Differences Between Female Japanese and Korean Idols

I'm doing a little disclaimer right off the bat because this went from one of my normal opinion pieces as a continuation of a topic related to my previous post to something bigger than I expected.  Therefore I decided I'm going to try to make this as manageable as possible for you guys.  I know when there is a lot of text thrown at me I tend to skim or get the gist of it.  I took a lot of time writing this, so I hope people do read it all and enjoy it.  [Let me know in the comments your thoughts on it, including if you would like to see more of these.]  WARNING: the headers for each section aren't concrete so you if you want to skip parts you might want to skim at least the section before.   

~Introduction~

While I was looking for numbers and articles to determine if Kara did in fact surpass SNSD in Japan I was surprised by a couple of articles I found.  Now these weren't from K-Pop focused blogs mind you which made their arguments harder to ignore.  [I'm throwing in pictures to jazz things up and stimulate comparison.]

Before I continue further I would like to clarify that I do not think J-Pop or K-Pop is better.  (Hey, I've been listening to Lovey Dovey basically on repeat for weeks now.)  It was only in the last couple of years that I got into K-Pop, while I started my fascination with J-Pop in middle school.  This blog may look like it is only about J-Pop, but I think my loyal readers have noticed the shift.  Plus, I'm just too lazy to work on a new banner especially since I haven't downloaded photoshop onto my new computer.  (I should start thinking on who to feature because before it was just about both Hello Project and AKB48 now I like Korean and Japanese boy bands and female units.)

~'Biased' Articles Comparing K-Pop and J-Pop Critiques~  

While reading these articles I was frustrated with their narrow view of K-Pop and J-Pop.  Since I just read through them both and am sufficiently pissed off at what was said I'll do this point by point to keep things organized and easy to follow.  Don't fret, quotes will be provides as well as links to the originals.  I don't disagree with all that was stated, and I will get into the flaws of J-Pop.  The majority of the flaws stem from the idol sect of the Japanese industry, which is where I believe there writers were looking at for comparison.  [I will not even read the comment section for this post, but I noticed there is a handful.] 

Anti-Hallyu Wave Protests

The Atlantic on September 13th, 2011 posted How Korean Pop Conquered Japan.  The writer started to set the stage by discussing the protests that were spurred by the firing of Sousuke Takaoka, a famous actor and hottie.  [He is the blonde yankee from the Crows Zero films.]  Fuji TV has come under fire for airing a lot of content from Korea.  I asked my Japanese friends from Tokyo who are studying abroad at my university about K-Pop in Japan.  Neither are really interested in K-Pop but say a lot of women like it.  They brought up Fuji TV on their own in this conversation saying that it seemed like it was pushing Korean culture.  They also thought that the President might be part Korean, or something along those lines.  When I heard about these protests I thought it was a bit of an over-reaction.  I didn't really pay attention to the action which initiated the conflict.  All I was aware of was that some actor tweeted about Fuji TV and protests followed.  Now that I know who the actor is I'm a bit more supportive because he has been in a lot of films that I've enjoyed and I'm apparently an extremely shallow person.  I've also started to reconsider the backlash because when I compare people's dislike of Fox News or MSNBC for being biased but hide under the claim of being news networks.  I don't think foreign media or influences should be barred from Japan, but why is it only one network?  Plus, if people are claiming similar things that are said about Fox News maybe there is a valid argument.  I need to watch Fuji TV on a regular basis to give a final verdict, but I'm now more on the fence.  Another way of thinking about it is the Occupy Movement.  I believe a majority of people, not just in the United States, agree with the main point about money in government and wall street.  It is just we see more radical point of views or actions at the protests because how many people can take the time out of their day to protest.  I know I'm super busy.  When there were the huge recall protests in Madison I could only go to one or two on the weekend during the entire debacle.

I'm just skipping over the whole issue whether Japan rejects foreign influences or not.  I might pick it up at another time, but I want to stay a bit more on topic.  I'm also not going to discuss whether Japan is stuck and bland when it comes to Pop music.  I'm just doing a comparison of mainstream, female, pop artists from Japan and Korea. 

Sex Appeal in both Genres

"Beyond straight-up sex appeal, K-Pop groups look and act like real adults, whereas J-Pop outfits often emphasize adolescent cuteness."

WTF!  Are we talking about the idol genre or POP genre!  And even then have you followed K-Pop?  One of the examples is what happen to T-ara when entering the Japanese market.

"K-Pop unit T-ara's 2009 video for the song "Bo Peep Bo Peep" centered around a member of the girl group going to a club and hooking up with a guy in the bathroom, an elevator, and his apartment. The Japanese clip, in advance of T-ara's official Japanese debut later this month, finds the members wearing cat ears and playing un-erotically with one another: the sexuality of the original replaced with Hello-Kitty-approved cuteness."

If I ignore all other J-Pop artists and look only at Japanese idols, and even then cut out groups like SCANDAL, Fairies, Happiness, Perfume, SDN48, and other idol groups then yes we can make a general rule that Japanese pop is more cutesy and youth-orientated than Korean Pop.  BUT, we would also have to look over the fact that the T-ara was doing the cat girl thing in Korea and it was not introduced in Japan as it suggests.  We would also look over the fact that AKB48's PV which also had cat girl scenes was also sexual.  I've heard both T-ara and AKB48's videos being criticized by foreigners like myself for being too sexual.  Even if we did ignore T-ara's PV versus MV issue, they were promoted pretty much the same.  Their live performances are pretty much identical.  The key differences are that they wear cat ears more frequently in Japan and the clothing tends to be more demure.  However, why is having hyper-sexual presentation a good thing?  Japan does it too.  I bashed SDN48 for it.  It is one of the turn offs to Koda Kumi I have.  I'm saying it is not uncommon for girl groups to be cutesy in Korea, nor is it for them to be sexy in Japan.  It is just more common to see idol groups sporting school uniforms and focusing more on romance than sex.  However the subject of sex is not taboo when in relation to youth and uniforms.  The picture is the cover of a single released in 1985 by an idol group.  [Here is a hint: the song was likely written by someone who had to write the lyrics to about 200 songs this last year.]  The song talks about a girl with a bad reputation but is actually a virgin.  She wants to have sex, but she is fighting off her boyfriend or potential sex partner saying she doesn't want to do it at the moment.  I didn't read all the lyrics so it is either she wants to wait for a good moment to do it or she doesn't like the location.  The whole song is about sex.  (AKB48's Virgin Love is similar but focuses more on reputation and seeing virginity in a certain light.  AKB48 also released a single about wanting to experience sex and be an adult but their uniform symbolizing society gets in the way.)

Sexuality Myth Examples

"Cool and Sexy" / "Innocent and Happy" Myth Examples:






Being Adult vs. Youthful

Let's consider the fact that they spend a lot of time in their school uniforms so it is a symbol of their youth.  I don't think it is absurd to include a major symbol when on the subject.  Just how I would not consider it odd for Americans to have a song which is set or includes school in some manner.  I would think it odd if it wasn't used at all.  K-Pop groups, like T-ara, have worn school uniforms.  Western pop have also included it. . . Britney Spears *cough *cough.

Does Perfume not seem 'real adult' enough for you?  We should also take into perspective what is the age of the members.  Now, SDN48 is planning on doing a single in school uniforms.  I would consider that a valid example because the members are adults.  However, idol groups whom the majority of their members are still in high school or below I consider have a legitimate reason for wearing uniforms.

"The most popular Japanese act of the moment, AKB48, is a collection of 48 singers usually wearing high-school uniforms while behaving like 15-year-old girls."

They are portraying their age.  It is the same thing as 16-year-old Britney Spears wearing a uniform and dancing around a school building singing about young love.  The main controversy was that she showed off her midriff.  There are members of AKB48 who have graduated from high school, so that is where the clarification of 'majority' comes from.  One way they've gotten around it is that Shinoda Mariko, who is in her 20s, portrays a teacher.  The problem with AKB48 is that part of their main concept is that their uniforms are based on school uniforms.  If it makes you feel better they do have a graduation age, but then I've criticized that because it means the girls have a shelf-life.  The reason AKB48 has the school uniforms is because they are suppose to reflect a classroom.  The majority of members are 15 and older, but a lot of them joined at a younger age.  For example, Manami Oku (who has graduated to focus on her studies) joined when she was 10.  Are you suggesting that you would like members under the age of 18, as young as 10, to act, dress, dance, and sing like an adult?  I think a lot of people would feel uncomfortable with watching Manami Oku trying to hook up with guys at a club.  A more relevant example is Matsui Jurina of SKE48 who is 14.  The best way to handle a group with a variety of ages is to round down instead of up so no one accuses you of child pornography.  [I used AKB48 as my main Japanese example because they are the most often picked as a comparison in these types of argument.]

