Konno Asami

Konno Asami was a fifth generation member of the Japanese idol group Morning Musume. Along with three other girls, she was chosen from the "Love Audition 21" audition of 2001. The four girls officially debuted as Morning Musume members with the single "Mr. Moonlight ~Ai no Big Band~." Asami was chosen by producer Tsunku because although she was a "failure," she had great potential.

During her time in Hello! Project, Asami was part of other subgroups and shuffle units in addition to Morning Musume: she was added to Tanpopo in 2002 (despite releasing only one single with the group), Country Musume in 2003, and was part of the Morning Musume divided subgroup Morning Musume Sakuragumi. She was also part of the futsal team Gatas Brilhantes H.P.

During an episode of the variety program "Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!", the girls of Morning Musume were tricked into taking a "final exam" similar to those in high school. The objective of the program was to find the "idiot girl," but Asami let producers down (and surprised them) with her high ranks (the highest of the group), and was then considered the most intelligent girl in Morning Musume. Consequently, Asami graduated the group three years later on July 23rd, 2006 and entered Keio University, one of Japan's most prestigious private universities.

Her graduation and school acceptance announcement were widely regarded as an unofficial retiring from the entertainment industry. However, on June 18th, 2007, an announcement was made saying Asami was returning to Hello! Project to rejoin Gatas Brilhantes, and she would continue her music career as a member of Ongaku Gatas, a group comprised of select members from the futsal team.

Information from the Asian Wiki.