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Japanese Actor Sousuke Takaoka Criticizes Hallyu

boredandtwitchy
I found this article over on allKpop and thought it interesting fodder for conversation:

http://www.allkpop.com/2011/07/sousuke-takaoka-bashes-hallyu-korean-dramas-on-tv-annoy-me

What do you guys think?
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Grumpy Witch VIP
That's interesting...I'll come back after I read it again...
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Kawaikochan
Agreed, interesting article. Does anyone have any information on what exactly the Hallyu wave is like in Japan? Is it the diversification of programming/entertainment or is it to the point that a large percentage of people now dislike Japanese entertainment in favor of Korean? Are Japanese artists having a hard time finding work because they don't look Korean? Is it a trend limited to entertainment or does it go deeper?

Given Japan and Korea's history, this is definitely a very touchy subject.
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Grumpy Witch VIP
I also found this

http://seoulbeats.com/2011/06/dear-hallyu-wave-in-japan/
I'll be back later and give an opinion that makes sense...I'm kind of addicted to an anime right now...lol
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Revy
While i don't agree with all his opinion I must say that i am getting sick of all the kpop acts going over to japan. As both a fan of Japanese & Korean culture, music, drama etc i hate that kpop groups go to Japan and half ass their promotion by just singing their old song in THEIR VERSION OF JAPANESE(see Secret japanese mv for Madonna). Not only that but alot of kpop fans have this whole double standard thing going on that it puts off people. The HALLYU wave i think is fine when it comes to actors/actresses cause i feel that they try harder while when it comes to kpop it's only about making money so they forget about quality. IMO i sometimes think this hallyu is just a fad and might die down later.
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Skye-N-Rain VIPAdmin
Interesting article. Personally, when I was in Japan I saw a huge ad for IRIS on the streets.
Honestly, I don't really blame him. Right now if you go on DramaCrazy or even on our site, you see that Korean Dramas ARE more popular, whether thats justified or not is up for debate. If you're a Japanese actor of course you'd want more japanese programs on Japanese potential since it would be expanding the Japanese Drama Industry, rather than the Korean Drama one. Hope I didn't offend anyone.
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Kawaikochan
I don't think you were offensive Skye. I think it's unfortunate when any culture turns its back on its artistic heritage. Incorporation of new cultures and fusion are great, but I think we run into trouble if a people start to say that another culture's products are innately better than their own.

Although nobody has mentioned anything drastic yet, I can see how it could be really detrimental to the psyche of established and aspiring actors, and eventually to the Japanese identity as a whole. This type of impact has resulted from the adoption of American culture in multiple societies worldwide. Unfortunately, many languages and traditions have been eradicated after generations of indoctrination using American media.
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Skye-N-Rain VIPAdmin
TheHugMonster wrote: I don't think you were offensive Skye. I think it's unfortunate when any culture turns its back on its artistic heritage. Incorporation of new cultures and fusion are great, but I think we run into trouble if a people start to say that another culture's products are innately better than their own.

Although nobody has mentioned anything drastic yet, I can see how it could be really detrimental to the psyche of established and aspiring actors, and eventually to the Japanese identity as a whole. This type of impact has resulted from the adoption of American culture in multiple societies worldwide. Unfortunately, many languages and traditions have been eradicated after generations of indoctrination using American media.


Exactly. When I went to a theater in Japan I noticed that a majority of the top movies we're...you guessed it, American Hollywood movies. I know it's the same in countries from Greece to everywhere else where Hollywood movies aren't banned. And I dislike that, I feel like every countries movie industry is important to the social views of that country.
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JCKdorama
Korean stuff is big in Japan. And why wouldn't it? The countries are relatively close. Though they have a sticky past, I think the current generation is over it. Though I do not like how they show Korean stuff over there. I was watching You're Beautiful and they dubbed the voices instead of just adding subtitles. Now THAT was annoying! (They did it too Harry Potter too. . .) This situation kinda seems like what we Americans think about immagration and the meshing of cultures here. Some people like it, some dont. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. But really, Korean stuff in Japan isnt a bad thing. Korean bands arent going to overtake the Japanese ones over there.

