Funky Monkey Babys and Flumpool (at back) join other artists at a press conference Monday to announce the “Kohaku Uta Gassen” lineup

Johnny's boy bands join lineup for 'Kohaku Uta Gassen'

Tuesday 24th November, 12:00 PM JST

TOKYO —

NHK on Monday announced the names of the 50 artists and groups to perform on this year’s 60th NHK “Kohaku Uta Gassen” (red and White Song Contest), with four Johnny’s boy bands topping the list including, Arashi, Hey! Say! Jump, and NYC boys.

Arashi was scheduled not to appear due to other commitments but decided to join in the 60th anniversary program. NYC boys, who will make their first appearance, were also excited to participate, with member Yuri Chine, 15, vowing to “definitely try not to lose to Arashi!”

Both groups were invited by NHK. Keisuke Inoue, NYC’s chief producer, explained, “Kohaku usually only features the top sellers of that year. Arashi is always a best seller. And NYC has been having great sales even though they’re still new.”

Johnny’s Entertainment president Johnny Kitagawa said, “Because there’s an age limit on the actual countdown (that runs after Kohaku), NYC couldn’t appear, so we instead wanted them to sing on Kohaku.”

Inoue also hinted at the possibility of other singers in the 100-member Johnny’s Jr troupe to make a surprise appearance as “reinforcements.”

Other groups making their debut at “Kohaku” include Funky Monkey Babys and Flumpool.

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Latest 15 of 31 Total Comments Show All

Beelzebub at 06:14 PM JST - 24th November

When July 2011 rolls around, I have no plans to replace my boob tube. Analog TV might become obsolete in two years, but Japanese TV programming contents has been obsolete for the past four decades.
tkoind2 at 06:20 PM JST - 24th November

"Kohaku is the most boring backslapping fest I have ever seen on TV. TV Junk food"

At least real junk food will eventually kill you and put you out of your misery. This thing goes on year after year like a recurring plague.

Boy band?!? The word band implies musical talent. These over produced nightmares hardly qualify for more than predicatably dull eyecandy for people lacking imagination or taste in music or dance.
tkoind2 at 06:22 PM JST - 24th November

"As soon as I saw those twits Exile singing to the Emperor on his 20th anniversary, I finally knew Japan was doomed.

This is just another symptom"

Malignant Kawai-itus: Kills by infecting the victim with copious amounts of cute, fluff and the rapid and absolute degradation of culture.
cleo at 06:32 PM JST - 24th November

The word band implies musical talent.

Unless it's elastic.
mnemosyne23 at 11:32 PM JST - 24th November

I'm so excited for Arashi! They deserve this honor, absolutely.
goatlover at 01:49 AM JST - 25th November

brain-dead idiots for their like. party time!
shinjukuboy at 08:10 AM JST - 25th November

Hikaru Genji!!! They were the peak of the Johnny's empire. Catchy melody and rhythem, good lyrics, etc. And performing all this on roller skates! Yeah, Hikari Genji!!
fabsjp at 09:06 AM JST - 25th November

A-RA-SHI!!!! FOR DREAM!!!
SimpleLife at 09:29 AM JST - 25th November

I also enjoy New Year in Japan in comparison to many Gaijins. I enjoy staying home, having some good food, watchin TV (NHK as well dowtown's comedy show) On the 1st, my wife and children go visit the wife all families who gather in Shizuoka... Then all together we go to the Temple, watch TV, Play with with Kids, And ready to get back to work after a lot of good food, talks.

Definitely, I enjoy New year's in Japan
kokorocloud at 10:46 AM JST - 25th November

I love ARASHI. I will watch it for them and them alone, haha.
The758 at 02:30 PM JST - 25th November

While I wouldn't be caught dead with one of their CDs, I have to admit there are a few Johhny's tunes out there that I like. To me, the secret to tollerating them is to just listen to the music- don't look at their faces or outfits and for goodness sake don't watch them dance.

As for New Years .. I'm looking forward to the hatsuuri Lots of bargains to be found :) The shrines and temples are usually so full of people I think I'll avoid them this year.
tsukki at 04:45 PM JST - 25th November

It's about time that Arashi got included in the Kohaku lineup.
kokorocloud at 09:10 AM JST - 26th November

I think Arashi can really work it. Maybe I'm just biased, but I agree with Makun and honestly think they are probably the most talented out there right now, in both singing and dancing. Their music and style actually seems to evolve as they get older. Some of the younger bands are just... ugh. They can't sing, so nevermind their dancing, haha. Like those NYC boys... cute, but that's pretty much all they are!

Inoue also hinted at the possibility of other singers in the 100-member Johnny’s Jr troupe to make a surprise appearance as “reinforcements.”

This makes me so curious...
nightvision at 03:49 AM JST - 28th November

The boy and girl groups today are a far cry from those that started in the 90s, both globally and domestically.
yurete at 11:53 AM JST - 15th December

ugh. saying they're just talentless nobodies... well, maybe someone is, but deffinetelly not Johnny's boys. even if someone doesn't like their music, it is a fact, that they are successful. it's a fact that they have millions fans all over the world and they earn some serious money with being "talentless nobodys". As always I'm looking forward to Johnnys countdown this year, which comes after kohaku.