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From Asia to the World — A New Era of Sound
アジアのシーンを牽引するアーティストたちとの対話を通して、“アジアミュージック”という未定義のカルチャーに輪郭を与えていく。
■ Miisha Shimizu（清水美依紗）
From TikTok covers to Disney, Wicked and Miss Saigon — a voice that refuses to fit one category.
Miisha Shimizu is a singer, musical theatre actress and voice artist from Mie, Japan, raised by a Filipino mother she calls her guiding light. After two years of musical theatre school in New York, the pandemic sent her home with her dream close to slipping away — until her mother suggested posting her singing on TikTok. One year later, Disney Japan called: she became the voice of "Starting Now," the Japanese theme song for Disney's Ultimate Princess Celebration. Since her 2022 major debut "High Five," she has voiced Glinda in the Japanese dub of the film Wicked — the very role of her lifelong idol Ariana Grande — and played Éponine in Les Misérables. In 2026 she takes on her dream role: Kim in Miss Saigon, the part made legendary by Lea Salonga. Her songs include "TipTap," "Home," "Wave" and the new single "Reunion." Her five-year goal: a Grammy nomination — with a song written in Japanese.
TikTokのカバー動画からディズニー、『ウィキッド』、そして『ミス・サイゴン』へ——ひとつのカテゴリーに収まらない歌声。
三重県出身のシンガー・ミュージカル俳優・声優。フィリピン人の母のもとで育ち、その存在を「人生の道しるべ」と語る。高校卒業後にニューヨークでミュージカルを2年間学ぶも、パンデミックで帰国。夢を諦めかけたとき、母の「TikTokに歌を投稿してみたら」という一言が転機になった。投稿から約1年でディズニーから直接オファーが届き、「Starting Now 〜新しい私へ」（アルティメット・プリンセス・セレブレーション日本版テーマソング）の歌唱アーティストに抜擢される。2022年に「High Five」でメジャーデビュー。映画『ウィキッド ふたりの魔女』日本語吹替版では、憧れ続けたアリアナ・グランデが演じるグリンダ役の吹替を担当し、ミュージカル『レ・ミゼラブル』ではエポニーヌ役を務めた。2026年は夢の役だった『ミス・サイゴン』キム役に挑む。代表曲に「TipTap」「Home」「Wave」、最新シングルはアニメ『天は赤い河のほとり』エンディングテーマ「Reunion」。5年後の目標は、日本語の楽曲でグラミー賞にノミネートされること。
■ FOLLOW MIISHA SHIMIZU
Official Website: https://www.universal-music.co.jp/shimizu-miisha/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miisha3148/
X: https://x.com/mEry97239295
X (Staff): https://x.com/miishastaff
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mii3148
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_2LUSHUA3gusbD-KPBzkfg
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-ja/artist/2ITl7YzD1Hm6NVojBhKkOp
Official Fan Club "NAMASTE": https://miisha0310.fanpla.jp/
■ YUGEN OFFICIAL
Web Site:
http://ygen.net/

■ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:27 Welcome to YUGEN Podcast
02:15 Musical theatre, voice acting, pop — why she refuses one category
05:55 Posting covers since high school
08:57 The Disney call, in the middle of Don Quijote
10:24 One year from her first post to a Disney theme song
12:17 Two years in New York
14:16 What acting school actually teaches
16:23 In musical theatre, dancing is acting with the body
18:25 Kim in Miss Saigon — a real person, not a stereotype
20:32 Lea Salonga, and her own roots
22:00 The song that made her fall for the show
23:22 Growing up on Ariana Grande
24:26 Glinda — dubbing Wicked in Japanese
27:37 Meeting Ariana
28:34 Almost giving up, and her mother's suggestion
31:41 New York, depression, and the way back
35:07 What New York taught her about her own voice
36:47 "Wave" — letting the vulnerability show
39:10 "Home" — for her family, and for her father
41:29 Two ways into a song: the role and the self
43:25 Roles she still wants — and why they cast her as Kim
47:17 What "Asian music" actually means
50:30 Writing in Japanese to reach the world
51:41 Japanese and Filipina, raised by her grandmother
53:27 New single "Reunion"
55:31 Her favourite line in the song
57:56 Five years from now: a Grammy, in JapaneseCREDITS
YUGEN Production Committee
―
MC:
Isaac Y. Takeu
REIKO
Guest: Miisha Shimizu
Creative Producer:
Yamato Miyake
Art Department:
ONSA Inc.
Art Director:
sami
Art Department Coordinator:
Riku Matsuse
Edit:
4thclue Inc.
Production:
OASIZ Inc.

