I recently had the amazing opportunity to attend some live chika idol (underground idol) performances here in Japan, and it was an unforgettable experience! The smaller, more intimate venues and the chance to connect directly with the idols made it feel so special. I felt like I was part of a close-knit community that truly appreciates their talent and hard work.
But this got me thinking when do we stop considering an idol a “chika idol” and start seeing them as a mainstream or famous idol? Is it when they appear on TV, sell out larger venues, or sign with a major label? Or is it based on their social media following like reaching a certain number of followers on X (Twitter), Instagram, or TikTok?
For example:
• Is having 50K followers still “chika,” or is that already famous?
• What about 100K+, or even more?
• Or does it depend more on their visibility in the industry rather than the numbers?
I’d love to hear what you think! Let’s discuss how we define the line between underground and mainstream idols in today’s digital age. Are there specific milestones or achievements you look at?
by Tirkeni