#happy anniversary to this incredible album

[the--chicks]

Wide Open Spaces was released 25 years ago today

Album in numbers: 13 million copies sold 12 songs 5 singles 4 music videos 3 number one singles 2 Grammy awards

[daddy-long-legssss]

as it’s been 13 years since the release of Suck It and See, i had give special recognition to one of my all-time favourite arctic monkeys records. 

although it’s not as lyrically clever or deeply layered as its predecessor Humbug or as critically acclaimed as AM, to me it holds up as one of their best albums. 

i think there’s a mindset that simplicity doesn’t equate to greatness but i couldn’t think more the opposite. the fact that they stripped down the sound and brought it back to place of coherence makes it all the more captivating and accessible. and after all, sometimes the best things in life are simple. 

i always think about alex talking about the emotional impact of a song outside of the lyrical elements and leon russell’s lyric: and if my words don’t come together, listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding, and i believe that applies perfectly to Suck It and See. one listen to ‘that’s where you’re wrong’ and that opening chord and jangling guitar riff alone captures a indescribable feeling and transports you to another world. 

it’s the ultimate summer album and best enjoyed outside in the warm sunshine or on the beach or driving along the coastline. it captures the feeling of pure, unadulterated happiness. the entire album sounds incredibly nostalgic but also timeless.

i don’t know what else to say besides the fact that i just love this album with my entire being and that alex during this era will forever reside in a special little place in my heart.

[bambi-slxt]

lovelanguage!triplets:

✨a concept✨

🍊𝕔𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕤🍊

acts of service

he's a problem solver. “chris i can't get the dishwasher to work, can you-” and he's already ordered a new one, set up the installation, and made sure you'll be home for it. he hates the idea of you floundering alone, and is always quick to take on whatever tasks he can, even if it's as small as running a bath for you before you get home.

words of affirmation

chris is the type to look for things about you that other people don’t seem to notice and compliment you on them. “you’re so well-spoken, like the way you word shit, it's just incredible.” he also likes to hear about your goals and how you're achieving them, and enjoys affirming your choices in life.

quality time

he's SO BIG on quality time. chris loves to be near creativity and one of the ways that manifests is with music. lil skies drops a new album? chris is gonna call you first so you guys can listen to the whole thing together and yap about it.

gift giving

he has such a squirrel brain. chris will see something at the store that reminds him of you and put it in the cart, forget about it, do another lap around the store, see it again, and put it in the cart. he just wants to make you happy.

physical touch

chris doesn't feel the need to be possessive. he shows his physical touch kind of love through soft touches on your back when he's walking behind you (“i'm here, don't get startled”), tapping your thigh in the car to the beat of his music, and standing so close to you when y'all brush your teeth that your hips graze each other.

🦋𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕥🦋

acts of service

matt doesn’t like showing off the things he does for you, so often you’ll find that things get fixed or chores get done in the quiet background of your day. he fixes the leaking sink when you’re out shopping, and cleans up the kitchen before you get back so he can help you put groceries away, all without bringing it up once. he enjoys helping you out and taking some of the mental load off of you, but hates the idea of being appreciated for it - matt feels that it’s just his job as a partner.

words of affirmation

he’s big on writing notes. since he doesn’t have a typical 9-5, he’ll make your lunches and put a little post-it note on the inside. “i’m so proud of you, you’re gonna have an amazing day.” on your birthday or anniversary, he always has a hand-written letter for you along with any gifts or celebratory activities.

quality time

matt likes to body double, which means that the two of you don’t necessarily have to be doing the same thing to be engaging in quality time. he’s perfectly content to work on his personal brand or account while you read or play his games while you’re doing homework. he also loves teaching you Fortnite and other FPS’s, or trying new things together like cooking or making crafts.

gift giving

he enjoys giving practical gifts, things that will help make your life easier. it’s his way of saying he notices you’re struggling and he wants to help however he can. this also connects back to his words of affirmation - matt knows that words are powerful, and many of his gifts involve written sentiments of love, pride, vulnerability, or compassion towards you.

physical touch

matt was never big on physical touch. he’s always very aware of his body and someone else coming into contact with it only exacerbated the problem. but soon he came up with a solution for the two of you - ‘three taps means i love you’. soon he taps you all the time, even in his sleep.