From Asia to the World — A New Era of Sound
アジアのシーンを牽引するアーティストたちとの対話を通して、“アジアミュージック”という未定義のカルチャーに輪郭を与えていく。
■ Miisha Shimizu（清水美依紗）
From TikTok covers to Disney, Wicked and Miss Saigon — a voice that refuses to fit one category.
Miisha Shimizu is a singer, musical theatre actress and voice artist from Mie, Japan, raised by a Filipino mother she calls her guiding light. After two years of musical theatre school in New York, the pandemic sent her home with her dream close to slipping away — until her mother suggested posting her singing on TikTok. One year later, Disney Japan called: she became the voice of "Starting Now," the Japanese theme song for Disney's Ultimate Princess Celebration. Since her 2022 major debut "High Five," she has voiced Glinda in the Japanese dub of the film Wicked — the very role of her lifelong idol Ariana Grande — and played Éponine in Les Misérables. In 2026 she takes on her dream role: Kim in Miss Saigon, the part made legendary by Lea Salonga. Her songs include "TipTap," "Home," "Wave" and the new single "Reunion." Her five-year goal: a Grammy nomination — with a song written in Japanese.
TikTokのカバー動画からディズニー、『ウィキッド』、そして『ミス・サイゴン』へ——ひとつのカテゴリーに収まらない歌声。
三重県出身のシンガー・ミュージカル俳優・声優。フィリピン人の母のもとで育ち、その存在を「人生の道しるべ」と語る。高校卒業後にニューヨークでミュージカルを2年間学ぶも、パンデミックで帰国。夢を諦めかけたとき、母の「TikTokに歌を投稿してみたら」という一言が転機になった。投稿から約1年でディズニーから直接オファーが届き、「Starting Now 〜新しい私へ」（アルティメット・プリンセス・セレブレーション日本版テーマソング）の歌唱アーティストに抜擢される。2022年に「High Five」でメジャーデビュー。映画『ウィキッド ふたりの魔女』日本語吹替版では、憧れ続けたアリアナ・グランデが演じるグリンダ役の吹替を担当し、ミュージカル『レ・ミゼラブル』ではエポニーヌ役を務めた。2026年は夢の役だった『ミス・サイゴン』キム役に挑む。代表曲に「TipTap」「Home」「Wave」、最新シングルはアニメ『天は赤い河のほとり』エンディングテーマ「Reunion」。5年後の目標は、日本語の楽曲でグラミー賞にノミネートされること。
■ FOLLOW MIISHA SHIMIZU
Official Website: https://www.universal-music.co.jp/shimizu-miisha/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miisha3148/
X: https://x.com/mEry97239295
X (Staff): https://x.com/miishastaff
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mii3148
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_2LUSHUA3gusbD-KPBzkfg
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-ja/artist/2ITl7YzD1Hm6NVojBhKkOp
Official Fan Club "NAMASTE": https://miisha0310.fanpla.jp/
■ YUGEN OFFICIAL
Web Site:
http://ygen.net/

■ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:27 Welcome to YUGEN Podcast
02:15 Musical theatre, voice acting, pop — why she refuses one category
05:55 Posting covers since high school
08:57 The Disney call, in the middle of Don Quijote
10:24 One year from her first post to a Disney theme song
12:17 Two years in New York
14:16 What acting school actually teaches
16:23 In musical theatre, dancing is acting with the body
18:25 Kim in Miss Saigon — a real person, not a stereotype
20:32 Lea Salonga, and her own roots
22:00 The song that made her fall for the show
23:22 Growing up on Ariana Grande
24:26 Glinda — dubbing Wicked in Japanese
27:37 Meeting Ariana
28:34 Almost giving up, and her mother's suggestion
31:41 New York, depression, and the way back
35:07 What New York taught her about her own voice
36:47 "Wave" — letting the vulnerability show
39:10 "Home" — for her family, and for her father
41:29 Two ways into a song: the role and the self
43:25 Roles she still wants — and why they cast her as Kim
47:17 What "Asian music" actually means
50:30 Writing in Japanese to reach the world
51:41 Japanese and Filipina, raised by her grandmother
53:27 New single "Reunion"
55:31 Her favourite line in the song
57:56 Five years from now: a Grammy, in Japanese

CREDITS
YUGEN Production Committee
―
MC:
Isaac Y. Takeu
REIKO
Guest: Miisha Shimizu
Creative Producer:
Yamato Miyake
Art Department:
ONSA Inc.
Art Director:
sami
Art Department Coordinator:
Riku Matsuse
Edit:
4thclue Inc.
Production:
OASIZ Inc.

From Asia to the World — A New Era of Sound

アジアのシーンを牽引するアーティストたちとの対話を通して、“アジアミュージック”という未定義のカルチャーに輪郭を与えていく。

■ Cup of Joe

The Band That Rewrote Philippine Music HistoryFive artists from Baguio City who turned OPM into a global phenomenon.Born in a Saint Louis University classroom in November 2018, Cup of Joe crafts a sound unlike anything else — acoustic warmth layered with alternative edge, retro-wave atmosphere, and neo-folk soul. It's music that's intimate and expansive at once.Their single "Multo" changed everything: the first-ever song by a Filipino act to enter the Billboard Global 200 (peak: No. 80), and as of February 2026, the most-streamed OPM song of all time on Spotify. From Baguio to the world.Winners of the Special Award for Philippine Popular Music at Music Awards Japan 2026. Stardust World Tour completed across North America and the Middle East. Cup of Joe is rewriting what Filipino music can do — and they're only getting started.

フィリピン音楽の歴史を塗り替えた、バギオ発の5人組。2018年11月、フィリピン・バギオのセント・ルイス大学の教室から生まれたバンド。アコースティックのぬくもりとオルタナティブの鋭さ、レトロウェイブの陰影とネオフォークの詩情が交差する独自のサウンドで、じわじわと、しかし確実に世界を塗り替えていった。シングル「Multo」でフィリピン勢初のBillboard Global 200入り（最高80位）を達成。2026年2月には、Spotifyにおけるフィリピン楽曲の歴代最多再生曲に輝く。Music Awards Japan 2026でフィリピンポップミュージック特別賞を受賞。北米・中東を縦断したStardust World Tourを成功させ、バギオから世界へ——その物語はまだ続いている。

■ FOLLOW Cup of Joe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cupofjoemusic_/

X: https://www.x.com/cupofjoemusic

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CupOfJoeRecords/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cupofjoemusic

Cup of Joe Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPq0kgKjpNzryoNbRp5eUyQ

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/61nn6nOoLWjVC1ER2qFAvN

■ YUGEN OFFICIALWeb Site:

http://ygen.net/

【Time Stamps】

00:00 Intro

01:56 Meet Cup of Joe

02:53 Defining the Sound of OPM

09:17 How Cup of Joe Was Formed

13:20 The Song That Changed Everything

15:20 How Cup of Joe Writes Songs

17:01 The Story Behind the Name “Cup of Joe”

19:12 From Friends to Professional Musicians

22:20 Balancing College and Music

25:01 Why Baguio Inspires Their Music

26:46 Filipino Culture & Identity

31:28 Writing Relatable Lyrics

32:16 The Story Behind “Multo”

34:30 The Meaning of the “Silakbo” Album

36:30 What They Want Listeners to Feel

38:36 How Music Changed Their Lives

41:42 Dreams Beyond the Philippines

44:13 Living Together as a Band

46:25 Life Outside of Music

47:52 The Future of Asian Music

50:05 How Cup of Joe Wants to Go Global

CREDITS

YUGEN Production Committee

VIVA RECORDS CORP.

