jdorama.com Forum Index
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   RegisterRegister  Log inLog in 
Top 100
Top 100
Spring 2019   Summer 2019   Fall 2019   Winter 2020  
Smappies
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 1291, 1292, 1293, 1294  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    jdorama.com Forum Index -> Japanese Entertainment Discussions
View previous topic :: View next topic  
gaijinmark



Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 12122
Location: It was fun while it lasted.
Country: Finland

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2011 6:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

And MAYBE, it's back on again:

SMAP plans concert in Beijing this September
May 22, 2011

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is currently in Japan, and on Saturday he met with boy band SMAP. Looking to improve relations between China and Japan, he asked the four members present (Katori Shingo, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Kimura Takuya, Nakai Masahiro) to sing a song for him, and they obliged with �gSekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana.�h During the event, Wen revealed that SMAP plans to have a concert in China this summer.

According to Johnny's Jimusho, SMAP aims to hold a concert in Beijing on September 16. This will be their first concert in China, as long as it does not get canceled like their two previous attempts last year. They had been scheduled to perform at the Shanghai World Expo last June, but the show was canceled due to safety concerns. SMAP then planned for two shows at Shanghai Stadium in October, but those were canceled after the Senkaku fishing boat incident.

Sources:
Wall Street Journal
Sankei Sports
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
EstherM



Joined: 08 May 2007
Posts: 2331
Location: in South Atami
Country: Belgium

PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 5:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

Sooo cute - the Marumo no Okite song

http://youtu.be/CiGj-sF2Aag
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
WD



Joined: 06 Apr 2004
Posts: 3225
Location: Malaysia

PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 5:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

Love the performance! Smile
_________________
Kanjani8's 18th single, "365 Nichi Kazoku" out June 8th, 2011!


colorbar credits to nannandesuka@LJ
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Eyeyore



Joined: 31 Aug 2006
Posts: 371
Location: Hayao Miyazaki's frontal lobe

PostPosted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 12:23 pm    Post subject: SMAP x SMAP �}���� Reply with quote Back to top

For SMAP fans........kawaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rd0dKNdoUg&feature=related
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
brad2



Joined: 18 Jan 2004
Posts: 851
Location: USA
Country: United States

PostPosted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

gaiginmark,
Re the clip of Kimura and Katori. Nice setting in Cannes but they were working in difficulty. Wrong place without any good sound, and I thought wrong key ,but they did OK. That was a couple of years ago (?) I think, and they went to Cannes and did a tour and ended up actually cooking a meal for that man who was listening to them sing. He is a French chef and was extremely surprised when they turned out a professional meal a la Cordon Bleue.
They were actually on a quest to find some gal who had tickets for the footbal Final that year. Later the video showed them at the game having a ball.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Eyeyore



Joined: 31 Aug 2006
Posts: 371
Location: Hayao Miyazaki's frontal lobe

PostPosted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 6:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

Oops! Kimura Takuya really splitting up with wifey this time. Had it happen the last decade, many of his old fans will be cheering. But it's really kind of sad having to hear it now. Shake Head
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
EstherM



Joined: 08 May 2007
Posts: 2331
Location: in South Atami
Country: Belgium

PostPosted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

^ maybe it remains a rumour - this has been circulating since forever, no?

And if true, maybe it's better to get divorced than faking a happy marriage when it's dead.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
brad2



Joined: 18 Jan 2004
Posts: 851
Location: USA
Country: United States

PostPosted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

This is a well oiled rumour that comes out once a year I think. I have never checked, but it seems it may be one that is put out whenever Kimura is doing a new film or drama. Probably Johnny Ent. likes to be a little mean. Kimura did break all the rules when he got married ten/eleven years ago.
Several weeks ago the four in the family went out to dinner to celebrate the award that Shizuka got for a large oil painting she entered in a show. They are both talented in many areas and well matched. I doubt any divorce.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
gaijinmark



Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 12122
Location: It was fun while it lasted.
Country: Finland

PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 6:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

SMAP has FINALLY made it to China: http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/09/115129.html


Last edited by gaijinmark on Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:01 am; edited 2 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Tu_triky



Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 46182
Location: Los Skandolous, California
Country: United States

PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

gaijinmark wrote:
SMAP has FINALLY made it to China: http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/09/115129.html


I thought they were made in China...which explained their poor singing.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bmwracer



Joined: 07 Jul 2003
Posts: 125547
Location: Juri-chan's speed dial
Country: United States

PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

Tu_triky wrote:
I thought they were made in China...which explained their poor singing.

