Fairies is an idol group with an average age of 15.6 years, hailing from the same agency that spawned talents such as Namie Amuro, MAX, and SPEED, and was put together under the concept of "a talented group which can break the international barrier". Their debut single "More Kiss/Song for You" released in September 2011 ranked in at #11 on the Oricon weekly charts and won the USEN's Best Newcomer award in November. They also won the Best Newcomer award at the 53rd Japan Record Awards in the same year with an average age of 13.6 years, making them the youngest winners ever.
A showbiz writer comments about the group: "Their record company AVEX spent a huge amount on them when they made their debut, as if to make them take the footsteps that SPEED once took. They had a considerable amount of commercial deals and even had their own radio program just one month after their debut. By April of the following year, they launched their own TV program Harajuku Kirakira Gakuin and everything looked set for them. However, it seems that they have struggled to capture fans due to their agency's overly conspicuous method of pushing for them, together with the fact that their songs and dances were too stylish.".
The group released their 7th single "RUN with U" just last month and will be releasing their first album Fairies in the 26th of this month. However, some people seem to have been shocked at Fairies' fan events lately.
The same writer comments: "Male fans [sic] uploaded pictures of the meet- and-greet event on Twitter, and the idols seem to be allowing their fans to hold hands with them like lovers, and even hug them. This has led to other idol wotas commenting, "Wow, they're hugging male wotas? Such a turn-off", "So this is what has become of them for not being able to go the orthodox route......", "Poor members", "To think that Fairies were so talented...". There are other idols who get much closer than this with their fans such as BiS and Erena Ono, but a majority of idols do not allow fans to even touch them. This has shocked a number of idol wotas and left them disillusioned with Fairies who used to take the more common, orthodox route.".
This event is scheduled throughout the month for fans who have preordered the album. Fans who have ordered 2 or more copies of the album are allowed to have their pictures taken with the members. Will Fairies be able to catch a huge break just as their seniors SPEED have?
Source:
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