―

MC: Isaac Y. Takeu

Guest: Cup of Joe

Creative Producer:

Yamato Miyake

Creative Direction:

GOLDNRUSH Co., Ltd.

Camera Department:

Rem Egura

Shohei Uda

Seiichiro Okuma

Art Department:

ONSA Inc.

Art Director:

sami

Art Department Coordinator:

Riku Matsuse

Production crew:

Yo Takahashi

Yuna Ishiyama

Production Assistant:

Taiga Hironaka

Tetsuya Watanabe

Production:

OASIZ Inc.

From Asia to the World — A New Era of Sound

アジアのシーンを牽引するアーティストたちとの対話を通して、“アジアミュージック”という未定義のカルチャーに輪郭を与えていく。

■ Alan｜BUS — Because of You I Shine

The rapper and senior member leading Thailand's next-generation boy group BUS.Debuting on December 6, 2023 under SONRAY MUSIC with BUS's debut single ""Because of You, I Shine,"" Alan arrived with a presence hard to ignore. Raised across the Philippines and Singapore, he carries a multicultural perspective that shapes every bar he writes.He penned his own rap on BUS's second single ""Watch Your Step"" — a testament to his range as both performer and songwriter.Rapper, songwriter — Alan continues to expand what it means to be an artist, building a following across Asia and beyond.

タイ・バンコク発、アジアを席巻する次世代グループBUSのラッパー。タイのエンターテインメント企業SONRAY MUSIC所属グループBUSの最年長メンバーとしてグループを率いる。2023年12月6日、デビューシングル「Because of You, I Shine」でシーンに颯爽と登場。フィリピン・シンガポールでの生活経験から、多文化的な視点と柔軟な表現力を身に纏う。ラッパーとしてのスキルに加え、楽曲制作にも才能を発揮。グループ2ndシングル「Watch Your Step」ではラップ歌詞の作詞を手がけ、ステージを超えたマルチクリエイターとして、日本を含むアジア各国からの注目を集めている。

■ FOLLOW Aalan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alan.busofficial/

X: https://x.com/alan_pasawee

BUS Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bus.becauseofyouishine

■ YUGEN OFFICIALWeb Site:

http://ygen.net/

【Time Stamps】

00:00 Intro

1:50 Introduction to Alan

02:22 What “BUS (Because of You, I Shine)” Means

04:05 Why Does BUS Have 12 Members?

07:49 ALAN Never Wanted to Be an Idol

09:53 Finding His Place as an Artist

11:44 Being the Leader of BUS

15:00 How BUS Creates Their Music

17:07 BUS Subunit & Song Production

18:44 What Makes T-Pop Unique?

19:54 Thai Storytelling in Music

21:21 Living in Different Countries

25:17 First Overseas Tour & M COUNTDOWN

26:24 What Makes BUS Different?

28:07 Stray Kids Inspiration

30:30 Dream of Producing BUS’s Music

31:41 The Message ALAN Wants His Music to Share

32:27 Learning to Rap

34:25 Life Outside of BUS

35:25 “Busing” Reality Show in Japan

38:05 Favorite Japanese Food

39:07 Favorite Countries

40:08 Photography Dreams & Blackmagic Camera

41:03 Gaming & Esports

43:01 Formula 1 Passion

44:45 The Future of Asian Music

CREDITS

YUGEN Production Committee

―

MC: Isaac Y. Takeu

Guest: ALAN BUS because of you i shine

Creative Producer:

Yamato Miyake

Creative Direction:

GOLDNRUSH Co., Ltd.

Camera Department:

Rem Egura

Shohei Uda

Seiichiro Okuma

Art Department:

ONSA Inc.

Art Director:

sami

Art Department Coordinator:

Riku Matsuse

Production crew:

Yo Takahashi

Yuna Ishiyama

Production Assistant:

Taiga Hironaka

Tetsuya Watanabe

Production:

OASIZ Inc.

From Asia to the World — A New Era of Soundアジアのシーンを牽引するアーティストたちとの対話を通して、“アジアミュージック”という未定義のカルチャーに輪郭を与えていく。

■ REIKO BMSG on Being a Third Culture Kid in J-Pop

REIKO is a Filipino-Japanese R&B singer signed to BMSG, the Tokyo label founded by SKY-HI, discovered through the 2021 audition series THE FIRST with no formal training in singing or dance. A self-described "third culture kid" who writes across Japanese, English, and Tagalog, he has become one of the most distinctive new voices in Japanese pop — and one of the very few carrying Tagalog into it.His catalogue moves freely between the two countries that made him: "LOVE DEEPER," built on a sample of Toshinobu Kubota, a founding figure of Japanese R&B, and "Folklore Vol.1 – Tadhana / Multo," his Tagalog covers of Up Dharma Down and Cup of Joe — two of the most beloved names in modern Filipino ⁠music.In⁠ 2024 he played his first show outside Japan in Manila, his first time back in the country since he was seven. Bridging Tokyo and Manila, REIKO carries both sounds to the world.

