Maeda Yuki

Maeda Yuki前田(まえだ)有紀(ゆき)
Maeda Yuki promoting "Busan Hatsu"
Name
Nicknames	Yukidon
Personal Information
Born	August 28, 1979 (1979-08-28)
Origin	Ehime Prefecture, Japan
Blood Type	A
Zodiac Sign	Virgo
Professional Information
Genres	Japanese Pop, Enka
Occupation	Singer
Years Active	2000–2012
Agency	UP-FRONT AGENCY (2000-2012)
Label	Teichiku Records (1994-2002) zetima (2003-2004) Rice Music (2004-2012)
Associated Acts	Akagumi 4, SALT5, H.P. All Stars, Elder Club, Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu Singers
Links
Twitter	@yuki_maeda_

Maeda Yuki (前田有紀) is a former Japanese singer.

She began her career under the management of enka singer Itsuki Hiroshi in 1994, before joining Hello! Project as a soloist in 2000, debuting her first single "Naki Usagi" under the renowned enka label Teichiku Records.

She was part of the Hello! Project shuffle units SALT5 and Akagumi 4 (as Danielle's replacement), and in the special unit H.P. All Stars. She graduated with the rest of the Elder Club in 2009, but continued her singing career as part of the agency.

In June 2012, she announced on her Twitter account that she was five months pregnant and would retire from the music industry to focus on being a mother.

Biography

Maeda Yuki, 2007

Maeda Yuki, September 2007

Maeda Yuki, September 2004

Maeda Yuki, January 2004

Maeda Yuki, July 2003

Maeda Yuki in 2000 on Idol wo Sagase, receiving her nickname Yukidon by Iida Kaori

Early Life

Maeda Yuki's parents ran a tavern in Kochi prefecture, and she used to listen to people singing karaoke in the izakaya in the story below ever since she was a child.

Her father had recommended that she participated in the "Karaoke Tournament" during her second year of elementary school. Her name quickly became known throughout the Shikoku region. In her fifth year of elementary school, she moved from the Shikoku Karaoke Tournament of the Amateur Kayo Festival to the Tokyo Finals Tournament and received a special jury prize. In her second year of junior high school, she received a special award at the Columbia Newcomer Audition National Convention. She advanced to the final round of the Nagasaki Kayo Festival in her third year of junior high school.

In 1993, she participated in a talent search for Columbia Records who were looking for new members for their label.

In 1994, she was a finalist at the 18th Nagasaki Song Festival, and later that year she won the Itsuki Hiroshi '94 POPULAR SINGER'S CONTEST, singing the song "Hana Banka". The judges included Itsuki Hiroshi, Harumi Miyako, Toyohisa Araki, Kazuma Tomizawa, and others. They said that all the judges had goose bumps from the singing voice of 15-year-old Maeda Yuki. A few days later, she was in a television show called NHK BS Tournament Song Championship, where she sang the song "Kamome… Kamome". She came in second place, and was only beaten by Kondo Kaori with one point.

Itsuki Hiroshi told her, "From now on, you don't have to listen to Enka. Go to Tokyo, do full-fledged voice training, and concentrate on improving yourself."

In 1995, she went to Tokyo to study at Meiji Nakano High School, taking vocal lessons at the same time. The same year, she was featured as one of the female singers in Itsuki Hiroshi's duet album Itsuki Hiroshi Duet Special Selection 14, credited as Yuki in hiragana.

She graduated from Meiji Nakano High School in 1998.

2000

On April 4, Maeda apperaed on national television for the first time, on the show Idol wo Sagase!. Iida Kaori from Morning Musume became a manager for Itsuki Hiroshi for a while and later on was given the opportunity to become Maeda's manager.

In April 2000, Maeda became a member of Hello! Project and started her career under the renowned enka record label Teichiku Records with her debut single Naki Usagi. For the summer months, Maeda went on a tour promoting the single, singing at different arenas in five cities.

In July she participated in her first Hello! Project concert, performing in 12 cities, with an audience up to 200.000 people.

2001

On January 1, she released her second single "Tokyo You Turn".

On January 20, she presented songs at three events in Nagoya.

Danielle from Coconuts Musume became sick, and Maeda took her place in the shuffle group Akagumi 4. She only performed their song, "Akai Nikkichou", once with the unit in concert.