K-Pop also has groups that span a range of ages, like Chocolat.  Chocolat has two members who are 14 then members who are 18, 20, and 22.  They have yet to do a music video like Hyuna or Koda Kumi because they have 14-year olds.  You will also notice them dressing their age, and even the older members dressed a bit younger.  I've read comments from people who think they dance to provocatively considering there are members who are so young.  Personally I get the point because you don't want to sexualize children or force girls who want to become pop-stars feel like they have to be that way to make it.  The other side of me says if those girls are okay with it, so am I.  I danced, and so did my friends, quite provocatively as early as 6th grade (which is middle school).  My main point is that the differences between female pop artists in Japan and Korea aren't really true.  It is kind of like a gut-reaction myth.  On Kids React one of them said SNSD was demure!  When I wasn't into K-Pop I did think that they were just more sexy than J-Pop IDOLS.  I don't think it is anyway true for the J-Pop genre as a whole.

Second Article Critique 
The Diplomat's article, K-Pop versus J-Pop (Nakagawa, 2011), had some similar statements, which I disagreed with.  It is mainly an interview.  Most of the points I made above overlap with my issues with the following opinion.  [I did not read the linked article in the quote.]

"There’s been a big jump in the popularity . . . in Japan over the past year—a trend that’s being attributed to ‘cooler,’ more talented (thanks to a more vigorous training regiment) and more individualistic Korean female pop groups, especially compared to their Japanese counterparts."

I suggest you read it yourself because I could hardly sit through the whole thing.  The points that I can get through, summed up, is that K-Pop groups show real women, J-Pop groups are fake, old-fashioned, and sexist.  K-Pop groups are independent and feisty.  He does say towards the end that the girls themselves are similar because both are controlled by management, that I will get to later.  I do agree that when it comes to solo artists there hasn't been anyone new that challenges that level that is Hamasaki Ayumi, but I don't think K-Pop can fill that void either.  Hamasaki Ayumi wrote and has a major hand in her music.  Again, I'm not going to go any further on the subject about music style on a broad scale in J-Pop.  

~Manufacturing Differences~  

Hamasaki Ayumi started out as a rapper.

I'm a bigger noob when it comes to K-Pop than J-Pop.  I feel like the issue of manufacturing has more to do with the differences between the two.  If you didn't know, Korean idol groups train for years before debuting.  The formation of the group is the same.  Agencies, producers, or record labels audition new talent and form them into a group.  Japanese idols do not spend years training as a group, not that there isn't any.  Both have management watching what they say and do.  BOTH in some way present an ideal for women.  Neither tend to play a major role in writing the music.  Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.  I did hear something about U-Kiss member writing a line for a song, but that is a boy band.  One difference in training is that many idol groups start off as indie artists until they are popular enough to go major.  As far as I know Korean units don't have to go through that process.  My Japanese friends said the major reason why people like the K-Pop groups in Japan is because they are more professional.  [Not that they were more cool or real.] 

The issue of individuality is tricky and is sensitive.  I do think AKB48 is more individualistic and a better role model for women.  This is due to the lack of polish and wide range in members.  We see more members with different heights and weights.  I also think because there are so many they do get a little more freedom when it comes to presentation.  For example, Takahashi Minami doesn't wear bikinis.  She likes to keep things covered.  I'm not saying there isn't variety in members in K-Pop.  From what I've seen there is more consistency when it comes to weight and higher standards for looks.  For example, my Japanese friends don't think Sashihara Rino is super pretty.  Another example is when watching AKB48 the first thing I noticed was a mesh of looks but when I watched SNSD (Sunny is a hottie) I thought they were all thin and had long legs.

I do like the fact that K-Pop is more professional.  I personally wish they spent more time sending Japanese idols to training lessons in singing and dancing.  There are Japanese idols who are already good enough like Tokyo Girls Style and some Hello Project groups, other times there is a range in terms of members.  I think K-Pop groups have a range as well.  However, I'm not saying that their way is necessarily better.  Western music tends not to work like that.  It reflects the indie to major process that Japan has.  I think it helps consumers trust the artists more because you can follow them from the very beginning plus there is less opportunity for the management to 'tamper.'  