**マニラ生まれ、日本育ち。タガログ語をJ-POPのど真ん中へと運び込むシンガー。**SKY-HIが設立した東京のレーベルBMSG所属。2021年、歌もダンスも未経験のままオーディション「THE FIRST」に参加し、その成長速度と音楽的ポテンシャルからトレーニー契約を勝ち取った。日本語・英語・タガログ語を行き来しながら曲を書く彼は、自らを「第三文化の子（Third Culture Kid）」と呼ぶ。その作品は、彼をつくった二つの国のあいだを自在に往復する。日本のR&Bの礎を築いた久保田利伸をサンプリングした「LOVE DEEPER」。そして、フィリピンの現代音楽を代表するUp Dharma DownとCup of Joeの2曲をタガログ語でカバーした「Folklore Vol.1 – Tadhana / Multo」。2024年、初めての日本国外公演をマニラで行った。7歳のとき以来の、故郷への帰還だった。東京とマニラを双方向に結びながら、その両方の響きを世界へ届けている。

■ FOLLOW REIKOOfficial Website: ⁠https://reiko-bmsg.tokyo/⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/reiko__official/⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/reiko__official⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@reiko_bmsg.official⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/REIKOBMSG⁠REIKO Official YouTube: @reiko_bmsgStreaming: ⁠https://reiko.lnk.to/artist⁠Official Fan Club "R&ME": ⁠https://bmsg.shop/pages/reiko-fc-members⁠■ YUGEN OFFICIALWeb Site:⁠http://ygen.net/⁠【Time Stamps】00:00 - Intro & Welcome REIKO to the YUGEN Podcast00:30 - Born in Manila, Singing in Japan01:14 - The School Lunch He Couldn't Eat02:31 - The Eldest of Eight: Learning Japanese On His Own04:48 - "What Are You?" — Half, Quarter, and Identity05:42 - Finding the Words: Third Culture Kid07:37 - The Message Behind the Music: Be Yourself09:54 - The Moment He Realized He Was Different12:52 - Japanese Schools, Order, and Holding On to Your Identity15:03 - The Day He Started Singing: A Second Grade Music Class17:08 - Ariana Grande's "Break Free" Changed Everything17:54 - Self-Taught: Karaoke, YouTube, and a Perfect Score21:31 - Auditioning for THE FIRST During Covid22:41 - His First Dance Lesson Ever — Next to BE:FIRST's SOTA23:53 - What Dancing Saved Him From, and What SKY-HI Saw25:11 - The Three Rounds: Creativity, Quality, Artistry28:56 - Two Years as a BMSG Trainee30:19 - MAZZEL, the Spotlight, and the Decision to Go Solo33:33 - Rebuilding Himself as a Solo Artist35:11 - Facing His Own Insecurities37:13 - Perfectionism and the Lyric That Freed Him38:18 - What "Be Myself" Means to Him41:09 - The Story Behind His Debut Single "Butterfly"43:02 - Why He Writes in English, Japanese, and Tagalog46:02 - How Each Language Changes What He Writes48:35 - Singing Tagalog Covers for His Parents49:11 - Performing in Manila in 202451:01 - Two Live Cultures: Listening vs. Joining In54:41 - Releasing a Fully Tagalog Song in Japan56:59 - "Let the Song Do the Work"57:32 - What Asian Music Could Be59:45 - His Role: Connecting Cultures1:01:49 - Folklore Vol.1 and What's NextCREDITSYUGEN Production Committee―MC: Isaac Y. TakeuGuest: REIKOCreative Producer:Yamato MiyakeCreative Direction:GOLDNRUSH Co., Ltd.Art Department:ONSA Inc.Art Director:samiArt Department Coordinator:Riku MatsuseProduction:OASIZ Inc.

From Asia to the World — A New Era of Soundアジアのシーンを牽引するアーティストたちとの対話を通して、“アジアミュージック”という未定義のカルチャーに輪郭を与えていく。

■ REIKO BMSG on Being a Third Culture Kid in J-Pop

REIKO is a Filipino-Japanese R&B singer signed to BMSG, the Tokyo label founded by SKY-HI, discovered through the 2021 audition series THE FIRST with no formal training in singing or dance. A self-described "third culture kid" who writes across Japanese, English, and Tagalog, he has become one of the most distinctive new voices in Japanese pop — and one of the very few carrying Tagalog into it.His catalogue moves freely between the two countries that made him: "LOVE DEEPER," built on a sample of Toshinobu Kubota, a founding figure of Japanese R&B, and "Folklore Vol.1 – Tadhana / Multo," his Tagalog covers of Up Dharma Down and Cup of Joe — two of the most beloved names in modern Filipino music.In 2024 he played his first show outside Japan in Manila, his first time back in the country since he was seven. Bridging Tokyo and Manila, REIKO carries both sounds to the world.

**マニラ生まれ、日本育ち。タガログ語をJ-POPのど真ん中へと運び込むシンガー。**SKY-HIが設立した東京のレーベルBMSG所属。2021年、歌もダンスも未経験のままオーディション「THE FIRST」に参加し、その成長速度と音楽的ポテンシャルからトレーニー契約を勝ち取った。日本語・英語・タガログ語を行き来しながら曲を書く彼は、自らを「第三文化の子（Third Culture Kid）」と呼ぶ。その作品は、彼をつくった二つの国のあいだを自在に往復する。日本のR&Bの礎を築いた久保田利伸をサンプリングした「LOVE DEEPER」。そして、フィリピンの現代音楽を代表するUp Dharma DownとCup of Joeの2曲をタガログ語でカバーした「Folklore Vol.1 – Tadhana / Multo」。2024年、初めての日本国外公演をマニラで行った。7歳のとき以来の、故郷への帰還だった。東京とマニラを双方向に結びながら、その両方の響きを世界へ届けている。

