[Read this on UnitedJpop!]
Here, I intend to add a little to an editorial piece posted on this site a short while ago regarding how much we, as fans, really know about Japanese idols. It got me thinking about the whole “secret-dating” world that is so much a part of the entertainment industry – Japanese and South Korean especially.
It is clear that these Eastern Asian companies work very differently to their Western counterparts; in fact, they are worlds apart in almost every aspect. However, the concept of dating and intimate relationships is quite a sensitive subject for celebrities from all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds.
There is the idea that celebrities, especially the young and fresh-faced of the bunch, are meant to stay ‘available’ in the eyes of their fans. They are often expected to perpetuate that fantasy that they will eventually marry every fan they have. It is not uncommon for said celebrity to even remain sexually ambiguous and not allude to any sexual preference in order to also open themselves up for homosexual interest.
This is all part of the bigger corporate picture; in order maximize sales and incoming profit as much as humanly possible.
It is obviously not a very well-kept secret. Here I am as a fan, a consumer, a veritable pound note laying in many an entertainment company CEO’s bank account – writing about this marketing technique. I am willing to admit that I have felt that slight, sinking sensation when my favourite idol has been spotted on a date. I can definitely understand why their bosses would want their idols to keep their private lives behind closed doors.
Having said all of this, I can’t help but feel there is – and always has been – an injustice being committed here. I was recently considering what happened a while ago with Jin Akanishi (former member of the J-Pop group KAT-TUN) who, seemingly rather abruptly, registered his marriage to actress Kuroki Meisa early last February. Many fans were understandably quite shocked about this sudden development, but what quite upset me was the huge backlash Akanishi faced from his company Johnny’s Jimusho as a result.
His upcoming tour was completely cancelled, he also had a possible Japanese drama role taken away from him as punishment. Apart from the announcement that Meisa gave birth to a healthy baby girl back in September, there has yet to be any news about the man since.
It was supposedly a breach of his contract to marry without informing the agency, so I don’t think he is entirely free of the blame here at all. I just think it ridiculous that this condition would be part of any contract in the first place!
It is surely every human’s right to conduct their private life in any way they wish (obviously provided that they are not hurting anyone else). I believe that everyone, including celebrities, should be able to date, love and marry whoever they want to and that it is not the business of anyone else but those who are involved.
If a celebrity’s relationship was encroaching upon and adversely affecting their professional life and performance, then of course they should be subject to consequences from their boss, but not under any other circumstances.
It must be horrible to not be able to enjoy yourself fully in your private life without fear of losing your job because of it. Of course, there is the argument that celebrities are fully aware of the career they have chosen and its implications, that they should be willing to face the facts and deal with this stuff. I do agree with this.
However, there are a few factors that I personally feel are completely unfair. After all if two people have found each other and are happy together, who are we to stop them?
[Sources: Google Images, Tokyohive].
No comments:
Post a Comment