4 ms·

Singing at social gatherings is pretty much universal across human societies. The real question isn't "Why is karaoke popular?" it's "Why is breaking into song

• saurik 10y ago
  In most social gatherings you have people who are at least vaguely talented singing alone or you have a group singing (maybe even most of the people present); Karaoke is different: it highlights individual lack of talent.
• M_Grey 10y ago
  Understanding karaoke probably takes understanding its origins a bit. It fits that combination of "letting go" and "regimented fun" that is so typical in Japan. You get blind drunk, often with your co-workers, even boss, and make fools of yourselves, preferably in a somewhat predictable, systematized fashion. The whole point is to drop the usual social strictures, but in the context of something which is itself, somewhat controlled. Then you stagger home and puke on each others' shoes, and the workplace/friendship bond is deepened. That's contrasted to the more informal, "Singing at a social gathering", which often tends to prize actual singing ability; it's a means to entertain the group, not a social ritual.