Former SMAP member Shingo Katori’s appearance on terrestrial TV is a shocking story! The topic of discussion is his “fan-first” attitude!

Former SMAP member Shingo Katori appeared on the November 16 broadcast of the music special program “Best Hit Songs Festival 2023” (NTV).’ Although he has not had the opportunity to perform on terrestrial TV since the group’s dissolution in 2004, he received a string of rave reviews on social networking sites. In addition, Katori took on the role of Beat Takeshi in a drama reenactment in “Nobody Knows Akashiya Sanma Part 9” (aired on the 26th of the same month). This too received high praise from viewers, showing the high quality of both singing and acting on TV after a long absence.

Katori is a veteran performer with more than 30 years of experience, having joined the former Johnny’s office (now SMILE-UP.) when he was in the 5th grade of elementary school. After leaving the office in 2005, she has been working under former SMAP chief manager Michi Iijima, and has also released songs as a solo artist.

Katori sang “BETTING,” a song in collaboration with the 13-member Korean group SEVENTEEN, at the “Best Hit Song Festival. With his dynamic singing voice and sharp dance moves, he showed off the charm of the “Shingo Katori of today” to the fullest. This was the first time I had seen a solo performance,

I’ve never seen a solo performance before, but Shingo Katori is so cool now!
Shingo, I was surprised to see that your singing has gotten so much better since your SMAP days. Amazing!
Shingo-chan, of course you’re a great singer, but you’re also really cool!　I hope you’ll appear on other music shows!

I wonder if he’ll appear on other music shows. Katori continued to raise his stock in “Nobody Knows Akashiya-sanma,” in which he appeared on the VTR.

He played the role of Beat Takeshi in the special drama. The main character, Akashiya Sanma, was played by Gosuke Iwata (EXILE, J SOUL BROTHERS 3rd from EXILE TRIBE), and the story depicted their friendship when they were young. Katori, in particular, was a perfect Takeji in the way he walked, how he looked, and even the tone of his voice.

Katori’s performance was a hit with viewers,

I was surprised to see that Shingo Katori was exactly like Beat Takeshi.
Shingo Katori’s portrayal of Takeshi looks so much like Takeshi, the way he walks and the way he looks behind him, he looks just like Takeshi. It’s more than just a role.

He was well received by the audience.