Maturing as a JKT48 Trainee: Sofia Meifaliani Google+ Post

The day after the Kokoro no Placard Handshake Festival, Sofia Meifaliani (Profile) posted in Google+ about her experience as a JKT48 member. She shared stories about her hopes and feelings and the various developments she went through as a JKT48 Trainee, among others.

It is a long post, but also a very interesting read and it gives us a sneak peak into the thoughts and reality from an idol point of view. The translation of her G+ post is listed below.

Good evening

I want to tell you about yesterday’s handshake event!

Hmmm..where is a good place to start?

 

Maybe from the earliest point? Hahaha…

Yeah from the start…

 

From the time I entered JKT48

 

This may probably be very long

 

Are you confident you can read till the end?

Hmm…

Hope you don’t get sleepy

 

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A year ago, I never thought about things like these before….

Like… being recognized by people, even though not as much as the others…

Receiving lots of attention, care and love…. Being supported by earnest hearts and sincerity…

Getting praised, and receiving many insights that allow me progress… It’s a lot… If I mention it all, it will never finish

 

The thing is, everything that you have all given to me, from before I became a JKT member till now, have been so much! Even I don’t understand how it turned out as great as this hahahah…

 

Even though it is still a short time in comparison to the other seniors, even though I am still a Trainee, I feel such a great transformation …

Or perhaps it’s not really that short, because it is now almost a year since I began to know what JKT48 is about… But I really don’t feel it because it is honestly so enjoyable

 

So, from the moment I signed up as a member of JKT48’s 3rd generation, I didn’t think that I would have fans that are really so great…

 

In the beginning, I noticed that when the senior JKT48 members tweet even anything at all- they were sure to get replies and retweets…

I wish I can be like that too haahha…

Because if I tweet, there is no one who reply, retweet or favorite it…

Hahahaha

 

Not only that, I have also never thought about the Handshake event that is held every time there is a new album…

Handshake events have always been a highly anticipated event…. Being able to meet and greet with the member that you support, buying handshake (HS) tickets to meet other members. And even if it is only 10 seconds, almost like a breeze

 

Besides that, I never imagined that JKT48 would develop me to understand the meaning of discipline, to endeavor without saying words of surrender, to be on time, to appreciate and respect everyone who is senior or older, to possess a good attitude, and to know what the meaning of being an idol…is

 

An idol is not like an artiste who is always expected to become perfect; an idol has precisely as many shortcomings as any ordinary person, but is able to turn their shortcomings into a merit through a positive way…. Even being capable of inspiring others….

 

There are many other matters too, but if I say it all, it will be too much….heheheheh

 

At first I wondered whether the JKT48 members were proud and arrogant….

But my thinking turned out to be very wrong, being proud and arrogant will only lead to bad effects..

And all of them here are very friendly and nice…

 

It’s true many have said that JKT48 is a second home:))

The times I spend with you could even be more than the time I spend at home..? Hihihihi….

 

I also love all the members in gen 3 a lot, so if anyone leaves, there is truly a feeling of loss:(

 

Hmmmmm..
I have gone through many wonderful experiences…

 

When I first participated in the Flying Get Handshake Event, I know that I am still not well known…and all of this requires time, process, and effort…

What I can say is that, my sessions or better known as the “longing booth,” is lonely

 

After the Shonichi performance of Gen 3’s Pajama Drive, and the subsequent groupings into the Red and White team, I began to understand the methods and ways to become a better performer on stage…

During every theater, I always tried hard to give my best and improve from before…

 

I experienced much positive development…

And I am grateful for all of these…

 

When the time for the Gingham Check Handshake Event came…

And my Handshake [sessions] sold out….

I felt happy and overjoyed, I felt different from before….

I even thought, “How was it able to get sold out….” Hahaha

I’m not being a pessimist, but I simply did not expect that

 

As the handshake started, I met many new people and also those that came during the previous handshake. There were also those who have HS with me in the previous event but did not HS during this Gingham event and I understand that there may be various difficulties which do not enable them to come again. And also maybe they are those who oshihen… Hehehe

 

Everyone is welcome to come and go:) That is life…

While there are fans who oshihen, the feeling is still that of heartache and sadness…

 

But, life goes on!

I never felt annoyed or dislike towards them, instead it pushes me more to be even better. And to show that I can do it…. Maybe they can be a reminder to me hehe

 

Beyond that, there were also many who have started to support me… I feel really happy

Things like this make me more spirited to become better and to retain them as fans hihihi exciting much…

 

Am I wise?

Hahaha…

 

Essentially, that is the reason I always get motivated with the phrase, “Everything happens for a reason.”

