#i mean there are but it’s all eugene and ae sin

[icomehereforthefics]

I just want some fanfics for Eugene man… I HAVE READ A TOTAL OF ONE! JUST ONE! Like give the man some fucking love

[sexlovelitpodcast]

Sex Love Lit girlies! I watched Crash Landing On You (my first k-drama) and now I have a conundrum: A) I want to watch more k-dramas, and B) No k-drama can seem to measure up to CLOY 😭 Could you put together a playlist of entry-level k-dramas for new fans that capture the CLOY magic? Bonus points if they’re on Netflix

@sliceoflifegirl thanks for the ask!

(Corinne here) First of all, welcome to KDrama land! Crash Landing on You was my second ever KDrama, and the one that really got me hooked. I’m gonna be honest, it’s a hard one to top when you’re mid emotional hangover! That said, I love this ask and recommending KDramas to people, so I’m more than happy to recommend some. My strategy here, rather than recommend something that exactly mimics CLoY (because imo, there’s nothing exactly like it), is to recommend dramas that I think are some of the best of their genre—with some aspect that might help scratch that CLOY itch ;) So, without further ado, here is your KDrama Starter Pack: 

Goblin aka Guardian: The Lonely and Great God—This fantasy romance is a classic for a reason. The set-up: 900+ year old goblin Kim Shin is on a quest to find the goblin bride to pull the sword out of his chest and finally let him die. The catch: when he finds goblin bride Eun-tak and starts to fall in love with her, he wonders if there might be something to this whole “life” thing after all. Also featured: a glum Grim Reaper, with whom Kim Shin has a top tier bromance, who has a doomed romance of his own. Goblin gave me one of the biggest emotional hangovers post-CLOY in my early KDrama days. One caveat: Kim Shin meets Eun Tak when she’s in high school, so if huge age gaps in fantasy romances give you the ick, maybe give this one a pass (in which case the fantasy romances I recommend checking out instead are Alchemy of Souls and Doom at Your Service, both on Netflix atm). (On Viki)

Mr. Sunshine—My pick for one of the best historical (aka sageuk) KDramas out there. Set in early 1900’s Joseon, just before/in the early days of Japanese occupation, this drama follows the lives of five equally compelling characters as they navigate the political turmoil of the time. At the center are Lady Ae-sin, an aristocratic lady with a tendency for dressing up as a man and sneaking around at night on missions for the rebels, and Eugene Choi, an American Marine now stationed in Joseon who escaped enslavement there as a child and has mixed feelings about the land of his birth. This one resonates with the forbidden/doomed love of people from different classes and cultures from CLOY. (On Netflix)

Reply 1988—This slice of live drama set in Seoul in 1988 follows five families who live in the same neighborhood, and especially five of their high school aged children as they grow up during a particularly vibrant time in South Korea’s recent history. Like the other installments in the Reply series, the series uses two of the main characters in the present day (or present to when it was released, anyway) looking back—which means that viewers know the Deok-sun ends up married to one of her four besties, but which one?? Still, while the love triangle mystery is fun, at its heart, this story is about community. It’ll scratch the CLoY itch for the North Korean market lady shenanigans, and a few others as well (especially if you like intense yearning in your dramas). (On Netflix)

Business Proposal—If you’d like romance of a completely different genre than CLOY, look no further than Business Proposal! In this KDrama, Shin Ha-ri goes on a blind date in place of her friend as a favor only find out that the date is with her boss. This tightly plotted romantic comedy plays with more rom com tropes than you can shake a stick at, but never sits with one so long that it gets old. The B couple is also fire, and helps move things along whenever the A couple gets into a rut. This drama also features some chaebol (rich business family) shenanigans a la CLOY.  (On Netflix)

Extraordinary Attorney Woo–If you’re in the mood for a workplace comedy/drama, look no further than Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Featuring the incandescent Park Eun Bin as rookie attorney Woo Young Woo, this legal drama features about a case per episode as Attorney Woo finds her way in the world alongside a delightful main cast of characters. (On Netflix)

Little Women—My choice for the makjang to include on this list (a genre in which extreme storylines are treated very seriously), this drama focuses on the three Oh sisters as the oldest finds that her friend who died under mysterious circumstances has left her 70 billion that a powerful political family will stop at nothing to get their hands on. Will the story always make complete sense? No. But will the stellar performances, fast-paced, genre-mixing drama, and wild cliffhangers keep you on the edge of your seat as you binge the whole thing? Absolutely. (On Netflix)

