[GENERAL] The MNL48 Thread

The show is great. They educate the viewers. For 15mins I just wish they show this on TV. Maybe before Showtime? or I think between 4pm-6pm will do.

 

if the video does not show watch the video here
MNL48 I-School: Pilot Episode [New Season]

Official English Subs are to be released soon

 

Well. They're actually learning something. This is interesting. And it seems to me they're trying evoke Mecha Ike vibes (again, like the old AKB)

if the video does not show watch the video here

And despite that...this felt very much like a pure Filipino-style type of humor. This should be good for fishing in the casual masses.
Hope it works out!

 

Announcement:
MNL48 Faith series 2 Photo Cards Set Raffle Promo
to Join....
like the page and listen to Idle Talk Podcast w/ @ellienokami

Complete Mechanics Later

 

Update:
MNL48 Sheki and Sela are planning to sell one of their MNL48 Trainee Shirt

 

After I finished watching it on Facebook/Youtube, I wrote... like... an essay, or something, in the YouTube comments section. I'm thinking of making some kind of reaction video to/about the pilot episode so that I can ramble on to my heart's content

I have to say, it was nice to see Tin in front. I don't have any strong feelings about her, but I somehow got the feeling that she was being neglected compared to the rest of the Kami7.

A minor point: Why was Gabb there? Maybe I'm being legalistic, but giving a non-Kami7 member the same amount of exposure as the Kami7 doesn't sit right with me, especially since it was just for one additional member (instead of, like, making it ten members in the room for a nice, even number). Like with Tin, I don't have any strong feelings about Gabb... but it just seems weird that she's there, since Gabb should be with the non-Kami7 senbatsu.

Anyway, I never got into the Kami8 concept Even with her popularity, Yukirin felt like a usurper of the Kami7 to me...

 

Sela being the top meme queen.

 

I still have to wait for subs as I am not quite capable of understanding everything, yet.

 

I kinda translated the pilot episode for those who can’t wait xD. Just a rough translation and no proof reading though. Might be the last since they’ll be releasing official subs anyways.

[TRANSLATION] MNL48 I-School: Pilot Episode [New Season]

Spoiler

SK: Welcome to the newest MNL48 show. This is MNL48 I-School! This is where it will test and help understand their roles as idols.
SK: Today, some of the senbatsu members does not know what type of show they’re about to get into.
SK: What they know is that they’re going to talk with someone important that they need to prepare for but the truth is, they‘ll be surprised for what they’re about to see.

~Intro plays~

[Sheki: Team MII | Small but terrible when it comes to singing. | MNL48 First Generation Center Girl]
SK: What’s this? Where are the potential sponsors?
SK: I wasn’t (?). What’s this? Are we going to study/learn?

AB: Ouch.
[Abby: Team NIV | Idol Dentist | MNL48’s ramp model]
AB: Hey, what’s this? What- why is there- Oh no, there are chairs.
TCA: Okay Abby, just sit anywhere you like.
AB: (T/N: Inaudible)

[Sela: Team L | MNL48’s glamorous bully | Can imitate the voice of a male]
SL: I knew it. I knew it.
TCA: Hi Sela.
SL: Hello.
TCA: Sit down, sit here at the front.
SL: Huh?
TCA: I want you at the front.
SL: Oh no...
TCA: Sela’s at the front.

[Tin: Team L | Empress of the dance floor | Proud Illonga (T/N: Tin is from Iloilo City where residents there are called Illongo/Illonga.)
T: I knew it! I thought we were going to Japan. I thought it was about (going to) Japan.
TCA: Tin, you may take your seat.

[Alice: Team MII | Overall team captain | MNL48’s Idol nurse]
AL: What’s this? That was embarrassing! Mabuhay!
?: Mabuhay!
AL: Mabuhay MNL48!
AL: I’m Alice.
SL: I’m Sela.
SK: I’m Tin.
AB: I’m Tin.
(T/N: I think they were expecting an important guest to appear so they prepared and practiced their greetings.)

EL: Ay, where are we?
[Ella: Team NIV | Dance-sporter | “Apparently/Says” MNL48’s source of happiness]
EL: What- Am I really a part of this? I thought (T/N: Inaudible)
TCA: Ella you may take your seat.
EL: (T/N: Inaudible)

[Ash: Team L | Future diplomat | Academically excellent but “apparently says” she’s not a NERD]
A: Bulaga (T/N: Kinda like “surprise!”)
?: Hi classmate! Classmate! Classmate, hello! Classmate!
?: This is our newest endorsement (?)

