Wikipedia

Ai Kago

Ai Kago(Gia hộ á y,Kago Ai,born February 7, 1988)[2]is a Japanese actress and singer. In 2000, Kago debuted as a 4th generation member of theidolgirl groupMorning Musume.During her time in the group, she was also part ofMini-Moniand otherHello! Projectsub-groups. In 2004, Kago departed from Morning Musume and became part of the duoWwithNozomi Tsuji.

Ai Kago
Gia hộ á y
Ai Kago in November 2009
Born(1988-02-07)February 7, 1988(age 36)[1]
Yamatotakada,Nara,Japan[1]
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actress
Height155[1]cm (5 ft 1 in)
Spouse
Haruhiko Ando
​
​
(m.2011;div.2015)​
Children2
Musical career
GenresJ-pop
Years active
  • 2000–2007
  • 2008–present
Labels
Formerly of
Websitehttp://ameblo.jp

In 2006, Kago was suspended from her agency for underage smoking and subsequently dismissed in 2007, forcing her to leave W and Hello! Project. In 2008, she returned to entertainment as an actress, appearing inKung Fu Chefs(2009),Ju-On: Black Ghost(2009), andBattle of Demons(2009). In 2009, Kago returned to music as well, releasing her debut solo single, "No Hesitation" (2009), followed by her jazz album,Ai Kago Meets Jazz(2010). She also formed her own girl group, Girls Beat!!, in 2013, of which she remained a member until 2016.

Career

edit

2000–2004: Morning Musume and Mini-Moni

edit
Main article:Morning Musume

At age 12, Kago won the 4th National Audition ofMorning Musumeheld by theUp-Front Worksin 2000. On April 15, she, along withRika Ishikawa,Hitomi Yoshizawa,andNozomi Tsuji,were inducted into the idol group Morning Musume as its fourth generation. Their recording debut was in the group's ninth single "Happy Summer Wedding".

Kago and Tsuji's addition to the group received positive critical response.[3]With an increasing fan base, they, along with Morning Musume memberMari YaguchiandCoconuts MusumememberMika Todd,formed a new subgroup namedMini-Moni.In addition to this, Kago was also admitted into established subgroupTanpopoas a second generation member. From 2001 to 2004 Kago participated in the annualHello! Project shuffle units(3-nin Matsuri in 2001, Happy 7 in 2002, Salt5 in 2003, and H.P. All Stars in 2004).

2004–2007: W

edit
Main article:W (group)

In August 2004, Kago and Tsuji graduated from Morning Musume together after Mini-Moni began their indefinite hiatus.[4][3]Under the arrangement of their agency, Kago and Tsuji formed a new pop duo,W,[3]releasing two albums and six singles together.

Before the release of their seventh single and their third album,W3: Faithful,on February 9, 2006,Fridaypublished photos showing Kago smoking. She was 15 at the time the photos were taken. The following day, her agency issued a press statement saying that she and W's activities had been suspended "indefinitely."[5]Kago spent the remainder of the year under house arrest at her family's residence in Nara. During this time, she was not allowed to have contact with Tsuji or any of the other members from her agency, and she was caught smoking again during her probation period.[6]

In 2007 Up-Front Works reported that they were working on her comeback.[7][8]In late March 2007, photos of Kago going to anonsenwith a man 18 years her senior and smoking for a third time circulated in the media, further tarnishing her reputation.[9]Not long after, Yuukichi Kawaguchi, the director of Up-Front Works, issued a statement announcing that she had been dismissed from the agency.[6][4]

2008–2010: Return to entertainment

edit

After Kago departed from Up-Front Agency, her mother attempted to sign her to a new talent agency in her hometown, Nara.[citation needed]Later that year,Josei Sevenpublished an interview with her mother, revealing that Kago left Japan and started residing in New York City.[10][self-published source?][11][self-published source?]Kago herself later revealed that she had actually not gone to New York, but rather to Los Angeles for three months because she felt like a criminal in Japan. During her stay, she met people who encouraged her, includingWinona Ryder,[12]and was able to reflect on her situation. She also considered suicide and cut her wrists.[13][better source needed]

