Description: Kenken finally topped a fan vote at MONAKI's October 27, 2026, Tokyo concert. The catch: the category was who would reveal the manager's secrets first. Here is why the result was funny.
Quick answer: During a fan-voting segment called Honne no Yakata, or “Hall of Honest Feelings,” Kenken complained that he never came first. He then won by a landslide—but in the category “most likely to tell everyone the manager's secrets.” His response was that first place did not feel good at all. The joke is an award whose label makes the victory worse than losing.[2]
What was the event?
MONAKI, a four-member Japanese vocal group, held its Halloween-themed solo concert at Toyosu PIT in Tokyo on October 27. Doors opened at 6 p.m. and the show was scheduled for 7 p.m. Japan time.[1] This was a live concert, not a television episode. Members Oyone, Jin, Sakai Jr. and Kenken came together through a second-chance audition project produced by Kazuyoshi Sakai, leader of the older vocal group Junretsu.[3]
How did the audience poll work?
Fans were asked to pick a member for different personality-based prompts. Sakai Jr. received overwhelming support for “most gentlemanly.” Kenken, meanwhile, kept missing out on the top spot and protested that he never won. Then the question shifted from flattering to awkward: which member would spread the manager's secrets fastest? Kenken finally ranked first, decisively.[2]
Why does the punchline work?
A fan vote sounds like a popularity contest. Usually, first place is the prize. Here the question changed the value of the prize. Kenken wanted a number-one ranking, but the ranking effectively accused him—playfully—of being the group's gossip. The result does not establish that he has actually leaked anything. It was a humorous impression poll, not a factual allegation.
Why the title sounds strange
The show was called Halloween yade☆Shirankedo, using Kansai-style Japanese. Yade adds an informal “you know!” emphasis; shirankedo roughly means “though I don't really know,” a deliberately deflating tag after a confident claim. The group's debut single, released April 8, is similarly titled Honma yade☆Nandeyanen☆Shirankedo. Its mix of theatrical enthusiasm and comic deflation matches a winner who wishes he had not won.[3][4] The night also featured Halloween costumes, classic Japanese idol songs and audience games.[2]
Bottom line
Kenken got the first-place finish he wanted, but in the one category nobody would want to win. The incident is documented in an October 27 concert report; the full concert video was not independently watched. MONAKI's official event notice restricted filming apart from a designated song.[6]
References (6)
- [1] https://monaki.jp/news/detail/84518
- [2] https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2489259/full/
- [3] https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/plus/entertainment/entry/202604/19037.html
- [4] https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/monaki100/
- [5] https://news.joysound.com/article/678039
- [6] https://monaki.jp/live_information/detail/41585
