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Fujii Karen (藤井夏恋) is a Japanese vocalist, performer, actress, model, designer and business woman. She is a former member of Happiness, E-girls and ShuuKaRen, and currently active as a model and actress.
She was an exclusive model of the fashion magazine JJ from 2013 to 2021.
Besides her activities in the entertainment industry, she is the founder and creative director of the apparel brand NEROLI.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Fujii Karen was born on July 16, 1996 in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. She is the younger sister of Fujii Shuuka and Johnnys' WEST member Fujii Ryusei.
She was scouted in her hometown, Osaka, and entered the entertainment industry. While belonging to the office in which she got scouted, she participated in EXILE's dance competition and started to attend the academy EXPG, studying both dancing and singing.
2008[]
In October, it was decided that she would become a member of the unit Happiness among other EXPG students, and her official stage name became KAREN.
2009[]
In February, she began her modeling career by becoming an exclusive model for the magazine nicola.
2011[]
On February 9, she made major debut with Happiness with their single "Kiss Me".
On April 24, she was announced as member of E-girls, having a concurrent position between the group and Happiness.
2013[]
In May, her work as an exclusive model of nicola ended.[1]
On June 3, she changed her stage name and started using her birth name.
On July 22, it was announced that Fujii had been chosen as muse for the apparel brand Samantha Thavasa and would start working as an exclusive model for the magazine JJ.[2]
2014[]
In January, she made her debut as actress on the TV drama Koibumi Biyori.
2016[]
On August 11, she was announced to debut in the unit ShuuKaRen alongside Fujii Shuuka. The duo debuted on October 5.
2017[]
In February, she was the cover of the April issue of JJ, being her first magazine cover since her debut as a model.[3]
On December 31, Shuuka graduated from Flower and ShuuKaRen and retired from entertainment business. With Karen being the only remaining member of the duo, ShuuKaRen has disbanded.
2019[]
On July 16, she released her first photobook KAREN.
2020[]
In mid 2020, she became the brand director of Karen's Closet.[4]
On December 31, she left E-girls with the group's disbandment.
2021[]
NEROLI logo
On March 29, Fujii announced that she had obtained the official qualification to be a fashion designer.[4] She had started studying fashion when the first state of emergency was declared.[5]
On May 13, she announced her own frashion brand named NEROLI and became its director. Besides being a brand, it would also serve as a long-term project.[6][7][8] The brand officially launched with the release of its first collection on July 16, Fujii's 25th birthday.[9]
In October, she played her first leading role in ABEMA's digital drama Kaisha wa Gakkou Janeen da yo Shinsedai Gyakushuu Hen.[10]
In mid December, she became the image model and producer for her own line of colored contact lenses under the brand Angel Eyes by KAREN (エンジェルアイズ by KAREN).
On December 15, she attended the BVLGARI AVRORA AWARDS 2021 held in Chiba Prefecture.[11]
Sometime in 2021, she graduated as an exclusive model from the magazine JJ.
2022[]
In April, Fujii was included in the actor section of LDH's website.
On December 7, she attended the BVLGARI AVRORA AWARDS 2022 ceremony held in Tokyo.[12]
2023[]
On June 5, it was announced that Happiness would be disbanding on September 26 following a last live concert. With the announcement, it was revealed that after the disbandment Fujii will focus on her activities individually, while the remaining members of the group would focus on SG5.[13] As for the reason for the group's disbandment, Fujii commented, "We did not come to this decision because of anything negative, but now is the right time for each of us to take on bigger challenges and make our dreams come true, using our activities with Happiness as inspiration.", "Happiness will always exist in our minds, and we will always love our Happiness fans."[14]
On August 23, it was announced that Fujii had been appointed by London-based makeup brand RIMMEL as its local brand ambassador in Japan.[15][16]
On September 26, she left Happiness with the group's disbandment.
2024[]
In June, her profile on LDH's website was moved to the model section.
