The agency said on Sunday that some of the SMAP members still opted to disband, leading the agency to agree. – Japan’s top boy band promoter and most powerful talent agency – has released a statement saying the group will dissolve as of December 31.
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In January, SMAP came on the verge of a breakup amid the possible departure of some members from the agency. But Johnny & Associates’ founding family had other ideas – and one member, Kimura, wanted to stay.
SMAP, which cryptically stands for “Sports Music Assemble People”, started out as a fresh-faced boy band in 1988.
The members of SMAP, which was formed 25 years ago, will remain with Johny & Associates as individuals and will continue their activities, the statement said.
The band consists of Masahiro Nakai, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Shingo Katori and Takuya Kimura.
Eventually all five went on TV to say they had “apologized to Mr. Johnny” – Johnny Kitagawa, the company’s president. In 1996, one of the members, Katsuyuki Mori, left the group to pursue a motorcycle racing career. Its 2003 single “The Only Flower in the World” sold over two million copies.
Appearing on their SMAP X SMAP television variety show later that month, the five members announced the group’s decision not to break up and offered an apology to their fans over the turmoil. The lead singer of the band, Masahiro Nakai, is famous for his TV hosting abilities.
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Whether you love or loathe SMAP, there is no denying they have been a staple of Japanese pop culture for the past quarter of a century.
