So many new items, and a birthday festival too!

Hey Derek. First of all here are some Q&A questions: 1. If you're working staff at show, what is your favorite thing to do? Take chekis, run the buppan table, do errands, or what? It could be anything that you feel gets you the most enjoyment. 2. If you could have an unlimited supply of one time of food (prepared already or you have to make it yourself) brought to your door every day, what would that food be? 3. I already know that your favorite Japanese beer is Asahi (at least you told me that once a long time ago), but what is your favorite Japanese beer that you're pretty sure you can't get in the States (if there isn't one, that's completely fine). 4. If you could do an hour long interview with one idol, that will be fully translated so you could ask her anything you wanted, which idol would you choose (past or present)? 5. Of all the idols you've worked with, spoken to, and interacted with, which idol was a complete 180 from your initial encounter with them or impression of them? Which idol did you judge to be a certain way, but turned out to be someone completely different? (this is not meant to be a personal diving question, just like “she seemed to hate my guts, but she turned out to be sweet” sort of thing). First of all, I never felt like you were disrespecting idols by the stories you're telling. None of your stories, in my opinion, felt like they were going too far or being too personal. They are mostly fun and interesting stories that are about the idol industry that we might not be able to hear just following the scene unfold on Twitter. I really hate to this say, but I think you,the promoters of these clubs, and the producers of these groups are all wrong. I agree that venues should not be servicing food and alcohol, but I also agree that doing call outs should not be allowed. In my opinion the safest way to hold a live show outside of not holding one at all is this: have everyone tested and sanitized before entering. Have everyone who even have the slightest cough, remain home. Everyone wears masks, and limit entry to half capacity of the venue. After the live sells out, offer a streaming service or post show video distribution to those who missed out. No call outs, lifting, or any contact with other guests or idols. Limit cheki sales to only be of the idol themselves, and do not allow the fans to get more than 6 feet away from the idol or staff. Offer sanitizer and other clean products at all times during the show. No food or drink sales. If the venue has to increase the price of the ticket to compensate, so be it. Times are tough, and people should understand that. That is my opinion, and I know it goes against what you said, but this is a pandemic. We have to take thing seriously or else we'll all get lasting effects to our lungs and immune system that will result in poor health for the rest of our life. And then all these idols and lives, and everything will be irrelevant. In addition there are a ton of things I want to talk to you about, so I'll wait to speak on those topics when we talk next. Also I have no idea who this Miho person, they followed me on Twitter. I thought it was just a random fan from Japan that followed me (which happens sometimes). I feel really bad that people are speaking her to this way. Why the hell would anyone even ask that question? It's kind of creepy, honestly. That being said, now that I kind of have an idea who she is, I might message her if since it seems like that is allowed. I always felt weird DMing idols, because it always feels like something I shouldn't be allowed to do. I feel like that's too private and I don't want to invade their private space. I can't wait to hear the music/support/follow/do anything to help your idol from Kyoto you mentioned as well. Suggestions for IU: if possible if you could more magazines. I missed out on Aku's, but I like the idea of those, and if you can get them that would be great. I've been buying a lot of magazines from Japan recently that cover a wide variety of idols, but if there are more of these specialized magazines, that would be awesome. I don't really have any other ideas at this time. The part you mentioned about the service that guy is offering: is that just for the group he works with? Also I'd love to be able to get merch from Japan that I can only get if I live in Japan. That would be cool. Currently a lot of the proxy services are sort of dodgy at best if they will ship to US or are even open. So anything to help with that would be awesome. Also there are somethings I'd to buy that I just don't think a proxy service would begin to understand how it works, but I feel someone in the idol world might know a lot more. As for your Patreon: I think that your lower tiers are great so far. Your higher tiers are so inaccessible, but I'm unsure how to fix them. I mean on the one hand it's great that you're thinking of a group effort for a photobook, but I'm unsure how that would work. You would have to offer a consolation prize for people each month if the goal could not be reached. I think it would be cool if you just had a tier ($50 or $60) where you offered a video you recorded over the past month. Just a behind the scenes (within reason of course, nothing revealing or personal related to specific idols) of you work. Maybe just you explaining about how you work a table, or a show, or your journey to and from a show, or you going to meetings. Maybe just you talking about your meal you had on a random Tuesday, or you talking to a fan outside a show. Anything really, it doesn't even have to be 100% top tier content that's interesting. It wouldn't be hard to edit either, just put the clips in succession, no real editing, and put it on YouTube unlisted. Think of it as a vlog that's a monthly thing for higher tier Patrons. Going off what Remy said, I would also buy a cheki of you. No lie. If you signed it... oh boy. That one will be treasured more than some of my others.

Hey Derek! Thank you for another audio post. I really appreciate all the work you do for us. I’ve been taking away at my savings a bit to buy more things at IU since I lost my job and money has been tight for fun things. I wish I could support you even more though! Once I get a job again, I’m looking at upgrading my Patreon tier to the cheki tier! Miho is honestly the kindest person I’ve ever met, thank you for introducing her to us! It really saddened me some people have been abusing her kindness and saying weird things to her. Thankfully she has a very valuable friend (you!) to protect her! I can’t wait to see what amazing things you have in store for her! She deserves it! If she does cheki, I’ll be onto that the minute they’re up for sale! I hope these questions haven’t been asked yet so here we go! My questions: -Do you still own some cheki yourself? If possible, can you tell something about your collection (if it doesn’t mess with idol privacy of course!) -What are some of your fav idol songs at the moment? As for suggestions for the Patreon and other things, I’m a bit out of ideas. I’ll brainstorm and let you know if I think of something though! Oh, I guess I have one small suggestion! I really enjoy the special cheki sets mostly MBE and Hanako-san do. I’d love to see some of the other idols do them on IU! It might not be an easy task but we’ll see! As for special cheki set ideas, maybe it would be fun if the MBE members put on the stage outfits of each other and make cheki acting like the member whose outfit they’re wearing? Like maybe Yuina could wear Honami’s outfit and do her hair in the same style. Or maybe a set where they hold small flags of different countries and fans could trade/hope for to get a cheki where the member is holding the flag of the country they are from! Maybe it’ll bump ChekiWorld activity too! As for which countries; the countries who actively buy from IU! Oh and the Japanese flag too, of course! Oh and maybe a fun/silly suggestion: I’d totally buy a cheki of you! Maybe you can take like 5 cheki and have it be a very special one time item haha! Anyway have a good day Derek, once again, thanks for everything!

Hey Derek, the file doesn't seem to want to play. Here's a few questions for you What's been the oddest interaction with an idol you've had? (Good or bad) What's your favorite song by Utada Hikaru? Have you seen any good movies lately, or do you have any recommendations for us? Thanks Derek.

Jorge Montelongo