Japanese pop group AKB48 welcomed their one millionth theatre audience (with paid ticket) in Akihabara on February 25th, 2015.

Team K captain Yui Yokoyama welcomed the special guest – a female college student from Osaka – on the group’s behalf.

AKB48 held their first theatre show on December 8th, 2005, with seven paid audiences. The group is now the biggest pop acts in Japan.

Besides singing they also become a huge media franchise. They venture into dramas, movies, games, and also have few sister groups.

Despite their mainstream success the daily show carries on as usual. The max attendant per show is 250 and it’s usually full these days.

Credit: Oricon

AKB48 member Minami Minegishi has shaved her head to apologise for her dating scandal. Dating is a taboo for the popular girl group.

The news became viral, even global network like BBC are picking it up.

Head shaving is a huge humiliation in Japan, and also a sign of regret after making a big mistake. Minegishi’s agency claims that she did that on her own without telling the company management.

Pop idols & dating

The act is too harsh. Guess she’s really scared of the consequences.

That couldn’t stop her from being demoted to a trainee position. It could be worse though, i.e. kicked out from the group completely.

Dating is not allowed in ABK48, although the company never officially admitted the rules. It’s also common practise in other J-pop idol groups.

Many of them still date in secret, just don’t get caught haha.