This is the translated script of the documentary by TV Asahi concerning ASIALIVE. It was transcribed by ear, and so there may be errors in hard to hear areas. Also, any phrases in Korean or Chinese are tentatvely romanised or simply not translated, as I cannot speak either language. Please forgive romanisation errors for these languages.

To better appreciate this script, please be familiar with the corresponding file beforehand.

Begin

(Footage of the last day of AWAKE tour)

Narration : August 31st 2005, Yoyogi National Athletic Hall, the members of the popular rock band, L’Arc~en~Ciel, concluded AWAKE tour, which spanned twelve venues.

tetsu : Thank you. We’ll be waiting in Korea!

(footage of the airport)

Caption : Departing for ASIALIVE

Narration : The following day, September first, the members are to depart for Korea.

tetsu : (arriving at the airport) Good morning.

Narration : Since their formation in 1991, L’Arc~en~Ciel has been a popular rock band continuously rushing toward the top of Japan’s music scene.

(footage on the plane)

Narration : This time, they are embarking on their first overseas tour. This program was made over one month of filming. Over 100 hours of footage was produced, and valuable interviews were also contributed. This document represents L’Arc~en~Ciel in full.

(Title screen)

(Footage of Kimpo International airport in Seoul, Korea)

Narration : The first stop on ASIALIVE 2005 is the Korean capital, Seoul. Five hundred Korean fans have gathered to greet the members upon their arrival at Kimpo International Airport.

(they arrive, fans shriek)

Caption : Arriving at Kimpo Airport

hyde : At first it was calm… well, usually when Japanese artists go there, it’s pretty quiet, right? So at first I smiled a little. But then, well… It was like being on sale at a bargain market. That’s how it felt.

Narration : The Korean fans who had waited at the airport all rushed in at once, wanting to be right in front of the members. It caused a great panic in the airport lobby.

(footage of them fighting their way out and getting into a van)

tetsu (off screen) : I knew there was gonna be a fuss, but I was hoping for calm… (much off screen laughing)

(in the van)

ken : Some of those kids were ready to bite us! I think usually, over here, they’ve got brave old guys making a human rope, but this time, it was fan girls doing it. Or that’s what it looked like. Those fat old guys are really heroes (laughs).

tetsu : I was really hoping it would be calm when we got here. That was scarier than Thailand.

hyde : A lot happened but, it was probably the moment where L’Arc~en~Ciel showed the most unified power since our formation.

Narration : Even on the way to the city of Seoul…

yukihiro : They followed us in taxis. That part wasn’t terribly different from how it is in Japan.

(footage of a party)

Narration : Then, that night, there was a reception party with assorted reporters.

Everyone : Cheers!

Narration : One of the reasons they had been looking forward to Korea was the yakiniku. How is the flavour of genuine Korean yakiniku? (Note: Also called Korean barbecue, it’s the dish you see tetsu eating at this point.)

tetsu : (plays with his food) I have a sensitive tongue. (he finally eats it)
Cameraman : Well? How is it?
tetsu : (after much chewing) It’s very hot. (Note : hot in temperature, not spice)

ken : I’m gonna try this one. It looks tasty.
Cameraman : Is it good?
ken : Delicious. (points to another dish) This thing though tasted kinda bland.

Cameraman : How is the flavour?
hyde : Mmmm… delicious.
Cameraman : (laughs)
hyde : She just finished saying the Japanese stuff is better.

(footage of Seoul at night)

Narration : After the party, the four of them went out into Seoul.

ken : I can’t read Korean at all, so I have no idea what I’m looking at.
Staff lady : You don’t understand it at all.

Narration : Despite their tight schedule, they took some valuable time off to see the real Korea.

(footage of press conference)

Narration : On the day immediately preceding the day of the live, they held a press conference for the Korean media. Even in Korea, there is much anticipation for a Japanese rock band, and so over one hundred members of the press came to this event.

Announcer : (Presumably, he announced them.)

ken : (Greets the crowd in Korean)
MC : This time, things are a little different from usual.

