Hi guys it's Hikari
I'd like to touch a very obvious topic in terms of asianophils, that nobody really speaks about, but it's there and it became annoying not to talk about it. It's why you love Japan, but you're kinda into Korea.
Now, all of us asianophils, no matter if we are into Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam or any other nation across the see and the continent, we all kinda consider our own preferences a private thing. Here is not the case like in the fandoms of the West, where you have people who love, but also hate (e.g. you have people crazy over Justin Bieber and people who are absolutely crazy over hating him). People who are into Asia, don't usually hate. That is partially because we learned from asian cultures to cherish others, but it's also because we get super excited seeing someone loving something asian, even if it's not from the actual country WE like. it's Asia!
I'll give myself a freedom to say that Japan is the leader of the asian culture. Not because I think it's the best of anything like that, but because it's most genuine.
In the last few years Korea became a huuuuuge thing in the West and suddenly you have masses of people obsessed with Kpop and agencies like SM or YG. And I get your point my friends, they are cool, have BEAUTIFUL voices, such a nice people and very talented as well. Doing a great job, really. That is not the reason why you like them, though.
The reason Japan became so popular is anime. People really like anime. It's really super addictive and once you get to like it you get hooked up by the japanesse culture as well and BAM! suddenly you are a japhanophil. And while Japan spreads likeness for it globaly by something genuinely created within its culture, Korea did it differently.
The reason Korea did it differently is also the reason why people from the West get to like it and why Kpop became so popular.
Since both Kpop and Jpop come from Asia they're often confused. Yes, they both came from similar roots, but Kpop is heavily influenced by western music. One of the biggest differences is that Kpop often presents less 'adorable' partrayal of their members (they tend to be more sexy, serious, adult, while Japan is all about young and sweet (kawaii)). And also the biggest thing is that Kpop attempts to market itself to other countries and cultures.
There you go - such a typical asian mistake trying to be/copy the West.
This ambitious way of making Kpop viral worldwide created stuff like this:
I won't even talk about how the daily life of a Kpop idol looks like, under what kind of monstrous contracts are they forced to work, about how they collapse, faint from practicing too much and so on and so on. You can all find it online. It pains me to even imagine what those young people go through, so the west (and others) can see them shining in the best western-style shinning clothes, to become viral, when I know what they go though. And all they had in mind in the first place was music and love for a job of an idol they never thought would look like that.
To give you an example of their daily horror:
Now, I like Kpop myself and wouldn't like you to think I want to say Kpop is no good. My point in all of this is to say that, yes, Kpop is really nice to hear and see, but the reason it became so popular is not primarily because K-idols are so talented and hardworking, but because they and their work is forced into a package of a western design and it's that that makes you like it.
I personally like it, but don't and won't support it.
Japan is different in terms of idols. In Japan you are cherished as a young person (so they won't take you if you're old and you also have to leave when you became old), but japanese agencies will never threat you like korean do. Producer of one of the biggest female japanese idol agencies called Hello!Project once said that what makes an idol is their mistakes and the time through they get better and improve and that is what fans wants to see. He also said he always chooses girls who have the will and spirit even if they can't sing or dance well.
I hope the point is taken.
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| Hello!Project's Ishida Ayumi (16) from MV 'One Two Three' |
