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Hashimoto Kei (橋本圭), or simply Kei, is a Japanese trainee under Big Planet Creative and member of the project boy group NEOFLARE which was formed through the survival show 60SPARK.
Personal Life[]
Kei was born on May 30, 2004 in Sendai, Japan. He grew up in a very religious household as his father was Japanese pastor and his mother was a school teacher. He always felt a disconnect with his religious upbringing and always felt like he was forced to do what his father told him. In 2016, his father suddenly passed away, his mother said it was from heart complications but to him he looked healthy. After his father had passed, his mother became more open and told him how manipulative he was and how she wanted to divorce him but was scared. She encouraged Kei to achieve his dreams and his dream was to become an idol.
Career[]
2018–2022: YG Entertainment Japan, Commercial, Signing with Big Planet Creative, Trainee Life and 60SPARK[]
In 2018, Kei auditioned for YG Entertainment Japan, even with zero training in dance, vocal and rap he passed the audition and became an official trainee under the company. A year later in 2019, he appeared in his first commercial for Coca-Cola. After his commercial not much is known about his activity as a trainee until in 2021 that it was revealed that he left YG Entertainment Japan to pursue his dreams elsewhere.
On January 11, 2022, Kei flew to Seoul to attend an open global audition to Big Planet Creative, he passed both rounds and became an official trainee.
Throughout his training at the company he became best friends with Park Yeonbin and Choi Minwoo. He is also dubbed as the company's "Super Freaky Boy" which was given to him by the other trainees as he would be constantly listening and dancing to "Super Freaky Girl" by Nicki Minaj. He shares a dorm room with Choi Minwoo.
On September 30, 2022, Kei was revealed to be a contestant on the 2022 survival show 60SPARK alongside Park Yeonbin and will be representing Big Planet Creative.
2023-present: Debut with NEOFLARE[]
On February 9, 2023, during the 60SPARK finale, Kei placed 5th overall and was announced as a member of project group NEOFLARE. The group's debut date is currently unknown.
Personality[]
Kei is a hard working individual who doesn't give up and always strives for greatness in what he is pursuing. Kei is a bit awkward upon first meeting him but once he warms up to you, a friendship is already blossoming. He is caught singing and dancing randomly which can cause awkward but hilarious moments.
Personality Summary
- Hard working.
- Always strives for greatness.
- Can be awkward at first.
- Friendly and down to earth once he warms up to you.
Filmography[]
Television[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 60SPARK | Contestant | Survival Show |
Trivia[]
- Nicknames: Kiki.
- His nickname "Kiki" was given to him by his best friends in middle school.
- Role models: Kim Wonho (Soloist), JOON (SOLUNEX).
- After his announcement of being on 60SPARK, Kei ended up bumping into Kim Wonho in the company hallway. He congratulated Kei on getting onto the show and he also stated that he will be rooting for him. His kindness and warm aura filled Kei with happiness as he never thought in a million years he would have an interaction with Kim Wonho. From that point on he was in total admiration of him anytime they were in the same room or vicinity.
- Kei also revealed that he looks up to JOON of SOLUNEX and that he was his number one pick in Star Maker X 101. He also hopes to talk to him someday and exchange phone numbers.
- Favorite food: Veggie Pizza.
- Favorite color: Silver .
- Favorite songs: "HOT" (SEVENTEEN), "Super Freaky Girl" (Nicki Minaj)
- Likes: He loves to dance and he loves to song-write, he has a journal with tons of self written songs.
- Dislikes: Spicy foods, anything that is spicy he will not eat.
- Hobbies: His main hobby is mastering martial arts. He is also a black belt.
- Kei speaks fluent Japanese and Korean.
- He has one younger sister, who was born in 2008.
- His relationship with his sister is not the best. They never shared any type of interest and she would always blame stuff on him so she wouldn't be scolded. Due to being his sister's scapegoat, he never really had the best relationship with his parents until his father passed away which brought him closer to his mother.
- He discovered K-Pop by going through a music rabbit hole as he found music as a coping mechanism after his father's passing. He fell in love with the group SEVENTEEN and realized that he wanted to be just like them, an idol.
- He has been a trainee since 2018.