Tag: AKB48

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AKB48 Treated Like Royalty Upon Arriving in Seoul for First Korean Fan Meeting

AKB48

The members of J-pop girl group AKB48 were treated like royalty during their recent fan meeting in Seoul. It all started upon their arrival at Gimpo Airport, where an impromptu celebration ensued as hundreds of fans gathered at the terminal to greet them. The atmosphere was electric, with fans waving banners and snapping photos as the members made their way through the crowd. The members seemed thrilled by the affection and gifts they received from fans.

Later that day, the same fans who had piled gifts into the members’ arms commented on their beauty, noting that their photos don’t do them justice. They added that the group’s longest-serving member, Kashiwagi Yuki, who also goes by her nickname Yukirin, particularly stood out. “They have really small faces,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter). “Yukirin was really pretty. It was my first time seeing her up close, and I was really surprised. Cameras are misleading. It’s such a waste for her to graduate.”

[4K] AKB48, 김포공항 입국✈️Airport Arrival 24.4.19 #Newsen

A resounding success

The fan meeting itself was a resounding success. The event featured performances, starting with their 63rd single “Karakon Wink,” which marked Yukirin’s last appearance on an AKB48 single.

After dividing into two groups and participating in a random play dance game, they performed their 61st single “Doushitemo Kimi ga Suki da,” with Shitao Miu—known to Korean fans for her participation in the survival show Produce 48, a collaboration between AKB48 and Mnet—taking the center position. Originally, this song’s center was AKB48 graduate Honda Hitomi, who also participated in Produce 48 and made it into the debut lineup of IZ*ONE.

They followed that performance with renditions of their classic hits “Heavy Rotation” and “Flying Get,” and their 62nd single “Idol Nanka Janakattara.” AKB48 kenkyuusei (trainee) Narita Kohina, fluent in Korean, served as the MC of the fan meeting. She also performed a solo rendition of the AKB48 song “365 Nichi no Kamihikouki.”

[4K] AKB48 한국 첫 공식 팬미팅 풀 영상 240420

AKB48, idols you can meet

The Korean fan meeting was a dream come true for many fans. The intimate venue allowed them to get up close and personal with the AKB48 members. After the performances, the members signed autographs for fans. The event ended on a high note, with each member making a concerted effort to make eye contact and smile at everyone present as they bid farewell. This final gesture ensured that fans left the venue feeling personally acknowledged and appreciated.

This event not only solidified the Japanese girl group’s rising popularity in Korea but also highlighted the deep bond they share with their fans, which cuts across cultural and geographic borders. No one does fan meetings like AKB48, proving that their tagline “Idols you can meet” truly suits them. They thrive on such interactions, knowing precisely how to engage in ways that leave fans breathless and thrilled. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Because their first Korean fan meeting was so successful, AKB48 may do more promotional activities in Seoul. Watch this space! Source: X/@AKB48_staff.

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Karina’s Apology for Dating Reminds Fans of AKB48’s Minami Minegishi

aespa’s Karina apologized to her fans after Dispatch exposed her relationship with actor Lee Jae Wook.

Earlier this month, she posted a handwritten letter on Instagram in which she addressed the news and fans’ reaction to it. She apologized for disappointing them.

Most fans rallied behind Karina in the comments, telling the K-pop star she didn’t have to apologize because she didn’t do anything wrong. Others criticized SM Entertainment, Karina’s agency, for what they perceived to be SM’s poor handling of the crisis. They believe the agency shouldn’t have let Karina write the letter in the first place.

The case of Minami Minegishi

Some compared Karina’s apology letter to the case of Minegishi Minami, a former member of the J-pop girl group AKB48. In 2013, she was caught after spending the night at the home of Alan Shirahama, the leader of boy group Generations from Exile Tribe. A few hours after the weekly tabloid Shukan Bunshun published its report about the incident, AKB48 announced that Minegishi would be demoted to trainee status as punishment. The idol eventually posted a video on the group’s official channel, in which she apologized profusely to fans for what happened. What’s more, she shaved her head for the video (in Japan, shaving one’s head is an act of contrition).

The Most Tragic Case Of Breaking The Idol “NO DATING” Ban

At the time, Japan Times writer Ian Martin published an article saying, “What is happening here is the protection of fans’ fragile fantasies automatically trumps the basic human right to a life outside that fantasy framework. Though as lawyer Hifumi Okunuki pointed out in a Japan Times article on Jan. 22, such an arrangement is probably illegal under Japanese labor laws.”

