#but even the fanservice feels like sincere appreciation and connection

[mewji13775266]

i love dungeon meshi and the way it views people in a way i grew to think no one else ever would. the way it frames bodies and nudity without it needing to be inherently sexual, and any fanservice or sexualization there is only feels very honest rather than perverse. the neutral way things like the harpies or humanoid monsters have exposed boobs and nipples. or the farcille bath scene being fanservice in a way but feeling intimate in an entirely different way than that to me. it feels so removed from the weight of the way others view people with beauty standards and other imposed characteristics—yet it paints people as beautiful around its own definition based on the way people actually are. the way it frames human beings as a whole, as living like any animal does with universal and inescapable needs. no matter how we see ourselves we still get hungry, we still get hurt, we still get sleepy, we still get thirsty. the characters have magic and anime fighting strength but remain as fragile as any living thing, being able to be killed in one shot. and every shape the different characters take with their diverse bodies is drawn with equal appreciation for their form. there are many things dungeon meshi feels passionate about, such as how clearly invested ryoko kui had to be in zoology and stuff for a lot of worldbuilding, but that wouldnt be complete without this touch too. i just love how much this series was clearly created by someone deeply in love with and invested in human beings.

[dojae-huh]

While people are watching the freshly released The Journey of J, I'm finishing Do's documentary, heh.

I don't think anything particularly new was revealed for those fans who pay attention to KDY. Rather, we got confirmation about various things and Do's character traits and views.

It was nice to see how Do connected with his new producer friend. How they worked on "Beginning" and arranging the album. An important detail: Do waited untill they had a demo before pitching his idea about the intro video. We also got to know that the "merman" story was created by him as well.

So Doyoung said he kept delaying making a solo album because he felt the time wasn't right and he didn't feel ready. Fans always accuse SM, but it's not uncommon when idols hesitate to go solo as it's a big change (working alone) and a risk (an album might fail, self-esteem crushed).

Doyoung needs to talk to people, vent out. It seems he is the type to process his thoughts and feelings while talking. He needs listeners who are thinkers themselves. It's not even about a good advice, and more about the feeling that you are really understood and accepted. As boyish as he is, Mark is a thinker, he wants to be a writer, and he shares a lot of values with Do (towards work, music, religion, the future of NCT). While Johnny is one of the few neos who isn't in the children category, who wants to help and ready to listen to Do blubbering. It seems, the Jeju invitation was kind of an olive branch.

Once again Johnny said that he learns from Doyoung.

Doyoung is really "I know better" type. It's not easy for him to accept another person's opinion. He needs to see the value in it, be proved his take is not the correct one.

Heh, it was funny how he complained about the font. He always gets petty about such small things and reminds about them. Maybe it's a way to release off some anxiaty/worry.

Do said that "Doyoung" is not Kim Dongyoung in a more clear way this time. It's not just about playing the idol (taking care of the image, of what you say, fanservice mode on), rather it's about the singer. As in, KDY might hate fans or his work sometimes, be pessimistic, but Doyoung is always someone who brings support and sincere music.

Several staff members who worked on the album commented how hard-working and demanding Doyoung on himself. He doesn't reflect his mood on others, even arguing for his point of view he manages to make the people not feel bad that their opinions are rejected, he is comfotable to work with, he tries to make the mood lighter (the way he commented on someone running to get a gelato in Milan). However, he talks about feeling lonely and down very often. It seems JaeDo safeguard each other from individual problems and seek other people to talk to (like Jae and his father), not wanting to burden each other more.

Lol, Doyoung saying several times he wants the songs to be loved after he worked so hard on them. And fishing for praise over Beginning during a dinner with the staff, heh. His usual "Appreciate what I do! Compliment me!". So righteous of him, haha.

Ah, I want to go to Jeju and see those cormorants on black rocks. Bucket list entry.

Do's team didn't have to include the voice messages in the final episode of the documentary, but they did (it definetely was a surprise for him). Like a signed postcard.

The success of the album was very important for Do. He needed the boost of self-esteem after his meltdown he mentioned again (between Sticker-2 Baddies era). He dreams big, but reality puts obstacles in his path. As a perfectionist he is afraid to lose, to not win. He said himself that he can work even harder if he gets results. He got confirmation that he was right. The sincerety will shine.

P.S. Doyoung is much more handsome in his natural state (is it called nude make up?) that the doll make up he goes for...