Fukumura Mizuki, a former member of the idol group Morning Musume, released her first photobooks in about two years, "Versl'Aube" and "Ruriai" (Wani Books), on October 30th. For Fukumura, who has just turned 29, this is her "last photobook in her twenties" and is also positioned as the "culmination of her twenties." We spoke to her about what her twenties were like for her, including her thoughts on her current activities.
Fukumura graduated from Morning Musume in November 2023. After a year-long hiatus, she resumed her entertainment career and released her solo debut single, "Long Love Letter/I Don't Need an Anniversary," in April of this year.
Fukumura turned 29 with the simultaneous release of her photobooks "Versl'Aube" and "Ruriai." With one year left in her twenties, she revealed, "I think I had a lot of fun."
"There were years that I was satisfied with, and years when I felt like I could have tried a little harder, or faced things more, although I wouldn't go so far as to regret it. But overall, I think I was able to work hard all the time and had a lot of fun."
She was a member of Morning Musume for 12 years and 10 months from 2011. She became the group's 9th leader in November 2014, and has also served as the leader of Hello! Project since 2019.
"I've always been able to face both the group and myself, and that hasn't changed even after I graduated. Even during the time I was on hiatus, I was able to face myself all the time, so I didn't have any specific thoughts about what I wanted to do at the end of my twenties."
After graduating from Morning Musume about two years ago, Fukumura says that even during her hiatus, she "lived a very active life."
"I was very aggressive and set goals and took action, even if it meant pushing myself a little, so I realized that it's important to be on the move, and my life has become richer. I was able to do more and my world was expanding, which was purely fun, so I want to keep going like this."
Fukumura describes herself as "the type of person who really switches on when it comes to work."
"Right now, I want to do a lot of work, and I want to focus on singing first and foremost, but I also want to be someone who can take on a variety of challenges, so I have high hopes that I will be able to enter my 30s with great results."
"Ruriai" is B5 size and costs 3,850 yen. "Versl'Aube" is A4 size and comes with a making-of DVD (90 minutes) and a super rare bath poster. 6,820 yen.
