22
= =2010/11/20 22:05:00
Sometimes, some people are just born to be super famous. Jin Akanishi’s mother must have known that when she applied on his behalf to Johnny’s Entertainment. The 16 year old failed his audition at one of Japan’s top talent agencies, but a chance encounter with founder Johnny Kitagawa on his way out quickly rectified that minor setback. Johnny told him to stay, and the stars aligned again.
And so began a career of dazzling success. After Jin’s debut in KAT-TUN, the group went on to break hearts with a bad-boy image and smash charts with the near-simultaneous release of a debut single, album, and making-of DVD. All 3 topped the Oricon charts – a feat equaled only by J-Pop’s reigning queen, Ayumi Hamasaki.
In 2009, Jin stepped out solo. At first, to promote his lead role in the movie Bandage. But he soon released an album of the same name (also chart-topping, platinum-selling) and toured internationally to support it alone.
So what happens when one of Japan’s most famous idols announces he’s going solo? Absolute Chaos. For fans, Jin Akanish’s appeal lies in an irresistible combination of rugged looks, sultry vocals, and a sheepishly charming personality. He’s an anomaly among J-pop stars -- writing lyrics, playing guitar, and arranging the songs himself.
He grew up with fan girls screaming his name, and now Jin is determined to conquer the US with his own, self-composed music on the Yellow Gold Tour 3010. The new tracks indicate a willingness to experiment; “Wonder” and “Yellow Gold,” have a club, reggaeton, and R&B influence. But then, as the only soloist in a boy band hit-making factory, Jin Akanishi has always been ahead of the game.