KAMIN REINA
There There There’s
(Ex-Bellring Shoujo Heart)
Re-Re; or commonly known as Kamin Reina. Joined BERUHA on March 2015,
addressed as [Kari chan] by many for the past half of year,
finally getting a new nickname last October, leaving quite an impression over the increased of her abruptness during her Live shows.
Here we discussed about her past 6 months and we’re shocked to found out just how stoic she was.
We also talks about the reason why did she hides both her name and face during her debut,
So to unravel her real face hidden under a veil of mystery, this issue’s interview ended up like this.
Text.Interview: Tsuda Makoto
Photo: KISEKI MICHIKO
Shooting Location: Q-pot CAFÉ (Helpdesk: 03-6427-2626)
Profile:
Born on February 25th 1997. Blood type O. Bellring shoujo Heart was formed on March 2015, officially joined the group on March 16th 2015. Other members include ASAKURA MIZUHO, YANAGISAWA AYANO (Clock&Botan), KAI (TTTs), KANRA (now YONEKO, Migma Shelters), they currently recruiting new members. Their 3rd album; [BEYOND] released on February 2016. Currently releasing their Oneman lives trilogy album titled Q, B, and K, which Q is the live recording from their Oneman at Zepp Tokyo held on January 2nd, and B were the recording from TOKYO DOME CITY HALL held previously on April 30th.
MY ENTIRE LIFE = BERUHA. I’m STILL AN AMATEUR! I’M LIKE, JUST REACHED MY 2%, 2% FROM 1000% OF MY IDEAL.
—– You’re born in Kagoshima. What’s your date of birth?
February 25th 1997, I’m still underage!
—– What about your family member?
My dad, my mom and me, there’s only the 3 of us. I’m the only child in my family. My grandparents who lives in Tanegashima visit us every once per month.
—– Both of your parents work as?
My mom works as a nutritionist while my dad job got something to do with water. Tap water…..actually I’m not sure about his work. Normally when someone asked me about my dad job, I’ll told them he is a baker (LOL). All I know is he works at some water related company…..and always travel for work, even now. I basically stayed with my mom from Kindergarten until Elementary school. He’s home sometimes but he always here and there, working.
—– How was your kindergarten years look like?
While holding a tree branch on my hand, I rode a kick board I found at the kindergarten and I played [Supreme magician Do Re Mi] game with the other students (LOL).
—– What about your Elementary school?
I was full with energy. I always joined the others and play game like Thieves and Cops or hide and seek during lunch break. Besides that, I was addicted to DS so I’m like thinking about it 24 hours a day. I played them in the morning, can’t stop thinking about it when I’m on my way to school, and I continue playing as soon as I reached home. Furthermore, I’ll head to the nearby park by bicycle whenever I was told to assemble there to play with the other kids.
—– You can ride bicycle since young?
Indeed I can. I trained to ride it with my mom’s help and it doesn’t take long before I rode one.
—– Are you good in sports then?
I guess so. I can run pretty fast. They did choose me as reps for relay race during Sport festival.
—– Conversely, what are your weaknesses?
Studying! My Elementary school result wasn’t that bad though. However, I owned a PC and I’m literally addicted surfing the internet when I was either in 5th or 6th grade. I’m always play game or surf the internet whenever I’m home, let’s not forget about anime.
—– 5th or 6th grade, you say. Did you build any interest over Idol or the showbiz during that age?
By that time, I was inspired to be a model. The main reason was I fell in love with the pink colored frilly dress sold by a brand called MezzoPiano. Looking at the poster and catalog available every time I went to a department store motivate me to be one. That’s when I discovered both my ambition and about the world of entertainment.
—– To put this straight, you were actually planning to be a model at first.
I’m acting completely like I’m already a model. I never say it out loud though but I do think about it.
—– Do you like music?
I listen mostly to Anime songs and character’s songs (LOL). I also listen to Koda Kumi and PERFUME’s songs. I always get so excited whenever I see them performing on the Television.
—– Did you buy their CD’s too?
The first ever CD I bought was Avril Lavigne’s album.
