Synopsis

The video moves between New York and Tokyo, pairing Kylie Minogue's stylized geisha-inspired performance with Towa Tei's deadpan urban wanderings. Minogue poses in kimono-like costumes, reclines on red silk, and performs against a painted backdrop, while Tei eats noodles, visits a fish market, uses a vending machine, and navigates the city in sunglasses and headphones. Their separate journeys are linked by shots of subway travel and close-ups of their feet. The playful finale contrasts Minogue being led on a leash with Tei surrounded by two Japanese women.

Factoids & Trivia

• The song's title refers to "German Bold Italic," an invented typeface-persona that Minogue portrays in the video.

• The video was made on a low budget and was partly filmed around Wall Street during winter with a handheld digital camera.

• Its visual language reflects Minogue's interest in Japanese culture at the time, which also shaped the imagery associated with her 1997 album "Impossible Princess."

• Towa Tei and Minogue first connected creatively in 1996. Their collaboration later produced another song, "Sometime Samurai," which remained unreleased until a re-recorded version appeared on Tei's 2005 album "Flash."

• Although the single was issued in Japan in September 1997, the UK and Australian releases followed in 1998.

• The video was not commercially released for many years. Towa Tei eventually uploaded it to his YouTube channel in 2014 as part of his "94-14" series.

• "GBI" later appeared as a video interlude during Minogue's "KylieFever2002" tour and was also revisited during her "X2008" performances.