During the past months we have seen an overflowing amount of k-pop idols entering into the Japanese music market.
In the past only established k-pop artists in Korea tried this and had to start from zero just like BoA, TVXQ, Se7en, Big Bang and more. They all waited at least a couple of years, or even more, before trying to conquer the Japanese fans. However, nowadays rookies have started to make releases in Japan as soon as they debut presenting the same tracks in Japanese.
There are a few different styles k-pop idols use to debut in Japan and we will explain a few of them to you as well as some differences between the 2 markets that will help you understand why some names or videos are different.
Differences:
Name:
Some groups use the same name in Korea and Japan while others use a translation of it depending on the decision of the company, the origin of the name in case it is in English, Korean or are just letters. Groups like TVXQ and Girls Generation have transformed their names into Tohoshinki and Shoujo Jidai; however, other singers and groups have kept their original names like BoA, MBLAQ, Beast, Kara, 2NE1, Big Bang among others.
Videos:
The music videos in Korea are called MV (music video) while in Japan they use PV (promotional videos).
Usually the companies in Korea release the videos one or two days before the album. Most of the idols also have just 1 version of the video; nevertheless, sometimes they do present a dance version of it once in a while.
On the other hand the PVs are released in Japan weeks before the single or album is available in the country. Also there are several versions of the same video, which is mostly used by Japanese companies, but Korean idols have also started to do the same presenting a basic version of the video, dance version and sometimes close-up versions or wearing different outfits. Sometimes the videos shared on YouTube are called “short version” because they only share a couple of minutes of it since the songs are usually released a month later, it can be called a preview of the upcoming release.
Music Releases:
In order to understand the differences on this area is important to know how things are usually managed on each country.
Korea:
Idols usually make the following releases
- Digital Single:
Just available through music sites online. Usually used for OSTs, campaign songs, or idols debuting. Also sometimes they are released to share special collaborations between idols and on those cases song is usually promoted on shows. There isn’t a physical version of this kind of tracks.
Example:
2NE1 – Try to Follow Me
2PM + SNSD – Cabi Song
EXO-K – What is Love
BEAST – Hateful Person (Big OST)
G.O & Mir - Wild
- Single:
It contains around 3 or 4 songs, including an instrumental version of the title track. Singles are released between albums or mini albums, and are usually promoted on music shows. Some of the tracks are included sometimes on the album that follows it, but instead of the regular version companies include a remix version of it. They are also used for collaborations between idols.
Example:
4minute – Why
F(x) – Chu
Dalmatian – State of Emergency
Trouble Maker – Trouble Maker
Park Jung Min – Not Alone
- Mini Album:
These types of albums are becoming more popular day by day. They contain more songs than a single, usually around 7 more or less, and are easier to make for the groups since they do not need much time between one release and the other. This type of albums is also promoted on music shows with 1 or 2 songs and just once in a while has a repackaged version. Just like the single sometimes one track or two from it are included on a full length album, but not all the time.
Example:
Brian Joo – ReBorn Part 1
Alexander – I Just
A Pink – Snow Pink
Kim Hyun Joong - Lucky
T-ara – Temptastic
- Full Length Album:
It contains 10 songs or more depending on the artist. Groups and solo singers usually release one full length album per year; however, they can release more or maybe do not present one at all during a hiatus. A lot of effort is put on the concepts of these albums and more than one song is promoted with a title track and a follow up track that most of the time have different styles combining an upbeat song with a ballad or cute track.
Example:
2PM – Hands Up
Jay Park – New Breed
After School – Virgin
Rain – Rainism
Lee Hyori – It’s Hyorish
- Repackaged Album (Special Album):
These types of albums are presented after the full length album is released. Most of the time it contains 2 or 3 extra tracks and it has a different cover and extra pictures as well as new concept. Companies sometimes promote a track from it on music shows but they can also do not promote a song at all depending on the activities of the artists.
