u/G_Clef_Start

There is not really a culture or history in Japan of passionately supporting idols from Europe, North America, or South America.

Because of that, I think there is already some level of handicap when trying to become popular in the Japanese market.

So I want to talk about “Sakura” from the perspective of the Japanese market.

---

1. Vocal and dance skills

In Japan, people often care not only about “complete skill,” but also about the “growth story” of idols.

Because of that, I honestly do not think current technical imperfections are that critical.

---

2. Which fan demographic matters most?

In Japan’s K-pop girl group market, Gen Z to women in their 20s have a very strong presence.

So I think “how much female fans want to support you” is very important.

---

3. Visual analysis

[Summary]

Her facial features and proportions are beautiful and very well balanced.

But she feels like the type that has less “space for relatability” or less “addictive imperfection.”

In Japan, she has more of a model-type face.

For the idol market, where you need many casual fans, she feels slightly different from the kind of face that Gen Z girls easily become emotionally attached to or obsessed with.

Also, I personally feel that HYBE’s Son may have had a slightly different sense from current Japanese trends.

So if popularity in Japan is the highest priority, I think an important point will be whether she can gradually change her image through:

• more facial expression variety
• smiles
• character/personality
• showing more inner charm

---

[More specific analysis] = possible points of change

• She leans more toward a “completed beautiful face,” so there is less feeling of closeness or relatability
• Because she looks elegant and calm, people may stop at “she’s pretty”
• Her facial impression feels more static, and she has less of that constantly-changing expression or “interesting quirk” that stays in your head
• She slightly lacks the “rabbit hole” feeling created by danger, immaturity, cat-like charm, etc.
• She feels different from the kind of “somehow interesting face” that works strongly in the SNS era
• She has stronger elegance suited for modeling, acting, or advertisements
• She slightly lacks the “I can project myself onto her” or “she feels like a friend” feeling that often helps with female popularity
• Because her face feels highly completed, she may feel less like “an extension of yourself”

---

[Last thoughts]

This is only a perspective from the Japanese market.

What people want from idols changes a lot depending on the country and culture.

Traits that help someone become popular in Japan could possibly become unnecessary, or even a disadvantage, in the global market.

So for people who think “Japan is not the main target market,” this analysis may not be very important.