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Twice's Japan debut could be the biggest KPOP act there in a long time

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chaiushhy Idol

chaiushhy

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Usually a Japanese debut is the first step to getting legit international status, especially for top KPOP acts. IU debuted in Japan (with moderate success) and so did SNSD (with legendary success). People have been saying that lately KPOP is not as influential in Japan as before, but Twice coming in might change the game.

 

Also it doesn't hurt that three members are Japanese. 

 

http://www.koreaboo.com/buzz/twice-booming-popularity-japan/

 

JYP Entertainment girl group TWICE‘s Japanese debut is just around the corner and their popularity in the country is already roaring sky high.

 

A little while ago a survey was conducted among female students in Japan about TWICE and the results showed that a whopping 80% of the students already knew who TWICE were. Most of the girls also seemed to be infatuated with the group by now even though they haven’t yet officially debuted in the country.

Naming a few reasons for their adoration for the group, many students said that they especially liked the group’s Japanese members, Momo, Sana, and Mina, and stated how not even one of the members fell short from being stunningly beautiful. TWICE has even entered the Top 10 of the Oricon Chart already, which is the Japanese equivalent to the Billboard charts in the US.

 

TWICE’s song “TT†is getting hugely popular in Japan and even many Japanese idols have taken a liking to the music hit. The group also got their very own billboard poster displayed in Shibuya, Tokyo.

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~Alexâš¡thunder~ Global Superstar

~Alexâš¡thunder~

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Let us be careful with our words, shall we?

 

But yes they will do well... I hope

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canto Idol

canto

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Hallyu is not as accessible in Japan because of the political climate. The current PM's grandfather was jailed as a war criminal by the US Military and he uses his neoconservative ideology (including blaming of foreigners) to push through policies like currency manipulation (QE and beyond), protectionism and of course banning Kpop.

 

For example Japan claims to have HAD NO LARGE COMPANY BANKRUPTCIES last year... because the government cooks the books and forces bad loans to failing businesses... a practice known in the West as creating "zombie companies." They are companies who are not strong enough to survive but are not allowed to die... economically speaking it's a huge drag on the Japanese economy but politically and socially it makes it seem as Japan isn't doing as bad as people think.... It's basic definition of corruption... basically Japan under Abe is trying to fix a social or political headache by compromising the competitiveness of their own industries... and not just one but across the board. As politicians they always think that when it comes time to actually pay for those shenanigans they'll be long gone and the next guy's job will be to fix it.

 

However there are 2 things you must understand

 

1) The "popularity" of Hallyu has no impact on whether popular Korean acts are popular in Japan. For example Big Bang is hugely popular and profitable. It only applies to nugu groups and groups trying to get in via the Hallyu craze

 

2) Japan is essentially no longer relevant to the larger world in terms of Kpop. At one time Japan was in fact the lynchpin during the first and second generation of Kpop. This is because becoming "popular" in each country prior to SNS and youtube were literally like independent military campaigns.

 

You had to make a beachhead by getting press mentions, then build up a fandom via outreach IRL and on messageboards etc. It cost huge amounts of money and each "market you entered was a significant and risky investment of time, IP, human capital etc. JYP for example tried to enter the US, spent over $10 million and almost ruined his company

 

Like you can't just jump over countries invading Western Europe you had to literally take each in sequence. Japan was first. Becoming popular there was not only the basis for the funding you'd need for the rest of the world but the ABILITY to become popular in Japan... navigate new culture, adapt your music for local tastes was also a useful litmus test for groups. Companies could know if you "had it" to make it worth investing globally.

 

Today it's different. Japan is largely irrelevant and has literally no impact on how and whether a group is successful elsewhere. All the rules have changed. This has happened gradually over the past 4-5 years but this is important for Twice because Twice along with BTS are the new generation of Kpop groups rewriting the rules.

 

For example the NY Times had an article recently how organizers were shocked how THEY DID NOT HAVE TO SPEND ANY MONEY FOR TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING to fill arenas for BTS. In the old days a large chunk of the revenue would have already been spent paying promoters and press to cover the event to sell seats. BTS through SNS and native fandom of Chileans literally jumps past all that... in the end the promoter just bought a week's worth of a newspaper ad to simply thank fans in Chile.

 

There's a lot of things going on but it has to do with both global trends and Japan itself. Globally, it's no longer like a land war in Europe but more like "Island Hopping" that the US did in the Pacific in WWII. You no longer have to go Japan>SEA>China>US>Europe. You simply go where the fans are. And it's no longer interlocked... fans can connect from anywhere go right onto youtube or V and see their idols. It's no longer a selling point or a point of prestige for a group to be "big in Japan." A group like BTS is popular in the States because they are popular in the States, on the other hand a group like Ikon can sell arenas in Japan, primarily based through traditional means like YG connections in Japan industry and YG fandom but it doesn't translate to the US or SEA as in the old days.

 

The other part has to do with Japan, and it's a bit sad. Culturally, Japan has largely segregated itself with the outside world even as Ultra-Nationalism and Neo-Fascism grips the country. They are getting farther and farther outside the mainstream. Japanese fans basically DO NOT SPEAK THE GLOBAL LANGUAGE as many other fans... many literally cannot speak English unlike most Korean, and even Chinese kids... and often even a smaller country like Philippines or France can be more vocal and visible in international fandoms than Japanese who live on 2chan and on Japanese platforms talking to each other.

