Ayu no longer popular in Asia? (Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, china, hk)
 

What do u think? Is she still really known here? With the kpop hype, no one really cares about Japanese music.. My friends claims that people who listens to JPOP are Outdated and not 'in trend'... Even if you mention JPop, the only band they know is AKB48...

huuu really Malaysian didnt pay attention to Jpop anymore,its been quite a long time i guess, and I think theres not many who know who is Ayumi Hamasaki, and for most of Malaysian the Ayumi Hamasaki is just this



as you can see many comments from malaysians xD because people use this trauma dance in their university for the orentation week mostly,not sure now if they still use it,i dont think so since we have Gangnam Style now xD

but still there's a lot of Ayu's albums in the store and the magazine,even can find the bootleg shirt of her, she even feature in the latest Watson magazine even not on the cover

Edit: but recently a Malaysian actor/comedian whos hosting a travelog progam to Japan, mention Ayu in his TV show,he wanted to see Ayu in Japan, and he managed to meet with this person from Avex I guess, in the last episode,that person gave him 2 Ayu's Playbutton. the program just ended 2 weeks ago. they said Ayu cant meet him because shes touring 5HLS Tour) but I really doubt that Ayu or any of her staffs know about this,not sure. (maybe I should make a new thread bout this xD with the screencap xD )

Well, when Ayumi first came out you could call her a phenomenon..
She was jsut in the right place and thee right time.

And over the years the novelty of her and her music just wore off.
I think during her asia tour she tapped into that and fueled it to last a little bit longer, but just like anything the "coolness" fades.

But isn't being popular relative? I mean we all here like her and she is popular in our group, but the rest, do people even know her? People are attracted to the same things, thats why we gather together and having a share in the music scene is a good way to get to know people.

I found quite a few friends because we both listen to Ayumi music, but the rest of my town/city/state most likely has never heard of her. I guess what I'm saying is she is popular to us and thats all that really counts. =)

totally agreed! Popularity is subjective and doesnt last forever for sure, the thing is how someone or an artist can be living legend through their art work.

yess I make friends with others via her music too!

:yes

no, there is Korea all over there now, you have to accept it

Interesting enough that certain music genres these days seem to be more popular than the singers themselves :D

In my opinion it's hard to say Ayu is making J-Pop. I am OK with others puting her into that genre corner but for me she and her staff are simply producing high-end music.

New bands are aiming for a category that apparently stands for a successful range of possibilities to establish a musical product.

The small difference that puts Ayu above this confusing trend-genre story is the fact that she's a genre herself. During the past 15 years Ayu and her producers made it to a very own genre one could bravely call "Ayu pop" if a label is needed for the direction of her musical art.

And... wow. That's more than any of the newest trendsetters will ever reach, no matter how cool and beloved they are today.

K-Pop is gonna stay popular for some time, but like everything it's gonna fade while Ayu will still be known as a legend in Japan.

In singapore, it seems like if you say you like JPOP, they'll be saying" I thought JPOP is like long gone?? Or " oh ya, I know who's ayumi, but she's long outdated.., c'mon, listen to stuff like snsd, Big Bang etc!! They are hot stuff!" Lol...

Worst still, when it comes to JPOP, they'll just talk about AKB48.. And that's all they noe abt JPOP... What the??

hei hei hei, no matter with KPOP or whatever. ayu's music and lyrics still be perfection .
Ayu still exist and still dazzling on both of my eyes, and ayu's music still can touch my ears and my heart.

I just think there is time for everything. Maybe around 10 years ago, ayu can still be seen pretty frequently on magazines, music stores and newspaper. And saying that you listen to kpop then will be like saying that you listen to jpop now. Sucks but that's the truth. Anyway for me its still easy to find people that at least know who is ayu if you go like a Japanese language class and its a higher chance if those people are around my age (20).

Still can't understand the reason why those assembly line product kpop groups catch on, well, I guess it's "Bad money drives out good"

Precisely... Haaha.... People tend to say that ayu is old already... And her Music isn't good anymore etc... And true talent comes from the Korean industry etc...

But bear in mind, ayu was also once 23 years old, admired by many, incredible album sales, fashion icon of Japan and even Asia... ( those kpop artist are just toddlers at that time... Lol)

How can they say she have no talents and don't look good??!!! Those people that generalise ayu did not even hear her music/works before

I have long accepted the fact that ayu is no longer that popular as compared to her prime era. But i am sure ayu will be there for all her fans for as long as she can go. So ayu is still my number 1 idol.

those who are into Kpop can judge however they want.. :)

But it's still kinda great to see quite a number of Singapore fans still alive and active in here ^^

ignore those kpop followers
they're really best in insulting jpop followers ..

Ayumi is still a legend in Asian music, and her not being as relevant doesn't change that.

Guys, can we please keep it civil and not insult Kpop fans or Kpop groups? I'm not referencing this to everyone, but I see a spiral already starting. If I catch you I'm going to force you to put "AHS: don't be an ass about your opinions" in your signature.

