#❛ ALL THINGS ARE BEAUTIFUL IN HER EYES ❜ ( interests ∣ eun ji. )

[l33bang24]

Healing Hearts (Chapter 2)

Pairing: Single Dad! Chan x Fem Reader

Summary: Y/N, desperate to leave her troubled past behind, decides to start fresh in a foreign country. Struggling to secure a job, she stumbles upon a babysitting opportunity offered by an elderly woman who lives nearby. Babysitting the daughter of a famous idol is the last thing she ever expected to be doing. What will she do when her past comes back to haunt her just as she begins to find peace?

⚠️CW⚠️: Self-hatred, depression, crying, dreams, angst, death of a minor character (lmk if I missed anything)

🏷: @manuosorioh @palindrome969 @real-life-dwaekii @nebugalaxy @itzzyyyyyyydaaaa @catlove83 @ivydoesit23 @resi4skz @vinumque @ntlmundy @rose-w-00-d @rundontwalkshesaid @jennibahng @lailac13 @gn4bnahc @addies29 @greyyeti @joyofbebbanburg (Taglist open)

(All dividers are made by @saradika , all credit goes to her)

<Prev

Y/N’s POV

I look up at the towering building ahead of me, its glass façade reflecting the sunlight. Glancing at the paper in my hands, I mutter, "These are the coordinates Eun Ji gave me. I hope she shows up.” I find a nearby bench and settle down, trying to calm my racing thoughts. It's still early, but I needed the extra time after the unsettling nightmare I experienced.

This morning reminded me that no matter how far you run away from your past, it still follows you. I tried going back to sleep, but I was terrified of going back to that hellhole again. My eyes eventually closed right before my alarm clock went off. I rubbed the fatigue out of my eyes and focused on the world around me: cars going and people walking to their destinations.

I sat on the bench, my mind consumed with worry and anticipation, when a figure approached. A lady, slightly older than me, called out, "Y/N?" I looked up and nodded in response. "Hello, Y/N! I'm EunJi. We've been in touch via email regarding an apartment complex." I rose from the bench and greeted her warmly. "I apologize if you weren't able to reach me by phone. I haven't turned it back on just yet." That wasn't entirely true. I had turned it on briefly, only to turn it off again at the sight of missed calls and voicemails.

"It's perfectly fine! Would you be interested in stepping inside for a closer look?" I agreed, and we made our way to the front entrance. As we stepped inside, I noticed the interior was elegantly simple, featuring cream-colored walls and tiled flooring. Directly ahead was the front desk, flanked by elevators on either side and a couple of staircases. After a short wait, Eun Ji returned with the keys to the apartment. As we stepped into the elevator, she pressed the button for the 3rd floor.

As we approach the apartment door, I eagerly anticipate stepping inside. Upon entering, I absorb the details of the space. The apartment spans approximately 30 square meters, with the kitchen positioned to the left and the bathroom to the right from the entrance. Continuing past the kitchen, I encounter the combined bedroom and living area. The bed is on the opposite side of the wall from the kitchen, with the entertainment area conveniently located across from the bed. A storage area is thoughtfully positioned between the bathroom and the TV. Notably, there's a charming balcony straight ahead from the entrance, adding an inviting outdoor element to the living space.

I recognized immediately from the captivating pictures that this space exuded beauty. Still, the moment I set foot inside, seeing my favorite comforting colors in person, was a truly unforgettable experience. The color schemes artfully combined shades of black and gray, creating a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere. Unable to contain my delight, I couldn't help but smile and express to Eun Ji, "It's even more stunning in person than I could have ever imagined." Her response was a warm smile as she remarked, "Well, I'm thrilled to hear that."

Once Eun Ji and I reached an agreement on the cost and signed the contract, I handed over the deposit for the apartment. She assured me she was finalizing the details and promised to contact me as soon as possible to arrange my move-in. As I left the apartment building, a sense of contentment washed over me, marking a gradual but significant step forward in my life.

Bang Chan’s POV

I awakened suddenly, jolted out of another restless night plagued by the recurring dream that seemed impossible to shake. Glancing at the clock on my nightstand, the red digits displayed 4 a.m. I let out a weary sigh and pushed the covers aside before heading to the bathroom. After splashing my face with cold water and drying it with a nearby towel, I stared at the reflection in the mirror, filled with discontent. My features seemed to taunt me - the emergence of fine lines, thinning hair, a prominent nose, and the dreaded dark circles under my eyes. I averted my gaze, unwilling to confront the image staring back at me.

Heading to the closet, I opened the door and scanned the neatly arranged rows of clothing. I reached for the stack of neatly folded gym clothes, feeling the soft fabric between my fingers as I selected the perfect outfit for my early morning workout. Anticipating a restless night ahead, I chose something comfortable and breathable. After carefully selecting the clothes, I closed the closet door and headed to the dresser to pick a fresh pair of socks. Once dressed, I grabbed my gym bag and began to neatly fold and pack my post-workout attire, placing the towels on top to ensure I had everything I needed for the morning. Heading into the kitchen, I opened the pantry and selected a couple of granola bars and an apple for quick, on-the-go snacks. Then, I went to the fridge to refill my stainless steel water bottle, ensuring I would stay hydrated throughout the day.

As I gathered everything I needed, I tiptoed down the hallway to check on Miryung in her room. Peeking inside, I noticed her peacefully asleep, which put my mind at ease. I knew I would return before she woke, so I didn't linger too long. With my bag slung over my shoulder and keys in hand, I stepped out of the front door, locking it behind me, ready to tackle the day ahead.

As I made my way to the gym, I quickly realized that it was conveniently close to my house, which made the drive there pleasantly short. Upon arriving, I was pleasantly surprised to find Changbin already there. I couldn't resist asking him, "What brings you here so early?" His response was a nonchalant shrug accompanied by a warm and friendly smile. "I could ask you the same thing, but then I'm reminded that you don't sleep," he quipped. I playfully rolled my eyes and headed to the locker room. I found a vacant locker and retrieved my lock, key, headphones, water bottle, and a granola bar. After stowing away my belongings, I headed back out to meet Changbin.

I began my workout by slowly easing into it with some stretching. I wanted to make sure I wouldn't strain any muscles today. Once I finished my stretches, I started a timer on my watch. I headed to the Chest Fly machine since I had focused on my legs during my last workout. Changbin joined me, and together, we found our rhythm as we moved from one machine to the next, spotting each other along the way.

The timer on my watch went off, and I stopped it. By the time I was done, my hair was clinging to my forehead, my shirt was soaked, and sweat dripped from places I didn't even know I could sweat. I made my way to the locker room, pulling out my fresh change of clothes and shower essentials, ready to clean up after an intense session.

Feeling refreshed after my shower, I checked the time to see that I finished on time, which was great timing. I grabbed my belongings and waved to Changbin as I left. The house was quiet when I unlocked the door, meaning I still had time before Miryung woke up. I threw my workout clothes and towels in the washer and turned it on. I moved to the fridge to make breakfast for Miryung and myself.

I open the fridge to see what I can make. I found a container of leftover rice and a pack of ground beef and decided to make Gyeran Bap with beef Bulgogi. I pulled out all the needed ingredients: an iron skillet and a saucepan. I place the saucepan on the stove and turn to low heat. I add the leftover rice and add three tablespoons of water. I break up the clumps and add some butter to it. Putting a lid on the pan, I place the skillet on the stove next and turn the dial to medium heat.

As I worked on cooking the meat, rice, and eggs, I carefully plated everything with a side of kimchi that Mrs. Kim had left for us. My little angel had already woken up and was perched on a stool at the countertop, her curious eyes following my every move in the kitchen. "Do you want milk or pineapple juice?" I asked, placing her meal in front of her. "Pineapple," she replied with a sweet smile. I couldn't help but smile back, thinking, "Just like her Daddy." As I turned to serve her, I saw her patiently waiting for me to say a blessing so she could start eating.

My heart swells with emotion as I sit beside her, preparing to say the blessing before our meal. As we both dive into the delicious food, there's a comfortable silence between us, filled with contentment. Once we've finished eating, I gather our dishes, and that's when she surprises me with unexpected praise. "Your cooking has improved, Daddy," she says. I'm taken aback, wondering whether to be pleased or insulted. Miryung then comes down from her stool and offers to help me with the dishes, her sweet gesture melting any uncertainty away. I smile at her and reply, "Of course, Pumpkin, let me grab a stool." I show her how to handle the smaller tasks like utensils and bowls while I take care of the skillet and saucepan.

We relocated to the living room and suddenly engaged in a spontaneous tickle fight. It all began with her playfully poking my sides, which led to me retaliating by tickling her, causing her to erupt into fits of joyful laughter. After a while, I relented, and Miryung then climbed onto my lap and nestled herself into the warmth of my chest. The kids and I have some vacation time before our comeback. I had already made plans for both of us; I just needed to tell her, but Miryung beat me to it. “I had a dream about Mommy last night.” I look down at her with a sad smile. “What did you dream about?”

She picks her head up from my chest to look at me. “She was waiting for me at the big tree on a hill. She told me how beautiful I am and that I look just like she did when she was younger. She also told me that I look like you too. She wished she could be with us, but God had a different plan for her.” I feel a stray tear run down my cheek. “She said she would want us to move on with our lives. We desire to be happy and know she's in a great place now.” I was fighting back tears, but a couple spilled through. Miryung looked down at her hands, and her body started shaking from her troubled sobs.

“Mommy held me, Daddy, and told me it would be alright that she loves me and you. She even sang me my favorite song.” She wraps her tiny arms around me, and I pull her to me tightly. “I miss her so much, Daddy. Why did she have to leave?” I closed my eyes and tried not to reminisce about the day's events. “I don't know, Pumpkin, but do you know what?” She pulls back to look at me with tear-stained cheeks. “She brought the most beautiful little girl into this world. She loved you so much. She sang to you daily and told many stories about her childhood. How she wanted to raise you, how she was raised. She had these crazy pregnancy cravings I had to fix for her. Your mom was a fighter; she fought until she couldn't anymore. But she is right; she's in a much better place and no longer in pain.”

I kiss her cheeks, smiling at her. “We’re not always given tomorrow; that's why we should always be thankful for today and never take anything for granted.” She smiles at me and kisses me on the cheek. “I love you, Daddy.” I kiss her forehead, “I love you too, Pumpkin. More than you'll ever know.”

We both lay there for a while before I remembered the good news. “Do you want to go see your grandparents?”

(Finally got a new chapter up! I decided to add Changbin since it was his birthday when I wrote it. So Happy Birthday, Changbin! I hope you all like it. LMK in the comments if you want to be added to the taglist. Thanks! ❤️)

[lenteur]

random thoughts about tell me that you love me, episode three

(the rest is under the cut because i'm worried about your eyes having to read ALL OF THAT and this post might contain spoilers)

So cha jin woo wasn't born deaf. His hearing disability was due to a sudden high fever when he was younger. I'm glad the drama told us about that and didn't let us guess for longer.

Seeing mo eun being curious about jin woo is beautiful to see. She's interested in "listening to" his story, a thing that not a lot of people leeting jin woo must do. I'm not entirely sure what motivated her in the beginning but I'm impressed to see her learn so many things for him. Witnessing little snippets of jin woo's life, she realizes how different both their lives are, and how the world is not really deaf people friendly.

I'm liking Yoon Johan in this episode. He's quirky and funny.

I don't know if I've said this enough times but I am enjoying the fact mo eun is trying to involve cha jin woo in as many hobbies as she can. Even when he says no, she tries to do something that he likes instead. It's very heartwarming to see that.

Seeing jin woo refuse to go with mo eun because he doesn't want her to "be with someone she has to be considerate towards" (quoted from the drama) makes me think of the conversation he had earlier (in the episode) with his friend. His friend thinks jin woo is not warmhearted, so then we see jin woo say that the people around him will feel cold. Maybe that's why he doesn't want people to get closer to him? In a sense I think jin woo is protecting himself because he doesn't want to have very deep feelings for someone (whether friendship or love). The closer he gets to someone, the more he risks of developing strong feelings and in return he's scared of becoming a burden. Ever since he was seven, jin woo has had to develop strategies to live his life despite his disability. We've seen so many examples: using his phone to communicate with others, keeping a distance from others on the street so he doesn't bump into them, etc. His eyes have become his ears (his alarm being a shining light, listening to people by reading their lips). I imagine this must have been very hard for him so, to add someone to his daily life seems like another mountain to move. He knows how hard it is to live with a disability (because he's lived with one for majority of his life) so he can imagine how much more difficult it could be to live (as in both in the same house and like being friends/sharing moments) with a disabled person. The most obvious obstacles being communication and the fear of becoming a burden. At first, it could be all good but then, as time passes, the able person could become increasingly annoyed at all the times they have to help the disabled person for any type of task (in the worst case scenario). Let's not forget the disabled people who want to live life with as little help as possible. Living is already hard enough on its own, let's not add being a burden to that. I do hope jin woo will ease off on the pressure and try to open his heart to love.

I'd just like to clarify the last sentence. I do know and agree with the fact that people can be happy without having a romantic partner. It's just that jin woo seems closed off to love because he doesn't want to be a bother. That's what makes me sad about that. I'm not against the idea of him finding love, but if he doesn't want to that's fine too.

Another fave character ji yu. Both her and johan are the funniest characters of the drama.

I knew the jaden thing was a hoax. But I still found ji yu's reaction hilarious lmao

Hearing mo eun reassure her mom that "she's been doing well lately" when in reality it's the opposite tore my heart. She was so excited to finally have a role with a line to recite... and then on shooting day, she learns someone else has the same role so she's not sure if she'll appear on screen. Standing there all day just to say her line, get splashed with alc*h*l and being slapped so many times she started to bruise. Hearing mo eun being on the verge of tears while on the phone with her mom makes me want to give her a big hug.

Mo eun crying behind jin woo's back... she doesn't want to appear weak in front of anyone.

This was one emotional episode.

I'm giving this one a 8.5/10

[theadusa]

For someone who has been watching dramas for years I am always late to the game. I recently watched the 2019 Netflix drama Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung starring Shin Se Kyung and Cha Eun Woo and I adored this show! I purposely skipped over this show because I have been hesitant in watching anything of Shin Se Kyung since  A Girl Who Sees Smells (2015) and the final nail in the coffin The Bride of Water God (2017)- the show was so bad I couldn’t watch any actor who participated in it for years, I only watch Nam JooHyuk in School Nurse Files (2020) and I have a good experience with him in other dramas- and I’m not the biggest fan of Cha Eun Woo, I don’t think he is bad but he is only as good as the actors around him, so I just skipped over this drama. I finally picked up Run On (2020) during its run which starred Shin Se Kyung and Yim Si Wan ( who I haven’t seen in any of his dramas before), and I completely fell in love with Shin Se Kyung. I couldn’t believe I avoided her for so long.

