Konno Asami

Konno Asami (紺野あさ美), legal name Sugiura Asami (杉浦あさ美), is a former Japanese pop singer and TV announcer. She is known for being a member of Morning Musume under Hello! Project, which she joined through the 2001 auditions as a part of the 5th generation. She was also a member of Country Musume, Tanpopo, and the Morning Musume splinter group Morning Musume Sakura Gumi and took part in the shuffle units Odoru 11, 11WATER and H.P. All Stars.
She graduated from Morning Musume on July 23, 2006 to focus on university studies. She later joined the Gatas Brilhantes H.P. futsal team and its associated idol group Ongaku Gatas before she graduated from the Hello! Project label along with the rest of the Elder Club on March 31, 2009. Konno left in 2011 to work as an announcer for TV Tokyo until 2017.
==Biography==
Konno Asami was born on May 7, 1987.
===2001===
Konno auditioned for the japanese pop group Morning Musume while it was holding it's fifth generation auditions. She very nearly didn't get into the group, as the competitions judge and even Morning Musume's producer, Tsunku, said her performance was mediocre at best. However Tsunku decided to give her a chance and she made it into the fifth generation line-up alongside Takahashi Ai, Niigaki Risa and Ogawa Makoto. Tsunku said that Konno passed the audition because of her potential and because of the amount of effort she'd put into her performance.
She debuted on the group's thirteenth single, "Mr.Moonlight ~Ai no Big Band~," released on October 31. In the same month, during a filming of music variety show Utaban, she injured her leg and was not able to participate in the remaining performances of the group's national tour at that time.
She is considered to be one of the most intelligent members of the group after achieving the highest marks during a special episode of Mecha-Mecha Iketeru! (shortly after the fifth generation joined) where the Bakajo Test was given to see who was the "idiot girl" of Morning Musume.
===2002===
Konno made her first album appearance as a part of Morning Musume on the group's fourth album, "4th Ikimasshoi!," released on March 27, 2002. The album is currently their second highest selling album.
In May, Konno was unexpectedly given the lead role for the second half of Morning Musume's annual play, Morning Town.
It was also in this year that Konno was put into her first shuffle unit, Odoru 11. Coincidentally, she was separated from all the other fifth generation members, who were in Happy 7.
September, all the fifth generation members were placed into a sub-group. Along with Niigaki Risa, Konno was put into Tanpopo as the group's third generation. They only released one single before becoming inactive.
Konno, along with many other members of Morning Musume at that time, starred in a drama entitled Angel Hearts which was released in 2002.
===2003===
In 2003, Morning Musume was split into two seperate groups, Morning Musume Sakura Gumi and Morning Musume Otome Gumi. Konno was placed into Sakura Gumi and released two singles before the two groups merged again.
Gatas Brilhantes H.P., Hello! Project's futsal team, was also formed in this year. Konno became one of its founding members, quitting only when she was graduating entirely from Hello! Project.
In July of the same year, she was added into Country Musume, (whose theme was "girls from Hokkaidō") with fellow Morning Musume member Fujimoto Miki. Under this new formation, named "Country Musume ni Konno to Fujimoto," three singles were released.
She also made a guest appearance in a drama, Kochira Hon Ikegami Sho 2 (which Kago Ai starred in as a regular) that year, as a hit-and-run victim's sister.
In another special episode of the television show Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!, that Morning Musume had starred in two years prior, Konno proved to be quite athletic, placing fifth as the most athletic member of Morning Musume.
Morning Musume released the singles "Do it! Now" and "Koko ni Iruzee!" as well as their fifth studio album, "No.5," on March 26, 2003.
Konno was included in the 2003 Elemental Shuffle Groups as a member of 11WATER.
===2004===
In late 2004, Tsunku's choice of putting Konno on the main vocals for "Namida ga Tomaranai Houkago" surprised many people, as it is known that she has rather weak vocals when compared to the other members of Morning Musume.
Morning Musume's sixth album, "Ai no Dai 6kan," was released in this year.
In December 2004, Konno joined her fellow Hello! Project members on the 2004 shuffle unit single, "ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR ALL!," credited to the H.P. All Stars.
