#Chief Minister EPS

[ruiconteur]

一念关山 a journey to love episode 3: liu yuning's 弹幕 bullet comments

since bullet comments aren't available on the international version of iqiyi, i figured i'd compile and translate them. i'll go back to ep 2 to compile liu shishi's comments too eventually

(when the princess and the guard she likes were holding hands) liu yuning: take your hands off [her] (a light smile)

(when ren ruyi pretended to be his younger cousin-sister) liu yuning: oh, i see, this is how you guys are playing it, huh?

(when ren ruyi comes to the rescue) liu yuning: ruyi, ruyi, conform to my heart's desire* and appear quickly * the joke here is that her name 如意 ruyi means as one desires

(after ren ruyi uses her 飞花落叶 / fluttering flowers and falling leaves technique to kill their attackers) four best men ywi: can liu yuning also perform a fluttering flowers and falling leaves to (s)kill* people? liu yuning: liu yuning can't, ning yuanzhou can. mu funing: i anticipate watching it 😄 aiya i'm xiao-jiu'er: hahahaha yue linglong, little princess: hahahaha * 鲨 / shark is used to replace the homophonous 杀 / kill here

(after ren ruyi kills lou qingqiang (zhao ji's second-in-command) liu yuning: my power of visual discernment has never been wrong, she really is a vermillion-robed guard.

(when chief minister zhang uses his brothers-in-arms to guilt ning yuanzhou into doing his bidding) liu yuning: ning yuanzhou's only weak spot (lit. "soft rib") has been discovered by you

(after ning yuanzhou agrees) liu yuning: gap [i.e. break] is on hold; it'll have to wait for ning yuanzhou to do fieldwork first

(once the team has been assembled) liu yuning: the feeling of [my] brothers gathering together is really great—off we go!

[irreplaceable-spark]

The Islamic Republic of Terror: Hezbollah & Hamas | Naftali Bennett | EP 487

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with the 13th Prime Minister of Israel, Naftali Bennett. They discuss the internal divisions of Israel, how October 7th refocused the nation, the means by which the Islamic Republic of Iran operates its industry of terror, the victim/victimizer narrative, and what victory might actually look like. Naftali Bennett is an Israeli politician who entered politics in 2006 as the Chief of Staff for Benjamin Netanyahu. From 2018 to 2022 he served as the leader of the New Right party. Then from June 2021 to June 2022, he served as the 13th prime minister of Israel. He retired after one term, becoming the 3rd alternate Prime Minister. He then resigned from this position and re-entered the private sphere as a board member of the Israeli tech company Quantum Source.

[ejesgistnews]

Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines online Today, What are the top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines for Today, Friday, 23rd August, 2024.   Staying updated on the latest developments in Nigeria is essential, especially in today's fast-paced world. Here are the top 13 Nigerian newspaper headlines for August 23, 2024, that capture the most significant news across the country. From breaking stories to in-depth analyses, these headlines reflect the top news in Nigeria this morning. Whether you're interested in politics, business, or social issues, these latest Nigerian newspaper headlines will keep you informed. Dive into the top stories in Nigeria today and stay ahead with the latest updates. The latest Nigerian headlines for August 24, 2024:   Here are the latest Nigerian newspaper headlines for Saturday:   1. Supreme Court Affirms Ododo’s Election as Kogi Governor: The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Usman Ododo as the Governor of Kogi State, dismissing the appeals challenging his victory in the gubernatorial election.   2. Supreme Court Affirms Diri’s Re-election as Bayelsa Governor: The Supreme Court has reaffirmed the electoral victory of Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing all petitions against his re-election. 3. Tinubu Promises to Equip Nigeria’s Military: President Bola Tinubu has pledged to further equip and empower the Nigerian military to enhance national security. This promise was made during a meeting with military chiefs in Abuja   4. Flood Risk in Abia, Ondo, 8 Others as Nigerian Govt Issues Alert on River Niger Rising Level: The Federal Government has issued an alert on the rising water levels of the River Niger, warning of potential flooding in Abia, Ondo, and eight other states. Citizens in these areas are advised to take precautionary measures.   5. FG Claims Over 20,000 Holding Fake Certificates in Nigeria: The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, revealed that at least 21,600 people are using fake certificates obtained from institutions in Benin Republic, Togo, and other countries. The government is taking steps to address this issue.   6. Tinubu Swears in Justice Kekere-Ekun as New CJN: In a significant milestone for Nigeria’s judiciary, President Bola Tinubu has administered the oath of office to Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, formally inaugurating her as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria.   7. Afreximbank Finances Oando’s Acquisition of NAOC: The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has provided funding for the $783 million acquisition of Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC) by Oando Petroleum and Natural Gas Company Limited   8. Dispatch Rider Dies in Lagos Auto Crash: A dispatch rider tragically lost his life in an auto crash along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos on Friday. The incident has raised concerns about road safety in the area.   9. Edo Queens Make History with WAFU Champions League Triumph: Edo Queens have become the second Nigerian club to win the WAFU B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifying tournament, marking a significant achievement in Nigerian women's football.   10. Leverkusen Begin Title Defence with 11th-Minute Stoppage-Time Winner: Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface played a crucial role for Bayer Leverkusen as they began their Bundesliga title defence with a dramatic victory, scoring an 11th-minute stoppage-time winner.   11. Police Rescue 20 Kidnapped Medical Students, House Officer: The Benue State Police Command has successfully rescued 20 medical students and a house officer who were abducted in Otukpo Local Government Area. The rescue operation, led by a tactical squad deployed by the Inspector-General of Police, was carried out without any ransom being paid.   12. Indians Taking Over Jobs in Nigeria’s Oil & Gas Sector – PENGASSAN Laments: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has raised concerns over the increasing number of Indians occupying jobs in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The association is calling for stricter regulations to protect local employment.   13. Lagos Diverts Traffic for Reconstruction of Lagos-Badagry Carriageway: The Lagos State Government has announced traffic diversions to facilitate the reconstruction of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. Motorists are advised to follow alternative routes and adhere to traffic management measures put in place.   14. Nigeria Records 40 Confirmed Mpox Cases: The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 40 cases of Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) across the country. The NCDC is urging the public to maintain good hygiene practices and report any suspected cases to health authorities. Nigerian Newspaper Headlines – Top 13 News Stories in Nigeria This Morning, August 23, 2024   15. Botswana Discovers World’s Second-Largest Diamond: Botswana has announced the discovery of the world’s second-largest diamond, weighing 1,174 carats. This remarkable find was made by the Debswana Diamond Company and is expected to significantly boost the country’s economy.     That is all for today on Nigerian Newspaper Headlines. Click here more Naija News.

[karuppuezhutthu-blog]

உதயநிதி துணை முதல்வராக நியமிக்கப்பட்டால் வரவேற்க மாட்டோம்: இபிஎஸ் | We will not welcome udhaynidhi Stalins appointment as Deputy Chief Minister: EPS

சேலம்: “அமைச்சர் உதயநிதி, கருணாநிதியின் பேரன், ஸ்டாலினின் மகன் அவ்வளவு தான். அவர் துணை முதல்வராக நியமிக்கப்பட்டால் வரவேற்க மாட்டோம்” என்று அதிமுக பொதுச்செயலாளர் பழனிசாமி தெரிவித்துள்ளார். அதிமுக பொதுச்செயலாளர் பழனிசாமி முன்னிலையில��, மாற்றுக் கட்சியினர் அதிமுக-வில் இணையும் நிகழ்ச்சி, சேலத்தை அடுத்த ஓமலூரில் உள்ள அதிமுக புறநகர் மாவட்ட அலுவலகத்தில் இன்று (ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை) நடைபெற்றது. இதில், முன்னாள்…

[indiaepost]

Lok Sabha election results in TN crucial for Palaniswami and AIADMK's future

Chennai:  The results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu will be crucial for AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS). After party coordinator and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) was ousted from the party along with his supporters in the July 11, 2022 meeting of the AIADMK’s General Council, the party is solely under the control of…

[agentcable]

Bad Prosecutor Ep. 4 Recap

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Jang-Won's death has left Jin Jung stunned. All evidence indicates that his death was a homicide, but he is the only one who believes this. Jin Jung abandons all duties at the Civil Affairs Division to search for concrete evidence that could disprove Chief Prosecutor Lee's death as a suicide.