Reporter (Or more accurately, an interpreter) : Please say a few words of greeting for your Korean fans.
hyde : I thought it would be best if we could meet as soon as possible.

Narration : After the press conference, they had no time to rest. After a quick stop at their hotel, they proceeded to the location of the live.

(footage of the Olympic park)

Narration : The venue chosen for their Korean live is the Olympic Park’s gymnasium. As an indoor venue, it is among the largest. This will be the first time Japanese artists perform there.

(inside the venue)

Staff member to hyde : This way.
hyde : It’s cold!

(footage of them setting up)

Cameraman : What do you think of this place?
hyde : Aaah… It’s round.
(laughter from behind the camera)

(footage of VIP room)

Narration : The room that became the member’s ready room had this type of atmosphere.

hyde : It’s as impressive as Budoukan. Big like a circus tent. See, like what’s up there.
someone off screen : It’s the biggest venue in Seoul, and you’re doing a concert here.
tetsu : Oh really? The biggest indoor place, right?

Caption : the venue for the Seoul live

tetsu : When it comes to Japan, Budoukan is kinda… um… it makes you feel like you’re getting a royal inspection. Certainly, having Japanese artists play at the biggest venue, it’s something, isn’t it?

(Footage of break room)

Narration : In the break room, while waiting for the Korean concert, they have begun discussing the live. In contrast with earlier, their faces have taken on a serious expression.

Staff member : Pam papa pampam.
tetsu : That?
Staff : No? I guess not (laughs). But if we did it that way, pam papa pam… deedeededede (he’s demonstrating a tune)
hyde : What is that supposed to be?
Staff : Right before the Link guitar solo. Before the solo, you know?
(he goes on to demonstrate his beat to a perplexed hyde)
hyde : So… so what’s your point?
Staff : Come on! Didn’t you wonder, after AWAKE tour, if maybe this band needs a little foresight? So, now it’s ASIALIVE…
tetsu : I think it’s kinda…
Staff : Let me try one more time! I wanted to try this for today.
hyde : I don’t think that’s gonna happen.

(dootage of ken jamming)

Narration : The unseen ken has been practising guitar all by himself.

ken : I always practise with this. Though it’s been a while since I practised so much, before a live.

(Footage of the stage)

Narration : Then, rehearsal began. Although L’Arc had worked hard on AWAKE tour, they are now heading into ASIALIVE, and today is the first day of that tour. A short while after the beginning of rehearsal, an unforeseen accident delayed the members. Those on stage could not hear any sound coming from the usual places.

tetsu : I can hear myself but… (plays with his earphones) I couldn’t hear hyde at all.
Staff : I’ll make sure it gets fixed.

(hyde makes an announcement to the staff)

(Footage of yukihiro heading outside)

ken : Just about ready? (In Osaka-ben)
yukihiro : (nods)
ken : You are, right?
yukihiro : Everything’s set up. It’s all there (pointing with his hands).
ken : Ha. Awesome. Easy for ya.
yukihiro : Seems like something’s weird with the sound now, though.
Cameraman : You seem awfully calm about it. (yukihiro lights up a cigarette) Ah, so that’s why you’re outside (laughs).
ken : But it’s them that’re happier.
Cameraman : Guess so (laughs).
yukihiro : Well you know, it’s not like they made me go away, but the problem’s with the vocals, so…
Cameraman : Oh, I see. So you can’t start yet. (yukihiro nods)

(Back on stage)

tetsu : The sound’s still wrong. I can’t hear it.
Staff : How’s the input?
tetsu : Not good. It’s like what goes in isn’t what comes out, you know? Some sound perfect, but others sound totally wrong.

Staff : The vocal area isn’t connected yet, right?

Narration : Eighteen hours remain until the curtain goes up. The staff members are also working hard as they make the final round of checks.

Staff : Connected.

Caption : Rehearsal resumes.

