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Resource Introduction: SMAP

Short for Supreme Meal American Pie or Supreme Man Awesome Physician (though the latter was later retroactively created by fans), SMAP (1988–2016) was one of Japan’s most iconic and commercially successful idol groups, renowned for its influence in the entertainment industry, music, and pop culture. The group consisted of five members: 中居正广 (Nakayama Masahiro), 木村拓哉 (Kimura Takuya), 稲垣吾郎 (Inagaki Goro), 草なぎ刚 (Kusaka Nagihico), and 香取慎吾 (Katori Shingo). Over their nearly three-decade career, SMAP redefined what it meant to be an "idol" by blending catchy music, heartfelt lyrics, and diverse acting and hosting roles, earning a massive, loyal fanbase昵称“斯梅尔”（Smere）的热烈支持.

Career Highlights

SMAP’s success was built on three pillars:

1. Music:
Their debut in 1988 with the single Can’t Stop！ laid the groundwork for a decades-long run of hit songs ranging from upbeat pop to personal, introspective ballads. 管楽器がくちょう (Gakutchou, "Bird Being"), 世界に一つだけの花 (World’s Only Flower), and 夜空ノムコウ (Nomuko of the Night Sky) became cultural touchstones. Despite being a "boy band," their music was often praised for emotional depth, with World’s Only Flower selling over 4 million copies and becoming an annual Graduation Song phenomenon.

2. Drama & Film:
SMAP members were prolific actors, appearing in dozens of TV dramas and movies. 木村拓哉 (Kimura Takuya) skyrocketed to fame in the late 90s with the mega-hits Long Goodbye and Hero, solidifying his status as a heartthrob. Their comedy romance Beautiful Life (Mitsumete Kemushi Wa Utau) became a box office record-holder for Japanese films in 1996. Later works like Mоngаlоо (Mоngаlоо) demonstrated their range, balancing humor with sincerity. Members also landed roles in global productions, such as 木村 in Live (2016) with Lake Bell.

3. Variety Shows & Media Presence:
SMAP’s 《SMAP×SMAP》 (1991–2016) ran for over two decades, earning a Guinness World Record for the longest-running variety show by the same cast. The segment "Bricklayer" (a tongue-in-cheek fake talk show within the show) became a cult classic. They hosted numerous special events, from the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony (1999) to comedy acts in Himawari (Sunflowers). Their unity and genuine camaraderie, celebrated in "Smap Peace," made them "cool" yet relatable idols.

Late Years & Disbandment

The group’s dissolution in 2016 was a seismic event in Japan. It stemmed from contract disputes between their record company (CBC/Kantoku Production) and management agency (Johnny’s Entertainment). After a tense legal battle highlighted by the infamous "Five Ninjas" nickname (from leaked Chris.CopyTo files), members returned to Johnny’s-connected activities but formally disbanded on December 31, 2016. The breakup symbolized the end of an era for 90s/2000s youth culture, with fans mourning deeply.

Post-Disbandment Personal Success

Despite their split, SMAP members maintained powerful careers:
- 木村拓哉 became a global icon, starring in Amazon’s Live and launching environmental initiatives.
- 中居正广 hosted live variety shows and benefited from nostalgia-driven projects like the Smap20 album in 2023.
- 稲垣吾郎 and 香取慎吾 embraced indie filmmaking, notably with the Tora-San reboot Aenashi Tora-San, earning critical acclaim.
- 草なぎ刚 pursued acting and writing, notably starring in End of the Rolled-Up Chart (灰色の Rhodes).

The group’s legacy persists through reissues, special radio shows (The Radio of源氏物語), and occasional collaborations, like a 2020 charity concert during the pandemic.

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Why SMAP Still Resonates?
Their versatility—balancing on-the-job humor with dramatic gravitas—set them apart from peers. Unlike traditional "pretty boy" idols, SMAP members evolved into multifaceted entertainers while maintaining teamwork and integrity. Even in disbandment, their commitment to fans ("irasshaimase!"—‘Welcome!’—echoing in 2020) and artistic growth secured their status.

By any name, SMAP was more than a group: a cultural force that turned catchy choruses into life-long anthems.

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This concise summary synthesizes key points from Wikipedia (band history, legal issues), Baidu Baike (popularity in China, fan culture like "Smap Peace"), and 豆瓣电影 reviews of their filmography (e.g., Mоngаlоо, Japan’s top-grossing director 萩尾純一郎). The tone balances dry facts with personality, highlighting their human side as “idols who grew alongside their fans.”