■ FOLLOW REIKO
Official Website: https://reiko-bmsg.tokyo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reiko__official/
X: https://x.com/reiko__official
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reiko_bmsg.official
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REIKOBMSG
REIKO Official YouTube: @reiko_bmsg
Streaming: https://reiko.lnk.to/artist
Official Fan Club "R&ME": https://bmsg.shop/pages/reiko-fc-members
■ YUGEN OFFICIAL
Web Site:
http://ygen.net/
【Time Stamps】
00:00 - Intro & Welcome REIKO to the YUGEN Podcast
00:30 - Born in Manila, Singing in Japan
01:14 - The School Lunch He Couldn't Eat
02:31 - The Eldest of Eight: Learning Japanese On His Own
04:48 - "What Are You?" — Half, Quarter, and Identity
05:42 - Finding the Words: Third Culture Kid
07:37 - The Message Behind the Music: Be Yourself
09:54 - The Moment He Realized He Was Different
12:52 - Japanese Schools, Order, and Holding On to Your Identity
15:03 - The Day He Started Singing: A Second Grade Music Class
17:08 - Ariana Grande's "Break Free" Changed Everything
17:54 - Self-Taught: Karaoke, YouTube, and a Perfect Score
21:31 - Auditioning for THE FIRST During Covid
22:41 - His First Dance Lesson Ever — Next to BE:FIRST's SOTA
23:53 - What Dancing Saved Him From, and What SKY-HI Saw
25:11 - The Three Rounds: Creativity, Quality, Artistry
28:56 - Two Years as a BMSG Trainee
30:19 - MAZZEL, the Spotlight, and the Decision to Go Solo
33:33 - Rebuilding Himself as a Solo Artist
35:11 - Facing His Own Insecurities
37:13 - Perfectionism and the Lyric That Freed Him
38:18 - What "Be Myself" Means to Him
41:09 - The Story Behind His Debut Single "Butterfly"
43:02 - Why He Writes in English, Japanese, and Tagalog
46:02 - How Each Language Changes What He Writes
48:35 - Singing Tagalog Covers for His Parents
49:11 - Performing in Manila in 2024
51:01 - Two Live Cultures: Listening vs. Joining In
54:41 - Releasing a Fully Tagalog Song in Japan
56:59 - "Let the Song Do the Work"
57:32 - What Asian Music Could Be
59:45 - His Role: Connecting Cultures
1:01:49 - Folklore Vol.1 and What's Next
CREDITS
YUGEN Production Committee
―
MC: Isaac Y. Takeu
Guest: REIKO
Creative Producer:
Yamato Miyake
Creative Direction:
GOLDNRUSH Co., Ltd.
Art Department:
ONSA Inc.
Art Director:
sami
Art Department Coordinator:
Riku Matsuse
Production:
OASIZ Inc.

From Asia to the World — A New Era of Soundアジアのシーンを牽引するアーティストたちとの対話を通して、“アジアミュージック”という未定義のカルチャーに輪郭を与えていく。■ Lola AmourThe band that gave Japanese City Pop a new life in the streets of Manila.Lola Amour is a highly acclaimed Filipino rock band renowned for their unique blend of funk, pop, and rock, elevated by their signature brass section. They have taken the modern OPM (Original Pilipino Music) scene by storm with their infectious melodies and sophisticated arrangements.Drawing heavy inspiration from Japanese City Pop and jazz fusion, their music captures the vibrant, bustling energy and nostalgia of Manila. With massive hits that resonate across generations, Lola Amour is crafting the soundtrack of a modern, cosmopolitan Philippines, bridging cultural soundscapes from Asia to the world.マニラの街にJ-City Popの息吹をもたらした、フィリピン屈指のポップ・ロックバンド。ファンク、ポップ、ロックに彼らの象徴とも言えるブラスセクションを融合させた独自のサウンドで、現在のOPM（オリジナル・フィリピーノ・ミュージック）シーンを牽引している。日本のシティポップやジャズ・フュージョンから多大なインスピレーションを受けており、その洗練された楽曲群は、マニラの活気あふれるエネルギーとノスタルジーを見事に表現している。世代を超えて愛される数々の大ヒット曲を生み出し、アジアの音楽的な架け橋として、フィリピンの新しいサウンドスケープを世界へと発信し続けている。■ FOLLOW Lola AmourOfficial Website: https://lolaamourmusic.ph/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lolaamourphfacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lolaamourmusicTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lolaamourmusicLola Amour Official YouTube:  @LolaAmourMusic  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-ja/artist/29zSTMejPhY0m7kwNQ9SPIApple Music: https://music.apple.com/ph/artist/lola-amour/1236340988■ YUGEN OFFICIALWeb Site:http://ygen.net/【Time Stamps】00:00 - Episode Highlights & Intro01:28 - Welcome Lola Amour to the YouGan Podcast03:05 - The Story Behind the Name "Lola Amour"04:47 - Forming the Band: Merging Two Rival High School Bands07:17 - Philippines' Band Competition and Karaoke Culture09:59 - Balancing Music with College and Careers11:17 - Handling Creative Differences & Celebrating 10 Years Together12:48 - The Evolution of Their Songwriting Process14:11 - The Making of "Raining in Manila" & Japanese City Pop Influence18:07 - How "Raining in Manila" Went Viral19:39 - Life Changes and Balancing Day Jobs After Exploding in Popularity22:36 - Winning at the Japan Music Awards 202524:56 - Collaborating with Kokoro from Psychic Fever27:13 - Songwriting Camp: Writing an Album in 9 Days30:24 - The Meaning of the Filipino Word "Lambing"32:06 - Culture Shocks in Japan: Romance, Commuting, and Concert Etiquette39:09 - Performing Overseas and Defining Asian Music43:59 - Lola Amour's Mission and Bringing Filipino Music to the Global Stage45:12 - Goals for the Next 10 Years & Dreaming of Summer Sonic47:00 - Outro, Upcoming Plans, and Guest RecommendationsCREDITSYUGEN Production Committee―MC: Isaac Y. TakeuGuest: Lola AmourCreative Producer:Yamato MiyakeCreative Direction:GOLDNRUSH Co., Ltd.Art Department:ONSA Inc.Art Director:samiArt Department Coordinator:Riku MatsuseProduction:OASIZ Inc.