I recently decided to pick up Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung, an ahistorical drama taking place in Joseon sometime in the late 1700s about newly stated female historians in the court. Touching on liberal ideas of equality (both class and gender), science, the truth, and who writes history. I adored Goo Hae Ryung and Shin Se Kyung brought a nice balance of intelligence and fire to the character. I loved the group of historians and the continuous discussion of the role of those who observe history, and it heavily reminded me of discussions of journalists and should they just be observers. Officer Min (Lee Ji Hoon) and Hae Ryung were set up as obvious foils to this debate.

I adore how they depicted female coworker friendships, and could have made Goo Hae Ryung, "not like other girls" but they didn’t. All the women in the show had a mind of their own, a goal, and ambition. Even the crown princess was shown in a sympathetic light and a victim of the time. The depiction of women in the show helped highlight the themes of fate and desire, what society wants from a person, and what a person wants for themselves.

This leads to Lee Yim, his entire character goal was to gain freedom. Freedom from the court, duty as the prince, and from the scornful eye of the King. It was interesting to see a male character be a romance obsessed, naive prince, with very little experience. And Cha Eun Woo sells it, I liked him in this role and have a hard time seeing anyone else play this role. This is interesting because he always plays tsundere types like in the 2018 drama My ID is Gangnam Beauty ( which is a very good drama) and True Beauty (2020). I prefer him playing this kind of naive and sweet role it suits him well. But his development and fight for both freedom and love for Hae Ryung were deeply moving and sweet and I just loved his development.

This brings us to the romance between him and Hae Ryung with a few spoilers for the latter half of the show. Some people I saw didn’t like the romance in the show, but I liked it. The show doesn’t change with it, and it could almost be the same without it. Except for one thing towards the end which follows Hae Ryung’s development. Lee Yim is set to be married, which cuts off the blooming romance between them short. And you have this discussion of a career driven woman vs wife, Hae Ryung loves her job and work and being a historian, but she also loves Lee Yim. But she can’t have them both, if she becomes his wife she’ll have to give up her career. And this is a predicament which many women even today find themselves in, the love of their career and having a family. And the unfairness of having to choose, none of the men would have to make this choice they can have it all ( in this matter) but due to the fact she is a woman, and one of the first female historians there is this pressure. And I’m so glad that they touched on this.

The next thing I loved is the ending! They do get to have it all (to a certain extent). It was so cathartic to watch. Lee Yim was able to travel, escape his duty as a prince, stay with his small found family ( the eunuch, and the two court ladies), and be with the one he loved. Hae Ryung gets to continue to be a historian, be respected, have her love, and not be married. The Crown prince was able to be King and rule fairly. The crown princess escaped her marriage. Officer Min got to continue being a historian. Etc, etc. it was all so satisfying.

Overall despite how it seemed Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung was such a good drama full of friendship, family ( even unrelated), female friendships, and empowerment, with nice humor and romance around the serious and interesting political plot.

[walkwithheroes84]

Rest of 2021 Watch List

With only six and a half months left of 2021, it’s time to get serious about my drama watching habits. I’m so behind and there are several things that are (supposed to be) coming out in the later part of the year. So, here is my list of things that I want to start/am interested in. Granted, some of these things may change as more information comes out about them. Or I may just decide not to watch them. And some may get pushed back into 2022. 

Already Aired:

Lucifer: season 5b (USA) - Though the first half of season five left us on a cliffhanger, I just cannot seem to sit myself down to finish out the season. It may be the mixed reactions of long time fans or the knowledge that season six is the last, either way, I’m having a hard time getting back into the show. 

Youth of May: (South Korea) - This romantic, moody, slice-of-life drama. I was waiting for it.The ending is going to break my heart, so I have to be ready for it. I hear the preformances are amazing, but I know I’ll be crying. 

Word of Honor: (China) - Everything I’ve heard about this drama makes it sound amazing. And while I know things will be heartbreaking - I just need to prepare. 

Currently Airing:

Doom at Your Service: (South Korea) - I watched the first four episodes (I think?), but I am waiting to binge it after it ends. Why? The first few episodes were so good, I want to be able to watch it all at once. 

The Penthouse: War in Life, Season 3: (South Korea) - I was super excited for this one...then I heard about Logan’s “brother” and, uh...maybe I’ll just watch the clips of my favorites?

Mad for Each Other: (South Korea) - I know very little about this drama, but it looks amazing and I’m hearing good things. 

Mine: (South Korea) - So, it sounds like two daughter-in-laws of a rich family work together to get what they want. It looks good.

My Roomate is a Gumiho: (South Korea) - It just looks fluffy and adorable. And I need that. 

Coming Soon:

June:

Ancient Love Poetry: (China) - It just sounds sweet and sad and I love a good Chinese drama that will make me smile and eat up the angst.

Nevertheless: (South Korea) - Honestly? The Netflix trailer looked interesting. 

July:

The New Version of the Condor Heroes: (China) - I love this story and the 2014 one was a hotmess. The promo pictures look good, though they were released in 2018. Rumor is the drama has been shelved, but we’ll see what happens. 

The Devil Judge: (South Korea) - You have Ji Sung staring in a dystopian drama, where he is the as the head judge of the highest court in the land. The court has become a TV reality show, with viewers invited to participate in a live. The one person looking to take him down is Kim Min Jung as the director of a corporate social responsibility foundation. And then you have two childhood friends: Park Jin Young and Park Gyu Young, idealist who want to make their world better. I look forward to Ji Sung and Kim Min Jung battling it out, and maybe corrupting the idealist cop and younger judge.

Boku no Satsui ga Koi wo Shita: (Japan) - This one may not ever get English subtitles, as Japanese dramas aren’t really subbed anymore...however, the story sounds amazing. A young man finds out his dead foster-father was a professional killer and this young man decides to take up the “family business” to avenge for the father.  The young man approaches a womanwho is his assassination target. Despite his skill as a hitman, he can’t ever kill her, not matter how hard he tries. Instead, he ends up protecting her and the two fall  in love. This could go so many places and I want to see it.

August:

Red Sky: (South Korea) - A beautiful and genius painter meets a blind officer in charge of astronomy, geography, art of divination, and meteorology. The two fall in love. And it’s marked as a “historical romantic fantasy”? Yes, please! 

October:

The Red-Stained Sleeve Cuff: (South Korea) - The story of Sung Deok Im, a court lady.  She catches the eye of Crown Prince Lee San. Once the prince becomes king, he wants Sung Deok Im to become his concubine, but she refuses. Yet, Sung Deok Im becomes the concubine of King Jeongjo. This could be angsty. Also, it stars Lee Jun Ho (who you may remember from Just Between Lovers) and Lee Se Young (who always brings it). 

December: (or 2022...?)

Twenty-Five Twenty-One (South Korea) - The love story of two people, who have really bad-timing, told over the period of four years. Personally, I’m hoping for a poignant human drama ala Just Between Lovers or Come And Hug Me. (Minus death and murders),

Return: (South Korea) - This is literally described as: “A fantasy drama about the stories of young magicians who deal with heavenly spirits.” It will be on tvN, which usually has really solid dramas. There is a cast of talented up-and-comers: Lee Jae Wook, Arin, Park Hae Eun, and Hwang Min Hyun. There are also some talented vets in the cast: Yoo Joon Sang, Oh Na Ra, and Joo Sang Wook. It’s beingdirected by Park Joon Hwa Everything looks great on paper. It’s just - the drama will be written by the Hong Sisters. During my early days of Kdrama viewing (way back in the mid 2010s), these ladies wrote some of my favorites. And while I did love Hotel de Luna and A Korean Odyssey - it has become very clear over the years that these writers don’t do well during the second halves of their dramas and they aren’t always great at endings.

Snowdrop (South Korea) -  It takes place in 1987, and follows students at a prestigious university in Seoul. It will be written by Yoo Hyun Mi, who wrote SKY Castle and The Bridal Mask. I’m looking forward to it, even though I heard there was pushback (which has resulted in the show airdate being moved back a couple of times) from the South Korean citizens'  who believe that the drama distorts facts related to the pro-democracy movement of the 1980s in favour of the authoritarian regime. This was based on an incomplete version of the plotline that had been leaked online, which describes one character as a “spy” and another lead as working for the NSP. We’ll see

At Some Point in 2021/early 2022...?:

The Witcher, Season Two

The Umbrelllla Academy, Season Three

The Boys, Season Three

[imaginariaextraordinaire]

Episode 8 is one hella packed episode and it is an absolute joy to unpack it, beginning with this:

Clever, clever idea to have Ji-Woo repeat the line that Mi-Joo just said to indicate Ji-Woo is taking charge of things as far as Assemblyman Ki is concerned. It's also a good reminder of how tone and intent can change the meaning of a sentence even if the words are exactly the same (which is why we need good translators).

Seeing Mi-Joo stride across the screen with Seon-Gyeom behind her, it struck me that we've seen a variation of this many times before, beginning with the credit titles. While Seon-Gyeom is the sprinter, the one we see constantly trying to up the pace and charge ahead is Mi-Joo. She's always intent on moving ahead faster — perhaps to outrun the past that she finally makes peace with during the marathon? — while Seon-Gyeom moves at a slower pace, disentangling himself from the constraints of his troubled past and troubling father. The only one time we see him race ahead (in episode 2), we also see him come back and slow down.

What I particularly love about Park Shi-Hyun's writing is that in addition to all the layers and complexity she's written into the scenes and characters, she's also written a very, very funny show.

Both Shin Se-Kyung and Kang Tae-Oh do such a fantastic job with both the physical humour (without being over-the-top) and the timing that's needed to play up the wit in the dialogues. Not that Siwan and Soo-Young do a bad job — the scene in which Dan-Ah proposes to Seon-Gyeom is hilarious. My favourite is still May, who is very funny throughout this episode (the shot in which we learn she sleeps with her eyes open! GOLD).

The transitions in this episode are so well written. The insights from one scene ricochet off the next. For example, Dan-Ah in the scene at the bar — where she tells the bartender she can't risk keeping the book in her own study because she can't risk people guessing she has anxieties — gives us a look at the problems of the privileged. This is followed by a scene in which Yeong-Hwa and Mi-Joo discuss student debts, which is a relatable middle-class problem. This in turn is followed by Tae-Woong saying that he takes selfies because he's addicted to the validation he gets from the likes each of those photos gets him — a Gen Z problem. And so it is that we get a spectrum of problems that people face and hide behind performative façades.

The likes that Tae-Woong talks about pop up with manic frenzy at the end of the heartbreaking scene with Dan-Ah in the parking lot, presenting the viewer with a terrible contrast — driving away from him is the love and acceptance that he yearns for from a sister who (he hopes) knows him. All he has to hold on to is the superficial attention of the love professed by a fandom that doesn't really know him at all. Soo-Young's performance is fantastic in this scene, especially when she asks in a voice tinged with desperation why Tae-Woong keeps coming back to her despite her treating him so badly. For the first time, you realise how much it takes out of her to lash out at this desperately-sad boy. "It takes effort to hate someone," Tae-Woong tells her. My heart!

Another fantastic set of transitions comes later on in the episode, when Mi-Joo and May are unwinding at the end of a long day at the film shoot.

This is such a great example of writing inter-generational female friendships. When May remembers not being paid for working overtime, it's an acknowledgement that things are better for working women (especially in film) than it was before, but as Mi-Joo's experiences show, there's still a lot to be done because women are still driven by a certain insecurity and anxiety to push themselves way too hard (as we see a sick Mi-Joo do later in the episode).

Of course a man tries to break this gathering up — because he wants to go to bed. Superb excuse, particularly because these women are talking how much they have to work — and it is deeply satisfying to watch all three of them shut him down and establish their right to unwind.

This scene of female friendship is followed by one that shows the friendship between the three runners. Then we get to see a fight scene full of male actors. The machismo of that performance is a sharp contrast to the awkward tenderness of Woo-Sik and Yeong-Il's conversation.

While on the subject of toxic masculinity, this is the episode in which we find out Dan-Ah's father forged Myeong-Min's birth certificate to make him legally older than Dan-Ah even though he's actually 10 months younger than her. All to ensure he has a male heir. It's a nice detail that Myeong-Min's mother is the one laying out the memorial service for Dan-Ah's mother because it hints at a sense of solidarity.

Also dismantling traditional notions of masculinity is Seon-Gyeom, whom we see at his most domestic as he cooks and packs meals for May and Mi-Joo, and does chores around the house once they're gone. It's very much an inversion of the standard male-female gender roles with the woman going out to work and the man as the homemaker. To underscore this point, we see Seon-Gyeom consider the leopard-print shirt (that May and Mi-Joo hang to give strangers the impression they've got an alpha in the house) for a second before putting it away.

Speaking of alphas, Mi-Joo's really got a thing for wild cats. In addition to that shirt, her blanket is also a leopard-print and when we see her calling Seon-Gyeom, she's standing in front of a painting of a tiger. All these seem to be digs at her posturing that she's strong and invulnerable and I burst out laughing when Seon-Gyeom folds the leopard-print blanket while muttering, "I'd have guessed this is hers even if she hadn't told me."

As disinterested as Seon-Gyeom may be in films, they play a big role in sustaining him emotionally. In this episode, it's the film set that helps Mi-Joo and him come together after their stupid disagreement. Equally importantly, the film set is where he gets the time and space to reconnect with his mother.

Run On has so much fun being meta with the film bits. The film shoot within a drama is indeed an old fake.

There are two film sets we see in this episode — one with Ji-Woo and the other with Mi-Joo. While Ji-Woo's set feels relaxed, the one Mi-Joo's working in is chaotic and taxing. The two women are also at different ends of the professional spectrum. Ji-Woo is a star while Mi-Joo is not just working behind the scenes, but she's come to fill in for the person who was the juniormost member of the crew.

When pointing out the main players of their film crew to Mi-Joo and May, Hui-Jin describes the cinematographer as "a bit racist, but still a gentleman". (Mi-Joo's response is superb: "Weird.") It's an interesting choice to make the cinematographer racist because that's the crew member who decides how subjects and scenes will be framed. "Racist but a gentleman" feels like a precise summary of the orientalist perspective which (aside from being overwhelmingly masculine) shows the East through stereotypes that are often superficially beautiful, but also reductive and damaging. Not surprisingly, this cinematographer is the reason Mi-Joo flounders while translating on set.