[Gabb: Team L | Daddy’s girl | Proud advocate for the disabled]
G: Chief! I think this is the wrong room.
G: Seriously?
AL: Hi Gabb.
G: Hi Miss Anne!
TCA: Hi Gabb.

TCA: Good day girls.
All: Good day Miss Anne.
TCA: You may take your seat.
TCA: Why are you laughing Tin?
?: Because (T/N: Inaudible.)
TCA: Ah this? It’s just my mole. It’s big right? That’s an asset.

TCA: First of all, I want to congratulate everyone for your first day in school here at MNL48’s I-School.
TCA: I know you all got surprised, I also got surprised. I got surprised too.
TCA: What about you Sheki? I saw you earlier, it seems you got surprised.
SK: Yeah, because I thought (we’re going to meet a) potential sponsor.
TCA: So I don’t look like a sponsor?
SK: What are we going to do?
TCA: Well, welcome back to school.
SK: Yes, welcome back to school. Yes.

TCA: Well anyway girls, I want to introduce myself first. Since you already know me, I’ll introduce myself again.
TCA: I am your adviser slash PR Teacher. I’m Miss Anne.
[Teacher Anne: Class Adviser | Idol wannabe | MNL48 PR Specialist]
All: Hello Miss Anne.
TCA: This is a you know (?). With letter E.
SL: Okay.
TCA: And I will be teaching you the ways of how you’ll become an idol to the public’s eyes.
All: Wow.
TCA: I’ll take care of you all because from my 35 years of being an idol, it’s not that obvious, my bangs and mole grew out.

TCA: Anyway girls, I just want to let you to know that being an idol is such a privilege. Not everyone is ‘graced’ to be an idol.
TCA: And you’re lucky that you’re part of MNL48.
TCA: What really is an IDOL? Let’s try to spell it out.

All: I. D. O. L.
TCA: That’s not it guys. Let’s spell out IDOL, what will we piece together with the word ‘IDOL’?
TCA: Starts with letter ‘I’. Sela.
SL: ‘Inspiration’.
TCA: ‘Inspiration’. Why ‘inspiration’? It lacks the ‘n’. Why ‘inspiration’?
SL: Why ‘inspiration’, because you should be a role model not only to the young ones but to everyone around you.
TCA: Well, what about the letter ‘D’? Gabb.
G: ‘D’ stands for ‘Determination’.
TCA: ‘Determination’.
G: Yes.
TCA: Okay, why ‘Determination’?
G: Umm because, if you become an idol you have to be determined in what you do. Like you have determination in what you do. Because if you don’t have determination in what you do, you won’t go anywhere. That’s it. Thank you.
TCA: Thank you Gabb. Ella.
EL: Yes?
TCA: Can you think of anything else when we say ‘Idol’? Letter ‘D’. (A word) that starts with ‘D’.
EL: ‘Dedication’.
EL: De- Dedication, your dedication to be an idol.
TCA: Can you elaborate?
EL: Dedication? Dedication.
TCA: Dedication. Dedikasyon. Dedication. You elaborated that,
EL: Can we move to letter ‘O’?
TCA: Why? Are you the teacher? I’ll move whenever I want to.
TCA: Letter ‘O’? Ash.
A: The ‘O’ in ‘Idol’ stands for ‘Optimism’.
TCA: Okay, why optimism?
A: Because idols are supposed to always smile and to be an inspiration to other people, s/he needs to be happy in order for others to be happy as well.
TCA: Well for the last one ‘L’.
T: Well teacher for me, ‘L’ stands for ‘Lovable’.
TCA: ‘Lovable’.
T: Yes ‘Lovable’. Because teacher, at this kind of industry, us being idols, everything we do should be be done by heart and we shouldn’t... that’s that teacher.

TCA: So that’s it girls, IDOL. IDOL for ‘Inspiration’, Determination’, ‘Optimism’ and ‘Lovable’. Of course those 4 should be within you. Are those 4 within you?
All: Yes.
TCA: Because I have 5.
All: Wow.
TCA: I won’t tell you the other one because it’s for myself only.

TCA: So how is it really- How do we become good influence to people? But before I teach you, I need your insights first. Abby.
AB: Yes?
TCA: You’re a very pretty kid, stand up.
AB: I can’t think of anything.
TCA: No, be positive.
AB: Optimistic!
TCA: Letter D, ‘all of the above’ is always the answer.
AB: None of the above?

TCA: How can you show that you’re a good influence to people?
AB: If you follow the Philippine law?
TCA: Why are you laughing girls?
SL: Because of her (sentence) construction.
SK: Why did the whole country suddenly get involved?
All: Abby! Abby! Abby! Abby!
?: Vote for Abby! (T/N: They’re teasing Abby for being too patriotic lol)
TCA: Silence.
AB: Because you have to follow God, the laws... of your parents and the rules of an idol. That’s the... what was your question again?
TCA: Okay Abby, face the wall.
TCA: No, I’m just joking Abby. You’re too obedient. You follow the law too much.

