JKT48 Manatsu no Sounds Good Direct Selling in Surabaya
The story began in Saturday, January 25th 2014. Me, Ekanda, a JKT48 fans from Surabaya knew that in the next day a direct selling would be held in Surabaya. I contacted my friend Kael, Elrica, Nathan, and Pram so we could come along. I felt very happy since it would be my first time attending direct selling. I missed Koichun DS, so I determined to come this time. I tweeted so much about it. My main target in the direct selling was I want to buy wasted 2shot ticket. I knew that HITSRecord brought DVD Perkenalkan Nama Kami JKT48 with 2shot ticket bonus. Since many of Surabaya fans want to buy the DVD, but considering the high price, they never buy it. We all know that the high price is because the DVD contains 2shot ticket bonus, and for Surabaya fans, maybe they cannot attend the event because of their own job and activity. I caught this as an opportunity, I’d buy the 2shot ticket bonus for half price. So they could have the DVD with just half price. It would be a win win solution
When I tweeted it, I got another surprise. There would be 3 members coming to Surabaya. Ratu Vienny Fitrilya, Cindy Yuvia, and the Captain, Shinta Naomi. My attention was stolen by Viny. Many friends of mine suggest me to try at least once Handshake with Viny. I am so curious why they always suggest it. So I determined to talk with her when we met in direct selling event. I also mentioned her fans, and asked them whether they want me to say hello to her. Of course, they wanted me to do it. A lot of them. Hahaha
I dunno know much about Viny, so I was confused what topic I could bring to the conversation. I decided to wrote all my friends name in notepad. So if I don’t have much time talking with her, I just show her my phone. That’s what crossed my mind in Saturday night. Meanwhile my friend Kael enlisted Photopack he would buy tomorrow. Our friends asked him to buy their Oshi-Photopack. And yes, it wasn’t only direct selling, but also Photopack Special Surabaya selling. We made a promise we would come early in the morning. The direct selling would be begun at 10 am.
Sunday morning at 9.30 am, Kael had arrived at Grand City Mall Surabaya, the venue for the event. I arrived at 9.45. We met and walked to the venue. I was so surprised when I saw the queue. Was it always this crowded? It seemed that not only Surabaya fans, but also Jawa Timur fans didn’t want to miss this event. These photos was taken at 10 am.
The queue was so long, but the condition of the crowd was calm. They was patient waiting for the chance to meet Viny, Yupi and Naomi. I was so happy just by looking at the crowd. JKT48 has so many loyal and well-organized fans here. But it was also made me lazy to queue, so I decided to walk to the Merchandise Shop. Kael asked the shopkeeper whether he could buy the PP or not. The shopkeeper said we need to wait a bit more. And then, Elrica came. So we grouped at 3 waiting at the front of the shop.
Meanwhile my friend Nathan mentioned me that he couldn’t come. His wife was sick. He had to take care of her, and unfortunately, missed this event. My friend Pram also chatted Kael that he was in Makassar, so he missed this event too. He just asked either me or Kael to gave a live report via Twitter, so he could feel the moment digitally, LOL. I agreed, and gave it a hashtag #KelilingSoundsGoodSBY.
After 10 minutes stood in the front of the shop, the staffs came out and asked us to leave the place. They asked us to queue along with the crowd who wanted to direct selling. Man, that wasn’t a nice idea since we wanted the Photopacks, not the DVD Concert and Manasugu DVD. They should separated the queue. We decided to go to top floor at the Food Court, waiting for the queue there. We also had a nice breakfast there.
15 minutes had passed, Elrica went down to observate again. She chatted me that the Merchandise Shop had opened and they sold Photopacks. Kael and I went down, too. We decided to buy 1 pack first, and cross-checked with our friends in Jakarta if the pose was different. And yeah, it was a different pose with a close-up. I got Akicha, Rona, Rachel, Cindy Gulla, and Sinka. Later, Elrica traded my Akicha with Sonia, my oshimen. I was so happy ^^.
Kael traded my Sinka (his oshimen is Sinka) for Thalia. Ehehehe, I was so happy again, because psst! Tata is my-soon-to-be-oshi. Kael, Elrica, and I walked around and traded many photopacks our friends wanted. Kael was the busiest. In the middle of trading hour, I went to the shop again for buying a few packs. Unfortunately, they were all sold out. In less than 30 minutes, the newest edition of photopacks had sold out. The rest were just old collections.
