This article appeared in the August 2014 issue of Amped Asia magazine. Get the digital issue now!
Kaoru Kikuchi started a website to help people learn Mandarin Chinese. And she did it all while wearing lingerie. Yes, her business idea, “Sexy Mandarin”, teaches you Mandarin by making you watch videos of hot girls in scantily clad outfits. Probably one of the most brilliant ideas I’ve ever heard of. The idea is that if you watch a scene and have hot girls teaching you, it'll be easier to remember the mandarin being taught.
Check out a behind the scenes video below.
We got a chance to discuss Kaoru's new business venture and her life as a model in our interview.
How did you begin modeling and what made you want to do it?
I was just making catalogues for my clothing company and asked my sisters to snap some photos of me wearing the clothes as I did not have the budget to hire models. Before I knew it, I was signing a contract with an agency in Tokyo. I always thought modeling was out of my reach but this challenge let me realize that you could do anything you wish to do and that everything is possible!
You started a project called Sexy Mandarin. Can you tell us about what this is and how you came up with the idea?
SexyMandarin is an online Mandarin learning site where people can take a look at 2 minute lessons of lingerie-clad girl on girl interaction. The whole point was that the dialogue is quite ordinary but the girls in the clip were so sexy the students would be able to learn quicker than a traditional method of learning. It was literally over a glass of wine and we thought how cool would it be to have sexy girls teaching Mandarin, hence SexyMandarin!
What are your hobbies and passions besides modeling?
I am so into Polaroid photos, my obsession started from Instagram and now I actually take Polaroid photos and take a photo of my Polaroid with my phone and share it on Instagram! I also own a D1X with my favorite 85mm 1.2 lens, and looking into getting the Leica M9… Yes I am a camera geek!
What’s something naughty you’ve done but you never got caught?
I’m not really into big brands but once when I saw a diamond ring and had to buy it on someone else’s credit card!
Are you currently single or taken?
I am taken!
Why do you think you would make a good girlfriend?
I listen to people rather than try and shove all sorts of opinion and that is key to a good girlfriend.
What signals do you give a guy when you’re interested in them?
I actually try to ignore them or look uninterested. It always works!
If you want to look sexy, what do you wear?
Definitely some tight black dress up to my thighs. Hair has to be always wavy and loosely tied with some tinted lip-gloss.
What do you think guys are doing wrong in terms of dating?
Things like going into a restaurant and not holding the door open for the girl, or sitting on the sofa side of the seat, not treating the girl for some good food and going Dutch pisses off the girl right away!
What’s your idea of a great first date?
A simple ride in the countryside on your bike and seeing the sunset.
What’s the most awkward moment you’ve ever had?
I guess when I bumped into my ex-boyfriend’s sister out of the blue after about 8 years of not seeing them!
If you’re looking to have a crazy night, what will you do?
I would invite all my girlfriends and have a big slumber party with pillow fights.
What part of your body do guys compliment you on the most?
I guess my eyes.
If you could improve one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Definitely would be my sleeping patterns. I am so hyper and wide awake at night but I simply cannot get up in the morning!
What are some future projects you’re working on?
I’m planning to launch my new swimwear collection and have all the beautiful models around the world model for me.
Where can we find you online?
Also be sure to check out my website Sexy Mandarin at
Written by kevinhype