#Tang Hui

[chineseredcarpet]

Blossoms Shanghai’s Hu Ge, Ma Yili, Tang Yan, Zheng Kai, Chen Long, Dong Yong, Huang Jue, Zeng Mei Hui Zi, Fan Tiantian, Tong Chenjie & Wang Ju for GQ China

[ismahanescorner]

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor | Book Review

Author: Xiran Jay Zhao

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy, Chinese Mythology

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Release Date: 10/05/2022

Rating: 4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Synopsis:

Zachary Ying never had many opportunities to learn about his Chinese heritage. His single mom was busy enough making sure they got by, and his schools never taught anything except Western history and myths. So Zack is woefully unprepared when he discovers he was born to host the spirit of the First Emperor of China for a vital mission: sealing the leaking portal to the Chinese underworld before the upcoming Ghost Month blows it wide open. The mission takes an immediate wrong turn when the First Emperor botches his attempt to possess Zack’s body and binds to Zack’s AR gaming headset instead, leading to a battle where Zack’s mom’s soul gets taken by demons. Now, with one of history’s most infamous tyrants yapping in his headset, Zack must journey across China to heist magical artifacts and defeat figures from history and myth, all while learning to wield the emperor’s incredible water dragon powers. And if Zack can’t finish the mission in time, the spirits of the underworld will flood into the mortal realm, and he could lose his mom forever.

Review:

tw//: bullying.

First off, I loved this book; I seriously loved it! But I gotta admit that it had a significant pacing problem. It threw you into the action all willy-nilly, then did a poor job explaining things with info-dump after info-dump. However, I believe that’s very intentional since this book is inspired by Shonen anime! Anywho, I so loved how visual this book was, how I could just see almost everything Zack and the gang were doing from the vivid descriptions. I love how it pays homage to Yugi-oh!! And I adore how well it explored the different identities that makeup who Zack is. It was a bit too on the nose regarding politics, but then again, with the way most adults lack reading comprehension and critical thinking skills these days, I think it’s good that a middle grade novel is being very straightforward with its message.

[dilebe06]

My Top Female Characters of 2023

[inmoonlightpoetry]

《回乡偶书》- 贺知章

回乡偶书, Impressions on Returning Home, by He Zhi Zhang 贺知章, translated with pinyin and vocabulary

huí xiāng ǒu shū – hè zhī zhāng (唐 – táng) 少小离家老大回， 乡音无改鬓毛衰。 儿童相见不相识， 笑问客从何处来。 PINYIN: Huí xiāng ǒu shū Shǎo xiǎo lí jiā lǎo dà huí, Xiāng yīn wú gǎi bìn máo cuī. ér tóng xiāng jiàn bù xiāng shí, Xiào wèn kè cóng hé chù lái. ENG: Impressions on Returning Home Young when I left home, old as I return, My dialect has not yet changed, but the hair on my temples is thinning. Children meet me not…

[panicinthestudio]

Further reading:

HKFP: Hong Kong security chief slams Wall St Journal criticism of int’l arrest warrants, as Interpol say no ‘Red Notice’ received, July 5, 2023

[ryin-silverfish]

Could you tell us more about fox spirits? or what you know about them? Since the Kitsune is the fox spirit that people popularize the most, information on the Huli Jing is difficult to search for.

*Deep Breath*

Man, oh man. On one hand, I am fascinated by fox spirits, on the other hand, entire books have been written on them (in Chinese), and there are a staggering amount of Qing dynasty fox tales in Yuewei Caotang Biji (阅微草堂笔记) and Liaozhai Zhiyi,(聊斋志异) it's hard to know where to start.

[Previous ask about nine-tailed foxes, the duality of auspicious and demonic, and Su Daji]

Fox spirits, like any other yaoguais, is an animal that has lived long enough and absorbed enough Qi to gain sentience. Through cultivation, they can eventually gain a human form.

According to Tang folklore, they need to wear a human skull on their head while bowing to the Dipper stars/moon, without the skull falling off, in order to transform into a human.

However, foxes are also talented shapeshifters and tricksters who have this reputation for seducing humans, male and female alike.

In earlier legends, that's just their nature, but Ming and Qing tales expanded on that, stating foxes have sex with human to drain their Qi or life force, because they need those to form an Inner Core——an orb of solidified Qi that contains all of their cultivation and life force.

(Usually, it's female foxes seducing human men, because they need some of that sweet, sweet Yang force to compliment their Yin.)

(But some Ming folklore collection said that male foxes also go after guys in the guise of women, while in others, male foxes are just seducers of women.)

(Oh, and there are actual lesbian foxes in Qing legends. Like Feng Sanniang from Liaozhai Zhiyi.)

But one must keep in mind that foxes, like all yaoguais, are not inherently good or evil. For every sexual predator and Daji-like temptress, there exists a graceful scholar, a chill friend, or a lovestruck girl (Liaozhai is full of human-fox romances).

Like, there is a tale in Yuewei Caotang Biji that's just a guy chatting with his 50-60 looking fox associate about how foxes cultivate. When asked why he's so candid about this stuff, he really sums up it best:

"There are good and bad ones among our kind, just like humans. If you humans don't shy away from speaking of human evil, why should I?"

He then proceeds to talk about how legit fox cultivators collect the essence of sun and moon like any regular Daoists, while the ones that seduce human and suck away their life forces are taking a shortcut and inviting heavenly retribution in the form of thunderbolts.

Other Qing legends introduce the hilarious concept that all aspiring foxes must pass an exam organized by the Lady of Mt. Tai, to, well, earn their cultivation permit. Not even foxes are free from the clutches of imperial examinations, it seems!

Still, their old auspicious association does give rise to the archetype of "cultivator/sorcerer foxes", as well as a higher chance of recruitment into the Celestial Bureaucracy.

Which might explain why foxes were so frequently venerated in popular religion. Like, northern China has this thing called the "Five Great Immortals" (五大仙), five species of cultivated animals that people worship:

Hu (胡), Foxes

Huang (黄), Weasels

Bai (白), Hedgehogs

Liu (柳), Snakes

Hui (灰), Rats

When I travelled to the city of Pingyao, Shanxi last summer, one of the sites I visited had a Yuan dynasty building, and its second level is a shrine dedicated to the "Fox Immortal", guardian of the imperial official's seal.

Fun fact: fox spirits have a habit of impersonating Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in Tang dynasty legends. Manjusri and Maitreya seems to be the most popular choice, and in 三遂平妖传, a Ming dynasty novel, "Sagely Old Lady"(圣姑姑) the heavenly fox also impersonates Bodhisattva Samantabhadra.

So imagine my surprise when I actually encountered some foxes next to a highway during the same trip, while visiting Mt. Wutai, Manjusri's sacred mountain!

[chinesehanfu]

[Hanfu · 漢服]Chinese Song Dynasty(960–1279AD)Emperor Traditional Official Hanfu

The official uniform of the Chinese Song Dynasty emperor in "Serenade of Peaceful Joy"

【Historical Reference Artifacts】:

Portrait of Emperor Taizu  (21 March 927 – 14 November 976)of Song Dynasty, kept in the National Palace Museum

Portrait of Emperor Yingzong  (16 February 1032 – 25 January 1067) of Song Dynasty, kept in the National Palace Museum

Many people may curious about why the emperors of the Song Dynasty did not wear the classic yellow, but instead wore white or red round-necked robes.

During the Han and Tang dynasties, yellow was exclusively associated with imperial authority. According to the theory of "the Wuxing (Chinese philosophy)"which is Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, and Earth, yellow represented the center and symbolized the legitimacy of imperial power. However, during the Song Dynasty, due to political changes, Emperor Taizong decided to shift this tradition and adopt red as the new symbolic color for the dynasty. The court officials supported this change and provided various justifications, such as the theory of fire's virtue and the idea of red being a color of celebration, among others.

During the Han and Tang dynasties, yellow was exclusively associated with imperial authority. According to the theory of "the Wuxing (Chinese philosophy)"which is Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, and Earth, yellow represented the center and symbolized the legitimacy of imperial power. However, during the Song Dynasty, due to political changes, Emperor Taizong decided to shift this tradition and adopt red as the new symbolic color for the dynasty. The court officials supported this change and provided various justifications, such as the theory of fire's virtue and the idea of red being a color of celebration, among others.

【Emperor Taizu of Song Dynasty<Zhao Kuangyin/赵匡胤>】

Emperor Taizu of Song (21 March 927 – 14 November 976), personal name Zhao Kuangyin, courtesy name Yuanlang, was the founding emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 960 until his death in 976. Formerly a distinguished military general of the Later Zhou dynasty, Emperor Taizu came to power after staging a coup d'état and forcing Emperor Gong, the last Later Zhou ruler, to abdicate the throne in his favor.

