Japanese Music

Final Project Proposal

Hana Tabata 202968

In the proposal for your final project, you are to identify what you wish to pursue, why you want to
pursue, what approach you wish to take, and what you hope to accomplish in your research. Please note,
that this proposal should be limited to one paragraph, approximately 250 to 350 words in length. There
is no mark or grade for this; however, it is an integral step of the research project and must be submitted.
I will comment on your proposal in the hope that this feedback will help the focus of your project. If you
have any questions, please contact me. The syllabus also has an explanation of my expectations for your
research.

I would like to research ‘Differences between Japanese and Korean idols’ in my final project. The
reason why I wish this theme is I wondered what’s factors made some difference in these idols. Japanese
idols such as Johnny’s and AKB48 have been very popular for a long time only in Japan. Recently,
Korean idols such as TWICE, Black Pink, and BTS have become popular in the world, even if the
Japanese don’t understand the lyrics. Korean idols have appeared many times in "Kohaku Uta Gassen",
a representative music program in Japan, which is broadcast on New Year's Day. I’m so interested in the
difference between Japanese idols who are popular only in Japan and Korean idols who are popular all
over the world. I have three specific approaches I wish to take for this statement: the difference in the
audience (fan), the difference in music style (such as rhythm, lyrics, and performance), and the
difference in sales strategy. At first, Korean fan is more enthusiastic than Japanese ones, so this was
happening in some trouble which is broadcast on the news. Korean fans want idols to be perfect when it
comes to looks, dancing, and singing. Second, even if you don't understand the meaning of Korean
songs, the rhythm and phrases are attractive and addictive. Japanese songs put a lot of effort into the
lyrics, and even if they don't have a chorus, they use attractive words in the lyrics. Lastly, Since Korea is
a small market, we aim to be popular in the world from the beginning, but Japan is different. Japan is
originally a closed culture, so Japanese idols first aim to be the best in Japan. I hope to accomplish that
people can consider the connections between culture and music from my research.