If you want to watch the series for yourself, stop reading! This post contains spoilers to the storyline.

Deputy Chief Lee's death was portrayed as a suicide, but Jung suspects it was a murder.

A-Ra investigates the case with Tae-Ho's approval while Jung and A-Ra search for evidence. Meanwhile Chul-Gi remains at the Civil Affairs Office, attempting to distract Jae-Kyung from Jung's absence with an awkward smile. However, Jae-Kyung quickly realizes that Jung is missing. Jung rejects the call from him. He believes that he will be scolded whether he answers or not.

To speed up the process, Jung asks Joong-Do to hack into Deputy Chief Lee's call history. He finds a friend of the victim in the call list and sets up a meeting. At the meeting, he discovers what the deputy chief has been searching for: an MP3 player.

A-Ra is waiting for the deputy chief's autopsy. Evidence of foul play was found upon initial examination of the body, but the offical autopsy report indicates suicide.

Jung and A-Ra regroup after receiving the results. A-Ra suggests they stop investigating since the official paperwork states that it was a suicide. They do not have enough evidence to dispute it. Jung persists and spends the night at his desk searching for evidence. Jae-Kyung offers him to ramyeon and questions why he continues to engage in behaviour that he knows will result in trouble. His answer is, "Because no one else will do it if I don't." When Jae-Kyung asks him to take out the newspapers to the trash, Jung discovers a headline stating that the medical examiner who worked on the deputy chief's autopsy has a history of fabrication or at least allegations of it. Jae-Kyung appears to be carrying some heavy baggage, particularly with Tae-Ho, despite regularly discouraging Jung. This may explain why he is discreetly assisting Jung. Additionally, Jae-Kyung reportedly met with the deputy chief shortly before his death.

Jung asked the deputy chief's daughter for a second autopsy, even though his family was angry with him. She agreed after he suggested that there might be foul play involved. To maintain secrecy, he decides to remove the body covertly and obtain his own medical examiner. Jung also reaches out to an anatomy professor to perform the autopsy discreetly, although he had to use his charm - even if it meant making cringey jokes.

Chul-Gi, Eun-Ji, and Joong-Do are entrusted with sneaking out the body, with Joong-Do playing the role of a corpse. They successfully retrieve the body, but in the chaos, Eun-Ji and Chul-Gi forget that Joong-Do is still inside the coffin. As a result, he is about to be cremated in place of the deputy chief. The crew rescues him, but almost burns him in the cremation machine first.

As everything is unfolding, the chairman of Kangsan Law Firm, Seo Hyun-Kyu is pressuring the justice minister to appoint a specific individual as the new chief prosecutor, following the recent murder of the deputy chief. Seo Hyun-Kyu is the driving force behind this. He first sends out his son and heir, Seo Ji-Han, to deliver the message. However, when it is not promptly followed, he confronts the justice minister himself and hits him hard to break his nose.

At the prosecution office, Do-Hwan faces jeers when his "ladder" suddenly dies. He approaches Tae-Ho promising to do whatever he asks and be his sword but Tae-Ho rejects him.

Chairman Seo has been pushing for Tae-Ho to become the new head. Tae-Ho has been hiding his ambition at work by portraying himself as righteous and unambitious. However, he is just like anyone else who wants to climb up the ladder. He has been collaborating with the chairman, and they are so close that he calls him "hyung".

Tae-Ho arrives at the prosecution office the next day and is greeted as the new chief. He maintains his unambitious and solemn persona. Meanwhile, Jung eagerly awaits the autopsy report. His hunch is confirmed when the second autopsy reveals possible foul play. Do-Hwan arrives with a warrant for Jung's immediate arrest. As he and Chul-Gi prepare to continue investigating, they must now deal with this new development. Jung is charged with the murder of the deputy chief. Unfortunately, Jung did get framed.

[crinaboros]

EXCLUSIVE: Romanian Environment Ministry releases closed-doors meeting recording, revealing forest and biodiversity loss admission in talk with European Parliament delegates

Article supported by an IJ4EU grant for independent reporting

by Crina-Gabriela Boroş

(Photo: Truck transporting freshly-cut wood from a private forest (according to Romsilva employees present), driving through Romsilva’s Ocolul Domneşti on a rainy day in South Făgăraş mountains, 17 May 2023. Copyrighted - all rights reserved.)

Pressed by us and in a move to refute European Parliament’s petition delegation’s allegation of closed-door policy during a joint meeting in Bucharest, the Romanian Ministry of Environment released the event’s audio recording – probing illegal logging and environment destruction complaints – to Freedom House Romania / PressHub.

On Tuesday May 6, PREShub published the PETI delegation’s reaction to our revelation that media access to key moments of their fact-finding visit to Romania was tightly controlled and severely restricted.

The delegation held discussions with the Ministry of Environment and visited the country, following complaints regarding systemic illegal logging, as well as a list of referrals regarding the destruction of protected habitats.

The PRESShub’s feature contains a quote from the Ministry of Environment’s chief spokesperson, who told us that it was the PETI delegates who did not allow media representatives to attend the technical meeting with the Minister on a critical issue of major public interest.

But PETI delegation lead Yana Toom wrote to PRESShub to “clarify that shortly before the meeting at the Ministry the leader of the delegation asked the participants if they agreed to the participation of journalists in the meeting and that the Minister of Environment objected”.

Romania’s Ministry of the Environment responds to PETI

PRESShub requested a clarification from the Ministry of the Environment, regarding the latter statement from PETI’s response. Afterall, Environment, Waters and Forests Minister’s spokesperson Mihai Drăgan did initially tell us that „the only reason why the press did not have access to the meeting is that this was at the request of PETI delegates. The nature of this meeting is not public”.

A Ministry of Environment’s representative specified that such a discussion between the two sides, about media access, did not take place!

„Following preliminary discussions for the organisation of the meeting on May 15, as well as the PETI Commission’s usual practices for similar actions, MMAP proposed media access for image opportunities at the beginning of the meeting, as well as the support of statements by the participants at the end”, the communique sais.

“The EP representatives had no objections to the proposed format, also stating that, due to the limited time, there will be no press statements from the delegation leadership.”

“Regarding the information according to which there would have been a discussion before the actual meeting, in which the head of the EP delegation would have requested the consent for the participation of journalists and the minister would have opposed it, we specify that the information is totally erroneous, such a discussion did not exist, neither at the beginning of the meeting, nor after it”, an Environment Ministry’s spokesperson said.

As such, “in the spirit of transparency”, the Romanian Environment Ministry is granting access to the full recording of the talks, released exclusively to PRESShub.

Listen to the recording on SoundCloud - https://tinyurl.com/4s4yjmkc. 