The film set is also the first time that Seon-Gyeom sees Mi-Joo's vulnerable side when she falls ill. It's such a clever choice to have Mi-Joo stop performing in a setting that's all about performances. Not only does Mi-Joo give up the alpha act when she's sick, she admits to Seon-Gyeom that when she's feeling helpless, her instinct is to resort to a performative lie — calling out for mom because that's what she saw other kids do as a child in a sick ward (imagine how isolated and neglected she must have felt to do this. Also, she's felt this way so many times that this performance has become second nature to her).

The anecdote suggests Mi-Joo's mulish championing of her self has its roots in past incidents when she tried to fit and either failed or was rejected. And yet, for all her strength and confidence, she's chasing phantoms and has been doing so since she was a little girl. All because she was alone and didn't have anyone she could reach out to for help. Which is why what Seon-Gyeom tells her at the end of the episode is so relevant. He helps her to reorient.

To which Mi-Joo, bless her leopard-print-loving heart, responds with

But my favourite part of this episode is the conversation that Ji-Woo has with Seon-Gyeom when he visits her set. First of all, Ji-Woo is playing a "vegan murderer", which is brilliant as ideas go and it's adorable how delighted she is about her violent roles.

I love how Run On doesn't punish Ji-Woo for sacrificing her family life for her work. Instead, it holds out the possibility that it is ok if you have that imbalance. In this scene, we see Ji-Woo's family reforming at the film set with Eun-Bi sending the coffee truck and Seon-Gyeom showing up just because Ji-Woo asked him to be there.

The mother-son conversation gives us a glimpse of Seon-Gyeom's bleak childhood and we learn that everything Seon-Gyeom did for his father was actually him doing what his mother had asked him to do. It comes as a surprise to Seon-Gyeom that his mother has noticed what he's suffered and that she understands how he'd hoped silently suffering would keep the family together. It's almost as though he's feeling seen for the first time.

Much like Dan-Ah, Ji-Woo may seem self-centred because of her ambitiousness, but she does notice what's happening beyond the obvious, especially when it comes to people she cares about. Both women are up against the worst of patriarchy. Also, I love that when she's talking about motherhood, Ji-Woo is blood-spattered — after all, being a working woman and a mother in a patriarchal is nothing short of fighting a war.

In previous episodes, it seemed as though Ji-Woo was the 'bad' (or at least not ideal) mother while Director Dong was the ideal, modern mother. Yet in comparison to how Director Dong later reacts to her son coming out, you can't help but feel Ji-Woo, with her unconditional support for her kids, might just be the better parent. What is great about Run On though is that that the script doesn't pit the two older women against each other as competing examples of motherhood or femininity. The point is that everyone's struggling, making mistakes and trying to learn from them. Ji-Woo is doing that and so will Director Dong eventually.

Love that the scene ends with Seon-Gyeom effectively declaring himself his mother's son. Take that, patriarchy.

[kim-lexie]

do do sol sol la la sol.

overview.

this drama follows the story of our tragic ra-ra who is currently in a mess, when her fiance runs from the alter and her father unexpectedly passes away, she is scammed out of her money and finds herself in eunpo, a town full of lovely characters who come to surround her. as well as our man jun, who is ra-ra's knight in shining armor. i love it. it's great. their story is funny and lighthearted. i would rate it a 10 out of 10; however, that finale had me balling my eyes out and i felt oh so betrayed.

this was a fabulous drama. each and every week i was waiting for the next episode. thank you to our beautiful man, lee jae wook, for interesting me to watch this. go ara did a beautiful job and i loved her as this carefree character. jun was such a great stoic character and we were able to peel back all his layers and i loved that he showed rara a different side of him. they were so lovely together.

*spoiler alert*

goo ra-ra. this girl was our carefree gem. at the start it was more of oblivious as she lived a very sheltered life, one in which she was always supported by her father. she was his darling. when he suddenly passed away our girl was left abandoned. this was tragic and she only had mimi by her side. she got herself together, after being abandoned at the alter only to be scammed. the definition of tragic for our leading lady. then we run into our knight in shining armor as she was trying to meet mr. dodosolsollalasol. (very sketch but we live in dramaland and it’s totally normal)

sunwoo jun. his character is stoic and quiet, reserved. never ventures outside, stays quiet as we later find to stay hidden from his family. but when ra-ra enters she seems to open him up. he ends up helping her financially after she runs into him on his bike, and she is injured. logic is nonexistent at this moment (we later find that he knew her previously but she forgot about him...) but he nevertheless, helps a girl out and this brings us to the wonderful people of this town, eunpo.

jun takes her back to his home because our girl is homeless. and introduces us to the fabulous crew in eunpo. now they’re not about to let this new girl into their circle. however, she quickly makes her way with her sweet oblivious nature. i loved jin sook-kyeong, with her hilarious nature, the owner of the hairdresser next door to where jun was staying. and her daughter jin ha-young. it was so funny how ha-young transformed from being obsessed with jun to finally seeing that her best friend lee seung-ki had feelings for her all along! literally the cutest progression of friendship to romance. and i loved that we got to see them in the end after a few years with a family of their own. 

i loved the little crew that they formed with ra-ra, jun, dr. cha, seung-ki, and ha-young. they were precious. how everyone would gather at jun’s workplace and eat dinner together. i loved how they all brought out different aspects of the other’s personalities. 

the ladies that all meet at the hair salon provide so much aid to ra-ra and i love how they all gather around her in support of her dreams from opening her own piano academy ‘la la land’, to wanting to find mr. dodosolsollalasol. they all rally around her. 

now ra-ra needs to earn her keep and pay back jun. la la land was a dream that came out of her wanting to continue to pursue music after her impact on mr. kim, an older fellow in the community who recently lost his wife.  (side note: i loved the episode where jun played mr. kim and ra-ra his late wife in recreating their love story. it was precious, and my heart was sooo full). this venture to start lalaland leads her to a prodigy student, jae-min. this precious bean goes on to do great things!! i also loved the moments when jun and ra-ra would come together after their long days and she would play the piano and jun would tidy up the space. they were cute and supportive of one another.

i cannot forget about our doctor cha eun-seok. this man seemingly followed ra-ra to eunpo. he wanted to escape seoul and start fresh in eunpo. he seemingly pursues her briefly but ra-ra already has feelings for jun. but he is a constant in her life, always there to be supportive of her dreams, and be there as a shoulder to cry on especially at the end. 

now on to the tea. as it turns jun has been on the run from his family. which turns out to be sunwoo group, the owner of the main hospital in seoul. and turns out jun isn’t an oppa, he is a senior in high school. he ran away after his family’s pressure became too much. they were unsupportive of him in his academic pursuits, as well as neglected his feelings of grief after his best friend ji-hun passed away in front of his eyes. but min-su the owner of the agency sent to track jun down comes and notifies his mother. and everything blows up. and we find out all about this and it shocks everyone in eunpo. especially our ra-ra. 

jun of course is dragged back to seoul to be essentially in lock down to study, but he misses everyone in eunpo especially his ra-ra. they seemingly go back to a somewhat normal life. jun in seoul studying, and ra-ra pursuing her career as a piano teacher. but our sweet beans seung-ki and ha-young decide to open a wedding business and use ra-ra and eun-seok as their first trial wedding. jun sees this post on social media and runs to eunpo, stealing the bride at the alter and running away with her. it was quite the ending to the episode. i was floored. like noooo way would she marry dr. cha. she still loves jun! and of course she did. 

nevertheless, jun still needs to finish school and then after the exams they decide they can meet again. but in the interim jun comes to find that he has leukemia. here is where it gets ohhh so soapy. he doesn’t want ra-ra to see him like this so he uses min-su, as he was investigating how jun was, to his advantage. he has his friend from school stand in as his ‘girlfriend’ to prove that he has moved on from ra-ra. it was devastating. because how she has truly realized how important jun was in her life and that she wanted to be with him. 

among all of this ra-ra comes to find that mr. dodosolsollalasol was not mr. kim but rather jun all along! she walks by a cafe of the same name and it all comes flooding back. they met prior to her piano recital, jun bought her a drink from the cafe because she lost her wallet. and it all comes full circle. she had to leave before he could come back after a phone call. jun sees the message she wrote to mr. dodosolsollalasol, and comes to see her one last time before going off to treatment. but they keep in touch via messaging and phone calls. he even does a virtual piano recital with them on christmas eve. it was precious.

and you think all is well. he will come back after treatment, and they can be together. well you thought. if you asked me at this point what i would rate this drama, a 10 out of 10. but these last two episodes threw me. his mother returns and basically says that jun is dead. everyone in eunpo thinks this man is dead. years....i say YEARS later ra-ra is playing her little song she played whenever jun would come home from work, and homeboy decides to waltz in the door. what the even?! at least they end up together, but i was still at a loss as to why he lied. it was so uncharacteristic of him. quite disappointed in the writers’ choices here. 

honestly, when i look back i still recall fond memories of this drama, but the last two episodes were soooo sour. but lee jae wook was in it and he got the girl in the end so i guess that makes up for the deducted points due to the nonsense. so it is still a 10 out of 10 in my book. i would highly recommend this one. it was a gem. 

[saltypicks]

reviewing may’s comebacks (in june, because i have shit to do)

There were a lot of comebacks this month. I guess it's summer now? No idea, there's no summer in my country. The girl groups have started coming back in full force but are not impressing. The boy groups seemed to mostly go the groovy route and now I need an adjective other than 'groovy' to describe songs.

Not The End, Highlight

I'm so glad it's not a ballad. It's not bad.

You are so beautiful, SGO

Everyday I'm grateful for the retro trend and this is a great representation.

Gray Area, Hi Cutie

At some sections I like this song (the verses and the chorus) and at others I dislike it (the trap breakdown, the middle of the chorus). I complained about MAJORS' company having no money previously but Hi Cutie's company is bankrupt. Poor nugus.

Dreamcatcher and GWSN have far superior 'Red Suns' but this song is okay and I'm happy the girls look so happy to have some work (and hopefully some money) at last.

Today, CITI

A nice midtempo song. And no, I did not hear it first from a drama OST.

Make Up Your Mind, AILEE

Sounds like a Beyonce-type song.

MALO, SHAX

Apparently this is a drama OST (Imitation, to be specific. It's based on a webtoon). Basic boy group song but it sounds like it's from the 2010s or something, and that's a compliment.

Hot Sauce, NCT Dream

Initially: Um...at least Renjun looks good? Honestly I don't know what to say about this song. NCT is a group I stan so this will definitely grow on me but...is this really not an advertisement for hot sauce? Also the set resembles the set for SHINee's Atlantis in my opinion. Now: The shouting is annoying and unnecessary. Love Chenle's voice in this; it provides a nice contrast to Haechan and Renjun. Someone said the chanting should've been left to the rappers and I fully agree. Don't know about Jisung and Jaemin but Jeno and Mark would be a good fit with a chant. In my opinion the dance break isn't really needed but is it NCT without a dance break? Also, wtf are they wearing around their necks? Someone should inform the SM stylists that less is really more.

DUN DUN DANCE, OH MY GIRL

It's light and pleasant but if this song was a meal it would be a tiny appetizer that tastes good but doesn't satiate you.

WHATEVER, KEEMBO

I didn't think I'd like it at first but this is groovy and makes me want to dance while doing my chores.

Always, VAV

Song for the fans but if you need a VAV song to listen to I recommend Gorgeous.

Hurt, Baekhyun & Seomoontak

Hasn't Baekhyun been shipped off to the army yet? Anyway, love how dramatic this is.

Waiting for Victor, 015B ft. Dawon

Another great retro song! Also the singer is cute and her hair is cute as well. She reminds me of Chuu a little.

Uncertainty Principle, 015B ft. Dawon

I prefer their other song, but this one is retro as well and it's great.

척하면 척, 강혜연 (Kang Hyeyeon)

Trot that's kind of subdued but still danceable.

Badly, SURA

Loved it from the first second.

BLACK MIRROR, ONEUS

Then: Is it good enough to make up for No Diggity? I don't know about that, but this song is groovy and I'm somewhat okay with it. Doesn't have much replay value for me though. Now: Eh, it's basic groovy boy group song but I won't skip if it comes on.

Breathe Again, BLITZERS

Another boy group with a somewhat questionable name. This song is pretty good as a debut and it's somewhat memorable. I wonder if my rating increeased because of the guitars? District 9 was the same for me, but right now it doesn't interest me. I think this song will stay for a good while on my playlist though. I like the anthemic vocals in the chorus and this song needed more of that.

EASY, WJSN THE BLACK

The girls looked good but the storyline kept getting interrupted by shots of the girls. Yes, we know they're all visuals but I'd be more interested if there was actual action and plot. The song is good objectively but doesn't really interest me. Who knows? Maybe a few more listens will change my mind.

Outerspace (ft. Loco), Kang Daniel

Groovy and better than his last two releases.

Giant, Yuqi

So nice to hear Yuqi's voice on its own. The song was fine until the chorus crushed all my love for it.

Glass of Tears, HONG JA

Appropriately dramatic for a song named 'glass of tears'. It's good and if you like trot you'll like this one.

Taste of Life, Yang Ji Eun

What do you call this? Folk trot? Whatever it's called, it's good.

LOOK AT ME, ICU

OK.

WE GO, fromis_9

It sounds like the token girl group summer song. I don't dislike it, but nothing about this song stands out to me. Honestly with a mini-album called '9Way Ticket' I expected more, because it reminds me of Nine Muses' Ticket everytime I see it. The b-side 'Airplane Mode' is pretty good though and the other one, 'Promise' is a slow song but I don't really mind it, it's fine as background music.

Next Level, aespa

Umm...what is SM's plan for these girls? How can a rookie group from the big 3 have only 3 songs? And only one is an original? The song is not the best thing ever and SM surely can do better but at least it wasn't as bad as M.A.F.I.A. aespa deserves more than this.

Ring Ring, ROCKET PUNCH

Finally after Bim Bam Bum these girls have a title track I enjoy. You can't go wrong with covering Take On Me, can you? It's no Platonic Love or Sea of Moonlight, and it certainly could have done without the rubbish trap section but it's a bop anyway. Meanwhile, the b-side Ride is great and I hope they promote it. This song would be more enjoyable if their voices weren't so shrill in the chorus. High notes aren't a necessity for good songs.

Advice, Taemin

Not the best of Taemin but it's good. I love the fast tempo of the piano and the way it drives everything. Taemin's performance also elevates this song and I'm grateful he's leaving us with a good song before going on his two-year vacation.

