#Century of Love Episode 1 review

[afabstract]

Century of Love Episodes 1-2 Review

San's 100-year wait for his lost love is filled with unexpected twists and magical suprises in the Thai series "Century of Love" starring Daou Pittaya Saechua & Offroad Kantapon Jindataweephol.

If you believed in reincarnation, how long do you think you could wait for the love of your life to be reborn after an untimely demise? San, the protagonist of the Thai romantic-fantasy series “Century of Love” (original title: ปาฏิหาริย์รักร้อยปี/Patihan Rak Roi Pi), waits almost 100 years to see his deceased lover Wat be reincarnated. A magical stone allows him to retain his youth for a…

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - Must you, Japan? has become Thank You, Japan

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

BL OLYMPICS! Week 3

This is my last week of passing out metals in various sporting events, as part of the weekly updates.

Aug 2024 Week 2

Ongoing Series - Thai

Century of Love (Weds Gaga) eps 9-10fin - There were a lot more unnecessary dramatic speeches than there was practical medical aid being administered. Very extra, boys. I wonder how long it took them to get that "birds meet hug" shot? Meanwhile, great grandpa‘s attitude that he knows best in every way is thoroughly annoying, and yet absolutely appropriate to his age. My great gramps (RIP), had he had the body of a 20-year-old, would behave in exactly the same self-righteous know-it-all way. The doctor is great. I would like him to get his own romance please? What happens when you are the villain in someone else's reincarnation story? There's a whole fanfic there. And yes I cried. I am a sap for this kinda thing.

Final thoughts:

This is a great little show about a young man who fell in love with a pretty girl 100 years ago, and when she died in his arms, he was cursed to live until he could meet her reborn self. Only this time around, she’s reborn into the body of a man. I love it when Thailand gets all up in its own historical business and reincarnation and shizz. I like this pair (it’s not DaouOffroad’s fault I didn’t enjoy most of their first series.) Daou’s wushu is pretty snazzy and we got a fun meet cute. (Erm... Remeet cute? Meet cute 2.0?) Plus this is a very PRETTY show. Despite some ham handed comedy moments, this ultimately has more in common with something like I Feel You Linger in the Air meets First Love Again, then (as one might expect) Until We Meet Again or The Director Who Buys Me Dinner. The leads turned in great performances, although Daou outclassed everybody else on that screen. It’s a good story and a great BL. I’m not sure this is going in my rewatch rotation, but I can’t find any major faults with it beyond a certain level of camp that is sadly endemic to lackorns. Also I’m going to give it credit as the kind of BL that one could safely recommend to lovers of melodrama and historical romance, without having to qualify it as “good for a BL.” It was, to put it succinctly, simply a VERY ENJOYABLE show. 

Under those auspices I really can’t give it anything less than a 9/10. 

Bronze in Fencing

My Love Mix-Up Th (Fri YT) ep 10 of 12 - It’s cute. They were cute. I enjoyed it a lot. I talk quite a bit about why they're using nai as a you pronoun here:

This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans (Fri iQIYI) ep 6 of 8 - Honestly the side couple is truly stellar in this show. I wasn’t sure about them at first but now I absolutely love them. Not sure how they are going to resolve such intense dislike (from JJ) by the end of the series. But I’m interested to see them try.

Meanwhile, there isn’t anything else airing right now that makes me laugh as much as the behind-the-scenes from this show. Highly recommended.

Monster Next Door (Thai Thurs Gaga ) eps 1-2 of 12 - Oh it is so much fun. I’m particularly delighted that our musician is a drummer and I don’t have to listen to him sing... I hope. I’ve been waiting for Big to lead a BL forever. I’m disposed to enjoy this. We can all be confident in one thing, the kisses are going to be great. I like the side couple too, very indulgent daddy. While I am disturbed by the tortoise in the tiny tank, I love the extrovert friendship group. They remind me of my own college crew. It is a cute premise, but I will need them to actually be together in the same room, looking longingly at each other a smooching within the next couple of episodes.

YouTube served me both episodes 1 & 2, and I don’t think it was meant to. So this may be next week's review as well.

The Trainee (Sun YouTube) ep 6 of 12 - I wasn’t wild about this ep or where this show is going. But I enjoyed the language play. 

Gold in Linguistic Gymnastics

(my new favorite sport)

Sunset X Vibes (Sat iQIYI) ep 9 of 12 - Wow. Sam admitted it just out loud like that! Right after a betrayal? Balls on that boy. Worked on Yo tho. Too well, actually. I wish Yo had made him suffer and dragged him over the coals for a while. But I guess Yo really really likes him back. Meanwhile, the GL side plot also moved quite rapidly. A lot happened in this episode.

I Saw You in My Dream (Weds Gaga) ep 4 of 12 - Them ALL jumping into the water was totally ridiculous. It’s still a little slow, because it is a pulp, but I’m rather enjoying it.

Knock Knock Boys (Thurs Gaga) ep 12fin - Almond and Latte were cute. The breakfast with the four of them was funny. I did laugh a lot. Almond getting "first time" advice from his two resident gay dads (or at least trying to) was super sweet. Also I got a lot of smiley kisses. Nice final ep.

Ultimately how do I feel about this show?

A story about 4 boys of differing personalities who end up living together and pair up, falling in love. Slow moving and waffling, with some artificially generated family drama makes this a classic Thai pulp except that in general it's a smiley kiss of a show. It had plenty of good qualities like great communication and sexual rep (including toys, first time, safe sex, and sexual identities). The heat levels were on point and well executed, and the performances were good. It’s just that the script and the directing were lackluster, rendering it ultimately forgettable. Still, fine on a rainy afternoon with some camomile tea or whatever. 7/10 

Love Sea (Sun iQIYI) ep 9 of 10 - I’m getting some sort of PTSD from this show, It is making me feel like I’m the problem. Trash watch

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Cosmetic Playlover (Japan Tues Gaga) eps 1-2 of 8 - Anyone surprised by this jump in the standings? Yeah, probubly not. Anygay... this show is GREAT. Warped af but great. Lemme try to explain.

I actually said out loud during ep 1, "Well this is boundary pushing." By which I mean mine and everybody elses. But it’s Japan, *checks watch* it’s about time they turned out something edging into unpalatable and kinky. And because it’s Japan, I’m more forgiving than I would be were this show nested in the clumsy hands of say... Thailand. So actually this being me, and me being of questionable taste, I’m enjoying this show a lot.

You want me to list the ways? Sure.

Younger seme with grabby hands.

The younger one identified the elder gay as his personal property and it’s now: single motivation, on target, against all odds.

Uke cares about his work and not much else.

Seme cares about the uke and not much else.

Uke is gonna make this boy WORK for it.

That one particularly Japanese style of obsession that I actually adore.

Passes the sniff test!

I’m being reminded of that KBL Love Mate. Which I believe I enjoyed but no one else did. For exactly this set of tropes. Only Japan is better suited to handle them. For me this is a case of:

Must you,Japan? = Oh yes? Well, thank you very much, Japan.  

I Hear the Sunspot AKA Hidamari ga Kikoeru (Japan Weds Gaga) ep 8 of 10 - enter the evil girl character. Yawn.

Takara's Treasure AKA Takara No Vidro (Japan Mon Gaga) ep 6 of 10 - It is what it is. 

It's airing but...

Battle of the Writers (Sun YT) ep 2 of 12 - I did not catch ep 2 before they took it down from USA YT. I don’t know why it’s down. Either they got a deal for distribution off YouTube or there’s some sort of scandal. Frankly, I wasn't particularly impressed with ep 1 so I’m not rabid to find wherever it’s gone or why. Still, perhaps someone will let us know the sitch in a comment? It's a me problem. I'm figuring it out.

Sugar Dog Life (Japan Sun ????) 10 eps - OMG a uni student who looks too young and a... COP. GAH. The subversion and kink of it all. Why can't I find it? Do I have to go grey?

4 Minutes (Thai Netflix/Grey) - A rich boy at uni suddenly gains the supernatural power to see four minutes into the future. I have a source, but I've decided to hold off and binge if it ends okay, since it's only 8 eps. I depend upon y'all to tell me if it's safe.

Meet You at the Blossom (China) - it's your funeral (or, more likely, one of the main characters'). You can argue but... statistics. You know my feelings on this matter. MY BLOG, remember?

In case you missed it

The Time of Fever AKA Unintentional Love Story 2 (Korea movie) trailer IS COMING IN SEPTEMBER!!!! (Yeah this is gonna sit here until then)

Next Week Looks Like This:

Ooo, nice spread.

Upcoming BLs for 2024 are listed here. This list is not kept updated, so please leave a comment if you know something new or RP with additions.

Still Coming This Month!

8/12 First Note Of Love (Taiwan Mon Gaga) 12 eps - About a singer with stage fright and his timid fan stars Charles (H4 the puppy one) and Michael Chang (the youngster in My Tooth Your Love), plus side couple featuring a Thai actor Jame (Koh in Gen Y) and Liu Min Ting (of Guardian fame). What a damn tean. I can't wait. With thier powers combined!

8/13 Addicted Heroin (Thai Tues YT) 10 eps - supposedly Jinlo with air this on their YT channel. Stars August (Love Sick) so I'm excited despite Jinlo's poor reputation. From the trailer it looks like it's following the original pretty closely... just Thai style. GIMMEEEEE!!!!

8/16 The Last Time (Thai Fri YT) ? eps - Convoluted story of loss and possible reincarnation or something.

8/22 The On1y One (Taiwan Thurs Gaga) 12 eps - announced in 2023 this one has a high school set stepbrothers trope and is reputed to be high heat. From Taiwan! It's made for me. Based on a novel Mou Mou from the Your Name Engraved Herein folks, so it could go dark. Still, I'm very excited.

8/22 The Paradise of Thorns (Thai movie) theater release - Jeff Satur is back but this does not look like a BL (the gay lover's death is the inciting event). More in Goodbye Mother vein. Looks dark and dramatic. He opposite and extremely well known actor Toey Pongsakorn who has never done gay before.

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENT

Linguistic flirting trope! One of my all time favorites. FANTASTIC. (I did keep hearing Gun yelling Papiiiiiii! in my head tho.)

(Last week)

Streaming services are listed by how I (usually) watch, which is with a USA based IP, and often offset by a day because time zones are a pain.

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs

Sigh, Tumblr in its infinite wisdom doesn't like too many tags.

[watchingblsnowandforever]

2024: BL Year in Review

(The fact that I'm doing this hours before the year changes is actually the least surprising things of 2024)

Total BLs watched in 2024: 21

BLs watched that aired this year: 12

(BLs currently airing: 2)

(BLs watched this year that started in 2023: 3)

BLs watched that aired before this year: 9

________

10 random superlatives to wrap up my year (these are from series that have aired this year or finished airing this year):

1. The BL that predicted most accurately (the date of legalization of same-sex marriage in Thailand)

Cherry Magic

It shot up to my Top 10 favourite BLs the moment I watched it. It's amazing and everyone should watch it, actually.

2. The most Bromance BL (is it a coincidence that my first two superlatives are both TayNew series? You can't prove anything.)

Peaceful Property

Another BL everyone should watch. It's technically not a BL, but it's a better BL than a lot of the ones I've watched before so.

3. The most average BL

My Love Mix Up Th

Very cute, but unlike Cherry Magic, I think I actually liked the original (Kieta Hatsukoi) better. It was nice, but very average.

4. My most loved omegaverse BL (...yes there were two. But to be fair, it depends on what you consider a 'BL')

Tadaima, Okaeri

It was so adorable. It had a sort of non-traditional ABO relationship (?), but I love how they used ABO to address other (more relevant-) socio-cultural issues.

5. The BL with the most wasted potential

The Trainee

It started off amazing, but the graph became a straight line (pun intended) somewhere in the middle and then went steadily downhill. It had so much potential, the ending physically hurt.

6. The most wacky BL (that I loved)

Century of Love

It's actually pretty great, but it's just so wacky (which makes it more adorable honestly). It kept surprising me too, which is always nice (...except when it's not).

7. The BL I (know I'm gonna) have the most love-hate relationship with

ThamePo

This is the first (hopefully only) BL that made me sob in the first episode. But it's so good. I almost cried twice in the second episode too, this is awful. (Then why do I love it?)

8. BL that gave me the most whiplash

The Heart Killers

If you haven't guessed already, I am insane about and insanely obsessed with FadelStyle. If we're watching the same series, I know you are too. :)

9. BL with the worst crash landing (26372892 dead, everyone else injured)

Last Twilight

If you watched this, you know. I have nothing else to add.

10. My favourite BL of the year

We Are

I'm very sure anyone who even clicked on my blog in April-July this year knows this. This silly little show just hit a chord in me and it never stopped ringing.

Honourable mentions:

1. BL with the most episodes ever in Thai BL history

Perfect 10 Liners

24 episodes. That's all I have to say.

2. My most loved new pairing

MarcPoon

The above gif is moments before The ChainPun KissTM. And let me tell you. They didn't only understand the assignment, they showed everyone else exactly how to do it too.

GL version:

1. The one that really tried

23.5

2. The best GL (I have watched)

Pluto

Please watch it.

If this post seems hurried, it kinda was 😭-

I'm just glad I could get this out in time T-T

Thank you so much if you got this far! ☺️🫶🏼

Here, have a new year's cake hehe 🎂

[welcometothejianghu]

Welcome to another round of W2 Tells You What You Should See, where W2 (me) tries to sell you (you) on something you should be watching. Today's choice: 大理寺少卿游/White Cat Legend.

White Cat Legend is the 2024 live-action adaptation of a funny historical manhua about a country bumpkin who winds up working with a bunch of mystery-solving officials led by a beautiful boss whose tragic past means no one can know he's also a kitty.

This is one of those cases where television comes in to adapt something that has both unfilmable elements and a very non-cinematic storyline that hasn't even been finished yet, and as such mostly just takes the characters and the basic conceit, then creates an entire vaguely nonsensical 36-episode AU fanfic of it. To call this show tonally inconsistent would be an insult to shows that are only merely tonally inconsistent. It is full-on tonal whiplash, the kind you should go see a doctor about. This shit is all over the place. It has arcs and situations that are genuinely emotionally moving, and then smash cut! to wacky nonsense happening with the B-plot. It does not know if it wants to tell a Serious Story or just have bonkers antics, and it will deal with this indecision by doing both at once.

So if you're in the mood for something fun with charming characters that won't tax your brain parts, let me give you five reasons this could be exactly the junk food you're looking for.

1. Just a family of all boys

If you're looking for a show rife with female characters, go watch Legend of Fei or Story of Yanxi Palace. Over here, it's Boys' Night Out.

The show is set in the Court of Judicial Review, which solves crimes. The boy in charge of all of them is Li Bing, who is secretly also a cat for reasons he doesn't understand. He picks up naive yokel and total sweeheart Chen Shi and brings him back to work with the Court's current occupants: a sad-eyed scribe with catastrophically bad luck, a former soldier who wishes he'd been born recently enough to be into Crossfit, a generic "foreigner" whose superpowers are spending his parents' money and pronouncing things badly, and the 8th-century Chinese equivalent of a mediocre white man.

And I'm going to tell you right now, up front, above the cut, that these boys' character interactions are the #1 reason to watch this show. You watch it because you like to see them bounce off one another like the unsupervised toddlers they are. They all love and care for one another in the best ways they know how, which sometimes aren't very effective, but darn it, they're trying!

What's especially cute is how they're so touchy with one another -- and not in any kind of sexual or creepy way, but in a sincerely affectionate bro way. There's lots of hugging and supportive arms around waists. Sometimes when they get scared, they hold hands. They grip one another when walking across unsteady ground or climbing over walls to break into yet another house. There's never any gay panic or no-homo reassurances. It hits that sweet spot right between brothers and boyfriends, where you can read their interactions as fraternal and/or romantic as you like (see below).

I mean, who needs a plot when you have half a dozen charming boys canonically working, eating, and sleeping side by side? That, my friends, is quality television.

2. Jam-packed with goofball nonsense

White Cat Legend is a show that will make you laugh out loud, and mostly even on purpose.

About 2/3 of this show is silly, and the other 1/3 is trying so hard to be emotionally resonant. But you know what? Screw emotional resonance for the moment -- let's embrace the antics!

There's a lot of silliness happening even at the production level. The show also starts out doing some very cute visual things, like breaking shots into multiple "panels" that give everything a real comic feel. It's especially effective during fight scenes and other visually confusing setups. ...And then about 1/4 of the way in, it forgets about this gimmick and stops almost completely. This is a shame, because I liked it! I liked that VFX tomfoolery that paid homage to the story's webcomic roots! (Also, someone behind the camera clearly got told that the way to make a scene more visually interesting is to slowly pan in during every shot. Once you notice it, you can't unsee it.)

The main villain is ... well, he's a lot. He's just a whole lot. I'd call him Evil Garfield, except Garfield is already kind of Evil Garfield, so this guy's Eviler Garfield. He's not chewing the scenery, but is instead treating it like a cat with a vendetta against some drapes. He's just hilariously over the top at all times. It starts out vaguely entertaining, then gets annoying, then wraps right back around to entertaining again.

