TBS's "Ongaku no Hi 2025" "One Chorus Medley" Sparks Online Debate

The "One Chorus Medley" featured on the major music program "Ongaku no Hi 2025" (Music Day 2025), broadcast on the TBS network, has become a hot topic, especially on social media. The term "one chorus" even trended high on X (formerly Twitter), leading to a wide range of opinions on this innovative production style.

This medley format involved many popular artists performing only about a 90-second "one chorus" of their original songs or cover tracks. Numerous artists appeared, with WEST. performing "Eejanaika," Da-iCE singing "Star Mine," and SUPER BEAVER presenting "Namae wo Yobuyo," among others. The rapid transitions between songs in a short timeframe elicited diverse reactions from viewers.

Positive feedback included comments such as, "It's great to see performances from so many artists at once" and "It's interesting to see artists I don't usually watch in a short amount of time." Specifically, during WEST.'s "Eejanaika," the call-and-response of "One more time!" was seamlessly included, earning high praise from fans who said, "Even a one-chorus performance was super exciting!" Fans of SUPER BEAVER also expressed enthusiastic sentiments, stating, "Even in one chorus, their brilliance was packed in," and "My home turned into a live house."

On the other hand, there were quite a few voices questioning this format. Harsh criticisms included, "Playing only one chorus of a major hit song is sacrilege to the song" and "It's disrespectful to the artists." Many viewers also expressed regret, wishing they could have listened longer or that the songs had been performed in full. Fans, in particular, seemed to harbor strong dissatisfaction at only being able to see a beloved song for such a short duration.

The fact that "one chorus" trended highlighted the high level of viewer interest, while simultaneously exposing the diversification of music program production and the differing expectations and values among viewers. It showcased the program producers' intention to deliver as much content as possible within limited broadcast time, alongside the artists' and fans' desire to cherish the full world of a song. This "One Chorus Medley" can be said to have simultaneously presented both challenges and possibilities. All eyes are now on whether similar productions will continue or if viewer feedback will be reflected in future broadcasts.

The context

"Ongaku no Hi" (literally "Music Day") is an annual, large-scale music special broadcast by TBS, a major Japanese television network. It typically spans many hours, featuring a wide array of popular Japanese artists from various genres. The program is known for its extensive lineup and often incorporates unique segments or medleys. The "one chorus" format, where artists perform only a shortened version (usually a single verse and chorus, lasting about 90 seconds), is a common practice in Japanese music shows when there are many artists to feature within a limited broadcast slot. However, applying this to major hit songs and popular artists in a special like "Ongaku no Hi" sparked a debate between those who appreciate the variety and efficiency, and those who feel it diminishes the artistic integrity of the music and the artists' performances.