Narration : Rehearsal resumes. The sound problems detected by the members had to do with configurations being different from those in Japan. Tomorrow will be L’Arc’s first live for Korean fans, and for this the members and staff continue to put in their sincere efforts.

ken : (calls a staff member over) I think I’m gonna need different strings. Get the other strings ready, please. (some more talking drowned out by drumming) Yeah okay, then set it up over there.
Staff : Is it okay if I just bring it down for you?
ken : But it’s a different channel, isn’t it?
Staff : Oh so you seriously want it set up…
ken : Yeah yeah yeah yeah. The other one’s small. I use the small one for the last song though.
Staff : Got it.
ken : Great. Later.

Narration : ken, the guitarist, makes precise requests to the staff.

ken : Turn up the sound in here just a tiny bit. (pointing at his headphone) It’s okay if you do it while I’m playing.

Narration : yukihiro, the drummer is monitoring and adjusting everything himself, piece by piece.

Narration : Rehearsal went on until late in the night.

Caption : The day of the live.

Narration : At last, the day of the live. In anticipation of the show, the Korean fans have been gathering in front of the venue since very early in the day. Meanwhile, inside the venue, the members and staff have reached the final stages of rehearsal and preparation. Although there are still four hours remaining until the doors open, a huge line is forming outside. Then, the doors finally open.

(Footage backstage)

Staff : Five more minutes of standby.

(Footage of them walking to the stage)

Staff : Leader, if you could take over please!
tetsu : Okay! Eeeh… It’s our first live in Seoul, Korea. Let’s show Seoul how hot we can be. Let’s go!
All : HEY!

caption : First impression of the Korean fans

yukihiro : Before we started, when the members come out, before that, there’s special effects and intro music. Even there, I thought their cheers were impressive.

(Footage of the live : Killing Me)

Caption : The reaction of the Korean fans

hyde : After all, they waited a long time, right? That came across very strongly.
ken : Hmm, but, it kind of reminded me of way back when we used to play in live houses.

(Footage of the live : Heaven’s Drive, Link)

Caption : Why he went down into the crowd

hyde : Well I kinda thought I was too high up, so I might as well go down there. Yeah.
Interviewer : It must have been incredible.
hyde : Yeah, it was. It was interesting.

Caption : Impression of the Korean fans

tetsu : There were seats in the arena, but they didn’t sit down, they got in front of their seats, or stood on them. I think.
Interviewer : Isn’t that impressive? Getting such a reaction even in the middle of a live.
tetsu : It’s hot. It’s like, getting a feel for this continent.

Caption : Seoul live closing party

Narration : They have made it as far as this first live in Seoul.
tetsu (in background) : It was great!
Narration : To celebrate this success, a closing party was held.
tetsu (in background) : I think we stirred them up! I wanna come back next year.
Someone : (asks him a question in Korean)
tetsu : Yes.
(Applause)

Caption : The day after the live

Narration : On the following day, in order to enjoy their brief break, the four members each ventured out into the city.

(Footage of tetsu wandering around)

Caption : What did you visit in Korea?

tetsu : I went sneaking around where Korean celebs go. Like at a famous cafe and stuff.

Caption : Salon de The

tetsu : At a terrace… At that terrace, there was a sofa that Yon-sama likes to sit at. We were right next to it.

(Footage of tetsu and hyde at the cafe)

tetsu : I wanna go to Yon-sama’s house.

Caption : A dish Yon-sama likes

tetsu : Awesome~

Cameraman : How is it?
tetsu : (with mouthful of food) Tasty.

Caption : Batgodong

Narration : The next place the pair visited was a seafood restaurant very popular in Korea.

(Footage of tetsu and hyde in the restaurant)

Caption : Korea’s famous raw octopus

Narration : One item they ordered was Korea’s famous raw octopus

tetsu : Octopus is high in cholesterol.
Cameraman : Is it? That’s surprising.
tetsu : I had a blood test recently, and the doctor said I have high cholesterol.
Cameraman : (laughs)
tetsu : I have doctor’s orders not to eat this. (laughs)
Cameraman : So the doctor’s stopping you.

hyde : (Cringes) (cringes more) (cringes in slow motion) I like octopus, but… eww, I’m not sure I can eat this. Eww. (eats it anyway)
Cameraman : Wow, you ate it.
hyde : It won’t stop moving.

