See AKB48 Member's Shocking Video

VIDEO: AKB48 Member Shaves Head After Being Caught on a Date

By Dan + on February 1, 2013 | 20 Comments

Minami Minegishi 2

Minami Minegishi, a member of the Jpop group AKB48, shocked viewers when she appeared on the group’s Youtube channel with her head shaved in a tearful apology for being caught with her boyfriend, Alan Shirahama. AKB48 members are prohibited from dating, and Minegishi apparently shaved her head in anguish over being caught by a tabloid leaving the home of Shirahama, a dancer in the group EXILE.

Minami Minegishi

AKB48 is a hugely popular group, with approximately 90 members. They are based in Akihabara, and take their name in part from the neighborhood known as a geek’s paradise. The group has had 13 consecutive #1 hit singles, and made more than 200 million dollars in 2011 in Japan alone. It is believed that for the transgression of spending the night with her boyfriend, the 20 year old has been demoted from “senior” status to “rookie” within the group. In the Youtube video, viewed almost 5 million times, Minegishi begs not to be kicked out of AKB48.

AKB48

Alan Shirahama

Alan Shirahama’s agency released a statement, saying “we leave his private life up to him. He told us they are just good friends and nothing more.” Netizens have largely come to Minegishi’s defense, demanding that group members be allowed to “lead a normal life.” One shocked fan tweeted, ”what’s the point of this public execution show? It’s like something from the war or a totalitarian state.” You can watch the full video below:

What do you think of Minami Minegishi’s shocking video? Is it fair to demand that performers abstain from dating?

[Source: Mirror.co.uk]

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20 Comments

NewKDramaAddict

01/02/2013 · Reply

90!!?? That's a lot of members. If they are underage, okay, I understand the rule but if not, even I think that's a ridiculous rule.
- Kai
  
  01/02/2013 · Reply
  
  Oh yeah this group is obnoxious. I knew there was a reason I disdainfully detested it. Aside from the fact that when they first came out it was originally a group of 48 girls who were all fighting for a solo spot in -one- 4-5 minute song. Also, this woman is 20 years old. I have no effing clue why you would sign up to be in that type of position. "oh I'm going to not date anyone, and be a senior in this group, for the fame and the money, but be hella lonely, and be lucky if I ever get a solo spot in a song." Even Tsukun wasn't -that- much of an ass.
Samantha

01/02/2013 · Reply

There's a translation of what she said in the video over at tokyo hive's website and she's claiming she decided to shave her head because she was so ashamed at her behavior *which is a traditional way of showing remorse I believe* and that she'll leave it up to the other members and their producer whether or not they want her to be in the group still but that she'd really like to stay. It makes more sense after reading that, I think the dating rule isn't as shocking as the video and the video is something that she is claiming she did on her own without talking to anyone at the company or even the other members.
RebekahHuang

01/02/2013 · Reply

That is just so sad on so many levels...as a female and a daughter and mother I'm saddened that someone could feel this way over behavior that is far more natural than anything involving being in that group.
Heathy

01/02/2013 · Reply

I seriously could not finish watching the video. Minami really breaks my heart, poor girl... Minami's agency is overbearing and trying to control everything she does. It's very well possibly that Minami and Alan are just friends. That's why the agency should not be overextending themselves into the personal lives of their performers. Work is work and personal lives are personal, and that's the way it should stay. I could not help but notice how nice Alan's agency handled the situation. Minami's should be like his. Respect the performer and their work.
Msilva

01/02/2013 · Reply

This is heartbreaking...
Vindima1981

01/02/2013 · Reply

If my boyfriend looked like that I would be sneaking around too. But seriously lets get down to business, it is 2013 and nowhere in the WORLD should women who are of age not be allowed to date. It's a normal part of growing up. Thank You Paparazzi for making this girl a social pariah. disgusted.
zoeyy

01/02/2013 · Reply

I find this consequence ridiculous. Let them date and be happy.
- ray dee lay
  
  05/02/2013 · Reply
  
  i agree with u
facebook_cmarie.hunt

01/02/2013 · Reply

I am a mother as I watched this video and didn't understand only two or three words, I cried for her as a woman. Where is this girls parents at? I don't think they have her back either. I think she feels so alone right now. I hope this has not broken her and her boyfriend up. She is 20 years old she is not a teenager anymore she is a woman. The other 89 members who don't have her back will one day need someone to be there for them if they ever make the mistake of falling in LOVE. Let them have their lives outside the music. They are your future Japan. Don't destory their spirit of experience when it comes to knowing what love is or what it feels like to be in love. They are far from ROBOTS.
Olivia

01/02/2013 · Reply

Even though most people think this is a ridiculous rule, the girls in AKB48 knew what they were getting into. She knew she was going to be prohibited for dating, but she broke that rule. But I don't think she had to shave her head though.
- Victoria
  
  08/02/2013 · Reply
  
  I agree with you. She didn't have to join the group if she didn't want to follow the rules.
- Makjang Noona
  
  12/02/2013 · Reply
  
  It doesn't make it any less ridiculous. Shaming a girl for having a love life to the point where she shaves her head and goes on camera in tears? RIDICULOUS. WRONG. Being reprimanded for breaking part of her contract? OK. But this shit is ridiculous.
Terri

01/02/2013 · Reply

I think for the underage members of the group (if there are any) it is fair to have a rule where they cannot date (easier to avoid scandal and whatnot). But to not allow an adult woman to date unless she wants to risk her career seems extremely unfair... Then again, I don't think much of a girl group that has NINETY members - it's more of a brand that is selling tiself rather than a group of girls performing and singing.
Yuki

01/02/2013 · Reply

I get why they are not allowed to date and everything, but this is way overdoing it. That poor girl. This is getting cruel.
pauper

01/02/2013 · Reply

Okay honestly I'm not a fan of AKB48, but this is fucking stupid. The guy looks like a fucking asshole and he only said they were friend just to protect himself because he's a fucking asshole coward. And to shave off a girls hair WTF!!! I mean yes it is her fault she knows the rule, but she's just an under aged girl. This is fucking absurd. I bet the fucking Entertain she was in made her feel guilty for dating. FUCK the ENTERTAINMENT she was in. I feel so bad for her.
Jackie

01/02/2013 · Reply

I am at a loss of words. For someone to go to that extreme my heart goes out to her. Shame is an awful thing to have to carry especially at that age. What kind of organization would even promote something like this. I hope she will realize that her value as a person isn't wrapped up in what others say about her.
Amanda

02/02/2013 · Reply

90 members isn't a group, it's a village. I don't get the appeal of this manufactured music--why not just replace the girls with robots and be done with it? I'm sure the music would be exactly the same, and nobody would need to tortured like this.
MaidenOfRadiant

09/03/2013 · Reply

poor girl... besides there rules ya know
MaidenOfRadiant

09/03/2013 · Reply

but.... there is still lack the radiance AKB member have little radiance ~nyan~