I can only relate to your "The Yesung Effect", sadly T_________T
I don't know Kanjani8 and still don't know them (don't have time to learn other Johnny's when Arashi had me occupied every week >.<). But I can tell you a bit about myself~ (though I'm sure you can see that in my journal entries LOL)
I was not a fan of J-pop group. I actually hate J-pop. So you can just imagine how hard it is for me to like K-pop with their "idols". And even until now I could never like K-pop. Too much idols, too much fakeness (or at least to me ^^;;).
I'm actually an anime fan since the first time I read a manga of Prince of Tennis in 1995. Since then until now I've been a Tenipuri fan. One day, my friend lend me a drama called Gokusen (it was in early 2005, around January 15 or so), and she said that it's an adaptation of a manga. So yeah, because of that I watch the drama and got hooked with Jun's acting as Sawada Shin (even my dad got hooked!). My dad, who likes Jun's acting, asked me to go surf the internet to search for more dramas of Jun. It was then I found out that Jun's a part of J-pop group called Arashi and I was devastated to know that because I hate J-pop and I couldn't believe that the actor I actually like, the first human that I really like (seriously, I before only like Ryoma ^^;;), turn out to be a member of a J-pop group. But I'm curious, so I download one of Arashi PV called Pikanchi Double. And instantly got hooked.
I don't know why but maybe that's because I understand Japanese, when I heard the lyrics of Pikanchi Double, I just, well, cried. I was at the lowest time of my life at that time, having tried to commit suicide for more than three times (but fortunately I stay alive LOL). The lyrics of that song just hit me hard and it make me their instant fan. And when I learn about them further, I found out that they're the FIRST idol group who act not like an idol. Seriously. Try watching them getting their nipples exposed, wearing stockings on their head, getting painted on the face with blank ink or even getting harassed by the trans-sexual people. They saved me so many times from my dark days with their cheerfulness, their hard work, their songs and their friendship. And that's why I become their loyal fan and it's hard for me to look at other group. I will compare them to Arashi LOL
Anyway, I wonder why this become so long XD I'm sorry for spamming your entry XDDDD
I actually agree with you on the "idol" part and the "fakeness" of celebrities. ^^ My policy is - if it's a good song, I'll like it, damn the singer LOL The only reason I fell for Eito and SJ, like I mentioned above, is when I saw them on variety shows and how they don't act all cool or anything then. When they could be dorky and weird and random and just themselves ^^
While I was reading your reasons for liking Arashi, all I could think was how similar you and I are, cos though we are fans of two different groups, our reasons for liking them are very similar ^^
Like, when I watch the shows of Eito, I see all the ridiculous things they do just for the hell of it because it's not only work for them, they enjoy it. They dress in drag and crossplay, coming up with the most ridiculous skits and gags. They get pelted with flour, giant fans to the head, almost molest the cameras making silly faces at them xD, jokingly dare each other to hook up with a trans-sexual when they get hit on by them (I think trans-sexuals are part of the Japanese entertainment system LOL; Arashi are not the only ones suffering xDD), have no hesitation in telling exactly what they think to each other's faces - and some of the most outrageous things come outta their mouths at these times - because, having known each other for more than 10 or 12 years, they know they won't be offended and, like Arashi, are one of the rare Johnny groups where all the members are real-life BFFs, not just colleagues.
Then when I see their PVs and concerts, I see how much hard work and effort they put in, even to all the silly skits and running gags they come up with just for the sake of entertainment. I see them with perpetual grins on their faces, literally spazzing throughout the concert, being fun-loving and enjoying themselves to the end. They play some of the most awesome songs on their instruments, all seven of them, and I think how devotedly they must have practiced to be so in synch with each other (cos in my opinion, seven people with different instruments would be just chaotic)
And then this is one of the main reasons why I became an Eito fan. I've seen many shows with various Johnny's groups - courtesy of my Johnny stanning friend lol - and to this day, Eito are the only ones I've seen who are repeatedly told straight to their faces by the show hosts or MCs that they "are a bunch of weirdoes" or "the loudest guests we've ever had in the history of this show" or that they "don't come off as idols, but comedians" or "What, you're a Johnny's too?!", or they are jokingly ignored during the intro because "KANJANI8 - WHO CARES ABOUT THEM?!" and other similar amusing comments. I would think a person would be offended by that, but Eito just laugh their asses off and become even weirder/louder throughout the show, and I realised just how unafraid they are of being themselves and that they don't care what other people think (even though this leads them to being labelled as uncool in the idol circle). They support themselves and each other and many times they tell stories of the touching things the members do for each other.
