Japanese filmmaker Fukada casts queasy gaze on J-pop idols

"As soon as an idol appears to have a romantic relationship with someone, it's well known that they lose a lot of popularity."

Unpopular reality: the often childish, emotionally stunted culture here is just as much to blame as the industry itself - actively corroding the mental health and maturity of massive segments of the population.

I mean we're talking about a country where grown adults - grown women, no less - call in sick, crying in bed for days, because their favorite manufactured pop-bot announced he's getting married. Not dead. Not disappeared. Got MARRIED. Like an adult. To another adult.

I love Japan, but it's impossible to feel sometimes that this large parts of this nation are so allergic to adulthood that it treats idols dating like a national tragedy, and folds under the weight of any real-world pressure. Hopefully they can learn to grow up. Society depends on it.

@Jay, couldn't have put it any better myself. To see middle-aged men and women so obsessive and hysterical over people young enough to be their children, is just embarrassing.

Personally, I don't care if someone I enjoy watching gets married. Isn't Japan the Land of the Rising Affairs?

RE. Fukada cast former idol Saito Kyoko in the lead role of his feature "Love on Trial" which tells the story of a young performer who undergoes a similar ordeal.

I think using a former idol is a real poke in the eye for the industry.

Someone from the inside!

So gross it is nauseating! The fact that there is even an industry that promotes kiddy porn like it is normal is beyond the pale!

Her face reminds me of Misaki Kanna.

Japan has been called "A nation of children." If it is true, then I think that behavior plays a role in the idol culture in Japan. This is in contrast to more mature and sophisticated idol culture in South Korea which is more popular globally.

The same story can apply to the much bigger and better known K-pop industry, where 30 year old women are not even allowed to have men appear in their music videos. The hugely famous TWICE produce social media where the girls date EACH OTHER and pretend its hetero.

Yes, admitted, many things are too childish and it's really testing nerves and taste, like TV programs, commercials, yurukara puppets for everything, adults visiting Disneyland and all such. We should accept it as local culture and behavior as is. And to be honest, despite all possible complaints it also contributes to a more peaceful and comfortable society. If someone can't tolerate it, look away or even better, just stay in your countries full of war, weapons, knife wielders, drug problems and other pure and real adult issues.

And to be honest, despite all possible complaints it also contributes to a more peaceful and comfortable society. If someone can't tolerate it, look away or even better, just stay in your countries full of war, weapons, knife wielders, drug problems and other pure and real adult issues.

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