LOL.

"Get the lead out." rofl
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Tu_triky



Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 46182
Location: Los Skandolous, California
Country: United States

PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

bmwracer wrote:

LOL.

"Get the lead out." rofl


hehe I'm not completely unforgiving...I have enjoyed some of the individual SMAP member's acting in dramas...but the singing lacks polish, luster, and presentation...like a dinosaur turd.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bmwracer



Joined: 07 Jul 2003
Posts: 125547
Location: Juri-chan's speed dial
Country: United States

PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

Tu_triky wrote:
hehe I'm not completely unforgiving...I have enjoyed some of the individual SMAP member's acting in dramas...but the singing lacks polish, luster, and presentation...like a dinosaur turd.

LOL. hehe
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Tu_triky



Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 46182
Location: Los Skandolous, California
Country: United States

PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

bmwracer wrote:

LOL. hehe


Oh well, they are hopelessly popular. As a consequence I have enjoyed many episodes of their variety show, SMAPXSMAP, with its many celebrity guests and delicious food.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bmwracer



Joined: 07 Jul 2003
Posts: 125547
Location: Juri-chan's speed dial
Country: United States

PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

Tu_triky wrote:
Oh well, they are hopelessly popular. As a consequence I have enjoyed many episodes of their variety show, SMAPXSMAP, with its many celebrity guests and delicious food.

Yeah... But it's the food and the guest, not them. Bleah
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Tu_triky



Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 46182
Location: Los Skandolous, California
Country: United States

PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

bmwracer wrote:

Yeah... But it's the food and the guest, not them. Bleah


You are certainly correct.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Orandajin



Joined: 05 Aug 2011
Posts: 8
Location: Netherlands
Country: Netherlands

PostPosted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

Very good programm, although i can't understand what they are saying i'm still watching this show when i can.
_________________
Hajimemashite!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
gaijinmark



Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 12122
Location: It was fun while it lasted.
Country: Finland

PostPosted: Fri Oct 21, 2011 6:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

Interesting article. At least they're honest.

Being amatuerish is what makes SMAP such pros

By PHILIP BRASOR

NHK's "The Professional" profiles, through interviews and situational coverage, people who are notable for their dedication to some craft or business vision. The series grew out of "Project X," the very popular documentary series about Japan's industrial breakthroughs of the past, and is meant to spotlight innovators and creative types who are currently operating.

Last week, the series featured SMAP, which may sound like a joke. Though the five-member boy band is the most famous pop act in Japan, their professionalism is not directly linked to their singing and dancing abilities; and the program made it clear that SMAP's success, both as a group and as individual stars, has nothing to do with capability. Because they appear on TV so often, the five men, ranging in age from 34 to 39, have occasionally admitted that they know they aren't talented. It isn't just false modesty. They aren't talented; at least, not in the way that people profiled on "The Professional" usually are. But that doesn't mean they aren't professionals. They are professional idols, and the program was forthright in showing what that means.

SMAP's management company, Johnny & Associates, is notorious for keeping a tight rein on its charges, but NHK freely followed the group on various assignments during this, its 20th year in show business. The centerpiece was SMAP's first ever performance in a foreign country, its September concert at the Beijing Olympic soccer stadium.

NHK also accompanied SMAP to Iwate Prefecture for a gig at an elementary school in the disaster area. The group and its management received some criticism a few months ago after it released an album supposedly for charity and people suspected that very little of the revenues were earmarked for relief. The Iwate event was not publicized or covered by the media, in accordance with the group's wishes. Senior member Masahiro Nakai told NHK that the show was not promotional in nature and that "we expect nothing in return." The purpose was purely tonic, and while they only performed two songs they spent two hours shaking hands.

