#((Hee! They do make excellent siblings!))

[computerwarrior]

((Trimming it down.))

@not-that-dillinger

Ed was quite comfortable, despite the loss of the covers. The house may have been old, but it was well insulated and AC was in working condition, and despite the lateness of the year, SoCal as still quite warm.

…As was Ark, snuggled up next to him. The warmth and slight pressure of her next to him was comforting, reassuring that he was safe, even in his subconscious as he slept. He shifted and curled around Ark, an arm wrapped loosely around her waist.

-

When Ed put his arm across her, Ark cuddled a little closer, then remained motionless for the rest of the night in his embrace.

Ark had never shared a bed, or even a room or apartment, with anyone, but it appeared that she quite enjoyed having the comforting and safe warmth of someone else there with her.

It was a far cry from how she had slept on the Grid, first in a standard System Monitor apartment, later, a desolate apartment away from any warmth or energy.

She liked it here in the User world much, much more than she had her lonely life.

((This is a companion piece to this thread.))

[Side B: Rescue]

Haste was the word of the cycle and Ark moved quicker than ever.

Her and her lightcycle flew across the Outlands and straight for Tron City, making up for the time she had lost while she was out.

As she traveled, deep underneath the surface of the Outlands, one Gridbug, out of many, became poisoned for no discernable reason.

Ark knew where the Occupation had most likely taken Ed, and the increased guards around the building confirmed her suspicions.

She remained stealthy as long as possible, revealing herself only when she could sneak no further.

Ark fought her way through the building, alarms blaring as she took on multiple Sentries at a time. The narrow hallways worked in her favor, as only a few Sentries could approach her at a time, so she was never outnumbered in a way she couldn't handle.

It took all of Ed's will not to shrink back from Clu as the guards brought him to the tyrant.

Clu grinned like a Cheshire cat. Whatever he had planned for Ed, it was certainly much worse than what he had just been through. It looked like Clu wanted to say something. Probably to intimidate Ed, play with him before doing... whatever.

Ed had plenty of experience of taking control of situations. He also knew how to be a menace.

Beat Clu to the punch. Hit him where it hurt.

Ed opened his mouth, but before either of them could say anything, the sound of fighting came from the hallway.

Ark?

Ed had no idea if it was her or not, but if there was fighting coming this way, it was likely they were coming for him. At the very least, fighting meant they were against the occupation, and thus a potential ally.

Ed twisted sharply, then dropping down to break free of his captors. He backed away, and pulled off one of his boots. It was hefty; much heavier than his loafers.

Ed chucked it, then the other, at Clu.

Without waiting to see if either hit their mark, Ed turned and ran.

Behind him, there was the heavy thud of one of the boots hitting the ground, and an angered, pained roar from Clu. He approached the fight as cautiously as possible, while also not loosing speed. (The guard or Clu catching hi would not end well, an he most certainly would not get another chance to escape.)

He sighed with relief when he recognized Ark's lightcycle.

[red-eft]

ooo 1-5 for Iriskree and 14-18 for! Adonis ohoo

oo alrighty.. here we Go

warning in advance that i wrote a lot more than i meant to. big oops

Adonis

14. one of your character's embarassing secrets?

one of his secrets is that adonis loooooves sappy stuff like holding hands, cuddling, etc… but growing up as a noble, he was always taught to Never Touch Anyone or to even talk about the desire to do so. as a result, adonis is really touch-starved and too embarrassed to admit it. 

15. who is your character's best friend?

his best friend in the whole world is lorne!! but he's also quite close with ivy and cordelia ^^

16. how does your character feel about their parents?

adonis doesn’t feel great about his parents. his mother died in the same accident that took his heart. his father, soren, did his best to raise adonis well, but was extremely strict and put a lot of pressure on him to become the head of the noble house.

it was all well-intended, but good intentions weren’t enough for adonis to forgive him. and then soren gets killed, so even though adonis eventually does forgive him, he never has the chance to have it mean something to soren :)

(i used to have it so that his father was abusive towards him and adonis killed him, but i’m retconning that because it felt trite and out of character for everyone involved).

17. how does your character feel about their siblings?

he has one sibling- a younger sister. he’s six years older than her. in his story he’s about 20, so she’d be 14. they’re not super close. he loves her, though, and he did his best to protect her from soren's helicopter-parenting/intense pressure. she never really knew her mom. he always told her little stories about her. 

18. a memory that still makes your character angry?

it’s toward the end of his story and it haunts him long after: ivy’s father being killed by ydrenth. no one could stop it from happening. adonis had to watch ivy deal with the same loss he felt when his father was killed. even years later, after ydrenth is long gone, the memory is still enough to make him feel angry.

he's usually only be able to calm down by taking a long walk by himself or by going to his friends to talk about it (lorne, ivy, and cordelia- they're his closest friends and also the only ones that truly understand what happened since they were there as well). if for some reason he can't do either, adonis will turn to less healthy coping mechanisms without a second thought.

----------

Iriskree

1. does your oc have any motifs?

hm.. iriskree’s motifs are the sea/water (rebirth) and the gold etched into his scales (like kintsugi- again, rebirth/being repaired). also lightning (commonly associated with raising the the dead, as seen in frankenstein’s monster movies and minecraft with skeleton horses!). i fucking love motifs honestly

2. describe your character's voice. do they have a voice claim?

his voice is very raspy. it only sounds smooth in the brief moments after he's had some water to drink. other than the raspiness, though, iriskree's voice tends to be very upbeat and cheerful. it’s not deep. i don’t have a voice claim for him yet.

3. is your character an indoor or outdoor person?

iriskree is somewhat outdoorsy! he loves the sea, the beach, and going out sailing (though he’s no deckhand; he just likes to be there lol). but at the same time, he’s not very knowledgeable or enthusiastic about other places like the forest or desert.

4. what is your character's favorite recreational activity?

cooking!! he loves making good food. also he loves getting really high with his friends and laughing about the stupidest shit ever. those two activities go pretty well together actually huh

5. what was your character's dream job as a kid? is it different than what their career ended up being?

hee... iriskree was born in a Very different time than my other post-apoc ocs (~23 years before the apocalypse), so this is an excellent question for him :>

when he was little, iriskree wanted to be a stormcaller! stormcalling was a profession along the southern coast. extreme weather (storms/hurricanes/etc.) devastated the region every few years. stormcallers used their innate weather-focused magic to drive away these storms and prevent too much destruction. 

unfortunately, iriskree had no innate magic, so instead of a stormcaller, he ended up becoming a retail worker. then the world ended and he died. about 300 years later, he was brought back to life by a bored necromancer. iriskree ended up becoming a carver, amateur cartographer, and pickpocket all at once. 

he's not really sure what to do with himself. stormcallers still exist, and he'd still love to be one. thanks to all the excess magic floating around post-apocalypse, anyone can do magic if they try hard enough- except iriskree. since he was born at the time when magic was still rare and contained, and his body doesn't have the adaptations everyone else has evolved* to absorb it, he can't use magic and literally never will. poor guy.

(bonus: dark magic barely has any effect on him because of how his body can't absorb magic. healing incantations, curses, runes, etc.... none of it really works on him. this makes it really funny when he goes up against mages in a fight because their stuff basically just bounces off him)

*i use the term evolved loosely because iirc evolution doesn't work that fast... it's not adaptation either, tho, because adaptations aren't passed down to the next generation. i guess it's weird, fucked up extra-fast evolution as a side effect of dark magic? idk whlsdjflk

[vivalavi-daa]

K-Dramas (February-May 2022)

1. My Liberation Notes

About: Three siblings, exhausted by the monotony of day to day adulthood, seek to find fulfillment and freedom from their unremarkable lives

Interesting posters, lovely intro video, and beautiful sceneries that makes every scene & line that's being delivered seem poetic. These are what captivated me from the beginning. But it's not just that. My Liberation Notes is remarkable because it realistically depicts the mundane lives of adults that the actors said it feels like they are shooting for a documentary. The way they explore adults issues such as loneliness, working lives, family dynamic, and even highlight the introverts struggle is what really gets me... Every character has something that I can relate to. And that's why it's so easy to get immersed in the story.

It may be a slow paced drama, but that's its charm. Even when there are so many quiet scenes with no dialogues, I find it so refreshing to watch how much the silence speaks and how inner monologues could deliver deeper meanings to the stories. The lines make me feel that my uneasy feelings about life/the world feel validated while watching it.

My Liberation Notes is a gem with a genre that's hard to find & that makes it my fave drama of this year <3

2. Twenty Five Twenty One (2521)

About: In a time where dreams seem out of reach, a teen fencer pursues her ambitions and meets a hardworking young man who seeks to rebuilds his life.

2521 has everything you could ask for in a youth drama: heart fluttering romance, heartwarming friendship, and hopeful stories that encourage you to pursue your dreams. I knew I'd love it when it started out engaging with the introduction of young Hee Do & Yi jin who have a contrasting perspectives about the world. Yijin is a hardworking guy who starts to feel the weight of reality and feel lost, meanwhile Hee Do is a bright girl with an optimistic spirit. Her existence has brought Yijin to hold on hope and be brave enough to taste happiness that comes his way. I must stress, I love how they build connection in the pursuit of happiness together!! The friends to lovers excellency!

Asides from the two relationship, the whole friendship stories of the five are what makes it more gripping. Their characters development, how they bond with each other, and how comical & refreshing each scene of them together was. It truly brightens the atmosphere of 2022 <3

3. A Business Proposal

About: Hari, a regular employee, shows up to a blind date in disguise of her rich friend to scare him away. Things go awry when he turns out to be her CEO and makes a proposal.

1) I didn't expect the scenes to produce this much laughter and 2) I didn't expect this kdrama to be this nice & entertaining! Even though the stories is full of cliche & (even some cringe lines), they managed to get high ratings during its airing. It's no wonder though. Not only serving us with the leads' visuals, every character is interesting in their own way and both main & side romance are just as adorable. It's a light kdrama & that's amusing to watch. Definitely one of the best romcom to me!

4. Thirty Nine

About: Three best friends leaning on each other as they experience life, love, and loss on the brink of turning 40.

This drama was claimed to be heartwarming, when it turns out it is also heart wrenching at the same time. I was particularly drawn to the lessons that friends make life worth living and that love always perseveres. It's heartwarming to see the three best friends are so devoted to each other and try to be their happiest selves when they're together. The actors' chemistry is also overflowing more than I can expect. One thing I want to note about 39 is that I don't agree with some of the things in this kdrama (if you watch the drama you'll know). It's not a flawless kdrama but still, it's a decent adult friendship kdrama with impeccable acting & satisfying characters arc.

5. Shooting Stars

About: Daily lives of people in an entertainment agency and romance between a top star and a head of the stars' promotion team.

The trope is nothing new, it reminded me of kdramas like So I Married an Anti Fan with slight difference. I can't describe the trope well... and that, in fact, is what makes it appealing. The leads are friends who are also enemies who will (obviously) become lovers. Their interaction dynamic is really engaging to watch and wrapped in fun vibes. At first, I wasn't that attracted to the portrayal of the side characters though. But as I get to know them, they become more interesting & I realize that they're also important part of the story as they give us insight about the lives of people working in entertainment industry.

5. Tomorrow

About: A young man who is employed by a company of grim reapers in the underworld to save people's lives.

I was mainly fascinated by the visuals the whole time I watched this... and the plot is also compelling. A company of grim reapers? Interesting. A division of grim reapers whose job is to save people's lives? Sign me up. Also, with the team that consisted of two cool grim reapers (who behave like cats) who adopted a guy (who behaves like adorable puppy)? Amusing.

Each episode has different themes to tell, but it has a central story. Though dealing with serious issue like suicides, it is also combined with humour but stlll, those who feel vulnerable must be careful with the triggers. It's a supernatural drama with unique vibes and it's reflective with advices to give.

6. The Sound of Magic

About: a magician living in an abandoned theme park who helps a disenchanted teenager enduring her harsh reality.

I didn't expect it to be a musical drama?? although the title seems pretty obvious. But I like to be surprised & impressed though. As the first musical kdrama I've ever seen, the first few minutes is already intriguing. The characters have interesting stories, especially the mysterious magician. Tbh it felt kinda off to see the casts in their roles at first (the after effects of seeing them in their previous works) but their good actings as great actors help me got adapted to see their roles immediately. The whole musical performances always filled with magical & pleasant looking cinematography & I like that a lot.

7. The Killers' Shopping List

About: An odd murder case near the supermarket that leads the supermarket workers (Dae Sung and his mother) with Dae Sung's girlfriend to figure out the case together.

Watched it for the casts, and the plot seems new and interesting too. It is filled with misteries but seasoned with humours. I have watched two eps and it's not bad, but I am still waiting to be more enthralled though...

Kdrama recs: 7/?

[offbeatcappuccino]

ramblings about youth of may (eps 1-4)

Read at the risk of major spoilers!

A couple weeks ago, I was stuck in a serious kdrama rut, where I could not commit myself to watch any kdramas, and then Youth of May hit me like a breath of fresh air. The drama starring Go Min Si and Lee Do Hyun ( who actually played siblings in Sweet Home). The first scene of the first episode, which involves the discovery of a dead body at a construction site had me immediately hooked to the drama even though the scene was highly suggestive that this drama would be a tragedy. Go Min Si excels in her role as Kim Myeong Hee, the no-nonsense nurse with big dreams of attending medical school abroad. Likewise, it is impossible to keep your eyes away from Lee Do Hyun's Hwang Hee Tae, the dreamy and carefree medical student who plays soft ballads on his guitar. Their romance feels idyllic in many respects, the way that he dramatically asks her for a second date while she's boarding the bus or even the hilarious circumstances of their first meeting, which involved Myeong Hee impersonating a friend (Lee Soo Ryeon), who wanted to get out a blind date arranged by her father.

However, this almost pure innocent spring romance is contrasted by the oppressive circumstances that these individuals live in. They live under a right-wing dictatorship suppressing any sort of leftist thought. Hwang Hee Tae's father is a high-ranking government official torturing student activists and supposed "communists". There's widespread inequality and poverty shown in the interactions between Myeong Hee and Hwang Tae's little brothers and people are so desperate that they start to view their children as sources of income rather than children. From Hee Tae's perspective, we see a young medical student traumatized before his career has even started because of the almost fatal injuries he's had to secretly treat. Lee Soo Ryeon witnesses one of her closest friends getting ambushed and caught. You start to realize that these young people aren't just idealistic rebellious twenty-something-year-olds. They're playing with fire and living in perhaps one of the most precarious and tumultuous moments in Korean history.

What I find interesting about Youth of May is that it views much of the tension leading up to the Gwangju Uprising through its elitist characters, more particularly Lee Soo Ryeon. Soo Ryeon is the daughter of a wealthy industrialist, who owns many factories in the Gwangju area. Yet, of all the characters in the show, she is the only individual actively participating in the student movement against the dictatorship. Other students question Soo Ryeon's intention and commitment to the cause because she is a part of the bourgeoisie and benefits from the current system. We see Soo Ryeon benefit from the privilege she has when she evades arrest twice due to her connections. What makes Soo Ryeon's role as an activist more interesting is that in order for the communist movement to succeed, people like Soo Ryeon's father and Hee Tae's father need to be overthrown. Yet, we see Soo Ryeon go to extraordinary lengths to protect her father's company when she agrees to marry Hee Tae. As a viewer, I am interested to see if Soo Ryeon will rise to action when needed or will she be nothing more than a tomboy looking for some thrill in her life and will recede back to her privileged lifestyle when things get too hard.

I'm looking forward to the future episodes with nervous anticipation . Things seem to be intensifying with both parents of Hee Tae and Soo Ryeon pushing for their engagement even though Hee Tae is clearly head over heels for Myeong Hee. Soo Ryeon's brother, Soo Chan, is also a second lead that could come in the way of Hee Tae and Myeong Hee getting together. There's also the fact that Myeong Hee has had a run-in with Hee Tae's father in the past and he may go to extreme lengths to prevent any obstacles that are in the way of his son's marriage.

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

Relationship Asks: Tell us about the unexpected brothers, grumpy medic and derp dragoon.

