NewJeans’ Japanese Debut Hit With Backlash Due To Lack Of Japanese Lyrics
NewJeans recently made their Japanese debut with the release of “Supernatural” and its accompanying B-side track “Right Now.” The single has been successful in both Japan and Korea, yet it is currently facing criticism for its minimal use of Japanese lyrics.
The song is performed in three languages by the members of NewJeans, featuring lyrics in English, Korean, and Japanese. However, the distribution of these languages has left some listeners perplexed.
The majority of the lyrics are in English, with a few lines in Korean and even fewer in Japanese. The surprising ratio has sparked heated debate among netizens.
Despite this controversy, “Supernatural” has been breaking numerous records in South Korea for a Japanese release — surpassing achievements previously held by Japanese artists and songs sung entirely in Japanese. As a result, many argue that the song should not be categorized as Japanese.
Is that Japanese?? I only hear shi tae e ruuuuu and its Japanese . Woahh not Korean not English but Japanese
— PHOENIX (@drxgxn_wxrld) June 30, 2024
The amount of Japanese in this song is the same amount of Japanese Lisa used in Rockstar https://t.co/cYjfPplRjI
— H✨ (@choco_chik) June 30, 2024
Kpop stans harassed armys and argued against BTS' records for korean song just because it had a chorus with english, but when this english & korean song with barely like 10 seconds in japanese is being claimed for "japenese song" records nobody is peeping a word. Ok https://t.co/HcvVYi2yOZ
— gomooshin⁷ (@taesoothe) June 30, 2024
korea hype this up and other “anime sounding” music and won’t even support groups with actual japanese people in them and accuse them of spreading “japanese propaganda” that country is cooked for real for real 🤕 https://t.co/2GhbqIJn18
— 상심 (@seashellshelly_) June 30, 2024
Conversely, NewJeans’ fans, known as BUNNIES, have come to the group’s defense. They argue that the song was specifically aimed at the Japanese market and was released in Japan, justifying its classification as a Japanese song. Nevertheless, the debate continues to rage.
People complaining now about the lyrics, but I’m pretty sure this approach will be copied by other groups seeing how it was effective and successful…and no one will complain 😂 https://t.co/d1Ib6iZi6H
— lolomocarebear (@lolomocarebear) June 30, 2024
I'm Japanese.
By the way, NEWJEANS’ popularity in Japan is on a different level. The groups that are popular in Japan are TWICE and NEWJEANS. These two are way ahead of the others. So, it's tough to compete in Japan. It’s not just because they have Japanese members https://t.co/tVYA7ilL70— 💋 (@flo1stfan) June 30, 2024
they created a song that both japanese and korean people can enjoy equally, other groups can do the same as them, why do you need to complain.
— Tri (@Tri40040451) June 30, 2024
You can watch the music videos for “Supernatural” and “Right Now” here:
Share This Post
