WATCH: Japanese idol group stars credit card office ladies
Image: 東池袋52 (Higashi Ikebukuro 52) official website
Despite the occasional scandals and violent incidents involving them, Japanese idols continue to be popular, attracting attention wherever they go. And it is this attention-grabbing factor that prompted the formation of a new idol group in Higashi Ikebukuro (East Ikebukuro), a commercial and entertainment district in Tokyo. What’s surprising is that the group is composed entirely of female employees from a credit card company.
Image: YouTube/永久不滅チャンネル
The group is called Higashi Ikebukuro 52 and the company that the ladies belong to is credit card company Credit Saison, reports NetLab via RocketNews24.
All 24 members of the group are amateurs. To train them, Saison put together a professional team which consists of cameramen that have worked with idol group Nogizaka46, along with other experienced industry professionals to work on choreography, lyrics and other details.
The group is so-named because Saison’s headquarters is found on the 52nd floor of the Sunshine 60 building complex in Higashi Ikebukuro.
Higashi Ikebukuro 52 has already released their first single titled “Watashi Saison” (I Saison). Their music video can be seen below, as well as a behind-the-scenes clip.
For now, the video is only available online but plans for a television screening have been laid out, along with radio ads.
A CD for “Watashi Saison” with three different jackets will also be released. Saison credit card customers may get them in exchange for points on a special point program.
Image: 東池袋52 (Higashi Ikebukuro 52) official website
Idol groups have been known to incite loyal followings that spend thousands of yen to buy albums and go to events. Perhaps, Higashi Ikebukuro 52 will have the same effect and attract more credit card customers for Saison. Alfred Bayle/JB
[I Saison video]
[Making-of video]