This is more than "fan service," which, in this case, would be a misnomer since SMAP's core fans aren't in elementary school. (Would real fans, during the Q&A session, ask their heroes how much money they make?) The whole idea of ganbaru (doing your best), which is central to the campaign for rehabilitating the disaster area, is also central to SMAP's appeal and their value as entertainers. As middle member Goro Inagaki put it, "Our job is to make the best effort we can within our abilities." It's why, he added, they take on every job "that's put in front of us."

SMAP's name value has remained high for more than 15 years, and it's clear the members believe it's due to the appearance of making an effort, though NHK explained how Johnny's used SMAP shrewdly at a time when Japanese show business was changing.

For several years after the group debuted in 1991, it was a failure. No one bought its CDs or attended its concerts. TV music shows, which were considered essential to the making of idols, were on their way out. Johnny's then sold SMAP, mainly as individuals, to the producers of the burgeoning variety show format, and they caught on immediately because such shows made idols accessible as people.

This sort of exposure allowed each member to develop his own specialty. Nakai is now a variety-show host, while heartthrob Takuya Kimura and Tsuyoshi Kusanagi are popular TV and movie actors. Inagaki does stage plays, and the youngest, Shingo Katori, is a jack-of-all-trades, not to mention the group's stage director.

However, none of them are creative types and they know it. They are passive entertainers, employees. As Inagaki said, they do what's "put in front of us." "I'm not even an interesting person," Nakai said. As a TV host he spends hours preparing because "I can't ad lib." Inagaki expressed amazement that anyone would want to see them in concert. "There are thousands of professional dancers and actors who are much better than us," he said in a tone that revealed this should be obvious to anyone with common sense.

It's obvious, but there's still an element of denial in SMAP's worldview. The group started out as a sextet, and after attaining stardom Katsuyuki Mori quit to become a motorcycle racer, undermining the other members' confidence. Mori was the most conventionally handsome member and the best dancer. His quitting suggested disillusionment with the whole idol concept, which is based on identification.

Idols don't have to be capable, because they represent the hopes and dreams of people who will never be idols. That's why they do more talking than singing in concert. It's why SMAP spent so much time on its Chinese stage patter. "We have to become partners with the audience," Kusanagi said, laying out the whole purpose of idolhood.

During many of the interviews, the members betrayed ambivalence about their situations. "I always feel like I'm running," Katori said backstage before the Beijing dress rehearsal, "and I've never understood why." Kimura admitted he resented being "made into an icon" (by fans, not by Johnny's) because he couldn't bridge "the image gap."

Nakai tried to be philosophical. "Success isn't guaranteed if you work hard," he said, "but growth is." Actually, he's got it backwards. Mori grew. It's why he quit to pursue something he felt strongly about, something where success was easy to determine. SMAP hasn't grown because Johnny's has never invested sufficiently in the group's capabilities. The members have lived in this world since their early teens.

"This is my job," Kimura said, meaning not singing and dancing and acting, but rather working for Johnny's. When asked for his personal definition of professionalism, Nakai answered, "Being a first-class amateur."
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
KT_Star



Joined: 03 Nov 2011
Posts: 1


PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 10:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

It always amazes me how some people, who hate certain artists so much, still find time to follow those artists' news, shows, works, etc. only to find sth. to bash them. They even regularly visit the artists' threads to post some negative things. That's called obsession to me. Or I'd say they have some psychological problems? Mr Green
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Megumi_san



Joined: 05 Jul 2006
Posts: 119
Location: United States
Country: United States

PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 1:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Back to top

KT_Star wrote:
It always amazes me how some people, who hate certain artists so much, still find time to follow those artists' news, shows, works, etc. only to find sth. to bash them. They even regularly visit the artists' threads to post some negative things. That's called obsession to me. Or I'd say they have some psychological problems? Mr Green


I totally agree with you. Somethings wrong with them Bonk

I haven't been here in a long time, just thought I'd say hello again. I hope this thread comes back to life. It was really a good one Mr Green
_________________
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    jdorama.com Forum Index -> Japanese Entertainment Discussions All times are GMT + 8 Hours
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 1291, 1292, 1293, 1294  Next
Page 1292 of 1294

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum