In celebration of a brand New Year, Japanese supergroup BE:FIRST has a special message for their fans, especially those in Southeast Asia. The members of this boy band – Junon, Leo, Ryoki, Souta, Manato, Shunto, Ryuhei – recently gathered together to share what they’re thankful for from the past year and the memories along the way.
Looking ahead, each member from BE:FIRST also took time to share their New Year’s resolution and what they hope to achieve in the coming months. While some want to focus on internal growth, others have a bucket list they wish to tick off before the year end. Read on to see what they had to say:
1. What are your thoughts about your busy and successful 2022?
Leo (レオ): We had many ‘first-time’ experiences in 2022. It is all thanks to the love and support by people around us. We hope to do even better this year.
2. With those ‘first-time’ experiences in 2022, please share something memorable to you.
Shunto (シュント): BMSG FES ‘22 was definitely one of the most impressive memories amongst all of us. While BE:FIRST is new to the music scene as well as BMSG as a management company, it was an honor for all of us including other artists to get together to work on creating such an event. It certainly excites us for next year’s events!
Junon (ジュノン): It would have to be the release of our first album, ‘BE:1’. We also had the opportunity to perform in some major music festivals during the summer. It was fun collaborating with Jonas Blue during his set. Speaking of a recent event, we participated in the recent Asia Artist Awards (AAA) for the first time. There have been so many memories from this year.
3. What is BE:FIRST’s goal in 2023?
Sota (ソウタ): What we’ve been aiming for in 2022 remains the same in this new year; and that is to pursue BE:FIRST’s music and show the world who we are as a group. Please stay tuned and root for us!
4. Please share your individual goals or challenges for 2023.
Ryoki (リョウキ): I’d like to fulfill my role as an artist, actor, and simply as a human being…lol (Manto) My personal goal… I want to be more physically fit.
Ryuhei (リュウヘイ): I would like to go abroad. Maybe we can do a boot camp somewhere.
Sota: I got an opportunity as a dance instructor and mentor choreographer in New Zealand at the start of this year, so I would like to utilize my talent when/where needed. That would be my second goal. My first goal is to grow together with BE:FIRST and as an artist.
Leo: For me, it would be to reach my ideal as a BE:FIRST, and also to become the ideal ‘me’. Additionally, I want to broaden my ability to express myself. Oh, I also want to increase my cooking repertoire.
Shunto: I want to get a driver’s license. I will turn 20 years old this year. It sounds cool to drive a car. (Sota cuts in here saying, ‘You should declare “I want to become an adult.”’ and Junon adds “He hasn’t grown up yet” as a joke.)
Junon: I want to take care of myself by eating and sleeping well. (Everyone else agrees “That’s most important!”)
5. If you were to perform overseas, which countries would you like to go to?
Manato (マナト): I would love to go to the United States — the mecca of music, and perform on the streets. Also, I’ve always wanted to go to the Apollo Theater in New York City. I’d love to perform there one day!
Ryuhei: My choice would be Indonesia. I am grateful that many people there have watched our recent interview video on CNN. Also, I want to deliver our performances more to our fans throughout Asia.
6. Do you have any message to your fans in Asia?
Ryoki: Thank you all for your continuous support. As we close the year 2022 and welcome 2023, we have many challenges ahead of us. We hope to not only deliver our music, but also we look forward to opportunities to perform in person overseas. Please continue following us.
