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I just read an interview with Takahashi Ai than an online news blog did just today and a lot of it rings true. It talks about the potential of Japanese pop (especially idol culture) internationally, and how the Japanese don't seem to care about promoting their culture globally, while South Korean entertainment has started to become a globe-circling trend.
It can be read here: http://www.yomiuri.c...11018004286.htm
"Relatively speaking, South Korean idols have a stronger desire than Japanese idols to make their groups eternal, I think," Takahashi said. "A Hanryu star's passion for global success is stronger [than that of Japanese stars]. That's something Japanese idols don't care about enough."
And that is coming from a (now former) Japanese idol herself, one of the top in the business.
Sure, the most popular aspect of Japanese culture globally is anime (which is funny because it's one of the few aspects of Japanese culture that didn't really pull me in) but even that is seriously starting to wane. Japanese entertainment is losing it's prominence in the west. I used to be able to find the odd fan of J-Pop both in real life and online a few years ago. Now everyone's a K-Pop fan. I'm a fan of both, but it makes me sad that J-Pop is losing its popularity abroad.
Ai-chan said:
"I want more people overseas to know about Japan's appeal and music. I believe there's a sound unique to our music. If there's a unique appeal of our music, we should exploit it overseas."
This is completely true. I think K-Pop sounds a lot more like popular western music than J-Pop does, and while it makes it easier for people to accept it, it just doesn't do as much for me. I like the uniqueness of Japanese music.
People also seem to underestimate the quality of J-Pop performances, especially that of idols. Yes, maybe idols don't spend as much time on singing lessons, but they are IDOLS. IDOLS, not artists, there is a difference.
At the same time, that doesn't mean J-idols can't give quality performances. Instead of being an absolute fangirl, I'll let the writer of the article say it for me:
"Secondly, I was at the Paris concert and deeply touched by the quality of their performance. Since then, I've followed Morning Musume concerts as a writer. Watching the group for years, I'm always astonished by Takahashi's exceptional talent--her outstanding performances can be said to embody how a Japanese idol should be, as well as her leadership skills."
There used to be a time when Japanese superstars like Hamasaki Ayumi had a very strong fanbase all throughout Asia. While Japanese music is still very prominent in Asia today, it is not NEARLY as big as it was, say, ten years ago.
If Japan tried to export their entertainment the way South Korea has been doing, do you think it would succeed? How far? Just into Asia, or would it work on a global scale? Would you want to see this happen?
It can be read here: http://www.yomiuri.c...11018004286.htm
"Relatively speaking, South Korean idols have a stronger desire than Japanese idols to make their groups eternal, I think," Takahashi said. "A Hanryu star's passion for global success is stronger [than that of Japanese stars]. That's something Japanese idols don't care about enough."
And that is coming from a (now former) Japanese idol herself, one of the top in the business.
Sure, the most popular aspect of Japanese culture globally is anime (which is funny because it's one of the few aspects of Japanese culture that didn't really pull me in) but even that is seriously starting to wane. Japanese entertainment is losing it's prominence in the west. I used to be able to find the odd fan of J-Pop both in real life and online a few years ago. Now everyone's a K-Pop fan. I'm a fan of both, but it makes me sad that J-Pop is losing its popularity abroad.
Ai-chan said:
"I want more people overseas to know about Japan's appeal and music. I believe there's a sound unique to our music. If there's a unique appeal of our music, we should exploit it overseas."
This is completely true. I think K-Pop sounds a lot more like popular western music than J-Pop does, and while it makes it easier for people to accept it, it just doesn't do as much for me. I like the uniqueness of Japanese music.
People also seem to underestimate the quality of J-Pop performances, especially that of idols. Yes, maybe idols don't spend as much time on singing lessons, but they are IDOLS. IDOLS, not artists, there is a difference.
At the same time, that doesn't mean J-idols can't give quality performances. Instead of being an absolute fangirl, I'll let the writer of the article say it for me:
"Secondly, I was at the Paris concert and deeply touched by the quality of their performance. Since then, I've followed Morning Musume concerts as a writer. Watching the group for years, I'm always astonished by Takahashi's exceptional talent--her outstanding performances can be said to embody how a Japanese idol should be, as well as her leadership skills."
There used to be a time when Japanese superstars like Hamasaki Ayumi had a very strong fanbase all throughout Asia. While Japanese music is still very prominent in Asia today, it is not NEARLY as big as it was, say, ten years ago.
If Japan tried to export their entertainment the way South Korea has been doing, do you think it would succeed? How far? Just into Asia, or would it work on a global scale? Would you want to see this happen?
J-artists and entertainers doesn't promote themselves as much as their South Korean counterparts. However, there is no doubting the unique qualities of Japanese contemporary music that makes it stand out amongst it's foreign counterparts.
While South Korean music does have a strong Western sound, J-music incorporates that western influence and molded it into something that is uniquely Japanese.
Born and raised in America, I'm tired of the local music scene here, while K-pop gives it a little flair and exciting, it feels used and repackaged.
J-pop offers a whole new music experience. From idols music like Morning Musume, Hello! Project, AKB48 and others, to J-rock like L'Arc~en~Ciel, Kobukuro, Ikimono Gakari, SCANDAL, Stereopony, GACKT. they also have J-R&B like Nishino Kana, Aoyama thelma, Beni, Amuro Namie, EXILE. also, Funkey Monkey Babys, HOME MADE Kazoku, GReeeeN,
Visual-kei, J-urban, etc.
These Artists and groups, along with so many others gives J-music such a diverse scene, yet they're good at complementing each other in a way. I dunno how to explain it.
I say that I never get tired of listening to J-pop, since There is so much diversity in music taste and something that is unique compare to others.
I, for one, would love to see J-pop/J-music being actively promoted overseas, especially in USA. I love seeing entertainers performing at Anime/Manga related expos and conventions, but I want to see them on a bigger scale, bigger venue and do more than just play at such events.
Imo, J-pop have such great, unlimited potential, that when unleashed overseas and consistently promoted, It could start not just a "J-pop Wave" of sorts, but an Revolution to the global music scene. It may had started way back in the nineties or even before then, but it just never really pushed to it's potential...