King & Prince

King & Prince is a six-member Japanese idol group under Johnny & Associates that debuted in 2018.[1] The group was originally a Johnny's Jr. unit, Mr. King vs Mr. Prince that was composed of 2 separate units: Mr. King and Prince.[2] The units later performed as one group for TV Asahi's Roppongi Hills Natsu Matsuri Summer Station in June 2015.[3] Their debut was announced at a press conference on January 17, 2018 along with the establishment of Johnny & Associates' new record label under Universal Music, Johnny's Universe, with King & Prince becoming the first artists to sign under the label.[4] In only two years they have sold more than 5.4 million physical copies in Japan.

King & Prince
Also known asMr.King vs Mr.Prince (2015–2017)
OriginTokyo, Japan
GenresJ-pop
Years active2018 (2018)–present
LabelsJohnny's Universe
Members
  • Sho Hirano
  • Ren Nagase
  • Kaito Takahashi
  • Yuta Kishi
  • Yuta Jinguji
  • Genki Iwahashi (Indefinite Hiatus)

History

2015–2017: Beginnings

Mr.King vs Mr.Prince was formed on 5 June 2015, when they were appointed to be special supporters for TV Asahi's Summer Station event. Mr.King vs Mr.Prince was originally two separate Johnny's Jr. units: "Mr. King", consisting of Sho Hirano, Ren Nagase, and Kaito Takahashi and "Prince", consisting of Yuta Kishi, Yuta Jinguji, and Genki Iwahashi.[5] Their name was coined by then-president Johnny Kitagawa two hours before the press conference announcing their formation.[6] Mr.King vs Mr.Prince was originally meant to be a limited-time unit for the Summer Station event,[7] however, in August 2015, the members announced that they would continue activities as a group.[8]

In 2016, the group split back into their respective units. Mr. King released a photo book and were special supporters for Summer Station 2016,[9] while Prince performed in the Johnny's Ginza musical and became regular cast members of the TV Asahi variety show Mayonaka no Prince. In September 2017, the six members performed in the Johnny's Jr. concert Summer Sta (Kimi ga) King's Treasure. After the concert, they asked Johnny Kitagawa to let them debut together.[10]

2018–present: Debut and success

On 17 January 2018, their debut was announced in a press conference, along with the establishment of Johnny & Associates' new record label under Universal Music, Johnny's Universe, with King & Prince becoming the first artists to sign under the label. Their debut single "Cinderella Girl" was released on 23 May 2018. It was used as the theme song for the drama Boys Over Flowers Season 2 which stars member Sho Hirano.[11] "Cinderella Girl" was a commercial success; it sold over 577,000 copies in its first week, making it the first debut single in over 12 years to exceed initial sales of 500,000 copies. This also made it the most commercially successful debut of the decade.[12] By late-June King & Prince had become the highest earning new artist, with a total gross of ¥870,000,000.[13] In September 2018, "Cinderella Girl" was certified 3x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 750,000 units.[14]

Following the success of "Cinderella Girl", King & Prince embarked on a nationwide arena tour titled King & Prince First Concert Tour 2018. The tour began in August at the Yokohama Arena with a sold out show to 15,000 guests. When the tour concluded, the audience totaled about 260,000 fans.[15] On 10 October 2018, King & Prince released their second single titled "Memorial". The single was used as the theme song for the television drama Bukatsu, Suki Janakya Dame Desu ka? starring members Kaito Takahashi, Yuta Jinguji, and Genki Iwahashi.[16] Another song included in the single, "High On Love", was used as the theme song for the film You, I Love which stars member Hirano.[17] "Memorial" sold more than 400,000 copies in its first week, and topped the Oricon Singles Chart.[18] In the same month of release, it was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAJ for shipments of 500,000 units.[19]

In November 2018, Genki Iwahashi went on hiatus indefinitely to concentrate on treatment for his panic disorder.[20][21] The group's management announced in February 2019 that he would rejoin the group and participate on their third single, "Kimi wo Matteru", but in March it was noted that he was to continue receiving treatment".[22]

Members

Mr. King

Prince
  • Yuta Kishi (Leader)
  • Yuta Jinguji
  • Genki Iwahashi [Indefinite Hiatus]

