ballads1 comments

Because westerners know only a few about Japan, it could be a good introduction. Actually, many Europeans watch anime everyday, like their grandfathers/mothers watched US movie in the 60's. It is evolution.

There are japanese voices who are not childish, of course. Like Mika Nakashima, UA, and others like it, you know. And also childish voice like Chara ( she's 50 this year i think ). In korean music, there is also sweet childish music, for example J-rabbit, dalmoon ( yes, it sounds more indie )... Since 2 years, IU has released many singles and one album in japan, with all lyrics in japanese : can it be still tagged as kpop ? K and J Music are not only K-charts and Oricon: there are so many interesting indie releases both from Japan and Korea.

Alex80, anime music is the hidden side of the japanese music, but probably the most popular amongst western listeners. When people debate about japanese music, only a few speak about anime music ( all the OST, all the seiyu....). I don't know why.

The difference between vocal japanese music and korean vocal music : The japanese voice goes directly in your heart. Because this is the music of the heart, it will not giving you rage or anything like that, only speaks to your heart ( like enka, when you are listening you cry ) Korean vocal music is more a stomach music, it must take you in your stomach, like old p'ansori music, this music speaks to your nerve and nervous system. It is quite difficult to compare, to say the truth.

ahah, Chucky3176, you compare a song from 1996 ( namie amuro ) to a song from 2013 ( ailee ).

listen to the kpop in 90's, and have fun http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_FcoBC98Rg

But, i agree, Namie Amuro's voice can never sounds like an RnB singer, it should be better for her to sing real songs than cheap dance music.

There are many talented singers Korea, Quincy Jones knows that. For an old guy like him, from an old country with an old music stage, South korea appears like a makeover. So many young and ambitious singers, not junkies, who just want to become stars ( and if they failed, they go back to their village and do not end up on sunset blvd like wrecks). Korea seems to be a paradise land for music producers. But do not bother to look for imaginary cultural similarities between the usa and korea, stop the senseless words. South Korea is no more or less global than Usa.

I hope she'll visits other countries too. The world is not only US.