Yahoo! News asks: Is there too much Korean entertainment in Japan?

[Kanzaki]

^
It's still a lame excuse to be that outraged by something so silly, imo. We've been slaughtering each other for ages and today we just don't care anymore.

I'm sorry if this will upset some people, but it really seems to me that many japanese people don't like anything foreign 'invading' their country and culture. They feel threatened almost, by something so insignificant.

[Huaka]

^ I think that statement probably applies to every country.

[bondingo]

Originally Posted by Huaka

^ I think that statement probably applies to every country.

And there's also that whole thing that no one's mentioned about how xenophobic Korea itself can be. It works both ways. I'm not trying to start an argument with that, but I've noticed it to be true. It happens with every country it seems.

[Kanzaki]

Originally Posted by Huaka

^ I think that statement probably applies to every country.

Obviously, it doesn't. Not at this scale. That was what I was trying to say with my first comment. Where I'm at, we don't give a ****

[koumori]

I think Kanzaki had a valid point. Korea and Japan aren't the first to have this "clash" of music; which in my opinion is a topic that is way out of proportion. To me it's not a big deal. Maybe it is to those that really follow Korean bands and singers and vice versa, but let people release where they want. Maybe some are just following the wave, maybe some artists just want to earn more money; whatever the reason "we are free to go anywhere we want"

[Amrai-chan]

Originally Posted by Kanzaki88

I'm sorry if this will upset some people, but it really seems to me that many japanese people don't like anything foreign 'invading' their country and culture. They feel threatened almost, by something so insignificant.

Reminds me of places that have signs that say things like No Foreigners.

I think it's just really loud minority when it comes to not wanting Korean music and other stuff though.

[sesshy]

I'm whatever with it since I don't listen to a lot of kpop (Same with Jpop, I guess). But honestly, there are too many idol groups (both sides) that I lost track on who is who. ^^;;

[fanayutic]

TBH those entertainment agencies are producing way too manyyyyyyy idols that I think that if you travel to Korea in the future, you will see idols everywhere you go LOL.
and it wouldn't be possible to stop the hallyu wave in Japan since she's near Korea haha!

I think most of the youngsters in Japan can remember those korean bands and entertainers by heart alr XD
Wonder if the korean peeps follow Japanese entertainers hahah!
Anyway I was always wondering why Ayumi haven't held a full scale concert in Korea =/

[adantatu2]

I like K-pop, but this is just for money, seriously if they want to make a debut in japan, they need practice and learn the basic of the language, because sometimes with a lot of k-pop groups, they look like desperate.
And if the japanese people support them, they will be in japan of course.

[blackmage]

I don't mind at all that Korean bands or singers migrate to Japan to further their careers. To me there is no problem with KPOP in Japan. I think its a natural progression for them since Japan is the second largest musical industry behind the U.S. Why not and their popularity as more bands continue to follow in the footsteps of BoA and DBSK show that it is welcomed with open arms for the most part. AND if not necessarily welcome with open arms it is pretty much accepted despite the poll given from YAHOO news. (Do we even know the demographics of poll takers??? For all we know it could be older generations, etc etc. That needs to be put into consideration.) I think if you don't live in Korea or Japan, you don't really have a right to complain (for those that are) that there is too much KPOP in JPOP or that its annoying. If you don't like it, don't listen to it. Yeah? I wonder, if KPOP or JPOP stars started migrating to Europe or America for and English career, would you think its annoying or too much when a Japanese wave or 'hallyu wave' one right after the other furthers outward with English versions and English careers?

I can understand that they (KPOP artists) will debut with Japanese versions of their hit songs, okay fine. It seems really trendy now with KPOP groups deciding to debut in Japan... its really rare though not unheard of to debut in China too lets not forget. Its not new, but it really has come on strong the last year or two. However I would like that once they debut with one or a couple of their original-hits-turned-Japanese-singles that they really do their best to have their own separate entity or identity as a group in Japan from Korea. Basically meaning, all new material. Not that the artists don't do that, but I would like to see more of it. Releasing Japanese versions of their hit songs once in a while to me is not a big deal. (Sometimes like in DBSK's case; back in the day I enjoyed some of their Japanese versions better than the original Korean ones.) To see them immerse themselves into the Japanese sound would be nice because we all know JPOP has its own formulas and sounds no matter how much western influence there is, etc. Its definitely not the same as KPOP.

Because of that, since KPOP is so different, fresh I think that is why it is really big and a lot of Korean groups are able to make the jump into the market there because my guess is that Japanese do want some variation or something fresh sounding. (Though honestly I don't think its just Japanese wanting variation or something different or fresh. The hallyu wave has hit everywhere in different degrees) With JPOP, to me and maybe others who have been listening to Japanese music for years, these last few or more years has really hit a decline. The quality is no longer there; not what it used to be. Sure I still follow my favorite singers but I rarely check out emerging artists or other bands I'm unfamiliar with because the music is so generic or it isn't ear catching to me to want to invest time to listen to their work. Of course it won't always be this way. It is an opportunity to bring JPOP back to its top quality and sound with all these KPOP artists crossing over right? If the industry wants to see it in a good light, they can use it as inspiration or motivation.. to rise back. You can agree or disagree with me that's fine.

