As for breaking away from KAT-TUN- I can see this being a MAJOR blow to their popularity, given how big a role Jin plays in the group. When he left in ‘07, there was still hope that he would come back- and he did- so if he decides to leave KAT-TUN, Johnny’s had better word the announcement pretty vaguely if they want KAT-TUN to continue topping the charts.

Of course, I guess I’m underestimating the abilities of the other members, but you have to admit, KAT-TUN probably lost more than 25% of their draw without Jin in the mix. Maybe Johnnys would consider adding a new member if Jin leaves. Haha, that would be a other can of beans though…

I really don’t know how I feel about this. Jin is obviously an independent mind, and fits better into the American entertainment scene anyway. But even if he IS successful, does that mean that he’ll have more freedom? I mean, unless he is SUPER lucky and somehow climbs to some sort of mainstream popularity (and thus can cut ties with Johnny’s and sign on with someone else?)

Also, I would hate to see KAT-TUN break apart. I know the members have a reputation for not being very close to each other (like, their colleagues but not best friends), but I can really see being the final rip in the seams of their group.

Oh, the idol drama.

Iiiiiiiinteresting. These groups, when successful, seem to stay together for so long, and I worry for the independence of their members. It reassures me to see someone confident enough to go his own way.

Also, I would really like to see some more Asian love in America; maybe this will help. I’ve been noticing more and more that Asian-American people are pushed out of leading roles in American shows and movies. If it’s demonstrated that actual Asian people, and not just anime characters, are marketable, that might change. However, I’m not at all sure how this will go.

Also, re:Charmaine’s comment about America’s corruptness: I would say Jin’s change in mood is not due to the corruption in America, but the independence he experienced there. Think about it: he wouldn’t be able to go anywhere in Japan without girls recognizing him and climbing all over him. On top of that, most people these days have the chance to go to college and to do things themselves and goof around and maybe be a little selfish. Jin, and a lot of the other idols, haven’t had that. They’ve been nigh on brainwashed from a relatively early age with this Johnny’s craziness. They skip straight to adulthood as pre-teen “workers”, but are then frozen in this unstable idol environment where their lives are simply not normal, where other people isolate and regulate them. I would think it would be difficult to come back to that after getting the chance to be a totally new person somewhere else.

Anyway, I’m not trying to be a downer, but this is where my mind goes. It would be a shame to see KAT-TUN fall apart, but I am always concerned about these idols and want them to be happy.

I did read about Jin not joining the concerts and going - again - to the US. Needless to say, I’m very disappointed and afraid that this time, he doesn’t intend to come back as A of KAT-TUN…and I can’t help but be afraid for my favorite band. Losing Jin may be catastrophic for the group.

On the other hand, I did enjoy the second album even without Jin in it, so I do believe that the group will survive the loss, although much diminished by it. And I will of course, continue supporting them. I also agree that lately, Jin has seemed disinterested in group activities - although again, he seemed happy enough during the BtR concerts. At the very least, he was interacting with more of the group (with Junno and Ueda), although admittedly very little with Kame. Sigh, such contradicting signals.

I love Jin - recalcitrant and moody child that he is, and of course I want him to be happy whatever happens in the US (I just think that he was a much happier camper before he went to the US the last time. Since his return he hasn’t been the same, no? Would it be safe to comment that the US is such a corrupting influence?). However, I must say that I have grave doubts about him making it in the US, unless he changes A LOT and is VERY lucky. Very few Asians succeed in that market, unfortunately.

Que sera sera…I suppose..