Hee~ It's Augustine, if Mathye and Reinhardt found out they were related that would be a fight that would require the Twelve themselves to intervene 😆

But as for Grump and the Good Bean, Mathye's father was...problematic. Mathye has very faint. memories of the elder Bishop being the source of a lot of family strain, mostly centered around a near obsessive desire to fit in amongst the Ishgardians (partly due to the fact that since the fledgling family had outsider origins they were a popular target for Inquisitiors). Mathye's father was also a notorious womanizer. (Mathye is quick to point out that unlike his father, he kept his affairs brief and respected his partners).

Augustine's family on the other hand, comes from the viper pit known as the Dzemael Vassal Houses. The marriage between his mother and the man he had considered his father was so bad that the servants of the family swore the couple would only lay together in the same bed if that bed had the only clean set of sheets left in the entire manor. In fact, Augustine's conception came about as the result of a bitter fight between the Seymours--the Lady Seymour wishing to extract revenge on her husband, decided to not only cuckold him, but pass off the resulting child as his own. Lord Seymour eventually learned of the deception, but by that time he'd risen to be one of the new Count Dzemael's trusted advisors, and could not afford the scandal that would result of him disinheriting Augustine. While Mathye struggled with losing his parents, Augustine was abused by his older siblings and his parents.

Eventually both made it into the Ishgardian military, but while Mathye was making a name for himself as a dragoon, Augustine would dare to leave Corethas for U'ldah. Wanting to better hone his skills as a fighter (and gtfa from his family) he would enjoy a decent amount of success as a gladiator. He would return to Ishgard around the same time as Mathye's grounding injury, and slowly started to climb the ranks of the Temple Knights. Like Mathye, Augustine was talented in magic, and this permitted him to be trained in the Halonic paladin arts. His skill and valor in battle, not to mention his mastery of the holy arts and temperament made him a popular example of the order's ideal of a knight.

Mathye on the other hand, was excelling as a battle medic/general healer, but was earning his reputation for snark and often brutal bedside manner. The two operated in different areas of the Congregation however, and only knew of each other via word of mouth/reputation.

Then one day, Augustine volunteered to help test out an Ironworks prototype for testing blood, based on an Allagan medical machina, and much to everyone's shock, the mess of cobbled together parts spat out a result. He was a partial match to Mathye, and as Augustine was three years younger than the Knight-Dragoon healer...

Lady Seymour's former lady's maid would later step forward with the tale. How her mistress had met Mathye's father at a gathering, and how they had begun their affair. By this time the grapevine was on fire, as the other vassals of Dzemael were sensing blood in the water, along with even more sordid details of the affair--mentions of parties where orgies had taken place, drugs, heathen magics experimented with...

Augustine, who had already cut ties long ago from his House--and honestly not wanting to deal with the bullshit, ran.

Mathye for his part, is trying to come to grips with the fact he actually has one actual living blood relation, not to mention dealing all the awkward that comes with such revelations. He's not too sure on what to do around or how to treat Augustine, but he's been finding out via his own connections about his half brother's childhood.

To say he's pissed would be an understatement.

[dramapic]

MASTERLIST

I update this list everytime I watch and review a show. 

Disclaimer: These reviews are subjective and only reflect my opinions. There are no drama on that list that I’ve turned off and all are worthy of a watch. 

Recs welcome!

#1 Crash landing on you 

(사랑의 불시착)

Grade: A++

Genre: Modern, Star-Crossed lovers

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Son Ye-jin (who plays Yoon Se-ri) and Hyun Bin (Ri Jeong-hyeok) have amazing chemistry and every episode plays out like the chapters of an excellent fanfiction. Classic romantic tropes, humour, angst, action, CLOY has it all. Moreover, if you’ve never watched a Kdrama in your life, CLOY is a great starting point—not only will it introduce you to Korean culture but also to popular tropes and codes of the genre.

#2 Rookie historian Goo Hae-ryung 

(신입사관 구해령)

Grade: A++

Genre: Historical, Age gap

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Delightful from end to end, with lots of humour and an engaging story. The romance between Goo Hae-ryung and himbo-prince Dowon will make your heart go soft, especially if you’re into reverse gender dynamics (she’s older and kisses him first *le gasp*)

#3 Memories of the Alhambra 

(알함브라 궁전의 추억)

Grade: B+

Genre: Modern; Sci-fi; Fantasy

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: No

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Intriguing premise, great cast and tons of special effects but the romance between Jin-woo (Hyun Bin) and Hee-joo (Park Shin-hye) won't go down in history. On top of that, the ending is a bit wishy-washy in that annoying “maybe there’s more to come” kind of way. Give us a clear cut ending, damnit!

#4 Good doctor 

(굿 닥터)

Grade: B- 

Genre: Modern, Medical drama

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Good heart but the writing is really clumsy at times and the hospital politics don’t make an awful lot of sense. On the bright side, Joo Won is great in the role of Park Si-on.

Note: I haven’t watched the American remake so can’t compare. 

#5 My love from the star/ You from the stars

(별에서 온 그대)

Grade: A

Genre: Modern, Sci-fi, fantasy, Star-Crossed lovers

Episodes: 21

Happy Ending: Yes-ish

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Jun Ji-hyun is absolutely stellar in the role of Cheon Seong-yi, a ditzy Hallyu* star whose career is going south while Kim Soo-hyun plays the emotionally closed-off alien to perfection. Lots of pinning, a dose of angst mixed with a pinch of wacky humor. 

*Hallyu means “Korean wave” in Chinese and refers to the popularity and spreading of Korean pop-culture outside of Korea. 

#6 Hwarang The Poet Warrior Youth 

(화랑)

Grade: B

Genre: Historical, Coming of age, fake siblings who catch feels

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Cute boys and interesting lore rooted in true facts (the bone rank system and the real Hwarang, the “Flowering Knights” of the Silla kingdom) but the story drags. I guess I expected more bromance and frolicking and less angst. Lastly, the main girl starts off quirky and fun but they quickly transform her into a sobbing mess which becomes real annoying real fast. 

#7 Love in the Moonlight / Moonlight Drawn by Clouds (구르미 그린 달빛)

Grade: A 

Genre: Historical, Romance, Coming of age, Posing as the opposite sex

Episodes: 18

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

A classic tale of a girl raised as a boy who ends up in a situation where she needs to do her best to not blow her cover while catching feels (As someone raised on Versailles no bara and Ribbon no Kishi, it remains one of my favourite tropes)

Sweet romance and good characters. The fact that Crown prince Lee Yeong doesn't turn emo when he starts developing feelings for Eunuch Ra-on before discovering she's a girl is the cherry on top of the cake. 

#8 Something in the rain

(밥 잘 사주는 예쁜 누나)

Grade: C 

Genre: Modern

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes, but it still doesn't make you happy

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Wasted potential! 

Great start but the characterization falls apart quickly and you end up wondering why the main characters keep sabotaging their lives. By the end, despite their reunion, you're left with the impression they've learned nothing and that their relationship is doomed to fall apart. 

On top of it all, watching Jin-ah fight sexism in the workplace and gaining nothing is depressing af (I don’t need realism in my escapism, thank you very much).

Too bad because Son Ye-jin and Jung Hae-in look really good together and the acting is top-notch. My advice is to watch the first 8 episodes then make up your own ending in your head.

#9 Moon embracing the sun 

(���를 품은 달)

Grade: B+

Genre: Historical,Star-Crossed lovers

Episodes: 22

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

A traditional historical drama with all the tropes that go with the genre + a hint of esoterism.

If you love ill-fated relationships, tragic love triangle, evil queens, and amnesia, this is the show for you. Beware, the interrogation/torture scenes are rather brutal. 

#10 My sassy girl 

(엽기적인 그녀)

Grade: B- 

Genre: Historical, Rom-Com

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Cute and lighthearted but easily forgettable. Still worth a watch thanks to Joo Won & Oh Yeon-seo's chemistry. 

#11 Coffee Prince 

(커피프린스 1호점)

Grade: A 

Genre: Modern, Posing as the opposite sex

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Solid story, great cast but be ready for a lot of bickering. 

Yoon Eun-hye is a precious bean who manages to sell the story of Eun-chan, a struggling androgynous working-class girl who mistakenly gets hired by a rich guy to play his boyfriend, then becomes his employee, then falls for him while not correcting his assumptions about her gender. Opposite her, Gong Yoo (from Train to Busan fame) is 🥰🥰🥰

Sidenote: Despite Han-kyul's struggle to accept his feelings for Eun-chan, homosexuality isn't treated as a joke or a shameful thing. The one time he goes seek “medical help”, the doctor is depicted as an old, clueless idiot. And honestly, the story would work too if Eun-chan was a guy. 

#12 My girlfriend is a Gumiho/My girlfriend is a Nine-tailed fox 

(내 여자친구는 구미호)

Grade: B+

Genre: Modern; Fantasy

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki - Available on Netflix (FR) too

Campy and goofy. It does look a bit dated (it’s from 2010) and the story is a little predictable but Lee Seung-gi as Cha Dae-woong, an aspiring action film actor and Shin Min-ah as “Gu Mi-ho” the nine-tailed fox looking for a mate are super cute. The show is also a good introduction to Korean folklore.

#13 Goblin / Guardian: The Lonely and Great God / The Lonely and Great God – Goblin 

(쓸쓸하고 찬란하神 – 도깨비)

Grade: A+ 

Genre:  Modern, Historical, Fantasy, bromance

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes-ish

Watched on: Viki 

Unpopular opinion but since I’m not into older guys, I wasn’t invested in the romance between Bride and Goblin until late in the series. I loved everything else though. The show has such a unique tone and atmosphere. It goes from super serious to goofy in no time. The cinematography is gorgeous (especially the historical sets) and you'll cry your eyes out.

#14 Healer 

(힐러)

Grade: A 

Genre:  Modern

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

If you're into toll broody guys and fearless smoll girls, you’ll love Healer. The story is great, the characters are great and the way Jung-hu (played by Ji Chang-wook) and Ji-an (Park Min-young) are horny for each other is peak drama! *chef kiss*

#15 Kangchi the beginning/Gu family book 

(구가의 서)

Grade: B- 

Genre: Historical, Fantasy

Episodes:

Happy Ending: No

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Engaging coming of age story of a half-human half-gumiho looking for his place in this world. If it wasn't for the wishy-washy ending it could have been the perfect mix of action fantasy and romance. 

Special mention for Dam Yeo-wool (played by Suzie Bae) who is a female character who's allowed to be a bit of everything at the same time (strong, kick-ass, funny, cute, romantic) 

#16 Queen for seven days 

(7일의 왕비)

Grade: A 

Genre:  Historical, Romance, Villainous crush

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: No

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

With that title don’t expect a HEA but there are plenty of sweet moments along the way to make you appreciate the journey. 

Chae-kyung loves the Prince and the Prince loves Chae-kyung but the King wants to kill the Prince and Chae-kyung is loyal to the King but the King is a tyrant and everyone wants the Prince to take his throne. On top of that the King wants Chae-kyung. Big mess. Lots of feels.

The story is (very) loosely based on real-life Queen Dangyeong, which makes it even more poignant. I cried my eyes out at the end because I’m a big softy.   

#17 Korean Odyssey

(화유기)

Grade: A-

Genre: Modern, Fantasy

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Kinda

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

The show (very loosely based on Journey to the West) has its faults including the wishy-washy ending and the fact that Jin Seon-mi/Sam-jang starts off as a doormat but I ended up liking the relationship developing between the assholish Monkey god and the naive human girl more than I expected.

The side characters are compelling, and the banter and bickering between the deities work really well. If you grew up with Dragon ball, you’ll have a blast trying to match-up the Japanese and Korean names of everyone without looking up Wikipedia.

Lastly, not something I imagined saying after seeing him in Gumiho and Gu family book but Lee Seung-gi as Son Oh-gong = BDE *fans herself* 🥵

#18 Strong Girl Bong-soon 

(힘쎈여자 도봉순)

Grade: A- 

Genre:  Modern, Super-Heroine

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Trigger warning: Graphic depiction of violence against women

A++ super-heroine story, bad side characters 

First, every girl should aspire to find a Min-hyuk in their life. Someone who'll love them because of their strength, and support them unconditionally. Someone who won't ask them to change or pretend to be somebody else.

Second, western media should learn that a super-heroine can HAVE IT ALL—the superpowers AND the love AND the family. 

My only complaint with the show (and that's why I gave A- instead of A++) is the inclusion of many cringy side characters/situations that spoiled my overall enjoyment (see the caricatural flamboyant gay co-worker, Bong-soon’s mom hitting her dad, the mobsters...)

#19 The K2 

(더 케이투)

Grade: B- 

Genre: Modern, Political

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

The romance is bad and the political story far-fetched but Ji Chang-wook is 🔥🔥PEAK HOTTIE🔥🔥

That being said, I didn’t completely dislike the political intrigue and it was interesting to see the good guy working for the villains (sort of). 

#20 Weightlifting fairy Kim Bok-joo 

(역도요정 김복주)

Grade: A+ 

Genre:  Modern, Coming of age

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Uplifting coming of age story and super sweet romance. Bok-joo (Lee Sung-kyung) & Joon-hyung (Nam Joo-hyuk) are precious children on top of being cutie-patooties. Bok-joo’s insecurities hit hard, especially if you’ve ever been outside the norm of beauty standards.

I liked how the show normalizes therapy and taking care of your mental health.

In one word…

SWAG! 

#21 The scholar who walks the night 

(밤을 걷는 선비)

Grade: B 

Genre:  Historical, Fantasy, Vampire, posing as the opposite sex

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Guilty pleasure. 

Don’t ask me about the details of the main storyline, I’ve already forgotten most of it. Sometimes all you need is a show where a hundred-something years old good vampire with a sad backstory and the main girl who is thirsty for the good vampire are fighting a sexy evil vampire. 

PS: Did I mention the sexy evil vampire?

#22 Romance is a bonus book 

(로맨스는 별책부록)

Grade: A+ 

Genre: Modern, Friends to lovers

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Imagine reading a relaxing book under a cozy blanket while sipping hot cocoa. That’s how that series made me feel. 

Everything is sweet and soft from the characters' fluffy jumpers to the soft palette of color used for the sets. People make books and love books. There’s a mystery but no unnecessary angst. If you need a break from everything, jump in that ship. 

#23 Hotel Del Luna 

(호텔 델루나)

Grade: A- 

Genre: Modern  

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Sorta

Watched on: Viki - Available on Netflix (FR) too

Interesting world-building and a good cast of side characters but the romance lacks a bit of oomph. 

On the + side, the hotel sets are gorgeous and Man-wol's wardrobe is to kill for.

#24 Suspicious Partner 

(수상한 파트너)

Grade: A- 

Genre: Modern, Star-crossed lovers in an office

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Toll serious who hates criminal falls for smoll weirdo falsely accused of murder. A must watch for anyone in search of a quirky romance.

#25 Touch your heart 

(진심이 닿다)

Grade: A 

Genre: Modern  

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki

Tooth rotting sweetness. The series is just a pretext to watch two good looking people (Lee Dong-wook and Yoo In-na) being nice and awkward around each other. What do you need more? 0

Note: If you watched Goblin you can also pretend it's a spin-off series about the reincarnations of Grim Reaper and Sunny. 💡

#26 Because this is my first life 

(이번 생은 처음이라)

Grade: A 

Genre: Modern, Fake marriage

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

The Fake Marriage AU you’re looking for, mixed with slices of modern, messy, complicated life. 

The main storyline revolves around Ji-ho an assistant drama screenwriter who struggles to find her place within the patriarchal structure of Korean society, and Se-hee, a socially incompetent computer designer who only cares for his cat and his mortgage. The way they end up in a fake marriage as well as the development of their relationship feels organic and doesn’t rely too heavily on comedy like it’s often the case with that trope.

The show also follows the stories of Ji-ho’s friends, Su-ji and Ho-rang who have different aspirations in life—Su-ji’s goal is to become CEO while Ho-rang only cares about becoming a housewife. I loved that the show makes a point to not pit women against each other and advocate living your life the way YOU want rather than trying to follow societal expectations of what love, work and marriage should look like. 

Also they have the cutest cat.