K-Pop and J-Pop on the International Stage

For the holidays I got an iTunes gift card.  I don't listen to American music much anymore so I had no idea what I wanted to buy (except for Florence + The Machine).  There was of plenty of options for K-Pop, but my usual go to artists were missing, completely.  I've purchased tons of music from Hamasaki Ayumi the past couple of years, but everything was gone.  The J-Pop available was scarce with few artists that I was interested like Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, SCANDAL, and Brand-New Idol Society (BiS).  AKB48 only has one of their albums and has not continued adding releases.  The one group who does a decent job is Hello Project.  Manufactured music from Korea, however, is doing quite well.  Popular releases from units like 2NE1, Super Junior, and Kara have songs selling for $1.29.

Now hold your horses K-Pop fans who preach about how awesome it is and how it is taking over the world.  Sit your butt down.  Japanese artists don't expand to the Korean market (like how K-pop artists go to Japan) because they have the second largest music industry in the world.  They are not going to go to a smaller market, therefore the only place they are going to go for is the United States.  And we've all seen how well that goes over, for K-Pop artists too.  Artists like Koda Kumi are comfortable with being successful at home.  Korean culture will be a sub-culture in the United States, just like how J-Pop is.  There will be some attempt to cash in on the boom.  I don't want to be a wet blanket.  I would just like to remind fans who are excited for the Wonder Girls TV show what happened to Puffy's program: it got pulled off the air eventually.  Another major factor is that they are manufactured.  The United States' and the UK's consumers tend to have a negative perception of artists that don't have power in the creative process.  Even girl groups like Danity Kane wrote some of their own music.

I expect all of you to react to the reaction with an open mind.  Many K-Pop fans had that same reaction when they first saw it.  My perception of K-Pop wasn't too favorable either.  They are children!  They are asked to react to a little glimpse of the whole picture.  It is suppose to be off-the-cuff and a bit outrageous because that is entertaining.  Notice the majority of them are interested in listening to more of the genre.  This video is to illustrate the major issues K-Pop faces when expanding to the United States.    

What I'm curious about is the promotion of K-Pop groups in Japan.  A fair amount of songs by Korean groups are Japanese versions and not originals.  Those releases match their Korean image.  [The following statement has nothing to do with the male groups.]  However, to reach significant success they may dispose of their typical persona for a Japanese one.  This is evident if we compare Kara to SNSD.  I never realized how 'competitive' they are with each other until I did a Google search about their comparative activities in Japan.  The results were mixed.  Some sites claimed SNSD was beating Kara and are relevant in Japan.  Other data suggested the Kara had a stronger foothold.  Then there were others that suggested that the results didn't match up to the hype.  One thing is clear is that the strategy between the two is different.  SNSD basically re-released songs that were successful.  Kara, in my opinion, actually went all out.  Their musical style, with the exception of a couple singles, turned to a more care-free, innocent spirit that is common in Japanese idol music.  Kara is the reason why I resent people who said as part of the hype of the Hallyu wave that K-Pop was more popular with women because they presented a less doll-like persona.  First of all, those people were clearly not familiar with female Japanese artists (Namie Amuro, Ayumi Hamasaki, Kumi Koda, SCANDAL, members of AKB).  Second, there were female K-Pop artists went all doll-like, cutesy, AEGYO as soon as they hit Japanese shores.  Others followed through not too long after debut.  These girl groups were doing it in Korea too!  Personally I found that Kara was more present in the industry than SNSD, not by a ton but I felt like there was a difference.

SNSD in Korea

SNSD in Japan

KARA in Korea

KARA in Japan

Was there a Hallyu wave this year?  Yes, and I don't think it is necessarily over.  However, Korean groups in Japan were not the top dog in any way.  AKB48 owned this year, they were head to head with Arashi in 2010.  The other big hitter in the music industry of Japan was the song Maru Maru Mori Mori.  They entered a market where idol groups are doing quite well.  We could chalk up a portion of their success to an idol boom.  JE debuted two new idol groups that made the top spot, and Hey!Say!Jump had a really good year.  There were idol groups that made the top spot which I never expected to do so, like Passpo.  The industries aren't that much different style-wise.  There are some general differences, but I feel like people play them up to be much bigger than they truly are.

Mina Is A Bit Busy

There are plenty of things I want to talk about.  However, I am in a rush to complete all my paper work and applications related to studying abroad next year.  Therefore I will not post anything until I have all of that taken care of.  Hang in there!