During his reign, Emperor Taizu conquered the states of Southern Tang, Later Shu, Southern Han, and Jingnan, thus reunifying most of China proper. To strengthen his control, he lessened the power of military generals and relied on civilian officials in administration. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Zhao Kuangyi (Emperor Taizong).

Early life

Born in Luoyang to military commander Zhao Hongyin, Zhao Kuangyin grew up excelling in mounted archery. Once, riding an untamed horse without a bridle, he knocked his forehead on the wall above the city gate and fell off, but got right back up and chased the horse, eventually subduing it while going unharmed. In the mid-940s, he married Lady He on his father's arrangement. After wandering around for a few years, in 949 he joined the army of Guo Wei, a jiedushi (military governor) of the Later Han dynasty, and helped Guo quell Li Shouzhen's rebellion.

Career under Later Zhou（后周）

In 951, Guo Wei rebelled and created the Later Zhou dynasty. Because of his brilliant combat skills, Zhao Kuangyin was promoted to a palace guard commander. Chai Rong (Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou) frequently met Guo Wei and noticed Zhao Kuangyin's potential. Under his command, Zhao Kuangyin was made into a commander of the cavalry units. Under Chai Rong, Zhao Kuangyin's rise to power had begun.

Zhao Kuangyin's career started at the Battle of Gaoping, against the alliance of the Northern Han and Liao dynasties.

This rivalry started when Chai Rong ascended the throne and Liu Chong decided to work with the Liao dynasty. In the initial confrontation, the army's right flank, led by Fan Aineng (樊愛能) and He Hui (何徽), was defeated. Looking at the situation, Zhao Kuangyin and Zhang Yongde (張永德) led 4000 elite Palace troops to counter the Liao army. Zhao Kuangyin's exhortation for the loyalty to the emperor quickly strengthened morale. The small force held off the larger Liao army until reinforcements arrived. In the end, the successful counter repelled the Northern Han back to Taiyuan.

The victory raised Zhao Kuangyin up to the post of the grand commander of the palace guards, as well as reorganising and training them. More importantly, he developed the relations with other generals and officials related to the Chief of Palace, including Shi Shouxin, Wang Shenqi (王審琦), Yang Guangyi (楊光義), Wang Zhengzhong (王政忠), Liu Qingyi (劉慶義), Liu Shouzhong (劉守忠), Liu Yanrang (劉延讓), Mi Xin (米信), Tian Chongjin (田重進), Pan Mei, his brother Zhao Kuangyi, Shen Yilun (沈義倫), Lu Xuqing, Zhao Pu (趙普), Chu Zhaofu (楚昭輔). Within a few years, Zhao Kuangyin completely controlled the palace guards and even developed a set of officials under him with the people mentioned above.

Soon, he was promoted to a jiedushi (military governor), controlling most of the military power under Chai Rong. Nevertheless, he still had two rivals – Zhang Yongde (Guo Wei's son-in-law) and Li Chongjin (Guo Wei's nephew). In 959, after a trap[clarification needed] set by Zhao Kuangyin, Zhang Yongde was demoted. After the death of Chai Rong, the Later Zhou throne was left to his seven-year-old son Guo Zongxun, and the second rival, Li Chongjin, soon found himself lacking the political backing. As a result, Zhao Kuangyin was able to use his influence to transfer Li Chongjin to Yang Prefecture as a jiedushi.

Chenqiao Mutiny/陈桥兵变

Main article: Chenqiao Mutiny20th-century illustration of Zhao Kuangyin being proclaimed emperor by the army of the Later Zhou dynasty.