From Asia to the World — A New Era of Soundアジアのシーンを牽引するアーティストたちとの対話を通して、“アジアミュージック”という未定義のカルチャーに輪郭を与えていく。■ Lola AmourThe band that gave Japanese City Pop a new life in the streets of Manila.Lola Amour is a highly acclaimed Filipino rock band renowned for their unique blend of funk, pop, and rock, elevated by their signature brass section. They have taken the modern OPM (Original Pilipino Music) scene by storm with their infectious melodies and sophisticated arrangements.Drawing heavy inspiration from Japanese City Pop and jazz fusion, their music captures the vibrant, bustling energy and nostalgia of Manila. With massive hits that resonate across generations, Lola Amour is crafting the soundtrack of a modern, cosmopolitan Philippines, bridging cultural soundscapes from Asia to the world.マニラの街にJ-City Popの息吹をもたらした、フィリピン屈指のポップ・ロックバンド。ファンク、ポップ、ロックに彼らの象徴とも言えるブラスセクションを融合させた独自のサウンドで、現在のOPM（オリジナル・フィリピーノ・ミュージック）シーンを牽引している。日本のシティポップやジャズ・フュージョンから多大なインスピレーションを受けており、その洗練された楽曲群は、マニラの活気あふれるエネルギーとノスタルジーを見事に表現している。世代を超えて愛される数々の大ヒット曲を生み出し、アジアの音楽的な架け橋として、フィリピンの新しいサウンドスケープを世界へと発信し続けている。■ FOLLOW Lola AmourOfficial Website: https://lolaamourmusic.ph/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lolaamourphfacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lolaamourmusicTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lolaamourmusicLola Amour Official YouTube:  @LolaAmourMusic  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-ja/artist/29zSTMejPhY0m7kwNQ9SPIApple Music: https://music.apple.com/ph/artist/lola-amour/1236340988■ YUGEN OFFICIALWeb Site:http://ygen.net/【Time Stamps】00:00 - Episode Highlights & Intro01:28 - Welcome Lola Amour to the YouGan Podcast03:05 - The Story Behind the Name "Lola Amour"04:47 - Forming the Band: Merging Two Rival High School Bands07:17 - Philippines' Band Competition and Karaoke Culture09:59 - Balancing Music with College and Careers11:17 - Handling Creative Differences & Celebrating 10 Years Together12:48 - The Evolution of Their Songwriting Process14:11 - The Making of "Raining in Manila" & Japanese City Pop Influence18:07 - How "Raining in Manila" Went Viral19:39 - Life Changes and Balancing Day Jobs After Exploding in Popularity22:36 - Winning at the Japan Music Awards 202524:56 - Collaborating with Kokoro from Psychic Fever27:13 - Songwriting Camp: Writing an Album in 9 Days30:24 - The Meaning of the Filipino Word "Lambing"32:06 - Culture Shocks in Japan: Romance, Commuting, and Concert Etiquette39:09 - Performing Overseas and Defining Asian Music43:59 - Lola Amour's Mission and Bringing Filipino Music to the Global Stage45:12 - Goals for the Next 10 Years & Dreaming of Summer Sonic47:00 - Outro, Upcoming Plans, and Guest RecommendationsCREDITSYUGEN Production Committee―MC: Isaac Y. TakeuGuest: Lola AmourCreative Producer:Yamato MiyakeCreative Direction:GOLDNRUSH Co., Ltd.Art Department:ONSA Inc.Art Director:samiArt Department Coordinator:Riku MatsuseProduction:OASIZ Inc.

From Asia to the World — A New Era of Sound

アジアのシーンを牽引するアーティストたちとの対話を通して、“アジアミュージック”という未定義のカルチャーに輪郭を与えていく。

【訂正】

32:53 優里さんのお名前を「Yuki」と言い間違えております。大変失礼いたしました。

[Correction]

32:53 I mistakenly referred to Yuri as "Yuki". I apologize for the error.

■ BGYO

The Storm of the Philippines Taking P-Pop to the World.A five-member Filipino boy group consisting of Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki, and Nate. Debuting in 2021, BGYO quickly established themselves as a powerhouse in the P-pop (Philippine Pop) scene with their sharp choreography, top-tier vocal performances, and powerful presence.Known as the "Aces of P-pop," they have continually pushed the boundaries of Filipino music, releasing hits that resonate not just locally but across the globe. With their relentless energy and passion, BGYO is taking the world by storm, proving that Philippine music is a global force to be reckoned with.

フィリピンから世界へ — P-POPの未来を担う「嵐」。

フィリピン発の5人組ボーイズグループ。メンバーはGelo、Akira、JL、Mikki、Nate。2021年にデビューするや否や、一糸乱れぬシャープなダンスと高いボーカルスキルで、瞬く間にP-POPシーンのトップへ躍り出た。「The Aces of P-pop」と称され、フィリピン国内にとどまらず、グローバルな音楽シーンでも熱い注目を集めている。その圧倒的なエネルギーと情熱で、フィリピン音楽の新たな可能性を世界に証明し続けている、今最も勢いのあるグループ。

■ FOLLOW BGYO

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bgyo_ph/

X: https://x.com/BGYO_PH

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BGYO_PH

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bgyo_ph

BGYO YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bgyoofficial Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-ja/artist/10bk3EHVC30yi6F10nmvL8?si=3DJ-9SoHQBigxSdVho475w&nd=1&dlsi=8b73dc034799450c

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bgyo/1549491522

■ YUGEN OFFICIALWeb Site:

http://ygen.net/

【Time Stamps】

0:00 - Intro

2:05 - Introduction to BGYO

3:51 - Defining P-Pop and representing the Philippines

4:41 - The power of speaking "Taglish"

6:19 - The group's diverse and global backgrounds

7:35 - The struggles of debuting and performing during the COVID-19 pandemic

9:55 - Star Hunt Academy and how the members got scouted

11:06 - Strict daily training routines and diets

13:12 - Childhood dreams before becoming P-Pop idols

15:09 - JL's funny audition story

16:55 - Korean trainers and learning to dance from scratch

18:30 - The members' athletic backgrounds

20:20 - Balancing intense idol training and college studies

23:03 - Living together, building brotherhood, and resolving fights

24:17 - Group roles and collaborating on songwriting and choreography

26:03 - Musical influences, exploring R&B, and favorite artists

29:52 - What Original Pinoy Music (OPM) means to them

32:41 - Dream collaborations

33:50 - Touring internationally and performing at Summer Sonic in Thailand

39:16 - The growth and future of the Asian music market

40:04 - The core message of BGYO's music: Confidence and self-acceptance

42:19 - Performing in Japan and learning from other artists at D.U.N.K. Showcase

44:06 - Enjoying Japan: Favorite foods and Konbini hacks

45:31 - Future music genres they want to explore

46:27 - Hobbies and private life off-stage

48:33 - BGYO's ultimate vision and taking Asian music to the global scale

CREDITS

YUGEN Production Committee

―

MC: Isaac Y. Takeu

Guest: Akira & JL from BGYO

Creative Producer:

Yamato Miyake

Creative Direction:

GOLDNRUSH Co., Ltd.