As far as the making money comments. So what? Have you ever thought that maybe these bands, the people in them really love what they do and want to perform more and if crossing over to Japan allows them to sing and dance more; maybe that is what they want as people too? We all know that making the rounds in Korea with promotions for albums/mini albums/singles are SHORT time limited. Promotions don't last as long as Japan or even America. Right? It feels like there is a build up til a release, promotion starts and just as it started a few weeks later, they end promotions till they comeback at a later time with completely new material. I don't really feel they get to savor as artists into their releases as other countries do since promotions are short and fast. No matter how often bands make their comeback, its always pushing for the next release, you know what I mean? So Sure the money aspect will always be there, those advancements and opportunities. If you were in their shoes you wouldn't say no either! Lets be real about that. So don't hate. Everyone wants to make money no matter what your goals in life are and how they vary.

[Polyrhythm]

Originally Posted by blackmage

Why not and their popularity as more bands continue to follow in the footsteps of BoA and DBSK show that it is welcomed with open arms for the most part.

Because, they're all coming off the same way and pretty soon, the "openness" will be gone. The whole "wave," if you believe in it, is being self destructive by pushing so hard for Japan. Kpop is good at promoting itself, despite revenue issues and other problems we won't get into, and it has opened up opportunities for some artists to make it big in Japan. We have BoA, KARA, basically all the early entrants. Kpop was different and fresh. Its just not going to stay this way if Japan keeps getting bombarded with the same beats, the same concepts, w/e. It's going to get old eventually and probably errode the popularity and novelty Korean acts currently have in Japan.

Because of that, since KPOP is so different, fresh I think that is why it is really big and a lot of Korean groups are able to make the jump into the market there because my guess is that Japanese do want some variation or something fresh sounding.

If fresh and different is what Japan is looking for, Kpop would be flopping all over the place. Artists like BoA and KARA who are not of the one-image-one sound variety are rare. They actually bring something new to Japanese music. You talk about wanting more original, Japanese works from Kpop artists trying to break in. Well, their record labels don't have the same thing in mind. The plan is to make it big and make it quick. Milk Japan while the novelty is there. Kpop will not be popular forever and frankly, it's a waste of their time to build up an original, Japanese discography. The source material is already right in front of them, the songs that make kpop acts famous. Why spend all the time and money to create original songs, not knowing if a profit can be made? Not every act will become a Japanese hit, even if some have done it.

It is an opportunity to bring JPOP back to its top quality and sound with all these KPOP artists crossing over right? If the industry wants to see it in a good light, they can use it as inspiration or motivation.. to rise back. You can agree or disagree with me that's fine.

Jpop is pretty healthy as is. It's not #1 in the world but its not like Japanese music is dying. Why would they need Kpop to make it better. As you yourself have stated, they're two completely different things. The only thing it'll "inspire" is more backlash for Korean artists.

As far as the making money comments. So what? Have you ever thought that maybe these bands, the people in them really love what they do and want to perform more and if crossing over to Japan allows them to sing and dance more; maybe that is what they want as people too?

So Sure the money aspect will always be there, those advancements and opportunities. If you were in their shoes you wouldn't say no either! Lets be real about that. So don't hate. Everyone wants to make money no matter what your goals in life are and how they vary.

Not bashing on your opinion at all, but you are aware of how Korean singers are treated right? I doubt they're truly "loving what they do" or making very much money at that...when you consider their work hours that is.

[Tom Punks]

Originally Posted by Polyrhythm

Because, they're all coming off the same way and pretty soon, the "openness" will be gone. The whole "wave," if you believe in it, is being self destructive by pushing so hard for Japan. Kpop is good at promoting itself, despite revenue issues and other problems we won't get into, and it has opened up opportunities for some artists to make it big in Japan. We have BoA, KARA, basically all the early entrants. Kpop was different and fresh. Its just not going to stay this way if Japan keeps getting bombarded with the same beats, the same concepts, w/e. It's going to get old eventually and probably errode the popularity and novelty Korean acts currently have in Japan.

lol Thank you for posting something about kpop that's not just "kpop sux" for once.

And yeah, I agree with you guys who are saying kpop isn't really fresh anymore. Two or three years ago, it was very fresh and exciting, but now the songs and groups are just repeating the same format over and over. I still like it, but I feel like the current ~title tracks~ are more like songs that would have been single/mini album/album fillers a few years ago.

