Channel News Asia - Motherhood teaches Japanese singer Koda Kumi 'meaning of love'
SINGAPORE: Japanese singer Koda Kumi will perform her first solo gig in Singapore on Saturday (Jul 18), but ahead of the show, she shared how motherhood has changed her life and taught her the "meaning of love".
The show in Singapore is part of her Koda Kumi Asia Live 2015 concert series, which marks her 15th anniversary in the business. And while she looks much the same as the last time she visited in 2011, the singer said much has changed since.
For one, she tied the knot with Kenji03 from Japanese rock band Back-On in 2011 and they have a three-year-old son. Having a family has changed her life in ways big and small, but the changes are most pronounced with her music and dressing, she said through a translator at a media conference on Friday (Jul 17).
“My husband is a rocker so it would look strange if I dressed all cool like this all the time. For example, I am wearing 15cm heels, but nowadays I wear flats or sneakers when I am with him," she said.
“As for my music, I try to keep my personal life separate from my music. But after I gave birth to my son, I feel that I now really understand the meaning of love. The word ‘itoshi’, which means affection and love toward someone precious, comes up a lot in my songs now. I think that is the biggest change in my music,” she added.
"I HAVE LOW SELF ESTEEM"
When asked her secret for staying popular all these years, the singer replied: “I believe that being yourself is the most important thing.
“After 15 years in the business, many people will talk and they will say whatever they want to say, but we can’t stop that. It is important that you maintain your stance, know where you stand, and be yourself no matter what.”
Although she is known in the J-Pop scene for her provocative dance moves and sexy image, the singer said she “never really felt sexy”.
“I have low self-esteem and there are things about myself I am not comfortable about, but I use fashion and other things to cover that up and boost my confidence. As I grow older, I think inner beauty counts more instead of how I look.
“Rather than having gentlemen call me sexy, I would rather be considered a cool figure by the female fans. So I think about how to bring that across through fashion, and be seen as a strong, independent female by women, rather than (be seen as) sexy, from a guy’s point of view,” she said.
KEEPING A PROMISE TO VISIT SINGAPORE
As for holding her concert here, she said the Lion City had left a very deep impression when she last visited in 2011 for the Mnet Asian Music Awards. It was a whirlwind visit, but she became so enamoured by the city-state that she vowed to return.
“The beauty of the city, its skyline, its good food and the smiles of its people really impressed me,” said the 32-year-old.
“I said to myself I would love to come to Singapore, but then I got pregnant and every year, something kept popping up. So I felt very excited and looked forward to meeting my fans in Singapore when I finally got the chance to hold my first solo concert here.”
The singer added she still loves connecting with her fans, and has no intention of calling it a day.
She said: “I really like the feeling of being close to my fans. In Japan, when I perform at big arenas, I miss performing at concert halls, because it is a more intimate setting. So if I perform at an arena, I will perform at a concert hall next, then at another arena.
“I look forward to performing at The Ground Theatre here because it is smaller than a concert hall, and it is going to be more intimate. I think I will be able to see each fan’s facial expression and connect with them.”
“I really believe that dreams do come true, because I am here today after so many years. I also think that where there is a will, there is a way. Fifteen years down the road, I will still be saying to my fans ‘Did you enjoy my performance?’. That is what I envision myself doing in the future.”
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