I heard on Big Bang's Soompi Forums that they got the 35th spot on Oricon charts. i dunno know if this is good or bad, but considering they had little to none promotion, i'm guessing good? If it is, then glad they had a nice japanese debut....
I dunno if they really are serious about debuting in Japan, though ... especially choosing with an English-song album instead of a japanese one... i think they're really just "testing out the japanese waters" as stated on one articles. it just that Japan is like the 2nd or 3rd biggest music market in the world and since japan is so close to korea and with the recent Hallyu wave...they're doing it to get exposure to the international market first.... which isn't really a bad marketing strategy if USA or UK is their main target. with the English album, they'll get exposure thru Japan into the West... which would eventually help them accomplish their goals, if USA and the west is their main objective in the first place.
If they were serious about japan, wouldn't u think they'll signed with a major label and actually start promoting their albums before it released or sumthing? but since T.O.P is injured and that they are tired from the recent performances that would explain why they aren't active yet promotion-wise. and maybe signing with a major label isn't that easy?
just something to point out.
And no, i'm not an anti-fan, if that's what ur thinking, but I wouldn't say that i'm a huge BB fan, but i do like some of their music.
I like mostly their r&b and pop-ish hip-hop beats. i'm not really a big fan of hardcore rap/hiphop. just upbeat, fun and sometimes slow, smooth beats in general.
Some of my Big Bangs picks are:
마지막 인사 - (dunno the english translation)
바보 - (dunno the english translation)
거짓말 (Lies) and...
I Don't Understand.
also G-Dragon solo, This love, a cover of Maroon 5 song, is great too.
In the end, Whatever Big Bang and YG is planning, wish them success. they're a talented group. if they really do want to pursue a success career in Japan, i'm sure they'll find success.... although i had no idea how Japan perceive hip-hop music since j-pop and j-rock have been dominating on the charts for a long time...