Tomohisa Yamashita totally defeated by Kim Hyun Joong; Japanese media sarcastic, J Ent lost face
Tomohisa Yamashita (Yamapi)
According
to the latest Nikkan Gendai issue, Tomohisa Yamashita's single 'Love Chase'
was totally defeated by Hallyu singer Kim Hyun Joong, who is regarded as a
'rookie' in the Japanese music industry, on the Oricon weekly
charts.
Kim
Hyun Joong's single HEAT sold 183,478 copies in its debut week, placing no. 1
on the Oricon weekly chart in the period between July 2-8, with a significant
gap from the 2nd-placed Tohomisa's 'Love Chase' (118,981).
The
Nikkan Gendai article termed Tomohisa (Yamapi) as Johnny Entertainment's 'Ace
level' (elite idol), and, "Now (he's) lost to Kim Hyun Joong who is of the
rookie category, resulting in a grave atmosphere throughout Johnny Entertainment.
(But) because Yamapi belongs to Johnny Entertainment, so all Japanese media
became very evasive – and dared not play up the news of Kim Hyun Joong's
victory; with some media completely ignoring the news, with not even a word of
mention - to protect Johnny E's face," said an industry insider.
Oricon weekly chart July 2-8
Although the media had
consciously tried to minimise the effects (of the matter) on public
opinion, it still doesn't change the fact that Yamapi has been
defeated.
"His
manager is Iijima, who nurtured the national heavenly group, SMAP. This kind of
'shame' is unbearable."
Looking at the matter objectively, the
enviable results achieved by Kim Hyun Joong's single this time was closely
related to the series of PR activities that he had conducted.
"But losing on the charts still means
losing."
Before this, Kim Hyun Joong was the leader
of SS501, starred in the Korean drama 'Boys Before Flowers' and 'Mischievous
Kiss', (thus) became a familiar face to the Japanese audience. After signing up
with Bae Yong Joon's artist management company, the momentum of his development
became increasingly strong.
"Recently, Bae Yong Joon's schedule is
almost blank, so a considerable portion of (his) fans has switched to Kim Hyun
Joong. The latter would also be starring in a Japanese drama - his development
in Japan appears optimistic."
Interestingly, many Japanese netizens have
left comments like "Yamapi and Kim Hyun Joong really look too alike, but
(Hyun Joong) looks more 'man' than Yamapi", "Don't know who is Kim
Hyun Joong, but it is clear that Yamapi's singing ability is average/nothing special.
Being defeated on the Oricon chart is to be expected."
The article in Nikkan Gendai said that since
Yamapi was transferred into the management of Iijima, his solo career does not
seem to experience much improvement. In contrast, the continued decline from
bad to worse "has caused others to ridicule that for the sake of sales, he
would even cast aside his status to joke around in variety shows and organise
hand-shake tours to court fans".
"But Iijima is still a capable woman
and how she will turn around the decline of Yamapi will draw attention."
Translator's note:
1) Nikkan Gendai = is a weekly tabloid-sized
magazine
2) Johnny Ent is perhaps the biggest
entertainment company in Japan, with acts like Arashi, Jin Akanishi, Yamapi,
and the legendary SMAP under them too.
3) It should also be noted that when this
article came out in Nikkan Gendai, many Japanese fans responded online that Kim
Hyun Joong's rising popularity isn't because of Bae Yong Joon's declining
popularity, as suggested by the article.