Anyway, as I don't live in Asia, I can't put in my two cents about this. But I do find the whole Kpop vs. Jpop in Asia thing fascinating, because neither would ever be mainstream popular in the States (or Europe?). To imagine a country/countries where people argue which is better is so strange to my American ears. Here people just argue over if you like "that dubstep ****" or "pop ****" or "country/rap/hip-hop/&c. ****." It's funny for me to think that, "Oh, Japanese music is out. Korean music is cool now" when my country speaks (on the whole) neither Japanese or Korean. :laugh

Still debating about this?


"Life has its up and down."
-- Ayu

Haha, they will start insulting ayu when I told them I listen to her.... , I'm perfectly fine with it if they listens to kpop... But once ayu is mentioned, they'll just insult her and say she's old/outdated... Do u experience that?

^ that's why I don't tell ppl tat I fanboy to ayu's songs haha:p

I dun get why so many people around this world wants to be 'in trend' and let this sort of trend influence them all the time.

What I see is that they never really have a true favourite, just 'like' something cos it's the 'in' thing, and they are never a loyal truthful fan of anybody. They can never be devoted to any artistes. They are just enthusiastic for a short period of time and probably not knowing what are they going after.

I never cared about going for what's in trend cos it just feels like I'm not myself by following what everyone likes. I love Ayu cos she made me discover my love for Jpop and I still love it so much now!! I dun give a heck about Kpop and I've been listening to Jpop all day. I'm very proud of saying I'm an Ayu fan collecting her albums and stuff over the years and I dun care what others would say about me being 'outdated' or anything.

Because I'm able to do this for many years with determination and love unlike them. They are the losers imo. I've always believe that one's likes should never be influenced by anyone.

Ayu is still no. 1 in my heart. I will not give up just because the heat for Jpop or Ayu has died down. NEVER!

Aha, Jejak Jepun Bersama Zizan...

You are right. I feel the same way to.

As long as she keeps making music for herself and the fans who still love her, I couldn't care less about her popularity.

Cool!!! Ayu is just the best!!! Those that insult her just don't know anything about her.... Just because KPOP is in trend in singapore don't mean that they can insult ayu lovers...

Some of the people say that Ayu don't have TALENTS and say she isn't beautiful LIKE THOSO KPOP STARS etc..I was shocked that they said that!! Fancy judging a person when you Have never listen to her music or watch a single concert before :(

are they got cataract...
Ayu is way prettier than any of those kpop gb
if she's standing in the middle of shojojidai she'll be the most charismatic n charming among those 9 girls...

Those 9 girls isn't super beautiful either... Even with THEIR plastic surgeries ... Maybe taeyeon is the cutest only...

popularity is an ephemeral thing =)

But I agree these Kpop bands are formatted and completely created of any part !! Ayu is way better !

Ayu is in business since 15 years. Who will remember K-Pop in 15 years?

^ K-Pop is a genre, that genre isn't going anywhere. Now if you mean the bands, I can see that (although I can see BIGBANG and 2NE1 and Girls' Generation staying around for a loooong time).

Yeah, sorry. Should say K-Pop Bands. Wouldn`t give them a long live. But time will show us...

everything has its own lifespan in this world. Fame is short-lived. I think it doesn't really matter that much that Ayu isn't popular anymore...(in fact, J-pop isnt even popular in most parts of Asia I feel?..its not overwhelming anymore). The fact that she has a foot in J-pop music history means something. and that she is a reputable artiste in Japan. 15 years...really isn't short. Namie has proven that fame comes and goes (and comes again).

One thing I was thinking about the other day..how does Namie appeal more than Ayu, when their music are so different and Namie's music isn't something typically J-pop. And I felt that, maybe women in Japan now feel better represented by Namie? (in all honesty, tabloids on Namie have been almost close to none compared to Ayu) Maybe its Namie's style and persona that really appeals to the masses and while Ayu has this diva air. I think this is something some members have mentioned before...so I guess thats what may affect...

side note: so if genres can decline, k-pop may one day face the same fate.

I study in an international university, where we have loots of Asians, and a couple of weeks ago I witnessed something.

There was a Chinese girl (she lived in Singapore for a while) in front of me complaining to her friend that she's very short. And then she was like "Oh, but do you know Ayu? She's quite short, but she can still be a queen!"

And I had lots of Asian friends and many of them know Ayumi. Particularly, Chinese and Malaysian.

So yeah, I thought she's quite famous in Asia xD

If you compare Namie and ayumi, I'll think ayu is better.. Even from a neutral point of view...

Namie don't really have the captivating factor, character and her music isn't exceptionally catchy too... I use to listen to her songs, but not anymore.

No offence though:)

If you really wanna compare... Even kumi or boa is much appealing..

