What is a Kaigai Idol?

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**Kaigai**(海外) means Overseas. It makes sense that some Idols would adopt that term for the community. However, it wasn't always called this! In fact it didn't really have a concrete name at the start. PAiDA coined the term, with the earliest know post using it in the context of idols being February 12th, 2017 [1]

The Overseas Idol community has existed for almost two to three decades. While the members of this community stems from the love of J-pop, many of it's members also comes from already existing communities such as the **Odorite** and **Utaite** communities all over the world. In the early days some would consider this as a branch of one of those communities as it wouldn't be too out of the norm to see someone or a group start to create their own original works.

Example:

But it doesn't stop there.

Outside of those two communities. There were people who enjoyed J-pop as a whole and eventually learned about the **Net Idol** Scene.

The Kaigai community is also built up by **Wota's**. These people bring one of the most notable aspects when it comes to Japanese Idol Culture, **Wotagei**.

Examples:

## What makes someone a Kaigai Idol?

People who have a strong admiration and inspiration of Japanese style pop, rock, etc.. They're people who's goal are to show their love of Japanese Idol culture in their own home region or hopes to unifies their countries music culture with Japanese style music culture.

Which is why some people label themselves as Kaigai/Overseas instead of J-pop idols.

Kaigai Idols can be found everywhere. For example there are many groups and Soloists in **South Korea**, **Indonesia**, **Australia**, **and more**.

## Are Kaigai Idols Net Idols?

Yes, they are also **Net Idols**.

Compared to J-Net Idols who have a higher chance of getting signed or backed by a company or even a large label, Kaigai's works primarily independent.

There are some rare instances where an Overseas Idol or group is signed under a Japanese's company.

Examples:

* **Ally & Sally** formally being part of **SeiSHUN Gakuen** and it's Canadian sister group **Seishun Youth Academy**.

Having a connections with someone in Japan would also be rare. Examples we have:

* **Non Sweet**, who's producer is SHUN but still runs independently.
	+ **NAOKI**, also provided them their new outfits for their 5th Single.
* **Abyss**, who had a **song** produced by **ag**.
* **Paida**, having a song produced by **Sasaki Kissa** (also producer for KOTO)
	+ As 2023 Paida was given the Opportunity to perform with **BPM15Q** at **FAKE STAR USA CONSTELLATIONS VOL.4**
	+ The producer of Secret Moon and Future☆★Town well known Japanese producer

## Have Kaigai Idols performed in Japan?

Yes! But for small underground events and/or collaborations. Though as of 2021 they have been invited to bigger events.

* **Paida** being one who has performed there over five times.
	+ While staying in Japan, Paida also participated in an Idol Audition held on the "MySta" app and made it in 5th place in the first screening and made it as a finalist
	+ She’s has also performed at several small venues in Kanda and Akihabara.
	+ Her collab song with CriminalCode, Crescent, is in the Japanese rhythm game Music Diver (at Round Ones across Japan and America)
* **Melancholiaah!**, although never performing in Japan, has some of his songs in KONAMI’s arcade “beatmania IIDX 25 CANNON BALLERS” and the newest installment of DDR, “Dance Dance Revolution A20”.
* **Non Sweet** (and more overseas Idols) was invited to an **event** but was postponed indefinitely due to a government mandated state of emergency in Okinawa.
	+ This event was later changed to an Online Event. It is unknow if this event will ever come back.
		- Though December 10th 2022, **Miyu** made a solo appearance at Qupasar's "**Rainbow to Dream 2022**" one man live.

* As of 2021, **Tokyo Idol Festival(TIF)** has invited more Kaigai idols like **A-Muse**, **LuSca**, **NEONism**, **HIBANA**, and **many more** to it's event.

* In 2022 Abyss did a collab with the mobile Rhythm game **Phigros** that features their songs **Rainy Season** and **Eternal Snow**.

1/2

On October 11th 2022, Japan opened up it's borders. It is believed that we'll start to see more Kaigai Idols perform over there regularly.

## Has a Kaigai made it to a J-Pop Group?

While you've mostly seen members of this community participate in auditions and rank pretty high. (EX: Paida and **Grace**), it's a bit rare for a fully foreign person to be apart of an Idol Group.

Known Examples are:

* **Heidi** in **Merkmal Mermal**
* **Amina du Jean** formally in **CHICK GIRLS**
* Ally & Sally in **SeiSHUN Gakuen**
* PAiDA in Amaterasu Girls (cancelled due to COVID)

As of 2023, **Teya** is participating in KissBee's New member Audition.

There has been some instance of Japanese companies producing fully foreign groups to promote Japanese Idol Culture as well.

