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The Mainichi

News in Easy English: Special event for Japan, S. Korea idol fans held in Tokyo

TOKYO -- A special event for idol fans opened on July 2 at Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward, Tokyo. Fans call this "oshikatsu" -- activities to show love and support for favorite idols. This event was called the "Oshikatsu Merch Collection Expo," and it continued until July 4. About 100 different businesses showed many idol fan goods, especially for K-pop (Korean pop) groups. It was part of a bigger fair about lifestyle. The K-pop areas showed items for idol birthdays and small goods with cheerful messages for idols. One area showed how idol fans in Japan and South Korea like different goods. In Japan, fans usually buy official goods and keep them like they are. But in South Korea, fans often change official goods or make items by hand. Visitors at the expo could put stickers next to the goods they like best. A woman in her 50s from Chiba Prefecture visited the event. She teaches how to sew handmade idol goods. She said, "I like customizing. Today I'm here to get new ideas for my sewing class." (Mainichi) Vocabulary idol: a famous singer, actor or performer who is liked very much by fans goods: small things or items that people buy and use expo: a large meeting or event where many things are shown official goods: items made and sold officially by idol groups or companies handmade: items made by people themselves and not produced in factories customize: to change something the way you like it fan: someone who likes a famous person or group very much