Kago made a well-publicized return to the entertainment industry in 2008[14]with plans of pursuing an acting career.[9]She began appearing in multiple Hong Kong movies, includingKung Fu Chefs.On August 25, 2008, Kago released a book entitledKago Ai Live—Miseinen Hakusho(ＬＩＶＥ— vị thành niên bạch thư).On her blog, she described the book as "a book where I talk to young teens about their various troubles and dreams."[15][better source needed]

During 2009, Kago also focused on rebuilding her music career. On June 24, 2009, she released her first solo single "No HesitAtIon" [sic] onindependent record labelIn Da Groove.[16]On February 16, 2010, she held her first jazz concert at bar JZ Brat in Tokyo.[17]Kago's first jazz album,Ai Kago meets Jazz: The First Door,was released on March 31, 2010 throughP-Vine RecordsandAvex Marketing.[18]In August 2010 she was invited to perform at music festivalSummer Sonic.[19]

2011–present: Personal struggles and Girls Beat!!

edit

Throughout the second half of 2010, Kago became unhappy with the direction of her work. Around the same time, she began dating restaurant owner Haruhiko Ando, who acted as an in-between for her agency and herself. Since beginning a relationship with Ando, Kago cancelled several jobs at the last minute, causing her agency to suspend her activities. Despite this, she participated in a live performance and opened a separate blog without permission.[20]

Kago parted ways with R&A Promotions in November 2010 despite her contract ending in March 2013. As a response, in 2011, Kazuyuki Ito, president of Mainstream (an associate of R&A Promotions), declared that the agency planned on suing for¥100 millionin damages for contract violations.[21]During that time, Kago's career was also derailed by her personal life.

After spending 2012 out of the public eye with the birth of her daughter, Minami, Kago transferred to a new agency in 2013. Planning to revive her music career, she formed an idol group, which was later named Girls Beat!! The group would be crowd-sourced using lyrics, music, and costume ideas submitted by fans.[22]Remi Kita and Ryona Himeno were recruited as the other two members after passing the auditions.

Girls Beat!! released their first single, "Sekai Seifuku" on July 22, 2014. Their activities were abruptly put on hold when an arrest warrant was put out for Ando in October on suspicions of loaning money at illegal interest rates.[23]Kago later filed for divorce, planning to continue activities once the divorce was finalized.[24]Although Kago was eventually successful in doing so,[25]in August 2015, her contract with her agency expired,[26]though she continued activities with Girls Beat!! in November. On February 29, 2016, she graduated from the group.[27]

Personal life

edit

Public image

edit

During Kago's years in Mini-Moni, she was known for keeping her hair in curled twin tails. Manga artistArina Tanemuraused her hairstyle as inspiration for Mitsuki Koyama, the main character ofFull Moon o Sagashite.[28][29]Her official nickname in Hello! Project was "Aibon."[30][3]

Kago and Tsuji shared the world record for the largesthula hoopspun at 4.08 m (13 ft 5 in) in diameter.[31]They set their record on January 1, 2004, during a live New Year's Day television special atNippon Television Network,Tokyo, Japan. The record appeared in the 2005 and 2006 editions of theGuinness Book of World Recordsbefore it was broken byAshrita Furmanin September 2005.

Relationships and family

edit

During Kago's house arrest in 2006, her parents divorced.[9]In 2009, Kago was involved in a relationship with actor Hidejiro Mizumoto. Mizumoto's wife, Asato, sued them both, stating that she had proof of the affair and that it was the cause for her pending divorce.[32]On May 24, 2009, a family court found in Asato's favor and ordered Mizumoto to hand over his home in Kumamoto and his car to Asato as well as¥300,000in child support every month for his three children.[33]Shukan Joseireported in 2010 that Kago was romantically linked to model Takeshi Mikawai. Her agency released a statement claiming that while they dated, they were not a couple.[34]

