April 2021 Release Schedule (Patreon)

Hey everyone! With April rolling around I wanted to give everyone an update on the permanent changes we're making to Patreon and also as a preview and hopefully an encouragement for people to renew their subscriptions.

This past month in March, I addressed concerns the community had about the satisfactory and unstable nature of our Patreon. I get it. If there's a family emergency I take a break. If I'm depressed I take a break. If there's a national tragedy I take a break. At the time, it feels appropriate to me, and you guys also say "it's okay to take a break" but when I look back I think "I'm glad I took the break but I wish content had gone out".

Even with our most recent week-long hiatus which was in light of a mass shooting on the AAPI community, by the end of I felt like I wanted content to get back out there.

I've made it very transparent that my family and I are financially struggling. Even this month, I had saved money but now I have nothing after donating to the Atlanta shooting victims and then my father needed a temporary fix for his teeth until we can afford his full procedure so that cost $3,000 right there. I've considered making a GoFundMe because the surgery he needs is somewhere around $20,000 ~ $24,000 but after all the Asian American crimes springing up I decided NOT to make a GoFundMe because I didn't want to take away from those voices. 

But if I'm going to rely on you guys to help keep me and my family afloat, I realized I have to treat my Patreon like a business. It's sad to say but I can't keep taking breaks just because I'm depressed or because there was a national tragedy. Depression is too common and national tragedies are unfortunately back to back these days.

So what's my solution?

I'm going to pre-film content a month in advance from now on and at the start of the month post a schedule of all the releases for that month. Obviously I just started so only about 70% of this schedule is pre-filmed (and some things I physically can't pre-film like Kingdom cus it's not out yet). But starting in May when the 1st rolls around, about 90% of the things on the schedule will be pre-filmed. I'm currently busting my ass to finish up the rest of April's videos and then I'll be filming all of May's content in April.

With this new solution we'll always be a month ahead and I won't be filming week-to-week. Which means if I need a mental health day or take a break for a week, I can take those breaks but content will STILL come out because it will have already been filmed and scheduled.

In regards to national tragedies, I won't take WEEK breaks, instead I'll only cancel uploads the DAY OF said incident, and the day after (because the day after is when relevant discussions occur) but resume uploads immediately the following 2nd day and post anything that was held back ON TOP of what was already scheduled to come out.

So basically, whatever is on the schedule you are PROMISED those videos that month. The only reason a video may not come out is only if Patreon messes up. Sometimes my Patreon scheduled posts don't release for some reason. It's random occurrences but if it happens, just let me know and I can manually release them same day or next day.

Last month we also experimented with our new schedule and basically here it is:

MONDAYS: Livestreams watching your requests 11AM/4PM (alternates week by week). All times are in PST. (all tiers)

TUESDAY: 3-4 boy group variety videos (SUMMER TIER Patron only). 1-2 throwback tuesday boy group videos (all tiers).

WEDNESDAY: Patreon exclusive listening parties! (all tiers)

THURSDAY: 3-4 girl group variety videos (SUMMER TIER Patron only). 1-2 throwback tuesday girl group videos (all tiers).

FRIDAY: Drama Club or Reality/Survival Shows (SUMMER TIER Patron only).

FRIDAY (BONUS): A livestream taking your requests for reacting to Japanese music, J-Pop/J-Rock once a month at 11AM PST. The livestream dates will be pre-determined at the start of the month based on my personal availability.

As for what's new? This month for boy groups we're adding TO DO X TXT and P1Harmony's Harmonission to our variety roster. For girl groups we're adding IZ*ONE CHU and also Purple Kiss and Weeekly's brand new 1thek variety series as well!

Starting in May we're also considering adding a BTS variety series (Run, In the soop, bon voyage; one of these; vote later) and Twice Seize The Light.

I also just want to add, just because something is on the calendar doesn't mean that's ALL that's coming out. Some days I might do a BONUS listening party or maybe I'll check out a live stage or a studio choom and toss that up as a bonus here and there. The calendar are only GUARANTEED videos that have been pre-filmed or are FOR SURE coming out.

Ultimately... This is more work. In fact, this is A LOT more work. I'm tackling WAY more content than before but after testing out this pre-filming system in March, it's definitely doable and feels less taxing. 

Only thing I ask of you guys is to consider upping your pledges! If you're a $2 patron consider our $10 tier and if you're a $10 patron consider our $20 tier. I know times are tough for everyone right now but if you would consider upping your tier for one or a few months, it might make all the difference. Who knows! It won't make up for not doing a GoFundMe but I guess whatever helps. But I totally understand if you are not able or do not wish to. Please don't feel pressured to do so :)

I'm stepping it up because I'm just trying to keep my family alive. Also tax season is here and I just learned how much money I'm losing soooooooo I'm just trying to work hard to pay these bills.

Anyway, have a great day and I hope you all return for more in April!