「Featured Post」~Fukakyon♥…model, actress, idol, pop star~~> 「EXOTIQUE」

The following was composed over the past 5 days and there was just so much that I wanted to include here and yet i needed to hold back a bit in fear of this becoming a monster~post which would frighten everyone (゜Д゜;)！！Not sure if I quite succeed with that last part but anyway here’s the first of many audio/video to follow as you scroll and hopefully read through so as to keep you from falling asleep as I babble on along with lots of media and photos and scans :P……..

~Fukada Kyoko piano solo mp3~

(this I actually extracted from a video clip and just took the audio as there is no actual “music” release for this really really beautiful piano~solo by Fukakyon♥)

Fukada Kyoko releases can be ordered here @ Cdjapan.

Fukada Kyoko releases can be ordered here @ HMV Japan.

~Actress~

Now @ 28 Fukada Kyoko has reached iconic heights as an idol who’s captivated and entertained in the vast opportunistic world of Japanese media where it’s most common for a talent to explore everything from modeling to television to movies and beyond~. Fukakyon♥ was born on November 2nd, 1982 and has remained with a single management agency (HORIPRO) since her early teens when she first began appearing regularly as either a cover~girl or featured girl in numerous idol magazine publications, then most notably with her early Bomb magazine appearances. Her acting career also began early in her mid teens and although Fukakyon is primarily known as a drama/t.v. actress having appeared in an impressive number of dramas which now total over 40 to date she also has a modest but noteworthy movie resume which includes standout performances first, in the dark realism of an idol’s world brought to screen in the 2002 film “Doll’s which mixes dark short stories and the 2004 cinematic~masterpiece “Shimotsuma Monogatari” (aka “Kamikaze Girls” in international releases) both for which she was awarded best~character awards. Fukakyon also was awarded best~supporting actress for her role as “Touko” in the drama series “To Heart~koishite shinitai~” where she starred beside Kinki Kids’ Domoto Tsuyoshi and never has a crepe sales stand been so cute. Really moving and inspirational storyline and just the sight of Fukakyon working out beside the reluctant Domoto Tsuyoshi so cute~♥!! And previously she also won best supporting~actress honors for her role in the controversial “Kamisama mou sukoshi dake” which took head on and brought to light the darker side of Japan’s youth and how prostitution affects many young girls…….Kaneshiro Takeshi stars and Luna Sea’s “I For You” serves as the main theme song.

~Favorite film~

However if i were to recommend a single role overall, it would so have to be Fukakyon’s character “Ryugasaki Momoko” who starred beside the also amazing and talented Tsuchiya Anna in “Shimotsuma Monogatari.” It’s almost an understatement to call it a special~* film, you know those which only come along a few times each decade or less (think the award winning “Amelie” meets Tarentino meets Japanese comedic mayhem not to mention how being able to “hear” the main character’s thoughts is always quirky fun =)!!) When it comes to storytelling which will keep you glued to your seat that is if you’re able to control your laughter and not fall out of your chair, the unlikely and highly amusingly off~beat meeting of “Momoko” and “Ichiko” is as colorful and surreal as they come!! The direction is wonderfully over~the~top and original as the film puts its own spin on just about every well timed~comedic twist and turn you can imagine or even not imagine :P……..snippits that readily come to mind: reverse~birth and the unforgettable visual of seeing yourself shot out of a vagina complete w/ dialog, mini animated story breaks to help one better understand (or keep the kids awake who may be watching :P), yankee ♥, the funniest designer bootlegs ever, a new meaning to projectile vomiting :O, renaissance lolli~♥ lolli~♥ lolli~♥ (“Baby, the Stars Shine Bright” x’s a thousand = Fukakyon♥!!!), yakuza mishaps with it all culminating into one of the funniest and most unforgettable and biggest twists~and~turns to ever meet the big screen. Ever. Really! This film is most wonderful and it’s 100% worth owning as it has endless replay value as I crack up every time I watch it =). Highly recommended…..and oh wait until you see the Unicorn~guy (。ーωー。)笑！！

This movie is absolutely priceless (*≧▽≦)！

~Favorite drama series~

Okay this one’s a bit older and yet it’s one of the most memorable Fukakyon dramas that immediately comes to mind when thinking of a favorite. And there’s something so warm and addictive about those little Tackey♥ narrations which appear near the beginning and end each episode and they’re a match made in heaven…..I sort of wish they had stayed together in real~life and gotten married although most would probably disagree and would rather want them for themselves :P. But just at first with those opening and closing dialogs for each episode I then just knew that the next episode couldn’t come soon enough each time. You know you’re addicted to a drama when even a week’s wait is much too long (> <);!!! Theme songs too play such an important role in how one loves/likes a drama and initially it may sound odd that they chose not a Japanese pop song or even a Japanese language song here but instead this drama connects to a pair of catchy 70’s songs from none other than the hit machine which was ABBA. I can’t stress enough of how perfectly it works here with “Chiquitita” leading in and “S.O.S” serving as the ending theme (S.O.S also cutely becomes an acronym of sorts for “(S)trawberry (o)n the (S)hortcake”) and coupled with the visuals of the cast playing happily together during the credits….it’s just (*´∀｀)♥！！I guess I’d summarize to say this drama is delicious♥.