—– Western music just came from out of nowhere.
I’m originally more into international music. Her videos popped out on my YouTube recommendation and she just blown me away. I went to a CD shop few days later just to found out that her album was on sale and that’s how I purchased my first CD in my life.
—– Did you enter any club activities during your Middle School?
I joined Tennis club. I was planning to join Volleyball club actually but I saw only 1 or 2 students joining in. I’m fine being in this club because my friends were also a member. I believe Middle school = club activities which means I don’t really care what club I joined as long as I tied with any club. I’m practically black in color since my skins get tanned pretty easily back then. However, I wasn’t serious about tennis, which I only took part in a tournament couple of times. I love moving so although it was tough, I having so much fun doing it. My daily routines resolve around tennis and my club activities until I turned 2nd year. Let’s not forget about Anime too (LOL).
—– Was you day there calm, free from any bullies?
It was pretty calm but I left the club during my 2nd year.
—– Other changes you did during Middle school besides joining a club?
I owned a phone. My first phone was a pink colored-cute-looking cellphone. I really want it to be pink in color. It seems that I’m into Pink color. Other than that is Net game. I was introduced to it by a friend of mine. My time went just like that when playing them.
—– Nevertheless, your dream to be a model never dies.
You’re correct. I can’t wait to go to Tokyo. I’ve located a Gyaru-based high school in Shibuya but the entrance fee alone will cost me a fortune. I discussed this matter although I’m aware they’ll hate the idea.
—– Did your music preference change too?
Ah, I begin listening to AKB48! I came across Momoclo’s videos on YouTube too but It doesn’t really fond to their genre. Anime and Character songs still my favorite.
—– That being said, what drags you into Idol fandom?
One of my classmates became an Idol. By that time, I was so proud about being her friend.
—– How was your High school like?
My school result was so bad during Middle school. I didn’t study, sleep during test and even skips my club practices, basically ending my whole 3 years there playing around. I planned to continue my high school study in Shibuya, with fashion, make-up and nail arts as majors so I gave up other essentials lesson. The high school near my neighborhood filled with intellect so in the end I enrolled into a beauty based high school located far away from home and provides a super cute uniform. It takes me an hour and a half by school bus.
—– So it’s like, you just have to wait at the closest stop for the school bus to pick you up to school?
That’s true, I have to be there before 7.05 in the morning and I always asleep on my way there. I’m not a morning person, which means I won’t budge from my sleep no matter how much my mom tried. With 10 minutes left on the clock, I wore my uniform and ironing my hair simultaneously, people called this condition as Kamin State (LOL). Furthermore, I’ll be pissed over the situation and just skip school whenever I miss the bus (LOL). There’s actually another station near the ferry station which the bus will wait for students who first came by the ferry for around 10 minutes. Hence sometimes my mom will drive me there. I really hate attending school but I want to meet my friends so I choose to go.
—– Was the school an only girl foundation?
No it wasn’t, but there is only girl in my class. Sounds lame but it was fun.
—– I wonder if the curriculum is different compared to normal ones.
They teach normal studies as well but I only went there to learn esthetic beauty, make-ups and nail arts. However I got tired of them soon after (LOL). Few of my classmates felt the same so we sort of avoiding any beauty related stuff for a while.
—– To actually learning all of that somehow makes you bored?
Precisely! I was sleeping during most of the lessons.
—– Did you join any club during High school?
I didn’t. I hang out with my friends almost all the time.
—– Do you go back home by school bus too?
Yeah, but there’s a lot of route to take before I reach home so I’ll stop by at my normal hang out place then later, I’ll take a different bus home. I have a permission to do so which I only need to make up an excuse to any bus driver whom asked, like “I’m back from meeting my dentist” or “just finish my part-time job” and they’ll kind enough to let it slide.
—– By doing so, doesn’t that just make your further away from your house?
Rest assured, it just 30 minutes away from home, walking. I enjoy walking, so I got no problem walking home.
—– I assume you’ll straight to your Anime obsession after reaches home.
