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".
jkt48.com
Glory Days
JKT48 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sinar mentari pagi hari melimpah
Sunrise sunshine
Bagai ada pintu dan terbuka
Sekarang air yang jernih pun mengalir
Memenuhi kota-kota di gurun
Everyday everytime
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow glory days
Pergi ke sekolah bercanda dengan teman
Pelajaran yang di ingat hanya sedikit (glory days)
Mendapat banyak ilmu dari orang dewasa
Sebenarnya seberapa pentingnya sih hal itu (glory days)
Mematuhi peraturan agar tidak diusir
Memandang jam dinding dengan tatapan kosong (glory days)
Air keluar dari keran yang tak ditutup
Suatu hari nanti aku akan bocor sendiri (glory days)
Kalau memang ini namanya masa remajaku
Harus bagaimana agar bisa bersinar
Diriku bagai di dalam cermin s'perti biasa
Di atas jalan yang menuju ke masa depan (g-l-o-r-y days)
Sambil lebih menyibukkan diri
Lakukan apa yang ingin dilakukan
Gagal sekali pun tak ada salahnya mencoba lagi
Tak ada apapun yang ditakuti
Masih ada banyak waktu tuk berputar
Anywhere anytime
Diriku akan terus berjalan
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow wow
Padahal sama s'kali tak tahu tentang cinta
Tapi selalu saja senandungkan lagu cinta (glory days)
Lahir dan besar di negara yang tak ada perang
Jadi tidak berpikir apa itu perdamaian (glory days)
Ku tahu bahwa ku tak bisa apa-apa
Untuk mewujudkan harapan orang-orang (glory days)
Yang ingin bahagia karena perdamaian
Ku tunggu datangnya seorang pahlawan (glory days)
Kehampaan dan kesedihan membuatku murung
Hatiku ini terasa sangatlah hampa
Setiap kali memikirkan arti hidupku
Selalu ada air mata yang tak terlihat (g-l-o-r-y days)
Sambil lebih menyibukkan diri
Terus terluka aku pun tak mengapa
First time rasa sakit hanya akan menjadi bekas luka
Setelah kita berdarah pastilah
Bisa menjadi pribadi yang kuat
Say no say yes suarakan saja cara hidupmu wow
Wow wow wow wow
G-l-o-r-y days
Sambil lebih menyibukkan diri
Lakukan apa yang ingin dilakukan
Gagal sekali pun tak ada salahnya mencoba lagi (glory days)
Tak ada apapun yang ditakuti
Masih ada banyak waktu tuk berputar
Anywhere anytime
Diriku akan terus berjalan
Sambil lebih menyibukkan diri
Terus terluka aku pun tak mengapa
First time rasa sakit hanya akan menjadi bekas luka
Setelah kita berdarah pastilah (wow wow)
Bisa menjadi pribadi yang kuat
Say no say yes suarakan saja cara hidupmu
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow wow
The lyrics of JKT48's song "Glory Days" convey a sense of nostalgia and reflection on the past, as well as embracing the future with resilience and determination. The opening lines describe a faraway mountain range, where the morning sun shines brightly, symbolizing a new day and new opportunities. The mention of a door being open suggests the possibility of new possibilities and adventures.
The song then explores various aspects of youth and growing up. The lyrics mention going to school, joking with friends, and the limited amount of knowledge gained from adults. There is a questioning of the importance and significance of these experiences, highlighting the uncertainties and confusion that can come with adolescence.
The chorus, with its repetition of "glory days," emphasizes the desire to make the most of the present and to find a way to shine. The lyrics reflect on the journey towards the future and the challenges that may come along the way. There is a sense of optimism and the belief that even if there are failures, it's worth trying again. The song also touches upon themes of love, peace, and the longing for a hero to bring happiness and harmony.
