Moeka Nozaki: “I’ll Evolve Like Phu Quoc Island!”
A model, actress, designer, and businesswoman. A model, actress, designer, and businesswoman, this talented woman with many faces chose a gravure photo book as the culmination of her entertainment career. She tells a secret story about the photo shoot in Vietnam.
“To all the fans, thank you so much for your patience!”
–Congratulations on the release of your first photo book on February 13th!
“Thank you! It’s been a dream of mine to release a photo book since my twenties, so I’m really happy that it’s finally come true!”
–It’s been 15 years since your debut, and this must be a long-awaited photo book for your fans. Could you share what led to its publication?
“Last April, when I joined Avex Clans, my manager and I discussed our goals for 2024, and the one thing we both agreed on that we absolutely wanted to do was release a photo book. In my previous agency, I was mainly focused on modeling work, so there wasn’t really a chance to release a gravure photo book. Fans, thank you so much for waiting!”
–I heard the photo shoot took place on Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam. What kind of place is it?
“It’s an island located in the southwest of Vietnam, and it’s a very popular resort area. It’s said to be the second most beautiful island in the world after the Maldives. While it continues to evolve as a tourist destination, it still retains a lot of nature. I chose Phu Quoc Island as the location because I wanted to keep evolving just like the island. Also, I simply wanted to visit there (laughs).”
–I’ve heard you love traveling.
“It’s my biggest hobby. Traveling helps me relax, and by having unique experiences in different places, I can grow emotionally, so I really enjoy it. This is my third time visiting Vietnam. I’ve been to Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang before. That’s why I was surprised—Phu Quoc Island felt more like a Mediterranean resort rather than a Southeast Asian one.”
–Did you have any memorable experiences on Phu Quoc Island?
“We did a lot of shoots inside the hotel, and the view of the sea and the sunrise from the bedroom was absolutely stunning. The breathtaking view from the pool in the room is unforgettable too.”
–Did you have a pool in your room?
“Yes, we did. It was quite a large pool, about 20 meters long, and I was amazed. The hotel I stayed at had several standalone villas on the property, and each villa was considered one room. The first floor had a living room, kitchen, and a large pool, while the second floor had a bathroom, bathtub, and bedroom. The bedroom alone was about 50 square meters, making it an extraordinary hotel.
The food was also amazing, and what impressed me the most was the Vietnamese-style crepes, ‘Bánh Xèo.’ The crispy outer layer and the variety of seafood fillings inside were incredible. You wrap them in vegetables, and they are absolutely delicious. I had it every day during my 4-night, 5-day stay.”
