JAM File 01. The Introduction

Even before JO1 was who they are today, I promised I would support them. 

Regardless of which member got in or not. Regardless of what kinds of talents or things they have to offer. I've learned through experience (and in the hardest way, that's what I get for watching Produce every year) that it's more easier for my heart to go in blind supporting the newly made group and then work my way backwards. 

That was around August 2019 when I made that decision, and I was still honestly scarred by PRODUCEX101 back then so I didn't want to take a risk. I did follow them from the beginning in a sense that I was watching from afar, distancing myself safe enough that I don't get too emotionally attached deeply with some trainees and yet close enough to be a spectator of what's going to happen. 

I vaguely remember my initial picks list having Takumi, Ren, Ruki, Junki, Syoya, and Issei. 

(I ultimately pushed all of my luck on this lineup honestly.)

Anyway, I don't have much to say about the entirety of PDJP because I was only checking casually the rankings every week and would read the bits and bobs of tweets here and there that's why I still knew of some gossip. I'd say I started to get more involved with the show itself was around the concept evaluations. 

Fast forward to December, I was counting the days. I literally could not, for the life of me, wait for the final group. I didn't mind who the members will be or what the name is, I just wanted it to be formed already. I remember loving Grandmaster the moment I heard the clip from the show, and I think it was one of those moments that hit me that oh, if this is the type of music this group will be releasing then I'm set for life.  

I was in my Takumi phase at the time, so I was seriously rooting for him to be the center. I'm really glad he got it in the end, and ever since the beginning I never doubted Ren and his skills so I was so sure he was going to be Young center. Anyway, it was a very good fit, and I couldn't have had it any other way. 

Anyway, something I really liked about the finale by the way was that it wasn't awfully long. 

Before I could even realize it then, there we had it. 11 boys. JO1. 

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Back then I honestly wondered what they would be like as a group. 

It was an interesting mix, and yet seeing that most of them already had good bonds during their trainee period I was kind of not worried. I knew most of them and there were some that I wasn't that too well versed with back then, but it was never a hinder for me to like or love the group less. 

In fact, the more that I got to know them—and at the same time the more they got to know each other—I found myself falling in love more and more with the group in itself. They each had their individual charms (which I will be talking about for the next few entries by the way—) that they got to polish and show more as time progressed, and the bond that they formed with each other made it easier for them to interact and be more well versed about the other members.  

More than for us fans, I really think that it's important for them to be comfortable with each other first because they'll be colleagues, roommates—they'll do almost everything together now and be in the same breathing space more than 80% of the time and it will get tiring at some point. But imagine if you had to do it with people who you are comfy with, people whom you can trust, rely and depend on—it makes life a bit easier. So that's why I'm really happy to see their bond grow in front of our eyes which you can observe when they talk about each other and the way they treat one another. It assures me to see that these boys have begun to treat each other more than just colleagues, but also friends and brothers. 

At this point, it's literally just the beginning. There's still more to see from them, and there's still even more things to achieve with them, and I think that with JAM together with them, it's going to be a fun star sailing experience. 

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ABOUT ME

I made my twitter account immediately after the name JO1 was announced, mostly because I wanted a username related to the group name—kind of like a pledge. I never regret it, I still think my username is the best thing that I'll ever get because it kind of tells what I'm here for and why I do all for this. For JO1.