Dareka no Tame ni (1 February 2014) First-Time Report

When I first watched Aturan Anti Cinta (Renai Kinshi Jourei) and Matahari Milikku (Boku no Taiyou), I was quite late to the theater scene, as both set lists had been performed for some time before I observed them. As a result, I had heard many things that may have affected my perception of those shows. This time, however, I was fortunate to be able to watch Team J’s newest set list Demi Seseorang (Dareka no Tame ni) on its ninth performance.

I had expected that Team J’s performance would not be as polished because the set of songs is still quite new, but I was soon proven wrong. Although there was still room for improvement, the shortcomings of the performance did not prevent me from enjoying the show.

First Impressions

I was fortunate to be able to watch the Aturan Anti Cinta set list two more times in December before its performances finally ended with Stella’s graduation. Upon its conclusion, I had been left with such a deep impression from the set list that I thought no replacement would satisfy my enthusiasm for Team J’s performance in Aturan Anti Cinta. By beginning and ending my first calendar year in the JKT48 fandom with that set list, I felt that a chapter of my journey had been completed, and I was ready to begin 2014 with a new perspective toward JKT48.

When Demi Seseorang was first announced as the replacement set list, I made a personal commitment not to spoil myself from the experience by watching either the AKB48 or NMB48 version of the stage performances. I wanted to be able to judge the set list purely on JKT48’s execution rather than comparing them to those who preceded them. I had especially been made aware of the infamous unit song “Bird” featuring Minami Takahashi, but I restrained myself from prejudging the song.

I was, however, presented with one dilemma. I now have have an oshimen, which meant that I would be biased toward watching her performance rather than getting a holistic impression of Team J’s performance. This was inevitable, but I tried to remain neutral as best I could.

Set List & Member Impressions

That evening, two members were performing Demi Seseorang for the first time—Gaby and Vanka. Additionally, Vanka was the first Trainee to perform the set list with Team J. To commemorate the occasion, Gaby played the role of the shadow announcer. Despite this being their first performance of the set list, neither seemed anxious, and both performed well for a first performance.

“Tsukimisou” served as an odd opening to the set list for me. Its instrumental sounds remind me of traditional Chinese instruments (to which others have later pointed out to me that they represent Japan’s traditional Bon Festival). It had quite a different effect from the spine-chilling “Cahaya Panjang” (“Nagai Hikari”) or the a cappella “Dreamin’ Girls”. Perhaps its effect on me was further enhanced by the fact that I was watching the show the day after Chinese New Year, which lent to the atmosphere.

Neither “Warning” nor “Malam Ulang Tahun” (“Tanjoubi no Yoru”) left a particular impression on me, but I felt that the uniform green dresses of felt-like fabric worn by all the members gave a more reserved feel than the multicolored dresses of Aturan Anti Cinta. This lent to the impression that morose environment of the new set list was intended to contrast the powerful expressions of love in the previous one. This set list also differs from the previous in that there are only three introductory songs instead of four, so time felt as if it passed more quickly when it finally reached the member introductions.

The theme for member introductions that evening was “What would you do if Jakarta had a winter?” Unsurprisingly, Beby’s answer was the one I remember the most—that she would build the JKT48 Theater stage out of ice and perform on stage as if it were a Disney On Ice performance. I would like to see that happen, not necessarily by JKT48, but any 48 group. (It was not until after the announcement of Cindy Gulla’s departure that I realized I would miss her self introduction, where she would encourage the audience to keep cheering but is then annoyed when they would not listen to her when it is her turn to repeat her catchphrase.)

When Melody, Kinal, and Cindy entered for “Bird”, I knew could feel immediately that the audience had focused their full attention to the song. Like many others before me, I was particularly impressed with Cindy’s strong performance in the song. She exuded an aura different from the one I had seen when she performed “Tsundere” in Aturan Anti Cinta. I had once considered her a one-dimensional character, but I was forced to reconsider that attitude after seeing what she is capable of in “Bird”. What was lacking in the performance was perhaps balance. In terms of height, Kinal’s position on stage right stood out because she was much taller than either Melody or Cindy. Because Kinal was bigger in stature, this made it appear as if her movements are exaggerated compared to the shorter Cindy on stage left. This was not necessarily Kinal’s fault, as I feel that she captured well the power that is conveyed in the song.

“Jatuhkan Dengan Kiss Bye” (“Nage Kiss de Uchi Otose”) puzzled me quite a bit because it featured six performers on stage at the same time, which felt too many for a single unit song. I decided to focus my attention solely on Beby, which did not disappoint. Compared to the more serious performances in the previous set list, this song gave viewers a new view on her range of expressions while giving her the same opportunity to display her energetic moves. Because the song has a more youthful image, Beby also appeared to be more cheerful than how I usually saw her in other performances. Another member who I thought fit the image of the song well was Sonia, whose endearing character and expressions could make one’s heart melt if he is not prepared. What lent to the unity in the song was perhaps the closeness in age of all six performers, including Ayana, Gaby, Shania, and Nabilah, as some of the youngest members of JKT48.

Strong vocal performance by Jessica Veranda and Rica in “Khayalan” (“Shinkirou”) reminded me of of JKT48’s other stage duets, which have always been melancholic. Although I’m certain many would rather pay attention to Veranda for her elegance, Rica should not be underestimated as her composure is displayed through her seniority. “Rider” did not left a particularly deep impression on me, especially being such a renowned song for its background story. It was not because Ghaida, Sendy, Dhike, or Vanka performed terribly, but because the song did not feel too creative to my ears. Instead, “Rider” is best experienced by watching the interactions among members when they break off into pairs throughout the song. I found the interaction between Vanka and Ghaida particularly entertaining as if the former is trying to hold off the advances of the latter.

Moving on from the unit songs, I was caught off guard in “Seragam Ini Sangat Mengganggu” (“Seifuku ga Jama wo Suru”) because I did not know the song was performed with only eight members. I had waited for something more grand to happen in the song, but I was ultimately disappointed. Additionally, most of the closing songs were not as catchy as in the previous set list, thus it may take me several times of watching this stage before I can fully appreciate them. This surprised me because I had expected “Demi Seseorang” (“Dareka no Tame ni”) as the title song of the set list to be more impactful than what I experienced. One particular exception was “Adyth”, the Indonesian adaptation of “Koike”. Veranda’s monologue has become somewhat infamous to the point that other members and the audience would tease her about it in subsequent talk segments. Perhaps it is because of her monologue in “Apakah Kau Melihat Mentari Senja?” (“Yuuhi wo Miteiru ka?”) that she has built an image that is suitable for this particular performance.

I found the medley songs of “Ingin Bertemu” (“Aitakatta”), “Karena Kusuka Dirimu” (“Kimi no Koto ga Suki Dakara”), “Baby! Baby! Baby!”, and “Ponytail dan Shu-shu” (“Ponytail to Shu-shu”) to be quite nostalgic. I had never seen any of these performances live before, so it felt as if I were watching the younger JKT48 perform in front of me. “Karena Kusuka Dirimu” was particularly nice to see because I had only seen the full choreography once in the unreleased music video that was played following Rena’s handshake session last September.

Final Impression

Demi Seseorang did not leave as deep an impression on me as Aturan Anti Cinta did on my first viewing. This is not because the former is a weaker set list, but I feel because the songs in general are musically less catchy. However, what these songs lacked in tune they were compensated in dance. This set list cannot be viewed halfheartedly as it requires the attention of the audience to appreciate the holistic presentation of song and dance. Whereas Aturan Anti Cinta can be appreciated in song alone, I feel that Demi Seseorang will not have the same effect if the set list is released only on CD.

In hindsight, perhaps the fact that I have an oshimen in Beby might have prevented me from dismissing this set list altogether because I had a reference to whom I go back when I am not sure how to appreciate a particular song. Beby also seems to acknowledged that she recognizes me as one of her fans when she smiled and nodded at me during the member introductions session. This was the first time that I have seen her make such an acknowledgment, which led me to believe that she genuinely trusts in the presence of her avid fans and will give her best performance if she sees someone she appreciates.

To someone who has not seen Team J perform in a while, the team can feel somewhat alien without the iconic presence of members such as Stella, Sonya, Diasta, and Cindy, but I feel this set list is what they need to recreate a new image for Team J. Demi Seseorang should be a set list that enhances a different side of the members’ characters, so they will be forced to adapt into the new environment rather than be comfortable in the one they have built over the past year.

It may not be the most spectacular set list, but it is an essential one for the growth of Team J.