JKT48, the first overseas sister group of AKB48, has gained a dedicated fanbase in Indonesia through performances in their own theater and various public events. A recent survey highlighted fan demographics, support preferences, and engagement activities, with many fans eager to buy merchandise and attend shows. The group’s blend of local adaptation and idol culture, along with their strong social media presence, has contributed to their popularity and community involvement.

1. JKT48 & FANS

2. JKT48 is the first overseas sister group of AKB48. It has been more than a year since
JKT48’s first public performance. The group has appeared in many television show in
Indonesia and Japan. They have shown their stage performance in many occasions, from
requested public performance to their own personal shows in theater. They have fans that
stay loyal with them, attending to most of their shows and events. Fans that keep on
supporting the group’s members in any way they can.

3. What makes JKT48 differ than any other
music groups in Indonesia?

4. JKT48’S OWN THEATER
JKT48 has scheduled performance in their own theater at fX Sudirman F4. People who
want to see the show have to book first on the official website (www.jkt48.com) and wait.
The theater’s ticket then will be given randomly to any registrants. Another option is to
queue in the theater’s waiting list.

5. SONG SET LISTS
Currently, the first generation of JKT48 (now known as Team J) is performing
Renai Kinshi Jourei set list, while the second generation (labeled as trainee) is
performing Pajama Drive set list. Each set list contains 16 songs, different from
the one they usually play in public performances. All songs are adapted from
AKB48’s original theater songs.

6. CHARACTERS
There are 23 members of Team J and 29 members of trainee. Team J now also consists of
Nakagawa Haruka and Takajo Aki, who were transferred from AKB48. Each member has
different personality that are accentuated during theater’s talk (MC) session. Fans will get
to know each member’s profile by hearing what they say in each show.

7. HANDSHAKES | HIGH FIVES
At the end of each theater’s show, all members who perform are line up at the exit door.
Fans have the chance to do high fives with members, congratulating their performance.
Sometimes on special events, fans may handshake each member. Usually during
handshake, fans have more time talking with each member.

8. BIRTHDAYS
Celebrating JKT48 members’ birthday in theater has been a common tradition in AKB48
family. This activity happens after the show is finished. The birthday girl blows the cake’s
candle with “Namida’s Suprise” song played in the background.

9. OFFICIAL MERCHANDISES
JKT48 has official merchandises that are sold at the theater. Several merchandises can
also be purchased online. Aside of the new CD/DVD album, the most bought
merchandises are photo packs. Fans love to collect all photo packs, trading them with one
another to have the most completed collections.

10. OFFICIAL FAN CLUB
There are many JKT48 fan bases, spread in many cities. They gather around to talk about their
most favorite member. JKT48 also has official fan club (OFC), where members have to pay annual
subscription. Members of OFC have several benefits, such as bigger chance in winning the
theater’s ticket, or doing activities together with JKT48 members in periodical events.

11. SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ
Just like their sister groups, JKT48 members have their own accounts in Google Plus and
Twitter. JKT48’s management has strict rules in social media. Each member may not respond
directly to their fans, to avoid jealousy among them. They can answer questions asked by fans
by not mentioning the Twitter’s handle. To give appreciation to their fans, each member may
also photo the fans’ gifts and share them in Twitter. This one way talk between fans and
members doesn’t keep the fans to talk, mention, and support the members in Twitter.

12. The Fans Survey

13. In February 2013 a survey was distributed in Twitter. The survey asked about
JKT48’s fans demographics and behaviors. Fans answered how do they know
about JKT48, why do they love them, and to what extend fans will go to
support them. The survey received 561 respondents.

14. Demography of respondents
female (18%)
30-35 yo
>35 yo
25-29 yo
(1%) (1%)
(10%) male (82%)
<18 yo (37%)
18-24 yo (51%) married (3%)
single (97%)

15. Demography of respondents
Not working
Self Employed
(3%)
(3%)
Jakarta
Private
(26%) Employee
(16%) University
Outside
Students
Jabodetabek
(38%)
(48%)
Bodetabek
(26%) School
Students
(38%)
Government
Employee
(2%)

16. Where did you learn JKT48 for the first time?
232
193
159
113
28 29
10
Theater Public
AKB48
Friend Television Product
Internet
performance info promo

17. Did you already know about
AKB48/SKE48/NMB48/HKT48 before you know JKT48?
I’ve heard the
name and don’t
like their work
(9%)
Not yet
(27%)
I’ve heard the name
but haven’t listened
to their work
(38%)
I’ve heard the name
and enjoy their work
(26%)

18. What makes JKT48 interesting?
Their spirit
Consist of AKB48’s
328
and hard Their
Their
Unique
Their Their stage performance
all girl sister Their stage
work song personality concept costume members group performance
198 AKB48’s sister group
27 29
45
67 67
139 Consist of all girl members
67 139Their costume
198
328
188 Other things

19. What other things that make JKT48 interesting?

20. Are you interested in buying JKT48 merchandises?
Not interested
(6%)
Still
considering
(28%)
Interested
(66%)
< Rp.100.000
Never buy
(34%)
merchandises
(34%)
What’s your
budget for JKT48
> Rp.500.000
merchandises
(2%) Rp.100.000 - Rp.300.000
(25%)
every month? Rp.301.000 - Rp.500.000
(5%)

21. 76%
of school student respondents
allocate budget to buy JKT48
n = 213 merchandises every month

22. What’s the most exciting JKT48 merchandise?
352
255
193 189
153
102
75
56
37 29 35 27
Photo
Official
Poster Calendar Hand-
Neckstrap Mug Keychain CD/DVD JKT48
JKT48
Light-
pack guidebook kerchief general
tshirt with
stick
tshirt member’s
name

