Check out our interview with talented J-Pop Sensations group FAKY. The group is made up of 5 members: Lil’ Fang, Mikako, Akina, Hina, and Taki and each of them come from diverse backgrounds but have come together in Tokyo to make music with a broad musicality that can be enjoyed by people from all over the world. Represented by Avex Entertainment Inc. Avex brought these specific members together to create a group of the five strongest girls from different roots and styles. Since the group formed in 2013, FAKY’s videos have over 25 million views on YouTube and their music streamed by millions of fans on Spotify and Apple Music from over 120 countries.
FAKY has released a music video for their single, “HappyEverAfter.” The single was originally released on April 26th of this year and inspired by the original reality show Koi to Okami Niwa Damasarenai (Don’t Be Fooled by the Wolf) on ABEMA (Japanese streaming service), where FAKY’s youngest member, Taki, was a contestant.
“’HappyEverAfter’ is about finding happiness after a heartbreak. When I shared my feelings with Lil’ Fang about what happened to me, I wanted to make sure that she knew that even if I got hurt and even if I went through a hard time, the only thing I want for that person is happiness. I didn’t get my “happy ever after” but I know the others did and that fills my heart. This song is not a sad song, It’s just a song about moving forward.” – Taki, member of FAKY
Follow FAKY @fakyjp
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Hi girls, please tell us a little about you?
Taki
Hello everyone, I’m Taki. I am the youngest in the group and the shortest. I speak French, English, Tagalog, and Japanese.
Hina
I’m Hina. I’m an artist, model, and actress.
Mikako
I’m Mikako. I love music and fashion.
Akina
Hello everyone, I’m Akina. I started dancing and singing lessons from a young age and auditioned for Avex World Audition when I was 9 and became a finalist. Soon after I moved to America but stayed in contact with Avex through email and sending progress videos, when I was 15 I was asked to join FAKY. I moved back to Japan to debut and have been working as a FAKY member since!
Lil’ Fang
Hello, I’m Lil’Fang. I’m from Tokyo and started singing when I was 15. I love anime so I’d watch the anime all day long at home when I have a day off.
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
Taki
To be honest, at first, I never took it seriously. I really just got lucky and I fell in love with the craft.
Akina
The best advice I’ve ever been given is, as simple as it is, to not be afraid to be my own person. When you become secure with who you are as a person, you involuntarily think less about what people might think of you. This has been the most freeing lesson I’ve learned and I’m not afraid to experiment, change and grow now because I know it’s the path that I want to take and not anyone else’s.
Tell us about your new single “HappyEverAfter?” What’s the story behind the song?
Lil’ Fang
This is FAKY’s latest single released on April 26th. The music video and lyric video have been out as well. I’ve written about the friendships between a boy and a girl based on Taki’s experience. This song is about love for the opposite sex but not as romantic feelings. We understand how it feels like because all of the members have male siblings. We would like you to listen to this song wishing your loved people happiness.
Taki
“HappyEverAfter” is based on my feelings when I was starring in a show here in Japan. But of course, it’s a song that FAKY will be singing so Lil made sure to find a common ground on the feelings I was feeling. And that we all go through hard times we all need to find a way to get pass that.
Did you had plans/concerts planned and cancelled because of COVID? If so have you done any online concerts or interactions with your fans?
Mikako
Every event was canceled. However, we could slightly get the chance to have online concerts and I am happy that I could share FAKY’s music with our fans even on the screen.
BUT… I want to meet my fans in person, to be honest.
Hina
Yes. It was so regrettable that we have to cancel the very first our own concert since FAKY has become these five members. We considerably lost the opportunities for live performances. Despite the restrictions, we got the chance to have online concerts. We’ve had many discussions about the setlist or the structure of the show to make sure the audiences have as much experience as they do at the venue.
What is fun and rewarding about what you do? And what’s not?
Mikako
I am having fun in every situation, but the LIVE concert is the most important and my soul. I feel the warmth support from our fans when they react with the love for the contents that FAKY delivers with the belief.
