Popular Idols
Who introduced as a “teen idol” during the 1971 “Red and White Song Battle”
Minami Saori
What group was the man with the box of CDs promoting?
AKB48
How are idols utilized to increase media engagement?
Through the desire for idols who become apart of everyday media—they appear in cross-media contexts and platforms
What is “Birth of a Star!” and how is it significant to the history of idols?
It was a television show that mass-produced idols and brought about the idea that anyone could become an idol.
Who was the idol that went on to have a great career after competing “Birth of a Star!”?
Yamaguchi Momoe—she released 32 singles, 3 number one hits, and produced 21 albums. She also was the star in 15 films, and was on “Red and White Song Battle” for seven consecutive years
What is the AKB48 model?
“Idols you can meet”
Which idol was one of the first to utilize the media-commodity system which was first established in the 1960’s in Japan?
Minami Saori; She appeared on the cover of a weekly comics magazine and increased sales
When did the decline of idols occur and why?
At the end of the 1980s into the 1990’s. This was due to the discontent with the artificial nature of idols.
Who created the single that topped charts for over a year in the late 70s?
Pink Lady with their single “Chameleon Army”, it topped charts for 63 weeks.
What are two criticisms of AKB48?
They are criticized to be bad singers and ”disposable products”
What is known as cultivating fan-idol bonds to encourage spending habits?
Affective Economics
List four products that idols have been known to endorse
Pretz, Pocky, Ramen, Children’s books
Why was J-Pop attractive to young Japanese people during its rise?
It was played alongside foreign music and had a “Global Japanese” sound. This is known as contributing to an “illusion of a globalized self”
Which idol was nationally loved and belonged to a boy group in the late 90s? How was his presence established?
Kimura Takuya, who belonged to the group SMAP. He was known for being in “trendy dramas” and having constant media exposure along with his group.
What does AKB48 prioritize for music sales?
The single, instead of the album.
Why was there a lack of presence of overseas music in Japan in the late 90s?
The marketing strategy of the media mix in Japan was advantageous over tastes in music
How did Matsuda Seiko keep her fans engaged?
By writing messages to her fans and asking for support. Also, having live performances contributed to the idea of a “shared present”
How do idol groups market themselves to different types of people?
By having members with different characteristics and personalities that appeal to different fans.
Who was considered to be the unsurpassable idol during the 80s? How did she contribute to the commodification of idols?
Matsuda Seiko, she had 24 consecutive number one hits and became an “image commodity”, as she appeared in cross-media platforms and connected companies, programs, products and audiences
How does AKB48 differ from other idol groups like BTS in terms of media presence and marketing strategy?
AKB48 focuses on music as just one media venture, while their primary goal is the relationship with fans and their multi-media presence and tie-ups. BTS has a large fan base, but their primary focus is music, while AKB48 was specifically produced to market to fans—their music sits on the back burner.
How do idols preserve a strong interest in domestic television media?
By placing the idols at “the heart” of broadcasting, transnational media was kept out of the market
How many idols were “birthed” by the mid 70’s, and who among them saw the most success?
700 idols! The most successful was Pink Lady, who became commercial pitchwomen for products.