SMAP for China
Picture of the Day ( 50 )
Members of Japanese pop group SMAP perform with Taiwanese model and actress guest Lin Chi-ling, in white dress at center left, before 40,000 fans at Workers Stadium in Beijing on Friday night. It was the group’s first performance outside Japan. Members are Takuya Kimura in the orange shirt, clockwise, Masahiro Nakai, Shingo Katori, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and Goro Inagaki. The theme of the concert was ‘‘Do Your Best Japan, Thank You China, Asia is One.” The group is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
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50 Comments
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0
some14some
Asia is one? Excluding Japan or China?
4
Alex80
I'm moved by this...I hope for a friendly relation between China and Japan. Go Asia! (I'm european, but I like Asia better than Europe :P ).
2
NetNinja
What language did they use? Just curious.
Well, this is good. Can't be sure how effective it is towards improving relations between the two nations but it's something better than nothing.
-6
BlueWitch
SMAP? most retarded "pop" group ever....no voice talent at all~ and look at those customs? how ridiculous can they be? Rob Zombie would put them to shame, seriously!
0
paulinusa
Where can I get one of those shirts?
0
miyazawa3
its not about the attitudes but the money
1
Darren Brannan
The Wiggles are even cooler than SMAP.
-2
ben4short
I trust this concert was in compliance with the Basel Convention which regulates the export of hazardous materials.
0
Pukey2
when was this? The sixties?
-1
Maitake
Japanese effeminate males ^
1
TakahiroDomingo
she's so hot and should come to japan! and those idiots should stay there and never come back.
0
Foxie
Those shirts are truly cool, I wanna get one too.
-1
Disillusioned
The SMAP costume designer should be drawn and quartered!
0
tokyo-boy
Takuya Kimura is always the focus.
Chi-ling is so nice!!
0
GW
what an awful mess. This just hurts my eyes when I saw it
0
smithinjapan
Get rid of SMAP and just have Lin there. She's HOT!
0
anglootaku
Soon to be a copied version of lyrics, style names in China :P
-1
smithinjapan
anglootaku: "Soon to be a copied version of lyrics, style names in China :P"
You mean like how SMAP steals stuff? :) Seriously, though, SMAP has zero talent -- they can't sing (ever heard them live?), can't dance well, don't write their own music, can't play instruments, etc. The worst are their alter-egos, though: Shingo-mama, Kusanagi's gay-Korean character, Goro's watermelon guy, etc.
1
southsakai
Hahaha lol someone please define that for me ? What does this actually mean. Asia will never be one and I have Asian blood by the way. Good luck with that. Their will always be division in this region.
Very successful idiots by the way. More successful and powerful than anyone here posting hate comments on these guys :))
What up with all the hate on these guys ? Many people like them, some don't. Big deal. Just like Actors, Sports, whatever. Yeah we get it, you don't like SMAP. Okay that's cool, don't spoil your day now :)
-3
jforce
This is just embarrassing for everyone. I saw them on TV singing one of their annoying jingles in Chinese to Wen Jibao. They looked like they'd seen their new master. And Worker's Stadium? Damn commies and their propaganda. Asain pop music is simply gay.
1
WilliB
Asia is one? How? Greater China, or Asian co-prosperity sphere? Do these clowns ever think about their slogans?
0
CrazyJoe
This concert should have been held in Taiwan. Taiwan was ナンバーワン (number one) in terms of relief funds sent to Japan after the 311 quake. China's contribution was a drop in the bucket compared to Taiwan's. SMAP was used for political purposes by the Red Chinese.
0
Disillusioned
Are they holding microphones or Nintendo Wii controllers?
1
sf2k
If China says Asia is one, well it's one then. The police officer puts his hand on your shoulder. "Asia is one"... Taiwan might have a voice..naw forget that. Or Tibet...naw.. or how about...? ...naw...
Capitulation is not freedom
2
Pukey2
taka:
Do you really hate the Chinese that much?
-1
susieuk
they look very uncomfortable!
0
sau133
Is this supposed to be the "eye candy" for the ladies after yesterdays pic for the boys? Thanks so much JT...not.
-1
sau133
and WTH does "Asia is one" mean? One year old?
-1
papasmurfinjapan
About the same age, too!
0
papasmurfinjapan
Electric toothbrushes actually. Johnny's found out that a good way to make more money is through product placement during their concerts. You'll see those shirts in Uniqlo in a few weeks.
-2
Nessie
More like j-couger candy.
2
kukuchai
japan and china is like brothers, must cooperate to make asia a most peace place in the world.
2
LoveNot
SMAP are handsome men.
