Handshake Nasional JKT48

Di acara Kreas11ndonesia milik Global TV pada tanggal Selasa, 8 Oktober 2013, Kinal, kapten tim J dari grup idola JKT48 melalui sebuah wawancara mengumumkan bahwa mereka akan melaksanakan Event Handshake Nasional di Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara, berbarengan dengan Konser "JKT48 Horas!!!" di Medan. Berikut cuplikan pernyataan dari Kapten Kinal dari Tribunnews[1]:

"Kami lagi sibuk konser keluar kota. Dan kami juga mau ada handshake nasional. Dua minggu ke depan kami akan ada acara di Medan, tanggal 19 (Oktober). Di sana juga akan jadi tempat handshake nasional pertama ya," ucap Kinal

Pengumuman ini diharapkan menjawab pertanyaan banyak fans mengenai pelaksanaan kegiatan ‘Jabat Tangan’ bersama para member berskala nasional. Walau begitu, beberapa fans, termasuk saya sendiri, memandang skeptis event ini. Saya akan menjelaskan kenapa, dalam pandangan saya pribadi, Event ini bisa memicu konflik. Tapi sebelumnya, saya akan memberi sedikit gambaran mengenai Event Handshake Nasional.

Apa itu Event Handshake Nasional?

Event Handshake Nasional adalah salah satu pembeda grup idola JKT48 dari grup-grup idola lainnya. Dengan konsep sebagai ‘idols you can meet’, JKT48 mengadopsi sistem yang mereka dapat dari sister group mereka AKB48. Sistem tersebut adalah sistem di mana sang idol bisa bertemu secara reguler dengan fans mereka. JKT48 melakukan ini dengan cara yang sama dengan sister group mereka, antara lain dengan mengadakan show secara reguler/harian di theater mereka yang berlokasi di lantai F4, FX Sudirman, sign events (tanda tangan), Handshake Individual dan yang terakhir Handshake Nasional.

Handshake Nasional dan Handshake Individual, walau sama-sama merupakan event dimana para fans bisa berjabat tangan dengan para member, memiliki satu perbedaan mendasar.

Untuk Handshake individual, para fans diperkenankan untuk berinteraksi dengan para member dalam kisaran waktu sekitar 10 detik. Selain itu, para fans diwajibkan untuk membeli tiket handshake sesuai dengan member yang mereka inginkan. Jadi, untuk setiap member, tiketnya akan berbeda.

Sedangkan untuk Handshake Nasional, para member akan berbaris dan bersalaman dengan semua fans yang memiliki tiket Handshake Nasional tanpa berinteraksi. Berinteraksi pun, akan sangat terbatas karena antrian akan terus berjalan dan tidak berhenti untuk apapun. Dalam hal ini, tiket handshake nasional merupakan bonus dari penjualan DVD album pertama JKT48, Heavy Rotation. Karena itu pula, tidak sedikit fans yang memiliki tiket ini. Satu tiket Handshake Nasional berlaku untuk semua member. Sehingga banyak fans, terutama fans dari luar Jakarta, yang berharap agar Handshake Nasional ini dapat segera dilaksanakan sehingga mereka bisa bertemu dengan ke 49 member JKT48. Harapan mereka ini tidak bisa disalahkan karena selama ini event jabat tangan yang lain, Handshake Individual, selalu dilaksanakan di FX Sudirman atau markas besar JKT48.

Misteri Handshake Nasional

Tapi, seiring berjalannya waktu,  Handshake Nasional tak kunjung dilaksanakan. Tentu saja, hal ini memancing emosi para fans yang sampai membuat tagar #MisteriHSNasional di media sosial twitter. Bahkan, dalam beberapa konser JKT48 di berbagai kota, selalu tampak sebuah spanduk besar berwarna hitam dengan tulisan putih #MisteriHSNasional. Selain itu, hampir setiap hari ada mention yang melampirkan sebuah gambar ke twitter @officialJKT48 yang mempertanyakan fungsi tiket berwarna pink yang didapat dari Album Heavy Rotation. Hal ini sudah mulai tak terkendali setelah muncul kaos yang dilabeli sama: #MisteriHSNasional.

