250709 Yuka (dancer) penned an IG post about performing with BoA again after 18+ years. Yuka was one of BoA's original back-up dancers, having worked together since the early 00s, including during 'Valenti' in 2003. Before their MUSIC DAY 2025 performance last July 5th, they last performed together in 2008.
TRANS:
The other day, on THE MUSIC DAY, I danced ‘Valenti’ on TV — 23 years since [I did so the first time]! So many people watched it, and I received an overwhelming number of messages and DMs; I was truly happy, from the bottom of my heart. To be honest, when I was first offered this opportunity, I thought to myself, “Is it really okay for me to do this?” I had my doubts. These days, I’ve mainly been working behind the scenes — training others, doing choreography — and I haven’t been on stage in about 10 years. To think that I’d be performing on TV at my age… Can I still dance? Is it alright? So many such thoughts ran through my mind, but among them, there was one particular feeling: that I was simply happy. To think that I’d get to be BoA’s back-up dancer again is a miracle. With that feeling in my heart, I accepted the offer. At rehearsals, I was so happy to have had my eternal partner @.linaigarashi [Lina, also one of BoA’s original Japanese dancers] by my side. Spending time with all these bright young dancers was also so much fun. Performing choreography from 23 years ago together felt so surreal. It was an indescribable feeling. I was already on the verge of tears during rehearsals. Reuniting with BoA again after 18 years — she hasn’t changed one bit. She’s grown into a wonderful woman, but to me, she’s still the same adorable “BoA-ko [baby BoA]” from back then. Even though we hadn’t seen each other in so long, we chatted, laughed, and cried in the dressing room just like we used to. It all flew by so fast. Standing beside BoA, who was all dressed up, during the live performance… Walking hand-in-hand together right after it ended… Every moment was filled with nostalgia and pure happiness. There’s so much more I want to write, but I don’t think I can put it all into words haha @.boakwon Thank you so much for continuing to sing and dance @.linaigarashi I was so happy that we could dance together again. Thank you @.50tokyo @.hiroto0401 @.kanatashishisdo @.mitsuki_betty I’m thankful that we all got to dance together 😊