I would like to be someone who can put their own personality into everything I do
ー First of all, what did you think at first when you heard that the theme of the shoot was "WHITE"?
I thought, "Will it be okay with me?" and, "I'm not the most appropriate person for WHITE". (bitter laugh)
However, I was really grateful that the staff curled my hair and shot me in a stylish way. As for me, I tried not to make too many facial expressions and tried to be as "natural/plain" as possible in the shoot.
ー So you didn't have a "white" image of yourself? If so, what color would you compare yourself to?
My favorite colors are pink and orange. But if I were to compare myself with a color...
What color would it be? Probably warm colors, I guess. Hmm, I think I haven't found my color yet.
If I consider myself to be "not yet dyed in any color", well, now I think that the color "white" could also apply to me.
ー Do you like working in the field of photography?
At first, I wasn't very good at it. I had no idea how to make eye contact with the camera. During the first photo shoot for the five new 4th Gen members, the staff told us "think of the camera as a person and be natural!", but I was like "?".
However, recently I finally understood what they meant, and as I became able to make eye contact with the camera lens, gradually I started to feel a sense of "joy".
ー During today's photo shoot, I was impressed by how happy you looked as you wrapped yourself in the bed sheet while laughing.
Maybe it's because here I was more relaxed, and I suddenly found myself laughing.
I don't know if that's good or bad though. (laughs)
ー Are those changes due to the experience you have gained?
It's not only the experience, but also the fact that I've had more opportunities to observe the attitude of my seniors and fellow members towards their work up close.
ー For example, whose attitude has influenced you?
Hori Miona-san. I think Hori-san is very good at creating and reading the atmosphere. Although she makes explosive statements out of the blue, I think she needs to find the right timing to make the people around her surprised. I thought she was amazing when I realized that she had a double structure in which she knows how to read the atmosphere and then she dares to say or do something that doesn't match the atmosphere.
In addition, (Hayakawa) Seira-chan, a fellow member, is very good at dancing and expressing herself. Moreover, she's not only good at dancing, but she's also very good at expressing herself in a way that makes people think, "Oh, that's just like Seira-chan!"
ー By watching Hori-san and Hayakawa-san, did you become more conscious of how to express your "self-like personality"?
That's right. I think that by observing (and learning from) them, I've been able to make myself look more like my normal self in recent shoots. I'm happy to hear that more and more of my fellow members say, "You look very like you in this picture!".
ー Speaking of "self-like personality", your own image as an "interesting/funny character" in Nogizaka Skits prevails over you, doesn't it?
I think it's important to establish your character first. When I considered what role I should assume among the five members of the new 4th Gen, I thought that I wanted to be a traditional idol, but I thought it'd be more memorable to be associated with a variety of aspects that had already been popular among the fans. (laughs)
ー You said you deliberately chose that character.
I thought, "Let's go for a reverse gap!". I wanted to show everyone how can be a gap between a variety character and the role as an idol in a live.
ー That's exactly what you did when you sang "Jibun no koto" in a solo at the 4th Gen' live last year. The response was big, wasn't it?
Yes, it was big. I felt that I was able to show a side of myself that I had never shown before. "Jibun no koto" was a turning point for me, and it made me think that I should continue to show various aspects of myself.
ー With that in mind, the composed expression on your face for this shoot gave me a sense of a gap as well.
I admire Hori-san, so I'd like to be a person who can show many sides of herself and put her own personality into all of them.
ー By the way, Hayashi-san, have you ever wanted to photograph someone? For example, your good friend Kakehashi Sayaka.
I want to photograph her, and to do the design as well! I'd like to combine the Sayaka I want to see and the Sayaka the fans want to see and come up with her hair, makeup, costumes, etc. I think Sayaka looks good in anything!
ー I think it'd be interesting to have a gravure project where the members do collaborations to design/produce each other.
I'd like to try it! Sounds fun!
ー Lastly, what does the word "gravure" mean to you?
For me, gravure is a place where I can show a different side of myself from my usual appearance, a place where I can look at myself objectively, and a place where I can learn how to establish my own character. Even now, I've discovered that I'm surprisingly good at this type of work, so I'd like to continue to show various aspects of myself through gravure!
Hayashi Runa ・ WHITE "White, transparent."
