#msobservations

[msprojects]

timelesz Audition Project

Is anybody watching this on Netflix Japan?

There's only one episode out at this time, and I'm surprised to find it's a great little slice of how job hunting goes here in Japan, as in, what not to say (DEFINITELY do not NOT know the songs of the group you're auditioning for, especially if said group's members are the judges!!) and how to appeal to your future employers.

We see instances of lack of enough effort shown by contestants ("I auditioned because of girls"), which is surprising to me because my impression of Japanese people is that they're always prepared (when I say prepared, they are PREPARED). Then again, this is show biz and attitudes may differ a little. But still, all of it is handled in a Japanese way, and one thing I always liked about the job hunting process here, even if it's difficult to be on the receiving end, is they really probe your motivation for wanting to enter their company, so you really had to have done some deep reflection to provide a satisfactory answer.

Another thing, too, is how group cooperation and harmony is prioritized in the selection process. More than just being good at singing, dancing and entertaining in general, they make it a point to say they want somebody who can fit in the group. I find this striking because I feel this is glossed over in other, similar shows (admittedly, I haven't seen much), as they seem to emphasize more on the talent and skill instead (understandably, it's a huge investment), but this is definitely a different vibe and I'm here for it. What good is a talented singer/dancer if they can't get along in the group? You get the sense that they're aiming for the very long-term. It makes me invested to look forward to more of the audition process and how they will select the new members, and see how they gel in the end.

Lastly, I may have found a crush in Kikuchi Fuma, he's got that bad boy stare you know will make you shiver if it's ever directed at you.