It's official: KAT-TUN's Akanishi Jin (26) will graduate from the group later this year, it has been announced. KAT-TUN held a concert at the Tokyo Dome yesterday, Friday night, and Johnny's Entertainment president Johnny Kitagawa spoke to the press there on the same day. He said that the final decision will be made after Akanishi's U.S. tour this fall, but at this point it appears to already be guaranteed.
Since May, Akanishi has been in the United States, working on his solo career. He performed concerts in Los Angeles in June, and he has scheduled a 7-city tour for September and October. Kitagawa also revealed that Akanishi is already planning further concerts for 2011. Meanwhile, KAT-TUN has been continuing as a 5-member group, just as they did when Akanishi temporarily left in 2006 to study abroad.
Kitagawa explained that right now, the focus is only on Akanishi becoming successful in the U.S. He said that it would be too soft on Akanishi to let him return to KAT-TUN as a fallback if he doesn't succeed. It would also be unforgivable to KAT-TUN fans to have Akanishi dragging the group on, or returning the same way he did in 2007.
Kitagawa once again assured fans that KAT-TUN is not breaking up. Although the group's name is based on the initial characters of the members' names, it is said that Akanishi's "A" will be replaced by extending Kazuya Kamenashi's "K" to "KA." There are no plans to bring in a new member, as Kitagawa stated that there is no need to have six people in the group. He said that the five remaining members are currently doing fine without Akanishi. (Tokyograph)
Oh well, this was expected, but it's still saddening. :/ Let's hope both KAT-TUN and Jin do well in the future!
That's sad but I guess we all knew that this was going to happen.
ReplyDeleteKT-TUN were doing there best while he was overseas for the fans to know that they will remain strong even after Jin's departure...
All we can do is hopping that Jin will be successful in the USA, and wish the rest of the band to keep being that same amazing group even without Akanishi.
FIGHTO KAT-TUN & AKANISHI!
^^
This means Jin lied when he said he was coming back. I don't think he'll last long in the US. If American born Japanese singers and actors can't make it there with their perfect English, he doesn't have a chance. He'll go the way of Boa and Rain (they speak English a lot better then Jin!!) and make a mini hit in LA only then return to Japan. Sad but the whole style of KaT-TUN has changed since he left for LA. I like what Johnny said the best too bad Jin didn't listen to the comment before he decided to quit KAT-TUN.
ReplyDeleteI think this is good.
ReplyDeleteIt would mean growth for both Jin and the rest of KaT-TUN.
Members stepping up in Jin's absence (amazing D-Motion perf in Korea and the No More Pain hit), they've done this before.
And to many fans, Jin appears bored most of the time with their recent shows in Tokyo.
And to actually go to the US and do his thing, he will actually get live out all his career opportunities. If he passed this up, it will always be the opportunity that got away.
And I agree that he will make a mini hit. Making it big internationally, he ought to release a single that will reach and relate to different countries. It's always about the "hit single" in the US, unlike Japan, where TV exposure will guarantee fan girls and sell records. So far, TV exposure sold records of teen idols like Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Bros. If you are more on the mature scene. A hit single is needed.
it's good..actually i'm getting tired with Jin attitude lately..he changed a lot after he came back from US in 2007..he seems different from Jin all we know..i don't hate him but i'm sad with his sudden change..all member working hard to make KAT-TUN success but he really didn't show any effort..i know how much he changed because i am KAT-TUN fans since 2005..so i think this is a good chance for him to do solo and also good chance for KAT-TUN to take new steps for their future..Kame always said,Jin will do whatever he wants..this show that he really wanna be a solo singer compared to be a part of KAT-TUN..everyone has a dream,including Jin..so as a KAT-TUN fans, i will always support Jin and KAT-TUN..hope you guys will success!ganbatte!
ReplyDeleteI don't think Jin will ever become a mega-hit in the US becuase they already have their own very well-developed entertainment industry with so many big names. However, I think he can become popular enough to have many MANY fans (he already does!)
ReplyDeleteAnd I think it is good that they finally come to a decision, rather than the state of "is he going to leave or not?" where everyone is confused and there are worries about whether KAT-TUN will disband. Also, Jin gets to do what he really wants to do, so both he and KAT-TUN can progress in the two different ways.
That said though, I hope they still remain friends and maybe Jin can be the guest performace of a KAT-TUN concert one day... I think that'd be nice! :)
Thanks for all your comments, it was interesting reading them! ^^
do you know if they will get back together after his tour in U.S is over
ReplyDelete@lovelyadult_69
ReplyDeleteI doubt they will, since it wasn't mentioned anywhere.
I am still a new fan to KaT-TUN so please be patient with me. How did jin attitude change? I would like to get to know them better so can someone please explain them to me.
ReplyDeleteUlufale.kiana@