Caption : About the raw octopus

hyde : It was moving. More than I’d imagined. It gave me goosebumps.
Interviewer : I think I would like to have seen that. I imagine it must have really wriggled.
hyde : Yeah. It wasn’t like this, it was more like -this- (demonstrates with his arm). Unpredictable movements. It was really… what’s the word… … … Zo? (laughs) I can’t put it into words. (laughs)
Interviewer : That’s quite…
hyde : It was incredible. I thought I was gonna cry.
Interviewer : But how did it taste?
hyde : Oh it was pretty tasty.

Caption : ken’s day off

ken : I had a little time, so I kinda just wandered around the city, strolling around. I didn’t see anything I wanted to buy. But over there, I saw a lot of old guys with these sponge lizards on their backs. They put them down and went like this (his hand shakes) and it looked like it was actually walking. I really wanted one of those, it was the only thing I wanted to get.

(footage of ken playing with a sponge lizard)

ken : It’s popular in Korea. When I saw it I was like “Woah, that’s unusual!” (laughs) “I gotta get one!”
“Lizard” : Hii… Good afternoon~ I’m a Korean sponge lizard. (whooshing lizard sounds)

ken : For a while I kept playing with it at home, like this (demonstrates). It was replacing my smoking. Sorta. It was a diversion. I’m kidding (laughs).

Caption : hyde, off for promotions in Shanghai

Narration : The following day, hyde separated from the other members and went to Shanghai in order to do some promoting on his own.

Caption : Arriving at Pudong Airport

hyde : I thought it was very white.

Caption : Pudong International airport

Narration : In Shanghai, too, the fans awaited hyde’s arrival at the airport.

hyde : It made me think Korea hadn’t been so bad. All of a sudden, one of the event people took my hand and started running. Yeah but if I run, the fan girls will run too! So yeah… it felt like a sport or something. I didn’t know where I was supposed to go, so I was being pulled around. I’d rather be on a horse. I thought “Someone’s gonna die… Probably me.”

Off screen staff member : That was dangerous!
hyde : I was running like this! (demonstrates being pulled)

Narration : As hyde was doing promotional work by himself, several fans and media people gathered, generating much excitement in Shanghai.

Caption : Members go to Shanghai

Narration : And then, on September 9th, the members all travelled to Shanghai for the live. All of their displacements were assisted by the Chinese public security forces, who cleared the path.

(Footage of their trek through Shanghai, then footage at the party)

Narration : That night, there was another welcoming party in Shanghai. For this part of the tour, the members each took up the challenge of saying their MC in the local language. Even during the meal, hyde was working hard to memorise his words.

Caption : Overseas live MC

hyde : We were in China, so I wanted to say something in Chinese. Besides, when foreign artists come and talk in English, we don’t understand a thing they say. I think all they could get is “Konnichiwa”. The rest would be like “Huh? What’s he babbling about?” But of course, I can’t speak it well. I think I looked bad. I had to learn fast.

Caption : Shanghai Great Stage, the day of the live

Caption : In the waiting room, right before the live

ken : Doumo, doumo… Da jia (Note : “Thanks” in Japanese, but “Everyone” in Chinese. It seems he is saying them together because they have similar intonations. Thanks Hissori and frozenmyst for the explanation.)
Staff member : (corrects his intonation)
ken : Oh that’s right… It’s like DOmo, right, so DA jia. (laughs) I hope I remember this.

ken’s notes : “You all look cute, it makes me happy.”
(A staff member helps him practise)

ken : Tai gao shin la. Did you understand that? Bet you didn’t. If they all sit down all of a sudden, I’ll know I said something wrong.

Caption : MC in Chinese

ken : I couldn’t memorise it. It goes like this (demonstrates intonations with voice and hands), so if you just memorize the words directly, you’re in big trouble. While you’re talking you gotta go like THIS and this and this with the words…
Interviewer : You mean the accent, the intonations…
ken : That’s right, the accents. I couldn’t remember them.

