The problematic nature of Japanese Idol culture is acknowledged. I still thought this was heartwarming.
An important announcement regarding Seira Umegwa
Thank you all for your continued kind support of Idol Kyoshitsu New.
Seira Umegawa is currently in the sixth grade, and we are informing everyone that as of the time of this writing, November 25, 2024, she believes in Santa Claus.
We apologize for the suddenness of this, but following discussions between the other members of the group and Umegawa’s parents, we are requesting that fans conduct themselves, in words and actions, with the presumption that Santa Claus exists.
Problematic what? She’s in sixth grade. Its probably her last year or two for doing so. She’s a child. Let her be one.
That’s exactly the problematic thing. She is a child and should enjoy her childhood, not work in the entertainment business.
I mean, we dont really know her feelings on that. We dont know if she loathes it, or if this is her dream job, or anything else just from this article. I certainly dont know these people.
I don’t get the impression you know much about Japanese idols 😅
Everything I know about it suggests it’s a deeply unhealthy and horrifically toxic thing for a child to be involved in, regardless of whether she’s happy to be involved in it
A child might be excited about participating in any number of different things that are bad for them; it’s the responsibility of adults to advocate in that child’s long term best interests even if it’s not what the child wants
But that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate this small kindness of a collective shown to a child. That’s always a good thing, whether it’s great for her to be an idol or not.
It’s a Japanese pop idol at around 11 years old? Her entire life is currently a PR stunt, this included. Roll with it just in case, sure. It’s still probably bs, though. Rather good bit of free publicity for the group, though.
*edit: I wrote this way too late at night. I usually have better grammar.
I mean why not? Nothing to be gained by being a jerk about it.
And that’s how the the human species saw the rise and dominance of Clausism, the corruption leading to their eventual destruction after the Great Hallmark Wars.
I already know & understand that Santa Claus exists, silly.
Since it’s sort of related and I love this story, I’m telling it.
My sister and her husband didn’t raise my (now 5yo) nephew with ‘Santa’ being real, but they also didn’t ever say he wasn’t. When he was 3, we were doing a Zoom call with the extended family and someone asked him if Santa was real. He said, “Santa’s pretend-real.”
Basically, no, he’s not, but the concept of Santa is real enough and so we talk about Santa as real.
My uncle then said, “Kind of like God!”
What could have been a dark turn for many families thankfully was just a hilarious moment for ours!
Still my favorite way to think about and describe both Santa and God, lol.
