INI Heo Fung-fan & Shogo Tajima have their first conversation with Kylie Minogue! "Kylie-san, you're so kind..." (Tajima)

■”How about Australia (as one of the countries INI is aiming for)? I’m sure you have a lot of fans.” (Kylie Minogue)

INI’s Xu Fengfan (pronounced: Shu Fengfan) and Shogo Tajima had their first conversation with Kylie Minogue, a global pop icon who is active globally and continues to lead the music world.

Since Kylie Minogue debuted with “Locomotion” in 1987, she is the first solo artist to top the UK album charts in “all five decades” from the 1980s to the 2020s. Diva Kylie, who has sold more than 80 million records worldwide and has been streamed more than 5 billion times, released her album “Tension II” on October 18th. They also announced that they will hold their first performance in Japan in 14 years on March 12, 2025 as part of their world tour “Tension Tour 2025” in support of the album.

Kylie, who was visiting Japan, expressed interest in INI, a group that is active globally like herself, and a conversation was made with miraculous timing. Huh and Tajima, who are fluent in languages, asked the music world legend about his latest album and concerts in Japan, as well as the secret to staying active as a top artist for a long time and the secrets of his overseas performances.

Huh and Tajima are nervous before their talk. However, as soon as Kylie arrived at the scene and cheerfully greeted everyone with a “Hello everyone, nice to me to you!”, the atmosphere at the scene instantly became lighter. Freed from pressure, the two ask a variety of hard and soft questions, such as “What’s your current ‘tension’?” and “How can you continue your career as a singer for a long time?”

Kylie then asked them questions one after another, such as, “I’m always alone when I’m active, so what’s it like to have 11 members?” and “Tell me about a moment when you feel inspired.” “Me too,” and “We are too!” the conversation started, and the conversation between the three of them, full of empathy, wit, and humor, continued uninterrupted until the very end of time.

During the commemorative photo taken after the conversation, her friendly personality really shines through. The three of them lined up in front of the camera with Kylie between them. When Kylie saw the hands of Yuu and Tajima in the INI pose, she asked, “How do you do that pose?” and immediately mastered the INI pose. “We’ll move forward together!” he concluded with a strong pose and a smile as if to cheer on his two juniors.

Kylie Minogue is a one-of-a-kind pop diva who has made songs that fans have loved for decades and made generations happy. Her meaningful words and lovely deeds were deeply engraved in our hearts as INI members who continue to aim for the world.

Kylie Minogue x INI (Hsu Fengfan, Shogo Tajima) Interview
■About Japan’s impressions and the latest album “Tension II”
permission: How about Japan? Do you like it?
kylie: Yes, I love it! I first came to Japan in 1989. (Because Japan was the kick-off location for our first world tour, “MEGA DISCO in DREAM’89,”) it was our first experience traveling overseas and promoting our music. It was a completely new experience for me, so I’ll never forget it. And the reason I came to Japan this time was music. To promote our latest album “Tension II” and let everyone know that we will be visiting Japan on tour in 2025 (on March 12th)! (Since my first visit to Japan) I’ve felt that by making music my job, my world has expanded further through travel, people, experiences…
permission: Congratulations on your first performance in Japan in 14 years!
Tajima：Following the previous album, this album also has the word “Tension” in its name. What does it mean?
kylie: Tension can mean a feeling of tension in a negative sense, but it can also mean creating drama. For example, it brings out the flavor in delicious dishes. That tangy tension gives it umami flavor. At first I thought it might not be the right word for the title, but now I like it.
Tajima: So, what is your current “tension”?
Kylie: Yeah, I’m tired (lol). When I came to Japan, I felt like I had done 1-2 years worth of work all at once, and I was very busy, appearing in front of people all the time. The two of you (INI) understand, right? But don’t get me wrong. Because it means the tension that I wanted to convey with the album.
■About performances around the world
permission：You have performed live in many countries around the world. Is there any country that left an impression on you?
kylie：Not in every country, but there are differences depending on the country. For example, in Japan, there’s a lot of synchronization, like windshield wipers waving their hands at the same time in the audience, which is cool. Also, South American audiences like to sing all the lyrics. Last time we performed in Brazil, their singing voices were so loud that I couldn’t hear anything during the first three songs. We went to many places, but the performance in Australia was always special. My family and friends also come to see it. My mom used to tour with me a lot, but my dad couldn’t tour with me, so lately when I’ve been playing he’s been very emotional and tearful.
Japanese customers may tend to be hesitant. However, if you keep these differences in mind, you can measure how well you are performing. I’m enjoying it. It’s fun to have the audience watch you closely, and it improves your singing skills. Most of all, I love performing on various stages around the world. Next year will be Tension Tour 2025, and I’m looking forward to making that happen.
permission：Are there any Japanese words you learned recently that you would like to use in your concert?
kylie：First of all, I have to increase my knowledge of Japanese. Is there any good Japanese?
Tajima: How about “Scream!”?
kylie:Sake…be? Oh, I’m talking about Scream! I think I can remember this. Salmon bee? Salmon? Sakebe!
Huh & Tajima: Perfect!
kylie: Just to be sure, could you please contact me again just before the concert?
Tajima:of course! Not just once, but many times. I’ll even send you a voice message saying, “Shout!” (laughs).
kylie: Salmon bee!
permission:By the way, do you have any routine before going to a concert?
kylie：I like to go to a venue and do a sound check to get a feel for myself and warm up my vocals. Then, right before the show, I stay quiet in my dressing room. There’s so much going on in your mind that it may seem like you’re doing nothing but preparing and staying centered. Then, when I get the call that it’s 10 minutes away, my adrenaline starts pumping and I’m like, “It’s finally time.” I went on stage and hugged everyone before the performance… I get so excited just thinking about that moment right now. Because it’s a show, you don’t know what’s going to happen. How about you guys? What do you do before a performance?
Tajima: The 11 of us stand in a circle and shout.
kylie: That’s wonderful. You guys are good at managing things.
permission: Everyone is free, but on stage we stand as one team. You have to organize that.
Tajima: So somehow it turned into a circle…
Kylie: Salmon! That’s right (laughs). I think it’s good!
■About the difference between solo and group
permission:As a solo artist, you have collaborated with many artists both in Japan and abroad. Please tell us your impressions.
kylie: When you’re in a band and you’re collaborating, you’re always around each other, so it’s not always easy, but sometimes I feel like it’s nice to have friends. They bring a different energy and I feel like there’s an implicit understanding that we’re both artists and performers. I know something about what they’ve been through, what they’re going to go through, and what brought them here. And I hope they see the same thing in me. I love sharing those moments. Also, you just said “domestically and internationally.” It doesn’t matter to me which country it is. However, I feel like this is someone I can communicate with through the language of music.

