Saturday, April 22, 2006

Magazine Review: Playboy Indonesia Issue 01

This is it, my 'review' on Indonesia's first Playboy magazine, courtesy of Jennifer.



Premiere issue - Playboy Indonesia. Out for one week before being removed from the shelves.



Compared to FHM, Playboy is a little bit smaller and 'less sexy'. The bright red does catch your eyes though compared to 'yet another high street honey' cover.



News from Playboy America.



Farhan enjoys reading articles more than seeing pictures of Erika Eleniak. What an idiot.



This joke isn't even funny in the first place. The way the joke was told is funny though.



The nude drawing of Playboy Advisor is gone.



Unlike localised FHM Malaysia, Playboy Indonesia also features original articles written by their local writers. This is an interview with an old man.



It isn't only pictures of semi-nude ladies. Like its more matured Playboy USA, a local political issue should always be featured. Because of Indonesian constitution and red-tape, these poor people are now 'atheist'. What is wrong with that?



Eh?



Alan Moore speaks Indonesian...



The obligatory fashion section.



This picture of a so called Malaysian celeb (that I have never heard of) is the closest to nudity you will find in Playboy Indonesia. I don't know what the fuss is all about - this isn't pornographic! You can probably find sexier pictures in an Argos catalogue.



I present to you Miss April Kartika, Playboy Indonesia's first centerfold and one of the few centerfold pictorials not to feature nudity.

Miss Kartika Oktavini Gunawan turn-ons includes getting a job and presents.



Ad: A baggy version that allows Mr. Happy's head to maneuver easier, giving Miss Cheerful a better sensation. Hmm...

I can't say that I expected much. Much of the articles are recycled from Playboy USA, although for a first issue, it does feature quite a number of original local produced features. The lack of nudity is pretty much expected (they even went on to edit out see through nipples). And after all that they are still at the receiving end of crazy conservative idiots. I can honestly say that this isn't even near pornographic and the only reason we are seeing protests are because of irrational and subconscious negative thought to the brand name 'Playboy'. Uninformed idiots tend to do crazy things.

At most this can be classified as similar to GQ, Esquire or Arena (minus the nudity of course) and is a more 'serious' mag when compared to mid-shelf lad mags like FHM, Maxim or Front. As far as Playboy is concerned, it follows the similar format to Playboy USA with two pictorials (although in this case, there are no nudity) plus jokes, articles, news etc.

I wish them success but knowing S.E. Asia, I believe this publication is doomed from the beginning. The country isn't ready yet. Even Jennifer found it hard to purchase the mag. Over cautious newsagents were wary of putting them on shelves.

But it is a step and at least Indonesia can stand proud and say that they have/had a Playboy magazine. Can't say the same of Malaysia and Singapore.

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13 comments:

Howsy said...

Hey...make big bucks and sell on eBay! Or post the pics of Amber Chia here...your site traffic gonna lurve it! I know mine did although I C&P from the local papers' one.

Howsy said...

May I add on? That what I said in my post here; the press calling Amber 'Playboy Girl' was almost the joke of the year. I have nothing against here but she wasn't even close!

Kenny Lee said...

playboy in Indonesia oledi ban liao loh...bcoz of the stupid protestors...check the news.

Cheng Sim said...

bah! and the government are making such a huge fuss about Amber Chia being in playboy. none of the layouts are sexy.

Jon Choo said...

@Howsy, eBay doesn't allow Playboy magazines, though with no nudity this could be an exception.

Amber Chia...playgirl!? LOL!

Anyway I checked out FHM's Girls of Asia in Borders yesterday. How come there isn't a single Malaysian model in it?

@Kenny Lee, I know. About a week ago the magazines were removed from the shelves.

@Cheng Sim, which government? Malaysian?

Cigamybab said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
elb said...

You can probably find sexier pictures in an Argos catalogue. <---- LOL

Jon Choo said...

You know it's true.

elb said...

I didn't say it wasn't ;)

Anonymous said...

I find it ironic that Indonesia which is home to most internet fraud in the world does not want Playboy (even without nude photos) over there.

(website removed)

Unknown said...
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Anonymous said...

Concerning "I find it ironic that Indonesia which is home to most internet fraud in the world does not want Playboy (even without nude photos) over there."
Actually it's not ironic at all when you consider that Indonesia is the largest exporter of "radical" Islam. You know how the Taliban and fellow followers view women and how they are treated. Just f.y.i. - it is law in Indonesia that ALL children be raised as Muslims.

Jon Choo said...

Well they do share the same fundamentalist hatred for women as some Christians...