About JKT48

JKT48 is an Indonesian idol group whose name is derived from its base city of Jakarta, Indonesia and the Japanese idol group AKB48. Formed in 2011, it is the first AKB48 sister group outside of Japan and adopts the concept of "idols you can meet". 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 partnership with these businesses and the country's largest media conglomerate Global Mediacom (MNC Media), the southeast Asia's largest and most integrated media group to replicate the AKB48 business model. While JKT48 does not restrict membership by nationality, applicants must be residents of Indonesia. The group has 44 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. 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. Applicant interviews took place in late September, and the first auditions were held 8-9 October. AKB48 member Minami Takahashi also visited Jakarta during the auditions to promote JKT48 among fans of AKB48. Applicants did not have to be Indonesian citizens, but they must reside in the country. 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 "ヘビーローテーション" (Heavy Rotation), from AKB48's single of the same name, and their performance of a song of their choice. JKT48's 28 first generation members, ages 12-21, were selected on 2 November. 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. As part of the concept of "idols you can meet every day", AKB48 performs daily at its theater in Akihabara. The JKT48 management team aimed to accomplish this same principle and began scouting locations in Jakarta for the group's own theater in early 2012. An unoccupied site in the fX Sudirman shopping mall was selected as the theater's eventual location, and planning for its renovation began in April. In the meantime, the first theater performances were held 17-20 May at a temporary stage in the Nyi Ageng Serang Building in Kuningan, Jakarta. The official theater opened on 8 September for daily performances with a set list of 16 songs that have been translated into Indonesian. The theater has a seating capacity of 180 and standing room for 30, and its design is a close replica of the AKB48 Theater. JKT48 has also performed in Japan alongside other AKB48 sister groups. In its first performance in Japan, the group was a surprise guest at 2011 AKB48 Kōhaku Taikō Uta Gassen and performed the Indonesian version of "会いたかった" (Aitakatta). It also performed alongside AKB48 and other sister groups at the 62nd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen with a total 210 members onstage. It also participated in the 2012 AKB48 concerts at Saitama Super Arena and Tokyo Dome. Management began accepting applications for second generation members on 13 August 2012. Of the 4,500 applicants, approximately 200 were selected for interviews the following month. The pool was then narrowed down from 67 to 31 in a selection round held by RCTI television. All 31 finalists were eventually chosen as second generation members at a final audition on 3 November in Japan. Additionally, AKB48 members Aki Takajo and Haruka Nakagawa, whose transfers to JKT48 were announced at the Tokyo Dome concert, officially began their activities with the group on 1 November and made their theater debut on 26 December. Nakagawa became interested in Jakarta during a visit with other members of AKB48 earlier in February. 2013-present: Major debut JKT48 was scheduled to release its debut album in January 2013, but production was hampered because of flooding in Jakarta. To celebrate the release, the group's management team had distributed 100,000 free CD singles. Each single featured an Indonesian version of one of four songs: "Heavy Rotation", "Kimi no Koto ga Suki Dakara", "Baby! Baby! Baby!", and "Ponytail to Shushu". Members, some of whom were directly affected by the flooding, later held a charity event in order to raise funds for the city's relief efforts. The debut album, titled Heavy Rotation, had a limited release at the JKT48 Theater on 16 February and went on sale in music stores nationwide on 2 March. All previously released singles were included in the album. On 4 February 2014, JKT48 announced the names of 63 finalists that are vying to become JKT48 trainees in the third generation. On 15 February, the group announced and performed its fifth single "Flying Get". Members JKT48 Captain: Melody Nurramdhani Laksani (March 24, 1992) Team J Captain: Devi Kinal Putri (January 2, 1996) Ayana Shahab (June 3, 1997) Beby Chaesara Anadila (March 18, 1998) Delima Rizky (October 25, 1997) Dena Siti Rohyati (March 15, 1997) Frieska Anastasia Laksani (March 4, 1996) Gabriela Margareth Warouw (April 11, 1998) Ghaida Farisya (May 29, 1995) Haruka Nakagawa (February 10, 1992) Jennifer Rachel Natasya (April 10, 1999) Jessica Vania Widjaja (January 22, 1996) Jessica Veranda Tanumihardja (August 19, 1993) Nabilah Ratna Ayu Azalia (November 11, 1999) Rezky Wiranti Dhike (November 22, 1995) Rica Leyona (August 19, 1991) Sendy Ariani (August 12, 1993) Shania Junianatha (June 27, 1998) Sonia Natalia (December 17, 1997) Thalia Ivanka Elizabeth (June 29, 1999) Team KIII Captain: Shinta Naomi (June 4, 1994) Alicia Chanzia (May 24, 1999) Cindy Yuvia (January 14, 1998) Della Delila (November 15, 1998) Dwi Putri Bonita (November 17, 1997) Fakhiryani Shafariyanti (July 14, 1995) Jennifer Hanna (January 26, 1998) Lidya Maulinda Juhandar (August 17, 1996) Nadila Cindi Wantari (September 23, 1998) Natalia (December 28, 1996) Noella Sisterina (November 16, 1997) Novinta Dhini (November 26, 1995) Priscillia Sari Dewi (April 5, 1999) Ratu Vienny Fitrilya (February 23, 1996) Riskha Fairunissa (March 22, 1996) Rona Anggreani (March 19, 1995) Saktia Oktapyani (October 1, 1995) Sinka Juliani (July 4, 1996) Thalia (December 22, 1996) Viviyona Apriani (April 13, 1994) Team belum ditentukan Chikano Rina (April 23th, 1993) Trainee Alycia Ferryana - 3rd Generation (Cia) Amanda Dwi Arista - 3rd Generation (Manda) Andela Yuwono - 3rd Generation (Andela) Anggie Putri Kurniasari - 3rd Generation (Anggie) Aninditha Rahma Cahyadi - 3rd Generation (Anin) Ayu Safira Oktaviani - 3rd Generation (Okta) Chikita Ravenska Mamesah - 3rd Generation (Chika) Elaine Hartanto - 3rd Generation (Elaine) Farina Yogi Devani - 3rd Generation (Farina) Feni Fitriyanti - 3rd Generation (Feni) Fransisca Saraswati Puspa Dewi - 3rd Generation (Sisca) Indah Permata Sari - 3rd Generation (Sari) Kezia Putri Andinta - 3rd Generation (Kei) Maria Genoveva Natalia Desy Purnamasari Gunawan - 3rd Generation (Desy) Martha Graciela - 3rd Generation (Grace) Michelle Christo Kusnadi - 3rd Generation (Michelle) Milenia Christien Glory Goenawan - 3rd Generation (Milen) Nadhifa Salsabila - 3rd Generation (Nadse) Ni Made Ayu Vania Aurellia - 3rd Generation (Aurel) Nina Hamidah - 3rd Generation (Nina) Putri Farin Kartika - 3rd Generation (Farin) Rizka Khalila - 3rd Generation (Yukka) Shaffa Nabila - 3rd Generation (Afa) Shani Indira Natio - 3rd Generation (Shani) Shania Gracia - 3rd Generation (Gracia) Sofia Meifaliani - 3rd Generation (Sofia) Stephanie Pricilla Indarto Putri - 3rd Generation (Stefi) Syahfira Angela Nurhaliza - 3rd Generation (Angel) Triarona Kusuma - 3rd Generation (Tya) Yansen Indiani - 3rd Generation (Cesen) Zebi Magnolia Fawwaz - 3rd Generation (Zebi) jkt48.com