Extraordinary You—Youth dramas may or may not be your thing, but if you have the patience for the shenanigans of high schools, Extraordinary You is my top pick. In this fantasy romance, Eun Dan-Oh discovers that she is actually a character in a comic–and she’s not even the main one! While still high school appropriate, Eun Dan-oh’s literally doomed-by-the-narrative and impossible circumstances romance with Haru, another side character, is another one from my early KDrama days to stick with me just as much as Yoon Se-ri and Ri Jeong-hyeokk’s. (On Viki)

Search: WWW—Ayanni’s particular contribution to this list, this modern romantic drama focuses on intersecting lives of three women working in the fast-paced tech industry at the top two competing web portal companies. Just as interesting as each woman’s various romantic entanglement are their entanglements with each other as they put their careers ahead of just about everything else. Ayanni says she especially appreciates this one because it focuses specifically on three women (also in this genre are Be Melodramatic and Because this is My First Life). 

Happy watching--and do let us know if you pick any of these up!

[isobelleposts]

'Mr. Sunshine' and its Answer to the Question "What is Love?"

Lee Byun-hun and Kim Tae-ri as Choi Eugen and Go Ae-sin in 'Mr. Sunshine'

Recently, I’ve found myself loving media wherein romance is only considered a subplot but is also what keeps the watchers hooked for the next episode and the one that comes after that. ‘Mr. Sunshine’ would be one of those shows.

‘Mr. Sunshine’ is what I would consider the most well-produced Korean Drama I have watched so far. Based on both facts and fiction, the show tells a moving story of a romance that blooms between a noblewoman and an American Military officer as they plot to prevent a dark scheme on the country's colonization at night. 

Choi Eugene and Go Ae-sin, episode 6 of ‘Mr. Sunshine’

L-O-V-E

There is complete intimacy between Kim Tae-ri and Lee Byung-hun’s characters despite the lack of skinship found throughout the show. Being a noblewoman and an American, Lady Ae-sin and Eugene keep their progressive friendship a secret from the public eye, not only as lovers but as members of a militia called The Righteous Army.

Can I ask you a question since you’re American? What is "love"?

Go Ae-sin, episode 3 of 'Mr. Sunshine'

The transition between Ae-sin’s innocence to her full knowledge of what the English word “love” means and feels was like watching the process of an artist starting out with a clear image in their head, making a mistake, and then having a completely different story sold twice more than the original worth. Ae-sin asked a single question and received several answers.

Let’s do it. Love. With me. Let’s do it together.

Choi Eugene, episode 6 of 'Mr. Sunshine'

One boat ride between the noblewoman and “her wherryman” and the contrast between the world’s then-current tragedies and killings made you understand the experience of how quiet the world could be. The moment that peace was taken away, you suddenly find the desire to have stayed there forever, rowing on and on and never continued watching.

Yoo Yeon-seok as Gu Dong-mae in 'Mr. Sunshine'

HISTORY AND TV

Apart from being what I consider the most well-produced K-Drama, ‘Mr. Sunshine’ is also the most diverse I have encountered so far. Despite so many characters and stories to follow, screenwriter Kim Eun-sook was able to build it all together at a compact pace without letting you feel it was too heavy or difficult to keep up with.

If it’s my fate to survive everything only to die in your hands, then I should.

Gu Dong-mae, episode 7 of ‘Mr. Sunshine’

‘Mr. Sunshine’ was able to have you appreciate its second leads rather than feel completely angry or sorry, as most dramas intend to do. The application of history added to each character’s depth and complexity makes you ponder on life’s ways.

Do you know what the first thing I did after coming to Joseon was? I let everyone know that I was a runaway son of a butcher. Unlike my father, I was able to cut anyone down.

Gu Dong-mae

It was difficult to convince myself that I hated Gu Dong-mae because I didn’t. And it was not only because of his love and help towards the Lady Ae-sin, but for the way his character was structured and written.

The obvious display of different social classes and power led me to think of all the real lives and years lived by people and ancestors, and how so little society has come to change. Similar to ‘Pachinko’, both historical dramas depicted the realities of Korea’s turning point in history and lets you compare it to the present world.

Choi Eugene, episode 24 of 'Mr. Sunshine'

GLORY AND SAD ENDING

This show made me think of several could-have-beens yet somehow never made me choose an alternate ending over what was already provided, despite Eugen and Ae-sin’s absolute deservedness of a peaceful life full of loving each other.