Teichuki released a compilation album featuring Maeda’s single released earlier this year.

2002

On February 21, she released her third single "Tokyo, Yoimachigusa.". She also participated on Itsuki Hiroshi's album Nagoya Misonoza Koen Live 2002 "Uta Mai Sou", where she sang the songs "Hana" and "Shimauta". The live performances were taken form the concert of the same name where Maeda was a special guest.

In the Hello! Project concert that year, she performed not her own song, but Itsuki’s song "Chigiri". This song would later be released as a single by Itsuki the following year.

In 2002, Teichiku Records released a compilation album featuring Maeda's single. It also features the track "Anata to Ikiru", originally by Teresa Teng, covered by Maeda.

UP-FRONT AGENCY started releasing a series of albums called Douyou Pops in 2002, in which different Hello! Project members would sing different well known and new childrens' songs. Six albums, some themed according to the four seasons, and two DVDs with promotional videos were released. Maeda sung several of the songs and is featured in the promotional video for "Oomakiba wa Midori".

2003

In 2003, she joined her first shuffle unit, SALT5. In the group she sang her first rap song, "GET UP! Rapper".

In 2003, Maeda switched record labels and signed with UP-FRONT WORKS and their label zetima, releasing her fourth single "Tokyo Kirigirisu". Starting this year, Oricon changed how they count single releases. Earlier they only counted the top 100 singles, but from now they started counting the top 200 singles. As a result, there are sales figures for "Tokyo Kirigirisu", which sold 1,661 copies and charted for two weeks.

She was also a guest at Itsuki Hiroshi's 55sei Happy Birthday Concert in Yokohama Arena, alongside several other members from Hello! Project.

2004

On January 1, she released her fifth single "Sarasara no Kawa".

In mid-2004 she was transferred to another UP-FRONT WORKS label, Rice Music, and on September 29, she released her sixth single "Nishi Shinjuku de Atta Hito".

2006

In 2006, it was announced that Maeda would release her sixth single, entitled "Nagai Tunnel". It was also announced that this would be her graduation single. Eventually there was another announcement, after which the title changed to "Omae no Namida wo Ore ni Kure", and the graduation reference disappeared entirely. Therefore it is unknown if she was actually going to leave, or if she (or management) reconsidered. The single sold no more than 500 copies before falling out of the charts. On the same day her single was released, UP-FRONT AGENCY also released a radio drama show on CD, in which Maeda had a role.

She would also be part of a play later that year called Showa Kayou Teater Shyuuchaku Eki and she appeared regularly on the Hello! Project cover song show Uta Doki! Pop Classics.

In the summer, a fanclub tour with Iida Kaori called Otona no Nouryousai Fanclub Tour 2006. Clips from this concert was released in a fanclub DVD titled Hello! Days vol.7.

2007

From June 9 to June 17, Maeda appeared in the stage play Tokyo alongside Shibata Ayumi.

On September 26, she released her eighth single "Ai Ai Daiko".

From November 28 to December 2, she appeared in the stage play Olivia wo Ki Kinagara alongside Yoshizawa Hitomi and Kimura Ayaka.

2008

In May and June 2008, she started hosting a weekly radio show named Maeda Yuki no Yume Ongakukan. It ran for 30 minutes every Sunday night. After the show went off the air, Maeda became a regular at Music Bird hosting a weekly show named Maeda Yuki’s Music & Diary, which ended March 31, 2009. She also hosted NHK Radio's Uta no Sanpomichi, which was set in NHK studio park.

In October, the Hello! Project website announced that the Elder Club would graduate from in 2009, including Maeda. She would remain with UP-FRONT AGENCY and continue on as a solo singer.

2009

On February 25, she released her ninth single "Gwaenchanha ~Daijoubu~".

On March 31, she graduated from Hello! Project along with the rest of the Elder Club. After her graduation she was a regular at the radio shows Maeda Yuki no Ai no Uta Kokoro no Uta and Maeda Yuki no Hayaoki Banzai. She also started her own Oricon-hosted blog after graduating, titled Yuki Style, which eventually closed in 2012.

On September 9, she released her first album, Maeda Yuki Zenkyoku Shuu ~Gwaenchanha~.

