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Maeda Yuuka (前田憂佳) is a former Japanese idol under Hello! Project as member of S/mileage. She joined Hello! Project in 2004 as one of the first members of Hello Pro Egg, and was later added to sub-units High-King and Shugo Chara Egg!. Maeda debuted in 2009 as a member of S/mileage. On December 31, 2011, Maeda graduated from S/mileage and Hello! Project and retired from entertainment.

Biography[]

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Maeda Yuuka, December 2011

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Maeda Yuuka, September 2011

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Maeda Yuuka, August 2011

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Maeda Yuuka, April 2011

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Maeda Yuuka, February 2011

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Maeda Yuuka, December 2010

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Maeda Yuuka, September 2010

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Maeda Yuuka, July 2010

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Maeda Yuuka, June 2010

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Maeda Yuuka, May 2010

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Maeda Yuuka, March 2010

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Maeda Yuuka, November 2009

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Maeda Yuuka, September 2009

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Maeda Yuuka, August 2009

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Maeda Yuuka, June 2009

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Maeda Yuuka, April 2009

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Maeda Yuuka, February 2009

Early Life[]

Maeda Yuuka was born on December 28, 1994 in Chiba, Japan to a couple whose names are undisclosed.

2004[]

Maeda Yuuka joined Hello! Project as a member of Hello Pro Egg in June 2004 when she passed the auditions alongside 29 other girls. The aim of the group was to prepare the young girls for their debut into the world of entertainment, as such Maeda received free dance and vocal training alongside the other Eggs.

2005[]

In October 2005, Maeda became one of the founding members of Hello Pro Egg group Tomoiki Ki wo Uetai. They debuted at Morning Musume's enviromental Culture Festival 2005.

2006[]

In 2006, Maeda continued her training and appeared at numerous Hello! Project concerts as a backing dancer, including the Country Musume concert Country Musume LIVE 2006 ~Shibuya des Date~.

In March, Tomoiki Ki wo Uetai's blog opened and in July their first song was announced, "Minna no Ki".

On August 22, Tomoiki went to do tree-planting activities at PLANT A TREE farm and herb garden in Yamanashiken.

In September, Maeda performed "Minna no Ki" with Tomoiki at Morning Musume’s environmental Culture Festival 2006 and were backing dancers to Morning Musume’s Kusumi Koharu.

Also she released a single in a mini-unit known as Paretto.

2007[]

From April 12 to April 22, Maeda appeared in the stage play Soto wa Shiroi Haru no Kumo.[1]

From September 21 to September 30, Maeda appeared in the stage play Ekubo ~people song alongside Furukawa Konatsu.[2]

Maeda also took part in a television show Chao.TV. Maeda appeared as a part of Tomoiki Ki wo Uetai at Morning Musume’s environmental Culture Festival 2007.

2008[]

In 2008, Maeda received her first proper Hello! Project role when she was selected to become part of the new unit, High-King, alongside important Hello! Project singers such as Morning Musume's Takahashi Ai and Tanaka Reina. The group was created to promote Morning Musume's upcoming rendition of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella", titled Cinderella the Musical. The group's debut single, "C\C (Cinderella\Complex)", was released on June 11 and attained a peak rank of #6.

Maeda was selected to be one of the four members for a new Hello Pro Egg unit alongside Wada Ayaka, Fukuda Kanon and Saho Akari. The group was called Shugo Chara Egg! and was formed to record the opening songs for the anime that Buono! sings for, Shugo Chara!. She released two singles with the group until she graduated from the group along with Wada and Fukuda.

In April, Maeda took part in another musical, Bijogi Junction. Maeda, along with the original Shugo Chara Egg! joined the cast of Shugo Chara! the Musical. She played the main role of Hinamori Amu.

2009[]

On April 4, Tsunku announced on his blog that a new group, later named S/mileage,[3][4] was in the works.[5] The members listed were Wada Ayaka, Maeda Yuuka, Fukuda Kanon and Ogawa Saki. He stated the lineup was subject to change, and that it would be their "major debut".

From November 11 to 19, Maeda starred in Koisuru Hello Kitty alongside the other S/mileage members and Mano Erina.

2010[]

In May, Meada and the rest of the S/mileage members graduated from Hello Pro Egg in the Hello! Project spring concert.

2011[]

On October 24, it was announced that Maeda would be retiring from the entertainment industry in order to concentrate, study, and prepare for an entrance exam for college.

Maeda, who had been a member of S/mileage ever since its formation in April 2009, commented: “I noticed that my feeling of wanting to go to college has been getting bigger and bigger”. Producer Tsunku♂ also commented: “Though she could have worn two hats (juggling career & school), she is the type of a girl who wants to put all of her full effort into one thing”.

Statement from Maeda Yuuka
Thank you for always supporting me.

I, Maeda Yuuka, as of 2011/12/31, will be graduating from S/mileage and Hello! Project.

