TRANSLATION GQJAPAN 2024.12 Miyake Ken🧡🧸

[cheerful02_ivy]

 The reason why Miyake Ken is is very particular about being an idol ── “Idol Ken Miyake has dedicated his life to the concept”

Ken Miyake released his new album “THE iDOL” on June 5th. After the group disbanded, Miyake struggled with his activities as an idol, but what is his “idol concept” that he already have?

 

 

After the group disbanded, he set off on his own journey and searched for a new path

Kanashī hodo ni idol──This is a line from Ken Miyake's song "iDOLING" released in January 2024. It is a sequel to Miyake and Micro (Def Tech) 2010 release 「Kanashī hodo ni a i do ru」, which was inspired by the famous song Kyoko Koizumi 「Nante ttatte aidoru」. 14 years have passed since then, and the environment surrounding Miyake-san has changed dramatically. The group disbanded, he set off on his own journey and searched for a new path, and what does he believe in as an "idol"? It can be said that “iDOLING” is a redefinition of the song, and the new album “THE iDOL” (released on June 5) is based on this song. It means that Miyake Ken, who is celebrating his 30th anniversary since his debut, is now facing these words and their existence once again. His determination and journey are contained in this album.

“What is an idol? To think about that question, I looked up the meaning of “idol” in the dictionary and found that it was written as “idol” and “fantasy”. I interpreted those words to mean that I could be anything. Therefore, I decided that if I were to categorize myself, I would call myself an idol rather than an artist or an expressive person. The desire to discover and pursue more of the potential that idols have was born when I started working on my own.”

Miyake-san conveys his words directly without hesitation. His firm thoughts are clearly, comfortable, and give off sense of purity. He continued his talk by mentioning the name of Atsushi Kawahara, an artist he admires.

“Atsushi Kawahara-san is a Japanese artist who has been creating works for 50 years with the concept of the “Today Series”, which is based on the concept of painting only the date of creation on canvas, completing it today, or discarding it if it is not completed. He`s a representative conceptual artist. As I was thinking about what to do with my activities in the future, I suddenly thought of him. If I consider myself the creator of Ken Miyake's idol “work”, I wonder how long I can continue creating it in the future, and I wonder if it can become a conceptual work that I`ll dedicate my own life to. When I first finished my group activities, I had the choice to no longer be an idol, but with that feeling in my mind I decided to continue. And since I`m continuing, I want to update the concept of an idol over the long term”.

Possibility. And update. Using words that exude the spirit of a pioneer, Miyake-san repeatedly stated throughout the interview, “I`m who I`m today because of the blessings of my predecessors who created and expanded idol culture.”
Even though he`s "solo", he never considers himself "alone". Instead of focusing on an independent perspective, he looked at the whole picture and said, “I hope that by presenting idol x something🧡, I can create a brighter future for younger idols😉”

“I believe that the idol culture passed down through the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras is something that will never disappear. Despite this, there is still a strong image that this is looked down upon and consumed in the short term. While I myself have decided to continue being an idol, the environment around me has changed dramatically, and at the same time, I am the only one who continues to be an idol. At the same time, I was the only one left behind even though everyone around me is rapidly growing up. It also makes me feel like I'm falling behind. There was a time when I wasn't sure if the fans loved Ken Miyake himself or the label he was given. However, I'm also very aware of how much the incredible energy that comes from supporting idols. In that case, Now I think that the role of idols is to use driving force and centripetal force to create opportunities and transcend borders.”

One example is the selection of artists participating in “THE iDOL”, which Miyake-san himself researched and offered. He actively reached out to the next generation of talent, such as Micro, who produced "iDOLING", and SIRUP, who provided "Ready To Dance", saying, "By collaborating with new people, I think I can bring out a side of myself that I haven't seen yet." One example is Iori Takamura, who produced "BOY". Miyake-san found out about the band while talking to a DJ acquaintance at his favorite cafe, and was so impressed with their music that he contacted them himself. It's a story that sounds like a Cinderella story, but Miyake-san himself doesn't approve of expressions that imply a hierarchical relationship, such as "pushing them up/give them a chance." The reason is just a simple desire to “share what I think is truly good with my fans". Miyake-san himself said, “I feel like I'm making a really luxurious playlist.” And will become a connecting artists and listeners, and from there the fixed idea of ​​"idols" will be reconstructed, paving the way for an infinitely expanding future. In that sense, Ken Miyake advocates a style that involves himself, creators, and fans, leaving no one behind, and moving forward together.

“When I say “dance”, I don't mean with rigid choreography, but rather entrusting yourself to the rhythm and feeling the groove. I think that that's already dancing. I aimed to create music that would make everyone who comes to the live venue want to naturally shake their bodies.”

So, are you ready to dance? In "Ready To Dance," Miyake call out, 「nurikaete kō kore kara nandodemo」「korekara mo koe awasete utaou 『ima』o shirushite kimi to」 Let's take the outstretched hand and sway together. With our stiffened hearts and reluctant bodies, we head towards the "future" where unknown joys await.

 

* "Let's repaint it again and again," "Let's continue singing together, recording the 'now' with you.

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PROFILE

KEN MIYAKE/三宅健

Born July 2, 1979 in Kanagawa Prefecture.

• As the first TOBE artist in July 2023.

• The new album "THE iDOL" was released on June 5 : It`s an expressive album packed with songs provided by gorgeous artists and the ever-evolving expressiveness of KEN MIYAKE.

• On the official YouTube channel "KEN MIYAKE", "Ken-chan no shokutaku" is broadcast every Tuesday at 9 pm, and "miyake ken no yururi to nama haishin" is broadcast every Thursday at 9 pm.

On June 22 and 23, a solo concert entitled “2024 Live Performance The Otherside: Another Me Presented by KEN MIYAKE” was held at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

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