Johnny's probably PISSED.
A new scandal erupted yesterday (Thu. April 23) when Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, mega-famous member of the idol group SMAP, was arrested for public indecency. Apparently he was found stripped naked and very drunk around 3am in Hinokicho Park in the Akasaka district of Tokyo's Minato Ward. Considering the time of the morning, he probably never would have been found out, had he not been screaming in what witnesses called "anguished tones" and the police had been called to investigate the noise disturbance. Witnesses also heard high pitched wailing and the repetitive screaming of the name "Shingo," who as you may know is another member of SMAP. "What's wrong with being naked?!?" he allegedly demanded of the police who detained him. What indeed.
So those are the facts about the incident itself, but honestly people are in an UPROAR about this. Some people, like Japanese Minister of Internal Affairs Hatoyama Kunio act like he killed a bus full of children or something. He went so far as to say "He is the worst kind of human being. This is unforgivable." I will take this opportunity to mention that Hatoyama favors the death penalty and has been tenuously linked to Al-Quaida....so yeah. STFU man. Actually I'm sure the thing that's MOST got Kunio's undies in a wad is the fact that Tsuyoshi-san has been the primary face of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication's public service announcements informing the public of the switch being made to digital programming. Now, those have all been pulled from the air and they're forced to find someone else to do the job.
And that's not the only thing that's been pulled. Currently all CMs (commercials) featuring Tsuyoshi have been pulled from the air, all future scheduled appearances on TV spots have been cancelled or put on hold, and right now FujiTV is trying to figure out what the hell to do with shows he's a regular on, like SMAPxSMAP, Pusma, Waratte Iitomo and Chonan Gang. I haven't heard about the stuff he's regularly involved in over there in South Korea, but I'm sure they're probably shocked and appalled too. The best part is that as the management agency, Johnny's & Associates can and will be held responsible for the profits lost by these other companies/TV stations. Yikes, this could turn out to be a very expensive naked romp in the park.
Let me just say that I don't condone running around in the buff, drunk-off-yer-ass, nor do I think it's something a 34-year-old mega-talent should be doing. Yes, he should know better. But I gotta think that something is very wrong here. Tsuyoshi-san has always been known as the calmest member of SMAP with the most reserved personality. To find him drunk, naked and screaming BY HIMSELF on his day off makes me wonder if there aren't circumstances we the public aren't aware of. I still wonder what on earth he was yelling Shingo's name for too. My first instinct tells me he was calling for a friend (as in, for help), but I can't know, obviously. *sigh* This whole thing makes me feel bad for him more than anything. I'm certainly not outraged. Hell this is nothing compared to what Paris Hilton does on a daily basis and people idolize her. (STUPID people, but people nonetheless.) I just really hope his fans can pull it together and support him through all of this. Pop idol fans are usually extremely fickle in this regard, but if SMAP has one thing it's...well....longevity, lol. But I think that has to stem from the number-two thing they posess: loyal fans.
I'm also interested in what the other SMAP members will say. I have this bad feeling that KimuTaku is going to be ROYALLY pissed off and unforgiving. He's in everything right now too, so being associated with Tsuyoshi won't be good at this point. Then again maybe KimuTaku isn't as shallow as he seems....honestly my knowledge of SMAP is severely limited since most of my worship time is taken up by Arashi, lol, but I do know that KimuTaku has been openly critical of Tsuyoshi's drinking before....whoo boy. Goro-chan should be okay with it...after all he was almost suspended for a hit-and-run some years ago. If it were Arashi this had happened to (heaven forbid) I can tell you with absolute certainty they'd all stand up for whoever it was. Hell, they're like brothers....or lovers as the case may be with a couple of them....XD Kidding, kidding....or am I???
Anyway, what do you guys think? Typical media overraction? Should they throw the book at him? Personally I think not.
Tsuyoshi-san, ganbare! Wherever you are right now, I still think you're cool! I seriously hope you can get the help that you seem to need! :)
P.S. So glad this didn't happen to Arashi....it makes me worried for their future though....like they'll get to their 30's and start acting nuts. we better watch out for Riidah....0.x
P.P.S. $10 bucks says Johnny had a small stroke when he heard this news.