RUB-A-DUM, TRI.BE

They're really going all out with this 'tribe' thing, aren't they? It sounds very Middle Eastern to my ears at times, sometimes it sounds African-ish and the other times it is just typical trap kpop. DOOM DOOM TA was better and more fun. At least they got the catchy catchphrase right. Blackpink in your area who? Tri-bee da loca! The b-side 'LORO' is not much fun either. The only difference is it's Latin-influenced.

Shadow, Dreamcatcher

Typical Dreamcatcher song slowed down by a lot. It's not bad, plus it's nice to hear Dami sing. Also what is it with Korea and zombies? With the MV the song sounds a lot better but the MV distracts me. Shouldn't zombies be mindless? How do they use tools and know martial arts? Or is it just my eyes? And can that tiny gun protect anybody? Are you sure that's not a toy?

The beginning of spring, E'LAST U

Not horrible but not for me either.

Oh MAMA, BLING BLING

One of the few new ggs in a while with unfortunate names. They've clearly upgraded in terms of styling and MV budget, but their song quality is no different.

Let Me Know, PIXY

Sonically it sounds nothing like their dark concept. Actually it does sound like a dark concept, if done by a boy group. It's not bad but it's not good. The industrial-like sounds in the back are interesting but the whole song is not.

Son of Beast, TO1

TOO rebrands as TO1 with this song. It's groovy.

HAPPEN, Heize

For the first time I like a Heize song. The MV is interesting too, the story was cliche but I liked the visuals and aesthetics.

FEVER, ENHYPEN

Rhis song was from the [BORDER: CARNIVAL] mini. I listened to that mini but I remember not really liking any of the b-sides except the outro and the intro, so this is a surprise.

My Flower, Kim Jaehwan

Nice upbeat song with guitars all over it. I like it.

Corazon Perdido, Yesung (Super Junior)

Initially I wasn't going to review this because I didn't even review the title track but the final moments of this song are beautiful and it deserves a mention.

Butter, BTS

The song is smooth as its title. The MV is fine except for that ARMY thing; I cringed so hard.

Bonnie and Clyde, Yuqi

Better than the other one.

Ride, ROCKET PUNCH

This is so great and I'm glad it got its own video, even if it was just a dance video glorified as a 'Special Stage'. Now if only I could stop chuckling whenever I hear "looks rike a lainbow".

Rush Hour, GAHO

Love it, especially the guitar strumming moments and the chorus when the electric guitar comes in.

GEMINI, AB6IX

Love how the vocals don't distract from the great instrumental.

FIRST, EVERGLOW

In a comment section someone said La Di Da was a fluke and I kind of agree. Everglow returns to their usual style (chanty chorus + catchy riff repeated over and over) and this song is in the same vein as Adios. I like the chorus but the rest of the song is hard to recall. Siyeon, Aisha and Yiren are the only ones who actually look good and EU needs more lines and her blonde hair back. Also why does kpop think that moving the camera around a lot creates the illusion of motion? All it does is make me dizzy.

Like It Hot, GWSN

Sometimes I like GWSN title tracks, and sometimes I don't. I don't think much of this song, but their album is great.

Je T'aime, Joy

I love you Joy but this is boring. If it was meant to be a lullaby then SM succeeded.

Burned All Black, Kim Jaehwan

His other song is a ballad which is somewhat pleasant. Well, it was until it slowed down in the first chorus.

Purple, woo!ah!

Still not one song from woo!ah! I like.

GGOMA, Tae Ho (IMFACT) and Choi Ye Geun

Loved Choi Ye Geun's Scarecrow so I was happy to see her again. The song is groovy but the chorus sounds somewhat...empty? Love the scat at the end, should've been longer. This is also a great example of a bright boy group song. See? Upbeat and bright boy group concepts don't have to be childish.

DIAMOND, Sparkling

Another Imitation OST. I honestly doubt that there are actual kpop songs as bad as this.

7days Tension, Weeekly

Ad song. Bright and the chorus is nice.

0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You), TXT feat. Seori

The angsty opening line caught my attention, then the verse after it dropped the energy. It picked up again in the chorus and pre-chorus, thankfully. It's very much pop rock, except there are no guitars in this. Doesn't stop the song from being good though.

Hello, Joy

I love Joy's voice as always but this song doesn't do much for me even though it's upbeat. A few more listens might change my mind.

Call Me, Omega III

Another Imitation OST. Doesn't do much for me, just like all the Imitation MVs. At least let us understand what your drama is about. Instead we get these random shots of what idols are supposed to be like? I don't know much about idol life but it's obvious these girls would be called nugus in real life, and I honestly doubt nugus have such nice living conditions.

No Answer, LA LIMA

Jiyeon from T-Ara is on this one. This and MALO are my favourites from the Imitation OST so far. The song is nice with a sleek catwalk vibe to it but like the rest the MV is boring.

Show Me, Tea Party

Are these the Omega III girls? Not sure but I think so. MV still boring, song doesn't interest me.

Let me go!, The Volunteers

Great rock song, I just wonder why it's all in English (I'm not complaining).

[queensqewed0722]

I have a confession to make:  I was one of those who gladly anticipated the drama “Crash Landing On You” and looked forward to seeing Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin in the series. I liked the premise and thought it would be interesting to watch the romance unfolding between a loyal, North Korean soldier and a pampered South Korean heiress.  

I tried to watch it as it aired but things got in the way and I ended up watching it in spurts after the drama had already ended. I liked it well enough, but not enough for it to actually make a lasting impression on me.  I loved the gorgeous location and cinematography was top-notch. Hyun Bin was both funny and charismatic as Captain Ri Jeong Hyeok, his comrades as equally funny in their attempts to understand Son Ye Jin’s Yoon Se Ri, this strange creature from the other side of the border who spoke in a strange accent and acted so differently from the women of the North.  Son Ye Jin was beautiful and the epitome of style as the heiress from Seoul who fell in love not just with Captain Ri but with his comrades as well, and learned to somehow appreciate the beauty in the simplicity of their lives.  

Yet despite the fact that CLOY had all the factors of the kind of drama that I would love, and Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin had the chemistry for it, it wasn’t their story that made a deep impression on me. Rather, it was the secondary female character, Seo Dan, played by Seo Ji Hye, an actress I’ve never heard of.    

Seo Dan is the fiancée of Captain Ri, and they were betrothed by their parents when they were still in high school.  Seo Dan has always been in love with Jeong Hyeok, but he doesn’t care for her and only sees her as an obligation to his family.  Seo Dan is a cellist and loves classical music, like Jeong Hyeok, but somehow it never brought them closer.  

At first glance, Dan comes off as cold, aloof and arrogant, and so she is.  She is, after all, an heiress of the largest department store in Pyongyang, wealthy in a nation where most of the people do not own much in terms of personal wealth. Yet her cold exterior hides a vulnerable and insecure side. Seo Dan longs to be loved and accepted by Jyeong Hyeok and she has spent half of her life trying her best to win his heart.  

In the course of the story, she meets Gu Seung Jun (alias Alberto Gu), a con man who had once been engaged to Yoon Se Ri until Se Ri found out his real motives behind his desire to marry her and she terminated the engagement.  Seung Jun had used money he had stolen to flee and hide in North Korea.  His life gets entangled with Seo Dan because of their connection to Se Ri and Captain Ri.  In the process, Seung Jun falls in love with Dan and, though reluctantly at first, she learns to love him too.  But fate isn’t on their side, and just when Dan realizes her feelings for Seung Jun, he gets killed trying to save her.  

In the end, Dan decides to end her engagement to Captain Ri and live her life alone as an independent woman since she had lost the man she loved, who loved her in return.

Unlike most CLOY viewers and fans, I really didn’t care much for Gu Seung Jun’s character.  He was funny and could be charming, annoying at times, but to me, his importance lay in the fact that he awakened a side of Seo Dan that would have lain dormant if he hadn’t come into her life.  He made her realize how it felt to actually be loved by someone for herself and not for what she could give (money) or what she represented (power and influence).  He made her feel wanted and appreciated for who she was.  I wasn’t so much into their relationship, but I appreciated it for what it did for her.  Seung Jun was a catalyst for Seo Dan’s character growth.  I think, more than anything, he taught her how to love and appreciate a person in spite of them.  After all, Gu Seung Jun was everything that would have gone against Seo Dan’s values and upbringing.  

Seo Ji Hye actually made Seo Dan a very sympathetic character.  In the hands of lesser actresses, Seo Dan would have just been another villainess, a second lead competing for the affections of the male lead with the female lead.  She would have been deemed evil and inferior in all aspects by the viewers, no matter how beautiful or accomplished she may be.  But with Seo Ji Hye, Seo Dan wasn’t a caricature.  She was human.      

I think that was a major factor that made Seo Dan and Gu Seung Jun’s romance almost as compelling and interesting to the CLOY viewers. Its tragedy was juxtaposed with the happy-ever-after of Captain Ri and Yoon Se Ri, and to them it was just as unforgettable. (Of course, this being Kdrama, there has to be the token tragedy inserted into all the romcom sweetness and since that can’t come from the main leads, it was supplied by the secondary leads.)

In “Dinner Mate”, though, we see a totally different Seo Ji Hye as mobile content producer Woo Do-hee.  She’s still beautiful and statuesque, but where Seo Dan was all cold elegance and grace, Woo Do-hee is a bundle of energetic quirkiness and warmth. Gone are the fashionable trench coats, scarves and distinctly styled and colorful dresses of Seo Dan.  What we see now are jeans, slacks, and peasant blouses under vests, topped by coats and blazers.  And her hair is no longer immaculately combed and held back by jeweled barrettes and her makeup is no longer strong.  Do-hee’s naturally made-up face is framed by soft bangs and slightly wavy long hair that’s either held in a half-pony or full-ponytail. There are no barrettes to be seen anywhere.        

And Woo Do-hee smiles and laughs more readily than Seo Dan.  And she tends to make faces or pouts when she’s displeased.  Dan would never do that.  She’s very much in control of her emotions, down to the way they’re expressed on her face.  At most, she would have made a small moue of displeasure if annoyed or a close-lipped smile when pleased.  Do-hee, on the other hand, would either screech in indignation or smile up to her eyes.

But one thing that I’ve liked about how Seo Ji Hye portrays her roles is that she does them with such genuineness.    Regardless if she’s Seo Dan or Woo Do-hee, the sincerity of her character always comes across.  I especially notice this when she cries in her dramas.   Unlike other actresses who, even when they cry, still give off a feeling of detachment (as if their tears are merely superficial), Seo Ji Hye weeps with such deep-felt emotion.  Her pain and sorrow are just so palpable.  Her face literally crumples into tears.  (Well, she still looks gorgeous even after weeping but then, she’s just one of the lucky ones who couldn’t ugly-cry even if they tried.)

I remember feeling so bad for her as Seo Dan when she screamed and cried after Seung Jun died, and I felt just as bad for her when she wept when she was talking to Ah-young about the futility of pursuing her feelings for her dinner-mate, Kim Hae-kyung.    Something in the way she looks and the expression in her eyes make me feel that she’s no longer acting.  She seems to totally inhabit her character.

Another thing that I found wonderful about her is that, because she has this natural presence and charisma, she is able to establish chemistry with her co-stars, whether they be her love interest in the drama or just another character that her own character acts with.  I think that was the reason a lot of viewers got sold on the idea of the romance between Seo Dan and Gu Seung Jun.  She and Kim Jung Hyun made them a viable pairing. And now with “Dinner Mate’, she looks wonderful with Song Seung Heon and they work so well together.  Yet amazingly enough, she also looks great with Lee Ji Hoon. (Some viewers even jokingly said that since she also has great onscreen chemistry with APink member Son Na-eun who plays Song Seung Heon’s former lover, maybe there will be a plot twist and their characters end up together instead.  Ha-ha.)  

That’s why I find it strange that she doesn’t seem to be well-known as a lead actress, although she seems to have done her share of lead drama roles early in her career.  But then I’m not surprised.  She probably prefers doing character roles to lead female roles and that’s probably to her advantage artistically.  Supporting character roles would allow her to stretch her acting chops and give her greater flexibility and range.  And although she’s physically gorgeous, she does give this air of aloofness and strength, as well as cool elegance and grace.  Coupled with her low, husky voice, what comes across is the image of an independent woman who lives life on her own terms and can easily tell anyone to f*** off.  Not quite typical KDrama female heroine material.

In any case, I think she’s now one of my favorite Korean actresses and I do look forward to her next projects.  I hope she gets to do film projects or dramas at the level of my KDrama standard, “My Ahjussi”.  But I will always keep my fingers crossed that she reunites with Song Seung Heon.  They’re just magical together on and offscreen and I’d love to see them again in the future.  

[jadetea-writing]

Better Together (Andi/Juliette Childhood Friends AU) WIP

"Andi Eun-Ji Kim!"Juliette glares at the woman sprawled sideways in her chair, "You dirty chip thief!"

Andi grins back, "Don't act like I won't find another three bags in your desk."

"…four, actually," Juliette sighs, "So are you just here to raid my snack stash?"

"Maybe I just wanted to visit my bestest bud, hm?" Andi's grin turns sly, "… so is Paris around?"

"Ha ha ha," Juliette snarks, "Very funny. She's still pissed, you know."

"About what?"

"Your existence," Juliette walks around her desk, "You have two seconds before I sit on you."

Andi flips backwards—the showoff—with a laugh, "I usually don't get that offer until the third date."

"You broke it off after the third date with your last three Flint matches," Juliette deadpans.

Andi just waggles her eyebrows and eats another chip.

"Seriously? You're not going to even defend yourself?"

"They knew what they were getting into," Andi shrugs, "I don't make any promises I can't keep. Speaking of promises…"

Juliette looks up from her desk at Andi, then checks her watch, "Oh shit, did I miss–wait, no, today isn't our lunch day."

"It's not, but you missed girl's night last week, so I thought I'd give you a reminder that if you're not at my apartment by 8PM tonight, I'm obligated to hunt you down and set your paperwork on fire."

"I don't remember that being a part of girls' night."

"It's a new policy I'm implementing," Andi eats another chip, "My other idea was to post increasingly embarrassing videos of me ringing your doorbell–"

"I don't have–"

"Okay, ringing your elevator or poking your door man until he reacts. I feel like I went with the tamer option."

"Wow," Juliette deadpans, "Much calm, such restraint. I'm in awe of your zen."

"I'm glad someone sees it!" Andi shoves her way past Juliette's arms to sit on the blonde's lap, "Now pinky promise that you're not going to miss tonight!"

Juliette rolls her eyes, but obliges her friend, "Bourbon or wine?"

"Yes."

