A girl band inspired by Japanese pop music, or J-pop, has made its debut in Laos, in an apparent move that it hopes to reproduce the success of the mega-hit Japanese girl group AKB48.
The group Lao Navy, which consists of seven Lao girls aged between 14 and 21, presented its first performance at the Japanese Culture Day in the Lao capital Vientiane on September 21, Tokyo-based news agency Jiji News reported.
The group is produced and managed by a Japanese businessman based in Vientiane who hopes to lay out the foundation of a platform that nurtures more girl groups in the country.
“I have been a big fan of Japanese animations since I was young. My dream was to become a member of a girl band,” said Ami, a member of Lao Navy as well as a student at the Lao National University, as quoted by Jiji News.
As a part of promotional efforts, the group also plans to participate in cultural events in foreign countries such as Thailand and Japan.
By their look and the style of performance, it is not difficult to tell Lao Navy hopes to follow the footstep of the mega-hit girl band in Japan, AKB48.
AKB48 is one of the highest-earning musical performers in Japan and considered a social phenomenon. As of June 2018, the group has sold over 56 million records, including over 6 million albums.
AKB48 has many sister groups, including the ones overseas.
The group launched its first sister group, BNK48, in Thailand in 2017 targeting fans in Bangkok, while formed one more group CGM48 in June this year focusing on audiences in Chiang Mai.
