Deconstructing teenage obsessions

Much like AKB48 before them in Japan, the girls of BNK48 are shaping up to be nothing short of a phenomenon in Thailand. With thousands of worshipping fans across the country, BNK48 has created an entire culture around itself in just the short time it has been active, becoming bona fide idols in the collective Thai consciousness. Based on the business model first proven in Japan with the success of AKB48, BNK48 is reaping massive profits from the adoring masses, who will spend tens of thousands of baht by the person just for the chance to attend handshaking events as well as receive photo packs, CDs and a plethora of other merchandise. The Documentary Club welcomes you to join them in an intimate discussion of the business model at their “Doc+Talk 12: Tokyo Idols” screening and film panel. This Saturday, head over to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) auditorium for special screenings of the Japanese documentary Tokyo Idols (2017), which follows 19-year-old idol Rio Hiiragi as she tries to build a professional singing career from her idol status, before she is aged out — most are in their early teens, and retire by the time they reach adulthood — and falls into obscurity. The film also follows a group of otaku, or fanboys, dedicated to the idol, painting a picture of the awkwardness many Japanese men feel towards organic interactions with the opposite sex, as well as the idol industry that has flourished from it. The film is 90 minutes long, and will be shown in Japanese (with Thai subtitles) twice, at 1.30pm and 3.15pm. Viewers can also stay until 5pm for a panel discussion titled “Sexuality, Religion And The Idol Industry”, which will feature Japan superfan Nattapong Chaiwatnitchpol; pocketbook author and AKB48 fan Peerapitch Chuasomboon; and Voice TV’s Pichet Yingkiattikul. Tickets cost 100 baht per seat (220 seats available per screening).

For more information, visit the Documentary Club Facebook page at facebook.com/ DocumentaryClubTH.