Snow Man's Koji Mukai Stuns Members with 'God-like' Snowboarding Skills on Radio, Sparks Humorous Debate!

On the February 12th broadcast of Bunka Hoso's "Fuji-ya presents Snow Man no Suno Manma," the duo of Ryohei Abe and Shota Watanabe served as hosts, and an unexpected side of fellow member Koji Mukai became a hot topic among listeners.

During the program, it was revealed that Mukai exhibits astonishing skill at snowboarding. Abe-san, who was snowboarding for the first time in 10 years, was full of praise, exclaiming that Mukai's elegant turns, spins, and jumps in seemingly empty spaces made him "look like a god." He was amazed by Mukai's exceptional technique, comparing it to "the members of Kis-My-Ft2 on roller skates." The anecdote that Mukai had completed four runs while Abe-san was still doing his makeup led to a flurry of astonished comments on X (formerly Twitter), such as "Koji-sensei, seriously?" and "The Snowboarding God."

However, Watanabe-san promptly interjected, "No way," debunking the "snowboarding god" theory and eliciting laughter from listeners. The conversation also touched upon Mukai-san's long-discussed persona of being a "serious cool guy" (nimaime) in private, revealing that Watanabe-san absolutely loves hearing these "nimaime" anecdotes about Mukai-san. Fans reacted with comments like "Shota Watanabe loving Koji-kun's nimaime stories is highly nutritious" and "Koji-san being nimaime in private."

Abe-san's enjoyment of his first snowboarding experience in a decade, guided by Mukai-san, and the warm yet humorous banter between the members, once again highlighted Snow Man's excellent group dynamics. This broadcast was packed with memorable moments, allowing listeners to feel each member's individuality and the strong bond of the group.

The context

Snow Man is a popular nine-member Japanese idol group managed by START ENTERTAINMENT (formerly Johnny & Associates). "Bunka Hoso Fuji-ya presents Snow Man no Suno Manma" is their weekly radio program where different members host each episode. Abe Ryohei, Watanabe Shota, and Mukai Koji are all members of the group.

"Nimaime" (二枚目) is a Japanese theatrical term, originating from Kabuki, referring to the "second actor" who typically plays a handsome, romantic, or cool role. In modern parlance, it's used to describe someone who is charming, cool, or a "ladies' man." In this context, it contrasts with Mukai Koji's often lively and comedic public persona, suggesting he has a surprisingly cool and composed side in private.

Kis-My-Ft2 is another prominent Japanese idol group, known for their unique performance style that often incorporates roller skates. Abe's comparison highlights Mukai's incredible agility and smoothness on the snowboard. X is the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.