“Strawberry on the Shortcake” is one of the un~bashful stories where relationships and adolescence touch upon everything from unrequited love to discovering one’s self to virginity and how realizing the one♥ for you may be closer than you think. Fukakyon and Tackey play the main characters “Manato” and “Yui” who become siblings though in a step brother/step sister sense and initially Yui’s honesty and straight forwardness was a bit of an odd turn~off for Manato but in time he soon begins to realize his feelings for her (not the sisterly type :P) but there are of course complications of other relationships which form not a love~triangle but some other odd shape xD. What I really loved about this drama is how relatable each character was and you can’t help but fall in love with Fukakyon’s “Yui~chan” as her personality and approach to life is on a level cutely aloof and yet she’s so honest with everything never shying away from literally anything in life…..her demeanor so adorable and wrapped in sweetness always =). There are so many wonderful and touching moments that’ll have you attached and giggling inside too all leading up to a heartfelt final episode which also provides and abundance of anxiety too!! The sex* episode was so funny where there’s I imagine nothing quite like “finding” your brother’s condoms or being asked if virginity is a bad thing for a guy to still have (*´艸`)！！、however it all fairs in comparison to Yui telling Manato that she “can’t practice that* with you…” that* of course being that* lol xD. And who could’ve known that stalking could be so clumsy and cute at the same time??…..Fukakyon♥.

~Pop star~

Fukada Kyoko began playing the piano at the age of just four years old and although she admits that having to practice at that age was a bit of a reluctant activity then, it’s grown into a passion over the years of learning. While so many idols find pop music and singing early in their careers and then delve into a musical career at some point for Fukakyon it was really rather an idol/actress exploring music and as a vocalist she was just beginning to work with a vocal coach literally on~the~spot as she was in studio for her very first single recording. To be honest Fukakyon doesn’t in particular have a remarkable voice and while she did develop over time for her it was much more of her idol♥ status and adoration by fans which made her venture into music work. Interestingly rather than take initially the much more obvious or traveled road of approaching a music career as an idol with the cute~route the earliest songs released showed a production which rather opted for a much darker sound and style giving some tracks a very moody feel~~.

And as you listen to her albums as well she wasn’t produced so much as an idol even then and even the array of musical styles and 60’s influences dig a bit deeper in tracks such as “Universe” which brilliantly has the aura of an “Eleanor Rigby” like tone and movement and still other tracks breath the exotic flavors of bossa nova and other jazz backgrounds into them. Initially though as aforementioned her debut single “Saigo no kajitsu” is dark and rock influenced and here I’ll begin with her singles then moving on to her two original album releases.

~Recommended listening~

There’s quite a lot here to consume so just for starters I’d say begin with her songs “Universe (strings version)”, “Telepathy” (middle break remind you of a group?……The Bealtes~♥ =) ), “How?”, “Umi no kanata sora no hate” (“Beyond the sea, end of the sky”), “Easy Rider” and “Swimming.”

~My Fukakyon♥ collection っo(*´∀｀)o～

~The singles~

“Saigo no kajitsu” was released on May 19th, 1999. (first press edition includes one additional track)

~Fukada Kyoko “Saigo no kajitsu” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Umi no kanata sora no hate” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Anata ga shitte iru watashi ga honto no watashi to wa kagiranai” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Saigo no kajitsu” (music video)

“Easy Rider” was released on September 1st, 1999.

~Fukada Kyoko “Easy Rider” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Easy Rider” (music video)~

“Kirameki no shunkan” was released on February 2nd, 2000.

Fukada Kyoko “Kirameki no shunkan” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Atom Heart Mother” mp3~

“How?” was released on July 19th, 2000.

~Fukada Kyoko “How?” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Hidarite” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “How?” (music video)~

“Swimming” was released on June 6th, 2001.

~Fukada Kyoko “Swimming” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Universe” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Figure” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Swimming” (music video)~

“Kimi no hitomi ni koishiteru” was released on October 3rd, 2001.

