Behind the decline in album sales of “WEST.” ……Daiki Shigeoka’s performance in “35 Years of Love Letter” has received rave reviews.

WEST.” album “A.H.O. -Audio Hang Out-” was released on March 12 and topped the “Oricon Weekly Album Ranking” (dated March 24). The album sold 183,000 copies in its first week, far below the 234,000 copies sold in the first week of the album “AWARD” released in March 2012.

While the group’s popularity is in danger of slumping, one member is reportedly being praised on the Internet.

West.” celebrated the 10th anniversary of its CD debut on April 23, ’24, and has become a talented mid-sized group within STARTO ENTERTAINMENT. 7 members debuted in ’14 after working down in Kansai Junior, but since that time The seven members debuted in 2002 after working their way up through the ranks of Kansai Junior, but they have remained together ever since, and their strong bond is one of the reasons why they are so beloved by their fans.

However, in recent years, reports of members’ infatuation have made fans uneasy. In January of this year, Terufumi Kiriyama announced his marriage to Maiko Kano, a former volleyball player with whom he had been dating for some time. Many of their fans were hostile toward Kano.

After their marriage, “Josei Seven” (Shogakukan, March 6 issue) reported, “They were seen on their honeymoon in the departure lobby of the airport,” and some people on social networking sites reacted with dismay. This is thought to be one of the reasons for the decline in album sales.

Daiki Shigeoka is receiving rave reviews for his performance in a movie he appeared in.

In the midst of all this, the group’s center performer, Daiki Shigeoka, is currently receiving high praise on the Internet. In the movie “35 Years of Love Letter” (released on March 7), starring rakugo storyteller Shofukutei Tsurube, he plays the younger version of the main character Tamotsu Nishibata (Tsurube), who is unable to read or write. From netizens who have seen the movie,

I saw “35 Years of Love Letter” and I think Daiki Shigeoka of “WEST.” is an actor of a level that should be called a genius. I’d like to see him in more acting roles.
Shigeoka-kun in “35 Years of Love Letter” was amazing, his acting was really too good. It was hard to believe that he was acting.
Mr. Shigeoka’s performance as the young Tamotsu was wonderful, and I could feel the frustration and misery of not being able to write, and it was painful.
I didn’t know this, but Daiki Shigeoka is a very gentle actor.

Several people have praised Shigeoka’s performance on social networking sites and review sites.

Acting’s reputation is also returned to “WEST.

Speaking of Shigeoka, his acting in the movie “Drowning Knife” (released in 2004), the dramas “This Will Not Fall on My Expense! (NHK, broadcast in ’19) and “Snow Woman and Crab Eater” (TV Tokyo, broadcast in ’22), and is one of STARTO’s idols who is highly regarded for his work as an actor.

When he starred in the movie “In a Closed Snowy Villa,” released in January ’24, WEST.’s song “FICTION” was used as the theme song, and the movie effect caused WEST.’s music to attract attention as well” (see above).

Looking at the comments section of “WEST. – FICTION [Official Music Video] (YouTube Ver.)” released on January 10 of the same year, some people were surprised to see Shigeoka in the music video.

[I went to see the movie without prior knowledge, so I noticed that there was an idol in the ending?　I noticed. He was acting so well, I thought he was an actor. …… After I got home, I watched the videos of them singing and dancing, and I think I’m going to like them.
[Joon] The guy in the movie was an idol!　I thought he was just a regular actor because his acting was so good!
I was drawn in by Shigeoka’s performance in the movie, and when I looked him up, I was hooked!
I wasn’t a fan, but the ending of the movie was so cool that I’ve been playing the music video on repeat!

Shigeoka’s work as an actor has also been rewarded by the group. There is no doubt that Shigeoka will continue to lead “WEST.