YouTuber Parkgane Discusses Hanni’s ‘Blue Coral Reef’ Popularity in Japan

Popular YouTuber “Parkgane” discussed NewJeans’ modest success in Japan, noting their limited mainstream appeal and the exaggeration of their popularity by Korean media. While Hanni’s performance of “Blue Coral Reef” at Tokyo Dome was appreciated, it did not generate widespread excitement. The involvement of YOASOBI boosted the event’s visibility, but debates persist regarding the actual influence and responsibility for their participation.

Hanni from NewJeans Revives 80s Japanese Hit

Hanni’s performance of ‘Blue Coral Reef’ resonated with Korean audiences, boosting the song’s popularity and chart rankings. However, theqoo’s anti-Japanese sentiment led to accusations of pro-Japanese affiliations against Hanni and NewJeans.

Hanni’s “Blue Coral Reef” Encore Performance on Japanese TV

Hanni’s captivating rendition of ‘Blue Coral Reef’ on ‘THE Summer! THE Live!’ earned widespread praise for her talent and cultural appreciation. Her performance paid homage to the 1980s era, emulating the style of Seiko Matsuda while infusing her own youthful charm.

Popular YouTuber “Parkgane” Discusses NewJeans’ Success in Japan

The “Parkgane” YouTube channel, known for its reliable coverage of Japan and boasting over 540,000 subscribers, recently aired a segment on NewJeans’ popularity in Japan. The following are the key points from the broadcast.

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Limited Popularity of NewJeans in Japan

NewJeans has genYouTuber Parkgane Discusses NewJeans Hanni’s ‘Blue Coral Reef’ Popularity in Japanerated only a modest buzz in Japan. While they do have fans, their appeal is mostly confined to their existing fanbase rather than the general public. The song “Blue Coral Reef,” once linked to the tragic death of Matsuda Seiko’s daughter, has not been widely discussed in Japan. Despite YouTube’s algorithm suggesting otherwise, the views on the “Blue Coral Reef” video are predominantly from Korean users, not Japanese. Additionally, concert footage is considered illegal in Japan, leading to minimal coverage in local media.

The Role of YOASOBI in NewJeans’ Visibility

NewJeans gained some attention because YOASOBI was announced as a guest at their Tokyo Dome fan meeting. However, reports by Korean media that NewJeans is a major topic in Japan are exaggerated. Although NewJeans appeared on the front page of a sports newspaper, it was a limited-edition paper sold near Tokyo Dome, targeting idol fans.

Oricon Chart Performance

Despite claims of topping the daily Oricon charts, NewJeans only ranked fourth in the weekly results. The weekly performance on the Oricon charts, which includes album sales and rankings, is a more accurate measure of success in Japan.

Controversy Among Korean Fans

A summary of the YouTube video posted on the Korean male community MLBPARK sparked considerable controversy. Fans of NewJeans were quick to criticize “Parkgane,” arguing that the YouTuber lacks comprehensive knowledge about Japan. However, supporters of “Parkgane” pointed out that his wife is Japanese, he attended university in Japan, and he has lived there for a significant period, asserting his expertise over that of the NewJeans fans.

Fact-Checking “Parkgane’s” Claims

Some MLBPARK members fact-checked “Parkgane’s” statements. They noted that fan meeting videos of NewJeans on YouTube are illegal in Japan, meaning Japanese viewers are unlikely to be contributing to the view counts. Additionally, there was a misunderstanding stemming from omitted details in the MLBPARK post. “Parkgane” acknowledged that NewJeans’ debut fan meeting at Tokyo Dome was unprecedentedly successful, but he criticized the notion that all of Japan was enthralled by Hanni’s “Blue Coral Reef” performance as an exaggeration.

Impact of YOASOBI’s Involvement

It is true that YOASOBI’s participation significantly boosted the event’s success. There was also heated debate about whether HYBE or Min Hee-jin was responsible for inviting YOASOBI. MLBPARK, being a male-dominated community, had fewer supporters of Min Hee-jin, who claimed she extended the invitation. Most members sided with HYBE. This conflict reflects broader tensions between Min Hee-jin and HYBE.

Hanni’s Performance and Its Significance

Ultimately, Hanni’s rendition of “Blue Coral Reef” at Tokyo Dome was well-received by many Japanese. The extent of this appreciation remains debated. Hanni, a Vietnamese-Australian who trained in Korea to debut as a K-pop singer, performed a beloved Japanese song, highlighting the futility of Korea-Japan conflicts. This act symbolizes how cultural exchanges can transcend historical animosities.

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