Discography

Studio albums
Title Information Chart positions Certifications Sales
JPN
[23]
King & Prince 1
  • RIAJ: 2× Platinum[25]
L&
  • Released: 2 September 2020 (JPN)
  • Label: Johnny's Universe
  • Formats: CD/DVD, CD
 1
  • RIAJ: 2× Platinum[27]

Video albums
List of video albums, with selected chart positions, certifications and sales
Title Video details Peak chart positions Certifications Sales
JPN
DVD
[28]		 JPN
BD
[29]
King & Prince First
Concert Tour 2018
  • Released: 12 December 2018
  • Label: Johnny's Universe
  • Formats: DVD, Blu-ray
 11
King & Prince
Concert Tour 2019
  • Released: 15 January 2020
  • Label: Johnny's Universe
  • Formats: DVD, Blu-ray
 11
King & Prince Concert Tour 2020 ～L&～
  • To be released: 24 February 2020
  • Label: Johnny's Universe
  • Formats: DVD, Blu-ray
 To be released

Singles
List of singles, with selected chart positions, certifications and sales
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Certifications Album
JPN
[34]		 JPN
Hot
[35]		 TWN
Five
[36]
"Cinderella Girl" 2018 1115 King & Prince
"Memorial" 117
  • RIAJ: 2× Platinum[19]
"Kimi wo Matteru" 2019 11—
  • RIAJ: 2× Platinum[37]
"Koi-Wazurai" 11— L&
"Mazy Night" 2020 11—
  • RIAJ: 2× Platinum[39]
"I Promise" 11—
  • RIAJ: 2× Platinum[40]
 Non-album single

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominee / work Result Ref.
2018 97th Television Drama Academy Awards Best Theme Song "Cinderella Girl" Nominated [41]
Yahoo! Japan Search Awards Grand Prize King & Prince Won [42]
Idol Category Won
2019 Japan Gold Disc Award New Artist of the Year Won [43]
Best 5 New Artists Won
GQ Men of the Year 2019 Pop Icons of the Year Won [44]
2020 Japan Gold Disc Award Best 5 Albums King & Prince Won [45]

