Fujiyoshi Karin (Karin) / 2nd Generation

I myself also dislike the comparison between Karin and Techi, as I like both of them and I can see that they are very different from each other, both charming in their own way. However I do notice one very important similarity between them. I feel like there is always a hint of vulnerability, for lack of a better word, in their performances, and that makes the emotions they convey always feel so raw and genuine. It’s something deep inside them that they normally don’t show offstage. I don’t know how to explain it clearly, it is just a feeling, but I think you guys will understand it lol.

 

A responsibility which was given to a child of 15 in the case of Tecchi constasting to a responsibility shared with other members at 20 in the case of Karin. Admittedly that 15 years old teenager was full of charisma, even fuller of professionalism to do everything right and even fuller to the fullest a wish and ambition to succeed, contrasting to a charismatic 20 years old, also professional to the bone but with an ambition that she was mature enough to develop in accordance with what she was given to do.

I never supported Tecchi but this does not mean I can't see the truth and be fair with the girl. What I'm glad about Karin is that she started from ground zero and grew her appetites for success following (and not preceding) her fame. The girl is mature enough not to let her enthusiasm from her success drive her over-ambitious and that makes her even more attractive (and a raw model for younger girls).

 

I've come across some Japanese posts about Karin and the McDonald's ad.

Hanada Rei (X @0hana613) is a creative director who worked on the ad:
-- Sawamoto-san (Sawamoto Yoshimitsu) invited me to work on the new Samurai Mac commercial in which Sakai Masato and Fujiyoshi Karin performed! Sakai Masato’s shoot was done in the early morning on the slopes of Mount Fuji. The weather was clear and the feeling excellent. I was there and felt from close up Sakai-san’s acting, which was so full of energy. It was a day I’m tremendously grateful for. Seeing the cut of Sakai-san eating, it really had the power to make me want to eat. Amazing acting skill…. Fujiyoshi Karin-san has a mysterious presence about her. They got good shot after good shot. Director Tanigawa seemed very happy. As I recall, Fujiyoshi-san said something like: “When my role in the commercial was decided, I went to McDonald’s and ordered a ‘happy set’….”

-- Mr. Sawamoto said: “I was startled by how well Fujiyoshi-san expressed emotion in a Sakurazaka46 live, and by the un-idol-like excellence of her expressiveness in 'Start Over!'. I thought she would certainly act well, so I made approaches about her.”

Sawamoto Yoshimitsu:
-- Fujiyoshi-san. She really is good at this.

5channel:
-- It seems that Karin-chan is being well received by Americans and Europeans. Her hairstyle, her eyes…her whole ambiance seems like a high-brand Asian model.

-- The fact that Karin-chan fascinates creative people must mean she has something. [Note: I recall it being said back in 2016-17 that as soon as creative people saw Techi perform, they began thinking of ways to use her in their work.]

From the TikTok version of the Karin-centric CM, here is a comment screen:


And a photo. "Cutting a path" (a theme of the CM).

 

Karin recently visited the special display at the Tsutaya store in Shibuya. She was not in the group photo that came out a few days ago, so this was probably arranged so that she could leave her own note and autograph there. Her own clothes are always interesting:



Her note -- which expresses appreciation for the love given them/her and hopes people will enjoy this time (I think) -- was another example of her execrable handwriting (lol):

 

https://twitter.com/annaeuscaesar/status/1715918348754763994?t=o7fDGLqeVVbqjzsYQ5zYHQ&s=19


https://twitter.com/hukumimi_huku/status/1715953070889382068?t=xr9IF1xY-LL4CnC9ea_BhQ&s=19


These very good meguri report of karin

https://twitter.com/toomuchidea/status/1682681800546734114?t=UfIjhxxJYHTx0Lvj6QcESA&s=19

This article contains a transcript of karin on Suguowa Radio. Sawamoto-san said this program was the reason karin was chosen to be the cast of Samurai mac CM. So you have to read it
https://twitter.com/advertimes/status/1716732509378031908?t=x78hf6oiq6-CswP9yQao2w&s=19

https://twitter.com/Jiyorin_/status/1717150531909718431?t=kzYLyKMQkWPAtPkzEmI43Q&s=19

https://mdpr.jp/interview/detail/4017844


https://twitter.com/toomuchidea/status/1718291193157828939?t=eMvkcmza075HsoBK0TQa2g&s=19
Karin's Mdpr interview 2023.10.28

mdpr.jp/interview/deta…


https://twitter.com/toomuchidea/status/1718979522929029539?t=iuZ__n-50wJiidZVcMcNhA&s=19
SuguOwa Ten x Karin 2023.10.29