Also, his wig is terrible -- and it's not even the worst wig in the show! White Cat Legend has decided that the way you style foreigner NPCs is just to jam unbrushed women's wigs on extras' heads and call it a day. There are indeed a lot of foreigners in the show, and the show has chosen to handle them by assuming everything beyond the borders of 6th-century Chinese territory is a great undifferentiated vaguely Persian-flavored mass. Who's that shady-looking guy? Oh, he's Foreign. What country is he from? A Foreign one. What language does he speak? You know, Foreign.

You are not ready for the score. This is a show that spent its entire musical budget on a handful of middling pop songs, realized it still needed ~40 minutes of music to put in each episode, and decided that it could just pull things at semi-random from whatever the Chinese television equivalent of the YouTube royalty-free sound library is. The result is some laugh-out-loud hilarious soundtracking. Do you know why they usually pay people to do things like score television shows? It's because when you don't, it sounds like this.

True story: During one antics-filled scene, I frowned, listened a second, and asked my wife, "Is that ... 'Deck the Halls'?" It was!

The mysteries are -- and I'm quoting myself here -- the celery that gets the cute boy peanut butter to your mouth. Not only can you, the viewer, not solve them, I don't actually remember what most of the resolutions were. Hell, I barely remember what most of the actual setups were. The individual storylines are mostly unimportant pieces of fluff that kinda sorta tie into the big mystery of the show: Why is that boy a kitty? ...And if you think you're going to be satisfied by the resolution to that one, honestly, you haven't been paying attention to what I've been saying in this post.

Basing this on absolutely nothing but vibes, here is my guess: The original vision for this series was as an ongoing thing, something that might hew a little closer to the comic storyline in later seasons. At some point in the production, the decision got made that there would be no further seasons made. The resulting drama is something that's technically self-contained, sure, but has a lot of little lingering weirdnesses that look like foreshadowing.

As just one example, the way they frame and shoot the empress is bizarre, and she might as well have a big SHE'S GOING TO TURN OUT TO BE EVIL neon sign above her head. ...Except that, no, she's fine! Perfectly fine, mostly normal empress, mostly normal levels of evil, nothing to see here. She is, however, evil as heck in the source material (and that's not a spoiler, she's a little pink thing who's clearly sinister all the way from the get-go), and I have to wonder if the showrunners weren't planning some future heel-turn villain arc for her. Well, we'll never know now, so whatever you choose to believe, the show won't contradict you on it!

Your reaction to all of this will 100% depend on how charitable you are feeling toward staring down a firehose of (mostly) intentionally slapdash shenanigans. If you go into this demanding coherence and substance, you will wind up disappointed. If you go into it expecting nothing more than a fluffy good time, you'll probably enjoy yourself tremendously -- and you'll maybe even be moved by the rare times it does work out to being something of substance! Such as...

3. We are never ever getting back together

The first thing you can tell about Qiu Qingzhi and Li Bing is that they are as divorced as two dudes in a c-drama can be. They aren't just a little divorced. They are nuclear divorced.

Except -- and this is the juicy part -- they obviously still work really well together. If it's just the two of them head-to-head, they will be assholes to one another with no mercy. If circumstances change and they have a shared target, God help that shared target.

The unspoilery version of their backstory goes like this: They were adorable little tween besties who grew up into adorable little teen besties, until Qiu Qingzhi went off to join the army and came back a real cold bitch, and Li Bing has no idea why. Now the two of them control state agencies that should work together but actually wind up competing more often than not (think the FBI and the CIA), a competition not helped by how the Jinwu Guards (Qiu Qingzhi's group) are actual professional soldiers in very nice armor, while the Court of Judicial Review is, well, [gestures to points 1 and 2].

And yeah, baby, this right here is The Ship.

I spent a nonzero amount of time while watching this series laughing out loud because Wei Zheming's face is just too beautiful to be believed. With his sculpted jaw and his perfectly practiced looks of disdain, his Qiu Qingzhi looks like a damn Disney prince. His face could not be more perfect if you'd assigned a team of animators to draw it. This actor is the reason I found this show in the first place -- he was so beautiful in Word of Honor that I found myself wondering what else he might be getting up to. Turns out, he is again being a smug bitch and capturing the heart of a doe-eyed younger man.

Don't let me oversell how much these two are together in the show, because they're not. Qiu Qingzhi is not part of the main crew, so he's not in most of the episodes. Most of his screentime comes in flashbacks during the last story arc, to a time in his past when Li Bing wasn't even around. But when they're together, oh, the sparks do fly.

I think it helps that the actors seem to have understood the ship, even if in that video, Ding Yuxi (Li Bing's actor) is trying so hard to do the Please Do Not Cancel Us dance of plausible deniability. I honestly don't even think this is the show's doing; after all, the source material (see the section near the end) is not BL in the slightest. I'd believe the show meant to create a normal platonic bro-relationship between these two. I'd even believe that it thinks it succeeded.

Still, if you're not the biggest fan of Lovers To Enemies? That's fine! Here's the relationship that's the real core of the show:

4. Here comes a special boy

All the boys of the family of all boys are special and wonderful, but truly, Chen Shi is the specialest and wonderfulest of them all.

He is your everyman character, the little country bumpkin overwhelmed by all the big-city dealings he's stumbled into. With his cute little twang and his natural inclination to trust everyone he meets, he's the perfect cinnamon roll, too good, too pure. I want to pinch his angelic little cheeks.

Fun fact: I have been informed by someone who speaks with the same dialect he does that said dialect is very sweary, which brings to mind the wonderful image of Chen Shi just casually and sweetly dropping f-bombs while everyone else stares in shock.

In a show where the characters are way more important than the plot, having a good POV character is key. Your audience lives or dies entirely on how much they want to see that POV character put into situations. To me, Chen Shi is a rousing success at this. He's not stupid! He's just extremely sheltered and on his own for the first time in his ife. He's the bravest little toaster, the goodest boy who's not going to let the little things stop him -- like, say, illiteracy, or a lack of familiarity with city living, or an inability to give any substantial details about the brother he's looking for beyond 'he looks just like me.' That's why he's got his friends help him out!

You better believe that when it comes time to save the day, Chen Shi will do it through the power of how everyone loves him.

And he and the kitty are ... romance? Kind of romance? Romance-adjacent? I could burn even more wordcount explaining the dynamic, but @uovoc has already said it best:

cdrama Li Bing is like: I've taken an inexplicable liking to this simple country boy so I'm going to entrust him with my life's greatest secret because I'm whimsical like that. And cdrama Chen Shi is like: this man is the most beautiful cat I've ever seen.

No matter how romantically you slice it, it's a dynamic I absolutely love: where a guy weighed down by his own past meets another guy who could not care less about that. Chen Shi is Li Bing's chance to figure out who Li Bing is, without the burdens of his family history, connections to the court, job, status, or any of the other things everyone else sees when they look at him. Chen Shi looks at Li Bing and sees Li Bing, whiskers and all.

I mean, Chen Shi makes Li Bing an entire office full of human-sized cat toys. If that's not love, I don't know what is.

And if you're not into besties-to-worsties or the pure and purrfect love between a man and his cat who is also a man? That's okay! I've helpfully made a chart to demonstrate the many flavors of exciting relationship dynamics White Cat Legend makes available to you:

Imagine the possibilities! Make your own fun! And then get over to AO3 and share it with the rest of the class! The White Cat Legend tag is sparsely populated and mostly not in English, and that's a shame, because there's so much smooching potential.

5. Not as dumb as it looks

Wow, that's kind of a backhanded compliment, isn't it? Well, no, not actually. You saw my earlier points about what a bag of goofs this show is. What's easy to miss, though, is how unexpectedly clever a whole lot of its dumbassery is.

A lot of this, I'm going to chalk up to the actors, who on the whole turn in some comedic performances way better than they have any right to be. That's the thing about comedy: to do stupid well, you have to be smart. They're all very funny, and they've got some great chemistry in combinations and permutations. It's a testament to their abilities that you can take any two of them, give them a scene together, and get something worth watching out of it.

Of course most of this is the main boys, but the major supporting characters largely have the same clever sense of comedic timing. Their actors know they're not performing some great work of literature, so they've decided to have some fun with it. I'm not going to praise anyone's performance here as particularly great, but by and large, the recurring cast members are doing solid work.

The aforementioned goofball nonsense also does a fair job of distracting from how creative the show can be. For example, the fact that many of the fights and chases are comedic makes it easy to miss how the fight choreography is often really tight. I don't think the show is trying to hide its moments of cleverness, so much as it's just grabbing them where it can without drawing attention to them.

I know a lot of people gave up on this show only a few episodes in, and I suspect I know why. It's not even that it just takes a while to find its footing -- it never quite finds its footing, on account of being such a patchwork creation. It's an adaptation of an incomplete story, forced to make changes because of budgetary limitations, promising things it's not allowed to deliver on, and further cut down between filming and release. That's what you call having the deck stacked against you. The fact that the final product is not only watchable but downright enjoyable is a testament to how the production got some critical fundamentals right.

In short, it's not just dumb fun -- though it is a lot of dumb fun. But it's dumb fun with just enough to sink your teeth into that it eventually becomes a compelling ratio. I don't blame the people who bailed, but I'm glad I stuck with it.

bonus: It comes in other flavors!

If you like the series and you want more, you're in luck! There's a whole ongoing comic and animated series!

The comic is the original version of the story: a tall vertical webcomic with a cute, distinctive style. It's still being published, and it's very different from the drama. There's a great ongoing translation project at @whitecatlegend, so if your Mandarin skills are as bad as mine (or worse!), you can follow along in English as well!

The donghua is a pretty close adaptation of several parts of the comic. You can find the whole first season at this YouTube playlist, though please note that the playlist is out of order, so you don't accidentally start with episode 8. The translation is ... eh, it's a little rough in places, to put it charitably, but it also makes some charming localization decisions, so I'm all for it. Oh, and here's the second season! It's even prettier and better-translated than the first!

Also, hey, furries? Li Bing's a perma-kitty in both of those versions of the story, so have fun with that.

The drama's casting is spot-on. Whoever picked these boys went out of their way to keep the original artistic vibe as much as possible, to the point where if you'd told me the drama had come first and then someone had drawn a comic starting from the actors' likenesses, I would've believed you.

(And yes, if you've read it, Qiu Qingzhi and Lai Zhongshu aren't technically Qiu Shenji and Lai Junchen, but I'm declaring them close enough for the purposes of this demonstration.)

I have heard that some fans of the comic are unhappy about the live-action adaptation, and I get that, I do -- they are not the same thing. There are plenty of things the drama leaves out where, okay, I understand why that person/event/factor got cut, but at the same time, dammit. In the end, I like them both as very different stories featuring the same(-ish) characters. Still, the drama is definitely not one of those situations where you get to tune in to watch the same things you loved on the page, just in a different medium. The delightfully accurate casting is about where the similarities end. Everything beyond that is its own legend.

Kitty.

Here, kitty, kitty?

The drama's an iQiyi exclusive, so that's where you'll get it.

It's a fun show, not a perfect show. It has some captivating elements and lots of promising nonsense worth thinking about. And like I said, it's a tiny-ass fandom -- a paltry 277 works on AO3, a mere 44 of which are in English. Somebody get in there and make some combination of those boys kiss!

Also, it is criminal that Kitty Li Bing has fabulous red eyeliner that Person Li Bing does not get to wear. Call makeup and fix that.

[thelibraryghost]

A Young Person's Introduction to Early 20th-Century Western Fashion

am i hip with the kids yet

General information Dotschkal, Janna. "1920's." FOUND. October 21, 2016. English Heritage. "Fashion Through History: Episode 3 – 1930s." YouTube. April 16, 2023. Rudolph, Nicole. "The History of Standardized Sizes in Womens Fashion and Why They FAILED." YouTube. May 16, 2021. Vintagebursche. "100 Years of Classic Menswear - and what we can learn from each decade." YouTube. February 29, 2020. Zebrowska, Karolina. "1920s Fashion Is Not What You Think It Is." YouTube. May 20, 2018.

Accessories Cox, Abby. "Flappers, Y2K, & Capitalism are Why Women "Don't" Have Pockets." YouTube. January 12, 2023. Cox, Abby. "The Disappointing Truth On Why We Don't Wear Hats Anymore..." YouTube. December 18, 2022. Rudolph, Nicole. "The History of the Iconic Cloche Hat: Making 1920s Fashion." YouTube. September 18, 2022. Rudolph, Nicole. "When Hats were Illegal: Sewing a Goth Edwardian Hat." YouTube. February 21, 2021. Sheehan, Sarah. "Neo-Egyptomania." PatternVault. December 31, 2022. Zebrowska, Karolina. "Why Did We Stop Wearing Hats?" YouTube. April 28, 2020.

Cosmetics Banner, Bernadette. "Making and Testing a Victorian Skincare Routine." YouTube. April 8, 2023. English Heritage. "1930s Makeup Tutorial | History Inspired | Feat. Amber Butchart and Rebecca Butterworth." YouTube. December 18, 2018. Holland, Evangeline. "On How to Be Lovely." Edwardian Promenade. April 15, 2010. Rudolph, Nicole. "The Controversial History of Color Season Analysis." YouTube. November 4, 2023.

Fabrics Rudolph, Nicole. "The History of Elastic." YouTube. July 4, 2021. Rudolph, Nicole. "Wearing Overalls to Boycott Fashion Greedflation? Weird History of 1920." YouTube. March 16, 2024.

Gowns and formal wear Banner, Bernadette. "I Redesigned Mary Poppins' Jolly Holiday Dress Based on REAL Edwardian Lingerie Gowns." YouTube. February 20, 2021. Banner, Bernadette. "I Remade Mary Poppins’ Dress to be Actually Edwardian." YouTube. July 9, 2022. Cox, Abby. "Alexander McQueen & the Patriarchy Problem in Modern Fashion." YouTube. October 20, 2023. Cox, Abby. "What Makes a Gown Haute Couture (like House of Worth) in Victorian and Edwardian Eras?" YouTube. September 19, 2021. Lady Rebecca Fashions. "An Edwardian Woman's Fashion Evolution." YouTube. June 4, 2022. Oakes, Leimomi. "Terminology: what is a lingerie dress or lingerie frock? (and blouse, and skirt)." The Dreamstress. July 21, 2018. Rudolph, Nicole. "Stop Idolizing Coco Chanel: a shocking history of theft." YouTube. January 13, 2024. Rudolph, Nicole. "The Truth about the Fringed Flapper: Making 1920s Evening Dresses." YouTube. November 6, 2022. Vintagebursche. "1920s Theme Party - How to dress." YouTube. December 9, 2023. Zebrowska, Karolina. "1920s Fashion Encyclopedia, Pt 1: Daywear." YouTube. November 27, 2019.

Hair care and styling Banner, Bernadette. "I Tried Following a Real Edwardian Hair Care Routine." YouTube. May 12, 2020. Lady Rebecca Fashions. "Getting Dressed in the Edwardian Era / Gibson Girl Hairstyle Tutorial." YouTube. June 12, 2020. Lady Rebecca Fashions. "Titanic-era Hair Tutorial // Getting Dressed in the 1910's." YouTube.September 4, 2020. SnappyDragon. "Historical hair myths debunked : How often should you wash your hair—daily shampoo or no shampoo?" YouTube. August 12, 2022. Zebrowska, Karolina. "Weird Edwardian Beauty Tips." YouTube. February 11, 2017.

Laundry and starching Banner, Bernadette. "Ok but how did the Edwardians WASH these dresses?" YouTube. August 3, 2022.

Outerwear Cox, Abby. "Athleisure: Destroying Fashion & the Environment." YouTube. January 18, 2024. Rudolph, Nicole. "150 years of Masc Women causing a Moral Panic." YouTube. June 17, 2023. Rudolph, Nicole. "The History of Jeans, T-shirts, and Hoodies: Time Travel 101." YouTube. March 20, 2022. Zebrowska, Karolina. "SPRING/SUMMER FASHION TRENDS REVIEW but it's 1936 (ft. original fabric samples!)." YouTube. April 22, 2022.

Shoes Rudolph, Nicole. "I Made Witchy Edwardian Shoes by Hand!" YouTube. March 14, 2021. Rudolph, Nicole. "Making 100 year old Comfy Slippers: Free Pattern!" YouTube. December 30, 2023. Rudolph, Nicole. "The Myth of Tiny Feet "Back Then"." YouTube. September 26, 2021. Rudolph, Nicole. "The True History of Stiletto Heels : the battle between Ferragamo and Dior." YouTube. August 26, 2023. Zebrowska, Karolina. "Why Is No One Talking About 1930s Shoes?" YouTube. September 15, 2020.

Undergarments Banner, Bernadette. "1903 Patented Bustle Pad Reconstruction." YouTube. June 8, 2019. Banner, Bernadette. "Achieving That Classic Edwardian Shape: Reconstructing a 1902 Bust Bodice." YouTube. April 16, 2020. Lady Rebecca Fashions. "So What are Guimpes Anyway? // Examining Antique Edwardian Guimpes." YouTube. August 21, 2020. Lady Rebecca Fashions. "They Wore Corsets in the 1920's?!" YouTube. January 29, 2022. Rudolph, Nicole. "Did Brassieres End the Corset?" YouTube. February 28, 2021. Rudolph, Nicole. "Dressing in Edwardian Clothing: Undergarments and Layers of 1907." YouTube. November 1, 2020. Rudolph, Nicole. "How Flappers got their Figure: the 1920s Silhouette." YouTube. July 10, 2022. SnappyDragon. "How pin-up photos fooled dress history : the making and marketing of lingerie pictures." YouTube. April 1, 2023.