Wow, talk about a rant. I totally went on and on, didn't I. >.> Sorry, but I tend to spam, too. Your comment, in this case lol :P But yeah, back to my point - we are pretty similar as to the reasons why we love the groups that we do ^^ I hope to know more about Arashi in the future, cos I've seen a few of their appearances on shows, and I can tell they are awesome :D And I'm happy they were there to help you overcome the hard times of your life. I can relate to that a bit, because I too need only watch one song of Eito or one appearance on a show and they can cheer me up on the most depressing of days. They remind me that love and true friendship do exist :)^^
(GOKUSEN. YES. ONE OF MY FAVOURITE J-DRAMAS. I knew Jun through that too xD Then I saw others like his Kimi wa Petto, Nino's Ryuusei no Kizuna and Stand Up!! and Aiba-chan's My Girl and random stuff. Haha you could say I'm familiar with Arashi's members; I just don't know them well yet lol)
Thanks for the spam, I don't mind at all xD I'd just spam you back, like right now LOL XDDDDDDD
I don't know why but I still can't like Super Junior. Maybe I'm just too entranced by Arashi to notice them ^^;;
Yeah, I've heard about Kanjani8 before but I just never bothered to see them. Because even until now, I still think that the poorest group in Johnny's is still Arashi. They struggle for more than 8 years before they can get to the position they have now. They have little fanbase that when they held their concert the seats were always almost empty. Arashi seldom appear in their seniors shows, almost never, before and now. They have the lowest single sales in entire Johnny's too if I'm not wrong too for Pikanchi Double (the song that I like LOL). That's why when you write about Kanjani guested on some shows and told as "not-idol-like-group" I feel betrayed somehow LOL That people know Kanjani more for their appreances on television while Arashi don't even get the spotlight. Sorry, jealousy talk haha
But yeah, I think we're similar in the aspect that we like a group for what they are and not for their faces :D I could never fathom people who like their idols because of faces. I mean, face can deteriorate, but not talents. Right? Maybe I should learn about Kanjani too. I just realized that they guested on one of Arashi shows called Arashi ni Shiyagare. They're loud and obnoxious, I can see that haha. I might not be able to fangirl them but at least I can talk about them with you someday :D
If you want to learn about Arashi, it's better through their variety shows and concerts. Their concerts are awesome *-* (Matsumoto Jun is definitely the best concert master Johnny's have ever had, could you even imagine yourself giving ideas about moving stage or walking in the air? that man never fail to surprise me)
And don't worry about spamming. Just spammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm me LOL
LOL no worries, there is PLENTY of room for the jealousy talk, though, because JE is blatantly biased towards groups like KAT-TUN and NEWS and others like that who are exceedingly popular. They spend more on those groups than on Arashi or Eito or other lesser known bands, and this is evident for everyone to see since the popular ones get better visuals and graphics for their PVs and more edges to their concerts etc etc etc.
When I think about it, Kanjani8 debuted in 2004, but they were only known in the Kansai-Osaka region. They weren't at all popular in Tokyo and I remember one of their talks about how hard they tried to gather an audience for their first concert (which I watched and was saddened to see that JE had obviously NOT spent much on it; only Eito's joy and energy made it a success). They only got "officially" popular around 2010 and finally JE began to pay some attention. It figures that JE would treat all "minor" groups similarly in an unfair manner, and it seems Arashi was one of them :(. [I don't dislike KAT-TUN, but the huge BIAS JE have towards them is kinda off-putting]
However, Arashi has become extremely popular as far as I know. Their new singles, albums and concert DVDs are constantly topping the Oricon charts, from what I hear, so it's good that they finally succeeded, right? All that hard work paid off :D And I actually have episodes of their sempai shows with Arashi as guests - going back as far as 2003 - and I believe they get more chances now. Also, they host some of their own shows and I see tons of Arashi fans on the internet everywhere ^^ I'm happy for them. :D
I can never like anyone I see on TV just for their face, to be honest. Sure, I'd think they were handsome, but I could never become a fan without knowing what kinda person it was. I find people who fangirl/boy over TV icons just cos "they are so hot" to be rather shallow. It seems just ... cheap. Yanno? lol But to each, their own, I guess ^^
"Loud and obnoxious" <-- LOL yes, but multiply that a gazillion times. Haha xD Maybe after I know a bit more about Arashi, we could talk about that, too :D (The only reason why I still don't is cos my Johnny-fan friend is busy as heck right now, so I can't meet her until she's free. She's the one with all the materials haha ^^; lol)
Nishikido Ryo, yeah. NSKD was in both Kanjani8 and NEWS, but he recently quit NEWS cos of being overworked and clashing schedules. (I'll be honest; I'm glad he chose Eito over NEWS, cos while I do know and like NEWS, most of them are like colleagues. Kanjani8 is - and publicly admits to being - a family. And he's their little "Ryo-chan" they always make fun of, and I'm glad it'll always be that way xD)
Now that I think about it again, maybe you're right. Like I've said before, I don't really watch other Johnny's except for Arashi so maybe that's why my knowledge about the unfairness in Johnny's has never registered in my brain. I was just sad for Arashi when I heard that their concert seats are always empty and this repeated from 1999 (when they debuted) to 2002, when they finally sit down and talk like a family for the first time, talking about what they should do with this group called Arashi. The members in Arashi were not friends in the beginning (Ohno being not known in Tokyo, Sho being busy with his university) so they never spend time together, not until in 2002. That's when they became close friends after talking with each other everyday until morning. I think that's what makes me like Arashi, that they struggle at first before they finally understand about each other~ I'm a DoS like that LOL And maybe that's why in every concert Arashi always go all out.
