The Phase and The Crossroads
by Tilly · November 1, 2013
For commemorating JKT48’s second birthday at November 2, I wrote this article as a reflection of members’ existence during two years. I didn’t write about their achievement and how enormous they are now, because everyone can simply read any media covering JKT48. Instead I analyzed about ‘homesickness’ of being JKT48 members.
‘Homesickness’ which I referred here doesn’t always relate to home or place of origin. I used ‘homesickness’ term because it is perfect analogy when members entered JKT48; actually they entered a new stage of their life that they would not forget for their entire life.
JKT48 is a novel entertainment concept in Indonesia, which have different behavior and routine compare to any other musician or entertainer. They are tied by packed theater schedule, training, events, not to mention internal competition among members to get the best spot, thus become JKT48 member require full dedication and commitment.
The members are not supposed to perceive JKT48 as a part-time job or extracurricular activity. JKT48 is very serious business. They may have say goodbye to their ordinary teenagers life. Less than a year they have been experiencing a pop star life that they might never imagined before.
Paul Pedersen in his book The Five Stages of Culture Shock: Critical Incidents Around the World. But here I only defined four phases of homesickness: honeymoon phase, negotiation phase, adjustment phase, and mastery phase.
Honeymoon Phase
This is the phase where the girls enjoyed new status as JKT48 members and start to explore everything. New friends, new environment, new city, new language, first-time going abroad experience, theater debut, media interview, photo shoot, a hundred thousands followers, collaboration with AKB48, the fans that always ready to yell their name in every occasion, and many excitement that you can say more.
This phase is marked by their high frequency in social media, such as greeting their fans, question and answer, mentioning other members, and posting their photos. In terms of performance, high spirit and nervousness on the stage, also awkward MC is an indicator when the members are in honeymoon phase. Next, they might wonder why all good things come to an end.
Negotiation Phase
Usually, honeymoon phase lasts for three months. In negotiation phase, some particular unpleasant feelings occur. Based on my opinion and experience, among four stages of homesickness, this is the hardest one and takes the longest time, ranging from 6 to 12 months.
Suddenly, everything is not as easy as it seems and they have to bear with it so they are able to survive. Going home late, wake up early to go to school; after school they have to rush for training or theater, caught in traffic jam, golden rules, management pressure, fans judgment, no more Saturday night with friends (or boyfriend), and almost no lazy Sunday.
This phase specifically could be hard for members which come from other cities beside Jakarta, when they have to stay in Jakarta and live alone without parents. They will have double negotiation phase: with JKT48 and new environment (house and school).
The conditions could be more frustrated when they feel out of place, feel stupid because they cannot rule dance or vocal skill, not so many followers compare to their companion, and are not chosen for shonichi or as senbatsu members, for example. In this stage, the members are very prone to regret, hate and blame everything: management, staff, coach, other members, school’s friends, parents, fans, and even worse, themselves.
Adjustment Phase
Passing the prior stage, members supposed to be comfortable with new culture, behavior, attitude, and routines. They understand that they are part of the group and try to develop unique positioning and certain image in front of the fans to differentiate themselves with other members. To secure their grasp in JKT48, members begin to accept idol group culture in positive attitude and overcoming all of negative perception.
In the adjustment phase, however there are three outcome results as self-evaluation of what happen during this stage. Those three outcomes are like walking on the crossroads, they need to choose which path they should go.
1. On the case of homesick, first outcome is when people find it impossible to accept new culture and integrate. In JKT48’s case, the outcome is obvious; this is the outcome that leads to withdrawal from the group or graduation. This group usually called as ‘rejectors’ according to homesickness literature.
2. Second outcome will produce the ‘adopters’, they are the members that fully integrated and involve as JKT48 member while maintaining their status as an idol.
3. Third outcome should be optional case to be applied in JKT48 case, because this is the outcome where people manage to adapt positive culture of their new place and to form mutual respects. They usually don’t mind to stay forever in JKT48 or to be transferred in sister groups. If you spot certain members behave like explained in this outcome, they are the ‘cosmopolitan’ group.
Mastery Phase
In the last stage, members are able to participate totally and feel comfortable to be part of JKT48. They recognize JKT48 as their second home or second family, no matter their position in the group (center, captain, senbatsu, undergirls, or trainee). They accustomed their life as an ordinary people and as an idol, like Peter Parker accepted his status as Spiderman as well, who has a responsibility with his great power. I interpreted this mastery phase as inner peace, a popular phrase from Kungfu Panda.
Conclusion
The conclusion is based on their duration in JKT48, we can classify certain members belong to certain phase. I assumed Team K members and trainees are gathering in negotiation phase, most of Team J members are in adjustment phase, and finally I realized at least there is three members from Team J had arrived in mastery phase and got their inner peace. Maybe you would like to guess who they are?
I hope this article could help your oshimen define what kind of feeling they have at the moment. So, in which phase your oshi(s) are?
