JKT48
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
JKT48 | |
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JKT48 performs at Jakarta–Japan Matsuri 2012.
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Background information | |
Origin | Jakarta, Indonesia |
Genres | Teen pop, bubblegum pop, dance-pop |
Years active | 2011–present |
Labels | Hits (Global Mediacom Group) |
Associated acts | AKB48 SKE48 SDN48 NMB48 HKT48 TPE48 SNH48 |
Website | www.jkt48.com |
Members | JKT48 members |
Producer Yasushi Akimoto decided to bring the AKB48 concept to Indonesia because the group had begun to develop a fan base in the country. Indonesia's growing economy was seen as a potential market by many Japanese companies, and Akimoto established a partnership with these businesses and the country's largest media conglomerate Global Mediacom (MNC Media), the southeast Asia's largest and most integrated media group to replicate the AKB48 business model.
While JKT48 does not restrict membership by nationality, applicants must be residents of Indonesia. The group has 44 members and released its first studio album Heavy Rotation on 16 February 2013 via Hits Records, a division of MNC subsidiary PT Star Media Nusantara. It performs songs by AKB48 and other sister groups that are translated into Indonesian.
Contents
Conception
Much like AKB48, the female Japanese idol group formed in 2005 in the Akihabara neighborhood of Tokyo, JKT48 is based on the concept of idols with whom fans can "'meet', or at least develop a similar feeling of intimacy". JKT48 takes its name from the group's base city of Jakarta, Indonesia.[a][2] The country was seen as a potential market for the idol business because of its relatively young population—As of 2012 about half are under the age of 30—and the popularity of Japanese manga series such as Slam Dunk and One Piece. In order to bring the concept of AKB48 to Indonesia, producer Yasushi Akimoto partnered with Hary Tanoesoedibjo, CEO of the country's largest media conglomerate Global Mediacom (MNC Media), the southeast Asia's largest and most integrated media group and Japanese electronic commerce company Rakuten.[3]In an interview on CNN's TalkAsia program, Akimoto responded to the question of why he selected Indonesia as the first target of AKB48's overseas expansion. He said, "People in Indonesia were interested in AKB48. That is why we decided to try it in Jakarta. Kids watched AKB on the internet and they want to do the same, but they don't know whether they have talent. Also it's difficult [for them] to go to Japan to audition."[4] Then Rakuten–MNC Chief Marketing Officer Reino Barack recounted of his visit to Japan, "When I watched AKB48's theater performance in Akihabara, I sensed the potential for a new business in Indonesia."[b][3]
History
2011–2012: Formation
First live performance of JKT48. Note the use of costumes in the style of school uniforms, often used by AKB48 in its performances.[5] |
As part of the concept of "idols you can meet every day", AKB48 performs daily at its theater in Akihabara.[11] The JKT48 management team aimed to accomplish this same principle and began scouting locations in Jakarta for the group's own theater in early 2012. An unoccupied site in the fX Sudirman shopping mall was selected as the theater's eventual location, and planning for its renovation began in April.[12] In the meantime, the first theater performances were held 17–20 May at a temporary stage in the Nyi Ageng Serang Building in Kuningan, Jakarta.[13] The official theater opened on 8 September for daily performances with a set list of 16 songs that have been translated into Indonesian. The theater has a seating capacity of 180 and standing room for 30, and its design is a close replica of the AKB48 Theater.[14]
JKT48 has also performed in Japan alongside other AKB48 sister groups. In its first performance in Japan, the group was a surprise guest at 2011 AKB48 Kōhaku Taikō Uta Gassen and performed the Indonesian version of "Aitakatta".[15] It also performed alongside AKB48 and other sister groups at the 62nd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen with a total 210 members onstage.[16][17] It also participated in the 2012 AKB48 concerts at Saitama Super Arena and Tokyo Dome.[18][19]
Management began accepting applications for second generation members on 13 August 2012. Of the 4,500 applicants, approximately 200 were selected for interviews the following month. The pool was then narrowed down from 67 to 31 in a selection round held by RCTI television.[20] All 31 finalists were eventually chosen as second generation members at a final audition on 3 November in Japan.[21] Additionally, AKB48 members Aki Takajō and Haruka Nakagawa, whose transfers to JKT48 were announced at the Tokyo Dome concert, officially began their activities with the group on 1 November and made their theater debut on 26 December.[22] Nakagawa became interested in Jakarta during a visit with other members of AKB48 earlier in February.[23]
2013–present: Major debut
JKT48 was scheduled to release its debut album in January 2013, but production was hampered because of flooding in Jakarta.[24] To celebrate the release, the group's management team had distributed 100,000 free CD singles. Each single featured an Indonesian version of one of four songs: "Heavy Rotation", "Kimi no Koto ga Suki Dakara", "Baby! Baby! Baby!", and "Ponytail to Shushu".[25] Members, some of whom were directly affected by the flooding, later held a charity event in order to raise funds for the city's relief efforts.[26] The debut album, titled Heavy Rotation, had a limited release at the JKT48 Theater on 16 February and went on sale in music stores nationwide on 2 March.[27] All previously released singles were included in the album.[25]On 4 February 2014, JKT48 announced the names of 63 finalists that are vying to become JKT48 trainees in the third generation.[28][29] On 15 February, the group announced and performed its fifth single
source:wikipedia
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