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| KLP48 Levels Up: Pucchi Appointed Artist Development Manager After Turning Point at Anime Fest |
Pucchi, aka Puti Nadhira Azalia, former member of JKT48, has officially stepped in as KLP48’s new Artist Development Manager.
The news broke on X today (via @copuco_) and marks a big step forward in the Malaysian sister group’s behind-the-scenes evolution.
Now if you’re scratching your head wondering why this matters—well, here’s the tea.
Pucchi isn’t just any ex-idol.
She was with JKT48 during some of its most formative years (2016–2020), and she’s got serious experience under her belt when it comes to the idol grind.
Her transition from performer to mentor mirrors the core AKB48 philosophy: growth, guidance, and passing the torch.
But her appointment didn’t come from some corporate master plan—it came from heart. And a bit of a plot twist.
In her own words, Pucchi admitted she wasn’t sold on KLP48 at first:
“Honestly, I didn’t want to announce this at first. I had doubts, about the group’s future, and I wasn’t sure about the girls. When I first joined, I wasn’t impressed with their performance. I didn’t feel connected.”
Oof—real talk.
But she stuck around. Watched. Listened. And something clicked.
“But after 3 months, something changed. I saw how hard they were trying. I saw their passion, their growth, and their willingness to keep learning. However, yesterday at Anime Fest, their performance truly blew me away. I didn’t expect to feel so proud.”
That Anime Fest performance on 21 April seems to have sealed the deal.
It was the group’s most confident showing to date, and for Pucchi, it was enough to make her say, “Let’s go.”
“They’ve earned my respect, and now they have my full support,” she said.
“So here I am nowww, Pucchi former member of JKT48, Artist Development Manager of KLP48. Even tho I’m not perfect also, I am ready to grow together with them.”
And grow they might.
Since debuting in August 2024, KLP48 has been trying to carve its place as AKB48’s tenth international sister group.
With former SKE48 ace Jurina Matsui originally acting as player-manager (before stepping down in May 2024), the group has seen a wave of strategy tweaks—like transferring four AKB48 members into the mix and now, bringing in seasoned alumni like Pucchi to shape the next gen.
The goal?
Follow the JKT48 blueprint: build a cultural bridge, make a mark in the local scene, and win hearts through raw effort and relatability.
And if they pull it off, they could be the next Southeast Asian idol success story.
So with Pucchi now part of the team, KLP48 might just be moving from “promising potential” to real-deal contender.
Watch out, Asia’s idol circuit—KLP48’s coming in strong.