SMAP SMAP

In the world of Japanese Pop Music nothing beats SMAP. For over a decade these guys have been some of the most popular people in Japan. Not only do they have pop hits, but they have all starred in tv dramas and their own variety show SMAPxSMAP. Individually they have done much more, from stage acting, to movies and commercials.

New Year's Eve was my first time seeing SMAP perfom. One SMAP hosted the famous New Year's singing competition show, and SMAP was the only band to perform twice. Instantly, I could see why this band has managed to stay so popular in Japan. Their songs are catchy. "Arigato" a major hit for the group, played in my head 100 times after listening to their performance. And this is with me only knowing one word! After that I could only thank people in song.

The next day I watched SMAPxSMAP. It was a special two hour program. They did sketch comedy, cooking, and, of course, some singing and dancing. Most of my students are dedicated to this show and this group. Kimutaku, the nickname for the SMAP in the front right, is often voted the Sexist man in Japan. Knowing this trivia has helped me in English lessons. If students can't understand a word, I will say for example:

Famous: "Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Kimutaku"

Pop Band: "Smap."

Catchy: "Smap music"

and so on and so forth. It seems the best way to communicate anywhwere is to learn about another culture. The more you know the easier it is to define things or to give examples. To watch a SMAP video check out: Arigato