The idol group JKT48 has named the 16 members which will become its face in the public for the upcoming year. Through an ‘election’, Veranda replaced Melody’s position as center.
Jessica Veranda broke into tears when hosts Adi Nugroho and Tiffany Orie announced her name as the member who received the highest number of votes. She immediately covered her face with both hands. On Saturday (May 2), on the stage of Teater Tanah Airku at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), she seemed to be holding back tears.
The girl affectionately known as Ve had garnered 22,404 votes. She held a slim lead over Haruka Nakagawa, who received 21,882 votes. Meanwhile, last year’s top vote recipient, Melody, slid to third place with 20,107 votes.
“While other members want the number one position, I’m actually terrified,” she said after gaining composure. She is concerned that she will not be able to carry out her duty well in the year ahead as the center of JKT48. One reason is following in the footsteps of Melody’s past success.
She asked fans to accompany her because their support would become a motivation to uphold the name of JKT48. “Will I be as good as Melody? She has been amazing. Please pray for me so that I won’t become a disappointment,” she pled.
It should be no surprise for the girl born on August 19 to be concerned because Ve, alongside 15 other members, will take the lead in representing JKT48. All the successes and struggles of this idol group, which is now in its fourth year in Indonesia’s music scene, now rest on her shoulders.
Member elections were popularized by their ‘sister’, AKB48. In Japan, the spectacle is known as the senbatsu sousenkyo. Elections by fans are held annually, and fans contribute both time and money so that their oshi (favorite member) can become a part of the main team.
Ve will not shy away from following in Melody’s accomplishments as a center. However, it will not be her personality, but rather her leadership style, which will allow for JKT48’s songs to be conveyed positively. Ve will not alter her shy personality because those characteristics form the basis of each member’s support base. “My appearance will depend on the song. If the song is bold, I have to also be assertive,” she asserted.
Ve herself hopes the 10th single will be as dynamic as “River”. She admits wanting to perform another song which requires more energy in singing and dancing.
Meanwhile, Melody conceded her position to Veranda without resentment. She hoped that other members would have the opportunity to achieve a position worthy of them in JKT48. With a total of 64 members, only a select few are often exposed to the public. “Last year, I said that I wanted my juniors to be able to take my position. What’s important is that we continue to support JKT48 together,” she said.
Melody is confident that Veranda can become a better center. The girl from Bandung asked that Ve would protect the trust and the opportunity given to her.
Melody’s statement could be seen as a response to a growing opinion among fans that the 10th single is not given to the traditional frontline members. As a result, several new names not found in the 2014 results have entered the line-up. Among them are Sisil, Andela, Gaby, Ikha, and Sendy.