Personal Life[]
- Family
Fujii is the younger sister of former Flower/E-girls member Fujii Shuuka and Johnnys' WEST member Fujii Ryusei. In early 2023, she revealed that she used to fight with her older sister on TV and at rehearsals when they were members of E-girls together, but that they would not do that anymore. She added that she had come to respect her older sister especially since she became a mother. On the other hand, Fujii revealed that she never had a fight with her brother and that he would exude gentleness.[17]
When asked if she wanted to have children in early 2023, she replied that she would indeed want to have children herself and that she was already thinking of names.[17]
- Relationships
On December 5, 2024, Fujii announced her marriage to singer YU, the frontman of the band I Don't Like Mondays., after dating for several years. Additionally, the couple revealed that they would hope to be able to present new forms of work together to everyone in the future.[18][19][20][21][22]
- Health
On August 4, 2022, it was announced that Fujii had been infected with COVID-19 and would carefully follow the instructions of the public health center and experts for a healthy recovery. Thus, she would not appear at the CL 2nd Anniversary CL25 Dream For All OPENING FES scheduled for August 9.[23][24]
Works[]
Music[]
Filmography[]
- Movies
- [2016] HiGH&LOW THE MOVIE
- TV Dramas
- [2014] Koibumi Biyori (episode 5)
- [2015] HiGH&LOW ~THE STORY OF S.W.O.R.D.~
- [2016] HiGH&LOW Season 2
- [2021] Kaisha wa Gakkou Janeen da yo Shinsedai Gyakushuu Hen (会社は学校じゃねぇんだよ 新世代逆襲編)
- [2022] Youtuber ni Musume haya ran! (ユーチューバーに娘はやらん！)[25]
- [2022] Ryosangata Riko (量産型リコ)[26][27][28]
- [2022] Crescendo de Susume (クレッシェンドで進め)[29]
- [2023] Ryosangata Riko -Mou 1-ri no Puramo Joshi no Jinsei Kumitate-ki- (量産型リコ -もう1人のプラモ女子の人生組み立て記-)[30][31][32]
- Digital Dramas
- [2023] Ore, Yuko (おれ、夕子)[33]
- Digital Programs
- [2023] WARPs DIG 365 Nichi Micchaku! Debut Member Kettei Chokuzen Special![34]
Publications[]
- Photobook
- [2019.07.16] KAREN
Fashion[]
- Runways
- [2013] GirlsAward 2013 AUTUMN /WINTER[35]
- [2014] Joshiryoku UP! Onna no ko no Tame no Fuyu no Gakuen-sai 2014[36]
- [2015] GirlsAward 2015 AUTUMN/WINTER[37]
- [2016] Ready for Lady Haru no Gakuen-sai[38][39]
- [2016] TOKYO GIRLS MUSIC FES. 2016[40][41]
- [2017] 25th TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION 2017 AUTUMN/WINTER[42][43][44]
- [2017] GirlsAward 2017 AUTUMN/WINTER[45][46]
- [2018] MYNAVI presents The 26th TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION 2018 SPRING/SUMMER[47][48]
- [2018] MYNAVI presents The 27th TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION 2018 AUTUMN/WINTER[49][50]
- [2018] GirlsAward 2018 AUTUMN/WINTER[51][52]
- [2019] Samantha Thavasa 25th Anniversary Kick-off Pre-Happyoukai[53]
- [2019] SDGs promotion TGC Shizuoka 2019 by TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION[54][55]
- [2021] 32nd MYNAVI TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION 2021 SPRING/SUMMER[56]
- [2021] 33rd MYNAVI TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION 2021 AUTUMN/WINTER[57][58]
- [2022] 34th MYNAVI TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION 2022 SPRING/SUMMER[59][60]
- [2022] 35th MYNAVI TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION 2022 AUTUMN/WINTER[61][62]
- [2022] Rakuten GirlsAward 2022 AUTUMN/WINTER[63][64]
- [2023] TGC SHIZUOKA 2023 for SDGs by TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION[65]
- [2023] oomiya presents TGC WAKAYAMA 2023 by TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION[66][67]
- [2023] 36th MYNAVI TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION 2023 SPRING/SUMMER[68]
- [2023] Rakuten GirlsAward 2023 SPRING/SUMMER[69]
- [2023] 37th MYNAVI TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION 2023 AUTUMN/WINTER[70][71]
- [2023] Rakuten GirlsAward 2023 AUTUMN/WINTER[72]
- [2024] SDGs Suishin TGC Shizuoka 2024 by TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION[73]
- [2024] oomiya presents TGC WAKAYAMA 2024 by TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION[74]
- [2024] 38th MYNAVI TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION 2024 SPRING/SUMMER[75]
- [2024] Rakuten GirlsAward 2024 SPRING/SUMMER
Trivia[]
- Happiness member characteristics:
- Color (unofficial): Pink
- Hobbies: Singing, doing her nails
- Talent: Dancing
- Favorite Food: Fruit, plums, octopus
- Favorite Brands: 24karats, INGNI, ANAP
- Goal: To be an artist who can sing and dance
- According to herself, she is not good at sports except for dancing. Furthermore, she is afraid of balls and dislikes ball games.[76]
- She doesn't talk about work with her brother and sister often.[77]
- Her fashion motto is to wear black but keep a feminine touch.[78] She also doesn't wear colors and patterns anymore.[79]
- Enjoys black in various materials, such as uneven or crispy.[79]
- Admires the minimalist way of enjoying fashion.[79]
- Likes jewelry that is simple and elegant, but also mode, and sharp. In terms of jewelry brands, she likes Cartier.[79]
- Listens to a variety of music genres. She particularly enjoys J-Pop from the 90s and Jazz.[5]
- Looking back on her time as a member of E-girls in her teens and early twenties, she later revealed that she was foolhardy and that there was a part of her that was trying to fit in with everyone else. However, around the age of 23, she began to feel strongly that she should properly enjoy her life. Since then, she has been asking herself if she can experience fulfillment by doing something or if she can work on it with passion when making a choice, and this has become her motivation.[79]
- Making choices with her own branding in mind is another aspect she values, which she has learned from the people around her. "Thankfully, there have been many wonderful adults around me since I was a child, and I have learned how to face my work from them."[79]
- Wants to be a senior who can push the backs of junior members by my her way of being and attitude. "It is important to maintain your position as a senior without being overly self-conscious about "giving advice" or "leading the way" just because you are a senior."[79]
- Is close with the members of iScream and Girls².[79]
- Looks forward to her 30s as its the age she always wanted to be. "The ideal 30-year-old I envision is one who is working, but is also married, has a family, and has a fulfilling private life."[79]
- Puts a lot of importance on her work life, and wants to continue doing so in the future. "Even if my life stage changes, I would like to continue working. I am interested in both front and behind-the-scenes work, so I want to continue to challenge myself without setting limits for myself. I hope I can become a woman who can enjoy both her work and private life, and who has enough time to spare."[79]
- According to herself, starting her acting career in 2021 in earnest gave her a lot of inspiration and new experience. "I had never had a proper audition before, so the experience of going through the application screening process, going to the audition site, introducing myself, and performing my special skills and acting was exciting and new to me. I had always been active as part of a group and had always been with the other members, so I was a bit confused to go to the audition by myself, but I am glad that I was able to gain a variety of experiences and broaden my horizons."[79]
- She started a personal Instagram account on November 24, 2017.
