Netizens discussed Japanese celebrity Honoka Nishimura's thoughts on the differences between being an idol in Japan versus South Korea.

In a series of screencaps circulating on an online forum, Honoka Nishimura, a former member of the Japanese group Last Idol, described the idol lifestyle in Korea as "really difficult," noting the high performance standards. 

"Being an idol in Korea is a really difficult job. I know, because I've seen it. Being an idol in Japan is very comfortable. How else should I put this? You're really free."

She continued, "They can afford to focus less on delivering choreographed performance-driven promotions. Of course, you hear various opinions, but the level of performance expected in Korea is exceptionally high."

She added, "I don't dance every day. I don't go on diets. I just stay cute." 

She ended her statement with a 'cute' expression at the end, which drew mixed reactions from Korean netizens, ranging from shock to agreement.

The discussion also touched on the potential broader cultural differences between the two countries' approaches to idolhood. One comment from the original post noted, "Even if a skilled idol emerges in Japan, they are often told by the Japanese, 'Why are you working as an idol? You should just be a singer.'"

In related news, Honoka Nishimura almost became a member of the popular girl band QWER, but this opportunity reportedly fell through due to scheduling conflicts.

Netizens' reactions varied, with comments such as:

"Well, I'm sure there are a lot of Japanese idols who try really hard to deliver good performances, though. This might apply just to her"
"LOL, I don't know why but that last screencap is too cute"
"Okay...I've become convinced...you are very cute"
"That really was cute, so I'll just accept it lol"
"Aren't the Japanese idols saying they admit to seeing such good performers among Korean idols?"

"I am just afraid that the culture of Korean idols will start to become something similar to this as well"

"I think what she means by the Japanese idols being able to get away with all that applies only to financially comfortable Japanese idols. It's clearly a privileged statement. There are a lot of invisible Japanese idols who work hard to be good performers."

"I see some Korean idols being that way these days too though lol"

"I used to see more comments saying how she was just cute, back when these screenshots first came out, but nowadays I think Korean netizens have a different way of viewing their idols as well, with higher expectations of performance skills."

"She is so cute though...gotta admit... the way she managed to pull that off in the last screenshot lol"

"I still think she knows herself better than others. She sounds pretty self-aware..."

"There are different needs in each country."

"She's just being adorable, y'all. It's just that the system is different. Why are you people getting so worked up?"

"Isn't she saying that Korean idols are hard workers? I feel like Korean idols these days are more like ambassadors"

"Koreans see idols as singers, so it's different in Korea"

What are your thoughts?

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