There are some new revelations here that will make you go

 

Congratulations karin. Actress karin .
https://twitter.com/sakuzakacentral/status/1722817076509999295?t=QBeLGBfY4xELjdLGSg4M9A&s=19

[News]

Fujiyoshi Karin will be starring in WOWOW drama "Ao Haru Ride" Season 2. She will be playing as Narumi Yui, the male lead's classmate from junior high in Nagasaki. The broadcast will start on January 19th, 2024, every Friday at 23:00 JST.

 

From Modelpress:
https://mdpr.jp/drama/detail/4042679

 

From a Sunday daytime drama (Azatokute Nani ga Warui) to an 11pm Friday evening drama. Not a weeknight prime-time drama, but a step up in any case?

Her role as the love-rival to the heroine was played by well-known actress Takahata Mitsuki 高畑充希 (now age 31) in the first drama (2023) and in the film (2014).

One Japanese comment says Karin's looks make her perfect for the role. Commenters think she is moving in the right direction. One says she can play a cool adult character as in the Azatokute drama, but can also play a high-school girl, as she does here. Another commenter says the only thing he doesn't like about this is the prospect of seeing her in some handsome actor's arms.

In other Karin news, she was asked at a Meet & Greet about the way she held onto Shizuki's hair in a couple of photos:

"Karin: She's so cute, Shizuki-chan!
guest: So you've taken a liking to her?
Karin: Uh-huh. She's cute. That girl is really cute."
​

In stage performances, and in the Dance Practice Shounin Yokkyuu in particular, there is a point starting around the three-minute mark where Karin is in front and slightly to one side of Shii-chan and the two of them show such style: Shii-chan's energetic light precision and Karen's smooth grace. Wonderful. I had the feeling Shii-chan might be following Karin and playing with imitating her style, as she did with KobaYui just before, when Yui was in front of her. So much good dancing, by so many members, in the stage performances of this song.

 

Publicity still of Karin as Narumi Yui in Ao Haru Ride drama:



One commenter says: "Beautiful tears."

 

https://twitter.com/katamiraiwo/status/1725113915401490804?t=xE6RCNTTNJwRnge2QVHY3w&s=19
https://twitter.com/omoidedance/status/1722216995998093409?t=5MiIwiImhdkEVc721F4RIA&s=19
Karin sent a 2-minute video (!!!!!) announcing that she'll begin sending an irregular daily vlog on Mobame. Anyone interested should sign up, although she's making it clear that she probably won't be very consistent at sending it daily (typical Karin behavior) #karintalk

 

@dinbradpitt -- Love that first link. There's also a TikTok version. Great dancing together. Karin is superb!

Re that second link, she has sent a message about noticing a certain fragrance. A translation says:


This also seems so Karin: a feeling, a fragrance, a subtle memory. An aesthetic life.

 

... and a mesmerised fan, I should add. My friend, I enjoy so much how enamoured you are with Karin. You are the embodiment of a dedicated fan!

 

Lol. "Mesmerized"? Perhaps. I prefer to think "attentive" and "observant", able to see what's actually there. Which perhaps I am less able to do with some other members. In return, I will honour your appreciation of Miu, whom I appreciate, too.

 

I appreciate that. Actually I see us and some other members here as football fans that are cheering their favourite team but also cheer ANY team that plays good football - sport fans not team fanatics (although personally I hate football)...

