce, right? How about Yonashiro-san? Kawashiri: perform at Mste? (laughs) Shiroiwa: I think that's good! Yonashiro: As expected, there's a sequence for things and as the last goal, for us, it's to perform at a bigger international stage. In order to do that, I think there would be various steps we have to take first. Without hurrying, I want us to build our strengths and become a group that everyone can appreciate. If someone asks about Japan's male vocal unit group I want them to think of JO1straight away. For that to happen, as our first objective, I want us to perform in MSTe. Shiroiwa: I think that's a very good goal. Yonashiro: Perform at Mste and receive the tissue they give to the performers. Kawashiri: I want Tamori-san to say,"Ah, Kawashiri-kun is from Fukuoka too". Yonashiro: Aaaa--! That would be nice. Shiroiwa: For me, I want Tamori-san to say, "Your hair got longer, huh?" Kawashiri: (laughs hard) Shiroiwa: Tamori-san asks that a lot, right? I want to be able to answer that (laughs). Kawashiri: That's good~ (laughs)

【Kawashiri Ren x Shiroiwa Ruki x Yonashiro Sho】A story for the JAM readers during the interview

We gathered the three who are considered as "Onii-san" and performed "Young" on their final stage. It was past noon so we asked Yonashiro-san if he has eaten already and he answered,"I finished eating quickly and came here".

We were laughing during the interview since Shiroiwa-san brought a huge 2 liter bottle of water and Kawashiri-san, who can't stop his laughter, said,"Your water bottle is huge... (laughs)". （modelpress Team）