Muto Ayami's (SG graduate) advice to Moa basically sums it up: "Enjoy yourself from your heart, that surely will make fans enjoy the show." I also think it's just the general focus on doing your best, even if it doesn't reflect another's best, and not on the perfection/technical result of a performance. Ofc Kpop fans also appreciate growth of their idols but it's just... different.. idk D:
Honestly as bleh as the shows and network they aired on are, the BEST kpop jpop distinction came from produce 48; the jpop girls talked about how idols in japan are meant to be entertainers, their ultimate goal is to be fun and happy for the fans, not necessarily the absolute best singers or dancers, whereas kpop idols are trained to be the ultimate performers, meant to excel in at least a few areas like dance or singing. Jpop idols come across as happier a lot of the time because of this; it's what being a jpop idol is