[bipoctober]

Hi Nay - #BIPOCtober Day 8

With a BIPOC majority cast of protagonists (and VAs), Hi Nay is a Filipina-led, international podcast that's now part of the Rusty Quill Network, and created by yours truly (Motzie Dapul).

Originally created with the idea of making the "mystical POC" trope in horror the main character, Hi Nay involves supernatural horror, 1920s occultists, Filipino gods and monsters, and a group of 4/5 BIPOC characters dealing with the horrific magical atrocities of immortal rich White people from a century earlier.

Our BIPOC main characters are Filipina, Jamaican-Canadian, Chinese-European, and Indian-Mauritian respectively.

Hi Nay, literally translated to “Hi Mom”, is a supernatural horror audio drama about Filipina immigrant Mari Datuin, whose babaylan family background accidentally gets her involved in stopping dangerous supernatural events in Toronto — alongside two supernatural detectives, her 6’2 strong-armed lesbian neighbor, and a celebrity conman guru with real magic powers. Season 1 of Hi Nay follows their mission to stop the Elders, a group of early 1900s rich immortal occultists, from terrorizing innocent people with cursed objects called Foci — especially their mysterious leader, The Benefactor, who is so powerful that nobody is able to remember his face or name.

Here's a couple of our reviews off Apple :)

We've covered themes of fascism (with 2 of our immigrant protagonists dealing with Filipino military fascism and Hindu nationalism which killed some of their family members), historical racism, queerness and love both good and bad, and while that all sounds really heavy (and it is), this podcast is also a rip-roaring good time (just look at the memes in the Hi Nay tag!).

If you enjoy a Magnus Archives inspired spooky monster of the week with an overarching plot, told through phone calls and tape recordings, give us a listen! We've got over 50 episodes that you can enjoy anywhere you listen to podcasts. We're currently more than halfway through Act 3, with our Act 3 finale scheduled for April 2025. Now's the perfect time to get into the story!

Site in the replies, as always.

Maraming maraming salamat.

-Motzie

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald, Tuesday, November 26

Giles: Josephus du Lac was buried here. He belonged to a religious sect that was excommunicated by the Vatican at the turn of the century. Buffy: Excommunicated *and* sent to Sunnydale. There's a guy big with the sinning. Giles: You remember the book that was stolen from the library by a vampire a few weeks ago? Buffy: Yeah. Giles: It was written by Du Lac. Damn it! I let it slip my mind with all the excitement. Buffy: I'm guessing it wasn't a 'Taste of the Vatican' cookbook.

~~Buffy Episode #21: "What's My Line, Pt I" ~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Foolish (Buffy/Spike, T) by veronyxk84

Dominance (Angel/Spike, E) by Fanlifemiracle

Before Dawn (Dawn/Giles, E) by prairiekretch

Gambit (Buffy/Angel, E) by aboutafox

Twin of the Slayer (OC, Ensemble, G) by Mimobtvs

Forged in shadows Ch. 9 (Angel/Lindsey, E) by CloudSeeker

Группа крови Ch. 1-4/4 (COMPLETE) (Buffy/Angel, T) by B_E_S

Opposite Attraction Ch. 3/6 (Angel/Spike, T) by MamaBewear

Gadding About Ch. 1 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Lierdumoa

Aegis Ch. 31/? (Xander, T, multiple xovers) by dogbertcarroll, Narsil

Smoke and Leather Ch. 10/? (Spike/OC, M) by EagleAlwaysFliesAlone

[Chaptered Fiction]

Urgo’s Return. Ch. 1-2/? (Ensemble, G, SG-1 xover) by Callarose_aka_FireDragon

Miss Summers Goes to Washington Ch. 1/ ? (Buffy/Faith, M) by storiwr

Words Inside a Shell Ch. 1/? (Spike/Reader, E) by Ma6icki

The Motion of Her Ocean Ch. 1/? (Buffy/Spike, E) by sunalso

Unbroken, Chapter 15 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Blade Redwind

Carol of a missing lipstick , Chapter 5-8 (Buffy/Spike, G) by rossshin

Evaporate, Chapter 3 (Buffy/Spike, M) by Soulburnt

Soul Searching, Chapter 5 (Buffy/Spike, E) by CheekyKitten

Dear Journal , Chapter 10 (Buffy/Spike, M) by Desicat

Ship of the Line: Walk in Dark Places Ch. 15 (Xander, M) by KnifeHand

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork:Buffy & Angel () by nugge-is-my-duckie

Artwork:AtS Cartoon () by paulgadzikowski

Artwork:Xander () by nightheartcomics

Artwork:Buffy & Spike () by smoochiekissies

Artwork:Buffy & Spike () by izachin

Artwork:Faith, Kendra, & Buffy () by sideartblog999

Video: bangel x like real people do () by bangelism

[Reviews & Recaps]

PODCAST: Episode 51 - Attack of the Purple Ninja! (Enemies) by The Sunnydale Diaries

PODCAST: ATS 306 - Billy by Another Buffy Podcast

[Community Announcements]

Tuesday Prompts: Memory Lane by comment-fic

The Buffy x Giles Writing Event is now open by thecrazyknight

[Fandom Discussions]

Y'all this is a piece of history right here. by glamourweaver, sorrelchestnut, denizoid:

shiny happy people is like wow by all-seeing-ifer

honestly i think cordelia was probably a potential slayer. by xaeyrnofnbe

How long was I gone? by Manestaltan

how could they not notice?? by GainOver5676

Wanted to gush for a moment about just how GORGEOUS our Giles is! by Jdobbs626

No Spoilers please - first time watching Angel, up to season 3 episode 13 by A_lurker_succumbed

Is season 5 the best season? by East_Mushroom683

Dawn by Human-Hospital6696

XANDER YOU RUINED EVERYTHING THIS EPISODE!!!! | S3 E7 “Revelations” by The_Fullmetal_Titan

Who do you all think was in the right here and why (BtVS subreddit) by No-Iron5889

Who do you all think was in the right here and why (AtS subreddit) by No-Iron5889

Poor Joyce….. by tomatocreamsauce

Innocent victim of the day by timmorris82

If SMG left after season 5 by Particular-Employ326

What do you think of their analysis of Spike in Fool For Love by Cailly_Brard7

What would you uncanon? by Remarkable_Mud6377

Cordy and Fred friendship potential by darinani

Is Lorne green because of Lorne Greene? by ginime_

Anya Jenkins Once Rudely Said by Past-Throat-6788

What is the exact moment of true happiness for Angel? by Ok-Supermarket-7506

What are your theories about what happened after season seven? by X3vyW3vy

What are some moments in the Buffyverse that the writers unintentionally made a "good guy" (figure of speech, women included as well of course) feel like a villain to you? by PristineSituation498

Giles is Always Ripper by No_Introduction_4136

Angel in a Hell dimension by brwitch

Rewatch and podcasts by Kimmyb325

Angels curse makes no sense by Sweaty_Affect9363

What instruments are used here? by LessTrack6622

Someone posted this on a Buffy page and got an unexpected comment from the crew! by PyrrhuraMolinae

Rewatching Angel, and realized that Spike isn’t the only person who tried to turn a family member by thequeenofsastiel

in Lover’s Walk Spike said about Dru by aphony-cree

I wished Kate and Angel had become a couple. by BabyBlueN7

How many episodes of buffy had guns? by unpaid_official

Gunn Appreciation Post by No-Iron5889

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Join the editor team :)

[kamenstranger]

Several years back I did a review on Kamen Rider Black and my opinion hasn't changed much since. Like a lot of my older stuff, I think that review is a bit long winded describing the ending stretch of the series, but overall it still conveys my love of Kamen Rider Black.

The short of it is Black was a return to basics for the franchise while at the same time breathing new life with more contemporary themes of 1980s Japan excess. Very cult like villains akin to what what happening in the late 70s and coming to a head by the 80s. You have plot lines centered around the ever rising cost of living, the booming idol industry satirized as a means of brainwashing, a greater emphasis on the horror aspects, the strongest environmental message since the original Manga, and uh, cults infiltrating politics.

It's a fantastic series and it's one of my highest recommended Showa era shows alongside V3.

Today, I mainly want to focus on the Bluray release by Discotek, which primarily means talking about the special features. However, I quickly want to run down a few key factors. First off, the image quality; it's the exact same as the Japanese release, which is what my old review used as a basis so I don't have much to add. It's a crisp gorgeously detailed transfer with those annoying seizure inducing attack sequences of the original broadcast and DVD release removed. Nothing is removed except those flashes in-between frames. This is the ideal way to view the series for that improvement alone. There is a special feature that shows the original attacks from the first couple episodes, should you happen to have a TV Power belt laying around.

As for the subs, truthfully I wasn't even gonna mention them cause I think you know Discotek has a long proven track record for quality. Still, someone might ask, and yes, they're good. They're also your best option nowadays, anyway. The Century King subs are so old you'd be hard pressed to find them, and the redone version that came about with the JPN bluray had a number of misspellings and other typing errors.

I will admit I've not finished this watch, but nothing in Discotek's release has stuck out to me as egregious. The only thing I can think of that might bug some people is that Kaijin is interpreted as Monster rather than Mutant, which is… whatever. I can understand why the old Century Kings translation used Mutant, it's a good way to keep it separate from how we typically associate Kaiju = Monster. Mutant invokes the more human/jin aspect as opposed to a beast. But that's a level of semantics even I don't care about. Hell, it's not even as if it plays a massive narrative or thematic role, with the possible exception of Whale, who has humanity in a morale sense. The monsters in Black by in large exist as humanoid animals, they're rarely ever humans turned into animal hybrids like the other Showa shows, so I don't think that distinction is all that important in the grand scheme of things.

I should also note, as always, the movies are treated separately, meaning "Hurry to Onigashima" and "The Phantom House of Devil Pass" are not included in the set.

With all that out of the way, first and foremost we have to talk about how Discotek handles presentation of the special features on this set. I will say it's a marked improvement over Gavan, which didn't even mention Special Features on the back of the case. They list the special features on Black's case…but they don't list what discs those features are on. So I started with 5, which had a almost everything but the cast reunion I was looking for. So I pop in disc 1- no special features. So I start working backwards with disc 4; Cast Reunion part 3. I then had a sense of déjà vu because I did this same song and dance with Gavan. It's a minor thing, but one that could've been easily resolved by simply stating which discs had what, either on the case or the disc themselves. Hell, even just a "Special features discs 2-5" I don't know how they look on RX and Sharivan, but I'm gonna laugh if I get my V3 Bluray and the special features aren't listed as clearly as my Generation Kikaider set.

Anyway, the first special feature is on disc 2 "This is Kamen Rider Black" which was a special that aired one week before the series premier and acted as a sneak preview. I'm glad it's here and not left out or relegated to some bizarre compilation disc (looking at you, MillCreek.) It's an interesting time capsule and stuff like this should be preserved.

Note that the image quality here looks significantly worse than the remastered episodes because this was on tape, although still quite clear for what it is. You will however notice lines at the bottom of the screen now and then.

As far as the special itself is concerned… it's kinda just marketing fluff hosted by Ishinomori's son, Jo, and Jiban's own Michiko Enokida. You get a very brief interview with Ishinomori, a pretty cool behind the scenes bit of the casting process, Tetsuo Kurata in the recording booth for the main theme and a… pretty awkward as hell interview with Kotaro, Kyoko, and Katsumi. Notice I'm using the character names. It's awkward in both a delightfully and painfully 80s way.

However, the real meat of these features is the 3 part cast reunion, which was included in the 3 sets released in Japan back in '22. Each part is about 40-ish minutes and consists of Testsuo Kurata, Moe (Ayaumi) Taguchi, Hitomi Yoshii, Producer Susumu Yoshikawa, and Director Yoshiaki Kobayashi. Quite the eclectic mix and even a bit odd in the case of Kobayashi, who only directed the opening episode of Black and is slightly infamous for being a bit of a hardass, which the actors do not hide at all. Although they do credit him with pushing them to be better, so there's no ill will. That was, after all, a grueling month long shoot for everyone.

Compared to Gavan's cast special, it's not quite the same wealth of knowledge, or at least it doesn't seem like it because it can feel a tad disjointed. Although that doesn't make it any less interesting. There's simply more reminiscing filled with small personal stories, both entertaining and occasionally insightful. My favorite was Ishinomori insisting Kurata's purchases at a particular restaurant be put on his personal tab. Charming tales aside, there are still major gems about the industry and not just with Black. Such as Kobayashi mentioning the influence of Easy Rider on Kamen Rider due to Ishinomori liking the movie and being fascinated by the counterculture movement. It's nice to have a more direct source on it, since the only other place I can readily cite that claim is dubious at best.

Kobayashi also goes into the complication of not having time to watch your own work as it's airing, which makes it difficult to do adjustments on the production, get audience feedback and see where your own faults lie. There's also discussion about JAC and how incredibly strict their standards are, mainly because hesitation more than anything else is what results in injury. (Although Gavan has a far more in depth look into that area) We even get some tidbits about Toei's Spider-Man, which both Kobayashi and Yoshikawa worked on.

But perhaps my favorite production story with Black specifically is the theme song, which was the duo of Yoko Aki writing the lyrics and her husband Ryudo Uzaki handling the music. It was less a decision on the production side and simply Ishinomori happened to be great friends with Aki, so why not? Which, if you're unfamiliar with the two, they were a HUGE deal. Aki and Uzaki wrote several hits for Japan's biggest idol, Momoe Yamaguchi, in the late 70s, including her biggest hit "Yokosuka Story." Incidentally, Yamaguchi has a son, Takahiro Miuram, who you're probably familiar with as Bilgenia in Black Sun.

Susumu Yoshikawa's only instructions to Aki was to keep the lyrics simple and use very little English since it's a program for children. Uzaki sung on the demo tape with a backing guitar. The original lyrics, according to Kurata, were a bit different in the opening, something along the lines of "Last through the ages, race through the Sky." Although that original demo tape is now sadly lost. Kurata would listen to the tape on repeat in preparation for the recording, which took 6 hours in the booth, all while Aki and Uzaki were present, which made the pressure even harder. Although by Yoshikawa account, it was on the faster side of recording.

There's other production stories I won't cover, some small, some as interesting as the theme, such as the still fairly new Jiro Okamoto taking on the challenging suit acting role (Which it's a shame he isn't part of this feature.) But I won't spoil everything. It's a good three part special that's worth the price of admission alone, but it did leave me wanting more. Thankfully, we still have more.

Most of the other special features are what you would expect; original post credit commercials for Giveaways and Toei's various festivals and events, the U.S. Bluray Trailer, a trailer for RX's Discotek release, the aforementioned segment showing the original attacks in their flashiness. But, as with Gavan, we have a wonderful write up by MachDent.

This is the cherry on the sundae right here. Again, not to deride the other stuff. Trailers and the like should be here, I'd be complaining if they weren't. But this is what I'm interested in most; historical examinations of a show. Frankly, it's quite a bit more informative than the cast reunion while also having a clear concise time line of how Black came to be. Stuff like this, having the Japanese special features, and of course quality subtitles for the main event is really what sets these Discotek releases apart from others. I'd be happy with a relatively bare bone but quality release, but I'd be lying if I didn't say a big selling part was getting these features. I'm not going to pretend these are cheap set by any means, but they're also not cheapening out. I greatly appreciate Discotek not only gathering the stuff on the JPN side, but adding their own special features that elevate the whole thing. Now that we're in an era of having fewer and fewer indie shops and smaller distributors, I feel almost an obligation to support what few remain-- less Sony or Toho gobble them up next.

[cosmosbeelover]

The History of Korean Female Soloists from the 20th Century: Episode 3.5/?

This episode continues the narrative of Yun Sim-deok, focusing on the events following her death and the legacy of her music. It is important to note that this instalment is intended for a mature audience, as it will address sensitive themes related to self-exit.

"행복 찾는 인생들아 너 찾는 것 허무" (To those who seek happiness, your search is in vain) - Yun Sim-deok 'Hymn of Death'

Suspicion of death

During an album recording in Japan, Yun Sim-deok encountered Kim Woo-jin, who was preparing to study abroad in Germany. On August 3, 1926, the two unexpectedly boarded the Tokuju Maru, a ship bound for Busan. The following day, they vanished from the vessel, leading to significant media attention as it was reported as the first 'love affair' (情死) case in Joseon, although the true nature of their relationship remains uncertain.

Three key facts are established: first, both individuals boarded the same ship on August 3; second, on the morning of August 4, their cabin was found empty with only their belongings left behind; and third, a subsequent review of the passenger list revealed their absence. Despite media speculation about a possible suicide pact, no will or evidence was confirmed by family or friends, and no witnesses were present at the time of their disappearance. Consequently, the search for their bodies in the expansive ocean proved futile.