■About my passion for music
permission: I have been singing, dancing, and performing for about 40 years. Where does the passion to continue running as a top runner for such a long period come from?
kylie: I guess it’s because I love myself more than anything. What’s even weirder is that I like music even more. I’ve had all the experiences that come with my music, and I’ve been able to travel all over the world and connect with fans and artists all over the world. These experiences have always changed my life. The same goes for music and my mood. So I think it’s just because I’ve been enjoying it. Sometimes I’ll get really tired and say to everyone, “Should I retire now?” But 10 minutes later, I’ll be saying, “So, what do I do next?” (laughs)
Huh & Tajima:10 minutes later⁉
Tajima: I recover quickly (lol).
kylie: That means I still have a lot of chances! By the way, where do you guys get your passion and inspiration for music?
Tajima：I watch videos of my favorite artists. By watching that performance, I can reaffirm that I love music after all. In addition to watching videos, it is also important to go to live performances in person. Also, you can dance in a private space. Practicing alone (on purpose, since I usually practice with 11 people) also motivates me.
kylie: I understand. Singing, dancing, and feeling good is very healthy. It releases endorphins and dopamine.
permission:There are many stages and countries I haven’t been to yet, so I’m like, “I can’t stop here yet” or “I can’t stop here yet.” I think that feeling of not being satisfied with things as they are now is connected to my passion.
kylie：How about Australia (as one of the countries you are aiming for)? You probably have a lot of fans.
permission:I want to go to Australia! …There are a lot of our fans, MINI (generic term for INI fans)!?
kylie:If you promote in Australia, I will join the INI fan club. I want to become member number 0000001.
Huh & Tajima: Yeah!
permission:If that happens, all INI members will be very grateful to Kylie.
kylie: Well then, could you please pass on my best wishes to everyone else?
Huh & Tajima: Yes, I will definitely tell you!
Tajima：I don’t have enough to say, but I would like you to give me a final message…
kylie: Is it that time already?! Well, it’s an honor to meet you both this time. thanks so much. I wish you all success. We’re so excited for you to see the world and take your enthusiasm and kindness with you wherever you go. That’s really important. I hope you guys are like that. Nothing will be easy, but let’s seize the opportunity together!
Tajima:yes. Remember today and you will definitely get through it!
kylie:I, too, would like to embrace this moment with gratitude. thanks so much. And to everyone who checked out this conversation. i love you! I can’t wait to see you at “Tension Tour 2025” next year. thanks so much!
■After the conversation
Tajima: It was much easier to talk to than I expected. It was a valuable experience to hear directly about the experiences of legends who are active around the world. “The bigger the stars, the kinder they are.” That’s what I thought when I met Kylie. thank you very much!
permission：The first time I heard Kylie’s song was when I was in the first year of junior high school. Talking face to face with such an amazing person was like something out of a dream. What’s more, I even received an autographed LP, so it was a dream-like experience. I was really nervous, but Kylie’s aura was so kind that I started to feel less nervous. So I think it turned out to be a really good conversation. Thank you very much for giving me this valuable opportunity.
kylie:While I was talking with them, I thought it would have been great if I could have put out photos from various times when I came to Japan, such as 1988, 1990, and 1995, and seen their reactions when they saw them. I was also excited when I rode the Shinkansen for the first time, and I love all the cute things in Japan. Because I remembered a lot of things from that time.
Tajima:I wanted to see the photo!
permission：I first came into contact with Kylie’s music when I was in junior high school. At that time, I liked the song “Get Outta My Way” from the album “Aphrodite” and listened to it often. And now, Kylie and I are talking. I guess this is why Kylie’s songs never left my head.
kylie: Yes. So we were able to open up. Thanks to you, thank you.
Tajima: Kylie-san, you’re so kind…
permission: Even though he is an icon of icons, he has such kindness and friendliness. I became more and more addicted to that gap.
Tajima: I will keep in mind Kylie’s words and do my best!
permission:I will do my best!