#Korean ancient values

[ooahanjs]

Batal Stone: Hongik Ingan

The Philosophical Roots of Batal stone Hongik Ingan (弘益人間), meaning “Benefit all humanity,” is a foundational philosophy derived from Korea’s ancient Dangun myth. This principle transcends individual interests, emphasizing harmony within communities and the broader world. It serves as a central inspiration for the Batalstone series. The Definition and Origins of Hongik Ingan Hongik Ingan,…

[letsatomicbanana]

Ink!Sans Cultural Inspiration

(revised version)

art by @/sakuramochi64 on twitter

Disclaimer!

This post aims to explore and analyze both the prominent and subtle East Asian cultural influences—primarily Japanese—that have shaped the character of Ink!Sans. By examining these influences, we can better understand how traditional East Asian aesthetics and artistic practices are woven into Ink’s design and powers. If any information in this essay is inaccurate or unintentionally offensive, please don’t hesitate to reach out! This essay serves as a revised and updated version of the analysis conducted last year, incorporating new insights and refined perspectives to enhance our understanding of Ink!Sans’s character and his cultural influences.

Ink!Sans by @comyet/@myebi

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''It was a night where it felt like i was a miserable artist and i was very frustrated at my work and it felt like i wasn’t worth alot (we all have these), then I came across a picture of a japanese ink brush, and it was all I needed to start doodling a concept.

That’s how Ink is born.''

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According to Ink’s creator, Comyet, the idea for Ink!Sans was sparked by an image of a brush specifically crafted for sumi and Chinese ink art. In China, the tradition of using specialized ink brushes, known as Chinese writing brushes, has been a foundational element in the art of calligraphy and traditional painting for centuries. These brushes are highly valued for their precision and versatility, allowing artists to produce a range of strokes, from fine lines to bold, expressive swashes. The brush itself is composed of a bamboo handle and a carefully tapered head made from animal hair, designed to hold and release ink in controlled flows.

This tool became central not only in Chinese culture but also influenced Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese art, where calligraphy holds a similar cultural significance and is closely tied to writing systems derived from Chinese characters. These brushes symbolize the control, fluidity, and intentionality required in both written language and visual art across East Asia. This deep-rooted cultural importance of the ink brush inspired Ink!Sans's character design and powers, allowing him to wield 'ink-based' abilities, symbolizing both creativity and adaptability. His main weapon—a brush—reflects this heritage and further emphasizes the connection between art and battle, as he channels the brush’s traditional associations with fluidity and strength into his fighting style, merging the arts of calligraphy and combat.

(visual example of an ink calligraphy brush)

At glance, the ink material is an enduring medium that still surrounds society till this day and it's used in multiple cultures across the world.

Writing with ink calligraphy brushes is also common in Europe and the Middle East, where artisans developed ink using a unique combination of iron salts and oak galls. This type of ink, known as iron gall ink, initially appeared in rich, dark tones, making it highly desirable for manuscripts and official documents due to its bold, readable quality. However, over time, the iron in the ink oxidized, resulting in a distinct color shift to warm, rust-like brown tones. This characteristic fading can still be observed today in ancient manuscripts, such as early European literary works, where the reddish-brown hues give a sense of history to these documents. The durability and aesthetic appeal of iron gall ink contributed significantly to its prevalence in both regions, influencing the artistry of calligraphy and manuscript illumination for centuries.

Like previously mentioned, Ink!Sans was inspired by traditional ink materials developed in East Asia, where artisans mastered the creation of carbon-based black ink, often using soot or charcoal mixed with binding agents like animal glue. This type of ink, known for its rich, deep color and lasting durability, was a staple in East Asian calligraphy and artwork. Unlike iron gall ink, this carbon-based ink maintained its dark, almost jet-black color for centuries, even in varying environmental conditions. The resilience of this ink allowed ancient texts, paintings, and scrolls to retain their striking contrast and clarity, making it a celebrated medium in East Asian art and culture. Ink!Sans draws inspiration from this enduring quality, symbolizing strength, creativity, and the timelessness of artistic expression

(visual example of an ancient art piece that used carbon-based black ink)

To note, unlike iron gall ink, carbon based inks are still very common to this day.

Although the primary Chinese calligraphic scripts were well established by the fourth century, calligraphy as an art form has continually evolved over the centuries, adapting to new cultural and aesthetic influences. Skilled calligraphers, who spent years mastering brush techniques and perfecting their own unique hand, were celebrated for their distinctive styles, and their works became templates for both art and personal expression. Over time, subsequent generations of artists studied these revered styles, incorporating and reinterpreting them to reflect their individual voices and the changing social landscapes. This ongoing transformation has kept Chinese calligraphy dynamic and relevant, and it remains a respected art form today, blending tradition with contemporary aesthetics.

In Japan, calligraphy also held deep cultural significance, symbolizing both personal refinement and intellectual achievement. Calligraphy was regarded as a mark of scholarly sophistication and artistic taste, with a variety of tools developed to enhance the writing experience. One notable example is the suzuribako ("ink stone box"), a portable lacquered wood box designed to store an inkstone, water dropper, brushes, and solid ink sticks. These boxes were crafted with precision and adorned with intricate lacquer designs, reflecting their owner’s status and appreciation for art. Suzuribako were lightweight and convenient, enabling calligraphers to take their tools outdoors or to scenic locations to write letters, diary entries, or poetry. This practice not only facilitated creativity but also connected the act of writing with nature, creating an immersive experience where one could find inspiration in the surrounding beauty while crafting words in elegant brushstrokes. The combination of these refined tools and settings underscored calligraphy’s role as a deeply personal and aesthetic pursuit in Japanese culture.

From this perspective, it is essential to highlight that Ink's character draws inspiration from traditional ink calligraphy, a detail reflected in his distinctive speech font, 'Note This'.

(Example of Ink's canon speaking font and ancient calligraphy)

Also clarified in an ask on her side blog, Comyet explained that traditional samurai clothing served as a key inspiration for Ink's outfit redesign in 2020. Ink's creator thoughtfully incorporated these characteristics to enhance Ink’s visual appeal and connection to his main source of inspiraton. This influence is particularly noticeable in the first and second analyses of Ink's character, where we see clear visual cues from iconic Japanese garments like the hakama.

(Ink!sans reference sheet for the 2020 design, credit goes to @/comyet)

Ink's pants were inspired by hakama, a traditional Japanese garment known for its distinctive design as skirt-like trousers, typically worn over a kimono. Hakama are historically associated with a range of activities, from ceremonial occasions to martial arts, and are often considered a symbol of status and refinement. Specifically, Ink's pants appear to be inspired by the umanori style of hakama, which is characterized by a split or division in the middle, allowing for greater freedom of movement. This style was traditionally worn by samurai and other individuals involved in horseback riding, as the design allowed for ease of movement and flexibility when mounting or riding a horse.

The umanori hakama were not only practical for riding but also served as a functional yet elegant garment, embodying the balance of form and function typical in Japanese clothing. By incorporating this style into Ink's character design, Comyet likely intended to evoke themes of mobility, agility, and strength, while subtly referencing Japanese martial traditions and the samurai ethos. This choice enhances Ink's overall aesthetic, highlighting his dynamic, action-oriented nature, suggesting that his character is both rooted in tradition and capable of fluid, graceful movement.

The hakama was not merely a functional garment but also a powerful symbol of social status, loyalty, and the samurai's role in Edo society. While the hakama was predominantly worn by samurai, it also found its place in the wardrobe of scholars, priests, and members of the aristocracy, who wore it as part of their ceremonial dress.

Furthermore, Comyet has explained that Ink's outfit and appearance were partially inspired by the clothing worn by samurai, as depicted in ukiyo-e prints from the Edo Period of Japan. Ukiyo-e, which translates to 'pictures of the floating world,' was a popular genre of woodblock prints and paintings that flourished from the 17th to the 19th centuries, showcasing scenes of everyday life, landscapes, kabuki actors, and beautiful women. However, samurai were also common subjects of these prints, often portrayed in full regalia, highlighting their status and discipline.

(this line of text was found within old versions of Ink's FAQ post, mainly from 2020-2021)

In these ukiyo-e representations, samurai are frequently depicted wearing a distinctive combination of garments, including elaborate kamishimo (formal attire worn by samurai), hakama (wide trousers), and haori (a kimono-style jacket worn over the kimono), along with ornate accessories such as sashes and swords. These samurai were often shown in dynamic poses, suggesting a sense of power, grace, and readiness for battle, which reflected their societal role as both warriors and landowners.

Ukiyo-e representations of samurai often carried deeper meanings beyond their visual impact. Samurai in these prints were more than just warriors; they were cultural icons, symbols of virtue, duty, and sacrifice. Some prints portrayed samurai in the context of popular stories or historical events, such as famous battles or legendary acts of heroism. For example, the prints often depicted samurai as loyal retainers or leaders fighting for justice, reflecting the ideal of bushidō, the samurai code of ethics, which emphasized virtues like loyalty, courage, and respect.

(Ukiyo-e art made by Katsukama Shun'ei, Edo Period)

During the Edo period, the hakama was an important garment worn by the nobility as part of their formal attire, complementing other traditional outfits of the time, such as the noshi and kariginu, a sleeveless jacket with distinctive, sharply defined shoulders. These garments were designed to symbolize the status and refined taste of their wearers. The hakama, with its wide, flowing silhouette, was highly functional and practical, allowing for ease of movement while maintaining an air of elegance.

On another note, Ink's design is not the only aspect influenced by Japanese culture; the musical themes associated with him also draw significant inspiration from traditional Japanese music, as described by Comyet. The incorporation of these musical elements into Ink's character enhances the depth and cultural resonance of his persona, creating a multi-layered experience that ties his abilities, appearance, and thematic representation to a broader cultural context.

A predominant theme associated with Ink that highlights his deep inspiration from traditional Asian styles is one called 'BrushWork.' This musical theme, featured in the popular series Underverse, plays a crucial role in reflecting Ink’s connection to East Asian culture, particularly through its use of the shamisen, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, and a flute. The choice of the shamisen in this composition is significant, as it evokes the soundscape of Japan, with its distinct, plucked tones often associated with traditional music, storytelling, and performance arts.

The shamisen is a core instrument in genres such as kabuki (a traditional form of Japanese drama) and bunraku (puppet theater), where it is used to underscore the emotional intensity and narrative depth of the performances. In BrushWork, the shamisen helps set the tone for Ink’s character, enhancing the theme of 'brushwork' through its fluid, emotive sound.

Honorable mention: The instrumental video for ''Soulless Heart'', features an artwork that is inspired by traditional sumi-e (ink wash painting), a Japanese art form renowned for its elegant brushwork and minimalistic yet profound depictions of nature. This particular artwork, which accompanies the music, was created by the talented artist @/sakuramochi64, whose style reflects the delicate balance and graceful simplicity typical of sumi-e paintings.

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Sources

1.National Museum of asian art (materials & techniques. Ink section)

2. Asian Brushpaper (an-overview-of-chinese-ink-history)

3. Wikipedia (wiki Hakama-pants+Shamisen)

4. Aikido Journal (Hakama-101)

[howlsofbloodhounds]

THE CROWSHIPPING TALK HAS SUMMONED ME!!!

the question of how dust would worship death has been in my mind forever and i still haven't decided how to go with it. i understand reaper and grim are based on greek mythology, so maybe a practice resembling ancient greek worship rituals? there are also modern pagan practices for greek gods as well.

though, i do think of murder's creator being korean, so maybe there should be some cultural references to that? i'm not korean, but i believe that chrysanthemums are closely related to death and rebirth in some korean regions. in east asian cultures, marigolds are often used for funerals/shrines/tombstones because they take a long time to wither away. korea also has a lot of different belief systems/religions, so that might prove a bit tricky as well.

however, since murder is a monster living in the underground, his beliefs regarding death and religion are not the same as humans. monsters might have their own belief system (the prophecy is one). so it just turns into a mushy pile of "how the hell is murder going to perform rituals" to me lol

~ crowshipping anon

I suppose it can be a mixture of all three; monster influenced, Greek, and Korean. He can scatter the monster dust on the things that were important to them, and perhaps he leaves them some gold or coin for the equivalent of the ferryman, and and perhaps he can place marigolds and chrysanthemums near, on, or around their important item or otherwise on their dust.

I suppose it’s important to consider just how much time he will reasonably have to dedicate to Death, and how often, and what he could be willing to do that is small, less time and energy consuming, but no less important or valued. (Murder not realizing just so much and truly and deeply loved he is by Death 💕).

And of course, how much he will be able to get away with and hide in Bad Sanses AU, considering he is under the care and protection of basically something like a God of Negativity—at least in comparison to Murder himself.

Not only do we all know that Nightmare is possessive, it might just frankly be insulting or offensive to do worship other God(s) or Goddesses while in the service of another, involuntary or not. Murder likely wouldn’t know for sure, but insulting Nightmare even unknowingly could be dangerous.

Elaborate rituals don’t have to be a frequent thing, considering how Dust is in a little war with the human and will likely be very busy in Bad Sanses AUs—taking into account things like his mental health and physical health, just how much energy he’ll be able to offer and do reasonably on a regular or even non regular basis.

Even as something as sharing a meal with Death—or inviting one or both of them to join him with his meal—can be enough, and could possibly even encourage him to drink and eat more frequently if he is sharing with or offering to his Gods.

The worship and devotional acts doesn’t have to be entirely death or underworld or afterlife related—the simple, mundane things would likely be appreciated, especially if they’re done by Death’s priest(ess).

Even dedicating time to learning more about Death and Their mythology, Their lore, Their history—Them—can be an act of devotion. Any specific self care ritual could possibly be as well—such as washing with a specific scent.

This may actually even be a common worry for Murder. That he isn’t doing enough, worry that having to hide it can be taken as being ashamed or embarrassed, that he isn’t able to do something for Them on a daily basis. Either because of “work” and having to survive such a hostile environment, or simply because Dust is too exhausted to even get out of bed.

Perhaps this is something Death will often try to reassure Their Priest(ess) about frequently, reassuring him that even silent prayer is more than enough for Them—and They are not going to get mad at him, or leave him, or otherwise punish him. They are not Nightmare, and They understand that mortals have limits and lives they must attend to.

I can imagine that being able to perform one of the big rituals is pretty exciting for Murder though. Especially if it comes on the heels of having finally found freedom and enough stability and energy to do it with a bounce in his step and a bright smile on his face.

[plasmicthoughts]

margaret qualley, lesbian, woman, she/her. ♡ now entering the apartment building is katherine 'kitty' larson, a twenty-five year old who is currently a competitive gamer & creator. netizens have said they seem scatter-brained but others have said they’re charismatic ! gossip aside, we’re sure they’re bound to be a fan favorite !

content warnings include neglect & abuse.

basics

Name: Katherine Smart Larson

Nickname/s: Kitty, Kat, Kath

Preferred name/s: Kitty. Hates anything else

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/her

Age: 25

Birthday: April 1st

Zodiac: Aries

Sexuality: Lesbian

Relationship status: Single

Occupation: Competitive gamer & creator

Hometown: Stonington, Maine

Accent: American (Margaret Qualley vc)

backstory

Kitty grew up in a sleepy town that felt dull for her adventurous spirit.

Her home life was tough, marked by neglect and abuse from her parents.

To escape both the abuse and boredom, Kitty rarely stayed home.

As a young child, she often wandered the streets or visited local establishments.

Her favorite place was a rundown arcade that hadn’t been updated since the 80s.

Despite its shabby exterior, the arcade felt exciting and reflective of herself.

As the arcade declined, Kitty taught herself to repair the ancient machines.

The arcade owners appreciated her help, and she became beloved by local kids.

Kitty’s intelligence shone in school; she thrived academically despite her rambunctious behavior.

She became proficient in French, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean, teaching herself as another means to escape her troubled home, found in the library almost as much as she was in the arcade.

In her teens, she started making YouTube videos about arcade games and repairs, leading her to competitive gaming.

While she loved competing, affording entrance fees was challenging, so she created more content for income.

Her journey led her to Seoul, hoping to tap into the bustling gaming industry.

Excited by a sapphic-exclusive web series, she applied for Seoulmates to grow her audience and connections.

personality & more

Kitty is fiercely independent and resourceful, often finding ways to solve problems on her own.

Her adventurous spirit drives her to seek new experiences and challenges, both in gaming and life.

Despite her tough upbringing, she possesses a strong sense of empathy, often helping others in need.

Kitty is playful and mischievous, known for her quick wit and infectious laughter.

She has a passion for gaming that goes beyond competition; she enjoys the community and friendships it fosters.

Highly intelligent, she approaches challenges with creativity and determination.

Kitty values authenticity and often speaks her mind, which can sometimes lead to clashes with authority.

She has a keen interest in technology and mechanics, always eager to learn more about how things work.

Her love for languages reflects her curiosity about different cultures and highlights how incredible her mind can be.

Kitty often uses humor as a coping mechanism, lightening the mood in difficult situations.

Kitty is driven by a desire to create a safe space for others, inspired by her own experiences in the arcade.

Her experiences made her who she is, but she's not very open about the abuse she endured. If anything, she'll mention it in a joking manner because that's the only way she knows how to cope with it.

Smart is a family name, which is why it's her middle name. She often pulls out the line 'smart is my middle name' when someone compliments her brains.

[tianshiisdead]

While scrolling through your blog I saw a post that said that you don’t like white/Japan ships. I’m curious what are your favorite Japan ships? Personally I think that Turkey/Japan is very underrated as well as most EA/Japan ships. You’re one of my fave EA centric blogs so I’d love to hear your thoughts!

WAHHH ANON THANK U THAT IS SO SWEET ;;;;;;;;;;; I’m giggling and kicking my legs wawah i’m so glad you enjoy my stuff!!

As for Japan ships!! I agree hehe I love turkpan :3 I like when turkpan is like… japan -> <- <- <- turkey, but japan is surprisingly more active about it when they get down to it and turkey is surprisingly quite flustered, I think that’s cute. Honestly I have generally positive feelings towards most Japan ships as long as there’s some history/current relations/interesting parallels to go off of (personal preference, I like leaning into the countries aspect of it) barring the white ships for reasons I listed before (for people who haven’t seen that, it’s fine if you like white/japan etc etc I’m not judging I’m just personally not a fan).

My favourite is fairly obviously nichu, which is my favourite ship in general which I could talk about for ages and in fact have a half-finished essay about, and nichukor/korpan is closely behind that. Since the three of them go way way back and still have a sort of closeness that only countries from a single region can have, in terms of trade and pop culture and movement so on and so forth, outside of fascinating history I also can’t help but think it’s endlessly cute. It’s difficult to take one country without traces of the other, not just from ancient history (so Chinese influence on korpan, Korean influence on Japan, etc etc) but also from the early modern era (Chinese modernity takes a significant amount from Japan due to Chinese intellectuals and many political leaders studying in Japan, leading to things such as many modern terms being loanwords from Japan) and the modern era (The influence Japan’s fashion, pop culture and so on and so forth on China and Korea, the movement of popular trends between the 3 countries, the continued development of loanwords, etc). Of course this is quite normal for countries within one region to have this sort of closeness as well as this sort of mutual dislike, but it’s still very cute to me. Self is defined by the other after all, and for much of history that ‘other’ was each nation’s immediate neighbours, but now in our globalized world a single region has also become a sort of in-group… I think the three of them play off each other well. I like korchu a lot as well :3

I like Mongolia/Japan as well, they share a surprising amount of culture? The biggest example I can think of right now is actually wrestling (lol) there’ve been some really prominent/successful Mongolian Sumo wrestlers in the past! They also share a sort of martial culture for much of history that seem to value similar things, if they set aside their differences they’d have a lot in common I think. Falconry, archery, these are all things common in all of East Asia but seem to have a particular prominence in Mongolia and Japan. And then also Manchuria/Japan, which is as expected quite difficult to talk about and I generally stay away from the topic publicly for obvious reasons, but I’m quite fond of it… I think the modern day situation where Japan has basically forgotten about Manchuria completely is painful-cute and also kind of funny in a dark sort of way. But again… hard to talk about LOL

With regards to Manchuria/Japan, since I have a deep knowledge of this region and am personally from this region, it’s quite a bit easier for me to handle shipping it, but as such I don’t feel as comfortable talking about Japan/Taiwan because of a lack of knowledge/experience means it’s more difficult to treat it sensitively I think 🤔 Although I don’t dislike the ship. I should note I see it as somewhat different from nichukor, who all have way longer histories with each other that balance out the power dynamics in history, so it feels more sensitive and difficult to address.

Thailand/Japan has a lot of potential also I feel, there are some really fun and interesting parallels between Thailand and Japan, as well as the most insanely romancecore letter in the world between the Tokugawa Shogun and King Songtham of Ayutthaya, with King Songtham writing: ‘The existence of a sea separating Thailand and Japan has made contact between our two nations difficult. However, merchant ships of both nations now ply regularly between our two countries, causing relations to become even closer. It is now apparent that you (the Shogun) have sincere affection for us, an affection even stronger than that of our immediate kin.’ And the Shogun 's letter in return wrote: ‘The cordial relations between our two countries cannot be destroyed. Since we both have mutual trust, the existence of a sea between us is not of any significance.’ CUTE… (<- hetaliabrained voice) Well, trade relations wouldn’t last forever but still.

Rapidfire other Japan ships I’ve seen and enjoyed, Brazil/Japan, Pakistan/Japan (kind of a crack ship), Egypt/Japan (<- modern history and orientalism parallels!!!!!!!!!!)

[tenofsticks]

A Martial Arts Parable about Wicca

I used to do Martial Arts, Hapkido specifically. The purported story was that the origins of Hapkido is in the ancient Hwarang warriors and that it was secretly preserved during the modern Japanese occupation of Korea during a time of persecution.

But the truth is, it was created during the time of the occupation as a fusion of Korean and Japanese martial arts with an fusion of American boxing, and it is in fact modern. It also contains mystical and philosophical concepts from all of the above. The lineage of Hapkido itself is rife with infighting and women were not allowed to practice.

I'm sure you can find some parallels there with what's known about Wicca.

My instructor taught me about the false and true history. His instructor was a person of color, our class was 80% women. Many Hapkido branches had added Brazilian Jiu Jitsu moves and other developments since the art's original creation. In fact Hapkido was very adaptable to change to keep up with the needs of modern self-defense and practice because it was so modern, and plastic. See, when forming, the founder was able to use the benefit of history to build a core Philosophy of the art that was quite strong and adaptable.

The funny thing is, if you observe and practice enough arts, you will find so many more similarities than differences. That's because ultimately a Martial Art fills a need, the need has specific requirements in defense and offense: The human mind, the human body, and the culture. Most practices that aren't demonstrative historical artifacts will converge on these targets. Neo-paganism is the same, but the needs are Spiritual and not physically Martial. ALL of Neo-Paganism has the same challenges with false narratives, bad actors, foundations in ye old times of crusty bull crap, some more crusty than others, but their utility and value remain as live and adapting practices. If you belong to any kind of Neo-Pagan tradition, or any religion at all, that doesn't have these challenges, it's probably because it's very young.

[mybeingthere]

Park Seo-Bo, a key figure in South Korea’s Dansaekhwa Movement, died this month at the age of 91.

Born in 1931 in North Gyeongsang, a Japanese-occupied region of South Korea, to a family of eight children, he pursued training in traditional painting at Hongik University in Seoul. In 1950, his education was interrupted when he was drafted to serve in the Korean War.

“There was no food, no job opportunity, everything had gone back to ashes; all conventional values and ideas were laid naked and bare.” the artist said in a 2008 interview with the New York Times about the affects of war on him and his peers. He looked at painting as self-referential. “For me, painting has become a mere tool and method to cleanse and purify myself,” he said.

Park Seo-Bo is one of the leading figures in contemporary Korean art, widely acknowledged as the father of the ‘Dansaekhwa’ movement. Encompassing works from the 1970s to this year, this exhibition at White Cube West Palm Beach serves as an introduction to Park’s influential practice, as well as being the first opportunity to see his work in the US since it was shown at the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum in 2019.

A series of vividly coloured ceramic works made in the past year reveal an artist continuing to innovate into his nineties. In collaboration with a master ceramicist’s studio, Park has worked with wet clay in a similar manner as he has previously when he is manipulating the wet pulp of hanji paper, a medium he uses in other works. For this group of works, successive layers of wet clay slip are pinched and pushed line by line into long, parallel ridges, and, after firing and sanding, contrasting pigments are then carefully applied to the furrows and peaks of the fired surface. This latest evolution of technique and introduction of a new material is true to the energetic, naturalistic materiality and tactility that characterises Dansaekwha.

Park’s use of traditional Korean hanji paper, hand-made from mulberry bark, an earlier innovation dating from the 1980s, is represented here by exceptional large-works in subtle shades of grey-black and in blazing, vibrant red. The remarkable durability of hanji has ensured the survival of some of the most ancient scriptures of Buddhism in Korea and is integral to the structure of daily life, including being used in wall coverings and door panels. To Park, the material not only offered endless opportunities for experimentation but represented the connection between his work and the natural world which he had begun to regard as essential. When applied on to a canvas backing and soaked with water, the hanji reverted to a pulp that could be pushed and scraped into sculptural forms.

Park mixes pigments that further evoke connections to nature, as well as to personal memory. The black works have the deep, matte darkness of the charcoal and soot that built up in layers around the artist’s childhood hearth, while the vivid red was inspired by the maple forest in autumn foliage around Mount Bandai near Fukushima in Japan. Within the compositions, smooth rectangular areas or ‘windows’ of single colour offer a textural contrast and a ‘breathing hole’, to let the mind rest.

Several exceptional works from the 1970s testify to the epiphany that was to prove so formative to the development of Korean minimalism or ‘Dansaekwha’. Park calls these ‘Myobop’, a word taken from the Chinese characters ‘to draw’ and ‘a method’, which has been translated by the French term ‘Écriture’ (writing). Centring on an exploration of drawing within painting and on the union of action and spirit, they reflect a consistent approach, one that is inextricably linked to time, space and material; concepts that underpin all of Park’s practice. In these works, mark-making becomes akin to breathing and emptiness is achieved through reduction, a process that Park has termed “forgetting the self”. Executed within a single sitting, harnessing an energy flow through meditative action, they combine technical skill with mental focus, within a defined period of time. This method reflects that, for Park, the making of art is rooted in a spiritual methodology, drawing on Confucian, Taoist and Buddhist philosophy as well as the Korean tradition of calligraphy.

[a-fantasy-lover-surfing-the-net]

Costume Cdramas I watched in 2023

This was my first year in Dramaland (both Chinese and Korean). And I have to say that for the most part I have enjoyed my journey in discovering the dramas. This list includes dramas that were released before 2023 as well.

7. Starry Love

It is a story of twin sisters - the gentle and kind Liguang Qing Kui and the smart and cunning Liguang Ye Tan. Qing Kui is betrothed to the heveanly prince and Ye Tan is betrothed to the demon prince however mistakenly they switch places and have to navigate the heavenly realm and demon realm alone relying on their wits. For me the strongest aspect of the drama was the bond between the sisters. It focuses more on the romance of Ye Tan and Xuan Shang and the heavenly realm which I was not much interested in so I skipped through a lot of it. However, I did enjoy the romance of Qing Kui and Chao Feng and the demon realm story which was unfortunately not given enough screen time. As the heavenly realm part of the drama failed to get me invested in both its characters and story, I didn't enjoy this drama a lot.

6. Love you Seven Times

Xiang Yun, a fairy working in the marriage pavilion and Chu Kong, the God of War are accidentally entangled by the red thread of fate and go through love tribulations. I enjoyed their romance and the story was also good. However, I feel it would have turned out better if the drama had more episodes so that the tribulations could be more immersive and impactful. Also, it had less action than I expected from a Xianxia. It was still a fun watch for me.

5. Ancient Love Poetry

This is an epic story of gods and love spanning thousands of years. I will not even attempt to give a primer for its story. The romance, story, action everything is great and it also has really good secondary romances and friendships are also good. The problem I had with this drama is that I enjoyed the first God realm arc a lot however in the second arc I couldn't get fully invested in Houchi and Qing Mu. Also, as a novice to xianxias I had some trouble following the story from the second arc onwards which meant I couldn't enjoy it as much. I still consider it a must watch for xianxia fans but its not for newbies that's for sure.

P.S.- I was devastated with Yue Mi's death so I'm happy that we'll be getting the continuation of her story with Moonlight Mystique.

4. Love between Fairy and Devil

It is a drama about Orchid, a low ranking fairy and Dongfang Qing Cang, the Moon Supreme of the Moon Tribe who are enemies of the immortal fairies, and their forbidden romance. The romance (of both the main and second couple) is really good, the story is compelling and the dynamic between the main and secondary cast is enjoyable. I found the action somewhat lacking. This is a really enjoyable drama especially for those getting into xianxias as the story while not simple, is easy to follow.

3. Romance between Tiger and Rose

In this drama, Chen Xiao Qian, a screenwriter transported into her own story, becoming the Third Princess Chen Qian Qian, a side character. Armed with the knowledge of her own script in which her character is soon to be killed in the third episode by Prince Han Shuo, the male lead, Xiao Qian is determined to stay alive and return to her own world. It is an excellent romcom with great chemistry and fun bickering between the main leads. While the story is straight forward for the most part, it does offer some commentary on gender discrimination and gender norms. It is a really fun and a must watch and has great rewatch value.

2. Story of Kunning Palace

Jiang Xuening is the selfish and ambitious daughter of a court official who ruthlessly uses her charm and cunning for becoming empress. Her schemes lead to the downfall of the royal family and the ruin of both her childhood sweetheart Yan Lin and the once incorruptible Zhang Zhe. Desperate and full of regret, she pleads to exchange her life for the freedom of Zhang Zhe. She awakens in her 18-year old self, who has yet to enter the palace with a chance to do better this time. Even though she vows to steer clear of the palace and its court intrigues, she becomes entangled in them anyways. Apart from Jiang Xue Ning the main cast includes : Xie Wei - JXN's teacher and a ruthless political mastermind, Zhang Zhe - an upright and dedicated officer in the Ministry of Justice, Yan Lin - loyal heir of the Yan family who is in love with JXN, Shen Zhi Yi - the optimistic and resilient princess. It’s so rare for a drama to combine so many great things - a competent and smart female lead, gripping script, top tier looks, chemistry (with the male lead and the secondary leads), steady pace, no childishness, very happy ending. All the actors did an amazing job, in particular Bai Lu who embodied JXN and depicted her thoughts and feelings in a way that the audience could connect with JXN and root for her. The character arcs for the entire main cast were satisfying and done beautifully. I only wished that they showed the past life in one go and with some more scenes for JXN's character growth to be more impactful and that they removed the bright spotlight aimed directly at the camera which took me out of those scenes. This is definitely a must watch for costumed cdrama lovers.

1. Till the end of the moon

Li Susu, an immortal time travels 500 years into the past to prevent the ascension of the Devil god, who goes on to destroy the world in the future. It's a story of love and hate, good and evil, redemption and damnation. The characters are very well conceptualized and depicted beautifully by talented actors, stunning costumes, really good hair and makeup, and great cinematography. The amazing production and set design along with impressive visual effects and CGI really immerse the audience in the world of TTEOTM. Their romance is my ultimate enemies to lovers pairing. It has just the right amount of fighting, messiness, animosity and angst for me. Their visuals, their chemistry, their acting and the story everything was so great. Who else has three epic weddings in one drama? For the most part the story was gripping, progressed at a good pace and conveyed many themes that become apparent on rewatches. While some were disappointed by the ending to me it was clear that they reunite once again and live happily. I am still not able to move on from this couple and drama.

Full Review of Till the end of the moon here.

You can also check out my modern cdrama rankings.

As I'm still a newbie to cdramas, I welcome your recommendations.

[asksythe]

Thanks for your translation and the footnotes explaining things. Those were a godsend!

If I may ask, you said you had been on the Chinese (and Vietnamese?) side of the fandom up until now, that you've been in MDZS fandom for a few years. I see that you have some MDZS English fics up recently. I love them too! The ideas are so new and fun! Do you have any favorites English fics? Why aren't you on the international side until now? You learned Mandarin just to read MDZS? That's amazing. Is it very hard? How did you do it? What gave you the idea of writing the footnotes? Are there any Chinese MDZS fics that you really like?

Thank you. I'm glad the notes were helpful to you.

Ehh... it's a lot of questions, huh.

1/ I don't have any true favorites on the international side. It's a matter of cultural differences, not the quality of the stories. MDZS... was not written with an international audience in mind. So there are a lot of tiny but deeply impactful details that just... fly over a lot of the international reader base's head. It doesn't help that Chinese is a high-context culture, the polar opposite of most Western cultures (low-context culture). So a tiny detail that doesn't mean anything to English speaking audience can be a really big deal for the Sinosphere audience.

So the English fics are written based on this foundation of cultural value mismatch and thousands of little things that don't quite line up. The result is... really weird and really jarring. So for me, I have tried reading English fics before. But usually, what happened is that I would get distracted by this thing or that thing in the story that didn't fit with the cultural setting, and I would not be able to enjoy the story at all. I'm not quite sure how else to explain this. It's like... if someone in the Sinosphere who only has a very vague understanding of say... modern American culture takes a glance at American media and equates popularity with actual governmental authority (which kinda is true in a way but not all the way) and they write a story with the premise of.. say... a young American with big dreams of becoming the president so this person starts out their career by writing long, thousand-word essays and post them on twitter to gain credibility and followers so they can then stage a coup like Jan 6th and become president, and then they use their position as president to order Amazon be the new headquarter of government and all of this is written super seriously and realistically... Like that, probably...

2/ Why aren't I on the international side of the fandom until now? Well, the reason above plus my work is hectic. I'm perpetually buried in works, scripts, drafts for books, magazine publication schedules, game publication schedules, media projects, client interviews, chasing down clients, etc... that's on top of family and my not-so-great health. This year though, I have made it my resolution to write more stuff for myself (and not paid by someone else). So that's why I'm here now.

3/ Yes, I did start to seriously learn Mandarin to read MDZS in its native language. I can't say it's easy. It's not an easy language by any stretch of the word. But it's probably fair to say it's significantly easier for me to learn it compared to a lot of other people. I'm Vietnamese. Vietnamese is a derivative of traditional Mandarin, even though our modern language is now written in the Latin alphabet. We also have a bridge language between Hanyu (Mandarin) and Vietnamese called Han Viet. This makes it much easier for a Vietnamese to learn Mandarin than most other nationalities (with the exception of Japanese and Korean, probably). Before I even learned Mandarin, with the right tool, I could already understand about 50-60 percent of Mandarin writings, provided it's not ancient writing (which goes by different rules). It also helps that modern Vietnam has really good access to Chinese media, both modern and old.

I practice by translating Chinese MDZS fics into Vietnamese. I translated 10 series in total last year, with each series averaging around 50-80k words. I recently dabbled in translating Chinese poems into English (There's no use translating Chinese poems into Vietnamese. Han Viet is built for that express purpose already.)

4/ There are a ton of Chinese fics that are really good. I can't even begin to list them. I have seen some of the first-generation MDZS fics that were so good they ended up influencing MXTX herself, ending with her accepting the details posited in those stories as part of MDZS canon. They are all on the Chinese side of the internet though, mostly on lofter and weibo.

5/ The idea of the footnotes came from a friend, really. I sometimes spontaneously rant at @erimies about MDZS. Haha, I should thank her for being so patient. Back then, she wasn't even in MDZS. Well, even now, she's only started to read a little. But basically, during my fairly one-sided ranting (or gushing), we would stumble into cultural concepts that she didn't understand and had no basis for. So I would explain these things to her, which sometimes would become entire essays in our chat box. So when I translated, I remembered this point, that international fans probably miss a lot of cultural concepts and references, so I made sure to add in explanations.

[rhaenys-queenofkhyrulzz]

mctna modern au headcannon

Since the show is set in historical times, it’s safe to say that the ideals/norms of that society would somewhat apply to the characters. Hence our boys’ long flowing hair. This will be a long post focusing on that so fair warning.

If this were a research paper, I’d get yelled at for using wikipedia as my source but I think the info is well enough known for me to get away with it. 

Historically, East Asian cultures viewed long hair as a sign of youth and aesthetic beauty. Long hair is associated with private life and sexuality.

In ancient China and Korea, hair was regarded as a precious legacy from parents. Most people would never cut their hair after they became adults, and cutting off one's hair was a penalty for minor crimes.

Even today, South Korea is still a comparatively traditional and conservative society. Not to the same degree with hair however.

At about an hour before midnight on December 30, 1895, King Gojong became one of the first victims of reforms that were to take place on Jan. 1. The most troubling of these reforms was the edict that all Korean men were to have their top-knots removed.

In the late 19th century, the Korean empire under Japanese colonial rule had to go through many reforms- one of which was that men had to cut the very (long) hair that had for centuries held great traditional and social value. 

You’re probably wondering where all this is going. Here’s the bridge in reasoning: 

Hair length regulations have a long history in Korea. In the 1970s, President Park Chung Hee’s military regime viewed long hair as decadent, associated with the “hippie” lifestyle. There were strict rules regarding school attire and hair length, and the male students’ hairstyle was close to an army cut.

By the time my au is set in 2023, let’s assume that the mctna gang are the same relative age as WDH and YSJ in real life. Working with that timeline, Nam Jeon (and assuming that he would’ve been around 32 or so when Seon-ho was born) would definitely have been a skl boy around the 1970s following the same ideals. 

Basically, despite traditions going a complete 180, Nam Jeon is still someone who is greatly influenced by the idea of tradition and societal perception- especially when it comes to things that he expressly believes in. 

That’s why I think that in a modern au, he would’ve definitely forced Seon-ho to keep his hair short throughout his childhood and teenage years.  It’s only once Seon-ho goes off into the world on his own, trying to stay the hell away from Nam Jeon and anything related to him, he starts fighting back with the little things too. Once he completes his mandatory military service, the easiest and most blatant thing he can do at first is to start growing out his hair. So he does.

Despite having to do a lot of work on his own to support himself financially now [goddamnit Hwi just because I’m staying with you doesn’t mean I’m not gonna try to help pay for the extra groceries and added bills], he makes time to care for his hair and, after a while, he realises that it feels good to see something that he’s nurtured yield results. It becomes sort of like a project to him in the way that gardening might be for others and he genuinely enjoys it now.

At the point when our au starts in 2023, his hair is about three quarters as long as it was in canon and Hwi (who joined in on the long hair train cuz he’s just laid back and chill like that) now has a relatively long ponytail of his own.

Anyways, all that to say I think our boys would have long hair ;)

[urheartsamess]

hey i’m really curious and looking for recommendations so can i ask what are ur favorite korean dramas? 🙏🏻🥺

hiii sorry it took me a moment to answer but *deep breath* sure hehe! gonna give u my top 5 and try to not scare u away by diving into deep analyses on why i love those so much! i tried to keep it simple!

my all time favourite is beyond evil it’s a thriller romance drama where a hot young man (juwon) is being coaxed towards the brink and almost ruins his life for a 40yo man (dongsik) who suffered more than jesus himself and the two of them occasionally solve crimes! im making a joke out of it but their dynamic is very meaningful and profound! it’s bitter it’s sweet it’s full of tension and compassion and understanding and Love is at the core of it all. it shows u that despite the misery despite the cruelty despite the sins and despite the violence choosing love but also life is the bravest thing u can do. it will change the trajectory of ur life! also acting legends yeo jingoo and shin hakyun deliver thrilling performances in it which will make u unable to look away! this show means the world to me!

then nr 2 comes my mister! it’s a drama to watch for healing and hard times! it’s a quiet and delicate love story between a man (donghoon) and a woman (jian) who make the other one want to Live again. it teaches u that u don’t need a reason to be kind in ur life that a simple act of kindness could mean so much to someone. their love is shown through actions through listening through subtle glances. it’s very poetic it also deals with universal themes like brotherhood friendship loneliness altruism depression vulnerability and perseverance. it fundamentally changed me as a person when i watched it the first time and it also solidified the immense love and admiration i have for iu.

nr 3 the red sleeve! the best sageuk ever made it’s abt a court lady (deokim) who values her freedom and making her own choices above all else and the future king of joseon (san) whose duty always comes first and the two fall intensely in love. it’s harrowing bc wanting them together u know u’re inevitably pushing deokim towards her downfall to sacrifice what she values most which is her free will so the drama tackles the power play btwn them bc san is often a fool and their respective love language is the opposite of what the other needs hence it’s just so good so tragic so heartbreaking! lee junho even won a baeksang last year for this role hes just so graceful and mesmerising in it and genuinely too good at acting! also deokim (played by lee seyoung) is one of my all time favourite female characters she will stick with me forever!

nr 4 strangers from hell it’s a horror romance drama where a tall hot dentist (moonjo) (played by our one and only god lee dongwook) gaslights and gatekeeps a broke aspiring writer with violent tendencies (jongwoo) into joining him so they can become gay cannibals together barely a day after jongwoo moved into their very shady residence full of psychos! closet made of glass for moonjo since he even makes jongwoo a wedding ring (a musty human teeth bracelet)! it’s insanely good i havent moved on since 2019! deliciously gory and creepy it’s aesthetically flawless on that part as well!

nr 5 is the guest! a little bit too underrated if u ask me which is a shame because it does so much for the horror genre! im grateful that the show introduced me to the ot3 of all time: a girlboss detective an overly kindhearted taxi driver and a hot priest (kim jaewook!!! screams!!!). the characters slowly bound with each other through their shared trauma and dedicate their whole life to defeat an ancient and powerful demon. so the power of their friendship is kinda everything and is the heart of the show. also the men are a little….. u know……. like episode 16 has one of the most beautiful scenes i’ve ever seen that is forever engraved in my memory! i hate them! i love this show so much just. so much!!!!!

[div1nity]

𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄⠀⠀ ‟⠀⠀⠀⠀… ⠀⠀⠀the⠀⠀cost⠀⠀of⠀⠀fame⠀⠀was⠀⠀just⠀⠀a⠀⠀𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍⠀⠀𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒆⠀⠀𝒕𝒐⠀⠀𝒑𝒂𝒚⠀⠀at⠀⠀the⠀⠀time⠀⠀,⠀⠀a⠀⠀little⠀⠀favour⠀⠀and⠀⠀𝖙𝖍𝖊⠀⠀𝖉𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖑⠀⠀would⠀⠀𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒⠀⠀𝑢𝑝⠀⠀𝑚𝑦⠀⠀𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒⠀⠀.⠀⠀but⠀⠀now⠀⠀i'm⠀⠀𝑜𝑛⠀⠀𝑡ℎ𝑒⠀⠀𝑟𝑢𝑛⠀⠀'cause⠀⠀he⠀⠀wants⠀⠀me⠀⠀𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝⠀⠀𝐨𝐫⠀⠀𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞⠀⠀,⠀⠀the⠀⠀fame⠀⠀and⠀⠀fortune⠀⠀got⠀⠀me⠀⠀trapped⠀⠀in⠀⠀a⠀⠀𝘤𝑖𝘵𝑦⠀⠀𝘰𝑓⠀⠀𝘭𝑖𝘦𝑠⠀⠀.⠀⠀mirror⠀⠀,⠀⠀mirror⠀⠀sitting⠀⠀up⠀⠀high⠀⠀on⠀⠀the⠀⠀wall⠀⠀;⠀⠀save⠀⠀me⠀⠀from⠀⠀𝖙𝖍𝖊⠀⠀𝖉𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖑⠀⠀that's⠀⠀ho͟l͟d͟i͟n͟g͟⠀͟⠀͟m͟y͟⠀͟⠀͟s͟o͟u͟l⠀⠀,⠀⠀coming⠀⠀for⠀⠀the⠀⠀favor⠀⠀that⠀⠀he⠀⠀𝒌𝒏͟𝒐͟𝒘͟𝒔⠀⠀that⠀⠀i⠀⠀owe⠀⠀.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ／⠀⠀headcanons⠀ , ⠀⠀threads⠀ , ⠀⠀playlist⠀ , ⠀⠀open starters⠀ , ⠀⠀starter call .⠀⠀ ⠀trigger⠀⠀warnings : ⠀⠀the typical things that come with overwatch : political unrest , murder / assassination all that mumbo jumbo | this is an ever evolving verse , which means more info will be added or changed as time goes on .

ca͟l͟l͟ ͟s͟i͟g͟n : blue ( blackwatch ) | virago ( current : HISTORY , the title has a long and rich history dating back to hellenistic philosophy in ancient greece ; the concept itself linked to the notion of brave men abiding society and being the core of its values and ethics - it's about heroism, morality and physical strength ; women at the time were considered lesser in comparison . however, if exceptional enough - these women could be granted with the title virago - meaning the woman had surpassed the exceptions for what believed possible for her gender and embodied masculine like aggression and/or excellence. virago, then, was a title of respect and admiration. as time went on, the meaning changed to something more negative, 'a domineering, violent, or bad-tempered woman.' or 'shrew' - the title intertwined with it's original meaning and the newest ; however most understand the name to mean the latter . coraline's strong connection to greece and the history is what inspired this title - it's also a little on the nose study that just like the callsign, there is more to coraline and her character than the faracde displayed on the surface . ) bi͟r͟t͟h͟p͟l͟a͟c͟e : britain. lo͟c͟a͟t͟i͟o͟n : bounces around a lot ; has a few apartments in shady spots . however one of her main resting places is a ship that's in the middle of the australian desert ; it has everything she needs . fa͟c͟e͟c͟l͟a͟i͟m : depends when the mood strikes , sometimes natasha romanoff from the marvel comics ; othertime i'll use lara croft both game and comics ; i'll also just use my main live action. ac͟c͟e͟n͟t : due to travelling , coraline's accent has a twinge of everything ; however there is a prominant southen london tone that is more dominant . la͟n͟g͟u͟a͟g͟e͟s͟ ͟k͟n͟o͟w͟n : greek, spanish, russian, swedish, irish, korean, german, chinese, japanese, french, arabic, morse code . sc͟a͟r͟s : deep , red scar across neck from a fatal wound during a blackwatch ops - only managed to survive due to the meds team quick response / talent ; often covered up with a choker , gun shot wounds on left hip and right shoulder . ta͟t͟t͟o͟o͟s : faded blackwatch logo on right side ; clearly in the process of being removed ( is sorrttaa gone recall ; it was a drunken mistake in her ovw era ) / rose thorns circling right thigh , cat tattoo left arm . jo͟b͟ ͟h͟i͟s͟t͟o͟r͟y : worked for overwatch in their undercover division , blackwatch . when disbanded was an assassin for hire with no loyalty to any cause - has a history of being hired by talon acquaintances ; thus starting a complicated , untitled relationship with the group . sk͟i͟l͟l͟s : martial arts , hacking , engineering ( the later two certainly aren't her specialities , they're just things she can do at a low scale . ) po͟w͟e͟r͟s : magic user , has regenerative cells that cause quick healing , this is also why coraline appears ageless - though is mortal , just requires a fatal wound to kill her . ab͟i͟l͟i͟t͟i͟e͟s͟ ͟i͟n͟ ͟g͟a͟m͟e : create portals and jump from different areas of the map ( no team mates can use ) with a 10 second cool down , self healing , smoke bomb that has a 6 second cool down ULTIMATE : duplicates nearby team members for 7 seconds , sending out holograms that mimic the individuals actions . it's the slowest ultimate build due to the intensity of it . lo͟a͟d͟o͟u͟t : M110 semi-automatic sniper , nighthawk aac recon : silenced , throwing knives and an omniblade machete | has an ai companion named hephaestus that helps on missions when/if needed .