Example:
Super Junior – A-Cha
Girls’ Generation – Mr. Taxi
TVXQ – Mirotic Version C
MBLAQ – BLAQ Style 3D Edition
SHINee – Hello
- Company Album:
Once a year, or sometimes more times, companies release an album with all the singers signed under them. It is usually a Christmas single or an album with different collaborations between the artists of the company. They are usually presented during summer or winter or after a joint concert of the artists.
Example:
SMTOWN
YG Family
JYP Nation
Happy Pledis
United Cube
Japan:
We can find the following type of releases
- OST Songs:
The songs used as soundtracks for animes, movies or dramas are usually part of the albums of the singer or band, also they are included on the OST of the movie or drama.
Example:
MBLAQ – Baby U
Tohoshinki (TVXQ) – We Are
- Single:
Japanese companies usually release several singles before an album and most of the tracks on them are included on the full length album. There are several versions of the same singles named A, B or C and each one contains different things. The basic version usually has a title song and an extra one called side B as well as the karaoke versions of them. The other versions might include an extra track, a photobook, dvd or cards. Singers and groups usually release 3 or 4 per year and before an album is created. Other names used to identify the different versions are Normal Edition, First Press Edition, Regular Edition, Deluxe Edition or others.
Example:
MBLAQ – Your Love
Shoujo Jidai (Girls’ Generation) – Genie
- Album:
Albums, or also called studio albums, contain several of the songs released on the singles plus a couple of new ones. They are released once a year or every 2 years.
Example:
Se7en – First Se7en
BoA - Identity
- Best of Album:
Usually these editions are compilation albums of past songs plus a new one sometimes. Japanese artists release them every 5, 10 or 20 years and contain the main singles of that time. Also Korean idols use them to introduce their Korean songs to new Japanese fans.
Example:
Big Bang – ALIVE – Monster Edition
Kara – Best of 2007 - 2010
Debut Styles and Releases:
On this area we will explain the different ways Korean idols use to debut in Japan.
- Japanese Version:
We can find here the idols that usually enter the market using a Korean hit translated into Japanese as its debut single. This is the most common way k-pop idols use to debut in Japan since it will be a secure hit and do not have to spend a lot of money on a new production of the song and video in case they are released at the same time. However, some idols make a Japanese release of a Korean song a year later which means a new investment but they usually keep the same concept. Also sometimes they combine Japanese tracks with songs in English if the language is still too complicated to them or want to attract a wider audience.
Example:
Shoujo Jidai (Girls’ Generation) - Genie
Kara – Mister
- New Song:
On the other hand a few idols have opted for a different style releasing complete new songs on the Japanese market. Instead of re doing the same song in a different language, they create a whole new song and concept specially for the Japanese audience with a different sound and styles. So far only a couple of idols have opted for this type of debut gaining a lot of attention for the courage of doing it.
Example:
MBLAQ – Your Luv
- Fanmeetings / Showcases:
Instead of having an official release as a group or singer, idols and companies sometimes choose to meet fans before debuting. They usually hold fanmeetings or make small showcases to study the audience and see if there are enough fans to make a debut.
Example:
Teen Top
Music Shows and Promotions:
Another differences between the 2 countries is the way idols promote their music.
- Korea:
In Korea idols usually perform in almost all the music shows every week. There are several shows on different channels including Inkigayo, Mnet Countdown, Music Bank, Music Core and others. Also singers promote on variety shows having interviews, being part of games, working on realities and more.
- Japan:
On the other hand Japan has just a couple of shows, like Music station, and the idols usually promote on different variety shows or programs of different styles.
In conclusion, idols use different style, concepts and marketing strategies depending on their companies when they make their debuts in Japan.
It is important to mention that thanks to the work of bands like TVXQ and singers like BoA, k-pop idols nowadays have all the facilities to enter this market after these idols created a name for the industry and showed fans in Japan that they were able to share a new style of music just for them.
Every singer and group uses different strategies to enter this competitive market remaking their biggest hits or creating new music and new sounds.
The truth is that k-pop idols have their own market in Japan, as well as in other Asian countries, and they are learning new things as well as creating new styles that are being loved by fans all over the world!
We hope that you have learned a bit more about the differences between the activities of k-pop idols in Korea and Japan 
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