Fun fact: I can actually name quite a few of the girls... actually, not a fun a fact as I thought. I mean I'm pretty sure there are fans out there that can name them all... but anyway...
So yeah. I started following them, firstly out of curiosity, then later because it was pretty fun and they made me feel happy.
Which, when it comes down to it, isn't that all that matters? :)
So it's been about half a year since I started following them, I have since learnt quite a lot about them. About how their system works, how the performances work and most importantly how hard they worked to get to where they are today. A great article to read about was written a few days ago based on this TV program. Click HERE to read.
Which, makes me respect them all that much more and want to support them even more, to be honest.
But frankly this post is more of a my observations about the article there than anything else, so here they are, in point form, of which I work best at. :)
1. Only 7 people at the very first performance.
I think I had more people in attendance when I first learnt how to walk! This was shocking to me. Mainly because they're now loved by millions (No real data available). And that they started off with only SEVEN people in their theater, that's really something. But Aki-P's (The crazy guy behind all of this btw) words really did mean a lot then.
"Why are you girls crying? You guys still have an audience. How can you expect to perform in front of hundreds and thousands if you can’t perform in front of one? Focus on changing the people in front of you first!"
Valuable advice indeed. Who knew those words would spur them on to become the great stars they are today.
2. Listening to the fans.
This is one main reason why I kinda love the concept. The fact is they do listen to the fans. Fans come first in their concept. When you follow a Kpop act, you don't get to shake their hands the first time you meet them. This happened to me. I got to shake their hands the first time I saw them in action. That was the main point where my initial disregard changed to "Hey, this is pretty cool."
While I admit, making money is still a very big part of the entire thing. I mean, no money, no talk. That's true everywhere, just a fact of how life works today.
Maybe it's because at the time they had no fans, so they could listen to each and every one of them. Or that they were desperate to build a fanbase, which is why they reached out to those that came, who knew. But the fact is that they are sooooo much more accessible than many other artists out there that I idolized and chased after but regretfully never really met.
And I realize that it is different in Japan than it is here on this tiny island. But then it's not like I'll be going over there anytime soon (Especially now, considering). And I'm happy to be able to meet them on a regular basis that it doesn't really matter to me at this point. :)
3. First fan letter.
I like this point because it was also the one thing good that they had to hold on to. Hope & knowing someone is there for you, in any shape and form during the difficult times is never a bad thing. How I wish I was that person giving them that hope & support then. :)
4. Shinoda Mariko's inception into the group.
To be so near, and yet so far. This girl's story in itself is worthy of a mention. I'm super glad for her that she managed to get in because of two points, one: that any girl, with a little luck and a never-say-die attitude can achieve their dreams. And two: (Back to point 2) they listened to their fans.
5. Itano breaking down.
This kinda shocked me. But I have seen a few of Itano's BTS stories so far, and I get that her character is a bit happy-go-lucky and the sort that is a bit 'lazy' so to say. I want to say that's a bit like me, hence why she's my oshi (Oshi = Favorite member). But I didn't expect her to break like that. It truly did shock me that she was the one that yelled out that she wanted to quit. I am forever thankful to Aki-P for not giving up on her though. And AM also SUPER glad that she's now where she is, a perfectly super solo singer in her own right. (Oshi mah, I have to say this. =))
6. RIVER
Honestly, RIVER was never one of my favorite songs. But after this, I am looking at it differently. It does have a much deeper meaning behind it than I originally thought. And that it managed to energize the girls and spur them on just makes it all the more special. :)
7. Akimoto Yasushi
He gets his own paragraph because he is one crazy dude. But then a pretty crazy genius of a dude. Look at what he's managed to do. To make idol groups that are hundreds of girls in number into something... well... BIG. And now he's got groups all over in Japan and overseas like in Taiwan, Indonesia and potentially in a few hundred other places. He, will probably be one of the reasons why I have to declare bankruptcy one day. =.=
8. AKB48
I will admit that I only jumped on the bandwagon because I was intrigued by "someone" bringing AKB48 to me here in this country. That I think was the only reason I started following them. But with a history that strong in hardships and tears, how can you not throw in your support behind them? And you know that they won't think of you any less as a 'new fan' because you know that to them, every single fan in precious (Refer point 1).
Is this part of my crazy addiction for everything eccentric from Japan or Korea? Maybe. But for now, this very moment, I'm happy to call myself an AKB48 fan.
And for the love of god I hope Tomochin doesn't graduate anytime soon. I MEAN SERIOUSLY... XD
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