~ Apparently a member of a pop group in Japan was “demoted” after she was discovered to have a boyfriend. She then decided to cut her hair in an act of penance and apologize in this video, as described in this great article from the Japan Times: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2013/02/01/music/akb48-members-penance-shows-flaws-in-idol-culture/#.UQx7waUe7au
As weird as this is I find myself wanting to visit Japan even more. I’ll take this kind of pop mania over the Kardashians any day!
Karina Coombs 