Hal ini dilakukan para fans untuk menekan JKT48 Operational Team, atau JOT, untuk segera melaksanakan Handshake Nasional. Saat ini para fans sedang berjuang agar mereka bisa bertemu dengan para member sesegera mungkin.

Membuka berbagai Kemungkinan

Bagi para pembaca yang sudah lama mengikuti twitter saya, @Radityo_Utomo, tentu ingat bahwa pada tanggal 26 September 2013, saya pernah membahas mengenai alasan-alasan mengapa Handshake Nasional tak kunjung dilaksanakan. Yang saya kemukakan adalah berdasarkan pengamatan saya terhadap kelakuan para fans dari JKT48 itu sendiri serta berbagai pertimbangan lainnya seperti ekonomi, situasi, dan kondisi pada saat itu. Bagi pembaca yang belum mengikuti twitter saya pada saat itu, berikut penjelasan dan argumen yang saya berikan pada saat itu.

Yang pertama, Handshake nasional sangat sukar dilaksanakan karena sulitnya menentukan venue. Nanti di tentukan di Jakarta, Fans di luar Jakarta akan marah. Hal ini sudah beberapa kali terjadi. Dulu saat event kemerdekaan diumumkan, banyak komentar "Jakarta lagi, Jakarta lagi". Yang kedua, Akomodasi. Berhubungan dengan poin sebelumnya, bagaimana dengan fans yang tidak mampu beli tiket ke jakarta? Hal ini bisa menimbulkan keirian sesama fans.

Yang ketiga, Member. Seperti yang kita tahu, member JKT48 sejak saya tulis ini di twitter, tanggal 26 September, sampai sekarang sedang sakit-sakitan. Misalnya saja, Beby yang sempat vakum dari kegiatan selama 1 bulan penuh. Veranda juga pernah terpaksa diganti jadwal perform di theater di menit-menit akhir karena ia sakit, padahal ia salah satu member yang paling konsisten tampil di theater. Hal ini terjadi karena padatnya jadwal. Bayangkan bila dalam waktu dekat dilakukan Handshake Nasional. Kondisi member yang sedang tidak fit bisa memperparah kondisi mereka bila dipaksakan melakukan Handshake Nasional. Selain itu, bila ada member yang tidak hadir, bukan tidak mungkin fans member yang bersangkutan jadi kesal (cukup terbukti ketika Veranda diganti tanpa pemberitahuan. Banyak fansnya yang membully JOT dan Veranda sendiri lewat twitter)

Ketiga poin diatas merupakan poin yang sangat valid. Oleh karena itu, saya tidak terlalu menyalahkan JOT yang memutuskan menunda pelaksanaan Handshake Nasional

Kontroversi Pelaksanaan Handshake Nasional

Walau begitu, tampaknya JOT sendiri mulai terpengaruh oleh tekanan fans. Secara mendadak dan tanpa pengumuman resmi, JOT melalui Kapten Kinal mengumumkan pelaksanaan Handshake Nasional. Seperti yang disebutkan di atas, Medan menjadi kota pertama yang akan menikmati pelaksanaan Handshake Nasional. Alasan pemilihan kota tersebut, seperti yang saya kutip dari sumber yang sama:

Kota itu dipilih karena JKT 48 pernah melakukan direct selling album dan merchandise. Para penggemarnya sangat antusias dengan kehadiran mereka.

Alasan ini, menurut saya secara pribadi, adalah kebohongan yang luar biasa besar. Kenapa? Karena sesungguhnya setiap kota yang didatangi JKT48, baik itu untuk direct selling album ataupun merchandise, antusiasme fans sangat luar biasa. Tapi ini bukanlah alasan utama kenapa saya meragukan pelaksanaan Handshake Nasional.

Alasan saya meragukan pelaksanaan Handshake Nasional ini antara lain adalah sebagai berikut.