Yeah, they become popular now after years of hard work and struggling (and how I love Nino when he make a snarky remark to Johnny's about placing Arashi as the lowest group in Johnny's, even below the Johnny's Junior unit, at that time it was Ya-Ya-yah that's popular). I'm happy that more and more people know Arashi but I'm a little sad that I couldn't watch them by myself only now. I have to share them with so many other fans haha
Where do you live? I can send you Arashi materials if you want :D Now that I review it again, Kanjani8 members have come to Arashi shows often. I didn't recognize them before because I don't even know who they are ^^;; *is ashamed* There's a friend of mine who is Kanjani8 fan and I'm still trying to learn about Kanjani8 from her slowly ^^;; And dang it, I like Murakami Shingo who act alongside Aiba in My Girl. That boy is pretty LOL
Yeah, I found that liking someone because of their faces are totally weird to me. I remember this conversation I have with Super Junior fans when I said that I like Yesung. Them: Why Yesung? Me: Huh? Why it couldn't be Yesung? Them: Isn't there more handsome member in Super Junior? Me: O.o I-I like him because I love his voice Them: You're weird. And it was in 2007 if I remember it correctly. That's the first time I heard Marry U and I immediately fell in love with Yesung's voice and then they said that I'm weird for liking Yesung's voice. So when I ask who they like, most of them said Siwon because he's handsome. If I'm not too baffled I might have asked them, "Just because he's handsome? He has no talent whatsoever?" but I'm glad I shut my mouth up. It won't be nice to say that ^^;;
I hope I didn't offend you though because I said those things about Super Junior fans T.T I didn't want to start a war and that's why I effectively avoid ELF T.T But I don't know why I feel like you're just like me so I can say this things openly with you haha
I don't know Kanjani8 and still don't know them (don't have time to learn other Johnny's when Arashi had me occupied every week >.<). But I can tell you a bit about myself~ (though I'm sure you can see that in my journal entries LOL)
I was not a fan of J-pop group. I actually hate J-pop. So you can just imagine how hard it is for me to like K-pop with their "idols". And even until now I could never like K-pop. Too much idols, too much fakeness (or at least to me ^^;;).
I'm actually an anime fan since the first time I read a manga of Prince of Tennis in 1995. Since then until now I've been a Tenipuri fan. One day, my friend lend me a drama called Gokusen (it was in early 2005, around January 15 or so), and she said that it's an adaptation of a manga. So yeah, because of that I watch the drama and got hooked with Jun's acting as Sawada Shin (even my dad got hooked!). My dad, who likes Jun's acting, asked me to go surf the internet to search for more dramas of Jun. It was then I found out that Jun's a part of J-pop group called Arashi and I was devastated to know that because I hate J-pop and I couldn't believe that the actor I actually like, the first human that I really like (seriously, I before only like Ryoma ^^;;), turn out to be a member of a J-pop group. But I'm curious, so I download one of Arashi PV called Pikanchi Double. And instantly got hooked.
