Kiite, kiite! SB19 amps ‘Gento’ with Kento
“Regardless of what happens during the actual performance, the most important thing is that the audience enjoys it. If the fans leave happy, then the performance is already a success.”
Although they grew up thousands of miles apart, Japanese singer-actor Kento Nakajima found it fascinating that he and SB19 have more in common than their viral “Gento” dance challenge.
Bonding over yakiniku, around the time of their joint “Gento” performance at Summer Sonic last August, they discovered that they used to watch the same kinds of shows—from anime and television dramas like “Kamen Rider” and “Ultraman.” They also talked about “Voltes V,” “Power Rangers,” and other pop culture memories.
“Because we’re from a similar generation, there was an immediate sense of familiarity,” Kento tells Lifestyle Inquirer in an email interview. “Being able to connect through those shared experiences was incredibly enjoyable, and it helped bring us closer together both as artists and as people.”
That was probably the same dinner SB19 posted about on social media with the teasing caption, “Something might be in the works…” And now, it’s here. After TikTok and the live stage, SB19’s “Gento” gets a remix with Kento, released last Oct. 30 under Sony Music.
Thanks to the conversations they had, the project felt “even more personal and meaningful,” adds Kento, who debuted with the Japanese idol group Sexy Zone in 2011 before launching his solo career with the album “N/bias” in 2024.
But beyond the personal connection, Pablo believes this collaboration could become a platform to connect Japanese and Filipino audiences.
“We saw ‘Gento’ as more than just a viral moment,” he says. “We saw it as an opportunity to start a movement and ask, ‘Where can we take Gento, and what can Gento mean for people beyond the song itself?’”
Clearly, we haven’t heard the last of “Gento.”
What’s different about “Gento” when you listen to it now?
Stell: “Gento” definitely feels more mature now, but its message remains just as relevant. After this collaboration, the conversation has expanded beyond the song itself to include how we can uplift Asian music and bring more artists and acts from the region to a bigger global audience.
What did you bring to the remix?
Kento: I really wanted to take the Japanese word “kyun” to a global audience. As part of that, I decided to bring back a self-introduction phrase I came up with when I was still a trainee: “Mune-kyun, bakkyun, kimi ni kyun.”
I felt that incorporating it into “Gento” would be a meaningful way to return to my roots while adding my own personality to the song. Even within such a cool and powerful remix, I thought that phrase could add a sense of weight while still being catchy.
I was happy that everyone loved the idea and embraced it.
You guys spent quite a bit of time together in Japan.
Kento: I think one of the biggest bonding moments was when we went out for yakiniku together. By coincidence, it was actually one of my go-to restaurants, so I already knew the menu well and was able to recommend some of my favorite dishes. I was happy to see everyone enjoy them.
Have you taught each other any Tagalog or Japanese phrases?
Kento: They taught me the phrase “Maraming, maraming salamat po,” which means “Thank you very much,” and I tried my best to remember it. In exchange, I taught them a lot of Japanese. Really, a lot! Things like “Arigatou!” and “Kiite, kiite!” along with other everyday expressions.
What about food and travel recommendations?
Kento: I recommended Asakusa to everyone, especially its famous agemanju and Hanayashiki (Japan’s oldest amusement park). They recommended Boracay to me, and it definitely made me want to visit.
I would also love to go back to Sta. Lucia someday. I really enjoyed it as a shopping mall, so I have great memories of that place.
What were the rehearsals for Summer Sonic like?
Kento: The members of SB19, along with the staff and the entire team, kept saying, “Thank you for your energy.” After watching footage from the rehearsals, they told me they could feel how seriously I approached the performance and how much effort I had put into it.
Honestly, hearing that was incredibly meaningful. It made me feel that all the years I have spent giving my all to everything I do had been validated.
Something Pablo and Josh said also left a strong impression on me. They told me that, regardless of what happens during the actual performance, the most important thing is that the audience enjoys it. If the fans leave happy, then the performance is already a success.
Knowing we were all focused on bringing joy to the audience gave me confidence and made me feel even more connected to the team.
How was it performing together on stage with both P-pop and J-pop fans together?
Kento: I was honestly so nervous. I was probably more nervous than I am for any concert! Learning the Tagalog lyrics was tough because it’s not a language I use regularly, and then I had to perform the choreography for “Gento” at the same time. I definitely wasn’t my usual self. I was excited, but I was also concentrating so hard on everything.
That said, it was an amazing experience, and it made me think that if I ever get the chance to perform “Gento” again, I could do even more with it. I would love to take on the challenge again and enjoy it with more confidence next time.
Is this a one-off collaboration or are you leaving the door open for more?
Josh: We feel like we’re just getting started on the global path we want to pursue. If we want SB19 and P-pop to reach a truly global audience, we have to maximize opportunities like this and remain open to what’s next and what else we can create together.
So we’re definitely leaving the door open for more collaborations.
A sister remembers