#ALSO wtf is up with Kwan?

[rage-on-against-the-dying-light]

As someone who knows NOTHING about Halo and just finished watching the Halo series... I have QUESTIONS... first, WHY THE FUCK ARE THERE ZOMBIES IN MY SCI FI SHOW?!

[januaryrabbit]

how seventeen would act around their s/o while drunk heheee

pairing: seventeen x gn reader, established relationship, fluff

word count: 1.8k

warnings: alcohol, cursing, mentions of sleeping over and physical affection w/ the boys but it’s meant in a fluffy context, not a suggestive/mature one!

other disclaimers: lowercase intended, probably typos, setting is hanging out with all the boys and with you!!!!!

a/n: i just realized in my wip post i said "crush" instead of "s/o"........WOOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT ANYWAY hello everyone, i’m finally back with another post! i;m sorry for the very long hiatus, i p much always have something going on in my life lol @-@ but i have time now to actually write!!! i hope you enjoy this one hehe -mina

✩‧₊˚clingy drunks:

mingyu: this man will not leave you alone. he is in love with you. and he’s cheesy! in a sweet way :) will kiss your hand every few mins, lean on you, or put his arm around you so you lean on him hehe. i think he would also want you to reciprocate the clinginess too hehe,,,it makes him feel loved :3 i can see him moving your hand to his hair to ask you to play with it, and if you stopped, he would just take your hand and put it back in his hair LOl. he strikes me as someone who would take care of you (kinda like how he takes care of drunk hoshi hehe) and makes sure you're ok, even if he's drunk himself :]

seungcheol: omg omg HES GOING TO DOTE ON YOU SO MUCH!!! “jagi are you ok” “jagi do you need water” “jagi i’ll walk you to the bathroom, be careful”...he doesn’t realize that he himself is wobbling around and spilling water, LMAO. he just wants to help his baby!!! would def ask where you’re going if you get up, ask you to stay over with him, etcetc. would always have an arm around you and constantly LOL. would also go on a random rant about how protective he is of you HAHAHA!! like “Y/N . IF ANYONE MAKES YOU UNCOMFORTABLE. TELL ME RIGHT AWAY . I WILL DEFEND YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH  EVEN IF IT’S MY OWN FRIENDS I DONT CARE WHO I HAVE TO BEAT UP (svt: BRO WTF?????) . GOD I LOVE U SOMUCH .” pls give him some water and a kiss!!!

junhui: i don’t think he’d necessarily be like talkative or doting, but i think he’s the type to just want to be around you and would sit really close to you :3 he almost gives me like Protective Bf vibes in the way that he’d just wanna be by your side to make sure you’re feeling ok too. plus, junnie just likes your company! i can picture him sending a lot of smiles toward you every few minutes because he’s so happy you;re his partner and he feels so comfy with you next to him :) also he likes leaning his head on your shoulder and he WILL show you cat pics the entire night…..pls comment on all of them or he’ll get sad. he also gives me the vibes of someone who has lazy days with his s/o after a night of drinking hehe…napping, hotpot and movies :)))

✩‧₊˚loud/emotional/(verbally) affectionate drunks:

soonyoung: MESSY U WILL HAVE TO CARE HIM !!!! did you see him on lee youngji’s show?? so cuteeee :( he would just shower you w/ affection heheh. im picturing him hugging you from behind like how he hugged the ice in the youngji ep and he would nestle his head into the crook of your neck and reach over to kiss your cheek :3c he would announce like every 20min how much he loves you to the whole room like "THIS IS MY PARTNER I LOVE THEM VERY MUCH THANKS!!!" and would post blurry pics of the two of you on his story with typos "i lvoe tehfm sonmchch" HAHA!! youll definitely have to sober up to take care of him hehe. would definitely start crying bc he loves you so much and YOU have to comfort him……you and mingyu get him to the car that night because he can’t walk by himself. the next morning hes like babe that was so fun round 2 of drinking tonight???????????? (horanghae pose)

seungkwan: BRUH KWAN GETS INTO (JOKE) ARGUMENTS WHILE HE’S DRUNK I HAVE NO DOUBTS!!! 90% of the time he’s trying to pick a fight with mingyu or chan i just know it I KNOW IT TO BE TRUE!! but with his s/o, i think he’s the type to be like HONEY THIS ONE IS FOR YOU and he starts belting a love ballad and singing directly to you HAHA!!! (vernon: why are u always trying to outsing everyone. no one else is singing.) seungkwan ignores vern’s comment and keeps going tho. he almost moves himself to tears by how much he loves you and how much love he’s pouring into his performance LOL. you tell him you love him too and that he doesnt have to sing VERY LOUDLY IN PUBLIC to profess his love !!! its not that serious pls sit down!!! and hes like MY LOVE FOR YOU IS SERIOUS . and that’s how you end up with a pouty and drunk kwan!!!!!!!!!

chan: oh my sweet chan,,he would just shower you with affection LMAO like “i love you. you’re amazing. you look so beautiful right now, you know that?” type of thing. he’s just the biggest simp hehe. i think hes also the type to just wanna have fun, he'd prob cheer you on if you took a shot like FUCK YEAH BABE GO OFF!!!! but i also think that he would be doing EVERYTHING for you. "i'll pour your shot!!!!! don't lift a finger SERIOUSLY!!!!!" asks you every 30min if youve had water. (you: yes. i had some 30min ago. when you GAVE ME SOME.) gets you snacks. if you needed to throw up he WILL hold your hair with a drink in the other hand (for him)!!!! he also helps you put your jacket on at the end of the night. it doesn't matter how drunk he is, he's firm on taking care of YOU!!! <3

✩‧₊˚(physically) affectionate drunks:

wonwoo: he’s all smiles for you hehe. clings onto your arm whenever you’re near him. he wouldn't be too loud or anything, but i think he'd shyly whisper compliments to you now and then about how you look nice or how much he loves you. i think he’d be one of the more chill people, he just feels happier than usual bc of the alcohol hehehhe. usually, wonu is pretty good at keeping himself composed when you show him affection. but when he’s drunk, i think he’d react a little more…he strikes me as someone who’s more verbally/physically affectionate when it’s just you two, but around friends/family he tones it down. but when he’s drunk i think he would be comfortable having you sit on his lap or having an arm around you <3

jihoon: i am convinced lee jihoon is a different man when he’s drunk!!!!!!!!!  i have a hot-ish take when it comes to drunk uji…omg woozi would SOOOO open up physically and emotionally to you..and he’d be the type to always, Always have an arm around your waist and constantly hold your hand, looking at you with a smile that leads all the way up to his eyes. he’s someone who has dealt with a lot in his life, but in this moment, he’s so grateful to be here with his friends, and someone he loves that also loves him for who he is. the reason i think he’d be like this is juts because like. he doesn’t drink much, but when he does, feelings he’s been keeping to himself finally come up to the surface. also his face, neck and ears are constantly bright red because of the alcohol LOL. but ALSO they'd be red the next day when he realizes how he behaved in front of you hehe…. don't tease him too much about it or he'll die of embarrassment!

seokmin: dont ask me why bc idk but i think he would ruffle your hair constantly because youre so cute. then he would get distracted and talk to the bros for a bit, look at you again and remember how cute you are and ruffle it again sorry i dont make the rules!!!!!!! dk is definitely the loud/funny drunk hehe…hes the type to be giggly/try to make everyone laugh :) but i think he’d definitely try to make you laugh the most !! mostly in terms of physical affection though, i think he’d just dote on you a lot…like you know in the dingo video how he kept kissing woozi??? yeah he does that to you. along with the hair ruffles. and the attempts to get you to laugh. good luck. you’re going to drown in affection from this man LOL. 

✩‧₊˚happy/chill drunks:

vernon: HE WILL CARE YOU this man is all vibes. he’s just here to have a good time lol. you’ll probably be the drunk one who needs to be taken care of :3 but if he was somehow convinced to get really drunk, i think he would still just be vibes. but happier vibes. i think he would just laugh at everything and keep a hand constantly on your knee heheh. also i think he would encourage seungkwan’s antics more when he’s drunk i’m just saying .

minghao: minghao is just relishing in the moment of enjoying his time with his friends and partner~ he doesn't strike me as someone who drinks much, kinda like vernon. he'd be more focused on having a good time with everyone! i think he's the type to have hangover remedies ready for you at home for the next day. i think he would also be the type of bf to know when to cut you off LMAO like “y/n’s had 4 shots….hyung STOP pouring them another one!!!!!!!!” he just seems like he'd be prepared to take care of his partner :) you're so lucky!! he’s also the type to observe you and take pictures/videos if you’re doing something funny while you’re drunk LMAO!!!!

joshua: josh is a giggly drunk i have no doubts. also in the dingo video that man was RED af!!! would probably be like “im fine im SO SOBER RIGHT NOW…BABE TELL THEM HOW SOBER I AM!!!” he is not sober. i also think he would be the type to compare hands with you LMAO. you’re just like ???? you know how big both our hands are???? you’re literally my bf???? and hes like I JUST WANTED TO CHECK OK!!! tbh he seems so fun to be around LMAO like he on the way to the hangout hes like “babe lets match each other if u drink i drink” and ur like HELLO SIR???????? WHO IS DRIVING US HOME?????? (jeonghan does and he sleeps over.)  he just wants to have FUN and let loose with the homies and his partner!!!! consequences are for TOMORROW, y/n!!!!!! (he might start sulking if you don’t agree to match him but it’s fine you both know your limits hehe)

jeonghan: i see him as someone who doesn’t go too wild when drinking. kinda like vernon and minghao, i think he’s more there for vibes than getting fucked up lol. if anything, he’s doting on you because he finds you so cute, especially when you’re drunk hehehe. HE would be the one to ask you to do aegyo or something and when you do he just dies of cuteness lmao. i think he would also tease you in silly ways, like convincing you that he and s.coups are actually long lost brothers who found each other in college, or that seungkwan is a natural blonde. and of course you believe him which is the funniest shit ever to him!!!! LMAO!!!!! your shock and wonder at his blatant lies is the cutest thing to him. don’t worry tho he’ll tell you the next day nothing he said was true, except for when he said he loves you :)

[2tcs]

Day 16 Glowing Veins

So I noticed the Dannymay thing and decided I would try to put something in. Not sure if it counts but I've seen some on AO3 so hopefully it does.

“Dude! Look!” Danny said as he ran through the hallway to Tucker’s locker.

“What dude? What’s got you so… Bro! WTF?!” Tucker whispered as Danny held up his 

hand to show Tucker his palm.

“What are you two doing?” Sam asked walking up to them and peeking over Tucker’s shoulder. “Cool. You know what ya gotta do now right?”

“Only the best prank ever. Tuck I need you to hack into the school cameras. And if you can Sam, I need some glowing paint from the art room.”

"Who do you think you're talking to?"

“The A-listers tend to hang out outside the locker room before practice right?” Tucker asked as he started accessing the backdoor into the school's system.

"Oh ya. Let's do this." Danny chuckled.

👻

“Hay Dash! You ready for the game this weekend?” Kwan asked as he caught up with the rest of the team.

“You know it. I’m going to wipe the field with those – Hay! Who turned out the light?!”

Drip.

“What was that?” Palina asked lifting up her phone for light.

Drip.

“Show yourself loser! We know you're there!”

Drip.

“R̶̖̳̬͆́̏̑͜ē̴̝̖̒̚ͅa̴̗̮̪̽͌̀͛l̸̝̼͍̇̚ͅl̶̫̃̄̈́͠y̵͖̭̲̩͠.̸̺͗̿̌͒ͅ ̸̫͔͔͗̓̋̚Ḩ̸̧̭̽̑̈̚ö̵̬̩̖͉́͘ẅ̵͎͙́̓͒ ̶̤͈͊̓͒c̴̢̈̚é̵̻͔r̸̰͊t̶̞̱̀́̅̀ă̷̰̠̯̥̊̈́̔i̷̩̙͋̚n̵̺̠̲̣̊̋̏̏ ̶̺̣̾c̷̙̞͈͗͘a̷̻͉̮͙̍̕̚ṅ̷͉̩̞͚̊͗ ̷̯̔y̴̫̭̑͒̓̃o̷̙͑͋̓̆ű̶̡̐̕ ̵̯͚͛̍͋̒b̸͕̅e̴̥̿̈́̌?̸̛̥̖̃̈́͠”

“What the fuck was that!”

