2024-04-16 15:42:58
PROFILE: ME:I
PROFILE: (MIE) COCORO was selected from 101 trainees through a referendum by viewers who are newly called “national producers” for “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS”, the first girls version of Japan’s largest survival audition program. An 11-member girl group consisting of MIU, MOMONA, RAN, SHIZUKU, AYANE, KEIKO, KOKONA, RINON, SUZU, and TSUZUMI. The group name has the meaning of “future idols” representing the new generation of Japan. A member of ME:I. From left: MIU, TSUZUMI, COCORO, SHIZUKU, RINON, MONONA, RAN, KEIKO, KOKONA, AYANE, SUZU
“PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS”, Japan’s largest survival audition program, will reach its final episode in December 2023. The 11-member girl group ME:I selected there will finally make their debut with their debut single “MIRAI” on April 17th.
The fan concert held before their debut drew approximately 65,000 people to a total of 9 concerts in two cities, Tokyo (including additional performances) and Osaka, demonstrating their high popularity. This time, we have an exclusive interview with 11 members of the popular group ME:I: COCORO, MIU, MOMONA, RAN, SHIZUKU, AYANE, KEIKO, KOKONA, RINON, SUZU, and TSUZUMI.
The 11 members were divided into three groups, and while listening to each member’s memories of the audition and the unexpected faces of the members that they learned following forming the group, they talked regarding their commitment to fashion and the future of ME:I. I asked him to tell me.
“These are the four of us who spent our first time off.” AYANE x KOKONA x SHIZUKU x RINON
Clockwise from left: AYANE, SHIZUKU, RINON, KOKONA
WWDJAPAN (hereinfollowing referred to as WWD): The four of you seem to be very close, but do you have any memories of the four of you together?
SHIZUKU：Right following we formed the group, during a training camp in Korea, the four of us went shopping. It was the first day I had a day off, right?
RENEW：When I said, “I want to go shopping!”, 3 people said “Like!” and “I want to go too!” and we said, “Then let’s all go!” .
WWD: Do your tastes in fashion match?
SHIZUKU：Me and RINON are a good match!
COCONUT：Certainly, there is an image of these two (SHIZUKU & RINON) wearing girly clothes. I like stylish clothes, so if I were to be a member, I would have the best interests with KEIKO.
AYANE：I often wear casual and simple things. If you are a member…
RENEW：She likes yellow, and her clothes are all yellow, so no one else has the same lineage.
AYANE・KOKONA・SHIZUKU：(lol).
WWD: Please tell us regarding some surprising aspects of the members sitting next to you. (*The order at the time of the interview was SHIZUKU → KOKONA → AYANE → RINON)
SHIZUKU：KOKONA was very cool during the audition, and I had the impression that she cherished her quiet time alone. However, during the training camp for her debut, following she finished practicing, we went back to our respective dorms and relaxed in our own rooms, and we talked almost every day, and I noticed that she was surprisingly lonely and wanted to be pampered. I thought it was cute. I’m used to it now (lol).
COCONUT：(lol). I thought Shi-chan (SHIZUKU) was a cheerful and accepting person (lol). I thought AYANE-chan was a quiet and steady child. However, as we spent more time together, I realized that she was a talkative girl. She makes a lot of mistakes and is just so funny.
AYANE：Don’t raise the bar (lol). Well, RINON-chan has been with me a lot since the audition, and she still often accompanies me, but…hmm…it’s difficult to say that it’s surprising, because it’s already becoming commonplace. hey. If I had to say, I would say that she has a reliable older sister side. I don’t like being around crowds, but she always pulls me along in those situations and really cares regarding me. I can feel the kindness in each and every action.
RENEW：From the first time I met Shi-chan, I had the image of her as a “young lady.” However, half of her suitcase was filled with sweets, and although I had the impression that she was eating financiers and cookies, she was also eating cheap sweets that I had never seen before, so there was a surprising side to her.
“Body & Soul duo” who created a legendary stage MIU×TSUZUMI×COCORO×SUZU
From left: MIU, TSUZUMI, COCORO, SUZU
WWD: Everyone who was together as “Body & Soul 2” in the group battle. Please tell us your memories from that time.
COCORO:It was a lot of trouble, but when I look back on it now, it’s my favorite of all the stages I’ve done. I was very happy to hear that the trainer said, “It was great because no one was overshadowed and everyone stood out.”
