Did you know that Morning Musume are not the only “Musumes” to have existed? In this week’s Jpop Time Traveller we’re delving into the Hello Project archives to meet some other Musume groups!
Coconuts Musume
First off we’re back in 1999! Coconuts Musume were originally a 5-piece Hawaiian girl group scouted by Tsunku’s (Morning Musume’s producer) band-mate Makoto. Unable to adjust to life as Jpop idols, two members left after Coconuts Musume’s 2nd single and the group went through a few line-up changes. Despite not releasing any further singles beyond 2001, the group didn’t technically disband until 2008 when the sole remaining member, Kimura Ayaka, retired. “Halation Summer” was Coconuts Musume’s debut single and gives us an insight into a very different time in Hello Project history.
Country Musume
Country Musume are another Hello Project group that formed in 1999. Instead of Hawaii, Country Musume hailed from Japan’s northern island Hokkaido and had a “rural-country” theme. The group debuted as a trio, however, Yanagihara Hiromi died in a car accident just one week before their first single was released. Afterwards, the group went through a number of line-up changes, including the temporary addition of various Morning Musume members.
2003’s “Uwaki na Honey Pie” is probably the most well-known Country Musume song and includes former Morning Musume members Fujimoto Miki and Konno Asami (who both originated from Hokkaido). Country Musume have recently been resurrected in a new 5-member unit called Country Girls (with former Country Musume Satoda Mai as “supervisor” and Berryz Koubou’s Tsugunaga Momoko as “manager”). The group are yet to make their official debut, so watch this space!
Dream Morning Musume
Dream Morning Musume are a special unit comprised of former Morning Musume members. The ten-member group was active from 2011 – 2012, but are now on hiatus. During this time, Dream Morning Musume were able to release an album, a top 10 single, two nationwide tours and a Budoukan concert.
“Shining Butterfly” is the group’s only major single to date and featured members from a variety of Morning Musume generations. The MV depicted a “mature-woman’s story” (basically, Ishikawa Rika starts a bar-fight over a sleazy old man…) and features a weird cameo appearance from Takahashi Ai, who had recently graduated as leader of Morning Musume.