But can Korea do this in America?! WE WANT MORE KOREA HERE! omo~
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Skye-N-Rain VIPAdmin
drivebyknitting wrote: Korean stuff is big in Japan. And why wouldn't it? The countries are relatively close. Though they have a sticky past, I think the current generation is over it. Though I do not like how they show Korean stuff over there. I was watching You're Beautiful and they dubbed the voices instead of just adding subtitles. Now THAT was annoying! (They did it too Harry Potter too. . .) This situation kinda seems like what we Americans think about immagration and the meshing of cultures here. Some people like it, some dont. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. But really, Korean stuff in Japan isnt a bad thing. Korean bands arent going to overtake the Japanese ones over there.

But can Korea do this in America?! WE WANT MORE KOREA HERE! omo~


But the thing is, You're Beautiful is taking the spot of a potential hit Jdrama.
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Kawaikochan
drivebyknitting wrote: Korean stuff is big in Japan. And why wouldn't it? The countries are relatively close.


Geography isn't the only reason why it's gaining popularity. If that were the case it would've happened decades ago. Also, following the same logic, Mexican and Canadian media would be popular in the US. However, I do agree that our generation seems to have gotten over the "history" between Japan and Korea.

drivebyknitting wrote: But can Korea do this in America?!


Yes, but not for long. It'll go the way of the Latin Wave when Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez were hot. America tends to romanticize the exotic and either discard it quickly or steal/coop the material and re-market it as mainstream innovation. Don't expect many to actually learn the language, history or culture beyond the pop idols and their sex appeal.

As far as stereotypes go, Asian Americans have been experiencing a boom recently. Like 5 years ago Asians were rarely depicted in mainstream media and if they were, they were portrayed as being very uncool. Now things are changing, but I'm not sure it's for the better. Minority groups (black, latino, hispanic, native american, asian, lesbian, etc) are sometimes treated like new designer bags. They may experience popularity, but the depictions are rarely in a seriously respectable light. Hopefully one day everyone will reach a point where we can appreciate our differences without assigning valuation differences.
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Mary-x
debby123 wrote: They may experience popularity, but the depictions are rarely in a seriously respectable light. Hopefully one day everyone will reach a point where we can appreciate our differences without assigning valuation differences.


Well said.
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Jeaniessi
Yumiro wrote: Exactly. When I went to a theater in Japan I noticed that a majority of the top movies we're...you guessed it, American Hollywood movies. I know it's the same in countries from Greece to everywhere else where Hollywood movies aren't banned. And I dislike that, I feel like every countries movie industry is important to the social views of that country.


That's why I like hearing when a Korean movie playing in Korea holds sway over an American movie at their own box office. In a perfect world the same effect would happen in other countries as happens here in America....Most of our movies, whether they be crap or not (mostly crap) hold most of the box office, get the most publicity and generate the most money all of that. Once in a while a foreign film will win the spotlight and grab everyone's attention and do very well here. (Most of the time that success is critical success and not popular success). I like when I see the box office numbers and it shows their own movies beating out American movies. That's the way it should be!
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boredandtwitchy
UPDATE: http://www.allkpop.com/2011/07/japanese-celebrity-who-criticized-hallyu-fired-from-his-agency
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Jeaniessi
Let me play devils advocate for a moment here. Why is what he said so wrong? It might not be politically correct and you may not have liked what he said. (I didn't necessarily like what he said, I thought he sounded slightly racist [culturalist?]) But I think it's sad he's been vilified and fired. Yeah, he seems like a narrow minded guy but does he deserve to be fired and his livelyhood taken away? I kind of admired his brave unapologetic stance in the face of his firing...even though I felt twinges of dislike at his comments.
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