It is the year 2007, September, YouTube barely played 640p, and we had to call the landline to hook us up to the Internet. Somehow, that was all it took for me to find my first love — Hey! Say! JUMP’s Yuri Chinen.
In my curiosity to dive deep into the Japanese music industry, I happened to stumble upon a video of V6’s “CHANGE THE WORLD” which led me to research a little about the group. In turn, that led me to the agency that housed all the groups I’ve come to love and enjoy until today. Among those groups that I saw on Wikipedia, my eyes caught the name “Hey! Say! JUMP”.
At this time in my life, my friend had recently started liking Super Junior and I felt the unnecessary need to find something similar but Japanese. Hey! Say! JUMP was that group for me.
Ten members at the time, the same age as me — young and fresh, and apparently newly debuted. Not that I knew what “debuted” meant back then though. It was the perfect group for me to bite into and devote my free time to.
At the age of 14-15, seeing people your own age shine bright on big stages and living the dream gives you hope and motivation. You easily idolize the people you see through the screen, and the boost of happiness they add to your daily life is addicting.
To me, it was more than that.
As a very stubborn, self-aware, and extroverted person, not many things bothered me. If anyone crossed me wrong, I would make sure they knew they crossed me wrong and wouldn’t do it again. I never had any issues with self-esteem or confidence. I have always been aware of my own abilities and limits.
Things that have always been thrown at me have been comments about my height, ethnicity, and voice. While it has never bothered me, I guess things stick with you, and in your darkest days and lowest points, those things make you doubt yourself.
Throughout the years, I have been looking up to Chinen because he embodies everything I strive to be.
At some point, watching him made everything people commented negatively about me seem like it was nothing. Chinen is the shortest member of his group — the shortest debuted artist within the agency even, with vocals on the higher side of the register, and also Asian like me. Watching him stand on stage with such presence and attractive aura made me believe it was fine for me to be who I am.
Chinen has been my light in the dark since 2007, showing me ways to accept myself even when life gives me lemons.
In 2019, I got the chance to finally see Hey! Say! JUMP live twice in Tokyo Dome, thanks to my absolutely amazing friends. 12 years of waiting. Walking through the massive crowd, finding our seats, and marveling at the sight of the stage in Tokyo Dome had never felt more surreal. My first trip to Japan, my first idol concert, and my first love.
Watching them perform in person only made me realize that it’s worth everything to hold onto the things you hold dear. The adrenaline went through my body as the music got louder and louder, the lights went off, and the anticipation of what was going to come all came crashing down on me a few songs in.
By the time “Star Time” was barely playing its first verse, I was overwhelmed by emotions. The fact I was sitting in the same vicinity as Chinen, breathing the same air, and finally watching him shine on stage hit me like a truck. Reality had never been more real, and the tears didn’t stop falling.
At that moment, everything until that moment flashed before my eyes, and I knew that I was the happiest I had ever been.
The next day, I got lucky to get an arena seat, close to the center, and that day marked the day I knew that first love never dies.
When it was time for “Star Time,” we had the perfect seat right in front of Chinen. The moment he finished his solo line and locked eyes with me, smiled at me, and saw me was the best 15 seconds of my life.
It was the moment I knew that no matter what, my love for Chinen would always be a constant.
He’s my harbor, my rock in the stormy sea, the one I turn to when my skies are turning gray.
No matter where I am in life, Chinen is where my heart belongs.
星たちの下で 歴史を刻む
Later in 2020, I made sure to immortalize the experience by tattooing his name on my skin. To me, that’s my sign of dedication, motivation, and admiration. Every time I look down at my wrist, I see his name and I get reminded of what he means to me. Strength. Inspiration. Motivation. Gratitude.
I get reminded that I am fine the way I am. That I can only be who I want to be if I embrace myself — my faults and my strengths.
Chinen has been by my side for 15 years — half our lives. I hope for many more to come. As long as he shines, I’ll bask in the light he emits.
As of November 30, Chinen turned 30, and their next album “PULL UP!” will be released December 6. Hey! Say! JUMP’s tour with the same name will also start on December 23 in Nagoya and end on January 14 in Fukuoka. Check out the album digest below!
Check out Hey! Say! JUMP here!
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