 

also their media consumption habits, strange Japanese-only customs have further alienated them from companies. You'll notice that the vast majority of Kpop fans consume DIRECTLY through Youtube. But in Japan even Youtube is sanctioned. You will notice that Japan versions are truncated... you can't even see the entire video. And how once BTS was signed in Japan the company cluelessly started sending Copyright claims to fan videos... they are outside the mainstream and thus don't have the influence that such a big market should rightfully have on fans worldwide or what is considered cool and popular.

 

there are many reasons why success in Japan is important. But these are compartmentalized now INTO JAPAN. Success in Japan will always be a goal because for one thing Japan is Korea's closest neighbor... the country in the world most ethnically, culturally and historically close to Japan is Korea. So there will always be interchange. The importance of success in Japan however isn't the same as it once was.

 

To be clear, in many ways the same can be said of the US. At one time "the United States" was seen as the ultimate (and frankly unobtainable) ultimate measure of success for not only Kpop but Latin music, English pop etc. But today the US has a much smaller footprint. Big Hit won't even make English-language songs that might feel or listen different from BTS's classic sound. Being on the Tonight Show or MTV isn't a huge deal as it once was. You can be sure that JYP himself will not replicate the travesty of the Wonder Girls. Whether Twice is a huge global group, and how BIG it is to the outside world is not reliant on JYP getting them on American TV...

 

What you are seeing is a GLOBALIZATION and DEMOCRATIZATION of pop culture and Kpop can only benefit. Because borne out of this Darwinian Struggle of 1000 Kpop acts to rise to the top and the Korean culture of inspiration, adaptation, art and struggle the melange that is known as Kpop is truly a 21st century genre... in many ways more open (if not necessarily more original or random) than even American pop

 

FWIW, Twice in Japan is basically a done deal. They will be hugely popular, there isn't really anything like them in Japan and they are frankly THE BEST AT WHAT THEY DO which is the cute, modern, multifaceted type of Kpop.

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Namie-Knowles Global Superstar

Namie-Knowles

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Hallyu is not as accessible in Japan because of the political climate. The current PM's grandfather was jailed as a war criminal by the US Military and he uses his neoconservative ideology (including blaming of foreigners) to push through policies like currency manipulation (QE and beyond), protectionism and of course banning Kpop.

 

For example Japan claims to have HAD NO LARGE COMPANY BANKRUPTCIES last year... because the government cooks the books and forces bad loans to failing businesses... a practice known in the West as creating "zombie companies." They are companies who are not strong enough to survive but are not allowed to die... economically speaking it's a huge drag on the Japanese economy but politically and socially it makes it seem as Japan isn't doing as bad as people think.... It's basic definition of corruption... basically Japan under Abe is trying to fix a social or political headache by compromising the competitiveness of their own industries... and not just one but across the board. As politicians they always think that when it comes time to actually pay for those shenanigans they'll be long gone and the next guy's job will be to fix it.

 

However there are 2 things you must understand

 

1) The "popularity" of Hallyu has no impact on whether popular Korean acts are popular in Japan. For example Big Bang is hugely popular and profitable. It only applies to nugu groups and groups trying to get in via the Hallyu craze

 

2) Japan is essentially no longer relevant to the larger world in terms of Kpop. At one time Japan was in fact the lynchpin during the first and second generation of Kpop. This is because becoming "popular" in each country prior to SNS and youtube were literally like independent military campaigns.

 

You had to make a beachhead by getting press mentions, then build up a fandom via outreach IRL and on messageboards etc. It cost huge amounts of money and each "market you entered was a significant and risky investment of time, IP, human capital etc. JYP for example tried to enter the US, spent over $10 million and almost ruined his company

 

Like you can't just jump over countries invading Western Europe you had to literally take each in sequence. Japan was first. Becoming popular there was not only the basis for the funding you'd need for the rest of the world but the ABILITY to become popular in Japan... navigate new culture, adapt your music for local tastes was also a useful litmus test for groups. Companies could know if you "had it" to make it worth investing globally.

 

Today it's different. Japan is largely irrelevant and has literally no impact on how and whether a group is successful elsewhere. All the rules have changed. This has happened gradually over the past 4-5 years but this is important for Twice because Twice along with BTS are the new generation of Kpop groups rewriting the rules.

 

For example the NY Times had an article recently how organizers were shocked how THEY DID NOT HAVE TO SPEND ANY MONEY FOR TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING to fill arenas for BTS. In the old days a large chunk of the revenue would have already been spent paying promoters and press to cover the event to sell seats. BTS through SNS and native fandom of Chileans literally jumps past all that... in the end the promoter just bought a week's worth of a newspaper ad to simply thank fans in Chile.

 

There's a lot of things going on but it has to do with both global trends and Japan itself. Globally, it's no longer like a land war in Europe but more like "Island Hopping" that the US did in the Pacific in WWII. You no longer have to go Japan>SEA>China>US>Europe. You simply go where the fans are. And it's no longer interlocked... fans can connect from anywhere go right onto youtube or V and see their idols. It's no longer a selling point or a point of prestige for a group to be "big in Japan." A group like BTS is popular in the States because they are popular in the States, on the other hand a group like Ikon can sell arenas in Japan, primarily based through traditional means like YG connections in Japan industry and YG fandom but it doesn't translate to the US or SEA as in the old days.

 

The other part has to do with Japan, and it's a bit sad. Culturally, Japan has largely segregated itself with the outside world even as Ultra-Nationalism and Neo-Fascism grips the country. They are getting farther and farther outside the mainstream. Japanese fans basically DO NOT SPEAK THE GLOBAL LANGUAGE as many other fans... many literally cannot speak English unlike most Korean, and even Chinese kids... and often even a smaller country like Philippines or France can be more vocal and visible in international fandoms than Japanese who live on 2chan and on Japanese platforms talking to each other.