(Original article published on PRESSHub - https://presshub.ro/exclusive-romanian-environment-ministry-releases-closed-doors-meeting-recording-revealing-forest-and-biodiversity-loss-admission-in-talk-with-european-parliament-delegates-274472/)

LORDS OF TIMBER is a project supported by an IJ4EU grant for independent reporting, managed by the European Journalism Centre and the International Press Institute. This is one article in a series exposing aspects tied to EU’s “famous” “environmental” infringement.

[todaynowreport]

K’taka Trying To Turn Tn Into Desert: Eps On Mekedatu Row | Chennai News

CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday condemned the Karnataka government’s attempts to build a dam in Mekedatu across the river Cauvery. The former CM warned the ‘Karnataka government’ that the AIADMK would resort to all forms of protests to prevent Tamil Nadu from becoming a desert. EPS was responding to Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar’s address to…

[gazetteweekly]

Huge Win For Team EPS As Madras High Court Throws Out OPS Challenge

Celebrations broke out at the party headquarters over a resolution to the protracted drama for leadership.

Chennai: In a big win for team EPS (AIADMK interim chief Edappadi K Palaniswami), the Madras High Court today rejected the challenge by rival leader O Panneerselvan (OPS) to his expulsion from the party and the former's elevation to the party's powerful General Secretary post. AIADMK is now likely to formally announce EPS as its General Secretary. Celebrations broke out at the party headquarters over a resolution to the protracted drama for leadership.

Team OPS is now likely to appeal to a two judge bench.

The Madras High Court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the elevation of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami as the AIADMK's interim general secretary by the party's general council in July last year. The resolutions were adopted, and the amendments made to the party's by-laws. The supreme court had recently upheld the July 11 general council as legal, but left it to the Madras High court to decide on the legality of the resolutions.

EPS had on Saturday filed nomination for election to the party's General Secretary post, which O Panneerselvan slammed as a "pickpocket-like" approach, alleging due party process was not followed.

[college-girl199328]

Messages of support have been coming in from across Alberta and the country after the fatal shooting of two Edmonton police officers on Thursday. Edmonton Police Service Chief Dale McFee announced at a press conference on Thursday morning that Const. Travis Jordan and Const. Brett Ryan was shot by a male when they responded to a domestic dispute call early Thursday morning.

McFee said the male shooter is also dead, after what investigators believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A female of unknown age was also taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis and Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi also spoke at Thursday's press conference. "As a former police officer myself, this hits very close to home. To all my brothers and sisters out there, my heart is with you," Ellis told reporters.

"What’s more essential now is that we provide our support to the family members, friends, and colleagues of those officers. On behalf of the city council, city administration, and all Edmontonians, I extend my deepest condolences to the family members of these members, and all of the Edmonton Police Service," Sohi said.

"We hold you in our hearts as you mourn this profound loss, and we mourn it with you."

Sohi also urged Edmontonians to thank their EPS officers. "When you see an officer working to keep you safe, and our community safe, please thank them for their service."

Flags at police stations in the city have been lowered to half-mast, and a sign on the door of the West Division station, where the two officers were based, notes the station is closed for the day and will reopen on March 17. "This morning, these officers made the ultimate sacrifice while selflessly serving all of us who call Edmonton home. And the families, friends, and colleagues whose shoulders our service members stand on each day have now also made that ultimate sacrifice," Erick Ambtman, chair of the Edmonton Police Commission, said in a written statement.

"We are extremely saddened by the news of these two young lives being cut short. Constables Jordan and Ryan will be forever remembered for their courage, bravery, compassion, and service while working to keep Edmonton’s streets safe."

The bodies of the two officers were escorted by fire, EMS, and police vehicles to the medical examiner's office on Thursday morning. Officers lined the streets to see their fallen comrades arrive.

McFee thanked his emergency response colleagues for the escort in his remarks to the media. "I want to thank all of our partners who reached out so quickly with fire, EMS, and our members to provide that escort to their final place," he said, his voice shaking.

The prime minister and premier have also responded daily as police officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep people safe. The news that two @EdmontonPolice officers have been killed in the line of duty reminds us of that reality. I’m sending my condolences to the officers’ loved ones and colleagues – we’re here for you," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote in a tweet.

"Today, the province mourns the loss of two police officers killed in the line of duty. On behalf of the Government of Alberta, we extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Const. Travis Jordan and Const. Brett Ryan," Premier Danielle Smith said in a statement with minister Ellis Day, police officers across Alberta put on their uniforms to step up to protect and serve our communities. The sudden and tragic deaths of these two Edmonton Police Service officers remind us again of the dangers police officers constantly face to ensure the safety of Albertans."

Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley issued a statement. "We are shocked and saddened to hear of the horrific shootings that took place this morning," she wrote in a tweet.

"As we await information, our thoughts are with all who have been touched by this awful tragedy, including the families, loved ones, and colleagues of two fallen Edmonton police officers." Jay Woodcroft, head coach of the Edmonton Oilers commented on the death of the officers while addressing the media on Thursday afternoon.

"I just want to acknowledge our two fallen police officers, obviously Const. Jordan, Const. Ryan, their families are in the hearts and minds of everyone involved with the Edmonton Oilers organization," Woodcroft said. "Very tough morning for our group, tough morning for the City of Edmonton." The Oilers tweeted that the officers would be honored at Thursday night's game.

The wife of the last EPS officer to be killed on duty also commented on the deaths. Const. Daniel Woodall was fatally shot on June 8, 2015, and a second officer was injured as police attempted to arrest a suspect.

"I'm heartbroken to hear the news of two officers sadly taken today in the line of duty," Claire Woodall wrote in a statement on social media. "It brings back painful memories. I'm saddened to think these same feelings will be shared by the fallen officers' families again today. Thoughts and prayers pour out to all involved and of course our extended EPS family." She signed the statement "The Woodall family - Claire Gabe, and Callen."

The Toronto Zoo says it is closing most of its bird enclosures to guests after several cases of avian flu were confirmed in southern Ontario this week. In a series of tweets, the zoo said that because some of the cases were detected within 200 kilometers of the zoo's location, "we are required to take precautions to protect the birds in our care."

That includes outright closing or "significantly modifying" the walk-through aviaries and shutting down behind-the-scenes tours of animal food preparation and bird housing, according to the tweets.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently found avian flu at two locations in Ontario. One was at a non-commercial property in Chatham-Kent on March 10, and a second was at a commercial property in the Township of West Lincoln, southeast of Hamilton, on March 14.

The particular strain of avian flu currently circulating is highly contagious and lethal to birds. Last year saw explosive outbreaks of the H5N1 virus in poultry populations throughout the world, including in Canada, where roughly 4.7 million domestic birds were infected. Close to 270 farms and production facilities saw outbreaks in 2022, according to the CFIA.

CBC News reported last month that scientists have been tracking the virus' spread to an increasing number of mammals, fuelling concerns about the increased potential for transmission to humans. In B.C., eight skunks found dead in residential areas in late February tested positive for avian influenza. It is believed they contracted the virus by scavenging on wild birds.

[gillianthecat]

The Devil Judge: Episode 5

I just finished The Devil Judge and something about this show compelled me to take copious notes - it had emotional intensity and layers of mystery. These are long and rambling, so they're likely not of interest to anyone else, but since I spent all that time writing it I decided, why not post it. Perhaps someone will find it interesting.

Below are my moment-to-moment reactions, predictions and analysis as I watched episode 5.

eps 1&2  ep3  ep4  ep5  ep6  ep7  ep8  ep9   ep10  ep11  ep12  ep13  ep14  ep15  ep16

I wrote about my initial impressions, up to episode 5, here and here.