Mina

Mina's Top AKB48 Girlfriend + Friend Material Ranking

You know the game screw, marry, or kill (or some version of it).  I thought it would kind of be a fun post to do.  Now I don't hate enough members, nor do I really care to point out girls unless they do something wrong.  I'm going to do a small ranking of my top picks of who I would want to be friends with or date in real life.  If you haven't picked up on it yet I do go both ways, so this isn't I would go gay for kind of deal.  I might continue this with SKE48 and other groups (including guys), but I want to get to know the members better first.

Girlfriend Material

1. Kasai Tomomi (B)
If I ever pictured myself with an AKB member it is usually her.  She is unbelievably cute, sexy, beautiful, and fashionable.  She just looks like a sweetheart.  This is why the whole 'ero' deal keeps pissing me off.  Since when did she go from one of the loli, Sayumi-esque cute girl to overly sexual.  I find that there are other members who look just as 'ero' as she does.  The main reason why she is at the top spot is I could picture us living together.

2. Sato Amina (B)
Ever since she got her hair cut I've been overcome with moe~feelings towards her.  Her face, voice, and personality is adorable.  I have a thing for curves, so I think she has a hot bod.  If you guys haven't heard she also was a victim to a raving wota.  The thing with healthy body types is that they all have their pluses and minuses; all you need is to know how to dress for your body.  She wants to become a radio personality which sounds awesome to me.

3. Itano Tomomi (K)
Tomochin is promoted as this cool beauty, which I don't disagree with.  However, when you watch programs like bimyo you see her goofy, normal side which is ten times more endearing.  I love to cook and bake and she is infamous for her taste buds. . . more like lack there of.  It would take some pressure off.  It also gives the impression that she enjoys eating.  

4. Nakagawa Haruka (A)

5. Ota Aika (A)

6. Minegishi Minami (K)

7. Kitahara Rie (B)

8. Miyazawa Sae (K)

9. Katayama Haruka (A)

10. Yamauchi Suzuran (4)

[If any of you dare to say anything about the above picture, I'll be very cross.  It is the cutest picture of her, but she is unfortunately stuffing her face with melted cheese that looks like something else.  It doesn't help that I feel like a pedo for putting her and Lovetan on the ranking.  I'm 19 so everyone else is perfectly normal.]

Friend Material

1. Moeno Nito (K)

2. Sashihara Rino (A)

3. Oba Mina (4)

4. Maeda Atsuko (A)

5. Uchida Mayumi (K)

6. Miyazaki Miho (B)

7. Takahashi Minami (A)

8. Oshima Yuko (K)

9. Nakamata Shiori (4)

10. Nakatsuka Tomomi (K)

AKB48 - GIVE ME FIVE Audio + Info

I know I don't usually do these kind of things, so also don't expect this to become a common occurrence.  I just have more time on my hands since it is winter break.  Although, I shouldn't be because I have tons of paperwork to get done because I will be studying abroad next year.  (I'll be in Nagoya so I'm going to spend some quality time with SKE48.)  I also wanted to do this because I'm excited, as usual, for AKB48's upcoming single.  I think it is really catchy and I immediately liked it, which doesn't usually happen.  Plus, it was quite different than what people were expecting.  People are left guessing as to why.  Akimoto might be doing away with the pattern because it is too predictable.  He might be sick of writing slow graduation/ sakura singles.  Some fans have hypothesized that five members are graduating.  (The only problem with that theory is that they would likely announce it at a concert ahead of time in order to promote sales of those member's last single.)  We can tell from the tracklist that he is trying something new, which is thrilling (well for me at least so I guess it is working).

However, I'm not planning on grabbing a copy.  First of all I would need to wait until I heard some previews for the special girl units.  Special Girls A looks to be a cute song, reminiscent of past Undergirls tracks.  Special Girls B is a little more up in the air.  It could be cool, sexy, sporty, or maybe a ballad.  They have many of the stronger vocalists.  The title translates to The Shepherd's Travels.  My guess is a ballad.  Both look promising so I don't know which copy I would want.  Besides I'm on a budget being in college and all.  I tend to only make one seasonal purchase and that was SKE48's upcoming single.  (I would leave a link so you can indulge as well but the pre-orders are all sold out!  I am so happy I got one when I did.)  I'm hoping I can get enough points from people using my links this month.  If it does happen I might splurge.  Then again, there is a pretty looking photobook (besides Matsui Rena's) of AKB48 members wearing glasses.  I LOVE IDOLS IN GLASSES! (Why do you think Mii-chan is my oshi. . . okay that's not the reason but it is a plus.)  Or I could grab NMB48's upcoming single.

