JUMPing Mook - Flash!

My brother Mook, a talented actor and singer, with the help of our Mum managed to get himself on TV on a number of Japanese talent shows when he was just eleven years old. In these vibrant and upbeat competitions, he would perform his favourite Japanese pop song, mimicking the style and vibe of Go Hiromi, a pop star of the time. He was the only gaijin (foreigner), of course, and created quite a stir with his natural charm, vocal talents and unique performance antics. I’ll never forget when, after having been through a camera run through/rehearsal and doing his song in a standard fashion, when it came time for the live show, at a dramatic moment, he did a fancy hand movement and then proceeded to jump off the stage onto a lower level.

​For an instant, the whole place went into shock. The camera men scrambled and the obviously shook floor manager struggled to work out what had happened and regain the status quo after this wild young thing boldly energised the atmosphere with his spur of the moment flourish. It was great. And look at him! He was so cute and handsome, dressed like a star - all attire he chose himself. He later went on, at around fifteen, to professionally be offered a leading role as Lewis in The King & I, amongst an all Japanese cast, at the esteemed Imperial Theatre in Marunouchi, opposite the Emperor’s palace.