Also, you guys, not all kpop sounds exactly the same. There are definitely a lot of "smaller" groups who have less standout songs and all seem similar. And while electropop, dance, autotune, hip-hop, and rap definitely dominate... there is still a lot of really different sounding stuff within that. BIGBANG's stuff sounds totally different from Super Junior's. SNSD, 2NE1, T-ara, etc. all have really different styles from each other. And then there's like 2PM, who does dance-y hip-hop type stuff, while 2AM does ballads. So it's not like... every single kpop song by every single kpop group sounds like every other one. There's still variety in there.

[terra]

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

And yeah, I agree with you guys who are saying kpop isn't really fresh anymore. Two or three years ago, it was very fresh and exciting, but now the songs and groups are just repeating the same format over and over. I still like it, but I feel like the current ~title tracks~ are more like songs that would have been single/mini album/album fillers a few years ago.

Also, you guys, not all kpop sounds exactly the same. There are definitely a lot of "smaller" groups who have less standout songs and all seem similar. And while electropop, dance, autotune, hip-hop, and rap definitely dominate... there is still a lot of really different sounding stuff within that. BIGBANG's stuff sounds totally different from Super Junior's. SNSD, 2NE1, T-ara, etc. all have really different styles from each other. And then there's like 2PM, who does dance-y hip-hop type stuff, while 2AM does ballads. So it's not like... every single kpop song by every single kpop group sounds like every other one. There's still variety in there.

I agree with what happening these days in KPop, because everyone is becoming idols right and left, I kinda deliberately limit myself toward new acts and stick to those who has been around longer.

Regretfully it is mainstream KPop that draws the whole face of Hallyu wave. It's true but as Kpop fans here say so many times like emiko there are a whole different music beneath the mainstream piles in the KPop ocean. Those are more music-worthy imo if you always picture KPop as colorless aut-tune repetitive world.

[TofuBunny]

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

lol Thank you for posting something about kpop that's not just "kpop sux" for once.

And yeah, I agree with you guys who are saying kpop isn't really fresh anymore. Two or three years ago, it was very fresh and exciting, but now the songs and groups are just repeating the same format over and over. I still like it, but I feel like the current ~title tracks~ are more like songs that would have been single/mini album/album fillers a few years ago.

Also, you guys, not all kpop sounds exactly the same. There are definitely a lot of "smaller" groups who have less standout songs and all seem similar. And while electropop, dance, autotune, hip-hop, and rap definitely dominate... there is still a lot of really different sounding stuff within that. BIGBANG's stuff sounds totally different from Super Junior's. SNSD, 2NE1, T-ara, etc. all have really different styles from each other. And then there's like 2PM, who does dance-y hip-hop type stuff, while 2AM does ballads. So it's not like... every single kpop song by every single kpop group sounds like every other one. There's still variety in there.

omg I want to put this whole post in my sig .. A++++++++

I totally agree that kpop isn't as fresh as it used to be when I first started listening, but that's mostly because of all the new groups debuting and trying to succeed by doing whatever popular groups did and flopping hard.

Not all kpop groups sound the same just because they all happen to be idols

Oh and I wish we could do another "Kpop introduction/recommendation" thread here
I remember that someone asked me to do a guide or something like that, I kinda forgot about the idea but if anyone wants to help me make one it'd be awesome

[NintendoHTF1242]

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

lol Thank you for posting something about kpop that's not just "kpop sux" for once.

And yeah, I agree with you guys who are saying kpop isn't really fresh anymore. Two or three years ago, it was very fresh and exciting, but now the songs and groups are just repeating the same format over and over. I still like it, but I feel like the current ~title tracks~ are more like songs that would have been single/mini album/album fillers a few years ago.

Also, you guys, not all kpop sounds exactly the same. There are definitely a lot of "smaller" groups who have less standout songs and all seem similar. And while electropop, dance, autotune, hip-hop, and rap definitely dominate... there is still a lot of really different sounding stuff within that. BIGBANG's stuff sounds totally different from Super Junior's. SNSD, 2NE1, T-ara, etc. all have really different styles from each other. And then there's like 2PM, who does dance-y hip-hop type stuff, while 2AM does ballads. So it's not like... every single kpop song by every single kpop group sounds like every other one. There's still variety in there.

OH M GEE GURL PREACH IT LOUD AND PROUD!!! I so agree. I don't get why everyone says "zomg they're all the same styles~~~~~" Umm no, they're not. 2NE1 and 2PM are totally different (ignoring gender) and SNSD and 2NE1 are totally different and etc.

It's such a lame excuse for K-Pop bashers. Thanks for your post, this topic needed it~

[Minttulatte]

Lately I've been seen threads like this quite often here and I just don't understand what's the big deal. I personally love K-pop very much. Actually, I'm listening to MBLAQ right now when I write these sentences and see no similarities with anything. I've been listening to MBLAQ almost non-stop for two weeks now (That little BIG BANG play-day yesterday doesn't count). K-pop can be great.

