Tsuyoshi Kusanagi

Tsuyoshi Kusanagi
Also known as Chonan Gang (in South Korea)
Born (1974-07-09) July 9, 1974
Origin Seiyo, Ehime, Japan
Genres Japanese Pop
Occupation(s) Actor, Singer
Years active 1991–present
Labels Johnny & Associates
Website Johnnys net

Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (草彅 剛 Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, born July 9, 1974 in Seiyo, Ehime, Japan)[1] is a Japanese entertainer. Kusanagi is a member of the popular Japanese idol group SMAP and has also appeared in a number of television dramas, variety shows and movies.

Background

Kusanagi grew up in Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan.

He made several long visits to South Korea in 2003, auditioning and appearing on variety TV shows and commercials. He released a Korean language CD in Korea and Japan.

In 2004, he hosted his own variety show Chonan Gang (チョナン・カン Chonan Kan) with Korean guests and themes. The show was named after himself, as Kusanagi uses Chonan Gang (초난강), the Korean reading of his name, as his stage name in South Korea.[2] He has also hosted a program in which he talked with South Korean President Roh Mu-hyun in Korean, while the president was on an official visit to Japan in June 2003.[3]

He had the lead role in the movie, Yomigaeri (黄泉がえり) (January 18, 2003; a Japan public presentation). Moreover, his Korean-language-Japanese-produced movie Hotel Venus (ホテルビーナス Hoteru Bīnasu) (March 6, 2004 Japan public presentation) was submitted to the Moscow International Film Festival on June 25, 2004.

Although not one of the more popular members of SMAP at first, following his well-received performances in a variety of roles, and riding the hanryū wave in the wake of the success of Winter Sonata in Japan, Kusanagi has come to be one of the more popular members of SMAP.

Arrest

Around 3 am on April 23, 2009, Kusanagi was arrested on suspicion of public indecency. Reportedly he was dancing naked while under the influence of alcohol in Hinokicho park in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo. When confronted by police who were called to the spot he responded "What's wrong with being naked? (裸だったら何が悪い Hadaka dattara naniga warui)", which went on to become an online meme in Japan[4][5][6]

Kusanagi appeared at a press conference held on the night of April 24, 2009 accompanied by his attorney, and apologized for his misbehavior.[7] "As an adult, my actions were embarrassing... I drank too much, to the extent that I was out of control. I regret my actions very much."[7] Prosecutors decided not to indict Kusanagi because of his apology and the embarrassment resulting from the incident.[8]

For his actions, he was taken off the campaign for Japan's transition to digital television in 2011, but was reinstated after a request from Kusanagi to do so, as well as promising to shoot the commercials for free.[9]

Kusanagi returned to the entertainment business on the May 28 taping of the SMAP×SMAP variety show. The show aired on Fuji Television on June 1 as he was seen holding back tears while singing the single "Arigatou".[8]

Filmography

Dramas

Variety programs

Movies

Other


References

  1. ↑ The second character 彅 in his Japanese name is composed of a thinned 弓 the left of a 剪. (It does not appear correctly in some cases.)
  2. ↑ "SMAP's Kusanagi dropped from commercials, TV appearances in wake of arrest". The Mainichi Daily News (The Mainichi Newspapers). April 23, 2009. Archived from the original on April 27, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  3. ↑ dongA.com
  4. ↑ "SMAP member Kusanagi arrested for stripping naked in Tokyo park". Japan Today. Kyodo. April 23, 2009.
  5. ↑ "SMAP Member Kusanagi Arrested For Public Indecency". NIKKEI.com (Nikkei Inc.). Kyodo News. April 23, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  6. ↑ "SMAP member Kusanagi arrested for public indecency". The Mainichi Daily News (The Mainichi Newspapers). April 23, 2009. Archived from the original on April 27, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  7. 1 2 "Disgraced SMAP star apologizes for drunken, nude romp in park". The Mainichi Daily News (The Mainichi Newspapers). April 25, 2009. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2009.
  8. 1 2 "Kusanagi returns to TV on May 28". The Japan Times. Kyodo News. May 15, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
  9. ↑ Kusanagi returns as face of digital TV campaign
  10. ↑ 草なぎ剛主演、連ドラ版『スペシャリスト』に夏菜＆和田正人が新加入 (in Japanese). oricon ME inc. Retrieved 2016-04-12.

External links

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