 

https://twitter.com/XoreZsore/status/1725806516446581083?t=BbEeIrWHuYJDlQ3CcD6-wA&s=19

https://twitter.com/takano_aoi10/status/1725797728033341664?t=utwUUDVLEvLyfmsegOhucg&s=19

https://twitter.com/takano_aoi10/status/1720731438675538103?t=jd1m4WMl3Oe17cDZ37OB6Q&s=19

https://twitter.com/takano_aoi10/status/1720336881140052246?t=cxgqiL3RRZenPjG6ZvFRIQ&s=19

https://twitter.com/toomuchidea/status/1726220888910291291?t=v3Roi98JcmMa-uyxchL_qQ&s=19
Sakurazaka's NHK Music Festival interview with MDPR

 

https://twitter.com/Jiyorin_/status/1727220872484937802?t=kn8nvGP9fLEXY0lhoydiwQ&s=19
https://twitter.com/karinzakaa/status/1727217283741970790?t=pEZxgoDxyD0slCgJXuRtGw&s=19

https://twitter.com/Jiyorin_/status/1727220702535991747?

t=M9cQdOx0VPIcJRzpBtAk4g&s=19
https://twitter.com/skr_tenrunrin46/status/1727222157305069761?t=HMKvvX30FsHpKeJO_IzXLQ&s=19
https://twitter.com/karinrin____1/status/1727211026255638577?t=KsvCnpetrZC1gDa7XEMPig&s=19
https://twitter.com/moritamuLOVE/status/1727213247580065842?t=YfK7Lr6PKfmWxDGuVfngmQ&s=19

https://twitter.com/sakurazaka46/status/1727203393310257568?t=n4Ne5yuTZWqe1vVBxgz45g&s=19

https://twitter.com/katamiraiwo/status/1727354703099617416?t=p6b3y_9Eqm4hD_yStfqt9w&s=19


https://twitter.com/katamiraiwo/status/1727354703099617416?t=srtJK3SQKFKvXK8l4CdPFQ&s=19

 

https://twitter.com/megidola0n/status/1731207429759943002?t=PVkRBExzRG6ptpyNgbM0Hg&s=19
LRT Itoha said Karin has been playing/hanging out with her a lot?

I didn't expect this loll

https://twitter.com/megidola0n/status/1731174295743967315?t=maeawRGk07LYCzbZ9jvm2w&s=19
LRT Miu told OP with a grin that Karin told her "I'll go there after my schedule is done so do your best" in a call before shinzanmono

From another post, Karin (and more) was there to watch last night

if the video does not show watch the video here

https://twitter.com/drama_wowow/status/1730519626008965345?t=gRH8WGilbXgI-CcqMtRR1w&s=19


OSUSHI WANTS TO BE FRIENDS WITH KARIN WE NEED THIS TO HAPPEN
fuu: it was a brief meeting, but then risa suddenly ran toward karin-chan, grabbed her hand, and then karin-chan casually just went with the OGs, we were all like "oi!! oi!!!". it was a nostalgic sight that we could see again after a long while
https://twitter.com/toomuchidea/status/1732404699780047019?t=YSg1advYQYkDVCt-XS4R_w&s=19

 

Karin just on open Instagram
https://instagram.com/fujiyoshi.karin?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==

https://twitter.com/buddies46/status/1734178217060360246?t=8hjxl2tPXa4IyIsmFhgjdA&s=19

Karin first ig post is damn nosebleed reel from Start over! lmao and OBVIOUSLY RIKOPI HAD KARIN IG ON NOTIFICATION

instagram.com/reel/C0titkrPF…

#藤吉夏鈴
#karinstagram(?)
haha i hope she gives a tag for her IG


https://twitter.com/mizukiikut0/status/1734204122319233365?s=19
SHE IS SOOOOO CUTE and her pronunciation is actually good!!


https://twitter.com/omoidedance/status/1734195155656126496?t=u_I_mTFXipu1aoQiF5BZsw&s=19

https://twitter.com/toomuchidea/status/1734169850833162419?t=mCCaq1x2UZbI8_0otKnjnQ&s=19

karin didn't even tell the members about it yet lol
> "i don't know what i'm gonna do yet but (whisper) i'll do my best..."
> started to get the desire to open one a week or two ago bcs she wanted to try something new

 

