EY Y02 L38 Idols

  1. Each generation in Japan reveres different idols from music, TV or film. Tell me about an idol who was big when your parents were teens. Did you like that idol? Why?
  2. Tell me about an idol from when you were a teen. Did/do you like him or her? Why?
  3. The careers of idols in Japan are often short-lived. Tell us about an idol who has managed to stay popular over several decades. How have they done that?
  4. The careers of idols in Japan are often short-lived. Tell us about an idol who lost their popularity really suddenly. What did they do?
  5. Why has K-pop become a global phenomenon when J-pop idols have only had limited success abroad?
  6. If you could meet any idol, who would you meet? What would you ask them? Why?

Question 1

I don't have much knowledge about the various idol and idol groups from the 80s or 90s as my parents were living in the United States at that time. I asked a friend of mine and she said that Akina Nakamori was a big name during the 80s. I've listened to one of her songs and I like the lyrics and tune that she applies in her music. I heard that her life had a tragic turn of events when her lover left her for another woman, resulting in a suicide attempt.

Question 2

One of the idols that I've long admired is Sashihara Rino. She used to be a member of the legendary girl band, AKB48. I've always thought that her personality is charming and I have found her on multiple occasions standing up for herself. There was a time when Matsumoto Hitoshi made a denigrating remark on her but she stood her ground and questioned what he intended to achieve by asking such questions. I personally think that Sashihara has managed to survive and beat the whole flawed system of AKB48 by making a name for herself and continuing to succeed after her graduation from the group.

Question 3

Minami Takahashi has stayed popular over the decade. I believe that she stays true to her character and appears in many different kinds of tv shows that are targeted towards a specific group of audience. She is also quite active on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram allowing her fans to "stay in touch" with her.

Question 4

There was an incident that I will never forget. It's about an ex-AKB48 member, Minami Minegishi. I wouldn't say that she lost her popularity really suddenly, but her fame took a turn for the worse. She was spotted entering a hotel with a man who turned out to be her lover. This went against one of AKB 48's strict no-dating rules and she was temporarily banned from the group. Later on, she shaved her head bald during a live-stream from the official AKB-48 account on Youtube. I'm sure that many people had no idea about this incident.

Question 5

I think the answer has a lot to do with marketing strategies that vary from one group to another. I remember a psychologist who was interviewed on BBC saying something that relates to K-pop idols being equivalent to commodities that has a particular appeal to different groups of people. Perhaps that is why more people can relate and actually spend money in "purchasing" those commodities.

Question 6

I would definitely love to meet Sashihara Rino. I'd ask her a pretty simple question - would you go on a date with me? If she answers yes, then that'd be one of the highlights of my life. If she answers no, then I'd wake up from an unpleasant dream.

Tough Vocabulary