BEIJING — Six
members of pop idol group AKB48 staged a special show in Beijing
to thank the Chinese public for its support after the March 11 earthquake and
tsunami.
The members of the
all-girl group performed three songs in front of around 500 fans Friday, at
an event held to demonstrate Japan's gratitude for China's post
disaster assistance and also to support devastated areas in Tohoku by
displaying local specialties.
"Thank you for
supporting us at the time of the disaster," AKB48 member Ayaka Umeda
said. "We'd like to perform live concerts all over the world this year,
including in China."
AKB48 is popular in
China and around 14,000 fans applied for the 500 seats at the concert,
according to the Japanese Embassy in Beijing. The group was scheduled to hold
another concert China's capital Saturday before moving on to Shanghai and
then Hong Kong to perform at similar events.
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VOCABULARY
1.
Staged
(v) - to arrange and perform a play or
show
2.
Demonstrate
(v) - to show that you have a particular ability, quality, or feeling
3.
Gratitude
(v) - the feeling of being grateful
4.
Post
(adj.) - happening or existing after
5.
Devastated
(adj.) - feeling extremely shocked and sad
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1.
Do you like AKB48? Why? Why not?
2.
What kind of music do they play? Popular songs?
3.
Do you think holding a concert is a good way to
thank people? Explain.
4.
Name other celebrities who did the same.
5.
How is Tohoku region 1 year after the
devastating earthquake?