===2005===
Konno continued her duties within Morning Musume, releasing four singles, those being "THE Manpower!!!," "Osaka Koi no Uta," "Iroppoi Jirettai" and "Chokkan 2 ~Nogashita Sakana wa Ookiizo!~."
She also joined the Hello! Project concert unit, Hello! Project Akagumi.
===2006===
In February, Konno was featured on Morning Musume's seventh album, "Rainbow 7." Other than the single "Ambitious! Yashinteki de Ii jan," it was to be her last release as a member of Morning Musume before she graduated.
In March 2006, she proved her athletic abilities once more by placing first in the 1500 meter race at Hello! Project's 2006 sports festival in the time of six minutes and thirteen seconds, getting her the MVP award plus defeating the previous winner, Yajima Maimi, whom Konno had lost to in Hello! Project's 2003 sports festival.
On July 23, 2006, Konno graduated from Morning Musume and Hello! Project to continue her studies at a university. The news of Konno's acceptance to Keio University, one of the top private universities in Japan, known for producing two prime ministers, was announced on December 11, 2006 by several news sources. On December 28, 2006, she confirmed these claims personally, in a message she sent to Hello! Project which was posted on the main website.
===2007===
On June 18, 2007, confirmed that Konno was returning to Hello! Project to rejoin members of Gatas Brilhantes H.P. in the group Ongaku Gatas. Their first single, titled "Narihajimeta Koi no BELL," was released on August 22, 2007.
Konno remained an active member within the agency, and Ongaku Gatas, while continuing her university studies. In this year Ongaku Gatas released one more single, "Yattarouze!".
===2008===
Konno continued playing for Gatas Brillhantes and Ongaku Gatas released their third single, "Come Together." Ongaku Gatas released their debut album, "1st GOODSAL," on February 6, 2008.
===2009===
Konno Asami was set to graduate March 31, 2009 alongside the rest of the Elder Club.
She performed at the Hello! Project 2009 Winter Kettei! Hello☆Pro Award '09 ~Elder Club Sotsugyou Kinen Special~ concert on February 1, 2009.
===2010===
On October 1, 2010, it was announced on the Hello! Project homepage that Konno would be an announcer for TV Tokyo starting April 2011.
===2011===
In March, it was announced that Konno Asami would leave Gatas Brilhantes H.P. to start her new job as an announcer for TV Tokyo. Her message appeared on the official Gatas site alongside a message from the team captain Yoshizawa Hitomi. She officially left the team on April 4.
Konno Asami and fellow former 5th generation member Ogawa Makoto made a special appearance at the Morning Musume Concert Tour 2011 Aki Ai BELIEVE ~Takahashi Ai Sotsugyou Kinen Special~ on the day before Takahashi Ai's graduation.
It was announced on Tokyo Hive that she and her co-host (Moe×Kon) would be releasing a single titled "Jyunjyou☆Fighter".
===2014===
On April 24, the president of TV Tokyo announced that Konno would be taking a break from work due to poor health."テレ東社長、紺野アナは「疲れている」" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 2014-04-24. She returned to work on July 1."テレ東・紺野あさ美アナ　元気に職場復帰！番組出演は体調考慮" (in Japanese). Sponichi Annex. 2014-07-01.
===2015===
On March 29, Konno, Ima Kara Odorutte yo, a odottemita-style TV program hosted by Konno, in which she visits and dances along with other women, aired on TV Tokyo."「紺野、今から踊るってよ」" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo Announcer Park Konno Asami Blog. 2015-03-27. It was originally supposed to be a one-off show, but it became a regular program beginning in May.http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/konno_dance/
On June 24, Konno and other Morning Musume OG members performed a medley of their old hits on the TV Tokyo Ongakusai (2)."紺野あさ美、後藤真希の唄パートを担当『テレ東音楽祭（2）』で一夜限りのモー娘。復帰" (in Japanese). TV Dogatch. 2015-06-17.