𝐏𝐑𝐄 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇

the streets have always been coraline's home , even when having four walls and a roof - she didn't shy away from sneaking out and sleeping in alleys in favour of her bed . her parents were abusive ; mean, rich and powerful people who didn't hesitate to weaponize it, even against their own blood . they were reason why she was born with survival flowing through her veins - the reason why she's always had a sharpness about her that the kids around her lacked . it was only a matter of time before she took to them full time , deciding that they were safer than being at 'home' - of cause the streets came with harsh challenges , with ruthlessness - but it was better , making it an environment coraline thrived in all too well .

she needed friends on the streets ... so to speak , friendships are rare in and of themselves - what she needed was allies. meaning snuggling up to gangs in different areas was the next best thing, it was the way to provide safety ; shelter without stepping on anyone's toes, especially with the ever rising conflicts. she didn't carry a title ; at least not internally , outwardly was another story ; realistically, everyone was using each other, it's what made the system work - mutually beneficial relationships, while fickle, have a strength about them the longer you remain useful. within the system there are still special connections to be made - cautious friendships, if you will. with this came trust, in return you can get shelter, food and something that couldn't be gained on her own ; stability and purpose.

it wasn't long before coraline was put to work, things she was more than happy to do - smuggling drugs across state lines, stealing intel from different gangs ; dangerous work, especially for a child - but it was work she thrived in. coraline had a talent for stealth , for having a quickness on feet - it what built her reputation and she wasted no time profiting off of it. there was also the added edge of having abilities that others tyically didn't ; magic usage had only been a small percentage of her life, trying to avoid it as much as possible ; however it came in handy when being sent on the low scale missions - quick healing, the ability to create portals - it made her life easier, it certainly made her far more efficent. though it was a secret held close to heart - she didn't need to go bragging and giving up all her secrets.

it's this what got her on overwatch's radar ; there was a long while of them keeping tabs on her movements, watching from afar and getting a better understanding of her skills and talents - she was the perfect candidate for the organization - the exact sort of skills that they were looking for - though it was a little while before getting involved, obviously waiting for an oppotunity to arise before approaching.

in truth, it didn't take long. the life was catching up with coraline - between gang conflicts coming to ahead, the law slowly closing in and people realising that she was playing both sides with a little too many unfulfilled debts, there were a lot of people seeking her out - the sloppiness had much to do with her worsening drug habit, it was making her reckless, no thoughts going into her actions - she wasn't happy, coraline doesn't remember a time where she was and as a result they were the only things that made her forget about her life - the state she's made of it, it was easy to fall into hopelessness when there wasn't any hope to begin with.

one night, coraline had snuck away from the group after packing up her belongings, what was worth while of it ; a gun, some stolen money and some clothes - it was here when overwatch decided it was time to approach her - extending a helping hand and offering a second chance, a chance to care about something other than herself ; a chance to be someone she could be proud of. coraline didn't really have a choice when accepting, but she'd be lying if she was mad about it.

HEADCANONS :

as mentioned , coraline was heavily involved in drug use ; specifically meth , speed and cocaine - anything that kept her awake and had her blood pumping. there have been several instances of her stealing from stealing from suppliers - giving them the drugs in full, only to sneak back and steal some for herself.

another side gig that was taken up more so as a way to pass the time was partaking in illegal boxing matches - it was something she watched regularly and enjoyed betting on ; it was only a matter of time before taking a personal liking to it ; it was harsh, violent, of cause she couldn't help but be drawn to it - after voicing interest in this, a boxer that hired her to gather intel had taken up the task of teaching her how to fight in a ring ; at first he voiced that she would be stupid to take up going into the ring, even with how much she was learning with him - but that just made the notion more exciting, "it's all about the show, ain't it?" she'd grin, wiping her mouth of blood from a particularly bad punch he'd swung at her - it was then he became aware of how quickly she healed, seeing this, the boxer had taught her how to use her smaller body and strength to her advantage - going up against people her size and the closest to her weight as they could find at the time - but she proved to be a worthy opponent - it was a while before finding her footing, but when that was found she ended up diving into rigging the fights for extra money ; she was in her element. though, it did become just another mess she got herself into.

𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇

before even stepping her foot through the door, overwatch had put coraline in their medical facility in an attempt to help her detox off of the drugs - it was an agonizing road ; dealing with sweats, emotional out bursts and violent mood swings - truly, the most painful experience she had ever been through ; not the fighting, the emotional torment of the streets - simply being away from the drugs almost completely broke her apart, she had relied on them so long to feel anything, to just exist she never realised how much strain they were putting on her body. despite the clear signs of addiction displayed, in truth, coraline never noticed just how much she relied on substances.

it was under a year before overwatch decided they were satisfied with her recovery, though given her cells, she recovered quickly ; at least physically, there was still the aspect of dealing with the mental torment of it all in the aftermath - but she said as long as she kept her mind busy, she would be fine - she feels ready to take on the world, to start new - she's never felt as good as she did in that moment - with the vote of confidence, they put her to work - well, training most specifically ; honing in on her fighting skills, practicing shooting - she had fun with it, even acting as a therapy.

she struggled learning how to trust - she lived her life backstabbing, lying and manipulating - it was the way things were. to suddenly change up the dynamic and put her life in the hands of other people in such a way caused her to have a slight crisis - team building exercises were regular, helping her get used to people, in a way, overwatch was helping her to completely rewire her social perception. it was a painful road seeing people as friends and not as enemies, but after a long time, of training with them and fighting along side them - she began to open herself up. allowing herself to get comfortable, to get somewhat soft around others and become docile - she was happier ; she was putting her talents to use while not having to worry about going home and getting stabbed in her sleep.

MORE TO BE ADDED .

HEADCANON :

i personally hc that coraline was a part of the venice mission, because .. c'mon, it's fun to think about - and while a lot of her portrayal revolves around the core four, if you're a blackwatch writer ( gabriel , genji , moria , cassidy ) and don't vibe with the idea, then that's fine ! just let me know - because i can make it so the impact bw had on her are faceless within the group rather than specifically canon charcters.

𝐏𝐑𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋

after the collapse of overwatch, it took a little while for coraline to get back on her feet ; naturally , this left a large hole in her life that was originally filled by the group - they found her when she was at her worst and as a result she truly never pictured a time where she'd be without them . looking back , she realises how foolish she had been to put so much faith in something that wasn't even remotely sustainable - it was an undercover military group , the shadow of something that represented an artificial light that never truly existed in the first place ; it was bound to collapse in on itself from the weight of sins that it carried ; however she was young , she had a spark in her that made her hopeful - vulnerable , weaker - a mistake she promised to herself to never make again .

she took some time away , retirement so to speak , though without any of the actual relaxing ; taking the time to learn new skills ; languages , hacking , engineering - she knew already knew how to kill , how to fight ; blackwatch saw to that - they had taught her everything she needed to know , but that's nothing without the intelligence and added skills to back that up ; killing , fighting - it was easy, anyone could do it - there always needs to be an added edge . she built gadgets , practiced hacking anything that was of interest - she wanted to be better , she wanted to make herself bulletproof because she knew the path she was about to go down required her to be the best - at least be better than who she once was .

before going back on the field, her first move was to erase herself completely - cleaning up every little shadow of herself she could find in an attempt to have a fresh start, to burn her past self to the ground and rise from the ashes - not necessarily as someone better. her illegal boxing matches from her teenage years, the drug smuggling and gang activity, her time at overwatch - thrown out, as if it never happened at all. any trace of her legal name was gone, she preferred it that way, in this moment came some sort of clarity , even if dipped in melancholy - she became a new person, she had her entire life ahead of her without any of the baggage holding her down - though with this new found lightness, came a lot of bad ideas - ones she was more than happy to live out despite the grave consequences that will unfold from them . continuing the career of mercenary seemed like the most logical line of work for her to go in ; so that's what she did . nothing unusual, nothing that she wasn't already used to ; but eventually she fell into the assassin career, it was one that took a little too easily - even worse, she enjoyed it - she was far too good at the work and it eventually became the new norm in her contracts.

coraline's problem was she didn't really know herself, never took the time to learn. there was no outside of the violence ; because that's all there was, she can't picture not being behind a gun . finding herself in this line of work was natural progression from her previous employment . with dedication, pride and a swift efficiency - it only took a couple of years for her name to become a whisper in the places where it mattered. much like before overwatch she took to the moto of once again having no loyalty , no moral code - she didn't care who was the target, just that the pay was heavy and the client knew what it meant to be inconspicuous - she became the go to gun when needed something done ; swift, quick, easy and was already out of the targets vicinity when the pulling the trigger . eventually she was hired by higher profiles, being paid to off ceos, politicians and high end criminal targets .

coraline can always been seen wearing a mask, without one she feels naked, exposed and far too seen ; people describe her as cold, calculated, lacking empathy - but in truth … that isn't the case, though her actions certainly prove otherwise . she still has moments of hesitating when she knows certain targets don't deserve it, has moments of taking a sharp breath through teeth and closing her eyes as she pulls the trigger and wincing once the bullet goes through a target - she has a job to do and a title to maintain - so ultimately, it gets done, no matter what ; the guilt, the dirty feeling that sticks to her after every mission is ignored, as a result she isn't in the best headspace - forcing herself to shut down as much as humanly possible ; though that's just it, she's still human and living isn't as easy as it used to be - or maybe she's just getting old and faking it is becoming harder ; it's an unwavering farcade that very few can see beyond.

HEADCANONS :

coraline's kill methods range from distance to up close and personal. her usual sign that she was the person behind the kill is kills via blade ; usually leaving behind quite a scene, especially when she deems someones death worthwhile. she likes to see the light fade from someones eyes, likes to be reminded what it looks and feels like when someone dies right in front of her ; it's easy to pull a trigger. it's another thing to hear the final breaths. this is also a method to keep her emotions in check, in short ; not only is it fun, but there's an element of personal mental self harm by putting herself through the trials to stop her going soft.

𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋

work in progress .

[phantomthrecd]

*IT / GIRL. 

