Brother Korn’s Showbiz Memoir – Glamour Parties and the Bubble Era

Tunnels’ Encounter with RIKACO

In 1990, WON’T BE LONG was released and sold 1.7 million copies. Brother Korn (69) of the “Bubblegum Brothers,” who dominated the music scene during the Bubble Era, is also known as one of the entertainment industry’s biggest playboys, holding the nickname “Father of Roppongi.” Ahead of his 70th birthday, in the second part of an interview reflecting on his life swimming with the bubble, the theme is the encounters and nightlife of the chaotic era.

“I’ve been going to discos since junior high (laughs). Even after WON’T BE LONG hit, my way of having fun didn’t change much.

The only thing that changed was how much money I’d spend in a night. I’d stuff my pockets with bundles of cash and head out to the night spots of Ginza and Roppongi, popping Dom Perignon and Cristal at my regular clubs every time. I’d even treat strangers at the club, easily spending around 2 million yen in one night.

The way we paid was unusual. Back then in Ginza, there was a game called ‘Card Russian.’ When the bill came, everyone would put their credit cards on the table. We’d shuffle them into a deck, and a girl would pick one. The person whose card was picked had to pay the full amount.

On nights when we opened expensive bottles, everyone would be nervous, but we’d put on a brave face in front of the girls—men are such fools (laughs).

I first met Tunnels when I was in my 20s at the show pub ‘Kon’ in Shinjuku. We partied together a lot, even hopping between seven discos in one night. All our spots were VIP. I’ve hung out with various celebrities, but without a doubt, the two from Tunnels were the best.

After our disco tour, they would always stay at my house, and the next day, we’d go for lunch at a western-style restaurant called ‘Newburg’ in Koenji (Suginami Ward, Tokyo). We didn’t bother with disguises and would walk around Roppongi and Ginza so confidently that people thought we were look-alikes (laughs).”

Korn also recalls another celebrity he often hung out with, talent RIKACO (59).

“My first meeting with RIKACO was on the set of the drama Goodbye Triangle (Fuji TV). She played a high school girl, and I played her senior. At the time, RIKACO was part of a 7-member idol group called ‘Shower.’ We hit it off quickly because we were both party lovers.

‘Hey, bro, there’s a new club opening event in Shibuya tomorrow,’ she’d say, and we’d often go out together. To me, she felt like a little sister.

Now, she’s an organic advisor and into healthy living, but in her 20s and 30s, RIKACO was just as wild as I was. When we went drinking, she’d disappear from the bar, and by the time I noticed, she was already at the second or third spot. I saw her walking drunk down the street many times.

She was so sociable that everyone loved her. Wherever we went, people would call out, ‘RIKACO! Come drink with us!'”

Among his legendary partying stories, Korn says one of the most memorable was his 43rd birthday party.

Banned after paying 8 million yen in compensation

“I rented the top-floor suite of a luxury hotel for the party, and of course, Tunnels, RIKACO, Ai Iijima, Uno Kanda (50), Kazushige Nagashima (59), and others came to celebrate. We played music loudly, spraying champagne and wine all over the place. 100 pizzas were delivered, and we did whatever we wanted.

At RIKACO’s suggestion, we decided to take a commemorative photo, and when we all climbed onto a fancy table, the legs snapped. By the end of the party, the room was soaked in alcohol, and the furniture was destroyed.

I can reveal it now, but that hotel banned me and charged me 8 million yen in damages. My agency said, ‘Corn, you really went all out, huh?’ I could only reply, ‘Well, it was RIKACO’s idea’

After that, I heard they issued a directive saying, ‘Do not accept Brother Korn’s birthday party!’ (laughs). I stopped having birthday parties at hotels and started moving them to clubs in Roppongi.”

Korn’s extensive celebrity network even includes talents from the former Johnny’s office.

“I connected with Match (Masahiko Kondo, 60) and Toshikazu Fukuwa (59) through TV shows. At that time, Johnny’s talents had a hard time going out in public. So, I secretly took them to my favorite discos and show pubs. They never let loose because they couldn’t stand out, but I’m sure it was a good way for them to unwind. When I meet Match, we still talk about the old days when we used to hang out in Roppongi.”

Now, Korn runs a bar called “OLY-OLY” in Ginza while continuing his entertainment career. Even as he approaches 70, the bar attracts major figures from both the entertainment and sports worlds, including Sachiko Kobayashi (71) and Kazuyoshi Miura (58).

“Since I was young, my motto has been ‘Play seriously. Work with a playful heart.’ There’s no moderation, but I believe that’s where incredible power and out-of-the-box ideas come from, and that’s exactly what happened. I take pride in the fact that I’ve played seriously throughout my life. I hope young people today also take the time to play seriously.”

The “Father of Roppongi” who once ruled the bubble era in showbiz is now aiming to become a professional bowler. His energy still shows no signs of fading.

The autobiography “WON’T BE LONG: A Life Swimming with the Bubble”, which details the behind-the-scenes of the million-hit 1.7 million copies sold and his friendships with major celebrities, will be released on May 21 by Kodansha. Pre-orders are now available at bookstores and online stores nationwide!

From “FRIDAY” April 25 – May 2, 2025, combined issue.