Kento Nakajima (中島健人), affectionately known as “Kenty” (けんてぃー), has long been one of my favorite J-Pop idols. As someone who’s also had the privilege of interviewing him for Life in Cartoon Motion, when I heard his Taipei show would be available via livestream, I knew I had to stay awake to watch. So, from my Hollywood apartment at 3 a.m., armed with copious amounts of coffee, I turned on my project and curled up on the edge of my bed, ready to be entertained.
And entertained I was.
Born on March 13, 1994, Kento began his career in April 2008 when he auditioned for—and was accepted into—the ranks of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT while still in junior high school. That same year, he made his acting debut in the NTV drama Scrap Teacher and performed as part of the junior unit B.I.Shadow. In 2009, he rose to prominence through his music activities with Nakayama Yuma w/ B.I.Shadow and NYC Boys, making his CD debut with the single Akuma na Koi/NYC.
In 2011, Kento officially debuted as a member of Sexy Zone, releasing their chart-topping debut single Sexy Zone. While earning his sociology degree at Meiji Gakuin University, he expanded his acting career with lead roles in Bad Boys J (2013), its movie adaptation, and the hit film Silver Spoon (2014). He also hosted his own variety series, JMK Kento Nakajima Love Holiday Prince, and showcased his vocal talent with solo concerts beginning in 2015. His versatility shone again with the box-office hit The Black Devil and the White Prince (2016).
After graduating in 2017, Kento was prominently featured in national Meiji Gakuin University campaigns for three consecutive years. He went on to star in prime-time dramas like Cops ’n Robbers (2018), serve as MC for major music specials, and co-lead the series Detective Novice. In 2021, he charmed fans with his Instagram persona Hasebe Sosuke for the drama She was pretty, and in 2022, he took his first international role in the drama Concordia, marking a new milestone in his global career.
On March 31, 2024, Kento graduated from Sexy Zone and stepped into his solo era. His debut album, N/bias, released December 25, 2024, was both a commercial and critical success. Blending pop, R&B, and experimental sounds, the album showcased a more mature and personal artistry. It not only topped charts but also earned widespread praise for its emotional depth and creative direction.
Having purchased the Blu-ray of the live performance at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo from January 17 to 19, 2025, I was excited to see how different this concert would be.
Honestly, it was worth every lost second of sleep.
He opened with my personal fave, “CANDY ~Can U be my BABY~,” before sliding effortlessly into “SHE IS…LOVE.” His introduction—delivered mostly in English—was impossibly charming: “I’m not a native speaker, but I’ll speak from my heart.” he stated, which had the crowd (myself included) melting.
Later, when he forgot a lyric and giggled out an apology in English, which somehow made him even more adorable than he already was.
The setlist was a rollercoaster of vibes: the sleek “MONTAGE,” the cheeky shirt-ripping “Mission,” and then—because he knows how to be dramatic (and his audience)— performed “ROSSO,” in a fluffy robe and a glass of red wine he poured over himself.
He surprised everyone with a heartfelt cover of Jay Chou’s “晴天,” a perfect tribute to Mandopop’s king and a genius way to connect with the Taipei crowd, even adding a little Chinese rap to it.
Keeping “chill vibe” as he called it, he both poured himself a cup of (and sang) “Jasmine Tea.” To be honest, this isn’t a track I’d rank high on my playlist, but I really did enjoy watching him perform it live (which probably had something to do with the muscle he was wearing).
He turned up the energy with “Heartbeats” keeping it going with “碧暦” (Hekireki), a collaboration with the immersive art exhibition HOKUSAI: ANOTHER STORY, and “ピカレス” (PICARESQUE).
His solo performance of “ファタール” (FATAL), the theme from the second season of the universally successful anime Oshi No Ko was fantastic.
During another moment of conversation with the audience, he proclaimed that “Within the next two years, we’ll be standing in the Tokyo Dome!” and that he wanted a world tour that not only includes Asia, but also Europe and America. A bold declaration, but if anyone can do it, it’s Kenty. This first overseas concert in Taipei is proof of the beginning.
He closed the main set with “迷夢” (Meimu), switching from Japanese lyrics to Chinese, flawlessly, as a tribute to Taiwan’s U:nity.
Then, it was time for the encore: “jealous” and the ultra-catchy “JUST KENTY☆”—was pure joy.
As he introduced and thanked his dancers, and I finished my last sip of coffee, I couldn’t stop smiling. Kenty is one of those rare artists you can’t help but fall in love with—his sound, his energy, his humanity. There is a magic to his music and when the world gets dark – that magic is something we desperately need.
“I was so happy for the chance to perform in Taipei,” Kento said in a statement. “We prepared extensively with so many rehearsals, and I gave it my all during the actual live show.”
“Above all,” he continued. “I loved hearing the voices of everyone there in Taipei! During my three days in the city, feeling the energy of everyone’s excitement firsthand was more exciting than anything, but I also enjoyed all the local fried rice and steamed dumplings too!”
“As Team N,” he concluded, “we will do our best to energize all of Taipei and beyond!”
Shorter than the concert at Ariake Arena, the Taipei show was way more intimate, despite the fact that I was 6,800 miles away. There were a few songs I missed, but everything about this performance was fantastic. As a Kenty fan, I love watching as he weaves his dreams into reality, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
In the end, I’m grateful to STARTO for giving international audiences more opportunities to join in to experience these concerts. Traveling overseas is expensive, but at around $36, these streams are not just affordable—it’s a lifeline for fans like me who want to keep feeling connected.
For those who want to relive the experience themselves, the full archive of this event is available on FAMILY CLUB online from September 15, as soon as it’s ready, until September 21 at 23:59 (JST). Overseas viewers can also access it through the dedicated overseas page—don’t miss the chance to witness Kenty’s first overseas concert for yourself!
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