Upon the media's initial coverage of the incident, they reported that "the two individuals embraced and leaped into the sea after leaving a will," a narrative that has persisted over time. The families of Kim Woo-jin and Yun Sim-deok vehemently refuted claims of an "affair," likely motivated by concerns for their family’s reputation. They even contested the notion of suicide itself, further complicating the public's understanding of the events.

At that time, Kim Woo-jin had distanced himself from his family due to a conflict with his father and was in Japan, preparing for his long-desired studies in Germany. On August 1, he submitted his play, <Wild Boar>, to a magazine, expressing optimism about his future endeavours. Meanwhile, Yun Sim-deok was diligently working to fund her younger sister's education in the United States, with her sister's departure scheduled for August 5. After her sister arrived in the U.S., she learned of Yun's tragic death. Additionally, Yun had reached out to a friend in Tokyo, indicating plans to meet soon, raising the critical question of whether the two were indeed lovers, a topic that was only speculated upon in the media following the incident.

There is no concrete evidence to suggest that Kim Woo-jin (김우진) had romantic feelings for Yun Sim-deok (윤심덕); rather, any such inference is speculative and primarily drawn from his literary works. Jo Myeong-hee, a friend of Kim Woo-jin, dismissed the notion of their relationship as mere rumour, indicating it was not significant. Even if they had been lovers, the possibility of separation or remarriage exists, and there is no compelling reason to believe they engaged in an affair. The circumstances surrounding their departure to Joseon raise questions, particularly since they left no testament and informed no one of their journey. This has led to various theories regarding their fate, including the 'survival theory' suggesting they faked their deaths, the 'accident theory' involving a slip, and the 'murder theory.' Their dramatic demise fuelled speculation that they might have relocated abroad, especially concerning Kim Woo-jin's alleged affair, with claims that they staged their deaths to escape together. Additionally, there are claims that Yun Sim-deok may have conspired with her record label to fake her death to promote her album. Notably, no witnesses were present at the supposed suicide, and the bodies were never recovered. However, the passenger list did indicate residences matching those of Kim Woo-jin (김우진) and Yun Sim-deok (윤심덕), and both were 29 years old at the time, confirming their presence on the ship, albeit under the names Kim Su-san (김수산) and Yoon Su-seon (윤수선).

There were persistent rumours suggesting that the two individuals did not perish but instead escaped to Europe. Allegedly, they bribed the sailors aboard the ship to fabricate a suicide narrative, subsequently traveling to China and adopting Chinese identities to reach Europe. As the popularity of <Ode to Death> remained strong, these rumours proliferated. In 1931, speculation arose that an Asian couple operating a general store in Italy were, in fact, Kim Woo-jin and Yoon Sim-deok, with specific names and locations being cited. Kim Woo-jin's younger brother sought verification from the Japanese embassy in Italy through the Governor-General's Office, which reported that no such individuals were found in Rome but would continue their search. In 1934, a man claiming to be the grandson of Kim Ok-gyun asserted he had encountered Kim Woo-jin and Yoon Sim-deok, who were purportedly musical instrument dealers in Rome. However, this claim was later debunked as false. Ultimately, the notion that they faked their deaths lacks credibility, as it would have been more logical to use their real names rather than pseudonyms.

In examining the case of Kim Woo-jin, Professor Yang Seung-guk from Seoul National University deemed the likelihood of an affair to be minimal, attributing more credence to the theory of suicide, which he posited was likely impulsive and possibly induced by Yun Sim-deok. The prevailing narrative within recent literary analyses categorizes Kim Woo-jin's death as either a suicide or an accident, while music critic Kang Heon has introduced the notion of murder, implicating Nitto Records, the label that had acquired Yun Sim-deok's album. This company, a subsidiary of the Japanese state-run Nitjiku, was relatively obscure at its inception in 1926, especially compared to more prominent labels like Columbia and Polydor, and it ceased operations by 1928. Notably, the song "Sa-ui-hyeomi," (사의혜미) which became the album's lead track, was not initially intended for release by Yun Sim-deok; her brother, who accompanied her on piano during the recording, refuted claims that she had requested it, suggesting instead that it was an unexpected addition. This has led to speculation that the circumstances surrounding her death may have been orchestrated by the Japanese company to enhance sales of records and gramophones in the Joseon market.

This is a newspaper clipping about Yun Sim-deok published in 1973 February 14th. 演藝手帖半世紀(연예수첩반세기) 歌謠界(가요계) (8) 尹心愿(윤심덕)의 ���死(정사) 「광막한황야 달리는人生(인생)」,愛人(애인)과 현해탄에죽은뒤 [死(사)의찬미 」流行(유행)----日業者(일업자) 크게致富(치부) 한국에 들어온 日本(일본)의 레코드資本(자본)을 크게 도와준것은 익살맞게도 尹 心悳(윤심덕)의 「死(사)의 찬미」 였다. 「玄海灘(현해탄) 激浪(격랑)중에 青春男女(청춘남녀) 情死(정사)」 「藝術(예술)에 共鳴(공명)되야 八年(팔년)전사랑의 싹」 一九二六年八月三日(일구이육연팔월삼일) 관부연락선 「德壽丸(덕수환)」에서 발생한 美人(미인)가수 尹心愿(윤심덕)과 극작가 金祐鎭(김우진)의 세기적 情死( 정사)사건을 당시 신문들은 이렇게 連日(연일) 대서특필했다. 尹心愿(윤심덕)과 金祐鎭(김우진)은 이날오전十一(십일)시 [시모노세끼」를 떠 나는 「德壽丸(덕수환)」에 올랐는데 이날 오후四(사)시 배가對馬島(대마도)근해 를 지날 무렵 현해탄에 몸을 날려 자살했던것이다. 土月會(토월회)의 멤버였고 同友會(동우회)의지방공연에서 갈채를 받았던미모 의 新女性(신여성) 尹心愿(윤심덕)의 난데없는 죽음은 사회에 큰충격을 주기에 충분했다. 一八八九年(일팔팔구년) 平壤(평양) 태생인 尹心惠(윤심덕)은 平壤女高普(평양여 고보)와 京城女高普師範科(경성여고보사범과)를 마친후 江原道(강원도)에서 잠 시 교편을 잡았다. 一九一七年(일구일칠년) 총독부의 官費(관비)유학생으로 東京 音樂學校(동경음악학교)를 마친후 모교인 京城女高普(경성여고보)(현재의京畿 女高(경기여고))에서 음악교사를했지만 곧 그만두고 聲樂(성악)연마와 레코 드취 입을 하는한편가끔 京城放送局(경성방송국)에 출연하기도했다. 그녀는 正統(정통)코스를 거친 순수음악인이었지만 니또레코드 京城支店長(경성지점장)을 겸하고 있던 朝鮮蓄音機商會(조선축음기상회)주인李 基世(이기세)의 끈질긴 설득으로 유행가를 취입하기에 이르렀다. 취입을 승낙한 尹心愿(윤심덕)은 七月十七日(칠월십칠일) [니또] 레코드本社(본사)가 있는 「 오사까」(大阪(대판))로 갔다. 이때의 레코 드는 앞뒤에 한곡씩 녹음하는 것이었는데 취입하는 김에 +(십)여곡 을 넣기로하고 관부연락선을 타기위해 七月十七日(칠월십칠일) 京城(경성)에서 釜山行(부산행) 기차를 탔다. 이날 京城驛(경성역)에는 李基世(이기세)와 李瑞求( 이서구)씨(작가·당시 [니또] 레코드문예부장)그리고 南相ㅡ(남상일)씨(현合同 通信理事(합동통신이사) 당시 東亞日報(동아일보)정치부기자)가 그녀를 전송하 러 나왔다. "모두 즐거운 분위기였죠. 취입 잘하고 돌아 올땐선물로 고급 넥타이나 사오라고 했더니 「죽어도 사와요?」 하고 말하고는 또 쾌활하게웃더군요. 그래 [죽으려거 든넥타이나 사서 부치고 죽어」 하고 농담을 했거든요. 그러고보니 그것이 마지 막이었읍니다. "(李瑞求(이서구)) 尹心愿(윤심덕)은 日本(일본)왕래가 많았기때문에 인솔자없이 혼자떠났다. 취입 을 마치고도 돌아오지않았지만 京城(경성)에서는 취입료를 두둑이 받았을테니푹 쉬고오나보다 모두들 생각하고 있었다. 七月末(칠월말)께 李基世(이기세)는 여섯장의 레코드 테스트판을 받았다. "이것이 尹心愿(윤심덕)의 취입판이었는데 예정보다 -(일)장이 더많더군요. 그 래 틀어봤더니 그것이 바로 「死(사)의 찬미」 였읍니다. 예정에도 없던 曲(곡)이 어서이상하다 했는데 노래가 상당히 서글프더군요. "그리고季瑞求(계서구)씨는 「死(사)의 찬미」의작사자가 미상이라는 일부 주장에 대해 尹心息(윤심덕)본인 의 작사가 틀립 없다고 토를 달았다. 그녀가 투신자살한 것은 테스트판이 도착된 며칠후였는데 八月十日(팔월십일)경 李瑞求(이서구)씨와 南相ㅡ(남상일)씨에게는 소포가 한개씩배달돼왔다. "그게 바로 尹(윤)이 보낸 넥타이였지요. 갖가지 감회가 가슴을 찔렀는데 차마 매 고 다닐수가 없어 장롱속에 넣어뒀어요. 피난통에 까맣게 잊었었는데 작년에 책 을 정리하다 책갈피속에서 이 넥타이를 찾아냈어요. "파란 실크넥타인데 李瑞求( 이서구)씨는 결국 四十七年(사십칠년) 동안을 보관하고 있었다는 이야기다. 「광막한 황야를 달리는 인생아….」로 시작되는 이노래는 「이바노비치] 작곡 의 「다뉴브江(강)」에 가사를 붙인것으로 「와세다」 출신 극작가와 소프라노 新 女性(신여성)간의 전설적인사랑과 함께 레코드는 불티나게 팔려나갔다. 그녀는 이전에도 日本(일본)축음기 회사에서 「어엽뿐 색시」 「매기의 추억」 「나와 너 」 「아 그것이사랑인가」 「망향가」 「방끗웃는 월계화」 등 가곡을 취입했었 지만 유행가는 이것이처음이었다. 제비표 [니또] 레코드에서 흐느끼듯 흘러나오는 「死(사)의 찬미」가 히트하자 이제까지 부유층의 재산목록에속하던 유성기와 소리판은 쉽게 대중속에 파고들 수 있게됐다. 「死(사)의 찬미」는 流行歌(유행가)의 보급뿐아니라 우리나라에 상륙한日本(일본)의 레코드 자본을 살찌게하는 결과를 가져온것이다. (李吉範(이길범)기자>

Yun Sim-deok and Kim Woo-jin's disappearance after August 4, 1926, remains a significant event. Notably, playwright Lee Seo-gu, a close friend of Yun, recounted a poignant farewell at Gyeongseong Station prior to her departure to Japan for an album recording. Their exchange included a light-hearted promise regarding a gift, where Yun asked what she should bring back for Lee, who requested a tie. Their banter took a darker turn when Yun jokingly inquired if Lee would still want the tie even in death, to which Lee affirmed he would. This conversation, while playful, took on a sombre tone following Yun's tragic passing, as the tie Lee had requested arrived shortly after the news of her death, remaining unworn until Lee's own demise.

Mediatization and Legacy

The romantic relationship between Yun Sim-deok (윤심덕) and Kim Woo-jin (김우진) has inspired numerous theatrical productions and films long after their passing.

The initial cinematic adaptation of the story was the film <Yun Sim-deok>, released in 1969 and directed by Ahn Hyun-chul. The principal characters, Kim Woo-jin and Yun Sim-deok, were portrayed by Shin Sung-il and Moon Hee, respectively, while supporting performances were delivered by Lee Soon-jae (이순재), Baek Yeong-min (백영민), Joo Jeung-nyeo (주증녀), and Han Eun-jin (한은진). This film notably features the pivotal encounter between Kim Woo-jin and Yun Sim-deok, culminating in the dramatic moment when they leap into the Korea Strait.

In 1991, the film "In Praise of Death," (사의 찬미; 死의 讚美) directed by Kim Ho-seon, depicted the poignant love story of Yoon Sim-deok, featuring performances by Jang Mi-hee as Yoon Sim-deok, Im Sung-min as Kim Woo-jin, and Lee Kyung-young as Hong Nan-pa, alongside Jo Min-ki and Kang Gye-sik. Jang Mi-hee received the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Actress for her portrayal, while Im Sung-min was honored with the Best Actor award. Following this film, Kim Ho-seon directed "Annie Gang," which generated significant attention in the Korean film industry by reuniting Jang Mi-hee and Im Sung-min. Notably, "In Praise of Death" represents one of the final works produced by the traditional Chungmuro ​​film community from the 1950s.

Reporter Jeong-cheol Shin = Tongyeong City will perform 'Ode to Death', the third civic cultural center planned performance of the year, based on the love story of Joseon's first soprano 'Yun Sim-deok', called the greatest scandal of the 20th century, and genius playwright 'Kim Woo-jin', a pioneer of Korean theater. The photo is the performance poster. (Photo = provided by Tongyeong City). 2023.10.07.

The musical and theatrical adaptation debuted in 1988, presented by Yoon Dae-seong as a play titled Hymn of Death through an experimental theatre company. It was subsequently staged as a musical in 1990, and the 2005 rendition featured singer Bada in the role of Yoon Sim-deok, generating significant public interest. In 2012, the narrative was expanded to include a storyline about Yoon Sim-deok and Kim Woo-jin in a musical named Gloomy Day, which was later re-staged in 2015 under the original title Hymn of Death. In 2016, the play "The Ferry of the Kings" was introduced, portraying a scenario where only Kim Woo-jin (김우진) perishes while Yoon Sim-deok is saved by the protagonist, who is depicted as departing for Rome to pursue her true aspirations while concealing her survival, reflecting the aforementioned survival theory.

The drama ‘Hymn of Death’ was broadcast on SBS starting November 27, 2018, consisting of six one-act episodes. It was shown twice daily over a span of three days, resulting in a total of six segments rather than three. The episodes aired on November 27, December 3, and December 4. In this production, Shin Hye-sun portrayed Yoon Sim-deok, while Lee Jong-suk took on the role of Kim Woo-jin.

In the 2022 Apple TV+ series Pachinko, a character inspired by Yun Sim-deok (윤심덕) is featured. The protagonist, Seon-ja, boards the Tokuju Maru to reunite with her husband, Isaac, in Osaka. During this journey, a glamorous singer retrieves a shawl that Seon-ja has dropped, expressing her appreciation by mentioning a cherished gift from her lover and promising to perform for Seon-ja at her concert that evening. While Seon-ja, who is pregnant, endures the harsh realities of third-class travel, the singer indulges in luxury, only to face sexual harassment from a powerful Japanese man nearby.

When the singer takes the stage, she begins with the soprano aria "Let Me Cry," but unexpectedly shifts to a line from Chunhyangga, provoking outrage among the Japanese audience. The situation escalates as the enraged passengers summon the police, prompting the singer to take her own life with a concealed knife upon seeing the authority’s approach. Although this portrayal diverges from Yun Sim-deok's actual life, the character's essence and thematic elements appear to draw inspiration from her story.

Additionally, the character is depicted alongside Kim Woo-jin (김우진) in the series Joseon, the Age of Revolution. In this narrative, they are shown contemplating the artworks of Pierre-Auguste Renoir, which are part of Emperor Gwangmu Yi Seon’s collection. The series emphasizes their struggles with familial and societal expectations, framing them as artists rather than romantic partners. Their tragic fate is contextualized within the broader narrative of colonial youth suffering under Japan's oppressive regime, offering a poignant commentary on historical realities rather than adhering strictly to official accounts.

Posthumous Albums

In the Korean pop music scene, numerous artists experience cycles of prominence and obscurity. While some manage to sustain their relevance through memorable tracks, others fade into obscurity over time. Particularly poignant are the cases of artists who produced remarkable music yet died prematurely. Their enduring songs serve as a poignant reminder of their legacy, evoking nostalgia among listeners. Younger musicians often honour these late artists by performing their songs, and dedicated fans engage in memorial activities long after their passing.

The music left behind by these artists is preserved, ensuring their contributions endure. Yum Sim-deok stands out as a significant figure in the annals of Korean pop music, having created impactful hits before her untimely death at a young age. Notably, she is recognized as one of the earliest artists to have a posthumous release, with her final works emerging after both her and her lover's deaths.

Discovering the Hymn of Death Album

In 1926, she journeyed to Japan to record an album, driven by the intention to support her younger sister's education in the United States. Among the pieces she recorded was the famous "Hymn of Death," which featured newly written lyrics set to the melody of Iosif Ivanovich's waltz "Ripples on the Danube." Notably, "Hymn of Death" was not her original selection; reports indicate that she made the decision to include it spontaneously during the recording session. The song achieved significant commercial success, with sales reaching around 100,000 copies at the time of its release and in the years that followed, a phenomenon likely amplified by her premature passing. This evocative piece, which contemplates the theme of mortality, was recorded before she had the opportunity to experience its official launch. Furthermore, six months before this session, she had reimagined Schubert's "Wild Roses" and "Linden Trees" into "Laurel Flowers" and "Old Dreams," with these recordings being discovered in late April 2022.

