Ruki Shiroiwa is, in many respects, an old soul. At 28, the J-pop star and JO1 member carries himself with a serene confidence, as if he possesses a wisdom gained from experiences yet to come. On stage, this presence manifests in a prince-like demeanor – bold but composed. Regardless of the situation, Ruki maintains that he consistently stays grounded and true to himself.
“One thing that I’ve held onto from the start until now is this reminder: this isn’t normal,” he states during a Zoom call from his hometown in Tokyo. “No matter how often we perform or engage with fans, I remind myself of this, and it’s vital for me because, unlike some of my fellow members, I’ve been around the industry a bit longer.” “I’ve been a part of groups that disbanded in the past, and I’ve witnessed various failures as well,” Ruki adds. “So fundamentally, I always think, ‘This isn’t normal.’ I try to cherish the moment, appreciate everyone involved, and keep myself grounded.”
His words resonate with clarity, enriched by his extensive experience. Ruki has now entered a fulfilling phase in his career, but there was a time when opportunities in the entertainment industry seemed to slip away, and he nearly considered walking away. It was his mother, who recognized his aspiration to be an entertainer, that unexpectedly enrolled him in auditions for the survival show ‘Produce 101 Japan’ in 2019.
With a final opportunity at his disposal, Ruki embraced every chance for growth, clinging to his dream. Throughout the competition, the phrase 'I will change my life' initially motivated him, eventually leading him to realize that the change he was seeking occurred within him rather than externally.
Reflecting on his time on ‘Produce’, one specific memory stands out: while filming the initial episodes in South Korea, he unexpectedly chose to dye his hair upon returning to Japan. This seemingly minor yet significant step in his journey was pivotal: “That was a notable moment because I had planned to go blonde during my time in South Korea, wanting to present a new version of myself,” Ruki explains, noting that this mindset has persisted for him ever since.
When I inquire whether he is someone who makes spur-of-the-moment decisions, he hastens to clarify that spontaneity isn’t a significant aspect of his character. “I actually don’t view myself as very impulsive,” Ruki responds. “I’m quite calculated and often consider future steps and potential outcomes to be prepared for what comes next.”
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Eventually, he secured his place in JO1, a boy group that has steadily risen in the J-pop scene through perseverance rather than sudden surges since their debut in early 2020. In turn, Ruki has grown in all aspects, perceiving the world through the lens of music. “Music is everything to me, and I believe it’s something I couldn’t live without,” he emphasizes. “It has genuinely transformed my life – not only by being part of JO1 and supporting our fans, JAM, but also through the personal way music has impacted me.”
Ruki attributes this passion to his childhood, where his parents shaped his musical landscape. “They often played rock music when I was a baby, and that genre became embedded in my brain early on,” he shares. Throughout his school years, he spent time with friends discussing J-rock while bands like SIAM SHADE and L’Arc-en-Ciel accompanied him on train journeys home.
“Even back in middle school, I recall that not everyone shared my taste in music,” he laughs. “Even today, with my radio show, when selecting songs or having friendly contests among the JO1 members, I tend to suggest tracks that no one else is familiar with.”
His artistic taste can be described as timeless, favoring compositions rich in narrative and depth, yet he remains flexible. At karaoke, he confesses he will sing “pretty much anything, particularly songs from the Heisei era [the ’90s through the late 2010s],” although rock “will always be my primary genre.” He notes that he tends to "connect more with older individuals," as his preferences align closely with theirs. “One reason I favor older songs is their lyrics,” he explains. “They seem clearer, richer, and often superior. When I compose music, the lyrics are crucial to me, and I resonate with the idea of lyrics that are both comprehensible and impactful. So when I write, I strive to embed that quality into my own songs.”
Even before stepping into the idol scene, he was beginning to shape his musical identity through his creations. Nowadays, that creative spark has found new vigor in PLAN J, an initiative by JO1 members aimed at developing their original ideas and fulfilling long-held promises. For instance, while still a trainee on ‘Produce 101’, Ruki vowed to write and perform a new song if
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Ruki Shiroiwa is, in numerous respects, an old soul. At 28, the J-pop star and JO1 member carries himself with a serene confidence, as if he’s guided by a deep wisdom.