Jun, at 28

Just a little essay and spam for Matsujun's birthday! A few hours late, but it's the thought that counts.

For all his perceived manliness and studied, cool ambivalence, he is actually the one who, at the right moments, seems like a perfectly giddy and mischievous 9-year-old boy. His smile, at those times, will just blow you away with its sincerity and child-like glee. Those smiles are like windows to the real Jun: introspective, thankful, fearless, purer than he suspects, and sincere. It also helps that he’s a man who knows what he wants and works hard for it. There’s nothing much more attractive than that.

I will never have been in this fandom if it wasn’t for Jun. Although that doesn’t exactly make me unique (quite the opposite, actually, thanks to the phenomenon that we all like to call Jun-bait), I will never be ashamed to admit that it was thanks to this particularly good-looking, if quite prickly, man that I have spent so many wasteful hours easily and happily investing in my love for the five-man rainbow drug that is known as Arashi. Yes, I know it’s on the further end of dorkiness to love a boyband this much, but I have pretty much gotten over the fact that I fell for them hook, line, and sinker—even my friends have given up chastising me and sighing over my slightly socially-unacceptable obsession. (Admit it, it’s not really a hobby or interest you’ll brag about on, say, a first date; it’s something your close friends barely tolerate as you find any excuse to bring up any of the boys in a completely unrelated conversation, lol.)

Matsumoto Jun was the man who made me go “screw it, I love him! I must research on him!” when I watched him five years ago in Kimi wa Petto then the notoriously epic Hana Yori Dango. It was the first time I ever had a compulsion to look up an actor, a Japanese one at that. Although his acting has never gotten much critical acclaim, he more than makes up for it with sheer charisma and presence. He is a joy to watch on the screen! Domyouji was a revelation to Japan, and to millions of unsuspecting soon-to-be Matsujun then Arashi fans worldwide: here is someone to watch for, a star. Jun is indeed the gateway drug for many, and I can’t thank him enough for personally leading me to our stormy five—there is no better, more rewarding group to be a fan of other than Arashi. And for that, I will always have a soft spot for him. I always say that Ohno’s my favorite, when asked, even though I love all the members in more or less equal measure (because I am irrationally attracted to him: Ohno is Ohno, you get what I mean?) but Jun—there is just something about Jun. He’s probably the one I am most fond of and care about the most.

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