generasia:Featured article for 2016 week 29
Shibasaki Kou
Shibasaki Kou (柴咲コウ) (also seen as Ko Shibasaki) is a Japanese actress and pop singer. She is managed by Stardust Promotion agency and signed to the Victor Entertainment label.
She started her career at 14 when her talent was discovered by an agent, and has worked in many TV shows and commercials. She became a breakout star thanks to her performance in the movie Battle Royale as Souma Mitsuko. She has reached star status not only in Japan but all over East Asia and has received many awards as an actress. Shibasaki has an impressive filmography and in 2002 embarked on a singing career with her first single, "Trust my feelings". Her singing skills were recognized with her second single "Tsuki no Shizuku", a song used for the movie Yomigaeri, which was one of the greatest hits of 2003. She was going to be in the film Kill Bill and play Kuriyama Chiaki's character's sister, but couldn't due to scheduling conflicts. Her lines were instead given to Kuriyama's character.
Her second cover album Zoku Kou Utau was released this week on July 20th.