In the realm of Korean popular music, the intense public fascination and reaction to a singer's premature death and subsequent works can be traced back to Yun Sim-deok's "Ode to Death." Yun Sim-deok (윤심덕), who pursued classical vocal training in Japan but ultimately performed popular music to sustain herself, and Kim Woo-jin, a member of a prominent family in Jeolla Province and a key figure in the new theatre movement, tragically took their lives together in 1926 by leaping into the sea from a vessel en route between Shimonoseki, Japan, and Busan. At the time, she was only 29 years old. Their relationship, characterized by the complexities of a new woman entangled with a married man during the Japanese colonial era, highlights the tragic limitations imposed by class and social structures. Nevertheless, the profound sense of emptiness expressed in her music has continued to resonate deeply with the Korean populace long after her death.

Iosif Ivanovich

Before discussing Yun Sim-deok's rendition of 'Hymn of Death,' it is important to briefly address the original composer of the piece, Iosif Ivanovich.

Born in Romania in 1845 and dying on September 28, 1902, at the age of 56 or 57, he was a prominent military bandmaster and composer known for his light music. Although originating from a Balkan country somewhat distant from Austria, the heart of the waltz tradition, he is recognized for a unique and exceptional composition.

His notable works include the waltz "Ripples of the Dunare" (Valurile Dunării) and the waltz "Carmen Sylva." Additionally, his great-grandson, Andrei Ivanovich, born in 1968, has gained international recognition as a pianist and remains active in the music industry, reflecting a familial connection to his great-grandfather's legacy.

The ripples of ‘Dunarea’

The Dunărea, known as the 'Danube' in English and 'Donau' in German, is often referred to by the German name 'Danube ripples' (Donauwellen). Despite Iosif Ivanovic's significant popularity during his lifetime, he has not garnered much recognition in the 21st century, with various dances and marches primarily performed and recorded in Romania. However, his waltz stands out, achieving fame comparable to that of the Strauss brothers, particularly Johann Strauss II. Its appeal lies in its melancholic melody, which reflects Slavic folk music and is distinct from typical Viennese waltzes. This waltz was also popularized in the United States as the 'Anniversary Song,' featuring lyrics that align with its melody. During the Japanese colonial period in Joseon, a song titled "Sa-ui Chanmi" emerged, inspired by the same concept, and gained immense popularity through the rendition by Yun Sim-deok, marking a significant moment in early Korean music. A biographical film sharing the same title was released in 1991. Additionally, a piano solo arrangement of the waltz is included in the "Piano Piece Collection," serving as supplementary material for piano learners, leading many to discover the piece for the first time. The song is also featured as an insert in the Dutch animated short film, Father and Daughter.

사의찬미/ 부활의깃붐 - 윤심덕 (Hymn of Death/Resurrection Flag Boom - Yun Sim-deok)

The album 'Praise/Hymn of Death' is one of the two that I have successfully located, and both will be discussed.

Released in 1926 by Ildong Gramophone Company, "Praise of Death" marks a significant moment in Korean popular music, sparking extensive social discourse. The song's prominence was largely influenced by the scandal involving Yun Sim-deok, which facilitated the broader recognition of phonograph records in Joseon. Accompanying the main track, "Joy of Resurrection" serves as a hymn featured on the reverse side of the album.

Lyrics

Life is ultimately finite, governed relentlessly by the passage of time. When confronted with the inexorable nature of time, one finds a capacity for forgiveness and understanding that transcends ordinary experiences. The concepts of transience and compassion are intertwined, akin to two facets of the same reality. The notion that chaotic desires may eventually subside and that the anguish of relationships is temporary can serve as a source of solace amidst life's challenges.

Engaging with the profoundly unsettling song 'Ode to Death' evokes complex emotions. The title itself is haunting, as it openly extols death, seemingly threatening to erase all vitality. The ethereal quality of Yun Sim-deok's voice resonates as if it belongs to another realm, embodying a profound sense of emptiness. Paradoxically, after experiencing this deeply cynical piece, life may appear more vibrant and hopeful, akin to the renewal that follows tears. Immersing oneself in such sorrowful melodies can strip away the trivialities of existence, revealing what is truly significant and reigniting the desire to live. Yun Sim-deok's portrayal of life as a "vast wilderness" and a "dangerous confession" remains relevant nearly a century later, prompting existential inquiries that echo the void of contemporary existence.

The second verse stands out for its literary purity, encapsulating the duality of existence through the lines, "The smiling flowers and the crying birds/ Their fates are all the same." This juxtaposition of joy and sorrow reflects the complexity of life, akin to dust that settles lightly yet profoundly. Echoing Charlie Chaplin's sentiment, life appears tragic up close but transforms into a comedy from a distance. The poignant lines, "You poor life/ Passionate about life/ You are a dancer/ On the sword," convey a sense of hopelessness intertwined with fervour. This metaphor of a 'dance on the sword' captures the reckless pursuit of desires, illustrating the human condition's inherent struggles and the fleeting moments of peace that follow.

In a tragic turn of events, just prior to the song's release, Yun Sim-deok (윤심덕) and her lover, Kim Woo-jin (김우진), who was already married, took their lives by jumping from a government ferry into the Korea Strait. known as the “Gyeonghaetan (玄海灘). This dramatic incident, where the song and their lives intersect, has an almost surreal quality, elevating the narrative to mythic proportions. The scandal surrounding their deaths contributed significantly to the song's success, prompting music critic Kang Heon to suggest a conspiracy theory regarding a potential 'suicide planned by the record company.' This song marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of Korean popular music, with its melody derived from Romanian composer Ivanovic's 'Danube River Ripples,' while the identity of the lyricist remains uncertain, speculated to be either Yun Sim-deok or Kim Woo-jin.

In February 1990, shortly before Voyager 1 exited the solar system, it captured an image of Earth with its camera directed away from the planet. The renowned scientist Carl Sagan reflected on this distant view of Earth, which appeared as a nearly imperceptible dot, stating that it was home to "heroes and cowards, creators and destroyers of civilizations, kings and peasants, couples in love, mothers and fathers, hopeful children, corrupt politicians, superstars, great leaders, saints and sinners," all residing on this minuscule fragment of the cosmos.

From a broader perspective, life can be perceived as a mere trivial occurrence, lacking even the elements of comedy. At this moment, that tiny speck of existence continues its journey through the vastness of space.

Acceptance of Cover Songs in Early Popular Song History

The first commercial album in Korea debuted in 1907, marking a significant moment before the emergence of popular song albums, during which early popular music primarily consisted of Japanese or Western adaptations. The song <Hymn of Death> serves as an example of this trend, being a cover that incorporates lyrics into a segment of Ivanovich's <Ripples of the Danube>. While it is believed that either Yun Sim-deok or Kim Woo-jin penned the lyrics, the absence of their names on the text complicates definitive attribution.

Praise of Death / Front cover of the Resurrection Flag Boom album, owned by Shinnara Records.

Composed around 1880, <Ripples on the Danube> has seen widespread release across various countries. In Japan, it was introduced as <Donaugawa no Sazanami>, featuring lyrics by Teiichi Tamura. However, the song's portrayal of picturesque river landscapes contrasts sharply with the sombre themes present in <Ode to Death>. It is important to note that Yun Sim-deok's <Hymn of Death> is also referred to as Praise and Ode, alluding to the same piece.

The love affair between Yun Sim-deok and Kim Woo-jin

This song gained notoriety due to Yun Sim-deok, who recorded "Hymn of Death" in Japan, tragically taking her life by jumping into the sea with her lover, playwright Kim Woo-jin, while returning to Korea. A soprano and graduate of the Tokyo Music School, Yun Sim-deok was emblematic of the active new woman of her time; however, it is widely believed that she and her partner succumbed to despair over their relationship, particularly given the complexities surrounding her love for a married man.

The relationship between Yun Sim-deok (윤심덕) and Kim Woo-jin (김우진) sparked numerous speculations and rumours, persisting until the 1930s. These included theories suggesting that her death was not a suicide but rather a murder, or even that she had survived and was living in Italy. Such narratives illustrate the significant social impact and public intrigue surrounding their affair.

An opportunity to prove the potential of the phonograph record market

Ildong Gramophone Company, established in Osaka, Japan in 1920, commenced the distribution of Korean records in September 1925, producing approximately 180 records from 1925 to 1928. Notably, the track “Praise of Death” is distinguished by its unique catalogue number 2249, setting it apart from other recordings by Yun Sim-deok.

Sa-ui-chan-mi / Resurrection's flag boom album back cover, owned by Shinnara Records.

The cataloguing adheres to the Japanese numbering system utilized by Ildong Gramophone Co., Ltd. The lyrics, which reference “a song of determination,” suggest that this system was employed during the expedited production of the album following Yun Sim-deok’s passing. The album label was inscribed in Japanese as “Shinosanbi (死の讚美).” This album gained significant popularity upon its release and was reissued multiple times, with one instance mistakenly listing the artist as Lee Sim-deok (伊心德) instead of Yun Sim-deok (윤심덕). The media coverage surrounding Yun Sim-deok's personal life further amplified the album's appeal, highlighting the burgeoning potential of the phonograph record market.

‘Praise of Death’ revived through film and song

The 1932 recording of "Praise of Death" by Kim Seon-cho is believed to bear similarities to Yun Sim-deok's original song, although the authenticity of the sound source remains unverified. Prior to Korea's liberation, it is challenging to locate any cover versions of "Praise of Death," likely due to the original's profound impact. Following liberation, notable artists such as Kim Jeong-ho, Lee Mi-ja, Na Yun-seon, and Han Yeong-ae performed renditions of the song.

The original, it's full of goosebumps.

The romantic narrative of Yun Sim-deok has also been adapted into film, with significant examples including "Yun Sim-deok," directed by Ahn Hyun-chul and featuring Shin Sung-il and Moon Hee, released in 1969, and "Hymn of Death," directed by Kim Ho-sun and starring Jang Mi-hee and Lim Sung-min, released in 1991. Notably, "Hymn of Death" achieved considerable commercial success, ranking third in the Korean box office in 1991. Additionally, Shinnara Records reissued the phonograph record of "Ode to Death" as part of a restoration series in 1990, with a rare copy fetching over 50 million won at a Yahoo Japan auction in 2015, marking it as the most expensive Korean pop album.

Faust Noel / Blue Galnilly - Yun Sim-deok (파우스트노엘 / 푸른갈닐리 – 윤심덕)

The album "Faustnoel/Blue Galilee" by Yun Sim-deok, published by Ildong Gramophone Co., Ltd. under the "Jevipyo Records" label, features the inaugural carol song in Korea. According to existing music documentation, the tracks on this album are unequivocally recognized as the earliest carol songs in the country, serving as significant evidence of the historical development of Korean carol music.

Korea's first Christmas song album

Ildong Gramophone Company launched two albums featuring Yun Sim-deok's carol songs in October 1926, titled "Faustnoel/Blue Galilee" and "Santa Cruz/Santa Lucia" (album number B-101). Notably, "Faustnoel/Galilee" represents the inaugural phonograph album of carol songs in Korea. According to the Maeil Shinbo on October 18, 1926, these tracks are recognized as the earliest recorded carol songs; however, during that period, the concept of carol songs was not established, leading to their classification as hymns. The first hymn album in Korea was released a year earlier, in October 1925, by vocalist Ahn Ki-young.

‘Faustnoel’ mistaken for a hymn

The authenticity of the phonograph record featuring the inaugural carol song remains unverified, leading to widespread speculation. While <Santa Cruz> was acknowledged as the first carol song based on its title, <Faustnoel>, which bore an earlier catalog number, was presumed to be a hymn, alongside <Blue Galilee> on the reverse side.

The revelation by Lee Kyung-ho, the album's owner, that 'Faust' represents a 1920s Japanese pronunciation of 'First' clarified that <Faust Noel> is indeed a well-known Christmas carol, even among non-Christians. This piece is a rendition of <First Noel>, celebrated for its narrative of the three wise men visiting the birthplace of Jesus. The Japanese recording of <Faustnoel> features Yun Sim-deok's younger brother, Yun Seong-deok, providing piano accompaniment, while Yun Sim-deok (윤심덕) delivers the Korean-translated lyrics with her distinguished vocal artistry. The album gained significant attention during its appraisal on KBS 1 TV's "Real Masterpiece" on December 27, 2015, where it was valued at 10 million won.

Faust Noel / Blue Galnilly Album Back

History of Early Korean Carol Songs

Korean carol songs have evolved alongside the introduction of Christianity, which began to take root at the close of the Joseon Dynasty. During the Japanese colonial era, these songs were primarily performed in churches, with the earliest recorded carol attributed to Yun Sim-deok (윤심덕) in 1926. Following her, Yohan continued the tradition by releasing a carol song album in December 1934.

In August 1935, composer Hyun Je-myeong contributed to the genre by releasing "Silent Night, Holy Night" through Columbia Records. This was followed in 1941 by a collaborative effort from classical musicians Hyun Je-myeong, Kim Hyeon-jun, Kim Ja-gyeong, and Kim Su-jeong, who recorded "First Christmas" and "Silent Night, Holy Night" as a mixed quartet for Victor Records, thereby establishing a foundation for the genre's wider acceptance.

The enjoyment of Christmas songs among the general populace surged after Korea's liberation, particularly with the influence of American pop singers like Bing Crosby, who were introduced by stationed U.S. soldiers. In the 1950s, notable songwriters such as Han Bok-nam, Jeon Oh-seung, and Ha Gi-song began to create original Christmas songs, incorporating elements of trot music, which was the dominant genre of the time.

The Rise and Fall of Comic Carols

In 1966, the widespread embrace of Christmas carols in Korea commenced with the release of "Jingle Bell" by comedian Seo Young-chun and the female duet Gapsun Eulsun, marking the inception of comic Christmas carols in the country. This development led to a vibrant atmosphere during the year-end festivities, as numerous Christmas carols filled the streets, particularly flourishing until the 1990s. The peak of Christmas song popularity occurred in the 1980s, characterized by the remarkable success of holiday tracks by well-known comedians like Shim Hyung-rae. During this era, Christmas albums from prominent comedians and singers achieved significant commercial success, establishing Christmas music as a distinct genre. These albums were often viewed as lucrative ventures, selling tens of thousands of copies with minimal promotion due to their seasonal nature and lack of copyright fees. However, the rise of the digital age and a downturn in the music industry have led to a dramatic decline in Christmas album releases, making them noteworthy events in contemporary times.

Yun Sim-deok's Song of Determination

The publication titled "The Life of a Musician" encompasses the lyrics of "Ode to Death," which was released by Ichiban Record Co., Ltd. in Japan shortly after the passing of Yun Sim-deok (윤심덕), and is characterized as a 'death song.'

‘Praise of Death’ Covers

Some of the more famous covers of "Hymn of Death" are:

S.E.S. Bada - Immortal Songs

Musical actor Min Woohyuk

Other Media

Summary

A century-old love story continues to resonate in contemporary K-dramas, illustrating the profound "scandal" it represented in 1926 and its enduring impact. The true circumstances surrounding the relationship between Yun and Kim remain obscured by time, as the perspectives of family and friends have faded, leaving us with only fragmented narratives. While their actions may have been deemed inappropriate by some, others might view them as acceptable; nonetheless, the tragic conclusion of their story evokes deep sorrow, overshadowed by the scandal that defined their legacy. The causes of their deaths are intertwined with societal norms of the era, familial pressures, and pervasive rumours.

It is noteworthy that the true reason for Yun's death, in particular, may never be fully understood, as neither she nor Kim left behind a suicide note. (From the 2018 Krama Rendition) Kim Woo-jin was aware of their burgeoning feelings yet failed to inform Yun of his marital status or to deter her from taking such a drastic step. Yun's parents viewed her more as a financial asset than as their daughter, prioritizing the futures of her siblings over her well-being. Her siblings, too, placed greater trust in the words of outsiders than in their sister's character. Additionally, societal pressures and the origins of the rumours played significant roles in shaping their tragic fate. Ultimately, Yun's silence and her decision to end her life represent the most profound injustice she inflicted upon herself, rendering the circumstances of both their deaths a poignant tragedy.

-------------------------------------------------------

You are not Alone

Samaritans Helpline Number - 116-123 Emergency number - 999

[absolutebl]

Hi!!! I'm a big fan of BLs, I really love all types, but I stopped watching and keeping up with the news ones around the summer of 2023. Do you have any recommendations of BLs that I should start with again that have come out since spring 2023. Or like a best of 2024 list? It's a bit overwhelming trying to jump back in and I'm not sure where to start again! Thanks :)

My top 2 BLs of 2023 both got 10/10s from me and they were:

I Cannot Reach You AKA Kimi ni wa Todokanai

Japan Netflix?

This classic friends-to-lovers BL is everything Japan does best. Angsty. Emo. Aching. Driven by real thirst. Yamato is deeply in love with his childhood bestie, Kakeru, and has been for ages, unable to hide his ungainly damaging high school need. He wants Kakeru in every way possible and it oozes off of the screen. Kakeru is silly and a little simple, but not frenetic or overly camp about it. He is earnest, and genuinely wants to keep Yamato in his life which means giving a romance (and gayness) a fair chance. We watch him realize his affection and what form it can take in a truly authentic way. This show was impossibly kind to both of its lead characters and I felt almost honored that I got to watch something so lovely and rare play out on my screen. Full review here.

