KPOP vs. JPOP
K-Pop vs. J-Pop
With a trendy Westernized sound, LSS- inducing rhythms, and eye candy artists, it's easy to see why K-Pop has spread like a wildfire across Asia. J-Pop, on the other hand, is unapologetically Japanese, with their own quirky-cool, progressive sound and fashion sense--the kind you either love, hate, or simply don't get. If you're used to the sexy-slick styling of K-Pop, you might be turned off (or surprisingly charmed) by J-Pop's wholesomeness. And if you haven't devoted yourself entirely to K-Pop just yet, make some room in your heart for some kawaii goodness.
POP 101
While K-Pop is relatively new, J-Pop has quietly thrived for over 2 decades. Case in point: Japanese boy band SMAP still thrills fans and tops charts after 20 solid years. Though not the most gifted vocalists, they have an instinct for crowd-pleasing and are masters for flaunting their individual charms and hosting gigs, variety shows, TV dramas, movies, and voicing anime characters. This multimedia approach at keeping in the public eye and winning their hearts has been emulated by succeeding generations of pop artists, making SMAP the unofficial godfather of Asian pop. Their's also the magic of SMAP member, Takuya Kimura ( Kimutaku), who remains the ultimate Japanese idol-even if he is already pushing 40.
POP DIVAS
If you love (or love to hate) sex kitten-ish Korean star Lee Hyori, check out Japanese pop goddess Namie Amuro, credited for starring Amuraa trend (tanned skin, dyed hair, skin-bearing outfits) in her teens.
Listen to: "Can you Celebrate", "Hide and Seek'
BoA, who has infiltrated Japan and is currently making a Korean comeback, is often compared to " Empress of Pop", Ayumi Hamasaki, as they both have a sweet/sultry image and shares similar success in the Japanese pop/rock/electronica genres.
Listen to: "Moon", "Heaven"
BOY BUFFET
Super Junior has conquered the Asian music scene, with 13 pretty boys. Their less prolific Japanese counterpart is Hey!Say!JUMP, a pop group from 10 Johnny's Jrs. of leading idol agency Johnny and Associates.
Listen to: "Ultra Music Power", "Dreams Come True"
CATFIGHT!
When it comes to pure entertainment value, no one can touch pop princesses SNSD, 2ne1, and the Wonder Girls. But before this wave of uber stylized, synchronized pop, there was pioneering 90's Japanese girl group Speed to disbanded, but has recently reunited for good with the single "ashita NO sORA" .
If your boyfriend is a fan of the J-Pop group AKB48, be very afraid. Consisting of a whopping 48 girls, AKB48 is a theater/idol group that performs in their own theater and are seen at anime conventions around the globe.
FEEL GOOD POP
With the future of SS501 hanging in the balance, hearts are splintering across Asia. Meanwhile, the longetivity of Japanese boy bands equals less fan heartbreak! If you like SS501's or SHINee's brand of foot stomping pop, you might like Japanese boy band NEWS. Their unofficial leader, Yamashita Tomohisa (AKA Yamapi), is widely popular on his own thanks to sexy songs and dramas. When this hottie's hair isn't badly permed, he bears an uncanny resemblance to Kim Hyun Joong.
TOO HOT TO HANDLE
DBSK, also known as Tohoshinki in Japan, and TVXQ in China/Taiwan, are record-breaking cross over artists. If you like DBSK sex appeal, fluid dance steps, and stylized videos, you might like KAT-TUN, the bad boys of Japanese pop ( a reputation partly due to ex-member Jin Akanishi's scandals). FYI: KAT-TUN holds the distinction of being the 1st artist to hold 8 consecutive days of concerts in Tokyo Dome ( averaging 50,000 per day!)
GLOBAL ICONS
Rain is probably the most global of Korean pop stars. Interestingly enough, his Japanese counterpart is a singer/songwriter/producer who deviated from the traditional "idol" formula. Sans flashy image and dancing prowess, Utada Hikaru's crystal voice and catchy original songs penned in both English and Japanese.
HIP & HOT
If you like pop/hip-hop/R&B newcomer One Way, you might like the Japanese trio Funky Monkey Babys, who are making ways with their fresh music and energetic performances.
SUPER STARS
BIGBANG's massive appeal can probably only be matched by the Japanese pop force that is Arashi ( "Storm" in Japanese). Though they're world's apart musically- BIGBANG has bad-ass hip-hop, R&B and electronica leanings, while Arashi is happy pop. Their first few years may have been purely manufactured fluff, but they've since exercised some creative control in songwriting,choreography and production. Following in the footsteps of SMAP, Arashi has deftly kept the public invested in them individually and as a group through their own variety shows.
the lines I bolded kinda irritated me. So, what do you guys think? Are they promoting J-Pop or just scrutinizing them?
Well, according to the comments written here, it is sooo KPOP biased (that's what I thought too when I first read this). Fans would never agree HSJ being compared to SuJu or Arashi to BigBang.
