A Message from BG to Everyone

TodaI've mentioned it during live shows and MC segments, but BG's activities aren't limited to creating apparel and merchandise or performing with Go. I've been supporting "LOVE JUNX," Japan's first comprehensive entertainment school for individuals with Down syndrome, for a long time.

I invite the children to my live shows and stage performances, and I help with voice work for "LOVE JUNX" concerts. Go also lends his support, doesn't he?

UekiYes, I've made guest appearances at their events. Their dancing is truly moving! They perform on stage with incredible focus. Watching them makes me feel passionate.

UekiI also believe it's a good thing to enjoy creating products and then be able to give back the profits to those in need in a different form.

TodaExactly. That's why I want to tell our BG customers, "By purchasing our items, you're also contributing to charity," and that's why we're having this conversation today.

UekiThere are things we can convey to our audience only through dance, music, and acting, and there are things we can convey only through designed merchandise. I'm also very happy that our activities with BG are expanding in various ways.

TodaTo achieve that, there's still a lot we need to work hard on. We need to build a solid cooperative structure!!

UekiI'll follow you!

Sibling Critique Battle? Watching Each Other's Performances

TodaGo and I both have continuous stage performances. Since we're here, why don't we share our thoughts on each other's shows?

UekiI thoroughly enjoyed watching the revival of your play, "The Hit Parade"! I went with a friend who co-starred with you on stage, and it felt like watching a favorite movie for the umpteenth time, full of excitement. Before the show, I told my friend, "You have to pay attention to this scene," and built up the anticipation. As expected, it was a great scene every time I watched it.

TodaOh, which scene?

UekiYou know, the part where you get a huge round of applause for your lines. Every time I see it, I think, "This is what high skill looks like."

TodaHuh? You mean the part where I speak incredibly fast?

UekiBut even though you're speaking at an incredible speed, the audience can hear and understand you clearly, and you're not breaking the play while still entertaining the audience, right? It's funny and astonishing. I think it's cool that you, my sister, can do things like that so perfectly as an actress.

Also, even though you're short, you seem larger than life on stage. You fill the stage. When I dance, I need the spotlight focused on me, but you don't need that, do you?

The story depicts the dawn of Japanese pop music, a flamboyant era when everyone was taking risks, right? The music produced is also completely different from today's music, which appears and disappears by the dozens each month. It's music and songs that could only be performed by that specific artist, with those clothes and that dance. I was overwhelmed by that power, and the second viewing also felt like it ended in an instant. Moreover, with the overall structure understood, I think I enjoyed it even more deeply than the first time. My friend was also deeply impressed.

TodaA little while ago, I saw two of Go's performances: the musical "Altar Boys" and the dance show "SAKURA cha cha."

"Altar Boys" is a Broadway musical with only five male performers. I'd heard the overseas cast CD, and it's a work with many good songs, though the harmonies are difficult.

UekiWere our vocals... bad?

UekiYes, some people say, "You can do any kind of dance, right?" but that's not true at all.

TodaIt's admirable that you challenge yourself without fear! I'm not an expert in dance, but I felt like I was able to touch upon the "charm of Go's dance" that becomes apparent when he steps into different dance genres.

Go's original choreography still has an impact on me, it's interesting, and it draws me in. Being able to confirm that was meaningful and made me happy.

UekiBefore I started acting on stage, I had only performed in my comfort zone. Experiencing acting has broadened my perspective on things and people. Now, I want to greedily absorb anything I find appealing. I want to accumulate beautiful things within myself. I want to challenge myself more and more, with the mindset of even "stealing" from others.

TodaThat's my brother! I'll praise you today (laughs).