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Turning Discontent into Dialogue: What We Learned from JKT48 Fanspace Jakarta

11 September 2025

As one of Indonesia’s most prominent idol groups, JKT48 has always been supported by their devoted fanbase. However, recent months have seen a surge of frustration among fans, which has led to some protests, including during the July’s Full House concert. In response, the JKT48 Operational Team (JOT) launched a new initiative: a public dialogue forum titled JKT48 Fanspace.

The dialogue was held in five major cities: Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya. The first fanspace session, held on 20 August 2025 in Jakarta, became a crucial step towards re-establishing communication between fans and management. That discussion brought together representatives from One Alliance 48, a coalition of 57 fanbases of JKT48, and the JKT48 management team. Both sides released detailed meeting notes summarising the outcomes, which are available via One Alliance 48’s shared document and JKT48’s official website.

Here are the key issues raised by JKT48 fans during the dialogue:

Communication Issues Between JKT48 Fans and Management

A major concern voiced by fans was the absence of a clear spokesperson within JOT. This lack of structure has led to one-way communication and inconsistent approval processes for community-led projects.

JOT acknowledged these shortcomings and expressed a commitment to improve. They are considering appointing a Community Manager to serve as a direct liaison with fans. This decision aimed at streamlining project approvals for community-led projects and offering greater transparency regarding JKT48’s future roadmap.

JKT48 Event Management Issues

Fans also raised serious concerns about the professionalism and consistency of JKT48’s event planning. Key points included:

Single Promotion: The latest JKT48 single, #KuSangatSuka, suffered from underwhelming promotion. JOT admitted coordination failures with Quadlips management, particularly regarding the schedule of Feni, the singles’ centre.
Tour Mishaps: The 2023 Summer Tour in Bandung faced overcapacity issues, while the 2025 All In Tour in Surabaya was plagued by poor queue management. Fans criticised the lack of proper venue mapping and coordination with third-party vendors.
Limited Tours Outside Java: Fans expressed disappointment over the lack of JKT48 events outside Java. Management cited high travel costs and complex local regulations as barriers but promised to explore more inclusive touring options.

In response, JOT promised that they will be more careful during the venue selection processes. The future venue will match audience capacity and be suitable for the venue’s logistical needs.

Sensitive Issues

The forum also tackled deeper concerns beyond the communication issues and event management. They are:

Consumer Rights: Sudden changes in the rules make the fans feel disregarded. JOT argues that while the timing of the announcement is certainly important, they noted that sudden adjustments might be necessary for safety and operational reasons.
Data Privacy: JKT48 fans questioned why their personal data is collected without clear explanations, referencing Indonesia’s Personal Data Protection Law (UU PDP). JOT did not provide an immediate answer but promised internal discussions and consideration of these suggestions.
Member Wellbeing: Fans voiced strong concerns about the physical and mental health of JKT48 members. They demanded zero tolerance for any violations of member rights. Management assured fans that members have direct access to healthcare facilities and professional psychological support, and that they are working with legal firms to uphold member protection.

Meeting Conclusion: A New Hope for JKT48 Fans

While the meeting notes don’t guarantee instant solutions, the launch of JKT48 Fanspace marks a significant step forward. Through this dialogue, JOT acknowledged fans’ experiences, concerns, and frustrations, and committed to ongoing improvements.

Management expressed heartfelt gratitude to all fans and communities for their participation, feedback, and continued support. Fanspace is now positioned as a long-term initiative, offering hope for a more transparent and collaborative relationship between JKT48 and its devoted supporters.

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