SMAP

SMAP is a popular Japanese "idol" group, formed by Johnny & Associates Inc. office. Current members are Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Goro Inagaki and Shingo Katori. (Please note, names are given here in Western personal name-family name order.) The members of SMAP have dominated the Japanese pop cultural landscape from their musical debut in 1991 until the present time (as of 2005), showing incredible longevity for a manufactured group. They produce not just numerous hit singles, but also star in numerous television variety shows, dorama, commercials, movies, etc. They are almost unrivaled in their immense popularity among younger, and especially female, Japanese.

Acting

Their variety program "SMAP x SMAP" is notable for showcasing their wide range of talents with segments ranging from cooking, comedy, and games to singing and dancing, often with celebrity guests, even Western ones like David Beckham, Sheryl Crow, and Richard Gere, though most guests are Japanese tarento ("talents").

Related Topics:
David Beckham - Sheryl Crow - Richard Gere

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Almost every season for the past few years, you can see at least one drama on TV with a member of SMAP starring in it. In the first season of 2004, Kimura and Kusanagi each starred in one, both the most popular of the season. Kimura's "PRIDE" was also popular. Inagaki sang the song for Kusanagi's program, selling first place for the first week and on. First, the fact that Inagaki was singing the song was kept a secret, but after numerous fans called "Fuji TV", it was revealed to the public. Nakai's "Mohouhan" (The Copy Cat) was a hit for the cinemas, and Kusanagi's "Yomigaeri" set a record for Japanese DVD sales.

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