“̸̨͚̗̄̍̈́͠C̸̡̳̻̦̳̠̰̾̇͒̑̂̃͠ọ̸̢̡͔̫͋͒̂̓̚ͅm̴̪̣͓̳̲̳̓́̉͝è̵̡̨̛͍̙͍̘̊͛̈́͘ ̶̦̠̏̎̍́̽͝n̶͈͕̠̾̀̃͛̋͛o̵͔̪̭͖̖̻̮͒͠ẅ̴̢̞̺̩̬͕́̋̌̈͌.̸̙͓̲̮͉̬͕̐̇̀̄͝ ̸̨̢̜̺̘̩̈́͋̿́̉͝ͅN̷͕̩͑ŏ̸̰̘̰̠̺̾ ̵̬͙̰̉̚n̵͎̣͖͚̱͎͆̏̈e̸̡̳̗̓͌̃͌̀̄ę̸̧͔͖̌̾͋̊̎̅d̷̼̰̲̖̖̲̥͌̆̒ ̶̛̟͓̀̚͝f̸̠̾͛̆̃́͆̓ǫ̴̭̮̖͚̈́͜r̵̨̗̒̔̎̈́ ̴̟͔̻̐t̸̢̖̖͎͚̲̖̎̅͌͝͠h̶̡̺̞̺͂͊͜͝a̸̤̲̟͇͋͗̄͛͒t̷͔̰̎̄̈́́̕.̷̢̛̦̈̌̋̒”̴̤͚͔̓̈́̈́͛̂͘

“I SAID SHOW YOURSELF!”

“̷̢̭̩̠̙͈͂́̈́̋̿I̵̲̞̘͑̌f̸̨̞̜̝̍͗ ̴̖͈̹̘͇͊̆̇͝ý̶̛̼̼̙̠͋̃̽͝ȯ̶̧̝̗́́̓͝͝u̷̝̍̈́̀ ̴͖̀̊͜i̸͖̫̻̗͎͓͊͜n̷̢̊̉̃̂̽͂s̵̱͇̠̍̔͆̄̓̐i̷͉͉̩͈̦̟͐̂̊̒͆͌s̷̛̜͖̟͑̿t̸��̛͚͈̰͍͚̂͗́͠͝.̶̩̹̻̫͍̺͈̏̽”̸͈̬̭̩͕̅͜ͅ

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!”

👻

“OMG! THAT WAS AWESOME!” Tucker howled as he rolled around on the floor of his room.

“Agreed. But I do have a question Danny.”

“Ya Sam?”

“How did you figure out how to selectively turn invisibility on?” She asked, quirking an eyebrow.

“Ya dude. And how did you get your veins to glow?” Tucker asked, sitting up.

“I’m just good like that.” Danny boasted only to receive blank stairs from his friends. “Okay, guys. I noticed some of the other ghosts were kinda see-through and tried to replicate it.”

“Sounds reasonable. So what really happened?” Sam deadpaned.

“Ugh. I was tired and hiding in the bathroom from one of my parent's inventions that made me switch to my Phantom form and sneezed.” Danny groaned and slumped further into the chair.

Also, I got a visual. I had to look up the circulatory system on Google and ended up tracing the big veins but this is what I was kinda picturing that Danny looked like in the dark.

[todorroki]

i can't believe it's over wtf (Love Sea final ep thoughts)

its joever yall... it's not even hitting me that it's over because we still have the special ep to go but omg.... it's the end.

hats off to fortpeat. i love them so much i'm so sad that love sea is done (at least, the main story is). i had my gripes with parts of this story but in the end i was mainly here to see these two do what they love.

i believe mut mostly knew how tongrak would react to his confession. his dialogue to mook last episode proved deep down, he already knew the answer. the first few minutes of this episode showed his hesitation and reluctance, but his courage pushed through in the end. i think fort did amazing here. his pain from experiencing a rough rejection was so clearly on display. (and peat does that eye shifting thing with tongrak to show the beginning of panic.)

it's terrible yall. it was hard to watch. i do not like couple fights.

peat's hair here is good tho. omg i was focusing so hard on visuals because i didn't want the pain

big shoutout to vie in this ep. while she didn't spell out what rak should do, she basically held rak's hand through the whole ordeal.

mahasamut's last meeting with meena and kwan omg.. when he started crying realizing tongrak's meaning by the number 8.. how much more can my heart shatter lmao

and big ouch at palm's dialogue here. he meant it in a light way, but mahasamut really DID come back without his heart.

yo tongrak was so heartbroken he started dressing like his face twin from the other mame series.

AND ok like when tongrak chased after the trash car, at first i was feeling the pain and then i remembered how twitter clowned that running shot yesterday and i started LAUGHING oh my god!!!!! like i'm so sorry BUT I DON'T CLAIM THE FAULT FOR THIS everyone was saying he was running after the ice cream truck in the episode poster and i saw it in that moment!!!!!!!

back to regular business, this hits painfully hard actually.

tongrak's main fear being their "end" if they start a real relationship despite not even knowing if it'll come true. it's a very real fear people have (not just for romantic relationships), the mindset that "if it can end badly or if i can't succeed, why try anyways"

i love rak and vie's friendship in this show. dare i say it's way more fleshed out than the GL side plot they have going on. on that note, what even happened with the girls mame... how come they're just together. what HAPPENED.

but vie is The driving factor to pushing tongrak to follow mahasamut. she's so important to tongrak and i love it!

now, idk what was the call here for filming this part at night. it was kinda dark, but mut's pain was clear as day anyways. tongrak, in his own way, wanted to return mut's feelings, but because he couldn't SAY IT, mahasamut ends up misunderstanding his motives.

i really did tear up at rak's recorded confession though. my god i was kinda worried how that would come out, but peat's recording was well done. their confession on the beach was so cathartic to watch. LIKE FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!

and everything after was sooo sweet. fortpeat has the fluff DOWN as always.

but also omg the last scene with rak buying the house. absolutely love how at first he was excited, but then seeing mut's serious expression and realizing he should've said something omg.. the way he shrunk himself. and fort's face here oouughghg HELLO PEOPLE!!! GIVE HIM HIS SERIOUS ROLES ALREADY. I THINK THIS ENTIRE EP IS PROOF ENOUGH.

please i'm so serious he looked so hot in this scene.

BUT I CANNOT BELIEVE IT'S OVER LIKE IT'S /SRS NOT /J FOR REAL FR OVER WHAT

MY MUTRAK!!!!!!!!!! i know we have the special ep still but NOOO

i need fortpeat on screen... oh my god. please......... im at a loss. they love acting and i love watching them act.

[stitchlingbelle]

Watching Halo, episode 1

Things I Know About Halo:

The Master Chief is a badass supersoldier who Doesn't Take Off His Helmet.* (I thought it had turned out he was a woman and the fan base rioted but apparently I mixed him up with Samus Aran?) There's a couple AI people, Roland the orange dude and Cortana the hot chick. There's a guy named Arbiter, I think he's an alien? Aliens destroy a lot of planets. There's some sort of mystical Old Ones leftover tech? (Is that the Halo part?) Names I have heard: Miranda Keyes, Dr. Halsey, Makee, Thomas Lasky, Chyler Silva**

That established, let's give this thing a go!

Nice opening scene. The costuming and set design are good, definitely have that Star Wars-esque vibe but are doing some of their own specific things that ground the world. The characters definitely gave you that lived-in-universe feel of established relationships and community right away. (Also I'm delighted by their use of Korean and their made-up alien language. Again, nice worldbuilding.) I am, however, confused. There's also an entire rebelling against the galactic empire thing going on? No one told me this. How do these people find the time with all the aliens?

Oh shit, THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE ALIENS. Oh noooo.

The violence is really well done. The explosion plus blood splatter shot was great. Good use of camera work to minimize the more difficult to pull off FX shots while still getting the brutality across. The helmet-cam shots are a good storytelling choice while also being a fun nod to the games. I do not envy the stunt people fighting in these suits, though. They made them look powerful. They did not make them look dexterous, graceful or effectively designed for hand-to-hand combat.

Noooo they killed the little kid! ...and everybody else. Man, I liked those guys. Poor Kwan. (Is she in the games? Is she this ineffective? She was like, I'm going to help! and then just... didn't.) And then the Spartans just... walk off?

DO NOT TOUCH THE WEIRD ALIEN TECH. You're a Master Chief! I have it on good authority that keeping people from touching things they shouldn't is a major part of your job! Set a good example for your troops! Also, check your six.

It's Dr. Halsey! Mad scientist alert, this woman does NOT seem to adhere to ethical guidelines. Nice lab coat. I don't trust you. Why do you have a person in a pod? (Why do you have them right where your boss can see them if they're not supposed to exist?) Who's Miranda Keyes and why do you have beef with her? Departmental rivalry?

Wow, Miranda is a lot younger than I expected. Also, that was terrible. Take care of the girl, butter her up, THEN ask her for shit. And do it in person, the hologram thing was weird and off-putting. Not sure that Kwan thought this through-- there's a happy medium between agreeing to be their propaganda mouthpiece and openly threatening to lie and say they caused the massacre, sweetie.

Alien homeworld (or homebase, idk)-- very cool design, good effects-- why is there a human here? Oh, THIS is Makee? What is her deal? Great costuming.

HALSEY IS MIRANDA'S MOM??? Wtf. Also I like Miranda, I don't think she knows what she's doing outside of her (own) lab but it sounds like her heart's in the right place. Great parting shot at dad, but also, maybe that's why your parents worked (for however long. Are they still together or not?)

Great scene with Kwan and Master Chief over the meal. Humanize him with a joke and then WHAM, dead mom story. I like how they're not letting you assume that Madrigal's people were just wrong about the Spartans. Nope, straight up, this guy commits atrocities because he never questions his orders. (She implied that she was there? How did that part go down?) Fortunately teenagers question everything, especially orders! Just in time to make you question this one...

From here on out it's action action action, with a lot of quick character bits mixed in (Halsey and Captain Keyes exchanging looks, the Spartans all listening to Halsey above their orders, high command doesn't trust their own creations-- how many different ways of monitoring their own ships do they have? This is taking surveillance state to a whole new level.)

YAY for Kwan getting a useful moment! If human strength does not avail, use guns tools, that's what we invented them for. No, Kwan, this man does not have a plan. I'm kinda sad the alien artifact activated, it would have been entertaining to watch the other Spartans get involved. (John: "This is our new pet. No, we will not be handing her over to be executed. Yes, she hates us all for very specific valid personal reasons. Roll with it.") Aaaand off they go, escaping to where? Not sure they know and I, with approximately 1% knowledge of this universe, certainly do not.

Finally, hopping back to address the One True Issue that divides the fandom: the helmet scene. It depends on how much the Never Remove the Helmet thing is an irl game artistic choice vs an in-universe character choice. If it's not an actual THING for John-117 himself, then I don't have any problem with it. Different mediums and all that. If it's like the Mandalorian thing, then yeah, it felt a little rushed, but still a necessary moment for humanizing him and building trust ASAP with a hostile teenage girl with a gun.

In conclusion: this was much better than I was expecting! I really enjoyed it and will probably watch the rest of the season while I bake today. And honestly it's been so long since I watched scifi on TV that it was sort of nostalgic? I was just ridiculously pleased by things like establishing shots of Reach and futuristic teenager haircuts.

Thanks so much to ATBNL and @sarnakhwritesthings for talking me into this!

*Has anyone done a 'John-117 is a Mandalorian' crossover yet? Someone definitely has, right?

**The last two do not appear in the TV show and also one is dead, except they're actually alive and married because @authortobenamedlater is in charge here.

[halliescomut]

Secret Crush on You Ep 9

-Was Toh seriously trying to practice sex noises? I think I blacked out for a second.

-Idk what's happening the jumbo condom box and the animal audios....wtf

- Toh very disappointed that by workout Nuea didn't mean workout 😏.

-Nuea, my guy, it's gonna be real hard (pun intended) for Toh to workout with you if you keep getting him worked up.

-Pouty Nuea...precious.

-Aww, surprise kiss picture. I love that shit. (I was raised on rom-coms, I'm very easy to please.)

-I can't believe he kissed the car window...that can't be sanitary.

-Poor Jao...he did not get the sex joke.

-But he did get a gallon Ziploc bag full of condoms... wtf Toh. But also, props for promoting safe sex.

-Sweet baby Jao has no idea how appealing he is.

-Sir Touch has returned....and gif spoilers tell me that Sir Daisy is gonna get some flirtation. ☺️☺️☺️

-Fucking Prao again 🙄

-Like...shoot your shot ladies (used ironically) but you all know these dudes are actively lusting after other people, so maybe stop being little bitches and find someone interested.

-We're gonna get drunk Toh again....aren't we....

-He just touched another man at the urinals...I don't have a penis but I know that's a faux pas.

-Jealous Nuea again. 😁😁

- Som is very vicious...I adore her.

-Aww... Daisy get your man.

-Sky...whatcha doin????😳😳😳

-Jao you goose, Sky considers you to be a friend too.

-Toh...got very aggressive with Sky...it's a little rude since anyone could see how Sky feels, but I love a protective friend.

-Fon and Kwan are like 'Bye Bitches' 😂😂😂

-I like Sky's fun printed shirt, this one is like a jazz band....very fun

- Sky's so cute. Awww ...the hug... so cute. Jao he really likes you babes. You gotta realize that.

-Drive Safe = I love you...we all know that.

-I do love drunk Toh I think. He's very bold and that's good sometimes.

-Yes Touch, be the gentleman for 'Daisy in Distress'.

-Props to Som for being the opposite of a cockblock...a cock enabler???

-Daisy's so fuckin cute...and Touch totally tricked him into a date. Good job babes.

-I have no idea what just happened with the noodle seller...that was wild. But I support their peaceful protest of whatever they're protesting.

-Daisy.exe error 😂😂😂

-I do need a behind the scenes for how those berets stay on...is it just hair pins???

-Toh's like

-Toh is going hard on Nuea's chest 😂😂😂 horny babe.

-Ooh another Phys Ed session for Toh, lucky bastard.

Honestly, this ep might be a 10/10. Lots of sweet corniness (and horniness) which I love.

7/10 for embarrassment, but we're definitely gonna have a moment the next time Nuea gets into Toh's apartment....I'm worried about it.

[hellostarrynightblr]

highlights of February

1. Favourite movies: House of Strangers (1949), The Changeling (1980). 2. Decent movies I liked / appreciated but not loved: The Night Stalker (1972), Everything Everywhere All at Once (2023). 3. wtf movie/ending: Teen Wolf: The Movie (2023). Just an overall impression. Literally WTF. 4. Best scenes: the alleyway break-up / 'She left me two hours ago' (House of Strangers, 1949); confronting the senator (The Changeling, 1980); Those You've Known / The Dark I Know Well (Spring Awakening, 2022). 5. Favourite genres: drama, fantasy, mystery. 6. Favourite directors: Peter Medak (The Changeling, 1980). I also like  John Llewellyn Moxey for The Night Stalker (1972) (surprisingly), Joseph L. Mankiewicz for House of Strangers (1949) and  Daniel Kwan + Daniel Scheinert for Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022). 7. Favourite actors: George C. Scott (The Changeling, 1980); Edward G. Robinson, Susan Hayward, Richard Conte (House of Strangers, 1949); Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once, 2022); 8. Least favourite performances: anybody in Teen Wolf: The Movie (2023). I reiterate, what the fuck? 9. The most wasted cast: Teen Wolf: The Movie (2023). They brought almost everyone back and made this abomination? How was this even allowed to happen? Let's count. Tyler Posey, Crystal, Holland Roden, Shelley Hennig, JR Bourne, Ian Bohen, Colton Haynes, Linden Ashby, Melissa Ponzio, Ryan Kelley, Seth Gilliam, Orny Adams, Dylan Sprayberry, Khylin Rhambo, Tyler Hoechlin. There are so many just baffling choices as well. Bringing back Stiles' dad without Stiles and their dynamic. Bringing back the Nogitsune without Stiles, Kira or her family. Bringing back Liam and Mason, but not having them interact at all. Revivng Alison (a wtf moment in itself) and not having her reunite with Lydia. Breaking up Stiles and Lydia off-screen for the dumbest of reaons. Not having Scott and Liam exchange a single line. Getting Alison and Scott back together. Everything to do with Derek (not having him interact with either Peter or Malia (who themselves don't interact at all), introducing his son whose existance doesn't even make sense, killing him off). I could go on and on. This film is an insult and a nightmare. Moving on. 10. The best wasted premise: Teen Wolf: The Movie (2023). The idea of bringing back this show for one last adventure is cool, but you need to have, you know, a script before you do that. 11. Best premise: Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1952). 12. Favourite cast: House of Strangers (1949). Edward G. Robinson, Susan Hayward, Richard Conte, Luther Adler, Paul Valentine, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Esther Minciotti. 13. Favourite on-screen duos:  George C. Scott x Melvyn Douglas (The Changeling, 1980);  Jonathan Groff x Lea Michele (Spring Awakening, 2022);  Edward G. Robinson x Richard Conte; Susan Hayward x Richard Conte (House of Strangers, 1949);  Michelle Yeoh, x Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once, 2022). 14. Favourite on-screen relationships: Max Monetti x Irene Bennett (House of Strangers, 1949). She gives as good as she gets. 15. Favourite characters: Max Monetti (House of Strangers, 1949); John Russell (The Changeling, 1980); Waymond Wang (Everything Everywhere All at Once, 2022). 15. Favourite quote: Can't remember anything... 16. Favourite fact discovered in 2023: Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele are best friends in real life and he supported her when she went back to Broadway to play the lead in Funny Girl. 17. The most overrated film: I kind of think that  Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) is a tad overrated. I like it, just not nearly as much as everyone else seems to. 18. The most disappointing film: Teen Wolf: The Movie (2023). 19. The biggest surprise: The Changeling (1980). 20. Best cinematography: John Coquillon (The Changeling, 1980). 21. Best set design: Keith Pepper (The Changeling, 1980). 22. Best costume design: Shirley Kurata (Everything, Everywhere All at Once, 2022). 23. Best music: The Changeling (1980). 24. Best prooduction choice: casting Richard Conte to be a tough, but ultimately good guy. He's great at playing villains, but his overwhelming charisma makes for pretty interesting good guys as well. 25. Worst production choice: releasing Teen Wolf: The Movie (2023). Absolute atrocity this film is. 26. Film of the month: The Changeling (1980) with House of Strangers (1949) a close second.

[sanchoyo]

danny phantom 14-20 thoughts!! I finished up s1 :D these last few eps were actually really really good!!!

-did. did tucker really just say esperanto was a dead language only spoken as a secret code between geeks. google says around 100,000 people actively speak it. oh my god...it being an auxiliary language doesn't mean its 'just for geeks to speak in code' ...it helps bridge gaps between people who don't have a language in common...

-danny really isn't pulling punches when it comes to fighting the ghost-cop possessed people huh. like he SLAMMED KWAN INTO THE CONCRETE SO HARD. HE THREW PAULINA INTO A BILLBOARD. will that...I mean it WOULD carry over to their bodies non-possessed, right? like if the ghost piloting their bodies gets hurt?? itd be so upsetting to be possessed, lose time, then wake up covered in bruises (and possibly, broken bones??) real horror movie stuff im sure wont be addressed in any way

-tuckers parents seem nice! I like them :)

-WULF IS CUTE AND I FEEL BAD. im so glad the gang realized he was only causing trouble bc of the shock collar walker put on him and helped. also, him wearing that big hoodie with the hood on, and thinking its subtle. we can tell youre still a giant wolfie :) THEN GETTING SUCKED INTO THE PORTAL AAAAH :( anxiously waiting to see Him Again....

-DANNY BLASTING HIS PARENTS THINKING THEY WERE OVERSHADOWED LMFAO GET THEIR ASSES. maddie marking how many ghosts she gets with lipstick tallies on the side of her portal gun? kindaaa iconic tho. (ALSO, SHE WAS LIKE, 2 FT AWAY FROM HIM RIGHT AFTER SHE TRIED TO SHOOT HIM. HOW DO YOU NOT RECONINZE YOUR OWN SON??? like sure, he might have diff hair/eye colors. but like, if one of my family members dyed their hair, and was wearing contacts, its not like id be like 'wHO IS THIS STRANGER!!!' ...he still has all his facial features!! same everything!!! I hate it here)

-paulina being #1 girl realizing danny's a friendly ghost immediately. smart queen. lancer and kwan ran away right after he made this sweet baby face at them:

which is hilarious.

-ok. im not saying his bullying is JUSTIFIED, but. dash looked so pleased with the (cute!) poster he just painted, and danny comes thru the wall and spills paint on his nice letterman jacket. his anger is justified maybe 65% of the time so far...(not the way he handles it, but STILL.) at least lancer is stepping in!! and them making a silly little bet was...cute?? until dash pulled out his GROSS UNDERWEAR AND SAID DANNY WOULD HAVE TO EAT THEM???? WHAT THE FUCK MAN. TUCKER WAS SO RIGHT ITS FUCKING WEIRD TO CARRY THOSE AROUND EWWW. THIS KID IS UNWELL. lancer was right, his animatronic setup was SUPER IMPRESSIVE?? hes actually pretty creative. danny meanwhile is stealing the fright knight's design...I hope dash is taking art classes or smth with his sports

-fright knight is the most bestest ghost so far i LOVE THAT DESIGN. I am biased towards knights, and characters with swords, but he fucks so severely. and should sue danny for copyright infringement for stealing his design for his haunted house. if some 14 yr old broke into MY house and stole MY sword, id also be pissed. his evil winged unicorn rules too with its FANGS. and he just CAN SHOVE THE PORTAL OPEN WITH HIS HANDS??? is he the strongest ghost weve seen so far? idk but hes my fav. SOUL SHREDDER IS SUCH A COOL SWORD NAME TOO. ANY NAMED SWORD ALSO FUCKS. 'flaming bedsheets of DEATH' funny king. ALSO he was polite to dash and tucker when just asking for directions and telling tucker 'oh maybe, just a suggestion, maybe be nicer to me and be more respectful :)' I LOOOVE HIM.

-I noticed this in the Ember ep, but jazz has an electric guitar in her room!! talent musical queen!! its cool to see hobbies just in the bg.

-fright knight's murder castle reminds me of the booby trapped murder castle in zexal!! another supposedly 'for kids' show with murder/trap castles! we love that. if you are a dp fan reading this, give yugioh zexal a try. its also got 13-14 year old protags and involves (alien) ghosts. the cardgame is just a vessel for the plot, which is really good. (I just want more people to watch my fav yugioh, man)

-danny. with a SWORD.

-danny doesnt NEED TO WIN this contest, dash didnt STEAL HIS DESIGNS AND STEAL A SWORD. he also got excited to hear lancer got sent to a dimension with his worst fears too just so he could win the contest? DANNY WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!!! BRO MAYBE YOURE 14 AND HAVENT FULLY DEVOLPED YOUR WHOLE BRAIN YET, BUT...THATS FUCKED. this kid casually says the most deranged things, I do worry for my spooky son. once again, therapy needed. that judo toss was great tho. I wonder if he actually did pick up some martial arts stuff from his mom?

-danny can fly 112 mph!!! thats so fast! I love the lil montage of him and his friends testing his abilities and stuff, very cute and a good way to showcase what he can do by now and how much more proficient he's gotten from ep 1!!! I'm sure he's going to get more abilities :)

-im glad...maddie's at least TRYING this ep. I do feel for her because her husband is a man baby. but the fact it took 16 episodes to get a kinda semblance of any kind of real concern or attempts at bonding. hmm. jack's 'BACK OFF SHES A MINOR' @ the ghost trying to attack jazz. also was very funny. and him wanting to make an action figure of her? are the parents redeeming themselves to me? slightly. they gotta Work Harder

-THE GHOST. IS FLYING. THE PLANE.

-fenton machete. but she doesnt carry a PHONE??? ???

-I mean I expected vlad when you namedrop him earlier in the ep, and also the title card picture, and dalv corp being fucking vlad backwards. but seeing him just pull up on a golf cart made me bust out laughing. WITH the gift baskets prepared. why wouldnt you at least be suspicious. also, if he wants danny to be his lil sonboy, why is he so fucking malicious?? dude you are going about this in such a bad way. stop it. get some help.

-maddie not even hesitating to drag danny out. fucking good. danny is so right, go on the internet to date. get a cat. how do you spend...how many years?? has it been since college?? at least 20, right, since the parents/vlad are in their 40s? hung up on ONE girl. my god, man. incel drama queen. her kung fu IS impressive, but dude. 'we both know hes a creep' SO right. it sucks but they do need a phone and shit being in the middle of NOWHERE. also, just stealing his helicopter was great. <3

-'you must be exhausted carrying the weight of that mistake you made years ago' 'well we all make mistakes. maybe I'll make one now!' WHY DID THIS EXHCHANGE SEND ME. AND VLAD WITH THE BREATH SPRAY EWWW BITCH. 'OLD BAIT BREATH' SOO RIGHT. both danny and his mom playing him HAHAH hes so dumb. or rather, I think he thinks with his emotions too too much and is...actually pretty gullible? lmao he believed danny was ready to give in SO fast. (which is sad hes that hopeful, like you have SO MUCH MONEY YOU COULD EASILY GET ANOTHER GIRL WHO HAS A KID. AND WOULD WANT TO BE WITH YOU AND BE SUPPORTED. GET OVER THIS (1) WOMAN ALREADY IM GETTING SECONDHAND EMBARRASSMENT AAAAH)

-GHOST BEAR GHOST BEAR GHOST BEAR. it was also in the title card, but I still got very excited. we love bears here

-SAM'S BAT SWIMSUIT COVERUP!!! her outfits are simply iconic.

-'i'd tell you to go to the mens room, but I don't think you qualify' top paulina transphobic moments. :( and him wearing a tanktop to the swim park? hmmm! (actually I think she was overshadowed by then, so, KITTY top 10 transphobic moments??)

-kitty just piloting paulina around makes me feel SO bad tho, paulina's gonna wake up and be like 'wtf do you mean I was dating this rando' like youre leading danny on to make johnny jealous, and also just POSSESSING POOR PAULINA. dude take your relationship problems ELSEWHERE. last time we saw them, they seemed like such a cute couple!! wtf johnny!! I mean, she sucks for trying to make him jealous, he sucks for looking at other girls...maybe they need a break, but Not Like This. or, you know, just. better communication...

-and the A-listers having a full packet and a stamp system. who organizes this. kwan fucking owning being the new danny though, this is hysterical. THE TUCKER/KWAN FLOWER FIELD TWIRL. UNIRONICALLY ADORABLE. and him giving it his all for the poetry slam. bless his HEARTTTT.

-Star owns. actually, all of the extra characters are shining this ep and I love it.

-INVISO-BILL??? NOOOO THEY DID HIM SOO DIRTY. DANNY SWEETIE IM SO SORRY.

-johnny and danny bein friends and staging a fake fight (which danny takes too seriously, once again this child has aggression he NEEDS TO WORK OUT) I hope these three stay friends, I said it before but danny needs more friendly ghosts to hang with.

-at this point, Danny's ghost enemies are a lot like, I dunno, batman's rouge gallery is the first thing that comes to mind. they all have their own gimmick and unique designs, but most of them are easy to beat after learning the Moral Lesson. I still get excited when any of them show up again, though. 18 is another valerie episode!!!! :D skulker really said you two will get along if I have to handcuff you together <3 and the gym teacher really said, youre married now, have a flour baby! ngl, I'm not really watching this show for the shipping stuff (which I am very scared to look at the fandom for after I finish this watch through- I feel like there's probably discourse/arguing about ships...) but. I'm gonna put my opinion out there. valerie/danny > sam/danny. maybe I just really love the enemies to lovers trope. And the secret identity stuff adds Extra Flavor.

-SKULKER JUST HAVING THE BOX GHOST AND DANGLING HIM BY A STRING. HILARIOUS. and him watching them with binoculars and making his silly little commentary. AND MAKING THE SACK BABY CRY. LMAO. THIS DUDE IS A BABY KIDNAPPER. skulker is super fun

-danny, you just...collapsed the water tower. and then attacked the nasty burger machine...mascot thingy...out of anger..I KEEP SAYING HE'S GOT ANGER ISSUES BUT. HE REALLY NEEDS A LESSON IN MANAGING COLLATERAL DAMAGE!!! So does valerie!! They're both pretty focused on each other. I mean it's good of Danny to say he's trying to make sure PEOPLE don't get hurt, but... (I mean I guess it's not something 14 year olds WOULD worry about, but as an adult im like, who's going to fix that? how much money will that take??)

-TUCKER MAKING BANK. and sam and tucker being super emotionally attached to their flour baby and being pretty good parents. that's cute...also him just straight kissing her and being like. WAIT. O_O JDSKAFHD. his mom baking them into cookies was the funniest possible result. tbh I dont feel like this is on tucker, if anything the other kid's shouldve been more responsible! He was just taking an opportunity to get that $$ which I respect

-Danny being more understanding of Valerie's situation in the end (helping her at her job, too, and trying to keep that a secret for her!!!) And seeing them work together this ep, and also her letting phantom get her out of the ghost zone...was very sweet. LOVE that. more valerie eps pls

-me when I realize vlad's big stupid house exploded because of his own carelessness with changing the ghost portal ectofiltrator or whatever: *pointing and laughing*

-me when I realize it means he's gonna go make danny's life hell for it somehow: >:(

-SCOOBY PARODY!!! I feel like there's gotta be some scooby doo/danny phantom crossover stuff, right? also, 'guys in white' men in black wishes

-'oh, that's right! dad married the love of your life! you're bitter and alone!' DANNNNNYY GET HIS ASS ONCE AGAIN WE ARE POINTING AND LAUGHING AT VLAD

-'jack, you captured the ghost boy!!' UMM. he did nothing <3 'we have a weapon's vault??' YOU HAVE A WEAPONS VAULT??? and jack didnt put a handle on the inside. of fucking course he didnt! why would you leave that to your son!! or expect him to clean YOUR LAB when its where you work with probably dangerous chemicals and weapons and hes 14!! give him normal chores, like, I dunno, vacuuming, laundry, dishes...CMON. I hate it here. But I'm glad Jack is more chill about danny while he's a ghost, and willing to work with him for this ep. AND. I DID ENJOY JACK PUNCHING VLAD IN THE FACE. AND GENERALLY JUST OWNING HIM. the ghost punchy fists are actually amazing. like yeah, just punch a ghost in the face. that rules.

-ep 20 opens with the coolest fucking ghost lady design. her tattoos can come off and fight. MA'AM. I like ur nose ring and your cape maam hello 👉👈😳

-sam's grandma is hilarious and the most valid member of her family and I love her. thats my grandma now. and tucker covering for sam by dressing as her. thats true friendship <3 also skipping school to go to a goth circus. just bestie things! sam's parents are haters but for all the wrong reasons.

-'my family has controlled ghosts with this for generations!' WAIT. WAIT FREAKSHOW /ISNT/ A GHOST? I didn't expect that...he's just a fucked up guy controlling ghosts? anyway watching danny shoot at police cars and rob banks while mind controlled. its like, the most stereotypical 'bad' things lmao. (tbh an evil ghost circus troupe is a sick concept)

this gives off big deviantart emo edit vibes

(I'm going to assume evil circus reaper danny has a lot of fan content. people love an edgy au, except this one is canon (even tho its via mind control...having the protag go evil otherwise might be hard, I guess?) but au where he stays with the troupe...that has to exist, right?)

ANYWAY. excited to start s2!! lowkey surprised by how many notes some of these posts have gotten. I've gone back and tagged them all with 'dp thoughts' so they're easier to find on my blog! ^^ and I will probably possibly do (more) fanart on my art blog after I finish the watch of the whole show, so like. @sanchoyodraws follow my art blog :)

[ephemeral-winter]

the year in books

okay so nobody asked but i am Going To Do A Blog about the books I read this year (minus most of the scholarly ones) please reserve all judgments but also remember that i am always correct

Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson

i was seriously underwhelmed by this. only read it because everyone on this hellsite loves posting anne carson quotes. well there was nothing good in here to post. wtf is up with that.

Once, Twice, Three times an Aisling by Emer McLysaught and Sarah Breen

The Importance of Being Aisling by Emer McLysaught and Sarah Breen

Oh My God What a Complete Aisling by Emer McLysaught and Sarah Breen

the above three are a romance series about a hapless irish girl in her twenties and i read them out of order and was mildly bored but also i loved them??? 

Hey Ladies! by Michelle Markowitz and Caroline Moss

based on the series of the same name that used to run on the-toast.net (RIP). meh.

American Royals by Katharine McGee

first in a YA series about what if america had royals (as the name implies). dumb af but i’m a sucker for stories about rich people doing stupid shit.

Making Medieval Manuscripts by Christopher de Hamel

i read this in preparation for the paleography class i took this past spring. somehow taught me nothing new?

The Virgin of Chartres by Margot Fassler

500 pages of excellent excellent history, and instrumental in writing my thesis now. obsessed with this book. 

Christopher and His Kind by Christopher Isherwood

i’d been trying to finish this for about a year and a half. i love isherwood’s fiction but his (auto)biography is harder to read? 

Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan

could not for the life of me tell you what happens in this one but i did have fun!

The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark

i love muriel spark but again have no idea what it’s about. we got sent home from campus the week i was reading this; that’s probably why

The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson

you know what is a great idea? reading a terrifying book about a historical outbreak of cholera at 2am the night before you get sent home from campus on account of a brand new worldwide pandemic! highly recommend! 

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling (reread)

i’ve always hated this one, and hadn’t reread it in about 10 years. still hate it!

The Relic Master by Christopher Buckley

i think i would have found this funnier if i wasn’t actually a scholar of the late medieval period.

The Abbess of Crewe by Muriel Spark (reread)

love.

Death in a Tenured Position by Amanda Cross

my mom told me to read this one, so i did. a murder mystery set in the 1970s harvard english dept... i simply have to lol

Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia

this was really well done and also i have already forgotten what it’s about

Supreme Courtship by Christopher Buckley (reread)

reconfirmed my belief that buckley is at his best when he’s satirizing the american political system of the early aughts. 

The Violins of Saint-Jacques by Patrick Leigh Fermor

fermor’s only published fiction with a fascinating frame narrative. would recommend

Normal People by Sally Rooney (reread)

i can’t talk about this book. fukc.

The End of Policing by Alex S. Vitale

essential reading.

Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney (reread)

can talk a little bit more about this one, but again i say: fukc. i am not a college student in dublin and i’ve never had an affair with an older man but goddamn if rooney didn’t see inside my soul.

Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld

i love sittenfeld usually but this was not it.

The Rehearsal by Eleanor Catton

her second book (the luminaries) is better.

Midnight Blue by Simone Van Der Vlugt

good for a beach read.

The Collected Works of T.S. Spivet by Reif Larsen (reread)

i was obsessed with this book when i was 11 or so. less obsessed now; newly amazed by this way of writing a novel.

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (reread)

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams (reread)

it’s douglas adams! what’s not to love?

The True History of the First Mrs. Meredith and Other Lesser Lives by Diane Johnson

read this for the book club of two i have with my grandmother. i enjoyed it; she did not.

The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy

okay so today i’m really sad about how last year on NYE i was in paris and drank a lot of wine and ate a lot of cheese and this year i am home with my parents (drinking wine and eating cheese). this book is about being a stupid young american woman in paris in the 60s and it made me about as sad as i am today, except then in august. 

Imagined Communities by Benedict Anderson

i know nothing about south asian nationalist movements, but hoo boy did the theory in this book expand my mind in some new and important ways.

Playing the Whore by Melissa Gira Grant

essential reading.

Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford (reread)

ugh mitford’s work is such a comfort reread. i’m working on the sisters’ collected letters right now and i can’t believe how fucking brilliant they all were. 

Enter the Aardvark by Jessica Anthony

probably the best book i read this year. a stunning little novel in about 120 pages. if you like taxidermy and congress and gay people and history and love, this is a book for you.

Don’t Tell Alfred by Nancy Mitford (reread)

more mitford. self-explanatory, really.

The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey (reread)

this is one of the books i credit with my interest in medieval history. gives me something new each time i come back to it.

Majesty by Katherine McGee

a sequel to american royals, described above. still stupid af; still a delight.

The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon (reread)

i reread this for my minyan’s book club, even though i only attended one of the meetings. my mom first read this to me when i was literally nine years old-- what a parenting choice! this book taught me how to curse. still a masterpiece of a novel. 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling (reread)

needed a comfort read yesterday. fuck jkr for all the usual reasons, but damn, this hits. 

[recentanimenews]

IN-DEPTH: How The God of High School Revealed the True, Weird History of Taekwondo

  If, like me, you found yourself yearning for some physical activity and breaks from the tedium of schoolwork as a kid, you might have found yourself wanting to learn some martial arts. Watching action stars like Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, as well as anime, playing fighting games and more, left me with an interest in learning a martial art myself. I found myself at the door of a local Taekwondo school and was instantly hooked. Sadly, like many things, time and obligations got in the way and I had to give up my pursuit of martial arts, but I always found the subject interesting. When I started reading The God of High School, I was instantly hooked by the idea that Jin Mori used Taekwondo, but suddenly, I found myself questioning things: What did they mean, that there were multiple types of Taekwondo? Wasn’t all Taekwondo the same? What was “Renewal Taekwondo” and was it a real thing? The answer to that question is... sort of. Also: There are some light spoilers here! Be warned!

    In The God of High School, the revelation that Jin practices “Renewal Taekwondo” serves as a shock to the cast, particularly the Judges and Park Mujin, as it reveals the fact that Jin’s grandfather, Jin Taejin, was not only still alive, but that he had passed on the incredibly powerful skills of Renewal Taekwondo to someone else. At this point in the anime, the reveal has played out far differently, although there’s no telling whether this might change as the anime progresses. We do know that Jin uses Renewal Taekwondo, but we don’t get the same backstory and discussion revolving around Jin’s grandfather, and the past regarding Taekwondo itself. In the WEBTOON series, Park Mujin reveals that “Renewal Taekwondo” was created by South Korean leaders following a defeat at the hands of North Korean “ITF” Taekwondo. And, suddenly, my childhood came back to me: I had learned “WT” Taekwondo, so what was “ITF?” Was it just something the web comic made up, like “Renewal Taekwondo?” As it turns out, this particular rabbit hole went a whole lot deeper, and weirder, than I ever imagined. 

    Perhaps the first, and most shocking, fact regarding Taekwondo is that it is less than 100 years old. Many historians agree there is some fluidity to a solid date, but as 4th Dan David Lo notes, Taekwondo likely began formally in 1955, when General Choi Hong-Hi named it after developing the first basic forms of the martial art. While many other popular martial arts, such as Karate, Tai Chi, or Kung-Fu often discuss their proud, long lineages, Taekwondo is often mistakenly assumed to be ancient; in fact, it is only perhaps somewhat related to Taekkyeon, which was nearly wiped out during Japanese occupation. After World War II, the Japanese occupation of Korea came to an end. During the occupation, Japan was particularly cruel to Koreans, suppressing their language, culture, and identity — extending this treatment to martial arts practitioners were forced to quit or go into hiding while Japanese Karate was taught instead. Taekwondo would come from the confluence of various martial arts, having more in common with Karate, mostly due to the violent banning of Korean culture. 

  Combining their knowledge with new techniques in Shotokan karate, Kung-Fu, and others, would begin to create schools, or “Kwans,” which would give rise to what we today recognize as Taekwondo. Scott Shaw, one of the eminent English authors and students of Taekwondo, explains the genealogy of the first 5, and subsequent 4, Kwans; these Kwans were fairly diverse, with nine divergent approaches and teachers developing their own takes on martial arts. In many cases, historians consider Song Moo Kwan the Kwan most responsible for eventual Taekwondo, with Byung Jik Ro called by some as the “father” of “modern” Taekwondo (more on that later) the original five Kwans — Song Moo Kwan, Chung Do Kwan, Moo Duk Kwan, Ji Do Kwan, and Chang Moo Kwan — were the birthplace of Taekwondo, but it would take another war, and social and cultural upheaval for Taekwondo to really emerge.

    Song Moo Kwan and Chung Do Kwan were founded in 1944, with the other 5 founding Kwans appearing in the following 2 years. If we start Taekwondo’s timeline there, that means Taekwondo is only 76 years old (meaning there’s a good chance your grandparents might actually be older than Taekwondo!), but the “real” birth of Taekwondo would come a fair bit after these Kwans were founded. For that to happen, Korea would be forced into another protracted battle that would decide the course of its modern fate, and the dispersal of Taekwondo to the rest of the world: The Korean War. 

  Separating the country along the 38th parallel into what are today known as North Korea and South Korea, this civil war shaped Korea’s modern history in cataclysmic ways, separating family members, friends, and cultural identity. Like many aspects of Korean life, Taekwondo found itself straddling an uncomfortable and unclear line: The original Kwans were spread out across the Korean peninsula, with Song Moo Kwan being in what would now be North Korea. Following the Korean war, this would lead perhaps the most controversial figure in Taekwondo history to emerge: General Choi Hong Hi, the true “father” of Taekwondo.

    Alex Gillis' A Killing Art reveals the life, warts and all, of General Choi. Born in 1918 in Hwa Dae (located in now North Korea), General Choi Hong Hi was sent to Japan by his father to study, ending up in the tutelage of Han Il Dong, a master of Taekkyeon, one of Korea’s oldest martial arts. Forced into military service by the Japanese, Choi would eventually find himself continuing to serve in the Korean military following the end of World War II and Japanese occupation, earning the title of major general in 1954 (and thus earning him both his title and nickname, “The general”). 

  Choi’s mastery of Taekkyeon and Shotokan karate led him to develop what he titled “Taekwon-Do,” or “foot, fist, art.” Choi is, as far as historians can tell, the first person to use the word “Taekwondo,” and rightfully seems to deserve the title. The controversy, however, comes from the disagreements between Choi (who, some authors note, was somewhat disagreeable and even deceptive) and other Kwan leaders and Taekwondo practitioners. This would lead to the eventual creation, and split, of Taekwondo into ITF and WT schools, among many other offshoots.

    Whether Choi was or wasn’t a deceptive and deceitful person seems to be based on who you ask, and the most common perception of him was that he was complicated (as are we all). What authors and historians such as Lo, Gillis, Shaw, and others agree on is that without General Choi, there would be no Taekwondo, and the subsequent power struggle nearly destroyed, as Lo calls it, the “family” of Taekwondo. While it is perhaps more palatable to consider martial arts as monastic and scholarly, the reality is that they are practiced, created, and influenced by people, and Taekwondo’s somewhat ugly and public schism is a great reminder of this. Choi originally founded the ITF, or International Taekwon-Do Federation, in 1966; however, Choi’s attempts to control all aspects of Taekwon-Do, and the South Korean government’s insistence on “owning” Taekwondo, would create the split that saw Choi flee from Korea to Canada and South Korea creating the KTA (Korean Taekwondo Association), which would eventually give way to the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF, now known as WT), under the governing body of the Kukkiwon. 

  In the ITF version of this story, Choi simply decided to go “on tour” in 1959, before eventually creating the ITF in 1966. The WT version of the story is just as revisionist, claiming that Taekwondo has roots that supposedly go back 2000 years and that the WT was created in 1973 as the first governing body of Taekwondo. No mention of Choi or the ITF exists in the WT version of Taekwondo. Udo Moening, author of numerous papers about Taekwondo’s cultural and social significance, helps explain the disparity between these two stories by noting that Taekwondo is as much an object of political importance to the identity of Korea as it is a form of martial skill and discipline. Simply put, Moening argues, Taekwondo became a piece of the struggle for identity between South Korea and North Korea, and the eventual race to Olympic recognition would become a major victory in this battle for the WT and South Korea. 

    The schism in Taekwondo (or Taekwon-Do, in ITF’s usage) is perhaps even more interesting in the sense that one did not immediately replace the other; instead of the WT supplanting the ITF, the two schools of Taekwondo went about their own paths. Yet, Kukkiwon managed to obtain a significant victory over Choi and ITF Taekwondo: inclusion in the Olympics. In 1982, Kukkiwon was able to arrange a demonstration of Taekwondo for the IOC in 1988 and became an official event during the Asian Games in 1986. In 1994, Kukkiwon “won” the competition for Taekwondo legitimacy by being selected by the IOC as an official sport of the Olympics, joining Judo as the only other Asian martial art in the Olympic games, and debuting in the 2000 games in Australia. 

  Choi, however, had won in another way: his ITF Taekwondo spread across the world, and his somewhat ingenious method of sending Taekwondo “acolytes” to various places to form their own schools helped make Taekwondo popular and profitable. There are other forms of Taekwondo out there, including ATA (American Taekwondo Association), Jhoon Rhee Style, and the GTF (Global Taekwondo Federation), a split from ITF. Chuck Norris, during the height of his popularity in the '90s, even formed his own school that blended Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo called Chun Kuk Do!

    While Choi was successful in spreading Taekwondo around the globe, and South Korea was able to claim “ownership” of the sport through political engineering and historical revision, Taekwondo in the United States would owe much of its growth and popularity to a different individual: Jhoon Rhee. Rhee, learning Taekwondo at the Chung Do Kwan in his childhood, came to America in the '60s to study engineering. Needing some extra money, Rhee began teaching Taekwondo, and through luck and hard work, launched the popularity of the martial art in the United States via television and Hollywood. Like all good and weird success stories, Rhee gained fame from his “viral” '70s commercial jingle, written by Nils Lofgren, guitarist for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band! 

  Rhee’s unconventional approach to success worked, taking his Taekwondo to both of America’s hearts: Hollywood and Washington DC. Rhee would go on to teach and demonstrate Taekwondo to various celebrities including Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee — even writing a book, Bruce Lee and I, in 2011. He also met with President Reagan and famously demonstrated Taekwondo to the United States Congress in 1965. There was even a sparring match between Republicans and Democrats! 

    But what do all of these different types of Taekwondo actually mean? When I was practicing, did I learn “the wrong” type? Well, the answer is… no! The major difference in schools seems to come down to forms, ranks, and some other small administrative differences — such as who can spar, and why, or what types of focus there is in learning Taekwondo in general. Perhaps due to the odd nature of Taekwondo’s spread outside of Korea, the sport is also highly “commercial;” the ATA and Jhoon Rhee schools, for example, were founded on the idea of both teaching the sport and also establishing chain schools that would funnel profits back to the original founders, essentially creating a business instead of the somewhat monastic idea of a martial art like the Kung-Fu or Karate that appear in movies and media. 

  As noted by Doug Cook, the forms, of Poomsae, are constantly changing, due in part to the various types and hybrids of Taekwondo, but also due to the somewhat infant nature of the sport compared to other forms. It would be hard, as many authors point out, to find a “true” strain of Taekwondo these days. Instead, the various approaches, forms, and inherent teachings all help create different, unique ideas of the original created by Choi in the '50s — itself a hybrid of various types of martial arts.

    It's fairly common in martial arts stories to hear epic tales of the history and longevity of a martial art, but Taekwondo provides us with the unique and interesting experience of seeing that historical mythology evolve in real time. From the controversial Choi to the roots of the Korean search for identity following Japanese occupation and later civil war, Taekwondo serves as a mirror for Korea’s own evolution. While Taekwondo may not be an “ancient” form of martial arts, it is a uniquely Korean one, and one that has a complex history and personality, and thanks to The God of High School, I found myself falling into the rabbit hole of its story. “Reclamation” Taekwondo may not actually exist, but in many ways, Taekwondo was a form of reclamation for Korea: an attempt to create something new and unique in the face of years of brutal occupational rule and civil strife. 

Did you know about the history of Taekwondo? What's your favorite style to practice? Let us know, and while you're at it, tell us your current fave WEBTOON series in the comments!  

➡️ Watch The God of High School today! ⬅️  

    Nicole is a frequent wordsmith for Crunchyroll. Known for punching dudes in Yakuza games on her Twitch channel while professing her love for Majima. She also has a blog, Figuratively Speaking. Follow her on Twitter: @ellyberries. Here's that serotonin you ordered.

  Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com

[joeygoeshollywood]

My 25 Favorite Films of 2018

It’s hard to believe that 2018 is already coming to a close. Here’s my 25 favorite films from the year!

25. Black Panther

Roughly twenty films into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the franchise certainly needed a pallet cleanser. Black Panther was certainly the antidote. Not only did we get a standalone film from a superhero we didn’t know much about, it took us on adventure in the fictional high-tech nation of Wakanda. Chadwick Boseman brings a freshness and a unique charm to the Avengers table and he’s accompanied by a very talented cast including Lupita Nyong’o, Letitia Wright, Dana Gurira, and Michael B Jordan, who was easily one of Marvel’s best villains to date. Writer/Director Ryan Coogler (Creed, Fruitvale Station) has established himself as a filmmaker on the rise and his career will not be stopping anytime soon. 

24. Boy Erased

Based on a true story, Boy Erased follows the son of a Baptist preacher and his unsettling experience at a gay conversion program. Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea, Ladybird) continues to prove he’s one of the greatest actors from the millennial generation as a young man who struggles with his sexual identity. Joel Edgerton, who wrote, directed, and starred in the film, strikes a balance between intensity and raw emotion. And Nicole Kidman also gives one of her strongest performances in recent memory as the religious mother who goes on her own journey in embracing her son for who he really is. 

23. Sorry to Bother You

Sorry to Bother You cannot be defined by one genre. Part comedy, part fantasy, part sci-fi, and even part horror, this film from newcomer Boots Riley is an imaginative satire that tackles race, class, and capitalism. This marks the biggest and best role from Lakeith Standfield (Atlanta, Get Out) who stars as a telemarketer who quickly climbs the ranks only to find out that the company he works for has nefarious ambitions. There are a lot of WTF moments in this film that cannot be unseen, but it’s all worth it. 

22. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

What ended up being the best animated film of the year and of the best Spider-Man movies ever, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse reimagines the origin story of this classic Marvel superhero with a new cinematic web-slinger Miles Morales, who teams up with other Spider-Men from other dimensions in order to stop the threat to all of their realities. Between the unique forms of animation, a fun script, and a solid voice cast, Into the Spider-Verse rises above in a year filled with superhero flicks.  

21. The Cloverfield Paradox

When the latest chapter in the Cloverfield franchise dropped on the night of the Super Bowl, everyone rushed to Netflix for the surprise release. And while the critics weren’t exactly kind, The Cloverfield Paradox was still a wild, captivating installment. A group of scientists in space must solve the energy crisis that is causing chaos among nations on Earth, but while doing so find themselves entangled in alternative realities. Gugu Mbathu-Raw, Daniel Brühl, Chris Dowd, David Oyelowo, John Ortiz, Ziyi Zhang, Aksel Hennie and Elizabeth Debicki round out this strong, diverse ensemble. 

20. Mission: Impossible - Fallout

At 56 years old, Tom Cruise continues to defy all odds as he keeps his now 20-year-old franchise alive. Ethan Hunt’s latest mission was fitting enough to be his last as his efforts to once again save the world also has him grappling with questions about his own mortality and the loved ones in his life. One of the best action films of the year, Fallout is a ton of fun and filled with well-choreographed sequences and stunts from Cruise himself. 

19. Bad Times at the El Royale

What is fascinating about Bad Times at the El Royale is how much it felt like a puzzle. With its non-linear editing, every scene felt like an individual puzzle piece that once they come together give you a complete picture. Drew Goddard, the mastermind behind the modern cult classic The Cabin in the Woods, returns with a 60s-era crime thriller with a superb soundtrack, awesome production design, and a stellar cast that features Jeff Bridges, Jon Hamm, Dakota Johnson, Cynthia Erivo, and Chris Hemsworth. 

18. Support the Girls

Support the Girls is a small indie comedy from Andrew Bujalski about a general manager of a sports bar and grill who reaches a boiling point with her life. Regina Hall, best known for her role in the Scary Movie franchise and more recently in Girls Trip, gives the best performance of her career as the heartwarming and heartbreaking Lisa, who while hating her job puts her young waiting staff first. Support the Girls is one of the few films that’s grounded in reality and is a comedic display of ordinary life and the struggles that come with it. 

17. A Simple Favor

What was easily the most Hitchcockian film of the year, A Simple Favor marks a sharp tonal turn from director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, Spy). Anna Kendrick stars a single mother who investigates the strange disappearance of her new friend (played by a terrific Blake Lively). Filled with unexpected turns and a few good laughs, A Simple Favor is a sexy thriller that expanded Feig’s talents.                                                                        

16. Thoroughbreds 

Part psychological thriller, part teenage dark comedy, Thoroughbreds resembles a contemporary Heathers. Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch, Split) stars as a girl who relies her sociopathic friend (Olivia Cooke) to plot the murder of her awful stepfather. Newcomer Cory Finley makes an outstanding feature debut and is able to strike a balance between the tragedy and humor of this unlikely friendship. 

15. A Quiet Place

John Krasinski wrote, produced, directed, and starred in his second and best feature to date, A Quiet Place. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, a family adapts to living in complete silence in order to keep themselves out of harms way from these deadly creatures who hunt their prey by the sounds they make. Despite the script with barely a page of dialogue, A Quiet Place speaks volumes with high intensity and terrifying performances from Krasinski’s wife Emily Blunt as well as from child actors Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe.  

14. The Death of Stalin

Veep creator Armando Iannucci knows a thing or two about satire. This time, he takes his talents to the big screen with his political comedy The Death of Stalin. As the title explains, the film follows the death of Russian dictator Joseph Stalin and the tug of war over power among his Council of Ministers. The intellectual humor in the screenplay combined with the comical performances of an ensemble cast which includes Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Rupert Friend, Andrea Riseborough, and Jason Isaacs marks one of the best comedies of the year. 

13. Hereditary 

Like a modern day Rosemary’s Baby, Hereditary is an unsettling horror film that surrounds the supernatural occurrences of a grieving family after the passing of its estranged matriarch. Writer/Director Ari Aster masterfully crafts a remarkable yet unexplainable thriller with the help of a career-best performance from Toni Collette. 

12. Three Identical Strangers

Sometimes life is stranger than fiction and there is not a better example of that than Three Identical Strangers, a documentary that tells the real-life story about triplets who were separated at birth who discover each other’s existence in college and their journey to discover the grim circumstances that pulled them apart in the first place. What really felt more like a suspense thriller, Three Identical Strangers is an unpredictable, fascinating film about family and the bonds that hold us together. 

11. Widows

Widows is a grade-a heist film from 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen and Gone Girl screenwriter Gillian Flynn. Viola Davis stars as a widow who settles one final score that was all set by her dead husband (Liam Neeson). Suspenseful and emotional from beginning to end, Widows is a female-dominated drama that features one of the best ensembles of the year, including Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Rodriguez, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, and Robert Duvall. 

10. Game Night

There was not a more laugh-out-loud funny comedy this year than Game Night. It surrounds a group of friends whose game night takes a wrong turn when what’s supposed to be a fun murder mystery becomes very real. Not only does the plot have plenty of twists and turns, the abundance of self-awareness in this wacky film elevates it from the rest. Rachel McAdams and Jason Bateman do their best comedic work in years and they’re accompanied by a hilarious ensemble cast. 

9. Overlord

You don’t often hear of WWII horror films, but Overlord certainly delivers. The J.J. Abrams-produced flick follows a troop of soldiers who stumble upon a gruesome scientific lab where humans are the unfortunate subjects. Overlord is truly an adrenaline rush and the most badass movie of the year. After all, when it comes to Americans kicking some Nazi butt, the gorier the better. 

8. Annihilation 

Annihilation is one of those remarkable films that is so hard to describe. Natalie Portman stars as a biologist who joins a pack of armed explorers in a territory of land where mysteriously the laws of nature are nonexistent. Thought-provoking, captivating, and extremely intense, this female-led sci-fi drama felt like an out-of-body experience. 

7. Crazy Rich Asians

Easily the most enjoyable film of the year, Crazy Rich Asians offers plenty of sights, laughs, and heart. Based off the best-selling novel by Kevin Kwan, this romantic comedy follows NYU professor Rachel (Fresh Off the Boat’s Constance Wu) and her struggle to win over her fiancé’s very judgmental, very crazy, and yes, very rich family. Crazy Rich Asians features eye candy visuals, a fun soundtrack, and a talented ensemble cast. 

6. Roma

Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity, Children of Men) makes his return with his most personal film yet, Roma. Set in Mexico City in the early 1970s, the Spanish-language film chronicles the life of a middle-class family a maid named Cleo (played by newcomer Yalitza Aparicio). Shot in black and white and with incredible cinematography Roma is timeless story about family, class, and the human spirit. It is easily Netflix’s best original film to date. 

5. If Beale Street Could Talk

Oscar-winning writer/director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) makes a strong return with a tragic love story about a pregnant young woman who struggles to get her fiancé out of jail after he was wrongfully accused of a crime. Based off the book of the same name, If Beale Street Could Talk felt more like watching a play. Along with the gorgeous cinematography and a moving score, this romance is carried by its two leads Kiki Layne and Stephen James as well as Regina King, who gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Layne’s mother. 

4. Eighth Grade

Middle school is the worst and no film has captured the experience better than Bo Burnham’s debut film Eighth Grade. Despite the ever-changing times, this indie comedy manages to connect adult audiences with eighth grader Kayla Day, who struggles to navigate through her adolescence all while attempting to build her presence on social media. Young actress, Elsie Fisher gives a grounded, comical, and sometimes painful performance and Josh Hamilton gives a strong supporting performance as her single father who tries to lift her spirits. 

3. Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

If you grew up on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, then this film will certainly hit home. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? showcases the life of a Presbyterian minister who developed of the most iconic, impactful children’s shows in television history and the struggles he faced along the way. The documentary features interviews of his family, the crew, and cast members, all who give insight of the genius that is Fred Rogers. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? is an emotional film that, if you’re lucky, will restore your faith in humanity. And be warned; there was not a dry eye in that theater. 

2. American Animals

Director Bart Layton has an incredible gift of making hybrid films. His underrated 2012 documentary The Imposter felt more like a mystery thriller. And with American Animals, since it’s based on a true story, he injects documentary elements into what normally would be a heist film. The story surrounds these four college kids who plan to steal an extremely valuable book from the campus library. The four leads do outstanding work, but Evan Peters (of American Horror Story fame) particularly gives the best performance of his career as one of the irresponsible thieves. With great editing and strong source material, American Animals is the best film of the year that virtually no one saw.  

1. The Favourite

It’s no surprise that The Favourite is the favorite film of the year. Yorgos Lanthimos, the previously unsung filmmaker behind The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer, brings the real-life 18th Century story of Queen Anne to the 21st Century and injects his twisted sense of humor. Olivia Colman stars as the neurotic, but hilarious ruler and Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz compete for her affection. Beautifully shot and superbly written, The Favourite is a remarkable, flawless cinematic masterpiece. 

[psychicreadsgirl]

October 2019 - December 2019 for Korean Entertainment Industry in General

I’ll do a Korean entertainment industry reading for the months of October to December 2019.

October soon is ending, but the sombreness of this month will continue till the end. There will be a few more unexpected news that will not be very happy to fans, either departures, breaks/hiatuses, injuries, or accidents. Some litigation will either have results or start and this would go through until November to mid December. The litigation may either be a celebrity suing someone for malicious comments or could be a celebrity suing their own agency or vice versa. It can even entail lawsuits involving personal injury, divorces, inheritances, fraud, copyright infringement, etc. Many cases will not be publicly broadcasted but there will be a lot in the works. 

November will welcome many comebacks and be filled with much business. Lots of blood, sweat and tears coming from many groups, all fighting for the awards in their own ways. A couple of anticipated groups will be coming back during this time, rather last minute, up till December. They are purposely making last minute comebacks to gain more momentum for the upcoming awards such as the AMAs, MAMA, etc. Again, some celebrities may be forced to take hiatuses for various reasons like mental health/physical injury or pure discipline from their agency. There may be a few blossoming couples being publicized or rumored among SNS and among fans. I strongly feel there will be some sort of “dating” scandal coming for a few popular idols, leaked by different agencies for their own agendas. Some agencies leak other news on purpose for revenge. 

November also marks a month where some groups are fighting amongst themselves and are trying to get their solos. I see a few groups close to breaking up in November but will drag on till possibly 2020 - 2021. 

In December, there will be the typical award ceremonies. However, this time, some of the results of the awards will cause fan wars and cause people to wonder about manipulation of votes. Another popular show may be under examination of manipulation of votes from October - December. A reunion of an unexpected group may be seen in December. A few reunions will be delayed again till early next year or never again. Several holiday season songs will be released as well.

December will also be a time where we may see some departures from several celebrities. Unexpected news is a big theme for the months of November to December, and even January 2020. It’ll get everyone wondering, “wtf? how could this be? what? omggg!” December 2019 to January 2020 is really all about big changes for many celebrities’ career. Some at the top of their careers currently will plummet hard while others will change directions for their careers or take breaks. Some may disappear from the spotlight forever. Some news of enlistments to military will trickle in from November to December too. Some expected. Some very unexpected, almost too early for their career/age. 

----

What has come true

October 25, 2019: 

Seulgi from RV missing from performance and Yeri is injured: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/red-velvet-performs-without-seulgi-injured-yeri-fans-extremely-worried-two/

October 27, 2019:

Woojin leaves Stray Kids: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/jyp-entertainment-announces-woojin-withdraws-stray-kids-comeback-delayed/

October 28, 2019:

Minzy reportedly filed an injunction against her agency, the Music Works Entertainment: https://www.soompi.com/article/1362089wpp/minzy-reported-to-have-filed-an-injunction-to-suspend-contract-with-her-agency

October 28, 2019: 

EXO announced that they will be making their November comeback: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/10/exoiscoming-trends-number-1-worldwide-after-sm-announced-exos-comeback-k-pop-fans-reactions

October 28, 2019: 

Sunmi files lawsuits against malicious comments: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/10/sunmi-files-lawsuits-against-netizens-leaving-malicious-comments

October 29, 2019:

IOI’s Kyulkyung reportedly may also be unable to join reunion: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/10/iois-kyulkyung-zhou-jieqiong-may-also-be-unable-to-join-groups-reunion-promotions

October 30, 2019:

Popeye entertainment closes down: https://www.soompi.com/article/1362483wpp/yoon-kyun-sang-oh-na-ra-and-more-search-for-new-agency-as-popeye-entertainment-closes-down

October 30, 2019:

Monsta X’s Wonho caught in upcoming litigation for allegedly owing money to Jung Da Eun: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/10/jung-da-eun-reveals-text-messages-from-monsta-x-wonhos-lawyer-after-debt-allegations

October 30, 2019: 

Dok2 confirmed to be underdoing tax investigation: https://www.soompi.com/article/1362657wpp/dok2-confirmed-to-be-undergoing-tax-investigation

October 30, 2019: 

Rainbow announces their return amidst reports of 10th anniversary reunion: https://www.soompi.com/article/1362660wpp/rainbow-announces-their-return-amidst-reports-of-10th-anniversary-reunion

October 30, 2019:

Park Jihoon announces comeback in November and Asia tour: https://www.soompi.com/article/1362655wpp/park-ji-hoon-announces-comeback-with-new-album-and-tour

October 30, 2019:

Starship Entertainment announces they will take legal action for a rumour raised about Monsta X’s Wonho: https://www.soompi.com/article/1362480wpp/starship-entertainment-denies-rumor-about-monsta-xs-wonho-considering-legal-action

October 31, 2019: 

Lee Yoobi to take legal action against malicious commenters: https://www.soompi.com/article/1362762wpp/lee-yoo-bi-announces-decision-to-take-legal-action-against-malicious-commenters

October 31, 2019: 

Monsta X’s Wonho leaves Monsta X: https://www.soompi.com/article/1362744wpp/breaking-wonho-leaves-monsta-x

October 31, 2019:

Starship Entertainment clarifies rumors regarding Monsta X’s Shownu’s dating a married woman rumor: https://www.soompi.com/article/1362766wpp/starship-entertainment-clarifies-rumor-involving-monsta-xs-shownu

October 31, 2019: 

Monsta X’s Wonho is allegedly facing illegal drug charges: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/10/jung-da-eun-further-claims-former-monsta-x-member-wonho-is-facing-illegal-drug-use-charges-in-dispatch-interview

October 31, 2019:

ASTRO confirms comeback in November 2019: https://www.soompi.com/article/1362946wpp/astro-confirms-plans-for-a-comeback 

November 4, 2019: 

BTS’ Jeon Jungkook questioned by the police after causing a traffic accident :https://www.koreaboo.com/news/bts-jungkook-questioned-police-after-causing-car-accident/

November 4, 2019:

Golden Child to make a comeback in November: https://www.koreaboo.com/stories/golden-child-make-comeback-november/

November 4, 2019:

Nam Taehyun closes his agency and signs his band to another agency: https://www.soompi.com/article/1363758wpp/nam-tae-hyuns-agency-discontinued-south-club-signs-with-new-agency

November 4, 2019:

Actor Hong Jong Hyun to enlist early next month: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/11/actor-hong-jong-hyun-to-enlist-early-next-month

November 6, 2019:

ACE’s Kim Byeong Kwan to sit out on savage promotions due to polyp removal: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/11/aces-kim-byeong-kwan-to-sit-out-on-savage-promotions-due-to-polyp-removal

November 9, 2019: 

CL leaves YG Entertainment: https://www.jazminemedia.com/2019/11/cl-leaves-yg-entertainment-after-10-years/

November 12, 2019:

ASTRO’s Moonbin to take hiatus due to health issues: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/11/astros-moonbin-to-take-hiatus-due-to-health-issues

November 12, 2019: 

2 AM’s Jinwoo and Nine Muses’ Kyung Li reportedly dating: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/11/2ams-jinwoon-nine-musess-kyung-li-reportedly-dating

November 13, 2019:

VIXX’s Leo to enlist as a public service worker on December 2nd, 2019 and opens up about panic disorder and depression in letter: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/11/vixxs-leo-to-enlist-as-a-public-service-worker-on-december-2-reveals-that-hes-suffering-from-panic-disorder-and-depression

November 13, 2019:

Ahn Joon Young PD partially admits to vote rigging on produce 101 seasons 1 and 2: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/11/ahn-joon-young-pd-partially-admits-to-vote-rigging-on-produce-101-season-1-2

November 14, 2019:

Seungri to enlist in military: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/11/seungri-to-enlist-in-the-military-as-burning-sun-investigation-stalls-netizens-furious-over-lack-of-justice

November 17, 2019:

TRCNG’s Wooyeop and Taeseon sue TS Entertainment for child abuse: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/11/trcngs-wooyeop-and-taeseon-sues-ts-entertainmen-for-child-abuse-including-hitting-them-with-metal-chairs

November 17, 2019:

Seventeen’s S.Coups goes on hiatus to receive treatment for anxiety: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/11/seventeens-scoups-goes-on-hiatus-to-receive-treatment-for-anxiety

November 18, 2019:

Kim Saeron leaving YG Entertainment: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/11/kim-sae-ron-reportedly-leaving-yg-entertainment

November 19, 2019:

Former East the Light Member Lee Eun Sung to Enlist in Military this Month:  https://www.soompi.com/article/1366809wpp/former-the-east-light-member-lee-eun-sung-to-enlist-in-military-this-month

November 20, 2019:

Daesung required to pay about $1.02 M in taxes on controversial building: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/11/daesung-required-to-pay-12-billion-krw-approximately-1025-million-in-taxes-on-controversial-building

November 24, 2019:

Goo Hara found dead in her home: https://metro.co.uk/2019/11/24/k-pop-star-former-kara-member-goo-hara-found-dead-28-11209087/

November 26, 2019:

Park Kyung Lawsuit & Vote Manipulation Accusations for others: https://www.soompi.com/article/1368039wpp/park-kyungs-agency-to-appoint-lawyer-expresses-wish-for-chart-manipulation-rumors-to-be-uncovered

November 26, 2019:

Stray Kids Lee Know suffers from minor ankle injury: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/stray-kids-lee-know-suffers-ankle-injury-jyp-gives-update-performance-2019-aaa/

November 26, 2019:

Malicious Commenters charged fines for defamation of Woolim Entertainment Artists: https://www.soompi.com/article/1368009wpp/malicious-commenters-charged-fines-for-defamation-of-woollim-artists

November 26, 2019:

MNET confirms I*ZONE and X1 will not attend MAMA: https://www.soompi.com/article/1368051wpp/mnet-confirms-izone-and-x1-will-not-attend-2019-mama

November 28, 2019:

Hyuna has been diagnosed with depression, panic disorder and vasovagal syncope: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/hyuna-depression-panic-disorder-vasovagal-syncope-diagnosis/

November 28, 2019:

UP10tion fans claim that Jinhoo is dating: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/up10tion-fans-jinhoo-dating-rumors-furious/

November 30, 2019:

GOT7′s Youngjae to sit out of weekend events due to health issues:https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/11/got7s-youngjae-to-sit-out-of-weekend-events-due-to-health-issues 

December 1, 2019:

TWICE’s Chaeyoung misses Twicelight’s performance in Japan due to ill health: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/twices-chaeyoung-misses-twicelights-performance-in-japan-due-ill-health/

December 1, 2019:

GOT7′s Jackson Wang misses activities due to health concerns: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/12/twices-chaeyoung-and-got7s-jackson-will-also-be-sitting-out-of-schedules-due-to-health-reasons

December 1, 2019: 

Former AOA members Mina calls out a certain murderer in Instagram post: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/12/former-aoa-member-mina-calls-out-a-certain-murderer-in-strange-instagram-post

December 3, 2019:

Fantagio rookie actor Cha In Ha found dead: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/fantagio-rookie-actor-cha-in-ha-found-dead/

December 3, 2019:

University releases official apology regarding using similar logo as Kim Jae Hwan’s fan club: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/university-releases-official-apology-regarding-using-similar-logo-kim-jae-hwans-fan-club/

December 3, 2019:

KONNECT Entertainment Reveals Kang Daniel’s Depression and Panic Disorder Diagnosis, Halts “TOUCHIN” Promotions: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/konnect-entertainment-reveals-kang-daniels-depression-panic-disorder-diagnosis-halts-touchin-promotions/

December 8, 2019: 

Kim Gun Mo to take legal action against Youtube channel: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/kim-gun-mo-take-legal-action-youtube-channel-claims-sexually-assaulted-someone/

December 8, 2019:

MONSTA X Jooheon may not be performing at the 2019 Jingle Ball: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/monsta-x-jooheon-not-performing-2019-jingle-ball/

December 9, 2019:

BigHit Entertainment/BTS/JTBC’s Claims: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/12/big-hit-entertainment-makes-a-lengthy-rebuttal-to-jtbcs-claims-that-bts-is-seeking-legal-help-due-to-profit-disputes

December 10, 2019:

Kim Soo Hyun leaves Keyeast to start new one-man agency: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/kim-soo-hyun-leaves-keyeast-start-new-one-man-agency/

December 10, 2019:

Map6 announces military enlistment of 4 out of 5 members: https://www.soompi.com/article/1370758wpp/map6-announces-military-enlistment-of-4-out-of-5-members-agency-says-group-is-not-disbanding

December 11, 2019:

Gagman Park Dong Geun under fire after calling Busters’ Chaeyeon a bitch: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/gagman-park-dong-geun-38-fire-after-calling-busters-chaeyeon-15-bitch-prostitute-live-broadcast/

December 11, 2019:

Kim Woo Bin becomes a free agent after leaving agency: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/kim-woo-bin-become-free-agent-after-expiration-contract/

December 12, 2019:

2NE1 Minzy files appeal: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/2ne1-minzy-file-appeal-contract-nullification-music-works/

December 12, 2019:

Han Seo Hee alleges that Jung Da Eun is violent and abusive: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/12/han-seo-hee-states-that-jung-da-eun-is-violent-and-abusive-reveals-her-bruised-arms-and-hands

December 12, 2019:

Cosmic Girls’ Dawon to take hiatus due to anxiety disorder: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/12/cosmic-girls-dawon-to-take-hiatus-due-to-anxiety-disorder

December 12, 2019:

Broadcast PDs previously recruited by YGE from MBC reportedly leaving YG: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/12/broadcast-pds-previously-recruited-by-yg-entertainment-from-mbc-reportedly-leaving-yg

December 12, 2019:

Cherry Bullet’s Mirae, Kokoro and Linlin cancel contract and leave the group: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/cherry-bullets-mirae-kokoro-linlin-cancel-contract-leaves-group/

December 24, 2019:

FNC Entertainment announces Song Seunghyun will leave FT Island and other members renew their contracts: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/fnc-entertainment-announces-song-seunghyun-will-leave-ftisland-group-others-renew-contracts/

December 25, 2019

Red Velvet Wendy suffers broken pelvis and wrist and facial injuries after falling off stage: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/red-velvet-wendy-suffers-broken-pelvis-wrist-facial-injuries-after-falling-off-stage/

December 29, 2019:

TVXQ’s Changmin reportedly in a relationship with a non celebrity: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/tvxq-changmin-reportedly-in-relationship-non-celebrity/

December 29, 2019:

Got7′s Yugyeom will not be attending MBC Gayo on 30th and 31st due to health problems: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/12/got7s-yugyeom-will-not-be-attending-mbc-gayo-festival-on-the-30th-31st-due-to-health

January 1, 2020:

Twice’s Momo and Super Junior’s Heechul Confirmed to be in a relationship: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/twice-momo-super-junior-heechul-confirmed-in-relationship/

January 6, 2020:

X1 disbands: https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjeouWznPDmAhVFHjQIHRC7AoUQ0PADMAB6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Farticles%2Fnews%2Finternational%2F8547358%2Fx1-disbands-vote-fixing-controversy&usg=AOvVaw29jJhbKHade_bxnzSnlzxl

[stitchlingbelle]

Watching Halo, Episode 5

Flashback time! Halsey and Keyes both on Eridanus II. Were they colonists? Stationed there? Why are they at the school? They just saw John, so clearly it’s too early to be school-shopping for Miranda’s sake. God, are they shopping for kids? Was Keyes in on it from the beginning? This school is supposed to be some idyllic Waldorf-style nature school, and I love that, but it is not OSHA-compliant.

Here in the present, they’ve set up a whole temporary base around the second artifact, which seems like an utterly terrible idea to me. Do you need this much crap to dig out one monumental rock and load it up? (I realize real scientists would want to study it in situ for 6000 years before moving on to step 2 and archeologists wouldn’t want to move it at all, but you have unstoppable aliens to deal with in this universe!) Also, was bringing Miranda out here a good idea? It seems contrary to giving her free rein while her mom is gone? I’m glad her dad’s on her side at least. John, you need to snap out of it, buddy.

Kwan and Soren stuck in the desert, bickering, when he handcuffs her and leaves her alone in the middle of the desert? Wtf, Soren?

Poor Miranda making good points and still getting sidelined by her mom and Adun the Creep. Kai is still the smartest person here. What DOES the Covenant want? I appreciate the shot of the little drone. It’s funny to think that those have gone from scifi to a toy people fly in their backyards in my lifetime. John the Master Chief spots Kai’s hair and knows what’s up instantly and is immediately an asshole about it. I adore Kai—she took one look at John removing his and instantly trusted it was a good idea, and more, it’s clear from her less-flat affect in ep1 that she’s always been closest to breaking free (even without a mystical connection to ancient alien tech). And she’s 100% dead on here, too- why the hell is she unfit, but he’s not? And good on Cortana for speaking up for her, too. John: “I can’t hear myself think.” Cortana: “I can and you’re not missing much.” HA.

I haven’t gotten into Makee’s alien politicking much, but it’s definitely interesting how they both seem to need her and yet distrust her at the same time. You raised her! But “corrupted/ going native” is a trope for a reason, I suppose. Or are there two camps of aliens here? Is she really the only being who can activate these things? Were there aliens who could do it but they’ve passed away, or is it a unique human ability? (Well, humans and whatever race created this stuff.) Where did the Covenant get its info about the tech to begin with? How accurate is what they think they know?

Kwan, meanwhile, is demonstrating her best feature—sheer determination. I cheered when she finally got free. But when is she going to go, stranded in the middle of the desert, presumably without supplies? (I mean, I assume she’s about to find the mystics, but that’s the meta-brain talking.)

Craaaaap, John’s confiding in Keyes, who immediately gives him a brush off with his “I’ll look into it personally” bs. Of course he goes straight to Parangosky and Halsey and backstabbing and manipulation ensue. They at least try to protect Miranda from all their dirty laundry, of course in a way calculated to piss her off. “Finally a parenting issue we can agree on”—what did that little jibe mean? It’s getting increasingly hard to picture Halsey as any kind of mother. Exactly what did she want to do with Miranda?

Using a laser on the artifact makes ALL HELL BREAK LOOSE, and then John just stops with a look? Is that what happened? Wtf. And of course the Covenant hear that. Great.

Just as I wonder what Miranda saw in the data, her dad walks in and takes her off the project. She immediately pegs that it’s his own dirty past that’s at stake, though how dirty I doubt she knows. Master Chief, who is at least somewhat less credulous than I gave him credit for, is getting suspicious as well. Aaaand apparently he believes in direct action, because he immediately heads over and touches the artifact. And finds out HALSEY KIDNAPPED HIM? WTF. (Is the plague story a coverup? Did she murder a whole colony to hide this???) Master Chief tries to kill her ass and I was hoping he’d manage it, but no, Cortana steps in. Rats.

A brief break back on Madrigal where Soren finds Kwan gone… and then she EMERGES FROM THE SAND AND TAKES HIM OUT. Go Kwan, that was so much smarter than just wandering the desert, well done!

The rest of the episode is the biggest battle yet. My notes just say “Oh crap OH CRAP” at the top. Seeing the ship crash was fantastic and a definite “You Are Ultra Screwed” moment. I of course laughed at Cortana giving Master Chief advice and him snapping “I know how the game is played, Cortana!” Yes, writers, you’re very cute. I once again question how many Spartans there are and why we only have four here? In this super important not-hardened base that the Covenant is actively looking for? Like, worth 100 marines each, that’s great, but getting separated and pinned down is still a problem! Especially in this area which is wide open with lousy cover!

Which of course is exactly what happens to Kai, which I choose to believe is why she went down, instead of her being overwhelmed by trauma like the Master Chief predicted while he’s just fine, just Heroically Angry. (That bit of writing annoyed me.) (Yes I know he blew it too, he just got to blow it in a way that’s very differently coded than she did.) Halsey gets her one good moment saving Miranda when I 100% expected her to leave her daughter to die. (I did think Miranda would live to be extremely screwed up about it, mind you.)

So the Covenant got away with the new artifact, crap. And they pull the exact same gambit with Makee as last time, and I have the exact same complaint. Human makeup and nice clothes and not a scratch? She does NOT look like she just escaped that ship during the chaos of battle after surviving durance vile! Like, I want a poster of her on my wall but I do NOT trust her.

[dollsome-does-tumblr]

So I know this is an ancient topic that has been talked out to death but I was kind of wondering what you felt could have been explained better re Luke/Lorelai in AYITL. Because when this was a hot topic on Tumblr a while back I think the both of us were amongst a handful of fans who were okay with the way that relationship ended up (I mostly still feel that way but I do kind of see how it's sad it didn't go the way a lot of fans wanted).

Sure!

I for the most part really like the depiction of their relationship in the revival–they seem very comfortable and happy together in the life they’ve built–and I like where they end up. There are just some areas where I would’ve liked to see things a bit different or a bit more thoughtful.

I think I would have liked to see the explanation as to why they weren’t married tied more directly to their past failed marriages, and just more information about that decision of theirs besides Lorelai going “I don’t do things like my mother.” I think it 100% makes sense that L&L wouldn’t marry after they had failed marriages and such a traumatic attempt at trying to marry each other the first time around; I just wish the revival had dived into that history more specifically, because I feel like there’s so much to work with there and a way to really make it feel like, yes, it totally makes sense that they still aren’t married after all this time, and have been happy that way. (And I think Richard’s death being a catalyst for them changing their minds about marriage totally makes sense as well.)

I would have, I think, had something about them more definitively deciding not to have kids a long time ago. Maybe due to fertility issues or something, but I just kind of like to think that they, say, watched Lane and Zach’s boys for a week back when they were toddlers when Lane and Zach were gone doing some Hep Alien thing, and by the end they were so exhausted that they were like, “Yep, this doesn’t need to be for us at this stage in our lives; let’s be dog parents and occasionally babysit the kids of our loved ones.” I still would have been cool with the fertility clinic storyline – largely because the Paris of it all is just so damn great – but I’d like to see it more overtly presented as Lorelai just totally out of control second-guessing their lives, and Luke being like, “Wtf, I thought we decided no kids and were cool with that??” (Which is basically what happened, but again, I’d just like it presented in a firmer way.) I think that the whole “that’s the kid” thing was more a jokey conversation between them, but the fact that it kind of felt like the only bit of explanation (or something kinda like explanation) that we got was pretty lackluster. For the record, I feel like even at the end of the OS, I wouldn’t have wanted to see Luke and Lorelai have more kids. It just doesn’t feel like them to me; I feel like it’s feasible that they’d be happy with the kids they’ve already got, and not want the sort of starting-over aspect of having kids that late into their lives. (Especially since Lorelai never really got to be an adult without having that identity tied pretty urgently to parenthood. Like, I want Lorelai having fun and enjoying her life and her work, not being exhausted and sleep deprived etc. etc. etc.! That truly doesn’t feel like something she would want to me.) They strike me as the kind of couple who just enjoy their alone time and doting on pets. Disclaimer: I am totally biased by my own not-wanting-kids situation, and I’d like more representation of couples who are happy and have full lives together without having children together. There’s something about Luke and Lorelai that just really makes them feel like that kind of couple to me. But also, like, give me all of the babysitting Steve and Kwan and Doula (and eventually Rogan-baby whose name is definitely Emily to me!) shenanigans you have.

I would have had their families blended together a bit more. I felt like they were, to a certain extent, and that you could see progress there. Like, Emily hugged Luke! Luke legit walked into a room and thought hugging Emily when he got there was the right move! Luke! Emily! Hugs! I truly cannot overstate how shocking this is. So I feel like you definitely have a sense that Luke is accepted as part of the Gilmore family and there’s been a lot of progress in the years we didn’t see, but then about halfway through the revival it seems to weirdly backtrack on that.

Like, when they were arguing, they sort of reverted to the whole “let’s keep our families apart like we always agreed” thing, and the weirdness of L&L apparently not attending April’s high school graduation (which – what????????????? That might be the thing that bugs me the most in the whole damn revival), and interaction between the Gilmore girls and April being kind of stilted – I would have changed that.

And I don’t know if this counts as writing, but I definitely would’ve included at least one over-the-diner-counter kiss. C’mon!

Thanks for the ask, that was fun to babble about!

[michaelchafitz]

Taekwondo Ranks in Color Order

As Per Michael Chafitz, in Taekwondo, rank is a visual indicator of your success. You will acquire colored belts called dan (colored belts) and black belts as you continue through your training (black belt). Some organizations use the terms "grades" or "degrees" to describe the various ranks. There are nine levels in the black-belt system. The number nine denotes the greatest degree of ability and is the highest rank in the system.

The fundamental taekwondo belt system is simple, but if you're new to the discipline, it might be complicated. The Gup is the initial rank, which is given to newcomers. Following that, pupils go through nine levels. The brown belt is the first level of a black belt, and the seaman is the ultimate degree (black belt).

The black belt is the next phase. There are nine different belts in the ITF, beginning with the white belt. The white belt denotes innocence and is a beginner's rank. A white belt takes three months to obtain, while a white belt with a yellow stripe takes four months. The soil and Taekwondo's origins are represented by the yellow belt. You may practice for the black belt for up to 9 months after you have obtained it.

Michael Chafitz explains, the black belt is the next degree of taekwondo training. This is the last and most significant position. To progress, you must go through months of training and testing. You may not get a black belt if you do not train frequently. To get one, you must first complete the first level of training. After a few months, you may go back to the first level to double-check that you're doing everything right.

Taekwondo is based on five principles. All of the basics for your current and prior belts must be learned. You must also learn all of the required postures and techniques for self-defense. Without mastering appropriate stances, techniques, and fitness, your training will be incomplete. Taekwondo requires certain abilities. Not only will you learn to battle for your pride, but also for your life.

It takes four to six years of training to get the first Dan Black Belt. After that, you may advance to the second degree/dan black belt level. These need around eight to nine years of education. A 9th degree/9th Dan Black Belt, on the other hand, takes 10 to 12 years to complete. There are many levels of dan, with the highest and most renowned being the final.

In Michael Chafitz’s opinion, taekwondo is divided into three levels, each indicating a distinct degree of knowledge and competence. Taekwondo's belt system is a relatively recent development, with varying criteria for each grade. To indicate their degree of competence, martial artists used to offer diplomas or certificates to their pupils in the past. A lot of organizations throughout the globe now recognize these.

There are several more organizations that have tenth-degree black belts besides the WTF. Moo du Kwan or Chang moo Kwan are the names given to these organizations. The black belt is the highest tenth degree black belt, and the WTF is made up of many organizations that accept various belt ranks. If you are serious about taekwondo training, you should understand all you can about the various levels.

The belt system was created to assist pupils progress more quickly through their training and to enable combatants to assess their opponent's expertise level. The first belts were blue, white, and brown, but the system grew over time to incorporate other hues. Students of the art are represented by colored belts. Meanwhile, teachers who are competent to teach others are given black belts. This is why a black belt in Taekwondo is called a senior belt.

[leesungjongg]

kdrama reviewww

So I finished watching The K2 and wanted to write a review on it... but im v tired so it might be short (watch as this becomes a multi-paragraph essay on how much i love ji changwook smh)

*spoilers ahead*

so let me start this off by saying i hate Yoojin so much, but i probably hate her sidekick that i don’t even know the name of? Chief Yoo?? that’s not her name tho, i have to look it up. i think Secretary Kim tbh it says her name is Dongmi but i’m sorry but i called her bitchy bob bc that’s literally all i could think of. her hair was a bob. and she was a bitch. she was worse than yoojin bc did all the dirty work for her.

anyways im p sure secretary kim was head over heels for Yoojin because she did everything she asked her to. minus getting her head cut off lmao. she just really annoyed me throughout the drama because she didn’t like how Yoojin loved Jeha and his amazing ability to literally never DIE like Jeha was half dead in so many episodes and then he fully recovers from it in the next episode. and then he has a cut on his cheek for another five episodes and then he’s like being beaten up and then he gets shot and im like can u guys stop

this is why the most memorable moments of a drama are the cute fluffy scenes bc everything else is like AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

BUT DON’T GET ME WRONG, i love this drama and honestly i’m really starting to like these action dramas. probably bc of ji changwook. but anyways moving on

back to Yoojin. i literally hated her guts. i hated the way she laughed, i hated the way she spoke to certain people i hated the way she made everyone believe things about her and who she was UNTIL THE VERY END omfg. i also thought her character was not only evil but also somewhat okay? like she was crazy, but idk. i don’t think she deserved to die in the end :L

Secretary Kim tho? man.... you tried to kill Jeha lmao nice try bitchy bob

ughuhfgsdnsks gotta wrap this up my apologies

Jeha - i love u bc ur a humanitarian and want everyone to live and u literally tried ur best, which is awesome but wow. no one like you exists irl. tragic :( he really did do his best tho and save everyone or save as many people as he could. he was even invincible himself like wtf who recovers from multiple gunshot wounds?? only Jeha

Anna - i love u and u deserved better. being locked up for most of her life, terrified of going outside and seeing the bright  sun bc she gets triggered by flashes of light, like frick man. she had to escape so many times and she finally did, and it must’ve felt so nice.

also dang like Jeha literally beat up like 20 dudes at once like twice in the drama while bloody and stuff and like??? didn’t die? and Yoojin dies from one gunshot wound nice Yoojin

i mean Jeha almost died too, but Yoojin got the doctors and stuff... and healed his  wound... but she was locked down in Cloud Nine... so nvm....

at the beginning when that Chief guy was like “WAIT i recognize this.... i trained this guy back when he was in the army, he can kill you all.” loved that dude too at the beginning but idk what happened towards the end.

ALSO OFMG:  so Jeha wanted to kill Park kwan soo for murdering his former fiancee idk how to spell it and so yoojin was like ok what do u want me to do, and he was like ‘i want JSS bodyguards with me (dont wanna fight him by myself) AND i want Secretary Kim’s head in exchange for killing him” bc he knew she was trying to kill him before, and Yoojin was like boom, done. and Kim was like oh shiz and then she was like omfg ok and she gave orders to the team leader of JSS bodyguards saying that even if u dont kill the kwansoo guy, KILL jeha no matter what. and the team leader was like sigh damn it. anyways, they go into the operation and stuff and the team leader gets shot. jeha is with him, and he fights off as many pl as he can and comes to the team leader and is like yo are you okay, is everything ok, and the team leader is like mindblown bc he was given orders to kill this guy who was making sure he was okay.

so anyways, he screamsin his face that he needs to go kill the candidate bc if he doesn’t they all die so Jeha is like GOD and he runs after the dude etc etc. anyways. Jeha’s always been rude to the team leader by speaking informally to him and that’s always annoyed the team leader but at that point he was like bruh this guy... too good for this world. then idk what happens but i think they all go out to drink and stuff and when Jeha and the JSS team bring Anna back home, Jeha refers to the team leader as Hyung and HE GOES ALL SOFT AND CUTE AND IM LIKE :’)))))))))))))))))))))) THIS IS WHAT DREAAAAMS ARE MADE OF i love that guy so much, he LITERALLY melted and gave Jeha a big hug LIKE SAME BRO SAME T___________________T I LOVE HIM SO MUCHHHHHH

so anyways, instead of this turning out to be a multiparagraph essay of me writing abt how much i love ji changwook (which, lbr, will happen one day) it turned into an essay about how much i love that team leader and his soft love for jeha.

overall, a great drama, 10/10 because i love ji changwook and that team leader guy. but also i hate yoojin and her secretary who would literally die for her. also se joon - anna’s dad? man i can’t believe this. u ignored ur daughter for so long just to get the presidency so u could be freed from yoojin’s clutches, but ended up saving your daughter by bringing the bomb into the glass room with yoojin the witch herself. and yoojin didn’t even kill anna’s mom. smh

so tragic. but yes 10/10 would reccommend. idk if i would rewatch it tho. maybe i would bc of changwook but besides that? no. also secretary kim is that one person who stirs up unnecessary drama in the gc like stfu omfg