Handshake Nasional adalah event satu waktu satu tempat. Sepanjang ingatan saya, saya tidak pernah mendengar AKB48 ataupun sister-sister group 48 Girls lainnya terbang ke suatu tempat, misalnya Hokkaido atau Okinawa, untuk melaksanakan Handshake Nasional. Yang terakhir saya dengar adalah Watanabe Mayu, dan hanya dia, terbang ke Hong Kong untuk melaksanakan Handshake. Jadi, tidak pernah saya dengar seluruh Team terbang keluar dari 'kandang' untuk melaksanakan Handshake.

Bicara mengenai 'kandang', JKT48 = Jakarta 48. Saya merasa cukup aneh kalau Handshake tidak dilaksanakan di 'kandang' mereka yaitu Jakarta, melainkan berada di Medan. Terlebih, Event ini diadakan bersamaan dengan Konser mereka di Medan. Itu membuat saya berpikir, apakah Event Handshake Nasional ini adalah event yang berdiri sendiri, atau event yang terikat dengan Konser? Seandainya terikat dengan konser, apa itu berarti kota-kota yang telah di datangi JKT48 sebelumnya tidak akan mendapat kesempatan untuk berhandshake Nasional? Kota-kota seperti Jakarta, Banjarmasin, Semarang, dll.

Selain itu, dengan diadakannya Handshake Nasional di kota-kota besar tertentu, tidak tertutup kemungkinan muncul protes dari fans di kota-kota kecil seperti Cirebon atau kota-kota tidak dikunjungi. Mereka akan merasa dianak-tirikan. Selain itu, kota mana saja yang akan dikunjungi. Saya mencari info sampai ke ujung neraka tidak menemukan info kota-kota mana, selain Medan, yang akan dikunjungi.

Masalah lain, karena Konser di Medan itu biasanya hanya membawa 16 member, hal itu tentu akan mengecewakan para fans bila pada akhirnya hanya bersalaman dengan ke 16 member tersebut. Jangan lupa bahwa JKT48 terdiri dari 49 member. Bukan tidak mungkin fans di Medan ada yang mengidolakan member yang non-senbatsu seperti misalnya Sinka, Ikha, atau bahkan Trainee seperti Novi, Via, dan Sisil.

Terlepas dari sukses atau tidaknya pelaksanaan event ini, ada baiknya bila JOT tidak tertekan oleh fans dan melaksanakan Handshake Nasional di 'kandang' layaknya AKB48, SKE48, dan sister group lainnya. Memang pada awalnya terkesan tidak adil, tapi bila ditelisik, pelaksanaan event Handshake Nasional di Jakarta merupakan solusi yang paling baik karena memang JKT48 berbasis di Jakarta. Jadi untuk mengumpulkan seluruh member untuk Handshake jauh lebih gampang dibandingkan dengan melaksanakan Handshake di luar Jakarta.

Kira-kira itu saja yang saya bisa sampaikan mengenai reaksi saya terhadap Handshake Nasional yang diumumkan. Seandainya ada yang mau menyanggah, atau punya ide lain, tinggalkan komentar anda di bagian komentar di bawah. Saya terbuka untuk berdiskusi

-Radit-

UPDATE INFO HANDSHAKE NASIONAL

Setelah saya mengecek Jadwal yang tersedia di web JKT48 (www.jkt48.com). Sepertinya sudah terjawab salah satu pertanyaan diatas. Member yang akan menggelar Handshake Nasional di Medan tidak akan full team. Kenapa? Karena di Jadwal, Theater "Matahari Milikku" milik tim KIII masih akan dipentaskan.

Walaupun pementasan theater kemungkinan besar akan dilakukan oleh member-member yang, istilah kasarnya, kurang populer. Tetap saja ini sudah menyalahi aturan utama dari Handshake Nasional, yaitu seluruh member akan bersalaman dengan fans.

Dengan info ini, best case scenario untuk Handshake Nasional di Medan akan diikuti oleh 49 member- 16 member yang mementaskan theater "Matahari Milikku". Berarti kemungkinan terbaik adalah diikuti 33 member. Sementara itu, dua member JKT48 yang juga merangkap sebagai member AKB48, Nozawa Rena (Tim K) dan Takajo Aki (Tim B), juga kemungkinan tidak mengikuti event Handshake Nasional ini karena kesibukan mereka di AKB48.

