I Want To Be A Popstar

Actually, not really. I don’t really want to be a pop star.

If there’s anyone to blame here for the rather intriguing title, it’d be my friend Azaza and her obsession for anything that comes from the Land of the Rising Sun. Because this song and its singer Ken Hirai are Japanese (and cute. But that’s not the primary reason), she just had to share it to me. And now, that song is on loop in my head. Lovely. Just lovely.

What’s particularly memorable about this song, aside from the fact that the singer looks like a Japanese Debenhams model, is the music video. It’s basically kitsch with a capital K. And that’s saying a lot for a Japanese music video (Watch Japanese music videos to find out what I mean!)

In the video, three guys compose a sort of boy band --- the leader in red, the preppy boy in blue, and Mr. Retro in yellow. They’re accompanied by a couple of dancing bear mascots. All five are directed by this artsy man in a scarf. But wait a second. How come they all look alike? Oh right! They’re all played by the same guy --- Ken Hirai.

In a way, Ken in the video is different things to different people. He takes on all the roles with much vigour and enthusiasm. Do you need a preppy boy? Okay, Ken can be that. Do you need someone to dance around in a bear costume? Sure, Ken would gladly do so. How about needing someone to direct this whole hurrah? Ken volunteers. It’s injecting life into all he does.

In a way, we’re all called to be pop stars. No, we don’t really have to wear a bear costume or do kitschy dance moves (and even if we do), but we are all called to be excellent students, children, siblings, friends and whatever role you see fit to insert here. It’s devoting time and effort into all you are called to do. It’s going the extra mile to make your work extra splendid. And yes, it means putting on a bear costume when you really have to.

Everything you do should burn with excellence and passion. Yes, that’s whether you’re studying or doing kitschy moves.

Seriously, Azaza, explain the kitschy moves.