[Article] "Why Japanese pop matters"

[Bad Wolf]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Usually, I think Shiina fans (even Hikki fans) like to put down the very "pop" female soloists because they've "sold out" or something. It's really weird and I don't understand why they'd do that... blah.

I'm so glad all the Shiina fans I've met (myself included XD) are both Shiina AND Ayu lovers.

What bothers me about this article is as others have said -- strangely worded, sarcastic, misinformation printed as fact, etc. And yet, this is very sadly commonplace in Western journalism (perhaps globally, too?). I also take issue with the title "Why Japanese Pop Matters" -- as if the West needs to validate Japanese musicians? O_o As if their pop music needs Westerners to endorse and promote it? I don't think the author intended to suggest such a thing with the title, but regardless of her intentions that's what I'm getting from the syntax.

Also, ever since idiots like Perez or the jackals at ONTD, journalism/pop cultured-based articles ALL have this wry, snarky, bitter tone to them, as if they're mocking the very people they're attempting to credit and praise. It's a very, very strange combination of building someone up and tearing them down which I can neither understand nor endorse: it's one thing to write objectively, showing flaws and positive aspects. It's another to be an unnecessary ****.