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D.U.N.K. (Dance Universe Never Killed, pronounced dunk) is a large-scale music project jointly produced by SKY-HI and Nippon Television Network Corporation (NTV). The project places its main focus on dance and collaborations between dance & vocal groups and artists of different agencies in Japan and around the world. The project's theme song is D.U.N.K. by SKY-HI.
The project is comprised of three parts:
- A television show, which features some of the artists from the lineup getting to know each other and hanging out, as well as discussing the possible collaborations that they will perform.
- A live showcase, which is the centerpiece of the project, where all artists perform and collaborate with each other.
- A YouTube show, where the showcase performances and behind the scenes footage are aired giving the opportunity for the show to be seen by a wide, international audience.
The project started in February 2023, with the first showcase being held in March 2023. A second edition (called Chapter 2) started in October 2023, with the second showcase being held in December 2023.
Concept[]
What's good is good.
No more barriers or discrimination in the dance and vocal scene.
Let's make this a turning point in history!
Comment from SKY-HI for Chapter 1
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| Good is good. The dance and vocal scene no longer needs barriers or discrimination.
Music, especially dance, is the pinnacle of non-verbal communication. Originally, it has been used for entertainment, prayer, and enjoyment since ancient times, regardless of race, national borders, or gender. In the age of the Internet, an African boy analyzes a Japanese dancer. American girls have become enamored with Korean idols. Even in the special skill of singing and dancing, after the development of the Internet, there is now free competition involving the whole world. Now, with the ability to instantly check what is happening anywhere in the world, there is a surprisingly large number of colorful and talented dance and vocal groups within reach, at least within one's own eyes and hands. Perhaps this is no longer a stage where villages should be divided into villages and towns into towns, but it can be done. How many times have I wished that highways, bullet trains, and airplanes were available to this scene in Japan? D.U.N.K. is a new kind of dance and vocal music, with unprecedented excitement and emotion, and new possibilities that are a combination of all these things. The focus is also on what the players involved have been thinking up to now, and what they are thinking now. This project directly appeals to the root of human desire. Let's make this a turning point in the history of dance and vocal music. |
Comment from SKY-HI for Chapter 2
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| The second installment of D.U.N.K. will be held at OSAKA KYOCERA DOME.
As a result of the huge positive reception and reaction of the previous D.U.N.K., we were able to return within 9 months on an even larger scale. Firstly, let me express my gratitude and respect from the bottom of my heart to all the relevant parties, various artists and their affiliated agencies that cooperated last time. “To enjoy” (楽しむ) is by no means “easy" (楽), but as someone who has made music their livelihood, I’m doing this because I wholeheartedly want to create a place where all the artists who share the same passion for music can have fun together and mutually push each to be better. We are eagerly in the planning phase, with the desire of wanting to create even more organic and fresh collaborations, so please look forward to it. The world of Japan’s music industry is in a time of change, but to follow the words of Allan Watts, “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it and join the dance”, I will first plunge in and create a dance that is worth everyone else plunging in too, so counting on your support this time too. Let’s have fun! |
TV Show[]
The TV show airs Wednesdays at 24:59 on NTV. It focuses on variety content and interviews showcasing the collaboration and relationships between the guest acts from different agencies, prior to the showcase taking place. Longer versions of the episodes are available on Hulu Japan and paid cable channel CS Nittele Plus, with previously unaired footage.
Showcase[]
A large-scale festival featuring all artists from the TV show, and usually more who are announced later on as well as surprise guests, is held as the centerpiece of the project. Each artist gets to perform a set of their own songs and also collabs with at least one other artist in the line-up.
| Showcase | Date | Venue | Featured Artists |
|---|---|---|---|
| D.U.N.K. Showcase (Chapter 1) | March 5, 2023 | Ariake Arena | SKY-HI, Aile The Shota, REIKO, ShowMinorSavage, DREAMS COME TRUE, Bullet Train, Ayumu Imazu, KENZO |
| March 11, 2023 | Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall 9-11 | SKY-HI, BE:FIRST, BALLISTIK BOYZ, &TEAM, s**t kingz, XY (opening act) | |
| March 12, 2023 | SKY-HI, BE:FIRST, GENERATIONS, &TEAM, s**t kingz, REIKO (opening act) | ||
| D.U.N.K. Showcase (Chapter 2) | December 2, 2023 | Kyocera Dome Osaka | SKY-HI, Nissy, ATEEZ, BE:FIRST, &TEAM, RIEHATA, LIL LEAGUE, MAZZEL, IMP. |
| December 3, 2023 | SKY-HI, Nissy, ATEEZ, BE:FIRST, &TEAM, RIEHATA, FANTASTICS, THE JET BOY BANGERZ, Travis Japan |
YouTube Show[]
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The YouTube show focuses on the performances from the showcase as well as backstage content and interviews with the artists. Episodes are uploaded Saturdays at 19:00.
| Chapter | Run Dates | Number of Episodes |
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| 1 | May 13, 2023 - July 15, 2023 | 10 episodes |
Featured Artists[]
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- SKY-HI
- BE:FIRST
- MAZZEL
- &TEAM
- IMP.
- ATEEZ
- FANTASTICS
- THE JET BOY BANGERZ
- LIL LEAGUE
- Nissy
- RIEHATA
- Travis Japan
- KAITA
- KAZ the FIRE