With a trendy Westernized sound, LSS- inducing rhythms, and eye candy artists, it's easy to see why K-Pop has spread like a wildfire across Asia. J-Pop, on the other hand, is unapologetically Japanese, with their own quirky-cool, progressive sound and fashion sense--the kind you either love, hate, or simply don't get. If you're used to the sexy-slick styling of K-Pop, you might be turned off (or surprisingly charmed) by J-Pop's wholesomeness. And if you haven't devoted yourself entirely to K-Pop just yet, make some room in your heart for some kawaii goodness.
POP 101
While K-Pop is relatively new, J-Pop has quietly thrived for over 2 decades. Case in point: Japanese boy band SMAP still thrills fans and tops charts after 20 solid years. Though not the most gifted vocalists, they have an instinct for crowd-pleasing and are masters for flaunting their individual charms and hosting gigs, variety shows, TV dramas, movies, and voicing anime characters. This multimedia approach at keeping in the public eye and winning their hearts has been emulated by succeeding generations of pop artists, making SMAP the unofficial godfather of Asian pop. Their's also the magic of SMAP member, Takuya Kimura ( Kimutaku), who remains the ultimate Japanese idol-even if he is already pushing 40.
POP DIVAS
If you love (or love to hate) sex kitten-ish Korean star Lee Hyori, check out Japanese pop goddess Namie Amuro, credited for starring Amuraa trend (tanned skin, dyed hair, skin-bearing outfits) in her teens.
Listen to: "Can you Celebrate", "Hide and Seek'
BoA, who has infiltrated Japan and is currently making a Korean comeback, is often compared to " Empress of Pop", Ayumi Hamasaki, as they both have a sweet/sultry image and shares similar success in the Japanese pop/rock/electronica genres.
Listen to: "Moon", "Heaven"
BOY BUFFET
Super Junior has conquered the Asian music scene, with 13 pretty boys. Their less prolific Japanese counterpart is Hey!Say!JUMP, a pop group from 10 Johnny's Jrs. of leading idol agency Johnny and Associates.
Listen to: "Ultra Music Power", "Dreams Come True"
CATFIGHT!
When it comes to pure entertainment value, no one can touch pop princesses SNSD, 2ne1, and the Wonder Girls. But before this wave of uber stylized, synchronized pop, there was pioneering 90's Japanese girl group Speed to disbanded, but has recently reunited for good with the single "ashita NO sORA" .
If your boyfriend is a fan of the J-Pop group AKB48, be very afraid. Consisting of a whopping 48 girls, AKB48 is a theater/idol group that performs in their own theater and are seen at anime conventions around the globe.
FEEL GOOD POP
With the future of SS501 hanging in the balance, hearts are splintering across Asia. Meanwhile, the longetivity of Japanese boy bands equals less fan heartbreak! If you like SS501's or SHINee's brand of foot stomping pop, you might like Japanese boy band NEWS. Their unofficial leader, Yamashita Tomohisa (AKA Yamapi), is widely popular on his own thanks to sexy songs and dramas. When this hottie's hair isn't badly permed, he bears an uncanny resemblance to Kim Hyun Joong.
TOO HOT TO HANDLE
DBSK, also known as Tohoshinki in Japan, and TVXQ in China/Taiwan, are record-breaking cross over artists. If you like DBSK sex appeal, fluid dance steps, and stylized videos, you might like KAT-TUN, the bad boys of Japanese pop ( a reputation partly due to ex-member Jin Akanishi's scandals). FYI: KAT-TUN holds the distinction of being the 1st artist to hold 8 consecutive days of concerts in Tokyo Dome ( averaging 50,000 per day!)
GLOBAL ICONS
Rain is probably the most global of Korean pop stars. Interestingly enough, his Japanese counterpart is a singer/songwriter/producer who deviated from the traditional "idol" formula. Sans flashy image and dancing prowess, Utada Hikaru's crystal voice and catchy original songs penned in both English and Japanese.
HIP & HOT
If you like pop/hip-hop/R&B newcomer One Way, you might like the Japanese trio Funky Monkey Babys, who are making ways with their fresh music and energetic performances.
SUPER STARS
BIGBANG's massive appeal can probably only be matched by the Japanese pop force that is Arashi ( "Storm" in Japanese). Though they're world's apart musically- BIGBANG has bad-ass hip-hop, R&B and electronica leanings, while Arashi is happy pop. Their first few years may have been purely manufactured fluff, but they've since exercised some creative control in songwriting,choreography and production. Following in the footsteps of SMAP, Arashi has deftly kept the public invested in them individually and as a group through their own variety shows.
the lines I bolded kinda irritated me. So, what do you guys think? Are they promoting J-Pop or just scrutinizing them?
Well, according to the comments written here, it is sooo KPOP biased (that's what I thought too when I first read this). Fans would never agree HSJ being compared to SuJu or Arashi to BigBang.