(Footage of ken’s MC)

what ken planned to say (according to Japanese captions) : My Chinese friends! Good evening everyone! Yesterday in the hotel, I played Goban (Note: A game where you line up stones. Thanks Hissori for the correction and explanation.)
what ken actually said (again according to Japanese captions) : Yesterday in the hotel, I killed five chickens.
Crowd : (laughs)
Security guard : …

ken : Even later, when someone explained what I said wrong, I couldn’t tell the difference.

Caption : About the Chinese security guards

tetsu : Usually, the security guys have their backs to the artists and face the crowd while holding it back. But these guys were facing us. All of them. I thought that wouldn’t be enough. The front row was all security though.

(footage of the live : New World, Lost Heaven)

Caption : Impression of the Shanghai live

ken : It’s not that it was like this in Korea and this way in Shanghai…
Interviewer : It was like a normal show.
ken : Like usual, mmhmmm. … Though, there were some differences in the specific way they responded. But I couldn’t say how.

(footage of the live : STAY AWAY)

Caption : Impression of the Shanghai live

tetsu : In Korea, I wondered how come they knew our songs so well.

(More live footage)

yukihiro : Over there, too, it seems we’re widespread to a certain extent. It was all only talk before, but then seeing this made me feel like all this time has accomplished something.

Narration : Even though standing is not permitted in Chinese venues, this live was a first as the crowd were all standing. This event was later broadcast on twelve Chinese networks.

Caption : Right after the live

Staff : Are the four of them here?
Other Staff : Yes. Okay.
(Some Chinese phrases…)

Narration : In order to avoid the chaotic fans, the members had to head out of the venue as soon as the live ended, but when they showed their faces outside…

(footage of them escaping to their bus)

Caption : Surrounded by fans

yukihiro : The fans were banging on the windows.
Interviewer : Wow. Really?
yukihiro : That was scary.

(footage of fans smacking curtained bus windows)

hyde : They were shaking the bus. Really. We all thought “We’re gonna die, we’re gonna die!”

(Sponsor message)

Caption : Grand Hyatt Shanghai

Narration : L’Arc~en~Ciel ASIALIVE. The place where they stayed in Shanghai was the world’s tallest skyscraper hotel, the Grand Hyatt Shanghai.

Caption : Shanghai lodgings

tetsu : The 58th or 59th floor…. That’s where we stayed. But there were more floors above that.
Interviewer : Is that so?
tetsu : 70 floors? 80 floors or so. I think it had about 80 floors.
Interviewer : Eeeh. So how was the view? The scenery must have been wonderful.
tetsu : Mmm. It was awesome.

(footage of tetsu in his hotel room)

tetsu : Wow… this is amazing. It makes Japan seem so small.
Cameraman : And it’s beautifully built.
tetsu : I’m gonna climb all the way up, from the bottom.
Cameraman : (laughs) Do whatever you want.

(tetsu opens a closet)
Cameraman : That’s where clothes can go.
(they go into the bathroom)
Cameraman : This way, the bath. (films a very large sink) This is not a bath.

Caption : The day after the live

tetsu : There was a bit of typhoon. The day of the live, I think.
Interviewer : The day of the live in China?
tetsu : Maybe the day after. Well, it was really shaking. (laughs)
Interviewer : Because it’s high up, it would sway, wouldn’t it?
tetsu : It was swaying. I was wondering if the building would get knocked over (laughs). It was a little scary.

Caption : As the typhoon was making landfall

ken : They mentioned it on TV, but I had totally forgotten. And the hotel, we were staying in an 80 floor hotel, then all the lights in it changed, suddenly, into a three. I didn’t know why. Turned out it was a level three warning (laughs). That’s when I started wondering if I’d be okay going out.

Caption : Heading for the TV tower as the typhoon makes landfall

ken : What number typhoon? 14? 15? Wow.

