Morohoshi Kazumi (32) is relaunching his pop career. A former member of the hugely popular 80s idol group Hikaru Genji (SMAP were their backing group), “Ka-kun” enjoyed all the trappings of super stardom at an early age. But after the group broke up, things went downhill. He went to New York two years ago to try to “find himself,” going to school and working as a waiter in Chinese restaurant. Now he’s back with his first new album in ten years.
• In its latest move to reinvent how pop groups are formed, this summer’s reshuffle of the Hello! Project idol factory will see the formation of three new units. Salt5, 7Air and 11Water will be made up of members of Morning Musume, Country Musume and other groups, all under the watchful eye of producer Tsunku (34). He explained the group names by saying that salt, air and water are the three elements necessary for human life. I could live without this crass commercialism, but what do I know?