Tsuji Nozomi and Sugiura Taiyou Press Conference - Marriage Announcement

What we've all been waiting(or dreading) for is here!

News from Oricon.

Tsuji and Sugiura, first words on press conference is "Sorry!"

On the 8th of May where the affiliated agencies of both parties have announced the shotgun marriage and the 9-week pregnancy, former Morning Musume Tsuji Nozomi and actor Sugiura Taiyou announced their marriage in a press conference, on the 10th May 4p.m. in Takawa Hotel, Tokyo.

With 14 cable cameras and 100 press journalists watching on, the "heroine" appeared before them, donned in a white dress and a mysterious expression, saying "Although this is sudden, apologies for causing inconvenience and worry to the fans and related personnels. Please watch over us warmly from now on."

The "hero" Sugiura who is 7 years older, revealed that he presented an engagement ring and proposed to Tsuji on his birthday 26th March, adding that "To her(Tsuji) fans and related personnel, sorry for the trouble caused. We have been dating each other, and had the notion for marriage since January this year."

[This paragraph elaborates the history of Aibon's scandal, W, the theatre double cast with Ishikawa and the replacement by Yoshizawa... bla bla bla..]

Furthermore, Tsuji will register into his family when she reach 20 years of age next month.

EDIT: News clip added. All words from their own mouth here. -->




Source from Oricon

辻＆杉浦、会見の一言目は「すみませんでした」


　5月8日（火）に“電撃”結婚と妊娠9週目と所属事務所から発表された元モーニング娘。の辻希美と俳優の杉浦太陽が10日（木）午後4時より、東京・高輪のホテルで結婚報告会見を行った。

　テレビカメラ14台、およそ100名もの報道陣を前に、白のドレス姿で登場した“ヒロイン”の辻は神妙な表情で「突然のことで、ファンや関係者の皆様にご迷惑、ご心配をおかけし、申し訳ございませんでした。これからも、温かく見守ってください！」と挨拶。

　7歳年上でパパになる“ヒーロー”杉浦は、今年3月の自身の26歳の誕生日に婚約指輪とプロポーズを辻に行ったことを明かした上で「彼女のファン、関係者にご迷惑をおかけし、申し訳ございませんでした。お互い思いやるような交際で、今年1月には結婚を意識しだしました」と語った。

　2人は昨年春に出会い、親密交際を続けていた。辻は先月26日、急性胃腸炎を理由に舞台『何日君再来（イツノヒカキミカエル）』を緊急降板。その後、医師の診断で妊娠が発覚したという。代役には石川梨華と吉沢ひとみが務めることで、辻の穴を埋める。さらに結成されたばかりのギャルユニット『ギャルル』は脱退。今年に入りデュオ“W（ダブルユー）”でコンビを組んでいた加護亜依が、2度目の喫煙報道で事務所を解雇されたばかり。自身も 10代前半からトップアイドルを走り続けていたが、最終的には“女の幸せ”を実現させた形となった。

　なお、入籍は辻が20歳を迎える来月以降になる予定。

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Yakkun Wants to Join Gyaruru

Here's a little something on the side to quench our anticipation, while waiting for news from Tsuji's press conference.

Sakurazuka Yakkun, during the launch of his latest English-learning DVD, expressed his desire to join Gyaruru, which Tsuji Nozomi has withdrawn from. For those who have been following Hello! Morning would probably remember his "diving-kendo-slash" cum "show-underwear-in-the-process" incident on that episode last year. He remembers Tsuji whom he partnered along with Sayu to win a round of game with dominance.

His comments:

"Firstly, I'm surprised! She's 19, right? The rate of divorce for those who got married before turning 20 is high, so I really wish the two will continue to be together."
"If it was me, I'll can join in from a Marc Panther-like stand point. I want to do this, even if it is for 'limited time only'. I'll give Tsunku a call".

*Marc Panther is a Jpop artiste who joined Globe as the group's rapper and lyricist.


He also demonstrated his English skills and congratulated Tsuji's marriage:

"Hope and sunshine shotgun marriage congratulation!"

Nozomi means "Hope" in Japanese (referring to Tsuji Nozomi)
Taiyou means "Sunshine" in Japanese (referring to Sugiura Taiyou)


If there is anything more bizarre than a fake-tan Tsujiji, is a rapper dude cross-dressing as a gyaru in a sailor school uniform and dancing Para para.