👾��𝕚𝕔𝕜👾

acts of service

nick is never afraid to confront your problems head on, and he feels no apprehension taking time out of his day to do things for you. one of his favorite ways to perform an act of service is to help you manage your days and be as productive as you can be - he wants nothing more than to see you succeed and achieve your dreams.

words of affirmation

he doesn’t always show love this way, but when he does, nick could talk about you for hours. he calls attention to all of your wonderful traits, cute quirks, and special interests, making sure to bring up how amazed he is by all of what makes you, you.

quality time

quality time with nick can look like a lot of different things depending on his mood. some days he wants to go get aćai bowls, thrift, go on a walk by the harbor, and visit the farmers market and some days he wants to stay in bed and talk or watch movies until 3pm.

gift giving

nick is incredibly good at getting gifts. he tries his best to pay attention to everything you like and all the hobbies and interests you have so he can go look them up later and find you presents based on that. he also really enjoys diamond paintings, crafting, or any other artsy, homemade gift he can give you, because to nick, those feel the most authentic.

physical touch

he’s always been a bit jumpy when other people touch him and he’s not expecting it, but once nick knows it’s you, he doesn’t mind at all. when he’s in the mood for it, he loves detangling your hair, hiding his hands in your hoodie pocket, or just brushing up on you as much as he can. 

thanks for reading!

bambi <3

request to be on the taglist under this post right here

tags: @pinksturniolo @malirosee @st7rnioioss @nonat-111 @cindylcuwho @evie-sturns @h3arts4harry @fanficsbymia @dazednmatthews @sturniolo-rat @mattsmad @sturniolo04 @bellasturn @blahbel668 @yomamaslays4lyfe @stasiesturn @pleasantlycrazyworld @solarsturniolo

[loonavrsl]

241128 [💌] Yves' letter to fans for her 7th debut anniversary

Hi! I just arrived home after finishing dance lessons. It's a pity to have the day pass by as soon as I arrive, and so I write. It had snowed just like this, on that day. Coming home while stepping on the soft snow, I briefly glimpsed my past self. I used to get called over by teachers at school and be scolded for grasping at clouds, because I wanted to become a singer. On the two-hour ride home aboard the 1002 bus, the pitch-black darkness outside the window seemed just like my future. What if I really was chasing clouds? Those times, seemingly in my grasp but never quite, would always scatter like the morning fog. Meanwhile, I shed my school uniform and the first digit of my age changed, but my days were cruel. I'd walk an hour's distance to save money on fares, shedding the snow piled up on my shoulders and listening to Haseul's "Let Me In". I vividly remember myself wiping the damp screen with shattering cold hands, looking at that album cover again and again, running to my part-time job. I don't think I could ever forget being accepted to the company I'd been rejected from twice, and coming face-to-face with Haseul. I think it was an incredibly big happiness to be able to do the music I like, together with the precious relationships that I'd never have met if it wasn't for the group. True happiness can only be felt after experiencing misfortune, did they say? Maybe the heavens were jealous, or maybe I did wrongs in my past life, but after spending a year that felt like a decade, I was standing on the stage alone. They also say that no pain is meaningless. Even though my past self may have been upset, I'm assured that that has made me a little more sturdy and resilient. But why does a corner of my heart ache. Perhaps it is aimed towards you all. Have you ever seen a shooting star? When I blew out my birthday candles, I'd often try to get as many wishes in as possible and the candle would drip onto the cake. One night, at the shooting star rushing towards me in the sky I'd just looked up at, I wished without hesitation: 'Please let everyone be happy'. I don't know if that wish is still valid, but like the meteor headed to me then, perhaps I too am rushing towards that happiness that I don't know of yet. Please don't hate me. I am not a bad person. Tonight, I hear those words that I endlessly repeated and repeated inside myself for six years, like an echo. Now, when the vestige of those echoes fade, I want to speak anew in a calm voice. Thank you for loving me. Someday, when this resonance ends, I'd like to impart another new set of words to you. On this silent night with the world covered in white snow, leaving my clamorous heart behind; to you, to whom I want to give only love.

Translation by: litell_johnn

[7grandmel]

Happy anniversary, Undertale!

Before Undertale released, Toby Fox was most known for his music contributions for projects like Homestuck, alongside independent doujin work such as tribute albums. In 2011, in response to jokey feedback saying that much of his music sounded like Touhou music, Toby shared an audio recording of him playing "improvised" Touhou music (audio above) on piano, with commentary paired alongside it. As part of this commentary, he dubbed the boss fight theme "AN APPLE DISASTER!", and declared the theme to belong to the original character "Apple Girlington".

4 years later, just after Undertale's release, soon-to-be SiIvaGunner ripper and Touhou specialist Princess Sylvysprit released an arrangement of this made-up boss theme arranged in the authentic style of ZUN's Touhou music. As you can see, this rearrangement was directly seen and endorsed by Toby Fox!

You can also hear a remastered version of this arrangement on her 2019 album, Touhou: Fraternity of Melancholy, the audio for which is linked above.

