Gekkan ’08 February
The objective of 25 year old Koda Kumi: “to be an elegant lady”
In 2007 Koda Kumi sprinkled us with various things. At the end of the year, she performed on a great number of music shows, such as Kouhaku Utagassen and the Record Awards! As usual, she went through a busy year. Even as she welcomes 2008, this fast pace doesn’t waver; on January 23rd she’ll release her new single ｢anytime｣, furthermore on January 30th she’ll release her new album ｢Kingdom｣, which includes her hit-songs ｢BUT｣ and ｢愛のうた｣, and also plenty of new songs! Her acceleration keeps increasing more and more. 2008 will also be Koda Kumi’s year, the curtain has been opened brilliantly.
“2007 was a year filled with new challenges, except in CM’s and songs. My field of vision has broadened because of that and I’ve learned a lot of things, but this year songs are my main focus again. I want to show a new Koda Kumi in terms of music this year. Thereupon I released my first single for this year ｢anytime｣. It carries a very warm tune; a wedding song filled with happy feelings. I heard the tune during my Hall Tour for the first time, I was on my way to Sendai in the Shinkansen and the moment I heard the tune, I liked its catchy and mellow melody. My manager who was listening to it with me, said, ‘this is a morning love song!’, in any case it’s very soft and sweet (laughs). I decided to sing the song in a whispery voice in order to warm the hearts of the people who will listen to it. All in all it has created a sweet, soft atmosphere.”
Contrasting with what we’ve seen so far, her image, book jacket and PV all show a natural Koda Kumi to fit with her new song.
“My face is almost without any make-up (laughs). Actually, it is also that way when I perform the song on music shows. The first time was a challenge, I was afraid of the reactions I’d get (laughs), but because this song contains a strong contemplation, many people cherished it after listening to the song.”
I want to become a woman who can feel happiness by giving to others!
The album ｢Kingdom｣ and also ｢anytime｣ contain a soft atmosphere. From here on, as a singer and as a woman, Koda Kumi will try to convey a new kind of love this year.
“Inside of me things have grown as I’ve turned twenty-five. Up ‘till now, the image of a healthy Koda Kumi was strong in my mind, but now I want to aim at being a soft, elegant woman. The theme of the album also has a “love” in accordance with hitherto, but it differs with the love I want. I want to become a woman who can feel happiness by giving to others! Moreover, from now on, I want to surprise everyone with new meanings!”
In 2008, she wants to quickly, without warning present a big surprise. The trend of 2008 is increasingly anticipated.
“I want to include an element of surprise in my actions to entertain my fans. Also when I’m performing on music shows, I want to contrast the boyishness of last time with a female appearance during songs and talks this time. I’m consciously changing. In any case, I also want to perform live lots of times this year and to deepen the exchange with everyone via my songs.”
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Credit me as verduistering or as tenshi no hane if you post this somewhere else.
I’m not too sure about the translation of this sentence in the 6th stanza: ‘The theme of the album also has a “love” in accordance with hitherto, but it differs with the love I want.’ It was very hard to translate >.>