TCA: Sela stand up. Why are you laughing at her? Why? What can you contribute to her answer?
SL: What was your answer-
AB: To follow the law.
SL: Yes, we should really follow the law because the law is very important in our lives.
TCA: Hah?

TCA: Okay girls, Abby’s kinda right. There’s a part that is right. Follow the law.
AB: No- To be obedient.
TCA: Ah, okay obedient. There are things that we need to follow as an idol because there’s a lot of attention on you publicly.
?: Yes, that’s right.
TCA: There’s a lot of bashers
?: Yes.
TCA: Just one move can destroy you.
T: Yes, that’s true.
TCA: Right? So you should follow the Trapiko law. (T/N: Not sure what this means tbh lol, but trapiko means ‘traffic’.)
T: Yes.

TCA: How about Ella? How will you show a good influence to people?
EL: If... if until your conscience (?) is clean. And you’re not stepping on anyone.
TCA: Why do we need to step on someone? That’s bad girls, don’t step on people.
EL: Until our dignity is clean.
TCA: Huh?
EL: Until our dignity is clean, our hearts...
EL: Until you can make people happy/entertain people. You’re already an idol.
TCA: Okay then please make us happy/entertain us now.
TCA/SK/AB: Sample!
EL: I’ll make you happy/entertain you? No because, it’s like this...
TCA: So you mean you can’t be an idol like that?
TCA: You should make us happy/entertained in just 3 seconds.
EL: The- your own way to entertain/make others happy.
TCA: Okay, so how will you.
SL: You always make us happy Mars, even if you don’t do anything. (T/N: ‘Mars’ is a nickname among some MNL members. Sela also meant that Ella doesn’t have to do much because she’s naturally funny/entertaining.)

(T/N: Just a note that Ella is said to be a ‘Lutang’ according to the MNL members which pretty much means an airhead or someone who spaces out a lot aka ‘baka’.)

TCA: Are all of you happy now? Did Ella make you happy?
TCA: Ella, you’re the true idol. Good job. Okay.

TCA: Everything you guys said were true. But of course what I’m about to tell you is more true. Because I’m the teacher right?
All: Yes.

TCA: Of course being an idol, you should show good influence because like what I’ve said earlier, people will say something to any move you make.

TCA: Are you ready? Because I’m about to tell you something.
TCA: We’re going to have a surprise exam. Surprise... Everyone.

TCA: This exam will determine what we’ve talked about earlier. This will determine if you really listened or were just spacing out. This is where we’ll know okay? So you should ready yourselves.
TCA: I’m already holding your exams.
TCA: We have five items, and you have to answer this within 5 minutes.
?: 5 minutes each (question)?
TCA: No, oh my god no. This exam will determine if you learned something earlier or if you listened to me.
TCA: No cheating! Because if we cheat, we’re going to hurt someone.
?: That isn’t in the law.
TCA: That isn’t in the law? It’s okay, sorry.

AB: Are there instructions? There’s none?
TCA: You need to make your own law and instructions.
TCA: Those 5 items are situational problems that you need to answer that isn’t ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ or ‘All of the above’. Okay? It’s essay writing. It doesn’t have to be super long okay? Because even if it’s only been a while that you’ve met each other sometimes those last longer.

TCA: Anyways girls, 5 minutes only okay.
?: Yes.
TCA: Ready. Get set... okay wait, ready get set go.

TCA: Girls, you only have 10 seconds. 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. Times up girls.
TCA: Abby it’s already time’s up. Okay. No one will write anymore.
TCA: Did everyone finish answering?
All: Yes.
TCA: Okay, you may pass your paper. Give it to me.
T: Teacher, where’s the (T/N: Inaudible.)

TCA: Looks like you’ve answered everything girls. And hopefully you’ll pass this.
?: Yes.
TCA: This is where we’ll determine who’ll pass or fail. Because on this exam, you’ll have the chance to stay at school and will be swapped or will get dropped out of school.
TCA: But this is only a part of the exam. So you need to pass this somehow.

 

the pilot episode is good although delayed...the bakajo test-like is great!...hahahaha!


But I think there is a managment shift... seeing someone who's not that popular( where is luke?but well luke is not good for that teacher role).... sheki saying "potential sponsors"...having a delayed pilot episode...and even the delayed spotify and myx premiere(this could be connected)....makes me have the vibe that HHE really is handling everything and ABS is seems out of the managment...