 

also their media consumption habits, strange Japanese-only customs have further alienated them from companies. You'll notice that the vast majority of Kpop fans consume DIRECTLY through Youtube. But in Japan even Youtube is sanctioned. You will notice that Japan versions are truncated... you can't even see the entire video. And how once BTS was signed in Japan the company cluelessly started sending Copyright claims to fan videos... they are outside the mainstream and thus don't have the influence that such a big market should rightfully have on fans worldwide or what is considered cool and popular.

 

there are many reasons why success in Japan is important. But these are compartmentalized now INTO JAPAN. Success in Japan will always be a goal because for one thing Japan is Korea's closest neighbor... the country in the world most ethnically, culturally and historically close to Japan is Korea. So there will always be interchange. The importance of success in Japan however isn't the same as it once was.

 

To be clear, in many ways the same can be said of the US. At one time "the United States" was seen as the ultimate (and frankly unobtainable) ultimate measure of success for not only Kpop but Latin music, English pop etc. But today the US has a much smaller footprint. Big Hit won't even make English-language songs that might feel or listen different from BTS's classic sound. Being on the Tonight Show or MTV isn't a huge deal as it once was. You can be sure that JYP himself will not replicate the travesty of the Wonder Girls. Whether Twice is a huge global group, and how BIG it is to the outside world is not reliant on JYP getting them on American TV...

 

What you are seeing is a GLOBALIZATION and DEMOCRATIZATION of pop culture and Kpop can only benefit. Because borne out of this Darwinian Struggle of 1000 Kpop acts to rise to the top and the Korean culture of inspiration, adaptation, art and struggle the melange that is known as Kpop is truly a 21st century genre... in many ways more open (if not necessarily more original or random) than even American pop

 

FWIW, Twice in Japan is basically a done deal. They will be hugely popular, there isn't really anything like them in Japan and they are frankly THE BEST AT WHAT THEY DO which is the cute, modern, multifaceted type of Kpop.

Really well written.

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chaiushhy Idol

chaiushhy

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Hallyu is not as accessible in Japan because of the political climate. The current PM's grandfather was jailed as a war criminal by the US Military and he uses his neoconservative ideology (including blaming of foreigners) to push through policies like currency manipulation (QE and beyond), protectionism and of course banning Kpop.

For example Japan claims to have HAD NO LARGE COMPANY BANKRUPTCIES last year... because the government cooks the books and forces bad loans to failing businesses... a practice known in the West as creating "zombie companies." They are companies who are not strong enough to survive but are not allowed to die... economically speaking it's a huge drag on the Japanese economy but politically and socially it makes it seem as Japan isn't doing as bad as people think.... It's basic definition of corruption... basically Japan under Abe is trying to fix a social or political headache by compromising the competitiveness of their own industries... and not just one but across the board. As politicians they always think that when it comes time to actually pay for those shenanigans they'll be long gone and the next guy's job will be to fix it.

However there are 2 things you must understand

1) The "popularity" of Hallyu has no impact on whether popular Korean acts are popular in Japan. For example Big Bang is hugely popular and profitable. It only applies to nugu groups and groups trying to get in via the Hallyu craze

2) Japan is essentially no longer relevant to the larger world in terms of Kpop. At one time Japan was in fact the lynchpin during the first and second generation of Kpop. This is because becoming "popular" in each country prior to SNS and youtube were literally like independent military campaigns.

You had to make a beachhead by getting press mentions, then build up a fandom via outreach IRL and on messageboards etc. It cost huge amounts of money and each "market you entered was a significant and risky investment of time, IP, human capital etc. JYP for example tried to enter the US, spent over $10 million and almost ruined his company

Like you can't just jump over countries invading Western Europe you had to literally take each in sequence. Japan was first. Becoming popular there was not only the basis for the funding you'd need for the rest of the world but the ABILITY to become popular in Japan... navigate new culture, adapt your music for local tastes was also a useful litmus test for groups. Companies could know if you "had it" to make it worth investing globally.

Today it's different. Japan is largely irrelevant and has literally no impact on how and whether a group is successful elsewhere. All the rules have changed. This has happened gradually over the past 4-5 years but this is important for Twice because Twice along with BTS are the new generation of Kpop groups rewriting the rules.

For example the NY Times had an article recently how organizers were shocked how THEY DID NOT HAVE TO SPEND ANY MONEY FOR TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING to fill arenas for BTS. In the old days a large chunk of the revenue would have already been spent paying promoters and press to cover the event to sell seats. BTS through SNS and native fandom of Chileans literally jumps past all that... in the end the promoter just bought a week's worth of a newspaper ad to simply thank fans in Chile.

There's a lot of things going on but it has to do with both global trends and Japan itself. Globally, it's no longer like a land war in Europe but more like "Island Hopping" that the US did in the Pacific in WWII. You no longer have to go Japan>SEA>China>US>Europe. You simply go where the fans are. And it's no longer interlocked... fans can connect from anywhere go right onto youtube or V and see their idols. It's no longer a selling point or a point of prestige for a group to be "big in Japan." A group like BTS is popular in the States because they are popular in the States, on the other hand a group like Ikon can sell arenas in Japan, primarily based through traditional means like YG connections in Japan industry and YG fandom but it doesn't translate to the US or SEA as in the old days.