And I confess that I used to hate it back in 2008-2009 just because it was from Korea. Then my friends made me listen some songs in early 2010 and I thought it's not so bad. Later that year I became a k-pop fan and it's no shame. But it makes me very angered at times when people say it sucks. It's just music. You don't have to listen if you don't like it. It's that simple lol.

And more than that, if you hate them releasing japanese remakes of their korean songs, don't listen those remakes. Listen only new material. I decided to do that after I got tired with 4minute's endless japanese remakes and stopped downloading those. If I download, I only download the new stuff (if there is) because korean versions are always better.

And you're all worried about how much K-pop is present in Japan...? Well, I remember someone from a Korean record label said they could invade western music market in 1-2 years onwards lol.

[Tom Punks]

Originally Posted by drdolce

And more than that, if you hate them releasing japanese remakes of their korean songs, don't listen those remakes. Listen only new material. I decided to do that after I got tired with 4minute's endless japanese remakes and stopped downloading those. If I download, I only download the new stuff (if there is) because korean versions are always better.

And you're all worried about how much K-pop is present in Japan...? Well, I remember someone from a Korean record label said they could invade western music market in 1-2 years onwards lol.

Oh, trust me, I don't listen to the remakes of their far superior Korean versions. There's no reason I would listen to the same song in bad Japanese when it's already available and sounds better produced in Korean anyways. XD I don't really think it's as simple as "just don't listen to it" though. Releasing a bunch of Japanese remakes of their Korean stuff means that they're releasing a lot less new material in Korea, so for those of us who don't want to listen to Korean people singing in bad, bad Japanese, we're left with the all-sounds-same releases by the twenty new groups that pop up every year and the once-a-year releases by the good, stand out groups.

Also, I really don't think that there's any hope of Asian artists ever having successful careers in the west. Utada, BoA, Wonder Girls, Se7en, etc. have proven this with their failed attempts to start careers in the US. And Americans (I don't know about Europeans, lol) just don't care about idol groups. They're not going to give groups that will just be considered the "Asian Spice Girls" or "Asian Backstreet Boys" any kind of chance. Not to mention, Koreans seem to be totally blind/ignorant to the fact that music is promoted differently in South Korea than in other countries. Take for example SNSD's album being announced like 10 days before it was released, and 2NE1 releasing 10 second teasers for their release, which is something that's really not done in Japan.

[NintendoHTF1242]

Well, will.i.am is producing 2NE1, and 2NE1 has a lot of "swag" lol. I can honestly see them doing quite well if they promote VERY well. Same with "Jay Park". He could've had an American debut because damn his English is flawless (I'm aware he's lived in the states for a while lol) and if he does everything right, he could do well. Utada, BoA and SE7EN all faced horrible promotion. That was all. Wonder Girls are still trying, but idk they're just not making it. But I have faith 2NE1 will do pretty good.

[Ranma Matsuri]

Originally Posted by AyumiHamasandwich

TBH nothing is wrong with kpop in Japan.
If the Japanese artists are still topping the charts, its shouldnt be a problem.
Theyre not making anything in Korea so they might as well go to Japan.
And to the Jpop fans that says that kpop needs to go back to their country, ugggh just stop, you dont even live in Japan.

EXACTLY.

If you don't live in Japan and don't actually feel the full effect of the Hallyu wave then what the hell are you complaining for? More so than Domestic fans, International fans have the option to completely ignore any artist we don't want anything to do with. There are plenty of artists that dominate the charts that I haven't heard a single song by or even know what they look like because I don't want to and I'm positive the situation is the same for the foreign K-pop haters. So unless what they're actually mad about is seeing Korean artists topping the charts over their favorite J-artists then I don't see why it should concern anyone who isn't living in Japan.

I'm really disappointed to see such strong reactions against something that I personally think is wonderful. Not K-pop invading J-pop per se but I would kill to see a "British invasion" type thing happen again in the States only this time with Asian artists instead of British ones.

But then again, that's because I love Asian music, if I didn't care for it I dunno how I would feel to see them dominating music pro-- oh wait, I do know. I wouldn't feel a thing since Music programs are pretty much dead here anyway. RIP MTV.

[bondingo]

Originally Posted by drdolce

And you're all worried about how much K-pop is present in Japan...? Well, I remember someone from a Korean record label said they could invade western music market in 1-2 years onwards lol.

There's not a huge chance of it happening. Unfortunately there hasn't been a single fully Asian artist or group to make it in America (idk if you'd count Pink Lady's mild success in the 70s...can't think of any others).

But I am still very much hoping 2NE1 has a hit and possibly gets big. CL and Bom both obviously have great English and their sound is very current, so I think if anyone has a chance it's them.