Japanese comedian Honkon recently appeared on Radio Osaka's program "Tokoton Honkon" on January 4, 2024, where he shared his candid thoughts on the 75th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. This iconic New Year's Eve music show has been known to attract viewers, and Honkon voiced his opinions on its performance and content.
During the program, he highlighted the return of South Korean artist Min Kouseki, who made headlines for wearing a blue ribbon badge during his performance, symbolizing the plight of North Korean abductees. Honkon applauded Kouseki, stating, "Artists do these things, but are Japanese lawmakers really making the effort they should be?” His words brought attention to the responsibility of public figures and politicians to engage with such serious issues.
Honkon reminisced about the past, reflecting on how Kohaku was structured differently. He said, "When we were kids, it only aired from 9 PM, and now we see K-Pop taking the spotlight. We’re paying the receiving fee, so why is K-Pop dominating?" He expressed frustrations over the absence of other beloved Japanese artists like Yoshikazu Ikegami, pointing out the choices made by the program's producers.
He candidly stated, "I prefer to watch ‘Toshi-wasure Nippon no Uta,’ where I can see flashy singers decked out with sequins. That’s joy for me, even if I don’t regularly watch Kohaku." This comment underlines his preference for traditional forms of entertainment and suggests he finds value outside of the mainstream events.
Having analyzed the ratings of this year’s show, Honkon expressed skepticism. "They say viewership is up by 1% or 2%. But is it really recovering? What data are they using to claim it was 'better than last year?'" This statement reflects his doubts about how success is measured and reported within the entertainment industry.
The average household ratings for the 75th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen were 29.0% for the first part and 32.7% for the second, which is a slight improvement over the previous year's dismal ratings. Nevertheless, Honkon was unimpressed, implying this small uptick does not indicate meaningful progress for the show. According to East Sports WEB, viewership was compared to the worst ratings recorded previously, pointing out the discrepancies people might overlook.
Honkon's heartfelt remarks resonate with listeners, as he navigates through his memories of the show and the evolution of Japanese entertainment culture. His expression of nostalgia for the past combined with critiques of current trends encapsulate the sentiments of many who have seen changes over the decades.
Through his discussion on Radio Nippon, Honkon champions artistic integrity and the importance of responsible artistry. His dissection of the entertainment scene reveals layers of concern, not just for the traditional Japanese practices, but also for the cultural shifts dictated by popular trends.
Overall, Honkon’s appearance on "Tokoton Honkon" serves as both commentary and call-to-action, encouraging audiences to reflect on what they value within Japan's rich cultural heritage.