This week is a continuation of the report on the three member girl group, “Buono!” and their live performance in Paris. Last week’s report was on the importance of such concerts and the European fans who had been longing for their visit.

K-POPs international success and the growing prosperity of Korean enterprises and products are closely related. So how about Japan? Even if both sides acknowledge the importance of the international market, they still seem to regard themselves as separate entities of each other. Japanese enterprise doesn’t seem to consider the overseas success of Japanese idols as something that is in any way connected to them.

Many people say that one of the biggest factors leading to the success of "Girls’ Generation" and such K-POP groups is the extensive training that they receive. The three members of Buono! may still be in their late teens but they are also key members of Hello!Project that includes a super-group, Morning Musume, and have all performed in their fair share of concerts over the years. I think that Buono!s solo venture in Paris will have an important impact on the Japanese economy.

“My first impression of Paris after arriving was - it’s freezing! But it makes me really happy to know that some people were willing to line up outside in that climate for us for 12 hours.”
In my interview with the three girls from Buono! before rehearsals, group leader Momoko Tsugunaga spoke to me about the feelings of the group.
“The audience reaction is different here compared to Japan, so it’s impossible to know just how it’s all going to go. But it’s also that unpredictability that makes this experience so enjoyable.”
It was the first time for all three girls to visit Paris and Airi Suzuki’s first time performing outside of Japan.
“It’s a beautiful city – just like a postcard. When we arrived there were a bunch of fans waiting for us at the airport. We were so happy."

"Our Paris concert is going to be a bit different from the set we usually perform in Japan. It will be more like a “best of” set. We want to do some old stuff but also show them the performers we are right now too. If fans come to feel a little closer to Japan through our live performance then that would be ideal.” Said Miyabi Natsuyaki who has experienced international concerts before, performing in America and Thailand with Berryz Kobo.
“We even got to visit the Louvre. Everything in Paris looks like a work of art. Everything we did was a first for me. I had heard about the passion of overseas fans from the members of Berryz Kobo and Morning Musume who had already experienced it for themselves. There were fans in tears at the autograph session we held yesterday. It was totally just unexpected.”
That’s what Airi Suzuki had to say on her first visit to Paris but I’ll be doing a follow up article with her next week on her thoughts after returning to Japan.
“Most of our fans in Europe will only ever have seen us perform on screen. I want them to see us in the flesh and hopefully come to like us even more. We’re going to give them an unforgettable performance.” She insisted enthusiastically.

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