Parasocial Interactions: JKT48 Fans in Forming Relations with Idols and Social Environment

Abstract

JKT48 is the first idol group in Indonesia, founded in 2011, and the sister of the Japanese idol group, AKB48. JKT48 is also known as one of the popular music in Indonesia with fans who are still active until now. With the concept they have, namely "Idol You Can Meet," fans can directly interact with the JKT48 members they like. In this article, researchers will analyze the relationship between JKT48 fans' parasocial interactions with idols and their social environment. To understand the motives, motivations, and experiences of JKT48 fans, this study uses a qualitative-phenomenological model with Alfred Schutz's model. The results of this study found that JKT48 fans are loyal to JKT48 members with different motives and motivations in supporting JKT48 members they like, so they can spend tens to hundreds of millions of rupiah to support JKT48. In addition, fans are also closed to their true identities as JKT48 fans, such as in the family, friends, and office, because being a fan of JKT48 is still taboo in society.