In 960, word reached the chancellor Fan Zhi that Northern Han and Liao dynasties were once again allied to invade them again. Without verifying the reliability of the hearsay, Fan Zhi sent Zhao Kuangyin to combat the alliance. After traveling 40 li, there was a clamour that a "prophet" saw two suns fighting, and that this meant the transfer of the Mandate of Heaven to Zhao Kuangyin. The story effectively spread around the army: there came discontent of the "command" of the young emperor and a shift of loyalty to Zhao Kuangyin. A few days later, when Zhao Kuangyin was drunk in his tent, all the troops had not slept the whole night; they got their weapons and started yelling. Zhao Pu and Zhang Kuangyi, who were guarding the tent, saw the situation and went into the tent to wake up Zhao Kuangyin. When Zhao Kuangyin came out, all the troops yelled, "The army is without a master, we are willing to make the general the new emperor." Allegedly, Zhao Kuangyin took the power reluctantly, only under the urging of his soldiers. The midnight mutiny of officers forcibly urged Zhao Kuangyin to the throne; but, when the officers presented him to the troops as their new commander-in-chief he refused the imperial nomination until they swore unconditional obedience to him as leader.[6] News of the rebellion soon reached the court and chaos erupted. The only person who thought about a resistance was Han Tong, but he was killed by one of Zhao Kuangyin's generals when he reached home.

Upon entering the capital to take his seat on the throne, Zhao Kuangyin made an executive order prohibiting the troops from looting the city or otherwise violating the rights of the population.

This coup would allow Zhao Kuangyin to become emperor in 960.With the gates opened for him, he became emperor with no resistance. Before the chancellor Fan Zhi could say anything, one of Zhao Kuangyin's generals pointed a sword at him and said, "We are without masters. Today, we must have an emperor." After the officials looked at each other and knew it was hopeless to resist; they all bowed down. With the court under control, Zhao Kuangyin was officially proclaimed emperor. The new dynasty's name, Song, was inspired by the army Zhao Kuangyin commanded in Song Prefecture.

After the declaration, Zhao Kuangyin sent the dethroned young emperor Guo Zongxun with his mother to the Western Capital (西京). He personally ordered the Zhao family to receive the Chai family into their family's care for generations.

As emperor

Emperor Taizu playing cuju with Zhao Pu, by the Yuan dynasty painter Qian Xuan (1235–1305)

In 960, Zhao Kuangyin helped reunite most of China proper after the fragmentation and rebellion between the fall of the Tang dynasty in 907 and the establishment of the Song dynasty. The plan set during Chai Rong's reign was to first conquer the north, then the south. During Emperor Taizu's reign, there was a change in strategy. He would conquer all the smaller states such as Later Shu, Southern Han and Southern Tang. The exception was the strong Northern Han in the north at Taiyuan supported by the Khitans of the Liao dynasty. Emperor Taizu's strategy was to win over the independent southern states[8] as the south was weaker than the north as the Liao dynasty supported Northern Han.

In 968, Emperor Taizu personally led the army against the Northern Han. At first, his forces tore through the defences and placed Taiyuan under siege, but was ultimately forced to retreat after he struck against the defences of the Northern Han with the Liao cavalry coming in to support.Portrait of Emperor Taizu, who founded the Song dynasty

Emperor Taizu established the core Song Ancestor Rules and Policy for the later Song emperors. He was remembered for his expansion of the imperial examination system such that most of the civil service were recruited through the exams (in contrast to the Tang where less than 10% of the civil servants came through exams). He also created academies that allowed a great deal of freedom of discussion and thought, which facilitated the growth of scientific advance, economic reforms as well as achievements in arts and literature.

Emperor Taizu is well known for bringing the power of the military under control, ending the era of the warlords, centralizing the state over regional commanders and so preventing anyone else rising to power as he did.[8] Upon becoming emperor, he invited the general officers to a lavish banquet, where he convinced them all to retire as military leaders or accept minor posts, in favour of enjoying extensive estates and generous retirement funds and benefits which he then offered them.At a certain point during the feast, the new emperor made a speech to the military officers assembled there, which he began by expressing his deep gratitude to each and all of them for placing him on the throne, and that now that he had the power to do so, he wished to reward them to the utmost of his ability; then he went on to say that he thought the present company would all understand that he could not feel at ease on his new throne, with them continuing in command of their various armies of troops: and, he said, that if they duly considered the ramifications of the matter, neither would they. He then sincerely promised that they and their families would live in happiness and harmony, if they accepted his offer to retire with the stated benefits: eventually, none of the generals refused his terms, and thus began a period of relative internal peace within the realm for the duration of the Song dynasty which he thus founded, also better securing the military forces for involvement with the rival surrounding empires.

Many Song and later sources record the story of the "Taizu's Oath", which forbade his successors from killing scholar-officials. However, this story might be a later construct.

