JKS faced critism of anti hallyu in Japan

Hello pretty EEL's

Sohu Korean Entertainment News – Korean star Jang Keun Suk held a “Marry me Mary” (M3) fan-meeting on 18 August at Budokan. This drama had favourable reviews when it was aired on KBS in May this year. On 18 August, JKS and Moon Geun Young re-enacted classic scenes from the drama, and also performed OST such as “Take Care, my Bus”.

In the talk segment, JKS continued his sudden streaks of cuteness. When asked which scene he liked best in M3, he answered directly, “the kissing scene, because we’ve had lots of practice”, which almost made all the eels in the audience faint. He then added that he was “joking, Michael Jordan (pronunciation of Jordan and ‘joking’ in Japanese is close)!” Every time that JKS visits Japan, he would exhibit the results of his Japanese language learning and the new phrases he learns.
Korean stars face difficulty on entering Japan
JKS passes Customs smoothly
On 17 August when JKS reached Haneda airport, around 800 fans were waiting for him. Upon seeing many reporters at the arrival hall, JKS waved and greeted them saying “long time no see”. When he saw eels, he pushed down his sunglasses and blew kisses, which earned praises from reporters that JKS was as intimate with his fans as before. Just like when he arrived at Haneda in June, relevant parties said to media that 800 fans were present, although certain airport personnel claimed that the actual number was 600. No matter which side is saying the truth, it is obvious that the situation (at the airport) was no different from the last time, and JKS’ popularity in Japan is top-class amongst Hallyu stars today. Attacked by anti-Hallyu wave
Agency refutes rumour and states innocence
On 27 June when JKS came to Japan to promote his first official photo-book, rumours spread that “fans” had been paid to turn up and create a false impression of his popularity. The “recruitment” advertisement was circulated on the internet, offering 2,000 yen to women aged between junior high school to 49 years old and including meals and gift. The organiser on the advertisement was said to be JKS’ Japanese agency.

Other Korean stars had, in the past, also resorted to this method of recruiting fans, so JKS’ Japanese agency’s denial was not able to erase all doubt. As a result, on 17 Aug, besides being there to interview JKS, the media also tried to investigate the truth. Reporters at the scene interviewed more than 50 fans, who all said that they have heard about “fans recruitment” but have never seen any “fans” amongst the welcome contingent who have come as a result of the “advertisement”.

JKS’ Japanese agency which was thought to be the mastermind of the “fans recruitment” incident clarified to reporters that they have never done this sort of thing before, and say that this is the work of people who want to slander JKS.

A certain newspaper reporter pointed out that in Japanese showbiz, there are forces who aim to obstruct all Hallyu activities completely. As the symbolic representative of the new Hallyu wave, JKS is very unfortunately the target of slander by some people. Also, there are some Korean stars who wanted to get more compensation which was not provided for in their contract, and thus offending certain influential people in Japanese showbiz who then blocked their performance opportunities. JKS’ Japanese agency said that this is the first time that JKS has been wrongfully accused, and expressed puzzlement at this situation. JKS has a clear conscience that he has not done anything against anyone that might have resulted in such elaborate attempts to slander him.

Towards the end of July, Aoi Miyazaki’s husband Takaoka Sōsuke criticized Fuji TV on twitter for being favourable towards Hallyu, which sparked off a chain series of anti-Hallyu activities. The day before JKS arrived in Japan, K-pop stars such as BEAST and F.CUZ was refused entry by Customs which found out that their information submission was incomplete. The agencies of these artistes expressed that they had already completed all entry procedures and were puzzled at why they had been refused entry. The unspoken reason was clear, and it caused some worry as to whether JKS would face the same situation. Luckily, JKS had officially applied for a performance visa and was successful in clearing Customs.

Even so, in comparison to other Hallyu stars, the anti-Hallyu wave targeted at JKS was even more obvious.

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