Princess Sylvysprit has made an incredible amount of tributes to Touhou and its music in her time online, both for her own projects and others', including the SiIvaGunner channel which she joined in early 2016. If you're interested in reading more about her work, I've previously written about her on NIGHTMARESCAPE 〜Unrestrained HyperCam 2〜 (Final Boss Phase 2)!

Princess Sylvysprit

Original Toby Fox post

Sylvysprit's Arrangement

[crimsonred-hi]

Vinyls

Pairings: Andrew Hozier-Byrne x Reader

Summary: He’s got new vinyls coming out, but his girl needs to approve first. Because her opinion is most important.

He loves his girlfriend. Because she’s incredible and he’s a lover of strong women. I mean, who just writes a song about getting pegged.

He comes home, just to visit, because he’s gotta get back to being a musician, but it’s the 5th anniversary of ‘Wasteland, Baby!’. A lot of the songs on that album are about you, including Dinner & Diabetes because you pegged him, you’re his Wasteland Baby. So he thinks it’s very important to come home for a few day because of that anniversary.

So he’s standing at the door waiting for you to open it because his hands are full of things.

“Bear!”

His heart skips.

“Hey, how’s it going? Yer’ve got a few days with me before I’m back to tour.”

She giggles, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing at his cheeks before helping him get all his things in the house.

“I’ve got a little present for you, Sugar.”

‘Sugar’, that’s a new one, but it sounds incredibly in his accent. And she’s definitely very sweet.

“Oh? You got me something? Bear… you didn’t have too.”

She says with a warm smile, taking his suitcase to the kitchen so the clothes can be washed and repacked. Not knowing what he has brought for her.

She giggles as he comes up to her a small bag, his bright smile is warm and pleasant. She takes the bag looking in side,

“It’s just a copy of ‘Wasteland, Baby!’?”

She says confused, looking back at him with a soft smile,

“Nah, Sugar… it’s a special copy.”

He says with a confident glint in his eyes.

She smiles, opening it up then screaming,

“Deluxe! A Deluxe!”

He smiles warmly at her reaction, so happy to have a lover who loves his music as much as he loves making it.

“Be (Acoustic)! Be! Acoustic!”

His heart melts at her, he just sits himself down on the couch, watching her as she hung the stars.

[btsjk-biased]

I was tagged by some amazing creators: @raplinenthusiasts / @cosmicdreamgrl / @jkvjimin / @cordiallyfuturedwight / @yooboobies / @taehyunghobi

Thank you so much for tagging me! I'm so honored! 💜

I created my blog this May. I never would have thought that this little blog could get so much attention. There are so many lovely people here, who are so nice to me. I’m thankful for that. I may not be very creative and productive, but I love making gifs. I feel really out of place here sometimes, but I still enjoy running my blog and decorating it prettily. I hope that the upcoming year will be better, especially since BTS are coming back. And I want to continue making gifs and updating my blog.

For 2024 wrapped I picked my favorite gifsets that I have made from each month since I started this blog.

May

Handsome men in the forest (photoshoots with nature are my favorite)

‘Love Yourself: Speak Yourself’ solo stages

Jung Kook ‘Seven’ interview for Spotify

Glowing

‘Seven’ Campaign Film

Flowers in his hair

Lovely prince

GOLDEN relax room (Spotify)

June

Dreamy (one of favorite concepts from albums)

JK for anan magazine

OUR PRECIOUS 7: Happy BTS 11th Anniversary! (2024.06.13) (this set is really important to me, I tried to match bts solo works by colors)

Jung Kook: BTS Summer Packages (these releses are one of my favorites)

Jung Kook ‘Seven’ x Inkigayo

Jung Kook for Vogue Korea: ‘Modern Hip Hop’

Jung Kook for Vogue Korea: ‘All That Jazz’

Jung Kook for Vogue Korea: ‘1970s Punk’

Jung Kook for Vogue Korea: ‘British Rock in the 60s’ (yeah! I had to make a few separate sets for vogue korea, because look at him! I think british rock set is my favorite out of them)

That flowery shirt on him (coloring this video was challenging to me)

MOTS ON:E concept photo book x MY TIME

JK for MOTS ON:E concept photo book

‘For Youth’: M Countdown (just tried to gently unwhitewash this video, and it turned out to be one of my favorite sets of all time, I really like this outfit on him)

July

I’ll be… lovin’ you right!

Insanely handsome

Are You Sure?! Launch Trailer (tried to combine edits with gifs for the first time)

JK to ARMY: After I met you, I could become an incredible person. It’s all thanks to you. I’m always thankful and I love you. (important words to me, also I tried to get rid of green filter on the video here, it was really hard to do)

7 princes

Jimin ‘Who’

‘Airplane pt.2’: Summer ver.