TYPE A
[CD]
1. GIVE ME FIVE! 
2. Sweet & Bitter (Selection 6) 
3. NEW SHIP (Special Girls A) 
[DVD]
1. GIVE ME FIVE! PV
2. Sweet & Bitter PV
3. NEW SHIP PV
4. GIVE ME FIVE! MAKING Part 1
5. Utsukushii MIX Kouza

TYPE B
[CD] 
1. GIVE ME FIVE! 
2. Sweet & Bitter (Selection 6) 
3. Hitsujikai no Tabi (Special Girls B)
 [DVD]

1. GIVE ME FIVE! PV 

2. Sweet & Bitter PV 

3. Hitsujikai no Tabi PV 
4. GIVE ME FIVE! MAKING Part 2 
5. Utsukushii overture & encore Kouza 


Member Lists:
[GIVE ME FIVE! - Senbatsu] 
Team A: Kojima Haruna / Sashihara Rino / Shinoda Mariko / Takajo Aki / Takahashi Minami / Maeda Atsuko 
Team K: Itano Tomomi / Oshima Yuko / Minegishi Minami / Miyazawa Sae / Yokoyama Yui 
Team B: Kasai Tomomi / Kashiwagi Yuki / Kitahara Rie / Watanabe Mayu 
SKE48: Matsui Jurina / Matsui Rena 
NMB48: Yamamoto Sayaka 


[Sweet & Bitter – Selection 6] 
Team A: Sashihara Rino / Shinoda Mariko / Takahashi Minami / Maeda Atsuko 
Team K: Itano Tomomi / Oshima Yuko 


[NEW SHIP – Special Girls A] 
Team B: Sato Sumire 
Team 4: Ichikawa Miori / Iriyama Anna / Shimazaki Haruka / Yamauchi Suzuran 
Research Students: Iwata Karen / Kato Rena / Kawaei Rina / Takahashi Juri / Tano Yuka 
SKE48: Kizaki Yuria / Matsui Jurina / Kimoto Kanon
NMB48: Watanabe Miyuki 
HKT48: Kodama Haruka 
JKT48: Melody Nurramdhani Laksani 


[Hitsujikai no Tabi – Special Girls B] 
Team A: Iwasa Misaki / Oota Aika / Katayama Haruka / Kuramochi Asuka / Kojima Haruna / Takajo Aki 
Team K: Akimoto Sayaka / Umeda Ayaka / Kikuchi Ayaka / Fujie Reina / Matsui Sakiko / Minegishi Minami / Miyazawa Sae / Yokoyama Yui 
Team B: Kasai Tomomi / Kashiwagi Yuki / Kitahara Rie / Sato Amina / Masuda Yuka / Watanabe Mayu 
Team 4: Shimada Haruka / Nagao Mariya 
SKE48: Matsui Rena / Takayanagi Akane

New PV Releases

Nami Tamaki - LADY MIND Wonder Girls - The DJ Is Mine   


SunnyHill - The Grasshopper Song

S/mileage - Please Wait A Little

Rainbow Pixie - Hoi Hoi
Morning Musume - Pyoko Pyoko Ultra
9muses - News
T-ara - Lovey-Dovey
Kikkawa Yuu - Early Snow
TEEN TOP - Crazy
SDN48 (Undergirls G) - Yaritagariya-san

Buono! - DEEP MIND

Buono! - Hatsukoi Cider

Jin Akanishi - Test Drive ft. Jason Derulo

Mano Erina - Doki Doki Baby

Thoughts on Lovetan Growing Up

Last spring, during the fourth episode of Majisuka Gakuen 2, I really noticed Oota Aika, Lovetan, for the first time. And when I say really noticed, I noticed what I thought had been a change in her that caused me to begin to focus much of my attention on her. And when I say her, I have to say I mostly mean photographs of her. I have read just the smallest bit of her blog and I was also able to enjoy an older appearance of hers in an honesty chess segment of AKBingo! that had been recently subtitled into English.

