Something I forgot
to mention yesterday was that we were just randomly standing in a
corner of the shopping centre when Tenchou and his Managers walk
past. As we were in Wota gear, Tencho actually stopped and apologised
to us personally for the cancellation of the 2nd session. I was
really touched that he would bother to talk to us fans like this. I
told him we were from Singapore and they were so surprised, did about
an 80deg bow. Tenchou asked me if I was going to come to the shopping
centre on the 2nd day and I replied “Of course”
Admittedly, when the 2nd session was
cancelled, I immediately thought that this was a play of
anti-Japanese sentiments. The Chinese and Japanese are not exactly
known to be the best of friends (with good reasons). Later on I was
re-assured by a local Chinese that this was not the case, but I guess
we will never really know.
For day 2 I had originally wanted to do
some morning sight-seeing to visit China’s “Great Ocean Road”
called “Binhai Road” which is a coastal highway. It also features
a 40km Boardwalk which happens to be the longest boardwalk in China,
promising breathtaking views of the coast.
Alas, my body disagreed with this plan
and I slept through the morning LOL.
A Random Giraffe
And so, back to the Wanda Shopping
Centre it is. Reaching at more than an hour before the 1pm session
starts, ALL the Japanese wota already lined the 2nd and 3rd floors
looking down onto the stage area. This would be what we Singaporean
Chinese call “自动”
(Automatic). They all know the right thing to do without being
reminded or cajoled.
However, the front row of the stage is
still a row of wota. These are the local Chinese(and HK) fans which
number less than 10. As we are not locals, we are slightly confused
as to where we could stand. We decided to go up to the 2nd floor to
recce.
Upon settling on a great vantage point
in the middle of the stage, we make conversation with the wota
around. It is only from talking to the wota in which you can get a
real sense of what the fandom is really like, and also learn more
about the girls. They also informed us that it was still not clear
whether the performances would go on or not.
One other thing that made me chuckle
was that one of the Ojisan wota said “Us Syachi fans are very nice
to each other, not like AKB fans who always fight among themselves.”
There is a Chinese couple standing next
to me and they also talk to me. They ask me about the girls and how I
find the event. It is only halfway through our conversation that they
reveal that they are one of the organizers to the event! What are the
chances! Of course we say we are from Singapore. They told us that
they are very pleased with the turnout and will likely invite the
girls (and maybe more artists) next year! Although I do not like
Dalian very much, but if Syachi PLUS other groups come again next
year, I could consider going again.
They also told us that the Managers
visited the Police Station yesterday to 打个招呼
or “Say Hello”. But we all know what that means. I guess
things turned out for the best because they got permission to
continue with the rest of the Lives!
The Japanese Wota urged us to go down
to the first floor as we are not-Japanese. We took their advice and
went down.
Basically, apart from the row of
Chinese Wota sitting in the first row (whom I got to know later on),
there was another 2 rows of chairs, followed by the crowd of local
Chinese non-wota. We stood right in front of this crowd and in full
wota gear so I guess you could say it was as good as front row seats.
The MC is a very cute Chinese girl who speaks very fluent Chinese and
Japanese. Her accent sounded a little Taiwanese to me so she was
definitely not local Dalian-er (The local Dalian-ers have a strong
Northern Chinese/Beijing-ish Accent). Her Japanese had a little bit
of Chinese Accent in it so I know that she isn’t Japanese. She
warned the wota not to make too much notice or get too excited.
The setlist was something like “Otome
Juken Sensou” “Colours” and “Stardust Bowling”. This time,
Nao chan gives me the full fan treatment. Lots of eye contact and
smiles. She is really cute when she isn’t giving her bitch face.
Haha. Haruna also looks at me at least once. Nao chan’s voice
sounds exactly like in the DVD lives, her performance more than lives
up to my expectations.
At this point we notice Tenchou, his
managers and other random crew members lining both the sides of the
stage. To our shock, they are actually physically holding down the
red felt floor covering! And also visibly using considerable strength
to make sure that the girls don’t fall down due to the loose
flooring!
Incredible. Once again I was touched by
their strong determination and commitment to the fans.
In between performances, the members have to do interviews.
Yuzu-pon is not present so Yuzuki
mostly takes over her lines. We later learnt that she flew back to
Japan to take care of things at home (An internet source said that
she had exams). Sometimes they forget to fill in for Yuzu-pon so
everyone just kind of stares at each other while the music plays and
nobody sings(Some people still chant for Yuzu-pon though she is not
there). The sound system was still shitty and the music cuts off in
short intervals.
The “Oi Oi”’s of the wota from
the upper levels echo into the atrium of the shopping centre sending
chills down my spine. You would have to be there to know what I mean.
Just Amazing. Another person could likely describe the same as
“Creepy” though.
After the performance Tenchou informed
us of the Photo Session after the 4pm performance. I took
it that this was to make up for the cancelled 2nd session on day
1. Maybe you could say that this was a blessing in disguise? I would
never have thought to be able to take pictures with the girls!