Jung Kook after Yoongi’s concert

The cutest boxer

August

But I still want you (an emotional song that brings tears to my eyes)

Enjoying some wine

Jung Kook and J-Hope in Love Yourself concert VCR (I love this vcr so much!)

Morning coffee

Relaxing on the yacht

Fun time in the pool

Cutie on the go-kart

Mood

In the waters of Jeju

He is so cute!

September

Happy Birthday, Jung Kook! (I worked on this one the longest and I like it so much, I decided to start making birthday posts in this style, they all are special to me)

Soft Yoongi (chose completely different videos from different years and tried to match them all in one set)

Jung Kook loves snow

Happy Birthday, Namjoon!

Peaceful time on the yacht

Jung Kook in ‘Are You Sure?!’ (it took me so long to make this one, I wanted to have a complication with some of my favorite moments with JK from every episode of the show)

October

Delicate spring look

Happy Birthday, Jimin!

Mint choco

Jin ‘I’ll Be There’ (I’m so happy that he is back! this song means a lot to me!)

Chilly

November

Tender-hearted cutie (I always cry watching this clip, he is too precious)

Jin ‘Happy’

Jin ‘Running Wild’

V ‘Winter Ahead’

December

Happy Birthday, Seokjin!

Checking reactions after performing at TSX, Times Square

The finest Calvin Klein global ambassador

Yoongi (Love Yourself: Tear)

Soft and delicate

Tagging @jung-koook / @heybaetae / @kimtaegis (only if you want to, no pressure) and anyone who wants to do it too!

[hartlesshart]

Happy 1st anniversary to Burning Shores' release! My final artwork of the week is some album art for my dear talented friend, @xamiipholia 's incredible remix of For His Amusement by Oleksa Lozowchuk! -> Give it a listen! <- spoiler: It's a BOP!

This DLC means so much to me! Currently offering this art as part of my print run fundraiser! Check out my blog's homepage for the link to the shop.

[sillysillygoofygoose]

Musician Dilf Miguel O'hara x Reader HCs

MDNI!! (Large age gape, thinking of making a nsfw part two!!) I have not been able to get this out of my head 😩 I have so much to say, so let's begin! He's very soft in this one <3

Musician Dilf Miguel, who started his career MUCH later than others in the industry. After years of sorting out a very messy divorce, he realized that even though he's just broken the barrier between 39 and 40, he has too much life left to live it unhappily. He began writing songs, poems, and relearning the guitar.

Musician Dilf Miguel, who got a small gig on Friday nights, singing at a cafe you work at. You can't help but become entranced by the older man, distracted every Friday while attempting to pay off at least a bit of your student debt.

Musician Dilf Miguel, who despite his strong build and serious demeanor, sings melancholic and slow songs. He strums away at a mahogany acoustic guitar, his voice singing softly into the shoddy microphone, smooth like honey. His cheeks are flushed slightly from the strong heating in the small perimeters of the cafe. He pours out his most painful and private emotions, thick fingers creating a delicate melody under his meaningful lyrics.

Musician Dilf Miguel, who begins keeping you company every week while you close up the shop. You caught his eye just as quickly as he caught yours. Sometimes, it feels like he's singing to you. He can't help it, once his eyes meet yours, he just can't break it. The two of you quickly click, making conversation as you wipe down the counters. Miguel always insists on helping, and you always insist on saying no.

Musician Dilf Miguel, who you started seeing romantically a couple of months after his first gig. He's never met someone that makes him feel the way you do (not even his ex-wife 😬). One Tuesday evening, just before closing, you hear a small bell as the door opens. You huff, rolling your eyes at the person who ignored the CLOSED sign displayed in the window, "I'm sorry, we're 10 minutes from closing-" As you turn to look at the unwanted customer, your eyes quickly light up as you see an almost shy Miguel, hiding half of his blushing face with a huge bouquet of deep red flowers, his prominent cheeks matching the tint. You walk over to him, wiping your busy hands on the apron tied around your hips. "What's all this for?" You ask as he extends his strong arms pushing the flowers to your chest. "Dinner?" Was the only thing he could mutter out. It's hard to believe this is the same man who pours his heart out on stage.

Musician Dilf Miguel, who you encouraged to quit his dead-end office job after being offered a contract. He spent months hopping around different bars and cafes taking advantage of open mic nights. He's not the type to take risks though. The thought of a music career flopping after quitting his steady job made him sick to his stomach. You were the one to push him to follow his dreams. "Do what you think will make your heart happy. I'll be here no matter what happens."

No one has ever said that to him before.

Musician Dilf Miguel, who quickly BLOWS UP. He released his debut album after signing with a label, unsure if it was the right move. However, his doubts were soon soothed after he grew a massive fan base. You tease him after his debut album sold a whopping 3 million copies, telling him you knew he could do it.

