Rei Kuromiya Junior Idol Site
For a long time, Kuromiya says she did not think deeply about this aspect of her career. However, by 2021, her perspective had sharpened. In an interview about her first essay book, she spoke frankly about the "precariousness of a consumed way of life" and the feeling of being judged solely on her appearance. At the time, she accepted the work as fun, partly because it felt special and different from the normal school life she struggled with. She confessed to finding ordinary school incredibly difficult—sitting in class for four to five hours and being forced to get along with other children. Being stuck to her older sister, she found it hard to make friends. "Going to school was just so boring," she said. "I didn't understand the lessons, and I had no motivation to study. It was full of problems". For her, the junior idol world was an escape from the rigid expectations of Japanese school life, a place where she was valued for a different set of skills.
For those interested in exploring her work further, her discography with BRATS and REIRIE offers a deep dive into her evolution as a vocalist and songwriter. The Tragedy and Triumph of Kuromiya Rei - Homicidols rei kuromiya junior idol
Rei's popularity grew significantly when she joined the Japanese idol group, Puretty, in 2012. As a member of the group, she gained a large following and appeared in various music videos, concerts, and television shows. For a long time, Kuromiya says she did
The junior idol industry has long been scrutinized for exploiting children. Homicidols, a website that has followed Rei’s career closely, states directly that "the girl in the picture is Kuromiya Rei... The image belies real emotional damage being worked out by a young woman who’s been an object of sexploitation since she started modeling at an age in the single digits." The site strongly argued that "it in no way should be considered an indictment of Rei, but of the adults who exploited and failed her". This context is crucial. The entertainment machine that surrounded her as a child, including her parents, agents, and the system at large, made choices for her. The fan site further noted, "Her biggest issue is the mounds of haterade from people who want to hold her responsible for the choices made for her by her parents and agents when she was a child". It was against this complex and painful backdrop that her passion for music began to emerge. At the time, she accepted the work as
To fully understand Rei Kuromiya's early career, one must look at the broader context of the Japanese junior idol industry during the 2000s. Characteristics of the Era
Kuromiya’s time with Ladybaby was brief but impactful. In 2017, citing throat issues and a desire to pursue an authentic musical direction free from the constraints of the traditional idol industry, she officially left the group.