Death and succession dispute

Tomb of Emperor Taizu in the Yongchang Mausoleum, Gongyi, Zhengzhou

Emperor Taizu reigned for seventeen years and died in 976 at the age of 49. Curiously, he was succeeded by his younger brother, Zhao Kuangyi (Emperor Taizong), even though he had two grown sons – Zhao Dezhao, the Prince of Yan (951–979), and Zhao Defang, the Prince of Qin (959–981). The traditional historical accounts place emphasis on the role Zhao Kuangyin's mother played in the decision which was made shortly after the Song dynasty was proclaimed (around 961). So for nearly his entire reign, it was known and accepted that Zhao Kuangyi would succeed him.

In folklore, the story known as "shadows by the candle and sounds from an axe" is very popular and suggests that Emperor Taizu was murdered by his brother, who was after the throne.After his death, Taizu was interred at the Yongchang Mausoleum, near Gongyi.

After Emperor Taizong, the line of succession passed on to his son and descendants rather than those of Emperor Taizu. However, when Emperor Gaozong (1127–1161) failed to produce an heir, he selected a descendant of Emperor Taizu to be his adopted heir to succeed him in 1161. After 1161, all the subsequent Song emperors were descended from Emperor Taizu through his two sons, Zhao Dezhao and Zhao Defang.

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📸Photo：:©胶宗模玩jiaotoys(Chinese manufacturing historical figure model merchant)

🔗Xiaohongshu App：https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/5659f093589de33cb53e0083

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[newhanfu]

Traditional Hanfu Robe

From: Chong Hui Han Tang

[californiastatelibrary]

⚠️ Newly Digitized Collection Alert: Chinese Newspapers

Chinese Newspapers were character based rather than letter based which was challenging for printers at the time. Early Chinese newspapers used lithography to solve this printing issue. Grease pencils on special stones were used to print the early publications.

Explore the collection online:

The Oriental, or Tang fan gong bao:

https://delivery.library.ca.gov:8443/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE326096

The Oriental, or Chung-hsi hui pao:

https://delivery.library.ca.gov:8443/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE326085

The Oriental, or Tung-ngai san-luk, 1855-1857:

https://delivery.library.ca.gov:8443/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE326066

San Francisco China News:

https://delivery.library.ca.gov:8443/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE326235

[burningsoprettily]

Another teacher willing to cover up a murder/serious maiming 😂

Frander, Qin Ming and Tang San should win an oscar for the level of acting they put up in front of Salas LMAOOO

Fake sad cat pffftt:

It's been a while since Tang San has demonstrated the OG Tang Clan's ruthlessness. It was perfect for the match with Cang Hui school. Some might say Tang San's being too cruel but it's just being prudent in that world where enemies are a dime a dozen.

Re-watching Soul Land Donghua - Commentary

I've been a big fan of this donghua since the first time I came across it, and I always come back to it. I adore the characters, the colors, the music, literally everything about it.

This rewatch, I'm going to post a running commentary.

LET'S GO!

[asianwhumpgalore]

Secrets of the Shadow Sect (皎月流火) | Cdrama | Whump List

Genre: Historical, Romance, Wuxia, Action

Synopsis: The young lady Ling Xuan of the morally ambiguous Spiritual Heaven Sect must disguise herself as a useless fool in order to protect herself from her father. At this very moment, Ying Shi is sent by the Shadow Pavilion to approach Ling Xuan in search of the Wanxin Technique. Through suspicions, testing, and dangers during their journey, they eventually build complete trust in each other. However, just as they have fallen for each other, Ling Xuan discovers the secret of Ying Shi's birth.

Length: 24 eps

Whump meter: ▲▲◭△△ 

✨ Everything I love wrapped in a pretty packag. If you liked Zhang Gong Zhu Zai Shang, you'll love this. Also quite some whump ✨

⚠️Trigger Content: Usual historical cdrama content warnings. ⚠️⚠️Some SPOILERS might be found, proceed with caution⚠️⚠️

Whumpee: Ying Shi/Bai Chen/Tang Yan portrayed by Lin Ze Hui

Ep 1 - Covers scar | Scar reveal, scar touched, scar opened, winces, bleeding, made to taste his own blood.

Ep 2 - Wipes blood off mouth | Cut on the forehead with a shard

Ep 3 - Cut on the forehead with a shard, blood trailing down the side of his face (10/10), grabbed by the chin, head pushed away, scolded, made to kneel and strip to receive punishment, scars on his back, whipped | still being whipped, pale, winces, sweating, several large cuts on his back, bleeding, belittled | Blood staining white clothes.

