Asia News: Tsunami Anniversary, BTS, V6 & More

Artists Commemorate Anniversary Of Tsunami

Several international pop singers sent messages of support to Japan on the tenth anniversary of the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 15,000 people in the northeastern part of the country and triggered a meltdown at a coastal nuclear power plant. 

Lady Gaga posted a message on her Twitter account just after midnight on March 11, Japan time, in which she said, “It seems like yesterday that I was watching the shocking footage of the devastating earthquake and tsunami on the news, and thinking what can I do to help.” 

The singer visited Japan three months after the disaster at a time when most international acts had cancelled appearances in the country due to fears of radiation from the nuclear meltdown. At the time she performed at a special event and donated a teacup to be auctioned to help raise money for affected areas. “Let’s all continue to support each other, be kind to each other, and love each other,” she continued in the message.

French-British singer and actor Jane Birkin also sent a message through Japan public broadcaster NHK’s Paris bureau. Birkin has always been a concert mainstay in Japan since the 1970s and was another foreign artist who came to Japan in the aftermath of the disaster to lend support. She held a charity concert in April 2011. She told NHK that she had watched the disaster unfold on TV at her home and then immediately booked a flight, bringing with her food supplies on a commercial airplane that was “nearly empty.” While in Japan she also visited the disaster area and was impressed with the mood of mutual aid she saw in the shelters. She visited the same areas two years later and says she is still in touch with many of the people she met at the time. 

Lastly, Cyndi Lauper tweeted a message to “all my friends in #Japan. It’s hard to believe it’s already been 10 years since the devastating #earthquake. We will not forget that tragedy. GAN BA RE(TE) #KeepGoing.” Lauper happened to be in Japan when the tragedy unfolded for a series of concerts and refused to cancel them, earning the gratitude of many Japanese people and not just her fans for trying to raise their spirits. She returned a year later to the day and gave another series of concerts as a memorial.

null
CBS/Recording Academy via AP – 63rd Annual Grammy Awards
In this video grab provided by CBS and the Recording Academy, BTS performs “Dynamite” at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021.

BTS Army Outraged At Grammys Loss


K-pop superstars BTS performed for the second time at the Grammy Awards on March 14, the first time they were actually up for a music prize, singing their international hit “Dynamite.” In fact, it was the first time any K-pop group had been nominated for a music Grammy. 

The group pre-taped the performance in Seoul on a specially designed set that was meant to mimic the venue in Los Angeles where the ceremony was being held. 

In the end, they didn’t win the award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, losing to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, and their fans, which call themselves Army, were apparently more than disappointed.

Using social media, the BTS Army spread the hashtag #Scammys to express their frustration. According to Newsweek, the fans accused the awards ceremony of exploiting the group for ratings without compensating them with a statue. “Scammys,” it should be noted, has been used before by people to express disappointment that their favorite artist was passed over, so it was probably inevitable that K-pop fans would get a chance to use it. BTS has already won prizes at the American Music Awards.

The Army could at least comfort themselves with the fact that BTS walked away with 8 statues at the 35th Japan Gold Disc Awards announced on March 15 by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. BTS won for Best Asian Artist for the third year in a row, and also for Best Music Video of the Year (Asia) and Best Album of the Year (Asia). Two other K-pop groups, TXT and Seventeen, also won multiple Golden Disc Awards. 

In related news, BTS’s management company, Big Hit Entertainment, announced that it is changing its name to HYBE. Though the etymology of the capitalized name has yet to be revealed, Variety reports that the decision for the change was “motivated by the company’s goal to expand its horizons, looking beyond artist management.” The belief is that Big Hit will venture into more “lifestyle-oriented projects” such as real estate, travel and communications. Reportedly a more detailed explanation will be made at the general shareholders meeting on March 30. Another reason for the change may be to refresh the company’s image, which was always that of the “dark horse” of Korean pop music, an image they have obviously transcended with the worldwide success of BTS and other acts under their umbrella. 

Les Miserables To Stage In Korea

Twenty-four French actors will travel to Korea in April to undergo two weeks of quarantine before performing in a special concert version of the popular stage musical “Les Miserables,” which will kick off in Seoul April 30 and eventually move to the southern port city of Busan on May 15. 

A similar concert version toured South Korea in 2019 and tickets were sold out for every performance. Stage musicals, in particular “Les Miserables,” are extremely popular in South Korea, which is very excited about being able to watch live theatrical entertainment after a year of restricted performances due to the pandemic. 

The actors will be accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra and a full choir. 

Katy Perry Headlines Lazada Virtual Concert

On March 15 Lazada, Southeast Asia’s leading e-commerce platform, announced the lineup for its virtual concert Lazada Super Party, which will be simulcast across six countries on March 26 to celebrate its 9th anniversary. 

Headlining the show will be Katy Perry and K-pop boy band NCT Dream. The performances, which will mostly be by local artists, will follow a countdown to the Lazada Surprise Birthday Sale that starts at midnight March 27. The livestream happens on the in-app channel LazLive and on other social media platforms. 

The theme of the party is Everyday Heroes, paying tribute to frontline essential workers who have labored tirelessly through the pandemic. Chun Li, CEO of Lazada Group, said in a statement, “Lazada has grown into the robust e-commerce platform that it is thanks to the strong support and trust that our sellers, brands, customers and partners have given us over the years. As we celebrate Lazada’s ninth anniversary, we also want to recognize the positive impacts made by every individual in our community.” 

Katy Perry sent a message that said, in part, “Thank you for supporting and loving me all this time. I am excited to meet you soon at the Lazada Super Party, to hopefully spread a little light, love and joy and have everyone sing along with me, even if we are physically apart.”

The other artists on the bill incude Agnez Mo, Raisa and 3 Diva from Indonesia; Haqiem Rusli and Ismail Izzani from Malaysia; Mimiyuuuh and Alden Richards from the Philippines; Jasmine Sokko and Nathan Hartono from Singapore; Bella Ranee Campen and Da Endorphine from Thailand; and Ha Anh Tuan, Tran Thanh and Den from Vietnam. 

V6 Calls It Quits

Another boy band attached to the powerful Japanese talent agency Johhny & Associates has called it a day. V6, which released its first single in 1995, announced that it would cease activities as a group in November. With the demise of SMAP several years ago and Arashi at the start of the year, this means the three biggest acts in Johhny’s roster are no more. 

According to various media, the reason for the breakup is member Go Morita’s desire to pursue his acting career full-time. All five members, in fact, will remain with Johnny’s as solo artists. In fact, the group’s most popular member, Junichi Okada, is already one of the most sought-after actors in Japan for both movies and TV. 

Still, it’s hardly the end of Johnny’s. Several veteran acts continue to soldier on and every year the agency debuts another group or artist who immediately hits the top of the charts thanks to the company’s powerful media connections and iron grip on their charges’ images.