This is cleaned up only slightly. I followed the spelling given in the Viki subtitles. I mostly don't explain what I'm reacting to, so this will probably only make sense if you've seen the episode recently. Occasionally I give timestamps.

Interesting that they do so little to change his look between Ga-On and Isaac. That has to be intentional but why I'm not sure yet. 

Hello abs. 

"I don't think about a guy I've already killed. If I actually killed him, that is." To E at (3:45)

It does seem like she believes he killed her father. 

(5:20). Why does G confess here? Is he totally won over by y's tale? Or is it strategic? He must know that Y already knows. 

Hmm. Does Y feel seen by g? Did he figure out the frame of the revenge plan? (5:45).

(7:55) "Even if no one else understands. I do." And Y's subtle expression 

Then the demand to choose. 

"It's fun, being with you" what an interesting explanation to give G. I wonder what was the Korean word they translated as fun.

(9:00)  This mysterious exchange with Mysterious Assistant (who was hiding in the study?)

"It is as predicted."  "Then why are you doing that?" [what exactly? Letting him back on the panel?] "Who knows? Seeing that I'm being shown such sympathy, should I say I'm a little embarrassed? And I don't have much experience saying that." 

(22:30)  Where are the cops raiding? 

(24:00) Y and Mysterious Assistant plotting on the roof. 

(24:38) His smile! In response to G telling him to eat or he'll get wrinkles. 

His playfulness with the electronic butler. Cute but maybe also sad - is that the only 'person' he can be playful with? 

Also he's probably in a good mood because of Ga-On cooking for him and teasing him. 

And he eats it! 

Secret blue vest back

(29:04) G and  Yun Su Hyeon (YSH) conversation about Y, and about her protecting G.

He's starting to pull away from her and toward Y here. 

Baby G's earring! 

Same injury as in flashback with mentor? Or just similar make up?

Also her flashback where she explicitly says she becomes a cop to keep rescuing G. 

He also tells her to be careful - it's too big for one person.  YSH - ‘it's too late now’. 

(33:00) loaded convo between Y and Chief Justice. 

Same prosecutor here, I think. (Starting around 35:00) Did he plot with JSA?

39:45 JSA explaining (sort of) her plan to Minister Cha. 

Oh, Y and JSA don't talk here, just significant looks. 

(41:19)  Oh wow. The first thing we see on the newspaper he's cutting is the ruler, presumably the one his dad used to hit him with? 

This is all very staged. By Y for G? By the directors for the audience?

Y deliberately confusing G about his motives. The way they stared at each other! 

"I'm used to being seen as a monster, but you looking at me that way, with that face, hurts my heart."  (Y is trying to be manipulative, but maybe he also subconsciously means it? And obviously referring to Isaac's face, but is he also perhaps getting fond of G's face?)

(I haven't even got into the implications of G looking like Isaac. Is it supposed to be as exact as it is? If this really is a romance, are they implying some incestuousness on Y's part?  What does this mean?!)

This whole conversation on monsters and victims and pretending to be strong. Y's shifting expressions! "You do waver if I talk like this". 

(43:30). Memory/fantasy of protecting his child self from his fathers beating. (The ruler). 

This child actor is so good, and also matches Ji Sung so well. It feels very believable that they're the same character. 

"Don't hit me. Don't hit me."  😢 and featuring the cross on his wrist. 

"I am fed up with this house." (46:35) (that sounds gothic) oh my god his face. 

Oh, the lawn/window scene immediately follows. Y has taken to his bed and gets up when he hears them talking. 

The moment when I realized this was a gothic romance: Ga-On is playing with Elijah on the sunny lawn and Yo-Han is in the dark house, in his expensive dressing gown, peering through the curtains staring at him. Ga-On leans back on his arms in what is frankly a flirtatious pose, and their eyes meet.

(48:18) - G's face! His unintentionally(?) seductive pose! 

(48:40) Next is the mentor scene and a flashback around the motorcycle. Why did G get injured in the past? Is it plot relevant? 

Mystery characters so far: The tall man that either assists Y or possibly Y reports to. And now this longhaired woman on the expensive motorcycle 

Mentor asks G to choose. G pushes back (uncharacteristic?) (54:00) 

G is now starting to side with Y against his mentor and his protector. He's been forced to make a choice. Explicitly asked by both Y and his mentor. This fits both a corruption story and a romance story. 

eps 1&2  ep3  ep4  ep5  ep6  ep7  ep8  ep9   ep10  ep11  ep12  ep13  ep14  ep15  ep16

[win--me]

The Devil Judge ep 11-12

I bet Kim Ga On wishes he hadn’t gone to law school right about now. 

These two episodes were truly amazing. Kim Ga On dove so cleanly into Kang Yo Han’s mess and now, he’s lost his best friend and himself. I was skeptical of the bond that formed between them from the time Kim Ga On left the chief justice. He was making decisions according to his personal feelings about what happened to his family. He and Kang Yo Han both lost their family in different ways and found a new sense of family with each other and Elijah. The difference between their situations is that after Kang Yo Han lost his family, he sought revenge and continued to do so while Kim Ga On had Yoon Su Hyun to stop him. This allowed him to grieve his loss and continue with his life in a manner he enjoyed. Because Kim Ga On had this, he was able to bring a sense of joy into the house when he began living with Kang Yo Han and Elijah. 

Kang Yo Han and his manipulation tactics. Kang Yo Han has manipulated Kim Ga On from the very beginning of their relationship, often using his family. Kang Yo Han first brought up Kim Ga On’s family when the three judges were having dinner with each other. At this point, they barely knew each other and Kim Ga On had a big reaction to the invasion of his privacy. After the bomb went off in Kang Yo Han’s office, he took Kim Ga On to his home rather than a hospital, claiming it was safer, and took his phone away. Kim Ga On was injured, unable to get back to his home (or anywhere else he wanted to be) and unable to contact anyone. Kim Ga On eventually got his phone back, but only once Kang Yo Han decided to give it to him. Kang Yo Han constantly kept information from Kim Ga On and only revealed it as he wanted to such as the fact that someone else was serving the thief who defrauded his parents sentence and that he wasn’t going to kill the thief’s family when the set the building on fire with them inside. During both of these encounters, Kim Ga On experienced intense emotional reactions which could have been avoided. Kang Yo Han kept Kim Ga On on the hook and toyed with his feelings. Lastly, in episode 12, Kang Yo Han explicitly tells Kim Ga On that he shouldn’t continue his relationship with Yoo Su Hyun. This is a classic tactic used by manipulators. Making the victim believe that everyone else is wrong and they are right, that they don’t need others, they only need the manipulator. 

Kang Yo Han’s history makes him sympathetic. He was almost abandoned to die as a baby and then abused physically and emotionally by his father. He was forced to live in a small room in the basement. He was ostracized by the kids at school. All this is true and he didn’t deserve any of that treatment. As viewers, we see the effects of this abuse in different ways. We see his brutal tactics when dealing with others, and we see an uncle who doesn’t know how to talk to his niece. We learn to care for him as Kim Ga On does. We see how happy he is to eat with others and play games. The thing is, the abused can also be abusers. And that doesn’t excuse those who abused them or their abusive actions against others. 

The scene at Minister Cha’s office was amazing. I initially thought that she wouldn’t kill herself when she got the gun because she is a person who saves herself before anyone else, but the more I think about it, her suicide was a way of saving herself. She would rather die than deal with the consequences of her actions. I was horrified when Kim Ga On immediately searched her pockets once seeing her dead body. He also expresses his own horror at his actions. 