Juliette raises an eyebrow, "That bad?"

"Ugh, don't get me started," Andi pulls a face, "Four years. Not a single call or text, but suddenly they're all about 'being a family' and 'reconnecting'."

Juliette winces and gives Andi a hug, "I'll bring a tub of mint chip."

"Ooh, Jules, you beautiful woman. Muah!" Andi gives her a cheesy kiss on the cheek, "You know me so well."

"Unfortunately," Juliette gives Andi one last squeeze, "On that note, I'm going to have to kick you out of my office now if you want me to make it to movie night."

"Boo. I'm taking the chips with me," Andi shakes the bag in emphasis.

Juliette waves absentmindedly, then looks up when she hears her window slide open, "Wait, where are you–Andi! We talked about this! I'm on the fourth floor!"

Andi blows a raspberry and climbs out the window anyways. Juliette rushes over to make sure her idiot friend is okay, then sighs in relief when Andi climbs down without harm.

"You're a menace to society!"

"Love you too, Jules!"

[AN: Lowkey posting just to shill myself and Connection, the first volume of a Bat/Cat/MC series. My more legit reason is to gauge interest in this AU—I'm trying to decide if I want this to become a huge thing like RitD or make it shorter. (Which still means like, 50k+ words lmao)]

[beauti-full-lie]

Asian Drama Asks

i just wanted to answer on every question without waiting for request. And sorry for mistakes, english is not my native.

1: Favorite K-Drama? Just one? Brobably W: Two worlds

2: Least favorite K-Drama?   Flower Boy Next Door,  High-end Crush

3: First K-Drama you watched? Fated To Love You

4: Last K-Drama you watched? The Tale of Nok Du

5: K-Drama OTP(s)? Kang Chul & Oh Yeon Joo (W: Two worlds), Do Bong Soon & Ahn Min Hyuk (Strong Woman Do Bong Soon), No Ji Wook & Eun Bong Hee (Suspicious Partner), Kim Mi So & Lee Young Joon (What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?), Jang Joon Sung & Jang Yi Jin (Oh My Venus), etc.

6: K-Drama NOTP(s)? Oh Jin-hee & Oh Chang-min (Emergency Couple), Eun Ha-won & Kang Ji-woon (Cinderella with Four Knights),  Kang Han-gyul & Yoon So-rim (The Liar and His Lover). This is truly hard question haha

7: Preferred drama genre? Romance as usual

8: First drama you considered your favorite? One and best W: Two worlds

9: Favorite Korean actor(s)? Lets see... Lee Jong Suk, Park Seo Joon, Jang Ki Yong, Seong Hoon, Kang Ha Neul, etc.

10: Favorite Korean actress(es)? Han Hyo Joo, Park Bo Young, Song Hye Kyo,  Jang Na Ra, Kim So Hyeon, Lee Da Hee, etc.

11: Favorite K-Drama cliche? Sudden acquaintance from childhood

12: Least favorite K-Drama cliche? I don’t know... jast the obvious things

13: Top five K-Dramas? Oh My Venus, While You Were Sleeping, Descendants of the Sun, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon,  Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo. Five is not enough.

14: Boys Over Flowers or Secret Garden? Neither

15: Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo or Cheese in the Trap? Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

16: Jealousy Incarnate or Oh My Ghostess?  Jealousy Incarnate, because i didn't watch the second one yet

17: Descendants of the Sun or W: Two Worlds? I cant pick one from my top dramas

18: Moonlight Drawn by Clouds or Legend of the Blue Sea? Legend of the Blue Sea

19: Strong Woman Do Bong Soon or Shopping King Louie? Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

20: Reply 1997, Reply 1994, or Reply 1988? I did not watch any of them

21: Lee Jong Suk or Ji Chang Wook? Lee Jong Suk. He’s cutie

22: Song Joong Ki or Park Bo Gum? Mmmmmm.... Okay, sorry Bo Gum, I like you, but... Song Joong Ki

23: Jo Jung Suk or Seo In Guk? Jo Jung Suk. In Guk annoying me someway

24: Jisoo or Nam Joo Hyuk? Nam Joo Hyuk. I hate his Habaek, but in love with him in Weightlifting Fairy and Moon Lovers

25: Park Hyung Sik or Kim Soo Hyun? My puppy Park Hyung Sik

26: Favorite Lee Min Ho drama? I’m not a huge Min Ho’s fan but I love The Legend of the Blue Sea

27: Favorite K-Drama bromance? Son Oh Gong & Woo Ma Wang (Hwayugi) adoring me

28: Favorite K-Drama friendship? Bae Ta Mi & Cha Hyeon & Song Ga Kyeong (Search: WWW), Eun Dan Oh & Ha Ru & Lee Do Hwa (Extraordinary You)

29: Favorite actor/actress duo? (one male, one female)  Song Joong Ki & Song Hye Kyo (Descendants of the Sun)

30: Favorite actor duo? Lee Jung Suk & Jung Hae In (While You Were Sleeping)

31: Favorite actress duo? Kim Hye-jin & Min Ha-ri (She was pretty)

32: Do you watch dramas with 30+ episodes? Yes, I did. Five Enough was my first and only. But I’m watching Love Is Beautiful, Life Is Wonderful right now and it’s 100 episodes.

33: Thoughts on web-dramas based around idol groups? (ex: EXO Next Door) It is good for groups fans but not interesting enough for the rest as usual.

34: Favorite idol actor? Do Kyung Soo (Exo), Cha Eun Woo (Astro), Park Jin Young (Got7), Park Hyung Sik (Ze:a)

35: Favorite idol actress? Bae Su Ji (Miss A), Lee Ji Eun (IU), Im Yoon Ah (Girls Generation)

36: Song Hye Kyo or Han Hyo Joo? Song Hye Kyo is like older version of Han Hyo Joo in my imagination. I love them both a lot.

37: Nam Ji Hyun or Park Bo Young? Little peanut Park Bo Young

38: Jung Eunji or Bae Suzy? Suzy

39: Jung So Min or Kim So Hyun? i watched almost every drama with Kim So Hyun just because of her

40: Kim Seul Gi or Kim Go Eun? I don’t understand why people often saying that Kim Seul Gi is ugly looking. I think she’s pretty enough and she’s a good actress

41: Favorite Park Shin Hye Drama? I didn’t like Shin Hye until Memories of the Alhambra.This drama made me recognize that she can be annoying less.

42: Favorite K-Drama kiss scene? Oooooh.... First of all kiss in the prison in W: Two worlds, handcuffed hugs was so cute. Kiss on a piano in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Hyung Sik was so passionate. Kiss in the closet in What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? was romantic as heaven. I can’t remember every good kiss scene because dramas have a lot of this stuff.

43: One K-Drama you could rewatch over and over? W: Two worlds again. And again. And over again.

44: How often do you watch C-Dramas? Sometimes. I don’t like them because of the large number of episodes in most cases and it’s hard to wait long for the translation from chinese

45: How often to you watch Thai Dramas? Rarely. But sometimes good things come across. If the main female character is less hysterical

46: How often do you watch J-Dramas? I watched just a few of them. I like Japanese anime more

47: Least preferred type of drama between Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Thai dramas? Japanese

48: Favorite C-Drama? Weiwei's Beautiful Smile

49: Favorite J-Drama? Good Morning Call

50: Favorite Thai Drama? Full House

51: Go-to K-Drama when you have nothing else to watch? I almost only watch them all of time

52: Favorite male lead character? Kang Chul W: Two worlds is my presious secretly boyfriend haha

53: Favorite female lead character? Cha Hyeon (Search: WWW). I like her so much. She’s so girly sometimes and cute, and smart. She remind me myself as well when she obsessed watching TV shows

54: Recommend 3 fluffy AF dramas Touch Your Heart, Something About 1%, Fight for My Way

55: Recommend 3 angsty AF dramas Tomorrow With You, Before We Get Married, Hotel Del Luna

56: Recommend 1 mini-drama (any # of episodes, each last <30 minutes) Three Color Fantasy: The Universe's Star

57: Recommend 1 mini-series (30+ episodes, 1hr long each) Love Is Beautiful, Life Is Wonderful

58: List 3 dramas you plan you watch When the Camellia Blooms, The Light in Your Eyes, Time

59: Tell a random story involving K-Dramas I can’t remember anything

60: Name one drama you dropped, and explain why Mischievous Kiss. I like anime a lot, and thai tv-version, but korean one... i can’t, it’s too much silly

original post

[ipurpleyou1993]

My thoughts on:

Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung

Starring: Cha Eun Woo/Shin Se Kyung/Lee Ji Hoon/ Park Ki Woong

- Stand up for what you believe in. I think this is very important. People usually take advantage of those who are weak. So make your stand - especially if your boundaries and rights are being poked.

- Sometimes, being different is okay. Averting the community's standards is okay too. Why be like everybody else when you can be yourself?

We do not have to compromise our identity to match other people's standards. ✅😊💯

- Let us be each other’s support system. Let us value encouragement over discouragement. If someone wants to sing/dance/act/write, let them. Let them find what they are passionate about and support them.

Encouragement and kindness are free.

- Equality has come a long way. 👍🏻

The series is set during the Joseon Era where the status of women depended on who they marry. They are practically born to serve men during this time. So, I’ve come to appreciate the liberties we have now more than ever.

- Do your part. Do not be afraid when you are just doing what you are supposed to do.

- Adapt to the changing times. Change is the only thing that is constant. Let's all move forward with lessons from the past. 💜

- Wouldn't it be nice... if the world was Cadbury? Char! Hahahaha! Wouldn't it be nice if someone makes the decision to let go of everything just to be with you? #SanaAll

It may sound cliché but it's really romantic - how two persons can come together to achieve everything together. Wouldn't this really be nice? 😊❤️🥰

- Safe to say, no matter what era we are currently in, women make the world a better place. HAHAHAHA!

The Gist:

The series depicts the story of two young individuals who, despite being in different social classes, fell in love against all odds.

Shin Se Kyung plays the role of Goo Hae Ryung. She is a quirky young lady from a noble family who enjoys reading a lot. In saying so, she works as a book-reader to noble ladies in her neighborhood to earn money. Although, due to her book preferences, she always ends up not getting paid.

During this time, women tend to enjoy books about cringy love stories - most of which are written by “Maehwa”. Hae Ryung, on the other hand, prefers western literature which usually end depressingly. Hence, the no-payment scenario.

Little did everyone know, Maehwa is the pen name of Prince Dowon Yi Rim (played by Cha Eun Woo). He is the King’s son who lives at Nokseodang - the most secluded area in the palace - where he stays with a eunuch named Sam Bo and 2 young court ladies.

Naturally, as a kid who never left the palace, he is very innocent, naive and gentle. He found writing as a means to pass time inside the palace. Thus, the inspiration for the novels he usually writes are the secret love affairs of eunuchs and court ladies.

Digging deeper into the conflicts inside the palace, the king and his right-hand man decided to request the hiring of female historians. They meant to spy on the queen dowager who seems to be plotting against them behind their backs by doing so.

This move took a turn when the crown prince - Yi Jun - approved the plea on the condition that the female historians should take the civil service examination for government employees and that their involvement should not be limited to the queen dowager but to ALL members of the royal family.

A lot of controversy rose as females were not allowed to hold any position in the government during this time.

Hae Ryung and Yi Rim's story start to blossom here - when Goo Hae Ryung decides to ditch her arranged wedding to take the civil service examination to work inside the palace as a female historian.

They are set to an adventure of finding out their real identities and the people behind their past experiences.

The rest is for you to find out. So, watch this. It will be worth your time. 👍🏻💕

What I liked about the series:

- I love how unconventional the theme of this series is. Well, it's a gender bender type of story. The aggressiveness of the female lead and the innocence and naivety of the male lead is fun and fresh. ❤️💕😍 It makes the story more interesting since it's different from the traditional sageuk we are previously acquainted to. 👍🏻😊❤️

- I was thrilled when I found out that Cha Eun Woo was casted here as the male lead. I grew fond of him when I watched My ID is Gangnam Beauty. He's such an eyecandy! 😍😍😍

Of course, in relation to his outstanding visuals, we get to see a glimpse of his beautiful physique *wink wink*

On a serious note, what I liked about him in this series is that he has a very demure personality. Rarely do we get to see men in sagueks who are effeminate - mainly because historical dramas are very patriarchal in nature (IMO, ✌🏻).

I also liked how his character really transformed from this very innocent prince to a very mature potential king. The character growth was well-displayed so it was very satisfying to watch. ❤️😊😍

His acting is one to praise as well. I could say that he has improved a lot in the duration of the series. You might find this hard to believe in the beginning. But wait til you see him in the last few episodes. You'll get to appreciate his improvement more. 😊👍🏻💯

Aaaaand, may I just say, the term "Face Genius" really works for the man. Well, who wouldn't love this BB's face? TELL MEEEEE! 💕😂😊

- I was impressed with the acting skills of Shin Se Kyung here as well. The role of Goo Hae Ryung suits her! Her portrayal of the character was so on point that it actually came out naturally. Good job! 👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I love how her character is so independent, responsible, intelligent, fun, aggressive (in a good way), lovable and just plain quirky with a sunshine-attitude. Like I said, I enjoyed seeing women do what is considered taboo in this particular era. It's something fun and interesting to watch. 💕😊👍🏻💯✅

In this day and age, I think we need more Goo Hae Ryung's in the world - someone who stands up for her rights; someone who is not afraid to do her part for the common good; someone who is not afraid of power; someone who does not bend over backwards for power; someone who is righteous and responsible.

Very few are blessed with this kind of courage. So, if you're one of these very few individuals, SALUTE!

Also, I love how she looks so elegant in a Hanbok. She's rocking the traditional outfit as if they were casual attires. No wonder she was part of the 2017 Hanbok PR Ambassadors. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

PO: I honestly think not all korean actresses look good in this traditional outfit. ✌🏻

- Their chemistry is 💯💕💕💕💕. They look good together. All their scenes made my heart flutter and skip a beat. 😍😍😍

- I like how the series tackled a bit about Christianity. There's this one scene that I really liked between Min U-won and another historian who was willing to let go of his position and to sacrifice his life for his religious belief.

I honestly appreciated my faith more because all this time (in my 26 years), I was and I am still reminded that all are equal - rich or poor - in the eyes of God. 💯😊✝️

- Friendship appreciation post: I loved how the friendship of the people in this series protected and cheered up each other.

It's always good to know that someone has your back - all the time. 😊✅💯

- Yo, I also loved the big reveal regarding the leads' identities. Goosebumps, everywhere! Especially...

SPOILER ALERT!