Ep 4 - Shirt removed to reveal the cuts on his back, made to lie down, wound treated, winces.

Ep 5 - none.

Ep 6 - Fought | Takes drug that binds him to his master.

Ep 7 - Weak, loosening collar of his clothes, blurry vision, leaning against table | Fought, blurry vision, struggling to focus, protected, sword to the chest then to the neck, chin tilted up with blade, weak.

Ep 8 - None.

Ep 9 - Restless, can't sleep | Blade to his neck.

Ep 10 - None.

Ep 11 - Stabbed in the back of his neck with three needles, trembling.

Ep 12 - Struggling to walk, weak, in pain, leaning over table, clutches chest, meditates to ease the pain | Sweating, injury reveal (three needles visible under his skin).

Ep 13 - Fought, kicked in the back, spits blood, falls to the ground, struggling to get up, scratches on his face, kicked in the chest, falls to the ground again, spits blood, cut on the cheek, blood on his face and neck | steps in front of loved one and gets stabbed in his right shoulder, blade removed abruptly, bleeding, clutches wound, falls onto his knees.

Ep 14 - Protected, concerned for loved one | Treated, needles removed from his skin, spits blood, pale, blood dripping from his lips.

Ep 15-19 - None.

Ep 20 - (in past) rescued (off screen), scratches and cuts on his face, talks about his unwillingness to live | (in past) watches his friend die, crying.

Ep 21 - (in past) x mark cut onto his left shoulder, crying.

Ep 22 - Force™ pushed away | Imprisoned by loved one | Gets up abruptly, sudden pain, winces, forced to sit back down, in pain, clutching chest, feeling withdrawals from drug, meditates to ease the pain.

Ep 23 - Fought, jumps off cliff after lover, saves lover by pushing her to safety but falls off cliff.

Ep 24 - Limping | Can't stand too long and has to sit, concern for him.

── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──

Will add gifsets once I get around to making some

[fairyjiu]

Lights On ✨💫 aka my fave releases of 2024

Featuring, in order of appearance:

Welcome to the show - Day6 // Girls Night - Loossemble // November - Lovelyz // Lights On - Weeekly // Bibora - SF9 // Cosmic - Red Velvet // Shooting Star - Kep1er // Remembrance Candy - Billlie // Give me that - WayV // On My Bike - Purple Kiss // Hmm Bop - Hui // Algorithm - Chungha // Beautiful Maze - Drippin // Lighthouse - Tempest // Poondung - Cignature // In the end we're just - Youha // Bye My Monster - ONF // Without U - Seola // Tang Tang Tang - 90tan // Gold - Itzy // ABDC - Nayeon // Lovers or Enemies - CIX // Good Morning - Yena // Everglow - Kino // Justice - Dreamcatcher // Navy Blue - Wooseok // Sabotage - Kwon Eunbi // Fashion Style - Kino // Punk Hot - 1Chu // Shxt - Ryu Sujeong // Weekend - Drippin // Feeling - Vahn

tagging: @atlantis-area, @briankang, @dreamaze, @hoforwonho, @kimsuyeon, @jinjjayo, @moonsua, @pixypunch, @reveloser, @suhyeos, @sungtaro, @2minsungz

read more? you want to know more? nerd. but yes more you shall know because this was a project for sure. first thing you'll notice is i made only one post instead of my usual two because i did not have it in me to make this twice, it also gives me more options to play with so yay. there is also more than one song per artist and more than 10, we're doing all kinds of wild things this time. i tried to give more importance to songs that ranked higher but also what fitted best with the concept so if you're curious, here's how the songs would place in some sort of vague tiers (no ranking within the tiers):

Song of the year: Lights On by Weeekly Tier 1: ABCD (Nayeon), Good Morning (Yena), Justice (Dreamcatcher), On My Bike (Purple Kiss), Remembrance Candy (Billie), Cosmic (Red Velvet), Hmm Bop (Hui), Navy Blue (Wooseok), Everglow (Kino), Give Me That (WayV), Welcome To The Show (Day6), Lovers or Enemies (CIX) Tier 2: Sabotage (Kwon Eunbi), Gold (Itzy), Algorithm (Chungha), Girl's Night (Loossemble), Poongdung (Cignature), Fashion Style (Kino), Bibora (SF9), Lighthouse (Tempest), Beautiful Maze (Drippin) Tier 3: November (Lovelyz), Punk Hot (1Chu), In The End We're Just (Youha), Shxt (Sujeong), Shooting Star (Kep1er), Without U (Seola), Tang Tang Tang (90tan), Bye My Monster (ONF), Weekend (Drippin), Feeling (Vahn)