I don't know why but maybe that's because I understand Japanese, when I heard the lyrics of Pikanchi Double, I just, well, cried. I was at the lowest time of my life at that time, having tried to commit suicide for more than three times (but fortunately I stay alive LOL). The lyrics of that song just hit me hard and it make me their instant fan. And when I learn about them further, I found out that they're the FIRST idol group who act not like an idol. Seriously. Try watching them getting their nipples exposed, wearing stockings on their head, getting painted on the face with blank ink or even getting harassed by the trans-sexual people. They saved me so many times from my dark days with their cheerfulness, their hard work, their songs and their friendship. And that's why I become their loyal fan and it's hard for me to look at other group. I will compare them to Arashi LOL
Anyway, I wonder why this become so long XD I'm sorry for spamming your entry XDDDD
Reply
I actually agree with you on the "idol" part and the "fakeness" of celebrities. ^^ My policy is - if it's a good song, I'll like it, damn the singer LOL
The only reason I fell for Eito and SJ, like I mentioned above, is when I saw them on variety shows and how they don't act all cool or anything then. When they could be dorky and weird and random and just themselves ^^
While I was reading your reasons for liking Arashi, all I could think was how similar you and I are, cos though we are fans of two different groups, our reasons for liking them are very similar ^^
Like, when I watch the shows of Eito, I see all the ridiculous things they do just for the hell of it because it's not only work for them, they enjoy it. They dress in drag and crossplay, coming up with the most ridiculous skits and gags. They get pelted with flour, giant fans to the head, almost molest the cameras making silly faces at them xD, jokingly dare each other to hook up with a trans-sexual when they get hit on by them (I think trans-sexuals are part of the Japanese entertainment system LOL; Arashi are not the only ones suffering xDD), have no hesitation in telling exactly what they think to each other's faces - and some of the most outrageous things come outta their mouths at these times - because, having known each other for more than 10 or 12 years, they know they won't be offended and, like Arashi, are one of the rare Johnny groups where all the members are real-life BFFs, not just colleagues.
Then when I see their PVs and concerts, I see how much hard work and effort they put in, even to all the silly skits and running gags they come up with just for the sake of entertainment. I see them with perpetual grins on their faces, literally spazzing throughout the concert, being fun-loving and enjoying themselves to the end. They play some of the most awesome songs on their instruments, all seven of them, and I think how devotedly they must have practiced to be so in synch with each other (cos in my opinion, seven people with different instruments would be just chaotic)
And then this is one of the main reasons why I became an Eito fan. I've seen many shows with various Johnny's groups - courtesy of my Johnny stanning friend lol - and to this day, Eito are the only ones I've seen who are repeatedly told straight to their faces by the show hosts or MCs that they "are a bunch of weirdoes" or "the loudest guests we've ever had in the history of this show" or that they "don't come off as idols, but comedians" or "What, you're a Johnny's too?!", or they are jokingly ignored during the intro because "KANJANI8 - WHO CARES ABOUT THEM?!" and other similar amusing comments. I would think a person would be offended by that, but Eito just laugh their asses off and become even weirder/louder throughout the show, and I realised just how unafraid they are of being themselves and that they don't care what other people think (even though this leads them to being labelled as uncool in the idol circle). They support themselves and each other and many times they tell stories of the touching things the members do for each other.
Wow, talk about a rant. I totally went on and on, didn't I. >.> Sorry, but I tend to spam, too. Your comment, in this case lol :P
But yeah, back to my point - we are pretty similar as to the reasons why we love the groups that we do ^^ I hope to know more about Arashi in the future, cos I've seen a few of their appearances on shows, and I can tell they are awesome :D And I'm happy they were there to help you overcome the hard times of your life. I can relate to that a bit, because I too need only watch one song of Eito or one appearance on a show and they can cheer me up on the most depressing of days. They remind me that love and true friendship do exist :)^^
(GOKUSEN. YES. ONE OF MY FAVOURITE J-DRAMAS. I knew Jun through that too xD Then I saw others like his Kimi wa Petto, Nino's Ryuusei no Kizuna and Stand Up!! and Aiba-chan's My Girl and random stuff. Haha you could say I'm familiar with Arashi's members; I just don't know them well yet lol)
Thanks for the spam, I don't mind at all xD I'd just spam you back, like right now LOL XDDDDDDD
Reply
Yeah, I've heard about Kanjani8 before but I just never bothered to see them. Because even until now, I still think that the poorest group in Johnny's is still Arashi. They struggle for more than 8 years before they can get to the position they have now. They have little fanbase that when they held their concert the seats were always almost empty. Arashi seldom appear in their seniors shows, almost never, before and now. They have the lowest single sales in entire Johnny's too if I'm not wrong too for Pikanchi Double (the song that I like LOL). That's why when you write about Kanjani guested on some shows and told as "not-idol-like-group" I feel betrayed somehow LOL That people know Kanjani more for their appreances on television while Arashi don't even get the spotlight. Sorry, jealousy talk haha
But yeah, I think we're similar in the aspect that we like a group for what they are and not for their faces :D I could never fathom people who like their idols because of faces. I mean, face can deteriorate, but not talents. Right? Maybe I should learn about Kanjani too. I just realized that they guested on one of Arashi shows called Arashi ni Shiyagare. They're loud and obnoxious, I can see that haha. I might not be able to fangirl them but at least I can talk about them with you someday :D
If you want to learn about Arashi, it's better through their variety shows and concerts. Their concerts are awesome *-* (Matsumoto Jun is definitely the best concert master Johnny's have ever had, could you even imagine yourself giving ideas about moving stage or walking in the air? that man never fail to surprise me)
And don't worry about spamming. Just spammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm me LOL
Reply
Reply
LOL no worries, there is PLENTY of room for the jealousy talk, though, because JE is blatantly biased towards groups like KAT-TUN and NEWS and others like that who are exceedingly popular. They spend more on those groups than on Arashi or Eito or other lesser known bands, and this is evident for everyone to see since the popular ones get better visuals and graphics for their PVs and more edges to their concerts etc etc etc.