The other part has to do with Japan, and it's a bit sad. Culturally, Japan has largely segregated itself with the outside world even as Ultra-Nationalism and Neo-Fascism grips the country. They are getting farther and farther outside the mainstream. Japanese fans basically DO NOT SPEAK THE GLOBAL LANGUAGE as many other fans... many literally cannot speak English unlike most Korean, and even Chinese kids... and often even a smaller country like Philippines or France can be more vocal and visible in international fandoms than Japanese who live on 2chan and on Japanese platforms talking to each other.

also their media consumption habits, strange Japanese-only customs have further alienated them from companies. You'll notice that the vast majority of Kpop fans consume DIRECTLY through Youtube. But in Japan even Youtube is sanctioned. You will notice that Japan versions are truncated... you can't even see the entire video. And how once BTS was signed in Japan the company cluelessly started sending Copyright claims to fan videos... they are outside the mainstream and thus don't have the influence that such a big market should rightfully have on fans worldwide or what is considered cool and popular.

there are many reasons why success in Japan is important. But these are compartmentalized now INTO JAPAN. Success in Japan will always be a goal because for one thing Japan is Korea's closest neighbor... the country in the world most ethnically, culturally and historically close to Japan is Korea. So there will always be interchange. The importance of success in Japan however isn't the same as it once was.

To be clear, in many ways the same can be said of the US. At one time "the United States" was seen as the ultimate (and frankly unobtainable) ultimate measure of success for not only Kpop but Latin music, English pop etc. But today the US has a much smaller footprint. Big Hit won't even make English-language songs that might feel or listen different from BTS's classic sound. Being on the Tonight Show or MTV isn't a huge deal as it once was. You can be sure that JYP himself will not replicate the travesty of the Wonder Girls. Whether Twice is a huge global group, and how BIG it is to the outside world is not reliant on JYP getting them on American TV...

What you are seeing is a GLOBALIZATION and DEMOCRATIZATION of pop culture and Kpop can only benefit. Because borne out of this Darwinian Struggle of 1000 Kpop acts to rise to the top and the Korean culture of inspiration, adaptation, art and struggle the melange that is known as Kpop is truly a 21st century genre... in many ways more open (if not necessarily more original or random) than even American pop

FWIW, Twice in Japan is basically a done deal. They will be hugely popular, there isn't really anything like them in Japan and they are frankly THE BEST AT WHAT THEY DO which is the cute, modern, multifaceted type of Kpop.

OH should have a post of the year. This is it.

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GuguSana Global Superstar

GuguSana

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Hallyu is not as accessible in Japan because of the political climate. The current PM's grandfather was jailed as a war criminal by the US Military and he uses his neoconservative ideology (including blaming of foreigners) to push through policies like currency manipulation (QE and beyond), protectionism and of course banning Kpop.

 

For example Japan claims to have HAD NO LARGE COMPANY BANKRUPTCIES last year... because the government cooks the books and forces bad loans to failing businesses... a practice known in the West as creating "zombie companies." They are companies who are not strong enough to survive but are not allowed to die... economically speaking it's a huge drag on the Japanese economy but politically and socially it makes it seem as Japan isn't doing as bad as people think.... It's basic definition of corruption... basically Japan under Abe is trying to fix a social or political headache by compromising the competitiveness of their own industries... and not just one but across the board. As politicians they always think that when it comes time to actually pay for those shenanigans they'll be long gone and the next guy's job will be to fix it.

 

However there are 2 things you must understand

 

1) The "popularity" of Hallyu has no impact on whether popular Korean acts are popular in Japan. For example Big Bang is hugely popular and profitable. It only applies to nugu groups and groups trying to get in via the Hallyu craze

 

2) Japan is essentially no longer relevant to the larger world in terms of Kpop. At one time Japan was in fact the lynchpin during the first and second generation of Kpop. This is because becoming "popular" in each country prior to SNS and youtube were literally like independent military campaigns.

 

You had to make a beachhead by getting press mentions, then build up a fandom via outreach IRL and on messageboards etc. It cost huge amounts of money and each "market you entered was a significant and risky investment of time, IP, human capital etc. JYP for example tried to enter the US, spent over $10 million and almost ruined his company

 

Like you can't just jump over countries invading Western Europe you had to literally take each in sequence. Japan was first. Becoming popular there was not only the basis for the funding you'd need for the rest of the world but the ABILITY to become popular in Japan... navigate new culture, adapt your music for local tastes was also a useful litmus test for groups. Companies could know if you "had it" to make it worth investing globally.

 

Today it's different. Japan is largely irrelevant and has literally no impact on how and whether a group is successful elsewhere. All the rules have changed. This has happened gradually over the past 4-5 years but this is important for Twice because Twice along with BTS are the new generation of Kpop groups rewriting the rules.

 

For example the NY Times had an article recently how organizers were shocked how THEY DID NOT HAVE TO SPEND ANY MONEY FOR TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING to fill arenas for BTS. In the old days a large chunk of the revenue would have already been spent paying promoters and press to cover the event to sell seats. BTS through SNS and native fandom of Chileans literally jumps past all that... in the end the promoter just bought a week's worth of a newspaper ad to simply thank fans in Chile.

 

There's a lot of things going on but it has to do with both global trends and Japan itself. Globally, it's no longer like a land war in Europe but more like "Island Hopping" that the US did in the Pacific in WWII. You no longer have to go Japan>SEA>China>US>Europe. You simply go where the fans are. And it's no longer interlocked... fans can connect from anywhere go right onto youtube or V and see their idols. It's no longer a selling point or a point of prestige for a group to be "big in Japan." A group like BTS is popular in the States because they are popular in the States, on the other hand a group like Ikon can sell arenas in Japan, primarily based through traditional means like YG connections in Japan industry and YG fandom but it doesn't translate to the US or SEA as in the old days.

