Talking with My Oshimen: Jakarta Shimbun Journalist Speaks
On September 14, at the Japanese embassy in Indonesia (located in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta), the opening ceremony of the 6th Jakarta–Japan Matsuri (JJM) was held. I went too to write an article, but something unexpected happened… Among the four JKT48 members who participated as guests, the member I happen to like the most (in short, my oshimen) was present too. Just minutes before the event started, she brushed past me. I got really excited, confessing, “What should I do? I can’t focus on work like this…” to my colleague.
I had already met her two or three times before but never talked directly… This time was different though. After the ceremony ended, I finally could have the chance to talk to her. “Yes!! I can finally talk with my oshimen!!” I shouted…in my head. People might find this weird, but this is how fans are, probably. For a second, I even forgot about the job we had to do, to interview them about JKT48.
From May, for three and a half months, we have introduced the JKT48 third generation members, interviewing 30 of them in all. These girls had just entered the show business and still showed uncertainty. All of them had unique personal traits to them, but teenagers cannot be expected to convey all of them perfectly. It was then difficult to pull them out, but as the conversation continued they started to open up and even show splendid smiles.
As a journalist, having been able to see their real, natural expressions—not as idols, but as normal girls—was the greatest joy.
—Aryo Tejo
This article was printed in the Wednesday, 24 September 2014, issue of The Daily Jakarta Shimbun.
ehh..?!?!?!?
who’s his oshimen..???
Wotaliano,
Today I happen to stumble upon your entry and to my surprise it’s about the article I wrote.
I know it may not mean much, but personally, I’m not only touched to have my writings shared and even translated to English by other people but also really appreciate their effort.
I admit, as a journalist, I am still greener than the greenest of green, seeing as my experience only amount to less than a year. But today, thanks to you, I became more motivated about my job and start to have more pride in it as well.
And so to you, I can only say one thing, grazie mille amico.
And to abid, my oshimen is Ghaida
Sir, first let me apologize for the terrible delay in replying!
I should thank you instead, for this article and the 3rd gen profiles, it was a pleasure to read, especially for us “fans far” who have limited access to information and experiences about people there
I hope you will have much success in your work over there, and look forward to see more articles
Grazie a te!
No, no. Please don’t be. I’m happy enough to have my message reached you.
I’m glad it pleased you and other fans. I realize how difficult it is to find information on JKT48 outside Indonesia, aside from fellow fans or dedicated media, but like the saying, “there will always be a way”, right? So I’m happy enough if I can help filling that gap
Also you can rest assure that we (me and my partner) will always do a coverage on JKT48 as they are one of our main sources of news. At the moment I can say that we are thinking of doing another special coverage but it has yet to take form. But you can expect more in the future.
Oh and I almost forget, there’s just a little correction on the translation. At the beginning, you wrote “Japanese Embassy”, actually, it’s the Japanese Ambassador’s house. Sorry for not being clear.
Thank you again and I hope the same to you.
Japan Matsuri (JJM) is awesome event.
Indeed it seems so!