#27 What's wrong with Secretary Kim? 

(김비서가 왜 그럴까 )

Grade: A- 

Genre: Modern  

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki

I wish Secretary Kim had more agency in certain situations but the romance develops well and the horny moments are caliente 🥵🔥 

#28 Where your eyes linger 

(너의 시선이 머무는 곳에)

Grade: A++ 

Genre: Modern, BL, Coming of age, Friends to lovers

Episodes: 8

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki

Bite-size BL gem to devour in one sitting. 

Stellar acting from the two leads and the balance between fluff and angst is just right. There's no graphic violence that sometimes plagues yaoi and BL and the story is believable. I got emo remembering my first love. 

#29 Live up to your name 

(명불허전)

Grade: A- 

Genre: Modern, Historical, Time travel, Star-crossed lovers

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Trigger warning for graphic depiction of violence

Big surprise. I was looking for a cheesy comedy but it was actually a thoughtful story about humanism. I even teared up a little. 

Trigger warning for needles. They do some pretty impressive procedures with those acupuncture needles. 

#30 W - Two Worlds Apart 

(더블유)

Grade: A 

Genre: Modern  

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Imaginary men > Real men, especially when they're played by Lee Jong-suk. Nuf’ said.

Imaginary men > Real men, especially when they're played by Lee Jong-suk.

The silly premise hides a solid story that keeps you on your toes and I was suprised by the rollercoaster of emotions I went through.

“Option 3″

“That’s 4 fingers”

#31 Life 

(라이프)

Grade: C 

Genre: Modern

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Kinda

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Unless you want to learn how fucked up the private health sector is becoming in Korea, there's not much to gain watching this show. 

The story starts off well though. The problem is that by the middle of the series the writers have dropped the main mystery (the circumstances surrounding the death of the director) to deliver an exposé on the political machinations of big corporations, and then shoehorn an explanation at the last minute (“it was all but a misunderstanding”). Very underwhelming.

The relationship between the two brothers played by Lee Dong-wook and Lee Kyu-hyung is the only bright spot.

#32 Pinocchio 

(피노키오)

Grade: A- 

Genre: Modern, Fake family members who catch feels

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

On paper, the story sounds a little crazy but it all comes together nicely.

Lee Jong-suk and Park Shin-hye have great chemistry and deliver a stellar performance as “uncle” and “niece” (not related by blood) who can’t fight the romantic feelings they harbor for one another. The main storyline has enough twists to keep you entertained and surprised. 

My only complaint is that it drags a little. 16 episodes would have been enough. 

#33 My Holo Love 

(나 홀로 그대)

Grade: A 

Genre: Modern, Sci-fi

Episodes: 12

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Fake men > Real men 

Imagine a Black Mirror episode about a love triangle between a woman suffering from face blindness, an emotionally supportive AI boyfriend and the disenchanted creator of said AI, minus the nihilism. *chef kiss*

#34 Legend of the blue sea 

(푸른 바다의 전설)

Grade: B++ 

Genre: Modern, Fantasy, Fairy tale, Star-crossed lovers

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki

Park Ji-eu (the writer) read the little mermaid and decided to give her a happy ending. Great chemistry between Lee Min-ho and Jun Ji-hyun but the spark is missing for me. 

The antics of modern-day mermaid Shim Cheong are a little predictable and Joon-jae needs to be less of a control freak at times but the story remains enjoyable. I was pleasantly surprised to see Shim Cheong’s character grow, making the power imbalance between the clueless mermaid and the con-artist less pronounced by the end of the series. 

The side characters are interesting but underused, and I wish Tae-oh was more developed. On the other hand, the Joseon area sets and costumes are absolutely gorgeous (Don’t tell anyone but Joseon!Lee Min-ho is hotter than Modern!Lee Min-ho 🥵)

#35 Tale of Arang / Arang and the Magistrate 

(아랑사또전)

Grade: B 

Genre: Historical, Fantasy,

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

One word: Campy.

Interesting lore but the pacing is a little off—there’s a lot of back and forth between the characters and the locations and the love triangle doesn't add much. 

#36 My ID is Gangnam Beauty / Gangnam Beauty  

(내 아이디는 강남미인)

Grade: A+ 

Genre: Modern, Coming of age

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

If you’ve ever been bullied for your looks, you’re gonna bawl your eyes out. 

The show does a great job of calling out the unhealthy beauty standards imposed on Korean women but the topic is universal enough for the story to resonate with everyone. I love that you never see Mi-rae’s old face because it’s not our perception of her lack of beauty that matters but the fact she suffers greatly. Don’t you hate in western shows when they take a beautiful actress, give her a pair of glasses or a fat suit and call her ugly, making sure the audience feels shittier about themselves? Here, the writers concentrate on Mi-rae’s transformation and her coping with the consequences of her decision to do plastic surgery. 

It’s also not a revenge fantasy where the ugly duckling suddenly becomes the most popular girl at school. Being a “Gangnam beauty” leads to a new form of suffering. 

Romance-wise, it’s the slowest burn of slow burns because Mi-rae and Do Kyung-seok are the most socially awkward beans on the planet. I love them, Your Honor. 

#37 Tale of Nokdu 

(조선로코-녹두전)

Grade: A

Genre: Historical, Posing as the opposite sex

Episodes: 32 x 30mns

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki - Now available on Netflix (FR)

Fun and lighthearted all the way through.

The story of a guy who puts on a dress to investigate a village of widows could have gone very wrong but it was well handled. It’s refreshing to see the classic trope of posing as the opposite sex reversed and Jang Dong-yoon is never cringy when he’s pretending to be Lady Kim Nok-soon.

#38 Bride of Habaek / Bride of the Water God

(하백의 신부 2017)

Grade: B

Genre: Modern, Fantasy

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Content warning: Crime against fashion

Promising premise and lore (I'm interested in reading the original comics now) but the writing fails to deliver an epic romance and a cathartic ending. Moreover, the sets lack imagination (or money?) and in the end I failed to ever feel immersed in a fantasy world.

The unfortunate consequence of the clumsy writing is that the male characters who are meant to be arrogant/confident Gods (Habaek and By-ryeom) sound like they're negging their love interests more than wooing them, and the relationship between Mu-ra and By-ryeom particularly irked me.

#39 Strangers from Hell / Hell is other people 

(타인은 지옥이다) 

Grade: A+

Genre: Modern, Psychological Thriller

Episodes: 10

Happy Ending: Spoiler

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Content warning: Violence 

What a departure from everything else in that list! Absolutely worth a watch if you enjoy thrillers and shows like Hannibal. If psychological horror isn’t your cup of tea though, you might give it a pass. 

The storyline and the characters are a little cliché (it goes with the genre) but the cinematography and photography are fantastic. You can notice how the pension becomes more and more sinister throughout the series via the use of dark greens and browns and pale yellows, as opposed to the mundanity and coldness of the city (greys, and cold blues).

Last but not least, the acting is top-tiers. Im Siwan does a great job at portraying Jong-woo, an aspiring crime novelist who slowly loses his marbles but the true revelation for me is Lee Dong-wook. After seeing him so many times in roles where he plays awkward yet charming men who can barely express emotions, I was intrigued to see him take on the role of a serial killer, and holy cow, he's the perfect mix of sinister and alluring. Towards the end of the series, his character Moon-jo acts like a black-hole whenever he appears in a scene—a towering, dark presence who sucks the light out of the room (If he carries any of that darkness in the upcoming Tale of Gumiho, it’s gonna be *chef kiss*).

#40 Empress Ki 

(기황후)

Grade: A

Genre: Historical, posing as the opposite sex

Episodes: 51

Happy Ending: From a certain point of view

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Trigger warning for violence against women (not graphic but implied)

51 episodes.

Fifty.One.Episodes.

That's a lot of episodes considering the story starts with the ending. 

Did I enjoy this show? Yes, very much so. Do I think it's for everyone? Nope. 

You'll enjoy Empress Ki if you're into old-school historical sagas or you wished Game of thrones had no gratuitous nudity and violence. If you’re looking for an historically accurate biography of the real empress Ki though, then look away because Empress Ki is basically a lengthy fanfiction trying to justify how the Goryeo native Seung-nyang married the wimpy Emperor of the Yuan dynasty whilst trying to portray her as loyal to her motherland and to her first love, the Crown Prince of Goryeo. 

Personally, I didn’t care for the love triangle formed by Seung-nyang (Ha Ji-won), Wang-yoo (Joo Jin-mo) and Toghon Temür (Ji Chang-wook) but I liked the politics and the backstabbing. Also, contrary to GoT, the bad guys get their comeuppance at the end so it makes watching the side characters die less painful.

#41 Meow, the secret boy / Welcome 

(어서와)

Grade: B-

Genre: Modern, Modern fantasy

Episodes: 24 x 35mns 

Happy Ending: I guess

Watched on: Viki

How do I put it? It's not *terribad* but it's not *good* either. 

I was super on board with the concept—if Lee Seung-gi can bang a nine-tailed fox in My girlfriend is a gumiho, I have zero issues with Sol ah, our heroine, falling in love with Hong-jo the cat-person after being dumped for no reason by Jae-sun her boyfriend—but it didn’t exactly develop that way, and as soon as they explained why Jae-sun had broken up with Sol-ah, the writers lost me because I like when things happen for a reason. 

#42 Clean with a passion for now 

(일단 뜨겁게 청소하라!!)

Grade: A-

Genre: Modern, Rom-Com

Episodes: 16 

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Super zany and tropey but that’s why it works so well. The only reason I’m giving it a minus is because it’s trying to be woke but in the end there’s still a lot of unsolicited grabbing and some iffy remarks/pick-up lines said by every male characters (IRL that’s the kind of story that ends up with a restraining order and a lawsuit for sexual harassment).

#43 Mystic pop-up bar 

(쌍갑포차)

Grade: A

Genre: Modern, Fantasy

Episodes: 12

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Trigger warning: Heavy themes (miscarriage, pregnancy, loss of a child, death of loved ones)

You know how the meme goes... Sometimes a family is a hot-tempered bar owner, a cursed kid and an ex-Afterlife-Police officer with a secret past. 

It took me a few episodes to get into it, but once the characters were established it became really enjoyable. 

The tone of the series leans toward wacky but the core of the story is actually pretty dark if you look into it. Every grudge they solve for their “clients” gives a clue about Wol-joo’s personal story and by the last episode I was crying my eyes out.

Last but not least, Wol-joo’s collection of modernized hanboks is *chef kiss*

#44 My secret Terrius 

(내 뒤에 테리우스)

Grade: A

Genre: Modern, Action, Comedy, Bromance

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

An enjoyable action drama to watch with your family or your significant other.

Koreans prove that you can write a story about a black ops agent on the run who becomes a childminder without reeking of toxic masculinity. Contrary to American comedies where the manly-man-hero working undercover is incompetent and believes that working with children is a woman’s job and a waste of his manly-man talents until he has an epiphany of some sorts, Kim Bon (played by So Ji-sub) never once expresses discomfort to the idea of looking after two kids. In spite of his sober demeanor, he’s a caring and attentive person from the start and watching him gradually becoming a part of this spunky family while investigating a national security threat made my heart go awww.

Opposite him, fearless and resourceful mom Go Ae-rin (played Jung In-sun) brings a lot of energy, and the twins are absolutely adorable.

#45 Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

(달의 연인 - 보보경심 려)

Grade: A--

Genre: Historical  

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: No

Watched on: Random streaming site

Don’t get attached—Moon Lovers is the missing link between Empress Ki and Boys over flowers, but with a sad ending.

I did binge watch the series but there are some frustrating aspects to it that prevented me from giving a perfect score, notably the fact that Wang So remains possessive and demanding with Hae Soo throughout the years—for instance “You’re my person” is a romantic statement until it evolves into “You can never leave me.”

The other problem of the series is that Lee Ji-eun (UI) does cute and goofy really well, but she doesn’t have the emotional range needed to portray a character who goes through many heartbreaks and betrayals. As a result, Hae Soo appears a little fickle in her infatuations with the princes.  

That being said if you’re a sucker for tragic romance and you believe that power corrupts even the purest of love, you’ll have a blast.

#46 Forest 

(포레스트)

Grade: B++

Genre: Modern, Romance

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki

UST in the woods (Dat first kiss 🥵🥵🥵)

The characters and the story are a little cliché but who doesn’t love a story where the protagonists are clearly attracted to each other but can’t act on their desires because their moral values are opposite?

*slams fist*

San Hyeok is your typical heartless businessman who refuses to confront his childhood trauma, and Yeong Jae is a surgeon who suffers from panic attacks and cares too much about other people. They’re both good looking and fate brings them to a remote village in the middle of the forest where they have to share a house. Really, I wonder what’s gonna happen?

#47 100 Days My Prince / Hundred days husband

(백일의 낭군님)

Grade: B+

Genre: Historical

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki 

Trigger warning: Important character death.

Cute and charming but also very annoying at times. Obviously, the story is tropey af (fake marriage doubled with amnesia, you can’t really beat that) but it also includes elements I’ve never seen in any other dramas like the fact that the Crown Princess is pregnant with another man’s child (le gasp!). The things that annoy me the most were the unnecessary flip-flopping of the heroine towards the end of the show for the sake of creating artificial drama (just let them be together FFS!) and the fact that the male characters take a lot of decisions for Yeon Hong-shim.

Romance wise, Do Kyung-soo and Nam Ji-hyun are really cute together but in the end I found myself more interested in the political intrigue and the side characters than the main romance because slow burn has its limit. In essence, it’s the perfect drama to watch with your conservative family because whilst the main couple is living under the same roof and is technically married they don’t get frisky. 

#48 I Am Not A Robot (로봇이 아니야)

Grade: A++

Genre: Modern

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Angsty with a good pay-off.

With a premise like that, things could have gone wrong really quickly but the writers managed to write a story that isn’t a man wanting to fuck a robot because real women are scary so big kudos for them. Seeing Min-kyu celebrating his Roomba’s birthday because he has no other friends will instantly melt your heart and from that point on you’ll cheer for his recovery. The show has the right amount of angst without becoming a mess and they handle the big reveal very well, making sure to show how hurt both Min-kyu and Ji-ah are by the situation, without making you doubt that they can find each other again. The other strong point of the show is that it’s not just about romance, it’s also about friendship and learning to let other people in your life. 

The acting is incredible to the point that by the end I wondered if Yoo Seung-ho and Chae Soo-bin were making out in front of my salad or if I was still watching the characters Min-kyu and Ji-ah being lovey dovey. 

#49 Sungkyunkwan Scandal (성균관 스캔들)

Grade: A

Genre: Historical, Posing as the opposite gender

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki

Hana zakari no kimi tachi he with gats.

This show checks so many boxes when it comes to my favourite tropes story-wise and character-wise that I instantly fell in love with it. It might feel a little dated for a younger audience and it definitely suffers from the second male lead syndrome (who wants unseasoned boiled chicken when there are not just one but two juicy rotisserie chickens on the table next to you?!) but it’s still very much enjoyable. Also, they don’t shy away from using the word “homosexuality” and having one of the second lead confessing to having romantic feelings for his friend (I’ll take any scrap of bi-representation, okay?)

#50 It’s Okay to not be okay  (사이코지만 괜찮아)

Grade: A 

Genre: Modern

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Found family. 

In spite of one ridiculous plot twist (that I was aware of when I started the show) this show has made me feel all the feelz. The three main actors all did a phenomenal job portraying their characters in all their complexity and fragility and I ended up crying so many cathartic tears in the second to last & the last episodes.The relationship between Sang-tae and Gang-tae is one of the best sibling relationships I’ve seen on-screen in a long time while the romance between Moon-yeong and Gang-tae blends perfectly elements of comedy and melodrama. Mental illness isn’t treated as something to be ashamed of, whilst showing that you can grow and recover from trauma and finding your own happiness.

PSA from my boyfriend, who dropped the show before the end: 

The plot twist is so stupid that it takes away from the rest of the series. In my opinion it negated the positive portrayal of mental illness built up until then. They completely lost me.

^ We discussed a lot about it which is why I wanted to share his POV to balance my own review.

