[新聞] SMAP's 20 years at the top
今年中居生日也有好新聞出現～＊
而且是十分難得的BBC！以中居為焦點報導了SMAP全體
祝福40歲的Leader帶領出道超過20年的SMAP走得更長更遠～
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19279741
17 August 2012 Last updated at 23:50 GMT
Japanese boy band SMAP's 20 years at the top
By Mariko Oi
BBC News, Tokyo
SMAP are in their late 30s, except for Mr Nakai (C) who is turning 40
Continue reading the main story
On Saturday the leader of one of Japan's most popular boy bands passes a key
milestone - SMAP's Masahiro Nakai is turning 40.
To be fair Mr Nakai, who has been on Japan's screens and airwaves for two
decades, doesn't look his age.
But he has certainly moved from the ranks of pop idol into all-round
entertainment stalwart and icon.
His acting career includes appearances in more than two dozen soap operas and
six movies.
He was also the main newscaster for the Olympic Games for Tokyo Broadcasting
System Television (TBS), not only in London, but for the last four summer and
winter games.
And he's hosted Japan's prestigious New Year's singing competition a total of
six times.
But it is as one-fifth of boy band SMAP that he is known above all. The group
- whose four other members are also in their late 30s - are frequently seen
in colourful costumes, singing pop songs on music programmes.
SMAP is one of many groups produced by Johnny Kitagawa, who was recently
presented with two Guinness World Records for "Most no.1 singles produced by
an individual" and for "Most concerts produced by an individual".
But the group stands out for maintaining top-level popularity for more than
20 years. So what's their secret?
Not 'Prince Charming'
When SMAP made their debut under Johnny & Associates in 1991, it was not
exactly smooth sailing.
"SMAP's debut song didn't even make it to the top 10," said Associate
Professor Noboru Saijo of Edogawa University.
"Previous groups were seen as Prince Charming types and became popular
instantly but by the 1990s, music programmes were in decline and fans wanted
more than just good-looking boys who could sing and dance."
That is when the man behind multiple boy bands decided to try something else.
"Johnny went to local TV stations and asked them to use SMAP on their variety
or comedy shows," said Prof Saijo, who is also an entertainment analyst.
It was a surprising move - but one that worked out.
"I first saw Nakai on a variety show in 1994," says 46-year-old Natsumi Ono,
who has been a dedicated fan ever since.
"I love the range that he has - his serious acting and commentating side and
his charming comedy side."
Boy band diplomacy
Other band members Takuya Kimura, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and Shingo
Katori also went from strength to strength.
Mr Kimura was voted Japan's sexiest man for 15 years in a row by readers of
one magazine. Mr Inagaki, meanwhile, has played villains in several TV dramas.
Mr Kusanagi is fluent in Korean and has appeared in South Korean programmes
and movies. Through his work, he has been credited with bringing South Korea
closer to the hearts of his Japanese fans.
The youngest member, Shingo Katori, has appeared in multiple television
dramas. A character he plays, Shingo Mama, is used by the Ministry of
Education to promote family communication.
The group have even taken part in diplomatic endeavours. In September 2011,
they performed their first overseas concert in Beijing, after Chinese Premier
Wen Jiabao said he hoped SMAP could "bring seeds of China-Japan friendship
that take deep root and blossom in China".
This diversity is what has kept SMAP in the spotlight for so long, Prof Saijo
said.
"Other groups lost their popularity when they were no longer seen as the
Prince Charming," he said. "But the different roles SMAP members have played
have raised the idol age limit."
Nudity incident
But the group's journey has not been without scandals. Original member
Katsuyuki Mori's departure to race motorcycles remains a sensitive topic.
Goro Inagaki, known as the shy one, was arrested for turning a simple parking
violation into an attempted hit-and-run in August 2001.
Even though the policewoman who was hit was only slightly hurt, Mr Inagaki
and the group's reputation was seriously damaged.
Then in April 2009, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi was arrested for public indecency after
being found drunk and naked at a Tokyo park. The story shocked his fans, who
saw Mr Kusanagi as the quiet and polite one in the group.
But the band got back on track.
"I was very moved by Nakai's firm leadership after these scandals," said
long-time fan Ms Ono. "It really showed that he cared for the members and it
showed his maturity."
Even Mr Nakai's fans will admit that he has one weakness, however - his
singing skills.
"I've grown to love the fact that he cannot sing well and isn't perfect,"
said Ms Ono. "Even my own mother is a bit fed up with my obsession, but I
like watching him because he is so genuine."
Since SMAP, there have been many younger groups which have gained popularity.
But Prof Saijo says that it was SMAP who forged their career paths.
Rumours have gone round several times that the group could split up.
But Japan has watched a group of five teenage boys entertain them over two
decades and, as one fan put it, they want to grow old with SMAP.
WHO ARE SMAP?
‧Five-member Japanese boy band that has released about 20 pop albums
‧SMAP stands for Sports Music Assemble People
‧Group hosts a weekly cooking and variety show called SMAP×SMAP to which they
invite celebrity guests
‧Members have appeared in films, soap operas and dramas
這篇報導的主題在探討SMAP為何能常駐幕前二十年
文中訪問的演藝研究專家西条昇認為，
SMAP的多樣多變是他們能持續站在聚光燈下的原因
他們不像以往典型的迷人偶像只唱歌跳舞
而是多方嘗試各種角色，不斷開拓偶像的年齡極限
雖然在SMAP之後也有高人氣的年輕偶像團體
但他們皆踏在SMAP已打造出的軌道上
文中也不諱言森的退出、吾郎和阿剛曾發生過的事件
但也提到因為中居堅定不移的領導和成熟應對，以及對member的關懷
讓SMAP次次都能走過危機，變得更好
即便解散的謠言陰魂不散
但日本已見證這五個男孩在螢光幕上發光發熱超過二十年
而fans也願意，和SMAP一起變老
--
就如中居君去年在神戶Fan Meeting說的
「２０年後は、僕は６０歳。ハガキとかで「老けたね」ってあるんです。
でもみんなもちゃんと歳を取ってます。一緒に歳をとって行きましょう」
20年後，我就60歲了。會收到明信片上寫著『你老了呢』。
不過大家也一定會增長年紀的。一起慢慢地變老吧。
--
沒能準時生出賀文(汗)
茲以這篇祝賀中居君四十大壽，不管幾歲都要健健康康的喔＊
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
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※ 編輯: jungshu 來自: 114.160.71.146 (08/18 23:55)
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