“If I could say something to high school Kōki,, I would say ‘Be confident and be positive. No matter what others say, keep your aspirations high and do your best’,” says Kōki,. She sends an earnest message to her younger self, but truthfully, these are words she’s never needed to hear. The charming 21-year-old Japanese starlet wears many hats, having laid the foundations for a multifaceted career when she began writing songs at the age of 14, and debuted as a model the following year. Since then Kōki has done nothing but give it her all. She’s graced the pages of numerous magazines, joined the families of several luxury fashion houses, and lent her musical talents to a handful of established Japanese artists—all creative feats she’s accomplished as a teenager.

In an old Instagram post from her first announcement as global ambassador for a brand, Kōki, writes, “It is my dream to become a model who can captivate audiences by portraying a wide range of characters.” That dream has since morphed into a realisation of a lifelong love: acting. In true Kōki, fashion, her foray into the silver-screen was nothing short of ambitious. She dove headfirst into the world of cinema with a leading role in Ox-head Village (2022), an arthouse horror by none other than Takashi Shimizu, followed by an alluring performance in the Icelandic romance, Touch (2024). Now, Kōki,’s upcoming films are launching her further beyond the stars she’s been shooting for. 

How does it feel to make your Vogue Hong Kong cover debut? 

I am extremely honoured to be able to participate in the Vogue Hong Kong cover. I am so grateful that I am able to work with such an amazing team. 

You’ve travelled to Hong Kong a few times in the past. Do you have any fond memories of the city? What do you love most about Hong Kong? 

I have plenty of fond memories here in Hong Kong. I remember the first time I came to Hong Kong, I went on a little boat tour around the city and was full of excitement. I fell completely in love with the food and culture. Whilst shooting, I remember I was munching on egg pancakes and egg tarts. I also went to eat dim sum for dinner and it was delicious! I am extremely happy to be able to come back to Hong Kong with Vogue because it’s truly somewhere I wanted to revisit and to know more about. I would love to spend more time in Hong Kong and fall more in love with the city!  

You debuted as a model in 2018 but also have quite the passion for acting. What first drew you to acting and what do you enjoy most about it? 

Since I was small, I have always been inspired and mesmerised by the creation and beauty of films, and how one’s acting can resonate so much with someone. I loved how much a movie could impact you, teach you, and let you experience so many different stories. It’s really difficult to decide what I most enjoy about acting; I find myself full of adrenaline and joy when I go on set. I am extremely grateful that I am able to do something I am really passionate about. 

The time, energy and dedication of so many people working as a team, making an art piece all together as one is something I believe is special and irreplaceable about filmmaking. So many different ideas, perspectives and thoughts come together. I love receiving feedback from the director and the team; my mind gets filled with different thoughts and opinions, and can mould myself to the character accordingly. I also love moments of tense concentration and the nervousness tingling in the air. At times, it can be really scary and overwhelming but it’s also somewhat addictive. 

Is there a film that has left a lasting impact on you or continues to inspire you today?

There are so many. I have too many actually. Some of the films that have truly impacted me are “Scent of a Woman”, “Steel Magnolias”, “Bushi no Ichibun” and “The Notebook”—they all have such meaningful stories and messages. I watched “Scent of a Woman” when I was small; it was the first film that really made me cry and introduced me to the beauty of film. I still remember being absolutely heart grasped by the acting. 

Can you share more about your leading roles in “True Beauty: Before and After” and “Tornado”? Why did you take on these projects and what excites you most about them? 

I have been a huge fan of “True Beauty” since I was in high school so I was truly honoured to be able to act as Reina Tanikawa and participate in this film. “True Beauty: Before and After” is a film that follows a changing love story and the growth of its characters over the course of 9 years. I think a lot of people can relate to it. It also has a beautiful and positive message of loving yourself, accepting yourself and finding confidence in being original. It’s a human drama—a love story full of smiles and laughter. 

“Tornado” is a very fast-paced survival thriller with different cultures merging together. We shot it in Edinburgh during winter which had a very beautiful and mysterious ambience. It was my first time doing action and sword-fighting so I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to try and challenge myself. I also really wanted to work with John Mclean and his team. It is a story that portrays the bond between a father and child, and is about the journey of finding oneself.