A provoking voice has emerged in Japan, saying that the music industry is ‘a slave to K-POP’.
Japan’s Shueisha recently made sarcastic remarks about the K-POP Hallyu Wave through an article with the title, “Incensed by the lack of Shin Ramyun, the Japanese Music Industry has Become a Slave to K-POP”.
The article claimed that though Girls’ Generation has sold over 600,000 copies of their album that was released in June, it’s hard for groups such as TVXQ, T-ARA and KARA to bring in much profit though they’re popular. One representative stated, “We spend 50 million Yen (approximately 700 million Won) on singles and even 15 million Won (approximately 200 million Won) on small events in promotional costs.” The article criticized that the flood of Korea-related magazines being published is overheating the publishing industry.
It was also stated that it is hard to meet the needs of Korean agents. One representative revealed that he was fired because he disagreed with an agent who wielded great power working between his record company and a Korean entertainment agency. It was published that another stated, “Once, a Korean staff member became incensed because he couldn’t find any Shin Ramyun to eat while the celebrity was completing their schedule.”
Source: [hankooki]
Translated & Shared by: dongbangdata.net
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Maybe it’s true cuz the are many jpop artists out there nt reaching the level of popularity koop artists receive riding on the hallyu wave… Sometimes I think thr r too many idol groups debuting in japan in such a short time this makes the ent industry a bit tired? well, just my 2 cents
By: Pipi on October 29, 2011
at 11:46 pm
I dont get this article o.O
By: ohhho on October 29, 2011
at 11:50 pm
me too -_-
it’s hard for groups such as TVXQ, T-ARA and KARA to bring in much profit though they’re popular
what is that mean does it mean they can’t compare to Girl gen?
and the whole article is quite confusing = =;
By: MillSung on October 30, 2011
at 12:03 am
i wrote a whole freakin reply and then pressed back for some idiotic reason and now i have to type it again TT_TT
in terms of actual sales from within the record label TVXQ have already broken the 300K and their album has only been released for one month compared to SNSD who took them over 4 months to get to the 600k. also an article that was released few weeks ago that interviewed a music expert in Japan has explained that in terms of selling power TVXQ is much greater than SNSD or KARA, and the reason is because their first day sales were more than double that of SNSD, plus they were the first foreign artists to sell over 200K in the first week since BonJovi 11 years ago, and they have actually broken that record as well. neither SNSD nor KARA broke such record. the fact that there is another single planned and Avex is already preparing TVXQs nation wide tour is a big indication that this group is bringing in a lot of money. if what this guy is saying is true Avex would have dropped TVXQ years ago back when their Japanese sales were relatively low compared to all massive J-POP artists out there. the times are tough and record labels are run by business men who are not going to sign someone just for charity. if a record label keeps supporting someone its because that person is bringing in a lot of money.
the fact that this years anation was pretty much dominated every
night with BigEast fans thus making the organizers change the line up and have TVXQ perform as the main headliner of the show is a huge testimony of how popular and in demand TVXQ at the moment. KARA and SNSD might sell alot of record because of their catchy songs but their fanbase in japan is no were near TVXQ hence why u will rarely hear of their endorsed products or mags selling out the way TVXQs do.
By: Kiera on October 30, 2011
at 1:24 am
Thanks kiera ^^ i get it now
By: ohhho on October 30, 2011
at 1:55 pm
I think that for KARA it’s just better to stay in Japan because of the great number of singles/albums they sell in comparison to Korea..
I dislike the fact that they put TVXQ! on the same level as KARA, T-ara, etc… Our boys have been there for a longer period, just give them credits for the whole work they’ve done – as well as BoA – (& thanks to whom all K-pop idol groups are doing so well…)
By: SarangKaeyon on October 30, 2011
at 12:13 am
A+++++++
By: nati on October 30, 2011
at 12:44 am
AGREE!!!
By: loveJYJHM on October 30, 2011
at 11:17 am
i really don’t get why they always put kara, dbsk and gg together on the same level. don’t get me wrong, i like kara and gg, but seriously, everyone knows that dbsk are like veterans when it comes to being kpop artistes in japan. while gg and kara are happening to be riding on the hallyu wave.
