Japanese boy band ONE N’ ONLY has five months of successive song releases to commemorate the fifth anniversary of their debut. Just ahead of the release of “Get That (PT-BR ver.)” on February 24, Billboard Japan spoke with the group about how they were feeling as they prepare for their first series of concerts in Latin America, which includes three shows in Brazil and one in Chile.
The band’s tour begins on April 1 in Sao Paulo and continues in Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre on April 2 and 4. On April 6, they will perform for the first time on Chilean soil, at the Teleton Theater in Santiago.
The first song you released during this series of premieres was “YOU???”. What kind of impact did it have?
HAYATO: Since “YOU????” was going to be the first song in this five-month series of new songs, we chose a really distinctive song. The fast tempo gives a sense of ONE N’ ONLY’s momentum, which distinguishes it a bit from our previous releases, so we were a bit worried about how it would be received. But as soon as we released it, our SWAGs (ONE N’ ONLY fans) were clamoring to see it live, which was great.
And now, without even taking a moment to catch their breath, they’re releasing another single. This second release, “Get That (PT-BR ver.),” is your second song in Portuguese after “L.O.C.A.”
EIKU: My first impression when I heard it was that it had a Latin flavor, so it felt like a ONE N’ ONLY song, and that it was smooth but you could really feel the beat. The Portuguese fits very well. It’s also easier to sing than “L.O.C.A.”
REI: “L.O.C.A.” was difficult!
EIKU: Yes. It was fast and had a lot of lyrics, so singing it was difficult. In comparison, this song is much easier to sing.
I think they are the first Japanese group to record Portuguese versions.
TETTA: That’s why we are ONE N’ ONLY!
HAYATO: When we performed in Brazil, the audience sang along. It was something incredible. We’re going to be touring Latin America and I think they’re going to be happy that we have more songs in local languages. I really hope so.
TETTA: I was also happy that we can perform this song on our Latin American tour. This time, I understood the lyrics from the demo stage. It took me a while to figure out the lyrics of “L.O.C.A.”, so I guess I’ve made some progress.
How did you feel when the decision was made to tour Latin America?
KENSHIN: I was very happy. The last time we performed there was at an event, but this time it’s a full tour. So far, we plan to perform in three venues in Brazil and one in Chile.
HAYATO: They are big venues, so I can’t even imagine what it will be like!
Wow!
HAYATO: I hope all our Latin American fans on TikTok will come to see us (laughs).
KENSHIN: I want everyone to come!
REI, how did you feel about the decision to go to Latin America?
REI: Great. I felt like something I had just dreamed about before COVID was now becoming a reality. Brazil is on the other side of the world, so it’s not as easy as just leaving and going there. I’m honored to be able to go again, and I hope we continue to go in the future.
They can go once for no particular reason, but you need a solid reason to be able to go again, right?
NAOYA: Right. Last time we went to São Paulo, but this time we are going to Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre. Brazil is a huge country, so getting around will be difficult. That’s why I’m really looking forward to seeing our Brazilian SWAGs who couldn’t attend our show last time. I’m going to celebrate my birthday while we are in Chile too.
All: Wow!
How is the video for the new song?
HAYATO: We tried to make it feel like a Brazilian party. It’s different from our previous videos, so I think it’s really going to give a different impression.
KENSHIN: It’s sexy.
HAYATO: We are releasing five months of new singles, so I want to be able to create different moods and feelings.
What do you hope to do in Brazil?
NAOYA: Last time, we just went to São Paulo, and it was like half work, half vacation. This time, we’re going to be on the road a lot. I wonder what we’ll have time to do.
TETTA: The jet lag will probably be intense too. We’ll have to be careful not to get sick or injured!
NAOYA: We will be touring, so we have to prepare so that during the whole show, the audience will think that “ONE N’ ONLY is the best.”
Do you think the way you present the show will be different from Japan?
HAYATO: Totally different. We will create our set list based on what we learned from our last show.
TETTA: There is much less distance between us and the Brazilian public.
HAYATO: The audience reacts very well, so I want to try harder as an MC. We will probably have an interpreter, but I think it’s better when we communicate with our own words, so I will study a lot before we go. We will try our best to get a foothold on the tour, so we can come back someday.
KENSHIN: I also want to express my love in Portuguese.
All: Yes!