Translation ♪ 28 : FumaJuri Fujin Koron 7.27

[yattanaa]

💎 Translations are not 100% accurate  

💎 Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong and/or mistranslated anything  

💎 English or Japanese is NOT my native language  

💎 I only translate for fun and to learn  

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Let’s make a legend out of “Bad Guys”

Kikuchi Fuma of Sexy Zone and Tanaka Juri of SixTONES have been so active that there’s not a day that goes by without seeing them on our TV screens. Although their debut years are different, they both joined Johnny’s at the age of 13 and they will play their first co-starring on stage this fall.Juri: I don’t get the feeling that we’re in sync. But more like, we’re nakama*. When I see Fuma’s success, I’m like, ‘OK! I’ll do my best too!’

「 We inspire each other. 」

Fuma: I feel the same way. We’re nakama in a friendly rivalry. And Juri absolutely inspires me. ‘Juri’s doing something like that now? I have to do my best too.’ is what I think when I see him.

Juri: I respect Fuma’s ability in self-producing. It’s called branding. He’s good at presenting himself. I think he has established himself as a talent, and he has a good sense of where he stands now and what he should be doing. It’s cool that he’s giving shape to it firmly in his own way.

Fuma: For real? For me though, I like Juri in black and short hair. If I had Tanaka Juri’s face, I would definitely have short black hair. So, let me join SixTONES? I don’t care how busy I get. (lol)

Juri: The heck are you saying?! (lol) By the way, Fuma and I have something in common; we’re both in charge of MC in our groups. Recently, when I’m appearing on variety shows, I become very conscious of who I am speaking to.

Fuma: Yeah, I get what you mean.

Juri: For example, I only say what I really feel on the stage of SixTONES live performances. The fans who have supported us for years are like family, they know everything about us, and they’re really like our members too. I can say anything without worrying about strange things. But on a TV show, neither the viewers nor the co-stars know me well, right? I’m also conscious of being recognized as “someone from Johnny’s” so I’m careful of what I talk about and what I say.

Fuma: Especially when we’re on TV, we have to keep in mind that there are people who like us and listen to us, and there are people who don’t. We have to make sure there’s no misunderstanding.

「 What was each other’s turning point? 」

Juri: We’ve both been with the jimusho for a long time now, but if Fuma had to pick a turning point, when would that be?

Fuma: I guess it’s when I went to university. It all started when my grandpa told me I could go to college even if I’m in Johnny’s. I promised myself that I would pass the test and make it to graduation.

Juri: I’m really proud of you. It must have been difficult to juggle with work, right?

Fuma: It was tough. I thought going to college was part of my job, so I went. But it was a lot more fun than that. I still have friends and seniors from university days who support me, including this side of work. I’m really glad I went and I think it became an asset. When is it for Juri?

Juri: There are a lot of things, but I think the most important is when SixTONES was formed. To be honest, if SixTONES wasn’t formed, I would’ve quit Johnny’s, because 1-2 years before the formation was when I was most struggling. I think the turning point for me was when I got over that period and made up my mind to live in this world.

Fuma: That makes sense.

Juri: Originally, I had a lot of fun working with the current 6 members during Bakaleya (“Shiritsu Bakaleya Koukou” is a drama that aired in 2012). Of course I worked very hard after that, but it felt like I’m being forced to do things. Even so, it was strange, but after forming SixTONES, I had a sense that the things I had to do and the things I wanted to do were linked. That was a big deal.

Fuma: I see… For me, my debut was early but I’ve always been in a hurry. I can’t help but be impatient. I still don’t feel like I’ve done enough or that I’ve reached my goal at all. I don’t know at all if I’ll be able to reach higher in the future, but I’m hoping to get there somehow.

「 A stage that can be passed down to the next generation. 」

Juri: This time, we’re co-starring in the stage production「DREAM BOYS」directed by Domoto Koichi-kun.

Fuma: I was surprised, frankly. Because we’re a pair that does not have many chances to work together.

Juri: Especially since after I made my debut.

Fuma: Yes, yes. Choosing two adults like us is like putting two troublemakers in the same class (lol). We were told by Johnny-san, “You guys are delinquents!”. I wonder if Johnny-san would be surprised at the casting this time?

Juri: For real! I never thought this would happen.

Fuma: It’s a miracle to happen now. I’m deeply moved, but I’m also very happy.

Juri: I’m happy to be standing at the Imperial Theater, but at the same time, I’m feeling a little embarrassed. There’s a situation where two people confront each other while doing their best.

Fuma: DREAM BOYS has the impression that the performers are getting younger and younger, so it would be nice if we, as adults, could bring out the masculine side of them. So far, those who played this role were Takizawa-kun, Kamenashi-kun, Tamamori-kun, Yuma-kun, and Kishi, and now, I’m taking over it. I guess I’m finally recognized as Johnny's royalty. (lol)

Juri: No, that’s impossible. (lol)

Fuma: But when I think about it, I would never be able to stand in Imperial Theater in a main role if I wasn’t in Johnny’s. I think that’s amazing.

Juri: Even with the meeting with Koichi-kun, he asked us what we thought about the previous production by Kishi and Jinguji, and of what we want to do.

Fuma: It felt like a different kind of Johnny-san’s Johnnys-ism. It is unique, how it is only DREAM BOYS that can be passed down to juniors like this. I think it’s a good culture that we should cherish.

Juri: I want to create a stage that can be handed down to the next generation. Like most of us, Johnny’s is our youth. I was rehearsing while other people were playing with their school friends. That’s why I feel like Fuma and Nakajima (Kento) have been my friends since I was a kid. That’s why we have to be careful of having too much fun with each other. I’m afraid that when the fun escalates, we won’t be able to practice. (lol)

Fuma: When I heard that at the meeting, I was really impressed and thought “Juri grew up…”, but two minutes later, he said “Let’s tease the kohais!”, and I was relieved thinking, “This guy hasn’t changed~” (lol). We both know each other’s burning passion since our junior days, and we both want to give our best shot here. Let’s do our best to create a stage that will be a legend, 5 or 10 times more than our imagination!