[tenshi no hane]

Another translated piece from KODA REKI:

Spoiler:

The history of Koda Kumi: 2000年

One year of lessons to prepare me for my debut was waiting for me after I became the runner-up at avex dream 2000. My debut would be dropped if I was judged “unqualified” in that period. It was an important period in which they would decide whether I would debut or not, so I would come from Kyoto to Tokyo on the Shinkansen to take lessons every weekend. By the way, EXILE’s Hiro-san was my dance instructor at the time.

How did I spend those important days that would determine whether I had what it takes to be an artist? I didn’t spend my days feeling anxious or anything (laughs) Because I was a fearless high school girl back then ♥ Using the 500,000 yen prize money, I would eat at department store restaurants and even though it wasn’t decided whether I would debut or not, I naively thought: “If I’m getting so many lessons then that means they’ll let me debut, right?” (laughs) I really enjoyed those days in Tokyo ♥ …My staff must have felt anxious at seeing me behave like that.

Actually, my director at the time Toku-chan threatened me: “I don’t know whether you can debut yet” even on the very day my CD hit the shelves (laughs)

During the shooting of the cover of my single TAKE BACK, no one had told me what the shoot was for so I just stood in front of the camera clueless (laughs). Actually, my debut day had already been decided but I didn’t know, so I felt insecure and thought “will that song I recorded be put on sale?” (laughs). When I saw my CD lined up the stores I felt “I really debuted!!” for the first time. I still remember how excited I was.

Beside not knowing any fear, I didn’t know the real world either. Pushing forward with my groundless confidence, I just shallowly thought “debuting at avex trax = sales!!” Fortunately, my song ranked high on the American billboard dance chart. From 6 December 2000 my spectacular life as an artist would start, well, that was the plan anyway (laughs) But life isn’t that kind…

From that point Koda Kumi’s long and lonely “winter years” would start.