 

The other part has to do with Japan, and it's a bit sad. Culturally, Japan has largely segregated itself with the outside world even as Ultra-Nationalism and Neo-Fascism grips the country. They are getting farther and farther outside the mainstream. Japanese fans basically DO NOT SPEAK THE GLOBAL LANGUAGE as many other fans... many literally cannot speak English unlike most Korean, and even Chinese kids... and often even a smaller country like Philippines or France can be more vocal and visible in international fandoms than Japanese who live on 2chan and on Japanese platforms talking to each other.

 

also their media consumption habits, strange Japanese-only customs have further alienated them from companies. You'll notice that the vast majority of Kpop fans consume DIRECTLY through Youtube. But in Japan even Youtube is sanctioned. You will notice that Japan versions are truncated... you can't even see the entire video. And how once BTS was signed in Japan the company cluelessly started sending Copyright claims to fan videos... they are outside the mainstream and thus don't have the influence that such a big market should rightfully have on fans worldwide or what is considered cool and popular.

 

there are many reasons why success in Japan is important. But these are compartmentalized now INTO JAPAN. Success in Japan will always be a goal because for one thing Japan is Korea's closest neighbor... the country in the world most ethnically, culturally and historically close to Japan is Korea. So there will always be interchange. The importance of success in Japan however isn't the same as it once was.

 

To be clear, in many ways the same can be said of the US. At one time "the United States" was seen as the ultimate (and frankly unobtainable) ultimate measure of success for not only Kpop but Latin music, English pop etc. But today the US has a much smaller footprint. Big Hit won't even make English-language songs that might feel or listen different from BTS's classic sound. Being on the Tonight Show or MTV isn't a huge deal as it once was. You can be sure that JYP himself will not replicate the travesty of the Wonder Girls. Whether Twice is a huge global group, and how BIG it is to the outside world is not reliant on JYP getting them on American TV...

 

What you are seeing is a GLOBALIZATION and DEMOCRATIZATION of pop culture and Kpop can only benefit. Because borne out of this Darwinian Struggle of 1000 Kpop acts to rise to the top and the Korean culture of inspiration, adaptation, art and struggle the melange that is known as Kpop is truly a 21st century genre... in many ways more open (if not necessarily more original or random) than even American pop

 

FWIW, Twice in Japan is basically a done deal. They will be hugely popular, there isn't really anything like them in Japan and they are frankly THE BEST AT WHAT THEY DO which is the cute, modern, multifaceted type of Kpop.

Yaas this

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Madern Idol

Madern

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Hallyu is not as accessible in Japan because of the political climate. The current PM's grandfather was jailed as a war criminal by the US Military and he uses his neoconservative ideology (including blaming of foreigners) to push through policies like currency manipulation (QE and beyond), protectionism and of course banning Kpop.

 

For example Japan claims to have HAD NO LARGE COMPANY BANKRUPTCIES last year... because the government cooks the books and forces bad loans to failing businesses... a practice known in the West as creating "zombie companies." They are companies who are not strong enough to survive but are not allowed to die... economically speaking it's a huge drag on the Japanese economy but politically and socially it makes it seem as Japan isn't doing as bad as people think.... It's basic definition of corruption... basically Japan under Abe is trying to fix a social or political headache by compromising the competitiveness of their own industries... and not just one but across the board. As politicians they always think that when it comes time to actually pay for those shenanigans they'll be long gone and the next guy's job will be to fix it.

 

However there are 2 things you must understand

 

1) The "popularity" of Hallyu has no impact on whether popular Korean acts are popular in Japan. For example Big Bang is hugely popular and profitable. It only applies to nugu groups and groups trying to get in via the Hallyu craze

 

2) Japan is essentially no longer relevant to the larger world in terms of Kpop. At one time Japan was in fact the lynchpin during the first and second generation of Kpop. This is because becoming "popular" in each country prior to SNS and youtube were literally like independent military campaigns.

 

You had to make a beachhead by getting press mentions, then build up a fandom via outreach IRL and on messageboards etc. It cost huge amounts of money and each "market you entered was a significant and risky investment of time, IP, human capital etc. JYP for example tried to enter the US, spent over $10 million and almost ruined his company

 

Like you can't just jump over countries invading Western Europe you had to literally take each in sequence. Japan was first. Becoming popular there was not only the basis for the funding you'd need for the rest of the world but the ABILITY to become popular in Japan... navigate new culture, adapt your music for local tastes was also a useful litmus test for groups. Companies could know if you "had it" to make it worth investing globally.

 

Today it's different. Japan is largely irrelevant and has literally no impact on how and whether a group is successful elsewhere. All the rules have changed. This has happened gradually over the past 4-5 years but this is important for Twice because Twice along with BTS are the new generation of Kpop groups rewriting the rules.

 

For example the NY Times had an article recently how organizers were shocked how THEY DID NOT HAVE TO SPEND ANY MONEY FOR TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING to fill arenas for BTS. In the old days a large chunk of the revenue would have already been spent paying promoters and press to cover the event to sell seats. BTS through SNS and native fandom of Chileans literally jumps past all that... in the end the promoter just bought a week's worth of a newspaper ad to simply thank fans in Chile.