Jadi dengan fakta di atas. Fans kemungkinan besar harus menerima hanya bersalaman dengan 31 member JKT48. Itupun kalau tidak dipotong lagi karena standar konser di luar kota hanya diikuti oleh 16 member.

Post ini akan saya update ketika saya sudah mendapatkan lebih banyak info.

---

[1] Berita diambil dari http://www.tribunnews.com/seleb/2013/10/09/jkt-48-gelar-hanshake-nasional-pertama-di-medan

Pajama Drive Revival Show - Reaction to Vote results

Votes are IN! Here is the line up for Pajama Drive Revival Show!

Tenshi no Shippo: 
 
Ghaida Farisya
Okay, first of all, where in the world did she come from? lol. I mean, to get from nowhere to grab the center position is not exactly easy, and given the fact she dethroned Melody, the face of JKT48, I just.... Let's just say I didn't see this coming at all.


That being said, I don't think this song is a match for her. Not to say that she sucks at it. It's just doesn't feel right, you know? Put it like, having Queen singing a Miley Cyrus type song... or for Japanese Fans, think of TM Revolution singing Doraemon opening song... hahaaa. I don't know, maybe she will surprise me.

Rica Leyona
I actually has not been doing a good job on watching how she perform on stage. She may not fit to cutey honey song like this, but she does has potential of being surprising. Still not the song I'd picture her in lol.








Nabilah Ratna Ayu
I actually predicted in the first day of voting that she will make it in to this specific song. Therefore, not a huge surprise for me to see her in this unit. I'm anxious to see how much she has improve since the last time she perform this song.

 







Pajama Drive:

Jennifer Hanna 
I have yet to see what she has to offer. Should be good to watch. If the reviews for her performance are close to the truth, she should be able to give a great performance









Beby Chaesara
 Okay, honestly, I don't think she'd make Pajama Drive, I thought she will return to her original unit in Kagami no Naka no Jeanne D' Arc. She seems to be the type of power singer like Kinal or Ghaida, so I personally don't think this is a good fit.

Still, if she pulls this off, Hats off!



  

Cindy Yuvia

Okay, I admit, I thought she'd make Tenshi no Shippo instead of Pajama Drive. She's a perfect fit for that song.

Having said that, this kid is a quick learner and I think, even if this song is not the perfect fit, she will give one of the great performance.





 

Junjou Shugi: 
 
Haruka Nakagawa 

Her Original unit in AKB48 is Pajama Drive. However, I really think she can excel in this song. Personally for me, this is her chance to prove she is not just a cute, innocent girl.

Ratu Vienny Fitrilya

My favorite Performer in KIII. I think... no... I KNOW she will give us the greatest performance of Junjou Shugi.

I definitely hope I can see this first hand! She is just that good.







Shania Junianatha 

Pretty decent. She makes the perfect complimentary performer. Not to disrespect, but I don't think she's ready to center this song.
 









Temodemo no Namida:

Before I start anything, I want to make it clear that I am overly critical of who can perform this song. So, some of you may not like what I say about the performers here.
 
Sendy Ariani

I'm not entirely sure. Maybe I set my standard based on Yukirin and Mikachi. So I am not that hyped about her selection.

One thing I am hoping for though, since she's kind of an airhead (sorry Sendy ^^'), she may learn this song enough and step up to the Mayu-Jurina level when performing this song. I have high hopes for this kid.





Stella Cornelia
Again, like Sendy, I hope she learns this song and give us the performance I know she's capable of. Not the best pick, but if she puts her heart in it enough, I know she can do well.



 





..

Kagami no Naka no Jeanne D'Arc
 
Devi Kinal Putri

Team J's Captain. I pretty much expected she made this song. Her original unit, and the fact that JKT48's version of Kagami no Naka no Jeanne D' Arc became a hot topic among overseas fans. I expect we will have the same, if not better, performance this time around with the all star team it has.




