#Imperial Family Drama 2018

[jymwahuwu]

I love and think about Emperor Jing Yuan a lot. Like a servant girl getting called in to be the emperor Jing Yuan's Concubine 😋

I love ancient China like the history, art and clothing. when I think about Chinese Emperor Jing Yuan I think of Cinderella Chef (animated version) it's so cute and romantic. I also think about the fic series I used to read in 2020 or 2019 when the reader is the selected tailor for the emperor and the emperor falls in love.

It was such a good story, with many good different story elements to it even though it's was an yandere x reader 😭 and I'm not even exaggerating how good it is. It was slow burn yandere yet sooo good and worth it

I have to read it again cause it's sooo good.

There's sooo many good art of Jing Yuan in ancient Chinese clothing and I love and appreciate it sm 🤤

Jing Yuan kept a servant girl as his concubine, wanting her by his side every moment. As emperor, he faced countless threats and worried constantly for her safety. Yet, he couldn’t resist making her his bride, even though the public and his family disapproved. How could a servant girl from a humble background become empress alongside the emperor? But he paid no attention to their criticisms, choosing instead to live in his Fantasies with her. She was the only woman he’d ever met who cared for him beyond his wealth and title, and he was determined to keep her close forever. 😇

Wow, I also like Chinese palace stories actually!! What you said made me imagine a lot. It turns out that Jing Yuan is so suitable for the palace AU🥰✊

Have you watched "Story of Yanxi Palace"? It was a popular palace drama in 2018, and social media was all about it at that time. The historical prototype of the female protagonist is Empress Xiaoyichun (孝儀純皇后). She first started as a concubine. During her lifetime, she was the "Imperial Noble Consort" (皇貴妃), which was the highest position among the concubines after Empress. The core of its story is about a confident servant woman who starts from the bottom and moves up through the ranks with wisdom and courage.

A negative example is "Ruyi's royal love in the palace". The show still gets a lot of negative criticism in China today (yes, that's happening in 2024) - for its slut-shaming and superiority theories. The lower class people must be loyal to the noble people, otherwise they will be severely punished. There are a lot of torture scenes of women, never criticizing the mistakes of the misogynistic system, vilifying all historical figures just to beautify the female protagonists, advocating that women must be loyal to one man throughout their lives or else they are sluts, vilifying and torturing ambitious women, etc.

Oh, I'm sorry I really hate that TV show so I'm talking too much about it, but to get back to the point, it occurred to me that if Jing Yuan were the emperor, he would be very - very infatuated and dedicated. There was an emperor in Chinese history called "Emperor Xiaozong of Ming"(明孝宗) who insisted on living a monogamous life with only one empress. The same is true for Jing Yuan! Jing Yuan has only married you from beginning to end! You are one of his servants. No matter what your personality is, witty and lively/shy and kind, or even arrogant, Jing Yuan finds you really cute🥰💖He is very happy that you entered the palace and were assigned to serve him. He will sometimes sleep on your lap and ask you to feed him. He was like a big sleeping lion. But no one in politics dares to underestimate Jing Yuan because he always predicts everything.

Jing Yuan built a fruit garden in the palace, as well as a place to raise cats and birds. He got to pet cute cats and birds every day. The kittens purred around him. Maybe you were the servant who took care of the cats here. And he discovered you💖You are so suitable to be the mother of cats. And maybe he's hiding his identity and you care about his health and happiness before his status.

Politics and the harem are closely related. Those ministers petitioned Jing Yuan to marry a girl who matched his status, but he would not marry any girl except you. This is his own business! There was an emperor named "Emperor Gaozong of Tang"(唐高宗) in Chinese history. Despite the objections of his ministers, he insisted on marrying his father's concubine (named "Wuzhao"- 武曌) as his queen and sharing power with her. This is a very real love among emperors! After her husband's death, the queen became the only female emperor of China. The expression of the emperor's love for someone is to give them the best at all costs, including power, fame, wealth, and status. Jing Yuan wants to give it to you. He married you. Based on your status as a maid, you start as a concubine but work your way up. And he will also give birth to kitty babies with you. Those little princesses and princes running happily are all of your blood and his.

And he also decided to discuss politics and decide national affairs with you, collectively called "two saints" (based on Wuzhao's history haha), and share power with you. Because he knows how smart and cute you are, able to sharpen your claws and handle government affairs💖He is also ready to build a royal mausoleum, where only the two of you are buried together (it may be a bit scary, but this is how the Chinese emperors express their love haha). Even after Wuzhao became the empress, she didn’t build a mausoleum independently because she loved her husband. No matter what, you are always together, with sweetness and honor forever💖

[lieutenant-teach]

Thrawn books review

I’ve finished both EU Thrawn Trilogy and new 6 Thrawn books. Enjoyed them all quite a lot, loved the title villain. Scaringly smart, charismatic and capable. Wow. I liked him in ‘Rebels’ (though it’s been time when I watched it, only hazy recollections remain), in ‘Ahsoka’ the delivery was ok, the plan not so much – frankly, I wasn’t following the logic of what was happening much.

Going back to the books.

Ascendancy trilogy (2020-2021)

I was interested in Chiss society structure, especially by ‘adoption’ of capable youth into influential families. But I didn’t quite understand – do they actually have familiar relationship within families? Yes, Thrawn remembers his sister fondly, and he and Thrass have brother-like relationship, but it must be quite lonely – as I read, a lot of Chiss characters are ripped from their birth families and don’t have any contact with them after ‘adoption’, but there’s no deep familiar love in a new family, too. There can be exceptions, but the general tendency in books was kinda sad.

Really liked Thalias and Che’ri. Pity they don’t appear in 2017-2019 books. I know they were created afterwards, but still I wanted to see more of them (read Ascendancy first, 2017-2019 books later). Hope they appear in later works Timothy Zahn might create about Thrawn.

I didn’t like handling of Thrawn’s Force-sensitive (Sky-walker) sister. They never meet as adults, but I expected some family drama and all that jazz. Would be nice if their interaction happened.

Really curious what was happening in the Ascendancy at the political level during the Imperial times and after the Rebellion victory. Whatever shit occurred to them, they deserve it.

Thrawn (2017), Alliances (2018), Treason (2019)

Eli! I liked this Holmes-Watson structure (typical for all Thrawn books). I knew people shipped them, so I was reading already with this lens in mind, but canonically it’s, of course, deep loyalty and respect. Maybe, even friendship, though I’d like to see more casual interactions to actually believe in it – as I see it, mostly they act as quite close, but still just coworkers. I was disappointed that the writings Thrawn gave Eli before that latter’s departure to the Ascendancy never mentioned later – as Thrawn called Eli his friend, and Eli was very touched by it. And later heartbroken that he didn’t get any personal greeting after several years of distance. Mentioning of the writings could be appropriate and it would give some personal touch to Thrawn.

And here’s my biggest gripe – we don’t get any meaningful insight into Thrawn’s inner world. His thoughts, feelings. We see some bits and pieces through eyes of surrounding characters, but it’s quite limited and mostly connected to the actions of the plot. It works, of course, to emphasize Thrawn’s military genius, but at the personal level it lacked, as for me. Before reading I expected the books would be from Thrawn’s POV. Nope. Also I’d like to see more of Thranto casual relationship (don’t mean romantic love, but friendship, though it’d be cool, too – after all, Eli did give up his all life for Thrawn’s ambitions, it’s so romantic… *cough* though such loyalty to the cause is even more admirable… shame, it’s an Imperial cause…).

I also quite liked Karyn Faro. She’s cool and has short hair like me (according to the comics).

Pettiness within the Imperial ranks – that was delicious! Governor Arihnda Pryce is a traitorous self-serving bitch. She can be understood, of course, her reasons to just live a comfortable life make her relatable – though through what actions she achieves it makes her sleazy and not likable as a person. But I enjoyed her character a lot.

Other remarks

Yes, I know the Empire is bad. Doesn’t mean I cannot enjoy books about Imperial characters. Now I want to see fics where they become Rebels (smth like Thrawn deciding the future New Republic would be better ally to the Ascendancy than the Empire, the Rebellion prevails, the ‘Chimaera’ crew helps, happy ending, Thranto, everyone’s alive – pure self-indulgence).