Musician Dilf Miguel, who can't stand anything that has to do with publicity, but damn is he good at it. Advertisements, photoshoots, interviews, you name it, he's incredible. Miguel is as charming as ever in interviews, making viewers at home swoon and rush to stream his latest song. Although he hates to admit it, he was born for this.

Musician Dilf Miguel, who writes most of his songs about you. Despite the millions of fan-girls, or the pretty celebrities he's surrounded by at events, the only girl he has eyes for is you. A love song he wrote for your 1 year anniversary became one of his most popular, charting almost immediately. Comments ranged from melody lovers, to desperate, feral fan-girls.

"I need the tabs for the guitar part at 2:37"

"Use the like button as here before 50 million"

"Find yourself a man like this 🥺"

"I'm 68 years old this year. Haven't heard music like this in a long time. He must really love that girl... reminds me of my late wife 👍"

"He's such a dilf 😩😩I need this man RELIGIOUSLY. I want to wear his skin."

It's safe to say he's quite popular.

Musician Dilf Miguel, who loves to show you off, slinging his arm around your shoulder when he spots a paparazzi. You're favorite new pass time is looking at news articles, laughing at the ridiculous nature of them all.

"Who is y/n l/n? Everything we know about Miguel O'hara's girlfriend."

"Fourty three and twenty five: The hottest celebrity age gaps"

"New it-girl alert! Y/N L/N, Miguel O'hara's girlfriend shows off stylish new nail trend in latest Instagram post."

"Y/N L/N shows off legs in new poolside pics... Click here to see photos!"

"Watch: Miguel O'hara gushes over girlfriend in latest interview, 'She's my muse'."

"Since the beginning: The unlikely and adorable love story of Miguel O'hara and Y/N L/N"

The press loves your relationship (for the most part). Sometimes, the attention is overwhelming, but it's almost always entertaining. Miguel constantly reassures you that if anything upsets you, he can easily take care of it.

Musician Dilf Miguel, who loves when you attend his concerts, eyes searching for yours in the sea of devoted fans. He has to actively stop himself from staring at you throughout the entirety of the show.

Musician Dilf Miguel, who tightly holds your hand as the winner of Album of the Year is about to be announced. He couldn't even focus on his nerves for half the night, too busy thinking about how beautiful you looked in your custom Chanel dress, but now it's all sinking in.

"And the Grammy goes to... 'Un Amor Más Fuerte Que Los Diamantes', Miguel O'hara!"

As applause explodes throughout the room, it's muffled out by the pure adrenaline coursing through you veins. The two of you jump out of your chairs and immediately, Miguel's arms are wrapped around your waist, squeezing you tight. You hold him, quickly kissing him, before ushering him to get up on stage. His usual stoic expression is broken as he smiles bigger than ever. Miguel looks at you while making his speech, thanking you for believing in him and telling you that he loves you more than anything.

Musician Dilf Miguel, who took you engagement ring shopping the very next day.

Hope you enjoyed! Xoxo

[hoovesandfloorpaws]

mutuals as fitf songs for the anniversary 💗

EDIT: oh my god, i misunderstood the assignment 🤣 i read Made In The AM in my mind - my apologies hahaha! i’m half asleep already, but i’ll correct it tomorrow 😭

-

Hey love, thank you!! And Happy Anniversary to an incredible album! ＼（＾○＾）人（＾○＾）／

oh gosh, I'm so freshly back here, I don't even have 17 mutuals with this blog anymore/yet 🥺 - so all of my wonderful mutuals will get two songs plus my unreleased favorite, hehe 💙💚

Hey Angel + Olivia - @notlivys

Drag Me Down + What A Feeling - @larry-lives

Perfect + Love You Goodbye - @miomiomate

Infinity + Temporary Fix - @sarafinaslarrylovinlife

End Of The Day + I Want To Write You A Song - @lovelouistomlinsonordie

If I Could Fly + Already Home - @twopoppies

Long Way Down + Wolves - @whataboutthechicken

Never Enough + Walking In The Wind - @it-justkindahappened

History + A.M. - @princess-lou

i love all of these songs so much, as i love all of you! thank you for being you x 💖

*-but

[starvingnarcissistmusic]

Happy one year anniversary to my darling debut album, And That Means Everything! Three years of my life distilled into a story of moving on without letting go of what defined you. A narrative about keeping the people and places that impacted you close to your heart, and taking them with you into the future. Releasing And That Means Everything was an incredibly rewarding experience of finally putting my voice out into the world and having it echo back to me. What small reception it got I cherish every single day, and it's been incredibly heartwarming seeing all the love its been given. It's cliché as hell to make this joke, but it genuinely does mean everything. Thanks for listening, and caring, and sharing. It means the world to me. I'm working on a lot of new music, and though it's definitely too early to put a timeframe to it, I hope you stick around to see it all.

- Zackary / Starving Narcissist

...

... Huh, weird. I figured there was going to be more. That's odd. Why don't you loop back here in a couple days? Who knows, maybe something might happen. ;)

[djarinova]

HAPPY 2 YEAR MIDNIGHTS ANNIVERSARY!!

please enjoy my lil yap <3

my favourite songs upon my first listen were anti-hero, midnight rain and lavender haze 🫶 and honestly anti-hero has never left the rotation <3

the songs i found the most overrated/ the ones i did not vibe with at first were you're on your own kid and maroon (i am SO sorry i promise i have righted my wrongs and i adore both those songs now)

my favourite 3am edition song was (and still is) the great war. literally one of my most precious songs ever:( i love her :(

my midnights memories are incredibly special to me:( it was my first proper tay album release (although i was around for lover release but i just listened to it like. 6 months late) and i listened to the album at my boyfriends second year uni house while he was out at a lecture<3 i was having a grand time dancing around his bedroom and giving my snapchat story all my thoughts during my first listen 🥺

and my current top songs, including ALL versions of the album, are:

you're losing me (for obvious reasons, literally one of my favourite taylor songs of alllll time, i still remember listening to it via tumblr audio for the first time bec it was cd only to begin with)

sweet nothing (has always been one of my favourites from the album tbh, i just love how sweet it is🥺🥺)

anti-hero (no further thoughts. just a bop)

maroon (been v obsessed with this song over the last few months, it keeps growing and growing on me and rising up the ranks teheh)

this is mostly for bestie ada @kurooscopy but i wanted to make a lovely little post because midnights is so special <3 also I GOT THE MIDNIGHTS CARDIGAN EHEHE IM SO EXCITED

[beautifulpersonpeach]

Hi BPP,

I really enjoy your blog and your level-headedness when it comes to everything surrounding BTS and Jikook. You often post really good takes and answer asks quite comprehensively.

Which is why I'm sending my ask to you regarding that short clip of Jikook at the airport during the baghug.

First off: Jimin seemed to really need that hug, it seems, because he (a) seemed a bit subdued during the walking-in part and (b) ge literally barrelled into Jungkook. There was impact made even tho JK was barely bothered. Maybe that interpretation of desperation instead of affection is what makes me a bit sad about my observation.

That JK did indeed remove Jimin. It's not like similar situations when JK was still a teen - it was rather gentle. From another angle, it looked like Jikook both moved at the same time after that talk with their bodyguard. A simple "okay, now it's time for travel business" motion.

I don't even know why this makes me think so much? Why I circle back to the fact that it wasn't entirely wanted which is apso not true, since JK was going along for the majority of the clip. Even swaying. Especially when we know Jikook are just as close as they've always been. I don't think the physical separation during their individual album releases hurt them, they're too good of friends for that. There are bonds in your life, nothing but an actual intense disagreement can ruin. And didn't we still get Kookie flirting with Jimin, and Jimin joining his golden concert?

I think, whatever they're up to in Tokyo, it will give them a lot of time to spend together. Off-line. Recuperating.

----

I read somewhere that In The Soop was kind of conceptualised to counteract a drifting apart of the members during the pandemic. Maybe Jikook and Hybe came to the conclusion, that with their schedules being what they are, producing a show would be the perfect cover-up for spending time together with the added benefit of having enlistment content. If that's the case, it makes it doubly...interesting let's say, that it's not all four or just the Maknaes or any other combination going places. That no other member has been mentioned in connection to this.

*

Ask 2:

Idk if this will make sense, I'm the somewhat insecure ask from a few hours ago. Panicking about that dumb airport clip.

Well. I'm not anymore.

Because Jikook are allegedly headed to Sapporo (spelling might be wrong, sorry). The more we learn - even in snippets - about this trip, the more fuzzy my heart feels. Happy, even.

They went to Tokyo as close as they could probably manage to their last trip there, aka the GCF Tokyo anniversary. That last time was a "REAL LOVE" declaration during a time neither were in a really good place. Tokyo was an escape removed from the worries of their life and fame. A snow globe of happiness, you can shake every time your demons get to you. A gift from one person seeing the one always taking care of them falling apart, and deciding to take the weight of their shoulders. It's so fucking beautiful.

And now, after a year of emotional turmoil with their hyungs enlisting, of the physical separation that releasing two incredibly important albums brings, of duties and barely any breaks. Now they go back to Tokyo and Japan just before they have to enlist.

None of this is a coincidence.