From September 27 to September 30, she appeared in the stage play FAR AWAY alongside Abe Natsumi and Kimura Ayaka.

2010

On April 4, she released her 10th single "Mianhaeyo ~Gomennasai~". The release announcement also stated that this would be her second release in her South Korean series. For this series, she started collaborating with Korean lyricist, singer, composer and screen writer Yoo Hae-Joon. He composed all of the music, while Mori Chiyoko wrote most of the lyrics.

Maeda started hosting a new radio show named Maeda Yuki no Gift For You in early April, where she played song requests from listeners and interviewed guests active in the music industry. Around the same time she opened her official Twitter account.

Since the release of "Gwaenchanha ~Daijoubu~", Maeda starting taking language courses learning to speak Korean. At fanclub events she has held since this, her Korean has improved and she says herself she is now capable of every day lingo and basic greetings.

2011

In May, she released "Busan Hatsu", her third Korean-themed single and 11th single overall. It contains five tracks, one of which is a Korean version of the title track. It charted for one week and sold 500 copies.

Shortly after the release of the single, it was announced that Maeda would release her first mini album in November, titled Busan Hatsu ~Kankoku Series Best~.

2012

On June 22, Maeda announced through her Twitter account and on her blog that she had married a man she met while studying Korean in South Korea. She also announced she was five months pregnant, and that she had made the decision to retire from the music industry to focus on being a wife and mother. She expressed that she hoped to return to the music industry in the future.

Statement from Maeda Yuki

"I have a very important announcement to make. I’ve been dating a man who I always wished to spend my future with. I am happy to announce that we are getting married this month. Also, I’m expecting as well: I’m 5 months pregnant. The reason I haven’t been able to update my blog was because my morning sickness has been quite serious. Also, at the beginning of my pregnancy, I almost miscarried my baby. That’s why I had to take some time and rest for a while. Now that I’m in my second trimester, I can safely announce my pregnancy. Every day, I am enjoying the moment. As for my future plan, I’d like to focus on delivering a healthy baby and raising my child. Therefore, I’ve decided to pause my career for a while. To be honest, I’d like to do both. But I think it’s best for me to take some time away from my career for now. Every day, I’m monitoring my health as well as my baby’s.  This blog will be closed in June. Until then, you should still be able to access and view my entries. As for my Twitter, I will still maintain that account. So please stay tuned. I don’t like to say goodbyes, so let me say that I am looking forward to seeing all of you again. If/when I return to the stage in the future, please welcome me back with your warm support. Please keep thinking about me, as I’ll do the same for you. I feel grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful people. Thank you. With love, Yuki Maeda."

In late November, she gave birth to a baby girl and announced her retirement as a singer in order to focus on her family. Several Hello! Project acts, including Heike Michiyo, Nakazawa Yuko, Iida Kaori, and Saito Hitomi, congratulated Maeda when she posted the news.

2013

At the end of 2013, Maeda was one of the Hello! Project OG members performing in the Hello! Project COUNTDOWN PARTY 2013 ~GOOD BYE & HELLO!~.

2014

In November, Maeda gave birth to a son.

2016

On April 20, she announced that she was pregnant with her third child. She gave birth to a son on August 8.

2019

On April 21, Debut Kinenbi Yes! Shiawase Issho ni Iwatte Kuremasu ka?, a live talk by Taiyou to Ciscomoon, was held at Dai Ani LIVEBASE Nishiazabu. Maeda, who also celebrated her 19th debut anniversary on the same day, was featured as one of the guests.

Profile

• Stats
• Q&A

• Name: Maeda Yuki (前田有紀)
• Nicknames: Yukidon
• Birthdate: August 28, 1979 (1979-08-28)
• Birthplace: Ehime Prefecture, Japan
• Raised: Kochi, Kochi Prefecture, Japan
• Blood Type: A
• Western Zodiac: Virgo
• Eastern Zodiac: Goat
• Shuffle Units:
  • 2000: Akagumi 4 (Second Generation)
  • 2003: SALT5
  • 2004: H.P. All Stars
  • 2009: Elder Club
• Other Groups:
  • Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu Singers (2011)