@Ushiromiya Nagi

I agree !! Last year I was at university and more and more chinese come in France for study ! After have sympathized with 2 of them (one boy & one girl) I asked them if they knew Ayumi Hamasaki ? they said "Hmm Ayumi no no we don't know her" but after showing them the chinese version of I am CM They said "Ahhh Bīnqí bù Yes we know her ! she is well know !" However They don't really like her because it's not their taste ^^ one of them comes from near pekin and other from the south of china ^^

On the contrary when I showing them Namie & Kumi neither knew them !

It has to do with the people who buy Namie's stuff:P
I have a friend who lives in Japan and he told me that Namie is popular with the hip-hop crowd, like the "yo- yo" crowd. Apparently, namie's also popular with the girls who try to look... well... black, and people who like dancing and hip-hop beats.

How is BoA even much appealing than ayu???

Haha, I mean BoA is more appealing than namie.... Sorry if I phrase it wrongly. :)

even if it's true that she's not as popular anymore, all the more reason for her to try to broaden her audience and try new markets (North America, Europe, Australia, Africa, South America).

To be honest, the woman should just be sitting on her money throne checking bank accounts and all. I mean, she earned so much she doesn't need to work anymore for the rest of her life. We should be grateful she's still releasing music. So we don't have to worry anymore if Asia's no longer within her reach. Otherwise, Ayu's actually kind to give way for younger artists. :)

15 years on very high level in that business is a remarkable long time nowadays.
So it shouldn`t be something to worry about, if she is not so popular currently. There are ups and downs in every career. Maybe she becomes more popular in the future again.


Sorry, if I hurt any K-Pop fans with my former post. It was not my intention.

kpop is actually slightly declining now... If u realise it

I don't even like Namie, and I find this untrue. Namie is one of the most popular singers in Japan, and even more popular than Ayu right now. That must be a testament to her talent overall. You don't have a 20 year long career built on lack of charisma and not catchy songs. Just because she isn't to your taste doesn't make her boring. You can say that you personally don't find her personality that attractive, but it doesn't mean that its not attractive to someone else or that she doesn't have one.

People are allowed to like K-Pop and Namie, and dislike Ayu. Its all totally subjective. Even if you haven't listened to most of her music. I haven't heard most of Justin Bieber's music, and I know I don't like him. I don't even care if he writes his own lyrics. His style and looks are not to my taste. I don't find him attractive, its an opinion. I love Ayu and dislike Namie, and I think Namie is more attractive. I would never say that Ayu isn't pretty or cute, her looks just don't suit my tastes.

Not necessarily imo !

This is true !! If people don't care about someone even if this person is talented or something this will change nothing ...

Agreed :yes

Why is K-pop declining? Maybe because of the recent tension between the Japanese and the Koreans? Lack of outstanding Korean pop talent that want to expand to Japan?

I just hope Ayu fans here will still support Ayu no matter what.

'Trend' thing just come and go so that isn't really important. No one is popular forever. Ayu has done well in her music work so far and it's still something to be happy about. :)

So let's be proud to announce to others that we are Ayu fans~!!

Yes!! Fellow Singaporeans!!!

Likes:yes
Ayu is still my no1 female idol

Yes!!! Feels nice to see that she still have Singaporean fans... I almost thought I'm the only one... Most friends are too kpopish

Always an Ayu fan, since '98
Part of my life, my teenage years, young adult, working adult and now past 30...
Still haven't gone to her concert though...

Trends are so uncool..
People should like what they like and shouldn't be influenced by what the masses like.
If I let myself be influenced, I would never have discovered Ayu in the first place.

haha. U are definitely not alone! Most of us in AHS are very much into Ayu. My friends are also into Kpop or Cpop.. We dun have to be the same with our friends. Most important is to be true to ourselves and like what we really like. Dun bother about the rest! :)

no offence
most ppl dislike SO-CALLED K-Pop
except for K-Pop fans,I am pretty sure that K-Pop is a big joke in China(including HK and Taiwan)
the fans who like Korean music just live in their own world =_=
and frankly speaking
ayu can rarely appeal NEW fans in Asia
and everytime when she reveals news or albums, some fans leave her.especially BEST ALBUMs such as A SUMMER BEST WTF it is

I learn Japanese Studies. In my faculty there're about 500~ people but everyone include the teachers know who's ayu. But they dont like her much. Just a few ballad songs: Dearest, HEAVEN, Days, Moments,...They like AKB48 & Arashi so much.

I think ayu's popularity in china, HK and Taiwan is still huge~
i'm happy enough that ayumi hamasaki could still remain as one of the jpop legends, that's all that matter to me =))

PS. hmm for all those who insult kpop in this thread is no better than the ones who insult jpop.. so~ the same?
please just don't. #nooffense why ppl have to bring out kpop here?

it's all matter of tastes
no one last forever. so just enjoy the ride~

ayu slays the chart with love in taiwan or Hongkong
she's beating tvxq...