It was necessary for Yoon Su Hyun to see Kim Ga On in that office. So far, whenever he’s done something shady/awful, he’s been with Kang Yo Han who lead him there. Once Yoon Su Hyun entered the office, Kim Ga On was able to see himself through her eyes. In an earlier episode, she said that if she caught him doing something bad, she’d arrest him herself. I believed she would, but her love for him won over her own principals. I think this is why she’s so mad at Kim Ga On, not only for his actions, but because she betrayed herself to protect him. I hope that their relationship can recover. 

I feel bad for Elijah. She didn’t do anything except be born into that family and be in the church when it caught fire. She’s lived a lonely life and experienced constant loss. 

I have no idea where this show is going. 

[midnightsgift]

Ep 10 Review

Less so an insightful take on the episode with hindsight but more my first reactions to the scenes as they play out, and perhaps a summary of my thoughts at the end with predictions

>I understand why Ga-on didn’t murder the guy but a part of me wished he did/an opportunity to commit a ‘serious crime’ occurs a gain and he follows through with it.  We often see characters like him (Kim Ga-on) where they have a strict moral code pushed to the breaking point, but never truly taking that ‘irreversible step’ whatever that may be for the given shows. They often retain their own moral compass and only really bend in what they believe in, and in this case be shaped by the perspective Kang Yo-han is showing. Quite literally may I add as he holds him still; stopping him running into the fire; directing him to observe the man dancing amongst the burning paper or even the greed of humanity through the risk of negotiation/loss of money. Characters like Ga-on have their world’s image destroyed and him traveling by himself to murder the man portrayed that broken boy he’d be very well. It was unexpected and I LOVED the writing for that and it is already above other shows with similar storylines because of that but i wish he’s given another chance to do something he can never take back in the name of ‘justice’. I want to watch how he lives with himself after, how he’d rationalise his actions and the aftermath. I’d prefer for him to feel guilty but not regret i feel as that would be a clear indication he’s grown into a different man 

> Yo-han really got me wanting to get my cards out, and some dominos so i can made a trail to push over,

> I love how Yo-han made ‘who would i play with?’ a passing comment but looked so offended and smug idk how he did it when Ga-on doubled down on it.

>Listen I'm not saying Yo-han is a superstitious man but I am imagining every time he’s plotting he makes a tower and if he gets an ace once it topples he knows he's on to a good one

>lmao the assistant getting shifty when the minister complained bout ppl doing anything for money

>Idk if it they intentionally did it like this but it seemed like Ga-on approached Judge Oh with the video like he hadn’t yet suggested the idea to Chief Kang. If it was like that it’s like their trying to fix the gap they had created, and i think depending on who's idea it was it alludes to two different things, Yo-han’s: he noticed how Sun-ah is probably trying to approach Judge Oh especially after how she was agreeing to her ideas in the meeting of her photoshoot. So now he’s trying to rectify the damage he caused by favouring Judge Kim because ‘only two are need for a majority’ Ga-on’s: he’s trying to maintain a friendly relations ship between Chief Kang and Judge Oh as he’s trying to fix most of Yo-han’s relationships.

The two are such contrasting reasons and its probably me misunderstanding anyway but I love it.

>Ngl and maybe TMI i love that she insinuated she’s murdered ppl by saying she reeks of blood, but as someone who gets periods i would just assume she means i actually smell.

>Argh i love Elijah and how she just shits on them for having such a flawed understanding of ‘hacking’. Elijah Supremacy👑

>He knows how to make an entrance, also sidenote: i live for this soundtrack

>Ah he fucked up, now she’s gonna seek the professor out and start asking questions

>That so sad cuz its true he is poor in what matters

>Someone mentioned it before that Yo-han talks to Sun-ah like she's a child at kindergarten and i can’t unhear it

>Sun-ah seems to be more embarrassed by being a maid than I thought, it seems to be less of a reaction of someone who pissed at the elite but someone who hates her past and wants to blend in.

>Someone also stated that the ppl who have been on trial are representative of the seven deadly sins and with the show already having such heavy Christian symbolism it seemed like a valid observation. So would his be ‘Pride’ i feel like that closely ties with patriots. That or wrath due to the reparation of ‘justified anger’ 

>Damn he stole his grandmother’s funeral money

>I can’t wait to finally see her as a proper villain 

[argumentl]

The Freedom of Expression, radio version - Ep.34, May 2016 - Death-row art, Bear cub mistaken for puppy, Japan's place in the World Press Freedom Index.

Kaoru starts by saying its the end of May, so  the weather is getting a lot hotter, and the air-con in the studio is extremely patchy. It gets very hot randomly, and a few episodes ago, he felt so hot recording the show when the air-con was playing up.

Kaoru's first news is that an art exhibition showcasing artwork produced by death row inmates will be given a second run, after making headlines the first time in 2013. Kaoru picks up on one piece from the exhibition, drawn by Hayashi Masumi, a woman facing the death sentence for putting poison in a pot of curry at a festival in 1998, killing four people and injuring many more. Her artwork consists of orange and black colours, and resembles 4 figures standing in the hanging chamber, with the ropes positioned above thier heads. Joe says Hayashi actually pleaded not guilty to the crime she was charged with. He explains that according to Hayashi's lawyer Yasuda Yoshihiro (a prominent anti-death penalty activist), Hayashi is on a mental decline due to her continued isolation from the outside world. This makes Joe think that this artwork differs from regular art, as it comes with quite a deep message from the inside. He comments that the artisic skill in the pictures is actually quite high. If you were unaware of the exhibition's theme, you would never guess the art was all made by death row inmates. It creates a brief sense that these people who have comitted such terrible crimes aren't really all that different from the rest of us. Kaoru agrees with Joe, and says that within that isolation the prisoners must have been able to concentrate quite closely on the art, it is quite detailed. He feels curious about how it feels to communicate with the outside world in this way. Joe says the exhibition will be held in Hiroshima, which is difficult to get to from Tokyo, but he wants to go in person and see the artwork with his own eyes, instead of just seeing it online. Going back to Hayashi's picture, Kaoru wonders why there are 4 figures in it, as 4 people would never be executed in a row like this in reality. He also says that these pieces of art have all passed checks in order to be released for public viewing, but there must have been more pieces that did not pass the checks. He wants to see those ones too.

Next, they welcome Dobashi for the Tokyo Sports corner. Dobashi is tired after being assigned to help out with covering the Rio de Janeiro Olympics by Hiranabe. Joe says Hiranabe is always too consumed by his own scandals to help out with stuff like this.

Dobashi's first story is about a man in China's Yunnan province who raised an Asian Black bear cub, believing it to a dog. He found it in the mountains and felt sorry for it so brought it home as his pet. When it suddenly started to grow massive he informed the authorities, and discovered it was a bear. The bear was returned to the forest after this. Kaoru says its a good thing the man realised before the bear got any bigger. He says he saw a video of the bear (still in the man's home) eating, and it really was eating a huge amount. Joe says this is way above the level that any dog would eat. Kaoru thinks the bear did look very cute when it was little though. He then says that he recently saw some news from Japan about a bear coming down from the mountains and entering the house of a celebrity. Dobashi, slightly flustered, says he hasn't heard that news, he has been too busy with the Olympics. Kaoru says he also heard something about someone in China mistaking a big dog for a lion. He's not sure whether this is true though. Dobashi then brings up the zoologist Hata Masanori, also know as Mutsugorō, who had raised some lion cubs, and then nearly got eaten by one of them after it grew. Joe says there is tonnes of crazy legends surrounding Mutsugorō, he is a super interesting/eccentric guy.