Kago began dating Haruhiko Ando, a restaurant owner inRoppongi,in August 2010,[35]who acted as an in-between between her agency and herself.[20]In September 2011, Ando was arrested for alleged extortion and claiming to have connections with theyakuza.[35][36][37]Kago had been taken in for questioning.[38]In the same month, Kago was rushed to a nearby hospital after agency officials found her on the floor of her apartment with cuts to her wrists.[39]Her life was reported to be not in danger, though there were speculations that it was a planned suicide.[40][41]Following the incident, she and Ando registered their marriage, and Kago became pregnant.[42][4][43]and he took on her family name, Kago.[44]From their marriage, Kago gave birth to her first child, Minami, on June 22, 2012.[45]

The police issued an arrest warrant for Ando in October 2014 on suspicion of loaning money at illegal interest rates. This affected both Kago's career and image.[23]In 2015, Kago announced through her official blog that they were living separately and were in the process of working towards a divorce.[24]She attempted to file for divorce in April, but dropped charges due to insufficient funds. On June 9, Ando was arrested on domestic violence charges stemming from an incident on May 12 where he allegedly shoved and kicked Kago in their home in Roppongi, leaving her with injuries that took ten days to heal.[44]Kago agreed to drop all charges in exchange for divorce,[46]which was finalized later that month.[25]

On August 8, 2016, Kago announced that she had married a 38-year-old beautician whose name was not disclosed to the public.[47]On September 23, 2016, she announced that she was pregnant with her second child.[48]On February 23, 2017, she announced on her blog that she gave birth her second child,[49]a boy named Yoshitsugu.[50]

Discography

edit
For releases as a member of Morning Musume and W, seeMorning Musume discographyandW (group) § Discography.

Singles

Release date Title Oricon Singles Charts Album
Peak Positions Sales
Daily Weekly Yearly Debut Overall
June 24, 2009 "no hesitAtIon"[51] 26 52 — 1757 — —

Albums

  • AI KAGO meets JAZZ (March 31, 2010P-Vine)

Compilations

Filmography

edit

Film

edit
Year Title Role Notes
2000 Pinch Runner Cameo appearance
2002 Mini Moni ja Movie: Okashi na Daibōken! Herself
2009 Kung Fu Chefs Shum Ying
Benten-dori no Hitobito Saku
Ju-on: Black Ghost Yūko
Battle of Demons Momoko Tosazuka [52]
2010 Nikushokukei Joshi(Nhục thực hệ nữ tử) Kariko Oogami
The Haunting Lover

Television

edit
Year Title Role Notes
2001 Mini-Moni Yaru no da Pyon! Aibon Voice in anime[4]
2002 Angel Hearts
Kochira Hon Ikegami Sho(こちら bổn trì thượng thự) Yumi Shiina
2003 Kochira Hon Ikegami Sho 2(こちら bổn trì thượng thự) Yumi Shiina
Mini-Moni the TV Aibon Voice in anime[4]
2004 Kochira Hon Ikegami Sho 3(こちら bổn trì thượng thự) Yumi Shiina
Kochira Hon Ikegami Sho 4(こちら bổn trì thượng thự) Yumi Shiina
Mini Moni'sTown Musicians of Bremen(ミニモニ. でブレーメンの âm lặc đội) Hinako Niwa
2005 Kochira Hon Ikegami Sho 5(こちら bổn trì thượng thự) Yumi Shiina
2008 Tonsure(トンスラ) Mai Kurume ep3,6,11–12
Nihonshi Suspence Gekijō(Nhật bổn sử サスペンス kịch tràng) Princess Sen
2009 Ikemen Shin Sobaya Tantei(イケ diện tân そば ốc tham trinh) Masuyo Urami ep3

Publications

edit

Books

edit
Title Release date Publisher
ISBN 		Notes
Kago Ai Live—Miseinen Hakusho(ＬＩＶＥ— vị thành niên bạch thư)[53] August 25, 2008 Media Kreis
ISBN978-4-7788-0338-4

