Ai Kago Officially Back

Ai Kago will be making her return to Japanese TV this Friday on Fuji TV

Former Morning Musume and super popular Japanese idol Ai Kago (加護亜衣) announced on her blog last Friday that she’s officially back in Japanese showbiz! Affectionately called “Aibon” or “Kago-chan” by her fans, the 20 year old cutie revealed she’ll make her first Japanese TV appearance since her second smoking scandal more than 2 years ago.

“Aibon” is back in the spotlight, this time as a serious actress and talent

Ai Kago is going to be the guest on Japanese showbiz icon Sanma Akashiya’s Fuji TV late night variety show “Sanma no Manma” (さんまのまんま) this Friday. On the show Aibon will talk about her downward spiral, her road to recovery, her succeeding in losing 22 pounds and her current status as a bona fide Japanese actress and “talent”. Aibon has recently returned from Hong Kong after completing her role in “Super Chef” (スーパーシェフ), her first movie since her comeback. The film will be shown in Hong Kong this fall and be in theaters in Japan next April.

If Ai Kago and Maki Goto got together, what would you name the unit?

Ai Kago has also began filming a historic suspense drama with NTV (Nippon TV) in the ancient capitol of Kyoto since returning to Japan.  She plays a princess and from the leaked press photos I’ve seen she looked absolutely adorable!  Upon her return she was asked about the rumor of her and former Morning Musume member Maki Goto (current AVEX artist) forming a new unit.  Aibon responded that it was also the first time for her to hear such speculation but she’d welcome it.

Ai Kago Heads to Hong Kong

Ai Kago at Narita International Airport last Friday

Former idol and Morning Musume member Ai Kago (加護亜依) aka Aibon has officially kicked off her comeback in a big way after over 2 years of hiatus that stemmed from her “smoking incidents”. The always cute Aibon (あいぼん) left for Hong Kong this past Friday to work on an upcoming Hong Kong blockbuster movie tentatively titled “Kung Fu Chef” or “Super Chef” (功夫厨神). This is Ai’s first major work project since announcing her return to Japanese showbiz as an actress back in April.

Aibon appeared to be in high spirit at her press conference

At a brief press conference held at Narita International Airport before her departure, the 20 year old said, “I’ve finally made a comeback! I’m somewhat nervous but I shall do my best.” Commenting on the scar left from her suicide attempt, Aibon said, “I’ve done the worst possible thing as a human being so I’ll never do that again.” On her blog which has recently received top ranking in hits she wrote, “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to talk much about my projects but forget about that as I bring you the good news! It’s been confirmed I’ll starr in a Hong Kong movie. I didn’t know I’d get offered a job that quickly…I’m so happy!”

Aibon going over the script for Kung Fu Chef before leaving for Hong Kong. She’ll be there until early June.

Miss Kago is indeed very lucky (her new management is obviously fighting very hard for her) to land a role in “Super Chef”. The movie starrs the legendary Hong Kong action superstar Sammo Hung (洪金寶) as the charismatic super chef and former Taiwanese boy band F4 member and Asian heartthrob Vanness Wu (吳建豪) as his disciple. Aibon will play the younger sister of the boss that runs the restaurant. Her character often gets in trouble and she has an acute sense for taste and is skilled in the art of tea and spices.

Random photos from Ai Kago’s popular blog

When reporters asked about her beau, cafe operator Yasuyuki Ishimoto (石本靖幸) who’s 18 years her senior, Ai replied, “He’s more like an older brother than a boyfriend to me. He told me to go and do my job seriously.”

At the press conference the subject of smoking was once again touched on. According to Aibon, she quit smoking by sucking on her favorite milk flavored candy and mint gum.