Dobashi gets serious for his next story, which is that Japan has fallen 11 places to #72 out of 180 countries in the 2016 World Press Freedom Index, compiled by the NPO Reporters Without Borders. Dobashi says this is probably due to the enforcement of the State Secrecy Law, after which the media has lost a lot of its independence and autonomy. #1 in the ranking was Finland, and #180 was Eritrea. #179 was North Korea. Joe says that just before the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Japan was ranking at about #10. Japan actually uses a Press club system, which to non-Japanese, appears quite restrictive anyway. But since the nuclear accident in 2011 and the way in which it was reported, Japan's ranking has plummeted. Along with the recent State Secrecy Law, and the comments from Minister Takaichi about shutting down politically biased content, the ranking has fallen further. Joe said he once interviewed the Tokyo bureau chief of the New York Times, Martin Fackler about this topic. Fackler said that although the American press is not very free itself, the main difference from the Japanese press is that in Japan, journalists tend to work for one newspaper for thier whole career, whereas in America journalists are overwhelming freelance. Japanese journalists are almost like 'salarymen', competing for promotion within thier own organization. The top level positions in Japanese media organizations come with huge salaries compared to overseas. For this reason, journalists in Japan strive never to write an unpopular article. Fackler thinks the ability to stand up to this kind of system is fading in Japan. Joe wonders what the purpose of media reporting is in light of this reality (i.e. desire to spread news honestly, or just a means of getting closer to a high income).

Kami then intervenes and asks if Hiranabe's salary is high. Dobashi says his is low. Kami reminds them that Hiranabe spent ¥150000 on champagne, and Kaoru then says that despite this, Hiranabe hasn't yet paid his taxi fee to get to the InterFM studio, he asks Dobashi to pay it. Joe thinks its strange that Hiranabe can pay that much for champagne, and at the same time not be able to afford his taxi fee. Kami reminds them of the teeth straightening treatment Hiranaba was apparently also paying for a few weeks ago. He thinks Dobashi must also be getting a high salary. Joe asks Kami what he did in Golden Week, and Kami says he had to work his night shifts because his salary is low.

Getting back on topic, Kaoru questions whether the government is trying to make fools of the people, something about the situation doesn't feel right. It looks like they are taking a too conservative stance, and banning things just to avoid dealing with problems. Joe comments that Tokyo Sports does a good job in the face of this. Dobashi says thats because no topic is off limits for Tokyo Sports. He also says its good to be aware of holding power in this sphere, as too much of it can become a hotbed for corruption. Kami joins them again and says the World Press Freedom Index probably didn't take Tokyo Sports into account. Dobashi replies that Tokyo Sports has no tabboos.

To finish, Kaoru reminds listeners of the new jingle campaign, and plugs the new single and the DVD/Bluray. He then says he is about to start rehersals for Mode of Vulgar, which is sold out. Lastly, he says he will give Dobashi a sticker in exchange for more juicy news in future episodes. Dobashi says he will look for the most tabboo stories he can find.

Songs - Dir en grey/'Yokusou ni dreambox' aruiwa seijuku no rinen to tsumetai ame.

[extraordinarilyextreme]

finally watched Guardian (2018) and i need to talk

Warning: contains MASSIVE SPOILERS, probably too much music/song analysis, my poor translations from Chinese to English, and some references to the original novel (disclaimer: my novel-reading was mostly jumping around because i have a problem where I’m not fluent enough to read the original Chinese novel and I don’t usually like English translations)

1. the freakin opening theme: We Won’t Be Falling by Chen Xueran... (also I see you Tina Guo on the cello thank you queen)

the amount of chills i get every time an episode starts,,, fantastic! marvelous! the lyrics are very VERY apt to the story of Guardian, esp this drama adaptation

(“We are the one/We will be holding on/For the promise we held for life/For the people we love are leaving” ... “And the story will keep on going”)

1.1. the promise? may i direct you to novel chapter 75? 

Shen Wei: “Sometimes I think if one day you can remember everything, then I will be able to say to you: look, I did it, I did all that I had promised you; not one bit did I miss, not one word did I go back on.”

they promise to keep the peace, to protect both Haixing and Dixing; and in the show, it’s a promise they keep with their lives

2. Zhu Yilong plays THREE characters and is able to differentiate them perfectly with particular microexpressions

-Ye Zun (literally, “Respect the Night”; “Lord/Master of the Night” would be a better title) sets off my fight-or-flight instincts even though i think his name tries a little too hard to be edgy; the way he sneers, the smiles that don’t reach his eyes, also that infamous tongue flick when Zhao Yunlan sees through the act... i think it’s both great and sad that Yunlan could differentiate the twins because, why, Shen Wei would never be so openly flirtatious (and wear a deep-cut shirt like that lol)... the delivery of “Xiao Yunlan” disturbed me so much—wonderful, stellar acting

-Black Cloaked Envoy: does his best to bend the rules where he can for the Dixingren because he’s just so fundamentally GOOD; he’s empathetic despite how stern and strict he seems to be, and how much he claims to enforce the clearly-cut laws... he’s an absolute babie ten thousand years ago (Yunlan, doesn’t it hurt your conscience to flirt with such a babie?)

-Shen Wei: in the novel, his name (both surname and first name) are given to him by Kun Lun’s incarnations—there’s a lot of power in naming something, in naming someone; he’s good-natured and gentle, always polite... he pushes up the glasses [that he doesn’t need] a lot, perhaps because he’s used to pushing up his mask as the Envoy

2.1. i find it very striking that Shen Wei dies without his glasses; he doesn’t die as the Envoy, he doesn’t die as the Professor; he dies as a person, as the person who loves Yunlan the most and has loved Yunlan for ten thousand years

2.2. the other notable moments we see Shen Wei without his glasses are where he apologizes to Yunlan [and Yunlan apologizes at the same time because they’re pining idiots] for not noticing the camera in his office, where he sets aside all his pride as Envoy and Professor and kneels in the rain for the man he loves (lwj kneeling after visiting the Burial Mounds, yea?), and of course after he slices up an orange [cuz food = love] only to find Yunlan asleep and drapes his jacket over the silly silly man... anyway, Yunlan is indeed the only person Shen Wei is comfortable enough to reveal everything to, all defenses and masks (literal and figurative) lowered

2.3. that last instance (ep 26) is when Shen Wei pulls out his necklace and reminisces as he gazes fondly at Yunlan; the song that plays during this is 《乱心曲》or “Chaotic Heart Song”... may I direct you to novel chapter 65 where Yunlan finds all the paintings and pictures his Xiao Wei has kept from the centuries?

“邓林之阴初见昆仑君，惊鸿一瞥，乱我心曲。” which translates to “In the shade of the woods I first saw Kunlun-jun; a glimpse of his grace wrought chaos in my heart’s song”

2.4. but also let’s not forget the [in]famous cut wrist scene of ep 23, where our dear Shen Wei, without glasses, as a person who loves Yunlan—not the aloof Envoy or the well-spoken Professor—is reduced to two words: “Worth it.” Yunlan is worth everything to him; this goes without question, without a second thought. Kun Lun (Yunlan) told him not to regret whatever decisions he’ll make, and Ye Zun scolds and laughs at his brother for giving up his life for a human/Haixingren, but of course Shen Wei doesn’t regret dying to protect Yunlan, dying to protect Haixing. (also, peep the behind-the-scenes where Shen Wei grabs Yunlan’s hand for a moment as he blocks the attack from Ye Zun)

2.5. on this same train of thought, Da Qing brings up a line from ten thousand years ago where Shen Wei claimed he would never kill unless it was for the world... and, well, he kills for Yunlan doesn’t he?