Especially when they confronted the king on the latter part of the series. Ooohweeee! Daebakkk!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

- Storywise, it's good. 💯

It talks about love, forgiveness, friendship, faith, loyalty, dignity and responsibility.

Kudos to the team for a job well done! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Cons:

- Okay... I have to admit, I did find the acting skills of Cha Eun Woo a little mediocre at the beginning. It was as if he wasn't ready for the role...

Some of his facial reactions were either exaggerated or repetitive... ✌🏻

But, let me tell you this. Do not let this bother you. He's got something in store for you on the latter part of the series. Do watch. 👍🏻😊✅

- I was a bit sad too when I heard that Cha Eun Woo was paired with Shin Se Kyung. My first impression on Shin Se Kyung is not that good. I honestly thought that her acting skill is not that impressive (Personal opinion, friends ✌🏻)

I have watched her in The Bride of Habaek and I was quite disappointed. Same with The Girl Who Sees Scents. 😔

But then again, all more reason to watch this because she really showed off what she's capable of. I've come to love her here because her acting prowess was showcased beautifully! 💕👏🏻👍🏻

- Again with the villain predictability. One can say that this story has the usual sageuk villain. ✌🏻

Soundtrack:

Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung OST

My personal favorite is Fall in Luv by Henry. It's the first track in the link provided above. 👆🏻👆🏻

Highly recommended for those who want to stray from conventional dramas. This one's fun and really enjoyable! You won't regret it! 💯👍🏻😊

CTTO Photos/GIFs/Music

[lipstickchatexu]

under the cut are my historical muses!! please like this post if you’re interested in plotting with any of them ! please DO NOT like this post if you are only interested in ban as i will only be accepting plots with him on a selective bases as last time i introduced my historical muses he was the only one people where interested in and that was very saddening for me:/ 

king ban. younger half brother of sang and the current ruler. older brother of luda. married to queen sun. murdered his father and pinned it on his brother so he could take the thrown for himself. has three wives but outside of his wives MOST of his lovers are male. stabbed is brother a bunch of times and left him for dead in the woods. e v i l. he’s prince zuko without the redemption arc. no redemption arc for him! he’s an asshole. age thirty. fc: hong jong hyun

prince sang, also called king sang by his followers. the older half brother of ban and the rightful king. older half brother of luda. was engaged to sun before YA KNOW his brother tried to kill him and married her instead. was left for dead in the woods where geon found him and spent years nursing him back to help. started a rebellion to get his throne back and return the kingdom back to peaceful times. his main driving force is getting his brother off the throne because he’s e v i l (did i mention ban is evil yet??). age thirty. fc: im siwan

queen sun. wife of ban, former fiance of sang. older sister of rin. is basically pulling a sansa stark and playing everyone. has convinced her husband that she’s totally loyal to him. spoiler alert she’s not. she’s not sure if the rumors that sang is alive and leading the rebellion are true but she never lost faith in him or their love and so to help she’s basically trained a secret army of palace women into being warriors and assassins. and before you ask the reason she hasn’t killed ban yet is because there’s no heir to take his place yet OKAY she’s working on it! sassy. a feminist. queen. i love her. age: twenty-eight. fc: kang hanna

rin. younger brother of sun and a member of the palace guard. like his sister, rin is still fiercely loyal to king sang. honestly if it wasn’t for his desire to protect sun he would have run away and joined the rebellion by now. is the definition of looks like he can kill you but is actually a cinnamon roll. although don’t be fooled boy is deadly with a sword. constantly his to stop himself from just lopping ban’s head off every time he opens his mouth. a protective boy who loves his mom and his sister and believes the word can be a better place if only everyone would calm down for like two seconds. age twenty-five. 

princess luda. younger sister of ban and younger half sister of sang. was just a child when the rebellion happened and ban has kind of warped her memory of all it. while she outwardly believes ban’s story that sang killed the former king she’s started to have doubts about it. was very sickly as a child and still has major health issues so she has not been out of the palace more than a handful of times in her life. might be a bit bratty and spoiled but she’s getting there. is secretly learning things from queen sun that she is definitely not supposed to be learning. age twenty. fc: gong seung yeon

daehwi. the son of one of king ban’s royal advisors and also ban’s former lover. emphasis on F O R M E R lover. after rumors spread throughout the palace that the royal advisors and lords and other angry old men where trying to find evidence of ban’s affair with men he turned on daehwi and publicly punished and humiliated him before banishing him from the palace, leaving daehwi deeply broken. he wandered aimlessly for a time before he ended up joining sang’s rebellion. while sang welcomes daewhi, other members of the rebellion are still hostile towards him. age twenty-five. fc: cho yoon woo

jeonghee. a former lady of queen sun’s who was also one of king ban’s concubines (long story). she fled the palace after she found out she was pregnant with the king’s child and sought asylum with sang and the rebels where she gave birth to her son eun who’s six years old now. much like won, she does not partake in a lot of the fighting but often assists won in surgeries and healing. age twenty-five. fc: shin se kyung

ara. a member of the rebellion. the daughter of a blacksmith who always wanted to change the world. though her father was too old and weak to join the rebellion, ara went after he encouraged her to make a difference. she is fiercely loyal to king sang to the point where most people think she’s in love with him despite being the worlds biggest lesbian. badass archer warrior woman whom i love. age twenty-six. fc: seo ye ji

jinwon, usually just called sook. the older brother of sook and the rebellion’s medic. suffers from a serious case of nightmares thanks to the traumatic childhood he shares with his sister. is actually a pacifist and stays out of the fighting is probably the only member of the rebellion who’s never killed anyone. has literally brought everyone back from the broink of death at least twice. let him rest please. age twenty-four. fc: yoo seung ho

jinsook, usually just called sook. the younger sister of won. has a deeply DEEPLY traumitizing past that i will only tell you about if you ask but basically she’s got a bone to pick with king ban and his soldiers. her father was executed on the same night that ban killed the king and took the throne. is the youngest warrior in the rebellion. actual human version of the  (ง •̀_•́)ง face. age nineteen. fc: z.hera

hyoseop. a former scholar who fled from ban’s rule after his betrayal of sang. his wife was murdered by royal soldiers after refusing to house them and he hid himself in the woods for many years, becoming the source of many stories about a mean wizard who lived in the deep, deep woods. was pulled into sang’s rebellion after realizing he had a chance to avenge his wife’s death. age thirty-two. fc: yoon shi yoon

saebyeol. one of queen sun’s lady and the commander of her secret group of warriors and assassins. she’s also called the spider and is responsible for the deaths of several high ranking officials although of course no one knows that saebyeol is the spider because she wears a mask. is rolling her eyes anytime a man is speaking. generally does no speak which has led most people to believe she is simple minded. age twenty-nine. fc: han yeri

geon. older brother of hae, jung and yoo. the son a high ranking official. after his father was killed, geon left home at seventeen to join the rebellion only for his whole family to be taken captive as revenge. a very skilled archer and is sort of considered the rebellion’s secret weapon. sad angsty boy who just wants to save his family. and also maybe shoot a few royal soldiers. age twenty-two. fc: kwak dong yeon

hae. younger sister of geon and the older sister of jung and yoo. being held captive because of her brother’s allegiance to the rebellion. queen sun’s protege. she uses her beauty and innocent naivity to trick people into thinking she’s helpless when she’s not. is really tired of ban and his bullshit and really wants someone to just stab him. age nineteen. fc: kim yoo jung.

jung. the younger brother of geon and hae and the twin brother of yoo. being held captive by the king because of his brother’s allegiance to the rebellion. angsty and angry and general wants to fight everyone but at his core is just scared of losing everyone and everything someone give him a hug. age sixteen. fc: nam dae reum. 

yoo. the younger sister of geon and hae and the twin sister of jung. being held captive by the king because of her brother’s allegiance to the rebellion. works as an atendant to princess luda but is a sneaky little thing and likes to hide in closets and eavesdrop on people. age sixteen. fc: kim saeron. 

[kpopnkoffee]

Drama Review: Mask

Show: Mask

Starring: Soo Ae, Ju Ji-hoon, Yeon Jung-hoon, Yoo In-young

Genre: Mystery, Melodrama, Romance

Language: Korean

Availability: Viki

Episodes: 20

Synopsis: Byeon Ji-sook is a sales clerk at a department store where she suddenly meets her doppelgänger, Seo Eun Ha. While Ji-sook is stuck in crippling debt along with her family, Eun Ha is the daughter of a congressman and the fiancée of chaebol heir Choi Min Woo. Min Woo and Eun Ha are engaged to be arrange married and neither of them holds any affection for the other. Min Woo is a patient seeking treatment for his mental illness, but hopes to be named successor of his father’s company. After an unpleasant argument between the two, Eun Ha suddenly hangs between life and, to save her family, Ji-sook decides to put on a dangerous mask.

Review: This drama was really one of a kind. I’ve never watched such an intense drama with such amazing actors. They each conveyed their role in such a unique way that I found it difficult not to feel hatred for the villainous characters and affection for the protagonists. This is an incredibly intense drama that takes a lot of energy to binge-watch. It may be triggering to those with severe depression or anxiety, so please be wary before you watch this! Though it is classified as a “Romance” on Viki, I would really rate it more as a Mystery. There are things that you don’t find out (but probably suspect) until the last few episodes. With all the twists and turns in this drama, it gave me a new appreciation for KMystery Dramas.

Rate: 7.5/10

***SPOILERS AHEAD***

It took me a few episodes to wrap my head around what tf was going on.

Eun Ha is found drowning in a pool with Choi Min Woo waking up from unconsciousness. Nobody else is found around the pool and the immediate suspicion is that Min Woo, after an argument with his fiancée, pushed her into the pool and let her drown. The CCTV camera shows no evidence of this...because everything from after the argument to Eun Ha’s rescue has been erased. The biggest mystery then is who killed Eun Ha?

It’s a classic doppelgänger-switch movie, but what makes this interesting are the reasons behind the switch, and the main lead’s backstory. Min Woo is an illegitimate heir and he blames himself for his mother’s accidental death, but it’s interesting to see this unfold over the course of the series. There’s not too much backstory to Ji-sook or Mi-Yeon (the female characters), but Seok-Hoon seems to have some. His backstory isn’t revealed until the very last episodes, though we get glimpses of it near the beginning of the show.

I thought this was kind of a waste, because it would have been nice to know why he was going about murdering people and exploiting them- it would have given his character some dimension earlier on in the show.

The only real people I believe had any character development were the main leads (maybe). Ji-sook definitely showed incredible and beautiful character development as she goes from being a wimpy doormat to a confident, self-loving woman. I hated the way she dealt with the problems that came her way, but I liked her attitude near the end. She held no fear and did what was right knowing that it would put her in danger too.

Min Woo’s character development is kind of unusual and possibly inaccurate. He’s the typical “cold and arrogant” male lead and he meets Eun Ha (Ji-sook) and turns warm-hearted and kind. He suspects something’s not right and is intrigued by his new wife because she is not the arrogant and aggressive woman he first met. What’s unusual is his sudden decline in obsessive-compulsive behavior. Even if one is not diagnosed with OCD, it is difficult to completely get rid of that behavior. The sudden change without therapy, medication, or any obvious help from a professional doesn’t seem realistic or representative of those that experience OCD-like behaviors. But I suppose it was nice to see some representation of mental illness in this show (there is so much stuff going on here regarding mental illness!)

Mi-Yeon is an evil b**** through and through. She only has eyes for her husband and will do anything and everything to save her marriage, including sacrifice her brother and sister-in-law. You can see some possible character development near the end, but really I think she’s incredibly wishy-washy and I definitely disliked her (strongly). The actress who played this role was amazing, because I definitely felt all the negative emotions I was meant to feel. A lot of the times I skipped parts where she came on because I couldn’t stand her (and her absurd loyalty to her husband). She definitely needed therapy imo, and not from Min Woo’s original therapist either (you’ll get it when you watch the show). There were parts near the end where I sympathized with her, but I never really liked her.

Same with Seok-Hoon. There is some incredibly sudden “character development” in the last episode and I found it stupid. It came out of nowhere and I think the producers could have done better without it. Doesn’t seem to make sense and it just...leaves me feeling nothing for him? Like I think the last scene was supposed to make me feel sympathy and “oh he’s a nice guy after all”, but I didn’t feel that and just saw it as the writers not making a commitment with the character. I think it would have been nicer to see some signs of it in previous episodes or perhaps see some of this “development” in the beginning or something. This just came out of nowhere though and I was not a fan.

Overall this drama was really interesting and though the plot was kinda predictable, I thought it was cute. The male lead’s acting could have been better, the chemistry between the characters could have been more interesting, it could have been shorter, and the pacing could have been better. But I enjoyed the show. I would definitely recommend it to someone who needs a serious melodrama/mystery show to watch!

[gwynne-fics]

Pictures

council

“I want you to cut my mother’s connection to her garden in Seoul.” Young-Do wasn’t surprised by her declaration but Mother’s eyebrows went up. Eun-Sang spent the morning reattaching Kang Ji-Hyuk to his gardens and now they were eating breakfast as a family. He remembered doing this before school when they were younger. Their family was a little different now. He and Rachel were married and Mother had two lovers, only one of whom was at the table. “I am angry enough I want to destroy her connection to the World Tree but I also don’t want to kill her.”

Mother tilted her head thoughtfully. “When do you want me to do it?”

“During tomorrow’s board meeting.” Young-Do took her hand when it began shaking. Eun-Sang would do tomorrow’s hostile takeover completely alone. Just Eun-Sang against her mother. He believed in her but he also knew how nervous she was to make this play.

“Hee-Jin will be with you. That’s all the allies you need.”

“The board will fall in line once it is clear you will outrank President Park. I think a six month probation is more than fair.” Kang Ji-Hyuk offered her an encouraging smile. Young-Do was relieved he was in good spirits after his near death. Eun-Sang needed the people around her to remain calm.

Cerberus laid himself over her feet, under the table. He didn’t even get up to eat the food Hye-Rim kept dropping for him on the floor until the meal was nearly over. Eun-Sang and his mother went over the plan and spent the morning crafting her statement. He really wanted the theatrics to pay off for her and he was annoyed he couldn’t be in the room with her until the shareholders meeting next month.

Young-Do called Hyun-Shik to get him through his own business fires and was relieved again that his staff had most everything under control. He went outside into the garden to give Eun-Sang some space as he looked at the damage to Mother’s backyard. It was a lot like the damage Eun-Sang’s garden went through after Hee-Nam forced her to have a miscarriage.