Hobbies: Watching movies, taking pictures, listening to favorite CDs

Favorite colors: Light blue, black, red

Favorite flowers: Roses, baby's breaths

Favorite season: Summer

Favorite words: Effort, sympathy

Favorite food: Chicken, fruits

Disliked food: Salmon roe

Discography

• Albums
• Singles
• Other Songs

Mini Albums

1. [2011.11.23] Busan Hatsu ~Kankoku Series Best~

Best Albums

1. [2009.09.09] Maeda Yuki Zenkyoku Shuu ~Gwaenchanha~

Collaboration Albums

1. [1995.11.25] Itsuki Hiroshi Duet Special Selection 14
2. [2002.09.04] Nagoya Misonoza Koen Live 2002 "Uta Mai Sou"

Other Albums

1. [2006.07.26] Hello! Project Radio Drama Osaka Compilation Vol. 4

[2000.04.21] Naki Usagi

[2001.01.01] Tokyo You Turn

[2002.02.21] Tokyo, Yoimachigusa.

[2003.07.16] Tokyo Kirigirisu

[2004.01.01] Sarasara no Kawa

[2004.09.29] Nishi Shinjuku de Atta Hito

[2006.07.26] Omae no Namida wo Ore ni Kure

[2007.07.26] Ai Ai Daiko

[2009.02.25] Gwaenchanha ~Daijoubu~

[2010.04.04] Mianhaeyo ~Gomennasai~

[2011.05.25] Busan Hatsu

• [2002] Chigiri (契り; Eternal Promise) (from DVD Hello! Project 2002 ~Kotoshi mo Sugoizo!~)
• [2003] Yosakoi-bushi (よさこい節)

Discography Featured In

• Albums
• Singles
• DVDs
• Compilations

SALT5

• [2003.12.17] Petit Best 4
• [2008.12.10] Hello! Project Shuffle Unit Mega Best

H.P. ALL STARS

• [2004.12.22] Petit Best 5
• [2008.12.10] Hello! Project Special Unit Mega Best

SALT5

• GET UP! Rapper

H.P. ALL STARS

• ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR ALL!

Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu Singers

• Ai wa Katsu

Hello! Project Concerts

• [2000.xx.xx] Hello! Project 2000 Atsumare! Summer Party (VHS Only)
• [2001.xx.xx] Hello! Project 2001 Sugoizo! 21seiki (VHS Only)
• [2001.11.xx] Hello! Project 2001 TOGETHER! SUMMER PARTY (VHS Only)
• [2002.10.17] Hello! Project 2002 ~One Happy Summer Day~
• [2003.03.19] Hello! Project 2003 Winter ~Tanoshin Jattemasu!~
• [2003.10.08] Hello! Project 2003 Natsu ~Yossha! Bikkuri Summer!!~
• [2004.03.17] Hello! Project 2004 Winter ~C'MON! Dance World~
• [2004.10.06] Hello! Project 2004 summer ~Natsu no Doon!~
• [2005.10.05] Hello! Project 2005 Natsu no Kayou Show -'05 Selection! Collection!-
• [2005.03.16] Hello! Project 2005 Winter ~A HAPPY NEW POWER!~ (All-Stars Dairanbu)
• [2005.04.xx] Hello! Project 2005 Winter ~A HAPPY NEW POWER!~ (Akagumi, Shirogumi)
• [2007.03.28] Hello! Project 2007 Winter ~Elder Club The Celebration~
• [2007.03.28] Hello! Project 2007 Winter ~Shuuketsu! 10th Anniversary~ DVD
• [2008.03.26] Hello! Project 2008 Winter ~Kashimashi Elder Club~
• [2008.03.26] Hello! Project 2008 Winter ~Kettei! Hello☆Pro Award '08~
• [2009.03.25] Hello! Project 2009 Winter Elder Club Kouen ~Thank you for your LOVE!~
• [2009.04.15] Hello! Project 2009 Winter Kettei! Hello☆Pro Award '09 ~Elder Club Sotsugyou Kinen Special~
• [2014.05.14] Hello! Project COUNTDOWN PARTY 2013 ~GOOD BYE & HELLO!~