Be it good or bad, everything happens for a reason.. Even if we don’t know what the reason is, trust that God will have a beautiful plan

 

Oh, to continue from before, the reality is that even though my HS is sold out, the people queuing for my beloved longing booth is still yet to be as many as that from the rest… During my session, I can say that it was also very lonely… Hehehhe

But it is alright, that is a sign that I have to work even harder to become more prominent and well known…. Hehehe

 

It is one of the experiences that push me to improve… I will always put in effort and do my utmost best:) Work hard and always work hard…

And I still believe that “Hard Work and Effort will never betray you”…:)))

 

As time passes, maybe everyone will evolve and become great, but the challenges that wait will also become greater. As I become aware of my own self development, I will also talk about the new and positive changes that I feel, and it’s not only me…

 

In here, there is also rivalry… Healthy rivalry, without the sense of putting each other down but to motivate…

 

A kind of whip to be even betterJ

It’s not a bore to hear these words right

 

As the time for the Kokoro no Placard Handshake Event came…

I felt overjoyed too when it was informed that my handshake sessions sold out again…

I wondered what I could do to give as a souvenir for all of you….

It may not be much, but my intent was to show my feelings of thanks….

I am sorry if there are any of you who didn’t feel happy about it, because there was only a limited quantity… it is my fault that I did not prepare for it thoroughly.

 

Ohya, even though my expression of thanks may not stand in comparison to all that you have given to me…

 

I am beginning to run out of words to say:”)

 

But before that, thank you very much for reading till here…

It is a lot yeah..

Hope all of you read:”)

 

To continue on….

It is not finished yet:)

 

I did not expect that, in my 2nd session or in my first session

I managed to HS with all of you without even having a chance to sit….

It is so much different from the previous HS event…

 

In this HS event, I really felt a great change…

 

It was the same in Session 9 or in my last session…

 

Everything felt like it passed so quickly, if only time can be turned back…

I want to rewind yesterday:)

I want to have more time to meet with all of you:))

 

Because,

It was so funnnnn!!!!!!

Thanks so much for participating in this event…

 

And thank you for all your gifts and from before…

If you look at it, the collection of gifts is really so much, hehehe…

 

Only in JKT48, can I feel this way…

 

I am truly grateful for all of these….

 

 

 

Oh right, hmmm….

I haven’t forgotten about yesterday’s announcement:) [Translator’s Note: My guess is that it is related to the Pajadora Team Reformat]

 

Smile:)

 

It’s alright everybody, this is called “Everything happens for a reason” and “Life goes on!” There is sure to be a more beautiful plan behind all of these

 

Honestly though, there is still one thing that makes me said…

Which is…

 

 

 

 

 

I have yet to be able to make all of you proud…

I have yet to be able to give my best and maybe I have disappointed you…

 

I’m sorry..

 

I hope that you still want to support me

I will not give up too, I will stay spirited!!!

And I will keep working hard!!!

 

So please help support me too!!!

 

All of you are the reasons I am still here…

No matter whatever happens, Keep it up!!
I LOVE YOU ALL!!

 

Oh right! Please don’t forget to watch the Red and White Team’s Pajama Drive for the last time!

 

On Saturday,

Show 1 – 14:00 – Red Team

Show 2 – 19:00 – White Team

 

I will wait for you in show 1!!

With the Red Team

And finally….may we still have another chance in the future! Amen..

 

“I’LL DO MY BEST!”

Don’t be sad, because I will feel sad too if you are sad J

 

 

 

By the way, I am not a great writer…..:)

So please forgive me if there are any wrong words written and if there were any offensive words said yesterday, I have never intended for anyone to be offended.

 

I love you allllll:))) You love me too right??

 

And yesterday I performed the unit 7ji 12fun again:) hehehe

 

1 more thing…

Once again, thank you for all the gifts hehe

And also the photos..

There are also a couple of photos (?) hehehe

 

GBU!

Personally I am moved by the honest yet delicately light-hearted sentiments that Sofia has written about. The idols we have come to know are always smiling and happy. But there are also as many struggles and hardships they go through that we don’t know about.

To feel lonely in a quiet handshake booth. To recognize and see the reality of fans who oshihen. To understand that sometimes even they disappoint fans.

Many predicaments are often difficult to express honestly in person, or even to the public or social world. Because of this, I am appreciative of Sofia’s post. It somehow speaks out for the other girls too and I am positive members all over can relate.

Well, that was a long read. What did you think about it? Has your favorite idols told you stories like this too? Well if you like what you read, I’d encourage you to send her a positive reply to her Twitter (@M_SofiaJKT48) / Google+

“It would be nice if JOT produced a JKT48 Documentary….”