I’d also wish to mention that, as for me, these books work better as standalones. ‘Alliances’ was the weakest IMO, as it’s connected with the Skywalker Saga most – due to Anakin’s appearance. I was fine with Vader, but Anakin and Padme were too much for me. I’d prefer to learn more about new characters (like, Pryce doesn’t appear par the 1st book of the trilogy).

[wanderingnork]

Giant Monster Horror Movies

Exactly what it says on the tin: horror movies with big monsters. Ones I don't see recommended often, presented in ascending order of scale!

Gwoemul/The Host (2006): A mutant monster, born from American chemical pollution, emerges from the Han River to terrorize residents of a Korean city. The monster is a work of art, comparable in size to an elephant. Beautiful in the water and on land, it's a delight to watch in motion. It's reminiscent of a fish, a lizard, a xenomorph, and a metaphor for American imperialism, yet is still something all its own.

Monstrum (2017): Based on an anecdote from 1527 in the real Annals of the Joseon Dynasty! In the midst of a plague, a gargantuan monster stalks the mountains, and a retired general (alongside his found family) is sent forth to deal with it. A stunning, somewhat feline monstrosity plays the title role. This one's a bit heavier on the action, but the horror elements remain strong enough to land it on the list.

Sea Fever (2019): An Irish fishing trawler is stranded in the open ocean and discovers that there's something unusual in the water. Although most of the movie is intimate, taking place in the closed confines of the ship and focusing on relationships between characters, the full unveiling of the creature itself is still a moment of awe. Its entire body isn't seen, so its spot on the list is based strictly on what we do see. It's probably much bigger.

Troll Hunter (2010): A found-footage mockumentary about troll hunters in Norway. All of the trolls in this movie are BIG. But the grand finale is a mountain troll standing what might be a kilometer in height. Its roars shake the ground and it's like watching an entire hill chase after the car. Truly an experience that feels straight out of a myth, and worthy of watching on the biggest screen you can get.

Starfish (2018): A surreal story of a girl who wakes up to find that the world has ended, and her best friend may have known why. Truly a one-scene wonder, a colossus appears for a mere sixty seconds of awe near the climax of the movie. Beautiful and eerie, it doesn't roar or destroy things. Just marches forward. Its presence, like almost the entire movie, is inexplicable--but it's the visual I remember best.

Food for thought: How do these movies manage tension and drama as compared to horror movies focusing on monsters people-size and smaller? In a previous post, I discussed Godzilla (2014), Cloverfield (2008), and the concept of epic horror. What elements of a movie can turn a truly titanic creature into a horrifying creature, rather than an epic one? Can "epic" and "horror" coexist? How big does a monster need to get before it becomes less a living creature and more a part of the environment itself?

(Previous Recommendations)

[corbenic]

I mentioned it in tags recently, so here’s a quick overview of the drama between Queen Rania of Jordan and UFONoMore:

UFONoMore published their first “What royal clothes are worth” post in January 2018. Queen Rania was included, and had the highest wardrobe value.

The Queen’s office issued a formal statement on the matter, confirming that most of her clothes are gifted, borrowed, or purchased at reduced price, and asking UFONoMore to remove her from their website. This is why none of the Jordanian royals now appear on the website.

There was, understandably, a HUGE kerfuffle about this. Castleholic wrote a good overview, including discussions of other controversial decisions by Queen Rania. So did @allthingsroyal (post at this link). Luxarazzi wrote a thoughtful post about the complications in the Hashemite Royal Court asking that Rania be removed from the website and the drama in 2019 over the value of Meghan’s wardrobe.

Personally, I side with UFONoMore here. Royals are public figures, supported by the people. Their clothing choices are one of the few things that can easily be examined by the public. Whether or not the royals actually spend full retail value on their clothes ultimately isn’t as important as the image projected by what they choose to wear.

UFONoMore is one of my very favorite websites. It’s a gem. Their findings are often controversial and rarely recognized for the tremendous amount of work involved. I track the retail value of what one member of my fictional French imperial family wears, and it’s hard enough to stay on top of that, let alone identify what dozens of real women wear, and keep retail value stats for 19 of them! They are, frankly, a lynchpin of the royal fashion ecosystem. They don’t deserve the amount of vitriol that comes their way, and they definitely did not deserve to be publicly blasted by a Queen.

[e1igius]

PROJECT: ELIGIUS. (2018-PRESENT)

project: eligius , an american sci-fi thriller drama & netflix original series staring boyd holbrook as huckleberry sawyer , a disgruntled marine veteran who decides it might be better to take justice into his own hands. set in the near future , the series focuses on the dangers of capitalism , imperialism & the military industrical complex on the morals of society as a whole and humans as individuals. originally set to run for one season , the show garnered so much love and attention it was renewed in 2019 and has ranked amongst netflix's most popular original series. the show is set to end during it's final and fifth season , which is currently under production.

[ user0342_bo0bs ] " boyd holbrook is set to appear in an episode of the hunt , netflix's original series following the anita blake comics , fans have speculated he will be reprising his role as either logan pierce or huckleberry sawyer for the series. " well no duh we think that maybe if they stopped posting on set photos where we see him wearing cowboy boots allllll the time

[ fuckmehuckways ] this is literally my favorite show. it has the dark and grit of a hbo series while still being able to watch it with my family without worrying about sex showing up on the screen.

[ notAruSIANbot ] ( replying to , user0342_bo0bs ) wouldn't that imply that netflix created a marvel character since anita blake is technically a marvel character , sawyer is a part of the mcu ? i mean i guess her show is technically sandman vibes but isn't loki in it ? just do a crossover with purple hearts instead.

[ redWHITEandYOUs ] i love that this show isn't " woke " it drops anti-libtard rhetoric all the time and is unapologetic about it. we need more tv shows that paint our veterans in a good light and i need to hear more tv show characters say " fuck "

[neilbenium]

3 Idiots

image from mensxp

A popular comedy-drama from Bollywood that came out in 2009, it focuses on the journey of three engineering students, Farhan Qureshi, Raju Rastogi, and Rancho, at the Imperial College of Engineering.

This movie has a lot of moral lessons on how to cope with problems and challenges. This movie shows the importance of friendship and comradeship. Farhan, Raju, and Rancho show their strong bond of friendship, even though their different backgrounds shape their experiences and decisions throughout their college lives. This also shows the personal desires and expectations of society. Farhan comes from a middle-class family. His father wants him to be an engineer, but Farhan wants to be a wildlife photographer. Raju comes from a poor family; his father is bedridden, so his mother works really hard to support her family's needs. Lastly, Rancho was originally a servant’s son; his true identity is revealed later in the movie. He loved learning and attended school in place of the real Ranchoddas. 

This movie is all about following your passion. This film shows the importance of pursuing one's passion rather than following what other people want you to be. This movie encourages viewers to take risks; overcoming fear will lead to personal growth and success. And lastly, the value of friendship shows the importance of having a supportive and understanding group of friends. Helping each other through personal and academic challenges shows that everything is possible when everyone is bonding.

In conclusion, enjoy every moment of your life. Problems, dilemmas, challenges, conundrums, etc. are part of our journey. Life is not just about achieving goals but also about enjoying the journey. Find friends that will help you achieve your goals without dragging you down. Life is short; make your life meaningful and filled with happiness and happy memories.

References:

Patwa, P. (2018, June 20). “3 Idiots” Is Finally Getting A Sequel & We Can’t Help But Yell “All Izz Well.” MensXP. https://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/bollywood/45648-lsquo-3-idiots-rsquo-is-finally-getting-a-sequel-we-can-t-help-but-yell-lsquo-all-izz-well-rsquo.html

[asiandramarecommendation]

TITLE: The Last Empress

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance

No. of Episodes: 48 (35mins each)

Network: SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System)

SYNOPSIS:

The Last Empress is set in a hypothetical constitutional monarchy in 2018, and follows the story of a musical actress who marries the emperor. She searches for true love and happiness as she fights her way through palace life, and gets entangled in the murder of the emperor’s grandmother, leading to the demise of the imperial family.

(c) Wikipedia

REVIEW: YES! It is indeed a Comeback of our (if you ever watched Fated To Love You: Starring Jang Na-ra and Jang Hyuk) 2nd lead syndrome of Choi Jin Hyuk. So, it is indeed. Now it is currently ON-GOING. It will hooked you up. Not that ordinary KDrama: Beautiful and Happy living in the Palace, a “Good” palace. It is somewhat: Showing how a Powerful Family can be cruel and also SAD. And for me (just watched the 12th episode “24 if you’ll count it on its original release”) I already felt how HAPPY is ordinary life. BUT, WHAT is Ordinary Life? What is true Happiness? 

PS: I love every actors here, how they portray each Character. I really hate Min Yu Ra (Lee Elijah). And by that I love how she portray “Min Yu Ra / Yoo-ra”. Also, to Shin Sung-rok (Emperor Lee Hyuk) for me he is somewhat a Psycho-Emperor with a Trauma. He has a sad and painful past. STILL! I am for Empress Sunny and Chun Woo-bin/Na Wang-sik!! HAHAHAHAH let the jealous begin! And it is the start of Emperor falling for Empress Sunny!!

[blue-ravens]

David Ogden Stiers, Major Winchester on ‘M*A*S*H,’ Dies at 75

David Ogden Stiers, left, with Harry Morgan and William Christopher in a scene from “M*A*S*H.

By Anita Gates (04 March 2018)

David Ogden Stiers, the tall, balding, baritone-voiced actor who brought articulate, somewhat snobbish comic dignity to six seasons of the acclaimed television series “M*A*S*H,” died on Saturday at his home in Newport, Ore., a small coastal city southwest of Salem. He was 75.

His death was announced on Twitter by his agent, Mitchell K. Stubbs, who said the cause was bladder cancer.

Mr. Stiers joined the cast of “M*A*S*H” in 1977, when Larry Linville, who had played the pompous and inept Maj. Frank Burns, left the show. The series, a comedy-drama set in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War, required a foil for its raucous, irreverent, martini-guzzling leads, Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda) and B.J. Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell), and Mr. Stiers’s imperious Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III seemed to fit the bill.

Winchester’s upper-class Boston priggishness, however, turned out to be balanced by impressive medical skills, a heartfelt appreciation of the arts, real wit and a surprising level of compassionate humanity. Winchester was, unlike Frank Burns, a worthy adversary.

From the beginning, Mr. Stiers said, he felt confident about playing Winchester. “It’s just a matter of isolating the traits” from others in his own personality, he told The Salt Lake Tribune in 1977. But he confessed to one definite difference between himself and his aristocratic character. “Where he wears a smoking jacket to bed,” he suggested, “I often wear nothing but socks.”

The role earned Mr. Stiers two Emmy nominations (in 1981 and 1982). He was nominated a third time, in 1984, for his lead role in “The First Olympics: Athens in 1896,” a dramatic mini-series.

In a statement after his death, Loretta Swit, who played Maj. Margaret (Hot Lips) Houlihan on “M*A*S*H,” called Mr. Stiers “my sweet, dear shy friend,” adding, “Working with him was an adventure.”

Mr. Stiers, right, with Mike Farrell and Alan Alda on the set of “M*A*S*H” in 1980.

David Allen Ogden Stiers was born on Oct. 31, 1942, in Peoria, Ill., the son of Kenneth Stiers and the former Margaret Elizabeth Ogden. The family later moved to Eugene, Ore., where David graduated from high school.

After briefly attending the University of Oregon, he headed to California to pursue an acting career and worked with the Santa Clara Shakespeare Festival in California for seven years. In the late 1960s, he moved to New York to study drama at Juilliard.

There he became a member of John Houseman’s City Center Acting Company, making his Broadway debut with the company in 1973. He appeared in “The Three Sisters,” “The Beggar’s Opera” and three other plays, which ran in repertory.

He continued to appear on the New York stage in the 1970s and returned to Broadway later in his career, playing a beloved wartime general in the 2009-10 holiday run of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.”

Mr. Stiers as Reverend Brock in the musical “Tenderloin” at City Center in 2000.

Mr. Stiers had made his film debut with a small role in Jack Nicholson’s counterculture classic “Drive, He Said” (1971). That year, his voice was heard as the announcer in George Lucas’s debut feature film, the dystopian sci-fi drama “THX 1138.”

Voice roles went on to become an important part of Mr. Stiers’s career. He was in the cast of about two dozen Disney animated films, including “Lilo & Stitch” (2002), as the villain Jumba Jookiba, and “Beauty and the Beast” (1991), in which he was the voice of Cogsworth, a strong-willed pendulum clock. That character, often described as “tightly wound” and “ticked off,” suggests to the Beast at one point that he woo his love with “flowers, chocolates, promises you don’t intend to keep.”

Other movie work included roles in “Oh, God!” (1977), “The Man With One Red Shoe” (1985), “The Accidental Tourist” (1988) and four Woody Allen films. (He was a peculiar hypnotist in Mr. Allen’s “The Curse of the Jade Scorpion.”) His last screen appearance was in “The Joneses Unplugged,” a 2017 television movie about technology overload.

Like his “M*A*S*H” character, Mr. Stiers was a devoted fan of classical music. He conducted frequently and was the resident conductor of the Newport Symphony Orchestra (formerly the Yaquina Chamber Orchestra) in Oregon.

He never married. Some reports have suggested that he is survived by a son from an early relationship.

In early 2009, at 66, Mr. Stiers announced that he was gay and “very proud to be so” in a blog interview that was reported by ABC News. His secrecy, he said, had been strictly about the fear that openness about his sexuality might affect his livelihood. Now he regretted that.

“I wish to spend my life’s twilight being just who I am,” he said.

[ruanbaijie]

Omg I just finished watching The Untamed and I'm dead. How am I supposed to move on!? What an amazing show! Right before watching it, I watched Word of Honor and both shows are great (though The Untamed beats it), but now I don't know what to watch next.... Any recommendations?

hello! one does not simply move on from those shows

super glad to hear that you enjoyed those shows!! (I prefer cql a teensy bit more too hehe)

if you’re looking for cdramas, I’ve done up rec posts here and here before! here’s a quick summary from those two posts if you’re looking for cdramas similar to cql and shl, that are in the bl / dangai (adapted from danmei) / 双男主 (double male lead but not necessarily with romance) genre. 

* indicates danmei source material

aired:

Guardian 镇魂 (2018)*

The Birth of the Drama King 少年江湖物语 (2019)*

My Roommate is a Detective 民国奇探 (2020)

The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty 成化十四年 (2020)*

Winter Begonia 鬓边不是海棠红 (2020)*

Killer and Healer 恨君不似江楼月 (2021)

already filmed but not aired yet due to recent stricter censorship laws truly will they even ever air (｡•́︿•̀｡):

A League of Nobleman 张公案

Immortality 皓衣行*

Light the Darkness 深渊*

Winner is King 烽火流金*

if you’re not just looking for bl / double male lead shows, here are a few more cdramas that are worth the watch!

