A Personal Encounter with Idol Management

Richardson Kilis

Richardson H. Kilis is a U.S.-educated Indonesianist who studies the relationship of technology and cultural exchange.

4 Responses

  1. KageTora says:

    I am interested in the last paragraph. Is it true that JKT48, in their early phase of development, underwent such open engagement process? Perhaps those who experienced it first hand can give some light in this.

  2. Enrico A. says:

    At the beginning, around 6 months or so from their birth, the management, realizing the very niche market they are facing, embraces ideas from the fans. Such as how members should act on internet social media, how members should behave in front of public, their expectations on how JKT48 should be presented (mind you, 48-group fans constitutes the majority of the JKT48 fans then), etc.

    As time progresses, this mentality of openly embracing and asking for input from the fans degraded horribly, as JKT48 slowly rises in popularity and the appearance of the “original local-made fans” started to dominate JKT48’s public appearances. Time and effort were focused on “riot control” and not so much as tuning-up the system.

    The suggestion box came into being later on, nearly a year or so after their debut. But it became a fading novelty real quick, and so, were also quickly relegated into a silly gimmick.

    My only interaction that produces some result towards the management regarding a critic (early 2012, there was an event that turned very awry and dangerous in its application) is an email from the management saying “we’re sorry and we’ll try to get better”.

    So much for “openly engage the fans”, duh.

  3. Goldru says:

    In the early state of JKT48 there were no talk and discussion with the fans. well maybe JOT staffs read our suggestions but that’s it.