Will our final destination be somewhere between glory and a sad ending?

Go Ae-sin, episode 9 of ‘Mr. Sunshine’

If I had to choose between those two words to describe this ending, I’d rather see it as a glorious one. An ending where two people's love for each other was able to help thousands of the Nation. An ending where Go Ae-sin was able to live and succeed as what she had always wanted to be — a flame that burnt brightly and wilted.

And one day, we can be walking on a street we’re familiar with and go all the way to New York, where you used to live.

Go Ae-sin, episode 16 of ‘Mr. Sunshine’

I like to think that among the several worlds in the universe, Eugene and Ae-sin walk hand in hand in one of them, far from the cries of their dying nation.

(Click HERE for Writing Commissions)

by Isobelle Cruz, 31/05/2022

[kristarantsandmuses]

Quaranthings: Korean Dramas

It’s been a while, Tumblr. LOL I haven’t posted in a while – but we are living in a time of pandemic. I have never thought such day would come but here we are.

It has been 41 days since Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was implemented in Manila – and I have managed to catch up on my Korean drama backlog.

Thanks to streaming sites like Viu and Netflix, I have spent countless hours just catching up on the latest dramas (The King: Eternal Monarch, Itaewon Class) and the ones I have not finished watching (Mr. Sunshine, Reply 1997, Go Back Couple, Kill Me, Heal Me, My Love from the Stars). I also found time to rewatch my favorites (Secret Garden, Innocent Man).

The last one I watched was Mr. Sunshine. The writer, Kim Eun Sook, tells the story of a Joseon slave-turned-American soldier named Eugene Choi and a noble named Go Ae Sin – and the people around them: the mysterious samurai Go Dong Mae; the rich playboy Kim Hee Seong; and the beautiful, rich heiress/double agent named Hina Kudo. Set in the early years of the Korean Empire (led by Emperor Gojong), the drama depicted the political turbulence of the time: the traditional Joseon ways clashing with that of imperialists as well as the personal struggles of each character. Then there’s storge, eros, philia, and agape - I’ll probably write another review of that because in terms of writing, I think this is the best Kim Eun Sook drama. 

 I have been meaning to write something like this, but I guess I was inspired to share with the world why I love Korean dramas – like it really is a hill I would die on anytime.

Some weeks ago, a Filipino director openly tweeted his disdain for Korean dramas. In his words, he said that Filipino movies and tv are “doomed” because of “K-drama galore: faux Cinderella stories with belofied whiter than white actors. And it’s all about love in the midst of pandemic.”

 LMFAO. I had to laugh.

It came from a director with reputable filmography – I mean I loved two (2) of his films for their social commentary but I have to ask.

How many Korean dramas have you watched – LOL don’t tell me you only watched Crash Landing on You.

HELLO, ITAEWON CLASS WAS IN THE TOP 10. DID YOU WATCH THAT? Did you watch the rags-to-riches story of Park Saeroyi and his quest for justice to defeat the biggest food company, Janga Corporation?

Have you watched Sky Castle? The compelling story of rich families and their schemes to get their children into the best universities?

 How about the Reply series? A nostalgic drama that tells the story of families, youth, and the times they lived in – 1994, 1997, 1988 – the nostalgia was fucking rich. I especially enjoyed 1994 and 1997.

Did you check out Another Oh Hae Young: a woman struggling to come into terms with her personal insecurities? Or have you picked up on It’s Okay, That’s Love: a romantic drama that properly tackled mental illness (the lead had schizophrenia).

From personal experience and the vast filmography of Korean dramas I have seen, let me point out why Korean dramas are the best – and why they’re so fucking addicting. I would have to say that this is not a research paper but rather a lengthy analysis based on my 12-year experience as a Korean drama enthusiast.

 1.      Creative value

Every drama starts with a great plot.

Sure, many Korean dramas are romantic. In fact, most of the Korean dramas I have seen in the early 2000s are romantic: Autumn in my Heart; Stairway to Heaven; Winter Sonata; Full House; My Name is Kim Sam Soon; and Princess Hours. There’s also Memories of Bali; I’m Sorry I Love You; and Coffee Prince. These dramas actually launched the Hallyu (Korean wave) that we know today – and their plots have the typical Korean drama romantic equation: guy meets girl – they don’t get along at first – then they fall in love – misunderstandings (or separation) ensues – reunited – fall in love again – they get married or end up together (or a lead dies). Then there are the non-romantic ones (historical): Jewel in the Palace and Jumong.

