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I suppose everyone noticed how popular south korean bands have become in the last couple of years. That phenomenon isn't happening only in Asia but all around the world. I personally really like some of those groups and I totally support the korean wave. However, it got me thinking: how did the koreans manage where the japanese didn't ? Why didn't we see a japanese "hangul" ? Here are the conclusions I came to.I. Style
I always found japanese music, especially Idol music, to be a very peculiar kind of music. An untrained person that listens to it for the first time would probably be like: what the hell is that ? O_o. Korean sounds, on the other hand are much more westernised (that's my opinion anyway) and are easier to listen to. Personally I sometimes play Kpop cds at work, but i never quite had the guts to try and put an H!P one...
Physical apparence follows that trend. Though i adore some japanese idols and find some uber pretty (Mano Erina), to me korean idols are the perfect picture of an asian beauty. Japanese people tend to stick to a notion of "cuteness" that belongs to them only. Once again, not anyone can appreciate a teenage girl wearing a mini skirt, whereas a 20ish girl in a sexy outfit would appeal to anyone (boys AND girls)
II. Communication
"Out of Sight, out of mind" that about sums it up.
Korean bands ARE visible in the world. I saw SNSD on french TV, specialised Kpop magasine in french press. A friend of mine told me she saw an SNSD's cd at the supermarket the other day O_o. SM Entertainement and others perform worldwide regularly (sometimes in english, cf.The Boys). When i watched in a bit more detail I found that most korean group has a foreigner, or at least one member that can talk engligh fluently. I don't need to describe how important that is for communication with fans. Of course you'll be happy to see your favorite artist, but wouldn't it be a million times better if you could exchange a few words while at an autograph/handshake session ?
Some may say Japanese also perform oversea, and that's true. AKB48, Morning musume, Buono, all came to Paris, America had Berryz, Mano and soon Kikka. However all of this seems minor when compared to what the Korean bands do. Morning musume did try to integrate foreigners (Junjun ftw!!
)but it didn't go so well...I think all of that is due mostly to their difference in culture. Japanese people are a bit crazy and they know it. That's why they tend to keep things to themselves and not export. They aren't totally wrong on that, cause i personally wouldn't bet on a sucess if MM was to make an european or american debut. Then again, i wouldn't have bet on korean bands couple of years ago...
Japanese Idols vs Korean Idols, Make your choice !!! Personally, having growing up in anime and mangas, i'm more into japanese ones, but the korean bands have become so strong now that they are innevitable, so may as well enjoy them also ! ^^
EyC-FTT
An example is, of course, how popular plastic surgery is in South Korea. Many people refer to it as the Plastic Surgery Capital of the World. Yes, obviously people in Japan get plastic surgery, but not many get anything beyond getting double eyelids. Even that isn't terribly common, and the majority of people just use makeup for that. I think you're more likely to find an idol with plastic surgery in South Korea, while you're more likely to find one without it in Japan.
Also, in South Korea, if you are even just a bit less attractive than everyone else, you get hate. Take Hyoyeon from SNSD for example. A lot of people, sadly, see her as "ugly" and I've seen people trash talk her a lot. Of course, it's not like that doesn't also exist in Japan. Look how much people hated on Aika because they thought she was ugly. However, I think a girl like Katsuta Rina would never have even been able to be in a girl group in South Korea, at least not without getting cosmetic surgery. I like Rina, but I also personally believe she is, in comparison to the other H!P girls, not as pretty.
A primary aspect of Japanese idol culture is the "girl next door" factor. In Japan, people like to be able to relate to their idols and feel a slightly personal connection with them. That's part of why AKB is so popular. They're easily accessible. The "idols you can meet". Fans also value being able to watch their idols grow, so instead of being in training for many years like South Korean idols prior to debuting, Japanese idols debut very quickly and their improvement is seen across time. This also adds to that connection you feel with them. You've watched them grow up.
Because of their early debut, Japanese idols are "rough around the edges" and are very rarely perfect performers, especially in the beginning. South Korea, on the other hand, expects vocal power and perfectly synchronized dancing right from their debut, and that is usually what they get.
Also, I am not saying one thing is wrong and one thing is right. However, I like the fact that idols in Japan are not seen as perfect. Because people aren't perfect. That's what makes us human.Everyone has their flaws, both physically and personality wise, and I like that it flaws aren't regarded as poorly in Japan as they are in South Korea. Also, I love watching idols grow from being sometimes extremely poor performers to at least passable and sometimes even great. I feel a stronger connection to those people than I do for ones that are nearly pitch-perfect from the start.
People have different opinions about this. Personally, I love both Japanese and Korean idols, but I will always be biased towards H!P and AKB and will always choose them over groups like SNSD and T-ara. Lots of people disagree and think entertainers should be perfect in what they do. That's something many people in the west think. That if you're going to do your job, you have to do it perfectly. Then again, you could argue that having flaws as an idol in Japan IS considered being a perfect idol, because that's what they look for.
Just look at Acchan. She's pretty, yes, but not a bombshell. She has a sweet voice, yes, but she's definitely no vocal powerhouse. She's a decent dancer, yes, but no where near perfect. And yet she's arguably the most popular idol in Japan at this moment along with Oshima Yuko and Watanabe Mayu.
Japan and South Korea are very different countries in many aspects, and this is definitely one of them.
Which is why I hate when people think all asian things are the same.