Camera Department:

Rem EguraShohei

UdaSeiichiro Okuma

Art Department:

ONSA Inc.

Art Director:

sami

Art Department Coordinator:

Riku Matsuse

Production crew:

Yo Takahashi

Yuna Ishiyama

Production Assistant:

Taiga Hironaka

Tetsuya Watanabe

Production:

OASIZ Inc.

From Asia to the World — A New Era of Sound

アジアのシーンを牽引するアーティストたちとの対話を通して、“アジアミュージック”という未定義のカルチャーに輪郭を与えていく。

■ Cup of Joe

The Band That Rewrote Philippine Music HistoryFive artists from Baguio City who turned OPM into a global phenomenon.Born in a Saint Louis University classroom in November 2018, Cup of Joe crafts a sound unlike anything else — acoustic warmth layered with alternative edge, retro-wave atmosphere, and neo-folk soul. It's music that's intimate and expansive at once.Their single "Multo" changed everything: the first-ever song by a Filipino act to enter the Billboard Global 200 (peak: No. 80), and as of February 2026, the most-streamed OPM song of all time on Spotify. From Baguio to the world.Winners of the Special Award for Philippine Popular Music at Music Awards Japan 2026. Stardust World Tour completed across North America and the Middle East. Cup of Joe is rewriting what Filipino music can do — and they're only getting started.

フィリピン音楽の歴史を塗り替えた、バギオ発の5人組。2018年11月、フィリピン・バギオのセント・ルイス大学の教室から生まれたバンド。アコースティックのぬくもりとオルタナティブの鋭さ、レトロウェイブの陰影とネオフォークの詩情が交差する独自のサウンドで、じわじわと、しかし確実に世界を塗り替えていった。シングル「Multo」でフィリピン勢初のBillboard Global 200入り（最高80位）を達成。2026年2月には、Spotifyにおけるフィリピン楽曲の歴代最多再生曲に輝く。Music Awards Japan 2026でフィリピンポップミュージック特別賞を受賞。北米・中東を縦断したStardust World Tourを成功させ、バギオから世界へ——その物語はまだ続いている。

■ FOLLOW Cup of Joe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cupofjoemusic_/

X: https://www.x.com/cupofjoemusic

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CupOfJoeRecords/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cupofjoemusic

Cup of Joe Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPq0kgKjpNzryoNbRp5eUyQ

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/61nn6nOoLWjVC1ER2qFAvN

■ YUGEN OFFICIALWeb Site:

http://ygen.net/

【Time Stamps】

00:00 Intro

01:56 Meet Cup of Joe

02:53 Defining the Sound of OPM

09:17 How Cup of Joe Was Formed

13:20 The Song That Changed Everything

15:20 How Cup of Joe Writes Songs

17:01 The Story Behind the Name “Cup of Joe”

19:12 From Friends to Professional Musicians

22:20 Balancing College and Music

25:01 Why Baguio Inspires Their Music

26:46 Filipino Culture & Identity

31:28 Writing Relatable Lyrics

32:16 The Story Behind “Multo”

34:30 The Meaning of the “Silakbo” Album

36:30 What They Want Listeners to Feel

38:36 How Music Changed Their Lives

41:42 Dreams Beyond the Philippines

44:13 Living Together as a Band

46:25 Life Outside of Music

47:52 The Future of Asian Music

50:05 How Cup of Joe Wants to Go Global

CREDITS

YUGEN Production Committee

VIVA RECORDS CORP.

―

MC: Isaac Y. Takeu

Guest: Cup of Joe

Creative Producer:

Yamato Miyake

Creative Direction:

GOLDNRUSH Co., Ltd.

Camera Department:

Rem Egura

Shohei Uda

Seiichiro Okuma

Art Department:

ONSA Inc.

Art Director:

sami

Art Department Coordinator:

Riku Matsuse

Production crew:

Yo Takahashi

Yuna Ishiyama

Production Assistant:

Taiga Hironaka

Tetsuya Watanabe

Production:

OASIZ Inc.

From Asia to the World — A New Era of Sound

アジアのシーンを牽引するアーティストたちとの対話を通して、“アジアミュージック”という未定義のカルチャーに輪郭を与えていく。

【訂正】

32:53 優里さんのお名前を「Yuki」と言い間違えております。大変失礼いたしました。

[Correction]

32:53 I mistakenly referred to Yuri as "Yuki". I apologize for the error.

■ BGYO

The Storm of the Philippines Taking P-Pop to the World.A five-member Filipino boy group consisting of Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki, and Nate. Debuting in 2021, BGYO quickly established themselves as a powerhouse in the P-pop (Philippine Pop) scene with their sharp choreography, top-tier vocal performances, and powerful presence.Known as the "Aces of P-pop," they have continually pushed the boundaries of Filipino music, releasing hits that resonate not just locally but across the globe. With their relentless energy and passion, BGYO is taking the world by storm, proving that Philippine music is a global force to be reckoned with.