References
  1. "ジャニーズ事務所『King & Prince』が今春CDデビュー". ORICON NEWS (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  2. "King & Prince to be making their CD debut this spring!". Johnny's net. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  3. "Johnny & Associates to debut new group "King & Prince" in spring!". ARAMA! JAPAN. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  4. "ジャニーズJr．：新ユニット「Mr．King　VS　Mr．Prince」誕生　名前は「2時間前にジャニーさんが決めた」". MANTANWEB (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  5. ジャニーズJr.平野紫耀、永瀬廉ら新ユニット『Mr.King vs Mr.Prince』結成 (in Japanese). Oricon. 6 June 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  6. ジャニーズJr．：新ユニット「Mr．King　VS　Mr．Prince」誕生　名前は「2時間前にジャニーさんが決めた」 (in Japanese). Mantan Web. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  7. 夏限定ジャニーズＪｒ選抜「キンプリ」誕生 (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 6 June 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  8. 活動継続決定のキンプリが『Mステ』出演！ アクロバットに生歌でファンを魅了 (in Japanese). T-Site News. 22 August 2015. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  9. ジャニーズJr.“Mr.KING”の勢いが止まらない！「ベストジーニスト」有力候補メンバーも？「狙っていきたい」 (in Japanese). Model Press. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  10. ジャニーズ久々新グループ「キンプリ」ＣＤデビュー (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  11. "デビュー曲「シンデレラガール」がTBS系 火曜ドラマ「花のち晴れ～花男 Next Season～」主題歌に決定！". King & Prince (in Japanese). Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  12. "【オリコン】King & Princeデビュー曲で栄冠 2010年代最高の初週57.7万枚" (in Japanese). Oricon. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  13. 【オリコン】キンプリ、上半期新人王に 平野紫耀「本当にうれしくてびっくり」 (in Japanese). Oricon. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  14. "The Record Vol. 706" (PDF) (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. September 2018. p. 14. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  15. "キンプリ、10・10に2ndシングル発売 初ツアー初日に1万5000人熱狂" (in Japanese). Oricon. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  16. Sherman, Jennifer. "Bukatsu, Suki Janakya Dame Desu ka? Manga Gets Live-Action TV Show". Anime News Network. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  17. Hodgkins, Crystalyn. "Uirabu. -Uiuishii Koi no Ohanashi- Live-Action Film's Trailer Streamed". Anime News Network. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  18. King & Prince、シングル2作連続初週売上40万超え KAT-TUN以来12年3ヶ月ぶり史上2組目の快挙 (in Japanese). Oricon. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  19. "King&Prince、Mr.Children、米津玄師がダブル・プラチナ認定 レコ協10月度ゴールドディスク認定" (in Japanese). Oricon. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  20. キンプリ・岩橋玄樹、11月初旬から活動休止へ パニック障害の治療専念「必ず戻ってきます」 (in Japanese). Oricon. 26 October 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  21. "Two young idols take sick leave, reveal the cause is panic disorder". Asahi Shimbun. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  22. "King & Prince's Iwahashi Genki will not be resuming his activities yet, single release postponed". tokyohive. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  23. Sources for chart positions are as follows:
  24. "待望の1st Album「King & Prince」が6月19日(水)に発売決定！". King & Prince (in Japanese). 2019-04-12. Retrieved 2019-04-13.
  25. "ダブル・プラチナ等認定作品一覧 2019年6月" [Works Receiving Certifications List (double platinum, etc) (June 2019)] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  26. オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree']. Oricon. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  27. "Japanese certifications – King & Prince – L&" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2020年9月 on the drop-down menu
  28. Sources for chart positions are as follows:
  29. Sources for chart positions are as follows:
  30. AKB48がミリオン、米津玄師、BTS、星野源がダブル・プラチナ 12月度レコ協認定 (in Japanese). Oricon. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  31. King & Princeの初ライブ映像、1st音楽映像作品の初週売上で歴代記録 (in Japanese). Oricon. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  32. AKB48がミリオン、米津玄師、BTS、星野源がダブル・プラチナ 12月度レコ協認定 (in Japanese). Oricon. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  33. King & Prince、最新ライブDVD&BD2作連続3部門同時1位獲得【オリコンランキング】 (in Japanese). Oricon. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  34. Sources for chart positions are as follows:
    • "Cinderella Girl" (in Japanese). Oricon. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
    • "Memorial" (in Japanese). Oricon. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
    • "Kimi o Matteru" (in Japanese). Oricon. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
    • "Koi-Wazurai" (in Japanese). Oricon. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
    • "Mazy Night" (in Japanese). Oricon. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
    • "I Promise" (in Japanese). Oricon. 28 December 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  35. Sources for chart positions are as follows:
    • "Cinderella Girl". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 4 June 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
    • "Memorial". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 22 October 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
    • "Kimi o Matteru". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 15 April 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
    • "Koi-Wazurai". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 9 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
    • "Mazy Night". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 22 June 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
    • "I Promise". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 28 December 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  36. Sources for chart positions are as follows: "Cinderella Girl", 2018 Week 22. "Memorial", 2018 Week 42. To access, select the indicated week and year on the drop down me381nu in the bottom left corner.
  37. "Japanese certifications – King & Prince – 君を待ってる" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2020年6月 on the drop-down menu
  38. "Japanese certifications – King & Prince – Koi-Wazurai" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2019年8月 on the drop-down menu
  39. "Japanese certifications – King & Prince – Mazy Night" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2020年6月 on the drop-down menu
  40. "Japanese certifications – King & Prince – I Promise" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2020年12月 on the drop-down menu
  41. 第97回ザテレビジョンドラマアカデミー賞 ドラマソング賞 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  42. King & Prince「Yahoo!検索大賞」大賞に! アイドル部門賞とダブル受賞 (in Japanese). MyNavi News. 5 December 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  43. "The Japan Gold Disc Award 2019" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  44. King ＆ Prince、ジャニーズ初の快挙に喜び＜GQ MEN OF THE YEAR 2019＞ (in Japanese). modelpress. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  45. "The Japan Gold Disc Award 2020" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
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