Our Dating Sim

Korea Viki

This is a perfect short form KBL, an office set reunion romance featuring geeks that really suits 8 eps with no fluff and no chaff. Just comforting and yummy. I adored every aspect from the casting to the pristinely simple premise to the quietly smooth execution. Sure it’s low stakes, but that makes it high domesticity and extremely warm and gentle. This is a fuzzy blanket of a story - a cozy BL. It lives in my rewatch pile and you know what’s best about it? Every single episode is in that pile. There’s no skipping with this one, it might be good natured and calmly sweet but it’s tight and the pacing is excellent. Full review here.

Here are the rest of my best of 2023 round ups:

Best of 2024?

I haven't started any 2024 round ups yet but here's my current working top BLs of 2024. These are the ones I gave a 9/10 (no 10/10s from me this year, sadly):

Century of Love

Thai Gaga

This is a very pretty drama about a young man who fell in love with a nice girl 100 years ago, and when she died in his arms, he was cursed to live until he could meet her reborn self. Only this time around, she’s reborn into the body of a man. Or is she?

 Cherry Magic (Thai remake)

Thai grey

A soft charming warm hug of a show about crushes and mind reading and self worth that really worked for me. With no-fuss execution from a consummate team (at GMMTV) and an OG lead pair (proving why they remain eternal and deserve to grow up). Look, here’s the thing, Cherry Magic is a great Thai BL in its own right - not comparing it to any other iteration.

Cosmetic Playlover

Japan Gaga

I love this little show more than most. It's a classic office BL about the older workaholic who loves his job and the younger upstart who unexpectedly loves his boss.

Love For Love's Sake

Korea iQIYI

KBL isekai about a man who must win a game by convincing a reserved teen outcast to fall in love with him. Of course, that teen represents himself and his own unhappiness.

Sugar Dog Life

Japan grey

This is a phenomenally charming and adorable little romance about a forlorn university kid and the police officer who adopts him. They are relentlessly kind to each other, in fact it’s an extremely kindly show over all (everyone in it is so nice to everyone else including us) so there’s very little tension. But what it lacks in drive and complexity it makes up for in earnest acts of service and simple affection.

The Rebound

Thai iQIYI

Actually no one liked this as much as me. This was a sports romance Thai BL pulp with everything I could have asked for given this sub genre. More, actually, since MeenPing are both great basketball players and the team component really did form part of the connective tissue of the show (vital in a sports romance). Meen has his shirt off within the first two minutes which is all I needed but he's still pretty great as the sullen secret keeper against Ping's cheerful survivor - childhood sweethearts torn asunder and now reunited.

The Sign

Thai YouTube

This show is literally everything (except straight) all at once. It's BL, queer, band of brothers, romcom, erotica, PNR, fated mates, police procedural, fantasy, mystery, suspense, and slasher. It’s the king of genre mash-up chaos. Sure, it's madness but there is genius in it.

Unknown

Taiwan YouTube & elsewhere

Unknown is a wonderful BL with a pitch perfect portrayal of long term pining, age gap, and the stepbrothers trope. The acting and chemistry are ON POINT (especially from the leads) which made the resulting characters very believable.

Wandee Goodday

Thai YouTube

A charming quintessentially modern Thai BL about a doctor and a boxer who start as a one night stand and then fall in love. Great rep for everything from Muay Thai, to safe sex, to FUN sex, to ace, to bisexuality, to smiley kisses, to the first legal gay wedding in a Thai BL.

For me this was GMMTV's best of the year.

We Are

Thai iQIYI

I unabashedly loved show. It was slow to find its stride (I didn’t get into it until ep 6) but I’m so glad I gave it a chance. It’s a soft ensemble piece with multiple couples and very little plot, but I didn’t care because it’s not trying to be anything more substantial.

There you go. Hope these hold you over until the end of year round ups.

Welcome back!

And HAVE FUN!!!

It's been a good year for BL.

[scepterno]

Total Drama 2023 season 2 post finale thoughts

this

was the sweetest and most wholesome thing total drama has ever given us in the series. i almost teared up LMFAO

ok now onto my very basic review:

it was alright.

the raynebow enjoyer in me was JUMPING FOR JOY all season. they gave us so many amazing moments between the hockey bros and their boyfriend..... THE MUSIC MONTAGE?? THE RAJ SENDOFF?? BOWIE AND RAJ IN THE FINALE TOGETHER????? WAYNE FEEDING RAJ IN BED IN HIS PAJAMAS???????? HIS BIGGEST FEAR BEING RAJ ON A DIFFERENT TEAM BUT GETTING OVER IT BECAUSE THEY'LL BE BEST FRIENDS NO MATTER WHAT FOREVER???????????????????????????????????????????

also that quick juliwayne line about marriage LOL. so adorable.

ok shipper lenses off now

caleb and priya actually really grew on me as characters, and i loved them by the end. HOWEVER. that being said. holy fuck. they did not deserve the amount of screentime they got. well. i dunno. it was just so fucking drawn out. holy moly.

damien?

my boy.

im so sorry damien. you got robbed (literally). you also got the worst elimination by far. CUT FROM HALF THE EPISODE, JUST TO BE ELIMINATED FOR priya and caleb to yet again hog more screentime. wow. disappointment of the century.

ummm what else. well. congrats to mkulia fans. julia now has a lovely lesbian haircut for you to make fanart of! i liked their friendship a lot.

SNOW OWLS HOOT HOOT BITCHES YEEHAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WE FUCKIN WON BOYS HOCKEY BROS FOREVAAAAAAAA

overall this season was kinda sucky. SUPER DUPER inconsistent writing nonstop every episode. it's like they forgot everything from season 1 or misremembered things. like why everyone trusted julia over bowie. and then trusted julia again. and again. or chase not eating the pizza instead of zee.

CHASE LOVES PIZZA, YOU MONSTERS. LET HIM EAT IT.

aight that was fun hopefully we get a new cast for next season

[eardefenders]

For the ask game: ✨🕵️‍♂️🎧

✨ - Favorite one-off character?

Victor Trevor right now, but I'm anticipating that to become Irene when we get there.

🕵️‍♂️ - First adaption/version that got you into Sherlock Holmes media?

Hm this is an interesting one for me. Because I definitely adored The Great Mouse Detective when I was a kid (I wanted to change my name to Basil there for a minute), but I don't think I really knew that it was a Sherlock Holmes thing. And I did read some of the stories when I was a kid, but I thought they were god awful boring back then. I also remember vaguely enjoying the Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century when it aired on tv lol. I also saw both RDJ Sherlock Holmes movies in theaters, but I went to those out of a love for RDJ, not necessarily Sherlock Holmes (though I do hold a soft spot for that adaption).

However, I was unemployed and didn't have a television, when my friend asked if I wanted to see a new show called Sherlock. I remember we sat on the floor of my apartment and watched it on a laptop sat on a dining chair in the summer of 2012. It was hot and I fell in love immediately with the BBC Sherlock adaption. And then my friend made me wait a WEEK between each episode that was out at the time. 6 WEEKS to get through series 1 and 2 lol.

So I think I've always loved Sherlock Holmes in some way or another, but the full on brain rot didn't hit until BBC Sherlock. And now here we are lol.

🎧 - What other podcasts have you listened to/recommend?

What's hilarious is I don't like True Crime genre stuff and I don't really like fiction either, so Sherlock & Co is really an outlier for me.

That said I highly recommend the following podcasts:

5 to 4 - They tear the supreme court and their shit decisions over the last century to shreds and they're hilarious while they do it.

Maintenance Phase - I fucking adore Aubrey Gordon. This whole podcast is filled with good researched information about diet culture myths and the lies we're told to encourage fatphobia.

You're Wrong About - Sarah Marshall gives wonderfully researched debunkings of popular events in the last 50 or so years and helps shed some light on the way we've culturally twisted things to fit a certain (often bigoted) perspective.

Thinking Like a Lawyer - They review everyday situations from a legal perspective. Very fun imo.

If Books Could Kill - Mike and Peter debunk those junk science and self-help books you find at the airport and they're usually pretty funny while they do it.

[elcomfortador]

It’s All Relative Was ABC’s Attempt at a Will & Grace

“Pilot” (October 1, 2003)

Even NBC tried to replicate the success of America’s first popular gay sitcom, and this week we’re joined once again by Steven Capsuto to discuss an attempt to bring same-sex parents to prime time. It’s All Relative only lasted a season, but that’s actually longer than most LGBTQ-inclusive sitcoms that followed in Will & Grace’s wake, and for what it’s worth, its pilot shows a lot of promise.

Read GEE's write-up in Emmy maagzine, which is basically the same thing as actualy winning an Emmy.

Buy the revised edition of Steven’s book, Alternate Channels: Queer Images on 20th-Century TV.

Listen to Steven’s previous episode, about Tony Randall’s Love, Sidney.

Drew is pulling quotes from the following articles:

“The gaying of TV / Advertisers step up as more shows step out”  (SFGate, Aug. 24, 2003)

“Review: It’s All Relative” (Variety, Sep. 28, 2003)

“It’s profitable to be a little bit gay” (LA TImes, Aug. 27, 2003)

“Gays on TV: Hardly a Trend” (Chicago Tribune, Aug. 12, 2003)

Listen now!

[wandawillkill312]

Review: “The Owl House Series Finale: “Watching and Dreaming (Somewhat Spoiler Free)”- Plus an analysis of the show, in general.

First off, I am so sorry that this is late, but you all know how life tends to get in the way of things- plus brainstorming can be a b**** and a half!

Anyway, let’s get to the review, shall we? 

Here we go!

Since debuting on January 10, 2020, The Owl House has slowly- but surely-, gained a large fanbase of watchers and supporters, who have enjoyed the exploits of Luz Noceda, Amity Blight, Eda Clawthorne and many more characters.

I enjoyed the finale “Watching and Dreaming” and without giving away too many spoilers, I will be giving my review on it.

Luz and the others handled dealing with the Collector, perfectly well, by appealing to his Humanity- especially after hearing his story, of how he was trapped down in the Boiling Isles.

We will never get a full story of his relationship with his siblings: “The Archivists”, but at odds are, it wasn’t the best, if they were willing to let him take the fall, for what happened to the Titan younglings.

I enjoyed how Phillip/Belos received an unceremonious death, by being reduced to a decomposing ooze humanoid and getting stomped to death, by Eda, King and Raine- all 3 of them really deserved to do that!

Phillip had built himself up so high, for centuries and in the end, he was brought down by a 14-year old girl and stomped to death, like the miserable little insect, he was!

May he burn in Hell, where he belongs!

Shame we didn’t get to see what ultimately happened to Odalia, in terms of punishment, though.

Nor did we ever see Willow and Boscha settle things once and for all or even get a backstory with Caleb and Evelyn- the Witch he fell in love with.

Was she an ancestor of the Clawthorne family? We will never know, now. :(

Nevertheless, the fight scenes and even the scene where Luz meets the Titan were great.

I also enjoyed the “Years Later” scene, where everyone is now aged up and living their best lives, as well- including Luz!

All in all, this was still a satisfying end to a great series.

I say “satisfying”, because the next series I’m about to discuss and compare The Owl House to, had a similar plot, but a very disappointing end.

The show I’m talking about: 

Yeah...this show...

Just like The Owl House; Star vs. The Forces of Evil is also about a girl who who leaves her home for another world.

However...not only does The Owl House do somewhat of a reverse version of this concept...but it does it better than SVTFOE!

The Owl House is so much better than Star vs. The Forces of Evil!!!

Allow me to explain why.

1. The Characters:

Let’s start with both the main protagonists: Luz Noceda and Star Butterfly.

Yes, both are kind, caring, quirky, rebellious, adventurous and fun-loving, in their own way, and the two of them have challenged and toppled a corrupt and genocidal regime, throughout the duration of their respective series.

However, Star was way too chaotic and hellbent on doing her own thing, to listen to reason- even during times when it called for her to do so (The episode ”Trickstar”, for example.).

Star was also impatient, destructive, manic, uber-violent and stubborn.

One could argue that all of this stemmed from her upbringing of growing up as a princess, who was always being restricted and always being told by her parents- specifically her mom-, how a “proper young lady” should behave and she was tired of that.

But that is still no excuse! Mostly because sometimes, it is best to do as you’re told and follow the rules- ESPECIALLY if you’re a teenager, who still has a lot to learn about certain things pertaining to his or her life.

Case in point, being in charge of an all-powerful magical wand, that has been passed down in your family, from generation to generation.

Plus, Star was really letting her hormones take the wheel, for the 2nd half of season 2 and most of seasons 3 and 4, and it was just...incredibly messy, to put it in simple terms- more on that part, later.

Luz however, was always more or less willing to learn all that was given to her and more, from both Eda and Hexside.

Even when she successfully managed to get students to study multi-track- and saved the entire school from a Basilisk-, she never got a big head, because of it.

Luz still kept her feet planted firmly on the ground and continued her studies.

This helped her in the long run, when she offered to teach Eda and Lilith everything she had learned, when they both lost most of their magical abilities, in the Season 1 finale.

Now this isn’t to say that she is perfect. Luz has been known to make mistakes, as well- one of them being her unintentionally helping the past version of the show’s main antagonist learn Glyph Magic.

Not to mention, she struggled with finding her place- in both her world and the Boiling Isles.

This included trying to please her Mom by getting ready to become “normal”, going to a conversion camp and putting away her interests in the Azura series- which she only got really into, because her dad introduced her to it and said series served as her way of coping with his death/honoring her memory.

Which reminds me of the stuff Lilo from the Lilo and Stitch movie did, to cope with the deaths of her parents.

Nevertheless, Luz has always owned up to her mistakes, as far as I can remember, showing absolute maturity, without having her lose touch with her youthful joy and personality.

And she’s a 14-year old girl, doing this!

Star was 16-years old and throughout most of her respective series, she had acted like a 10-year old child- the spoiled type, who wants to be treated as an adult, simply to receive only the perks and rewards of being an adult- such as never being told what to do by their parents, ever again.

Which is not how life, let alone adulthood works- in both reality and fiction!

Trust me. I know.

This way of thinking never works out in the end, for anyone!

And yes, Star is a teenager and teens tend to be arrogant, careless and immature, for the most part, but not as much as she was!

But enough about Luz and Star.

It’s time to discuss their best friends-turned love interest/significant others:

Amity Blight and Marco Diaz.

Throughout the series, Amity Blight had undergone a number of major developments to her character.

From starting out as a cold and snarky “Type A” student, who was only concerned about being the best and rising to the top and who showed nothing but animosity towards Luz, Willow and Gus, to a fierce young girl who stood up to her awful mother, rekindled her relationship with her Father- in a non-incestuous way-, and became not only her own person, but also one of the most valuable allies that Luz could ever ask for- and became an awesome girlfriend to her, as well.

Seriously! The genuine care and concern she showed for Luz- and vice-versa, was beautiful.

And Amity did all of this, in a natural and fluid fashion!

By that, I mean, she slowly- but surely changed, while still retaining just a little bit of seriousness, her past self was known for, still showing some flaws and wrestling with her past misdeeds- as evidenced by her struggling to want to hang out with Willow- who was her best friend at a younger age and whom she dumped, after pressure from her parents- mostly Odalia, though.

Nevertheless, I am glad to have watched this girl grow and evolve, for the better.

As for Marco...what the heck did he really do?

Yeah, he was there to be Star’s guide to the Human Realm and to serve as the voice of reason, but judging from the amount of trouble Star often got into, he failed at that part.

Plus...looking back, he never really had that much substance, as a character.

He started out as a “Safe Kid”, who loved karate and cooking and had a crush on one of his classmates, but that’s it.

His home life was decent, as he had two loving parents and he had two best friends.

I don’t think he had any personal struggles to deal with- aside from the ones in “Red Belt” and “Naysaya”, but those were small-time.

I mean...I guess he learned to come out of his shell more, try new things and face his fears, but the execution for that was really underwhelming that I forgot what he exactly did to accomplish those goals.

Plus, he became a bit entitled, during seasons 3 and 4.

The only times he ever became interesting, was during the Blood Moon Ball, where he went all “Masked Mariachi Matador”, to save Star- and ended up dancing with her-, and the episodes with Heckapoo, where he became a buff “Mad Max-esque” version of himself.

Even when helping Star defeat foes like Ludo and Toffee, he didn’t really do much.

Not to mention, that most of the episodes often treated him as a joke character to abuse- especially the episodes with Pony Head- who I will get to, soon.

Ohhhh, do I have a lot to talk about, concerning her...

But back to Marco. Marco Ubaldo Diaz was just a bland character for a majority of the series, with only a small handful of interesting qualities that made him passable enough to end up being Star’s love interest, in the end- and even that ended up feeling hollow.

Their first kiss wasn’t all that special, I can tell you that!

Also, his name spells out “M.U.D.”, in initial form! Thank God nobody in the show realized this, otherwise he would never have lived it down!

Moving on from these two, we get to the friends and mentor-like figures of both protagonists:

These are...THE most awesome group of people that I have ever seen!

Where do I even begin?

Okay. Let’s start with Eda.

