NHK snubs K-pop in year-end concert

One of Japan’s biggest end-of-year concerts, NKH Kohaku Gassen has revealed its lineup for this year’s show and out of about 50 groups, there is not a K-pop group in sight.

The Japanese TV network hosting the show defended its decision, saying, “It wasn’t political or related to the two nations’ feud over Dokdo.”

An NHK spokesperson told Sankei Sports yesterday that this year’s omission was “simply because Korean singers didn’t do so well on the charts this year.”

Last year, the same festival invited TVXQ, Girls’ Generation and KARA (above) to perform.

Even before the lineup was released by NHK on Monday, various media speculated that no Hallyu stars would be present.

The main reason cited was the tension over the Dokdo islets. Several K-dramas were canned in Japan this year.

Kim Tae-hee saw her planned visit to Japan canceled by the Japanese cosmetic brand with which she had an endorsement deal.

By Carla Sunwoo

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