Breaking News! JKT48 Forced to Reduce Members in Order to Survive, Check out the Following 5 Facts

Kapanlagi.com - The Covid-19 pandemic once again takes its toll on the entertainment industry. This time, idol group JKT48 is heavily affected. In fact, they have been experiencing the impact since the end of March.

Through their official YouTube account, JKT48 made a surprising announcement about the impact of Covid-19 on their existence. This was revealed by Melody Nurramdhani, the General Manager of JKT48 Theater.

"Today, there is an important announcement regarding JKT48 that needs to be conveyed. Due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia, it has become difficult to carry out JKT48 activities since the end of March. Theater performances were temporarily stopped, handshake events were canceled, and many other factors have severely limited JKT48 activities. Currently, we have found a way to continue our activities, which is through live streaming of JKT48 theater performances and video calls with JKT48," said Melody.

1. Hundreds of People Working in JKT48 Management

Despite facing serious problems, JKT48 continues to strive to survive in various ways. Melody revealed that there are currently hundreds of people working in the group and trying their best for the fans.

"Thank you very much for continuously supporting us in this difficult time. From the bottom of our hearts, we are very grateful to have fans who support us. Currently, JKT48 has about 70 members including academy students and approximately 50 staff members who work tirelessly every day to provide positive energy to everyone in Indonesia," she continued.

2. Losses in Business Aspect

Despite making the best efforts, it is still not optimal. From a business perspective, JKT48 management has experienced significant losses, making it difficult to continue operating.

"Until November, JKT48 has done everything possible to survive. However, with the suspension of theater performances, handshakes, and concerts, we feel that the true purpose of JKT48 cannot be achieved to the fullest. Despite everyone's efforts, the fact is that this group has suffered a very painful loss in terms of business, putting us in a very difficult position to continue operating," Melody explained.

3. Disbanding the One and Only?

JKT48 / Credit: KapanLagi - Djoko Poerwanto

If we continue like this, it is likely that the management will disband JKT48. And of course, that discourse will become a deeply saddening news for the fans.

"In the past few months, the management team and stakeholders have been continuously discussing whether there is really no other way for JKT48 but to disband. Should JKT48, which has survived for 9 years, stop here? Should a group that has been supported by many people end here?" he said.

4. Continuing to Provide Support in Difficult Times

On paper, JKT48 should indeed be disbanded. However, after further discussion, JKT48 chooses to continue to try to survive as best as possible, albeit with heavy consequences.

"At this moment, what we need to convey to the fans is that in this situation, JKT48 can no longer continue its activities and must stop. Amidst this pressure, we constantly think about the meaning of this group's existence. In the end, we come back to the conclusion that we are here to provide energy and support for the people in Indonesia," said Melody.

"Precisely because of the current pandemic, we have to be a presence that can provide energy and motivation so that people can lift their heads from their hardships and fight for the future," added the former captain of JKT48.

5. Total Number of Members

JKT48 / Credit: KapanLagi - Djoko Poerwanto

And at the end of the video, Melody finally concluded that there is only one way for JKT48 to survive. Not by disbanding, but with a heavy heart, they have to significantly reduce the number of members.

"After continuous discussions, there is only one way for JKT48 to survive. That way is by reducing the number of members and staff of JKT48, so that the group does not disband. We have decided to make a major scale change or restructuring within this group. And this is a very difficult decision, but we have no other choice but to rebuild everything from scratch. Regarding the members and future plans related to this, we will announce further," said the 28-year-old woman.

(kpl/gtr)