 

There's a lot of things going on but it has to do with both global trends and Japan itself. Globally, it's no longer like a land war in Europe but more like "Island Hopping" that the US did in the Pacific in WWII. You no longer have to go Japan>SEA>China>US>Europe. You simply go where the fans are. And it's no longer interlocked... fans can connect from anywhere go right onto youtube or V and see their idols. It's no longer a selling point or a point of prestige for a group to be "big in Japan." A group like BTS is popular in the States because they are popular in the States, on the other hand a group like Ikon can sell arenas in Japan, primarily based through traditional means like YG connections in Japan industry and YG fandom but it doesn't translate to the US or SEA as in the old days.

 

The other part has to do with Japan, and it's a bit sad. Culturally, Japan has largely segregated itself with the outside world even as Ultra-Nationalism and Neo-Fascism grips the country. They are getting farther and farther outside the mainstream. Japanese fans basically DO NOT SPEAK THE GLOBAL LANGUAGE as many other fans... many literally cannot speak English unlike most Korean, and even Chinese kids... and often even a smaller country like Philippines or France can be more vocal and visible in international fandoms than Japanese who live on 2chan and on Japanese platforms talking to each other.

 

also their media consumption habits, strange Japanese-only customs have further alienated them from companies. You'll notice that the vast majority of Kpop fans consume DIRECTLY through Youtube. But in Japan even Youtube is sanctioned. You will notice that Japan versions are truncated... you can't even see the entire video. And how once BTS was signed in Japan the company cluelessly started sending Copyright claims to fan videos... they are outside the mainstream and thus don't have the influence that such a big market should rightfully have on fans worldwide or what is considered cool and popular.

 

there are many reasons why success in Japan is important. But these are compartmentalized now INTO JAPAN. Success in Japan will always be a goal because for one thing Japan is Korea's closest neighbor... the country in the world most ethnically, culturally and historically close to Japan is Korea. So there will always be interchange. The importance of success in Japan however isn't the same as it once was.

 

To be clear, in many ways the same can be said of the US. At one time "the United States" was seen as the ultimate (and frankly unobtainable) ultimate measure of success for not only Kpop but Latin music, English pop etc. But today the US has a much smaller footprint. Big Hit won't even make English-language songs that might feel or listen different from BTS's classic sound. Being on the Tonight Show or MTV isn't a huge deal as it once was. You can be sure that JYP himself will not replicate the travesty of the Wonder Girls. Whether Twice is a huge global group, and how BIG it is to the outside world is not reliant on JYP getting them on American TV...

 

What you are seeing is a GLOBALIZATION and DEMOCRATIZATION of pop culture and Kpop can only benefit. Because borne out of this Darwinian Struggle of 1000 Kpop acts to rise to the top and the Korean culture of inspiration, adaptation, art and struggle the melange that is known as Kpop is truly a 21st century genre... in many ways more open (if not necessarily more original or random) than even American pop

 

FWIW, Twice in Japan is basically a done deal. They will be hugely popular, there isn't really anything like them in Japan and they are frankly THE BEST AT WHAT THEY DO which is the cute, modern, multifaceted type of Kpop.

 

Your argument is all over the place, and makes little to no sense as well as your bringing up political issues who have nothing to do with Kpop is ridiculous.

 

I'm surprised some people are even agreeing with you, look how easily people fall for big and articulated words, or better, i doubt they even read it all, who would praise a post where you're basically insulting and spreading lies about Japan and Japanese, but the fact that you went ahead overpraising Twice was simple enough for them for blindly approve of what you said.

 

Kpop is not banned in Japan at all, Kpop idol groups do perform on music shows, tour as well as hold fan meetings, people need to let go of this deception, seriously.

 

 

 

1) The "popularity" of Hallyu has no impact on whether popular Korean acts are popular in Japan. For example Big Bang is hugely popular and profitable. It only applies to nugu groups and groups trying to get in via the Hallyu craze

 

Actually today it has, before the Hallyu boom, no, but nowadays every group is riding on the Hallyu Wave, and Big Bang actually rode on the Hallyu Wave the same way literally every group, not only 'nugus', are doing nowadays, TVXQ were the only Kpop group who got popular on their own because they actually started from the buttom, like a Jpop group, lthey learned the language, the culture and performed on small events till they hit it big, they struggled a lot unlike other Kpop groups who came after them and had it and have it far more easier.

 

Big Bang debuted on the right time, during the rise of the Hallyu Boom, same for SNSD and KARA, Big Bang were able to mantain their popularity because they're a boy group and Japanese fangirls are very dedicated (see TVXQ and JYJ).

 

The Hallyu boom started because of the Idol boom in Japan, that's why the moment the Indie boom started, the Hallyu Wave started to die.

With the Hallyu boom Kpop groups were able to gain popularity outside the Kpop niche but after it died down, today, it's not as easy as it used to be.

 

Really nothing to do with politics, it's the Japanese music industry moving to the next new thing as they always did, simple as that.

 

 

 

For example the NY Times had an article recently how organizers were shocked how THEY DID NOT HAVE TO SPEND ANY MONEY FOR TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING to fill arenas for BTS. In the old days a large chunk of the revenue would have already been spent paying promoters and press to cover the event to sell seats. BTS through SNS and native fandom of Chileans literally jumps past all that... in the end the promoter just bought a week's worth of a newspaper ad to simply thank fans in Chile.

 

There's a lot of things going on but it has to do with both global trends and Japan itself. Globally, it's no longer like a land war in Europe but more like "Island Hopping" that the US did in the Pacific in WWII. You no longer have to go Japan>SEA>China>US>Europe. You simply go where the fans are. And it's no longer interlocked... fans can connect from anywhere go right onto youtube or V and see their idols. It's no longer a selling point or a point of prestige for a group to be "big in Japan." A group like BTS is popular in the States because they are popular in the States, on the other hand a group like Ikon can sell arenas in Japan, primarily based through traditional means like YG connections in Japan industry and YG fandom but it doesn't translate to the US or SEA as in the old days.

