Asian reality stars go overseas in search of fame

18? Really?

Looks a lot younger to me. I'd say "jailbait" almost. I know i'll get voted down for this, but it's like the Chinese gymnastics team, where they had a 12 year old who had a fake birth certificate to say she was 14.

"Supergroups", Come on FFS!!! The word used to be used with the likes of teh Stones and Pink Floyd not manufactured drivel for those without musical tastes.

When will this talent show trash end? People seem to just want fame and don't live in the real world.

teh Stones and Pink Floyd

They wrote their own songs too.. this assembly line "talent" doesn't...

"And when you lose control, you'll reap the harvest you have sown.... And as fear grows.." yeah...... love the Animals album, for the words and the creativity... and social commentary that is still relevant today... and sheep bleating that seamlessly melts into the electric guitar :)

REMzzz

18? Really?

Looks a lot younger to me. I'd say "jailbait" almost. I know i'll get voted down for this, but it's like the Chinese gymnastics team, where they had a 12 year old who had a fake birth certificate to say she was 14

From my experience, she could also be 30.....

@tideofiron,

If you really want a fair comparison, at least use the Monkees... the original "prefab four". They were "designed" and planned from scratch, like these girl bands. John Z Delorean, of General Motors even had the red Monkees car made for them as a sort of product placement marketing trick.

The Stones on the other hand had made some effort of their own, before they were picked up by the usual marketing machine, and continued to act up. Not smiling in the studio photo was their idea AFAIK and not the promoters'

@tideofiron

Of course the Stone and Floyd were out to make money but they had ability and their own opinions Doesn't matter about marketing of the SDtones or whatever, they write, they play instruments they are interested in music not just being famous.

@REMzzz:

Asians usually look younger than their age. Caucasians start looking haggard at 40, but Asians simply don't seem to age as fast.

@akkk1

Yes, I've seen enough Asians, and i agree on that, but it's not just them. Fairly small, light built people, like myself and a few of my friends happen to look younger than our age, like the girl who at 25 got lectured for being a teenage mother by an old woman who thought she was 16... I think it has something to with our growth hormone levels or something like it

Here in this case it has more to do with the look on her face. The rest of the girls look 15 to 18 and even 19 to me, however she has a look that's more like 13 or 14. Maybe it's just her facial expressions and the look in her eyes. I somewhat expected it to be a little more jaded and mature, not so sugary and blank.

Let's not forget Hong Kong-born Agnes Chan. In line with the above article, hers is a success story. Agnes had a beautiful voice (and still does) and was a popular star all over Asia. She came to Japan, starred here, too, and eventually ended up living here. She married a Japanese and had three sons. Today she is in her 50s and still looks like she could be in her 20s.

So other talent are following in her footsteps ... and if they are as good as her, they should be here years later, too.

akkk1

While to a certain point that is true, also you need to factor in a lot of Asian women do go under the knife which is a fact, as to the stats of this, is unclear, but there are hundreds of women that do this, living in a society where women are bombarded every day in public, TV, infomercials, junk mail on beauty products, remember we live in a country where as a woman looking good is everything or to be more specific Asian women will almost go to any extent to make sure their face and skin look great.

With such televised contests now a major part of the global music industry, in Asia they are spurring a migration of talent between countries

Hmm.....

There's a certain nonchalance in the choosing of words here.

@Johnny

When will this talent show trash end? People seem to just want fame and don't live in the real world.

I totally agree with you and I are both on the same page. However, you have to understand Japan or most of asia were never really all that exposed to western music on a large scale as most other countries (or western nations to be more correct) this is a society that values cute over style or substance. When I was 11 years old, I was always mesmerized by Brian May's intricate guitar work, Jaco Pastorius perfect, precise and haunting intonation on the bass. Neil Peart's mind-boggling timing on Tight and dead locked. David Benoit's Beautiful unmistakable flowing melodies. You mention Floyd, too deep for most Japanese and I don't think they can relate lyrically to the music.I get it, I grew up with these great artists and more and we used to have serious conversations about these guys styles and technique. Asian countries are totally different, I hear things like who is your favorite, cutest, best dressed and so on. Being cute is everything here. Also, Japanese like cute lyrics, chimes and melodies, upbeats. I was lucky when I met my wife, she really picked up a deep interest for western music at an early age, she was never into the cute aspect of Japanese or other Asian music. For me, this is nothing but trash at its worst, these music execs make millions of dollars selling style, NOT MUSIC or MUSIC WITHOUT SUBSTANCE that is what drives sales in Japan, pure and simple.

@bass4funl

I agree entirely. Not only is this music without substance but they artistes are without anything buta desire for fame. They will do as told, wear what told and sing waht they are told. They have no message except what their management mauy have, they are nothing and deserve no idolisation.

Going to listen to some Joy Division to cheer myself up.

Jesus, her face is screaming 'plastic surgery'. Her eyes are abnormally 'Hamasakai Ayumi' huge. And get rid of those contacts.

edojin:

Let's not forget Hong Kong-born Agnes Chan

Agnes Chan comes from a time when most performers (like Teresa Teng) could actually sing. Nowadays, it's not a prerequisite. Not a fan of enka, but I'd rather listen to that than, say, AKB42 or Johnny's Jr's latest offerings.

@Johnny

Going to listen to some Joy Division to cheer myself up.

Classic Band, timeless music, heck, I should do the same.

more garbage lol

At least they have a dream, pity it will only work out for 1 out of 10,000 of them, 50% will quit, 10% will turn to porn, the rest will have limited exposures but nothing that would pay the bills.

Going to listen to some Joy Division to cheer myself up.

Classic Band, timeless music, heck, I should do the same

Either that or Soft Cell :)

I discovered them same day, several years ago...

If there's anyone like me who likes that. A self-made band of two, original mood/spirit/personality and real, meaningful lyrics, if not for the explosive success of Tainted Love, which was the beginning of commercial success and the beginning of the end .... Say Hello Wave Goodbye on the other hand... Marc could really sing... and dress himself and write the songs... burned out too fast. But the sarcasm, showmanship and angelic voice of 30 years ago will always sound catchy, real and fresh.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x203ib_soft-cell-say-hello-wave-goodbye_music

If you look past the theatrics, his words also carry a sharp and accurate critique of our society, a lot of timeless truth and wisdom you don't find in today's chart-topping pop.

I also recommend Frustration, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tzqxE0bcyI Also very Soft Cell, with a cheap and crazy video to match the soundtrack and take away from the gravity of those words...

I hear things like who is your favorite, cutest, best dressed and so on. Being cute is everything here. Also, Japanese like cute lyrics, chimes and melodies, upbeats.

I wonder if Strawberry Switchblade, a Scottish girl group from the '80s was inspired by the Japanese, or the Japanese inspired by them... seen a few seconds of a video once 5 years ago, not sure how they sound, but the costumes are unmistakable.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl0zi0FoauU

Googled, and sure as hell they have a following in Japan...