1. The King’s Avatar 全职高手 (2019)

MDL: 8.6

Douban: 7.3

Personal Rating (on MDL): 10

Genres: action, online gaming, friendship, sports

In the multiplayer online game Glory, Ye Xiu is well known as the textbook level expert and top-tier player Ye Qiu. Due to a series of circumstances he was forcefully expelled out of his professional team. After leaving the pro-gaming scene he resides at an Internet Café employed as one of the managers. When Glory launches their tenth server he throws himself into the game once more. Equipped with ten years of gaming experience, memories of the past, and an incomplete self-made weapon. His journey back to the top begins. (mdl)

*SCREAMS*

ok if you’ve snooped around my tumblr recently, you might have realised that I’m VERY obsessed with this right now

I never expected to start 2022 getting hyperfixated over an esports show... alas.

no romance but why does a show need to have romance to be good amirite

amazing action, palatable cgi that I actually came to like (then again I’m coming from cql, guardian, and svsss)

very strong found family feels and underdog story

please just watch this why is the fandom on tumblr so small ;u;

YANG YANG AS YE XIU (´꒳`)♡

it’s a whole damn franchise that I’m getting sucked into right now

season 2 when

2. The Imperial Coroner 御赐小仵作 (2021)

MDL: 8.1

Douban: 7.9

Personal Rating (on MDL): 9

Genres: historical, mystery, forensics, romance, politics

Young girl Chu Chu came from a family of coroners. She meets Prince Xiao Jin Yu, a dignified prince in charge of criminal lawsuit who appeared weak and sickly. Prince Xiao lacks reliable manpower to investigate case, while Chu Chu lacks people to step up, take charge and be a man. Together, they manage to unravel a shocking case that has dragged on for 18 years. After solving the case, she won the Emperor's approval and is finally certified as the Imperial Coroner, fulfilling her life goal. (mdl)

has romance as well as bromance

a good balance of forensics / crime-solving and palace politics shenanigans!

here’s a really well summarised infographic by @dramavixen

3. Couple of Mirrors 双镜 (2021)

MDL: 8.0

Douban: 6.8

Personal Rating (on MDL): 8.5

Genres: historical, thriller, mystery, revenge

You Yi is a young, innocent, and kind-hearted socialite and a successful author, living with everyone's adoration and envy. Her perfect life is turned upside-down when she discovers a betrayal by the two most trusted people in her life. With no one left to turn to, she finds refuge in the friendship and support of Yan Wei, a young photographer with a cold personality. Unbeknownst to all, Yan Wei has a deadly secret identity. (mdl)

a really quick watch, one of the rare wlw cdramas around

republican era aesthetics!!!

4. Reset 开端 (2022)

MDL: 7.8

Douban: 9.0

Genres: mystery, sci-fi, thriller, time loop

When Li Shi Qing awoke that fateful morning, she had no idea her life was about to change forever. Going about her day as usual, Shi Qing boarded the bus without ever giving her actions a second thought. But when the bus she was on was involved in a horrendous accident, Shi Qing had only seconds to realise that her life was about to end. Or was it?

Waking up that very same morning, going through the exact same motions, boarding the same bus, and dying in the same accident, over and over again, Shi Qing soon realises that she has become trapped in a never-ending time loop. Desperate to find a way to escape not only the loop but her tragic fate, Shi Qing inadvertently drags fellow bus passenger, Xiao He Yun, into the loop with her. Together they try to find a way to alter their fate, by ensuring the bus arrives safely at its destination but attempting to do so proves anything but easy. (mdl)

I’ve yet to watch this, but I’ve heard that it’s very good!

if you’re looking for other asian dramas (japanese/ korean/ taiwanese/ thai) as long as they’re bl, I’m afraid I can’t help you there since I haven’t been watching a lot recently >_< you might want to try asking one of these lovely people instead! @nanons @akkstheos @huaschengs @eohachu @chusangwoos 

[haveanotherkpopblog]

Truth in Music

Metamorphosis Profiles and Facts

Metamorphosis (메타모르포시스) currently consists of 4 members: Annaliese, Jinae, Seonmi, and Haeju. Metamorphosis made their official debut on July 28, 2008, under SM Entertainment.

Metamorphosis Fandom Name: Butterfly

Metamorphosis Fandom Colors: Imperial Blue and French Mauve

Metamorphosis Official Accounts:

Instagram: @metamorphosis

Facebook: Metamorphosis

Twitter: @Metamorphosisofficial

Weibo: metamorphosis

Official Website: metamorphosis.smtown

Youtube: Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis Members Profile:

Annaliese

Stage Name: Annaliese (아나엘새)

Birth Name: Kim Soo Min (김수민)

Chinese Name: Jin Zhu Min (金洙珉)

English Name: Annaliese Kim

Position: Leader, Main Rapper, Lead Dancer

Birthday: July, 3, 1993

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Chinese Zodiac: Rooster

Nationality: Korean

Height: 172 cm (5’8”)

Weight: 59 kg (132 lbs)

Blood Type: AB

Hometown: Seoul, South Korea

Sub Unit: SM’s Girls of Rock,   Metamorphosis- A.J

Instagram: @real_annaliese

Twitter: @realannaliese

Tik Tok: @ksmannaliese

Annaliese Facts:

She is from Seoul, South Korea.

Her family consists of her father, mother, two older brothers (6 & 2 years older)

She can play piano, guitar, and drums.

She made her solo debut on December 18, 2012 with her 1st mini album “A Different Type of Love”. 

During the holiday seasons of 2012, someone broke into the dorm and went through the girls’ stuff. Many of Annaliese’s private and personal garments had been stolen. While police investigated, she was moved to a safe house that wasn’t even disclosed to her own family. Because of the incident, she has hired a personal bodyguard that she’s rarely seen without.

She starred as the lead female in the Korean rendition of “The Phantom of the Opera” (2013) alongside Super Junior’s Kyuhyun and musical actor Kim Da-hyun.

On May 5, 2015, it was revealed that Annaliese and Super Junior’s Kyuhyun were dating.

In June of 2015, Annaliese was in a car crash, leaving her in a coma for four months. When she woke up, she had to do two months of physical therapy and relearning how to properly use her voice. To this day, there are certain words she can’t say without struggling. She received few physical injuries outside a broken arm and a fractured skull.

On May 20, 2017, SM Ent. announced that Annaliese and Kyuhyun had broken up for his military enlistment. They agreed to remain good friends.

In February of 2018, Annaliese came out as bisexual.

In the dorms, Annaliese shares a room with Jinae.

As of 2020, she has her own house.

She starred as a leading female role in Vive la Revolution (2020).

On April 5, 2020, Annaliese and EXO’s Chanyeol debuted as the Duo “Interlink”.

Annaliese’s Ideal Type is someone who’s tall, older, and makes her laugh.

More Annaliese Facts

Jinae

Stage Name: Jinae (진애)

Birth Name: Lee Jin-ae (이진애)

Chinese Name: Li Chen Ai (李辰愛)

English Name: Jennifer Lee

Position: Main Vocalist, Visual

Birthday: June 13, 1992

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Chinese Zodiac: Monkey

Nationality: Korean

Height: 170 cm (5′ 7″)

Weight: 58 kg (131lbs)

Blood Type: A

Hometown: Incheon, South Korea

Sub Unit: SM Ballad, Metamorphosis- A.J.

Instagram: @leejinae_mm

Twitter: @mmjinaelee

Jinae Facts:

She is from Incheon, South Korea but moved to Seoul when she was three.

Family: Father & Mother

Education: Korean National University of Arts (Majoring in acting)

She made her acting debut in 2010 as the leading female role in “The Vampire’s Masquerade”.

In 2011, Jinae began dating actor Lee Min-ho.

A few months later, they announced their breakup to focus on their personal careers and remain good friends.

She starred as the leading lady in her first K-Drama, “Hidden Haven” (2012).

During the holiday seasons of 2012, someone broke into the dorm and went through the girls’ stuff. Most of Jinae’s stuff had been thrown around in a chaotic mess but nothing of hers was missing. Jinae stayed with her ex-boyfriend Lee Min-ho until a new dorm was found.

In 2013, she starred as the female lead in the K-Drama “No Place Like Home”.

In 2013, SM confirmed that Jinae and James Lee were dating.

The couple announced their breakup in mid-2014 to focus on their solo careers.

In 2016, she released her own fashion line “Title”.

She was the lead female in “My Dearest Love” (2016) alongside Suho (EXO).

In early 2017, SM confirmed that Jinae and 2PM’s Junho were dating.

In November of 2018, SM announced that Jinae and Junho had broken up for his enlistment.

She began hosting “Who Did It Better?” in 2019.

Jinae’s Ideal Type is someone respectable and passionate.

More Jinae Facts

Seonmi

Stage Name: Seonmi (선미)

Birth Name: Park Mi Sun (박미순)

Chinese Name: Piao Mi Sun (朴米孫)

English Name: Mary Park

Position: Main Dancer, Vocalist

Birthday: March 8, 1994

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Chinese Zodiac: Dog

Nationality: Korean

Height: 170 cm (5′7″)

Weight: 60 kg (134 lbs)

Blood Type: O

Hometown: Daegu, South Korea

Sub Unit: SM the Performance

Seonmi Facts:

She’s from Daegu, South Korea

Family: Father, 3 Older Brothers (5, 3 & 2 years older)

Education: Kyung Hee Cyber University (Majoring in Post-Modern Music)

During the holiday seasons of 2012, someone broke into the dorm and went through the girls’ stuff. Seonmi’s stuff was untouched, but she went to stay with Super Junior in their dorms while a new dorm was being searched for.

She doesn’t like watching movies because she doesn’t like sitting and doing nothing.

Her nickname is “Street Fighter” because she can’t stand still.

She grew up with BTS’ V and the pair are still very close.

She knows every K-Pop dance and can/will dance them. (Weekly Idol)

She can play Soccer, Basketball, and Baseball.

She has an intense exercise routine she does everyday that no one can keep up with.

She looks up to Seo Jang-hoon and her father.

Seonmi says if she wasn’t a dancer, she would have done a professional sport.

She became a dancer because her mother loved to dance.

She won the King of the Masked Singer, successfully stopping Kyuhyun’s (Super Junior) streak.

She hasn’t had her first kiss. (Knowing Bros.)

Seonmi’s Ideal Type is someone athletic and kind, like Jackson Wang.

More Seonmi Facts

Haeju

Stage Name: Haeju (해주)

Birth Name: Oh Hae Ju (오해주)

Chinese Name: Wu Hei Ju(吳黑據)

English Name: Hailey Oh

Position: Maknae, Face of Group, Vocalist

Birthday: August 11, 1994

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Chinese Zodiac: Dog

Nationality: Korean

Height: 171 cm (5’ 7”)

Weight: 54 kg (121 lbs)

Blood Type: A

Hometown: Busan, South Korea

Instagram: @ohhaeju___

Haeju Facts:

She is from Busan, South Korea

Family: Father, Mother, Young Sister (1 year younger)

Education: Daeyeon High School

In 2009, there was a dating rumor about her and Ryeowook (Super Junior), but SM denied the rumors.

Her sister visits the dorm all the time.

She does the cooking in the dorm.

During the holiday seasons of 2012, someone broke into the dorm and went through the girls’ stuff. Haeju’s stuff was untouched, but due to the creepy notes left around the house, the girls stayed in different locations while a new dorm was searched for. Haeju spent the two months living with a couple of the girl trainees of SM.

She and Kyuhyun (Super Junior) had a three month prank war. (Knowing Bros.)

She released her own fashion brand “Speranza” in 2015.

She likes hanging out with NCT because she misses being the oldest. (Weekly Idol)

She likes to flirt with EXO’s Suho to annoy Annaliese.

In 2018, after a heartfelt reunion at his discharge, the Haeju/Ryeowook rumor surfaced briefly before both artists simply stated that they were happy to see each other as friends.

She shares a room with Seonmi.

As of 2020, she moved back in with her parents in Busan.

In 2021, Haeju and Ryeowook announced their engagement.

Haeju and Ryeowook officially tied the knot in October of 2022

Haeju’s Ideal Type is someone strong and can take care of her.

More Haeju Facts

[myyenlee]

Celebrating UK Black History Month: Learning Resources, a Read & Watch List, and Content Creation Tools

This year’s UK Black History Month theme, Proud To Be, is about celebrating the Black experience. As a distributed company with employees around the world, including the United Kingdom, we believe that the more perspectives we embrace, and the more we learn about our teammates, the better we are at engaging and helping our global community. 

This October, we encourage individuals and organizations to learn more about Black history, heritage, and culture in the UK. “Black British history is British history. It’s more than a month; it is interwoven in everything,” says Ama, a colleague based in Scotland. “We have changed landscapes in education, law, politics, work, and equality for all within the UK.” Black history is deeply embedded in UK culture, says Ama, from institutions — like the National Health Service — to music, sports, art, media, and popular culture.

Interested in learning more? We’ve compiled a list of staff recommendations:

websites and organizations on WordPress

books, films, and television by Black thinkers and creators in the UK

blogging and website-building tools

Explore these resources this month — or bookmark them for learning and inspiration anytime.

#PoweredByWordPress learning resources

From the official UK Black History Month hub to the website of the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation, these resources are great starting points for your journey.

Black History Month 2021

All year long, Black History Month publishes news, features, career and education information, and event listings across the UK. Make it your first resource for getting educated and involved.

Black Heroes Foundation

Focused on youth education and development, this London-based community charity raises Black cultural awareness of the general public, educating and uplifting youth in particular. The foundation envisions a world where Black heroes are acknowledged, respected, and celebrated.

Stephen Lawrence Day

The 1993 murder and case of Stephen Lawrence — an 18-year-old from southeast London who was killed in an unprovoked racial attack while waiting for the bus — led to a major shift in the UK in attitudes about racism, the criminal justice system, and the role of the police. The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation continues to tell Stephen’s story, offers resources for educators and organizers, and works toward creating a just society.

The National Archives

The National Archives is the official archive and publisher of the UK government, documenting over 1000 years of history. Researchers can browse the Black British history section of the website for a guide on social and political history in the 20th century, lots of blog and multimedia content, and records relating to British citizens of African and African-Caribbean descent.

Black History Walks

Partnering with museums, schools, and other institutions, Black History Walks offers a dozen walking tours throughout London, public monthly educational talks, and video courses and resources on Black history. Its diverse programming targets a range of people both in person and online, from students to travelers to businesses.

A read & watch syllabus

Looking for book, TV, and film recommendations about Black history and culture in the UK — or by Black scholars and creators — but aren’t sure where to start? Here are some of our nonfiction, fiction, and film and television picks.

Nonfiction

Black and British: A Forgotten History: Published to accompany the BBC Two series noted in the Film and Television section below, this must-read book by historian David Olusoga examines the shared history between the British Isles and the people of Africa.

100 Great Black Britons: In this book, Patrick Vernon and Angelina Osborne — founders of the 100 Great Black Britons campaign — celebrate Black British history and recognize key Black Britons who have helped to shape Great Britain.

Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging: A hybrid of history and memoir, Afua Hirsch’s book “reveals the identity crisis at the heart of Britain today” and explores a nation in denial about its imperial past and present.

This Is Why I Resist: Don’t Define My Black Identity: In a book that demands fundamental change, activist and lawyer Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu examines the roots of racism and anti-Blackness and calls for meaningful action.

The Louder I Will Sing: A Story of Racism, Riots and Redemption: In 1985, when Lee Lawrence was a child, his mother was wrongfully shot by police during a raid on their home in Brixton. Published more than three decades later, his memoir chronicles what it was like to grow up as a young Black man in England and how that day influenced his family.

In Black and White: A Young Barrister’s Story of Race and Class in a Broken Justice System: Experiencing a tragedy as a teenager pushed Alexander Wilson to become a barrister — a type of lawyer — so she could make a difference within an unjust system. Her debut book describes her experience as a mixed-race woman in a field lacking in diverse representation.

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire: In this book, author and hip-hop artist Akala blends biography and personal experience with an examination of race and class across topics — from education to politics and the police to the far right.

Misfits: A Personal Manifesto: This “coming-to-power manifesto” by Michaela Coel — the actress, writer, and creator of I May Destroy You — builds on an inspiring keynote address she delivered at the 2018 Edinburgh International Television Festival about resilience, empathy, storytelling, and growing up in public housing in East London.

What a Time to Be Alone: The Slumflower’s Guide to Why You Are Already Enough: In this illustrated self-help guide, author and influencer Chidera Eggerue, also known as the Slumflower, writes about self-love, empowerment, and creating your own narrative. The book also includes Igbo proverbs from Eggerue’s Nigerian mother.

I recommend David Olusoga’s Black and British: A Forgotten History. It’s a really important book, with new updates on the Windrush scandal and Black Lives Matter from the UK perspective.

—Victoria Jones, UK

Fiction

White Teeth: Published over 20 years ago, Zadie Smith’s debut novel focuses on the lives of two unlikely friends and their families in London. Considered a “modern classic of multicultural Britain,” the book is a window into the immigrant experience.

Girl, Woman, Other: Weaving a dozen narratives about different people across ages, backgrounds, and professions, Bernardine Evaristo examines topics of identity, race, and womanhood in modern Britain.

Love in Colour: This collection of short stories by author Bolu Babalola reimagines ancient love stories and folktales from around the world, from Greek myths to Middle Eastern legends, and centers Black women and strong female characters.

Queenie: This sharp and funny novel by Candice Carty-Williams is about the life of Queenie Jenkins, a mid-twenties British Jamaican woman living in London who’s struggling to find her place in the world.

Such a Fun Age: One night, a supermarket security guard sees a young Black woman, Emira Tucker, in the aisles with a white toddler. The guard accuses Emira of kidnapping, when in reality she’s the babysitter. In this novel, Kiley Reid takes a look at race, class, power dynamics, and privilege.

I’ve greatly valued Zadie Smith’s work. Her novels — especially White Teeth — are well crafted and offer a mix of comedy and realism that often focuses on social class in England. Her essays are things of beauty. She’s worth a read, no matter the month.

Daryl L. L. Houston, USA

Film and Television

Black and British: A Forgotten History: This BBC Two series by David Olusoga, composed of four episodes, looks at the relationship between Britain and people of African origins, slavery, and Black British identity in the 20th century.

Small Axe: In this anthology of five films, 12 Years a Slave filmmaker Steve McQueen brings to life the stories of West Indian immigrants in London from the 1960s to 1980s.

Black Power: A British Story of Resistance: This hour-and-a-half documentary includes interviews with activists involved in Britain’s Black Power movement in the late 1960s. (The BBC’s larger collection of programming for Black History Month is also worth browsing.)

I May Destroy You: Michaela Coel’s recent Emmy-winning drama series is about a promising young writer, Arabella, who is sexually assaulted one night while out with her friends. The show explores consent and trauma, and stars a primarily Black British cast.

Black and Welsh: Cardiff-born filmmaker Liana Stewart brings together people from across Wales to highlight its multiculturalism and to share stories from community members about what it means to be Black and Welsh.

Hair Power: Me and My Afro: Irish writer and broadcaster Emma Dabiri has intimate conversations with both men and women about their hair, digging into how and why Afro and Black hair is an important and complex aspect of the Black experience.

Highlife: This premium reality TV show follows the lives of eight successful, glamorous British West Africans and depicts a different angle of Black life in the UK.

Desmond’s: Originally running from 1989 to 1994, this sitcom was set in a barbershop in Peckham, southeast London, and featured a mostly Black British Guyanese cast.

Blog and website resources

Lean on these resources, tools, and organizations during UK Black History Month — and beyond — to publish content on your site that’s fitting for your audience, or to connect with and collaborate with others.

Stock illustration libraries like Black Illustrations.

Diverse stock photography sites, including free resources like Nappy, Picnoi, and CreateHER Stock, and premium photo collections at TONL, Eye for Ebony, Mocha Stock, and Raw Pixel. (Disabled and Here, a free stock image library with photos of disabled Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), also publishes an interview series with disabled BIPOC writers and activists.)

Organizations at the intersection of tech and diversity, like UKBlackTech, which supports diverse innovation and equity, transparency, and representation across the UK; and TechUP Women, a tech training program for people from underrepresented communities.

Teaching resources across age groups, including a Black History Month resource pack, a BBC series of short films for primary and secondary school teachers, and The Times Educational Supplement’s Black experiences hub.

Would you like to recommend a website on WordPress, writing or media by a Black thinker or creator in the UK, or another resource? Tell us in the comments.

from Blogging Tips https://wordpress.com/blog/2021/10/04/uk-black-history-month-resources-recommendations-tools/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

[iginthepenguin]

Legend of Yunxi - 芸汐传

hello peeps!!! i’m back with my recommendation (again). this drama is not an on going drama, Legend of Yunxi released during 2018 and the reason why i decided to watch it is because i was waiting for new episodes of the same lead in another drama titled The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion that ended recently😂. i didn’t know until i did some research that Ruyi reunited the same lead couple. i fell in love with the lead couple❤. okay so this drama starred by Ju Jingyi as Han Yunxi and Zhang Zhehan as Prince Qin a.k.a Long Feiye, based on 天才小毒妃 novel by 芥沫 about a girl who mastered and has great interest in poison also a daughter of imperial doctor and a prince who got poisoned when he was a boy and his family got kidnapped by Tiangnan Kingdom. Yunxi lost her mom when she was still a little girl and she got outcast by her family especially by her step mom and step sister. luckily she got bestowed a marriage by empress dowager and the emperor but there’s an evil plot behind this marriage from the imperial palace. the empress dowager and emperor hates Prince Qin and his mother consort and plotted against them since long time. Yunxi was arranged to marry Prince Qin to confirm his identity as the descendant of Wind Tribe by the empress dowager and in exchange the empress dowager help her to reunite with her mother where she believed to be long-lost when she was a girl. she believed the empress dowager and agreed to help her when she was gifted her mother jade bracelet. but before she got the arranged marriage with Prince Qin, Yunxi went to a mountain where at the top of it has a temple slash hide-out of the Tiangnan’s crown prince to develop Gu-abetted man. Prince Qin went to the temple with his man to rescue the victim who become the guinea pigs and he fell from the cliff when he was about to escape, but accidentally met Yunxi who was trying to “steal” Shenyou grass from the cliff to cure her face that has a scar. they fell and Prince Qin interrogated Yunxi why she was at the cliff that night and what was she doing. Yunxi answered telling she was trying to take the medicine that can cure her scar, but when Prince Qin lowered his guard Yunxi spread a powder that weaken Prince Qin so she could escape but before she escape she hit Prince Qin and found an interesting book that contains a lot of information regarding poison which later taken by her. she saw Prince Qin’s face and Prince Qin wanted to kill her and she ran away to valley called ghost-herb valley, that valley contains a poisonous smoke around and Prince Qin failed to enter but not Yunxi. she ate a pill that could detox the poison and met Gu Qishao who is the owner of the valley. back to the wedding part, Yunxi late arrival (and also the wedding) is rejected by Prince Qin’s mother called Consort Yi. but Yunxi made her way into the Qin’s mansion and married “alone” to the mansion. she waited at the wedding room till Prince Qin cameback from his “trip”, he was lured by someone who wants to frame him as a minister murderer. he got poisoned and luckily got detox by Yunxi who is a poison genius. Yunxi didn’t know Prince Qin’s identity when she was rescuing the man who suddenly show up at the room, but when the healing process is done and try to make Prince Qin leave, Prince Qin then revealed his identity and told Yunxi he is her husband. Prince Qin has a high awareness towards anyone who isn’t his people. Yunxi try to prove she’s useful to Prince Qin and they both fell in love with each other within the process.

i hated how they keep fighting and got back again after because it was always caused by misunderstandings! (but still cute-ugh this love-hate emotion)

find out the what’s going to happen next urself! cause it’s getting more interesting so if u guys haven’t watch it and plans to watch it, please do so! i hope u guys enjoy the drama like i did!

this drama has 48 episodes and 2 special episodes

overall it was good.

thankyou for reading - spread love not hate❤~

and especially now stay safe and stay at home peeps🏠❤

- 𝖘𝖕𝖔𝖎𝖑𝖊𝖗 𝖆𝖑𝖊𝖗𝖙! : sad ending awaiting πーπ -

*disclaimer* : this all are my personal opinion only.

[drivingsideways]

Have you and @rainhat seen the kdrama The Last Empress (2018)? It stars Jang Na Ra as Oh Sunny who thought she married into the Imperial family for love but learned that hard way that Emperor Lee Hyuk (Shin Sung Rok) and Dowager Empress Kang (Shin Eun Kyung) are murderous and corrupted psychopaths so she teams up with Na Wang Sik/Chun Woo Bin (Choi Jin Hyuk), who became the Emperor's most trusted bodyguard to seek revenge for his mom's death caused by Lee Hyuk, to take down the monarchy. (1/2)

From what I've seen of your opinion of the monarchy in TKEM, I think you two would enjoy analyzing TLE as well. Fair warning, general opinion is that the drama is kind of a hilarious hot mess, but in my opinion, enjoyable so far. It's fairly addictive too since I started on 7/29 and have finished 28 out of 52 30-min episodes. Full disclaimer: I do have an ulterior motive to recommend it. Both of your writing are some of my favorites and there is only 1 Eng fic out of 2 in its tag on AO3. (2/2)

No, I have not! @rain-hat may have, since she’s watched many more kdramas than me! I’m watching “Six Flying Dragons” (on ep 39/50!) which I have mixed, but mostly good feelings about. Fortunately for my already over-stimulated brain, it doesn’t raise any fic impulses in me so far. Well, some fic impulses, but I’m shoo-ing them. I don’t have THE TIME!!  And next on my list is  finishing “My Country: New Age” because WDH’s face and also Jang Hyuk. So not sure whether I’ll get to TLE, but thanks for the rec! :) 

[aion-rsa]

The Mandalorian Season 2: Boba Fett’s Return Explained

https://ift.tt/2E5v2UK

This Star Wars article contains spoilers.

From the very beginning, Boba Fett has inspired The Mandalorian. Showrunner Jon Favreau’s “toy box” approach pitched protagonist Din Djarin as a Boba Fett-like figure, and although the two are quite different in terms of personality and history, the iconic silhouette of the space western gunslinger is very similar. 

But now Boba Fett himself is back in The Mandalorian season 2, played by none other than Temuera Morrison in a very brief cameo. At the very end of the season 2 premiere “The Marshall,” we find Boba watching from a hill as Mando rides off with his old armor, a scowl on the old Mandalorian’s face that would silence a krayt dragon. With all the Mandalorian history and bounty hunting on the show, it was only a matter of time before we finally got to see Boba in the flesh!

Stream your Star Wars favorites on Disney+ with a FREE TRIAL, on us!

While new Star Wars fans may not be as familiar with Boba Fett, fans who’ve spent hours rewatching the Original Trilogy of movies likely let out a shriek when Morrison hit the screen on the live-action series. The helmeted bounty hunter first appeared in the Star Wars Holiday Special in animated form, but more famously in The Empire Strikes Back as a mysterious figure able to talk back to Darth Vader without consequences. Although he’s barely on screen and speaks very few lines in Empire and Return of the Jedi, his iconic look and intimidating swagger have made him one of the most popular characters in the saga. Most Star Wars fans will recognize his iconic T-visored Mandalorian helmet, jetpack, and gauntlets that can shoot either missiles or ropes for capturing bounties alive. His entire storyline in the Original Trilogy involved hunting down Han Solo for Jabba the Hutt, and he’d fit right in The Mandalorian’s Bounty Hunter’s Guild.

Morrison isn’t the original actor to play Boba Fett: that’s Jeremy Bulloch, who wore the helmet in the Original Trilogy. Other people helped bring the character to life, too. John Morton filled in as body double for Bulloch and Jason Wingreen provided the voice. But Morrison played Jango Fett in Attack of the Clones and is, therefore, the live-action face for all of Jango’s clones, including Boba. This is also why George Lucas later dubbed Morrison’s voice over Wingreen’s performance for the DVD release of the Original Trilogy in 2004.

Unsurprisingly, Boba Fett’s return has sparked a lot of talk among fans, who will likely spend the entire season theorizing how the bounty hunter was able to escape his fate in Return of the Jedi and what his arrival might mean for The Mandalorian. Let’s discuss…

Why Is Boba Fett Returning in The Mandalorian?

Disney has already tried to bring Boba Fett back to live-action twice since it purchased Lucasfilm and the rights to Star Wars in 2012. In 2015, Fantastic Four director Josh Trank was attached to direct a Boba Fett movie that was originally going to be announced as a third Star Wars Story standalone movie, along with Rogue One and Solo. According to an interview with Polygon, Trank “quit because I knew I was going to be fired if I didn’t quit” after Fantastic Four‘s dismal performance and the well-known behind-the-scenes drama during production.

The Boba Fett project was revived in 2018, with Logan director James Mangold set to helm the movie, but this second attempt was also shelved after Solo‘s tepid turn at the box office that same year. Simon Kinberg, Rebels producer and Dark Phoenix director, would have co-written the movie.

In 2020, The Mandalorian provides perhaps the best re-entry point for Boba Fett. Not only does it star a main character with a similar occupation and a taste for carbonite, but it delves deeper into Mandalorian culture as well as what happened to places like Tatooine after the fall of the Empire. Even though Boba Fett isn’t Mandalorian by blood, the fate of Mandalore could still affect him personally, especially since his father was a member of that culture, even if Jango was treated like an outcast by the planet’s pacifist government. Would Fett still be an ally of the Empire after what they did to his father’s people?

The show first teased the return of Boba Fett in the season 1 episode “The Gunslinger.” That episode ends with a mysterious figure inspecting the body of Din Djarin’s latest target on Tatooine. When does this moment take place with respect to Fett’s timeline? Has he just escaped the sarlacc or has he spent the years since Return of the Jedi as a hermit in the desert? Has he been following Din’s tracks all along? The cameo seems to confirm Boba’s hermit status, as we see him wearing black robes and carrying a rifle as his own protection. (He very likely wants his armor back.)

But has he also been tracking Mando? When it comes to a bounty as big as the one on Din and Baby Yoda‘s heads in season 1, there’s no doubt that the greatest bounty hunter in the galaxy would have heard about it. And if the underworld has forgotten him after he was swallowed whole by the sarlacc, what better way to reclaim his reputation than by collecting the bounty no one else could?

That’s not to say that the bounty hunter has definitely returned as a villain. For one thing, this could just be a cameo or perhaps the very start of an arc that will see Boba following our heroes around, waiting for the right moment to reveal himself.

However Fett’s story plays out, it could set up future adventures for the character, just like the ones he had before Disney erased the classic Legends continuity from canon.

How Did Boba Fett Survive the Sarlacc Pit?

Fett’s death in Return of the Jedi wasn’t the end for the bounty hunter in the pre-Disney Legends continuity. In fact, he lived a long life that stretched decades beyond the events of the Original Trilogy. But how did he survive a fate as gruesome as being slowly digested over a thousand years inside of the sarlacc?

Fans learned in the classic Dark Horse comic series Dark Empire by Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy that Fett’s armor allowed him to survive inside the sarlacc and fight his way out, blowing up the creature in the process (a move very similar to how Mando escaped the belly of the krayt dragon in “The Marshall”). The novel The Mandalorian Armor by K.W. Jeter further explained that it was rival bounty hunter Dengar who found Boba Fett half-dead in the desert and nursed him back to health.

From that point on, Fett became a regular character in the Legends Expanded Universe, featuring in many bounty-hunter focused books. He also made a brief cameo in the 19-book New Jedi Order series and appeared in the Jedi-focused Legacy of the Force and Fate of the Jedi books. In fact, Fett lived on until the very end of the Legends timeline, completely defying the odds after his initial demise in Return of the Jedi.

Read more

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How Star Wars: The Clone Wars Forgot About Durge

By Ryan Britt

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The Mandalorian Season 2: Ahsoka Tano’s Return Explained

By Megan Crouse

Boba Fett eventually became the leader of the Mandalorians, which had a sprawling culture and even their own official language in Legends. Fett had a family and his granddaughter ended up assisting in the training of Jaina Solo, Han and Leia’s daughter.

As in the Sequel Trilogy, Legends included the continuation of the Skywalker-Solo clan, and, while Fett mostly kept to himself as the leader of a third faction sometimes opposed and sometimes allied with the Republic, he was involved with incorporating Mandalorian fighting into Jaina’s Jedi training. He also became a formal ally of the Jedi in the war against Jaina’s brother, Jacen Solo/Darth Caedus, in Legacy of the Force.

Will the Disney canon do something similar with Boba Fett’s post-Return of the Jedi story? We don’t know what the studio might have in mind for Fett, or whether he will eventually turn into a more sympathetic anti-hero character, but it wouldn’t be surprising if some elements from his Legends storyline were brought into the new canon. That’s exactly what Disney did with Grand Admiral Thrawn, another character whose Legends story was pieced together in a new way in the canon animated series Rebels.