I didn’t watch them that much after I went to high school. I’m not who I use to be once my PC totaled. However, this is when I open my Twitter account. I should mention about this earlier but I did write blogs when I was still in middle school.
—– Really? So how was it?
It was fun! At first, only my friends know about it but more and more people starts to read my blog, praising the wardrobe I posted there.
—– Full body photo, “Outfit of the day” captioned-kind of blog?
That is correct! I dreamed to be a model someday so I tried to copy what they did (LOL). While on twitter, most of my tweets were Selfies, similar to what a net-Idol would post on theirs. I refers to others a lot when I just barely starting.
—– As time passes by, your life as an Idol truly begins.
I become a member of an Idol group back in my hometown. I was scouted when I was doing my part-time work in a Chinese noodle chains. The scouter was an acquaintance of one of the staff there and he told the scouter everything about me. Remember my Idol friend I was taking earlier, she been in the business for quite a while now and she know the group I was scouted for. She told me to have a closer look at the group first so I booked a ticket and went to see them. It was amazing. However, I wasn’t really interested of being an Idol by that time so I was joining the group solely because I believe the choice I took could take me closer to my dream, being a model.
—– A stepping stone closer to your dream, something like that?
I truly believe so. I wasn’t dying to be an Idol or anything but I was like, “they quite a talk among the neighborhood, furthermore I was offered to do it”, that kind of non-seriousness throughout the career. The group is called Seven Colors.
—– That is when you use (Re-Re) as your moniker, is that correct?
That’s true. I did a name-hunting on twitter for that. I used a different name for my twitter before and this name was given by a friend I get to know with from the internet.
—– Did you begin your part-timing right after you started high school?
I didn’t do it for that long but I work in a lot of places, I was working at a Chinese noodle chain when I got scouted.
—– What a great timing. You’re really fortunate (LOL).
I think it happen at the end of my 2nd year.
—– How does it felt like after becoming a part of your own local Idol?
Honestly speaking, I thought about giving up just one week after my debut (LOL). I was hardly criticized on a sitting, second after I joined the group. Girls who aiming to be an Idol might accept everything thrown at them but since I’m in for the sheer fun, I countered the argument. I already have my own twitter account, you know that right? I use it to spend my free time, showing my dissatisfaction, not to mention my follower is reaching near 3000 people. Despite all that, they told me to delete those account, which is make sense but still. This account means a lot to more so I was taken aback by the idea of deleting it. There’s a lot more thrown at me and it starting to tingle on my nerves. I asked my mom an advice regarding the matter and she’s like, “There’s no one in the Idol history quit only after one week! Don’t give up”. I decided to follow everything my higher-up told me to and then I saw the beauty of performing. I genuinely want to quit but standing on the stage gave me the chills! Singing and dancing. For your information, we didn’t performs in any live house or anything instead, it was a narrow, free space provided by Izakaya joints. It was so much fun and I don’t want to leave anymore.
—– How did your mother response when you first told her about your Idol career?
I can tell she was doubtful about it. But not only her, my higher-up also was doubtful with my ability. I wonder if they were worried about me since I’m fine with everything they offered (LOL).
—– How’s the genre back then? Anything related with band music?
Not even a bit. It’s a total opposite from the genre I currently involve in. Although we performing in Izakaya most of the times, we do attend outdoor events, a friendship event between neighboring towns to be exact, raw music-free. There’s no rivalry or competition here, just a sheer excitement performing on the stages.
—– Do you have any Idol you aiming to be like someday?
My friend told me about DenpaGumi.inc before I started my journey as Idol, honestly it was a love in first sight and my horizon opens up from there. The Idol I admired the most is KoiShioringo (Bandjyanaimon).
MY FIRST CLIP WAS [OTOKO NO KO, ONNA NO KO](LOL).
BUT WHEN I SAW THEIR CLIPS AT TIF I WAS LIKE, “WHAT THE HECK!? THAT’S AWESOME!”.
—– You began from Denpagumi then straight to DearStages?
Indeed I am. Bandjyanaimon always appear on my YouTube recommendation list. My first interest was the cute Mizutama Ramune chan but she left the group soon after and my next crush is shiorin. I met her not long after that, in Tokyo.
