Kenshin Uemura, member of the Japanese group ONE N' ONLY, has officially withdrawn from the group, and his contract with StarDust Promotion has been terminated due to what has been described as a major compliance violation. This unexpected news was announced on March 4, 2025, and has left both fans and fellow band members reeling.
The shocking announcement prompted Tetsuta Seki, one of Uemura's bandmates, to express his feelings on social media, stating, "いきなりのことで正直頭が真っ白です" — which translates to, "I’m honestly blank right now because it happened so suddenly." This sentiment reflects the confusion and disarray felt by the group following the abrupt departure.
Hayato Takawo also shared his dismay through Instagram, saying, "今は僕らも気持ちが追いついてない部分も多くしっかりと整理をしてまた発信させていただきたいです。ただ、僕らは今まで以上に全力で活動を続けていきますので引き続き応援して頂けたら嬉しいです." Translated, this means, "There are many parts where we are still trying to catch up with our feelings. We want to sort things out and communicate again. But we will continue to work harder than ever, so we hope to receive your continued support."
The official website of ONE N' ONLY confirmed the circumstances surrounding Uemura’s exit, stating, "この度、上村謙信による重大なコンプライアンス違反が判明したため 本日3月4日付でマネジメント契約を解除いたしました" — or, "Due to the discovery of Kenshin Uemura's serious compliance violation, we have terminated his management contract as of March 4." The agency also extended their apologies to fans and stakeholders for the sudden notice, acknowledging the upheaval this situation has caused.
The impact of Uemura’s departure extends beyond the group dynamics. He was also slated to appear in the film "BATTLE KING!! Map of The Mind -序奏・終奏-", which is still set to release. The production committee stated, "『BATTLE KING!! Map of The Mind -序奏-』は引き続き上映を継続し、3月14日（金）公開の映画『BATTLE KING!! Map of The Mind -終奏-』につきましても予定通り上映いたします," confirming there would be no changes to the scheduled release date.
Born on July 8, 1999, Uemura hails from Aichi Prefecture. Prior to his involvement with ONE N' ONLY, he showcased his talent as both a rapper and dancer, contributing significantly to the group's identity. He has also acted in various productions, including "海辺の週刊大衆" (2018) and has garnered attention for his role as Haruki Hirukawa on the series "未成年〜未熟な俺たちは不器用に進行中〜" which aired on Yomiuri Television from November 2024.
Following the termination of his contract, Uemura's personal social media accounts have been reportedly deleted, marking the end of his public presence as part of the group. ONE N’ ONLY's upcoming LIVE TOUR2025 will now proceed with five remaining members, as they rally to continue their performances and maintain their fan support.
While the circumstances surrounding Uemura's exit remain troubling, it is apparent the remaining members of ONE N' ONLY are committed to moving forward. Only time will tell how this development will impact their careers and the future of their group.
This story serves as not just the end of one member's chapter but potentially the beginning of new dynamics within the group and their continued artistic endeavors.