JKT48: On Becoming Indonesia

16 Responses

  1. Duragon says:

    Nice article.

  2. Tomo says:

    Even now, is JKT48 not accepted as an Indonesian entertaimnet, but Japanese? Just from my a small experience, when I posted my short commnet in English(revealed that I’m Japanese) on the one of my friend’s facebook in Indonesia. I was sweared. Such as “Japanese are not welcomed”. Ofcourse, in Japan also, such kind of persons are here. But something I cnceived was that JKT48 is generated by Japanese pop-culture, so JKT45 has been hated. In order to cut down such a criticism (if they are), I hope JKT48 will be the one of Indonesian culture, not Japanese one. Even so JKT48 is created by AKS, AkimitoP and Dentsu, Oh forgot MNC (almost Japanese companies and a person), I really implore all the Indonesian JKT48 fans to make JKT48 are not only “local masks”, but “real local faces”. Yes, I know. JOT should make a hard effort to make JKT48 as local heroins. But JKT48 can’t escape from Japanese smells. I am dim. And more, the fans enjoy JKT48 with Japanese pop-culture scent. I got lost. Apologize my long staggered sentences.

    • PN03 says:

      Not everyone like JKT48 of course or maybe not accept some Japan thing too, but based on my experience the Japan “taste” is actually something that make a bunch friend of mine have curiosity to know JKT. They say that make them unique. But i am sure that JKT48 personality as an group is genuine.

      • Tomo says:

        If the Japanese contents which is installed in JKT48 will be disappeared, will JKT48 be the very Indonnesia? But does the Japan-tic concept “Idol You Can Meet” and the catchy, addictive songs listed on the 48 songs catalogue make your friends to think JKT48 be unique? “Seifuku” and uniquely choreographed “Dance”? I strayed into a maze. When JKT48 will have their own and original song, lyrics written by an Indonesian lyricist, also song written by an Indonesian song writer and arranged by an Indonesian arranger, JKT48 will move toward a real Indonesian idol group? Sometimes it looks “stereo type” I think. But where is a sort of answer?

        • abaone94 says:

          JKT48 may go in the middle route: by joining the efforts of both a Japanese and Indonesian contributor. For example, the songs are written by Aki-P, while the musical arrangements are done by a local. The combination of both Japanese and Indonesian influence will definitely add a plus on JKT48’s “local taste”.

          The problem is, JKT48 still had to pave their way instead of following a fixed way (quoting from KageTora). It’s also because we have no clear picture on how is Indonesia’s original pop culture, so it’s both hard and easy to create a unique culture here.

  3. PN03 says:

    Oh nice article too BTW, and short explanation about the picture/banner is very welcomed :)

  4. abaone94 says:

    Personally (and subjectively), I feel they are already Indonesian in terms of presenting the 48 group image here in the country – mostly, when they are delivering MC’s and doing a drama-related things. That drama comedy, meet and greet events, OFC events… participating in those things helped me feel that they are no more an imported product anymore. They are unique, in a way I cannot describe. The unfortunate thing is, these uniqueness are mostly shown either in theater or media-secluded places, so it’s hard for commoners (non fans) to feel it.

    JKT48 Missions are rather helpful, but they are just not enough. They need a spontaneous variety show – like JKT48 School – where they can show their characteristics to fulfill their duty on becoming more Indonesia.

    However, I guess ‘becoming more Indonesia’ itself is rather debatable. It depends on how people’s perspective, since there are a lot of things to consider to become Indonesia. What did you do to become Indonesia? Is it by integrating traditional music/costumes/dances into their works – which is, in fact, the mainstream mindset of being ‘uniquely Indonesian’ at this time? Or can it be done in any other way? This is the question which still hangs unanswered. The question which arouse debates on JKT48’s existence in our music industry.

    Personally, I already had my answer. But I can’t answer it in general understanding for now. As you had said, KageTora, we are still on the process of integrating ‘JKT48’ culture into Indonesia’s own popular culture. The path will be the same as when our ancestors adapted to a new foreign culture. And knowing that we’ve reached this phase, it appears we are doing it in the right way. In time, we will have the answer on how JKT48 is a purely Indonesian group – the way we have answer on how Keroncong became a national genre.

  5. KageTora says:

    Perhaps a little comparation on how Dangdut become accepted and finally acknowledged as something uniquely Indonesian can help to illustrate the process.

    Back in the 70s ~ early 80s, Dangdut was still considered more foreign. In many casette stores, they were still labelled under ‘Pop Melayu’ ( = Malay pop / music / tones ). Yet, this genre started to widespread and many nodes and circles of artists created their own versions of it, adding their own tastes to enrich it. I personally divide them first by local ethnic taste that enrich it into Melayu circle, Jakarta circle, Sunda circle, and Java circle, etc. These circles interacted with each other into finally define define Dangdut as a genre of music different from Pop. This is the first wave of second phase. The second wave started as there were cross-genre between Dangdut and other genre. Dangdut x Rock, Dangdut x Pop, Dangdut x House Music, etc. At this point, Dangdut become more established as a genre in itself.