When I think about it, Kanjani8 debuted in 2004, but they were only known in the Kansai-Osaka region. They weren't at all popular in Tokyo and I remember one of their talks about how hard they tried to gather an audience for their first concert (which I watched and was saddened to see that JE had obviously NOT spent much on it; only Eito's joy and energy made it a success). They only got "officially" popular around 2010 and finally JE began to pay some attention.
It figures that JE would treat all "minor" groups similarly in an unfair manner, and it seems Arashi was one of them :(. [I don't dislike KAT-TUN, but the huge BIAS JE have towards them is kinda off-putting]
However, Arashi has become extremely popular as far as I know. Their new singles, albums and concert DVDs are constantly topping the Oricon charts, from what I hear, so it's good that they finally succeeded, right? All that hard work paid off :D
And I actually have episodes of their sempai shows with Arashi as guests - going back as far as 2003 - and I believe they get more chances now. Also, they host some of their own shows and I see tons of Arashi fans on the internet everywhere ^^ I'm happy for them. :D
I can never like anyone I see on TV just for their face, to be honest. Sure, I'd think they were handsome, but I could never become a fan without knowing what kinda person it was. I find people who fangirl/boy over TV icons just cos "they are so hot" to be rather shallow. It seems just ... cheap. Yanno? lol But to each, their own, I guess ^^
"Loud and obnoxious" <-- LOL yes, but multiply that a gazillion times. Haha xD
Maybe after I know a bit more about Arashi, we could talk about that, too :D (The only reason why I still don't is cos my Johnny-fan friend is busy as heck right now, so I can't meet her until she's free. She's the one with all the materials haha ^^; lol)
Nishikido Ryo, yeah. NSKD was in both Kanjani8 and NEWS, but he recently quit NEWS cos of being overworked and clashing schedules. (I'll be honest; I'm glad he chose Eito over NEWS, cos while I do know and like NEWS, most of them are like colleagues. Kanjani8 is - and publicly admits to being - a family. And he's their little "Ryo-chan" they always make fun of, and I'm glad it'll always be that way xD)
HAHA. /END SPAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Reply
Yeah, they become popular now after years of hard work and struggling (and how I love Nino when he make a snarky remark to Johnny's about placing Arashi as the lowest group in Johnny's, even below the Johnny's Junior unit, at that time it was Ya-Ya-yah that's popular). I'm happy that more and more people know Arashi but I'm a little sad that I couldn't watch them by myself only now. I have to share them with so many other fans haha
Where do you live? I can send you Arashi materials if you want :D Now that I review it again, Kanjani8 members have come to Arashi shows often. I didn't recognize them before because I don't even know who they are ^^;; *is ashamed* There's a friend of mine who is Kanjani8 fan and I'm still trying to learn about Kanjani8 from her slowly ^^;; And dang it, I like Murakami Shingo who act alongside Aiba in My Girl. That boy is pretty LOL
Yeah, I found that liking someone because of their faces are totally weird to me. I remember this conversation I have with Super Junior fans when I said that I like Yesung.
Them: Why Yesung?
Me: Huh? Why it couldn't be Yesung?
Them: Isn't there more handsome member in Super Junior?
Me: O.o I-I like him because I love his voice
Them: You're weird.
And it was in 2007 if I remember it correctly. That's the first time I heard Marry U and I immediately fell in love with Yesung's voice and then they said that I'm weird for liking Yesung's voice. So when I ask who they like, most of them said Siwon because he's handsome. If I'm not too baffled I might have asked them, "Just because he's handsome? He has no talent whatsoever?" but I'm glad I shut my mouth up. It won't be nice to say that ^^;;
I hope I didn't offend you though because I said those things about Super Junior fans T.T I didn't want to start a war and that's why I effectively avoid ELF T.T But I don't know why I feel like you're just like me so I can say this things openly with you haha
Reply
Leave a comment