TSUZUMI:It was my first time performing on stage in front of national producers (program viewers), so I was nervous before the stage. However, everyone on the team said, “Tsuzumi can do it!” and when I said, “I can’t do it anymore!”, MIU-chan said, “It’s okay,” and it was amazing. You helped me. I was happy to be able to take first place both as a team and as an individual.
TEAR:It was my first time on stage to meet the fans, so I was nervous and there were parts of me that I mightn’t bring out. However, I was very happy because I was able to perform on a stage that lived up to the expectations of the trainees and trainers around me who called us the Avengers team.
MIU：“Body & Soul 2” was the only opportunity I had to choose the team members. I don’t think I’ll ever have an opportunity like this once more, so in that sense it’s a memorable experience.
WWD: Please tell us the key points regarding the costumes you wore for this shoot.
COCORO:We use warm colors such as yellow, orange, and green, and I think the lively atmosphere suits us.
TSUZUMI:I’m wearing a long scrunchie that I’ve never seen before, and I get excited when I wear it. It’s cute and I like it.
MIU：While there are few members who have green, orange, and yellow coexisting, I have many different colors coexisting. I would like you to pay attention to it.
COCORO:Personally, I think this jacket suits MIU-chan very well!
TEAR:I love this brown skirt. The 80’s and 90’s atmosphere is also cute.
WWD: Please tell us something surprising regarding the member sitting next to you. (*The order at the time of the interview was COCORO → MIU → TSUZUMI → SUZU)
COCORO:We’ve been together for so long that it’s no longer surprising, but MIU-chan looks cool and has a very cute side as well. For example, she eats rice with her mouth full (lol). I would like people to pay attention to that gap.
MIU：I think TSUZUMI has the image of being the youngest and energetic from the perspective of YOU:ME (ME:I’s fan name). But she has grown so much since she performed “&ME” (in the concept battle at the end of the show) that I think every day that she has become a big sister. After she started working with the same group, she started to feel it even more. There are times when she proactively calls out to everyone, so I think she’s very solid.
TSUZUMI:While SUZU looks like an adult, it is actually fluffy and baby-like. That’s why I had the impression that she wasn’t good at mornings, but she surprisingly wakes up very early! Even when the meeting time is later than me, I think it’s amazing that he wakes up earlier than me.
TEAR:(COCORO) is a really dependable older sister, but sometimes she gets a little off. But I think it’s typical of COCORO-chan to go back and forth between those two sides.
“TOKYO GIRL 2 pairs” with a miraculous balance: RAN×MOMONA×KEIKO
From left: RAN, MOMONA, KEIKO
WWD: Everyone who was together in the “TOKYO GIRL 2 group” in the group battle. Please tell us your memories from that time.
FAT：Anyway, the six of us were on the same wavelength from the beginning. It was my first battle, and while the other groups were struggling, I had no problems with practice or interpersonal relationships, so I asked the trainer, “Are you sure this is right?” About. When I did that, he told me, “It’s as close to a miracle as it gets, so enjoy it!” It turned out to be a great memory.
KEIKO：In the group battle, a benefit was given to the winning team, and from the day I learned regarding that rule, I promised myself, “If I get the benefit, I’ll go to dreamland!” and worked hard. When we actually received the benefits, we immediately decided on a date and went together.
RAN：I was the one who selected the members of this team, and it was a very friendly and successful group. I still have fond memories of everyone valuing the Kotodama. We were all sick with colds, so we called out to each other, saying, “We won’t lose!” and “We’re the strongest!” As a result, no one was missing until the end, and the practice went smoothly. It was a miracle that we had a well-balanced team.
WWD: What are the three of you’s preferences when it comes to fashion?
KEIKO：I’m the type of person who chooses clothes based on my intuition, not what brand I like. The moment I walk into a store, I can tell if there are any clothes I’m excited regarding, so I’m surprised at the difference between days when I don’t buy anything and days when I buy a lot.
FAT：I like all kinds of systems. When I was in my mid-teens, there were times when I had fixed ideas regarding myself and thought things like, “If I wore this skirt now, I might be embarrassed.” But now I’m more flexible and have a lot of different images of myself, and I’m able to wear different styles without feeling embarrassed and it’s really fun. If there is anyone out there who is struggling like I was when I was a teenager, I would love to tell them!
RAN：I like second-hand clothes, but I’m conscious of clean, casual clothes. I’m also the type of person whose impression changes depending on my makeup and hairstyle, so I used to have fun changing my hair color.