~Fukada Kyoko “Kimi no hitomi ni koishiteru” mp3~

“Route246” was released on May 22nd, 2002. This song reminds me of Pizzicato Five with that great 60’s vibe and do I spy a John Lennon style Rickenbacker? =)

~Fukada Kyoko & The Two Tones “Route246” mp3

~Fukada Kyoko “Route246” (music video)~

~The albums~

“Moon” was released on March 15th, 2000. The first press edition is housed in a clear outer slip case and includes a thick~glossy 10 page color booklet in addition to the liner notes booklet~. A few alternate versions of previously released songs appear within the 11 tracks here beginning with a possibly even more distorted version of “Kirameki no shunkan.” Recommended tracks: “Anata ga shitte iru watashi ga honto no watashi to wa kagiranai (2000 mix)”, “Sakura no sono”, “Saigo no kajitsu” and “Easy Rider.”

Fukada Kyoko “Kirameki no shunkan (alternative Mix)” mp3~

Fukada Kyoko “Anata ga shitte iru watashi ga honto no watashi to wa kagiranai (2000 mix)” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Gozen yoji no mukou gawa” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Into The Light” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Sakura no sono” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “prayer” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Eien no ichi nichi” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Mune ippai no ai wo” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Easy Rider” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Kuroi ame” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Saigo no kajitsu” mp3~

“Universe” was released on November 21st, 2001. Definitely a superior album to “Moon” with even more inspired arrangements to accompany a then much more confident vocalist in Fukakyon♥. So cute the first pressing includes an extra outer card which here is referred to as a “stereo visual card” =D……what we call a hologram card :P. If you check out the music collection photo I took which is posted earlier in this post you can catch a glimpse of the dual images being displayed simultaneously. The jewel case for “Universe” is extra thick to help accommodate for the hologram card as well as a slightly thicker liner notes/ photo booklet. This album opens up with an awesome remix ( i don’t say the words awesome and remix very often in the same sentence…..I’m usually partial to the original versions :P) of “Kimi no hitomi ni koishiteru” which is extra~cool~jazzy~breezy~♥!!….and it’s much better than the original =). Other recommended tracks include: “Telepathy”, “Swimming”, “Universe (string version)” also arguably better than the original, “American Short Hair”, and “How?”

~Fukada Kyoko “Kimi no hitomi ni koishiteru (Yukihiro Fukutomi Remix)” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Telepathy” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Swimming” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Shitsumon ga aru no” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Koi suru mune no tameiki” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Universe (strings version)” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “American Shorthair” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Kimi no hitomi ni koishiteru” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “Figure” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “How?” mp3~

~Fukada Kyoko “People” mp3~

Fukada Kyoko “Canon (fer remix by Sohichi Terada) Piano: Fukada Kyoko mp3~

~Image DVDs~

Between 99’ to 01’ Fukakyon released four image DVDs and as a sign of the times each were cased in a traditional sized jewel case whereas today’s DVDs are almost exclusively packaged in tall full sized cases. Each DVD served as both image DVDs and also a sort of documentary of her growth as a musical artist both vocally and instrumentally providing clips of an early live FC event, in studio recording and rehearsals, art direction, vocal coaching, music videos, making of her music videos, extensive and intimate interview clips, NG moments :P, slide show photo albums and of course lots and lots of image~footage including mizugi and other cute and sexy clips~. “for me” was released on January 20th, 1999, “to me” was released on March 17th, 1999, “for you” was released on December 17th, 1999 and “to you” was released on June 20th, 2001. Following are a few special clips and accompanying caps as well as the pvs♥ included on each DVD release.

If you clicked on the very first mp3 of this post than you’re already most familiar♥ with the piano solo performed by Fukakyon……here’s an accompanying clip. So beautiful~*…..I can loop this on my iPod and the melody repeats seamlessly ＾　＾♥。

~Fukada Kyoko (piano solo♥) clip~

~Fukada Kyoko “face” image clip~

Fukakyon’s piano solo was extracted from video from this DVD and just in case you’d rather not scroll all the way back up to the top I’ve inserted here too just below to accompany the photos….

~Fukada Kyoko (piano solo♥) mp3~

“for you” includes some great in studio footage of Fukakyon on piano accompanied by a cellist and also includes pvs and making of footage for her singles “Saigo no kajitsu” and “Easy Rider”….oh and be sure to watch for the Kyoko~snarl♥ so cute!! Here I’ve also included a piano rehearsal clip which includes a bit of commentary from Fukakyon along with the closing credits which always has the cutest and most candid footage =).

