J-Pop Kissa ~take a break~

This October, JO1 makes their official US debut with their first-ever North American tour — and if you haven't caught on to this 9-member group yet, this is your chance. In this episode, host Terence traces JO1's origin story and digs into what sets them apart: a distinctive blend of Kpop and Jpop styles that's helped them carve out their own lane in a crowded idol landscape.

Terence also makes the case for why your showing up matters more than you think.

Whether you're deep into Jpop, anime culture, or just curious what the hype is about, this episode is your reason to grab a ticket.

In this podcast episode, Terence talks about new J-Pop singer-songwriter Lady Ocean. His debut digital single, "Yume wa koi no you ni" (恋は夢のように), brings a wave of 90s nostalgia — that familiar sense of longing, and a reminder of the dreams we all once had. Learn more about him with Terence, and hop on this journey down memory lane with an up-and-comer you won't want to miss.

🎥 Stream this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube, and Amazon Music.

Featuring:LADY OCEAN"Vibrant Life" by KetsaLicensed under CC BY 4.0Source: freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/upbeat-street/vibrant-life

In this episode, Terence reacts to the latest music video from Morning Musume '26: "YES or NO or ME" (YESかNOか私か). The song marks the debut of the group's 18th generation members — and bittersweetly, it's also the final single for Sakura Oda, who has been an influential member and powerhouse vocalist for the group over the past 14 years.

Join Terence in celebrating this new chapter for Morning Musume '26.

🎥 This is an edited version — head to YouTube for the full video reaction and MV watch-along!

Featuring:

モーニング娘。'26

"Vibrant Life" by KetsaLicensed under CC BY 4.0Source: freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/upbeat-street/vibrant-life

This summer Terence was in Tokyo to see HIGEDAN and Angela Aki in concert. He reflects on his experience from there, as well as the hits from EBiDAN that are energizing him this summer.

Video version available on Spotify and Youtube.

Featuring:

Official髭男dism

アンジェラ・アキ

EBiDAN

M!LK

ONE N' ONLY

GNJB (原因は自分にある。)

"Vibrant Life" by Ketsa
Licensed under CC BY 4.0
Source: freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/upbeat-street/vibrant-life

Season 2 of J-Pop Kissa is officially here! Terence breaks down everything from the Produce 101 Japan SHINSEKAI finale — including the stunning results and the debut of new group KO1KEYZ コイキーズ. And if you've been on the fence about catching JO1 on their North America tour, this episode might just push you over the edge.

Want more than the café table chat? Subscribe for behind-the-scenes stories, vlogs & J-Pop deep dives → https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/jpopkissa/subscribe

Find me on IG and Threads!

IG: ⁠@terencethang / @jpopkissa

A special sneak peek of the subscriber-only content 

Bonus content: 

I attended OFFICIAL HIGE DANDISM LIVE at STADIUM 2025, their first-ever stadium tour, back in June.

I can still remember the smell of the air, the temperature on my skin, and the energy from 70,000 fans.

As I get ready for their upcoming one-man live at Toyota Arena Tokyo on October 11, here are a few clips to relive that incredible night together.

🎧 Listen to my episode about the experience ⁠here⁠

✨ Subscription for my podcast has begun on ⁠Spotify⁠!

⁠Subscribe today⁠ for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes moments, and video podcasts!

🎙️Host: Terence

IG: ⁠⁠@tere_now⁠

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/jpopkissa/subscribe

サブスク限定コンテンツの一部を特別に公開しています。有料メンバーだけが楽しめる内容を少しだけお届け！

ボーナスコンテンツ： 6月に行われたOfficial髭男dism初のスタジアムツアー

「OFFICIAL HIGE DANDISM LIVE at STADIUM 2025」 に参加しました。

今でもあの時の空気の匂い、肌に感じた温度、そして7万人の熱気をはっきり覚えています。

10月11日のToyota Arena Tokyoでのワンマンライブを前に、あの最高の夜を一緒にもう一度味わってください。

🎧 当時の体験を語ったエピソードは⁠こちら⁠

✨ Spotifyでポッドキャストの⁠サブスクリプション⁠が始まりました！

限定コンテンツや舞台裏トーク、ビデオポッドキャストをぜひお楽しみください！

🎙️Host: Terence

IG: ⁠⁠@tere_now

This special collaboration episode features my friend and talented cosplayer Kei! Together, we dive into the world of Megumi Ogata, the legendary voice behind many iconic characters. Kei shares her passion, insights, and experiences, while we celebrate what makes Ogata’s performances so unforgettable.