Maybe Yakkun is trying to emulate Koriki's success of joining Para Para idol group Hinoi Team?!


Source from Oricon
Source from Sports Hochi
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Tsuji Nozomi Marriage Press Announcement on the 10th

So how is everyone taking the news about Tsuji's pregnancy and love affair? So far, so good...? Man, I'm thinking about it the whole time in the office.

Here's more development:
Source from Sports Hochi

Tsuji-chan Marries, Couple Interview on the 10th
Tsuji Nozomi (19 yrs), former member of popular idol group will marry actor Sugiura Taiyou (26 yrs) soon, this is confirmed by the agencies of both parties. Tsuji who is 9 weeks pregnant, will suspend all upcoming talent activities. The date for marriage ceremony and registering is undecided. An interview for the couple will be held in the city on the 10th, announcing the marriage.

CJ Marsicano noted in IntlWota.com that Ikimasshoi found out UFW have confirmed the marriage situation to FujiTV. Cj also noted a collection of reactions from prominent bloggers here and here.
Ray of AmeWota also have a roundup of blogger reactions here and here.

More news on Hello-Online, where Tsunku was quoted with "She's been doing a good job as a singer until now, but after meeting the love of her life, she will be able to gain new experiences!"

Oricon also reports, and added Tsunku also said "Please give her(Tsuji) your best support". Also in the news, is Tsuji's current activities, where she will withdraw from the newly formed Gyaruru. Furthermore, adjustments will be made to find a replacement for her voice acting role of the character "Atena" in the anime "Robby and Kerobby".

UPDATE:
Up Front Works have made it official news and Hello! Project as well. Tsunku has made his comments too and congratulates Tsuji. Basically, it's no different from what we already know. Except that the person that introduced Tsuji to Sugiura was noted merely as a "mutual acquaintance" instead of *coughcoughyaguchimaricoughcough*. Looks like the management is not taking it as serious as I thought.


.... like I said. So far, so good..... Peace ^_^
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Tsuji Nozomi pregnant?! And is getting married??!!

It's true. Tsuji Nozomi IS pregnant. Two months. And now she is getting married on 17th June.

It is known that on the 7th, Tsuji Nozomi (19 yrs), former member of popular idol group Morning Musume will marry Sugiura Taiyou (26 yrs). Tsuji is currently 2 months pregnant. The couple have been going out since 2 years, and apparently at the end of the same year they have been witnessed to frequently visit each other's home. Though Tsuji have formed a new unit "Gyaruru" on April, she dropped out of the theater "Itsu no hi ka kimi kaeru" which is opening on the 4th, with the reason of acute gastroenteritis.

Source from Sports Hochi

辻希美が杉浦太陽と結婚！妊娠２か月

　人気アイドルグループ「モーニング娘。」の元メンバーの辻希美（１９）が、俳優の杉浦太陽（２６）と結婚することが７日、分かった。辻は現在、妊娠２か月。２人は昨年から交際をスタートさせ、同年末には両家を行き来する姿が度々、目撃されていたという。辻は、４月に新ユニット「ギャルル」を結成していたが、４日に開幕した舞台「何日君再来（イツノヒカキミカエル）」（２２日まで・日生劇場）は体調不良を理由に降板していた。

UPDATE:
The news scans here. -->




UPDATE 2: The news in video, so you know how her boyfriend looks like. -->


SOOoooo... is that why Tsuji is moved to TNX label? Because Hello! Project cannot tolerate this kind of things?
Two pregnants pregnant, eh? That's February, so meaning they had sex on Valentine's day? Oh, wait... that's also when we got news about Kago's comeback on February... so the couple decided to have sex to celebrate the news or what? This reminds me a lot about Ishiguro Aya's case.

Sorry for ranting... I can't take this at the mo. Actually, I don't mind her having a boyfriend or anything, but the timing is just not quite right. Think about it ... the concerts, the theater, Gyaruru, Gatas Brilhantes, fan club events... etc. She has affected everyone else's schedule. Just like Kago...


So now... The Tsuji-Kago twin-effect have proven true. Maybe the two of them should have been in better control from the start...


I need to go to work now.
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Chinese Musume? Taiwan Morning Musume?