Once the session was over, the local
Chinese wota would gather at the back of the stage to wait for the
girls to come out. So we went to hang around there to see what would
happen. True enough, the girls came out and spoke to some of the
fans.
We didn’t want to trouble the girls
so we stood apart and just observed. To our surprise, one of the
managers told Haruna that we were from Singapore (The manager
recognized us!). Haruna gave us a 90deg bow and thanked us for
coming. I was absolutely stunned. NOBODY has ever given me a 90deg
bow. And it was from an Idol so young (and cute) as Haruna. In my
eyes, she is not a kid despite being 15 years old (same age as
Maa-chan but Maa-chan would never do this). She is an extremely
professional artist who takes her job and commitment to her fans very
seriously. She is mature beyond her years. She has my full and utter
respect.
I wanted to tell her not to bow and
that we were the ones who should be saying thank you. But I was just
at a loss for words. I was so moved. Typing this now at this moment
just makes me feel like oshihen-ing from Nao chan to Haruna. Double
oshi it is then.
Finally we have some time for lunch,
which was at a Japanese-Family-Restaurant-like place. The food again
was nothing too great, if a little disappointing for the relatively
high price. I swear I am not picky with food but the standard is just
not within acceptable restaurant standards (for Singapore or Japanese
standards).
I had Omurice, Fried Pork Cutlet and Nao-coloured drink
This time, the 4pm session started
promptly. However, the Organizer took to the mic again and announced
happily to the wota that they could make as much noise as they wanted
to, this being the last session in Dalian. I could just feel the
tingle of excitement in the air as the wota get ready to release
their inhibitions.
This setlist does not disappoint with
all their hit numbers “Otome Juken Senso”, “777”, the pizza
song and the like. Once again, the staffs are using all their might
to hold the stage together. This time I try to take note of members
other than Nao chan. Chiyuri gives me a cute smile. Haruna also give
me a quick glance to make sure I am paying attention to her. I don’t
know if it’s just me, but Honoka doesn’t seem to connect with the
audience much. It could be just how she is with her “my-pace”
attitude, but she does always seem to be in her own little world.
Yuzuki less so, but she too seems to be thinking about something
else. Nao chan has her on and off moments; one moment she could be
smiling and fishing fans, but when she is in her “off” moments,
she puts on her doya face, especially when she has to dance at the
sides.
More people forget to sing Yuzu-pon
lines. There seems to be a slight improvement in the sound system
too. But other than that, it was awesome! The wota certainly gave it
their all the cheered the girls on with all their hearts. In
response, the girls were fired up. To be in the middle of it all was
unforgettable.
As the performance came to an end, the
girls stayed on the stage extra long to say good bye to everyone. All
the wota ended up waiting around for announcement of the Photo
Session. We then trooped along outside to the front of the building
where the photo taking would take place. Again making conversation
with fellow wota. It is kinda confusing because there are multiple
languages being thrown around. There was also a reporter from Nikkei
Sport who spoke to me in English and Japanese, he took down my name
too.
Soon, the wota are split into “Bus
Groups” This is the bus service organized by Syachi Manager to
ferry wota from the Hotel to the Shopping Centre. “Others”
Japanese wota not signed up for the bus plan and “Local Fans”.
Once again, we are confused where to go, but the manager who
recognized us waved us into the “Local Fans” group along with 4
Japanese-Wota-Living-in-China. As a result our group is pretty small
compared to the other Bus sized groups of about 15 people.
Behind the scenes of the picture taking session. This is a normal group pic size.
After the picture is taken, we get a
chance to talk to the girls. Haruna again comes to talk to us and
thank us for coming I tell her to come to Singapore. Nao chan then
comes over and she is surprised that we are from Singapore. I ask her
if she knows where Singapore is, and yep, she knows the Merlion. I
tell her to come to Singapore. (This is my standard phrase haha).
They are all super tiny. Her profile states that she is 154cm, but I
swear Nao chan is smaller than that. What do they feed these girls!?
While Nao chan is very considerate as
expected of an idol, Haruna is the one who won me over with her
earnest-ness.
Soon, it is time to say our good-byes;
to the girls and fellow wota. We head off to the airport straight,
sharing the cab fare with 2 female Chinese wota. At the airport we
chat about wota stuff and exchange wota stories. At our gate, we also
bumped into 1 of the Japanese-Wota-Living-in-China who is a huge
Mononofu.
The flight back is un-eventful aside
from being bogged down by post-event depression. What a weekend
indeed.
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Lastly, the group pic! Too awesome!
Notes on Team Syachihoko, Managers and
Fans
I would say I have become a slightly
bigger fan. I could also appreciate how differently Stardust treats
their fans as compared to other groups. The managers take their time
to personally speak to the fans to make them feel like they matter.
The thought that they put into taking care of the fans is something
uniquely Japanese, and more specifically, uniquely Stardust (?). I
can truly understand how Stardusters can support their groups so
whole-heartedly. I came out of this re-thinking everything about the
idol industry and realizing how much the management style can affect
an idol group. And perhaps also begin to understand how Momoclo got
to where they are now.
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