- She started a personal Twitter account on May 12, 2021.
References[]
- ↑ nicolaありがとう KAREN
- ↑ E-girlsの4人が「CanCam」「JJ」「Ray」の専属モデルに抜擢
- ↑ E-girls藤井夏恋「JJ」で初単独表紙 美肌あらわな大胆肩出し
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/2507029
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://mdpr.jp/interview/detail/2901480
- ↑ https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202105140000491.html
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/2577478
- ↑ https://www.wws-channel.com/fashion2/284738.html?view=more
- ↑ https://www.tokyoheadline.com/685009/
- ↑ https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202109020000428.html
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/2915305
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3494499
- ↑ Happinessを応援してくださる皆さんへ
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3784227
- ↑ https://www.fashionsnap.com/article/2023-08-23/rimmel-fujiikaren/
- ↑ https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000034.000070412.html
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3539644
- ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2357667/full/
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/602436
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4443494
- ↑ https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2024/12/05/kiji/20241205s00041000273000c.html
- ↑ https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202412050000795.html
- ↑ https://m.ldh-m.jp/news/detail?news_id=39299
- ↑ https://www.ldh.co.jp/eng/news/detail.php?lang=eng&site=LDH&newsid=0000039299
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3015886
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/478558
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3167457
- ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2235721/full/
- ↑ https://m.ldhgirls-m.jp/news/detail?news_id=40376
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/524141
- ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2280197/full/
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/drama/detail/3762509
- ↑ https://www.ldh.co.jp/eng/news/detail.php?lang=eng&site=Egirls&newsid=0000042590
- ↑ https://www.ldh.co.jp/eng/news/detail.php?lang=eng&site=Egirls&newsid=0000042538
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/interview/detail/1287173
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/fashion/detail/1331098
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1536526
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1569105
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1569057
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1570302
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1572670
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1704486
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1711675
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1711861
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1712005
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1714943
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1757054
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/interview/detail/1760604
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1789957
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1782927
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1793135
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1790682
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1820017
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1815530
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1806550
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/2460223
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/2753952
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/2753779
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3068233
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/fashion/detail/3068509
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3336159
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/fashion/detail/3338800
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3395506
- ↑ https://www.lvtimes.net/photo/37313/
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3554264
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3517826
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3599177
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3633764
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3731600
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3930414
- ↑ https://girlswalker.com/archives/317349/
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3977397
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4145367
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4180196
- ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2310938/full/
- ↑ https://thetv.jp/news/detail/1049443/p2/
- ↑ https://times.abema.tv/articles/-/10002096
- ↑ https://voguegirl.jp/special/dsquared2/210226/#!/g/1/5/
- ↑ 79.00 79.01 79.02 79.03 79.04 79.05 79.06 79.07 79.08 79.09 79.10 https://classy-online.jp/lifestyle/296312/
External links[]
- Official Instagram
- Official Twitter
- Agency Profile
- Actress/Model
- Happiness Member (archived)
- NEROLI
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| Fujii Shuuka • Fujii Karen | |
| Discography | |
| Singles | 1. UNIVERSE |
| Digital Singles | 1. LOVE YOUR LIFE / Parallel Synchronicity |
| Songs | UNIVERSE • Tricky • Take-A-Shot! • LOVE YOUR LIFE • Parallel Synchronicity |
| Concerts & Tours | |
| Concerts Featured In | E-girls: E.G. SMILE • E.G.EVOLUTION |
| Units & Other Acts | |
| Associated Acts | E-girls • Happiness • Flower |