ZOC (an acronym for "zone of control") is an idol group formed in 2018 by singer-songwriter Oomori Seiko. Seiko is a popular alternative singer-songwriter and established idol fan, also having collaborated with and written for different idol groups. She formed the group with herself as both a member and producer at the core, and recruited different former and active idols and models to be a part of the group. The image of the group is very alternative and the music reflects this, but the group had seen a strong debut and gained a devoted following in a very short time.
However, on July 15, 2020, they announced a group hiatus and that they would no longer be working with the agency that helped them reach this success. What happened?
I have compiled a timeline of events that fans generally believe led to the decision of the group to go on hiatus. Most of the items in question have been deleted, but I have provided screenshots where I have them and translations where I can. The whole thing is wild, so try to keep up.
(t/w: drugs, adultery [no images, references only])
Involved persons:
Oomori Seiko: Cult favorite singer-songwriter, creator, producer, and member of ZOC
Senritsu Kanano: Former member of ZOC, graduated July 8
Nishii Marina: Founding member of ZOC, former collaborator with Seiko
Kannagi Maro: Member of ZOC, joined the group on March 27, 2020 after leaving one of the most prominent idol companies in Japan (which has also collaborated with Seiko)
Pierre Nakano: Seiko's husband, drummer for the rock band Ling tosite sigure
KoreKore: Popular twicaster who discusses current events in pop and subcultural Japan
Yurinya: Mysterious friend of Kanano
ekom: The agency that represented ZOC until July 18, 2020
Shibayuu: A popular YouTuber who is expecting his second child with his wife, who is also a YouTuber
The events:
-Kanano goes on the televised variety show Out x Deluxe on July 2 for a solo appearance as a member of ZOC (she filmed remotely). When asked to introduce the other members, she describes Seiko as the "mental health queen," with seemingly little ill intent. Kanano had appeared on the show several times previously.
-Seiko loses it on her blog on July 4 and posts a long rant about how much she has going on in her life and how outraged she is that someone would make fun of her and her mental health, without naming names. She deletes this blog very shortly after posting.
-Kanano's immediate graduation and removal from the group's agency is announced due to "the discovery of the likelihood of hindering compliance."
-Seiko goes on Instagram and posts a video of the remaining ZOC members singing. At some point during a song, Seiko chants the names of all current and former ZOC members, including Kanano, supposedly as a method of tribute.
-This is brought to Kanano's attention on Twitter, who describes the move as: "Masturbatory. Even though I was driven out, my name is still being used by them to present this rosy view of things. What a bankruptcy of character, they're messed up."
-Nishii then subtweets: "Forced out?!!?!, Are you okay? I guess you're still at it, since you can't even uphold the law"
-Kanano responds with photos of clean drug tests under her name: "I even got tested and they were all clear but rumors are still being spread about me, this sucks." She follows up, "It's not about what to believe or that I did something bad, I didn't want to quit ZOC, my drug tests were negative and I have the paperwork to prove it, and that's just reality at this point."
-Kanano goes on Korekore's twicast and says she was told by a producer (unnamed, possibly Seiko) that she had to take drug tests weekly in order to stay in the group.
-Maro tweets: "Don't make a mistake in what you believe... Please let me happily be an idol." Nakano also makes some cryptic tweets along the lines of, "The truth holds the cards here."
-Seiko deletes her socials.
-A woman identified as Yurinya goes on Korekore's twicast, allegedly as a friend of Kanano's, to say that Nishii is having an affair with popular YouTuber Shibayuu. She names specific items that she alleges he has given her as gifts. Fans found documentation of Nishii using the specific items described in various selfies.
-Screenshots are leaked where there is presumed illicit material (drugs) in the vicinity of Kanano and her belongings (her wallet is seen in some of the shots, which she neither confirms nor denies is hers).
-Kanano explains that these images were found on Google, but then changes her story to say that a friend posted them on a private Instagram, and that the only people who would have seen it were the other zoc members and that Seiko and Nishii are the ones leaking the photos and spreading rumors about her using drugs.
-Due to fan uproar about the way Kanano left the group, the insistence of the other members to get involved, the confusion surrounding whether Kanano has used drugs or associates with people who use drugs or not, the accusations of Nishii having an affair, and whatever the hell else is going on behind the scenes, zoc announces a suspension of activities and that they are no longer going to be represented by ekom on July 15.
Fan response to the announcement has largely been confusion and concern. Most say that want answers rather than for them to run away, as there have been many serious accusations thrown out over the course of the last few weeks. Unfortunately, it does not seem that they will get any, since Seiko retreated immediately and there is no timeline for their return.
The group is alternative idol, to be sure, so there is generally some leeway for bad behavior tolerated by fans, but is it possible for a group to come back from this level of chaos? What do you think?
However, on July 15, 2020, they announced a group hiatus and that they would no longer be working with the agency that helped them reach this success. What happened?
I have compiled a timeline of events that fans generally believe led to the decision of the group to go on hiatus. Most of the items in question have been deleted, but I have provided screenshots where I have them and translations where I can. The whole thing is wild, so try to keep up.