Just like with Stanley Pines/Grunkle Stan from Gravity Falls, Eda also struggled with both parental and sibling issues- combine that with her dealing with her previously unresolved feelings for Raine Whispers, the Owl Curse she was affected by, the diabolical plans of Belos and the system he established and the fact that she was now in charge of a Human, for a while and Eda Clawthorne was juggling a lot, throughout the series.

Nevertheless, she handled it, like a pro and with a cocky smile on her face.

However! That isn’t to say, she’s perfect, nor is it to say that she has never had her moments of breaking down and being vulnerable- because she most certainly is not perfect and she most certainly have had episodes, where she broke down!

One episode being where she felt guilt and remorse for getting Luz involved with her battle against Belos and his empire and turning her into a child soldier.

Another episode was the one where Eda was inside of her own mind, and it showed how much she struggled with coming to terms with her curse.

This caused her to accidentally lash out and injure her father, break off a budding relationship with Raine and become more or less of recluse to the Boiling Isles- the referred to her as “The Owl Lady”, after all.

And yes, she eventually overcame this struggle and made peace with her curse- and got a sweet new Harpy form to change into, as a result-, but the journey leading up to that, was dark and traumatic.

Not to mention, her cockiness had led to her downfall on occasion.

For intense, when she kept taunting Lilith and the latter revealed that she was the one who cursed her, Eda was stunned enough for the Emperor’s Coven guards to utilize this distraction and capture her, back in season 1.

There were also times when she and Luz disagreed and even fought each other on occasion- such as in the episode “O Titan, Where Art Thou.”

Regardless of that, Eda Clawthorne overcame so much and came out on top, in the end.

Now for both her adopted son King and her sister Lilith- yes, I will be taking on two characters, in this next discussion.

Since the start of the series, King’s goal was to be seen as “big”- larger than life, even.

Which is why he did stuff to be seen, such as sign with an evil book publisher.

King had also wanted to be seen as royalty, with subjects and everything.

However, as the series went on, his goals have changed and now King no longer wants to be treated as someone “big”, but rather as a normal person.

Which I can respect, in this case- especially after seeing him find out that not only is he probably the last of his kind, but also that the people who he thought were his family were actually hunters who killed off most of his real family- more on them, in the “antagonists” section.

Also side-note, we really should have seen him react more to how people are now living on his “Mother/Father’s” corpse.

Because that...that’s a little messed up.

Plus, he was eight when he found all of that out!

And to add insult to injury, Belos has been using his species as propaganda to further his goals- again, more on that, in the “antagonists” section.

I’m just glad to see that he was doing well in the “Epilogue” scene.

Now for Lilith.

Going into the series, I thought nothing of her, when she first debuted- other than me thinking that Grey DeLilse was voicing her, which she didn’t.

However, as the series went on, I have found that underneath that “Arrogant, Cold, Stern and Uptight” exterior, she had crafted for herself, Lilith is actually the most Human character of the series- even more-so, than the actual Human characters.

One example of how Human she was, was her need to be praised/be someone’s favorite.

This stems from her mom Gwendolyn paying more attention to Eda, instead of her, growing up, which led her to join the Emperor’s Coven and stand by Belos and all of his awful plans.

As someone who suffers from being a people-pleaser who seeks validation from other people, half of the time, I know how she feels...

This is also shown more, when she was told that King was a Titan and she spent most of the day, treating him like a God, in the most awkward- yet hilarious way.

No comment on how I relate to that...

Nevertheless, Lilith overcame all of that, patched things up with Eda and their mom and became a valuable ally to the “C.A.T.S.”, in the final battle- bonus points for her punching a younger Belos, in the face and giving him that nasty scar.

Lilith: “Stay mad.”

Luz: “Cool. Aunt.”

Now for Hooty...

He was alright. I personally wasn’t that invested in him, to be honest.

He was much less annoying than Glossaryk and was more helpful than him, too.

Plus the dynamic he and Lilith had was enjoyable.

But...that’s it.

Moving on, we now go to Luz’s friends: Willow, Gus, Vee and Hunter.

Let’s start with Willow Park.

Willow, lemme just apologize for what you have endured all those years, ago.

You really didn’t deserve to get dumped as a friend, by Amity- even though you and her eventually made up and are best friends, again-, to being relentlessly bullied by Boscha, to struggling with your sense of self-worth.

But I have watched you grow into a more confident and powerful individual, as the series progress and I am so proud!

Not to mention, that you’re out here getting them GAINS!!!

Even without magic, I feel that that you would still kick Boscha’s @**, at this point.

We REALLY should have seen you done that, in an episode!

But aside from that, I am so proud of you and how far, you have come.

Same with you, Gus. Your backstory of being bullied and used by students, you thought were your friends was also painful- I had to mute some of it, to be honest...

Not to mention that you had to struggle with being away from your dad, for quite some time, during the “Day of Unity”, as well as struggle to have confidence in your abilities, as illusions are often dismissed as weak, in your realm- even though I like illusions and illusion magic.

Nevertheless, you overcame your struggles and became powerful enough to take down a coven head!

You rule, Gus!- though, I never really cared for your interest in stuff from Earth.

The writers probably did that, to make you quirky, but not too quirky that you overshadow Luz. *Shrugs*

And now for you, Vee.

Girl, you may be tied with Hunter for having the most f***ed-up upbringing.

Imagine being brought back from extinction, just to be used as part of an experiment, leading to you escaping into another realm and having to masquerade as someone else, in order to start a new life, free from your abusers.

Like...DA**!!!

That is incredibly messed up.

Thank God- or in your case, thank the “Titan” that Camilla was open-minded enough to accept you, as you are.

I’m also glad that Luz and the others accepted you, as well.

Not to mention, you finding your own identity and helping the team fight off Belos, back in the Human Realm.

I wish we could have explored your life, some more, though...

Nevertheless, I’m just glad you weren’t an evil clone of Luz sent by Belos or something.

Now for you, Hunter...

HO-LEE F********************K!!! 

Dude, you...you REALLY need therapy, for all the horrible sh**, you’ve had to endure!

I mean...where do I even begin?

Seriously, do I start with how you’re creation was basically like a twisted version of Pinocchio?

Or should I talk about how you’re the the latest in a long line of “Golden Guard” clones that Belos had eventually killed- who are just clones of Belos’s brother that he also murdered?

Or how you didn’t really have a solid identity to call your own?

How about I talk about how Belos and the other coven members, treated you like dirt- enough for one of them to try and outright KILL you-, or how Belos took control of your body and killed your palisman Flapjack, while in said body?

As you can see, there is SO much about you, that I want to discuss, but I have put this review off so many times already and I really need to move on.

Just know that, I am glad you’ve overcome Belo’s influence and abuse and that you’re now doing well for yourself.

I also hope the friendship between you and “The Captain”, eventually starts blossoming, into something else~ *Wink*

Oh and thank you “tomotasauce”, for making him easy to enjoy, when he first debuted- same with Belos.

For those you who don’t know, “tomotasauce” is a YouTuber, who makes abridged/dubbed versions of shows, like The Owl House and Amphibia.

Check out his channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMUdowiR4lUSsEGzE2UM01g?app=desktop 

But back to the review.

Camilla I’ll be honest...I really didn’t think much about you, in the first episode- mostly because you weren’t in in a majority of the episodes-, but since the episode “Yesterday’s Lie”, you really stepped up, as both a Mom and a character!

Plus you weren’t like most Mom’s, who found their kid’s quirks and interests embarrassing, you just wanted to protect her from suffering the same torment, you received when you were her age, for your own quirks and interests- which in this case was being a fan of Sci-Fi.

I wish we could have had a flashback of that- as well as one of you and your now dead husband, to get a good feeling of your relationship with him and his relationship with Luz.

But nevertheless, you have shown time and time again, how open-minded you are, since that episode and how supportive you’ve become- on and off the battlefield.

Plus...LA CHANCLA!!!

I’m not even Latin/Hispanic and I respect it!

In short, I am proud of you!

And now for Star’s supporting cast...

DISCLAIMER: This part contains a lot of capitalized words and a lot of strong language.

Let’s start with the obvious...

No amount of words can ever describe the UNYEILDING RAGE that I have for you!

Like...where do I even begin?

Let’s start with the fact that mere seconds into the first half of your debut episode- which was the second half of the very first episode of the series, mind you-, you have done nothing but bully and berate Marco, just because you thought he was trying to replace you, as Star’s best friend- even though he REALLY should, but more on that, later.

And then you left him behind to get arrested by a police force that was sent to retrieve you, in the first place.

Like not caring that his parents would never see him again or anything.

Just...leaving him, behind.

And that is just the tip of the iceberg of problems, I have with you!

You are selfish, loud, rambunctious, arrogant, bossy, condescending, lazy, spoiled rotten and destructive!

Next to Marco, you also contribute absolutely NOTHING to the group dynamic!

You did some damage with your horn, during the fight scenes, but take that away and you’re as useful as putting out a wild fire with single cup of ice water!

Hell! You are a complete and total mess and almost every episode, you have shown up in, I kept hoping that you’d get some kind of lasting punishment for your actions- like Star finally ending her friendship with you-, but no. Nope.

You get away with the stupid sh** you do, every time!

In one episode, you even cheered over how you got away with what you did.

And the worst part is...Star allows this. So much!

Star enables your behavior and how you treat those around you!

No matter what you do, she will always still see you as her “best friend” and will always be there to pull your figurative @** out of the f***ing fire!

Probably because you and her grew up together and you represent the “fun” lifestyle, she wants to keep, despite the previous plans that were laid out for her, as a Princess, but MY GOD, that is still no excuse, to keep you around!!!

NEWSFLASH!!! Things change!

Here is a quote from Doug Walker. AKA, “The Nostalgia Critic”, when he was giving his final review of one of the most infamous Christmas films: “Christmas with The Kranks”:

“We're not who we were. We change. Sometimes, for the better, sometimes, for the worst, but we all change.”

And Star should have shown that she was starting to change, by DUMPING YOUR NON-EXISTENT @**!!!

Because you are one of the most terrible side characters to ever come out of a Disney cartoon, since DIJONAY F***ING JONES, from “The Proud Family”- both the original series and the sequel/soft reboot!

This is why I was more than happy when Amity stopped hanging out with Boscha and reconciled with Willow.

Because she knew that Boscha was toxic and that no good could ever come from continuing to hang out with her- especially since Amity was starting to have feelings for Luz, who Boscha has constantly tormented!

She literally followed her, Willow and Gus everywhere and picked on them.

WHO DOES THAT?!!!

But back to you, Pony Head...

Tom Lucitor is a literal Demon Prince from the fiery underworld, who wanted to actively kill Marco on sight, because he saw him as a romantic rival for him, in terms of getting Star back.

AND EVEN HE TURNED OUT TO BE AN EVEN BETTER FRIEND IN GENERAL!!!

You know the saying “With friends like these, who needs enemies?”

You are why that quote exists!

You are one of the reasons, why I will probably- but hopefully not-, dread Angel Dust, once Hazbin Hotel officially debuts- especially after watching the ADDICT music video.

Because I fear he's gonna take advantage of Charlie's kindness a lot and constantly do whatever the f*** he wants at the hotel- and Charlie will probably let him, because she can't stand up for herself!

Not to mention, I fear that the fandom will go easy on him more, just because he's getting abused by Valentino!

But this rant is about you, Pony Head, so let's get back to it!

I am not even going to get into how toxic the rest of your family is, because I care about my sanity.

I am nearly convinced that Daron created you, to voice her possible hatred of Ponies, Unicorns and the “My Little Pony” franchise, as a whole- I mean, you're probably her favorite character, because of that reason!

I’m also convinced that Daron saw Jenny Slate’s performance as Mona-Lisa Saperstein from Parks and Recreation and was inspired to create you.

She even hired Jenny to voice you!

Your concept art showed you, flying around with BLOOD leaking out of your neck stump and forming a trail, every time you moved.

That should’ve been a red flag for how awful you were going to be, once you debuted.

So I am going to finish with this:

Princess Lilacia Pony Head of the Cloud Kingdom of Mewni, you are one of the absolute WORST characters, in the show and if I was in charge of writing the episodes back then, I would have had Toffee himself, turn you into glitter glue!

May the citizens of the Cloud Kingdom one day finally rebel against you and your family and turn you and said family into sparkly mystery meat.

In conclusion: F*** you, Pony Head.

F*** you, to Death! 😠😡🤬🖕🖕🦄💀

Now onto another useless character that I hated:

You shouldn’t have been created...

There was no God-given reason for you to ever have been created...

WHY were you created?!!!

You are quite literally the most useless character, in the series- more useless than both Marco and Pony Head COMBINED!!!

All you ever did was float on your lazy blue @** and stuff your face with pudding, while being snarky and condescending and then playing it off as being quirky!

I-I don’t even remember you giving any helpful advice, throughout the duration of the series!

Except maybe to Ludo- which WTF?!!!

You were no help to the protagonist, but you’re willing to help the show’s antagonist?!!!!

Just because he had control of your book?!!!!!

The movie Aladdin- 90s version-, did a MUCH better job with that concept!

And then in later seasons, you had the nerve to not only shout “GLOBGOR!”, over and over again, but when it was revealed that you never lost the ability to speak, you were now voiced by Keith David!

The same Keith David who voiced Spawn, Dr. Facilier and even the Motherf***ing PRESIDENT in Rick and Morty?!!!!

Voicing you was absolutely beneath him!

I am so glad you died, in the series finale- more on that, later.

Hooty was lightyears better, than you- and he was usually depicted as being “simple.”

That is all I’m gonna say.

Next A-Hole!

I...honestly could not vibe with you.

The show tried so hard to make you seem interesting and cool, while being aloof, at the same time and it just came off as eating a non-seasoned burger smothered in ketchup and hot sauce.

Plus you were an absolute creep, sneaking into Marco’s place and all.

I am slowly running out of steam, writing about you.

In conclusion: Meh.

OOOOH Another pair for me to take on!

And since I’m a gentleman: Ladies first!

Ohhhh Moon. They really f***ked up your character.

I mean...they REALLY f***ed you up!

There’s “fumbling the bag” and then there’s deliberately throwing said bag off of the Empire State Building!

I mean...someone in the writer’s room must’ve been going through something, when they had you go from strict parent to genocidal accomplice in 4 seasons.

And yeah, they gave you a tragic backstory with your mom getting killed, when you were a teen and all, but that was no longer valid, when they made you secretly help Meena Loveberry with her plans, in Season 4.

Like...I’m not even mad at you, for that.

The writers were to blame for your character assassination.

That’s all I have to say.

Now for your husband.

Yeah, I got nothing...

Your whole purpose in the show was to be the comic relief.

River, you’re like if Happy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves had a son, who married into royalty.

You spent a majority of the series eating.

You being portrayed as a “Viking/Barbarian”, in that “Bog Beast” episode, did nothing for me.

Sorry.

Yeah...I really thought I had something for these two.

But no.

I used up most of my steam ripping Pony Head a new one.

Let’s move on.

Who’s next on the chopping block?

Yeah...you get a pass.

Breakups are rough, buddy- Heh, Zuko reference.

And as someone who struggles with anger issues, I know how you feel.

Plus, the show had you go from “Carolina Reaper”, to you being as spicy as a bag of BBQ-flavored Potato Chips- which shouldn’t be in the category of “Spicy.”

Plus you finally matured and realized that you and Star aren’t meant to be.

Not to mention that you and Marco are friends now.

So...yeah. You’re free to go.

NEXT!

You were just a love interest/eventual girlfriend for Marco. That’s it.

Honestly, the show should have done something interesting with your character, like make you half-Mermaid or something- I mean, you were halfway there with the aesthetic.

Talk about wasted opportunities.

And speaking of wasted...step forward Oscar Greason!

Let’s go with your later look, shall we:

Much better.

What the Hell was your appeal?

I really want to know!

The only things I know about you during the very small appearances you made in the show, were that you played the keytar, you lived in your car- which was filthy, BTW-, you dropped out of school and you had a somewhat annoying chill attitude.

You were like a modern Hippie and Star wanted you, because of that.

I was hoping that there would be something freaky and paranormal about you, like you were secretly a Vampire or a Werewolf, because of your fangs- notice how I didn't say "Cyclops, because you're eyes weren't seen a lot, in the first season."

But yeah...you were just there to be Star's small crush. That's it.

Alright, bring in "Bill and Ted."

Wait! I mean "Wayne and Garth."

No! I mean "Burt and Ernie!" 😆

Hold on! I mean "Shaggy and Scooby!" 😂

Okay, okay! "Alfonso and Ferguson."

Bring in Alfonso and Ferguson- in "Part 2" of this review/rant, because I have reached my picture limit for this post, on here.

@multi-muse-transect

@cathellrazor

@innerdestinyunknown

@trenhead

@mountmultimuses

((I know 4 out of 5 of you never saw these 2 shows, but I'm tagging you because this is my first ever show review and I want all of you to see it.))

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Tuesday, June 18

Faith: Finally decided to tie me up, huh? I always knew you weren't really a one-Slayer guy. Angel: I'm sorry about the chains. It's not that I don't trust you... Actually, it *is* that I don't trust you. Faith: The thing with Xander; I know what it looked like, but we were just playing. Angel: And he forgot the safety word. Is that it? Faith: Safety words are for wusses.