PV Collections

• [2000.04.21] Laser Karaoke Onta Station (22DK-572)
• [2000.10.25] Teichiku DVD Karaoke Super 10 #102
• [2001.01.01] Laser Karaoke Onta Station (22DK-60)
• [2001.01.24] Teichiku DVD Karaoke Super 10 #107
• [2002.03.21] Teichiku DVD Karaoke Super 10 #142
• [2002.12.04] Hello! Project Douyou Eizou Shuu ~Ponkikies21~
• [2003.05.01] Atarashii Douyou
• [2003.12.17] Petit Best 4 DVD
• [2004.12.22] Petit Best 5 DVD
• [2005.12.21] Petit Best 6 DVD
• [2006.12.20] Petit Best 7 DVD
• [2007.12.12] Petit Best 8 DVD
• [2010.05.26] Teichiku DVD Karaoke Super 10 375
• [2011.06.22] Teichiku DVD Karaoke Onta Station Vol. 329

As A Guest Performer

• [2003.07.02] Itsuki Hiroshi 55sei Happy Birthday Concert in Yokohama Arena

As a Stage Actress

• [2006.08.30] Showa Kayou Teater Shuuchakueki
• [2007.09.18] Showa Kayou Teater Tokyo
• [2007.06.27] Gekidan Senior Graffiti Yokosuka Story
• [2007.12.19] Gekidan Senior Graffiti Showa Kayo Theater - Far Away
• [2008.02.15] Shouwa Kayou Theater Olivia wo Kikinagara

Other

• [2006.10.26] Hello! Days Vol. 7

Hello! Project

• [2001.03.23] Saishin Enka! Hayari Uta Best 16
• [2002.02.20] The Douyou Pops 2 Haru no Uta Shuu
• [2002.06.05] The Douyou Pops 3 Natsu no Uta Shuu
• [2002.06.21] Enka Kyouen! Saishin Hayari-uta
• [2002.09.04] The Douyou Pops 4 Aki no Uta Shuu
• [2002.12.04] Shinsaku Douyou Pops 1
• [2003.03.26] Shinsaku Douyou Pops 2
• [2003.12.17] Petit Best 4
• [2004.12.22] Petit Best 5
• [2005.12.21] Petit Best 6
• [2006.12.20] Petit Best 7
• [2007.12.12] Petit Best 8

Events

• [2001.01.20] Tokyo You Turn Release Event Mini Live & Handshake at Ikebukuro Sunshine City
• [2001.02.17] Tokyo You Turn Release Event Mini Live & Handshake at Osaka Ootori Wings
• [2001.03.03] Tokyo You Turn Release Event Mini Live & Handshake at Jusco Nagoya Minato Shop (World Court Special Stage)

• [2006.07.29] Otona no Nouryousai Fanclub Tour 2006
• [2007.07.07] Iida Kaori - Maeda Yuki no "Otona no Tanabata Matsuri" Higaeri Bus Ryoku

Works

Theater

• [2006] Showa Kayou Teater "Shuuchakueki" (昭和歌謡シアター「 終着駅」; Terminal Station)
• [2007] Showa Kayou Teater "Tokyo" (昭和歌謡シアター 「東京」)
• [2007] Gekidan Senior Graffiti Showa Kayo Theater "FAR AWAY" (劇団シニアグラフティ 昭和歌謡シアター「FAR AWAY」)
• [2007] Gekidan Senior Graffiti "Yokosuka Story" (劇団シニアグラフティ「横須賀ストーリー」)
• [2008] Shouwa Kayou Theater "Olivia wo Kikinagara" (昭和歌謡シアター 「オリビアを聴きながら」; While Listening to Olivia-Newton John)

TV

• [2006-2008] Uta Doki! Pop Classics

Trivia

• Iida Kaori is the main reason why Maeda became a part of Hello! Project.
• She received the nickname Yukidon from Iida.
• She was one of the few enka soloists under Hello! Project.
• She did not have her first charting single until she signed with the UP-FRONT WORKS label, zetima in 2003 and released "Tokyo Kirigirisu".
• She shares the same last name as original S/mileage member Maeda Yuuka, BEYOOOOONDS member Maeda Kokoro, and former Hello Pro Egg member Maeda Irori.

See Also

• Gallery:Maeda Yuki

External Links

• Twitter
• UP-FRONT AGENCY Profile (archived)
• Official Oricon Blog (archived)
• Hpoldschool
• Yukidon.com (fan site) (archived)