I'd wear that pug shirt, leader
...not because I'm a die-hard, biased fan, but because it's cute. It really is. This will be the last I say about it, it's also basically a done thing, but I just have to get this out.
I think out of all the reactions to rumors (and the rumors themselves), this is the only one that's upset me, like, ever. The thing that I hate the most was all the calls for him to apologize.
If it's real that he left her because of all this, then I just want to wrap the both of them in warm hugs. Like, I think I might respect Ohno a little less for it, that he caved in to fangirl/agency pressure, but what does my opinion matter? IT DOESN'T. AND THAT'S THE POINT, ISN'T IT? His private life is his, should be his, in the first place! I've talked with some people who don't share my opinion (and we've been able to talk about it calmly and politely), and to them, it's about his image--what he's selling versus what he irresponsibly, if indirectly, allowed to leak out to public scrutiny. He's singing "Ai wo Sakebe" and marketing himself as a "marriageable national idol prince"--then he got sloppy enough that people found out that he was actually dating someone! What betrayal! I don't know, maybe I still really don't get what some Japanese fans expect of their idols. Perhaps it's a cultural rift that I can't bridge, would never understand. But c'mon people. You want him to say sorry for having a life? How cruel and selfish can you get?
I'm just copy pasting this from a response I had during a discussion with a friend.
I agree, he should've known better, it was very sloppy of him, maybe he could have warned the girlfriend a little bit better about the repercussions of sharing too much about their lives--yes to all that, given the magnitude of his position. But I don't think it's enough to warrant him issuing a public apology. He plies the trade of being a national idol prince fangirls can marry, sure, but he should be able to have a private relationship on the side. He should be able to have both things. Is it his fault that people found out the way they did? Yes, to a certain extent. Was it unprofessional? Yes. Does he need to apologize for it? I think not.
His image may be his bread and butter but not apologizing doesn't mean he doesn't take his job seriously. That doesn't sound right to me.
And also, the dog thing. It sucks that it got out that it's his girlfriend's dog, but give him a break. It's not like he announced it as such. Or "kept it a secret" maliciously. It's just an illustration of a dog. If they felt betrayed that they bought goods that were "secretly" inspired by his girlfriend indirectly, then I really don't get the "contract" between Japanese fangirls and idols. That's just too much. Maybe I'm sounding like a stupid, uppity, biased international fangirl who's like "that's not how ~real~ fans are supposed to be like" but really, I just can't bridge their anger and what actually happened. Is he not still working his ass off? Has he been insincere about his intentions, even if he had wavered at times? It's a business, I get it, but what the fans require of him sometimes is out of bounds, I think.
This is so messed up, I can't even say anything more without sounding unhinged myself. I think of everything that he's given through his work and how he's recommitted himself to being an idol, only to be asked to apologize for a slice of normalcy and selfishness that he's more than entitled to. I think of him always being excited to see fans and always being the best when it comes to fan service. I think of the happy bubble he's been for the past year or so, that satisfied glow he's had (I'm not projecting, if you watch Arashi shows regularly then you would've seen it too.) I mean, wouldn't you want him to also be fulfilled in his own life? Why are you giving him more reasons to hate idol life? Why would you ask him to apologize for selling you fake dreams when you're the one who has a warped perspective? Why are we even discussing this? :(
Anyway, enough has been said about this matter, some will disagree with my seemingly emotional stance. But it's how I feel. I know I'm just reacting to gossip, but it just seriously breaks my heart. It's so wrong. Please be happy, Leader!
I think out of all the reactions to rumors (and the rumors themselves), this is the only one that's upset me, like, ever. The thing that I hate the most was all the calls for him to apologize.
If it's real that he left her because of all this, then I just want to wrap the both of them in warm hugs. Like, I think I might respect Ohno a little less for it, that he caved in to fangirl/agency pressure, but what does my opinion matter? IT DOESN'T. AND THAT'S THE POINT, ISN'T IT? His private life is his, should be his, in the first place! I've talked with some people who don't share my opinion (and we've been able to talk about it calmly and politely), and to them, it's about his image--what he's selling versus what he irresponsibly, if indirectly, allowed to leak out to public scrutiny. He's singing "Ai wo Sakebe" and marketing himself as a "marriageable national idol prince"--then he got sloppy enough that people found out that he was actually dating someone! What betrayal! I don't know, maybe I still really don't get what some Japanese fans expect of their idols. Perhaps it's a cultural rift that I can't bridge, would never understand. But c'mon people. You want him to say sorry for having a life? How cruel and selfish can you get?
I'm just copy pasting this from a response I had during a discussion with a friend.
I agree, he should've known better, it was very sloppy of him, maybe he could have warned the girlfriend a little bit better about the repercussions of sharing too much about their lives--yes to all that, given the magnitude of his position. But I don't think it's enough to warrant him issuing a public apology. He plies the trade of being a national idol prince fangirls can marry, sure, but he should be able to have a private relationship on the side. He should be able to have both things. Is it his fault that people found out the way they did? Yes, to a certain extent. Was it unprofessional? Yes. Does he need to apologize for it? I think not.
His image may be his bread and butter but not apologizing doesn't mean he doesn't take his job seriously. That doesn't sound right to me.
And also, the dog thing. It sucks that it got out that it's his girlfriend's dog, but give him a break. It's not like he announced it as such. Or "kept it a secret" maliciously. It's just an illustration of a dog. If they felt betrayed that they bought goods that were "secretly" inspired by his girlfriend indirectly, then I really don't get the "contract" between Japanese fangirls and idols. That's just too much. Maybe I'm sounding like a stupid, uppity, biased international fangirl who's like "that's not how ~real~ fans are supposed to be like" but really, I just can't bridge their anger and what actually happened. Is he not still working his ass off? Has he been insincere about his intentions, even if he had wavered at times? It's a business, I get it, but what the fans require of him sometimes is out of bounds, I think.
This is so messed up, I can't even say anything more without sounding unhinged myself. I think of everything that he's given through his work and how he's recommitted himself to being an idol, only to be asked to apologize for a slice of normalcy and selfishness that he's more than entitled to. I think of him always being excited to see fans and always being the best when it comes to fan service. I think of the happy bubble he's been for the past year or so, that satisfied glow he's had (I'm not projecting, if you watch Arashi shows regularly then you would've seen it too.) I mean, wouldn't you want him to also be fulfilled in his own life? Why are you giving him more reasons to hate idol life? Why would you ask him to apologize for selling you fake dreams when you're the one who has a warped perspective? Why are we even discussing this? :(
Anyway, enough has been said about this matter, some will disagree with my seemingly emotional stance. But it's how I feel. I know I'm just reacting to gossip, but it just seriously breaks my heart. It's so wrong. Please be happy, Leader!