3. Bai Yu plays our charismatic Chief Zhao Yunlan/Kun Lun and hoo boy does he do an excellent job; the found family vibes of the SIU are spectacular and the way he flirts with tries to recruit Professor Shen is endearing and touching

3.1. there’s another piece from the OST called 《一点真心》, translated to “A Little Sincerity” though I would use “A Bit of a Sincere Heart” because it too references the novel

Kun Lun’s confession to Xiao Wei: “我富有天下名山大川，想起来也没什么稀奇的，不过就是一堆烂石头野河水，浑身上下，大概也就只有这几分真心能上秤卖���两斤，你要？拿去。” [I’m rich with famed mountains and endless rivers under heaven, but none of it feels rare when I think about it. It’s all just a pile of broken stones and uncultivated streams. From head to toe, there is probably only this bit of my sincere heart that is worth anything weighed on a scale. You want it? Take it.]

Zhao Yunlan’s confession to Shen Wei: “我别的东西也有，只是你可能大多都看不上，只有这一点真心……你要是不接着，那就算了吧。” [I have other things, only you probably would not think much of them. There’s only this bit of my sincere heart... If you don’t want to catch it, then forget it.)

And Shen Wei’s reply to Yunlan’s confession is of course “我接住了。” [I’ve caught it.]

3.2. the novel is a happy ending because Xiao Guo’s important role actually plays a part (i literally don’t understand why the show couldn’t do that after they built up so many expectations about his good character/merit/inability to be corrupted but ANYWAY)... Shen Wei, Xiao Wei, the little Ghost King has a soul and wow isn’t that just beautiful after everything he did to become worthy/deserving of Kun Lun’s attention and love

4. the Zhang Ruonnan and Wang Yike (death-touch Dixingren) case in ep 3 is an obvious parallel to the “brotherly” relationship of WeiLan... Shen Wei’s line of “Many tragedies were destined from the start” references the show of course but also the paradoxical precognition that marks the drama version of WeiLan; in both of their “first meetings”, one of them was always already in love with the other—Yunlan, as Kun Lun, knew he would have to return to his own time at some point and thus doom this impressionable young Envoy to ten thousand years of waiting and Shen Wei (honestly in a Code Geass Lelouch kinda style) knew he would have to die to defeat his brother

4.1. the importance of “touch” in this case alludes to novel WeiLan, where of course Shen Wei watched over all of Kun Lun’s incarnations but wasn’t allowed to get close to him because hungry ghosts would inevitably devour the essence of the people around them; similarly Yike was terrified of touching Ruonnan all this time... but Ruonnan accepted her (just like how novel Kun Lun lets this intriguing little Ghost King trail after him)

4.2. speaking of Shen Wei’s grand plans and the idea of “knowing”, Yunlan reminds him that “You are not a weapon/blade, you are a person.” and wow once again, only Yunlan can pull the humanity from Shen Wei, who has carefully crafted his disguise and personality to fit what people expect of the Envoy and the Professor... but alas, Shen Wei fulfills his promise by in fact making himself a weapon; he poisons himself to become a bomb that will take down his brother

4.3. as many qualms and complaints as I have with Chinese censorship, much in the case of WangXian, i think i prefer the drama version of WeiLan to the novel version; the plot of the Guardian novel is a lot better in my opinion (with references to mythology and legends, as opposed to, what, aliens?? mutants from X-Men? quirks in My Hero Academia??) and yea the relationship of Kun Lun with Xiao Wei is built up a lot better and makes more sense than the time-travel of Yunlan masquerading as Kun Lun with Shen Wei... but there’s an unadulterated, unconditional kind of love that runs through the drama, whereas the novel had some darker (though probably more realistic) vibes of near-possessiveness and ulterior motives... Kun Lun/Yunlan in the novel can be, well, cruel, which is not necessarily out of character; it’s just seems a little wrong to me that you could threaten your partner in a relationship (if you keep things from me again, i really will turn against you + had i known xyz would happen, i really should have killed you)... plus i’m always a sucker for love without an “i love you”, a love that’s conveyed entirely through actions and gazes

5. Yunlan asks Zhou Weiwei (the mirror case) where her jacket was bought because he “wants to get one for [his] girlfriend” and lo and behold, what similarly-styled and colored coat does our Shen Wei show up in a few episodes later? (also the fact that Shen Wei dies wearing this jade-ish-blue-ish coat)

6. boyfriend jacket during the Moutain-River Awl case... boyfriend jacket!!!! Shen Wei claims he doesn’t need it and well he still wears it anyway because Yunlan’s love is unstoppable

6.1. the way Shen Wei grabs Yunlan’s elbow before running down the hill

6.2. Shen Wei being so freaking fine-tuned to Yunlan’s discomfort/pain as always that he drinks wine for him (and passes out immediately—heroics/bde of yllz! wwx and the alcohol tolerance of our dear lwj)

6.2.1. when Minister Gao brings up Yunlan’s dad and the Chief’s hands tighten... and of course nothing can go by Shen Wei, so he changes the topic of the conversation; also the way he leans forward as if to shield Yunlan

6.2.2. Yunlan is similarly Aware of his boyfriend’s boundaries; cue him politely excusing themselves from the dinner with Vice-Minister Guo when Shen Wei (of all people!) fumbles with his chopsticks

6.2.3. Yunlan also blocks Shen Wei from Minister Gao’s sight (subconsciously?) after that wedding showdown... even though he’s unhappy that Shen Wei has kept the identity of the Envoy from him, he trusts the other man enough to recognize there must be a reason; thus he doesn’t want other people to pry into the possibility that Shen Wei is a Dixingren

6.3. also, also that Shen Wei lets Yunlan have his way and use him as a pillow in the car once again (he also adjusts the actual pillow beneath Yunlan’s head to make it more comfortable)

6.3.1 the other Shen-Wei-is-Yunlan’s-pillow scene is when the professor picks up the poor hurting Chief off the road and in the taxi ride home... apparently this was an improvised scene from Bai Yu who just wanted to mess with Long-ge and our great Zhu Yilong just stayed in character and ran with it

6.3.2. the other notable improvised scene is the cute “Black Cloaked gege~ please be careful~ there’s someone is waiting for you at home~” [sorry that i don’t remember the exact line] but once again our great leading actors just stay perfectly in character

6.4. after Shen Wei wakes up from a night of being drunk (lol) Yunlan has left a note for him “I’ve gone back first, stay in touch. -Zhao” and what’s that on the corner of the note? why it’s a winky face

7. when Yunlan grabs the fake Zhang Danni’s wrist to confirm his suspicions, Shen Wei narrows his eyes... (lol is our Black Cloaked gege jealous)

8. when Yunlan claims he can swallow the painkillers dry, Shen Wei clenches his jaw in his anger at this idiot of a man for not taking better care of himself... you’ll find that a lot of Shen Wei’s anger is directed toward his husband being a self-sacrificial fool

8.1. after Yunlan uses the Hallows again and his nose begins to bleed, Zhu Yilong in all his acting glory has Shen Wei furious to the point that his lips tremble (cue Shen Wei angrily shoving a handkerchief into his husband’s face) [i really want to know if they ever broke character during this scene due to their proximity lol]

8.1.1. Shen Wei all but invades Yunlan’s personal space (he really does stand there between Yunlan’s legs guys) and he’s so careful even though he’s angry as he tries to stop the nosebleed; he’s aware the force might tip Yunlan backwards, so he immediately rests his hands on Yunlan’s thighs/knees to steady him

9. Yunlan has claimed that he doesn’t do things for the sake of gaining anything in return and yet every time he’s wanted things from dear Shen Wei... “take off your mask and smile for me”, “join the SID”... the sexual tension is Unreal during these scenes lol, you can see Shen Wei swallow visibly in anticipation + babie Shen Wei of ten thousand years prior all but chokes on his words when he promises to do ANYTHING Kun Lun wants him to do (honey where is your mind GOING???)

