'Indosiar's Academy of Fantasy', Why Does It Still Hold a Place in Many People's Hearts?

Although none of its alumni have truly reached tier A status in the Indonesian entertainment industry, AFI still leaves a strong mark in the public's mind. Small reunions or just meet-ups among AFI contestants are always crowded with fans. There is a kind of collective longing from the generation that grew up with this show. In the comments section of social media, fans often express their nostalgia or longing for when they used to watch it.

So, what really makes AFI so memorable? From a technical standpoint, this competition is not the most sophisticated. The judges' scores are not always the main determining factor for the contestants' fate, and in terms of production quality, there are other shows that are more luxurious.

However, there is one great strength that AFI has and other similar shows do not: the strong emotional connection between the contestants and the audience. The key lies in the AFI Diary segment, a daily show that showcases the lives of the contestants in the dormitory.

It's not just about vocal training or choreography, but also how they cry because they miss their parents, argue because of differing opinions, or laugh together when they succeed in facing challenges. The audience does not only support their voices but also supports their stories and life journeys.

It is no wonder that AFI can be considered a pioneer of singing competitions that combine elements of reality shows. In fact, AFI is also recorded as one of the first shows to popularize the voting system via SMS, which at the time was considered innovative and successfully created direct engagement from the audience.

However, popularity is not always eternal. Over time, AFI began to lose its edge. The emergence of similar programs like Indonesian Idol, KDI, X Factor, and other talent search events made the market saturated. AFI seemed to lose its stage amid increasingly tight competition, with ever-evolving production standards.

Now, even though it is no longer present on screen, AFI remains alive in memories. It is not just a music show, but also a collective emotional journey of its audience generation.

For many people, AFI is not about who the champion is, but about who they love, support, and cry for together. And for that, AFI's place in the hearts of its fans will always be special.