フィリピンから世界へ — P-POPの未来を担う「嵐」。

フィリピン発の5人組ボーイズグループ。メンバーはGelo、Akira、JL、Mikki、Nate。2021年にデビューするや否や、一糸乱れぬシャープなダンスと高いボーカルスキルで、瞬く間にP-POPシーンのトップへ躍り出た。「The Aces of P-pop」と称され、フィリピン国内にとどまらず、グローバルな音楽シーンでも熱い注目を集めている。その圧倒的なエネルギーと情熱で、フィリピン音楽の新たな可能性を世界に証明し続けている、今最も勢いのあるグループ。

■ FOLLOW BGYO

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bgyo_ph/

X: https://x.com/BGYO_PH

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BGYO_PH

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bgyo_ph

BGYO YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bgyoofficial Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-ja/artist/10bk3EHVC30yi6F10nmvL8?si=3DJ-9SoHQBigxSdVho475w&nd=1&dlsi=8b73dc034799450c

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bgyo/1549491522

■ YUGEN OFFICIALWeb Site:

http://ygen.net/

【Time Stamps】

0:00 - Intro

2:05 - Introduction to BGYO

3:51 - Defining P-Pop and representing the Philippines

4:41 - The power of speaking "Taglish"

6:19 - The group's diverse and global backgrounds

7:35 - The struggles of debuting and performing during the COVID-19 pandemic

9:55 - Star Hunt Academy and how the members got scouted

11:06 - Strict daily training routines and diets

13:12 - Childhood dreams before becoming P-Pop idols

15:09 - JL's funny audition story

16:55 - Korean trainers and learning to dance from scratch

18:30 - The members' athletic backgrounds

20:20 - Balancing intense idol training and college studies

23:03 - Living together, building brotherhood, and resolving fights

24:17 - Group roles and collaborating on songwriting and choreography

26:03 - Musical influences, exploring R&B, and favorite artists

29:52 - What Original Pinoy Music (OPM) means to them

32:41 - Dream collaborations

33:50 - Touring internationally and performing at Summer Sonic in Thailand

39:16 - The growth and future of the Asian music market

40:04 - The core message of BGYO's music: Confidence and self-acceptance

42:19 - Performing in Japan and learning from other artists at D.U.N.K. Showcase

44:06 - Enjoying Japan: Favorite foods and Konbini hacks

45:31 - Future music genres they want to explore

46:27 - Hobbies and private life off-stage

48:33 - BGYO's ultimate vision and taking Asian music to the global scale

CREDITS

YUGEN Production Committee

―

MC: Isaac Y. Takeu

Guest: Akira & JL from BGYO

Creative Producer:

Yamato Miyake

Creative Direction:

GOLDNRUSH Co., Ltd.

Camera Department:

Rem EguraShohei

UdaSeiichiro Okuma

Art Department:

ONSA Inc.

Art Director:

sami

Art Department Coordinator:

Riku Matsuse

Production crew:

Yo Takahashi

Yuna Ishiyama

Production Assistant:

Taiga Hironaka

Tetsuya Watanabe

Production:

OASIZ Inc.

From Asia to the World — A New Era of Sound

アジアのシーンを牽引するアーティストたちとの対話を通して、“アジアミュージック”という未定義のカルチャーに輪郭を与えていく。

■ Alan｜BUS — Because of You I Shine

The rapper and senior member leading Thailand's next-generation boy group BUS.Debuting on December 6, 2023 under SONRAY MUSIC with BUS's debut single ""Because of You, I Shine,"" Alan arrived with a presence hard to ignore. Raised across the Philippines and Singapore, he carries a multicultural perspective that shapes every bar he writes.He penned his own rap on BUS's second single ""Watch Your Step"" — a testament to his range as both performer and songwriter.Rapper, songwriter — Alan continues to expand what it means to be an artist, building a following across Asia and beyond.

タイ・バンコク発、アジアを席巻する次世代グループBUSのラッパー。タイのエンターテインメント企業SONRAY MUSIC所属グループBUSの最年長メンバーとしてグループを率いる。2023年12月6日、デビューシングル「Because of You, I Shine」でシーンに颯爽と登場。フィリピン・シンガポールでの生活経験から、多文化的な視点と柔軟な表現力を身に纏う。ラッパーとしてのスキルに加え、楽曲制作にも才能を発揮。グループ2ndシングル「Watch Your Step」ではラップ歌詞の作詞を手がけ、ステージを超えたマルチクリエイターとして、日本を含むアジア各国からの注目を集めている。

■ FOLLOW Aalan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alan.busofficial/

X: https://x.com/alan_pasawee

BUS Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bus.becauseofyouishine

■ YUGEN OFFICIALWeb Site:

http://ygen.net/

【Time Stamps】

00:00 Intro

1:50 Introduction to Alan

02:22 What “BUS (Because of You, I Shine)” Means

04:05 Why Does BUS Have 12 Members?

07:49 ALAN Never Wanted to Be an Idol

09:53 Finding His Place as an Artist

11:44 Being the Leader of BUS

15:00 How BUS Creates Their Music

17:07 BUS Subunit & Song Production

18:44 What Makes T-Pop Unique?

19:54 Thai Storytelling in Music

21:21 Living in Different Countries

25:17 First Overseas Tour & M COUNTDOWN

26:24 What Makes BUS Different?

28:07 Stray Kids Inspiration

30:30 Dream of Producing BUS’s Music

31:41 The Message ALAN Wants His Music to Share

32:27 Learning to Rap

34:25 Life Outside of BUS

35:25 “Busing” Reality Show in Japan

38:05 Favorite Japanese Food

39:07 Favorite Countries

40:08 Photography Dreams & Blackmagic Camera

41:03 Gaming & Esports

43:01 Formula 1 Passion

44:45 The Future of Asian Music

CREDITS

YUGEN Production Committee

―

MC: Isaac Y. Takeu

Guest: ALAN BUS because of you i shine

Creative Producer:

Yamato Miyake

Creative Direction:

GOLDNRUSH Co., Ltd.

Camera Department:

Rem Egura

Shohei Uda

Seiichiro Okuma

Art Department:

ONSA Inc.

Art Director:

sami

Art Department Coordinator:

Riku Matsuse

Production crew:

Yo Takahashi

Yuna Ishiyama

Production Assistant:

Taiga Hironaka

Tetsuya Watanabe

Production:

OASIZ Inc.