Hina
It feels rewarding when each person who has a unique ability gathers and makes the one thing together, such as creating music and the LIVE. I also like the process of making the best work collaborating with the teams when I work as a model and as an actress.
On the other hand, the showbiz industry is easy to change our lives with just one decision either in a good or bad way. So I always feel its tension and pressure.
Best advice ever given?
Akina
The best advice I’ve ever been given is, as simple as it is, to not be afraid to be my own person. When you become secure with who you are as a person, you involuntarily think less about what people might think of you. This has been the most freeing lesson I’ve learned and I’m not afraid to experiment, change and grow now because I know it’s the path that I want to take and not anyone else’s.
Lil’ Fang
“Find one thing whatever you want to do.” This is the phrase my father gave me when I was struggling with my future career. He is not the person who gives his opinion usually, but this was a kind word for me because I had nothing I wanted to do at that time. Thanks to this phrase, I can stick to this work even if I have a hard time because this is what I love to do.
How’s a typical day in your life?
Mikako
Normally I have a different schedule each day, but I spend most of the time with the FAKY members every day. When I have a day off, I respect my time so I’ve spent its day by myself or hung out with my precious people.
Hina
Mostly I am working but when I’ve got the day off, I have two options.
Stay home all day long or go to see nature like the beach or the river!
Name one your strengths?
Akina
I believe my biggest strength is my ability to put people in a good mood. I love to make people laugh and always am doing my best to make sure the people around me are comfortable and happy.
Lil’ Fang
If someone tells me a story, no matter what it is, I never forget it.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Akina
My favorite healthy food is kimchi! It has so many health benefits, it improves skin, and is low in calories! Plus, I love spicy food so this checks all the boxes!
Mikako
I eat Natto and Miso soup every single day. I have changed the ingredients of the Miso soup every day and tried to make my body happy.
And your favorite cheat food?
Akina
My favorite cheat food has to be pizza!!! I love every topping there is and can eat pizza until I’m physically unable to even walk. Lol.
Lil’ Fang
Hot Cheetos. I can’t get this in Japan so I’m importing it from abroad.
How would you describe your fashion style?
Mikako
I’m enjoying my fashion with the theme of “Wear whatever I want to right now.” I let my feelings go as it wants like “I feel like wearing this today.” I have my own style and I don’t get caught in the trend fashion that much.
Hina
My favorite style is street and mode so I like to combine those two. And for me, it’s very important to make it look stylized so I like to set up with short tops and high waist pants.
What do you think of Social Media?
Hina
I’m really surprised at the power that social media has had in recent years. Those are the tools that have the potential to make an original person suddenly turn to a superstar just one day. So I think people like us who love to perform should work on it hard.
Also, I feel they are very important tools that make it possible to receive messages even from overseas and keep connected to our fans while we can’t meet up in person.
Taki
Social media for me is the #1 way of staying connected with all my friends, especially from other countries. It’s not always easy to find them thru phone numbers. Especially now that everyone changes numbers all the time. Social media is for me a way to express myself freely. It’s a way that I can share what I feel is right what I feel is more me. It is my way of communicating with fans too.
Where we can follow you?
Hina @hina_faky
Mikako @mikako_faky
Akina @akina_faky
Lil’ Fang @lilfang_faky
Taki @taki_faky
FAKY @fakyjp
Hina @Hina_faky
Akina @AKINA_faky
Taki @taki_faky
FAKY @FAKYjp
Favorite Movie:
Taki
Titanic and Romeo and Juliet both with Leonardo
Hina
I can’t choose one since I have a lot! But, I cried a lot when I watched “Me Before You”.
I’m watching one movie a day lately!
Favorite Travel Destination:
Mikako
There are a lot… but, I chose Karuizawa.
Karuizawa is one the most favorite places because I feel happy when I take a walk in the morning or have a relaxing time with a cup of coffee. I have visited there when it snows and it was beautiful that I could enjoy the different scenery and clear air. I want to go back there soon!
Akina
My favorite travel destination is when I am able to go home to visit my family in America. I would love to take the girls and show them around my hometown as well as have a Live for our American fans!
Photo Credit: Avex Entertainment
