Have you ever stopped to wonder about where things come from? For example the concept of karaoke, which has always fascinated me. According to legend it was an invention born out of one man's madness. Pioneered by Mi Karaoke for his company's office parties, he was reported to have committed suicide after hearing people "karaoking" in his head.

Whether or not you believe this, it is very popular. I can see the appeal perhaps when you've had a couple of glasses of wine or beer, but waking up on a Saturday morning just to sing does not seem like my idea of fun. Yet on every street corner I see a karaoke bar there must be something I'm missing? Why is it so popular?

Contrary to popular belief karaoke is not the Japanese term for "drunken and tone-deaf". Instead it's a form of entertainment with a rich and colourful history that originated over 20 years ago.

It is an abbreviation of the term "Karrappo Okestutra" meaning "empty orchestra". Originating in Kobe, it is not just a brilliant idea or invention but rather a deep-seated cultural ideology in both Japan and China.

Group value is the most important attribute of these cultures. The recognition of individual identity is achieved through establishing relationship with the others. The group mentality has deep roots in the typical oriental ideologies, shaped primarily by Confucianism and Taoism. The seeking of harmony is the primary consideration of these philosophies. It suggests that the morality of each human is embodied only in relation to the rest of human society.

Social relations are an integral part of people's lives. The objective of entertainment is not primarily entertaining oneself, instead it is a way to integrate oneself into the group. Given this background, it is reasonable to say that karaoke is not only preferred for leisure and enjoyment, but also, it has a significant social function. No one goes to Karaoke bars individually and it is taken as given that you should always be with your friends, business colleagues, or family members.

This form of entertainment is also one of the few chances for individuals to show themselves off in front of others with their own voices, without being branded arrogant or self-centered. It fulfills the latent desire to gain credit as an individual without jeopardizing one's place in the group.

The popularity of karaoke can also be attributed to the structure of modern China. Given the limited natural environment there is less and less space for outdoor activities. This has stimulated the growth of indoor leisure activities, top among those, karaoke.

Whatever the reasons behind its success, the bottom-line is people love music. People love singing. Karaoke can make you sound better than you actually do. Self-fulfillment is part of universal human nature, no matter what culture you are from. I, for one, intend to get my singing voice in gear and head down to the nearest venue.

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