 

One word: technology, you're making it seems like a bigger deal than it actually is.

 

Thanks to social media and other different platforms it easier to gain populairty and you don't need to spend money on ads cause you can do it on your own, look at Indie bands in general for example, nowdays with the digital revolution they can easily upload their works in say, Bandcamp and share promote their music on their own social media, and after gainging a substantial following, hold concerts.

 

BTS are not popular in the US, very poor choice of words from you, Kpop is a niche there, like in every other country, and within the American Kpop niche they're very popular, and i would say the most popular Kpop boy group or even just Kpop group, but they're nowhere near being popular with the general American mainstream audience.

 

 

 

 

The other part has to do with Japan, and it's a bit sad. Culturally, Japan has largely segregated itself with the outside world even as Ultra-Nationalism and Neo-Fascism grips the country. They are getting farther and farther outside the mainstream. Japanese fans basically DO NOT SPEAK THE GLOBAL LANGUAGE as many other fans... many literally cannot speak English unlike most Korean, and even Chinese kids... and often even a smaller country like Philippines or France can be more vocal and visible in international fandoms than Japanese who live on 2chan and on Japanese platforms talking to each other.

 

At this point, the more i read your poor argument and the more it makes no sense, i don't think you have any idea of what you're talking about, you're very misinformed, bringing politics into matters where it has nothing to do with, the things you're saying are very ridiculous, Japan isn't trying to segregate itself at all.

 

Trying to get father from the mainstream? what are you talking about? W H A T?

 

Actually it's the contrary, never heard of Cool Japan? 

 

a part from an article, but i highly suggest your misinformed self to read it all:

 

 

the Japanese Ministry of Economy together with the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications established a programme called “J-LOPâ€, which support the localisation and promotion of Japanese media contents. As well as government backing, MTV Networks Japan got on board with the launch of “MTV 81â€, an all English media platform aimed at getting Japanese artists more exposure abroad (check it out on www.mtv81.com).

 

From an actual business promotion point of view, meanwhile Japanese anime songs and idol groups already have some popularity overseas, Japanese music producers estimate that there is still room for improvement in promoting J-POP, J-ROCK or other popular genres like Enka and Kayoukyoku. With this aim in mind, they founded J-Music LAB, a promotion event that creates an environment for Japanese musicians to expand their activities overseas more easily, through participating in the making of a Japanese music boom. J-Music LAB’s chairman of international marketing, Hirofumi Shigemura, who is also the vice-chairman of the Recording Industry Association of Japan and the representative director of King Records, considers that overseas promotion is an essential subject for the Japanese music industry. He states in an interview: “As the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games are approaching, this is a golden opportunity for Japan to appeal itself. In such a globalised society, Japanese language is gradually spreading among young generations through anime and my feeling is that it is getting easier to promote Japan overseas. However, as digital streaming services are more advanced abroad than in Japan, I really wish to push the promotion of Japanese music by getting permission and understanding from Japanese artists, productions and music rights holders.â€

 

http://quantonemusic.com/2016/08/01/a-turning-point-of-japanese-music-industry/

 

Japanese not speaking english is a whole nother story (and they actually can to a certain point) that it has to do more with the education system as well as culturally, not with this so called ridiculous neo-Fascims you're speaking of.

 

I highly suggest you to watch this video from this Japanese youtuber.

 

 

 

 

 

But today the US has a much smaller footprint. Big Hit won't even make English-language songs that might feel or listen different from BTS's classic sound. Being on the Tonight Show or MTV isn't a huge deal as it once was. You can be sure that JYP himself will not replicate the travesty of the Wonder Girls. Whether Twice is a huge global group, and how BIG it is to the outside world is not reliant on JYP getting them on American TV... 

 

You make no sense, again.

 

Big Hit won't try cause it's not easy, and the Tonight show is relevant, A-list actors appear there all the time and artists like Ariana Grande and many others perform there, if BTS were to appear there that would be a huge opputunity for them, even tho it won't likely happen, and Bang PD is not so careless to throw them just like that with half-assed English versions of their Korean songs like SM and JYP did with their idols.

 

 

 

 

What you are seeing is a GLOBALIZATION and DEMOCRATIZATION of pop culture and Kpop can only benefit. Because borne out of this Darwinian Struggle of 1000 Kpop acts to rise to the top and the Korean culture of inspiration, adaptation, art and struggle the melange that is known as Kpop is truly a 21st century genre... in many ways more open (if not necessarily more original or random) than even American pop

 

Slow down with the delusion there, it's not that deep and Kpop is not 'inspirational', it heavily depends on Western music, especially American pop music, your argument is all words no substance, or perhaps you're just a very good troll.

 

 

 

FWIW, Twice in Japan is basically a done deal. They will be hugely popular, there isn't really anything like them in Japan and they are frankly THE BEST AT WHAT THEY DO which is the cute, modern, multifaceted type of Kpop.

 

We'll see if they're gonna be a big deal, you can't know that now just based on your excitement as a fan.

 

Best in what they do? there's nothing like them in Japan? the delusion is real.

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~Alexâš¡thunder~

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Hallyu is not as accessible in Japan because of the political climate. The current PM's grandfather was jailed as a war criminal by the US Military and he uses his neoconservative ideology (including blaming of foreigners) to push through policies like currency manipulation (QE and beyond), protectionism and of course banning Kpop.

