My Very Own Playground

Hallyu and Tokyo Dome

Anon wrote:

Hi M, these are not questions for u tbh, just want to ask ur opinion for some of my own prespectives. Here we go :D —> 1.) Is it just me or TVXQ is the most often idols who appeared in airports in 2011 XD?? Fans got tons of airport pics in 2011 compared to other idols/artists.

2.) Abt tokyo dome, i always thought that TD was a sacred place for Japanese singers/Non Jap singer who wanted to hold a solo concert in Japan. But seeing that Jang Ken Seuk who had (only) 1 Jap album could hold concert  there in his first solo concert, and in the next couple months, Suju who practically only had 2 Jap singles planned to hold 2 days concert for app. 100k audiences, kinda proved that two of the standards of performers in TD nowadays are Popular enough and convinced that they have enough audiences to fill the stadiums. Well it’s just my opinions though.

It’s not that I don’t recognize both JKS and SJ hardwork to be where they are today, but somehow I kinda understand why in Japan, the masses of Anti Hallyu Wave get bigger and noisier. It’s hard for lots of Jap singers to have a chance standing in place like TD. For them performing in TD is their dream. But the effect of hallyu wave kinda change it, the sanctity of TD (in my perspective) is no longer as unreachable as before. But things do change, I’m happy that TVXQ are able to perform TONE in Tokyo Dome as a duo.

For me, the way the boys see and respect TD have never changed. Dome tour is their dream, and they will achieve it with hardwork and also appreciation for Japanese audiences who have given them chances to share their songs and talents. That’s why BE loves and are being loyal to our boys. Like Yunho said, Japan is no longer felt like overseas for Tohoshinki, that they work in Japan like the Japanese, feel like them, act like them, and feel their culture as their own  I hope other Hallyu artists who try their luck in Jap music industry can do the same like Toho did so that they will not only gain profit for their works but also will be accepted and appreciated like Toho.

Sorry for my long post, what do u think of what I think M?? Do u think that i overexagerrate the matters?? Thanks in advance hon :D (and sorry for the friggin long essay)

For your first question, I think TVXQ is one of the busiest bees of 2011 with their activities literally all over the place, but then again I don’t follow other artists to know how often they appear at the airport… But I do think SM artists combined has the highest flight time among all Hallyu artists, hehehehe

About Tokyo Dome, I certainly agree with many points you brought up.

In regards of Hallyu artistes like Jang Geun Suk or SuJu having concerts in Dome without going through the motion of other Japanese artists, it’s not their fault they’re famous, and it’s definitely not their fault they have enough fans to fill up Tokyo Dome. They’ve definitely worked hard in their own way, so they have all the right to the success they experience. But I would love if any Hallyu artist that perform there can show the same respect and reverence to that milestone instead of the Dome being just another place to hold a concert.

Another big difference with Tohoshinki is the fact that the boys are familiar in Japan. They take the time to get to know the language, the culture and be integrated. While this is really not a big deal (American artists can enjoy Japanese activities just fine without learning the language, I don’t see anti American Pop movement just yet), it certainly would give a better impression of the artist.

The anti hallyu itself I think has a historical and political nuance to it, so haters will always find reasons to hate (not even going to go there), but one thing for sure is that Japanese market is only second to America, you can understand while people can be quite protective over their ‘wealth’, especially in times of economic chaos like now.

I think we shouldn’t make it seem like Hallyu is going to take over the Japanese market, but more like adding to it, so instead of the market shrinking due to more competition, it actually expands by the quality work given so in the end there will be more cake for everyone to enjoy ^___^