[Koda Kumi] The 91st Official Koda Kumi Thread

[do it again]

at the beginning of her career, she had a really plain image, nothing special to set her apart from other artists. the sexy thing was something that was popular at the time, so it was something unique and different. they knew she couldn't do the cutie thing too well because she doesn't have that childish appearance.

Originally Posted by 4minute Girl

In 2005 a little while before her contract was over, she needed to make a desperate move for some sales so they would renew it.

the sexy began in 2003 though

[4minute Girl]

Originally Posted by cutieismylife

at the beginning of her career, she had a really plain image, nothing special to set her apart from other artists. the sexy thing was something that was popular at the time, so it was something unique and different. they knew she couldn't do the cutie thing too well because she doesn't have that childish appearance.

If "the sexy thing" was something popular at the time, how was it "something unique and different"?

[do it again]

Originally Posted by 4minute Girl

If "the sexy thing" was something popular at the time, how was it "something unique and different"?

what female artist at the time capitalized on that image?

[4minute Girl]

Originally Posted by cutieismylife

what female artist at the time capitalized on that image?

A lot of them. Too many to list.

[emi♡]

Originally Posted by 4minute Girl

A lot of them. Too many to list.

Not in Japan lol Maybe Namie...but no one was thinking about her then.

Remember that Japanese people really love American music.

Anyway, these are all the reasons why I really respect Kuu as a person.

@Edge: What other choice does she have? Her stuff still isn't selling as well as I'm sure they'd like. She at least gets to have some fun and diversity in her music now. Not all of the songs she comes out with are Juicy's or BUT's.

I think for her, making the "sexy" music is just part of the job. Like Ayu says, sometimes she wants to make music, and sometimes she has to make music because it's her job. I honestly think Koda's just happy to be here and performing.

And besides...I think she can manipulate it so she can have fun with it.

[4minute Girl]

Originally Posted by emiko

Not in Japan lol Maybe Namie...but no one was thinking about her then.

Remember that Japanese people really love American music.

Anyway, these are all the reasons why I really respect Kuu as a person.

@Edge: What other choice does she have? Her stuff still isn't selling as well as I'm sure they'd like. She at least gets to have some fun and diversity in her music now. Not all of the songs she comes out with are Juicy's or BUT's.

I think for her, making the "sexy" music is just part of the job. Like Ayu says, sometimes she wants to make music, and sometimes she has to make music because it's her job. I honestly think Koda's just happy to be here and performing.

And besides...I think she can manipulate it so she can have fun with it.

Just because they weren't one of the big three (Ayu, Namie, and Kuu) doesn't mean nobody else was doing it.
cutieismylife is saying they went with the sexy image for Koda because it was "popular" and in the same post he goes on to say that she became successful because it was "unique and different"
If it was so popular at the time, there's bound to be other artists who were trying it out as well. Of course, they didn't reach the same degree of success that Koda did.
All I'm saying is that Koda has never been successful or popular because she's unique. It was because she took her top off and had a big label backing her.
If she didn't do either of those things, she would be nowhere right now, much like the other artists who tried the same thing but fell into obscurity because they didn't have a big label to pull all of the publicity stunts and tricks for some extra attention and sales.

[emi♡]

Originally Posted by 4minute Girl

Just because they weren't one of the big three (Ayu, Namie, and Kuu) doesn't mean nobody else was doing it.
cutieismylife is saying they went with the sexy image for Koda because it was "popular" and in the same post he goes on to say that she became successful because it was "unique and different"
If it was so popular at the time, there's bound to be other artists who were trying it out as well. Of course, they didn't reach the same degree of success that Koda did.
All I'm saying is that Koda has never been successful or popular because she's unique. It was because she took her top off and had a big label backing her.
If she didn't do either of those things, she would be nowhere right now, much like the other artists who tried the same thing but fell into obscurity because they didn't have a big label to pull all of the publicity stunts and tricks for some extra attention and sales.

I know Cutie cleared this up for you, but I just want to say, that I understand what you're saying, but what I am saying is that no one had quite taken it to the level that Koda did, and I think Namie comes closest. Although I know there were some girl bands in the 90's that did this sort of thing, they still never went to the levels kuu did.

And you're right about her success.

I personally, honestly, when I was a die hard Ayu fan, like I disrespected her so much for that, but now actually understanding how everything went down, and liking her music...I feel the opposite. And now, although I still think she doesn't have the level of control that some of the bigger name artists do, I respect her for taking what they threw at her, and molding it so that she can have fun with it, and love what she does. She is an Exhibitionist, and I think she will continue doing it...

however...I also think that it might not be so great for her career if she stops doing it...and maybe that's something to take into consideration as to why she still does it.

[ストロボ・EdGE]

Originally Posted by cutieismylife

what female artist at the time capitalized on that image?

None. I mean, when you think of popular female Japanese singers (of that time[sort of]) you think of Ayu (not sexy), Namie (can be sexy but not like Koda), Ai (cute), BoA(...no), Hikki (WAYY no), etc. No one was really doing it then, and no one has to this extreme.

I know I'm dragging on but I'm really shocked to hear that she doesn't like this sexy image. Why does she keep doing it then? I kind of feel that she was sort of selling her self out. (I'm not trying to start an argument or flame, really!)