23. How many JKT48 photo packs do you have?
< 10
(28%)
Don’t
have any
(45%)
> 100
(2%)
10 - 50
51 - 100
(14%)
(5%)

24. 65%
of school student respondents
collect JKT48’s photo pack
n = 213 merchandises

25. What do you think of JKT48 theater’s ticket price?
19% 70% 11%
expensive not
willing to
expensive pay double
> 10x
(2%)
1x
How many times do Don’t always go
(9%)
2x - 5x
every month
you go to JKT48 (27%) (20%)
theater every 6x - 10x
(4%)
month? Have never come to theater
(38%)

26. 84%
of Jabodetabek respondents
have watched JKT48 theater
n = 292 at least once

27. What makes you want to come to JKT48 theater?
Hang out with fellow JKT48 fans 163
To support JKT48 member 308
JKT48 theater has become
320
an entertainment alternative
What will you do Queue on theater’s
when you don’t win waiting list
(24%)
a ticket book?
Do nothing, wait for the next opportunity
Find help from friends
(73%)
to get extra ticket
(3%)

28. What kind of activities that you do
inside JKT48 theater?
306
287
68
56
37
23 28
Wotegei Live
Chant Sing
Stay silent
Show up
Take notes
tweet along for the
member’s
during MC
whole
name on
session
show paper/poster/
tablet

29. Fan membership
Official
Fan Club
(19.6%)
(9.4%)
Fan Communities
(47.8%)
Not a member
(42.1%)

30. 37%
of respondents have
participated in JKT48’s
n = 467 special events
41%
of official fan club members
have participated in JKT48’s
n = 110 OFC events

31. How many times do you
Do you follow JKT48 respond to JKT48
members in Twitter? members’ tweets
everyday?
Don’t
follow
anyone
(6%) Never
tweet
(21%)
1x - 5x
All members
(50%)
Only favorite
> 10x
(36%)
members
(15%)
(58%)
6x - 10x
(14%)

32. Twitter mentions of JKT48 in January and February
1.820.000 mentions
Mega Konser JKT48
1.559.420.000 impressions Warnai Harimu
Winner in newcomer
category Dahsyat
Award

33. Fans always support JKT48 members.
To what extend do you support them?
62.5% of respondents feel important to
support by purchasing JKT48
merchandises
58.4% of respondents feel important to
support by purchasing JKT48
theater’s ticket
56.3% of respondents feel important to
support by watching JKT48’s every
stage performance

34. 41.8% of respondents feel important to
support by spreading info about
JKT48 to others
40.7% of respondents feel important to
support by responding to JKT48
members’ Twitter updates
37.3% of respondents feel important to
support by joining JKT48 official
fan club
32.8% of respondents feel important to
support by watching JKT48’s TV
performance live on venue

35. Conclusion

36. Most fans learn about JKT48 from internet medium. The JKT48 official team regularly update
documentation on each event on their YouTube channel. There are also hundreds of other
unofficial JKT48 videos uploaded by fans, from fancams to television program recordings.
Talks about the group can be seen in Twitter, Google Plus, and Kaskus boards. In February, it
reached its peak during Mega Konser JKT48 Warnai Harimu. Their appearances in brand
promo such as Pocari Sweat also increase awareness of the group’s name.
Fans love JKT48 mostly because of their stage performances. The group’s relation with AKB48
and the very concept of idol group adapted locally make it even more interesting.

37. About 66% of fans are interested in buying JKT48 merchandises within the limit of their own
pocket money. Most merchandises’ buyers come from school and college students. They also
collect photo pack collections, which is also the most interesting item after JKT48’s CD/DVD.
About 62.5% of fans feel important to support JKT48 by purchasing JKT48 merchandises.
About 38% of fans have never been to JKT48 theater, even though they want it so much.
Mostly because they lived outside Jabodetabek. About 84% of fans who live in Jabodetabek at
least have visited JKT48 theater once.

38. JKT48 theater is seen as an alternative place for entertainment in Jakarta. Most fans come
here to support their favorite member. About 58.4% of fans feel important to support them by
purchasing theater’s ticket. They usually chant and sing along, or just stay silent, for the whole
show, enjoying the performance given by JKT48 members.
Only 37% of fans have participated in JKT48 special events. Probably because they live
outside of Jabodetabek. Fans feel it’s more important to support JKT48 by coming to watch
their public perfomance and responding the members’ tweet than by joining JKT48 official fan
club. Fans probably prefer to support members on any free medium, compared to pay for
official fan club annual subscription.

39. Bonus Survey
Who is the most ... of Team J?

40. The most friendly/active/attractive of Team J is...
friendly
active
attractive
(20.2%) (42.3%) (27.5%)
n = 415 n = 411 n = 408
Melody Nurramdhani Laksani Nabilah Ratna Ayu Azalia

41. The smartest member of Team J is...
(19.2%) (16.5%)
n = 408 n = 408
Beby Chaesara Anadila Cindy Gulla

42. The most humorous member of Team J is...
(35.4%) (25.7%)
n = 413 n = 413
Jessica Vania Nabilah Ratna Ayu Azalia

43. Member of Team J who love to smile is...
(20%) (14.3%)
n = 414 n = 414
Shania Junianatha Melody Nurramdhani Laksani

44. Member of Team J who can lead is...
(71.1%)
n = 415
Devi Kinal Putri

45. The best singer of Team J is
(44.4%) (31.4%)
n = 414 n = 414
Stella Cornelia Sendy Ariani

46. And the best dancer of Team J is...
(75.2%)
n = 411
Beby Chaesara Anadila

47. JKT48 & FANS
Survey compiled and documented by Pitra Satvika, 2013
Thank you for all JKT48 fans who have participated in the survey
@pitra
www.media-ide.com