#51 coming soon

[sxpernovagirl]

Conditional & Unconditional | Self Para

When: January 1994-January 1999

Where: Gwangju & Seoul, Korea; Auckland, New Zealand

Triggers: Teen Pregnancy, Depression

Featuring: Seon-Hee Kang-Mitchell & Jung Jin-Ho

The year was 1994. The Kang family restaurant was beginning to take off and while a then, 14 year old Kang Seon-Hee hated taking the train from Gwangju to Seoul every day for school, it was very well worth it when she met her friend, Jung Jin-Ho upon getting off the platform. Jin-Ho was a Seoul native, he was a city slicker to the core, knew everywhere around the city like the back of his hand. He was what made the trip all the more worth it. After school, they’d venture around together for an hour, picking different spots to eat and do homework before Seon-Hee would have to head back home. This was an everyday routine until the holidays, and they hung out even when the other was upset. Seon-Hee loved Jin-Ho’s adventurous spirit and sense of adventure. She was far too shy to ever try any of that.

At home, it was a different story for both of them. Seon-Hee was the youngest of three, while her parents made good money, most of it was used for the restaurant and for her and her siblings to go to school. She loved her siblings but with adolescence and fiery personalities, she often found herself butting with them quite often, making it a very lonely environment, especially when most of her friends all lived in Seoul. Jin-Ho’s life was the complete opposite. He was the eldest of three, his family running a real estate conglomerate that dominated Seoul. They were a powerful family, a respected family, and with Jin-Ho as the eldest, he was expected to set an example for his younger siblings. Most times, the pressure was suffocating, which led to many rebellions and fights with his parents. This would only get worse as the years went on.

By October 1994, Jin-Ho realized he had fallen in love with his best friend Seon-Hee. It was a feeling that crept up on him little by little by their next term. He couldn’t resist the way her nose would crinkle up in a smile or how she’d snort when she’d laugh at something hilarious. He found her habits endearing, and he couldn’t get enough of her. By December 1994, he confessed to Seon-Hee. She was taken aback and for the first few weeks, it was awkward around the two friends...but she sealed the deal right under the mistletoe just days before winter break.

The year was 1995. Seon-Hee was sent to live with her aunt in Seoul who would be taking care of business affairs as her parents’ restaurant branched off into the big city. There was no more meeting up at the train station, but instead, Jin-Ho would wait for her everyday, rain or shine, for both of them to walk to school together. It was that year that Kang Seon-Hee and Jung Jin-Ho were the school’s it-couple, they held hands proudly, passionately made out when the teachers weren’t looking...they couldn’t keep their hands off of each other!

Outside of school, was a different story, however. With the Kang restaurant growing larger in size in Seoul and there were talks of expansion, this made the Jung family catch wind of this...especially when the Kangs inadvertently put the Jung’s favorite restaurant out of business. It wasn’t their fault that they provided excellent service, after all. The Jung’s weren’t having it and did a lot to thwart the Kang’s. It wasn’t until they discovered their eldest son holding hands with the Kang’s daughter when they realized more could be done behind this. So they did.

They began to meddle in the life of their son, suggesting other, “prettier” girls towards Jin-Ho rather than the “plain” Seon-Hee, but he was stubborn. He loved that girl to the stars and beyond and there was no going back from that. So they tried to buy off Seon-Hee...she turned down 5 million won politely, for the love of Jin-Ho. She was moonstruck by her boyfriend and nothing could steer her away from him. This left the Jungs to be more frustrated and so, Mr. Jung, took matters into his own hands and played the dirtiest game by running the Kang restaurant out of Seoul. When the Kangs caught wind of this, not only were they infuriated, but deeply hurt as they lost lots of money from the scheme and at the end, had to pull Seon-Hee from school to transfer her to a local school.

Seon-Hee and Jin-Ho were devastated, but they weren’t so easily deterred. Jin-Ho promised every weekend to sneak away and visit her in Gwangju, and that was exactly how it went for a solid month...until the two were caught together by Mrs. Kang right before the holidays. So, the two came up with a plan to runaway together. Jin-Ho managed to steal an impressive amount of money from his family and booked two tickets to New Zealand. He thought that it would be a good cover to pretend that they were exchange students in New Zealand rather than in the States for them to sneak their way back into school and work on the weekends to stay afloat. Seon-Hee was elated and didn’t hesitate to say yes to Jin-Ho.

They left Korea right before winter break. While missing posters went up in Korea for both of them, they laid low in Auckland.

The year was 1996. They managed to settle in a small flat in and for first few weeks, the honeymoon phase between them was pretty noticeable. Between work and forging fake documents to attend school, things were going swimmingly well for the young couple. They even made friends! Seon-Hee fell violently ill around Valentine’s Day at school. Ava knew something was up and suggest, just to be on the safe side, for Seon-Hee to get a pregnancy test.

By the next week, she was staring at the ultrasound with her tears blurring her vision. She was pregnant. Telling Jin-Ho was the easy part though. He was caring, loving, and empathetic towards her. He promised her that he’d do everything he could to take care of their new growing family and reassured Seon-Hee that this would only bring them closer....which was a bold faced lie. By Friday night, right after a grueling shift at work, Seon-Hee arrived to their flat with his things gone, a note, and 100K “for the baby and other expenses”. It was a heartbreak like no other. A heartbreak that made the girl feel as if she were plunged into the ocean with cement blocks tied to her feet. She drowned in it.

Ava found her best friend Sunday evening to drop off food, her eyes were puffy from crying. Realizing that Jin-Ho had up and left, Ava knew she couldn’t leave her best friend alone. While sure, they were young and sixteen, she’d do her best to make sure her best friend was taken care of. The topic of abortion was brought up at first, but Seon-Hee turned it down. While she knew she wasn’t ready to raise a child, something had told her she was about to embark on a new journey to learn how to. With the help of Ava and Ava’s family, they helped Seon-Hee embark on a grueling journey to give birth on a rainy October morning.

“Nova,” she told Ava with tears in her eyes. “Nova Byeol Kang. A new star.” Ava’s eyes also teared up at the name, it was a name fit for such a mighty little being. And mighty, was just the beginning of the story of Nova.

The year was 1999. Seon-Hee is in tears next to a now three-year old Nova as she received her marks, she was going to university. It was a sigh of relief that things were indeed worth all the sleepless nights and hard work. “We did it, Nova!” She giggled as she wiped her tears away. It was such a weight off her shoulders that she’d be attending university. Ava would also help her as their schedules often alternated. Things were finally looking up!

“Mama, don’t cry,” Nova said with the sweetest smile and nuzzled her little face on Seon-Hee’s. She didn’t understand how she had the sweetest daughter, but she held that little one tightly to her chest. Her baby. Her sweet star. Her Nova. She didn’t know what love was until her...and it was the best form of love, in her eyes.

[zuzuslastbraincell]

Katara!

KATARA KATARA KATARA

why I like them

oh god where do i even start. katara just contains so many multitudes - she's sweet and feminine and caring and attentive but she's never reduced to just that, she's never just 'the girl', she's also allowed to get mad, to be petty, to laugh at her brother, to be headstrong and stubborn, to express vulnerability, to cry and to laugh, to make ridiculous facial expressions and *be* very expressive. she's dealing with a lot of trauma not simply from the loss of her mother but that loss represents also how her tribe have been decimated by the fire nation, how she's the last waterbender, how all this pressure exists on her shoulders (but also pride, but also determination, to bring it back) and that is expressed subtly throughout the series with the same depth and love that male characters are afforded with regard to their respective traumatic experiences. and despite all this she never tries to stop making the world good? She's always pushing for change, she's always wanting to make things better, she's relentless and doesn't give up when it comes to her vision for a better world... she has such a big heart. and that coexists with a deep anger in her, and deep hurt. Not to make an ocean metaphor so early on but she's as deadly and deep as the ocean but she chooses to be kind and warm and that's so powerful.

why i don't

honnestly while katara's instincts to mother people are a sad symptom of how she was forced to grow up to soon and automaically asigns herself a role of emotional responsibility she has mixed feelings about, i know that if katara tried to mother me, i would be annoyed. but that sounds more like a me problem.

favourite episode

oh it's either the episode where she beats the fucking shit out of pakku or it's the southern raiders. the first one because it's so gratifying to see how she's grown and developed as a bender and really come into her own. the second because... god i love how *messy* the southern raiders is, and it really taps into what i love about katara - she's flawed, she runs off on an ill-thought out revenge mission with zuko, she's got a great capability for darkness as she quite seriously considers murdering a man she has every right to loathe and to kill - but she chooses against it, in the end. it would not be right for her, if not him. she chooses what's right for her in the end.

favourite season

I'm gonna be a wee bit controversial and say book 1 had the best conception of katara's arc from student to master and really saw her grow and flourish, from someone yelling at her brother' oafish prejudice to a real master, that really solidified her as an idealist and presented that as the strength that is, that showed her struggling with petty jealousy of aang's progress and had her stumble in ways that made her character comeplling and interesting - like what an introduction to her character! book 2 had some fantastic moments but i can't think of anything particularly remarkable about hee character arc - largely because it tied into aang's romantic arc i think at this point. book 3 had some absolutely fantastic moments (scam queens katara and toph!! painted lady!! southern raiders!! the final agni kai) that really shone but also book 3 lays a lot of groundwork for fanon i hate (e.g. katara as the mom friend - wish that headcanon would die tbh)

favourite line

fuck there's a lot of good ones but my underrated fave is when sokka says he's kissed a girl before but she's never met her and katara says 'Who? Gran-gran? I've met gran-gran' and it's bruuutaaall

but my favourite serious line is 'I will never ever give up on people who need me'. powerful.

favourite outfit

water tribe anything!! and i actually think her book one/book two braids are her best hair. underrated katara hair. personally she looks just adorable in her parka in the flashback to when she was like. eight.

OTP

katara/personal fulfilment

katara/happiness

katara/fulfilling her goals and dreams

katara/loving minor background character who is never named

there's some ships i like in AU situations - yuetara is actually one i lov, especially with waterbender yue, i just love the whole sea/moon thing as well as katara and yue rebelling in loud/quiet ways, being girlfriends who refuse to have their lives defined by the expectations of older men, who have a great sense of duty towards their nations and won’t let gendered expectations stop them.

and most of you know i like the messy drama of katara/azula in a lighter AU situation where they're like, school or academic rivals, and the legacy of imperialism isn’t quite so personal (and azula makes better choices, obviously), but it’s not as much as i “ship” them as i just find the potential dynamic interesting, they’re both driven by a sense of duty for their home, it’s just that means *very* different things depending if you’re SWT or FN.

none of them are OTPs though - they’re more just fun thought experiments

brotp

katara & sokka - absolutely love their sibling dynamic its amazing. both have been impacted negatively by the shit in their lives and are not always dealing with it in functional ways but theyre there for each other, through thick and thin, always have each other's backs, they roast each other and bicker and sometimes make stupid decisions and sometimes lash out but at the end of the day their love pulls through, they’re able to work past those conflicts.

katara & aang - honestly while i feel kataang was just so poorly executed in the show (listen guys I just can’t after ember island players, i know that was a bad episode, but i can’t) & i cant imagine katara wanting to leave the south pole after the war for long spells (it would have to be long distance love, lots of profound and heartfelt letters and occasional visits, if anything, but i dont know if that’s what katara wants or needs? so maybe it wouldn’t pan out?), but regardless, i really do think these two had a life-changing friendship where each really represented hope for each other, that's at the core of it, they both truly believe in each other, and inspired each other. katara & aang good.

a headcanon

chief katara anyone?? chief katara?!?! 

oh oh OH i also think that katara, while primarily a combat bender during the war, actually takes to healing a lot more after the show and gets proper healing training at some point with the help of a trained medical expert and maybe yugoda. tbh i feel like the show was a bit dismissive of healing as an ability - i feel like having that is *extremely* useful in any combat situation, you always have a medic on hand - but i understand why katara, who wanted to be recognised as powerful regardless of her gender, and wanted to hold herself in a fight alongside sokka & aang, pushed for combat waterbending training because that is what 'powerful' looks like to her in the moment. obviously katara is capable of incredible healing feats (see: saving aang) but i think given we see her as a healer in lok (not a decision i necessarily disagree with) would mean a shift in focus. i think katara actually comes to realise she likes healing a great deal, but really she excels in all aspects of waterbending and is the south’s most respected master who helped rejuvenate southern style waterbending  

unpopular opinion

the main reason people think katara is straight is because we see her have very few meaningful interactions with other girls outside of toph. ATLA as a show is a bit romance obsessed, and very heteronormative in that regard, and so interactions with minor characters almost always line up with a potential crush for sokka or katara, and later, zuko (suki, haru, jet, yue, song, jin....). we rarely see katara build friendships with other girls and it’s such a damn shame.

(anyway bi katara for life)

a wish

the version of the puppetmaster we saw was actually fire nation propaganda, i feel like katara would have felt deep compassion for a prisoner of war and after maybe some clashes, would have agreed to help smuggle her out of the fire nation and secure passage home for hama, and tried to assure her that she still has a place there. the treatment of hama in that episode was awful (but also hama was written to be almost cartoonishly evil, very much an evil witch in her cottage in the spooky woods? like the whole horror movie / spooky story opening was such a big tell) and tbh i reject the thesis that we saw ‘katara’s dark potential’ in that episode completely, or that bloodbending as a power is inherently dark, or katara’s use of it to stop hama ‘corrupted’ her. I feel like katara might feel this way as a teenager perhaps but with time (she can be a little black and white at times), and especially with more training as a healer, i think she might realise that’s not the case, she’ll realise that she was right to try and oppose hama, her elder (she was lashing out rather than really trying to oppose the fire nation), and it wasn’t a betrayal of her or her beliefs, but also her use of bloodbending wasn’t wrong or evil inherently at all? and maybe she’d find ways to use it for healing purposes? anyway my wish is that, i like the idea that they meet again, speak about their differences, reconcile a little / come to an understanding, and katara learns more from hama again

an oh-god-please-don't-ever-happen

anything where katara’s character is reduced to a comforter or a healing device for a man and his trauma. particularly zuko. (they don’t have that dynamic in canon thankfully, zuko would never, zuko respects her too much)

5 words to describe them:

idealistic, hard-working, powerful, headstrong, kind

my nickname for them:

chief. or comrade. :^)

[macolegacy]

(dj khalid voice) another one. again big thanks to @sentinelapologist 😭💖 tagging @ratellini @gruvu again

KHALID AHMAAL

[WEALTH]

$ financial: wealthy / moderate / poor / in poverty Though Im unsure how much access he has to that family money to be honest…

✚ medical: fit / moderate / sickly / disabled / disadvantaged He has been through a lot physically, but despite that he’s pretty fit compared to your average person.

✪ class or caste: upper / middle / working / lower / transient / slave / unsure His family is a rich Sith family, so I assume they’re on the higher end of things?

✔︎education: higher education / secondary education / primary education / other / none I rewrote this to make it more international and vague in terms of star wars. (for example: Darth / Lord / Apprentice or Master / Knight / Padawan).
 In Khalid’s case, he has received private tutoring prior to becoming Baras’ apprentice. His parents made sure he knew everything there is to know.

✖ criminal record: yes, for major crimes / yes, for minor crimes / no / classified His record is clean in the Empire. On Zakuul…. well. Yknow. :o)

[FAMILY]

◒ children: has a child or children / has no biological children / wants children / has adopted children One day he’ll have some kids with Theron… idk when or how many but he definitely wants a family. <3

◑ relationship with family: close with sibling(s) / not close with sibling(s) / has no siblings / sibling(s) is deceased He was close with his sister, but she was killed by his brother during their trials on Korriban. Khalid doesn’t know where his brother is now, whether he’s alive or dead… They weren’t that close in the first place.

◔ affiliation: orphaned / adopted / disowned / raised by birth parent(s) / not applicable  

[TRAITS + TENDENCIES]

♦ extroverted / introverted / in between

♦ disorganized / organized / in between

♦ closed-minded / open-minded / in between

♦ calm / anxious / in between

♦ disagreeable / agreeable / in between Arguments with him usually don’t go heated, and he’s willing to hear you out. If the topic allows it, he usually agrees to disagree.

♦ cautious / reckless / in between He’s definitely not doing suicide missions lmfao. Depending on what’s at stake, he’s willing to take heavy risks.

♦ patient / impatient / in between That said, he doesn’t have patience for inefficiency and foolishness.

♦ outspoken / reserved / in between He’ll contribute to conversations when he deems necessary… with friends he’s more open, but even then he’s more of a listener than a talker. This is why he enjoys Vette’s company and commentary a lot, sometimes contributing some dry sarcastic comments as well. :’)

♦ leader / follower / in between He’s used to calling the shots, and he’s very good at it. That said if someone knows more than him, he’s more than willing to hand over the reigns.

♦ empathetic / unempathetic / in between Only friends and respected allies will experience this side of him. He’s good at giving counsel if desired, or consoling someone when he can. Outside of that circle he seems pretty stoic and monotone.

♦ optimistic / pessimistic / in between He’s realistic, and sadly reality isn’t usually that bright. :’)

♦ traditional / modern / in between In reference to the Sith and the Empire, he definitely has… ‚revolutionary‘ concepts and ideas to the existing agendas, which not many appreciate.

♦ hard-working / lazy / in between

♦ cultured / uncultured  / in between He knows his table and party manners if that’s what this is about ??? Lol

♦ loyal / disloyal / unknown

♦ faithful / unfaithful / unknown In the religious sense yes, he believes in the Force. But also in the relationship sense.

[SEXUALITY & ROMANTIC INCLINATION]

❤ sexuality: heterosexual / homosexual / bisexual / asexual / pansexual / other

♡ romantic orientation: heteroromantic / homoromantic / biromantic / aromantic / panromantic / other

❥ sex: sex repulsed / sex neutral / sex favorable / naive and clueless

♥ romance: romance repulsed / romance neutral / romance favorable / naive and/or inexperienced

❣ sexually: adventurous / experienced / naive / inexperienced / curious

⚧ potential sexual partners: male / female / nonbinary / none / all

⚧ potential romantic partners: male / female / nonbinary / none / all

[ABILITIES]

☠ combat skills: excellent / good / moderate / poor / none

≡ literacy skills: excellent / good / moderate / poor / none

✍ artistic skills: excellent / good / moderate / poor / none

✂ technical skills: excellent / good / moderate / poor / none He’ll leave the tech stuff to vette or theron…. :’)

[HABITS]

☕ drinking alcohol: never / sometimes / frequently / to excess He enjoys alderaanian wine, but he usually indulges after *very* hard days.

☁ smoking: trying to quit / never / sometimes / frequently / to excess

✿ other narcotics: never / sometimes / frequently / to excess


✌ medicinal drugs: never / sometimes / frequently / to excess

☻ indulgent food: never / sometimes / frequently / to excess Gel-fruit bars man…. His ship is full of them. Jaesa and Vette have to snatch them out of his hands to keep him from eating more than one a day.

$ splurge spending: never / sometimes / frequently / to excess hey, sometimes u just gotta buy that cool sexy red armor. :’) or something for ur friends hee hee.


♣ gambling: never / sometimes / frequently / to excess

[greensconnor]

i’m asking about your dragon age characters

molly i would KILL for u im ur personal hitman now

anyway i said my city now because the entire bioware writing team sucks shit xoxo and i’m so much smarter than all of them but also fully incapable of having a normal amount of ocs for anything (see: the time i made 20 rwby ocs in less than two weeks) so i have. five worldstates here r some assorted thoughts

uhhh so the worldstates r as follows

eira mahariel (two-handed berserk/champ spec), rhett hawke (two-handed berserk spec), alas lavellan (mage knight enchanter spec), romanced alistair/fenris/dorian respectively

shiv tabris (dual wield duelist/assassin spec), radella “rads” hawke (mage spirit healer spec), kat adaar (two-handed reaver spec), romanced morrigan/isabela/cassandra respectively because im a pc gamer and i think i should be able to date whatever video game woman i like because im infinitely better than cishet men

this world state said yeah i respect mens rights. mens rights to shut the fuck up

twins bronson (sword/shield reaver spec) & bryant cousland (archer ranger spec), carmine hawke (archer assassin spec), syracuse trevelyan (dual wield tempest spec), romanced zevran/anora/josephine/bull. if ur wondering how that works my city now and the warden, hawke and the inquisitor should all meet and so they do because i Said So

riva amell (mage arcane warrior/battlemage spec), graham “gray” hawke (mage force spec), hellathen “hela” lavellan (archer assassin spec); romanced cullen/anders and later blackwall because hawke only likes men who will break his heart. hela doesn’t have a romance because she’s literally 20. who let her lead the inquisition (me it was me). also it should be noted the version of cullen i have in my head only vaguely resembles actual cullen because i write better than dragon age writers ever could and i gave him an Actual Cohesive Narrative and he gets bullied relentlessly for being scrawnier than his mage boyfriend

malien “mal” surana (mage spirit healer/keeper spec), jules hawke (sword/shield reaver spec), ash adaar (mage rift spec), romanced leliana/merrill/krem because i should have been able to kiss krem and its a Crime that i am not allowed to

knight enchanter is a Very op specialization and by Very op i mean it makes a mage with their built-in low constitution stats able to solo the biggest baddest dragon in the game on nightmare mode in under five minutes so like. alas lavellan fist fights dragons for fun send tweet

i think lavellans should be able to hit ppl with bricks for all the shit they endure. thus solas gets pranked by mahariel and alas by which i mean they just tip buckets of water onto him from the rookery

kat might be my only competent inquisitor but she did also try to knock out the right hand of the divine and attempt to gap even tho there’s fucky magic burning up her hand so does she have a brain cell? you decide

also its fantasy land and i do what i want so kat has blue/gold sectoral heterochromia

gray “mage rights” hawke is best friends with fenris which surprises literally everyone. their friendship started because they got into a fist fight and then they were like okay i respect u now. hawke is like hey fenris give me ur sword i have a fun trick to show u [uses his sword as a foci to zap carver in the ass with lightning]

i am Always thinking abt like how cullen could have been one man anti-chantry propaganda machine if he hadn’t so blatantly been shoehorned into every game past origins so anyway bioware forgot about a wholeass moon i can write what i like. [holds up cullen by the scruff of his stupid armor] not only are you bisexual you are also a bottom

i also Hate the whole uwu mage haters get fixed by romancing a mage

unlocked secret dialogue option where my inquisitors verbally cuss out dorian’s dad instead of whatever sympathetic narrative the writers were going for cuz its bullshit.

riva is a showoff and a Menace about being as good as he is because he unabashedly loves being a mage and hes like oooh look at me im sexy i dont need to use my hands to cast magic because i’m just that good ;)) and you know what. hes right.

gray, on the other hand, does Not want to be mage. he wants to be a druffalo farmer and retire in the hinterlands and be left the fuck alone. unfortunately he is gay and has one brain cell and terrible, terrible taste in men. ribbed relentlessly for this by riva (altho does he have room to talk hes been hung up on cullen since he was like 13)

shiv is trans n kieran is the result of doing the dark ritual with her wife and he looks a Lot like shiv (dark skin pointed ears, shock-white hair) and morrigan always just Assumed she dyed it or did something magic with it so seeing their kid come out like that was a WEIRD time for her

leliana almost Murdered by cassandra in worldstate 5 because the warden is Actually There The Whole Time, but its been 10 years, mal’s cut off all her hair and gotten full facial tattoos and she’s like “no one will know its me its fine” and she’s right. she gets away with it. only cullen like, Knows, because he knew her before the blight but he doesnt have a death wish n he like. will Not piss her off

shes dalish by birth n she was stolen from her clan by templars and thus is vehemently anti-circle and anti-chantry in general

uhhh the vallaslin (elf face tattoos) of my 4 dalish characters are:

eira = ghilan’nain (chose em cuz shes rlly interested in the navigation aspect of the goddess)

alas = falon’din (god of the dead n he picked them because he’s Also the god of fortune and alas is like tee hee fun but also he can and will kill u if u fuck with him so yk its fitting)

hela = june (god of the craft bc she likes to Make things but june is also the god who taught the elves 2 hunt and hela is. a hunter.)

mal = elgar’nan (allfather/god of vengeance bc. she is Vengeful. she is Angry. but yk fucking with shem politics and fucking their divine is like. mal may have little a retribution. as a treat.) yes she has the full half-face solid colour tattoo she does NOT fuck around.

bronson and bryant r not genetically identical but they Look similar enough 2 anyone who doesn’t know them well enough 2 play spot the distance. anora and bronson think this is a super fun game to play, especially when nobles realize they’ve swapped out the king but they’re too nervous to say anything

eira mahariel has two hands. one is for holding hands with alistair and the other is for throttling elven gods, apparently. she’s killed one before so solas she’s coming for your bitch ass next. watch urself.

speaking of eira and alistair are married thru dalish tradition and humans don’t recognize it n alistair loves 2 re-propose to her with random things. he’ll just pick up like. a bit of cheese and be like “marry me ;)” and she’s like GASP but whatever will the chantry say!!!! all of their friends r sick of them

“vhenan if you love me bring me a sword” “you think i could do better than a sword made out of space rock?” “:)”

eira is my youngest hero at 18 at the start of her game and kat is my oldest at 32 at the start of her game.

none of my hawkes are under six foot. rhett is the tallest (6′8″) and rads is the shortest (6′2″).

syracuse trevelyan would have been the Perfect inquisitor if he were not a pretty boy himbo and a gay bastard who does Most Things just to spite his parents.

[corypheus pointing at syracuse’s visage in his crystal orb thingo] i want that twink obliterated

i love the companions from older games return thing i truly do so i make it a point for Every companion to return in inquisition so the gang rlly is all here because i am a Slutte for found family

i lie in my keep worldstates because i dont want to choose between hawke and alistair during here lies the abyss but i never make him king and every time i play inquisition and cole has the wicked grace line it makes me Scream. alistair baby im so sorry i did this to you but i didnt actually do this to you

yes this is my everyone lives au but like. all the time. i have never left hawke in the fade and i do not intend to.

fuck whatever nonsense about wardens not being able 2 have kids. by sheer divine power (me) anora and bryant have three daughters; eleanor, sabina & cecelia n both bronson and zevran make Excellent uncles because i think anora deserves good things because i’m tired of bioware being like women bad, actually,

so like most of the time i have the warden & hawke turning up after the move to skyhold n then staying on, with the exception of bryant, carmine & mal. mal is as mentioned previously just There the whole time with her girlfriend. bryant steps in as king of ferelden w/ interests in closing the big hole in the sky spewing demons in2 his kingdom yk. carmine shows up because she wants to help & she wants protection for bethany but she outright says she’d rather die than be inquisitor so cassandra is shit out of luck.

“CHANGE HER MIND VARRIC” “she once doubled down on insisting amaranth was a shade of blue because she didn’t want to admit to being wrong. no one’s changing her mind seeker”

alas is the middle child of eight and is thus very good with children and also bossing around people older than him. 2 of his older siblings come to the inquisition when stuff in wycome has been settled

i left ash with the basic canon background with Some variation (he grew up under the qun and left of his own free will when his magic was discovered n he realized he couldn’t take living as a saarebas

kat on the other hand was raised tal-vashoth and has bounced around basically all over thedas and leads her own merc company when the conclave blows up. she also speaks multiple languages. is there a language she doesn’t speak? probably not

just realized how long this got so im gonna like. stop my general rambling now but lmao yeah theres some basics. waves hands.

[kdramacollections]

COIN LOCKER GIRL/CHINATOWN

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “coin locker girl”? If you have similar thoughts as I do, then you’ll probably think about coin lockers, and totally disregard how a girl’s related to this method of storage.

Or, you could immediately think about those coin-operated lockers that are at the train stations you see in your own country, or in a movie you’ve watched. Coin lockers are actually popular in Japanese train stations, and come in different sizes.

Bear in mind, that the setting for this movie is Seoul, South Korea, and if it isn’t obvious by now coin lockers are indeed involved.

Before I go any further, I must emphasize that Coin Locker Girl is classified as a Korean Noir film. The term film noir describes movies with a dark style of film-making that consists of stark lighting effects, a few flashback scenes, and of course pessimism, fatalism, and menace.

Coin Locker Girl has its fair share of brutal and triggering scenes, so if you can’t stomach that much action, then do.not.watch.

The movie opens up with a scene that immediately opens the floodgates for many unanswered questions. However, that scene doesn’t last long, and so we’re introduced to one of the most important characters of this movie. The woman pictured above is known as Mother, and everything that goes down in Coin Locker Girl is centered around the decisions she makes.

When Il-Young came into this world, she was immediately abandoned, and get this, the poor, defenseless baby was left inside a coin locker. Unfortunately for her, the person who found Il-Young, decided to sell her to a loan shark in Chinatown seven years later.

Against her will, Il-Young is now a member of this shady ‘family’, and spends her days going around the city collecting debt from those who owe Mother. You can just imagine exactly what would happen if one were to miss a payment on their loan. 

Roughly a decade passes by and Il-Young is a master at collecting money for Mother. She’s so good at this, that her boss allows her to go out alone on runs. The plot then takes a different direction when she meets Seok Hyun, an optimistic young man who’s left to answer the calls of numerous debt collectors at his door.

Il-Young finds Seok Hyun a bit interesting as the young man remains happy, even when his life is in shambles. Seok Hyun’s father left the country to work so he can pay off the numerous loans he owes in South Korea. Il-Young has seen such a situation on numerous occasions, and she knows that Seok Hyun’s father isn’t coming back.

From the few dates that the two go on, it’s obvious that Il-Young has taken a liking to Seok Hyun. But then, she knows what will become of him if he doesn’t pay his debts, and so she lies to the family. 

It’s interesting to note that Il-Young seems to play an important role in this family, one sibling has an intellectual disability, the other is a drug addict, and the most dangerous sibling of all has left home to start his own business. 

Il-Young seems to love and trust her family, even though there are times when she questions exactly where she comes from, and questions her true identity. However, she knows where her loyalties lie.

But then, Seok Hyun’s debt hasn’t disappeared, and Il-Young can only stall for so long. The tempo increases as Il-Young knows what’s coming, but she knows in her heart, that Seok Hyun doesn’t deserve the end that’s he destined for.

She tries her best, but at the end of the day, Mother is powerful, and if a debt can’t be paid in full, then she’s going to need something else of value.

Seok Hyun’s character existed as a ray of sunshine for the plot. However, we’re then pulled into the world of gangs, human and organ trafficking when Il-Young’s crazy sibling Chi Do kidnaps her and orders shipping her off to God-knows-where.

Of course, Coin Locker Girl wouldn’t be that exciting if our female lead were to suddenly disappear. Il-Young digs deep and unleashes all the anger and pain she felt over the years. And so she goes after her family.

A battle ensues as she gets into fight after fight, and from these scenes it’s obvious that she’s fighting for a way out. Her last battle is between her and Mother, and the symbolism is great in this scene, as Il-Young challenges the hand that held her down her entire life.

After the truth comes to light, and Il-Young becomes free of the chains that once held her captive, she has the choice to be a new person. Much to my disappointment, Il-Young didn’t grasp the opportunity to a new life, and so she falls into the cycle that she’s accustomed to.

 If Film Noir movies are your thing, then you may be satisfied with how Coin Locker Girl turned out. But I have to ask:

Why introduce a character who manages to show Il-Young how beautiful life can be? 

Why allow her to empathize with another? 

Why would you allow her to once, in her life, make her own decisions on how she wants to live?

Kim Hye Soo plays the character of Mother, a loan shark who sets up shop in Chinatown. Mother is the head of the family, and so all decisions have to go through her. Even though she looks a bit tough, she does care for all her children. Kim Hye Soo is a veteran actress, and so she has many projects under her belt. You can find her in the dramas, Signal and Romantic Doctor, Teacher KIm.

Kim Go Eun plays the character of Il-Young, an obedient debt collector who goes about her life without engaging in much conflicts. Il-Young, for the first time in her life, has liked a boy, and it’s these feelings that leads to all the drama in Coin Locker Girl. Kim Go Eun is no doubt one of the most talented actresses of her generation, and so she was able to perform well in this movie. You can find her in the dramas, Cheese in the Trap, and Goblin.