    Learning from my far-from-complete version of Dangdut’s history, what JKT48 need is not omitting the Japanese element, but enriching it with something local. Above examples showed how fans as satellite nodes around JKT48 has spawned many creation associated with JKT48. What JKT48 need to do now is to encourage such creations and open themselves to those enriching elements. JKT48 themselves as central node also have tried to adopt local entertainment format in their theatre, OVJ48 is one good example. Some of my wild imagination as more example are:
    – an attempt to sing 48 songs in local languages of the area where they do concert.
    – a once/twice per month schedule of OVJ48 beside the usual set lists, where members explore their talents in theatrical comedic acts.
    – a concert “Tribute to Indonesian Music” where members shows their talents trying to perform singing some hits of Dangdut, Pop, Rock of Indonesia. Beside seeing Sendy sing Dangdut, I also want to watch Ve sing some romantic Pop song, or Ayen rock the audience with some Rock beat, for instance.

    Indonesia is never about purity, Indonesia is always about amalgamation. To become Indonesia, one should be able to be amalgamated without losing its distinctive character. I believe what define ‘Idols that you can meet” is not primary their song or set list or seifuku, but in how they interact with their fans.

    Btw, I think the “Revival Show Senbatsu Sousenkyo” that they run now fits Indonesian taste and mindset more than “Single Senbatsu Sousenkyo” like their sisters in Japan.

    • Tomo says:

      Appreciate for your kind explanation.
      I totally agree that JKT48 to be a part of brightly Indonesian.
      But at the same time, I feel solitary. :cry:
      It looks JKT48 goes so far from me for my eyes.
      I must think that I am a pessimist.

      But as the proof of good relationship between both countries
      and as our proud direction, such as “localization”, grown up everything (incld. BIMA) together with Indonesian people
      restrictively in Indonesia, not “pop-cultural muddy stream”,
      JKT48 should be truelly Indonesian :wink:
      I believe that I smile to chase the god-speedy trace of JKT48 toward their future :-D

      • Tomo says:

        I saw many videos that Sendy sung Dangdut. Does it mean Sendy is the icon which shows “very Indonesia” among the members?

        • Tomo says:

          As this thread is highly interested for me, so pls. approve one more question. I saw some photos which show Gon wearing Hijab. For your eyes, does her action wearing Hijab demonstrate blasphemy against Indonesian people, especialy Islamic people? Because Gon is not Indonesian and Islamic people, but Japanese. Or does it tell you Gon’s daily effort to fit with Indonesian habit or rule? If it is a rough question, I must correct it very soon.

      • KageTora says:

        @Tomo allow me to respond you in this single comment
        as I mentioned above, JKT48 can be both the flag bearer of Japan’s idol culture as well as the pioneer of idol culture that uniquely Indonesian. I am optimistic that in dynamic interactions with the fans as its satellite nodes this can be achieved. Thus “growing with the fans” can become a reality in its truest sense. It is almost inevitable since they are sowed on Indonesia soil. Let’s make the inevitable part a benefit for the whole.
        – about Sendy : More a personal opinion and perhaps biased by the fact that she is my Kami-Oshi : Sendy is one of the most forefront vanguard in promoting Indonesian taste of JKT48 : a) singing dangdut as JKT48 member attracts interests of non Fans to JKT48 b) taking role as “Dalang” in OVJ48 c) She herself is an perfect example of Indonesian amalgamation : a Chinese Indonesian, a devout muslim, a student of Information System, a dangdut singer, a member of 48 group.
        – about Hijab : As far as the moderate majority don’t mind it, then it’s not a matter. I tend to see it as part of ongoing discourse that this dynamic country have in abundance.
        – about the negative response that you get in the internet after introducing yourself as a Japanese : Don’t take it seriously. If you find such person or community, just leave them and find other person or community that worth your time and energy. There are nothing significant that deserve called Anti-Japan here. That person is perhaps so insignificant in real life that he/she need to assert his/her significance in the internet.

        • Tomo says:

          Appreciate Kage Tora san. Regarding the person who posted “Japanese are not welcomed” on my friend’s facebook. I don’t care about him or her. But I just felt sorrowful. Like I am alone in Indonesia. That’s all :wink:

    • abaone94 says:

      About JKT48 singing hit pop-musics, they have done that one during the charity event for Jakarta’s great flood.

      There, they sang Chrisye’s “Lilin-Lilin Kecil”. For me who attended the show, it was one unforgettable moment because they can present the legendary song nicely. It will be very great if they can hold such event again one day!

      • KageTora says:

        Yeah, actually that event is the one that inspire me such idea. It would be great if beside occasional attempt they also perform it in a rather large scale. Non fans can have the opportunity to see their talents and they will be more familiar for them.

  6. PN03 says:

    I am happy if more people like Tomo want to know more about Indonesia by JKT48 :)