The “External Articles & Interviews” page features a selection of articles and interviews from various media outlets outside of the Dumpling Box community but written by one of our authors.
These articles offer further insights into the artists and groups you love! Whether it’s exclusive interviews, press features, or special highlights, this section brings you closer to their thoughts, creative processes, and personal stories.
Travis Japan: The dream stage we yearned for
2022.07.26
Travis Japan moved from Tokyo to Los Angeles to accomplish a wide range of goals in order to achieve their Hollywood dream. SJPA member Sabina got the opportunity to sit down with them and discuss their thoughts about World of Dance and their indefinite stay abroad.
Travis Japan officially started their journey abroad off with a bang when they entered the World of Dance Orange County competition in Anaheim, California on March 27th, 2022. Their stunning performance landed them third place, Crowd’s Favorite, and Best Costume awards to roaring thunders of cheers from all around the world, both in the audience on-site and online.
7 MEN 侍: From meme to fresh superstar
2022.02.15
Have you ever scrolled past a video in your Twitter feed and wondered
‘Where is that from?’
It happens more often than not, especially in today’s digital network jungle, and it’s exactly what happened to the Japanese pop idol group 7 MEN Samurai (7 MEN 侍).
INTERVIEW: Taisei Fukumoto of Ae! group on what vegetables best represent his peers and more!
2023.11.22
Ae! group’s Taisei Fukumoto plays the role of Kiseki Iwatsuki, an unexpectedly recruited host in Saitama Host Club, the latest Japanese drama to join the worldwide streaming revolution on Netflix!
Kiseki turns out to be just what it takes to save the club from being bought by an unscrupulous rival from Kabukicho, despite things not always going as easy as they might at a first glance…
[Concert report] Ae! group’s Aa!!!!!! To Odoroki Zenkoku Tour 2023
2023.06.20
On May 14, Aぇ! group (Ae! group) held one of their Tokyo shows for Aッ!!!!!!と驚き全国ツアー2023 (Aa!!!!!! To Odoroki Zenkoku Tour 2023) at Tokyo Garden Theatre in Ariake in front of 8000 passionate and eager fans, and together with them, SJPA member Sabina had the honor of witnessing this amazing show!
INTERVIEW: Taro Yoshikawa of AmBitious talks language learning and more!
2024.02.16
One of the most difficult yet rewarding skills that anyone can pick up is being able to speak another language. The intricacies of brand new grammar and committing to memory new vocabulary can feel at times like climbing a mountain; but for those who reach the peak, the world is more open than it was at the base.
Aside from the obvious personal achievements, being able to speak a second, third, or even a sixth language can open doors to brand new cultures and friendships with people across the globe. Taro Yoshikawa, of the up and coming Kansai Junior group AmBitious, is one such young man who has endeavored toward multilingual proficiency with English, and given that he managed this entire interview using such he certainly seems to have endeavored well!
LIVE REPORT: Bishonen’s Iwasaki, Nasu, and Kanasashi sizzle in TONKATSU ROCK revival
2024.06.02
Twenty years after it was originally performed by STARTO trio 20th Century, TONKATSU ROCK recently made its return to the Japanese theater scene headlined by Taisho Iwasaki, Yuto Nasu, and Issei Kanasashi of the STARTO ENTERTAINMENT Junior group, Bishonen.
The play tells the story of a riverside town on the eastern edge of Tokyo and centers around three men–Sukesaburo Hanakawa (Nasu), Masaru Shinosaki (Iwasaki), and Taira Iguchi (Kanasashi)–who are preparing for the annual spring festival. A former member of a motorcycle gang, Sukesakuro runs a tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) restaurant with the part-time help of formerly aspiring boxer Taira; a dive often frequented by straight-laced but lovesick schoolteacher Masaru.