Just the other day at our event, the 4 sub members became official members which made me really happy, but at the same time made me realize that it was this timing that I had to use to tell you all something very important.

Since becoming a high school student, I have been unable to keep up with my S/mileage work and school at the same time and it has bothered me a great deal. I started to think about my future and realized that my desire to attend a university had grown a lot over time. I was wondering if, at this rate, if I would be able to handle both school work and S/mileage, I was really only able to give a half-hearted effort on both things… and was always getting help from other people, and I really disliked that part about me. I thought to myself, “Things aren’t going to work out if it keeps going like this”.

I need to work a lot harder if I want to attend a university. But that had always been just talk, up until now nothing had really changed…

If I let these feelings continue, it would not be fair to the other members, nor to all the fans that support me.

I thought a lot about it. I may not be very bright but I put all my energy into thinking about this… and came up with this as the only possible option.

As of now with the four new members joining, it has been a joy to spend every day with the members. To the original members, to the new members, and to all of you who have always supported me, I am very very grateful.

Although it may be sad, we have a new single featuring the 7 of us coming out on 12/28, and I will be working my hardest ever to make this the best one yet!

I am very grateful to so many people, and hope to really enjoy these remaining 2 months, and finish with a smile in the S/mileage way!

Please continue to support S/mileage from here on after.

2011-10-25 S/mileage Maeda Yuuka

Maeda concluded with the promotional activities for her last single "Please Miniskirt Postwoman!" which was released on December 28, her birthday.

On December 31, she graduated from S/mileage and Hello! Project, and retired from entertainment.

Personal Life[]

She has an older sister.

When Maeda Yuuka joined Hello Pro Egg in June 2004, she was a 4th year elementary school student. When she joined S/mileage in April 2009, she was a 3rd year middle school student.

Maeda graduated from high school in March 2013. As of April 2014, she is currently in her second year of university.

  • Yuukarin (ゆうかりん): Official nickname, given her since joining Hello Pro Egg. Used by members and fans.
  • Yuuka (ゆうか): Second official nickname, given her since joining S/mileage. Used by members and fans.

Profile[]

  • Close friends: Saho Akari, Noto Arisa, Yutoku Ayumi
  • Hobbies: Looking at the sky and listening to music
  • Pets: Haru (dog), Aochan (hamster), three turtles, goldfish, carp.
  • Special skills: Piano, penmanship.
  • Favorite H!P song: "Happiness ~Koufuku Kangei!~"
  • Favorite character: Stitch
  • Favorite tree: Cherry tree
  • Favorite sport: Basketball
  • Favorite thing: Dogs, hamsters, cheese omelette, salmon
  • Favorite color: Red, black, white, pink
  • Disliked food: Durian, spicy food
  • Dislikes: Ghosts

  • Discography[]

    Main article: Maeda Yuuka/Discography

    Solo DVDs[]

    Publications[]

    Main article: Maeda Yuuka/Publications

    Solo Photobooks[]

    1. [2010.07.23] Maeda Yuuka 15sai (前田憂佳 15才)
    2. [2011.12.20] See You-karin

    Works[]

    Film[]

    TV Programs[]

    • [2007.09.02] Chao.TV (ちゃお.TV)
    • [2010–2012] Hanasaka Times (花咲かタイムズ) (Disney Corner; Hanasaka Disney)
    • [2010–2011] Bijo Gaku (美女学)
    • [2011] S/mile Factory
    • [2011] Hello Pro! TIME (ハロプロ!TIME)

    TV Dramas[]

    • [2006.07.31] がきんちょ~リターン・キッズ~ (Gakincho ~Return Kids~)
    • [2010] Hanbun Esper (半分エスパー)
    • [2010] 5nengo no Love Letter (5年後のラブレター) (as young Shimura Nao)

    Anime[]

    Theater[]

    Radio[]

    • [2010–2011] FIVE STARS

    Commercials[]

    • [2011] Zombie Daisuki (ぞんびだいすき) (Nintendo DS)
    • [2011] McDonald's

    Music Videos[]

    Rankings[]

    • She was voted 5th favorite member in the 2011 "Hello! Project Music Awards" event.[6]

    Trivia[]

    Honorary Titles[]

    Honorary Titles
    Preceded by
    First
    Youngest Member of High-King
    2008 – 2011
    Succeeded by
    Incumbent

    References[]

    1. Official Gekijyo Page
    2. Official Gekijyo Page
    3. "エッグ新ユニット グループ名決定!!" (in Japanese). Hello Project Official Fanclub Web Site. 2009-05-11.
    4. "S/mileage   ユニット名 由来・意味について". Tsunku Official Blog. 2009-05-08
    5. Tsunku. "新ユニット" (in Japanese). Tsunku Official Blog. 2009-04-04.
    6. http://www.esrp2.jp/hpma/2011/result/member.html

    External Links[]

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