JKT48 (read as "J. K. T. Forty-eight") is an Indonesian idol group whose name is derived from its based city of Jakarta and the Japanese idol group AKB48. Formed in 2011, it is the first AKB48 sister group outside Japan and adopts the concept of "idols you can meet".[1] Fans can attend daily performances at the group's theater, which was built as a close replica to the AKB48 Theater in Akihabara.
Producer Yasushi Akimoto decided to bring the AKB48 concept to Indonesia because the group had begun to develop a fan base in the country. Indonesia's growing economy was seen as a potential market by many Japanese companies, and Akimoto established a franchising partnership with Dentsu Media Group Indonesia to replicate the AKB48 business model. Dentsu Media Group Indonesia then cooperate with the country's largest media conglomerate Global Mediacom (MNC Media) as JKT48 official media partner.
While JKT48 does not restrict membership by nationality, applicants must be residents of Indonesia. The group has 50 members team + 10 trainees + 16 trainee candidates (as of Augustus 2016) members and released its first studio album Heavy Rotation on 16 February 2013 via Hits Records, a division of MNC subsidiary PT Star Media Nusantara. It performs songs by AKB48 and other sister groups that are translated into Indonesian.
Conception[edit]
Much like AKB48, the female Japanese idol group formed in 2005 in the Akihabara, Tokyo, JKT48 is based on the concept of idols with whom fans can "'meet', or at least develop a similar feeling of intimacy". JKT48 takes its name from the group's base city of Jakarta, Indonesia.[a][2] The country was seen as a potential market for the idol business because of its relatively young population—As of 2012 about half are under the age of 30—and the popularity of Japanese manga series, such as Slam Dunk and One Piece. In order to bring the concept of AKB48 to Indonesia, producer Yasushi Akimoto and Dentsu Media Group Indonesia partnered with the country's largest media conglomerate, Global Mediacom (MNC Media),and Rakuten.[3]
In an interview on CNN's TalkAsia program, Akimoto responded to the question of why he selected Indonesia as the first target of AKB48's overseas expansion. He said, "People in Indonesia were interested in AKB48. That is why we decided to try it in Jakarta. Kids watched AKB on the internet and they want to do the same, but they don't know whether they have talent. Also it's difficult [for them] to go to Japan to audition."[4] Then Rakuten–MNC Chief Marketing Officer Reino Barack and Arya Sinulingga recounted of his visit to Japan, "When I watched AKB48's theater performance in Akihabara, I sensed the potential for a new business in Indonesia."[b][3]
History
2011–2012: Formation
The formation of JKT48 was announced on 11 September 2011 at an AKB48 event held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.[6] Applicant interviews took place in late September, and the first auditions were held 8–9 October.[1] AKB48 member Minami Takahashi also visited Jakarta during the auditions to promote JKT48 among fans of AKB48.[7] Applicants did not have to be Indonesian citizens, but they must reside in the country.[8]Approximately 1,200 girls auditioned for the group, and 51 were selected to proceed to the second round. Finalists were judged based on their dance performance of "Heavy Rotation", from AKB48's single of the same name, and their performance of a song of their choice.[9] JKT48's 28 first generation members, ages 12–21, were selected on 2 November.[10] JKT48 made its first public appearance on 17 December on the live music program 100% Ampuh on Global TV and performed "Heavy Rotation", with lyrics translated into Indonesian.[5
]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JKT48