SMAP: The pop idol media monopoly that dominated the Heisei Era
Many can’t let go of the most successful male idol group the Heisei Era and continue to share favorite songs and clips of the outfit on sites such as Twitter.
'Another World': An uneasy reunion for old friends
While the jury at last year's Tokyo International Film Festival made some unimpeachable selections, it was left to viewers to supply the biggest surprise of the event. "Another World" was an unexpected choice for the Audience Award, which typically goes to more comedic fare ...
'The Bastard and the Beautiful World': Former SMAP stars let loose in a quartet of twisted tales
The members of SMAP, the five-man mega-group that disbanded in December 2016, had their share of hit films, though their central field of operation was always television. Now three of them — Goro Inagaki, Shingo Katori and Tsuyoshi Kusanagi — star in a four-part ...
Ex-SMAP trio launch fan site hinting at October debut under new management
Three ex-members of the disbanded all-male pop group SMAP have launched an official fan site with a video alluding to freedom from the group's past troubles and a fresh start under new management. Earlier this month, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and Shingo Katori left their ...
Love 'em or hate 'em, the end of SMAP marks the end of an era
The Olympics have always been popular in Japan, and this year's games in Rio de Janeiro were no exception. While NHK was broadcasting the games in the early hours of Aug. 14, a breaking news message flashed across the screen: "SMAP to disband Dec. ...
NNN Document 16; Fukigen-na Kajitsu; WOWOW
Tokai Television has become an expert on the subject of adoption in Japan, and this Sunday it will air the latest installment in its series "NNN Document 16" (Nippon TV, 12:55 a.m.) The program follows Emiko, a 56-year-old woman who only last year discovered she ...