—– In DearStages which is located in Akihabara, to be precise.
Coincidentally, my dad is having a work in Tokyo so me and my mum gave him a visit. Once there, I went to DearStages alone, meet her then I just can’t stop adoring her. I started to part-timing again to cover my expenses, stay in Tokyo for a month or two, never misses any of her live performances. I still taking part on my own Idol activities but despite all that, I enjoyed that moment the most. I believe, Koishioringo possessed both attitude and way of thinking which for me defines the true meaning being an Idol. I seek those qualities and I admired her for being able to possess it. She has my highest respect for able to penetrates stereotypes and for staying true to herself.
—– The fact that this kind of person exist and is in fact an Idol sparks your will of following her footsteps, which in the same time making her your role model, is that correct?
I believe so too. After everything I’ve said doesn’t mean that I want to own the same character as her, instead, she is the Idol virtue I want to pursue.
—– Which mean, you admired her yet she’s what you aiming to be…..
Also the person I cheer for (LOL).
—– From here on, you still continue with your local Idol activities, and you found out about BERUHA auditioning as soon you graduated from high school. You left Seven Colors at the same time as your high school graduation, so where did it go from there?
I decided to do something in Tokyo once I graduated and I took one whole year to do so. My original plan was to be a model but I realized I love performing better and want to continue being an idol so I changed my first plan into becoming an Idol in the big city. Month of relentless searching and trying ended up with nothing. After a countless un-replied resumes, un-decisive moments, I saw Chanmomo san (Bandjyanaimon) re-tweeting about BERUHA’s audition. Their name sounds familiar but I have zero knowledge on them, and since it’s here in front of me so it doesn’t hurt trying. As far as I can remember I saw the tweet 4 hours before the deadline. I didn’t expect much from it but a mail came. Despite all the odds, I just can’t shoot myself to Tokyo just like that, no matter what is it for. However the date of the interview was at the same date as Moso Callibration’s event in Tokyo, which I’ll attend.
—– You’re so lucky (LOL)!
I love the catchiness, cute and cuddly DearStages genre already was but the first clip I saw before the interview was *[Otoko no Ko, Onna no Ko] (LOL).
*First released on October 2014 for [EPEP EP] single, re-includes again for the album [UNDO THE UNION] released on December the same year.
—– Tracks that have the most intense, hardcore in the beginning.
I really didn’t see that coming (LOL). It makes me believe that is not for me. However, I saw a clips dates back during *TIF where A-yan (Yanagisawa Ayano) climbs a pillar. Seeing all that I was like, “What the heck?! That’s awesome” (LOL).
*TOKYO IDOL FESTIVAL 2014 held on 2nd and 3rd of August
—– How’s the interview?
Tanaka san (Bellring Shoujo Heart’s director) is very intimidating, both of his inside and outside. For me, interview is similar to warming up. I never thought about passing, literally zero feeling of being qualified, not to mention just how bad my singing is.
—– Did they insist you to sing during the interview?
It was a disaster! The interview took place before my (Seven Colors) graduation live, so I sang [Hatsukoi Cider] (Buono!), the song I was planning to sing during the graduation but the result was the worst, my vocal is all over the place and I can’t help myself laughing at my pathetic self. I started to give in after listening to other candidate angelic voices. However, Tanaka san said that he prefers me over the other girls and that’s why I thought he is a creepy person.
—– Not long after you back to Kagoshima, they contacted you?
They did. Clips from *[Shigeru Mitsuru] just got released during that time, the one recorded by Ninomiya (Yu-Ki) san at **WWW. The whole performance was amazing, no doubt. It leaves me a deep impression towards the group as a whole. A mail came when I was in the middle of watching the video and I was like, “Me? Passed? Seriously?”. I remembered they asked me if I able to transfer to the city right away which is utterly impossible, however I believe I gave them a “no Problem” since I never thought they’ll say yes. There’s a lot of request I want to ask my mom but I’m sure I have no chance of passing so I kept it to myself.
