Comments | news_jpop: Yamapi for thought.

gat_x303 in news_jpop

Yamapi for thought.

Oct 22, 2006 00:24

I remember reading something Yamapi once said that left a big impression on me. It was either in a magazine or interview... you can consider this a rumor until I locate the actual source and can confirm this as fact.

He wondered if his fans would remain his fans if he was to become disfigured in an accident or become ugly.

( details inside )

news: discussion

Leave a comment

Back to all threads

argentumfeles October 22 2006, 09:55:00 UTC

Well you can also look at this from another side. You are exposed to the same thing every day. I am exposed to this every day. Everyone is. It makes a difference in how you handle it. You caught on what I figured out as well. Yamapi is the 'everybody's friend'. It also means one is very susceptable to people. He has it in him (hence the remarks), though I think he has much to learn and is at times still a bit weak in the knees with it. I don't think he needs our pity. One look at this kids bank account ought to remove it for me ( ... )

sadotsu October 22 2006, 10:35:58 UTC

Excuse me if it's just me, but I don't really get what you're saying. You use words like "this" and "these", but what are they referring to? What "claims" exactly are you reffering to? Yamapi's supposed insecurity? His desire to be "normal"?
And what do you mean by "the right message"? The right message about what? What are the "wrong reasons" and what are the right ones?
Sorry if I sound stupid, I just find you hard to understand.

riccichan October 22 2006, 10:49:39 UTC

Just a quick note, referring to his comment on women:

Remember that he lives in Japan. Not in Europe, not in the U.S. And he is an idol - he is supposed to say things like "Become cute, feminine and good at cooking", because that is what the mainstream Japanese society expects little girls to strive for (and they do it themselves too).

gat_x303 October 22 2006, 12:57:09 UTC

You brought up some good points. But I think you're also missing the purpose of my entry, which is not to discuss whether Yamapi should care about other's perception of him, but that we as fans should be more aware of our expectations of him ( ... )

gat_x303 October 22 2006, 12:58:00 UTC

[...continue from previous comment ( ... )

gat_x303 October 22 2006, 12:58:25 UTC

[...continue from previous comment]

So, to sum up, Yamapi IS being who he think he is. Or as much as he is willing to expose to the public, since I doubt anyone wants to reveal EVERYTHING about himself. I am more concerned that fans' high expectations of him, especially when it comes to his appearances. The jimusho, being the calculating businessperson it is, would naturally take note of that and use it to set restrictions on Yamapi. It's the reason why artists in Japan continue to suffer what I consider unjust treatments while most of the people in Japan still consider it to be the norm. For them to change, we must first change ourselves.

applause ray_archangel December 8 2007, 05:22:29 UTC

very well said!
I like your ideas.

But I guess while Jhonny's boys situation looks sad, we don't really have to pity them that much. After all, they come from a different culture, one completely unlike the western culture we understand. Playing a certain role and keping up a likeble image at all times may seem like torture to us, but if this is something expected from a member of the society everywhere, in every position, it is not as hard. In Japan people have to conform to certain norms (that may seem too rigid and crazy to us) from primary school till the end of their lives, be they a salesman or a corporate boss. This is something JE boys are also used to. And working hard no matter how tired or injured you might be is also something deeply rooted in japanese culture. I am not saying that it's the best way for things to work, but I'd say their lives might seem more miserable to Americans than it would to japanese people (and JE boys are japanese :)

Back to all threads