Secrets Behind Japanese Idols Creating a Buzz on Social Media: Exploring the Strategy of "Songs with a Twist" and "Slightly Challenging Choreography"

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Idol Strategies in the Era of Vertical SNS

2. Who is Misa Kimura P?

3. How to Create a "Discomfort Song"

4. The Psychology of "Slightly Difficult Choreography"

5. Hashtag & UGC Diffusion Design

6. Localization Techniques to Capture Overseas Fans

7. Three Case Studies

8. Summary and Future Prospects
   
   

1. Introduction: Idol Strategies in the Era of Vertical SNS

In the current era where users holding their smartphones vertically decide to scroll within 1 to 2 seconds, music marketing is all about the "opening battle." Japanese idols are enhancing their global presence under these conditions. Leading the forefront is Asobi System's project, .newsdig.tbs.co.jp

2. Who is Misa Kimura P?

• Former idol "Musubizm" → Behind the scenes → Became a producer at age 31.

• She utilizes her own "oshi-katsu" (fan activities) experience as a blueprint, overseeing everything from music and costumes to SNS management.newsdig.tbs.co.jp
  
  
  
  

3. How to Create a "Discomfort Song"

3-1 Dialogue Intro

FRUITS ZIPPER's "Watashi no Ichiban Kawaii Tokoro" forcibly grabs attention with the call of . Immediately following is a call-and-response type chorus, fitting into a 15-second loop that can be completed in a single TikTok.newsdig.tbs.co.jpja.wikipedia.org

3-2 Spell Phrase

Random English or member initials are inserted into the song (example: ). The lack of meaning → search → discovery of a story, induces a "quest loop."newsdig.tbs.co.jp

3-3 Frequency Distribution and Vocal Processing

Emphasizing high-range formants and placing clap sound effects at 0.9-second intervals creates a sense of clarity even on smartphone speakers.

4. The Psychology of "Slightly Difficult Choreography"

• Easy→Difficult→Easy three-layer structure: Only arm movements at the beginning and end, with fingertip formations in the middle to induce "almost giving up→play again."

• CANDY TUNE's "Double Double FIGHT!" gained over 200,000 TikTok-related videos using this algorithm.newsdig.tbs.co.jptiktok.com
  
  
  
  

5. Hashtag & UGC Diffusion Design

6. Localization Techniques to Capture Overseas Fans

• Subtitles Released Immediately: Short subtitles in English, Korean, and Spanish are simultaneously posted on YouTube Shorts.

• Fan Translation Kit: Official distribution of a PDF with lyrics and guidelines.

• Cultural Talk Distribution: Members introduce food reports and tourist spots→easy for local media to quote.
  
  
  
  

7. Case Study

7-1 FRUITS ZIPPER – My Cutest Part

3 billion TikTok views. 50 million views on YouTube. Overseas comment ratio: North America 12%, ASEAN 11%.x.com

7-2 CANDY TUNE – Double Double FIGHT!

“Speed editing” compresses a 60-second song into 30 seconds, with 3,000 fan-made remixes.youtube.com

7-3 CUTIE STREET – Isn't Being Cute Enough?

Placed a “0.5-second pause” before the chorus for lip-syncing → secondary creations surged, MV reached 50 million views.newsdig.tbs.co.jp

8. Summary and Future Outlook

“Slight discomfort” and “a bit challenging” are the golden combo for music × vertical SNS. The optimal solution changes with algorithm updates, but

① Emotional Hook in a Short Time 

② Repeat Viewing Design

 ③ Fan-Participatory Design

――These three principles are universal. In the future, the main battlefield will likely be the flow of virtual live → UGC linkage through generative AI remixes and MR (Mixed Reality).

List of Reference Articles

• TBS NEWS DIG "What is the 'Technique for Going Viral on SNS' for Idols?The song has a "sense of discomfort" and the choreography is "a bit challenging" newsdig.tbs.co.jp

• Nihon Keizai Shimbun "The Creator of Fruit Zipper 'Misa P' Behind the Hit"x.com

• Wikipedia "Watashi no Ichiban Kawaii Tokoro"ja.wikipedia.org

• TikTok Official Account @candy_tune "Baibai FIGHT!" Related Videos (2025)tiktok.com