*Titled for Nakano Juri and Mizuki Yuka graduation Live, held continuously for 10 days, from 19th until 28th of February 2015.
**The place that held “Gyufest vol.1 ~ Shigeru Mitsuru.09 ~ tappe.” On 27th February 2015.
—– I’m sure she thought you’re in Tokyo only to catches live shows (LOL).
I was in a deep agony, knowing I won’t get deals like this again (LOL). I nailed my graduation live, packs all my stuff then heads to the city few days later.
—– The announcement was made, and despite you covered most of your face with your hair, people still able to recognize that it’s you.
That’s totally true! Few people recognized me almost right away. I was both amazed and shocked. I talked about the audition I took and BERUHA during my graduation live and they’ll know about BERUHA! However, I was questioned about the road I took at first, about the genre to be precise. Seemingly our fans thought I’ll pursue DearStages type of music once I graduated.
—– Despite all that, you heart is already with them.
Indeed! I don’t really fond to their songs but I honestly love their stage performance.
—– Your career in Tokyo has officially begun, how was it in the beginning?
There isn’t a single day where I felt less excited! I just can’t wait to performs, besides, living in Tokyo, building my career here has been my dream since I was young and that dream came true! I enjoyed all of their lessons and training, sure there is a lot to remember. Compared to before, our lesson wasn’t properly held and even if we do, we don’t have a proper instructor to teach us. Furthermore, we only have like, 5 original songs while the others only covers so usually we only watch video and tried to mimics their dance. There an instructor provided this time, long list of original tracks, different dance routine, they also rent a dance studio so that we can’t practice there. I’m in heaven.
—– Everyday was a fun, continuous thrill-filled ride?
No doubt about that. I have to memorize each song ASAP because my next scheduled stage was a week after my debut, a two man-*band backed-up stage alongside (Shinsei) kamattechan. I felt really bad towards my senior members back then because I keep asking them the same thing over and over again. Despite all that, they’re all kind and willing to teach me everything.
*held at Shibuya Quattro on 31st of March 2015, titled “Akubi ~ BELLRING shoujo Heart & Shinsei Kamattechan ~”
—– Your *debut stage is just a week away, did you experiences any difficulties as the day coming?
Not even a slightest! I trained like 8~10 hours per day, heck yeah it’s terribly long but I have to do a lot of catch up so I don’t really mind about it, to be honest, I can’t wait to stand on the stage. Kanra accompanied me most of the time and I love talking about anything Harajuku with her. They even provided us a weekly mansion for us to stay, preparing for our debut and I’m really grateful for that.
*Was during an event titled “Beat Happening! GARDEN MAX PANIC!”, held on 24th of March 2015. She performs from half way through the show.
—– And so, the long-awaited live is now here, how was it?
I wasn’t nervous or anything instead I was shocked over the amount of energy used. (She showed up half-way through the show) I only perform 2 songs but I was jumping with everything I got for both songs. It was so much fun, just like I’ve expected.
—– Which Live show leaves the biggest impression towards you?
The *10 hour Live show! The first time I was told about it, I was like, “10 Hours?!”. It’s just plain crazy! However, I only managed to master couple of song by that time. How I wish I have memorized the routines for all of our songs by that time. Then on the next morning, it’s pain all over my body. I can’t move my body at all in the morning so I continue my sleep. That memory is still clear in my brain. Besides that, I also remember just how amazing my senior member back was when I look at them dancing non-stop while I was resting at the side of the stage. That inspired me.
*Held at Meguro Rokumeikan on 29th of March 2015 titled, “10 hours Live [Shinmen Mitsuru]”.
—– You did your *first recording session soon after that, how was it?
I can’t sing that well….. And I don’t really like singing so it wasn’t a pleasant memory for me. I really hate how I sound like through the speaker so I’m a bit reluctant to do it at first. I literally have no idea about how should I sing during our final recording session, plus listening to my own voice through the earphone is just….. However, I’m really happy they include my vocal along with the rest inside the CD.
*For their [13 WEEKS LATER EP] which released on July 2015.