I haven't been following the Chinese entertainment scene for a long, long time. I mentioned before, ask me anything about the Japanese music scene, and I will give you a long lecture from the history of it, right up to the current chart-topping songs and artistes. As for the Chinese showbiz, be it China, Hong Kong or Taiwan. I am absolutely clueless. If we were in war times, I would have been sentenced to be shot to death........ How much should I pay for each bullet? ^_^

Recently this has come to my attention: a Taiwanese girl-group 黑澀會美眉 (pronounced "hēisèhuì měiméi", which I will refer to as HSHMM for short in this post), whom was dubbed the "Taiwanese version of Morning Musume".




From what I found out, HSHMM was born out of Taiwanese Channel V variety show 我愛黑澀會 or 我愛黒渋会 (wo ai heisehui, which I will refer to as WAHSH for short), hosted by Chen Jian Zhou or commonly known as "Blackie", and is currently the highest rating show of Taiwan Channel V. The participating girls, commonly referred to as as 美眉 (meimei), will enter an elimination contest-audition, in which the winning participants will join the HSHMM group. Other than that, on each episode of the show, the girls will participate in quizzes, games, and interviews other celebrities. This show aims to use itself as a platform to ensure a safe and quick path to enter the entertainment business. It also has publicly declared that their target is to become a Taiwanese version of Morning Musume.

Let me count the similarities...

1) Their own variety show
Does the concept of the WAHSH show that I mentioned above sound familiar? Why of course it's a copy of Morning Musume's own Hello! Morning show. Another show comes to mind, Onyanko Club's own Yuuyake Nyan Nyan. It also have the same things - games and interviews. However, I personally find HSHMM is much more similar to Onyanko Club compared to Morning Musume. Which brings me to the next similarity...

2) Multi-membership
Morning Musume peaked at total 16 members. Onyanko Club had 52 members in their prime. HSHMM is crazier - 65 members currently! (I don't know how many members AKB48 has currently)

3) Sub-Groups
Morning Musume have many shuffle groups, sub-groups and units. And not even counting the whole Hello! Project family. HSHMM have two sub-groups --> 粉紅高圧電 (fěnhóng gāoyādiàn or "Pink High Pressure Voltage") and 甜心轟炸機 (tíanxīn hōngzhàjī or "Bomber Aircraft Sweethearts")

4) Blogs and Journals
HaroMoni@ has a SNS(Social Networking System) system (invitation only, I have yet being offered one. Grr~~), where the girls write their own journals in blogs. HSHMM have their own blogs too, but the difference is, their blogs are open for public viewing and comments (which some people have exploited to advertise viagra pills and other stuff ^_^). In addition to that, you cast votes to select your favourite members in ranking. Also, they have stepped up to the blogging craze and each girls have their own video blogs. See here.

5) Promotional pictures

Promotion shot from HSHMM latest single 幸福的泡泡 (Shabondama... err.. I mean, Bubbles of Happiness)

Early photo from Morning Musume

Nuff said...


There are more similarities, methinks. I just stopped counting. If Tsunku plans to take on the Chinese market, he will need to discuss with the bosses in UFA on how to deal with this Taiwanese girl-group. Because frankly, I think it will be a hindrance. Of course, Tsunku's target is mainland China as opposed to Taiwan, but still this is something he should be wary of.

Personally, I dislike the idea of them copying Morning Musume. They should be more original than riding on the Morning Musume brand. Why, if UFA wanted to, they could have filed an international lawsuit on them for plagiarizing. But then again, HSHMM could turn around and counter that it is but a long existent girl-group concept. Plus they've got Channel V backing them up.



Some videos here for your own discernment.

MV of HSHMM single "Shake It Baby"


Live Performance



MV of the WAHSH theme... featuring Blackie.


The WAHSH show, Ella of S.H.E. is also present in this episode


Other videos related to HSHMM
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Yoshizawa Hitomi Graduates with Smiles... but Not Without Advice to Mikitty

And so both concerts performances today in part of Yossie's graduation have ended. I think it went well without any hiccups. Oricon interviewed Yossie after the concert and here's what it says:

Yoshizawa "Yossie" Hitomi graduated from Morning Musume today at the final day of "Morning Musume Concert Tour Spring 2007 - Sexy 8 Beat" concert. Yossie comments at the graduation interview.

Yoshizawa Hitomi, who lead the Morning Musume members as 4th generation leader, performed in her graduation concert on 6th May in Saitama Super Arena.

