Johnny's idols are most popular in Korea

Saturday 19th April, 05:04 AM JST

TOKYO —

Japanese male celebrities have long been popular in South Korea. Johnny’s Jimusho idol Tomohisa Yamashita, 23, was mobbed by fans at Seoul’s Kimpo airport, showing just much Japanese idols are perceived as stars.

According to the Naigai Times, Johnny’s idols are widely popular among Asian fans. When SMAP singer Takuya Kimura, 35, popularly known as “Kimutaku,” visited South Korea for his film “Hero” in 2007, Korean and Japanese fans emailed each with info so his fans could be waiting for him at his hotel. The band Arashi is also very popular in Korea; 12,000 tickets for their four-day concert were sold out within one hour.

Japanese actors are also attractive in Korea, too. Joe Odagiri, 32, was welcomed by about 200 fans at Seoul airport in 2006, and 1,000 fans gathered to see Satoru Tsumabuki, 27, at a film festival in 2005.

But the Naigai Times points out the difference between Korean and Japanese fans. One showbiz journalist says: “In Japan, Johnny’s fans have an unwritten rule that they behave in an orderly manner. So Johnny’s idols will never be mobbed in Japan like Yamashita was in South Korea.”

5 Comments

rjd_jr at 06:40 AM JST - 19th April

Nice cultural exchanges!
Pukey2 at 08:02 PM JST - 19th April

In Japan, Johnny’s fans have an unwritten rule that they behave in an orderly manner.

In other words, they try not to make a fool out of themselves in public.
paledoll at 09:23 AM JST - 20th April

Nope, just saving the craziness for the Johnny Depp and the like
blvtzpk at 04:00 PM JST - 20th April

Ah, Johnny's Rent Boys! ;)
mamix at 10:18 AM JST - 6th May

korean young girls are crazy for japanese idols and actors!

I'm not surprised. kimutaku,tsumabuki,odagiri very handsome(^^)