what happened to the former j-pop idols?

[guard123]

Alot of people already know that once a idol from Asia say japan or south Korea hits over the age of 30, they're idolness fades away and they either become successful in the entertainment industry or hit rock bottom. question is if anyone know the specific details if these idolsdont become successful after they reach their prime age?



P.S: since massive amounts of idols come and go, does anyone even have a chance to date and have a successful relationships ( not one night stands) with these former idols?
(this question hit me when i was watching a music video the other day.)

[lucian2kr]

Interesting topic, too bad no one replied so far! Kahi from After School (a K-pop band) looks good at 30 (better than Lee Hyori), I wonder how much she is going to last in that band.

[Yoshino]

^^ Yes, a shame more haven't replied to this thread, think the 'older' idols deserve their own thread somewhere, just don't think too many people know enough about them. I prefer the older ones so, so much more compared to the current crop, they were so and still are so much more attractive, way more talented  because they normally had to perform by themselves instead of having to mix in with a large group which can hide their lack of talent.
Few of my faves from past years and still like them today almost as much.
Nori-P


And my all time fave, that's her in my sig, still looks great at an older age though certainly is not old.
From 1996...


... and from earlier this year.

[heiji]

Ah Nori-P is my favorite too. Shame about her life these days...

[Frenchy]

Then there's Matsuda Seiko
Before & After

[Yoshino]

^^ I like her quite a bit too, some figures about her career.

Seiko was also the first person in the Oricon history to have a single and an album debut at No. 1 on Oricon Chart in the same week. In November 1984, Seiko released a single "Heart no Earring" (lit. "Heart's earring") and album Seiko Town: both reached No. 1. The next time it happened by Wands was nearly nine years later, and so far only seven other artists have successfully topped the two major charts at the same time with new releases.

Seiko is also one of the only two occurrences when someone occupied Oricon weekly No.1 and No.2 spots in the same week. (in November 1983 Diamond Eyes and Glass Apple)

Single Records :

Seiko has 15 No.1 on Oricon Monthly Chart. It's an all time No. 1 record.

Seiko has 17 months occupying the Oricon Monthly Chart, It's all time No.1 record for a solo artist.

Seiko has 14 singles that stay more than one week on Oricon Weekly Chart, it's an all time No. 1 record.

Seiko has 50 weeks occupying Oricon Weekly Chart top spot, she came second for a solo artist.

Album Records :

Seiko has 19 No. 1 albums, she came second for a female artist, and third overall.

Seiko has 44 top 10 albums, she came second for a female artist, and third overall.

Forever Idol:

Seiko Matsuda is considered the Forever Idol. May 2011 Oricon survey crowned her the No. 1 everlasting idol of all time, beating the also legendary Momoe Yamaguchi (2), Kyoko Kyozimi(3), Morning Musume(4) and Akina Nakamori (5).

[Frenchy]

When I was younger, we used to rent studio space in Kurume in the next prefecture. I knew a guy in another band who dated her - Her real name was Kamachi Noriko and she was raised in a strict Catholic household...but was hell on wheels. She would sneak out to ride with this guy and then sneak back home before her folks found out. A couple of years later she left to go to Tokyo to debut under the name Matsuda Seiko - who would have ever thought she would make it.

Here's an old favorite - Hayami Yu 

Before & After

[Yoshino]

^^ You may know this site but if not it's a truly great one on J-Pop idols of the 80's, only problem is you may never leave the site.
http://www.idollica.com/

[sayumi_fan]

^ I have just been to Idollica for the first time.  Wow, I have such mixed feelings.  It is an amazing resource, put together by someone who really knows their subject, and as far as I know there is nothing like it anywhere online (in English).  Since the site author considers that period to be the 'silver age', it would be great if s/he or someone would also put together the beginnings of a site on the 'golden age' as well.  Maybe someone who knows how should start a wiki for 'former j-pop idols'...  although in fact, there is no reason that people who have the knowledge couldn't add a lot of material to the Generasia wiki.  So, positively, yes, Idollica is an amazing site!

On the other had, I am saddened by the way the author is so critical of contemporary j-idols and j-music.  S/he ( I kind of feel that it's a 'he' though) bags everybody, from Momusu to Ayumi Hamasaki and Utada, so it's not just that he doesn't like idol groups.  I just feel sad that s/he, while recognizing the cultural iconicity of groups like Onyanko Club, can't at least slightly recognize that musical culture is a living, evolving organism that moves in response to the wider popular culture of the times, and also helps to form that culture.  Even if you don't like the results, it seems a bit narrow to be stuck in a timewarp where only the music of the past is any good.  To be honest, I appreciate music from a huge range of times and cultures, but I find that modern contemporary j-pop is some of the most alive and positive stuff in my whole collection.  And to be honest, and not wanting to bag anyone here, but just stating what "does it" for me, I find the sound of, for example, Watarirouka Hashiritai to be overall a preferable listen to their Onyanko Club precursors Ushirogami Hikaretai.  I appreciate the latter for their place in the development of j-music, but I actually really enjoy where the journey has come to today.

Anyway, each to their own of course, but I do prefer to "live and let live", allowing each to enjoy what they like and not feel superior if I prefer something else.

All that said, if you haven't been to Idollica yet, go take a look.  I certainly can leave the site again, heh heh, but I also will enjoy all it has to offer.

Edit:  Actually just did a brief tour of the Generasia wiki, and amazed to find that actually there is quite a bit of stuff on the 'silver age' there already - Onyanko Club has a ton of coverage, for example, with articles for the main group, the three subgroups and pretty much all albums and singles having their own articles, as well as the majority of individual group members.  Wow.