But first, a kitty♥ moment  (*´∀｀*)♥．．．

~Fukada Kyoko (kitty♥ time clip)~

..nya♥!

~Fukada Kyoko “Dear…♥” piano/cello duet rehearsal & ending credits clip~

~Fukada Kyoko “Saigo no kajitsu” (music video)~

~Fukada Kyoko “Easy Rider” (music video)~

(*´∀｀)♥！

“to you” includes the pvs♥ for the single “How?”, “Swimming” and “Kirameki no shunkan”….I’ve also included the ending credit clip as it’s just soooooo cute!!!….plus it leads in with a live FC event♥. Keep an eye out for Fukakyon’s encounter with the “making of” cam and her reaction’s so funny when her um….crown falls off suddenly っo(*´∀｀)o！Oh and I forgot to mention this earlier but gosh* the producers of her “Swimming” music video were quite naughty as well…..let’s just say that the beginning of the water~gun fight starts with some pretty um obvious? sexual* references (*´艸`)。

~Fukada Kyoko “to you” ending credits clip w/ FC footage and behind the scenes footage~

~Fukada Kyoko “How?” (music video)~

~Fukada Kyoko “Swimming” (music video)~

~Model~

And now we’ve reached the final section of this tiny post…..just kidding :P!..about the tiny part that is and here I’ve chosen a few favorite♥ photos to scan from each of Fukakyon’s photo books although it’s notable to mention that her most recent release “001 Neo Mook” didn’t arrive quite in time for me to include those scans here too but I’ll surely post those in an upcoming Fukakyon♥ post =). I’ll begin with her pb titled “Pool” which was shot when she was between the ages of 14 and 15 and serves pretty much as her debut~.

This photo is so nostalgic!!! PS1 🙂 and yes boys we have to adjust clothing too sometimes (。ーωー。)♪

Mmm….♥ this penguin love~love photo with Kyoko~chan. Penguins are one of the cutest beings on the planet and Fukakyon one of the most adorable on the planet so get them together and wa~llah! Everything here just pushed the cute~o~meter way past its known limits dont’cha think?…..

え～へ(*≧▽≦)！

“Colors” in a way represented the growing relationship between Fukakyon and Bomb magazine as she graced so many covers of theirs as well as just being pretty much in nearly each and every issue for a long standing time…..here this pb was published as a collaborative effort and a very noticeable shift towards a much sexier* image is clearly present~.

When you consider that “AVENIR” sold for just 3500 yen at the time of its original release it’s pretty amazing in retrospect…..two high quality hard cover photo books housed in a glossy outer slip case~* both featuring posters of their own too. The “passe” and “present” themes of each edition cover Fukakyon’s idol photography from 15 to adulthood with of course Bomb magazine producing as well. And if you sense that the first scans here seem to show Fukakyon getting younger in age in succession with each photo shoot I uploaded them a bit backwards…..okay totally backwards 😛 at first but I corrected the order for the latter edition.

“Friends” is a really cute pb combining a separate photo shoot from lots and lots of behind the scenes photos and interviews with both Fukada Kyoko and Wonbin!! If you haven’t yet seen “Friends” I wholeheartedly recommend it!!!! It’s such a wonderful drama which takes on the issues of language barriers and what can befall from it…..so so many redeeming and cute and funny moments~*! It’s a must must see!!!

The large buzz around the release of “25sai” were the many photographs taken herein featuring Fukakyon going natural…..as in no make~up and it’s the true testament to the term natural~beauty……..Fukakyon♥ embodying that and so much more =)……some are just blessed with it from birth. Lucky~*  (*´∀｀*) ♪！！

“Kyoko Tokyo Pin~Up Girl” features Fukakyon in character for her “Yatterman” role but this photo book is actually a visual extension of the drama……some really creative and artistic photos are herein and to see inside please click~* here as I scanned this pb during my time back @ Vox.

~~>EXOTIQUE…..photo books too are now including photo extras ↑↑↑ っo(*´∀｀)o! Mmm…before getting to the scans I would like to just say that Fukakyon♥ was always so meant to have a longer hairstyle and just the sight of extensions here prove it to be true I think =). Fukakyon looks so amazing here!!!!!!! It was quite difficult to choose just a few favorites♥ so I ended up scanning quite a bit of the pb and if I tried to sum up this pb in just two words it’d have to be….beautifully~artistic. From a girl to a woman and the journey in between, I hope you enjoyed it all as much as I had fun putting this all together…..it’s now just reaching into the fifth day of me completing this post. Tsukarechatta!! ( 」´０｀)」Ｚｚｚｚｚｚｚ．．．．．おやちゅ＝）♥！

posted with ~♥~