Realizations about Jpop and Kpop

Not that I didn't already know the K-pop industry was ty a'f... lol. But I accidently/gladly went on a J-pop bender last night, and I'm kind of shocked by it. Three big things I've noticed are that:

1. More diversity. Whether it be in the groups or the music videos themselves. Dude, the Generations subunit from Exile has a African-American/Japanese guy in it! I've seen several videos with people of all races in them, and it's awesome. 

2. Looks aren't as important. Talent seems to be the main deciding factor with these groups. I'm not saying Korean idols aren't talented or anything. They all work their ing asses off. What I am saying is, that Koreans in general tbh care far too much about looks. They're obsessed with "beauty". Don't you dare try to tell me they aren't lol. Lots of the chicks and guys I watched in my Jpop adventure yesterday were... average looking. They looked normal lol. No plastic surgery. Not much make-up at all. I can appreciate that. As we all know, PS is a big deal in K-pop. You're ugly so they want you to get work done, then when they find out you did, they judge the out of you lol.

Also, age ain't nothing but a number in J-pop. I definitely saw some older men and women doing their thing.

3. When it comes to the music videos, production value seems to be the same. However, I didn't see in crazy, unneeded crap in any of the videos I watched. K-pop always over does it, which is why it's so popular. I don't know. This was something I liked a lot about the J-pop I was watching. It was nice to look at, but also simple and straight to the point. I'm sure there are crazy videos out there, but you know.

I love K-pop so much, but that's only because I ignore the ugly side of it. I'm sure a lot of us do. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna start getting into more J-pop. I love K-pop mostly because of the dancing anyway and the cute/gorgeous women. J-pop has that. I need to start listening to more Japanese music anyway, as K-pop isn't doing anything for my average Japanese skills lol. 

Out of everything I watched/listened to last night, JSB Dream by Soul Brothers (Exile subunit, I think) was my favorite. Those vocals and moves, tho.

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babyshinee #1
you're definitely right on all those points. jpop and the idols are definitely a fresh breathe of air from the craziness of kpop.
whutdesheet #2
you'd be so surprised (or maybe not) that some singers look like any typical dude or lady on the streets. it IS the main reason why they last so long in the industry. they don't have to have a huge number of fans. they go for loyal fans. sometimes i watch music station and see some unknown faces invited. but when they sing, you'd be so impressed.

this is the definite difference between j-pop and k-pop and to be honest at the rate k-pop is going, the fall of the industry is the internal break down.
FullmetalTitan #3
I listen to both still but I do agree that Kpop DOES focus on awful lot more on looks anymore these days. A lot of Korean Kpop fans admit it themselves so it'd be pointless to try and deny it ^^; Even with DBSK I could tell that the guys didn't always look natural *it didn't bother me actually just something I noticed* same for IU and others I follow.

I can't say I'm an avid J-rock fan but I LOVE Utada Hikaru, Miyavi, SID etc and what got me into them wasn't their looks but their incredible talent. Not saying at all that Kpop artists don't have the same talent because many of them do of course, but it's disappointing when you dig a little deeper into the 'darker' sides of the industries and what the artists go through as well to become good looking.

/Don't mind me by the way X3/
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