Indonesian idol group JKT48 wins fans via online acts

JAKARTA — Indonesia’s all-female idol group JKT48 is expanding its fan base by offering more online performances — a major strategy shift forced by COVID-19 restrictions.

Based in Jakarta, the affiliate of Japan’s popular AKB48 unit used to be less than eager to ramp up its online presence because it was created on the “idols you can meet” concept, the business model that has driven the growth of the now multinational AKB group for many years.

JKT48’s new approach was on display on the evening of Oct. 22, when the group’s 16-member Team K started a live performance at the JKT48 Theater, the group’s dedicated venue in Senayan, the capital’s business district. The team launched the vivacious performance by shouting “Selamat malam, semuanya!” (“Good evening, everybody!”) in unison and then for two hours sang and danced with their usual crisp cheerfulness, often smiling to the cameras at…