Japanese Music Show 'Song Thanksgiving' Features Ayumi Hamasaki and Snow Man
Listen to the story
A Japanese TV music program called "Song Thanksgiving" (Uta no Kanshasai) recently aired with several performers and hosts.
The show was hosted by Shota Watanabe and Manami Higa. Singer Ayumi Hamasaki, who is known for her hit songs from many years ago, performed a song that became a huge hit 20 years ago.
During the show, Hamasaki mentioned that she heard Watanabe was one of the hosts. This comment made Watanabe very emotional.
Watanabe expressed how touched he was to hear her words. Fans online reacted strongly to her performance as well.
Many people online called her song a "god-level song," a Japanese expression used to describe an extremely great piece of music.
Some fans also wrote that they were finally able to see Ayumi Hamasaki perform. Her nickname, "Ayu," is often used by her fanbase.
The show also released its lineup timetable ahead of broadcast, showing the order of performances.
According to the timetable, the group Snow Man performed the opening segment of the show.
In addition to opening the event, Snow Man performed three songs in total during the program.
The program appeared to feature multiple artists, though the summary highlights mainly Ayumi Hamasaki's performance and Snow Man's role as the opening act.
Vocabulary5 words
- hit songs
- songs that many people liked in the past
- emotional
- showing strong feelings
- god-level song
- a phrase meaning an extremely amazing song
- fanbase
- a group of people who support one performer
- lineup timetable
- a schedule showing who performs and when
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Ayumi Hamasaki's comment about him hosting 2. A god-level song 3. Three
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A Japanese TV music program called "Song Thanksgiving" recently aired with several _____ and hosts.
The show was hosted by Shota Watanabe and Manami _____.
Singer Ayumi Hamasaki performed a song that became a huge _____ 20 years ago.
Hamasaki mentioned that she heard Watanabe was one of the _____.
This comment made Watanabe very _____.
Many people online called her song a "_____ song."
Her nickname, "_____," is often used by her fanbase.
The show also released its lineup _____ ahead of broadcast.
According to the timetable, the group Snow Man performed the _____ segment of the show.
Snow Man performed _____ songs in total during the program.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever seen a singer perform a hit song from many years ago? How did it feel?
- Why do you think fans get excited when a host reacts emotionally to a performer?
- What does the phrase "god-level song" tell you about how fans view music?
- Do you enjoy watching award shows or music specials like this one? Why or why not?
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