*NAME: Mirae Seong *AGE: 25 *OCCUPATION: Instagram Model / Aspiring Designer *AFFILIATION: civilian *PINTEREST: here !!

»»» mouthing the lines to classic movies; sipping from a bottle of warm champagne; perfect posture; kitchen cabinets used to hold shoes rather than crockery; the wet imprint of lipstick on crystal cut glass; cash tucked away in unlikely places — first-aid kits, shoeboxes, and the backs of picture frames; sentimentality traded in for rationality; dreams deferred but never abandoned; trying on different personalities like each one's a pretty new dress, monogrammed initials; kissing a tissue and pretending it’s a cheek.

BASICS, HISTORY, & EXTRAS UNDER THE CUT !!

BASICS.

NAME: Mirae Seong 

NICKNAMES: tbd.

AGE: 25

D.O.B.: tbd ( but im getting gemini / libra / possible pisces vibes for sure )

HEIGHT: 5′10.5″

GENDER / PRONOUNS: Cisgender female / she, her, hers

BIRTHPLACE: tbd

CURRENT RESIDENCE: Dalston, London.

LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, Korean ( native ); French ( intermediate )

AFFILIATION: Civilian.

OCCUPATION: Instagram Model / Aspiring Designer

ECONOMIC STATUS: upper class (?)

okay technically probably upper class but v much with the mentality of working / middle classes thinking that it could all blow up in smoke at any moment, so really doesn’t quite live the upper class lifestyle, if you will.

EDUCATION: Higher Ed Certificate in Fashion ( Central Saint Martins ); BA in Fashion ( uncompleted )

SEXUALITY: idk and tbh she hasn’t figured it out either!

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: single

CHILDREN: none.

POSITIVE TRAITS: adaptable, business-savvy, hard-working, vivacious

NEUTRAL TRAITS: big-thinking, eager, frugal, idealist

NEGATIVE TRAITS: dependent, insecure, oblivious, pushover

CHARACTER ALLUSIONS: Alexa Chung, Cinderella ( no i’m not ashamed ), Cassie Howard ( that 4am routine, baby ), Holly Golightly, Sansa Stark, Serena van der Woodsen, more tbd.

HISTORY.

( aight so the brain abilities are not at 100% yet so this will likely be an unedited list of life events until i can go in and organize it properly )

trigger warnings for: parental death, terminal illness, racism/prejudice

Growing up, Mirae developed a certain fondness for symmetry. Her mother, blessed with the palindromic name of Ava, was her first introduction to the concept — a woman whose beauty was as revered as her charm, and her financial status as admired as her charitable efforts. She was an actress, eliciting equal tears and smiles, the kind of young starlet who was nowhere until suddenly, she was everywhere. The most remarkable thing to the young Mirae, however, was that no matter how much fame her mother acquired, no matter which trip they went on to accommodate her work schedule — their relationship remained in perfect balance, both growing like flowers towards the same shared sun.

If Mirae had to pinpoint when that sun began to darken, she would do so with ease. A man came into Ava’s life, and with him, step-siblings ( WC ) who had no interest in forming family. From then on, Mirae grew up between London and a sprawling estate in the countryside. Her step-father believed in strong moral values, which meant living in a multi-million dollar manor in a small town populated by off-branches of nobility for greater spans of time than in the multi-million dollar townhouse in the heart of the city. In truth, strong moral values meant traditional English values, which in turn meant classism and nationalism intersecting with a hefty dose of prejudice. It meant — more precisely and most specifically, that when her mother fought her last fight ( not of ancient wars or aliens, but instead against a terminal illness which took her too quickly from this world and on to the next ), Mirae found herself relegated to the background of her fractured excuse for a family, acting as nanny to her younger step-sibling and lady’s maid to her older one. It meant endless grumblings against modernity and the influx of foreigners, supporting the crown no matter what scandal they became embroiled in, and teaching your step-daughter to sit straight and act pretty. That they move to Paris when Mirae is twelve changes none of these things...

...but it did further the love of fashion she had since childhood, pasting together images in a scrapbook of ensembles for her mother to wear. She studied the city streets more frequently than she did her classes, watched Project Runway religiously, falling asleep to Tim Gunn’s catchphrase of ‘make it work’ every night and waking up to a copy of Vogue magazine each morning. In public, she was allowed — and certainly expected — to be smart, talented, and charming. Even despite her stepfather’s glaring distaste for a stepchild he never had any intention of raising without her mother, he instilled a work ethic into the young girl — albeit, only in certain specified areas. The idea of work itself ( and what careers would be acceptable in his upper-crust eyes ) were never directly mentioned. Fashion, when it’s brought up, was quickly discarded as a thing for girls of lesser means. 

At eighteen, she’s given the opportunity to prove herself and designed her older step-sister’s cotillion gown, a couture gown beautifully crossed between Westwood and Mugler. It was the crowning achievement of her youth, the very garment she hoped to get her into fashion school — financial help from her stepfather be damned. At the end of the evening, however, it returned to her in tatters, ripped and stained and presented not in the custom garment bag she’d created for it, but in a trash bag. The thought for escape was already brewing, but it only hurts more to hear the people who should be family say: Get out. Leave.

Mirae returned to London not long after, but found herself barred from the homes she once grew up in. The bank account she was meant to have access to upon turning eighteen is similarly kept out of reach without explanation. By luck, grace, or pity, she’s taken in by an old friend of her mother’s ( WC ) and gets the chance to acclimate herself to a life without much support. She takes a job as a costumer’s assistant, heedlessly willing to take any kind of job which could further her design portfolio and help her pay for rent. The idea to turn to social media hits her during a cast party, with numerous photographers swarming the cast and crew as they wore clothes she’d helped design and customize.

Her instagram quickly became a museum of well-lit shots of her designs and selfies of her striking features, and amassed a remarkable following in hardly any time at all. It would be all too easy to simply post never-before-seen photos of her late mother and gain reputation through those means, but Mirae had no interest in invoking the name of a woman long-gone as a way of building clout — nor did she want to reveal any connection to her stepfather and his family. Six years into the social media game, Mirae accumulated 900k followers, bolstered of course by the likes of Baldwins and Hadids sporting her limited-availability designs and sponsors paying for front-row access to fashion weeks all around the world. 

Curating a life online is a full-time career, complicated by the fact that access given to the masses is precisely what fuels her financial status. At the end of January, following a party to celebrate hitting her first 1mil on Instagram, Mirae was the victim of a robbery. No stranger to weaving diamonds out of absolute dust, she’s done her best to spin it into something positive for social media, and has since seen a giant boost to her stats in the past few weeks. But, the fear is still there, and forever a girl seeking balance in an entirely imbalanced world, she’s now thirsting for revenge. 

HEADCANONS.

Her step-father attempted to have her rebrand herself as ‘Mireille’ and take his surname so she might ‘better fit in’ with Parisian high-society, but she abhorred at the idea of shedding the one eternal thing her mother had given her, and has never once looked back.

Mirae is consistently obsessive about improving herself. She reads Proust and Camus and Joyce repeatedly in the hopes of expanding her mental horizons, attempts a sudoku puzzle before bed every night, and attends ballet barre classes every week.

This obsession, if you will, leads to her having a breakdown just as habitual as the components of its lead-up. It’s not an uncommon sight for her to cry while going through her early morning routines, or for Mirae to wonder if she’s any good or if it’s time for her to rethink her life. This, of course, is the side of her that social media is simply not allowed to see.

The happiest, busiest, and arguably toughest years of her life were at Central Saint Martins, when any money she earned went directly to her education and the furthering of her career. She lived in a cheap flat with three roommates, then quite enthralled with the ability to come home to others who were eager to see her — who enjoyed her presence and supported her dreams. Free of the stifling eye of heer step-father and not yet introduced to the suffocating hand of social media fame, this was perhaps the last time Mirae was purely herself.

WANTED CONNECTIONS.

this list got ... long, but if none of these vibe with you and you’d still like to write against Mirae, just let me know and we’ll come up with something <333

the robber(s): obviously, we can plot out how much your chara stole from her and why — I just wanna play around with this so bad! i absolutely adore the dichotomy of mirae starting her adult life very much in a place where she could’ve stolen in order to get by, only to grow into someone who then gets targeted by those who mayhaps also need to steal in order to get by, etc. Also super duper down to play around with it being a gang hit, or even someone in her inner circle who was just getting close to play her! Basically, give me anything and everything for this pretty please <33

clients: what it says on the tin! These people solicit her to design something for them, or style them for an event, that sort of thing. Whether they’re doing to gain clout via Mirae’s celebrity-adjacent status, or they actually believe and see her talent, we can def play around with whatever their relationship is!

step-family: these are littered throughout her slapdash bio, but it really would be so cool to see how Mirae and her step-siblings interact now that they’re all adults and ( arguably / hopefully ) not under the control of the step-father. I imagine there’d for sure be unresolved hurt on Mirae’s end, but I’m all for exploring sibling dynamics of all kinds, so yeah!

stalker: i just think ... this sounds chaotic and messy and i’m here for it! the trope of ‘stalker’ is defo a lot to put on another character, so i’m definitely here for mirae seeing them as a stalker but there being far more to the story that she simply can’t see just yet.

uni connects: Mirae fell short of finishing out her degree, but I’d like to think that she’s retained some of her friendships since then. It’d be esp fun to play around with uni friends who fast-tracked to major design houses upon graduation, or perhaps old advisors who are disappointed in the trajectory of Mirae’s life. 

romances, et al: i think mirae is the type of girl who falls in love v easily, but finds it hard to commit. i do envision some of her romances to be for show / social media, while some are mayhaps born from a shared artistic passion that often spills over into something borderline toxic. I’m down to play around with different shades of romantic connects, for sure!