He found a pair of work gloves, some trash bags, and a set of pruning shears so he could get to work. Once Cerberus figured out what he was doing, he started piling up dead pieces of wood for Young-Do. It was around lunchtime when Eun-Sang joined him with her own pair of gloves. He enjoyed working silently with her even though his aura started to get a little twitchy whenever she attempted to improve the soil.

It calmed down a little when she paused to lay her head on his shoulder. Then she took his hand, removed his glove, and placed his palm against her stomach. “Can you feel it yet?”

Young-Do gaped at her as the tiny spark of life inside her reached out to him and he began crying. He wrapped her up in a tight hug and felt incredibly protective. “Eun-Sang--”

“The aura formed after I healed Ji-Hyuk. I am worried something might happen to it tomorrow but it is proof that we can do this. My mother keeps a security office next to the board room. I told Go Nam-Il that he could have access to it. If you think you can calm your aura down to this level, I think you should come with me, and stay out of sight, just in case my mother tries anything when she feels it.”

Young-Do just felt awe as he looked down at his hand. The life inside her was just hours old. How many fathers got to know this quickly? How many fathers could feel the precious life of their child under their fingers?

“You’re not worried they have their own aura?”

Eun-Sang shook her head. She reached up and wiped the tears off his cheeks. “Our child will have you to teach them. It will be okay if the rules don’t exactly line up for us. We have a good family. There is no other daughter-in-law in the world as lucky as I am. Your family is beautiful and I am welcome in it. I am nervous about tomorrow but I’m not afraid.”

“I’m proud of you,” he said. “Your company needs a bit of chaos and you’re going to shake them up. You did amazing this last month with the vaccine subsidiary.”

“Once I found my stride, I could see why you enjoy ruling your domain. It became interesting and fun once I was no longer overwhelmed.” She squeezed his hand and kissed him. She clearly intended it to be brief but Young-Do pulled her into his lap and kissed her for several minutes. Eun-Sang whined before she pulled away. “I need to go review the information packets Go Nam-Il put together for me. I requested bibimbap for lunch because I know it’s your favorite.”

Young-Do watched her go with a quiet sigh. He tried to get back to work but ended up playing more with Cerberus than removing detritus from Esther’s garden. Rachel came out to get him for lunch and he was glad to see she appeared much more relaxed than she had been last night.

“Where’s Hye-Rim?”

“Hyo-Shin got permission to take her to work today from Bo-Na. I gave my team a barrage of tasks to get done so I could sleep a bit more. He told me he’s helping Eun-Sang do this legally. The tension in the back of my neck is gone.”

“He chose us last night.” Young-Do wiped his gloves off and removed them. He set them aside and went to go sit on one of the benches with her. “I still don’t like him but that’s progress.”

Rachel shrugged and pulled out her phone. She scrolled through it before handing it to him. Her article was up and the netizens were commenting. He read through them and then had to shrug. “That’s the response you wanted.”

“It’s the right takeaway. He wronged me and then did something men don’t often do--he atoned. He went to jail, Young-Do, and bad things happened to him because of it.” Rachel laid her head on his shoulder. “He doesn’t give himself any leeway in this article, not even when the interviewer pointed out that it was only an audio recording he took without my permission. He doesn’t equivocate between the two.”

“If it had been video, I would have killed him, Rachel. There is a difference.”

“There is,” she agreed. “I’ve forgiven him, oppa.”

It had been years since Rachel called him that. He briefly closed his eyes. “I haven’t.”

“I know. But I trust him again. When we were dating the first time, I knew he was hiding something in our connection. I thought it was his name because I asked him to hide it. That is gone, Young-Do. His love for me and Hye-Rim removed it. He won’t betray us. I won’t live my life afraid that he will betray me again. I love him.” She stood and bent down to kiss his forehead. “I am grateful you are trying to get along with him. Hye-Rim won’t ever have to choose between you.”

He didn’t know what to say to that. “Eun-Sang is pregnant. I’m scared for her tomorrow.”

Rachel slowly smiled and it was vicious. “Park Hee-Nam doesn’t know what’s coming.”

[jinniesxlamp]

The Tables Have Turned - Chapter 1

Groups Involved: BTS x GOT7 x Red Velvet (Irene)

Pairings: IRENE x JIN x READER x MARK TUAN

Genre: Angst - Fluff - Smut

Summary: Seokjin has been forced to marry due to a dating scandal with Irene. Initially thinking his ‘wife’ meant nothing to him, he keeps taking her for granted. But what happens when your ‘no one’ becomes ‘someone’ to another man? What happens when the tables turn? Will it be too late to regain what once was yours?

A/N: Hello everyone! This is my first BTS fanfiction, just a disclaimer before we start. This is PURE fiction and a HATE-FREE environment. I love Kpop and all the wonderful people surrounding it. I have nothing against Irene, Mark and SM Entertainment. Everything is created to fit the fictional plot perfectly. Thank you! 😊❤

LIST OF CHAPTERS --> Masterlist

cheoeumbuteo geudaeyeossjyo

naege dagaol han saram

dan han beonui seuchimedo

nae nunbicci mareul hajyo

baramcheoreom seuchyeoganeun

inyeoni anigil baraeyo

babocheoreom meonjeo malhaji moshaessjyo

hal suga eopseossjyo

It’s as if you were in a completely different world with the sound of Gummy’s ‘You Are My Everything’ overlapping any loud murmurs or any form of noise for that matter. 

“Does everything fit okay Y/N?” suddenly you were focused back to your reflection on the mirror. 

For the past five minutes or so your attention wasn’t really in the tiny dressing room which only Ji Eun, one of BTS’ stylist and yourself occupied. This was the first time you actually eyed yourself closely. A gentle smile curled upon your soft, pinkish lips nodding at the sight of the older lady fixing the slim strings of your gown. 

“Oh yeppeuda” her eyes shone brightly whilst clasping her hands at the sight of beautiful you. 

“Jin is a very lucky man...”

Anyone else wouldn’t question the excitement in they way she had said those words, but to you it was faint like an illusion. The beautiful smile that once was plastered on your face had immediately disappeared.

Knock Knock Knock

“It’s time to go” your eyes shifted to the familiar depth of a certain man’s voice. 

The moment your eyes met, you had this longing feeling of hearing something from him. A compliment maybe? Some sort of appreciation with words--and even without. But there was nothing. Of course. Nothing.

“Omo! Ya! You startled me!” Ji Eun jumped in surprise

“Maybe if you lowered the volume of that thing you’d know what’s going on around you” Jin replied pointing at the black speakers on the table with the usual playful/cocky smug earning an eye roll from the Unnie in return.

As you stood there witnessing their short bickering, you met his eyes again turning his head slightly to the right gesturing you to come out.

“Ji Eun unnie, thank you for taking care of me tonight” you bowed your head before walking past the door.

“Ya. Seokjin” Jin almost had his back faced towards her attempting to close the door

“Ne?”

“Take care of her. She’s precious”

Y/N’s POV

The night was still young, spectacular too just like last year. Though this has probably been your tenth time at an awards night, you still haven’t gotten used to the immense crowd--flashing lights on every corner, familiar and unfamiliar heads turning to see you and many other things that made you slightly uncomfortable. Why did you come anyway? You don’t know either. With every invitation similar to this, Jin would always ask if you wanted to come. Not once did you enjoy nights like this, yet you never say no.

You let out a subtle sigh, almost unnoticeable as you watched your husband laugh from across the room with BTOB’s Eunkwang and a very beautiful woman who made your stomach twist in a knot whenever she’s a little bit closer to Jin than you’d prefer--Red Velvet’s Irene.

“Noona, you look beautiful” that awful knot in my stomach then began to loosen upon hearing the words I wish Jin had said. A light chuckle escaped my lips for the first time today

“Thank you, Kookie”

“Of course she does. I personally think she’s the most beautiful woman in this hall” Jimin, trying to compete with Jungkook’s compliment pretended to whisper those words into his dongsaeng’s ear.

“Thank you, Jiminssi” the three of us ended up exchanging smiles, they were so natural that it didn’t seem like I knew what was going on inside their heads.

In events like this, everything has become predictable. I would enter the building with Jin, hand in hand with the biggest smiles on our faces posing for the cameras. We would settle down in the table with the rest of the boys, have dinner and proceed with the program. And then, all of a sudden I’m sitting or standing alone in a corner staring at him from afar, freeing himself from a cage that was me. 

But then again, Jungkook and Jimin always made sure I wasn’t alone. The pity in their eyes while they stare into mine are unmissable. How I wish they knew how thankful I am for saving me from breaking at this point.

Our conversations swung from how they only got three hours of sleep last night due to Taehyung’s loud game commentaries, to how Jungkook froze at the sight of IU ten minutes ago.

“Ya! Jungkookssi!!!” an arm appeared swinging across Jungkook’s shoulders causing an interruption to Jimin and I teasing poor Kookie about the IU incident.

“Oh Yugyeom!” the handsome boy grinned at the sound of his name being recognized.

“Annyeonghaseyo” both Jimin and Jungkook greeted the other man standing beside Yugyeom while I stood there with an awkward smile.

“Yugeom, Mark hyung, this is Y/N Jin hyung’s wife” 

“Annyeonghaseyo” I greeted with a bow

“The rumors are true, you truly are very beautiful” Yugyeom bowed formally while Mark smiled delicately making me blush in an almost inappropriate manner. 

Unlike the other events I had gone to, this became much bearable thanks to Jimin and Jungkook’s humor and even better with Yugyeom and Mark’s arrival. 

“Ya, Bambam just started playing this game. I think you’ll like it, it’s something new here in Korea. I think he’s one of the first ones who has it” Yugyeom said, nudging Jungkook’s arm.

“If that’s what I think it is...where did he get it from?” Jungkook’s eyes started to glimmer like shining stars, imagining himself playing it in his little game den.

“Which reminds me, I haven’t bought you a birthday present yet. It’s long overdue. If you want I can get it for you” Jungkook’s eyes widened even more wondering if he was hallucinating Jimin’s exact words

“We can go ask him for the details. He’s just sitting there with Jackson hyung”

Jungkook gave me a look I wasn’t sure how to read. It took awhile for me to understand that he was asking my permission if he could leave me alone for awhile.

“Go ask him, Kookie. Jiminssi, you can go too. I’ll be okay” I told them, with my most genuine smile.

“But Noona” the two of them exchanged pitiful looks

“I’ll be alright, you’ve spent half the evening with me” reaching out my arm, I carefully squeezed Jungkook’s arm from the back pushing him slowly towards the direction they’re headed.

“Don’t worry I’ll keep her company” my eyes twinkled at Mark, somewhat confused but that remark seemed to help Jungkook leave guilt-free.

“I’m not really that much into games” he chuckled, whispering into my ear.

Somehow, his voice gave me relief.

“So, I um heard you’re from America?” he asked. I turned to face him, taken aback from the question.

“I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer that” the pinkish pigment appearing on his cheeks made me smile in amusement

“Yes I am. But I wasn’t born there”

“So you’re not American by race?” I shook my head lightly for an answer with an evident smile

“That makes the two of us then” there was something in the way he reacted that made me forget about the uncomfortable things surrounding me.

The time went by even faster, thrice, no, maybe four times faster that it usually is. I laughed for the first time in awhile. I even spilled champagne on my gown while trying to show him a gesture with my hand. We talked and talked without minding the fact that we had just met. We had so many similarities that were too interesting to set aside. Should I pinch myself? Because unlike those other nights I’ve spent sulking in the corner, I think I might have enjoyed tonight.

It was getting late, everyone else was sitting back on the table, ready to leave anytime soon. Everyone but the two maknaes and you. A missing Jungkook and Jimin wasn’t that much of a surprise to the other members, they tend to be all over the place in big events like this. What was suspicious though was you not sitting and waiting in your table like you always do. Jin always mingled all night and came back to find you waiting for him but to his surprise you were nowhere to be found. 

“I’ll go find Jiminssi and Jungkookssi” volunteered Taehyung

“Do you know where Noona is hyung?” Jhope, just like Jin found it really odd that you weren’t there knowing you always waited for his hyung.

“She’s probably in the restroom or something” he shrugged, pretending not to care.

Ten minutes passed by and you still were out of the radar. Jin’s eyes were starting to wander in unconscious hopes to find you within the crowd. His brows were now furrowed in frustration. Even Jhope, Namjoon and Yoongi were scanning the entire hall, worried about your whereabouts. 

“What was she wearing again hyung?” Yoongi asked, he was too drowsy to take a good look at you on the way to the venue to notice your attire

“Silver silk. Thin straps, almost thread-like. Deep V by the chest area.” Yoongi nooded as he continued to look around.

Hoseok and Namjoon on the other hand exchanged looks, quite surprised with the details he laid out. He does pay attention. A few moments later, Namjoon turned to Yoongi feeling a slight nudge on his arm. Hoseok too turned to the sight Yoongi was seeing. Although they all knew your real situation with Jin, they couldn’t help pushing each other as to who was going to tell him they found you laughing intimately (?), obviously having a great time with Mark from GOT7. Jin was too preoccupied to notice their gestures.

“Ehem” Namjoon finally made a sound, immediately gaining Jin’s attention.

“Hyung” he turned his head slightly to your direction which Jin caught on right away. He stared for a second, not sure how to react. More so, not sure how to describe how he felt. It took him almost a minute to stand up and walk to your direction, not thinking twice about interrupting your little chitchat.

“Annyeonghaseyo” Mark had noticed him first, bowing to him as a sign of respect which Jin reciprocated with a nod. You turned to face him, expecting the same blank reaction which you weren’t really surprised to see anymore. You could’ve sworn there was something else in that not-so-blank stare. 

Mark on the other hand could feel the hidden tension in Jin’s stares. 

“Thank you for keeping Y/N company” he said plainly. Mark acknowledged.

“It was my pleasure” his sweet smile caused Jin to unconsciously observe your reaction.

“I enjoyed the night thanks to you” Jin’s brows furrowed at the informality of your conversation and again, he pretended not to care.

“We’ll be taking our leave” his voice was plain with a very slight hint of sarcasm

“Gaja” he commanded. You bowed to Mark one last time and followed Jin with a less heavy heart--and a brighter smile.

[tinamaetales]

2017 K Drama Journey

It was that one night, while scrolling through my facebook feed that I came across this short clip from Doctors wherein Park Shin Hye is beating up the gangsters in the ER. I got curious so I decided to find a copy of it and try watching a K Drama. I thought, why not give it a try? It was during those times that I was recovering from my PUD and I just resigned from my job and I really want to watch a good tv series and K Dramas are really popular nowadays so I decided to give it a try and, I wasn’t disappointed. K Dramas, as cliché as it may sound, changed my life. Every show I’ve watched was a roller coaster ride of emotions. In addition, they taught me lessons I never expected in the first place.

