Question from a Reader:
Why is it that while Yamamoto was referred to as “Yamaguchi Member” in the past, this time Kokubun is not called a “Kokubun Member”?
Reasons for Not Being Called Kokubun Member
I think this question from the reader offers an interesting perspective. The difference between Yamaguchi and Kokubun is indeed noteworthy. First of all, Yamaguchi, known as
Yamaguchi Tatsuya, became a major topic due to his past actions. When he did something controversial, the media and fans reacted en masse, and the term “member” became established because his actions were so shocking. On the other hand, Taichi Kokubun has a relatively stable image within Johnny’s. His own actions and statements have seldom caused major issues, so it’s not common for him to be referred to as “Kokubun Member.” Certainly, if Kokubun were to get into some trouble, everyone might call him out, but so far, such a situation hasn’t occurred.
Recollections
Let me share a little side story. Recently, I remembered a time when I went out for drinks with a friend. He asked, “Should we talk about Yamaguchi Member?” and we ended up reminiscing about the past. He, in fact, went through a phase where he was a fan of Yamaguchi and began sharing memories from that time. There were so many amusing episodes that I couldn’t help but laugh. For instance, he mentioned an event where Yamaguchi suddenly started dancing, and my friend was so moved that he ended up crying. If I had been there, I probably would have reacted in some way as well. In fact, I once had an experience at a concert with a friend where, as soon as the artist started singing, I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I couldn’t help but shout. All the surrounding eyes turned to me, which was a bit embarrassing, but that was part of the fun.
Conclusion
In the end, the reason Kokubun is not referred to as a “Kokubun Member” may lie in his stability and behavior. Of course, nobody knows what will happen in the future, so it’s unpredictable. If anyone has memories from the past or fan stories that have stuck with them, I’d love to hear about them in the comments. It would be great to share interesting tales or even a few embarrassing experiences together!