0
hachikoreloaded
Shingo san is either praying for peace in KimuTaku's pants or KimuTaku is about to REALLY lose in janken...scissors cut ____. LOL
4
showyoursmile
Some of these comments..."Asian pop music is simply gay" -- really now? Really? Using "gay" as an insult and making sweeping generalizations, all in the same sentence. Impressive. Maybe "gay" in the sense of happy, but I don't get the impression that you were commenting about the often uplifting message of j-pop (which is not synonymous with "Asian pop").
SMAP has a lot of fans in Japan and around Asia (and a good number of them outside of Asia too) for a reason, and yeah, they get bizarre costumes and sometimes do ridiculous things, but just because it's not your cup of tea does not mean it's stupid. They are hugely famous and have been for a long time, so even if ~you~ think their skits/concepts are lame and their talent is zilch, there are clearly more people who disagree or they would have vanished into obscurity from the start. They're idols who were never intended to be beacons of flawless singing/dancing/songwriting talent, nor have they ever pretended to be. They entertain, and they actually are quite talented when it comes to acting and MCing, and for every person who thinks they aren't funny, there are plenty more who think they are. They joke about their singing/dancing all the time because they actually have good senses of humor.
And people are nitpicking the "Asia is one" -- throughout the ongoing talk about this event, I never got the impression that they meant one single identity, but rather the desire to actually try to get along/cooperate amidst all the history of political tension, which seems a bizarre thing to be putting them down for. Maybe it's a fruitless effort, and there are a lot of deepset issues, but if no one EVER makes efforts to rebuild bridges, nothing will ever improve. SMAP aren't bowing to their "new master" -- they're expressing respect to another country's leader and are likely glad to be part of something meant to bring people together. They've been throwing themselves into earthquake efforts at home, so it's not like they're turning their backs on their country either. This may be an ineffective drop in the bucket, and obviously a concert isn't going to magically fix the divisions in Asia, but I guess I don't see what's so bad about it.
As for China vs. Taiwan, none of us have any inside info beyond speculation and interpretation, but I assume it's because they've been specifically trying to have a concert in China for a while, but there've been a lot of roadblocks, including one related to...well, political tensions. I don't know exactly how this works, but if Wen Jibao invites them to Beijing, they probably aren't going to demand to go to Taiwan instead, even if I'm sure they're very grateful for the efforts Taiwan (and all the other countries) have offered Japan this year.
I think their hearts are in the right place, and to be honest, they didn't do this to please a bunch of critical people on JapanToday (who in some cases, from the sounds of it, would not have anything nice to say about them, regardless of what they do). They did it to be closer to some of their non-Japanese fans and to take part in an event dedicated to trying in any small way to build bridges again.
4
Alex80
@showyoursmile: your comment is so refreshing...I'm so dissapointed by some people's cynicism. Pop culture is a great way to build bridges between different countries, this is the real reason why events like this have to be supported, despite if you like or not the artists involved.
2
troyinjapan
@Bluewitch I am surprised at you. You usually make a lot of sense. Just because you don't like them does not mean anything at all. You are not the grand maestro of music and to say such a thing shows pure arrogance.
> SMAP? most retarded "pop" group ever....no voice talent at all~ and look at those customs? how ridiculous can they be? Rob Zombie would put them to shame, seriously!
Bluewitch, you are so much better than this. Just because you can't understand it does not make it wrong. Like I said in an earlier post, I am sure that if you played your music there would be others who would hold their ears and call it nonsense. Music is about taste. Yours and mind are probably different but I am not going to criticize it. That is wrong. Personally, I can't stand them either but it is just my taste. I can't criticize them unless their music is dangerous for society and invites violence and or crimes.
1
troyinjapan
smithinjapan
Seriously now. How can you say such a thing? Music is in the ears of the beholder. I am sure if we listened to some of your music many would say the very same things about it. Not me. I am not narrow-minded. You are not the authority on music, so you have no business judging. Furthermore, they must be doing something right because they have been popular for a long time in many parts of Asia. Personally I can't stand the there are different strokes for different folks. Just providing us more dribble, eh?
0
troyinjapan
I can't stand them but there are different strokes for different folks. I get it. You don't and to judge is arrogant.
4
southsakai
Trowy, Alexa80, Showyoursmile, Nicely said friends. That's right, who are we to judge and call out all this rude names and words on these guys. Makes people here look so childish and foolish.
Let's get something right and you're right about this, surviving in the Japanese entertainment industry is HARD, VERY HARD. If they guys have survived for so long, they must definitely be doing something right. I personally don't like theei music, though I like to watch Kusanagi kun act.
Regardless who are we to judge them!