===2016===
On December 10, Konno opened an official Twitter account.https://twitter.com/asami_k0507/status/807533472914886656
===2017===
On January 28, Konno announced that she would leave TV Tokyo after working for as an announcer for 6 years to prioritize starting a family."改めてのご報告" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo Announcer Park Konno Asami Blog. 2017-01-28. March 31 was her last day of work, but she officially left the company on May 31 after taking her entitled paid vacation."テレ東・紺野あさ美アナ　退社日は５・３１　出勤は３月までその後は有休消化" (in Japanese). Daily Sports Online. 2017-03-30.
On August 15, she opened an Ameba blog titled "Morimori Gohan to Kosodate Nikki" (Fulfilling Meals and Parenting Diary) to document her everyday life since becoming a housewife such as her pregnancy, eventually giving birth and raising her first child, and cooking meals."こんにちは(*ˊ˘ˋ*)" (in Japanese). Konno Asami Official Blog. 2017-08-15.
Although she remained in the public eye through social media, Konno was not currently active in the entertainment industry during this time. She had not officially stated whether she had retired or was on indefinite hiatus.
===2019===
On June 26, Konno made her first TV appearance since leaving TV Tokyo as the second subject of the TBS TV show Pro Yakyuusenshu no Tsumatachi (Wives of Pro Baseball Players), which followed her day as a housewife and mother.https://twitter.com/tbs_purotuma/status/1142754949727526913
===2020===
On August 8, Konno made her first appearance at a Hello! Project concert since 2011 as an MC at the Hokkaido stops of the Hello! Project 2020 Summer COVERS ~The Ballad~."【更新】「Hello! Project 2020 Summer COVERS 〜The Ballad〜」MC出演者決定！" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2020-07-31.
===2021===
On July 29, in an interview with Chanto magazine, Konno revealed her struggles making the transition to being a full-time housewife. After moving away from Tokyo, she initially fought with a sense of loneliness and isolation, including days when her only interactions were with her baby and a supermarket manager. She noted that the work of childcare was stressful, particularly in an environment where there were no adult coworkers available to tell her she had done a good day's work. She has since moved back to her hometown, Sapporo, and is doing better now that she is physically closer to her sister, who is also raising a family.紺野あさ美 孤立していた1人目育児… 98%大変でも子育て頑張れる原動力とは？ (in Japanese) Chanto WEB. 2021-06-29. 
On August 23, Konno announced the birth of a healthy baby boy, who was born a week early after a difficult pregnancy. This is her second son and third child overall.ご報告 (in Japanese). Konno Asami Official Blog. 2021-08-23.
===2022===
On May 12, Konno created a YouTube Channel.
===2023===
On March 12, Konno appeared as a guest during Fujimoto Miki 20 Shuunen Kinen! Dai Kansha Live! ~Mikitty Idol Yarimasu! Haru no Dai Shuukai! ~Ashita kara 21 Shuunen~.
===2024===
On March 13, Konno announced that she was pregnant with her fourth child, which was due to come to term in the summertime.紺野あさ美さん、第4子妊娠報告「健康に生まれてきてほしい」 出産は夏予定 (in Japanese). Oricon News. 2024-03-13. On August 5, 2024, she announced the birth of her second daughter.https://www.instagram.com/p/C-SQFSYPmSB/
