
It’s not just an act; this Japanese R&B queen really does understand love.
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, many musicians have turned to the art of live streaming in order to give fans a way to interact with them somewhat physically. Some will do full-on shows while many are holding Q&As where they answer fan questions.
Japanese R&B artist Utada Hikaru held one such live stream on Instagram a few nights ago. Since many of her lyrics touch on deeply personal aspects of love and relationships, she naturally had some deep viewer questions about love. One viewer asked, “Why do breakups hurt so much?” and her answer left many speechless.
▼ We don’t have video footage, but luckily Twitter user @andmariobooks shared a text account of the interaction.
昨日宇多田ヒカルのインスタライブ、誰かとの別れを乗り越えるのはなぜこんなに痛いのかという質問に、元々既に痛みがあって、その人がいてくれたことでその痛みを感じないで済んでいた時、その人が去って元の痛みに向き合うことがあるというようなことを言ってて、すごい瞬間に立ち会った気がした…
— 安達茉莉子🦦mariko adachi (@andmariobooks) May 10, 2020
In translation, it’s something like this:
“During Utada Hikaru’s Instalive yesterday, someone asked her why breakups hurt so much. Her answer was that the pain was already there, and it was because the other person was with you that you were able to not feel it. But when you lose that person, you have to face that pain. I feel like I just witnessed something amazing…”
We admit that love is a unique experience to everyone, but this unique viewpoint apparently struck a chord with many. Japanese netizens on Twitter and more had a lot to say on the subject.
“No wonder she was able to write such amazing songs at 16…”
“I feel so enlightened…she’s got such a sense for things…”
“This is so true…like the pain in your chest when you go through a breakup…”
“I’ve got goosebumps.”
“So that’s why it sucks so badly to be single.”
Whether you agree or not, you’ve got to admit it’s pretty cool that we’re in an age where we can interact with artists and have our voices be heard (er, not that these are ideal circumstances). If you’re a Utada Hikaru fan and you haven’t already been tuning into her Instalives, maybe you should; you’re missing more than just good music.
Sources: Twitter/@andmariobooks via Hachima Kiko
Featured image: Pakutaso
Insert image: Pakutaso
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Utada Hikaru explains “why getting over someone is so painful”
Utada Hikaru sings incredible new one-take version of “First Love,” 26 years after original release
Check out Utada Hikaru’s unique 360-degree making-of video for her song “A Bouquet for You”
J-pop megastar Utada Hikaru announces first concert tour in 12 years
Watch the Opening Minutes of Evangelion 3.0 & Official Utada Hikaru Music Video Now
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
“Adult anime” geta new meaning with McDonald’s Japan ad from Fist of the North Star creator【Video】
‘90s J-pop/drama star Ryoko Hirosue stars in amazing McDonald’s Japan vid…with her younger self
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
The top 8 fast food chains in Japan
Travel to a Japanese convenience store at an active volcano
Blink and you’ll miss what riled racists in this Japanese McDonald’s ad 【Video】
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Schoolkids learn life skills through shopping field trips at street markets in Kochi Prefecture
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese-American singer Hikaru Utada opens a discussion on racism on Japanese Twitter
J-pop star Utada Hikaru teases new music video in preview for her latest anime theme【Videos】
J-pop star Utada Hikaru filmed all of her newest video in her lockdown home, and it’s beautiful
There’s a special, familial reason Utada Hikaru looks so natural and unguarded in her new video
J-pop megastar Utada Hikaru’s haunting new music video for “Pink Blood” is here!【Video】
J-pop megastar Utada Hikaru previews new song, hikes Japanese Alps in beautiful videos【Video】
J-pop megastar Utada Hikaru releases new music video directed by Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno
Hikaru Utada previews new song as she hikes through the achingly beautiful Japan Alps【Video】
Evangelion welcomes back Utada Hikaru for final movie’s theme song, vinyl collected release
Utada Hikaru sings, Eva fights Eva in jaw-dropping new trailer for final Evangelion movie【Video】