so i guess if you really want to know my most faves: lights on and tier 1. as far as the concept goes well...it's a gacha. i am picturing it as an open-world action rpg with an emphasis on storytelling. Yena is acting here as the default mc because she just gets it. you'd have various quests to complete with combat, puzzles and mini-games. the actual gacha part would be outfits and characters (we have to make money somehow sorry), weapons could be switched up as you wish and unlocked through quests.

[summerofofelia]

15 day BL challenge time!

OG here 🤍

Day 14 - Top 5 most sad boys

Tang Yi (History 3: Trapped)

There’s nothing I love more than a bad boy who’s actually just a wounded little puppy in need of a cuddle. Abused child, adopted son of a mafia boss, forced to lead because his adopted father was shot, living a life of vengeance ever since, oh life has been so cruel to him. But then Tang Yi meets Shao Fei, who is a combination of a golden retriever and a box of fireworks and somehow, against every single rational thought screaming this is a bad idea!!! He falls in love with this chaotic ball of sunshine. And my sad boy finds a safe person that holds him in his sadness and tells him everything will be okay. He finds tenderness and warmth in a man he once saw as an enemy and it’s still sad but it’s like a sadness mingled with happiness. It’s bittersweet. The circumstances are still harsh and sad, but Tang Yi has found his shelter in the storm in the form of Meng Shao Fei.

Akk (The Eclipse)

There is something so heartbreaking and raw about Akk’s struggles, the way he seems to be carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, so terrified of letting anyone down, of letting anyone in. He has a hollowness in his chest, an ache in his bones, a terror creeping in that he’s not right and he desperately needs to do everything possible to make sure everyone thinks he’s normal. I adore The Eclipse series but the first time I watched it I found it quite triggering because I saw so much of my teenage self in Akk. It is a testament to the acting ability of First that he was able to so accurately and painfully portray the struggle of a queer teenager trapped inside themselves.

Kim Dong Hui (The Time of Fever)

Turns out I’m drawn to repressed characters desperately struggling with their identity, suffocating in shame and guilt, torn between their heart and desires and what they feel they have to do according to the demands of society and their community. HMMMM I WONDER WHY. The Time of Fever broke my heart and took my breath away, the way it depicted the pining, the longing, the hidden glances, the hope and the guilt and the breathless desire of the queer teenage experience was painfully sublime. And to be honest, Dong Hui and Ho Tae should both be here because they’re two parts of a whole heart, two boys who just need a hug.

Kenta (Pit Babe)

Kenta was either kidnapped from his birth family or sold by his birth parents into Tony’s crazy alpha children’s farm, abused and neglected his entire childhood and basically trained to be a guard dog and the saddest thing is he still clings to Tony and does everything he tells him to do because Kenta believes that his dad, despite everything, still loves him. When Tony rejects him completely, Kenta’s entire world implodes. Who is he without Tony? In one sentence Tony basically destroys this man’s entire life and identity. What’s the term… justifiable homicide? Yeah, Kenta did that. I got no qualms.

Hira (My Beautiful Man)

Hira is such a a tragic figure because he is someone that truly doesn’t believe he has anything of value to offer the world. It’s almost painful watching him because it’s so hard to see someone think so little of themselves. I just wanna give this dude a hug and the number of a good therapist!!!!

[lady-parthenopia]

ROTMHS/ROTBB side story ramblings

Spoilers about Chung Myung's childhood:

I just finished reading the side story and my heart is breaking on how Chung Myung reacted to being told off about manners because Yanghoe/Yang Hui(?) assumed that Chung Myung's parents held a high position in Mount Hua. Yanghoe/Yang Hui's words got filtered in Chung Myung's ear and he mostly only heard himself being called small, doesn't have parents and ignorant... He said how could he learn about manners and such when doesn't have parents while kicking him in face at the same time orz

Ughh Chung Myung is that type of kid who is cute until he opens his mouth that was his first impression of him 😔

Chung Mun kicking Yanghoe/Yang Hui as soon as he heard Chung Myung saying that he cursed him saying he's an ignorant, parentless child 😭 Chung Mun cares for Chung Myung after all? 🥹

Oh my god I'm so glad he has the wits to not poison Chung Myung. It seems to be the same or similar kind of poison he was given when they went to the Tang Family in Chung Myung's reincarnated life 🥹

UGHHH AND HE STILL ACTUALLY ATE IT LIKE HE DID WITH THE TANG FAMILY!!! I'M LOSING MY MIND I LOVE HIM 😭 I wonder if this means the poison already doesn't work on him at this point? Or did Chung Myung beat them up with just his physical strength?