11月2日、JKT48の2周年を迎えるにあたって、この2年間におけるメンバーの来し方について私なりの考えをまとめておきたい。しかし、彼女たちが手にした成果の話とか、いかにビッグになったとかをここで書くつもりはない。そんなことは多くのメディアが書いていることだし、皆さんも先刻ご承知だろう。その代わりに、私はJKT48のメンバーであることによって感じる“ホームシック”について分析してみようと思う。
ここで私が述べる“ホームシック”とは、本来の“家とか場所”という意味合いではない。私はこの“ホームシック”という言葉を、「JKT48に入る」いう意味を語る例えとして使いたい。実のところ、彼女たちが足を踏み入れたのは、生涯忘れることのない新しい道程なのだ。
JKT48はインドネシアではかつてなかったエンタティンメントのコンセプトであり、他のミュージシャンやエンタティナーとは全く異なった動きをしている。メンバーたちは劇場公演やレッスン、イベントのスケジュール、そして言うまでもなく、よりよいポジションを得るためのメンバー間の競争に晒されている。つまり、JKT48のメンバーは全知全霊を傾けることを求められているのだ。
JKT48に、アルバイトや課外活動の雰囲気の入る余地はない。JKT48は非常にシリアスなビジネスなのだ。彼女たちは、普通のティーンエイジャーの人生に別れを告げた。一年も立たない間に、今まで想像もしなかったようなポップスターの生活を経験し始めることになったのだ。
ポール・ペダーセン（ニューヨーク大学教授）は、その著書の中で、カルチャーショックには5段階の決定的な局面があると述べているが、私は“ホームシック”を次の4つの段階で定義してみようと思う。「ハネムーンの段階」「折り合いをつける段階」「適応する段階」「熟達する段階」の4段階だ。
「ハネムーンの段階」
この段階で彼女たちは、JKT48のメンバーとしての新しい立場を楽しみ、様々なことに興味をひかれ始める。新しい友達、新しい環境、新しい土地、新しい言葉、初めての海外体験、劇場デビュー、メディアのインタビュー、写真撮影、何千人ものフォロワー、AKB48とのコラボ、いつも名前を叫んでくれるファン達、他にもエキサイティングな体験は山ほど起こる。
この段階の状況は、彼女たちが非常に頻繁にソーシャルメディアに、ファンへのあいさつやQ&A、他のメンバーとの会話、写真の投稿などを載せることでもよく分かる。公演においても、ステージ上の高揚と緊張感や、どこかわざとらしいMCに彼女たちのハネムーン段階の兆候が見て取れる。そして、次に彼女たちが直面するのは、いいことにはすべて終わりがあるということだ。
「折り合いをつける段階」
普通、「ハネムーンの段階」は３ヶ月ほど続く。この「折り合いをつける段階」になると、ある種の不快感が起こるようになる。私の経験で言うと、“ホームシック”の4段階のうち、これが一番大変で長く続く。だいたい半年から一年ほどだろう。
突然、物事がすべてうまくいかないように思え、生き残るために大層な苦労を強いられる。帰宅は遅いし、早く起きて学校へ行かなくちゃならない。授業が終わるや否や、劇場公演やレッスンに向かうが交通渋滞に捉まる。やってはいけない色んなルール、マネージメントのプレッシャー、ファンの目、土曜の夜も友達（またはボーイフレンド）とも過ごせず、日曜日ものんびり出来ない。
この段階は、特にジャカルタ以外から来ているメンバーにきついかもしれない。親と離れて独りで暮らしているのだから。彼女たちには、この「折り合いをつける段階」は、JKT48と新しい環境（住まいと学校）と、ダブルでかぶさってくる。
この状況で、自分が浮いていると感じるとか、ダンスや歌がうまくいかなくて落ち込んだりとか、仲間と比べてフォロワーが少ないとか、公演や選抜に漏れたりとかが重なるとさらにイライラが募るようになる。この段階になると、すぐ悲観的になり、すべてが嫌になってしまう。マネージメントやスタッフ、先生、他のメンバー、学校の友達、両親、ファン、酷い場合は自分自身でさえも。
「適応する段階」
前の段階を過ぎると、メンバーは新しい行動様式や行い、態度、姿勢、日課といったものに心地よさを感じ始める。彼女たちは、自分がグループの一員であることを理解し、他のメンバーと違うところを工夫し、自分のイメージをファンに印象づけようと努力する。JKT48での自分の立ち位置を確保し、アイドルグループとしての行動様式をポジティブに受け入れ、そしてネガティブな考え方を克服するのだ。
しかしながら、この「適応する段階」には、自己評価に目覚めた結果、「三つの結末」が存在する。これら「三つの結末」は、いわば別れ道に出くわすということだ。彼女たちはどっちの道を行くか決めなければならない。
１．この“ホームシック”の最初の結末は、新しい行動様式にうまく馴染めない場合である。JKT48においては、結末は明白だ。グループから抜けるか卒業ということになる。“ホームシック”の文献では「拒絶」と呼ばれる。
２．二つ目の結末は、「受容」だ。JKT48のメンバーであることを全面的に受け入れ、アイドルとしての立場を保持しようと努める。
３．三つ目の結末は、JKT48に起こりうるオプションである。これは新しい文化や場所、相互信頼というものに非常にポジティブに立ち向かう例だ。この場合、彼女たちはJKT48にずっといることに固執しないし、姉妹グループへの移籍も受け入れる。このような結末を選ぶメンバーは、“コスモポリタン”グループとでも呼ぼうか。
「熟達する段階」
最後の段階では、メンバーたちはJKT48の一員として完全に馴染み、心地よい居場所を得る。彼女たちは、自分の立ち位置の如何（センター、キャプテン、選抜、アンダー、研究生）に関らずJKT48を二番目の家、家族として考えるようになる。映画の主人公を演じるピーター・パーカーが言う「自分の持つ大きなパワーに責任を負うスパイダーマン」のように、彼女たちは普通の人間として、またアイドルしての生活に慣れていくのだ。私はこの「熟達する段階」を、映画“カンフー・パンダ”に出てくる有名な台詞、「心の平安」だと解釈している。
結論
結論を言えば、メンバーのJKT48での在籍期間が基本になると言うことだ。それぞれのメンバーはそれぞれ違った段階にある。例えばチームKや研究生は今も「折り合いをつける段階」にいるだろうし、チームJの多くは「適応する段階」にあるだろう。そして、チームJのメンバーのうち、私の思うところ少なくとも3人は「熟達する段階」に達し、「心の平安」を得ているだろう。皆さんも自分で、それは誰のことなのか考えてみたくなったのでは？
この文章が、皆さんの推しメンが今いったいどの段階にいて、日々何を思っているのかを考える助けになれば嬉しい。
Japanese Translation by Tokyo Pop
The three team J members who had arrived in the mastery phase is really sparking my interest.
Hmm, I wonder who are these three?
My wild guess: Melody, Stella, Shania? Gosh, I do not even considered Ve as one of them! XD
a solid n easy to understand article..
n most of them is just a teenagers… for goin thru this phases…
