Original article: https://www.lmaga.jp/news/2017/04/22616/



Published by L-Maga JP on April 21, 2017

Translated by @qc_bb

“We hate idols,” said Rei Kuromiya and Rie Kaneko of The Idol Formerly Known as LADYBABY. Just as their name says, they are idols. The unit debuted as LADYBABY with the bearded cross-dressing foreigner, Ladybeard on board, in July 2015. In the two years since then, they gained fame abroad, and went through member changes and tumultuous days. We ask the duo what it means to them to be an idol and what it means to “destroy the common perception of idols.”

As a promotional unit sponsored by the costume maker Clearstone, Ladybeard, Kaneko and Kuromiya formed LADYBABY. The sponsor had wanted Ladybeard to wear their costumes and flank him on either side with cute girls. It became a reality just like that.

When we asked Kaneko and Kuromiya whether they liked idols, they said no, they hated idols. “Idols always act so bubbly, but I’m not the bubbly type and I think it’s pretty boring if many idols act the same,” Kuromiya said.

“Plenty of people want to become idols, and they may work hard at it, but our goals have always been different. If you really ask us whether we wanted to be idols or not, we would have to say we’re not interested,” Kaneko said.



Even though they were not particularly motivated, LADYBABY debuted with the single, Nippon Manju, in July 2015, and became an international phenomenon with its unique combination of Kawaii and DEATH. The music video was viewed over 20 million times, and was reported by multiple media. The group’s first one-man live was even held in New York City.

“We had little idea of what was happening. I can only begin to wrap my head around how incredible the journey was, now,” Kuromiya said. “We went on tour overseas just based on Nippon Manju! That was scary.”

The idol unit then went to England, Germany and then toured in Japan. Normally, they would be considered a success story. However, only after one year since their debut, Ladybeard left the group, and the unit was revamped with only the two girls. How the two viewed the idol industry changed this time around.

“When we were a three-person unit, we performed in the traditional idol style. But at that time, (Kuromiya and I) were kind of out of it because we couldn’t really bring ourselves to please fans like real idols. So now that we are by ourselves, we are able to inject our own personalities and give the viewers something that only we can do. If we can get people to like our talent without external help, I’m really happy,” Kaneko said.

“When we were a trio, all of the viewers’ attention was on Beard-chan, which overshadowed everything Rei-Rie did. At that time, it was difficult for us to voice our feelings on social media. We didn’t want to be seen as the same as other idols. This is why after we became just two, we decided to be more vocal and say what we want and do what we do,” Kuromiya said.



The world isn’t very kind on the girls seeking to perform on their own terms. “Nippon Manju isn’t getting many views anymore, and we continue to get hate-mail for it, but it’s all right. If it were just a normal video, it wouldn’t have made a splash overseas. But if we work hard now and progress steadily, and one day become famous due to our work, it will be wonderful,” Kaneko said.

The duo’s shows are filled with heavy bass and provocative shouting towards the audience. “Since we’re the ones on stage, we already won; we can do whatever we want. We want to compete with fans on who can be the rowdiest. Rather than giving people a ‘perfect show’, I think it’s better to have an exchange with the viewers, and to make them feel pumped up — I want people who are feeling dejected by life to come to our shows,” Kaneko said. “It’s kinda funny when we show up at idol events and appear on stage head-banging to loud music, and people are surprised because they expected something sweeter,” Kuromiya said.

Maybe it is because of their message — to express their own views on their own terms — most of their fans are teenage girls. At the duo’s release event for their 2nd single, “Pelo,” we asked female fans on what they liked about the two. “I like how they don’t compare themselves to others and just do what they want,” one fan said. “I like how they don’t listen to the adults, and just create their own show with the fans,” another said.



“We share a lot of things in common with girls our age,” Kaneko said. She then talks about how young girls nowadays can say whatever they want on Twitter and LINE, but at the same time, they cannot speak their real opinions because they are afraid others will screenshot it and expose them to mutuals. It is a world where people can be connected easily, but relationships can be abandoned very fast. That’s what the Idol Formerly Known as LADYBABY is about.

“We decided to not set any goals, because once we achieve that goal, fans will say, ‘oh, they made it’ and stop following us. Or maybe it’s just as insurance (laugh). We are just so insecure, to be honest,” Kaneko said. “We gotta act strong since we’re so weak,” Kuromiya said.

Modern teenage girls can probably find hope in watching the two frail girls combat the world.

“We just want others to know that while there are idols who have lots of things planned for them, there are also idols like us who just don’t have much planned,” Kaneko said.

(Source: lmaga.jp)