9.1. Bai Yu does have a bruise on his knee after the scene where Yunlan asks Shen Wei for something... dunno if it’s the actor’s bruise or the character’s bruise, but if it’s the character’s bruise—how did he get it? what exactly did WeiLan do that evening lol

9.2. also peep the fact that Yunlan almost always has a lollipop in his mouth when talking to Shen Wei... oral fixation much? (also the whole sequence where he tries to explain how to eat a lollipop to babie Shen Wei, wow the amount of homoerotic tension)

9.3. babie Shen Wei’s ears and cheeks are SO RED when Yunlan snatches the mask off his face

10. Yunlan’s hairstyle changes after Shen Wei joins the SIU (joins his family), much like how a bride would change her hairstyle after marriage in China ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (random note but CQL WangXian does this too when lwj puts his hair down/styled over the front of his shoulders when wwx wakes up 16 years later)

11. the first time we see Shen Wei spit up blood, there’s an echo of “Xiao Wei” faintly and Shen Wei mutters to himself “Xiao Lan” before looking up and saying louder “Zhao Yunlan” (nicknames/pet names/names only your family or lover can call you... this trope is good)

11.1. i also think a lot about how in the novel Kun Lun muses before he dies that it’s a shame he won’t see this Little Beauty [Xiao Wei] grow up to be a Great Beauty 

12. Shen Wei’s funny little eyebrow raise when Yunlan accidentally reveals he broke into the professor’s apartment once ( “riiiiiiiiight i definitely believe you”)

12.1. though the ep 23 scene is angsty, the fact Yunlan says “It’s the middle of the night, were you hungry?” seems to imply their relationship is a lot closer than just neighbors... they’re probably used to sharing an apartment/room at this point :)

13. when Yunlan is hurt, Zhu Hong looks to him but he only has eyes for Shen Wei

13.1. after Yunlan is blinded, Zhu Hong is the one cradling him but he calls for Shen Wei first and reaches for his hand; Shen Wei of course responds immediately “it’s me”

13.1.1. both times after Yunlan gets his eyesight back, the first thing he sees is the person who loves him the most

14. Shen Wei warms up the congee in the morning with his magic after he watches over Yunlan when his stomach pain acts up (domestic use of magic? yes please)

15. the bomb defusing scene in the hospital (video game -> reality case) really is framed like a wedding proposal... also the way that Shen Wei smirks lol he’s so proud of his husband

16. after his Envoy identity is revealed, Shen Wei all but abuses his Black Cloaked Envoy voice to stop his stupid husband from doing stupid things that will hurt himself and every time Yunlan is properly sh00k by it

16.1. we really go from Chief Zhao remarking in the Mountain-River Awl case that he’s used to ordering people around, not receiving orders to married bickering with Shen Wei to then agreeing to everything Shen Wei tells him to do

17. the fact that “Shen Wei, ah, Shen Wei... You are such a good person, how could I bear to let you go?” is an actual line from the censored DRAMA astounds me, nevermind that Shen Wei just made breakfast for his man and Yunlan is basically pouting up at him from the bed

17.1. the way Yunlan’s dad warns him to stay away from Shen Wei and Yunlan responds with something like “he’s sincerely good to me, I want to be with him”... “be with him”???? [inhales deeply] yea this is definitely a “brotherly relationship”

18. Yunlan’s “WOW” after the Envoy kills the monsters in the cave of the Mountain-River Awl case is hilarious and i dont understand how such a noise is physically possible,,, it sounds like a growl?????

18.1. Zhu Yilong was asked to mimic it during an interview (which he did not do and only half-heartedly gave a “wow”) and then Bai Yu did it again

19. also i inevitably got attached to the side ship of Lao Chu and Xiao Guo... they have so much skinship for a censored “brotherly relationship” lmao

the amount of face-touching and hand-holding that they do is unreal... they’re more canon than WeiLan in the drama adaptation methinks 

20. 《时间飞行》or “Flying Across Time” sounds like Yunlan’s reply to Shen Wei’s《只是太在意》or “Just Cared Too Much”

20.1. the lyrics of both these songs really cements this idea that both of WeiLan believe the other to be too good... Kun Lun was a god in the novel, and Xiao Wei was just a soulless little Ghost King... and then we have the incorrigible Chief Zhao pining after the beautiful and kind Professor Shen... i just have a lot of feelings about them becoming better people for each other, that their love really does make each other stronger

21. my favorite two pieces from the OST are Shen Wei’s theme (arranged by Kun Luo) and Kun Lun’s theme (arranged by Chen Xueran)

head’s up: it’s been like four years since i last even glanced at music theory so a lot of this might just make no sense to an actual professional

-Shen Wei: written in 4/4 time, Ab Major, melody is primarily carried by piano + strings; the piano almost sticks exclusively to triplets whereas the strings are in steady whole, quarter, and eighth notes—which creates in interesting impressionistic effect, kind of like hazy smoke or the ripples across the surface of a lake; every single measure uses decrescendo, so the first triplet is always the loudest and the three that follow get progressively softer (mimicking an echo)... the piece ends on the seventh note of the scale, which is usually a pretty awkward place to end and yet it doesn’t feel wrong it all; the piece uses a ritardando in the last three measures, and we simply drift off with that last G... i think it’s a beautifully written piece that perfectly portrays such a complex character as Shen Wei, someone who loved with everything he had, and was just so overwhelmingly good... and then he simply disappears as if the dream has ended. it makes me think of how he guarded over Kun Lun/Zhao Yunlan for thousands of years in the novel, never ever ever daring to meet him... and yet the other man always felt like he was waiting for someone

-Kun Lun: written in 3/4 time, a minor, there’s no real complex shift in the melody although there’s brief modulation into E major (dominant/fifth note); it’s a fairly somber piece, especially when the strings join in... it’s a steady waltz, and it finishes with the scale (second to last major is g, last major is a), like a circle coming back around [like their love story perhaps?]... there’s a finality to it, a completeness, a wholeness, which makes sense in the drama-verse because the moment Yunlan takes up the name of Kun Lun is when his love story with Shen Wei all fits together. the piece feels a little lonely in its minor key and all, a little sad, indeed as if you were standing at the top of a mountain surrounded by clouds and mist... the constant meter also reminds me of like the steady drip of water, the perpetual and inevitable passage of the days and time

-i don’t really understand how because the keys of the two pieces don’t fit together easily, but somehow it doesn’t feel wrong to play the pieces back to back; the melodies of both seem to call upon each other despite the differences in key and time signature, so it actually feels right. a circle without a beginning or an ending, wouldn’t you want your love to be so infinite?

-when yunlan finds shen wei in their bubble outside of time, when shen wei is about to leave him, shen wei is wearing the outfit of their first meeting. and the lyrics go “Across time, I am in the same place”... surely, they will find each other again.