In Pictures: Hong Kong’s underground idols – a subculture on the fringes of fame

Hong Kong Free Press

When Aya and Inori stepped onstage to perform as Otadol.HK at an anime event at West Kowloon Cultural District in early April, they received a pop-stars’ welcome. But the pair, both in their early 20s, are not exactly pop stars – they are underground idols.

Otadol.HK performing on stage on April 8, 2023, with fans supporting them with unique slogans. — Otadol.HK performing on stage on April 8, 2023, as fans support them. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

In Japanese pop culture, idols are entertainers whose image and personality have been carefully curated to appeal to a dedicated – and financially faithful – fanbase. They are primarily young singers and dancers whose outfits, choreography, songs and even the way that they interact with followers come from Japanese animation, comics, and games. They often make money through merchandise and meeting their fervent followers.

Japan’s idol industry emerged in the 1960s and is still going strong, providing a model for some of the biggest K-pop groups today.

Underground idols, a subculture of the idol industry, have fans and perform like their better-known counterparts.

But their allure is more niche and the venues they play are significantly smaller.

Many underground idols have representative colours. Inori's (left) colour is clue, while Aya's colour is pink. She said that she only liked pink after becoming an idol. — Many underground idols have representative colours. Inori (left) is represented by the colour blue, while Aya’s colour is pink. She said that she only started liking pink after becoming an idol. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

According to fan statistics, Hong Kong currently has around 140 underground idols.

Aya and Inori, along with another girl, formed Otadol.HK last year. The name means: “as an otaku, can I really be an idol?” Otaku roughly translates to “nerd” or “geek” in Japanese.

Their songs and choreography came from a Japanese group with the same name, while their outfits are sponsored by a Japanese company. Aya is responsible for the group’s dance moves, while Inori, who studied in Japan, ensures they can understand and pronounce the lyrics.

Aya and Inori playing video games before a performance, neither of them were too nervous — Aya and Inori playing video games before a performance, neither of them seemed too nervous. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Underground idols’ main selling points are their down-to-earth personalities and their willingness to work hard to achieve their dreams. As a result, they are forgiven if their performances are not up to the professional level.

Of course, their youth, energy, and cute aesthetic are all part of their appeal.

The pair usually practise in choreography rooms in industrial buildings. Aya is more familiar with dancing, and is responsible for learning and studying Japanese idol choreography. Inori studied in Japan, and is responsible for understanding the Japanese lyrics and their pronunciation. — The pair usually practise in choreography in industrial buildings. Aya is more familiar with dancing, and is responsible for learning and studying Japanese idol choreography. Inori studied in Japan, and is responsible for understanding the Japanese lyrics and their pronunciation. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

As well as onstage performances, post-show sessions are arranged during which fans can meet, talk to and take instant photos with their idols – for a fee.

The idols write messages of appreciation and encouragement to their fans on the photos.

Aya is a nursing student, and have to balance interning at the hospital, her part-time work, idol practices and performances. She nearly fell asleep on the bus — Aya is a nursing student, and has to balance interning at the hospital, her part-time work, idol practice and performing. She nearly fell asleep on the bus. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

However, being an underground idol is not easy. The third member of Otadol.HK dropped out for health reasons.

Edmond Lai from Dokuran Production, which manages several idol groups, told HKFP the industry had a high turnover rate. While there were a lot of people wanting to join, not many make it, finding the time management involved, an exhausting training schedule, and interacting with fans to be considerable burdens.

Underground idols also do not earn a lot, Lai said, adding that it could barely be called a job. Neither member of Otadol.HK is a full-time idol, with Aya training to be a nurse and Inori working part time.

Aya napping in the choreography room before practising for her next performance, after waking up at 5 a.m. to work at the hospital on April 12, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

HKFP’s photographer followed Aya and Inori as they prepared for a performance and met fans afterwards.

When Otadol.HK appeared on stage on April 8, 2023, a male fan shouted “I have liked you for a very long time.” Aya laughed and said that it happened a lot. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

“I have wanted to become an underground idol since I was in [Form Three] because of an anime. I am not ready to give up. My ultimate goal is to perform with the Japanese idols I like,” Aya said.

“I am willing to try as long as what I am doing is related to music. Hopefully one day I can pursue electronic music, which I like. However, I have also decided that I will give up if I have not succeeded by a certain age,” Inori said.

“I enjoy the moment when people shout my name from the audience, I am happiest while performing on stage,” Aya said. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Inori going to her part-time job after practise on April 14, 2023. During the commute she bought a cup of coffee and a sandwich. — Inori going to her part-time job after practise on April 14, 2023. During the commute she bought a coffee and a sandwich. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Inori taking a selfie before a performance. She said she only became an underground idol after a member of a Japanese idol group aid she was suitable to do so during her visit to Japan. — Inori taking a selfie before a performance. She said she only became an underground idol after a member of a Japanese idol group said she would make a good idol during a visit to Japan. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Supporters fascinated by their idols. They will design slogans based on the lyrics of their idols' songs, forming a unique culture. — Supporters fascinated by their idols. They will come up with slogans based on the lyrics of their idols’ songs, forming a unique culture. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Each show usually features performances from several underground idol groups, such that audience with different preferences can watch their own idols. This is the performance of another group in the same show as Otadol.HK. — Each show usually features performances from several underground idol groups. This is the performance of another group in the same show as Otadol.HK. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Aya and Inori both said they are tired after the performance, but they still have the after-show session. — Despite saying they felt tired after their performance, Aya and Inori still had to attend the after-show session with their fans. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

The main purpose of the after-show session is to allow interactions between idols and their fans, to maintain relations, and receiving feedback. The sessions are also the main income source of the shows. — The main purpose of after-show sessions is to allow fans to interact with idols, to maintain relations, and receive feedback. The sessions are also the main income source of the shows. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

The number of underground idol groups in Hong Kong is growing rapidly. “A lot of the times fans will only give positive comments, especially to pretty girls, but many hardworking underground idols were not seen. I hope that the group can work hard to maintain the quality of their performance in the future,” said Edmond Lai. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Otadol.HK's instant photos to HKFP — Otadol.HK’s instant photos for HKFP. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Additional reporting: Candice Chau.

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https://hongkongfp.com/2023/04/22/in-pictures-hong-kongs-underground-idols-a-subculture-on-the-fringes-of-fame/