Ep. 38 Idol, Burning
Written by Cordelia.
Listen to the full episode :
Hello, my dear listeners! How’s life treating you?
Today, I want to share something personal—something that has stayed with me for over 25 years. When I was bullied at school, a boy band from Japan unexpectedly became my lifeline. Their music and performances still encourage me to this day. Back then, I was so obsessed with them that I only confided in a few people, and they laughed because the boys weren’t considered “good-looking.” So, I kept my passion a secret, writing their names over and over in my diary. They were my friends, my cheerleaders. I watched their TV shows, dramas, listened to their music, and pinned a vision board on them. This passion has always been private.
Did you have someone or something you were obsessed with as a teenager? For me, that obsession was with a group named after a powerful force of nature: Arashi.
In today’s episode, we’re diving into a novel that resonates deeply with many fangirls—推し、燃ゆ (Oshi, Moyu), or Idol, Burning, written by Usami Rin. The novel was published in Japan in 2021, and the English edition, translated by Asa Yoneda, followed in 2022.
[About the Story]
Idol, Burning by Rin Usami is a powerful novel that delves into the darker side of pop idol fandom. The story follows Akari, a high school girl whose life is centered around her obsession with a J-pop idol named Masaki. When Masaki becomes caught up in a scandal, Akari’s world begins to unravel, revealing just how fragile her mental state is and how deeply she relies on this fandom as an escape from her troubled reality.
The novel, which won the Akutagawa Prize in 2020, explores themes of obsessive fandom, the influence of social media, and the sense of disconnection many young people experience today. Usami’s work has been compared to The Catcher in the Rye for its portrayal of adolescent alienation. The story offers a thoughtful critique of how pop culture and social media can both provide comfort and amplify feelings of isolation. It’s a raw and unsettling look at how an idol’s downfall can have profound emotional effects on their most devoted fans.
This novel has resonated with readers both in Japan and around the world, making it a significant piece of contemporary literature that speaks to the global nature of fandom and the intense emotions it can stir.
[Japanese Idol Culture]
If you Google “Japanese idol culture,” you might find a definition that says, “Idol, or aidoru, is a type of entertainer marketed primarily for their image, attractiveness, and personality in Japanese pop culture.” But that barely scratches the surface.
Japanese idols are more than just singers—they’re multimedia personalities, trained from a young age in singing, dancing, acting, and even modeling. Most idols start their training as early as 12 or 13 and only make their debut years later, often after five to ten years of intense preparation. They usually perform in groups, sometimes with as many as 40 members.
There’s another key term in idol culture: oshi. An oshi is the one you support—the member you’re devoted to. In Japan, idol culture is massive, with fans often forming deep emotional connections with their oshi.
But why is idol culture so prevalent in Japan? It’s rooted in the country’s deep appreciation for youth, energy, and optimism, qualities that idols epitomize. Fans aren’t just buying music; they’re buying into a dream, a sense of connection, and a community. Idols are portrayed as being within reach, yet just out of touch, creating a unique dynamic that blurs the line between reality and fantasy.
[Themes of the Novel]
Idol, Burning is a deep dive into the psyche of a young girl who has built her entire identity around her idol. Through Akari, Usami explores themes of obsession, the toxicity of social media, and the emotional voids that idol worship can fill—or fail to fill. The story is intense, raw, and at times, deeply uncomfortable, capturing the essence of what it means to lose yourself in devotion to someone who doesn’t even know you exist.
This novel resonates particularly with readers familiar with “stan” culture, where emotional investment in a celebrity can be all-consuming and, as Usami shows, potentially destructive.
[About the Writer]
Let’s take a moment to talk about Rin Usami, the brilliant mind behind Idol, Burning. Born in 1999, Usami started writing novels in high school. Her first novel, Kaka, won the prestigious Yukio Mishima Prize, making her the youngest recipient in the award’s history. Usami was just 21 when she won the Akutagawa Prize for Idol, Burning in 2020, cementing her place as one of Japan’s most promising young writers.
Usami’s writing is marked by its empathetic portrayal of youth and the complexities of modern life. In Idol, Burning, she doesn’t just tell a story; she critiques the pressures faced by young people in today’s hyper-connected world. Her work reflects and comments on the cultural phenomena that shape the lives of her generation.
[Fangirls and the Novel’s Impact]
Why does Idol, Burning resonate so deeply with readers, especially fangirls? The novel brilliantly captures the intensity of being a fan in today’s digital age. Akari’s experience reflects the reality of many who turn to fandom to find meaning or a sense of community in an often isolating world.
The book explores how fandom can be both a source of comfort and a path to disillusionment. This theme will strike a chord with anyone who has ever felt emotionally invested in a celebrity. Usami’s portrayal is both understanding and critical, highlighting how these obsessions can become harmful when they’re used to fill emotional voids left by unmet needs.
What makes Idol, Burning truly remarkable is how it combines the personal with the universal. Usami tells a story that is specific to Akari’s experience but also touches on broader issues—such as the impact of social media, the commercialization of pop culture, and the fragile nature of identity in today’s world. It’s a short novel, but it’s powerful, leaving readers with much to think about.
[Closing Thoughts]
In the English edition of the book, there’s an insightful interview with Usami Rin. She notes that for those who aren’t interested, idol worship can be easily dismissed as just a hobby or an unhealthy obsession. But what they often miss is the “why”—the reasons behind this obsession. For some, pursuing an idol can become a reason to live, even a form of salvation. For Akari, blogging about her idol is a way to connect with others who share her passion, a way to comfort herself with the belief that hard work will eventually pay off.
Akari’s struggles—dealing with a learning disorder without adequate support, finding it hard to focus, lacking friends—lead her to seek comfort and guidance in her idol. This brings us to an important point: pursuing an idol isn’t inherently bad. Having something or someone you’re passionate about is a good thing. But, as Usami points out, losing the backbone of one’s life isn’t worth it. There needs to be balance, and it’s okay to ask for help.
Yet, in some cultures, asking for help is still seen as a sign of weakness. This stigma needs to change.
Thank you for joining me on this deep dive into Idol, Burning and the complex world of fandom. Until next time, take care and remember—passion is powerful, but balance is key.
Reference:
Work: 推し、燃ゆ (Idol, Burning) by 宇佐見りん (Rin Usami)
Book in Japanese: https://amzn.asia/d/aN7r4oe
Book in English: https://amzn.asia/d/aN7r4oe
Background music:
フリーBGM「星の名残り」by のる
https://dova-s.jp/bgm/play20936.html
フリーBGM「孤独な少女」by ゆうり
https://dova-s.jp/bgm/play20112.html
フリーBGM「idola cell」by shimtone
https://dova-s.jp/bgm/play13178.html
