skyartemis

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drama stills

Wu Lei character stills

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THE DOUBLE 墨雨云间 │2024, Ep. 30

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THE DOUBLE 墨雨云间 │2024, Ep. 39

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I am not my father. This sword does not know you.

THE DOUBLE (2024) | Ep 40

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#there's something about men letting their hair loose

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Friends that plot together, stay together

The Double 墨雨云间

Bonus: They may or may not have taken an entire day to plot their grand plan

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The Double 墨雨云间 (2024)

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I am going *feral* over the way Xiao Heng calls her xiao limao.

Her name is Li. Jiang Li’s name is obviously also Li.

Xiao Heng knows she isn’t Jiang Li, and he’s basically the only one (besides Tong-er and the other temple maidens) who is 100% certain of her real identity

But they’re both named Li!

When they’re alone he basically never ever calls her “Jiang er-niangzi” (second lady Jiang). He basically only references her connection the Jiang family when they have an audience.

And when he calls her A’Li, that’s basically acknowledging both identities! Both of her families called her that.

But there’s one moment early on when he’s goading her into revealing her true identity, and he says, “Li? Lihua? Or Limao?”

Lihua is a perfectly acceptable girl’s name. Limao is not.

Lihua is obviously referring to the “real” Jiang Li — it means pear blossom, and the show makes it clear that that is her symbol. It also associates pear blossoms with all of the women who have been wronged and die unjust deaths.

Limao is specifically referring to Xue Li, aka Xue Fangfei. The jade pendant from her mother is a cat, and cats are wily, stubborn, and aloof. All things that describe this very strange lady he’s just met.

Xiao Heng’s question is basically, “Are you a delicate noble flower or are you a scrappy stray cat?”

She’s the kind of cat that brings you small dead animals, and he adores her.

When he calls her xiao limao, he means her and only her. Not the real Jiang Li. Not her pretending to be Jiang Li. But also not Xue Fangfei, who loved Shen Yurong and suppressed her own talents and intelligence in service of her husband’s aspirations. He means the woman who dug herself out of her own grave, asked him to arrest her, and uses him however she pleases like a true cat.

This is what a leopard cat looks like:

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The Jade Cat Pendant

In battle, Xiao Heng bites into a white jade cat pendant belonging to Xue Fangfei, whom he affectionately calls "Xiao Li Mao" (little leopard cat). Jade represents human virtues in traditional Chinese culture. As the Confucian saying in the Book of Rites goes: "A gentleman never parts with his jade without a reason." Jade pendants were worn on the body as a constant reminder of one's virtues. In The Double, Xiao Heng keeps A'Li's pendant close to him. It is a token of love, respect, and their shared quest for justice. According to Chinese folklore, it is good luck for a stray cat to enter the house, as "cats bring five blessings, cats enter blessed places." Similarly, jade carvings of cats were believed to bring good fortune and health to their owners. Xue Fangfei treasures her jade pendant. It was given to her by her father, who hoped it would bring her protection and a smooth and peaceful life. The cat-shaped pendant also represents Xue Fangfei herself, her ability to survive in harsh environments, and how, like a stray cat, she unexpectedly enters Xiao Heng's life and captures his heart. (x)

The Double 墨雨云间 (2024), directed by Lu Hao Jiji, Bai Yunmo & Ma Shige

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Yesterday, you mutilated yourself. Today, you ask to be tied up. You are a bold one. Are you intimidated, Duke?

THE DOUBLE 墨雨云间 · 2024

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a life for a life.... Sacrifice oneself for love...

The Double (2024) 1.09

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#for science

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The Double 墨雨云间 (2024), directed by Lu Hao Jiji, Bai Yunmo & Ma Shige costume design by Song Xiaotao, hair and make-up designed by Lin Anqi

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MOVING (2023)

dir. Park In Je

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The driver…No, our senior up there… He's Bungaeman. Bungaeman? Don't you know Bungaeman?

[EP15]MOVING / 무빙 (2023) dir. park in jae

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Moving 무빙 (2023) dir. Park In Je HAN HYO JOO as LEE MI HYUN