==Personal Life==
==Profile==
==Discography==
===Songs===
;Solo Songs
*[2002.07.17] Suki ka Kirai ka Serenade
*[2004.09.14] Papa ni Niteiru Kare (Morning Musume cover)
;Group Songs
*[2002.03.27] Densha no Futari (with Abe Natsumi, Ishikawa Rika, Yoshizawa Hitomi, Kago Ai, Takahashi Ai, and Niigaki Risa)
*[2002.03.27] Suki na Senpai (with Takahashi Ai, Ogawa Makoto, and Niigaki Risa)
*[2002.07.17] Itsumo Kanpeki Konno Desu! (with Yasuda Kei and Ishikawa Rika)
*[2002.07.17] Doko Darou Doko Darou Doko Deshone (reprise) (with Tsuji Nozomi)
*[2002.07.17] Douzo Douzo! (with Ogawa Makoto)
*[2002.07.17] Doumo Doumo! (with Ogawa Makoto)
*[2002.07.17] OH MY DREAM (with Goto Maki)
*[2002.07.17] Kitchen Burger (Final Dance) (with Yasuda Kei, Yaguchi Mari, Goto Maki, Ishikawa Rika, Tsuji Nozomi, Ogawa Makoto, Nagae Kenji)
*[2003.03.26] Tsuyoki de Yukouze! (with Tsuji Nozomi, Kago Ai, Takahashi Ai, Ogawa Makoto, and Niigaki Risa)
*[2003.03.26] YES! POCKY GIRLS (Original Long Ver.) (with POCKY GIRLS)
*[2004.02.18] Suki de x5 (Morning Musume cover; with Iida Kaori and Niigaki Risa)
*[2004.05.28] Koi no Shihatsu Ressha (Morning Musume cover; with Takahashi Ai and Tanaka Reina)
*[2004.12.04] Do it! Now (Morning Musume cover; with Yoshizawa Hitomi and Takahashi Ai)
*[2004.12.08] Lemon Iro to Milk Tea (with Takahashi Ai, Ogawa Makoto, Niigaki Risa, Fujimoto Miki, Kamei Eri, Michishige Sayumi, and Tanaka Reina)
*[2006.02.15] Mushoku Toumei na Mama de (with Yoshizawa Hitomi, Takahashi Ai, Ogawa Makoto, and Fujimoto Miki)
*[2008.02.06] Chikyuu to Tsuki Kare to Watashi (with Ishikawa Rika, Sengoku Minami, and Sawada Yuri)
*[2008.02.06] Kara Genki (with Ishikawa Rika, Yoshizawa Hitomi, and Satoda Mai)
*[2008.02.06] Kiss Shiyou (with Ishikawa Rika)
===DVDs===
;Solo DVDs
*[2006.01.01] Morning Musume Konno Asami Sotsugyou Memorial (モーニング娘。紺野あさ美卒業メモリアル DVD)
*[2006.04.12] Alo-Hello! Konno Asami DVD
;Other DVDs
*[2003.05.01] Atarashii Douyou
*[2010.12.XX] Morning Musume 5ki Member FC Event ~Gokigen 4 Ever 2010 Natsu~ (モーニング娘。5期メンバーFCイベント～ごきげん4エバー2010夏～)
*[2011.04.XX] M-line Memory Vol.5
==Publications==
===Solo Photobooks===
#[2004.08.24] ASAMI KONNO (紺野あさ美)
#[2005.08.09] Natsufuku ~Natsu wo Sugosu Shoujo~ (なつふく ～夏を過ごす少女～)
#[2006.03.31] Alo-Hello! Konno Asami (アロハロ！紺野あさ美写真集)
#[2006.07.10] See you again
#[2006.09.12] Sweet Days
==Works==
===Movies===
*[2002] Tokkaekko (とっかえっ娘。)
*[2003] Koinu Dan no Monogatari (子犬ダンの物語)
===TV Dramas===
*[2002] Haikara-san ga Tooru (はいからさんが通る)
*[2002] Angel Hearts
*[2002] Ore ga Aitsu de Aitsu ga Ore de (おれがあいつであいつがおれで)
*[2003] Kochira Hon Ikegami Sho 2 (こちら本池上署2) (Guest appearance in episode 11)
*[2004] New Cyborg Shibata (新サイボーグしばたっ!!)
*[2005] Fight! Cyborg Shibata 3 (闘え!!サイボーグしばた 3)
===TV Programs===
*[2001–2006] Hello! Morning
*[2001–2006] Utaban
*[2003.09.29–2000.12.26] Sore Yuke! Gorokkies (それゆけ!ゴロッキーズ)
*[2004.04.14–2004.04.20/2004.08.10-2004.08.17] Futarigoto (二人ゴト)
*[2004.10.05–2004.12.15] Majokko Rika-chan no Magical v-u-den (魔女っ娘。梨華ちゃんのマジカル美勇伝)
*[2005.04.12–2006] Musume Dokyu! (娘Dokyu!)
