Sunada Masahiro |
Sunada Masahiro (砂田将宏) is a Japanese performer, singer and choreographer. He is a member of the group BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE.
Prior to his debut, he was part of the EXPG trainee team EXILE GENERATIONS and a member of PROJECT TARO.[1]
Early Life[]
Sunada Masahiro was born on May 17, 2000, in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. He has a sister who is two years older than him.
Sunada started dancing when he was in the first grade of elementary school due to the influence of his sister. "My sister saw OKAXILE on TV and looked up dance studios in the phone book and called them. She chose EXPG (Osaka), and when I followed her to a trial lesson, she seemed to enjoy it, and I felt that I wanted to join her."[2][3][4] When he was in third grade, a former choreographer for EXILE watched a lesson Sunada participated in and invited him to join the special student class from the next day onward.[2]
Despite exceeding in dance, Sunada was more interested in soccer and aspired to become a professional soccer player in his childhood. Together with his father, he had been practicing in the morning before school for six years, and in 6th grade he went to Spain and Portugal to study soccer for a month.[2][3][5] "[...] I participated in Benfica's elite class training [...] it was also the entrance test for me, and I was supposed to join the team when I became a junior high school student." However, as he was serious about both, Sunada found it difficult to balance soccer and dance at the same time (sometimes having to turn down live performances because of soccer matches), and was forced to choose between them.[3][5][4] Ultimately, he chose dance as he considered being an artist more fun than playing soccer, and his parents approved. One of the main factors for his decision was his experience of being a back dancer at EXILE LIVE TOUR 2009 "THE MONSTER": "I was chosen as a back dancer of EXILE's tour, and even though I was 10 years old or younger, I went to the stadium performance. Since I stood behind EXILE, I could hear the cheers of 60.000 to 70.000 people at a very loud volume as if I was part of them. It felt so good that I thought, 'I want to be like EXILE'."[2][3][5][4]
Career[]
2011[]
In 2011, Sunada was introduced as a member of the trainee group EXILE GENERATIONS.
2013-2018[]
In late 2013, he participated in the GLOBAL JAPAN CHALLENGE and on April 15, 2014, he was revealed as one of the winners in the performer category of the audition and became part of the trainee group PROJECT TARO. As part of PROJECT TARO, he travelled to New York in the same year and studied there for three years until the end of the project.[6][3][4] During the stay, he went to a language school for the first six months to learn basic English, and then enrolled in a local school.[7] Looking back, he describes this experience as extremely valuable: "I came to New York to study at the end of the first year of junior high school with such a low level of English that I could barely introduce myself. Living on my own, away from my parents, I was able to make a plan and move on, and I was able to clarify what I needed and what I lacked in order to make my dreams come true. The experience of studying abroad was very big for me, and I think I am still able to do my best because of it. When you look at Japan from the outside, your view of the world changes so much! I felt like my world had suddenly expanded after studying abroad."[7] After returning to Japan in 2017, it was announced that all members had graduated from PROJECT TARO on March 27, 2018. Incidentally, it was only after he studied abroad that he began to learn singing in earnest, as he had only focused on dance before.[3][8]
As the timing of their return coincided with EXILE Presents VOCAL BATTLE AUDITION 5 ~Yume wo Motta Wakamono Tachi e~, Sunada was asked if he would like to join a group with four finalists of the audition.[9][3] On May 1, 2018, he was announced as a member of BALLISTIK BOYZ.
2019[]
On May 22, 2019, he made his major debut in BALLISTIK BOYZ with the group's self-titled first album.
Works[]
Music[]
- Music Video Appearances
- [2009] EXILE - "Someday"
- [2011] EXILE - "Each Other's Way ~Tabi no Tochuu~"
- Choreography
- BALLISTIK BOYZ
- "Tenhane -1000%-"[8]
- "PASION"[8]
- "44RAIDERS" (bridge after the second chorus)[10]
- "ANTI-HERO'S"[6]
Trivia[]
- Member Color:
- Hobbies: Golf
- His sister, Sunada Mayu, is a current EXPG student.
