Rainbow is scheduled to debut in September with their single A.  They are signed with Universal Music Japan which is the same record label as Kara.  Other groups debuting within the same period will be After School and Secret.  There will be some competition but for the most part it seems each group usually has their own followers and fan groups so they all should be okay.  Rainbow probably isn’t as big as the other girl groups and those before them, but they have the advantage of being from the same Korean entertainment company as SS501 and Kara so they have the contacts.  Even though their company may be crappy and has some major shortcomings, they at least enabled Kara to become popular in Japan and so far has come up with an agreement to keep them together.

Rainbow has already done a small Japanese television program on Kpop called Han Love Girls and studied some Japanese.  I’m guessing they’ll be seriously studying Japanese for their debut because it will either make them or break them.  It certainly was a major factor in Kara’s success by appearing on morning, variety, and music shows and speaking Japanese pretty decently.  Girls’ Generation is doing a lot better with their Japanese, but then their biggest problem is that you can’t understand anything they’re saying in their songs according to my mom.  Rainbow’s leader Jaekyung looks similar to Ayuse Haruka, a real popular actress for looking pure and beautiful.  I personally think No-Eul looks a lot like Kimura Yoshino.  Seung-ah and Woori look very pretty and hot.  Jisook and Yoonhye look pretty unique.  Hyunyoung is cute and pretty.

Rainbow seems to be going for the sexy look and promoting their “Oheso Dance” or belly button dance where they lift their shirts slightly like in the picture above.  It is kind of funny that people make a big deal out of it when most girl groups in Korea and Japan wear outfits showing their mid section.  The “Butt Dance” really helped Kara and so Rainbow is definitely following in their footsteps with their own move to use as an advantage.  I guess it is a big tease and will at least attract a male audience.  My guess is they can target the AKB fanboys and men.  Maybe they’ll do Japanese photobooks and magazines and be able to wear bikinis…. haha.  Oh well just wishful thinking.   Too much Korean conservative opinions and censorship for any Korean idol group to do that.  I do find it the funniest thing to see that even the male idols don’t or can’t go shirtless on TV at the swimming pool or beach.

If Rainbow works hard and they all learn Japanese they’ll be successful.  I’m sure the Japanese guys will be fascinated with Rainbow because I sure am.

http://www.universal-music.co.jp/rainbow/