Kou Shibasaki

Stage Name:Kou Shibasaki 柴咲 コウ (Shibasaki Kō)
Birth name Yukie Yamamura (山村幸恵 )
Born August 5, 1981 (1981-08-05) (age 27)
Origin Toshima, Tokyo, Japan
Genre(s) Japanese pop
Occupation(s) Singer and actress
Instrument(s) Vocals
Years active 2000–present
Label(s) Universal Music Group Japan
Website http://www.universal-music.co.jp/shibasaki/

Music career

Shibasaki made her debut in the music industry in 2002 with her first single Trust My Feelings, but she became recognized for her second single Tsuki no shizuku which was used for the movie Yomigaeri. The song was one of the most successful J-Pop hits of 2003. Her first album peaked at number 2 and spent 68 weeks on the Oricon charts. Her second album was considered to be a commercial disappointment, in comparison to her first album, lasting 9 weeks and reaching a peak position of #5.

Shibasaki's first Christmas song, "Actuality", was released in December 2006. "At Home" was released later on February 21, 2007. Both failed to reach the top 10 on the Oricon charts. "Hito Koi Meguri", released on March 28, 2007, reached number 8 on the charts. It became her first single to reach the top 10 since "Invitation". On April 25, 2007, Shibasaki's third album Kiki♥ was released and went straight to number one. On August 3 and 5, Shibasaki held her first concerts - "Kou Shibasaki Premium Live" in Osaka and Tokyo. 2400 participants of the concert were selected from over 30,000 applicants for the tickets (which accompanied the KiKi album).

In April 2008, the singer released two greatest hits albums, entitled The Single Best and The Back Best, each contained various tracks from the past. The Single Best topped the Oricon while The Back Best kept third, this broke Shibasaki's own record for it was her first time to reach top 1 on the weekly chart. In addition to that, she broke the record of Ayumi Hamasaki for maintaining both albums in top 3.

Though unable to compose (mainstream) music on her own, Kou Shibasaki writes the lyrics for most of her songs. Many of her singles have become theme songs for various films, dramas, and commercials, in which her success and previous achievments are mentioned throughout various websites, Japanese TV, and gaijins throughout the nation of Japan.