【轻松英文阅读】PPAP

 For more than 20 years, Kazuhito Kosaka was trying his best to make it as a Japanese comedian¹. He was successful enough to be in a 7-11 commercial², but he wasn’t a major star. But his life changed in just 45 seconds.

 

Kazuhito Kosaka’s stage name is Pikotaro, and one day he made a short and silly YouTube video called Pen, Pineapple, Apple, Pen (PPAP). But once people saw the 45-second song, they went crazy for it. One of the biggest fans³ of the performance was Justin Bieber, who tweeted that it was his “favorite video on the Internet.” With Justin’s support the video has gone on to get over 52 million hits! And its popularity⁴ is still growing.

 

Of course Justin Bieber and Pikotaro never met in person… until this January, when they filmed a commercial together for Japanese cell⁵ phone provider Softbank. Pikotaro doesn’t know if his success will continue or PPAP will turn out to be a one-hit wonder, but he’s trying to enjoy the fame⁶ as long as it lasts. And with Justin Bieber now his friend, his star could continue shining for a long time to come!

1 comedian   

n.喜剧演员；滑稽演员

参考例句：

• The comedian tickled the crowd with his jokes.喜剧演员的笑话把人们逗乐了。
• The comedian enjoyed great popularity during the 30's.那位喜剧演员在三十年代非常走红。

2 commercial   

adj.商业的，商用的，商品化的；n.广告节目

参考例句：

• He has gained a footing in the commercial world.他已在商界取得立足之地。
• The plane did not fly the usual commercial route.飞机没有沿通常的商业航线飞。

3 fans   

n.粉丝，指超迷某人或某物的一类人；扇子( fan的名词复数 )；风扇；扇形物；狂热爱好者v.扇( fan的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The announcement of her retirement caused consternation among tennis fans. 她宣布挂拍告退的消息引起了网球迷的震惊。
• Her decision to cancel the concert is bound to disappoint her fans. 她决定取消这场音乐会，肯定会使她的歌迷失望。

4 popularity   

n.普及，流行，名望，受欢迎

参考例句：

• The story had an extensive popularity among American readers.这本小说在美国读者中赢得广泛的声望。
• Our product enjoys popularity throughout the world.我们的产品饮誉全球。

5 cell   

n.区，细胞，血球；小室，牢房；电池，光电管；基层组织

参考例句：

• Soap destroys the cell walls of bacteria.肥皂破坏细菌的细胞壁。
• They have locked the prisoners up in their cell.他们已把犯人监禁在小牢房里。

6 fame   

n.名声，名望，著名，闻名

参考例句：

• Many people hunt after fame in their lives but never find it.很多人一生追逐名利，但是总不能成功。
• She is a woman of ill fame.她是个名声不好的女人。