By: hanafanic on October 30, 2011
at 12:34 am
but they are not a k-pop artist in Japan… in Japan they are J-Pop artist and that is the difference between Tohoshinki and other girls/boys K-pop groups riding the Hallyu Wave in Japan…
By: Ola Hitomi on October 30, 2011
at 7:14 am
yes that is my point, maybe i didn’t phrase it properly enough in my comment >___<
By: hanafanic on October 30, 2011
at 1:57 pm
the anti korean sentiments in some of the japanese people make me sad ): politics and entertainment are just not a good mix. hope this will no affect badly and my boys and girls.
By: derp on October 30, 2011
at 12:44 am
it’s not just a political issue you know. imo this has been a decades issue. remember, this two countries have a not really good relationship in the past.
By: stilldaydreaming on December 12, 2011
at 1:48 am
I think you might or might not agree with the article but it is understandable. The economy is getting difficult in every country, facing with unemployment and so. Then there are to many boybands, girlbands rushing into Japan, we who are interested in Kpop even can’t catch up with all of them. Some groups we haven’t remembered their names also announced to advance to Japan. Japan is a small country, obviously in a state of shock. To make it simple, it is like you have to eat the same dish everyday without other choice and for indefinite time… what would you react?
By: braveviet on October 30, 2011
at 2:00 am
i don’t know why when i read from here,it sounds like they’re saying snsd managed to sell more albums than dbsk,kara,t-ara who are actually the more popular ones in japan?
but i don’t think this is a surprise since snsd is more popular internationally than kara and t-ara.
as for dbsk,they shouldn’t be compared in the list as they’re the early generation of korean artistes that entered japan.
these groups that they mentioned only entered japan recently,whereas Tohoshinki already has a high status in japan than any of them ^^
By: ♥ JaeJung & YoonHo JJANG ♥ on October 30, 2011
at 2:09 am
as much as I love TVXQ, but have to admit that SNSD popularity in Japan is huge. Their albums sales are not big hit on the first day, but go stable in the following days. They released a lot, they are done going through all of their Korean hits, that explains why they sold a lot. The important thing is they sold a lot in a short period of time they are active in Japan. They have their own arena tour with over 10 concerts, which Kara hasn’t done yet. They are not much talented (some of them are to be honest) but they are hot girls, Japanese men buy it.
hope next time TVXQ will have a different way of promotion to distinguish them from the rest of Korean wave.
By: braveviet on October 30, 2011
at 3:29 am
but TVXQ has managed to stay in the top 10 for over a month with steady sales of 20+ thousands every week up until this past week. and that was without even promoting strongly either. im pretty sure that they appeared on less than 6 shows in total to promote the album. its pretty obvious that with the release of the new single and the promo for the upcoming tour, Tones sales will go up again. the big billboard sign appeared for 2 days i think and the tohotrain also appeared for couple of days only. KYHD was not promoted at all in Japan but it sold over 200K in the first week, and superstar was only promoted a little (i think only 3 or 4 tv perfor in total).
the secret code had much bigger promo with all five boys getting divided into teams and visiting various regions of Japan to promote it. Tone never had that kind of promo, and yet its still breaking the secret codes record as the days pass.
i dont know how SNSD or Kara will do in the future but i predict that just like a wave this fame in japan will probably disappear as they grow older. its very difficult for groups like those two to gain the type of loyal fanbase TVXQ, which is also the type of fanbase willing to buy and support their artist in everything they do.
if u notice, in all the festival concerts TVXQ, SNSD, Kara, and beast..etc participated in including the Dome concerts the audience was pretty much dominated by TVXQ fans. even Beast themselves commented on how when they performed in Osaka with TVXQ, it felt like they were performing at a TVXQ concerts cuz the venue was filled with their fans.
maybe im wrong but i havent seen SNSD or KARA enjoying that kind of popularity despite the high sales. it will be interesting to see if their arena tours end up doing as well in terms of sales as their album, becuz as everyone knws the real money comes from touring, not selling album and singles
By: Kiera on October 30, 2011
at 7:39 am
For me,i think SNSD is more popular internationally.
their sales would then not just based on how many the Japanese fans bought,but how many their international and jap fans bought (which i’m also guilty of buying^^;).
They have a very strong and dedicate intl fanbase that are very supportive of the girls.
i’m not sure if you have read other articles,but most of them did said that Kara is more popular in japan than any other korean girl groups debuting there.
And that’s really something esp since their korean and intl fanbase is not as huge as how SNSD is.
if you ask me who the japanese people loves,i’d have to say Kara wins,for someone who’s not as popular in kr and worldwide to actually find so much support and appreciation in japan and actually tops the sales there when you don’t see them doing that often in korea/intl sales.