🎙️Host: Terence

IG: @terencethang

⭐️Guest: Kei

Linktree

Kei (she/her) has been cosplaying her favorite characters for over 20 years in both the United States and Japan. You can catch her work on social media under the handle @tophat_tiara!

🎶 Want to hear the full songs discussed in this episode?

Join Terence on the StationHead app for a special companion broadcast! With an Apple Music or Spotify subscription linked to the app, you can tune in like a live radio show and listen to the tracks together.

📲 ⁠⁠LINK⁠⁠ to episode

🎵 Links to songs below!

今回の特別コラボ回では、友人であり才能あるコスプレイヤーのKeiさんをお迎えしました！一緒に、数々の名キャラクターを演じてきた伝説的声優、緒方恵美さんについて語ります。Keiさんの情熱や体験を交えながら、緒方さんの演技がなぜこれほどまでに心に残るのかを探っていきます。

🎶 実際に楽曲も聴いてみたい方へ：

このエピソードで紹介した楽曲を楽しめる連動番組を、StationHeadアプリで配信中！Apple MusicまたはSpotifyのアカウントをリンクすれば、ラジオ感覚でテレンスと一緒にリアルタイムで音楽を楽しめます。

📲 StationHeadへの参加は⁠⁠こちら⁠

🎵 曲のリンクは下からチェック！

🎙️Host: Terence

IG: ⁠@tere_now⁠

⭐️Guest: Kei

⁠Linktree⁠

Kei（she/her）は、アメリカと日本の両方で20年以上にわたり、大好きなキャラクターのコスプレを続けています。ぜひSNSアカウント @tophat_tiara で彼女の作品をご覧ください！

VIDEO (Youtube)

⁠MUSIC - Can you hear me?⁠

⁠MUSIC - Nobody's perfect⁠

⁠MUSIC - Try Out, Go On!⁠

timelesz, JO1, and INI are all lighting up the J-Pop scene right now! In this episode, I talk about timelesz’s energetic new track Rock This Party from their record-breaking album FAM, JO1’s heartfelt single Hiraku, and INI members Takumi Ozaki & Kyosuke Fujimaki’s self-written love song Propose. Tune in as I share my thoughts, favorite moments, and why these groups are worth all the hype.

🎶 Want to hear the full songs discussed in this episode?

Join Terence on the StationHead app for a special companion broadcast! With an Apple Music or Spotify subscription linked to the app, you can tune in like a live radio show and listen to the tracks together.

📲 ⁠⁠LINK⁠⁠ to episode

🎵 Links to songs below!

Want more than the café table chat? Subscribe for behind-the-scenes stories, vlogs & J-Pop deep dives → https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/jpopkissa/subscribe

timelesz、JO1、INIは今まさにJ-POPシーンを盛り上げています！今回のエピソードでは、自己最高の売上を記録したアルバム『FAM』からのエネルギッシュな新曲「Rock This Party」、映画『富士山と、コーヒーと、しあわせの数式』のために書き下ろされたJO1の心温まるシングル「ひらく」、そしてINIの尾崎匠海＆藤牧京介が自ら作詞したラブソング「プロポーズ」について英語で語ります。お気に入りの瞬間や注目ポイントをシェアしながら、なぜこの3組が今大きな注目を集めているのかをお届けします。

🎶 実際に楽曲も聴いてみたい方へ：

このエピソードで紹介した楽曲を楽しめる連動番組を、StationHeadアプリで配信中！Apple MusicまたはSpotifyのアカウントをリンクすれば、ラジオ感覚でテレンスと一緒にリアルタイムで音楽を楽しめます。

📲 StationHeadへの参加は⁠⁠こちら⁠⁠

🎵 曲のリンクは下からチェック！

VIDEOS

⁠NETFLIX: timelesz project -AUDITION-⁠

MUSIC VIDEO - timelesz "Rock this Party"

SONG - JO1 "Hiraku" (ひらく）

SONG - INI "Propose" (プロポーズ)

In this episode, our host Terence shares his experience attending Asai Noa Talk Live in Silicon Valley, held on August 23 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Known for his breakout appearance on the Netflix-aired timelesz project – AUDITION, Noa stood out as the youngest finalist—selected from nearly 19,000 applicants.

His growth and unwavering determination left a lasting impression on viewers and fans alike. Now, as he sets his sights on becoming a one-of-a-kind global idol from both Japan and the U.S., Terence reflects on what it felt like to witness his passion firsthand.

