AKB48′s next single, Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou (軽蔑していた愛情) continued with their new gritty image but one upped the last by touching upon not just one but multiple taboo topics. The song (which translates to “Scorned Love”) voiced a school girl’s experience with the problematic Japanese education system, school bullying, teen suicide and even lesbianism.
Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou’s PV would be the first of many AKB48 videos to be directed by the experienced, Takahashi Eiki. At the start of the video, we see Oshima Yuko on the edge of a rooftop. Scenes from what seems like the aftermath of a tragedy, are juxtaposed against flashbacks and insidious messages, to visualize the song’s lyrics.
Music video for Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou, as long as it stays up.
All 14 Seifuku ja Jama wo Suru’s senbatsu members returned for Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou and were joined by Team K’s Kobayashi Kana and Sato Natsuki. The groups most popular faces, continued to perform at the forefront of the single.
Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou era BLT photos
As with almost all other releases since Aitakatta, Keibetsu came in a CD+DVD limited set as well, as a more affordable CD only version. Unlike newer releases though, all of AKB48′s DefStar releases up to Boku no Taiyou had identical content in both versions.
Limited CD+DVD cover
CD only cover
Front
Back
Inside
DVD and insert
Lyrics and collectible cards
A number of gimmicks were used to help promote the single and hose purchasing Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou were eligible for a special lucky draw. Prizes included the chance to attend the filming of the AKB48 Swimming Festival 2007 or the chance to take part in a general meeting with Producer Akimoto Yasushi and the rest of the staff. This no doubt lead to inflated CD sales from a core group of obsessive fans wishing to win the contest.
Still, the single sold only 22,671 copies during the four weeks in which it charted, though a decent amount when taking into account the dwindling CD market of the time. However, Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou remains the group’s least popular single, based upon its absence from the past two year’s top 100 countdown and it’s low position in comparison to all the other singles in 2007, the only year where it was elected.
