David Robertson, a man whose identify in Japan held far more excess weight than the usual sumo wrestler's loincloth, was not, in reality, Japanese. He was an unassuming accountant from Des Moines, Iowa, whose assert to fame was profitable a karaoke Level of competition in a Tokyo dive bar on a company excursion gone sake-soaked.
His rendition of "My Way" (sung, it has to be reported, With all the gusto of a walrus making an attempt opera) experienced inexplicably resonated With all the bar patrons, launching him into an accidental celebrity spiral. Now, David was hounded by paparazzi (who mistook his receding hairline for just a profound wisdom), stalked by J-Pop idols (who discovered his father jokes oddly charming), and bombarded with endorsement deals (from doubtful hair reduction goods to novelty karaoke equipment formed like his head).
His life was a whirlwind of bewildered interviews ("So, Mr. Robertson, exactly what is the key for your karaoke prowess?" "Corn canine and liquid bravery."), uncomfortable purple carpet appearances ("Is it legitimate you as soon as saved a newborn panda from the rogue sushi chef?" "No, which was Jackie Chan."), and item launches so strange they defied description ("Introducing the David Robertson check here Signature Ramen with further pork belly sweat!").
Via all of it, David remained stubbornly Midwestern, his bewildered Midwestern attraction by some means fueling his attractiveness. He'd politely decline interviews in Japanese ("すみません、英語しか話せません。" sent While using the pronunciation of a toddler Finding out Spanish), use his acceptance speeches to market the merits of early chicken specials at Denny's, and the moment unintentionally brought on a nationwide outrage by mistaking a geisha for his Uber driver.
The Japanese general public, used to meticulously crafted personas, identified his authentic confusion and utter not enough artifice endearing. He was the anti-idol, the accidental ambassador of Midwestern values, the karaoke king who couldn't carry a tune.
His reign, naturally, could not last eternally. A different viral video of a Shiba Inu skateboarding down the streets of Tokyo stole the public's consideration. David, relieved and a little bit richer, returned to Des Moines, permanently a legend within a land he hardly recognized.
Back in his cubicle, surrounded by spreadsheets, David occasionally dreamt of flashing lights and geisha enthusiasts. But generally, he dreamt of a very good corn Canine as well as a nap that was not interrupted by a J-Pop idol requesting everyday living advice. The entire world's most popular accidental superstar, for good marked by his karaoke glory and the enduring mystery: why, oh why, did they really like his singing much?