Photobooks

edit
Title Release date Publisher
ISBN 		Notes
Kago Ai Shashinshū November 11, 2003 Wani Books
ISBN978-4-8470-2783-3
Gekkan Kago Ai January 23, 2009 Shinchousha
ISBN978-4-10-790195-8
Gekkan Kago Ai -Super Remix March 19, 2009 Shinchosha
ISBN978-4-10-790197-2
Kago Ai Kinyōbi(Kim diệu nhật gia hộ á y tả chân tập) August 22, 2009 Kodansha
ISBN978-4-06-352815-2
Kago Ai Shashinshū LOS ANGELES(Gia hộ á y tả chân tập 『LOS ANGELES』) March 25, 2010 Air Control
ISBN978-4-86084-737-1

DVDs

edit
Title Release date Publisher Notes
Kago Channel (DVD) (Vol.1)[54] November 28, 2008 avex trax
Kago Channel (DVD) (Vol.2)[55] December 19, 2008 avex trax
Gekkan Kago Ai – marionnette[56] February 20, 2009 E-net Frontier
Micchaku Kago Ai[57] February 20, 2009 E-net Frontier Originally released exclusively toLawson convenience stores,
Nationwide release July 30, 2009
Kago Ai VS. FRIDAY (DVD)(Gia hộ á y VS. FRIDAY) October 25, 2009 GP Museum Soft
LOS ANGELES March 25, 2010 Air Control