For TVXQ,if you read many previous articles,you’d know how the japanese media views them and the other k-idols that have just debuted there.
even the article on smt concert there,most agreed most audience came for TVXQ.
They don’t have to distinguish themselves from any other k-idol hopefuls in japan.
For me,they already are legends ^^
its funny to compare the seniors and juniors,one who’d worked so hard to reach where they are now and one who was easily well received upon entering.they can’t be compared ^^
By: ♥ JaeJung & YoonHo JJANG ♥ on October 31, 2011
at 1:22 am
misleading article full of propaganda , why would the Japanese become a slave to korean music? why in America you can listen to about anything and noone calls you a slave for it? And TVXQ album just came out a month ago.
By: Pudding on October 30, 2011
at 3:25 am
I agree with Kiera here.
SNSD and Kara both have sold very well. And its obvious that their songs are well received. But we can’t say they’re popular there until they can show some longetivity like DBSK has.
While huge album sales are good, it could just be a short burst of popularity because of the Hallyu Wave. It’d explain why the joint concerts have been Bigeast dominated. While the other groups albums are selling well, DBSK on have a much loyal fanbase that’ll continue to give them success on the long run. Same thing with JYJ too. 80,000 people in their concerts. As much as SNSD and Kara are selling, I cant imagine them being able to pull that many people after a lack of promotions.
Regardless, i’d like to wish everyone success there. I know some people have a go at Cassies for putting down other groups, but it’s not like that. I only care for the boys and how well they’re doing there. Having them be the top group in Japan is only an added bonus.
By: TheBoss on October 30, 2011
at 10:47 am
I agree with the statement regarding the overheating of the industry.
K-Pop has a niche market in Japan because its particular sound makes it impossible to fit under the J-Pop definition despite being sung in Japanese, and true enough, a lot of their sales come from Japanese and international K-Pop fans and not exactly from the general public, so if they keep flooding the market at this alarming rate without even trying to conceal the fact that they are just after some easy cash, they will simply become a fad when they could be a sub-genre.
The real question is how much more time will pass before people grow tired of the same old concepts, catchy tunes, and remakes, and start demanding something else.
By: Toholic on October 30, 2011
at 12:23 pm
I actually agree with the article.
By: some1 on October 30, 2011
at 12:49 pm
haha
By: uturn on October 30, 2011
at 3:08 pm
rather than trying to belittle or putting up rage on the incoming artist into japan music/entertainment industry , it’s about time for the J-pop industry maker make a huge transformation of their local product and performance..anyhow, tvxq always label under J-pop in the cd/music line in the music store, where as others still struggling to post theirs and still placed under k-pop. no doubt new line like shinee, snsd, kara,hyun joong, jang geun suk start flooding the advertisement in the japan market..other than that, for k-pop supporter, pls show more love, bashing each other does not make any of our bias look any better!
peace out (^O^)
By: *^^* on October 30, 2011
at 5:10 pm
it’s kinda sad to see tvxq getting lumped together with the new hallyu wave k-pop artists, especially by the media these days, when they never intended to be part of it in the 1st place. that’s why all 5 of them worked hard to be recognized as j-pop artists, and they entered the industry with that thought in mind, so their breakthrough as j-pop artists are nothing short of phenomenal and well deserved.
now i understand that since they’re well established and all that, they’re the “front-runners” of the new hallyu wave. and everyone who wants to be anyone in japan mentions their name as an inspiration. but come on people that gimik is just getting old (while i acknowledge that those artist may really view tvxq as inspiration, that fact being said too many times in too many instances just comes across as a marketing ploy instead of sounding anything remotely sincere.)
to see this “regression” and being labeled as hallyu wave k-pop artists now is just sad and undeserved. tvxq is a j-pop artist first and foremost and while they might be korean by birth, they are in no way k-pop artists riding the new hallyu wave since they entered that industry way before the “then hallyu wave” shifted directions from dramas to music.
and for me the hallyu wave k-pop is something catchy or bubblegum pop or their korean songs translated into the japanese language (no offense to fans of the other groups that debuted or are debuting in japan) or some variation thereof. and tvxq is leagues and miles way ahead of them… so there!
tvxq is not a k-pop artist riding the hallyu wave, they are j-pop artists and that’s all i can say in regards to this article.
>.<
By: yseia on October 30, 2011
at 6:21 pm