How Boba Fett Might Connect to Baby Yoda 

Boba, as we all know, isn’t a traditional Mandalorian — he’s a clone. He wasn’t born on Mandalore, he wasn’t connected to a traditional cultural/religious covert like Din Djarin in The Mandalorian, and his father Jango, a killer willing to sell his clones to the Republic, doesn’t exactly seem like a traditionalist in the vein of the Armorer or Mandalorian leader Bo-Katan Kryze. 

There’s certainly some kind of cloning plot being woven into The Mandalorian. In season 1, Ugnaught hero Kuill suggested that Baby Yoda could be a “strand-cast,” a type of bio-engineered clone that Emperor Palpatine hoped to use as the perfect vessel for his spirit after his original body was destroyed in the Battle of Endor. We know that Dr. Pershing, an Imperial scientist, wanted to experiment on the Child before Din decided to rescue him. Was Baby Yoda part of the Emperor’s plan to find a new vessel or a clone of Master Yoda the Emperor planned to turn to the dark side?

Or is Baby Yoda the result of a separate strand-cast experiment that worked where so many of the Sith’s failed? If this is the case, the Empire would undoubtedly want to see how the Child not only survived the cloning process but also became powerful in the Force. As we learn in The Rise of Skywalker, the Emperor’s own clones were all massive disappointments on that front.

What if Boba Fett is hunting Baby Yoda for what’s left of the Empire? Would they feel any sort of affinity toward each other if they’re both clones, or would Boba Fett be the cold-hearted killer to Din Djarin’s heartfelt foundling? The potential clone connection could make for a captivating storyline in season 2.

Fans certainly have had a lot of time to come up with opinions, headcanon, and theories about the bounty hunter. Fett speaks sparingly and radiates intimidation, even if his most famous role features him falling into a large pit. Attack of the Clones and The Clone Wars added to Fett’s backstory and showed him learning the ropes of the bounty hunting trade. All that could be paid off in The Mandalorian, depending on how the show incorporates Morrison now that he’s made his return.

The Star Wars franchise has been in a rather uncertain place since the Disney purchase, with movies doing well at the box office but cultural cache falling. The Mandalorian is one of the most unquestionably successful and high-quality parts of the franchise right now, so it’s a good business decision to bring a very popular character to the show. We’ll see what that means for the story. 

The Mandalorian season 2 airs Fridays at 12:01 pm PT/3:01 am ET on Disney+.

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[marriedtothescreen]

8 Korean Period Dramas to Binge:

With Americans cooped up and streaming here is a guide for those who are looking for new period dramas to watch and if subtitles don’t bother you as much. 

1. Mr. Sunshine - 2018 - 24 Episodes (Netflix)

A period piece set in the late 1800s just as Japanese imperialism is creeping into Korea. A former slave who escaped to America returns as a successful US Marine but falls for a young beautiful noblewoman who is in secret also a rebel fighter. Beautiful cinematography, epic storytelling, an amazing cast ensemble this tragic love story plays out against the near end of the Joseon Dynasty.

2. The Moon Embracing the Sun - 2012 - 20 Episodes (Amazon Prime or Viki with a subscription)

The daughter of a noble family is chosen to marry the Crown Prince, but in a bid for more power her death is ordered by the Dowager Queen. She becomes cursed with an illness and thought to be dead. 8 years later now the young King meets a young shaman and he can’t help but find similarities between her and his first love so starts to investigate her death. 

3. Empress Ki - 2013  - 51 Episodes (Amazon Prime)

Seungnyang is a Goryeo born woman who grows up in hiding living as a man where she attracts the attention of the deposed prince of Goryeo who she forms feelings for. Upon discovery of her identity she is sent to Yuan to be a servant in the palace of the Emperor of the Mongol Empire. Through many twists and turns in her life and lovers she ends up becoming an Empress of the Yuan Dynasty. 

4. The Scholar Who Walks the Night - 2015 - 20 Episodes (Amazon Prime or Viki with a subscription)

The daughter of a nobleman accused of treason makes ends meet by dressing as a man and working as a bookseller. Through this she meets a special scholar who makes a request to find a lost memorandum of his friend, the deceased Crown Prince. Discovering she is a female he keeps her secret as he has his own, he is a vampire. Made a guardian he is given a special robe to wear in the sun but he is on a mission to find a way to kill the vampire who killed his first love long ago. 

5. The Crowned Clown - 2019 - 16 Episodes  (Viki with a subscription or Free with ads)

With a palace in chaos and fear of assassination, the mad king fears for his life. When a clown performer is found who looks identical to him, the clown takes his place to take the assassination attempt, but once the clown in on the throne it is realized he makes a better king and he falls for the gentle and under loved Queen. 

6. The Great Queen Seondeok - 2009 - 62 Episodes - (Viki with a subscription or Free with ads)

Set during the Silla dynasty it tells the story of Queen Seondeok as she grows up in hiding over a threat to her mother. Discovering her true identity and ever growing conflict in the royal court, the princess decides to take back what was hers and successfully becomes the first female ruler of the Silla dynasty. 

7. The Great Doctor (Faith) - 2012 - 24 Episodes - (Viki with a subscription)

The King of Goryeo’s wife is fatally attacked and he gives an order to his royal bodyguard to pass through a mystical portal to bring back “heaven’s doctor”. The bodyguard passes through the portal and ends up in modern day Seoul where he happens upon a doctor and kidnaps her back into the past to save the Queen’s life. Promised to be sent back, a scheming royal advisor keeps her stuck in the past but while there she falls in love with the man who dragged her into the situation. 

8. Sungkyunkwang Scandal - 2010 - 20 Episodes - (Viki with a subscription or Free with ads)

Kim Yoon-Hee is making ends meet for her family by disguising as her brother and working in a bookstore, using her knowledge she becomes an illegal substitute exam taker. At the entrance to Sungkyunkwang exam she gets caught by the upright Lee Sun-Joon but he gets her to apply to the university for herself not knowing her real identity. There at school she gets the education she would have never been allowed as a girl and has her pack of close friends but as she fights to keep her secret feelings for Lee Sun-Joon grow.

[natehoodreviews]

400 Words on MONSTRUM [2018] ★★★

Heo Jong-ho’s Monstrum is a film that wears many hats—or, er, many gats. On the one hand it attempts to be a lavish historical epic that elevates the iconography of the sixteenth century Joseon period to the same levels of splendor as ancient China and Japan. In South Korea’s continuing bid for Southeast Asian cultural superiority, it only makes sense that they’d want to make ancient Korea as iconic and instantly recognizable as China’s Forbidden City and imperial court or Japan’s august shiro and indomitable samurai. The film’s also a kaiju movie, centering on a giant monster known as “Monstrum” that lives on Mount Inwangsan near the capital city. The creature ravishes the countryside, destroying whole villages and infecting the survivors with plague. Looking like a pustule-ridden shisa with gorilla arms, Monstrum is a terrifying, agile, and indestructible beastie. Meanwhile, the film also features Game of Thrones style realpolitik scheming, frequently focusing on the inner machinations of the Joseon court and the Prime Minister’s ruthless Machiavellian scheming to undermine and overthrown the emperor. In the midst of all this, the film’s also a family survival drama reminiscent of Roland Emmerich’s disaster movies, following disgraced former general Yun Kyum (Kum Myung-min) as he’s summoned by Emperor Jungjong (Park Hee-soon) to hunt down Monstrum. He takes with him his doltish but devoted second-in-command Sung Han (Kim In-kwon) and his headstrong adopted daughter Myung (Lee Hye-ri), both of whom get their own subplots and characters arcs. And finally, Monstrum tries to be a big-budget action movie, combining traditional creature feature destruction with wuxia-flavored Korean martial arts fights. Does it all work? Not particularly. For in addition to everything previously mentioned, the film also tries to be an allegory. Who are the real monsters, it asks, the shisa-gorilla or the scheming, despotic politicians (who for the first half of the movie are implied as having invented Monstrum as an urban legend to help discredit Jungjong)? The answer, of course, is that the giant monster is the real monster, rendering all its metaphors about the dangers of unchecked political ambition moot. The film has serious structural issues, too, with a third act that goes on and on and on. Still, if Monstrum is a mess it’s an admirable one, the product of too much ambition, not a bottom-line driven lack of it.