Jessica Veranda 

I actually have been dying to see her perform this song. She has always shown maturity and calmness beyond her age. I have always wondered how she would have performed this energetic song.








Rezky Wiranti Dhike 

Actually a very decent pick. Just like Ve, I have been wondering how she would perform this type of song.









Shinta Naomi

This is another all star pick, the Captain of Team KIII. Naomi's selection to this unit give us the Captain-Captain combo. I can't wait to see her perform.









Frieska Anastasia
This is a very interesting pick. Being the sister of Melody, JKT48's Center. She has always been kinda in the back and not stood out. I guess that comes naturally when your sister is the star of the team.

I personally think this will be her chance to finally shine. She just need to gain some confidence and step out of her sister's shadow






Overall: 

Interesting, I think this show will be fun and we will definitely see some member having to adjust. Kagami no Naka no Jeanne D' Arc will be the one to watch out for as far as Unit songs go, closely followed by Junjou Shugi, For individual performance, I suggest we keep an eye out for Viny as she is, right now, the best KIII performer (or maybe the entire JKT48 in that regard). That being said, I'd be keeping an eye on Frieska. This is a great opportunity for her.


-Radit-

Reaction to Rena JKT48's Announcements

June 18th, 2013. JKT48 held their routine show at JKT48 Theater. The fans, as usual, were fired up. There was no indication of anything different for that show. Little did we know that little Rena Nozawa had lined up a little surprise for the fans.

Rena Nozawa announced during the show that she would be moving back to Japan. Therefore, she would be moving into AKB48. Sources said that she would be in a concurrent or double position as AKB48 member as well as JKT48 member.

To hardcore fans, this may seem familiar as Aki “Akicha” Takajo also hold the concurrent position in both AKB48 and JKT48. Information regarding on which team she would go and her activities are yet to be disclosed.

Personally, I have mixed feeling on this move. On one side I am very proud because she makes history as the first ever member from overseas sister group to obtain a concurrent position in her original group and AKB48.

On the other side, I feel sad because I have not fulfilled my promise to her, to watch her performs in Theater. I know sources said that she will continue her role as member of team J. However, looking back on how Akicha rarely goes to Indonesia anymore (she even missed the RIVER HandShake Event), I am not so sure that I will have another chance to see her on stage. Call me sceptical, but I’m just looking back on the facts. Also, I see that she has no theater schedule anymore.

I guess all I can say now is: "Ganbarena"

-Radit

Buying JKT48's New Single, RIVER

May 10th, 2013, JKT48 announced that they would begin selling their new single, RIVER, the next day, May 11th. The first day, the sale would be handled by the members of JKT48 themselves. This excited a lot of their fans, especially because it was unveiled that there would be individual handshake tickets to be sold to those who attended the event.

Before I move on, I want to confess that I am probably the most NOT loyal fan (haha) because up to that point I had never set foot in JKT48 Theater. I don't know if it's bad luck or I'm just not allowed to watch them in the Theater, I never get e-mail confirmation. Either way, I had never crossed the threshold of JKT48 Theater until that moment.

Anyway, the morning of May 11th, I was having an exam (yeah, I know, sucks haha). I was able to finish early and I made my way to FX where JKT48 Theater is located. Time was, I believe, 9:30 AM when I arrived. And I was astounded. There were already at least 50 people lining up. And since I am a nice guy, I waited for my friends instead of lining up (which would have had
me among the front lines)

As time passes, more and more people came and line up, and before I knew it, there were approximately 600 people in line and more are still coming since the event had not started yet.

Of course, since we were in Indonesia, I had expected that there would have been a delay. I didn't really expect the event to start on time anyway (That is how much faith I had in the punctuality of Indonesians haha). Therefore, me and my friends decided to stroll around and got a bite to eat at Plaza Senayan. By the time we returned, the line was already moving little by litte ( I believe, 50 people per 6 minutes? hahaha), so we finally lined up and wait patiently. I think we wasted 4-5 hours of waiting.

