AKB48 is one of the most iconic groups in Idol history. A notable act that’s been in the industry for 15 years and has had nearly a thousand members in all of its groups.
AKB48 themselves being the leading group based in Tokyo, Japan. Alongside them are other Japanese sister groups being SKE48 (Nagoya), NMB48 (Osaka), HKT48 (Fukuoka), NGT48 (Niigata), & STU48 (Setouchi).
Not only does AKB48 have Japanese sister groups, but they also have more throughout Asia. There is JKT48 (Jakarta, Indonesia), BNK48 (Bangkok, Thailand), SGO48 (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, or formerly Saigon, Vietnam), MNL48 (Manila, Philippines), CGM48 (Chang Mai, Thailand), AKB48 Team SH (Shanghai, China), and AKB48 Team TP (Taipei, Taiwan). There’s also the soon to debut DEL48 (New Delhi, India) & MUB48 (Mumbai, India).
The 48G brand is so powerful. They even have rivals made by the same producers, them being the 46G brand. Groups being Nogizaka46, Keyakizaka46, & Hinatizaka46. There is also a co-ed comedy based group called Yoshimotozaka46.
Each 48G starts with a 1st generation and adds more members through future generations. There are graduations where members leave once they are ready to enter the next path in their careers. The groups also have their own local theater where fans could see them perform face to face and shake their hands at events. It’s the “Idols You Can Meet” concept.
With this said, AKB48 is still looking to make more sister groups make the brand more global. There is growing interest in many Asian countries, and it seems since Produce 48, South Korea has one of them.
As of now, the makers of AKB48 have IZ*One, a Korean-Japanese girl group that consists of AKB48 idols & Korean trainees. Three of the 48G idols being Miyawaki Sakura & Yabuki Nako of HKT48, along with Honda Hitomi of AKB48.
Since the show, other 48G members have stepped into the Korean scene as well. Those being Takahashi Juri of Woolim’s Rocket Punch, as well as Takeuchi Miyu, who made her solo debut with “My Type” and will be debuting in Mystic’s Upcoming Girl Group (a subsidiary of SM Entertainment). Chiba Erii also took part in UHSN, an international Kpop fan program where girls from all over the world experienced Korea and even debuted in a project girl group.
Since the show, AKB48 has gained more of fandom in South Korea, and it is rumored that after IZ*One’s disbandment in 2021, a Korean sister group could be announced in the works.
With the 48G brand working towards becoming a global one, a Korean sister group would not only create a local fanbase but a global one.
It could also give an opportunity for Produce 48 favorites from AKB48 another chance to debut in Korea. Or even for IZ*One’s J-Line to lead the way.
In addition to international 48G groups being able to sing their native tongue’s version of AKB48 songs, they’ve also recently started releasing original content. JKT48 releasing “ Rapsodi” & BNK48 releasing the viral hit “Dode Di Dong.”
It would be a new and exciting format for the Korean idol industry to experience, especially with the annual Senbatsu Election, where fans vote for their favorite members to participate in the groups since. This format is one that the Produce series has picked up to debut their groups.
IZ*One’s disbandment next year could be the start of the AKB48 brand in Korea. It would be interesting to see Korean girls from around the country grow from ordinary people to big-time idols.
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