Morning☆Kuri

My Dear Godsisters Julia and Amanda:

What I am about to say may shock you. In fact, it may weird you out. The idea may never have crossed your minds… At least, not yet, since Julia’s only 6 and Dan-dan’s only, like, 3. But it may one day, and I feel that, as your older, wiser, and very adorable godsister, I must look out for you.

I know you guys were really excited after my school musical, and thought performing looked fun. I also know you guys take dance classes, just like I do~ I’m really happy about that. Maybe one day, you’ll be famous performers.

Still, I must urge you: NEVER want to join the Asian entertainment industry. Because, one day, Hello! Project might come knocking at your door, and that’ll be the end of everything.

You’re too young to really know what Morning Musume or Hello! Project are, but, I’ll try to explain for you, as best as I can.

Morning Musume is my favorite group… Perhaps ever, although I’m not too sure on that front. I can tell you that I have followed them for quite some time now, almost two years. In fact, the last time I saw you, I was singing Kusumi Koharu’s song Koi no Mahou wa HaBiBi no Bi, and you thought it was adorable. Of course, I didn’t tell you it was Japanese–after all, you guys barely speak Chinese now, since you’ve been learning how to talk in American English since the beginning–but it sounded good to your ears, didn’t it? I think that’s because Chinese and Japanese aren’t vastly different. Anyway, I figure that next time I see you two, I’ll let you listen to some of my music, because you’ll probably like it.

Morning Musume was founded a decade ago–10 years! None of the original members are still in the group–they’ve all left by now. The group is nicknamed MoMusu by fans and the press… It’s a lot easier to say. The group holds annual auditions for new members, and every year a member or two usually graduates. Last year, the then-current leader, Yoshizawa Hitomi, graduated. Her subleader, Fujimoto Miki, became leader, but then Miki left, so Takahashi Ai became the new leader. Her subleader is Niigaki Risa. The group is currently in its 8th generation, which means they’ve had 8 auditions prior to this. Actually, they had 9, but they didn’t find what the were looking for in the one audition.

Yes, MoMusu is very weird. I’m not entirely sure why I like it so much. Well, I kinda do, but it’s not for this letter.

Anyway. The other members are Kamei Eri, Michishige Sayumi, Tanaka Reina, Kusumi Koharu, Mitsui Aika, Li Chun, and Qian Lin. That’s 9 pretty girls who can sing and dance and act. Naturally, MoMusu is a powerhouse of good feelings.

Anyway, before I tell you all the bad things (like Kusumi Koharu, for instance), I want you to know the good things, so that you know there’s something worth it in here…

These are Li Chun and Qian Lin. They’re names I want you to remember–they’re called JunJun and LinLin in Japan, but I’ll refer to them by their real (Chinese) names for you–because they are two of my favorite members of Morning Musume. Li Chun in particular–she’s always been a favorite, since she first joined. I figure one of you will relate to Chun and the other to Lin, because their personalities are different. Chun is quieter, more understated and a little weird. Lin is hyperactive and crazy, and very in-your-face.

Anyway, they’re Chinese–and members of Morning Musume’s 8th generation. The 8th generation is one of the best things to happen to MoMusu in a while.

Mitsui Aika (nickname: Mittsi) is adorable. Her singing voice is okay; not good, will improve with time. Li Chun is amazing for her looks, her deep voice, her “normal girl” personality. And Qian Lin is just random and bubbly and perfect for this kind of group.

Also good are Takahashi Ai, Niigaki Risa and Kamei Eri. Takahashi Ai (Takitty) is a leader of the group I mentioned before. She’s an amazing performer, because she sings and dances and acts. Niigaki Risa is her subleader, and she can sing and dance as well. And Kamei Eri is very cool, because she can steal the entire song with one good solo.

These girls can sing and dance. They give everything their all, and that’s one of the most important things in life. They’re perfect role models for young girls like you. They’re the image of perfection and “nice girl”-ness. Your parents would approve.

They also have a lot of really happy songs you would like–the older songs like The Peace! or Chokkan, or even the more recent song Mikan. They’re really happy, and bouncy, and jumpy. Better than Hannah Montana, most of the time (although I must admit, that song See You Again is really good).

I have to wrap up for now, but I promise I’ll tell you more about MoMusu… Especially about its minigroup, Minimoni, which has lots of songs you’ll really, really like. I promise.

Keep practicing your Chinese Chess, too. I’ve been practicing mine. I won’t lose again!!

Much, Much, MUCH Love,

Krissi ♥