I would just like to share with you a “summarized” version of my views about the kdramas I’ve watched in 2017 (cause ya know, I’ve already posted my individual reflections about them here)

Doctor Stranger

My rating: 7/10

Starring: Lee Jong Suk, Park Hae Jin, Kang So Ra and Jin Se Yeon

This is an interesting drama to watch because it doesn’t only focuses on the romance aspect but also divulge into the topic of politics and medicine. The best part? The competition between Park Hoon and Han Jae Joon for it served as an avenue for their growth both as doctors and as a person. However, I felt like the romance part in here is a bit forced; I’m sorry but the main couple has zero chemistry.

My fave quote: “…the doctor’s gown you wear? That’s sufficient enough for people to put their lives in your hands. Let’s not disappoint them”

My fave OSTs:

Like Tomorrow Won’t Come by G/O

A Good Day Like This by Jeon Hye Won

More of my reflection:

https://tinamaetales.tumblr.com/post/158622149566/strangers

https://tinamaetales.tumblr.com/post/159863753466/who-is-the-real-stranger

Goblin

 My rating: 10/10

Starring: Gong Yoo, Kim Go Eun, Lee Dong Wook, Yoo In Na and Yook SuengJae

The best K drama ever. It’s perfect. That’s all. This K drama will make you value life more and will show you that death isn’t something we should be afraid of – it’s a part of our journey on Earth, an end to a life once lived and it will only be regrettable if you didn’t live your life right. Anyway, this is a story about a Goblin who lives for more than 900 years and is searching for the Goblin’s Bride that will pull out the sword from his chest to end his immortality is surely something that would catch your attention. Let’s also add that he has an amnesiac Grim Reaper for a best friend (lol) and a spoiled brat ‘nephew’ who is so in love with his credit card. What will make you get hooked in this drama? It’s how every character are related to each other both in beautiful and painful ways; yes, even that gorgeous chicken store owner has a very important role. The part that broke my heart in this drama is the realization that the key to ending the Goblin’s immortality has become his reason to stay alive. It’s ironic how someone who has the ability to end you is also the only reason for you to keep going. Ang sakit bes.  It was a perfect mix of romance, comedy and drama.

My fave quotes:

“Every life is touched by a deity at least once. Just when you’re drifting away from the world, if someone nudges you back in the right direction, that’d be when the deity chooses to visit you”

“If god really only gives one as many struggles as one can handle, he may have thought too highly of me”

“The ones left behind should live even harder. We might cry from time to time but we should smile a lot and cheer up. You are obligated to do that in return for the love you received”

“Every human dies at some point, that’s why life is even more beautiful………If today is my last day, this will be my final memory of the person I love so I’d better live hard and love”

“How could you tell me to remember only the happy memories but to forget you? That makes no sense because every moment I spent with you was a happy one even though each and every moment was also sad and difficult. So, did my dying to protect you become your happy ending?”

“I will come as the rainfall. I will come as the first snowfall. I will beg the divinity to do just that”

“Every moment I spent with you shined. Because the weather was good. Because the weather was bad. Because the weather was good enough”

My fave OSTs: (all of them actually, lol)

Beautiful by Crush

Stay With Me by Punch ft. Chanyeol (EXO)

I will go to you like the first snow by Ailee

Hush by Lassie Lindh

I miss you by Soyou

And I’m Here by Kim Kyung Hee

You are so beautiful by Eddy Kim

Heaven by Roy Kim

Round and Round by Heize

More of my reflection:

https://tinamaetales.tumblr.com/post/160115970831/souls

https://tinamaetales.tumblr.com/post/161922642721/i-dont-wanna-live-forever-goblin-post-part-2

https://tinamaetales.tumblr.com/post/175471572666/hes-always-listening-goblin-post-part-3 

W

 My rating: 8.5/10

Starring: Lee Jong Suk and Han Hyo Joo

One of the most interesting plots in the K drama land; it is a story about the lead character of a famous comic book series who developed “free will” that scared his creator so much to the point that he wanted to kill off his main character. Kang Chul’s (the comic book’s main character) creator is afraid of how he seem to be directing his own story so his solution is to kill him however due to an amazing twist of fate, the creator’s daughter (which happens to be a doctor) gets sucked inside the comic book world every time that Kang Chul is in danger in order for her to save him. This k drama knows no chill by the way, it will keep you on the edge of your seat every episode. It’s intense and sometimes stressful to watch but you will love every moment of it anyway.

My fave quotes:

“But in last moment, he suddenly thought of one word: ‘Come-from-behind-victory’. Kang Chul decided to keep fighting until he found the true culprit – he wouldn’t be able to take back his own life. So he will find the culprit before he dies, no matter what.”

“The first purpose of the characters are to deliver the story. When the purpose is gone, the character disappears forever. On the contrary, when a character’s purpose becomes clear… then the character becomes one of the main characters by force”

 My fave OST:

Where are u by Jung Joon-young

Please say something, even though it is a lie by Park Bo Ram

More of my reflection: 

 https://tinamaetales.tumblr.com/post/164668803281/hero

 https://tinamaetales.tumblr.com/post/174726704651/kang-chuls-fight-is-my-fight-w-blog-post-part

Love in the moonlight

My rating: 9/10

Starring: Park Bo Gum, Kim Yoo Jung, Kwak Dong Yeon, Chae Soo Bin and Jinyoung (B1A4)

My first historical drama. It’s charming especially when you have Park Bo Gum as the Crown Prince and Kim Yoo Jung as the female lead, what more can you ask for? The romance side of this feels natural and would make you feel kilig everytime! You will love it to the moon and back. Moreover, the social issues it presented were still timely and relevant. It will make you realize that no matter how many years have passed and how different the government system has changed through the years, if those in position are motivated by their love of power instead of service to people then things would definitely won’t turn out well. This drama shows us that it is when the government listen to its people that it can be effective. The officials should not create higher gates and longer barriers between them and its people but instead open its doors and close the distance after all, without its people the government is nothing.

My fave quotes:

“I wish you would be a king with good eyes because if you’re too high up, you tend not to see people below you. I wish you have good ears – you must not listen only to those who yell before you… Please protect every single person for they’re all your people. Will you promise me to become a King like that?” 

“Rather than a sun that shines alone, he’s a ruler who shines brightly when among his people, like the moonlight—I believe the king is that kind of person.”

 “The highs and lows between me and my people, the distance between me and you—I hope that you will understand my wish to be one step closer.”

My fave OSTs:

Moonlight Drawn by Clouds by Gummy

Melting Heart by K. Will

My Person by Park Bo Gum

I think I’m done sleeping by Soyou ft. Yoo Seungwoo

More of my reflection:

 https://tinamaetales.tumblr.com/post/165394639616/the-rebel-prince

Legend of the blue sea

 My rating: 7/10

One of the most hyped K drama of 2016 and even though it fell short on its promising story line, I still get to enjoy watching this. It’s interesting to watch a love story between a mermaid and a human especially when it also included the theme of reincarnation. This drama also shows us the value of second chances – it is an opportunity for us to change the course of our fate but it will be our choice…it’s up to us if we want to be better.

Starring: Lee Min Ho, Jun Ji Hyun, Shin Won Ho, Lee Hee Joon and Shin Hye Sun

My fave quotes:

“If someone is reborn, might it be because they have an unrealized dream? That dream could be an unfulfilled love, or it could even be unsatisfied greed.”

“The fact that everything is repeating isn’t a curse, but an opportunity—to change the ending.”

“But when I make friends with someone, that’s it for me. Whether you backstab or not, that’s your choice. I’ll think about what I’ll do if you do backstab me. Until then, you’re my friend.”

“Rather than being unable to love my daughter because I can’t remember her, it’s better to live remembering her, even if it’s painful.”

My fave OSTs:

Love Story by Lyn

A World that is You by Yoon Mirae

More of my reflection:

 https://tinamaetales.tumblr.com/post/168356428401/when-history-repeats-itself

 Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

My rating: 8.5/10

If I could only describe this K Drama in one word, it would be charming. The plot is light yet relatable. Easy to watch yet filled with great life lessons too. It will actually remind us of our younger years – the silly crushes, the dreamers in us and the unforgettable friendships we gained. What I like the most about it is the simplicity of its plot yet it will touch your heart.

Starring: Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk

My fave quotes:

“No matter how high the mountain is, it will not be as grand as your dreams. This is nothing hard! We get back up no matter how harshly we’re trampled upon”

“I hope you will confront that matters (resentment towards your mother and your complicated emotions towards your uncle’s family) squarely. Those emotions such as gratitude, guilt or tiredness from pretending you don’t know the truth.. should burst out at least once. Only then you will be completely free from the trauma you are having” 

“Everyone has a youth. A time that’s more beautiful because it’s awkward and clumsy, a time that shines brilliantly. A time when you’re not afraid of anything because you have nothing to lose, and a time when you’re excited because you can have anything, everything. That’s now, age 24, my youth. Although I’m still uneasy and nervous, I’m perfect without needing anything else.”

My fave OSTs:

You and I by Kim Jong Wan

Dreaming by Han Hee

More of my reflection:

 https://tinamaetales.tumblr.com/post/168888275251/swag

Cheese in the trap

My rating: 6/10

If you’re looking for a realistic yet harsh approach towards depicting our society in general, then this k drama is a must watch for you. It shows how the real world sucks. It has its charming side too though, especially the love triangle between Yoo Jung, Hong Seol and Baek In Ho and it will sometimes make you feel that both guys are deserving…actually erase that…all of them are deserving of love especially after all the struggles and challenges they’ve went through at such a young age. This drama started out strong but the ending felt a bit empty.  

Starring: Park Hae Jin, Kim Go Eun, Lee Sung Kyung, Seo Kang Joon and Nam Joo Hyuk

My fave quotes:

“Once you start working, you’ll realize you’re no longer the center of the universe, you realize there’re many people who are better & scarier than you and you need to accept that you cannot control everything.”

“People who play victim will always end up like that, losing what they have as they attempt to gain what isn’t theirs” 

“Why is it that people always want what belongs to other people? Then they delude themselves thinking other people’s things are theirs when in the end they lose what’s their own.”

“There are ups and downs in relationship but maintaining longevity is hard”

“No matter how rock bottom you are, you shouldn’t bring harm to people who care about you”

“Don’t put up walls and look down on people because among those people, there are some who sincerely wanted to be friends with you”

 My fave OSTs:

My Time with you by Vanilla Acoustic

Einfuhlung by Tearliner

Just a little by Sweden Laundry

Maybe I like you by Cosmos Hippie

More of my reflection:

 https://tinamaetales.tumblr.com/post/168925207681/trapped

Descendants of the Sun

My rating: 9.5/10

One of the best k dramas ever! I swear! It tells a great story of love, service and sacrifice. It is a great combination of romance, action, thrill, and philosophy.  The best thing about this is how it executed the differing principles of the way doctors and soldiers save lives. It shows us how we can find ourselves through the service of others.  

Starring: Song Joong Ki, Song Hye Kyo, and Kim Ji Won

My fave quotes:

“Soldiers always live with a shroud on. When they die in a nameless land for the sake of their country, the place of their death become their grave and their uniform become their shroud. This should be every soldier’s mindset every time they put down their uniform. Therefore, be honorable at every moment – there’s no reason to fall short” 

“I’ve been given the privilege to be a doctor, I faithfully pledge my life to serve humanity. The health and life of my patient will always be my priority. I will faithfully carry out my duties regardless of the patient’s race, religion or nationality. I will not use my knowledge inhumanely even when I’m under threat. I hereby take this oath on my account and on behalf of my honour”

 My fave OSTs:

Everytime by Chen of EXO ft. Punch

Always by Yoon Mirae

You are my Everything by Gummy

More of my reflection:

 https://tinamaetales.tumblr.com/post/169657649021/sacrifices

Hwarang

My rating: 7.5/10

I once described this drama as oppa overload because it was really filled with handsome oppa! Anyway, this is a great drama to show how the youth, despite them being young, can become the nation’s future. It is when we guide the young people rightly that we can secure a good future. It also shows us how much we needed to be united for our country’s sake because we can do so much better if we work with each other instead of against each other. This is a story of growth and brotherhood. A must watch, for sure.

Starring: Go Ara, Park Seo Joon, Park Hyung Sik, Choi Min Ho (SHINee), Do Ji Han, Kim Tae Hyung (BTS),  and Jo Yoon Woo

My fave quotes:

“It’s only those who possess a lot who fear. If you don’t have anything, you don’t fear anything.”

“Only when they (Hwarang) were able to think and live freely that they can dream of a future for Silla”

“Don’t be silenced by an order created by another. You are not a horse on a chess board. You are Hwarang who are freer than anyone else in this world. The fact that you are Hwarang, never forget that”

“Being young and weak is not a sin.”

My fave OSTs:

Even if I die by V and Jin from BTS

Our Tears by Park Seo Joon

I’ll be here by Park Hyung Sik

More of my reflection:

https://tinamaetales.tumblr.com/post/170972988531/change-starts-with-us

Doctors

My rating: 8.5/10

Starring: Park Shin Hye, Kim Rae Won, Lee Sung Kyung and Yoon Kyun Sang

This K drama will always have a special place in my heart because of how much I love and can relate with its heroine. The focus of this is the life of a great neurosurgeon Dr. Yoo Hye Jung – her ups and downs and how she manage to come out of all the challenges thrown at her stronger than ever. Her life story is really inspirational.

My fave quotes:

“The cells that make up a human are always in a state of instability. To live is to be unstable. In the end, the essence of life is change.”

“Unresolved pasts will always come back to find you whether it’s love or resentment”

“People say that forgiveness is not for others but for yourself. They shouldn’t say such things. Forgiveness isn’t as light as it sounds.”

“When doctors become guardians, they too are merely impotent humans.”

“A genuine meeting can change a person. The person I am with right now could change my life. That’s why a person can be both hope and despair”

 “I had once dreamt of revenge — killing everyone and myself. But there is such a thing as karmic justice, and at the center of that is not me, but the world.”

My fave OSTs:

No Way by Park Yongin  and Kwon Soonil of Urban Zakapa

It’s Love by Jung Yup

Sunflower by Younha

That’s the way it is by Se O

More of my reflection:

 https://tinamaetales.tumblr.com/post/173628552981/what-doesnt-kill-you-makes-you-stronger

It was one heck of a roller coaster ride, right? I think it’s safe to say that my 2017 k drama journey was lit af! Now I’m looking forward for more!

 X,

TinaMae