 

This is...good(?) HHE seems to have a decent understanding of how Idols work. Some kinks and bad calls, but still a firm grasp of the concept. More than ABS anyway...

Kuya Luke though

 

While its true that ABS can be stubborn with its ways and may have the tendency to veer off from the idol concept we're expecting, but in terms of media promotion and engaging the general public, MNL48 would benefit from them.

If it really is over with ABS though, I like to think HHE has a plan on how to push through with MNL48's promotion.

Luke though.. oh well.

 

My wife is not a fan of MNL48, but I was watching some of the shows on their YouTube and showed my wife via video chat, and she recognized him. I think that's about as much of a conversation we've ever had about MNL48 other than her shouting "don't fall in love with them huh!"

Also I've been to the location you have listed as your location. Once. I had a massive headache and it was the last day I was able to spend with my wife back in 2016. It felt a bit like the northern countryside of South Korea and not a lot like the rest of the Philippines, actually.

EDIT:

I finally got around to watching this and using your translation as a guide

I think this was a joke, actually. They're talking about following the law because even one basher can destroy your image. Therefore, you must even obey traffic laws -- such as no jaywalking (everyone does this, all the time, it took me months to get used to running in front of traffic and then after that my wife made me lead her because she was too scared and it was her dang barangay!). And since they used the normal boing/haha sound that is prevalent in "It's Showtime!" I'm pretty sure this was the intent.

 

I watched the pilot episode when I got home late last night. The show itself still has low production values, but it is an immense upgrade from both MNLife and the Online Update. The classroom setting hearkens back to vintage AKB48, and the Mechaike-like tests should produce very interesting reactions. I lol'd when Gabb went to ask someone outside if she went into the right room.

As for ABS-CBN, I think they're still involved with this show but I speculate they're allowing HHE to take the lead. Probably the two partners are starting to get a better understanding of their roles in the project. I'm going to miss Luke though. He went through the extra mile of understanding how idols work.

 

I want to ask your opinion on this, and I hope no offense is taken as none is meant: What kind of production values are you expecting? Even "big budget" movies from the Philippines have pretty meh production values compared to middling productions from Japan, South Korea and China. Even the immensely huge shows like Amaya & Encantadia had incredibly poor production values compared to other television of the time. Hey I get it, there is not a lot of money to throw at things compared to places like the US, China, Japan and South Korea...but can you provide a Filipino basis for which you would compare a regular web-show from the Philippines? This is obviously not getting big bucks as an online show. Yeah, I'd like each girl to have a working microphone and maybe a door instead of a hanging curtain (reminds me of "home" before we bought doors!) and better camera work while we're at it... but what are your expectations, exactly, given what we can compare it to as far as a Filipino internet only show with, seemingly, a lack of money behind it?

 

I was fine with the video quality (pleasantly surprised, even), and I love the concept of an idol school. However, I absolutely hated the sound effects that kept popping up. They made the show seem extremely lowbrow and crude. Which is a shame, since the MNL48 members are definitely great people and performers. They deserve much better than irritating sound effects and poor editing.

 

The sound effects smells like Showtime vibes.

 

Which makes sense because they were basically a Showtime presentation...

 

Something decent:

1. An actual studio, not a converted room.
2. Decent microphones which is still an issue.
3. The editing is still very Showtime-y.
4. The sound-effects are over-done (the basic "boings" are enough, no need to make the show a "showcase" of sound-effects). They've had this problem since the Online Update.
5. Lastly (and I don't really think this falls under "good production values" but I'll say it anyway) they really need to follow their schedules. This show was already TAPED. There's really no reason why there was an almost two-hour delay before it was shown.

That said, I do praise and like the concept, and the first episode was a good start.

 

One of the things I learned when dealing with all things MNL48 is PATIENCE, and I'll still give it to them even at this point in time. (I'm that forgiving since I really want them to flourish here in the Philippines. ) That said, I kinda like the first episode. Some takeaways:

1. Yeah, I agree with opinions about the sound effects. Too much, IMO. Just a few laugh tracks maybe, a few "toinks" and "dun dun dun" here and there, but let the verbal humor and face/body language of the girls be the focus. It will be funny.

2. I thought their mics are ok. I think they still don't have lapels but maybe a boom mic is in place? Not sure though. Kindly contest if not.

3. Maybe this will change, but I kinda don't feel the "teacher". Maybe I'll warm up to her in the future but I dunno... maybe I was just expecting the teacher to have a strict, no-nonsense flair to him/her ala-Takashi Okamura-san of Mechaike or Bad Boy's Sata Masaki? I kinda want someone who will not be "soft" with the girls. You know what I mean?