Minami Minegishi’s case is similar to Karina’s in the sense that both incidents revolve around the pressures and societal expectations idols face. In Japan and South Korea, idols must maintain the illusion that they’re pure as the driven snow—which includes avoiding dating or even talking about it. It’s exceedingly rare for idols to date publicly. Karina may not have had to shave her head, but the fact that she too felt compelled to apologize says a lot.

When did Karina start dating?

Dispatch was the first to report that Karina and Lee Jae Wook started dating after a Prada show in Milan last January. The publication said the couple would usually meet in Lee Jae Wook’s neighborhood and take late-night walks together.

Karina debuted with aespa in 2020. Their group is known for the hits “Black Mamba” and “Next Level.” Meanwhile, Lee Jae Wook debuted as an actor in 2018 and has since appeared in several K-dramas such as Extraordinary You and Alchemy of Souls. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The incident involving Minami Minegishi happened over a decade ago. It’s kind of sad that things haven’t changed much since then. Sources: X/@rinaoutsold, YouTube/@Sandwellnews.

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LE SSERAFIM’s Sakura Compares Her Japanese and Korean Promotions

Source Music’s LE SSERAFIM recently made a comeback with their third mini album, EASY. As part of their ongoing promotions, leader Kim Chaewon and Miyawaki Sakura appeared on comedian Yoo Jae Suk’s YouTube show, Pinggyego. They discussed their early years in the K-pop industry and what it’s like to be in a group together for the second time (they were previously in IZ*ONE together).

Sakura has been an idol for over a decade. She debuted with Japan’s HKT48 in 2011, then with IZ*ONE in 2018, and finally with LE SSERAFIM in 2022. During the conversation, Sakura compared her experiences promoting in Japan and South Korea.

[EN/JP] 240220 mini핑계고 : 유재석, 르세라핌(김채원, 사쿠라) @뜬뜬편집실 (OneCam)ㅣ EP.10

When Sakura was in HKT48, she also held a concurrent position in AKB48. At its peak, the 48 Group, which includes AKB48 and its sister groups, had over 600 members. This number reflects the collective total across all the groups within the franchise, including teams based outside Japan. The extensive membership is more than just a characteristic; it’s a crucial part of how these groups perform and market themselves.

(Watch this performance of “Kimi wa Melody,” an AKB48 single for which Sakura was the center, to get an idea of how large their roster can be.)

Kimi wa Melody 君はメロディー AKB48 Groups

A significant shift for Sakura

The scale of the 48 Group, while enhancing fan engagement by offering a diverse array of personalities for fans to support, made it challenging for individual members to form close relationships within the supergroup. It wasn’t unusual for Sakura to encounter fellow members at concerts or other events whom she hadn’t met before. This situation highlights the logistical and social complexities of being part of such a large ensemble.

Transitioning to being in groups like IZ*ONE and LE SSERAFIM marked a significant shift for Sakura. In a smaller setup, the dynamics are inherently different, allowing for closer interaction and collaboration among members. This fosters stronger bonds, contrasting sharply with Sakura’s time in the 48 Group.

LE SSERAFIM ‘Smart’ Special Performance Video

For Sakura, the difference in the number of members she performs with now versus her days as a J-pop idol represents the biggest contrast between her Japanese and Korean promotions. She expressed relief that these days, it’s easier for her to understand her fellow members, and she’ll never have to worry about not knowing a fellow member again. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: It’s easier to get along with everyone if you’re in a smaller group. Source: Instagram/@39saku_chan.

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AKB48 Begins Korean Promotions by Announcing Seoul Fan Meeting

AKB48, Japan’s premier all-female idol group, is set to expand its presence in South Korea by holding a fan meeting in Seoul. This move marks a significant step in the group’s Korean promotions, building on a relationship that began with a collaborative performance at the MAMA Awards in 2017. During the show, AKB48 joined forces with several Korean artists, including fromis_9, PRISTIN, and Weki Meki. The Koreans hit the stage first to sing “PICK ME” from Produce 101 season one. The Japanese girls joined them near the end of the song, and together, they performed the AKB48 hits “Heavy Rotation” and “Koisuru Fortune Cookie.”

[2017 MAMA in Japan] CHUNG HA & Weki Meki & PRISTIN & fromis_9 & Idol School Class 1 & AKB48

[2017 MAMA in Japan] AKB48 & CHUNG HA & Weki Meki & PRISTIN & fromis_9 & Idol School Class 1

AKB48 continued to engage with the Korean audience

This performance served as an announcement for the airing of Produce 48. Produce 48 was the third season of the Produce 101 series, but with a unique twist: it pitted Korean trainees from different agencies against Japanese trainees from the AKB48 Group. AKB48 and its sister groups HKT48, NGT48, NMB48, and SKE48 sent representatives to compete on the show. In total, there were 96 contestants from both Japan and South Korea. The goal was to form a 12-member group, IZ*ONE, that would be active in both countries. Among the finalists who debuted in IZ*ONE were Honda Hitomi from AKB48’s Team 8, and Yabuki Nako and Sakura Miyawaki from HKT48.