(footage inside the TV tower)

ken : Just thinking of going down this many floors is tiring.
ken (reading) : 350 metre Space Module
ken : Can we see the typhoon? (looks out the window) Well, now I’ve seen a typhoon. Woooahhh. It’s swaying, swaying, swaying.

ken : Well anyway, it really felt like I was in China. Like I came to Shanghai. That’s why I went up there. But it was shaking, the tower.
Interviewer : Because of the typhoon? You were in the middle of it.
ken : And, I could see clouds, right? They were so fast! Like this! (demonstrates) And this, and this. I was thinking “What am I gonna do?” and decided to go back down, but when I did that, I could hear “Aiyah yah yah!” cause everyone spoke Chinese. There was a boy calling the elevator, and everyone was rushing. Haaa! Hyaa! (he demonstrates) I thought “This is bad~” talking with the people who came with me. So then, when we got into the elevator, it was kinda shaking. Ga dang bang dang! (demonstrating) Whoah… And then we decided not to ride the elevator. We got off.

(Footage of inside the tower)

Cameraman : There’s no stairs.
ken : You’re kidding!

ken : Stairs?

(he finally makes it out)

ken : The typhoon was too strong, so the elevator’s no good (laughs). Never thought I’d die in here!

Interviewer : Wasn’t that scary?
ken : Yeah, it was. It’s best not to go up to tall places during typhoons.

Caption : Tokyo Dome, final day of ASIALIVE

Narration : September 25th, the final day of ASIALIVE. Two months after the conclusion of AWAKE tour, they went to Seoul and Shanghai and have now come here to Tokyo Dome for the conclusion.

(footage of the live : Driver’s High)

Caption : About Tokyo Dome

hyde : The Dome was the first place where we played with our current members. So thinking of it that way, the place has meaning.

yukihiro : Before Niji, hyde-kun said a few words in his MC, and the crowd went quiet for a moment.

(hyde’s MC)

hyde : We had AWAKE tour, then this one… and now the next song will be the last one. For ASIALIVE we went around to Korea and China. We could communicate, not in words, but we still understood each other. It was wonderful, and moving. Thank you. So… it’s over? So… this is the first song we, these members, played together, right here. Niji.

(Footage of Niji)

tetsu : When we became this group of four, the very first place we played at was Tokyo Dome. The first song we played there was Niji. It means the same thing as L’Arc~en~Ciel does, in French. And before the song, hyde said something about it, and I got something in my eye.

ken : Somehow, while we were playing… I thought that even though I don’t know how long we’ll be together, right then, I thought we were more of a band. We were united. Playing, performing a little better. And the audience went quiet, too.

Caption : Next year is the 15th anniversary

tetsu : Next year is our 15th. Yeaah. Fifteen years… I’ll look forward to it.

hyde : Well… I feel like I truly understand L’Arc~en~Ciel.
Interviewer : Really?
hyde : I’m sure nothing will change. Not a single thing will change.

ken : Me too… It’s beyond anything I’d imagined, anything I thought would happen. There’s pleasure in it.

yukihiro : I don’t really think about it, but this whole time, I’ve felt like we’ve been progressing just like we should. There are still things I want us to experience, and I feel like we’ll take the next steps.

(footage of them leaving the stage)

Caption : L’Arc, from now on…

Narration : L’Arc~en~Ciel. We asked them where they would go from here.

hyde : I’m sure nothing is going to change. We’re each going to do what we like to do, expressing ourselves, and then we’ll all come together, expressing it all as one, as a group, a band. No matter how many years or decades go by, I don’t think this style will change. I think this might be the meaning of a miracle. Each of us, the four of us, merge together so well. That’s hard to do but, we’ve always believed it, and we keep on coming together. I think that’s a miracle. Probably. … … … All I can say is that this is amazing.

tetsu : When you sit down with me for the 20th anniversary, I’ll say “Eeeh? 20 years?” But by then I think there will be more tall buildings around here (laughs).
Interviewer : Yes, if we have the interviewer right here.
tetsu : Yeah. By then, we’ll have been through a tour of Europe, won’t we?
Interviewer : Ahaha. A European tour?
tetsu : Yeah.

(The last bit is just info on how to win a copy of the ASIALIVE photo book and AWAKE DVD, then credits roll as Link plays)

Transcribed and translated by Natalie Arnold