To add to that Sapporo. Where it's snowing now. The implications for Jikook are big. We know Jimin loves snow, that JK knows that as much as we do, that watching the first snow together is a superstition for Korean couples. And now Jikook are there, in the first major Japanese city legalising same sex marriage - the city of love. While JK wore a rLOVElution hoodie, a line being dedicated to lgbtqia+ acceptance, just like during his NY outing with Jimin.

I could criticise everyone villifying their bond here, but now I don't want to anymore. Just look at what Jimin and Jungkook get to experience, even if only for a little time, and tell me that it's not the most beautiful thing.

The person having "please love me" tattooed on his body and the person singing "just let me love you". Serendipity and Euphoria. Black and White. Sun and Moon. Poets would weep cause they couldn't write a love this beautiful.

***

Anon,

After you sent in the first ask I started drafting my reply to you (pasted below the asterisk) but left the draft unfinished because I had life to attend to. Then you sent in the second ask, and what you've said in this second ask is so beautiful, I don't want to ruin it with my pontificating. So I'll leave my draft unfinished (I think you eventually answer in the 2nd ask what you're asking in the 1st).

Regardless of anything, jikook have a real connection, a real relationship, and a real history. What exactly that looks like I don't know, but I do know whatever it is, it's real.

*

Draft:

“I read somewhere that In The Soop was kind of conceptualised to counteract a drifting apart of the members during the pandemic. Maybe Jikook and Hybe came to the conclusion, that with their schedules being what they are, producing a show would be the perfect cover-up for spending time together with the added benefit of having enlistment content.”

Let's not dismiss this right away, because there’s a possibility you're right and this could be true. But I don't see any of this, in my opinion. I don't think this Japan trip is arranged by the company because they're drifting apart, though I agree it's being made for content to keep parts of the fandom engaged. My counterpoint to that though is that if BigHit really was making this just for greenbacks, it would've made more sense for this to be a taekook trip and not jikook - given taekookers are the largest and oldest shippers in the fandom, and this would've been an easy way for BigHit to capitalize on the recent bromance we've seen from them in chapter 2. But it's jikook, and there could be many reasons for why, maybe sometime down the road Tae joins them or we get a similar show with him, but right now, with everything that's led up to now, the easiest explanation for why jikook are going on this trip is because they want to.

And that's good enough for me.

[berestweys]

just finished watching jaesu's JX Identity 20th Anniversary concert (day 3), and am deeply in my feels as we used to say.

i got almost all the things i was hoping for with this show:

full versions of old db5k standards: AND HOW. i did not anticipate that the bulk of the concert would be old songs! what a gift. they killed it. (jae stomping around with all the choreography is simply the delight of my year. my little dance machine, he didn't fall down once!!! thank you junsu for making him do it!)

they sang so many of the old songs it was really stunning actually. opening with rising sun? hug AND balloons??? is purple line a noisy monstrosity of a song? yes. do i love it with every fiber of my being? also yes. did i get emotional watching jaejoong and junsu sing it as a duet in 2024??? GUESS.

and don't even get me started on the ballads. they were many and i was overwhelmed. proud, stand by u, and i believe. begin, why did i fall in love with you, & whatever they say. love in the ice of course. the list goes on.

no, it is not the same as listening to the original db5k versions. but i tell you what. jj & su take their versions just as far as two voices possibly could, and if i hadn't already been unwell for years about the five-part ballads i would not have noticed anything missing. they're that good at their craft. they are SINGERS.

i know it's become a tired refrain, but with my whole chest: fuck sm for silencing them for so many years. we should have had this all along.

jyj songs reworked as duets: only got one? but it's not nothing. empty sure was a choice though. i was hoping for in heaven, so so, or creation, but i'll take what i can get. (for real jx should re-record the entirety of Just Us (minus back seat, thirty, and dad you there) for my happiness and well being.)

tarantallegra or oeo: junsu did not leave me hanging and i got tarantallegra! probably in my top 5 kpop choreos, though i have not sat down and really thought about it to rank them.

both of them showcasing their solo work: they haven't gotten to sing their own songs at the same concert in so long. it was wonderful. wish junsu had sung some of his more recent songs like hana, and wish jae had given us at least one of his older rock songs instead of keeping to the most recent album. but these are quibbles and i loved all the songs they did choose.

crybabies: mixed results. ok this one came as a bit of a shock because jae lost it but junsu didn't? i would have predicted the opposite. jae is not actually much of a crier, but when he cries he CRIES. this was one of those times and honestly thank goodness su kept himself together because jaejoong needed to be shuffled around the stage with someone else's steady hand in support. he was just gone. bless.

things i wanted but did not get:

a new single prepared for the concert: i just want so much more duo music from them after the treat that was 六等星 in 2022. i want an album!!!

intoxication as a slutty duet: i knew it was a long shot. but i wanted it very badly, on behalf of 2012 jamie who was about 75% more unhinged than 2024 jamie pretends not to be.

incredible as a goofy happy good time duet: what can i say, i really want to see jaejoong blundering his awkward baby horse limbs through that choreo. i really thought i might get this one! alas.

any of either of their solo power ballads as a duet: this is the only thing i'm kinda disappointed about. imagine if they'd sung flower or breathing in love or all that glitters or, god, life support together??? i guess it's best they didn't because i would be dead right now.

it was a great concert, 3 hours well spent. feeling like my old school fangirl self right now, very nostalgic. i do love them.