Becoming IZ*ONE Was Not Easy (Honda Hitomi Version)

Following Produce 48, AKB48 continued to engage with the Korean audience. Almost two years after the show ended, the group was invited to perform at the 2020 Asia Song Festival. At the time, the COVID-19 pandemic was still raging, so they couldn’t fly to Korea and perform there in person. Instead, they taped a performance of their song “First Rabbit” for the festival. When it aired in Korea, Korean netizens were impressed with the fact that AKB48 sang live, without any backing AR track.

AKB48, ファースト・ラビット (First Rabbit) [2020 ASIA SONG FESTIVAL]

AKB48‘s Korean connection also includes collaborations with Sakura Inoue, a Performance Director at HYBE Labels Japan, and GANMI, choreographer of the BTS hit “Butter.” GANMI choreographed AKB48’s “Motokare Desu” and “Hisashiburi no Lip Gloss.” Inoue worked with the group on “Doushitemo Kimi ga Suki da” and “Idol Nanka Janakattara.”

【Dance Practice】AKB48 「アイドルなんかじゃなかったら」 Fixed Point ver.

A landmark event

To further establish their presence in Korea, AKB48 has taken significant steps over the past year. They joined the fan community platform Weverse, started the Weverse DM service, and opened Weverse Shop JAPAN/GLOBAL for pre-orders of their 63rd single “ColorCon Wink.”

カラコンウインク Music Video / AKB48 63rd Single【公式】

Their first fan meeting in Seoul promises to be a landmark event, with Weverse picking 200 fans to attend through a special lottery draw. It’s set to take place on April 20 at the CTS Art Hall. The participating members are Akiyama Yuna, Chiba Erii, Hirata Yuki, Kashiwagi Yuki, Kuranoo Narumi, Mizushima Miyuu, Mukaichi Mion, Murayama Yuiri, Nagatomo Ayami, Narita Kohina, Oguri Yui, Omori Maho, Sato Airi, Shitao Miu, Taguchi Manaka, Yagi Azuki, and Yamauchi Mizuki.

【Dance Practice】AKB48 「カラコンウインク」 Fixed Point ver.

Some say it’s a shame that AKB48 chose to begin Korean promotions after Honda Hitomi graduated from the group. However, the remaining members are just as charming and talented, which bodes well for their success in Korea. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: AKB48 is out to prove they have what it takes to succeed in South Korea. Source: X/@48RequestHour.

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Former IZ*ONE Member Honda Hitomi Reveals Final AKB48 Activity

Former IZ*ONE member Hitomi Honda has been a part of AKB48 since 2014 and only graduated from the group this year

Hitomi Honda has graduated from AKB48. The Japanese idol, who became a member of IZ*ONE as part of the program, confirmed her graduation in a social media post.

Hitomi Honda Officially Leaving AKB48

On August 30, Honda Hitomi delivered news of her graduation from AKB48 on X (formerly Twitter). In the post, she reflected on her time with the Japanese girl group.

“As a representative of Tochigi-ken in AKB48 Team 8, I joined the team at 12 years old and was promoted as a part of the group for 10 years,” Honda wrote. “As a member of AKB48, as a member of IZ*ONE, and as a selected member of the main team, not to mention being chosen as the center twice, I was able to grow while gaining valuable experiences.”

“Thank you so much for supporting me for the last 10 years, even though I was so inexperienced,” she continued. “I will be leaving this giving environment where I was so blessed, but I will not forget your love and support for me as I take on new challenges and test my capabilities.”

Hitomi Honda Reveals Final AKB48 Project

Honda then assured fans that they would still see her with the group. As it turns out, she will still be a part of AKB48 until next month.

“As the single set for release on September 27 will be my last activity as a member of AKB48, I will be participating in all group events currently being announced. Details on my graduation performance will be revealed at a later time,” she wrote.

AKB48 was established under the premise of being “idols you can meet”. In Japanese culture, idols are performers who rely on direct fan support. The close relationship between idols and their fans fosters a sense of loyalty and devotion. The group’s primary producer, Yasushi Akimoto, aimed to create a distinctive idol group that would perform regularly in its own theater, as opposed to other idol groups that only perform sporadically and appear primarily on television. The AKB48 Theater is located in the Don Quijote store in Akihabara, Tokyo.

Hitomi Honda debuted as part of IZ*ONE in 2018. She announced her departure when her contract expired in 2021.

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