Not 100% sold on the idea just yet, but I'm toying around with the idea of pre-Instafamous Mirae probably did a bit of the old Seeking Arrangements thing, particularly when she was pursuing a degree in fashion and needed to pay for school. This would definitely need to be plotted out way more thoroughly, but defo write me if you’re interested and we can sort work it out!

fashion friends: you know those indie sleazecore groups of friends that dominated fashion and tumblr photography and such circa 2013? very that!

more specifically — that core group of friends ( likely fellow fashionistas, artists, models, photographers, etc ) who stick together at every event, throw last-minute parties where they discuss art and philosophy and do karaoke until the sun comes up, dress each other up in the most ridiculous outfits and go out for fish and chips at 4am. 

in particular, i’d adore her having a friend she’s been staying with since the robbery!

security for hire: Mirae is definitely a bit fearful for the robbers to return, or for this to inspire more people to target her, so she’s been screening potential security officers to guard her while she’s home. I don’t think that she’d even necessarily go for someone with the fanciest credentials — just someone who she reasonably feels safe with, or mayhaps even someone who ( even before getting put on her payroll ) protected her from a crazed fan, drunken asshole, etc.

gang connects: Mirae’s unaffiliated, but she’s eager for payback, and if the police can’t figure out the culprits ( which...ofc they can’t! ), she’ll likely get desperate enough to turn to something a bit less...civilized. She’d be a bit hard to get 100% on board right off the bat, but I’d ofc love to explore some of those connections — especially if it means her realizing what she’d need to give in return for the help, etc. 

anything and everything ofc!!

[gorigorculture2021]

Exploring Creativity: Turkish Hand-Painted Ceramics, Korean Candles, and Fuzzy Rugs

In the world of art and design, few things evoke a sense of cultural richness and craftsmanship like Turkish hand-painted ceramics, Korean candles, and the comforting charm of fuzzy rugs. These unique items are not just decorative but also carry stories, techniques, and traditions that captivate enthusiasts worldwide. Whether through ceramics classes or exploring artisanal goods, these cultural treasures continue to inspire and delight.

The Allure of Turkish Hand-Painted Ceramics

The intricate beauty of 陶瓷班 lies in their detailed designs and vibrant colors. Originating from centuries-old traditions, these ceramics are often adorned with floral motifs, geometric patterns, and symbolic elements, each reflecting the rich history of Turkish art.

Taking part in a ceramics class dedicated to Turkish techniques offers more than just the skill to create pottery. It immerses participants in the cultural heritage of Turkey, giving them an opportunity to explore ancient styles and modern interpretations. From hand-painted plates to stunning tiles, the artistry in these pieces makes them ideal for home décor or meaningful gifts.

Korean Candles: A Fusion of Elegance and Minimalism

韓式蠟燭 bring a unique charm to any space, blending minimalistic aesthetics with high-quality craftsmanship. These candles often feature soft, pastel hues and delicate designs, making them both functional and decorative. Many Korean candles are made with natural, eco-friendly materials, appealing to those who value sustainability in their lifestyle choices.

Beyond their visual appeal, Korean candles often include calming scents like lavender, eucalyptus, and ylang-ylang. Perfect for relaxation or as a centerpiece in elegant settings, these candles add warmth and tranquility to any environment.

Fuzzy Rugs: Comfort Meets Style

A 毛毛地氈 is more than just a floor covering; it’s an invitation to comfort and style. These rugs come in a variety of materials, from soft faux fur to plush wool, offering both durability and coziness. Whether placed in a living room, bedroom, or workspace, a fuzzy rug can instantly elevate the ambiance of any room.

Their versatility makes them a popular choice for interior design enthusiasts. Pairing a fuzzy rug with Turkish ceramics or the soft glow of Korean candles creates a cohesive and inviting atmosphere, blending elements from different cultures seamlessly.

Unleashing Creativity in Ceramics Classes

For those intrigued by the idea of hands-on creativity, 土耳其手繪陶瓷 provide the perfect opportunity. These workshops cater to all skill levels, allowing participants to learn techniques such as wheel-throwing, glazing, and hand-painting. Creating your own ceramic pieces offers a fulfilling experience and a tangible result to cherish.

Ceramics classes also serve as a gateway to understanding the history and significance of pottery in different cultures, from Turkish traditions to contemporary trends. They are ideal for fostering creativity, whether as a hobby, a therapeutic outlet, or even a step toward professional artistry.

Celebrating Artistic Expression

Turkish ceramics, Korean candles, and fuzzy rugs each bring their own unique flair to the world of design. Whether you’re an aspiring artist attending a ceramics class or someone looking to transform your home with meaningful décor, these elements offer endless inspiration.

Combining timeless traditions with modern sensibilities, these artisanal creations not only enhance spaces but also deepen appreciation for global craftsmanship. Embrace these cultural treasures, and let them add beauty, warmth, and character to your life.

[brainypixel]

Brainy Pixel Productions and JMK Martial Arts are proud to announce the first mini-episode of our new 2D hand-animated show, Righteous Warriors!

Watch and share here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/righteouswarriors

Master Wan (inspired by Dr. Charles Owens' Korean Martial Arts instructor, Master Wan Yung Chung) unlocks the secrets hidden in the Ancient Scrolls of Wisdom (aka, the Bible) to overcome the nefarious forces of the evil Sinjas (ninjas that represent various temptations and sins we face) in high-octane action!

Want to combat the lies, darkness, and outright evil that's being beamed into our kid's minds today? If so, then join forces with Master Wan and become a Righteous Warrior!

The brainchild of award-winning Christian Animation and Production Studio, Brainy Pixel Productions and innovative pastor, martial arts master, and small business owner, Charles Owens II, Righteous Warriors is a high-octane, 2D animated show targeted at young boys and girls to combat the outright lies propagated by the media and to instill Biblical values and worldviews through creative storytelling and world class imagery. They seek to instill rock-solid character traits (all of which are based in Scripture) through the interesting and exciting lens of martial arts training techniques, characters, and lessons. There's nothing like it out there!

If you are a loving parent, homeschooler, martial arts instructor, teacher, or coach looking for a fun and exciting way to teach life skills and character development from a Biblical perspective as a part of your curriculum or Bible studies with your children then you have come to the right place!

Help us to make this show a reality by contributing a tax-deductible donation to First Word Ministries, a 501C3 organization today. Every dollar goes directly towards making more episodes like this with stunning animated content to capture the attention of kids today.

Click here to donate towards the creation of Episode 02:

Donate towards Episode 02 here! https://tinyurl.com/yvfwy2df

[doxa-nova]

Undecim

241111

Main Topics Explored + Key Arguments and Ideas:

Overcoming Skepticism:

Learning about investments is a gradual process.

Facing skepticism and negativity can be challenging but also motivating.

Success is not achieved overnight, especially without support.

Cultural Adaptation:

Understanding cultural nuances requires guidance and experience.

Adapting to a new culture can be challenging without direct instruction.

Seeking knowledge and improvising can help bridge cultural gaps.

Culinary Exploration:

Cooking is an art of improvisation and adaptation.

Traditional recipes can be modified with available ingredients.

Exploring new cuisines can be a form of cultural appreciation.

Musical Curiosity:

Ancient Korean music and instruments hold cultural significance.

Understanding traditional compositions enriches musical knowledge.

Exploring different musical influences enhances creative expression.

Family Dynamics:

Family planning is influenced by personal and familial dynamics.

Understanding partner's family experiences can shape future plans.

Reflecting on family size and dynamics helps in making informed decisions.

Musical Preferences:

Analyzing musical compositions offers insight into artistic expression.

Personal preferences are shaped by influential bands and genres.

Music can be a source of inspiration and personal connection.

Character Reflections:

Favorite characters can reflect personal values and aspirations.

Character preferences influence personal growth and development.

Exploring different characters can offer new perspectives.

Summary of the Day:

Today was a day filled with exploration and reflection for Doxa-Nova. They shared their thoughts on overcoming skepticism while learning about investments and the challenges of pursuing success amidst negativity. Doxa-Nova also expressed a deep relatively recent curiosity about Korean culture, from culinary practices to traditional music.

The conversation delved into the complexities of cultural adaptation and the importance of improvisation in cooking. Doxa-Nova's interest in music led to an inquiry about ancient Korean compositions and the instruments used in traditional music. They also shared reflections on family planning and the impact of family dynamics on personal well-being.

Additionally, a musical composition was analyzed and their musical preferences influenced were discussed. The day concluded with personal reflections on favorite characters and their influence on personal growth and relationships.

Thought-Provoking Ideas:

The challenge of overcoming skepticism and negativity in the pursuit of success.

The complexity of cultural adaptation and the importance of guidance.

The art of improvisation in cooking and its connection to cultural appreciation.

The significance of ancient Korean music and its influence on modern compositions.

The impact of family dynamics on future planning and personal well-being.

The influence of musical preferences on personal expression and connection.

The role of favorite characters in shaping personal values and growth.

Questions and Ideas:

How can one navigate the skepticism and negativity faced in the pursuit of success? What are the essential steps to effectively adapt to a new culture? How can traditional recipes be modified while maintaining their essence? What can we learn from ancient music traditions and their instruments? How do family dynamics influence decisions about family planning? In what ways do musical preferences reflect and shape personal identity? How do favorite characters influence personal development and relationships?

Personal Anecdotes:

Doxa-Nova shared their experiences of facing skepticism while learning about investments, emphasizing the gradual process of achieving success. They also reflected on their curiosity about Korean culture and the challenges of adapting without direct guidance. The discussion included personal thoughts on family dynamics and the influence of musical preferences.

We encourage you to explore the rich cultural and musical heritage of Korea and reflect on how cultural practices and personal preferences shape your journey.

Note: This entry has been edited for clarity and to align with the specified editorial line by Copilot AI.