At the graduation interview held on the last day of the "Morning Musume Concert Tour Spring 2007 - Sexy 8 Beat", she expressed her thoughts about the concert, just like a good leader. "It was a fantastic live concert, full of happy feelings". And added "In those 7 years membership (with Morning Musume), I was drilled/trained mentally and physically. It was a good environment." with a full smile.

In those 7 years of harsh times, she frankly commented that "I was poor in dancing, have thought of quitting. However, I love Morning Musume. And it was important to me, so I did not quit."

Regarding Fujimoto Miki who is the next leader, she gave this advice: "Warm and kind girl. But since she has a harsh way of talking, but if she surround it in oblaat, she will be a good leader". Followed with a supportive cheer "When the leader changes so will the 'colour'. I think that they will continue to sing good songs."

Furthermore, Yoshizawa who did not shed a tear in the graduation concert says " Although I have made a 'declaration not to cry', right now I have no time for tears. I have to remain cool till the end, because if I cried the other members will say 'You cried!'." And with that last sentence she smiled.

NOTE: In Japanese 'oblaat' means the colourless and tasteless gel-like matter which surrounds pill capsules. This word is used to phrase expressions like "keeping your ideas in oblaat", meaning to work within a defined constraint. Yossie is probably advising Mikitty to be careful with her choice of words when she takes on the task as the next leader of Morning Musume. Man, I didn't know Yossie have such deep words within her vocabulary! ^_^




Source from Oricon

モーニング娘。吉澤ひとみ卒業でミキティに苦言


　モーニング娘。の4代目リーダーとしてメンバーを牽引してきた吉澤ひとみが、5月6日（日）にさいたまスーパーアリーナで同グループ卒業公演を行った。

　『モーニング娘。コンサートツアー2007春～SEXY8 ビート～』のツアー最終公演後に行った卒業会見では「素敵なライブができて、嬉しい気持ちでいっぱいです」と、リーダーらしくまずはライブの感想から述べた。そして「（在籍した7年間は）メンタル面でも体力的にも鍛えられた。いい環境でした」と満面の笑みをみせた。

　この7年間には辛い時期もあったそうで「ダンスが苦手で、もう辞めたいと思った。けれど、モーニング娘。が大好きだったので。自分にとって大切なものだったので辞められなかった」と打ち明けた。

　次期リーダーとなる藤本美貴については「優しくて温かい子。でも、言い方がキツイところがあるので、そこはオブラートに包めば、いいリーダーになる」とアドバイスし、さらに「リーダーが変われば“色”も変わる。いい歌を歌い続けてくれると思う」と残りのメンバーにエールを送った。

　なお、卒業公演で涙を見せなかった吉澤は「“泣かない宣言”していた事もありますが、今日は泣いている暇がなかった。最後までカッコ良くやるということと、泣いたらメンバーに『泣いてるんじゃない』って言われるので」と笑顔を見せた。

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And Yossie Graduates Today

Yoshizawa Hitomi, currently leader of Morning Musume, graduates today at Super Saitama Arena. Two shows today, one on 2:30 P.M. and another on 6:00 P.M.. The current time in Japan at time of post is 12:00 noon. Only a few hours more.......

Honestly, I don't feel like blogging today. Feeling a bit... down, I guess. I did find some interview stuff 'bout Yossie though. So maybe tonight, I'll post something up. I'll let this afternoon have its moment of silence/rest...... kinda like a funeral, ya know? ^_^

But that's exactly how I am feeling, ever since Yossie announced her graduation on January. Four long months counting down till today, is tiring. Not like she'll be gone forever, I mean, she still got solo work. But, how much attention is she going to get compared to graduated "aces"(namely Abe Natsumi and Goto Maki)? I will be collecting me thoughts and talk about Yossie tonight.


Right now I'm dead tired, and in need of rest. Drove back to hometown on Friday night, for my wedding photoshoot. Spent a whole day doing just that - changing costumes and smiling for the camera. Damn tired.
The weirdest thing - I was thinking of another girl half the time. (Shh~~~ don't tell my wife. ^_^) But in commemoration of that girl, I went through the wardrobe and found the closest match I can. My wife got something that fits the theme....... And so, here's the result =>

Mr Moonlight - Wedding Couple Version.
There's no orange blazer in the wardrobe, so I settled for the white coat. (And no bigger picture, sorry. Don't wanna give you nightmares. ^_^)


This is for you, Yossie. Happy Graduation~~~ (T^T)b
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