Karin in AAA PHILIPPINES


if the video does not show watch the video here

if the video does not show watch the video here

if the video does not show watch the video here

if the video does not show watch the video here

https://twitter.com/mizukiikut0/status/1735265556994064705?t=3qJwD6wwZiGqI02gDj8pHw&s=19
https://twitter.com/hulu_japan/status/1735259892322337100?t=klpMT_yRQrzWJnAlNgRcRw&s=19

https://twitter.com/karinzakaa/status/1735234841409434023?t=sucbTDm-71V0h1ugfaCY7g&s=19

https://twitter.com/katamiraiwo/status/1735228435818041641?t=sREQ6ss53XnV0EzODnhQeA&s=19

https://twitter.com/mizukiikut0/status/1735282237221069116?t=4CHeQZ_EXIiM-eMe9AA1Hg&s=19

https://twitter.com/hatsuzaka46/status/1735274323999400214?t=wXSpcj-TJW-sgfivTRZLkw&s=19
Her Korean is sooooo good omg

https://twitter.com/_1023_10425_/status/1735268288039669979?t=106Pz5_1jAOrpQf1BbOndQ&s=19
https://twitter.com/miisezon/status/1735266398878773674?t=TZKpSJwUtr2aZiTTocbdOA&s=19

https://twitter.com/cecezaka46/status/1735240220780478763?t=yJg1muYgGmy9XIk7QovBdg&s=19

https://twitter.com/cecezaka46/status/1735240220780478763?t=e75spOPfKU668IgUpjY53w&s=19
https://twitter.com/46FansINA_/status/1735257750073196900?t=Ut3P6MewXYxoo5GCdqoURQ&s=19
Sakurazaka46 has also awarded the Best Musician Award at the 2023 Asia Artist Awards. Congratulations again!
https://twitter.com/Jiyorin_/status/1735310081988960461?t=0bftRonoiJ-TIadfbBnr9Q&s=19
https://twitter.com/karinsgallery/status/1735323059806941308?t=cEBLO9gj-9XZJ7xmkdlXuA&s=19
https://twitter.com/karinsgallery/status/1735312166624854357?t=p7BBLhEEKrXeiKyDB7S1YA&s=19
https://twitter.com/mizukiikut0/status/1735326731681308900?t=NcpfoQElCjxgDp-bzJD69A&s=19

https://twitter.com/keitadj3/status/1735276590668620129?t=efFsCq49mzAwsczq-Hf73Q&s=19
https://twitter.com/potepinkun/status/1735305012883206423?t=oBFhAR0l2gmKOVyKMRD4pw&s=19
https://twitter.com/renarinism/status/1735592098362212550?t=DkMLTdCX9dRuLfBOGlVLhw&s=19

https://twitter.com/taetnyangie/status/1735490682821935151?t=n0TGEq8F1BWJzhi8MrydAQ&s=19
https://twitter.com/karinzakaa/status/1735413313612472629?t=SK6t90SV607_6KLWlPWBdA&s=19

https://twitter.com/46FansINA_/stat...yePKof0NmX7ewrUHR0aYWirvudBTGhbKyEEhJsKc&s=19
Karin with the trophy
https://twitter.com/Jiyorin_/status/1735287074700533953?t=WnnAHZCmwke5xLgoZZWWVg&s=19

https://twitter.com/katamiraiwo/status/1736209975251255787?t=4sUHH-Uez2-5S4KkgUasaQ&s=19

https://twitter.com/ariadne32391/status/1736196079740408274?t=cCMnaXX7M4x4a6bctuNxiA&s=19
https://twitter.com/cecezaka46/status/1735240220780478763?t=QOik6_KFoZddLdrwbdKWcw&s=19

https://twitter.com/ariadne32391/status/1736196079740408274?t=I3dgjtgRW3UGXuFNJkF_ww&s=19

https://twitter.com/katamiraiwo/status/1736937983419298145?s=19
It's still so crazy to me what was sakurazaka doing with these people

 

Wonderful collection of links from AAA courtesy of @dinbradpitt. I'd like to single out four:

Karin looking after her kouhai Shii-chan amid the noise and crowd:
https://twitter.com/Jiyorin_/status/1735434726188687501

Karin's (fairly) good Korean:
https://twitter.com/hatsuzaka46/status/1735274323999400214?t=wXSpcj-TJW-sgfivTRZLkw

Karin existing, and being pretty:
https://twitter.com/katamiraiwo/status/1735228435818041641?t=sREQ6ss53XnV0EzODnhQeA

Karin with one of the group's trophies: