Dear Diary,

When I got to Japan I wanted to live like a local, and to me that meant eating, drinking, shopping, and listening to Japanese music. When I stumbled on SMAP I was immediately transported back to my childhood bedroom, listening to the Backstreet Boys and screaming into pillows like the fangirl I am at heart. 

But SMAP isn't just a boy band; they're a cultural phenomenon and are literally the Japanese version of NSYNC before JT even joined the band. They popped up on TV screens, ruling the airwaves, and gracing billboards like it's nobody's business since the late 1980s. From drama series to commercials, these guys were everywhere. Masahiro, Takuya, Goro, Tsuyoshi, and Shingo – each one bringing their own flavor to the mix and breaking teenage hearts like only a boy band can. 

And can we talk about their breakup? The whole nation was shook when SMAP called it quits in 2016. It was like the end of an era – hearts were broken, tears were shed, and fans were left wondering what to do with their SMAP memorabilia. But you know what? Life goes on, and so do the members of SMAP. They went their separate ways, exploring new ventures, but their legacy lives on. It's like they've left a glittery trail for the next generation to follow, reminding us all that once upon a time, there was a boy band called SMAP, and they were nothing short of iconic.

Maria’s SMAP playlist:

Okay, Diary, I’m off to wash the mascara off these hotel pillowcases. Until next time, 

Xoxo,

Maria