snoboat

I enjoy studying languages cause each is a key to another world of media, entertainment, literature, art, worldviews etc. In the case of Japanese that has meant anime, games, manga, j-drama and of course, idols. I first learnt about H!P from Buono and all the fantastic OP and ED of Shugo Chara when I watched it back when it was airing (I think 2007?), but I didn't really get into the world of idols then. Ironically, it was in 09 that SNSD became popular with Gee and I followed them and kpop in general for awhile, and getting more into idols in general. As Soshi became more inactive I kinda lost interest in kpop and shifted focus to Morning Musume, who I had seen live at AX in 09.

Although I enjoy learning about all idol groups in multiple countries, as I got more into Musume and its history I realized that H!P does it best. What I like about Tsunku's philosophy is that he allows kids to be kids. The more Hello! Mornings and DVD magazines I watched the more I enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek humor in the songs and the fun interactions between each girls' character. My favorites are/were Ai-chan (humility, talent), Nocchi (renaissance idol, adorable, 1 day younger than me!), Momoko (Character, charisma), Ayaya (Stage presence, talent, personality, everything an idol should aspire to be), and Junjun (witty, cute, melancholic, very honest). Of the younger generation I like Yuuka, Karin and Nanami a lot. (Anyone Momo chooses for M❤P has my vote haha)

What I enjoy most about idols, (more than music or photobooks or whatever else) is watching them do skits/plays (like all of the characters C-ute has had) or improv comedy like on Hello Morning (my favorite segment of all time is Eric Kamezou). My idol fandom is mostly spent watching the shows and DVDs like H!M, H!M@, every play I can find for each group. Please talk to me about your favorite H!P plays, dvds, or musicals! I'd love to discuss or recommend stuff. Also if you want me to translate or summarize anything for you (in jp or zh in the case of the pandas), I'd be happy to.