Known Examples:

* NoMake's **SeiSHUN Youth Academy**
* Tokuma Japan Communications' **Cruel Angels**
* Hello! Project's **Coconuts Musume**

## Japan and Foreign Idols/Artists

You've might have seen that Japan can be a little diverse (from concepts, physical appearance, gender and more) when it comes to music. There's a surprising amount of Idols who are from foreign countries/decent out side of Asia.

Being a Foreign Idol/entertainer has it's pro's and Con's.

The Pro's

1. The shock value. The idea that someone not from the country is interested in a some aspect of their culture and is good at it.
2. Something new. Being a foreigner means you have the ability to share your culture with theirs.

The Con's

1. Language barrier. While many artist have been able to break the language barrier with their music, not being able to understand the lyrics and the message can turn people away.
2. Japanese residency/Visa. You're still just a Foreigner and Japan still has a long way to go when it comes to accepting them. It's hard to show proof of residency, when most landlords don't accept foreigners.

#### Known Foreign Artists

**Ann Lewis**

Born in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan to a Japanese mother and an American father. Ann was a popular artist in the 70's and 80's who initially performed idol music typical of the time. She ended up becoming a well known rock singer and even considered to pioneer of kayoukyoku rock music after "Good Bye My Love" became her first hit in 1974.

**Chris Hart**

Originally from America, Chris had his start in the Japanese music industry with his first music project NIKITA w/Metallic Beasts. When Chris moved to Japan in 2009, He would continue working on many different music projects before he had his career breakthrough after winning the singing contest "Nodojiman THE WORLD!".

He would continue on with his music career and would be given opportunities to perform with other artists like **Nana Mizuki**, a well known Voice Actress and Idol.

**Alyssa Milano**

The lead actress from the American fantasy drama Charmed. She was an Idol signed under Pony Canyon in the late 80's. Despite being an actress in America, Alyssa did not want her music to cross overseas as she felt that it wouldn't be appreciated.

Alyssa would also have the opportunity to perform live in Korea as well.

**Richard Magarey**

An Australian stunt actor and a professional wrestler, persona named **Ladybeard**. He is a former member of of DEADLIFT LOLITA and LADYBABY. Currently he's in the trio **BABYBEARD**.

**Kim Minkyu**

A Korean lyricist, composer, and arranger better known for by his stage name Nor. He has done music for Kizuna Ai, Fukuhara Haruka, and Kano.

**Alice Peralta**

Born in Guam and raised in Japan, Alice is a R&B singer and Voice Actress best known for her role as Marina form Splatoon 2. She was an aspiring singer since she was six and won the grand prize in "Voice of McDonalds! 2010", an audition held jointly by McDonald's Japan and Sony Music.

Che'Nelle

Born in Malaysia and raised in Australia, Che'Nelle is an Singer-Songwriter who specializes in R&B, Dancehall, Hip-Hop, and Reggae music.

#### Foreign Idols in Anime and Gaming

Though Rare, Anime has the tendency to depict foreign characters in their works. Albeit to mixed(often controversial) results, many Japanese and International fans of these works are often appreciative of these additions.

**Tokyo 7th Sisters**

Set in the years 2032 and beyond, a young glory-seeking employee (the player) is set out to revive the Idol Industry.

T7S is the second music based game to feature a character to be confirmed as POC. Though because the other game was a bit harder to access in the early day's she was treated as the first, while in reality she is the first black character.

* Alessandra Susu
* Tasha Romanovsky
* Jedah Diamond
* Xiao Fei Hung
* Tan Si Young
* Flana Ling

**Love Live! School idol festival**

While the Love Live Franchise isn't a stranger to having characters with Foreign decent in it's lead cast, later entrees have been seen an Increase of these characters. Three of which has Voice Actresses who speak the characters native language.

* Y.G. International Academy
* Mia Taylor
* Lanzhu Zhong
* Keke Tang
* Wien Margarete

**Idolm@ster**

IMAS kind of has a unique take on their Foreign Idols. Despite having less then the previously mentioned franchises, at some point they had more Foreign Idols. These idols came from their now closed Korean server for **Cinderella Girls** and the now disbanded group Real Girls Project(RGP).

RGP was actually formed for the Korean Drama "THE iDOLM@STER.KR"

While not confirmed, RPG could be the reason why Korea's Kaigai scene has grown to the point where TIF has created a branch in **Seoul**.

IMAS was also the first music based game to feature a confirmed character of colors and is currently the only music based(as of 2023) to have more than one.

Current Idols:

* Anastasia
* Natalia
* Layla
* Emily Stewart

**Uta no☆Prince-sama**

* Aijima Cecil

**Pretty Rhythm Dear My Future**

The second instalment of the Prism Series features their original Korean group PURETTY. This group also had a real life counter part that would be used to promote the arcade game in Korea.

* Hye In
* Shi Yoon
* Jae Eun
* Chae Kyoung
* So Min