*

[1dfangirls35]

I’ve been finding myself wanting to write down just what I’ve been thinking over the past 48 hours and who better to share them with then the former community I have through this blog.

I remember the day I learned about One Direction distinctly. While I think I had heard WMYB on the radio, it was another girl in my yearbook class watching the music video on YouTube my sophomore year of high school that subsequently lead me to stay up watching Funny Moments videos on my KindleFire late into the night. There was no going back after that.

It is hard to articulate precisely what One Direction means to me. I often joke that it’s a part of my personality at this point- much to my mother’s dismay of me never growing out of the “phase”. I lived and breathed One Direction throughout my last two and a half years of high school. Watching videos, writing fanfiction, sending fangirl Fridays to my friends, and even starting this blog. Through this band I made not only a best friend, but a community of worldwide fans. In the good old days, nothing could make me happier than staying up to listen to a new album (leaked more than likely), the boys tweeting out or going to a concert. That kind of pure happiness is something that I don’t think I have experienced to the same level in my adult life.

While I was always a Louis girl, this blog was started with a Lilo focus- with my friend at that time being a Liam fan. I have always viewed Liam as a strong foundation to the band- especially in the early days. “Daddy Directioner” always guiding them. His songwriting has also been part of many of my favorite tracks.

When Zayn left my freshman year of college, I truly thought that would be the worst day in the One Direction fandom, perhaps second only to the day they announced their 18 month hiatus. But soon I learned there was a whole new aspect to being a fan as each of the boys launched their solo careers. While some members of the fandom broke off and supported individual members, I stayed true to OT5 and was so looking forward to going to each one of their solo concerts.

The dream of course, was that one day they would reunite. 20 year old me thought that would be in less than 2 years, but as each anniversary passed, I started to have a new dream about the reunion. I had my savings account accumulating and knew that when the announcement came, that experience would be priceless. I didn’t care if I was in a nursing home or raising a baby I would be there. I looked forward to the feeling I would get when they announced a reunion or dropped an unreleased album- even if it didn’t happen until I was old and decrepit.

On Wednesday I learned there was a new worst day to be in the fandom- and that was the day I learned of Liam’s tragic passing. There would never be an OT5 reunion in the way that many of us dreamed of and more importantly we had lost a piece of the band.

I think the thing people in the fandom don’t understand is even though I’ve never met Liam- I still feel like he’s been incredibly influential to my life. It’s weird to grieve someone you’ve never met but yet means so much to you. One Direction and even the boys solo work has been a comfort to me at many stressful times. If I’m having a bad day it’s always my One Direction Forever playlist I turn to. I still can’t believe he’s gone. That I will never get to see him perform Strip That Down Live or throw water at Louis on stage again. There will never be a One Direction reunion- not in the way we have dreamed of.

As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized just how much these boys must have went through at the peak of One Direction. I look at myself between the 16-22 and see how little I knew at that age and how different of a person I was. I can’t even imagine what they went through with that level of fame at such a young age. We will never know what really happened to Liam. There were be speculations and autopsies and eye witness reports but the only person who knew what was going on in those hours leading up to his death is no longer with us. I only wish that he can now see the outpouring of love and support to a boy who shaped millions of lives around the world.

This tragedy is powerful reminder of the power of social media in both his negatives and positives. It’s a reminder that social media can be a harmful and toxic environment. But I’ve also realized over the past 48 hrs that social media can be a powerful tool for connection and community. My TikTok feed is full of memories of Liam and 1D. I’m in a groupchat for girls in my city setting up a tribute. Our fandom still continues to amaze me.

My heart aches for Liam’s friends and family. For Bear. For Niall, Harry, Louis and Zayn. I can’t even imagine what they are going through right now. I hope that even if this tragedy never leads us to a formal reunion between the remaining four, that this reconnects them together. I hope Liam is in a better place now and that all his pain and suffering are gone.

Take care of each other, take care of your friends and let us remember Liam as a boy that changed our lives forever. Let us remaninsce on all the joy he brought to our lives. One Direction isn’t One Direction without him 🥲.

Rest In Peace Payno

[effervescent-fool]

happy 5 year anniversary to this incredible album

now go stream hoziers new single ‼️