The members of J-pop girl group AKB48 were treated like royalty during their recent fan meeting in Seoul. It all started upon their arrival at Gimpo Airport, where an impromptu celebration ensued as hundreds of fans gathered at the terminal to greet them. The atmosphere was electric, with fans waving banners and snapping photos as the members made their way through the crowd. The members seemed thrilled by the affection and gifts they received from fans.
Later that day, the same fans who had piled gifts into the members’ arms commented on their beauty, noting that their photos don’t do them justice. They added that the group’s longest-serving member, Kashiwagi Yuki, who also goes by her nickname Yukirin, particularly stood out. “They have really small faces,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter). “Yukirin was really pretty. It was my first time seeing her up close, and I was really surprised. Cameras are misleading. It’s such a waste for her to graduate.”
[4K] AKB48, 김포공항 입국✈️Airport Arrival 24.4.19 #Newsen
A resounding success
The fan meeting itself was a resounding success. The event featured performances, starting with their 63rd single “Karakon Wink,” which marked Yukirin’s last appearance on an AKB48 single.
After dividing into two groups and participating in a random play dance game, they performed their 61st single “Doushitemo Kimi ga Suki da,” with Shitao Miu—known to Korean fans for her participation in the survival show Produce 48, a collaboration between AKB48 and Mnet—taking the center position. Originally, this song’s center was AKB48 graduate Honda Hitomi, who also participated in Produce 48 and made it into the debut lineup of IZ*ONE.
They followed that performance with renditions of their classic hits “Heavy Rotation” and “Flying Get,” and their 62nd single “Idol Nanka Janakattara.” AKB48 kenkyuusei (trainee) Narita Kohina, fluent in Korean, served as the MC of the fan meeting. She also performed a solo rendition of the AKB48 song “365 Nichi no Kamihikouki.”
[4K] AKB48 한국 첫 공식 팬미팅 풀 영상 240420
AKB48, idols you can meet
The Korean fan meeting was a dream come true for many fans. The intimate venue allowed them to get up close and personal with the AKB48 members. After the performances, the members signed autographs for fans. The event ended on a high note, with each member making a concerted effort to make eye contact and smile at everyone present as they bid farewell. This final gesture ensured that fans left the venue feeling personally acknowledged and appreciated.
This event not only solidified the Japanese girl group’s rising popularity in Korea but also highlighted the deep bond they share with their fans, which cuts across cultural and geographic borders. No one does fan meetings like AKB48, proving that their tagline “Idols you can meet” truly suits them. They thrive on such interactions, knowing precisely how to engage in ways that leave fans breathless and thrilled. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Because their first Korean fan meeting was so successful, AKB48 may do more promotional activities in Seoul. Watch this space! Source: X/@AKB48_staff.