References

edit
  1. ^abc"Gia hộ á y のプロフィール"[Ai Kago's profile].Oricon(in Japanese).Archivedfrom the original on February 7, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 20,2020.
  2. ^"Gia hộ á y ORICON STYLE"(in Japanese). Oricon.Archivedfrom the original on January 13, 2023.RetrievedJune 17,2017.
  3. ^abcdCampion, Chris (August 21, 2005)."J-Pop's dream factory".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on June 14, 2013.RetrievedAugust 23,2019.
  4. ^abcdeLoo, Egan (December 20, 2011)."Former Morning Musume Ai Kago Reveals Marriage, Pregnancy".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on August 23, 2019.RetrievedAugust 23,2019.
  5. ^Hello! Project (February 10, 2006).『Ｗ gia hộ á y 』についてのお tri らせとお sá び(in Japanese). Up-Front Agency. Archived fromthe originalon February 20, 2006.
  6. ^abYuukichi Kawaguchi (March 26, 2007).Gia hộ á y nhất bộ báo đạo ký sự について(in Japanese). Up-Front Agency. Archived fromthe originalon April 3, 2007.
  7. ^"Official Friday Magazine website"(in Japanese). Archived fromthe originalon February 25, 2007.
  8. ^"Kago Ai is back! Friday interview".Hello!Online. February 22, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon August 10, 2007.
  9. ^abcO'Connell, Ryan (April 22, 2008)."Ex-Morning Musume star Ai Kago blazing a trail back to top (using a cigarette lighter)".Mainichi Shimbun.Archived fromthe originalon April 21, 2008.
  10. ^"Aibon, What Would Your Mother Say?".August 25, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon September 29, 2007.RetrievedAugust 27,2007.
  11. ^"Josei Seveninterview with Ai Kago's mother "(in Japanese).Archivedfrom the original on August 24, 2007.RetrievedAugust 27,2007.
  12. ^"Kago Ai Official Blog: Translations 2008.04.25 – 2008.04.27 – Hello!Online".Hello-online.org.Archivedfrom the original on February 15, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 2,2012.
  13. ^"Kago Ai new video interview!".Hello!Online. April 6, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon April 9, 2008.RetrievedApril 8,2008.
  14. ^"Ai Kago and entertainment activities to resume"(in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. April 6, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon April 10, 2008.RetrievedApril 8,2008.
  15. ^"Kago Ai Official Blog: Translations 2008.07.11 – 2008.07.14 – Hello!Online".Hello-online.org.Archivedfrom the original on February 15, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 2,2012.
  16. ^"あいぼん đãi vọng のソロシングル “no hesitAtIon” phát mại ".Natalie.mu. June 2, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2023.RetrievedJuly 14,2013.
  17. ^"Gia hộ á y ジャズライブ, lệ を phù かべ nhiệt xướng".Nikkansports.com. February 17, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on January 13, 2023.RetrievedJuly 14,2013.
  18. ^"Lặc thiên ブックス: AI KAGO meets JAZZ -The first door- – gia hộ á y – 4995879510292: CD".Rakuten.co.jp.Archivedfrom the original on October 29, 2013.RetrievedJuly 14,2013.
  19. ^"ナタリー – サマソニ đệ 14 đạn は tinh dã nguyên, おおはた hùng nhất, gia hộ á y ら".Natalie.June 25, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2023.RetrievedJuly 14,2013.
  20. ^abNhiệt ái ＆ di tịch tuyên ngôn の gia hộ á y に sự vụ sở は khốn hoặc.Nittere News 24(in Japanese). June 7, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon August 22, 2016.RetrievedAugust 6,2016.
  21. ^Casey Lee (December 7, 2011)."Kago Ai sued by agency".Yahoo! News Singapore.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2023.RetrievedAugust 5,2016.
  22. ^Gia hộ á y, ユニット kết thành. Tái スタートしたい.Nittere News 24(in Japanese). October 7, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon August 22, 2016.RetrievedAugust 6,2016.
  23. ^ab"Girls Beat!! Suspends Activities After Police Issue Arrest Warrant For Group Member's Husband".Jpopasia.com.October 27, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on April 9, 2016.RetrievedAugust 6,2016.
  24. ^abNguyên モー nương. Gia hộ á y が ly hôn へ phu と biệt cư で hiệp nghị trung.Oricon(in Japanese). April 3, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on April 2, 2016.RetrievedAugust 6,2016.
  25. ^abGia hộ á y, ブログで ly hôn を báo cáo “ゆっくり tiền へ”.Oricon(in Japanese). August 9, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on June 30, 2022.RetrievedAugust 6,2016.
  26. ^Gia hộ á y, フリーに… Sự vụ sở との khế ước mãn liễu.Nittere News 24(in Japanese). August 6, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon August 22, 2016.RetrievedAugust 6,2016.
  27. ^Gia hộ á y, アイドルユニットを tốt nghiệp thoát thối lý do には niên linh も.Oricon(in Japanese). October 5, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2023.RetrievedOctober 6,2016.
  28. ^Carlo Santos (August 5, 2007)."Interview: Arina Tanemura".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 15,2008.
  29. ^Tanemura, Arina(July 5, 2005). "Mitsuki's Case: Character Introduction sidebar".Full Moon, Volume 1.Full Moon O Sagashite. San Francisco:Viz Media.p. 27.ISBN978-1-59116-928-4.Mitsuki Koyama: Her hairstyle was taken from Ai Kago of Morning Musume.
