The world of K-Pop is a global phenomenon, but some of its brightest stars aren't from Korea. In powerhouse groups like Twice, Le Sserafim, and NCT, you'll find a growing number of Japanese idols who have become fan favorites around the world.

But their journey is more than just a success story. It's a fascinating look at the complex and often fraught relationship between Japan and South Korea. In this video, we explore the strategic brilliance of including Japanese members in K-Pop groups, the unique pressures these "crossover" stars face, and how they have become unlikely but powerful cultural diplomats, bridging the gap between two nations with a shared and complicated history.

GROUPS & IDOLS MENTIONED:

• Twice (Momo, Sana, Mina)

• Le Sserafim (Sakura, Kazuha)

• NCT (Yuta, Shotaro)

• IZ*ONE

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

► Who is your favorite non-Korean K-Pop idol? Let us know in our Discord

#KPop #JPop #Twice #LeSserafim #VideoEssay #CulturalAnalysis #BoyMeetsEast

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• Emerging – real-time screenwriting insights from rising writers.

Until next time, keep exploring—and keep learning!

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Podcast Show Notes:

Jump scares are easy. A quiet, creeping dread that follows you home is art. In this episode of The East of Everywhere, we're dissecting the unique and deeply unsettling world of J-Horror, using the 2002 masterpiece Ju-On: The Grudge as our scalpel.

Why are Japanese ghost stories so profoundly different and, for many, so much scarier than their Western counterparts? We explore the terrifying cultural concepts that define the genre: the inescapable curse of the Onryō (vengeful spirit), the psychological horror of violating mundane and "safe" spaces, and the disorienting power of non-linear storytelling. This is a look at the quiet, atmospheric terror that J-Horror perfected.

WATCH THE ORIGINAL FILM:

► Ju-On: The Grudge (2002)

MEDIA REFERENCED:

• Ringu (1998)

• The concept of Yūrei (Japanese ghosts)

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

► What's the scariest movie you've ever seen—from any country? Defend your choice in the #film-club on Discord:

Listener discretion is advised. If this episode made you sleep with the lights on, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast app.

Thanks for joining East of Everywhere! If this episode made you think, the best way to support us is by sharing it with a friend and leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast app.

✉️ Join Boy Meets Inbox

🐦 Follow us: @BoyMeetsEast on X • Instagram • TikTok

📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BoyMeetsEast

🔄 Your Boy's other adventures:

• Required Watching – deep dives into must-see films for filmmakers.

• Emerging – real-time screenwriting insights from rising writers.

Until next time, keep exploring—and keep learning!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a meeting of the East of Everywhere film club. Today, we're stepping into the enchanting, heartbreaking, and deeply philosophical world of Studio Ghibli and its master director, Hayao Miyazaki. Why do films like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke resonate so powerfully, even decades after their release?

This isn't just a film review; it's a deep dive into a worldview. In this solo session, I'm exploring the three core themes that I believe make up the "Gospel of Ghibli": his complex reverence for nature, his unwavering faith in the resilience of youth, and his profound belief in the spiritual dignity of work. This is my attempt to understand the magic behind one of the greatest storytellers of our time.

FILMS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Spirited Away (2001)

• Princess Mononoke (1997)

• My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

• Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

► What's your favorite Ghibli film and why?

Thanks for joining East of Everywhere! If this episode made you think, the best way to support us is by sharing it with a friend and leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast app.

✉️ Join Boy Meets Inbox

🐦 Follow us: @BoyMeetsEast on X • Instagram • TikTok

📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BoyMeetsEast

🔄 Your Boy's other adventures:

• Required Watching – deep dives into must-see films for filmmakers.

• Emerging – real-time screenwriting insights from rising writers.

Until next time, keep exploring—and keep learning!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.