This should have been MNL48‘s weekend. Their debut single was supposed to air in MYX yesterday, as well as being available in iTunes and Spotify and the physical CDs on the record stores.
But in a shocking turn of events, the MNL48 Facebook page announced that the release will be moved to September. No explanation was given, and there were fans like me who were already in the mall when we learned about the news.
Literally no explanation was given. The post itself felt as if we should be excited by the news (spoiler: we weren’t). While I recognize that the management has the total right to move the release dates, I still feel that a little explanation wouldn’t be out of order. Especially since the announcement was made in the middle of the day.
As expected, the fans spared no punches on the comments section. I do not envy the person handling the social media accounts of the group right now. Despite my wasted time and disappointment at what happened, I also know that the people handling the pages aren’t the one making the decisions. This release is as big to them as it is to us and if it was pushed back, then there must have been a real reason, big enough that no mention of it appears on the announcement.
We’re all disappointed, and many fans are angry and have made their feelings on the comments section (sometimes, a little too verbose for my liking). But let’s now move on. Dwelling on this setback won’t accomplish anything. As for the management, I do hope they really consider the fans’ feelings on this one. I wouldn’t even want to think what will happen if the fans also decided to ‘postpone’ their support because they’ve had enough.
Anyway, a week before this unfortunate incident, the MNL48 senbatsu performed “Skirt, Hirari – Umiindak Na Saya” live in ‘It’s Showtime’ last August 25, 2018. The original song by AKB48 was first released in 2006 and sold more than 20,000 copies making it at No.13 for six weeks at Oricon Chart.
“Skirt, Hirari – Umiindak Na Saya” was first heard in their debut single press conference. This means that their performance last Saturday would be the first time the song was performed publicly. It will be included in their album under Hallohallo Entertainment Inc. (HHE) and Star Music.
The center, Sheki, encouraged everyone to buy their album, whose CD will also include tickets for their upcoming handshake event this September.
Also in ‘Showtime’, Abby announced that a second series of limited edition photo-cards of MNL48 are now available on mnl48.ph, and an updated version of MNL48 Fan Club app was also launched and now available on the App Store and Google Play for free.
Throughout this week, it seems that the MNL48 members had been connecting with their sisters from JKT48, BNK48, and AKB48 Team TP. It would seem that the members of each group are curious about the other and have taken steps to forge a connection which, I hope, will grow into a strong bond someday.
https://youtu.be/QdLp13oiZd8
Going back a little on ‘Skirt Hirari-Umiindak na Saya’, it seems there were negative comments about the message of the song: some people think it is too suggestive. To be fair, it actually is, but so are a lot of other AKB48 songs especially the Theater ones. And besides, OPM itself had a lot of suggestive songs that were hits. I mean, did we really believe that the Viva Hot Babes’ song “Basketbol” was about the game? The double standards were strong on Twitter that day.
Also from that day, there was a little incident during MNL48’s appearance in ‘It’s Showtime Online’ when one comment was read where the poster jeered the girls by saying that MNL48 has no originality. This lead to Abby snapping back that MNL48 is a sister group and told the commenter to do his research. Bad-ass, that Abby. And BRAVE, because idols are not supposed to snap back like that.
Moving on, MNL48 has finally confirmed their attendance on the 1st Manila Idol Matsuri this Sunday, September 2, 2018. After months of negotiation, MNL48 has agreed to send not just any member, but the senbatsu for ‘Aitakatta-Gustong Makita’.
According to the News update in the website, their attendance is part of their promotion of their first album (which has just been moved), and they will be performing as special guests. This brings the total number of professional artists in the event to two. Personally, I believe that the attendance of currently the country’s only J-pop Idol group (words are from Manila Idol Matsuri’s introduction, not mine) elevates this event to another level. Maybe in next year’s event we can see groups like Aidoru Sozai also come in as pros. A market is a dead market when there’s only one player.
MNL48 will only come to perform. They will not be part of the photo-ops and booths.
For me, besides CH4U and Aidoru Sozai, the non-MNL48 group I am most excited to hear is Ivy Musume. The group covers Hello! Project material, and before I sold my soul to the 48 Groups, Hello! Project was my go-to idols. I had been following Morning Musume intermittently since 1999 when Love Machine came out. Back then in order to be able to listen to one song in the internet, you’d be waiting for at least 10 minutes if you are lucky. Downloading a 3 to 4 MB mp3 sometimes took me an hour at the least, two at the most.
Suffice to say, listening to a group perform the old songs I loved might bring tears to my eyes. A lot of those songs mean a lot to me and listening them brings me back to the old days like the grumpy old guy that I am.
I am really praying for the event’s success. For the groups, the fans, and the local idol industry in general.