  30. ^Gia hộ á y, thập hi mỹ ＆ thỉ khẩu chân lí でのミニモニ. Đặc biệt phục hoạt に ngôn cập.Model Press(in Japanese). February 15, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on August 30, 2018.RetrievedAugust 29,2018.
  31. ^Guinness World Records 2005.2004. p. 108.
  32. ^Gia hộ á y "Bất luân tương thủ" tiền thê から úy tạ liêu thỉnh cầu.Sports Nippon(in Japanese). March 9, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon March 9, 2009.
  33. ^Gia hộ との phù khí の đại thường… Nguyên thê に "Cao ngạch thụ nghiệp liêu".Sports Nippon(in Japanese). May 25, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon May 27, 2009.
  34. ^"Ex-Morning Musume member, Kago Ai's new boyfriend is a MEN's NON-NO model?".Tokyohive. October 31, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2023.RetrievedAugust 5,2016.
  35. ^abRheus Wai Soh See (September 7, 2011)."The Yakuza Connection?".Yahoo! News Singapore.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2023.RetrievedAugust 6,2016.
  36. ^Gia hộ の “Luyến nhân” と báo じられた nam が khủng hát vị toại.Sankei Sports(in Japanese). September 7, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon September 26, 2011.
  37. ^Bạo lực đoàn danh で khủng hát vị toại の nghi い đãi bộ の nam phủ nhận.Nikkei.com(in Japanese). September 7, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on March 19, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 2,2012.
  38. ^[1]ArchivedSeptember 4, 2023, at theWayback MachineTV AsahiANN News, September 8, 2011
  39. ^Brian Ashcraft (September 12, 2011)."For This Idol, Life Sounds More Like Rhythm Hell".Kotaku.Archivedfrom the original on September 4, 2023.RetrievedAugust 29,2018.
  40. ^Gia hộ á y さんが tự sát vị toại? Tự trạch で thủ thủ thiết る.MSN Sankei News(in Japanese). September 11, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon September 11, 2011.
  41. ^Tự sát đồ った gia hộ さん, đô nội の bệnh viện を thối viện.Nittere News 24(in Japanese). September 17, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on August 3, 2018.RetrievedAugust 6,2016.
  42. ^Gia hộ á y điện kích! Kết hôn ＆ nhâm thần báo cáo “Kiến thủ って”.Nittere News 24(in Japanese). December 21, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon August 22, 2016.RetrievedAugust 6,2016.
  43. ^"Ai Kago Official Blog (in Japanese)".Diamondblog.jp. December 21, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on January 7, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 2,2012.
  44. ^ab"Husband of former J-pop singer Ai Kago arrested for alleged domestic violence".Japan Times.June 10, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2023.RetrievedAugust 6,2016.
  45. ^"Ai Kago Official Blog (in Japanese)".Diamondblog.jp. June 22, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on June 24, 2012.RetrievedJune 22,2012.
  46. ^"Ai Kago Drops Domestic Violence Charges Against Husband in Exchange For Divorce".Jpopasia. July 1, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on August 11, 2015.RetrievedAugust 5,2016.
  47. ^Gia hộ á y, 38 tuế nhất bàn nam tính と tái hôn mỹ dung quan hệ の hội xã kinh 営 giả(in Japanese).Oricon.August 8, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on January 13, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 13,2016.
  48. ^Gia hộ á y, tái hôn hậu sơ ライブで nhâm thần báo cáo “しばらくは nhâm phụ さんです”(in Japanese).Oricon.September 23, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on November 24, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 25,2016.
  49. ^"Kago Ai gives birth to healthy baby boy".Tokyohive. February 23, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 27,2021.
  50. ^Ai Kago (February 27, 2017).Tức tử の danh tiền(in Japanese). Ameba Blogs.Archivedfrom the original on March 1, 2017.RetrievedAugust 22,2017.
  51. ^"no hesitAtIon"(in Japanese). In da Groove.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2016.RetrievedMay 21,2009.
  52. ^"Gia hộ á y, điều tử にのるイケメン bài ưu を “バッカじゃないの!” とバッサリ! ".Cinema Today(in Japanese). December 5, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on September 9, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 9,2021.
  53. ^Kago Ai LIVE ~Kago Ai no Miseinen HakushoArchivedFebruary 3, 2016, at theWayback MachineListing on Amazon.co.jp
  54. ^Kago Channel (DVD) (Vol.1)ArchivedFebruary 3, 2016, at theWayback MachineListing on Amazon.co.jp
  55. ^Kago Channel (DVD) (Vol.2)ArchivedFebruary 3, 2016, at theWayback MachineListing on Amazon.co.jp
  56. ^Gekkan Kago Ai – marionnetteArchivedFebruary 3, 2016, at theWayback MachineListing on Amazon.co.jp
  57. ^Micchaku Kago AiArchivedJune 4, 2011, at theWayback MachineListing on Amazon.co.jp
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related toAi Kago.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ai_Kago&oldid=1250214586"