INI’s Shogo Tajima Charms Listeners on ‘POP-K TOP10 Friday’
On the November 21st broadcast of TOKYO FM’s ‘K-STAR CHART presents POP-K TOP10 Friday,’ a radio show linked to the K-Pop idol support app ‘IDOL CHAMP,’ INI’s Shogo Tajima made a special two-week consecutive appearance. The episode was filled with engaging conversation, offering a glimpse into the artist’s personality and the latest from the K-Pop scene.
A Warm “Yutotaji” Talk and Reflections on a Fulfilling Year
The “Pick Up Artist” segment saw Tajima and MC Yuto Adachi (known as Yuto from PENTAGON) dive into a relaxed chat that felt like a private conversation between friends. Affectionately dubbed “yutotaji” by fans, a portmanteau of their names, their dynamic created a notably warm atmosphere in the studio. They discussed year-end plans and even shared their favorite foods, with Adachi humorously revealing his love for sweet and sour pork, specifically the Japanese style over Korean tangsuyuk.
Tajima also spoke passionately about INI’s new single, THE WINTER MAGIC, released on November 19th. He highlighted the title track “Present,” co-written by members Rihito Ikezaki and Hiroto Nishi, noting, “The lyrics are cuter than you’d imagine from these two, and as the name ‘Present’ suggests, I hope this song becomes a gift to everyone.” Reflecting on the year, he shared, “This year, I had various experiences as part of INI, and it was truly a fun year. It’s been about four years since we started activities, and I want to continue to deliver an even more grown-up INI.” His words resonated with sincerity, painting a picture of an artist dedicated to his craft and his group’s evolution.
V (BTS) & PARK HYO SHIN Top the Charts, New Tracks Make a Splash
The weekly chart of ‘K-STAR CHART presents POP-K TOP10 Friday’ saw V (BTS) and PARK HYO SHIN’s collaboration, “Winter Ahead (with PARK HYO SHIN),” clinch the #1 spot for the 43rd time. The song’s enduring popularity was celebrated with an on-air play during the broadcast.
New entries also made their mark: YEONJUN’s “Talk to You” debuted at #5. This track is the title song from his first solo album, NO LABELS, released on November 7th. Separately, YEONJUN’s group, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, recently inaugurated the “TOKYO SNOW DOME CITY” winter illumination at Tokyo Dome City, bringing an early taste of winter to fans. PLAVE’s “BBUU!” also debuted strong at #3. The title track from their second single PLBBUU, its music video features an adorable collaboration with Sanrio Korea, showcasing PLAVE members transformed into plush toys alongside Sanrio characters.
Program Overview and Fan Engagement through IDOL CHAMP
‘K-STAR CHART presents POP-K TOP10 Friday’ offers a countdown of K-Pop idols’ original charts, determined by listener votes through the ‘IDOL CHAMP’ app. Hosted by Yuto Adachi, the show also introduces trending K-Pop artist information.
Program details:
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Program Name:
K-STAR CHART presents POP-K TOP10 Friday -
Broadcast Time: Every Friday 18:00～18:25 (JST)
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Broadcaster: TOKYO FM (Frequency 80.0MHz)
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Personality: Yuto Adachi (PENTAGON’s Yuto)
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Official X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/popktop10friday
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Official Website: https://www.tfm.co.jp/pop-k/
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Official Hashtag: #ポプコン
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radiko (Time-Free listening for one week): https://radiko.jp/
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Aftertalk Distribution:
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AuDee: https://audee.jp/
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6vuHaiMKhrDJbKWWoau7if
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Amazon Music: https://x.gd/v3wFq
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‘IDOL CHAMP’ is a smartphone app service linked to the Korean MBC PLUS music program “SHOW CHAMPION.” It allows users to pre-vote for the show, influencing weekly rankings. Beyond the program, the app hosts various other polls where winning artists receive support through street vision advertisements, station advertisements, and even charitable donations in their name. The app also collaborates with renowned magazines like Forbes (Korean edition) and music awards, fostering significant fan engagement annually.
IDOL CHAMP app links:
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App Store: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/idolchamp/id1185735018
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Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nwz.ichampclient&hl=ja&gl=US
The continued synergy between fan-driven platforms like IDOL CHAMP and traditional media outlets like TOKYO FM highlights the evolving landscape of K-Pop’s global reach. As K-Pop continues to captivate audiences worldwide, these interactive mechanisms will likely play an even greater role in shaping its future, connecting idols with their devoted fans in innovative ways.