*[2011] Morning Satellite (モーニングサテライト)
*[2011] Arc Road (アルクロード)
*[2011–2013] Moe x Kon
*[2011–2014] Neo Sports (ネオスポーツ)
*[2011] Announcer Laboratory Plus
*[2011–2017] 7 Suta LIVE (7スタLIVE)
*[2012] Announcer Laboratory J
*[2013–2016] L4You Plus (L4You プラス)
*[2015–2017] Konno, Ima Kara Odorutte yo (紺野、今から踊るってよ)
*[2023] Yobidashi Sensei Tanaka (呼び出し先生タナカ)
===Commercials===
*[2013] Design Official Markethttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cct2lGdlvAk
===Radio===
*[2002.09.24–2003.09.23] Tanpopo Henshūbu Oh-So-Ro! (タンポポ編集部 Oh-So-Ro!?)
*[2005.05.02–2005.05.13] TBC Fun Fīrudo Mōretsu Mōdasshu (TBC Funふぃーるど・モーレツモーダッシュ?)
*[2006.06.09; 2006.06.23; 2006-06-30] Hello Pro Yanen!! (ハロプロやねん!!?)
===Internet===
*[2005.06.06–2005.06.06] The 13th Hello!Project Video Chat (第13回ハロプロビデオチャット?)
*[2005–2006] Pocket Morning for Mobile Web (Gatas Diary Series of Asami Konno) (携帯サイト「ポケットモーニング娘。」にて『紺野あさ美のガッタス日記』を連載?)
==Trivia==
*Konno's songs for the Morning Musume LOVE Audition 21 were "Ai no Bakayarou" by Goto Maki for round 1, and "Dokki Doki! LOVE Mail" by Matsuura Aya for round 2.
*In her primary school days, her friends called her "Imonee" (イモネェ).
*She did track & field during middle school.
*She was certified level 3 for the Japanese Kanji Aptitude Test.
*She has a brown belt in karate.
*Her nickname "Pon-chan" was given to her by Matthew Minami, when he made a mistake while wanting to say "Kon-chan". Tanaka Reina used the nickname for her.
*She appears in episode 39 of Pretty Rhythm Aurora Dream.
*She was often called "honor" student due to her intelligence and athletic level.
*She shares a birthday with 10th generation member Sato Masaki, former Hello Pro Kenshuusei Maeda Irori, and current Juice=Juice member Dambara Ruru.
*As stated in Morning Musume's 23rd single, "Joshi Kashimashi Monogatari", she has naturally curly hair.
*She has stated that it is difficult for her not to talk about food.
*She admits to being very slow in any activity, including changing clothes and eating.
*Her husband's surname is the same as Tsuji Nozomi's husband's surname.
==References==
==External Links==
*Official Blog "Morimori Gohan to Kosodate Nikki"
*Social Media Pages: Twitter, Instagram
*YouTube Channel
*TV Tokyo Blog (inactive)
*Hello! Project Profile (archived)
cs:Konno Asami
es:Konno Asami
fr:Konno Asami
Category:Konno Asami
Category:Morning Musume
Category:5th Generation Morning Musume
Category:Morning Musume Graduates
Category:Ongaku Gatas
Category:Country Musume
Category:Tanpopo
Category:Morning Musume Sakura Gumi
Category:Odoru 11
Category:11WATER
Category:H.P. All Stars
Category:1987 Births
Category:2001 Additions
Category:2006 Departures
Category:2007 Additions
Category:2009 Departures
Category:Members from Hokkaido
Category:Hello! Project Akagumi
Category:Elder Club
Category:M-line club
Category:Blood Type B
Category:May Births
Category:Members born in Showa Period
Category:Hello! Project Graduates
Category:Members born before Hello! Project's formation
Category:Members featured in Hello! Morning
Category:Members featured on Utaban
Category:Gatas Brilhantes H.P.
Category:Pocky Girls
Category:Light Purple Member Color
Category:Members who formerly attended university
Category:Taurus
Category:Zetima
Category:Pink Member Color
Category:Members who are married
Category:Rabbit