- Fluent in English.[4]
- Wants to get into acting and is taking acting lessons.[11] "I've wanted to be an actor since I was little, and I still have a video of me saying 'I want to be a Hollywood star'."[3][12][13][14]
- Has learnt to dress according to his mood or tension because versatility is important when it comes to pursue acting.[15]
- Originally became interested in soccer due to one of his friends playing on the local soccer team. As a result, he started playing out of curiosity too.[5]
- When he was in the fourth grade, he was chosen to be a member of the kids choir singing behind TAKAHIRO when he performed the national anthem at the team match between Japan and Serbia at Nagai Stadium.[2]
- Sunada played for a famous team in Osaka at the time, and soccer coach Okada Takeshi heard about him. Okada's manager came to Sunada's dressing room and asked him who his favorite player was. Sunada revealed it was Morimoto Takayuki and a week later he received an autographed uniform from Morimoto at his parents' house.[2]
- He initially hesitated to give up soccer as he felt bad for his father. In order to make it easier for Sunada to say something, his mother arranged for his father and him to go to a public bath together. In the end, his father was very supportive and revealed that he actually wanted his son to go in the direction of dancing.[2]
- Described as a strong person who organizes the members.[3][16]
- According to Hidaka Ryuta, he is very dependable even though he is the youngest member, and takes the lead as MC when the group goes overseas and performs live. Additionally, when they have a meeting on behalf of the group, it would basically be Hidaka and Sunada who participate.[16]
- Consults with Hidaka Ryuta on a regular basis.[16]
- According to Kano Yoshiyuki, he is very good at remembering names and remembers people he has met once.[16]
- According to himself, people around him say that he looks flirtatious, but he's surprisingly serious. He also often organizes everyone at rehearsals.[5]
- According to Fukahori Miku, he would also have a playful side and knows how to laugh.[17]
- According to himself, his strength is being "a people person" and he would get along with anyone, always be open and optimistic and find inspiration in almost everything he sees on screen or what he chances upon via social media. He would also try to note it down when he feels new ideas coming to him.[15]
- Was originally shy, but PROJECT TARO changed his personality.
- According to his official blog, when he first came to the U.S., he couldn't speak English or act, so when he was exposed to the American culture of "8th graders" performing a musical in front of the whole school in his first year abroad, he was quite hesitant. However, the turning point for him came when he was chosen to perform in a musical after an audition that he was reluctant to attend but passed, and he began to actively learn more and more about English, acting, playing guitar, and singing.[3]
- "Since I started learning English, the way I speak and express myself has changed, and I think it has had a positive impact on my performance and many other aspects."[12]
- Even before becoming part of PROJECT TARO and travelling to New York, he had always wanted to go abroad since elementary school. He initially wanted to play soccer in Portugal since the first year of junior high school, and his father had even decided to move there with him.[6][5][4]
- Would like to someday return and live in New York City.[18]
- Has learned tap dancing since the first year of elementary school, even before joining EXPG.[3][8]
- The dance genre he learned at EXPG was Hip-Hop. He also took choreography lessons there.[3][8]
- Learned conveying emotions and the message of the song through dance in New York. This led him to become interested in creating choreographies.[6]
- Can play the guitar and keyboard. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he also started to play the electric guitar.[19]
- Admires EXILE AKIRA. When he was in New York, AKIRA was there too, and they trained dancing together and AKIRA took him shopping.[20]
- While staying in New York, he was able to get in touch with people from all over the world. "[...] The school we attended had students from many different countries, not just Americans, and I thought it was important for us to learn about different cultures and languages in order to become artists who are active on a global scale."[21]