Park Bo Gum plays the character of Seok Hyun, an optimistic individual who refuses to be burdened by his troubles. Park Bo Gum may not have had many scenes, but his character was influential nonetheless. In truth, and in fact, Park Bo Gum excels at whatever role he plays, and so he performed well in this movie. You can check him out in the dramas, Encounter, and Love in the Moonlight.

Coin Locker Girl was written and directed by Han Jun Hee, who also worked on The Gifted Hands and Hit-and-Run Squad.

This movie also received a few awards:

1. 2016 (52nd) BaekSang Arts Awards

Best New Director - Han Jun Hee

2. 2015 (35th) Korean Association of Film Critics Awards

Best Actress - Kim Hye Soo

Plot: 4/5

Cinematography: 5/5

Acting: 5/5

Total: 14/15

(Credits to the owners of the pictures, I took them from imdb, youtube, hollywoodreporter, giffonifilmfestival, Koreaherald, and hancinema)

[puppetiers]

Makeover Party

[Cal > 04]

Cal: HEY!!

04: hey!!

Cal: WHAT IS A GOOD OUTFIT FOR WHEN SOMEONE WANTS TO MEET SOMEONE ELSE?

04: it depends on who they're meeting.

Cal: WHY DOES THAT MATTER?

04: well, you would have a different outfit if you're planning to meet an attorney vs a potential boyfriend vs a charity donator, you know?

Cal: IT HAS TO BE A CUTE OUTFIT!

04: cute like actually cute or cute like lowkey hot? 04: i have to make sure.

Cal: I'M Cal: NOT SURE.

04: hmmmm. 04: well we can find an inbetween, i'm sure!

Cal: OKAY. 8D Cal: HEE HEE HAA HAA.

04: hoo hoo! ;p 04: can i come see your closet? it's easier than just givin' you a bunch of words.

Cal: I'LL BRING MY CLOTHES TO YOU!!

04: that works!

Cal: YOUR ROOM! ALONE!

04: can do!

Lil Cal 02/01/2019

> As announced, you're at his door in just a few moments, your arms full with a sizeable pile of clothes of all kinds of colors and styles. The hallway is clear for the moment, so you're marginally patient enough to knock on the door with your foot, but you're not above forcing your way in, in some way or another.

Clover 02/01/2019

As is reasonably fortunate, you're already there, and you get up to let him in with a smile and a slightly raised eyebrow. "So, someone special?"

Lil Cal 02/01/2019

"Nnno. Maybe." You're NOT going to gossip about this, you make clear as you shove yourself past him. Once in the room, you drop all the things right on the floor.

Clover 02/02/2019

"So yes, basically. Lookit you getting somebody~" You pick up the pile and drop it on your bed, starting to sort through it.

Lil Cal 02/02/2019

Your red cheeks seem to be getting a bit more red. You can't really deny any of it, but you just really don't like your feelings, and even more so him, being the the subject of a conversation. So you quietly join him, crawling onto the bed next to the pile and pulling your legs up with you. There's certainly a few nice looking suits of various cuts and colors, mostly from Scratch's collection for you. Aside from that there's a few more frilly and playful things that may be more reminiscent of dolls or old-timey theater. Mixed inbetween is a number of colorful, mismatched and at times surely misfitting clothes, some of them surely 'borrowed' from a few residents of the house, some possibly selfmade. You love them all, Clover would know, and would wear them proudly. But you just have no concept of how a 'normal' person would dress appropriately.

Clover 02/02/2019

There's always something familiar, uniquely recognizable about the way Cal moves like they're being pulled along by their joints and strings. You sometimes think they make your soft little self look like a doll by existing near you. "Do they have a favorite color?" you ask as you hold up a blazer to inspect it.

Lil Cal 02/02/2019

"Hmmmm orange." There may be a reason why it's your favorite color too..

Clover 02/02/2019

You know two orange people, and you're reasonably sure it's not the shark. You don't comment, though. Who knows, there's the bizarre off chance of it being somebody without a constantly associated color. "Midway between cute and lowkey hot, a'right, and do you want to make a casual or classy impression?"

Lil Cal 02/02/2019

You shift a little awkwardly. How you hate not knowing these things. HATE. "What's.. the difference?" Your smile remains, but it grows more insecure by the moment.

Clover 02/02/2019

"Casual is like- yeah, I'm chill, I'm somebody you can relax around, it's all no big deal. Classy is like, look at me, admire me, find me attractive."

Lil Cal 02/02/2019

"...both."

Clover 02/02/2019

"Listen. They're opposite sides of the scale for a rea-- you know, alright, we can middle ground everythin'...." You shift contemplatively through the pile and push your tongue into your cheek, glancing between them and the clothes every few moments.

Lil Cal 02/02/2019

"I! Want to be somebody to relax around... and to admire and look at!" You pout some. "Sure you can actually do that?"

Clover 02/02/2019

"Well, your clothes can't make you anything, they're basically a combo bonus if you act how you look...." You pass them a white button-up. "And it also depends on if you want to act a certain way to make 'em like you or you want to be true to yourself."

Lil Cal 02/02/2019

Man, that's a lot to expect from a poor lil doll like you. You take the shirt and press it against yourself. "I... I want him to like me."

Clover 02/04/2019

You gesture at the rest of the pile. "Then pick out what you think makes you feel good bein' looked at in it and I'll refine from there."

Lil Cal 02/04/2019

Urgh, useless >:(. You came here so he can help you with this, after all!! You stare long and hard at the pile, the pull out an off-white shirt with cute frilly collar and sleeves. "This!" It's a pretty shirt that you should wear more, and if not now, then when.

Clover 02/04/2019

"A'right. Anything else stand out or do you want me to build the rest? 'Cause I'm happy t'."

Lil Cal 02/04/2019

"Mmm.. Does this fit?" You pick up an orange jeweled bow tie.

Clover 02/04/2019

"Perfect!" You clap. "You're getting the hang of it. Oh, wait. Is this meetin'  happenin' inside or outdoors?"

Lil Cal 02/04/2019

That counts as a compliment. You giggle excited. Now the outfit is getting somewhere. "Inside!"

Clover Last Tuesday at 12:21 AM

"Excellent."  You reach for the collection of shoes you seperated from the rest of the pile, contemplating for a moment before you hook your fingers in a delightful off-white, black-accented pair and seek a set of slacks to go with the set. One rarely goes wrong with black paired to white.

Lil Cal Last Wednesday at 9:04 AM

Ahh perfect! These are perfect! Your whole outfit will be perfect! You need to try it on right away. The excitement is more than obvious as you start pulling up your jacket and shirt.

Clover Last Wednesday at 2:32 PM

You respectfully set the things down and cut your eyes away- it's not as if he's exactly your sibling by blood or legal ties (as far as you know) but you'd kinda feel weird thinking about Cal in that way anyway.

Lil Cal Last Wednesday at 4:10 PM

Well, all Clover is missing out on is a lot of semi-carapacian nothingness. You frankly didn't even consider that being a problem. Either way, you're quickly covered by the shirt you picked and work on getting the bowtie to sit just right. "Is this good?"

Clover Last Wednesday at 7:13 PM

You clap as if given a show and cheer theatrically, grinning at him.

Lil Cal Last Wednesday at 8:19 PM

You grin widely and giggle. This is all the praise you need and want. "What else?" You're still missing fitting pants aand maybe accessories.

Clover Yesterday at 2:33 PM

You push a set of black slacks towards him and look through the pile for a second, snap, and get up. You rifle through your drawers and come back with a simple bead bracelet, then offer to help with his makeup.

Lil Cal Yesterday at 2:48 PM

While Clover fetches whatever else he wants to give you, you work on changing into the pants. "Ohh this is cute! Do you have more?" Obviously more bracelets are better, right??? Of course you agree to him doing your makeup!

Clover Yesterday at 5:33 PM

"Way too many," you say with a short giggle, then look him over for a second before pulling your makeup kit under your arm and grabbing your box of accessories. "Bathroom, let's go."

Lil Cal Yesterday at 6:37 PM

You giggle as well and follow him into the bathroom, your eyes wide and sparkling with excitement.

Clover Today at 12:01 AM

And so ensues a proper MINI MAKEOVER MONTAGE.

Lil Cal Today at 12:03 AM

Hell yes YOU'RE VERY CUTE AND READY FOR A DATE.

[myhappypilloppa-blog]

Oppa’s Information : Lee Joon Gi

Stage Name: Lee Joon Gi /  이준기

Real Name: Lee Jun Ki

Profession: Actor, Singer, Model

Birthdate: April 17, 1982

Birthplace: Busan, South Korea

Weight: 66 kg.

Height: 178 cm/ 5’10’’

Blood Type: B

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Talent Agency: Namoo Actors

Education: Seoul Institute of Arts

Year Graduated: He wasn’t able to graduate because of his poor studies.

Net Worth: 70 million US Dollars

Siblings: Younger sister

Related People: He is in a relationship with actress and Joseon Gunman co-star, Jeon Hye Bin

Social Media Account: instagram

PRE-DEBUT LIFE

·         He became interested in the performing arts as a high school student after watching a performance of Hamlet.

·         He moved to Seoul with a dream to work in the entertainment industry rather than getting into college.

·         He worked at various part-time jobs before he got accepted into Seoul Institute of Arts.

CAREER TIMELINE

2001

·         He debuted as a model for a clothing brand, “So Basic”.

2003

·         He appeared in MBC Nonstop 4.

2004

·         He was cast in the film The Hotel Venus which was produce in Japan and Flying Boys.

·         He got a role in the TV Series, Drama City: What Should I Do? and Star’s Echo.

2005

·         He landed in his first major acting role in the film, The King and The Clown.

·         The producer of the film explained how he chose Joon Gi for the role by just seeing him handstands saying, “Just because of handstands, Lee Joon Gi became the person he is today.

·         He became an “icon” of the South Korean “pretty boy” trend.

·         He was cast in SBS’s My Girl alongside Lee Da-Hae and Lee Dong-Wook.

2006

·         He had his follow up film, Fly, Daddy,Fly.

·         He was reportedly paid 100 million won, relatively low given his rising popularity. This is because the contract was signed in early December when Joon Gi was still an unknown actor.

·         His follow up movie garnered attention among Chinese viewers.

·         He was cast in a cameo role in The 101st Proposal.

·         At the same year, he released an album entitled, My Jun, My Style. It consists of three songs: One Word, Don’t Know Love and Foolish Love.

·         He won a Popular Star Award for King and The Clown in the 27th Blue Dragon Film Awards.

·         He won a Best Couple Award with Kam Woo Sung for King and The Clown at the same event.

·         He awarded as Best Actor in a Music Video for the MV of Grace by Lee Soo Young in the 8th Mnet KM Music Festival.

·         He won as Best New Actor for King and The Clown in the 5th Korean Film Awards.

·         He won as Best New Actor, Popularity Award and Overseas Popularity Award for King and The Clown in the 43rd Grand Bell Awards.

·         He won as Best New Actor for King and The Clown and InStyle Fashionista Award in the 42nd Baeksang Arts Awards.

·         He won as Bes Actor for King and The Clown in the Max Movie Awards.

2007

·         He filmed a joint Korea-Japan movie entitled, Virgin Snow with Japanese Actress, Aoi Miyazaki.

·         The movie was a success, it was placed as 9th at the box office chart and set a new ticket admissions record for Korean film released in Japan.

·         He participated in the film May 18, which based on the events surrounding the Gwangju Massacre of 1980.

·         He took on his first drama leading role in MBC action drama, Time Between Dog and Wolf.

·         He received an Overseas Star Award in the 10th Annual Shanghai International Film Festival.

·         He received a Rising Star Awards in the 27th Hawaii International Film Festival.

·         He won an Excellence Award for Time Between Dog and Wolf in MBC Drama Awards.

·         He was awarded as South Korean Artist of the Year in China Fashion Awards.

·         He received a New and Superior Star Award in the Andre Kim Best Star Awards.

·         He won as Most Popular Actor for Fly, Daddy, Fly in the 43rd Baeksang Awards.

2008

·         From April to July, he played a titular role in SBS’s Iljimae.

·         The final episode achieved a rating of 31.4% viewership. It was also aired in Japan on the channel TV Tokyo.

·         July 29, 2008, he was chosen as ambassador for the 2008 Seoul Hallyu Festival.

·         He was also appointed the first Honorary Legal System Officer since the Constitution of the Government Legislation Agency to commemorate their 60th anniversary.

·         September 2008, he had a contractual dispute with his agency, Mentor Entertainment, whom he was signed to since March 2004 in an exclusive contract for five years. He was being sued for 500 million won for breach of contract and for supposedly hiding 1 billion won in an attempt ti established his own agency in association with his manager.

·         He won as Most Popular Actor for Time Between Dog and Wolf in the 3rd Seoul International Drama Awards.

·         He won a Top Excellence Award, Netizen Popularity Award and Top 10 Stars for Iljimae in SBS Drama Awards.

2009

·         August 5, 2009, he was appointed promotional ambassador of the Korea Tourism Organization.

·         He starred in a comedy-action drama, Hero.

·         He did a documentary together with Kim Ha-neul entitled World Special “LOVE”- Indonesia with Lee Joon Gi and Kim Ha-neul which was aired for a week in tvN.

·         He appeared as guest in Golden Fishery and Family Outing.

·         He released an album entitled J Style consisting of 5 songs: J Style, Soliloquy, I’m Ready, Selfless Dedicated Tree and a Japanese song Fiery Eyes.

·         He won a Popularity Award for Hero in MBC Drama Awards.

2010

·         Upon the expiration of his contract with Mentor Entertainment, he signed with a newly established independent agency, JG Company.

·         May 3, 2010, he was enlisted to serve a mandatory military service. He underwent a five weeks of basic training at Nonsan military training camp and was later drafted into active duty.

·         He had initially applied for a postponement because he was in the midst of shooting Grand Prix with Kim Tae Hee and was cast to star in a TV Drama, Faith. However, Military Manpower Administration declined and sent a final notice for enlistment, leading him to pull out of both projects.

·         He served within the public relations department of the Ministry of National Defense.

·         He was chosen to represent Korea as a goodwill ambassador at the 20th Shanghai Expo.

·         On August, he co-starred with fellow actor Ju Ji Hoon in military musical, Voyage of Life to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. It was co-produced by the Ministry of National Defense and Korea Musical Theatre Association and was shown for 8 days in the National Theater of Korea.

2012

·         After serving for 21 months of active duty, he was discharged on February 16, 2012 from the Defense Media Agency at Yonsan-dong, Yonsan-gu, Seoul.

·         He held a fanmeeting, “Reunion JG” at Sangmyung Art Center, Seoul.

·         It was followed by fan event tour of Jpan, titled Coming Back in Nagoya, Yokohama and Osaka from March 16 to 19.

·         In May 2012, he co-starred with Shin Min-a in period horror-romance, Arang and the Magistrate. This was his first project after military service.

·         He sang one of OST of Arang and the Magistrate, One Day.

·         On September 12, 2012, his reality show Lee Joon Gi’s JG Style was shown on Mnet Japan.

·         He released his third album, Deucer. It consists of four songs: Together, The Rain, Born Again, and Sweet Memory.

·         He received a Grand Prize, Korean wave category for Lee Joon Gi’s JG Style in the Skapa Awards.

·         He won a Best Couple Award together with Shin Min-a for Arang and the Magistrate in MBC Drama Awards.

2013

·         He starred in the action-thriller, Two Weeks.

·         His second reality show, Lee Joon Gi’s JG World was shown in Mnet Japan.

·         He appeared as guest in Healing Camp and Happy Camp.

·         He released two albums, the CBC / Case by Case which was released on January 29 and My Dear which was released on December 10. CBC/ Case by Case consist of five songs: The Answer (Intro), Tonight, Case by Case, Closer and Lost Frame. My Dear consists of five songs also: Fever, My Dear, Fiery Eyes (New Ver.), Foolish Love (New Ver.) and Selfless Dedicated Tree (New Ver.).

·         He won as Outstanding Korean Actor for Arang and the Magistrate in 8th Seoul International Drama Awards.

·         He won a Top Excellence Award for Two Weeks in 2nd APAN Star Awards.

2014

·         He signed in with a new management agency, Namoo Actors.

·         He starred in the period drama, Gunman in Joseon.

·         On November 21, he released a new album, Exhale. It consists of six songs: Ma Lady, U, For A While, Bring Da Beat (ft. Yoo Seung-chan), Ma Lady (Inst.) and For A While (Inst.).

·         He won an Excellence Award of Actor in a Mid-length Drama for Gunman in Joseon in KBS Drama Awards.

·         He won a Best Couple Award together with Nam Sang-mi for Gunman in Joseon in KBS Drama Awards.

2015

·         He starred in the vampire romance, Scholar Who Walks the Night.

·         He was cast in his first Chinese movie, Never Said Goodbye.

·         He appeared as cameo in a drama series, She Was Pretty.

·         He received an award for Outstanding Korean Actor for Gunman in Joseon in the 10th Seoul International Drama Awards.

·         He won as Top 10 Stars Award for Scholar Who Walks the Night in MBC Drama Awards.

2016

·         On January 2016, he was cast in the lead role in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. A Korean remake of the Chinese TV series, Scarlet Heart. The 20-episode drama, budgeted at 13 million US Dollars.

·         On November 1, he hosted a free fan meeting titled, My Love Lee Joon Gi where fans are able to watch the final episode of Moon Lovers with him.

·         On October 2016, he signed as a new model for Lotte Duty Free Shop.

·         On December 3, he released a new album, Thank You. It consists of three songs: Thank You, Now and We Wish You A Merry Christmas.

·         He co-starred in a promotional web drama, First Seven Kisses.

·         He will be making is Hollywood debut with an appearance in the sixth and final installment of the Resident Evil series titled, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter which premiered on December 23, 2016 in Japan.

·         He appeared as guest in Running Man together with co-star, Hong Jonghyun and Kang Haneul.

·         He won a Top 10 Stars Award, K-Wave Star Award and Best Couple Award with Lee Ji-eun (IU) for Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo in SBS Drama Awards.

2017

·         His Hollywood debut movie, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter was released internationally on January 27, 2017.

·         On March 2017, he was a cast member of the second season of tvN’s variety show, My Ear Candy together with Park Min-young.

© DramaWiki, Wikipedia, FrostSnow, Sanaunet

[mile-ruichi]

I'm the Goblin Hater (Not really but I had to add it because of reasons, FXXK IT. You see what I did there? Okay let's end this now... )

So I finished watching Goblin (like almost 2 weeks ago) but was lazy to write the review.

I wasn’t planning on watching this show at first, because I could not feel the main couple. But to resume, shit happens and I decided to give it try.

I won’t resume the plotline since I’m pretty sure we all know what is this about. (Spoilers ahead)

Plot

This is the 2nd time in a row that Kim Eun Sook fucked up an excellent idea. That is without taking into account The Heirs, just for the fact that I did not watched it (and the fact that I doubt that that plot can be called original or excellent). Goblins, brides, grim reapers, ghosts, reincarnation and vengeance. Oh and let’s not forget the drama. This had a lot of intriguing things to develop in the plot , but all that potential landed in the hands of a writer that just crashed it against a wall.

Lack of  Argument

They just kept arguing about pulling out the sword out of the Goblin chest back and forth. No further plot there. They just dragged it for a lot of episodes when it could have been settled a lot earlier.

The goblin was told that if the girl didn’t pulled out the sword, she would die, because that was her fate. Then they throw at us a whole episode when she nearly dies at least 3 times. Next chapter all is forgotten and she never face danger for a long time… Now, my question is… How is that possible when the danger she was supposedly going to face, would worsen and the period of time between one and other would be less?

 The resume of the first 5 episodes can be the following:

“I’m the goblin bride.

 No, you’re not.

 I’m telling you i am

 Then do you see something weird in me?

 No, I don’t. 

Then you’re not the one”

 Then, in the 5th episode, she said I see your sword but I didn’t tell you anything because I  didn’t want to hurt your feelings… Are you really expecting me to believe this?

 Lots of silly dates and irrelevant scenes that were put there but did not add anything to the development of the story

Characters

If there is something that is worth the mention, about the writer, is her undeniable ability to write characters that are quirky, funny and endearing. Well most of them. 

 Ji Eun Tak

 I hated her character. Too stupid to my liking. 

Her age. One of those things I disliked was that she acted like a 13 years old…. She was supposed to be a high scholer but she was too much. Even if we take her as a 17 years old (in international age) she still does not fit the age. I mean she was a senior, about to enroll in college…. The heck? 

 Her past. I could have accepted her personality if it wasn’t for her past. No person that has been through the death of his mom at the age of 8, then physically and mentally abused by her aunt and cousings, that literally had to raise herself, can be like that… And you may think “The Goblin made her happy” mmm even if that is correct she still has no dark sides and her character has no depth at all.

 Her ugly personality. she kept trying to convince him that she was the goblin just for the sake of using him as her scapegoat. She did not like him nor did she had any feelings back then. She even started being demanding as if they were in a relationship when they clearly were mere strangers to each other. By episode 5 I got sick of her and started skipping all her parts.

 Does not fit. Do you know that situation when you are all talking lively, and then someone throws a bad joke and that stirs up a sudden awkward silence? Well that is her. She is clueless most of time. Her intervention and dialogues are cringe worthy and silly. She almost fell out of place. Like there was some deep shit happening or something and she just gets in and kills the mood of the scene. 

 Sunny not Sun Hee

As much as I like her (and was a trash second couple shipper), she still is one of the weakest characters in the Drama, if not the weakest.

Her parts. For most of the drama, specially in early episodes, she had barely any appearances in the drama. And when she had them, there were awkward, out of place and extremely short. She almost felt like an extra rather than an actual second female lead.

-Her character. Yoo in na is a great actress, but sadly, underrrated. I don’t understand why the writer would choose to make a second female lead that was even more clueless than the other one. Her character was so weird, she was supposed to make us laugh at some point, but all I was recieving was a  big wtf?

Does not fit. When the other three had something in common among them, she just was the sibling of the goblin and the frustrated love of the grim reaper in his past life. But she had almost no scenes with the goblin, witch was supposed to be her brother (mate they were so cold and awkward around each other). I think that the worst part is that she had no meaning neither in the past or the present, she was just there being the one killed, or the one suffering, but nothing else. There’s no deep meaning to her or something that can’t make us simphatize with her story. That is clearly seen in early episodes with barely scenes, or scenes in later episodes with purposeless cameos of her just drinking soju and counting people passing by.

Again this could’ve been a way better character, but they wasted Yoo In Na potential.

 Romance

 The romance in both cases looked too rushed and unnatural, although it was very cute, and heart warming (sometimes heart breaking), in the case of the second couple, the development and the progress of the romance didn't felt smooth at all. 

 Some good points 

 -The cinematography is flawless. Just simply beautiful, very well done and realistic, Sometimes it felt like a movie.

 -Special effects: I'm not the best friend of fantasy drama, because they tend to do the effects way to average and it ends looking fake. But I didn't have that problem here. They really did an excelent job. 

 Ost: Didn't heard must of it thanks to all skip between scenes that I did. But so far the ones that I listened to were pretty good. 

 Final thoughs

 Overall is a good idea with all what's needed to be a great drama, but ended up being bad written. There are some shining individual things, but when you put it all into a whole they're overshadowed by the ones that aren't that great. Those shinning points makes the drama watchable at least. But this is not something that I would recommend...

 Well that was more long that I expected

[some-triangles]

EPISODE 36.    Only three more to go.  I’ll miss these crazy kids… Greeny, Blondey, Bluey.  Cow.  The Murder Child.

You know who I’m not going to miss?

I’m not going to miss Akio and his endless, endless stream of vehicle-based dirty talk.

(A horse is a vehicle.)

Akio tells Utena that she looks just like a princess in the woods.  They make out.   Later, Miki and Juri see Utena walking home and Juri makes the following observation.

Everything’s changing. Things fall apart, the center cannot hold, falcon, gyre, etc.   Everyone was so excited about revolution that they forgot about the scary parts – baskets of heads, rotting in the Thermidor heat.

There follows a scene which is almost miraculous, in that it manages to earn for Touga and Saionji a tiny amount of my sympathy.  The secret, of course, is that you can’t spell sympathetic without pathetic.

Touga is taking Saionji for a ride in his sex bike.

After another flood of double-entendres – Saionji is not happy to be bottoming, although it’s hard to imagine how else this was going to work out – they get around to discussing the business at hand.  Saionji asks whether Touga is really going to duel again, and in so doing play into End of the World’s hands. He says that it is time for them to rise out of their coffins in defiance.  Touga says he will have his answer tonight.

Tonight.

Then Touga tells Saionji that standing up like that is dangerous.  It’s almost adorable, how hard they’re trying.  Poor fucked critters.

Later, Utena is chatting to Chu-Chu about Anthy’s visits to Akio, under a giant projection of Saturn and one of its moons.  (The best I can do for you there is that all of Saturn’s major moons are named after greek titans, all of whom married their siblings.   Let’s say it’s Rhea, who married Saturn himself, Cronus.)   Touga arrives unexpectedly.   He invites her out to the dueling arena to talk about End of the World.

After the above-pictured continuity error, Touga tries a couple moves, to no avail.  He tries again up on the platform, under the phantom castle.  He asks her if she’s in love with the chairman – she says there’s no way that could be, he’s got a fiancée and everything – and then asks if there’s no way that he could be her prince.  He tells her that he loves her, simply, and without the usual farting around.  He says that if she’ll stay with him that night, the memory will be all he needs.  She buys it, because he’s telling the truth.  

The next day, Saionji asks if Touga has his answer.  He does:

Touga admits that he has experienced the love feelings with all the grimness appropriate to this, his fall from playboy status.  He then turns around – oh, you dumb, dumb cluck – and says that now that he is armed with this information it is extra super clear that he must duel her and beat her so Akio can’t have her.   Not that he should, like, warn her, or tell her what’s going on, or anything like that.  That would be breaking bro code.   No, the only way to beat Akio is to excel in the contest that Akio invented and to follow the rules that Akio made up.  Hammer, meet nail.

He rolls up to Utena the next day and duly challenges her.  If she wins, the student council is done fucking around with Anthy, forever. If she loses, she must become… his woman.  

Nor did I.  He’s supposed to be better at this. Love, the ruin of conniving men.

A flurry of really execrable puns (this is not the shadow puppet girls’ finest outing) and we’re off to the dueling arena!  Already! 

When we get there it turns out that Saionji is an absolute natural at princessing.

He climbs into the car, the model of passivity, and commits.  If he’s smart, he’ll think about that when all this is over.  

Interestingly enough, Touga’s heart sword isn’t a katana – it’s a bastard.   Hee hee hee. 

The battle begins.  Touga and Utena go at it hard, pausing only for a sentimental borgesian dyad mid-skirmish. How many times have the two of them dueled, here?

It’s a moment of genuine tenderness.  In another life, one where Touga isn’t quite such a lange schwert, they could have had something real together. (Unfortunately in that life he pulls a Jeff Buckley before they have a chance to get anything going, but that’s another story for another time.)

Meanwhile, the arena is setting up for the finale.  It’s the last sanctioned duel of the tournament, a special match demands a special gimmick, and there are none more special than the Iron Circle. 

Touga takes advantage of the distraction caused by actual cars whizzing by at unsafe speeds to try for a sneak attack.  Utena backflips away.  There’s no time for half-measures; we skip right to the finish, as the bride abandons her body and protects the sword. 

It works.

As is often the case with heavily gimmicked matches, there’s no time for storytelling here – it’s just a series of big spots.  Utena may be a one-woman wrecking derby, but Touga’s got one last trick up his sleeve.

Oh, my poor, brave, deluded boys.

Utena doesn’t even bother summoning the prince.  She charges the sword-wielding moped jockey on foot and cuts his fucking bike in half.

Those who live shirtless die shirtless.

After it’s over, Touga warns her to beware End of the World, and the Rose Bride too.   She no-sells it and gives him the ol’ sayonara.  He’s toast – finished – done.  Except not quite, as there still needs to be an audience, to watch the rest play out.  And, to usher in the final act: Utena falls asleep early, with Akio’s name on her lips, but wakes in the middle of the night to find Anthy gone.   She goes looking for her and sees for herself the primal scene.

Good god, what now?

[idolizerp]

LOADING INFORMATION ON CELESTE’S MAIN RAP, VOCAL JI YULHEE...

IDOL DETAILS

STAGENAME: Jiyul CURRENT AGE: 27 DEBUT AGE: 22 TRAINEE SINCE AGE: 14 COMPANY: 99 SECONDARY SKILL: N/A

IDOL PROFILE

NICKNAME(S): 율율 (Yul-yul), 윙크 퀸 (Wink Queen), 섹시 다이너마이트 (Sexy Dynamite) INSPIRATION: She hatched a love for the art of performance from a young age; adoring the attention, and the applause, from the attendees at her parents’ church as she sang in the choir. The rush of adrenaline, the saccharine-sweet praise, the irrefutable high; it left her hungry for more. It was told to her once that she had a magnetism when she was in front of a crowd—a presence that not many possess. While she often felt that those who told her such kinds things weren’t being all too serious, she somehow convinced herself that she was good enough to audition for companies; the love of putting on a show guiding her to 99 Entertainment, and leaving her in their care. After début, however, Yulhee’s decided that her main goal as an idol is to be a voice for the women, and girls, who don’t necessarily have one. Whether they be trapped in sheltered lifestyles like she was in her past, or told they can’t do something that they love, she hopes that her example gives them strength. Without a cause to speak for, what she does as a public figure would mean nothing, so all she wants is to fuel her female fans with the confidence to take a risk, and change their lives for the better. SPECIAL TALENTS:

Despite being the main rapper in her group, she can match pitch fairly well.

She can comedically impersonate all of her group-mates’ singing voices.

It is often claimed by her members that she is an excellent pole dancer.

NOTABLE FACTS:

While she doesn’t have any tattoos on her body at present, she’s stated that she’s a bit interested in getting one sometime soon. She finds them stunning, and her fans often send her photos on Twitter of the theirs to see if she’ll like/retweet them.

Jiyul is a graduate of both SOPA, and Chung-Ang University.

She is known to be an avid, and vocal, supporter of LGBT+ rights, and celebrated the legalization of same-sex marriage in the USA on her social media platforms.

IDOL GOALS

SHORT-TERM GOALS:

Despite lackluster popularity for Celeste, Yulhee plans on breaking apart from her pack in order to release music as a soloist. She’s happy that she has a group of women behind her as friends, colleagues, and confidants, but she feels as though she’s trained for so long that she can handle being on her own. That, and she hopes to be able to fight for as much creative freedom as possible, but even if each song is planned out for her, she’ll happily perform them. All she wants is her own spotlight—plain and simple.

LONG-TERM GOALS:

Though a life of fame and fortune used to be her ultimate goal when she was young, now that she’s gotten older, Yulhee dreams of leaving the spotlight behind her in order to become a wife, and a mother. Having spent so much time underneath the strict rules of 99 Entertainment, all she wants is a simple existence; one where she could look back on all that she’s accomplished proudly, but still disconnect from each memory in order to gain some sort of peace of mind.

IDOL IMAGE

From afternoon getaways to pick up saccharine sweet confections of bubblegum pink hues from the convenience store at fourteen, to indulging in multiple bottles of soju after a long day of rehearsal at twenty-two, Yulhee has evolved throughout her time as an entertainer. Having entered the industry as a pre-teen, she was once a bright-eyed, naïve girl with an appetite for success—a determination to metamorphose recurring dreams into blissful reality. Once upon a time, she was seen as a mess of blushing cheeks and soft-spoken syllables; her personality ethereal, moldable, and delightful. This supposed innocence, as well as her lack of vocal chops, caused her to be overlooked for earlier generation groups that her company débuted, particularly Heaven, and instead, she was selected to start her career within a collective that was safer; something dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Though, by the time that she was introduced to the public at large, she had aged quite a bit—standing at twenty-three years old, her curves and more mature, feminine wiles noticeably different in comparison to a few of her members. It was at this time where her company began to realize that they might have made a mistake with her, but instead of forcing her into a mold that was meant to sweeten audiences up with aegyo and ‘little sister’ images, they allowed her to take a step out of the box ever-so slightly—to charm them with flirtation, endless winks, and well-timed comedic retorts.