but i think there’s more who already arrived at mastery phase..
only three??hmmm. i don’t think so.
One that directly pop in my head, is Nabilah.. I guess Nabilah would be the first member that reached mastery phase… I see Nabilah as ambitious and mature girl although she is the youngest but she already know what is she going to do.
After that there Ayana and Rena..
But thinking it again, Ayana is the one who will be easy to adapt..
Nice article. Fans should read that. It’s certainly good as learning example.
Hi guys,
Welcome to my article
I was quite surprised that so far none of you guess Haruka in mastery phase. Basically, my prediction about those three in mastery phase is Haruka, Nabilah, and Rica, (or Diasta).
I agree with Adi Putra about Nabilah. She is very loyal because she owed JKT48 so much, she is very lucky to have prominent position in JKT48. But sometimes it’s like a chicken and egg problem, which come first. Because Nabilah is famous, she is loyal or because she is loyal, she is famous
About Diasta, it is pretty much because Diasta is typical of nrimo person (I don’t know how to define ‘nrimo’ in English). Perhaps she understood that she can’t beat the others to the top and she decided to befriend with the circumstances.
Let the discussion goes on, it’s getting more interesting now
Actually I exclude Haruka and Akicha because they were member of AKB for years (right?) so it will be no surprise they already in master phase..
But second thought.. being in JKT48 for them is such a culture shock.. yeah they have to adapt again.. Haruka surely reach master phase.. Akicha.. with double position and often in Japan, I think it become easier for her.. rather than in Jakarta..
For myself, the ones that I predict would be in the mastery phase would be: Melody, Shania, and Rica. But if there is more of J members who got into this phase, I could add Nabilah, Nyashu, Cigul, Ve, Sendy, and Captain Kinal.
I don’t know if Gon and Akicha should be included though. Their status in this phase depended on the group. Maybe they have reached the phase in AKB but not JKT, or vice versa. Nevertheless, they are almost certain to be in this phase, since they’ve been around as idols for years.
Stella for certain is one of those 3 members….she said it once that she wants to stay in JKT48 for a very long time..even forever if it’s possible
I don’t think stella is one of the members that has reached the mastery phase. From my point of view, she would prefer to do bima shooting or modelling rather than to be an idol that dances and sings for fans in theater for a long time. For example, her attendance in the theater is getting rarer and rarer.
well,there is a reason for that…and you already know that…she’s bind by contract with BIMA at the moment,and it’s hard for her to maintain her presence at the theater..even if she want it so much…
i was wrong…she decided to graduate
Oh shoot, Stella graduated….
Guys, kindly check your answer….
Well anyway, it’s kinda predictable that she would step down from JKT48. Good luck for Stella, I think she already knew what she want to be thanks to JKT48. Thanks for carrying JKT48 in your shoulder in 2 years. It’s quite a long time, Stella and others experienced up and down together.