A Reporter That Asks Questions - On the "Kpop Invasion"

Ok guys, I used to leave comments every now and then on the Marmot's Hole (www.rjkoehler.com) mostly related to Japan and Korea relations. At times I would comment on Kpop, and in particular Kpop in Japan, and claims that Kpop was taking over the world. I guess that much like my posts on Genesis BBQ below, I was always struck by the hyperbolic ways in which the press (and predominately the Korean press) would report issues related to Kpops inevitable, if not already present, conquest of this little planet of ours. I questioned said conquest, and was promptly tarred and feathered. Mind you, I was NEVER saying that Kpop was NOT popular in Japan, nor was I saying that no one in the "West" would listen to Kpop, I was merely stating that much of the press was merely spin, and spin, generated by the Kpop production companies and the PR agencies they hired. The press rarely looked at the numbers, and rarely critically analyzed the info supplied to them by said PR agencies. I also argues that Jpop was a different beast from Kpop, as Jpop need not expand internationally, as the Japanese market is one of the largest music markets in the world, and as Japan may be one of the only countries in the world the music CD market can still generate profits. I explained the Kpop actively attempts to market itself overseas (especially in Japan) by making music in non-Korean tongues (especially Japanese) and hiring non-Korean producers and choreographers. For this, I was called a Korea hating Japanophile. Soooo... anyways... read the below Reuters story of of Yahoo, and found it to be one of the best articles out there on the Kpop invasion. Note that the article makes it clear that they are quoting PR agencies when the state the "invasion" language. They also explain reason as to why Kpop is generally better accepted outside of their home turf than Jpop. All in all, a well drafted article:

http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/11/29/music-asia-west-idINDEE7AS09Y20111129

Ultimately got tired of getting attacked every time I dared argue that maybe, just maybe Rain, or Girls Generation is not the new Michael Jackson or Beatles, so, stopped posting on the Marmot. In general, however, its a very well administered blog, run by a fellow NYer living in Asia. Cheers to him!