These guys are a million times more popular, have all the chicks running after them, have more money, more connections, donate more money to society through their earnings, contribute more in tax dollars in society, have the power to engage and control the masses, can act, sing, dance, MC, model and much more things THAN ANYONE ELSE HERE posting hate on these guys, I'm certain about that!
So before all the haters start calling out all these insulting names on these guys, please do yourselves a great big favor, look yourself in the mirror and ask yourselves "what am I?" "What do I do that's better than these guys?"
I guess the answer will be "teach English" ... LOL!
-6
steve@CPFC
It don't take talent to be like them, it is marketing. I don't hold anything against them but they are nothing special.
3
troyinjapan
@southsakai I was going to say the exact thing you said, but I wussed out because I thought the moderator might think I was being "Combative" or something. But you are so right.
They have all the girls. They have all the money. They have popularity throughout ASIA. They have been doing this for a long time. (So, they must be doing SOMETHING RIGHT). None of us on this thread could possibly be as successful as they are right now or we wouldn't be doing this. So just, recognize. You might not like them, but they must be doing something right, so hating on these guys makes people look like poor sports. Poor sports who have not achieved half of what these guys have. Anyway, don't hate on music that someone else likes. "Different strokes for different folks". Accept it because not everyone likes the same thing. Get over yourselves.
-7
steve@CPFC
troyinjapan; Think you may need to look at yourself rather than others. Money does not buy everything. I am sure many of us here have achieved what we want in lives and are happy, Being a SMAP member is not as great as you may think. Constant public scrutiny and a 100 yes man to Johnny are not my cup of tea. If you do not like SMAP and what they stand for it does not make you a hater, it is just a different opinion.
3
troyinjapan
@steve YO! Why do I need to look at "myself? I never said money buys everything.
Who knows? Maybe YOU have! I know many who have not. But I can also recognize haters. There is no need to hate on someone who is legally successful. As far as music is concerned, In haters, I only hear jealousy.
Never said it was and wouldn't want any part of it.
That's your opinion. A lot of famous people demand that. That is their problem.
IT does make you a hater when you criticize them and say they can't do this and that and ignore that they have been successful and are really loved throughout ASIA. I don't like them at all, I ahve a different opinion about what music is and I have shown that I am not hater because I didn't rag on them like some other people did on this thread. I consider when people say such harsh, negative things as has been said on this thread about SMAP, to be nothing but "haters".
They have been successful at what they set out to do. And a lot of people are just haters. Some don't like them, their music, etc, (I am one of them as well though) but just because they can't understand does not mean they have to hate and criticize what someone else may find to be great music. Can't stand Lady Gaga, Maryln Manson and so many other groups who I could easily view as just using gimmicks to sell records, but if I do that then I am just a hater. SMAP is very popular in ASIA for a reason. They must be doing something right and i can't take that away from them. And those who do, show no understanding and don't understand that there are "different stokes, for different folks".
2
troyinjapan
Therefore, in all due respect to you, Steve, there is absolutely no reason for ME to look in the mirror. I am not a hater nor jealous of their success. If I were then I would need to look in the mirror, Frankly, I really don't care about SMAP one bit, just can't stand haters who are insensitive to what people like and feel the need to knock them down.
1
troyinjapan
Peace to you, Steve.
-8
steve@CPFC
troyinjapan; You still don't get it. They aren't doing something right by themselves, they are puppets who conform to waht management says at all times. You compared to Gaga and Manson, both of whom i do not like, but they cannot compare as they make their own choices and have creativity something SMAP lack.
You seem to think doing well is having gorls chase you and large amounts of money and adulation. I don't need that, nor do i need to look in the mirror.
Moderator
Readers, please focus your comments on the topic and not at or about each other.
4
troyinjapan
Obviously, THEY want to be popular, loved, adored and all that stuff. That's their business. Not everyone is in the music business to "just make music". Nope, a lot of people are in it for the girls, the money, the adulation. Heck, that is their business. That doesn't mean that we have to disrespect what others like by ragging on their idols. Hey, I am a Motown/R&B fan. Can't stand rock except for 70's rock. Grunge rock/heavy metal/acid rock and all that other stuff makes zero since to me. Remember all the "hair bands" of the 80's? Do you think that all of them actually wrote their own music, had the freedom to do what they wanted and were not in the biz for the chicks, money, drugs, booze and adulation? If so, then I have to disagree with you. But once again, I don't feel it is my place to say "THEY SUCK" and this and that derogatory thing, because I know that Barry Gordy of Motown did the same thing with many of his performers in the 60's and 70's! It is the nature of the bis. You pay for a group, you control what they do and what they sing. Musical freedom is sometimes a reality, but in MORE cases than you think a lot of singers out there do not write what they sing, do their own choreography or decide much of anything.
End of subject for me.
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