The Effect of Japan's Anti-Koreanism on the Success of Korean Idols

BTS Jimin's T-shirt was embroiled in a big controversy in Japan, and the controversy arose when the music show, which was scheduled to appear, suddenly canceled the casting of BTS. You may remember that there were predictions that this might not stop here but serve as an opportunity for Japan to push away the entire KPOP. Eventually, BTS made an official apology and I know that this is a controversial issue among domestic netizens. 

However, regardless of the judgment on this action, there is a story that says, "The controversy over the anti-Hallyu has calmed down to some extent." (Of course, there were issues that made TWICE DAHYUN's T-shirt a problem, but it's considered insignificant.)In the end, BTS filled the Tokyo Dome without any problems and the expected anti-Korean protests were very shabby, so it would be better to say, "There was no damage," and TWICE, who was expected to suffer damage, will also be confirmed to appear in the Red and White match in March next year.

Yes, that's right. Looking at the flow so far, the Korean Wave of this generation seems to be no problem. But it's not easy to be sure that BTS and TWICE won't get hurt if they don't do anything. This controversy does not mean that it will eventually lead to anti-Koreanism by the Japanese public, but those two teams were not popular enough to collapse in Japan, even if they continued. Of course, if the anti-Korean atmosphere continues and the anti-Korean Wave begins, it won't be without a blow, but it will still do well. It's already settled down.

But the rest of the idols are not. As soon as the anti-Korean Wave atmosphere occurs in Japan, the size of KPOP idols' profits can be destroyed. In fact, it is safe to say that there are no idols who are not interested in entering Japan, so it can be seen as a crisis. It includes all so-called first-tier idols in Korea. We've already been through this situation. When second-generation idols such as TVXQ, Big Bang, SHINee, 2PM, Girls' Generation, and Kara were gaining huge popularity in Japan, there was a time when it was difficult for KPOP singers to enter Japan due to the anti-Korean Wave. The atmosphere continued not too long ago.

To be exact, it was until TWICE was very successful in Japan and other KPOP idols were able to breathe. For no reason, it's not that there are no successful idols in Japan for nearly eight to nine years from the time of TVXQ's Big Bang Girls' Generation Kara to TWICE's appearance. (Actually, the number of idols trying to enter Japan has increased a lot since TWICE's success) Even though EXO made a big hit, TVXQ and SHINee still make a lot of money, YG's profits from Big Bang are most of YG's total, and JYP still has the largest amount of money 2PM makes.

Of course, the situation has changed a little because it is the generation of the KPOP boom again, but not long ago, those contents used to be openly talked about, and that was true. I think everyone knows how successful EXO is. With EXO's appearance, the Korean idol scene has completely changed to the point where a completely new generation has opened, but why can't they beat TVXQ, which has been more than a decade since its debut and has not made any moves in Korea? It's simple. Because Japan, the best market for KPOP singers to make money, was blocked, EXO could not make much progress there, but TVXQ was completely established in Japan even before the anti-Korean incident broke out, so even if the anti-Korean incident broke out, TVXQ is TVXQ.

Likewise, no matter how much domestic resin you chew, you can never beat 2PM with profits. Even just a few years ago, when 2PM was over, they were treated as a waste. Even when the all-time girl group called TWICE broke out, artists who settled in advance in Japan can never win with profits to the extent that some say 2PM sales are high. (Of course, TWICE will have the highest sales in JYP) TWICE and EXO can't do it. What about other idols? Has there been an idol that has gained as much popularity as these two teams in Korea since the second generation of anti-Koreanism? There wasn't.

Then you can imagine how small the idol market had become before the third Korean Wave began, especially with TWICE BTS. (So there are many fans who call the generation 2.5 in the meantime) Again, BTS and TWICE are in the same situation as TVXQ, 2PM, and Big Bang. Even if the Korean Wave is blocked, it already has popularity to survive. The rest of the idols may have to fight over the reduced pie of 3.5 generations. That's why I think Lee Soo-man and Park Jin-young are continuing their idol project to debut locally. Even if KPOP suddenly gets blocked like the 2.5th generation situation, local idols who select locals to debut in the region will definitely have less impact from those variables.

Of course, I don't know if the situation is going bad right now, so it's highly likely that this won't happen, but it's not BTS TWICE, which the media expects to hit if it happens, but idols who haven't settled in Japan yet. In a way, teams like BEAST, INFINITE, Apink, and SISTAR, who were active in those difficult generations, are amazing. Compared to its popularity, it must have been difficult and not successful. It is true that they are great teams, but they are not as big as TVXQ's Big Bang, Socie, Wonder Girls or EXO, BTS, or TWICE. If Japan is blocked, three or more can't really explode beyond that. Those teams are amazing. (Of course, I think the second or third generation was more popular in Korea than the 2.5th generation idol, so I think they would have been more successful in general even if they were not in Japan.)

If that really happens, wouldn't CJ-oriented idol market in Korea really work wherever CJ wants? I think so. As companies with big idols can breathe right away, teams like BTS and TWICE will focus more on making profits from the tour as cash cow, and wouldn't it be the beginning of the 3.5th generation in Korea where such big idols can't come out? I think so. Since we are fighting over only domestic pies, I think CJ will roll to the back, except for the three major agencies. (It means that we can be more successful if the Japanese path is open, not ignoring the 2.5th generation and 3.5th generation idols, but not.)

IZ*ONE, a joint venture with Japan's AKB Line, is also working fine in Korea and is said to have ended with an apology, so it may be a trend that you don't have to worry about. Apart from other perspectives, I hope it will go well so that such a difficult situation does not start in KPOP.