Get to know Noa now—before the rest of the world catches up.

🎶 Want to hear the full songs discussed in this episode?

Join Terence on the StationHead app for a special companion broadcast! With an Apple Music or Spotify subscription linked to the app, you can tune in like a live radio show and listen to the tracks together.

📲 ⁠LINK⁠ to episode

🎵 Links to songs below!

Want more than the café table chat? Subscribe for behind-the-scenes stories, vlogs & J-Pop deep dives → https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/jpopkissa/subscribe

Who is Noa Asai?

Noa Asai is an 18-year-old from the U.S. who gained recognition as the youngest contestant on Netflix’s timelesz project – AUDITION. Out of nearly 19,000 applicants, he was selected as one of the Top 8 finalists. With over 140,000 Instagram followers, he shares both his charm and determination as he prepares to move to Japan to pursue his dream of becoming a global idol—while also starting college.

今回のエピソードでは、「浅井乃我トークライブ in シリコンバレー」という初のファンミーティングに参加した体験を、英語で語ります。

Netflixで世界配信されたオーディション番組『timelesz project - AUDITION』で、1万9千人の中から最年少ファイナリストに選ばれた乃我くん。言葉の壁や文化の違いに直面しながらも、自分の限界を乗り越えて成長していく姿に、多くの視聴者が心を動かされました。

アイドルになる夢をまっすぐに追い続ける彼の想いと意志に触れたその瞬間を、どうぞお聞きください。

世界に知られる前の“今”の乃我くんを、ぜひ一緒に見届けましょう。

🎶 実際に楽曲も聴いてみたい方へ：

このエピソードで紹介した楽曲を楽しめる連動番組を、StationHeadアプリで配信中！Apple MusicまたはSpotifyのアカウントをリンクすれば、ラジオ感覚でテレンスと一緒にリアルタイムで音楽を楽しめます。

📲 StationHeadへの参加は⁠こちら⁠

🎵 曲のリンクは下からチェック！

VIDEOS

NETFLIX: timelesz project -AUDITION-

TOP 18 DANCE - "Anthem"

PERFORMANCE "RIGHT NEXT TO YOU"

PERFORMANCE - "SWEET"

TOP 8 PERFORMANCE "RUN"

MUSIC VIDEO - Arashi "KITE" (カイト) (*Noa does not appear.)

This episode is our host Terence's tribute to Sayumi Michishige—Morning Musume’s beloved sixth-gen member, iconic leader, and the heart of the Colorful Era. From her debut in 2003 to her dazzling solo return, Sayumi brought joy, charisma, and charm to fans around the world. As she steps away from the spotlight for good, we look back with deep gratitude on the light she gave us—and the legacy she leaves behind.

🎶 Want to hear the full songs discussed in this episode?

Join Terence on the StationHead app for a special companion broadcast! With an Apple Music or Spotify subscription linked to the app, you can tune in like a live radio show and listen to the tracks together.

📲 ⁠LINK⁠ to episode

🎵 Links to songs below!

Want more than the café table chat? Subscribe for behind-the-scenes stories, vlogs & J-Pop deep dives → https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/jpopkissa/subscribe

本エピソードは、モーニング娘。第６期メンバーであり、“カラフル期”を象徴するリーダー、道重さゆみさんへの感謝を込めたトリビュートです。2003年のデビューから、ソロ復帰に至るまで、彼女は世界中のファンに笑顔と魅力を届けてくれました。芸能界を完全に引退するこのタイミングで、彼女が残してくれた輝きと愛に、心からのありがとうを伝えます。

🎶 実際に楽曲も聴いてみたい方へ：

このエピソードで紹介した楽曲を楽しめる連動番組を、StationHeadアプリで配信中！Apple MusicまたはSpotifyのアカウントをリンクすれば、ラジオ感覚でテレンスと一緒にリアルタイムで音楽を楽しめます。

📲 StationHeadへの参加は⁠こちら

🎵 曲のリンクは下からチェック！

Concert Video - Ookii Hitomi (大きい瞳） (Unofficial Upload)

Solo Music Video - Kare to issho ni omise ga shitai! 『彼と一緒にお店がしたい！』 (道重さゆみ Solo Ver.)

Concert Video - lalala no pipipi (ラララのピピピ) (Unofficial Upload)

Music Video - Aruiteru (歩いてる) - Original Morning Musume version

Concert Video - Akai Freesia (赤いフリージア) (Unofficial upload)

Music Video - YES! Saikou desho (YES！最幸でしょ♡)