The secret to the popularity of Hanni's "Blue Coral Reef" revealed by CEO Min Heejin is... 'Unexpected catharsis'

 July 3rd, 2024

The solo performance of member Hanni (20), which was performed at NewJeans' first Tokyo Dome performance on the 26th and 27th, is making a big splash in both Korea and Japan. It received rave reviews for perfectly presenting the famous song "Blue Coral Reef" (1980) by Seiko Matsuda, a Legendary Japanese female singer from the Showa era (1926-1980). In the performance, which achieved the shortest entry into the Tokyo Dome in K-Pop history. The members also received great response from local audience from their solo performances covering hits by other Japanese singers such as Vaundy's "Dancer" (Minji), Mariya Takeuchi's "Plastic Love" (Hyein), to local audiences. It received great response from people. The songs were personally selected and directed by Min Heejin, the executive producer of NewJeans and CEO of ADOR, the agency.

CEO Min Heejin said in a newspaper on Tuesday, "I expected such as repercussions. No matter how much I expected it, I was really surprised when Seiko Matsuda's fan chant came out on the spot (during her heyday) came out at the scene." Typically, the CEO of a music agency does not personally direct the singer's solo performance on fan meeting or even decide on the detailed song selection. CEO Min said, "I was in charge of directing and planning the performance (for this year's Tokyo Dome), and the fan meeting I had fan meeting I had in mind was to consist of content of that would 'actually' satisfy the fans," she added, "I wanted to plan the entire concept of the fan meeting, such as producer 250's DJ set or harmonious production of (live) band set, in a festival that can be enjoyed by anyone of all ages."

The secret of Hanni's popularity on stage on the "Blue Coral Reef" stage was the unexpected catharsis that audiences picked. Min said, "I thought it was a stage that could show off a lot of different charms from the past. I thought it would be necessary to make a clear impression as it the first showcase in Japan. I really like surprise events. I thought it would be fun to create an atmosphere that cannot be seen in the contemporary team, but what came to mind without hesitation was "Blue Coral Reef" by Seiko Matsuda. I expected the catharsis would be huge when I actually encountered an unexpected song on the big stage of Tokyo Dome."

CEO Min also said, "Most of all, I thought Hanni's image and Blue Coral would go really well together. I thought it would be be a choice to encompass both the new and old generations (of Japan) in terms of balance with solo songs selected by other members."

In fact, even during the Tokyo Dome performance, when this reporter was present in the audience, saying, "The image of Hanni and the Blue Coral is surprisingly perfect. There where also a lot of favorable reviews for Hanni wearing a bobble-haired wig an on A-line skirt and a stripped T-shirt reminiscent of the beach to recreate the stage style of Seiko Matsuda sure her heyday. However, CEO Min said, "The focus was not on simply reproducing the same, but on reflecting the symbolic characteristics of Seiko Matsuda, but on reinterpreting then in a state that suits Hanni."

CEO Min also said, "The reason why this response was possible was that Hanni's talent who pulled off the song was overwhelming. "Blue Coral Reef" is considered one of the most difficult songs to sing even in Japan. Although the song does not overwhelmingly require high-pitched singing or rich singing, it is essential to have a sense of balance that subtly maintains Seiko's fresh tone and fresh and cheerful summer atmosphere. In fact, many Japanese idols were criticized for challenging the song carelessly. This is why every video clip of Hanni's Tokyo Dome performance was shared through social media, with Japanese audiences saying, "It's the best cover song of Seiko Matsuda that I've seen so far," and "It's not an easy song, but I was really surprised."

CEO Min said, "I think Hanni was able to get such a passionate response because she understood and digested the song by completely embodying it as her own," added, "In the first today on the 26th, she had to jump (while singins) the to the stage movement, and looking at the details, I felt like she was  born to be an artist. In fact, all the members of NewJeans are very unique and talented. For I am happy as producer to be able to actually present the very special talents of all the members in front of 91,000 people, and I want to give infinite praise and encouragement to our members who have shown their talenta to the fullest on the big stage."

CEO Min and the members of NewJeans are preoaring for a world tour to expand the scooe of the performance to countries other than Korea and Japan with the aim of hosting it next year. Personally, based on cultural respect for the country that is performing, I wanted to give everyone who couldn't come to the concert hall something fresh that I haven't seen before, but I'm hally that it's been realized. We're planning a special stage that suitable for each country, city, etc. on the world tour that we're preparing  for next year, so please show a lot of interest and support."

Original article: Chosun Ilbo