But as time went on, you see that the genres become varied – we started seeing action dramas (one of my favorites was Time Between Dog and Wolf) and medical dramas. Then there were dramas that also featured how Korean dramas were made (The World We Live In).

Korean dramas have varying plots that get recycled in many instances but with great plots also come characterization. The characters we see in dramas remind us of real people – we always relate to a character and we all get frustrated when they make stupid decisions (the Noble Idiot Syndrome) that really do not make sense. At the end of the day, we want happy endings for those who deserve happiness – we want justice served, we want closures, etc. because that’s how humans are.

In many romantic dramas, plots are reused but no character is the same. They would have similar traumas but never the same, carbon-copied character. There are villains you want to kill and then there are villains you sympathize with – because you realize that humans are multilayered, complicated creatures.

 2.      Production value

Another observation I have with Korean dramas is their careful attention to details. When writers create the script, they somewhat have actors in mind to play the character. In Korean dramas, they don’t really care about love teams. In the Philippines, we produce dramas based on the hottest pairs. In Korea, they don’t give a shit about that. Dramas are produced with the intention of creating a meaningful production so actors are chosen based on whether the writers and producers think they can bring their characters to life, not because they are the hottest commodity. In some dramas, actors have to audition, but in many instances, scripts are sent to actors with potential to perfectly portray the character.

Prior to filming, writers, actors, and production staff would spend a day or two in story conferences – actors would have the opportunity to discuss with everyone how he or she thinks his/her character is like. The directors and writers would provide their input on how the characters should talk, act, etc. Actors would also take the extra mile to learn a skill or two for the characters they played. They would have dialect coaches, language instructors, etc. Writers would consult with professionals – for instance, in many medical or legal dramas, they would hire doctors or lawyers on board to verify accuracy of terms. During broadcast, you would even see the jargon on screen to simplify them for the audience. In historical dramas, you would also see the terms used (in Chinese characters) and explain them in hangul.

During filming, you’d see how the staff has placed much attention on details – from the wardrobe to the set. You would also see themes, symbols, etc. The production aspect is really like how movies are: vivid, deliberate, beautiful. Who would’ve thought red pinwheels would make me tear up? 

Each drama has a particular soundtrack – can I just say that Korean dramas have the best soundtrack. Each song played in a specific scene perfectly conveys the mood and feelings of the character. I have cried so many times listening to Park Hyo Shin’s “Snow Flower” (I’m Sorry I Love You) or Ji Sun’s ”Goodbye Without Saying Goodbye) (My Name is Kim Sam Soon). On my Spotify account you would see I have played Goblin, DOTS, and CLOY OSTs countless times.

In the past, dramas are not really pre-produced (meaning script came a week or two before filming). There are dramas wherein halfway through the broadcast, they had to switch writers because the earlier writer had a falling out with the production – so you’d see that the quality suffers (story plots would go crazy lol). There are dramas wherein they had to replace the actors because of scandals or accidents. In the last 5 years however, Korean dramas have become pre-produced: meaning the dramas will be filmed 6 months-2 years before being broadcasted. I guess this aspect has contributed to the fact that many Korean dramas are already available on streaming sites.

 3.      Cultural value

Each drama gives us a slice of the Korean culture – food, drink, skincare, attraction, and history. And noraebang (karaoke). Every romcom Korean drama has to have a scene at the noraebang...or jimjilbang (sauna). 

Modern and traditional Korean dramas have to feature food: Korean barbecue, stew, side dishes. LOL you name it. There’s also soju, beer, and makgeoli. BEER AND CHICKEN. 

In most modern Korean dramas, makeovers are a must. You would see product placements of known Korean products: Laneige, Etude House, Nature Republic, etc. The characters would go shopping in a particular shop like The North Face. Their coffee dates would be in one of these (Caffe Bene, Dal.Komm, HOLLYS, Zoo Café, Mango Six). They would buy their cakes or bread from Paris Baguette or Tous Les Jours.

Then there are road trips – many Korean dramas would feature a particular attraction, province, or city. Who can forget Nami Island (thanks Winter Sonata) or Namsan Seoul Tower (Boys Over Flower) or Petite France (Secret Garden, My Love from the Stars)? Of course, you can’t forget Busan (Reply 1997) or Jeju (Warm and Cozy) or Gangwon-do. It is definitely a K-drama fangirl’s dream to be able to visit in one of these places so we can relive our favorite Korean drama moments.

