this is Japan!

[laurainlimbo]

So today I was at one of my elementary schools, and at lunchtime I was given some entertainment. I was sitting with one of the 6th grade classes, my favorite at this school. They are all great kids, and interested in learning English - and the teacher is first-class - very easy to work with, understands English, and just a very nice woman. During lunch, the kids were all asking me questions - In English of course - about my favorite things. So the topic of music came up.
I am familiar with the names of the popular Japanese pop and rock bands that the kids like, and there's one particular group called AKB48, which is is a particular favorite amongst the 12-16 year-olds, especially girls. If you don't already know (and why would you!!??), AKB48 is an all-girl idol group - a singing and dancing sensation, similar to the boy groups such as Smap or Arashi (but why would you know who they are either!!??)...

AKB48 is so named because they have 48 members (yes, that's true - 48 members!!), and they are split into three groups: one is named the A group, one is the K group, and one is the B group. Very clever huh? That's all I know about them. But just in case you're interested in knowing more about this popular girl group, here's their wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AKB48

But the reason I mention this group is because the class convinced one boy to get up and sing a song for us. And since he's a fan of this AKB48, he sang one of their songs, complete with the dance moves! I found the video for this song, and thought I'd share it with you here:

It was unbelievably hilarious to see this kid singing this song, and doing the dance moves (which you can mostly see at the end of the video) - and I wish I'd had a camera or a video camera!

but I think it's mildly disturbing to think that these kids, who are just 12 or 13 years old, are watching videos like this, with scantily clad girls in very enticing poses, kissing each other, and erotically eating sweets, and dancing around looking both cute and sexy. I'm not sure I'd like my 12-year-old boy to be watching this kind of thing. And all of their videos are the same!

oh well. I guess it's mostly innocent - not really too pornographic compared to some things you can see in the U.S. And what's probably more disturbing than the way these girls dress is how terrible the music is - if you can even call it music!! and the fact that they need so many members! Seriously how can you even know who is who???

Anyway - it's just another slice of life from the land of the weird and absurd: Japan!

Comments

[serialbathera.livejournal.com]

That would be hard to know who is who, but it seems like a fun group... the video is a bitch much for young kids, but that always seems to be the way with pop they sell sex more than any other music.

I am glad your students amused you, they sound like a good bunch :)

[zeecha.livejournal.com]

wow, the music videos for ABK48 is really soft porn! I would be less than enthusiastic if my girls wanted to wear bustiers, garters & stockings at age 12.

Sounds like you had a good day at school, that's great.

[toadflax234.livejournal.com]

Eeeeee gods! This is popular?! Japan is so very strange, isn't it?

Sounds like it was a fun school day though.

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

Just from the image that the clip stops on I can tell I don't really want my kids watching it.

[coffinkittie.livejournal.com]

*laughs* No wonder the boys like them, at least! *laughs* I am not surprised, though, honestly.
Then again, it's the same here, isn't it? I mean with Brittany Spears and that Justin Beiber (Beaver)?

[wolfpurplemoon]

Wow, that band sounds like some sort of military operation with all those units and the way they are organised. I agree that their video seems a bit unsuitable for young kids!

[cosmorama.livejournal.com]

it's like a sailor moon lingerie party. haha.

[dawnie1970.livejournal.com]

Your kids seem so adorable! ^_^

[darciana.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with you, that's barely music anymore, but it's not only happening in Japan. Just think of all those casting shows. Looks (and sex) sell, talent is not important anymore.

I've seen something much worse not long ago, but I can't find the link anymore. You probably know those mothers who believe their kids are practically born to be a star and dress them up like adults. The video showed a group of kids (American, I think, but that doesn't really matter), no older than 12 or so, dancing provocatively like those in the video, wearing sexy lingerie, doing all those *hot* moves. KIDS! This was like an invitation for all paedophiles. I nearly puked.