WWD: Please tell us something surprising regarding the member sitting next to you. (*The order at the time of the interview was KEIKO → MOMONA → RAN)
KEIKO:My first impression of Kasahara (MOMONA) was that he was very mature! I remember that even though I was speaking in a formal manner, they responded to me with honorific language. Now we are completely a family!
FAT：When we were in the dressing room together, I felt someone’s eyes on me, and when I looked over, it was RAN, which is how I felt when we first met. I realize now that he was being shy, but at the time I thought, “Maybe he was fueled by a competitive spirit,” so I mightn’t react. Now I think it’s weirder than I thought (lol). Basically, the mood is really good! They can help with anything.
RAN：I first met KEIKO during the placement test, and I didn’t expect there to be such a born entertainer, so I thought, “I wonder if this kid doesn’t get tired?” (lol) . However, following the members chose KEIKO in a group battle, we became closer. I found out that she surprisingly likes spending time alone now. I feel like she’s an adult because she’s able to get through her life that way.
KEIKO：Seriously, I had no idea why I was called.
RAN：(lol). On the one hand, I loved it and was interested in it.
What the members want to try next
WWD: Many members have changed their look for their debut, but are there any fashion styles you would like to try in the future?
SHIZUKU：I like girly clothes, and until I participated in this audition, I didn’t wear pants with my clothes. However, when I see the members wearing pants, I think, “That’s cool!”, so I want to try out cool fashion, and I want to look good in myself.
COCONUT：I’m the opposite of Shizuku (SHIZUKU), and I’ve only been wearing pants most of the time, but I’d also like to try girly dresses.
AYANE：I would like to try high tone color. Cool colors suit my skin, so I’d like to dye my hair purple or blue.
RENEW：I would like to wear a suit, whether it’s a costume or casual clothes. As for my hairstyle, I like my black hair, and I get compliments from my fans, but if I were to change it, I’d go for blonde.
COCORO:There was a time when I used silver, which was almost white. I’d like to try gold once more someday.
MIU：I would like to have wine red hair with my current long hair.
TSUZUMI:My dream is to have a high tone, so I would like to try it someday.
TEAR:I’m currently growing my hair out, but when it grows to MIU’s size, I’d like it to be a light pink color.
KEIKO：I wanted to do a silver inner color to my blue-black hair, and I’m wearing it right now.
FAT：I want to have long blonde hair. Basically, I love long hair, so I would like to perform with super long blonde hair.
RAN：I would like to try mesh hair with thick bangs. When it comes to fashion, I would like to challenge myself with something a little unique or something with a sharp mode.
WWD: Lastly, please tell us what you would like to try next, either as ME:I or as an individual.
SHIZUKU：I love musicals, so I would like to be on stage in a musical someday.
COCONUT：I’ve been interested in modeling for a long time, so I’d like to appear in a show.
AYANE：I would like to collaborate not only with the members, but also with various people on cover songs and duet songs. By doing so, I would like to learn various expressions.
RENEW：I want to work in acting. I love watching dramas and movies, as well as idols, so I wanted to be in it myself.
COCORO:I’d like to do something like have our advertising truck drive around or ride a bus with our faces printed on it to promote it. Personally, I am interested in voice work and acting.
MIU：As a group, we would like to make a surprise appearance at the members’ alma maters and school festivals. Personally, I would like to offer the songs I have written and composed as ME:I songs.
TSUZUMI:I would like to try acting. When I tried acting during the MV shooting, I had a lot of fun, and when I checked my facial expressions on the monitor, I thought, “You’re doing a surprisingly good job!” so I got interested. I also want to collaborate on songs with other artists.
TEAR:As a group, we would like to fly overseas. Personally, I would like to expand my range of expression by studying acting while mastering musical-style songs and ballad songs.
KEIKO：I want to perform live in my hometown of Nagoya!
FAT：We talk regarding various things in various places, but lately I’ve been thinking regarding traveling to many different countries through my work. ME:I love fashion, so I would like to work in the fashion industry as well.
RAN：I would like to perform at an outdoor festival with ME:I. It’s a young, energetic group, so it would be a waste if we were indoors (lol). I want to be able to do it freely on the liberated stage!
PHOTOS：TAKAHIRO OTSUJI
■Debut single “MIRAI” (Mirai)
Released on April 17, 2024
4 forms (first-run limited edition A, first-run limited edition B, regular edition, FC limited edition)
Songs included: 1. “Click” 2. “Sugar Bomb” 3. “&ME (ME:I Ver.)” 4. “CHOPPY CHOPPY (ME:I Ver.)” (3. 4. is regular edition, FC limited edition (included only on the disc)
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