Bringing this up because I really like the format of this activity!
It seem to me the members can really engage with fans here, bringing out the true spirit of "idols you can meet." Certainly it would be nice if the family groups in Japan can follow this through imo.
It helps that members themselves are playing the instruments & singing live too (& the fact I always like acoustic version of song it seems)!
What do you guys think? Should AKB & co follow up on this kind of format? Is it even economically viable?
Personally my answers are yes & yes, as it allows closer members-fans engagement for one, & there will always be some lesser known members with the time & energy to commit to this kind of activity for the second one. Love to hear what you guys think thou!
It's also helped by the fact that most Indonesian people have the tendency to liven up the atmosphere when they're grouping together, that includes fans and also the members. However, sometimes they (fans) could push that tendency a bit extreme, which could be very disturbing. So I would say it's both a plus and minus.
About the format of the show, I personally agree with you. This is indeed a good way for both fans and members to meet each other and feel the 'intimacy of friendship' between them.
Some days ago, I read an interesting tweet from a fellow Indonesian fan who is quite well known among Indonesian 48-family fans. He had attended AKB48's theater in Akihabara more than once and compared it with JKT48's theater.
ecwx 48 @ecwx48 21 Nov
eh tapi jujur ye... biar kata gw dimusuhin wota AKB48 tetep gw bilang ini jujur, sekarang2 ini theater JKT48 lebih asik dari theater AKB48
translated as: "eh but I'm gonna be honest... despite getting enemies from AKB48's wotas, I would say this honestly, nowadays watching JKT48's theater is more enjoyable than AKB48's theater."
which he later explained 'why' to another fan in English,
ecwx 48 @ecwx48 21 Nov
@... ..., I wish I can take you to watch JKT48 theater... IMO it's more fun than AKB48's in term of member-fans interactivity
Maybe it's biased, I don't really know, yet it's also an opinion that's also not to be ignored.
If AKB & co wants to follow this format, I would be so ecstatic about it.
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About Cleo... oh well, just wishing the best for her from now on.
Won't comment further on this since the officials hasn't stated anything. I better stay quiet until there's an official statement about this 'emotional' departure of her.
And Ochi... farewell to you. I'm also wishing the best for you. Keep being azeeek~~!