So I went back to foodcourt, and we talked about anything. Still related to JKT48, though. Lol. Looked down, the staff had already prepared stage for member. You could see the different between these pictures. The first one was taken at 10.30 am, the second was taken at 11.30. They were looking so enthusiastic to see Viny, Yupi and Naomi. Too bad I missed the moment when they were going up the stage. But I heard they just said “thanks for coming”, “please buy”, “Surabaya rocks”, etc.
For your information, the staff also prepared a box. After fans bought the DVD Manasugu, they could fill the Call Sounds Good card, and put it into the box. Until the end of the event, the box was brought to Jakarta. So members can call it one by one later when the box has arrived in Jakarta. All of them was so excited. Every seconds they alternately put the card into the box.
At 1 pm, I heard the announcement that the Manasugu DVD left already no more than 500 pieces. And DVD Concert left already no more that 150 pieces. Manasugu sold in 80 thousands rupiah (normal price) but the Concert DVD came in with 200 thousands rupiah price tag (50 thousands rupiah higher than normal price). When I asked the staff, they insisted that the normal price is indeed 150 thousands rupiah. This was so funny, I already bought it directly in Jakarta, with normal price. They still insisted, so I leave them.
I talked to one of the staff. He is my friend. His name is Dedy. He is an official photographer of the event. I showed him an article in official JKT48 webpage. He was also surprised. He was told that the price was 200 thousands by HITSRecord’s staff. He asked me an apology and walked to the staff room. Later he mentioned me that it was a new policy. For outside Jakarta, they sell it in 200 thousands. Disappointed with the price, I walked away. Kael told me we better started queuing so we still got Manasugu DVD. I agreed, since the queue already short compared to before. But still, it was so crowded. This photo was taken at 3 pm, 5 hours after direct seling was opened.
About 15 minutes later, another news was announced. They said that the Manasugu DVD has sold out. DVD Concert still available, not more than 100 pieces. But the fans didn’t clear the venue and kept queuing. I didn’t know why. I am a little bit disappointed, since I couldn’t DS and met Viny Yupi Naomi. 200 thousands for DVD was too much for me and Kael. So we decided to broke the queue, and walked away. We walked near the DS box where the members were. We talked with Dedy again, about the mystery of the price. Meanwhile, the queue still crowded, and they began to ask staff the details. Sure, I could understand what they want: They only want to meet Viny, Yupi, Naomi as I did. But too bad, the Manasugu DVD has been sold out.
In the middle of our conversation, one of HITSRecord Staff came out and talked with the crowd. In the cashier booth, they yelled that the DVD Concert’s price was 150 thousands. Again, this is so funny. First, they insisted to sell it for 200 thousands, after the enthusiast of the fans went lower, they changed the price. I didn’t know why, but I caught this as an opportunity again. I made an eye contact with Kael to be “Jadilah Nekad”. I would buy the DVD for sure. Not aiming for the DVD or even 2shot card. Simply so I could meet Viny. This was the only chance. Kael agreed, so we both bought 3 DVD Concert. This was also a nervous moment for me. Well, we only separated by a box and staffs.
When we were queueing, one staff told me that the members were asleep. I have no problem with that, but since I wanted to meet them, I would return the DS tickets. Kael asked whether we could meet them or not, they answered Yes, but the members were asleep. I really didn’t understand what they meant, and with a higher tone I asked them again we could meet or not. Finally they let me enter the booth along with Kael. I was the first one to enter the booth, so I ran into Viny. Kael had his time with Naomi, and Yupi talked with another fan. Here’s a little our conversation.
M (Me), K (Kael), V (Viny) Y (Yupi) N (Naomi). For your information, these members noticed Kael, since he is the biggest fans of Boku no Taiyou theatre, and has watched it over and over. Especially Naomi since his oshimen is her little sister.
M: “Hello Viny!” *point at OOM48 Pin I wore*
V: “Whoa! Kak Ekan…nda?”
M: “Yes! Are you surprised you meet OOM48 again in Surabaya? Too bad me and my friend has just applied for 3,75th Gen of OOM48”
V: *laughing* “Here’s your DVD!”
M: “Thank you. By the way… *showed up my phone* Many friends of mine say hello to you! Here, you can see it.”
V: *see through the notepad carefully*
M: “Ah, Djt and Red say thanks for your calls”
V: “You’re welcome… This is AdhiOakTheory?”
M: “Yes. By the way Reksoadi also asks if you have trouble in reviewing book.”
V: “What book?”
M: “Err… I am not sure… Novels?”
V: “Ah! I remember it! Please say sorry from me, I will do it as soon as I can!”