- Admires EXILE HIRO. "He produces most of the artists belonging to LDH, thinks about the future of the people belonging to the company all the time, and is always humble no matter where he goes. I want to become an adult like him."[21]
- Has known HIRO since he was little. "I've known HIRO since I was a little child, and every time I see him, he says, 'I can't believe it' (laughs). When I was in the second or third grade, HIRO came to EXPG STUDIO for an event, but at that time I was chosen by a question corner and cried (laughs). He remembers that too, and says 'You were so nervous and cried when you were chosen', but it makes me really happy. He also says 'I'm something like a parent to you', and since he has been watching over me like a parent, I would like to return the favor from now on."[4]
- Wants his juniors in EXILE TRIBE to be able to take shortcuts. "That is what HIRO and other senior members tell us. There is no need for the juniors to do what we have done in the same way. I want them to take the shortest route to reach the path that we took in a roundabout way."[22]
- When it comes to beauty care, he pays particular attention to his hair and spends a lot of time caring for it.[23]
- In early 2024, he revealed in an interview that he wants to build up his body.[24]
- One of his favorite fashion stores to shop at is Hollywood Ranch Market in Daikanyama, Tokyo.[25]
- His favorite dancer is Sean Evaristo.[21]
- Likes Post Malone.[21]
- Likes the manga Kingdom.[26]
- Strongly recommends to study abroad, especially for high school students.[7]
- Dreams of doing a world tour or being ranked in the top 3 on the Billboard charts and doing a dome tour in Japan.[7]
- Close friends with Fujiwara Itsuki of THE RAMPAGE. Their parents are also good friends.[16]
- Close with Yagi Yusei and Sato Taiki of FANTASTICS.[16]
- According to himself, Tosaka Hiroomi of Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS is very fond of him. Tosaka told him that he resembles EXILE TAKAHIRO, who is very close with Tosaka, in the way he speaks and looks.[16]
- On February 1, 2021, he started a corner titled "MASA's ENGLISH BLOG" on EXILE TRIBE mobile.
Honorary Titles[]
Honorary titles | ||
---|---|---|
Preceeded by First |
Youngest Member of BALLISTIK BOYZ May 2018 - |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
Notes[]
- ↑ As shown in the BALLISTIK BOYZ LIVE TOUR 2021 "PASS THE MIC" ~WAY TO THE GLORY~ goods.
- ↑ As shown in the tour goods starting from BALLISTIK BOYZ LIVE TOUR 2023 "N.E.X.T.".
References[]
- ↑ LDH新グループ発足へ 7人の候補者を紹介<DOBERMAN INFINITY×EXILE HIRO共同プロジェクト>
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 https://hochi.news/articles/20210326-OHT1T50286.html
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 https://realsound.jp/2020/11/post-660333.html
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 https://mdpr.jp/interview/detail/1839267
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 https://www.soccer-king.jp/news/media/skm/20200215/1034047.html
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 https://hochi.news/articles/20210326-OHT1T50287.html
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 https://www.ch-files.net/bbz/
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 https://realsound.jp/2019/05/post-363533.html
- ↑ https://hochi.news/articles/20210326-OHT1T50288.html
- ↑ https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/259008
- ↑ https://voguegirl.jp/lifestyle/people/fresh-energy-ballistik-boyz/#!/p/4/
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/201905240001372.html?Page=1
- ↑ https://qjweb.jp/feature/95459/
- ↑ https://electricbloomwebzine.com/2024/03/ballistik-boyz-on-back-forth-challenges-gratitude-and-declarations-of-a-promise.html
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 https://www.mens-folio.com/117992/ballistik-boyz-exile-tribe-world-domination/
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 https://jj-jj.net/lifestyle/170795/
- ↑ https://sweetweb.jp/archives/91564
- ↑ https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/ballistik-boyz-from-exile-tribe-gul-kanawut-collaboration-all-i-ever-wanted-interview-high-cloud-entertainment-september-2023
- ↑ https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20200811-ballistikboyz/2
- ↑ https://hochi.news/articles/20210326-OHT1T50289.html
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 http://www.highflyers.nu/blog/00121
- ↑ https://classy-online.jp/lifestyle/276384/
- ↑ https://classy-online.jp/beauty/319966/
- ↑ https://www.jprime.jp/articles/-/30938?page=3
- ↑ https://jj-jj.net/lifestyle/169547/
- ↑ https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1706494160&p=2