In the beginning, she was similar to that of a more wholesome Marilyn Monroe—someone that had a playful, yet coquettish wit, but was swathed in a delicate, girlish charm that still fit Celeste’s image. When she was surrounded by a multitude of Nation’s Little Sister hopefuls, she stood out as the older sibling who was more experienced, more wise, and quite frankly, almost maternal. To a lot of their younger fans, she was the ‘cool unnie’ that they felt they could trust, or the ‘beautiful noona’ that younger men fell head over heels for. Yulhee took this image in stride, and though it wasn’t necessarily what she hoped, it was better than being reverted to being almost childlike. She’d never been good at faking cute, after all.

She had also become known on variety shows to tease and simper. It started out as an array of innocent compliments, batted eyelashes, and frisky remarks, but as Celeste began to evolve, she was slowly able to unleash her bewitching incantations even further—her once chaste intentions with slightly amorous advancements turning into full-blown coquetry; almost to the point of vulgarity. Now able to don miniskirts and low-cut blouses, she uses each inch of her frame to captivate audiences, and it is particularly entrancing to Celeste’s newfound male-dominated fanbase. Needless to say, she continued to blossom until she was vivid flora all on her own; the blessed switch in concept elevating her confidence, and pleasing her knowing that she was no longer going to be forced to release music that she, personally, deemed ‘too young’ for her. A negative side effect to this alteration, though, was the fact that many of her female fans thought she acted indecently in the media, and that in, and of itself, is something she deeply regrets, and feels remorseful over.

Despite the more overt approach to her sexuality, and the transition from being the ‘cool older sister’ to the ‘super sexy older woman,’ Yulhee still believes that her mind (especially her wit and wisdom) is what makes her marketable; relatable. She might portray herself as someone that’s a bit loose, and a bit of a minx to the public, but all of that is calculated, and she’s still able to handle herself in a poised fashion when need be. Why can’t beauty and brains live together in harmony? Why must they constantly exist so far away from one another? Why can’t she be sexy, and smart? Why can’t she be a role model, but also someone who embraces themselves completely? She’s here to prove that she’s a cocktail containing both—a woman who’ll make you blush, but also have long conversations about the state of the world, too. A woman who men and women would like to take to bed, but also someone to take home to meet the parents, too. It’s that duality that (hopefully) makes her every man’s dream girl, but every woman’s role model, as well.

IDOL HISTORY

1999.

The strong fingers of her father delicately plucked the keys of ivory and ebony, each note played flowing into her ears, being digested, and then replicated (to the best of her ability, at least) by the bell-like sound of her voice—it’s high-pitched, childish quality a testament to her youth. He plays each scale over, and over again, hoping that her still-developing ears would fine-tune themselves enough to correct the mistakes she’s made in the process, but she was still too young to understand what these exercises were for, and that was obvious.

“One more time, Hee-yah…”

His timbre soft, warm, and encouraging, as he travels up each octave; her breath working to support each note as it went higher, but once she wasn’t able to produce much noise, he ceased his motions; wishing she could’ve reached more than she had, but he didn’t want her to strain too much. That said, he wrapped an arm around her; pulling her in close as a non-verbal ‘good job’ to soothe her from all of the work he put her through.

“Wanna know what? I think you’re going to be fantastic for your solo this Sunday! You’ve really worked hard, and I’m proud of you. Mom will be, too.”

Nodding her head, she inhaled and exhaled a deep breath; her throat sore from the hours of practice she’d endured. Despite the workload, she was looking forward to her first ever recital with them at church; her mother, the director of the collective, eager to show the congregation what her little girl has been working on. The two have them had always stated that she was a chip off of the old block—her father’s looks, but her mother’s talent. Presently, she found all of the love and attention they gave her comfortable, but as time drifts on, it was only going to become more suffocating. For now, though, she did as she was told, and come the time she made her début as a singer at mass, Ji Yulhee began to fall in love with being in front of the crowd; the heat of a room full of people staring at her fueling her with confidence as opposed to uncertainty. All of the fun she had while being the center of attention was more important to her than being a perfect singer, after all.

Little did she know then that, as she grew into the woman that she’d become in adulthood, that rush of adrenaline would become something she chased forever.

2005.

Adolescence. What a troubling (and defining) time in a girl’s life.

Each year that she’s grown more and more into a woman, she’s been dolled up to be the poster child of the church that her father preached at. Truth be told, that isn’t something that she necessarily invited, but she was still too young to know what rebellion was. However, in her older age, she was growing a somewhat rotten attitude that would peek its head out in peculiar ways. At thirteen, she became a master of back-handed compliments; ones so decadently sinister, but still so drenched in sugar, that they didn’t come across as rude or deceitful. Despite this change in her demeanor, everyone who attended mass would shower her with compliments, and it became so often that, at the time, she was getting so sick, and tired, of hearing the same old repeated sentiments time, and time again.

“You’re so beautiful!” “You have a stunning voice!” “Have you ever thought about becoming an idol?”

At thirteen, she fought hard not to roll her eyes at the saccharine-sweet adulation. She didn’t mind the praise much at first, but having to step into a set of shoes that were far too perfect for her was exhausting. Not only that, but if she were being honest, she didn’t find herself to be that great, either. In a sense, she had a hunch that all of those who’d seen her grow were being overly kind. Sure, she had thought of auditioning for companies in hopes of escaping the sheltered walls that were built around her, and sure, she thought that just maybe, possibly, her singing voice was okay enough to mold, but everyone made it seem as though she was flawless; seamless. That, in and of itself, only added to the pressure she was subjected to on a daily basis. Also, each time the opportunity was created for her to seek out casting calls, she was needed for something: recitals, rehearsals, or chores, it didn’t matter. Time wasn’t ever kind to her, or her dreams. Luckily for her, though, another chance would be thrown in her direction, and this time, it’d work in her favor.

As she walked home from school one evening, she overheard two of her classmates talking about the recent announcement that 99 Entertainment made on the radio; their chatter leading her to discover that there was going to be an open call searching for talent the day after her fourteenth birthday. Rushing home, she let her parents know of her plans, and though they were hesitant at first, they allowed her to take part; having confidence that she would be able to make them, and their cohorts, proud with her supposed talent.

2008.

Her phone rings, and yet again, she lets it go to voicemail; the screen letting her know that she has a collection of twenty-seven missed calls from her mother in the past four hours.

It had been the fifth Sunday in a row that she hadn’t bothered to attend church, and it was becoming concerning for her parents. The tried, and true, excuse of needing to squeeze in extra time in the practice hall for yet another evaluation wasn’t working anymore, and they were adamant that she attend. The truth? She simply didn’t believe in what they preached anymore, and hadn’t for a very long time. She’s grown-up, experienced life, and has learned to make her own decisions; to live for herself, and herself only. They, however, didn’t want to believe that; or, rather, they absolutely refusedto believe it.

After all, how on earth could their little girl be an atheist?

Turns out, it only took her a few years to learn what rebellion was, and she was doing just that; turning her back on the world that she knew since birth. Never in her life had she been able to express herself like she had in training, and there was no way that she was going to give that up.

If it wasn’t for her successful audition at 99 so long ago, she would’ve still been trapped like Rapunzel in her parents’ world; treated like a princess who couldn’t ever step out of line. So, despite it being nearly soul-swallowing to focus wholly on work, school, and her dreams, Yulhee couldn’t be happier with where she’s at—this new form of limited ‘independence’ much more than she could’ve ever hoped for.

2010.

All she could think about was their critiques.

No matter how many times she tried to listen to music to drown out her thoughts, all she could hear was their voices—their pity-ridden tones still making her angry as she recollects the moment they told her that she wouldn’t be making her début. Four years had gone and went, and now, at nineteen, all she wanted to do was throw in the towel. Was all of this pain really worth it in the end anyway?

She’d always been a loose cannon; someone who, after years of keeping her head directed towards the ground, was no longer afraid to get angry, or speak their peace. Now, though, she felt as though she was forced into silence; much like she was as a child. Instead of being able to respond to their thoughts, she had to bite her tongue, but that didn’t stop her from seeing red as their words played on repeat in her mind.

“You just don’t have the strongest voice out of the girls here, and if you did, maybe you’d have a chance in Heaven, but we think that you need more time to grow.”

More time to grow? Had she not done so already? All of this was mere confirmation that all of her insecurities from her days in the choir were accurate; that she wasn’t as talented as everyone claimed.

“Your pitch is okay, at best, but you lack the edge we’re looking for. There’s no grit, no soul, and that’s what’s need for Heaven. We’d love it if you would learn to let go more.”

Each statement was like a jab to the heart, and though she did her best to be composed, she couldn’t help but feel as though she made a fool of herself, and that made her mad. Curse her mother for making her over-analytical, and curse her father for making her focus on the things that could be learned, instead of what could be felt. Turns out, in her eyes, at least, they tried turning her into a robot in more ways than one, and for that, she probably would never forgive them.

That said, though, she decided to suck up her frustrations, and move forward, but instead of focusing on singing, she decided to dabble in other branches of performance. Maybe she’d learn more if she hung up what she claimed to love in the past, and embraced something new?

2011.

Bass-heavy tunes flowed into her ears from a set of newly purchased headphones, and when she used to focus on how a singer would string their lines together to create pretty sounds, she now tossed that aside. At present, she solely focused on the passion the rapper exuded; admiring how they were able to express themselves in intensity; in fire. Never in her life had she been subject to a world of such power, and for once, she felt inspired. Back then, she failed to realize that she didn’t focus on singing for herself, no. She only did it because her parents wanted her to, so there was a disconnect between her, and music, whenever she opened her mouth to perform. Now, though, she was becoming drawn to a different method of performance—one that better suited her fierce personality.

So, after moving her focus over to rap, she found herself staying up all night to learn about rhythm, about flow, and about swagger; three things that were necessary to her success in the field. It wasn’t easy for her to adjust to, and it took her a long time before she was able to fully cover a song that was only rap, but she was dead-set on living and breathing hip-hop. Whether it was Western, or Eastern, she spent hours researching and studying; seeing what its origins were, its cultural importance at different periods of time, and it was then when a deep-rooted adoration for it was unlocked within her. Even though she lived in a completely different fashion from the genre’s founding fathers, she felt as though she could relate to them in a multitude of ways, and overall, she understood their anger.

She had a lot of it, too, after all.

After gaining a better understanding of it, she knows that it isn’t about staying perfectly in beat with the track; it’s about the movement, the message. Yes, being precise is important, but instead of focusing so hard on technicalities, she needs to use her emotions to fuel her performances. Unleashing that wasn’t going to be easy, but she was determined to try.

2013.

Manicured fingernails combed through the whorls of onyx-black tresses that traipsed down her back, high-heel clad feet confidently walking into the evaluation room she’d learned not to fear as much as she used to. She was once a meek girl who was never sure of how her performances would go, but now, especially after looking failure in the face once, and being able to trust in herself more, she donned a layer of confidence that wasn’t there before.

With a new transition into the world of rapping, she’s learned that she’s able to fully let go of whatever inhibitions and demons plagued her in the past; the sound of her mother’s voice no longer ringing in her ears as she now doesn’t focus much on singing. Instead, she uses the suppressed anger for the woman and man who raised her as ammunition. Sure, she’s still very much a novice in the eyes of the hip-hop world, but her presence has changed almost completely. So, as the music started, she took her position and began; her eyes narrowing as she delivered her verses; the nasally tone she adopted still adding a girlish charm to her stanzas. When she was finished, she waited for critiques—her new favorite part of each evaluation, believe it or not.

“You’re still having an issue with making sure your lyrics are pronounced properly, but this is better than last time. Your stage-presence has gotten better, as well.”

Nodding her head, she remained silent; learning from what they had to say instead of taking it to heart.

“It also seems that you’re not super comfortable performing choreography in heels yet, too, so maybe practice more with them next time? I don’t recall you ever wearing them while you rehearsed.”

Agreeing, she bowed and thanked them for their time—her work not yet done, but on the path of becoming more polished more and more everyday.

2015-2017.

Here she was: on-stage during her first ever goodbye stage, and even though television cameras spiraled around her like drones, she couldn’t help but feel painfully out-of-place. Having taken a chance by diving head first into the art of rap, she was stuck with a cute concept; one that would’ve been appropriate for her around the time she almost made her début. What’s more is that, after working so hard at her new passion, she was stuck mostly singing (and even talking) during Celeste’s first ever track. She had no honest idea why her life had taken this turn for her, but she couldn’t help but laugh in each recording session; every song they were given to work with driving her insane with how immature they sounded.

She, as well as the rest of her members, weren’t necessarily young girls anymore, and she found herself cringing more times than she could count every time they performed. She tried not to make it too obvious that she wasn’t having a great time, but it was extremely challenging.

In fact, a few of her sour facial expressions were caught on camera and it prompted some very low-scale attitude scandals, but overall, she did her best not to let her intensity show.

Throughout this time, though, she couldn’t help but think of how her parents were probably pleased with what she’s up to; their daughter back to rocking an innocent image all over again—one that she’s tried so hard to desperately run away from.

Time and time again, though, she wasn’t allowed to properly rap on title songs, and that made her extremely upset. Their current concept didn’t lend itself to the image that she longed to have in the industry, and being as though she was already well into her early-to-mid twenties, she feared that she would be stuck in this box forever.

Maybe she wasn’t meant to ever be fully pleased with her life?

2018.

Due to lackluster sales and little-to-no success in their market, 99 Entertainment had let the girls know that some changes were going to be made, and it left Yulhee feeling very uneasy. If this was their subtle way of letting them know that they would be disbanding, she would feel extremely betrayed; as though the last twelve years of her life was nothing more than a waste of time.

However, what she was met with was something that positively excited her: a change in concept.

While it might’ve seemed like a move out of desperation to some, she was extremely happy to know that they would begin moving into the realm of sex appeal and girl power. It’s known that most failing girl groups make this change in order to grab new attention, but this was an adjustment that she felt worked better in her favor, so why wouldn’t she embrace it with open arms? Her visuals better suited genres that were a little more risqué, anyhow, so why would she ever complain about being more of a central member in her group?

What this also meant, too, was that she was finally going to get a chance to rap more often, and hopefully now the public would see more of her charms; her gentle approach to flirting on variety shows in the past nowhere near as brazen as she was in real life. Hopefully now she would be able to feel comfortable in her own skin, and after the release of Heart Attack, and the comebacks following, she was becoming more well-received by the fanbase.

“I didn’t know that Jiyul-unnie could rap so well!” “Is it just me or is she glowing more after they switched concepts?”

This was the praise that she was used to, but instead of finding it artifical and obnoxious, she found it humbling. It was almost as if life was finally throwing her a treat after she spent so many years begging for a chance to shine.

2019.

Presently, Yulhee is enjoying the attention that she’s been given; both from the company, and from her fans. While she knows that she’s not perfect, and that she still has a long way to go before she’s able to prove herself worthy of the title of main rapper, she’s happy that she can now make actual progression in her field. Before, she was forced into the same box that she was placed into as a little girl: someone that was expected to be frail and obedient. Now, though, she’s finally allowed to be the woman that she’s always wanted to become.

One that doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. One that isn’t afraid to express her sexuality, and her feelings, freely. Hopefully she can be a role model to the women, and girls, of the world who are tired of being told what to do, and when to do it. Instead, she urges them to take a risk; to stand up for themselves; to raise their middle fingers in the air towards the people who’ve doubted them throughout their lives.

Even though she’s living through a high point in her life, she still deals with her fair share of flaws. She’s greedy, self-indulgent, and at times, a bit arrogant—her past attitude problems now elevated to a point where she’s called a ‘diva’ quite often. For now, though, she doesn’t really care about the rumors, and the ugly truths. She’s living as herself, and herself only; much like she’s always wanted to.

And that’s what’s really important to her.