—– Why did you use [Kari chan] at the beginning of your activities with BERUHA?
It was told to. I have discussed about this with my past agency, but despite all, they still insist me to hides half of my face and given the name of “Kari chan”. I stood by their decision for like one month before I decided I had enough. However, Tanaka san won’t budge from the judgment he already made (LOL). Our opinion keeps on clashing even after that. I believe cutesy character suits me best but he always came up with something weird, for example like [Kagoshima Re-Re] or [Sakurajima Re-Re]. We finally seal the deal with him coming up with more options, up on the stage.
—– The official decision was made during live at *O-NEST on October 25th, 7 month after your debut.
There some fans who told me that my signature as Kari chan will be considered rare which unfortunately, isn’t true at all (LOL).
*An event held on 25th of October 2015, titled “NAMIHEI-ONDO”.
I’M ACTUALLY PRETTY NEGATIVE. HOWEVER, NEGATIVITY ISN’T SOMETHING IDOL SHOULD HAVE SO, I’LL TURN IT INTO MY ADVANTAGE. I WON’T VIBE OFF ANY OF MY OWN NEGATIVITY OUTSIDE.
—– Do you felt any differences after successfully changing your name?
I wonder? I’ll be so happy if it does though.
—– I’m sure the change you did is a good thing. People now know you as Kamin Reina, and you officially using Re-Re as your nickname.
I really want to be addressed as Re-Re again….. I’m Re-Re, you know.
—– Both you and A-yan did this activity called *[Nagashi], sang **[In the rain, in the dark] as duet, then get to be the lead vocal in [Suna chan . Nappa] MV. Not to mention your intense jumping during [Chappie]. Here you can see the increase of part you entrusted with.
You’re right! I’m really grateful over all the part offered. I’m here today in Tokyo for BERUHA so right now I’m like, my entire life = BERUHA.
*An event held on 10th of December 2015, the event also called “A-yan to Re-Re no Idol wa youni tsure, youwa Idol ni tsurare~”. Here, both of them will have to advertise a specific shop then hold an event there.
**Tracks from their 3rd album; [BEYOND], released on February 2015.
—– How’s your dream of being a model these day? Did Idol already topple over it? I saw you appeared in a fashion related event before this.
It’s always there, it never really leave me. However I realized I’m not quite there yet. My face, my style, my attitude or how I behave, everything.
—– How about being an Idol?
I’m still an amateur! I really think so! I’m like, just reached my 2%. 2% from 1000% of my ideal virtue.
—– What kind of Idol you want to be in the future?
I want to be a walking motivation to other people. I want my hard work inspire the others, don’t you think that’s wonderful? After that, they’ll be like….. Do their best in their own life while looks forward to meet us again on the weekends, and when the weekends come, they felt rejuvenate by our performance and the cycle continues. That’s how I want to live my life, as someone who motivate other by how I life, as their source of energy.
—– From what I can fully grasp right now is that you’re fully contented with your life so far, but how about now?
I’m currently in a slump. I started all this because I find myself happy when performing but I realized I still can’t express myself that well, and knowing stops me from going to the stage. I’m still at 2%. Our new single sang by members who possesses the same background but each one of us have our own desire, so how we express ourselves and our approach is totally different from our predecessor. I wish I can be like them.
—– With that said, there’s a possibility of a new member coming in (LOL), any friendly message to your future member?
There’s no such thing as half-assed member here. I admit I didn’t think thoroughly when I started all this but I choose our stands before I took the job and came to the city. I literally risked my life for it. I hope our future member were fully resolves. Let’s heads to the top together.
—– You didn’t mention this earlier but what about their personalities?
I’m actually pretty negative myself. However, negativity isn’t something an Idol should have so, I’ll turn it into my advantage instead. I won’t vibe off any of my own negativity outside.
—– You already have a clear idea about what kind of Idol you pursuing, and you still chasing the ideal you hold.
That’s true.
—– And you are now at your 2%.
Exactly! I’m currently at my 2%.
Their whole discography is here, unless the owner deleted it
DONUTSSUBS. 