On January 12 and 13, the K-Arena Yokohama hosted the live event D.U.N.K -DANCE UNIVERSE NEVER KILLED- organized by singer and dancer, former AAA group member, SKY-HI in collaboration with Nippon TV. D.U.N.K intended to be “ a project in which numerous vocal and dance groups will transcend borders and send information from Japan to the world…”.
This was the 3rd edition of the event that began to be held in 2022. Many other artists and dancers were invited to the event such as: BE:FIRST, MAZZEL, &TEAM, PSYCHIC FEVER and others…
However, this was Kaito Takahashi‘s first time participating in the event, and Dumpling Box was there to support him firsthand! It seems that his appearance began to be forged after SKY-HI‘s participation as writer and composer of Kaito‘s solo “POPSTAR in the KINGDOM” which is included in King & Prince‘s latest album: “Re:ERA”.
From the very first moment the atmosphere felt somehow different from what we might be used to at a concert. After all there were many artists invited to the event and different fans occupied the seats of the K-Arena, not everyone came to support the same person and that was so fun!
The event lasted about 4 hours in which everyone (from adults to kids) followed the choreographies of the different groups with the LED bracelet that was doing its function as a penlight in the event, and cheered the dancers no matter who they were, enjoying the choreographies and the music. From time to time the excitement of the audience transformed the cheers into shouts of encouragement pronouncing the name of their favorite artist!
But Kaito Takahashi’s performance was different. While so far everyone had been enjoying the event, cheering, when Kaito Takahashi‘s name was reflected on the screen at around 19:30 PM the crowd went wild, it seemed that the audience had really only gone there to support him.
Many people got up from their seats to enjoy the dance and the incredible expressiveness that the dancer shows in every choreography he performs and his name between cheers filled the arena. It is a pleasure to be able to contemplate those movements in live, because the fluidity with which each movement is carried out and the control of Kaito‘s body is really incredible in each of its forms.
Kaito‘s participation lasted until 19:50. 20 minutes of pure joy, enthusiasm, passion and true love for dance, embodied in 4 songs. He started his own show in front of the crowd’s eyes with a first collaboration with his good friend Sota (BE:FIRST), both danced together a medley that merged the song “Ichiban” by King & Prince with “Boom Boom Back” by BE:FIRST. The fun and enjoyment they both felt was transmitted in their every move. Next, they were joined by KAITA, also a friend of both of them and a renowned choreographer, to dance together to Ludacris’ “How Low”.
Finally, as the passionate audience applauded Takahashi who was still on stage, SKY-HI joined him on the platform, joining the crowd’s wild applause, and then performed a new version of his solo “POPSTAR in the KINGDOM” together with the Idol, artist and dancer. After some emotional words from Kaito, where he spoke of his feelings for both Ren and the former members of the group, was finally left alone on stage to perform “LOVE HACKER”, also from his latest album.
Being able to support Takahashi Kaito, not only as a singer, idol, actor and model, but also as a dancer, his greatest passion since he was a child, is a luxury for anyone who has the opportunity to enjoy this experience, so from here we encourage everyone to support Kaito also on his way to become the best dancer your eyes have ever seen!
And for all those who don’t have the chance, don’t worry, because the event will be broadcasted on hulu in the near future with the purchase of a ticket (4.800¥) that you can find here! the performance on January 12th will be broadcast on February 8th (Saturday) at 18:00PM (tickets can be purchased from January 12th until February 23rd at 19:00PM) and the performance on February 13th will be broadcast on February 22nd (Saturday) at the same time, 18:00PM (tickets can be purchased from January 12th until March 9th at 19:00PM).
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