Last Spring, in episode four, Lovetan appeared to do battle with Youran (Miyazawa Sae) and as she circled her opponent, it struck me that she was not a little girl anymore, but a young woman playing at being a young girl. (Nearly the exact frame is at the side.) I was quite surprised to learn she was not quite seventeen (as of this writing she is now seventeen). Despite her Gothic-Lolita attire, Lovetan struck me as a much more mature young woman. Since then I've been paying a bit more attention to her than I had and her calendar is one of the six from AKB48 members I purchased this winter.

Since engaging in this completely unscientific study of Lovetan's work I've come to some conclusions that are more than likely not entirely well founded, but I thought I'd share them anyway in the hopes that others who know more of Lovetan might be able to provide me with more insight into her character.

Oota Aika is a member of Team A and was an original member of Team B dating back to 2007. She was around thirteen years old when she began working for AKB48 and has working hard for the past four years or more, consistently placing in the middle range of senbatsu elections. When she began she was genuinely child like and cute. It took no acting on her part to play the cute little girl part as she would hide in confined spaces for AKBingo!

In the past four years, Oota Aika has grown up. She is a lovely young woman and I think she now has to make an effort at being 'cute.' She is still young enough to be cute, but there are moments when she has been photographed in more adult like ways. There are other moments still, when the look in her eyes seems to indicate a desire to be seen as a woman and not as a cute child. There are instances when I think Lovetan is dissatisfied with playing a little girl and wants to explore more of her range as a performer.

Part of this conclusion comes from my observations of Watanabe Mayu and the contrast that appears in what comes across in their photographs. The blessed and perfect God, Watanabe Mayu, is almost a year older than Oota, and she is just as consistently portrayed as a cute little girl. The difference I see is that Mayuyu has every appearance of taking pure joy from everything she is doing. Of course Mayuyu and Lovetan have been working hard for the same period of time and often work side by side in Watarirouka Hashiritai 7, but Mayuyu is one of the chosen, one of the most popular of AKB48. Watanabe has worked hard and everything is coming to her- a solo single, a staring role in a drama, an anime voice work. The world is here to make Watanabe Mayu happy, and she knows it. Watanabe, in her unbridled joy is portraying an image that is very close to who she is and needs no opportunity to show another side that she keeps hidden.



Oota Aika has worked about as hard for about as long, with a similar child-like image. Unlike Watanabe Mayu, who can remain more child like at her core as the world exists to please her, Lovetan has matured into a beautiful young woman that wants to been seen as a young woman and not only as child. I don't think it is the case that Lovetan minds being cute and child like, but that she minds only being cute. This touches her with a little bit of darkness as being cute has become a job where she might not quite respect those that only want to see her as cute. There is a beautiful young woman in Oota that is more and more demanding to be recognized and seen. Lovetan is now an adult and wants to be seen as one, and just a hint of this discontent appears in her more recent work.

Of course, this is the analysis of a fellow who fell in love with Kimoto Kanon when her character Miso stabbed Gekikara and she smiled about it with such beautiful menace. Young people go through a lot of changes from ages thirteen to seventeen. I think Oota Aika has experienced some of the rather typical growing pains for young people and I think it can be seen in her work. I'm curious as to how much others think I might be hallucinating all of this.

Change for Better or for Worse in Hello Project

A lot of H!P fans weren't too far off when they predicted that Niigaki and Takahashi would graduate together.  Niigaki announced that she will be graduating at the end of their spring tour.  They may not have done it together, but Niigaki sure didn't last much longer.  Although, I don't know why she didn't go with her.  I guess Niigaki didn't want to be overshadowed.  Now there are rumors flying around about graduations and new members being added to the other Hello Project groups.  Hello Project is being weird like that.  Their music and strategy at the moment seems to be to hold onto their core fan base, but with all the changes in members will they stick?  Or better yet, will the other members?  Key members of Morning Musume have jumped ship but that isn't surprising because it was only a matter of time.  However, s/mileage was a surprise.  

I've kind of lost interest in Hello Project.  The main reason is that I'm not very intrigued by their music.  S/mileage was a beacon of hope when they went major, but their singles following their first album were underwhelming like the rest of Hello Project (in my opinion).  I finally got what I wanted for Morning Musume: graduation of Niigaki and Takahashi and new members.  I fear that it won't help if the music side doesn't try harder.  I'm giving up on seeing Hello Project take risks.  I find it dull.  My new dream is that they quit and audition for NMB, HKT, of start a new idol group.  If they have ambition they would leave.  Sorry if that opinion hurts your feelings.  (Look at it this way.  I think the girls aren't living up to their potential.)