(t/w: drugs, adultery [no images, references only])
Involved persons:
Oomori Seiko: Cult favorite singer-songwriter, creator, producer, and member of ZOC
Senritsu Kanano: Former member of ZOC, graduated July 8
Nishii Marina: Founding member of ZOC, former collaborator with Seiko
Kannagi Maro: Member of ZOC, joined the group on March 27, 2020 after leaving one of the most prominent idol companies in Japan (which has also collaborated with Seiko)
Pierre Nakano: Seiko's husband, drummer for the rock band Ling tosite sigure
KoreKore: Popular twicaster who discusses current events in pop and subcultural Japan
Yurinya: Mysterious friend of Kanano
ekom: The agency that represented ZOC until July 18, 2020
Shibayuu: A popular YouTuber who is expecting his second child with his wife, who is also a YouTuber
The events:
-Kanano goes on the televised variety show Out x Deluxe on July 2 for a solo appearance as a member of ZOC (she filmed remotely). When asked to introduce the other members, she describes Seiko as the "mental health queen," with seemingly little ill intent. Kanano had appeared on the show several times previously.
-Seiko loses it on her blog on July 4 and posts a long rant about how much she has going on in her life and how outraged she is that someone would make fun of her and her mental health, without naming names. She deletes this blog very shortly after posting.
-Kanano's immediate graduation and removal from the group's agency is announced due to "the discovery of the likelihood of hindering compliance."
-Seiko goes on Instagram and posts a video of the remaining ZOC members singing. At some point during a song, Seiko chants the names of all current and former ZOC members, including Kanano, supposedly as a method of tribute.
-This is brought to Kanano's attention on Twitter, who describes the move as: "Masturbatory. Even though I was driven out, my name is still being used by them to present this rosy view of things. What a bankruptcy of character, they're messed up."
-Nishii then subtweets: "Forced out?!!?!, Are you okay? I guess you're still at it, since you can't even uphold the law"
-Kanano responds with photos of clean drug tests under her name: "I even got tested and they were all clear but rumors are still being spread about me, this sucks." She follows up, "It's not about what to believe or that I did something bad, I didn't want to quit ZOC, my drug tests were negative and I have the paperwork to prove it, and that's just reality at this point."
-Kanano goes on Korekore's twicast and says she was told by a producer (unnamed, possibly Seiko) that she had to take drug tests weekly in order to stay in the group.
-Maro tweets: "Don't make a mistake in what you believe... Please let me happily be an idol." Nakano also makes some cryptic tweets along the lines of, "The truth holds the cards here."
-Seiko deletes her socials.
-A woman identified as Yurinya goes on Korekore's twicast, allegedly as a friend of Kanano's, to say that Nishii is having an affair with popular YouTuber Shibayuu. She names specific items that she alleges he has given her as gifts. Fans found documentation of Nishii using the specific items described in various selfies.
-Screenshots are leaked where there is presumed illicit material (drugs) in the vicinity of Kanano and her belongings (her wallet is seen in some of the shots, which she neither confirms nor denies is hers).
-Kanano explains that these images were found on Google, but then changes her story to say that a friend posted them on a private Instagram, and that the only people who would have seen it were the other zoc members and that Seiko and Nishii are the ones leaking the photos and spreading rumors about her using drugs.
-Due to fan uproar about the way Kanano left the group, the insistence of the other members to get involved, the confusion surrounding whether Kanano has used drugs or associates with people who use drugs or not, the accusations of Nishii having an affair, and whatever the hell else is going on behind the scenes, zoc announces a suspension of activities and that they are no longer going to be represented by ekom on July 15.
Fan response to the announcement has largely been confusion and concern. Most say that want answers rather than for them to run away, as there have been many serious accusations thrown out over the course of the last few weeks. Unfortunately, it does not seem that they will get any, since Seiko retreated immediately and there is no timeline for their return.
The group is alternative idol, to be sure, so there is generally some leeway for bad behavior tolerated by fans, but is it possible for a group to come back from this level of chaos? What do you think?
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Wow. This is a wild story. Goodness knows.
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I can't make my mind up on whether this is terrible or great PR handling.
Considering that a lot of mainstream groups have survived infidelity scandals, an alternative idol act shouldn't have to worry too much. In this case it seems to rather be an internal issue.
In either case, the way things have developed is wild. When I heard about the drug accusations I didn't give it that much thought.
Considering that a lot of mainstream groups have survived infidelity scandals, an alternative idol act shouldn't have to worry too much. In this case it seems to rather be an internal issue.
In either case, the way things have developed is wild. When I heard about the drug accusations I didn't give it that much thought.
Very true. Sayuri is still in Nogizaka and a senbatsu member, after all.
Chococo
your local superheroine
Wait, is this the same group where ANGERME's former member Fukuda Kanon is a part of and she is now known as Maro? Oh, dear.
I'd say that it is possible for them to come back, because some idols commit legit crimes and they still try and have fans, or even the infidelity scandals that has shaken up Japan, so why not? But probably rebranded themselves with the different line-up or even take the least problematic members out of the group and make a new one.
Either way, anything is possible. Any negative or positive publicity is still an attention brought on them. It makes them want to check out the group more.
I'd say that it is possible for them to come back, because some idols commit legit crimes and they still try and have fans, or even the infidelity scandals that has shaken up Japan, so why not? But probably rebranded themselves with the different line-up or even take the least problematic members out of the group and make a new one.
Either way, anything is possible. Any negative or positive publicity is still an attention brought on them. It makes them want to check out the group more.
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The diagrams are out...