An Aging Boy Band Calls It Quits, but Japan Can’t Let Go

People reading this should probably know about Arashi. SMAP is big time but Arashi is REALLY entrenched in Japanese media. They have their own game show, which is quite fun to watch, they appear in TV and films frequently. They are in many ways better, songs more catchy. Every member of SMAP is talented in some way but they aren't all good singers despite their popularity in music and culture. In fact, Japan is interesting in it's almost a kind of known joke that some member's of SMAP singing and dancing kind of sucks. Every band usually has a weak link on board but it never really matters. People are drawn to the frenzy, the popularity and enjoy sharing the enthusiasm for what it is.

I thought SMAP had a young version, ready to graduate into the real SMAP as the core members slowly got too old, so that the brand could live on, similarly to how Morning Musume are still around as a brand, though none of the original cast is present.

I like SMAP. They are good guys that bring a happy atmosphere to every event where they happen to show up.

My tribute to SMAP: a GIMP job of a picture I found on the net:

http://www.kylheku.com/~kaz/smap-2.png

Enjoy.