 

For example Japan claims to have HAD NO LARGE COMPANY BANKRUPTCIES last year... because the government cooks the books and forces bad loans to failing businesses... a practice known in the West as creating "zombie companies." They are companies who are not strong enough to survive but are not allowed to die... economically speaking it's a huge drag on the Japanese economy but politically and socially it makes it seem as Japan isn't doing as bad as people think.... It's basic definition of corruption... basically Japan under Abe is trying to fix a social or political headache by compromising the competitiveness of their own industries... and not just one but across the board. As politicians they always think that when it comes time to actually pay for those shenanigans they'll be long gone and the next guy's job will be to fix it.

 

However there are 2 things you must understand

 

1) The "popularity" of Hallyu has no impact on whether popular Korean acts are popular in Japan. For example Big Bang is hugely popular and profitable. It only applies to nugu groups and groups trying to get in via the Hallyu craze

 

2) Japan is essentially no longer relevant to the larger world in terms of Kpop. At one time Japan was in fact the lynchpin during the first and second generation of Kpop. This is because becoming "popular" in each country prior to SNS and youtube were literally like independent military campaigns.

 

You had to make a beachhead by getting press mentions, then build up a fandom via outreach IRL and on messageboards etc. It cost huge amounts of money and each "market you entered was a significant and risky investment of time, IP, human capital etc. JYP for example tried to enter the US, spent over $10 million and almost ruined his company

 

Like you can't just jump over countries invading Western Europe you had to literally take each in sequence. Japan was first. Becoming popular there was not only the basis for the funding you'd need for the rest of the world but the ABILITY to become popular in Japan... navigate new culture, adapt your music for local tastes was also a useful litmus test for groups. Companies could know if you "had it" to make it worth investing globally.

 

Today it's different. Japan is largely irrelevant and has literally no impact on how and whether a group is successful elsewhere. All the rules have changed. This has happened gradually over the past 4-5 years but this is important for Twice because Twice along with BTS are the new generation of Kpop groups rewriting the rules.

 

For example the NY Times had an article recently how organizers were shocked how THEY DID NOT HAVE TO SPEND ANY MONEY FOR TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING to fill arenas for BTS. In the old days a large chunk of the revenue would have already been spent paying promoters and press to cover the event to sell seats. BTS through SNS and native fandom of Chileans literally jumps past all that... in the end the promoter just bought a week's worth of a newspaper ad to simply thank fans in Chile.

 

There's a lot of things going on but it has to do with both global trends and Japan itself. Globally, it's no longer like a land war in Europe but more like "Island Hopping" that the US did in the Pacific in WWII. You no longer have to go Japan>SEA>China>US>Europe. You simply go where the fans are. And it's no longer interlocked... fans can connect from anywhere go right onto youtube or V and see their idols. It's no longer a selling point or a point of prestige for a group to be "big in Japan." A group like BTS is popular in the States because they are popular in the States, on the other hand a group like Ikon can sell arenas in Japan, primarily based through traditional means like YG connections in Japan industry and YG fandom but it doesn't translate to the US or SEA as in the old days.

 

The other part has to do with Japan, and it's a bit sad. Culturally, Japan has largely segregated itself with the outside world even as Ultra-Nationalism and Neo-Fascism grips the country. They are getting farther and farther outside the mainstream. Japanese fans basically DO NOT SPEAK THE GLOBAL LANGUAGE as many other fans... many literally cannot speak English unlike most Korean, and even Chinese kids... and often even a smaller country like Philippines or France can be more vocal and visible in international fandoms than Japanese who live on 2chan and on Japanese platforms talking to each other.

 

also their media consumption habits, strange Japanese-only customs have further alienated them from companies. You'll notice that the vast majority of Kpop fans consume DIRECTLY through Youtube. But in Japan even Youtube is sanctioned. You will notice that Japan versions are truncated... you can't even see the entire video. And how once BTS was signed in Japan the company cluelessly started sending Copyright claims to fan videos... they are outside the mainstream and thus don't have the influence that such a big market should rightfully have on fans worldwide or what is considered cool and popular.

 

there are many reasons why success in Japan is important. But these are compartmentalized now INTO JAPAN. Success in Japan will always be a goal because for one thing Japan is Korea's closest neighbor... the country in the world most ethnically, culturally and historically close to Japan is Korea. So there will always be interchange. The importance of success in Japan however isn't the same as it once was.

 

To be clear, in many ways the same can be said of the US. At one time "the United States" was seen as the ultimate (and frankly unobtainable) ultimate measure of success for not only Kpop but Latin music, English pop etc. But today the US has a much smaller footprint. Big Hit won't even make English-language songs that might feel or listen different from BTS's classic sound. Being on the Tonight Show or MTV isn't a huge deal as it once was. You can be sure that JYP himself will not replicate the travesty of the Wonder Girls. Whether Twice is a huge global group, and how BIG it is to the outside world is not reliant on JYP getting them on American TV...

 

What you are seeing is a GLOBALIZATION and DEMOCRATIZATION of pop culture and Kpop can only benefit. Because borne out of this Darwinian Struggle of 1000 Kpop acts to rise to the top and the Korean culture of inspiration, adaptation, art and struggle the melange that is known as Kpop is truly a 21st century genre... in many ways more open (if not necessarily more original or random) than even American pop

 

FWIW, Twice in Japan is basically a done deal. They will be hugely popular, there isn't really anything like them in Japan and they are frankly THE BEST AT WHAT THEY DO which is the cute, modern, multifaceted type of Kpop.

Amazing

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