Kuraudo17

Say an idol turns out to be very ill-mannered, smokes like a chimney, has a new boyfriend a month, lashes out at staff and things of that nature...who would surprise you the most?

As strange and exotic as they may seem to the untrained eye, idols aren't exactly a concept endemic to Japan. We have some of these idols idolizing the likes of their western counterparts in Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez. However, Japanese idols don't seem to ever graze the mainstream and the industry is intent on keeping it small. Why is that? What are the barriers keeping idols from reaching a higher level of fame?

If UFA idols were on the same level as Ariana or Selena, then there wouldn't be a need for expensive bus tours or handshake events, and quality of life especially for idols who dislike events where they are directly exposed to fans will increase. Why can't idols go mainstream? Is it the relative lack of talent/skill? Is it (arguably) the oversexualization of western idols, even though Japanese idols pose for sexy photobooks before they reach high school?

Do we have a comprehensive list of how idols fare when they re-enter society? A handful seem to survive on variety shows and pages of magazines, but a large majority of them just disappear. Do they get normal day jobs? Do they become trophy wives? What do we know about life after idol?

Is everything really for show? Even birthday surprise reactions? Do we ever see idols in their "natural" state?

Is it just a favorite member? Someone you're attracted to as they appear as idols? Someone you would want to know personally or date?