Chung Myung carried him easily on his back but because of the height difference Yanghoe/Yang Hui's feet are dragging 😭 I wonder if there's already a fanart of this, I feel like I haven't seen any yet...

Waaaah he's sincerely apologized for saying things about Chung Myung's parents, my heart is aching so much for these two oh my gosh

Oh so it actually took a long time before he got his Taoist name Chung Jin. It might be because the elders(?) are still giving him a chance to back out? And speaking of the elders Baek Oh seems to say that he's done everything but can't change the child's (Chung Myung's) personality?? Just what exactly did they do for a child like him to turn out like this, I'm finding the translation a bit difficult to read orz

Ah, so Chung Jin and Chung Myung have a bond over the sunset like this. I see, I understand it more now 😭😭😭 He probably remembered Chung Myung saying that he wakes up from his nap to train at that time to practice while watching the sunset and came to love that place too(?)

[the-monkey-ruler]

Bajie's Marriage (1957) 猪八戒招亲

Director: Wu Hui Starring: Liang Xingbo / Phoenix Girl / Lu Haitian / Chen Luwei / He Baiguang Genre: Action / Fantasy Country/Region of Production: Hong Kong, China Language: Cantonese Date: 1957-08-09 Also known as: Journey to the West-Zhu Bajie Seeking a Marriage/Journey to the West: Zhu Bajie Seeking a Marriage / 朱八戒招亲 / 豬八戒招親 / 西游记-朱八戒招亲 / 西游记之朱八戒招亲 IMDb: tt0207847 Type: Retelling

Summary:

This film spoofs some Journey to the West. It is said that the state of the Tang Dynasty was prosperous, the people were full of food, have clothing, and all kinds of fresh things emerged in the people. Among them, the most famous happy technicians are "Three Tibetans". This person is a yin and yang, and has won the favor of Tang Taizong. At this time, a minister saw Tang Taizong, saying that the joy of the Western Ministry was called the "Western Classic", so Tang Taizong shaved the hair of Sanzang into a monk and learned from West Heaven.

When Tang Seng went to the West, he met a wild monkey man, and the wild monkey saw Tang Seng as very beautiful. When the monkey-man wanted to rape him, he was hit by the Buddha who passed by. Afterwards... Tang Seng named the wild monkey Wukong. The master and apprentice went on the road together.

One day, the two lines and apprentices passed through a village, saw a "recruiting relative" plaque at the door of a family, and went to watch curiously. Seeing a pig man sleeping in the hall, there was a promotion at the door, "If any lady can make her pig Bajie get pleasure, I would like to exchange as an immortal." Seeing this pig as an immortal, Wukong turned into a villager to tease ...

Source: https://movie.douban.com/subject/1966420/

Link: N/A

[panicinthestudio]

Further reading:

HKFP: Hong Kong security law to deal with ‘soft resistance,’ security chief Chris Tang says, July 4, 2023

HKFP: They will ‘live in fear’: Hong Kong’s John Lee invites ‘anyone’ to help police arrest wanted overseas democrats, July 4, 2023

HKFP: Western countries decry Hong Kong’s nat. sec. arrest warrants, as leader John Lee defends law’s extraterritorial reach, July 4, 2023

Hong Kong puts out rewards of $125,000 for pro-democracy activists, July 4, 2023

Hong Kong is increasing its crackdown on political dissent. It is offering a reward of 1 million Hong Kong dollars (110,000 Euros) each for information that leads to the arrest of eight exiled pro-democracy activists. Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee warned the prominent activists on Tuesday that they would "live in fear" unless they hand themselves in. They would be pursued even in the foreign countries where they have found refuge, he said. The Chinese government, too, is accusing the seven men and one woman of anti-China activities and of seeking to destabilize Hong Kong. Why are Hong Kong authorities issuing these warrants now? Deutsche Welle