SMAP, one of Japan's most popular and longest-lived pop groups, has turned down a request from NHK to appear on the public broadcaster's famous year-end music program as they opt for their signature variety show aired by a commercial broadcaster for their final appearance before breaking up, their agent said Friday.
SMAP has decided to make the final episode to be broadcast Monday of "SMAP X SMAP," a show featuring SMAP singing, cooking and doing a comedy skit, their final appearance as the group.
In a letter addressed to the producers of "Kohaku Utagassen," NHK's annual music extravaganza and released the same day by talent agency Johnny & Associates Inc., the members expressed thanks for the request and said "each of us thought hard about how our last stage should be" before their Dec. 31 breakup.