news_jpop | Kusano's injury during concert rehearsal

*Credit to kinki4ever for the original news & link*

The following is translated by me, using Excite Translator. I know there are probably errors, but I was trying to get the gist of the article.

Source: Sponichi News

Popular group NEWS held their first hall concert in Tokyo International Forum Hall "A" on the 28th. Youngest member Hironori Kusano (16) suffered an accident during rehearsal the day before, spraining the big toe of his right foot. In spite of the pain, Kusano went ahead and performed, not allowing the pain to be shown, and surprised the other members and the fans.

"When the fans gave encouragement, it was possible to dance, though it was certainly painful.", Kusano spoke in a relieved expression after the performance had ended.

It was on the evening of the 27th that the accident occurred. Kusano tried to perform a backflip from the stand set up on the stage while rehearsing the last act. The landing failed, and the big toe of his right foot was sprained. It was diagnosed in the hospital that it would take three weeks for Kusano to recover completely from this injury.

Kusano said that he "didn't feel the pain" of the injury and even apologized momentarily. Several groups of Johnny's Entertainment are performing concerts and shows, with a schedule that is expected to draw about 500,000 people in 32 total performances in various places such as Tokyo for 14 days thru January 10. NEWS cannot afford to lose out in quality to the other groups.

On the morning of the 28th, members Hiroki Uchi (18) and Ryo Nishikido (20) accompanied Kusano, who completed the hospital examination and treatment visit. Then they reported back to the hotel where they were staying. Tomohisa Yamashita (19) said that "All members reconsidered how to rearrange the show to accomodate the injury."

Keiichiro Koyama (20) informed the fans of Kusano's state by the concert opening. Kusano taped up his right foot, drank a pain reliever, and appeared onstage.

Shigeaki Kato (17) paid tribute to the struggle of Kusano who performed his solo corner according to plan, saying that "I was surprised." And the only song to contain a "violent" dance, "Devil or Angel" came off without a hitch. The fans showed appreciation by rooting for Kusano.

Kusano smiled all the while, saying that "I felt I was loved by the other members." The teamwork of NEWS, that has existed for the past year, overcame adversity during the remainder of the concert and was strengthened twofold.

I think one of the first things JE boys learn is Koichi's motto, "The Show Must Go On." It's far from the first time someone has been injured performing. Kusano has really shown us all something with his professionalism despite his wacky sense of humor. Ganbatte Kusano!

Also mentioned in this article was Koyama stating that *if possible*, NEWS may go to Thailand in March 2005. This was stated in the presence of the two "Thai Juniors" (see my entry about them in my own GJ/LJ or

johnnys_ent) who were at the NEWS concert. I think he had to be a bit guarded saying that, considering the natural disasters that just happened. But on the other hand, I think it'd also be the best medicine for the Thai fans