THE NEW NORMAL | FILE.03 SHUZO OHIRA - ACTOR, FASHION MODEL

NEWS | August 4, 2021

THE NEW NORMAL | FILE.03 SHUZO OHIRA - ACTOR, FASHION MODEL

Since 1898, RIMOWA has been a leader in travel, with an evolving selection of thoughtful tools that facilitate journeys near and far. Its global brand campaign, “Never Still,” embodies this ambitious mindset with impactful stories from high-profile friends of the brand who are pursuing excellence in their field. Now, a special project in Japan, titled “The New Normal”, will showcase local Japanese influencers as they share what has kept them motivated during the most difficult of circumstances.

From athletes to artists, RIMOWA has selected a wide-ranging selection of accomplished individuals who are united by a “Never Still” mindset. Despite the extraordinary global challenges of the past year, each one has continued to strive towards new goals. Through a series of compelling interviews, they will reveal how their past informs who they are today, the daily practices that guide their success, and their aspirations for the future. Each one will also reflect on what this new version of normal means for them.

"I will live in this world that I have."

―What was the turning point for you that led to your current activities?

SHUZO OHIRA 　Definitely the fact that I started TikTok. Until like a year and half, I didn’t do any particular work and the days just passed by, but the very first TikTok video I posted buzzed. I didn’t quite understand the feeling until I had over 2 million followers and I couldn’t keep up with the speed of being seen by so many people in the first month or two. When I think about it now, the timing was good, I was lucky and maybe my institution was good.

“My life started with just one TikTok video.”

―Were you worried about being so popular all the sudden?

SHUZO OHIRA 　Honestly I wasn’t. From the very beginning, I had a passion to go to the top of the pyramid, so I was hitting it hard. I was scared of entering the world of unknown, but I almost had no worries because it was just a 19year old boy chasing his dreams.

―What do you want to say to yourself at that time?

SHUZO OHIRA 　If you have anything to do in front of you, you should definitely do it. And never lose that weird confidence. I didn’t really imagine myself now, but I always had a dream of going to the world. I want to say that you are free to be confident, so you should keep that dream and confidence!

“I’m not sure where I will be in 10 years, but I’m prepared to live in this world that I have.”

―From your own perspective, what is the biggest growth of yourself now compared to before?

SHUZO OHIRA 　It would be nice if I can make as many people happy as possible with my post. I have a lot of friends overseas, and also LGBTQ+ friends, but my attitude is the same towards anyone and I respect everyone. I created my work with those people. I’m happy because everyone can be happy and that’s what I’m doing now. The message that I put into my work has changed a lot. It’s clearer to me what I want to do, like I was able to recognize my own role.

―What do you expect to yourself in the future?

SHUZO OHIRA 　While I was started out from TikTok, I also departed from TikTok now. You have to cherish your roots, but also have to move on to the next level. I want to show everyone a dream because I’m unprecedented pioneer. So, I think it’s important to go to the next stage. I’m only 20 but already 20. I want to make sure to challenge everything I want to. And I want to cherish my fans, teammates, friends, who are around me. I have a very clear vision of my future, and I have so many things I want to do, so I want to make sure that I’m prepared to the maximum and keep being humble. Never forget the spirit from when I started up and never lose the passion to go to the top. I want to keep being real.