~~Buffy Episode #49: "Consequences"~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Tease (Angel/Darla, unrated, multiple xovers) by rhodrymavelyne

Home Is Where the Heart Is (Ensemble, E, SPN xover) by

Quitting Us No More (Buffy/Spike, T) by VeroNyxK84

[Chaptered Fiction]

Highlands and Tropical Islands Ch. 10 (Buffy/Faith, M) by

Three's a Crowd Ch. 4/8 (Jenny/Giles, G) by HAL1500

Devil Inside Ch. 2/? (Buffy/Willow, M) by Xyex

In Case You Haven't Noticed... Ch. 19/? (Buffy/Giles, E) by Sdhuskerfan

Ghostsforge's 21st Century Spangel Challenges 586/? (Spike/Angel, unrated) by Ghostsforge

Casts Shadows Ch. 1/? (Ensemble, T) by arcanedreamer

hit rewind Ch. 60/? (Buffy/Spike, M) by untiljanuary

In the Company of Witches and Slayers: Ch. 71/200 (Willow/Tara, E) by VladimirHarkonnen (TheLightdancer)

The Degradation of Duality [Series Part 2], Chapter 4-5 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Ragini

Maclay Down, Chapter 10 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Soulburnt

The Neighbor's Point of View, Chapter 114 (Buffy/Spike, T) by the_big_bad

The Devil's Trill, Chapter 12 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Murray

Boyfrenemy, Chapter 11-13 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Lady Emma

Morning Stretches, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, E) by CheekyKitten

Carnival , Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, M) by Alyot

Indirect Sunlight Only, Chapter 2 (Buffy/Spike, T) by scratchmeout

Bruises, Chapter 23-24 (Buffy/Spike, E) by hulettwyo

Ever After, Chapter 3-6 (Buffy/Spike, T) by Desicat

Love Lives Here, Chapter 77 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Passion4Spike

Something Lost Something Found, Chapter 10 (Buffy/Spike, M) by Safire

The Truth Shall Set You Free, Chapter 1–17 (Buffy/Spike, M) by Geliot99

A Piercing Glance, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, M) by Girlytek

Smoky Darkness, Take Me, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, M) by bruskiboo

The Slayer's New Hope Ch. 15 (Ensemble, G, SG-1 xover) by Buffyworldbuilder

Old Fashioned Romance Ch. 11 (Xander, E, MCU xover) by calikocat

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork:End of the World: Zippo Photo shoot (Buffy/Spike) by Dynamite

Artwork:Dexter: Devil's Dance illustration (Faith) by DJSpaceInvader

Artwork:ChiBangel #15 (Buffy/Angel) by MamaBewear

Artwork:Spike & Riley by margueritedaisies

Manip:Much Ado About Xander () by revello-drive-1630

Manip:Cheerleader () by revello-drive-1630

Video: Angel & Cordelia | Let Her Go by Jordan McLaren

[Reviews & Recaps]

Chosen by andthesunwillalwaysshine

PODCAST: BTVS 518 - Intervention by Another Buffy Podcast

[Community Announcements]

Tuesday Prompts: Poem Titles by comment_fic

[Fandom Discussions]

it really is nuts by moistvonlipwig

Wesley going to break Faith out of prison by nicnacsnonsense

An important thing to keep in mind by nicnacsnonsense

You know, I think Angel could have spun the “I only eat evil people now” thing so Darla would have accepted it. by nicnacsnonsense

Kudos to Angel for the growth implied by the soul removal spell in AtS s4. by nicnacsnonsense

DARLA SPIKED HERSELF by momsforroadhead

there’s a whole additional level of deranged going on by nicnacsnonsense

You know how when Wesley shows up in s1 of AtS he’s doing that whole rogue demon hunter thing by nicnacsnonsense

i hate to say it i hope i don’t sound rude but i think maybe buffy summers should stop sleeping with vampires by joe-spookyy

One thing that they did right was portrayal about how hard it to integrate into the scooby gang by there-are-many-ways-to-smile

Let’s be real all of Buffy romantic relationships are horrible. by there-are-many-ways-to-smile

by there-are-many-ways-to-smile

TOP 5 fav spuffy moments since they became canon in no particular order by andthesunwillalwaysshine

two people walking next to each other SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS EFFECT ON ME by raisedbythetv89

i’ve always loved buffy x spike by idknikkip

So I was talking to a friend about binge-watching Buffy/Angel by ladymirdan

I don’t think Olivia shows up, (at least as like her actual self), after Hush. by finalgirl1984

Dopplegangland could’ve been a great episode for Willow to bond with Faith actually. by theredpharaoah

Faith has a completely different relationship with violence than Buffy. by theredpharaoah

YOUR TAGS ON THE SPIKE WILLOW TARA SET by sspoike

My Top 100 Ships (#56: Buffy/Giles) by echoes-fandoms

btvs casting clea duvall to play the unpopular girl by lesbianmarrow

just hit I Only Have Eyes For You on our Buffy rewatch by antiquery

Watching Angel S2 alongside Buffy S5 is extremely overrated by AndHerSymbols

Anyone else miss the well timed scream in the first 3 season intros? by AxelNoir

Do you wish we could have seen Buffy, Faith and Kendra in a scene together? by IntelligentPumpkin74

The deeper I get into Angel, the less I like Wesley by KuzyBeCackling

Favorite Willow and Giles moment? by Tytthetha

Who created the spell which doesn’t allow Vampires to enter without permission? by AegeanAzure

People who never watched Angel, please do it. by kindaweird0

How many men watch buffy? by Bpd_embroiderer18

How was it like to watch Buffy come back from the dead when it was airing? by brwitch

Which group or entity was most frustrating as a concept? by InfiniteMehdiLove

I still can’t get over it that they pulled the plug after AtS season 5 by SneakoGonzales

Does Whedon just hate Charisma?? by EuphoricNebula1947

Anyone else find the quality of stunt actors horrendous but hilarious? by Drm5145

Favorite moment between the Summer Sisters? by Tytthetha

Can anyone tell me why these fellas needed 7 hearts? by Soulless--Plague

Just Watched “Passion” Wow! by Organic_Individual52

End of my re-watch. by SharpieD85

Finding Reference Picture by Mysterious-Angle8457

I don't actually hate Xander... here's why by Weary_Tap_8299

even tho i ship spike/buffy, drusilla/darla these two were so iconic by melaniemoth13

Season 7 contradiction? by Kammym1021

SMG stunt double by Kammym1021

Faith, and how the Buffyverse treats redemptions by jogaforacont

"Helpless"; Watcher's Council. by Big-Restaurant-2766

What would Cordelia be like if she magically got the slayer powers instead of Faith? by Eagles56

Examples of teen dialogue written by middle-aged adults by Tuxedo_Mark

Buffy should have let him blow his head off by Wutanghang

Was Faith from a religious background? by IntelligentPumpkin74

Xander's reasoning in OMWF by sxlor

The Actors that Played the Potential Slayers by Tuxedo_Mark

What are Alyson Hannigan and Amber Benson saying here? by Background-Neat-8906

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

PUBLICATION: 32 Times Angel Proved Buffy Should Have Picked Him by Cinemablend

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[cromulentbookreview]

Fun with Fungi!

Huh, what's this? *cleans away dust* oh, yeah, this blog is still a thing. I probably should've written more reviews, but...

I mean, I could come up with an excuse, but I'm too lazy. Just as I am too lazy to continually update this book review blog that nobody reads. I mean, I just wrote a review *consults calendar* uh. In 2022. Dang, I have been lazy. Oh well.

I'm like a rug on valium, I'm talking lazy.

And by that, I mean: let's have a dual review of the Sworn Soldier series: What Moves the Dead and its sequel, What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher!

Those covers, man. They're awesome, but at the same time: poor bun bun. Poor horsie.

So technically, what I'm doing here is not one but two reviews. So I'm actually being really, really productive right now and not lazy in the slightest.

This is a legitimately true story, I swear. Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away...by which I mean, four or five years back or so, I'd never heard of T. Kingfisher / Ursula Vernon in my life until I got into a fight with her on Twitter* on whether or not the fruit of the hazel tree should be referred to as Filberts or Hazelnuts.

For the record, I am firmly team hazelnut. I mean, they're nuts from a hazel tree. Hazel+nuts = hazelnuts. Who in their right mind wants to eat something called a filbert? But, terminology varies as T. Kingfisher is firmly on team filbert. My parents also call them filberts on occasion which is weird to me as we live in an area lousy with hazelnut farms.

Mmmm, Hazelnuts...

Anyway! I had no idea who this person was but I got into a tongue-in-cheek gif fight on Twitter with them regarding hazelnut v. filbert. Feeling bad that I got into a fight with a random person online on their hazel tree fruit name preferences, I went to their profile, saw they were an author, looked up their books and bought the two books of the Clocktaur Wars series. I tore through them, and continued on, reading all of the World of the White Rat series (I just saw that we're getting a new one in January and I might have let out a bit of a fangirl screech), and the absolutely delightful A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking and Minor Mage. So far, every single one of T. Kingfisher's books that I've read has been awesome. Nettle & Bone? Amazing. Thornhedge? I'm a very slow reader, but I devoured it in an afternoon.

T. Kingfisher writes amazing fantasy novels and I absolutely love them. She also writes horror. Which is where I hit a brick wall because I'm a baby who doesn't handle horror well. I don't like horror movies. I don't often read horror books. Because the world is scary enough without ghosts and poltergeists and demons and jump scares. Also I watched The Ring when I was 12 and it scared the shit out of me. Anyway! Oddly enough, I've always found myself drawn to horror-type stories. I mean, horror fits so well in fantasy and sci-fi (looking at you, Doctor Who episodes that gave me nightmares). As an adult, I've found myself more and more willing to dip my toe into horror fiction. Season 1 of The Terror, one of my favorite-ever TV series is considered horror (maybe because it's not jump-scare scary, it's existentially scary. Also it's set in the past. Also it's got dudes-on-boats, my favorite genre). Part of me really, really likes horror stories set in the past - no horror like 18th/19th/Early 20th century horror, amirite?

Right?

Well, whatever, I just like horror to be ye olde timey horror, OK? Like Crimson Peak, The Witch, The Death of Jane Lawrence, Mexican Gothic, The Woman in Black, The Hacienda, Vampires of El Norte, The Hunger ... spooky-scary Gothic-y-Romantic-y-type stories that have a historical element to them. Those are awesome. I'm slowly - very slowly! - getting myself to read more contemporary horror stories. I understand that The Twisted Ones and A House With Good Bones are really, really good, but....what can I say, I'm a wuss. And contemporary stories aren't really my jam. I read to get away from the contemporary world, damn it!

(Me, too scared to read contemporary horror but not too scared to listen to 900,000 true crime podcasts).

Right, where were we?

Oh, yeah. The review(s). I'm starting to understand why no one ever read this blog and why I let myself be lazy.

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In What Moves The Dead we meet Alex Easton, a Gallacian ex-soldier on their way to visit their old friends, the Ushers, at their delipidated estate in the rural countryside of Ruravia. Alex had word that Madeline Usher was dying, and they wanted to be there for Madeline and her brother, Roderick. Roderick had been a fellow soldier with Alex back in the day and -

Wait a minute, Roderick and Madeline Usher? Delipidated mansion? Unspecified 19th century middle of nowhere...

Yep, this story is, indeed, a retelling of Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher, and it does a much better job than certain series you might find on Netflix.

Moving on:

Alex, Roderick and Madeline were childhood friends, and Roderick and Alex even fought together back in the day. Alex is a "sworn soldier" - something unique to their home country of Gallacia, a small, backwater country located somewhere between Bulgaria, Hungaria and that other -Garia, a vaguely Central/Eastern European nation with a language somehow structurally worse than Finnish, Hungarian and Icelandic combined. The Gallacian language has seven sets of pronouns: there's one set used only when referring to God, a set used to refer to children before puberty, one set specifically for inanimate objects...and, as the Gallacians are a fierce warrior people (though they're not exactly great at it), there's a special pronoun set just for soldiers.

So, in Gallacia, anyone, regardless of gender, can waltz up to the nearest military recruitment post, declare themselves a soldier, and be given a sword and a new set of pronouns within the hour. Hence the term "sworn soldier."

Anyway!

Prior to arriving at the House of Usher, Alex encounters an Englishwoman, Miss Eugenia Potter, a mycologist studying the local mushrooms, and there are some gnarly-looking (and smelling!) mushrooms. In fact, the whole landscape around Usher House seems...off. Everything seems dead or dying. Random hares will stand up and just stare right at you.

And not in a cute way, either.

As if the landscape weren't bad enough, once Alex gets to the Usher House, Roderick himself barely resembles the soldier Alex once knew. His skin has gone bone-white and he's as thin as a skeleton. He seems terrified by something but can't quite articulate what. Madeline is still alive, but in bad shape. Not even Roderick's friend Denton, an American doctor, can say what is wrong with her and Roderick (Catalepsy? Anemia? Hysteria? Roomis Igloomis? Who knows?). Denton and Alex immediately figure it's something to do with their environment - the house is both rotting and falling apart around them - but Roderick insists that Madeline can't leave, and if she can't leave, he won't leave.

Determined to find out what's happening to their friends, Alex resolves to stay. But things in the House of Usher are starting to get weird. For one thing, Madeline sleepwalks far more than a dying woman should, speaking in a strange, child-like voice, there's a lake outside that seems to pulse and shine with odd lights, there's a legion of undead hares wandering around and, seriously, what is up with those mushrooms??? With the help of Denton, Miss Potter, and their trusty batman, Angus, Alex must figure out what the hell is going on with the House of Usher...before whatever it is starts to spread.

What Moves The Dead is short and sweet and the perfect book to read when it's cold and dreary outside - and definitely not one you want to read before eating a giant bowl of mushroom risotto. If you're looking for a fantastic, spooky-type read that reads like if Edgar Allan Poe and The Last of Us joined forces with an army of undead bunnies.

But!

Luckily for all of us, Alex Easton's adventures don't stop with the events at the House of Usher.

It's late in the autumn and poor Alex would much rather be in Paris. Unfortunately, Angus has successfully guilt-tripped them into a trip to Alex's family's old hunting lodge back in the Old Country, aka Gallacia. Nothing like good old Gallacia in the winter where everything is damp, cold, cold, and, you guessed it! Damp.

But the redoubtable British mycologist Miss Eugenia Potter wishes to study some Gallacian mushrooms, and Angus, who is absolutely sweet on her, pretty much voluntold Alex to come along to act as Miss Potter's translator and use their hunting lodge as a home base.

So instead of a beautiful late Autumn/Winter in Paris, Alex is stuck back home.

*Sigh* looks nice, doesn't it?

As much as Alex sulks at the thought of spending several weeks back home, it's not like they're going to say no to Angus and Miss Potter. Not after everything they went through with the Usher House *shudder*.

Unfortunately, when Angus and Alex arrive at the lodge to help get it ready for Miss Potter's arrival, the caretaker, Codrin, is nowhere to be found. A quick trip to the nearby village reveals that Codrin has been dead for the past two months. But the locals are being very cagey about what killed him - Codrin's daughter is very insistent that it was just a lung infection, nothing else, no further questions, goodbye.

Finding a replacement for Codrin proves difficult, as it seems none of the villagers want to go near the lodge because there's a rumor that Codrin wasn't killed by inflammation of the lungs, but by a creature called a Moroi - a woman who sits on your chest and quite literally steals your breath. And the rumor is, a Moroi has taken up residence at the Hunting Lodge.

Yikes.

After some effort, Alex manages to hire a new housekeeper: the ill-tempered Widow Botezatu, who brings her grandson Bors along with her. The Widow immediately hates Alex, thinking them a wastrel, but Bors is nice enough. Miss Potter arrives, complete with terrible Gallacian phrasebook, but it soon becomes clear things aren't quite right at the Lodge. Alex begins to experience strange dreams - dreams in which a woman is kneeling on their chest because, yep, the Moroi is very real, and it can get to you in your dreams, just like Groundskeeper Willie in Treehouse of Horror VI.

Which is to say like Freddie Kruger, but still.

When it becomes clear that the Moroi is after the residents of the lodge, it's up to Alex, Angus and Miss Potter to figure out how to defeat a creature that can infiltrate your dreams.

What Feasts at Night is just as creepy, eerie and atmospheric as What Moves the Dead - there is plenty of non-fungal body horror and, mercifully, no zombie bun buns. Kingfisher is fantastic at capturing the terror of having your ability to breathe taken from you, and of the dread of having to fight something you can't grasp while awake. How she manages to pack so much into two short novels, I have no idea.

RECOMMENDED FOR: Anyone in the mood for some short, sweet spooky horror.

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR: Anyone who gets easily queasy, someone in the middle of eating a nice mushroom risotto, someone who really, really, really loves bunnies being alive and living their best lives, anyone who might wake up in the middle of the night with their cat on their chest staring directly into their eyes...

RELEASE DATE FOR WHAT FEASTS AT NIGHT: February 13, 2024

RATING FOR BOTH: 5/5

ANTICIPATION LEVEL FOR SWORN SOLDIER BOOKS: Chigori

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