RKJ, Thanks for Everything…

“RKJ, thanks for everything…” said Stella when she was asked to make a sentence about the set list that they performed during the past year.

There is a something special from the Renai Kinshi Jourei stage on Saturday, 28 December 2013. Team J performed it with their complete formation (which is very rare lately). All members that night seemed like they were performing with very different spirit and emotions; they performed all out. The audience (which also included Diasta, their recent graduate) also didn’t want to lose, as they shouted the chant mix to cheer their idols with their teeth and nails. Yep, last night Team J performed the last Renai Kinshi Jourei, aka Renai Kinshi Jourei Senshuuraku, stage which they’ve performed for the past year.

On that night, they performed all seventeen songs (including “RIVER” as a bonus song) wonderfully. How they danced and the way they sung the songs just seemed different from the usual. “This is the last one. So, let’s do it vigorously!”, said Kinal during one MC session.

Renai Kinshi Jourei/Aturan Anti Cinta (J1) is the first set list that JKT48’s first generation performed as Team J. Previously, they performed Pajama Drive for almost a year as Trainee members. “We learned a lot as performers from this set list, an unforgettable one,” said Stella commenting on the set list.

We learned to be mature

Compared to their previous stage, Pajama Drive, Renai Kinshi Jourei is a whole other kind of set list. If in Pajama Drive they performed cheerful songs with dynamic and energetic dances, in Renai Kinshi Jourei they were required to perform a set of deep-meaning and more mature songs with elegant and graceful dances. In this set list they should be able to understand and deliver the meaning of the songs to the audiences.

“In RKJ, we are one step forward. We learned not only how to sing or to dance, but we also learned how to tell a story from the songs,” said Beby.

“In Pajama, we were still kids back then. While in RKJ, we learned how to deliver the message to the audiences that we are mature and have grown up,” said Shania.

Furthermore, when they started performing this set list they were facing “the hard times”. During that time, some members became extremely busy with schooling; others just found themselves feeling weary, and others just decided to graduate from JKT48.

“RKJ was there when we were entering our first step into the second year. I can personally said that perhaps there were a lot of lessons in school that I missed before, so I had to do my best to divide my time with my school. We learned a lot about coming together via RKJ, how we can cover for a sick member or incomplete formation without making the audiences realize it until the show ended. Thank you RKJ for teaching me a lot of lessons on how to stay solid, to keep on fighting no matter what,” said Shania holding back her tears.

“I have lot of things to be thankful for, one of it is for me to stay here…” Ghaida was in tears considering that she almost gave up and announced her graduation once after her first year in JKT48.

“We learned a lot about expressions, and that is not easy. The essence is how to make you understand the message behind the songs. [The dances] might not be as energetic and complicated as Pajama Drive, but in all seriousness, RKJ is actually a lot harder,” Sendy admitted.

“This set list is hard, bro! Seriously! Just try it! It looks like easy and meh, but once you realized how you need to nail your expressions to deliver the meaning behind the songs, you’ll understand,” said the outspoken Nabilah being the outspoken Nabilah as she always is.

While for Kinal, she was at first stunned at how the set list really lacked of energetic chants or energetic audiences compared to Pajama. But once she understood on how to deliver the songs to the audience through the small details in movements and expressions, she saw a complete turnover on how the audiences responded to the songs.

Stella Graduation Stage

After performing the last song (“RIVER”), the crying began. Melody came from backstage bringing a bouquet of roses for Stella, then read a letter written by herself. “Look at all those people. They didn’t just come here to watch the show. They are all here to give their last support to you as a JKT48 member. So, don’t forget all of us [fans and members]. We all love you and will always support you. After all this, I wish all the best for you, and I hope you can get all the success you deserved,” said Melody in her letter.

After Melody read her letter, Haruka read hers. Here is the complete letter:

“Happy graduation, Stella. Actually, I don’t want you to graduate. We were always together, so I’m kinda sad knowing there will be some activities that we can no longer do together. From the very first time I was here, Stella taught me a lot of things. I depended so much on Stella that I must admit that I’m kinda worried about what to do without you.

“Stella is younger than me, but she teaches me a lot of things. She often gets mad at me, but we also often share laughter together. All that started from this very theater, JKT48 Theater, our most important place.

“Everyone here loves Stella. You love them all too, right? Even though Stella is no longer a part of JKT48, please share your love with us. Always remember that JKT48 Theater is our family home, so don’t forget to come back. Don’t forget this theater and all of its memories.

“I love you.

“Haruka”

After her two best friends read their letters, Stella made a short speech about her graduation.

“My graduation doesn’t mean that I’ve given up. I want to continue my dreams. I’m actually still worried about what am I going to do without JKT48, without them [members], or meeting you [fans]. It’s hard, really hard, to leave everything that I have went through these past two years with them. All those cries, laughter, joy, and sorrow. I learned a lot here; I will take all those experiences to reach my dreams out here. I hope this will be the best for everyone, and for me. Thank you, everyone. Thank you,” said Stella, crying.

So, the Renai Kinshi Jourei stage has found its end. A set list that was full of memories. We are looking forward for the next set list, hoping the new one not less great than the last one.

“RKJ, we have learned dozens things form this set list, really, a lot of things. Thanks to RKJ for being a good teacher for all of us.”
—Melody