English translation

Koizumi Kyoko, nickname: Kyon Kyon (キョンキョン) - also written as Kyon2 or Kyon² , born: February 4, 1966, was a super idol and big actress extremely popular from mid 1980s to early 1990s. She was undoubtedly the third biggest female idol in mid 1980s (1984-1986),   but even compared to every other super idols in the whole 1980s (*Nakayama Miho, Kudo Shizuka, The Checkers, Tahara Toshihiko, Kondo Masahiko, Hikaru Genji) she would still be able to contend for the title of the third biggest idol of the decade. 

In 1981, she participated in the infamous singing audition program "Star Tanjou!" and passed to the final. At the age of 15, she signed with Burning Production as her talent agency, and Victor as her record company. She made her singing debut on March 21, 1982 and was known as one of the "Flower Class of '82", a bunch of big idols debuted in 1982, along with Nakamori Akina, Hori Chiemi, Hayami Yuu, Matsumoto Iyo, Ishikawa Hidemi and Shibugakitai. In her early career, her concept was just a normal orthodox idol with frilly dress and Seiko-chan hairstyle - similar to any other early 1980s idols. In 1984, she suddenly cut her hair short without permission from her agency, causing a bit of a commotion because her new hairstyle didn't suit the character image for the idol magazines they had prepared. But this choice would only bring her more success. She was already a top idol right from debut, but this new concept brought her to another height. Her singles sales doubled and even tripled, and she quickly became the third biggest female idol (*only behind the two idol queens Matsuda Seiko and Nakamori Akina) in the period of 1984 to 1986. Even in late 1980s to early 1990s, she was still very big and known as "queen of commercials", the products featuring her were said to see their sales increased up to 20%. During her idol days, she was also known for her eccentric costumes, some of which she designed herself, that she became a fashion icon as an idol with a strong sense of self. 

Koizumi Kyoko on "Star Tanjou!", circa 1981 

^ with Nakamori Akina  

About this song 

Released on November 21, 1985, this song reached #1 on the Oricon chart and sold 284,380 copies. The song was also ranked #1 on both "The Best Ten" and "The Top Ten" music programs. The song was written and composed by the ultimate combination of Akimoto Yasushi and Tsutsumi Kyohei. It won her 1 award and earned her the second Kohaku performance on Kohaku Uta Gassen 1985. 

The song was used in Fuji Film commercial

Her performance on "Kohaku Uta Gassen" 1985

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1P4411Y7GP

Her live performances: 

^ on "Yoru no Hit Studio" 

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV15t41177ET 

^ on "The Best Ten" that had their own ranking system different from Oricon chart, this song was ranked #1 ~!!!

^ on "The Best Ten" again 

^ on "The Best Ten", singing the spin off version called "Nantettatte Idol (Another Version)" where the lyrics were replaced with her real life story 

^ on "The Top Ten" that had their own ranking system different from Oricon chart, this song was also ranked #1

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1rb4y167Af

^ on "The Top Ten" again 

^ on "Yan Yan Uta Studio" 

in 1988, during the mic pass session on "Yoru no Hit Studio" 

In her career, she has released a total of 43 singles and 25 original albums  (*not including compilation albums, live albums, remix albums, collaboration projects, etc). Her total song sales (all singles + all albums) are 14,490,914 copies. She has performed 5 times on Kohaku Uta Gassen (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988). As for her acting career, she has starred in a total of 63 dramas (1982-2024) and 57 movies (1983-2024), playing a lot of lead roles in high-rating dramas. Being big both as singer and actress, she has won a lot of music and acting awards. 

How big was Kyon Kyon at her peak? 

- Her total sales are 14,490,914 copies, the fifth highest among female idols debuted in 1980s. 

- She has 11 singles and 2 albums that reached #1 on the Oricon chart. 

The chart positions of her singles from 1982 - 1994 (her peak career) 

#22 (<-- debut song), #19, #13, #10, #8, #4, #3, #4, #1, #1, #1, #1, #1, #6, #1, #1, #2, #2, #3, #1, #2, #1, #2, #7, #2, #2, #3, #1, #10, #10, #1, #4, #2, #4, #7 

Her albums' chart positions from 1982 - 1994

#2, #2, #2, #3, #6, #3, #2, #3, #4, #1, #2, #10, #2, #8, #4, #2, #3, #3, #2, #7, #10, #9, #35 (<-- remix album), #16, #9, #49 (<-- remix album), #1, #2, #18, #19, #13, #12 

- Undoubtedly the third biggest female idol in mid 1980s (1984-1986), and was still very big in late 1980s to early 1990s. 

- From the late 1980s to the early 1990s , she was cast in numerous commercials, earning her the nickname "Queen of Commercials".  It was said that products featuring Kyon2 would see increase in their sales up to 20%. 

- She has won at least 15 music awards (1982-1995, 2013) and 27 acting awards (1988, 1998-2016, 2024); which also shows the longevity of her career. 

Kyon2 in her dramas and movies: 

"Anmitsu Hime" (1983)

"Seito Shokun!" (1984)

"Shoujo ni Nani ga Okotta ka" (1985)

"Boku no Onna ni Teodasuna" (1986)

"Kaito Ruby" (1988)

"Ashita wa Atashi no Kaze ga Fuku" (1989)

^ (0:28 - 0:49)

"Aishiatterukai!" (1989)

"Papa to Nat-chan" (1991)

"Cho Shoujo Reiko" (1991)

^ (0:25) Kyon2. The main character was played by Mizuki Arisa. They later became close friends

"Yamai wa kikara: Byôin e ikô 2" (1992)

"Aisuru to Iu Koto" (1993)

Kyon2in commercials:

Miscellaneous videos:

Koizumi Kyoko  

...and decades have passed...

Kyon2 from 1982 to 2022

^ 2022 marked her 40th career anniversary

Kyon2 in 2022

Kyon2 in 2024

^ Kyon2 and Mo-kun of Shibugakitai, long time friends and fellow class'82 idols.

And...this is Koizumi Kyoko in 2025