After we got into the hallway of the theater, we were given form of how much Disc/Handshake event's ticket we plan to buy. I had no problem choosing the I'd like to meet on June 1st. Rena Nozawa because she is my favorite member, and Ghaida Farisya. For the second member, it is because my girlfriend suddenly asked me to get a second ticket for any member, just in case she was interested in going. I chose Ghaida because she is my statistic classmate. I wanted to choose Akicha (Aki Takajo) for her but the tickets was sold out. Another choice would be Nabilah or Haruka, but that will have us home late. I don't think her parents will appreciate me having 'kidnapped' her daughter until that late. 

So after we got inside, we wasted another 90 minutes waiting. After all that, we finally came face to face with the Members. I met with Kinai, the captain, and Shania. I thought I was the weird one for buying 2 CDs, but apparantly, that is not the case. The table besides mine handed out 10 (that's right, TEN) CDs, so I was feeling better about myself haha.

One thing I noticed and learned from this experience is that JKT48 fans are very well mannered, as cliche as that sounds. There were a couple of times when members passed through our line of people and no such thing as asking for autographs, pictures etc. The worst was probably cheering for them, and it's even not the kind of "KYAAAAAA" cheers. More like an applause after a show. Also, given the number of people lining up, it amazes me that no real chaos ensued. I mean, we were not given numbers, classes, or anything. We were just told to line up. To have no shoving, that is unbelievable.

If there is any valid comparison to JKT48 fans, it's their kryptonite, the K-POP, or should I say, K-POOP (haha) fans.  I can't imagine Super Junior walks by in a mall without being swarmed by their fans or being asked for a photo.

To put it simply, JKT48 fans humanized their idol. They know that regardless of their popularity, JKT48 are human and not god.

I can't wait for the Individual handshake event on June 1st!

-Radit-

We want "New Jakarta"! Or do we?

Mass Rapid Transit, or the one we, Indonesian, call MRT, is one of Joko Widodo mega-projects. It is projected to be the solution of the never ending problem of Jakarta: Traffic Jam. On May 2nd, 2013, Jokowi finally gave the green light to start the construction of MRT. It will run through the City from Lebak Bulus to Al-Azhar University (elevated) to one of Jakarta hottest spot, Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (underground). 15,7 kilometers in length, it is estimated that it will spend approximately 125 Billion Yen. Based on other countries like Japan, Singapore, etc, it is hoped that people will switch to MRT so that there will be less traffic on the road.

However, being Indonesians, people have decided to go against this system, particularly, the elevated part that runs from Lebak Bulus to Al-Azhar University. Some of the reasoning are reasonable. Like trees have to be cut down to start building, but I'm sure Jokowi has thought of that. Also, the argument of crime increasing below the elevated rail is pretty strong, but again, I do not think the contractors are stupid enough not to equip some lighting under the rail. If I remember correctly, every goddamn flyovers in Jakarta has lighting under them. Also, if we build a tunnel, is that not where homeless will hide should there be a sweeping? Therefore, as strong as the two arguments said above are, I think adjustments will be made during and after the building.

That being said, there are arguments that I find extremely silly. One is that elevated MRT is going to make the area dirty and shabby. When I read this, I was like "huh?" And just when I thought Indonesians cannot be anymore stupid than that, I read another reasoning connected from the previous argument from them which is the pillars for the rail will be places to throw garbage. They completely missed the fact that the pillars are f**cking (forgive my french) inanimate objects that cannot do anything but support the rail above, but of course, being as dumb as they are, they cannot differentiate who's fault it is if the area became shabby.

Personally, I agree to the elevated type. Not that I'm claustrophobic or anything, but I like to be able to see where I am when I am traveling. I also like the view from above looking down. Additionally, I do not think we will be flood free by the time MRT starts its operation if it goes according to schedule. Even though Jokowi said that the underground part will be made flood-proof, I am kind of skeptical about that. That's why I support elevated because it will ensure people mobility even when a flooding occurs.

Unfortunately, I am only one of a few that actually want the "New Jakarta". The rest are too stupid to make a little sacrifice for progress.

-Radit-