Overall, "Glory Days" portrays a mix of bittersweet nostalgia, self-reflection, and hopes for a brighter future. It encourages the listener to embrace their journey, learn from their experiences, and keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Di kaki pegunungan yang jauh
In the faraway foothills
Sinar mentari pagi hari melimpah
The morning sun's rays overflowing
Bagai ada pintu dan terbuka
Like there is a door and it's open
Sekarang air yang jernih pun mengalir
Now clear water flows
Memenuhi kota-kota di gurun
Filling cities in the desert
Everyday everytime
Every day, every time
Hari ini kutetap hidup
Today, I'm still alive
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow glory days
Wow wow wow, glory days
Pergi ke sekolah bercanda dengan teman
Going to school and joking with friends
Pelajaran yang diingat hanya sedikit (glory days)
Remembering only a few lessons (glory days)
Mendapat banyak ilmu dari orang dewasa
Learning a lot from adults
Sebenarnya seberapa pentingnya sih hal itu (glory days)
Actually, how important is it, though? (glory days)
Mematuhi peraturan agar tidak diusir
Obeying rules to not get expelled
Memandang jam dinding dengan tatapan kosong (glory days)
Staring at the clock with an empty gaze (glory days)
Air keluar dari keran yang tak ditutup
Water flowing from an unclosed faucet
Suatu hari nanti aku akan bocor sendiri (glory days)
One day, I will leak on my own (glory days)
Kalau memang ini namanya masa remajaku
If this is really called my teenage years
Harus bagaimana agar bisa bersinar
What should I do to shine
Diriku bagai di dalam cermin seperti biasa
I'm like in a mirror as usual
Di atas jalan yang menuju ke masa depan (g-l-o-r-y days)
On the road leading to the future (g-l-o-r-y days)
Sambil lebih menyibukkan diri
While keeping myself busy
Lakukan apa yang ingin dilakukan
Do what I want to do
Gagal sekali pun tak ada salahnya mencoba lagi
Even if I fail once, it's worth trying again
Tak ada apapun yang ditakuti
There's nothing to fear
Masih ada banyak waktu tuk berputar
There's still plenty of time to spin
Anywhere anytime
Anywhere, anytime
Diriku akan terus berjalan
I will keep walking
Padahal sama sekali tak tahu tentang cinta
Even though I don't know anything about love
Tapi selalu saja senandungkan lagu cinta (glory days)
But I always sing love songs (glory days)
Lahir dan besar di negara yang tak ada perang
Born and raised in a war-free country
Jadi tidak berpikir apa itu perdamaian (glory days)
So I never think about what peace is (glory days)
Ku tahu bahwa ku tak bisa apa-apa
I know that I can't do anything
Untuk mewujudkan harapan orang-orang (glory days)
To fulfill people's hopes (glory days)
Yang ingin bahagia karena perdamaian
Who want to be happy because of peace
Ku tunggu datangnya seorang pahlawan (glory days)
I'm waiting for the arrival of a hero (glory days)
Kehampaan dan kesedihan membuatku murung
Emptiness and sadness make me sad
Hatiku ini terasa sangatlah hampa
My heart feels so empty
Setiap kali memikirkan arti hidupku
Every time I think about the meaning of my life
Selalu ada air mata yang tak terlihat (g-l-o-r-y days)
There are always unseen tears (g-l-o-r-y days)
Terus terluka aku pun tak mengapa
It's okay to keep getting hurt
First time rasa sakit hanya akan menjadi bekas luka
The first time pain will only leave a scar
Setelah kita berdarah pastilah
After we bleed, surely
Bisa menjadi pribadi yang kuat
We can become strong individuals
Say no say yes suarakan saja cara hidupmu wow
Say no, say yes, just voice your way of life, wow
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow wow
G-l-o-r-y days
G-l-o-r-y days
Sambil lebih menyibukkan diri
While keeping myself busy
Lakukan apa yang ingin dilakukan
Do what I want to do
Gagal sekali pun tak ada salahnya mencoba lagi (glory days)
Even if I fail once, it's worth trying again (glory days)
Tak ada apapun yang ditakuti
There's nothing to fear
Masih ada banyak waktu tuk berputar
There's still plenty of time to spin
Anywhere anytime
Anywhere, anytime
Diriku akan terus berjalan
I will keep walking
Sambil lebih menyibukkan diri
While keeping myself busy
Terus terluka aku pun tak mengapa
It's okay to keep getting hurt
First time rasa sakit hanya akan menjadi bekas luka
The first time pain will only leave a scar
Setelah kita berdarah pastilah (wow wow)
After we bleed, surely (wow wow)
Bisa menjadi pribadi yang kuat
We can become strong individuals
Say no say yes suarakan saja cara hidupmu
Say no, say yes, just voice your way of life
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow wow
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind