Episode 55: Heavy Rotation
Please note there is a content warning for discussion of child sexual abuse for this episode! We do not get into any detail, graphic or otherwise, but if the topic makes you uncomfortable you can skip ahead to 47:30 to avoid it.
My guest for this episode is Hannah from the Nante Japan Podcast and we discuss the recent BBC documentary on Johnny Kitagawa and his history of sexual abuse. You can read my reactions to the documentary here and here and you read my translations of Kita Koji’s memoir here and here.
Accusations of sexual abuse were published in Kita Koji’s 1988 memoir 『光GENJIへ』with many more accusations appearing in the sequel; there was also the 1989 memoir from former “original” Johnny’s Nakatani Ryo titled 『ジャニーズの逆襲』 (which I have not been able to get a copy of); the 1989 nude photo leak in FOCUS magazine (1989年8月11・18日号 NO.31); in 1996 Hiramoto Junya (who appeared in the documentary) published his book 『ジャニーズの全てー少年愛の館』; former Johnny’s Toyokawa Jo publishes his memoir in 1997, 『ひとりぼっちの旅立ち―元ジャニーズ・アイドル 豊川誕半生記』… the Bunshun article appeared in 1999 and on April 13, 2000, the late Sakaue Yoshihide (former mayor of Takarazuka) raised the topic in Parliament.
Some of the other things mentioned were the article about what happens to bulk purchased CDs; the scandal with former KARA member Jiyoung and the president of her Japanese agency Sweet Power; English-language coverage of the infamous head shaving incident; Sakurai Sho at NYC Comic Con in 2009 (and the trailer for Yatterman); the Sexy Zone “drugs” article; and a timeline of the Burning Sun allegations.
The great Katori Shingo (ex-SMAP) working with K-Pop boy group Seventeen for a drama theme song and a clip from Kusanagi Tsuyoshi (ex-SMAP) new 2023 drama.
The trailer for Perfect Blue (1997) (an excellent film!).
A post I wrote on what to watch next if you enjoyed RRR.
A brief summary of the Cowsills tragic story and a performance.
Child stars supporting their families are legion; and a history of child actor labor laws in the USA.
A post on Hollywood and the mafia; Bollywood and the mafia; Yakuza and Japanese entertainment; Korean mafia and the entertainment business…
Here are a couple of examples of the “good” coverage that I remember seeing—a review of a 2NE1 concert from the L.A. Times and a review of a BigBang concert from the New York Times. And an example of the “exceptional” narrative—a reference to “GD-Pop not K-Pop” from an album review of G-Dragon’s Coup D’Etat (2013).
The LINE popularity rankings are a lot of fun. Here's 2022; 2021; 2020; 2019; and 2017. I’d be remiss in my duty if I didn’t issue a correction. I said Arashi were the choice of “46%” of fans when they were actually more like 20%. I didn’t not misremember BTS’s percentage, which was around 6%.
And some screenshots of the Melon listener stats I took today:
The songs played are:
“Nothing Sacred” by the Johnny’s (Vinyl rip of a demo ‘45 single from the Johnny’s American adventure.)
“Monster” by Arashi (Official PV and live performance video!)
“Monsters” by The Monsters (Katori Shingo and Yamashita Tohohisa, now both ex-Johnny’s; here’s a poor quality copy of the PV)
“Wish” by Arashi (theme song to Hana Yori Dango)
“飛べ風に乗って ー” by the Four Leaves
“Beginner” by AKB48 (Official PV)
“Animal Magic” by Kanjani8
“Permission to Dance” by BTS
“Ko Ko Bop” by Exo (Official MV; I asked around this song was hands down the choice for the Sound of Third Gen)
“TT” by Twice (Official Japanese MV)
“Wa Da Da” by Kep1er (Official MV; Yes, Hikaru is my favorite how did you know?)
“Breaking Dawn” by J-Jun, prod. HYDE (Official PV)
“I am the best” by 2NE1 (Official MV and live at Coachella in 2022)
“Sugar Step” by Sexy Zone (B-Side track from the “Not Found” single; when I say Sexy Zone is putting out great songs…)
“風に吹かれても” by Keyakizaka46 (Official PV; and Hirate Yurina...)
“Blue Sky Blue” by Saijo Hideki (and live performance; truly a once-in-a-lifetime idol)
“Desire 〜情熱〜” by Nakamori Akina (and live performance)
“1986年のマリリン” by Honda Minako (and live performance)
“Lovesick” by Kinki Kids (and a favorite Shonen Club cover by Yara Tomoyuki backed by A.B.C-Z and Kis-My-Ft2)
“Cookie” by NewJeans (Official MV; the youngest member was born in 2008, making her 14 at the time of debut last year.)
“A Song for You! You? You!!” by μ's (from the Love Live anime which has a live performance component)
“Supporters” by A.B.C-Z (included on the member select disc of A.B.C-Z’s 10th anniversary Best Of; but also stan A.B.C-Z, they’re the BEST GROUP EVER!!!)
“Naatu Naatu” from RRR (Official MV but do yourself a favor and celebrate the entire catalog of Ram Charan and Jr NTR)
“Silent Majority” by Keyakizaka46 (Official PV)