M: “Sure!”
Meanwhile in Kael’s Side, Naomi greet him first.
N: “How could you be here?”
K: “…. I study here”
N: “Ah sorry, I forget it. Here’s your DVD…. Err… 2shot twice with Sinka I guess?”
K: “Yes, hahaha”
N: “She looks for you.”
K: “Lie.”
N: “Seriously!”
K: “You got a hello.”
N: “From Ayam? Why doesn’t he show up?
K: “It’s far away from Surabaya.”
N: *laughing*
K: “Keep up the spirit, and say hello for Sinka!”
N: “Sure!”
In the middle of conversation between Naomi and Kael, Yupi interrupted.
Y: “Ah! This is again! I want the pin so much!” *point at OOM48 pin*
K: “Haven’t you got it in Koichun Handshake?”
Y: “Errr…not so sure…”
K: “Nio says hello to you!”
I interrupted their chat.
M: “Jovi says hello to you too!”
And then it was an epic moment when Yupi stared at us with Why-All-of-My-Fans-in-Jakarta-also-has-friends-here-face, lol.
When we talked to them, many staffs looked so hesitate to drag us out from the booth. They surprised they talked to us warmly. I was so sure that with other fans they did it too, since many of them were so nice girls, though ^^
After went out of the booth, Kael and I, we looked at each other. What should we do with these 3 DVD’s, lol. Truthfully we don’t need it, we only wanted to meet them. Kael asked everyone that passed us if they wanted to buy it with normal price. Surprisingly, there were 2 fans who agreed to buy it. So problem was solved ^^
And how about the crowd? Staffs finally let them to highfiving members as we do after theater. They were so happy yet still well-organized. Then the staffs asked them to went down and waited near the red stage. Viny Yupi Naomi would say goodbye. Not long after that, 3 members went down, and said thanks for today’s event. They said they wait us in the theatre and hope someday we will go to the theatre. Thank you Viny, Yupi, Naomi, please come back to Surabaya someday!
Last words:
My impression for the event was wow. There are no chaos, riot, or something like that. The fans were so well-organized, calm, and patient. The members also in high spirit whenever they met us. I hope that Surabaya and East Java fans always keep this up. Thank you and GoodLuck, JKT48!
Kael and I say thank you, heheh :]
iye – iye yang sok cool deket eskalator sambil jepret member
Why……why does the price always high. Sometimes i just wanted to support my oshi, but it’s ended with being robbed by (greedy) Jot.
Robbed by JOT?! They never robbed and will never rob anybody. All JOT do to you guys is simply providing the means to support your Oshi: Selling music record and other swags, that is. By conducting their JKT48 business, JOT actually HELP you to ease your insatiable thirst of JKT48 Idols. Whether to buy it or not, the decision is absolutely ALL YOURS. Please, don’t be one of those guys who always fail to take responsibility of their own action and decision.
Anyway, the decision regarding the music record (CD) price rests not only on JOT shoulder, but also on other parties, HITS Records and JKT48 Project Staff/AKS namely.
what herman bro says is a metaphor..
no need to get so hyped..
or maybe you are one of JOT staff?
Quotation marks on the word (robbed) could’ve cleared the misunderstanding.
So that’s why Viny wrote this post on Google Plus https://plus.google.com/100371079447998235033/posts/Fo4h6iUzgjM
hahaha,lucky you
i got in venue at 10.00 a.m but same with you,that’s tooooooo long line to made me lazy to queue XD
so i’m queued in 2 p.m(but still long,jeez..) and surprise,staff announced if CD is SOLD OUT one and a half hour later!!!
but i’m still don’t get my CD TT ,i just get DVD concert :’)
And more surprise is,this time police is called to event because usually SBY48 fans and radio partner given the task to secure DS
Thanks god no chaos this time(like Honda event last year),hahahaha
Hope Hits/official brought more CD if they want to DS again in Surabaya,because there are a lot of fans who still don’t get CD
PS:Inyi cantik sekali!!!
Could you translate this video .please http:// youtu.be/-zAO0YGeSuQ @youtubeさん
just got read this article.. ^^
actually, i’m not even think that i’m got robbed by JOT.. my logic think is.. if u won’t got robbed.. then why you still buy their product’s ?
i came to that place that day just for look around.. i’m watching.. and enjoying what young generation get their attention mostly ^^, and i got surprise.. just because 3 little cute girl.. this hundred.. maybe thousand ppl came right before that mall open.. just to see them.. its amaze me..
got Salute for JKT48 from me ^^