All of Korean dramas I have seen put emphasis on family – the importance of filial piety is always highlighted. The characters are often portrayed as dutiful daughters or sons. Conflicts often ensue when the character is challenged to choose between the parents or the love of his/her life (well in most Korean dramas that’s the case lol). Many dramas portray characters who try to be the good daughter-in-law and yet nothing is ever good enough. Then there are subtle flexes on Korea as an emerging superpower as seen by drama characters (chaebols) who head conglomerates. There is always a character who is filthy rich and can afford a billionaire lifestyle. Product placements include big companies like Samsung, Hyundai, etc.

Slice-of-life dramas also depict the realities in Korean society. Because This is My First Life and Something in the Rain aptly depicted the realities of harassment in the workplace from a woman’s experience. Many Korean dramas also relay harsh realities: meritocracy in the workplace; young adults juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet, etc.; even real estate situations are featured. Often you would find characters renting a small room because that’s all they can afford. From the dramas you would also notice that Koreans are not very kind towards single mothers or orphans. Then of course, there’s the North and South Korea situation: Crash Landing on You, Doctor Stranger, Spy Myeong-Wol, Descendants of the Sun are a few dramas that discussed this theme. The Reply series is a nostalgia drama featuring families that lived through some of important events in South Korea like the Seoul Olympics (1988), Asian financial crisis (1997), Sampoong Department Store collapse (1995), and the historic World Cup (2002).

Korean historical dramas are also interesting on their own – I guess until now, the Japanese occupation of Korea is still a sensitive matter for Koreans. Many of the dramas that feature such themes always depict the resilience and resolve of Koreans as they try to fight off the enemy. Yes, the scenes are depicted artistically, and the thought lingers long after the episode is over.

In terms of marketing, the government has also been proactive. With the Korean Wave (Hallyu), Korean dramas, as well as films, music, food, etc. have become an important commodity overseas. In 2016, Korean Culture Center wrote that Descendants of the Sun was sold to 27 countries, posting a profit of over KRW 10 billion (Php 412 million). The government acknowledges the important contribution of Korean dramas in tourism. Numerous papers have already been published showing the effect of hallyu in the South Korea tourism industry.

 To make the long story short:

Korean dramas have gone beyond “faux Cinderella stories with belofied whiter than white actors”.  I mean, if you want to produce a quality drama, it takes time and effort. Personally it has become a great escape from the realities I face. I do not welcome opinions that clearly spring out of snobbery and disdain for another person’s craft. Perhaps the director can look beyond the Top 10 (since that’s what he mentioned) and check out the wide selection on Netflix. Viu is also a great platform (I’ll start on World of the Married – been hearing and reading about it lol)

Hallyu did not flourish overnight, and the Korean drama industry – while a great model to cite – is also not perfect. There have been numerous cases and instances when staff are overworked or not paid long after the production is over. The #MeToo movement has also exposed some actors who have harassed fellow actors. If we want Filipino dramas to enjoy the same spotlight as that of the Korean dramas, we should be frank about the outputs we have had. We have potential, but it really is up to the decision-makers (at least from the network perspective since it’s all about profits and star value rather than quality production in the Philippines) to come up with a formula that would revitalize Filipino dramas. I can’t say the same for Filipino films because we have great films – the dramas need much work to be profitable. I mean, are we really satisfied with a few dramas being sold overseas? When will we produce dramas that are at par with our Korean chingus? If you want Filipino dramas to be streamed on Netflix or Hulu or Apple TV – maybe we can look at genres beyond police brutality or infidelity or hacienderos harboring a secret child somewhere.

 Anyway, Korean dramas are awesome – and that’s the tea.

[rarawarara]

"By the time I came to myself again, I was already running... into the flame"

Eugene Choi in Mr. Sunshine (2018)

Definitely one of the best kdrama I've ever watch.

Cinematography, screenplay, acting... everything just top notch.

----------

Kudo Hina’s moving atonement, Gu Dong Mae’s heartbreaking final battle, Kim Hee Sung’s life meaning realization, Eugene Choi’s love-driven sacrifice, and Lady Ae Sin’s struggle to uphold her valor amidst losing everyone who protected her – all those harrowing moments, along with the heart-rending junctures which layered those climactic points, have embellished the immeasurable meaning of patriotism, friendship, and love, which spins what Mr. Sunshine is about. - Abbyreview

[innanzituttoticalmi]

I love your tags on Mr. Sunshine posts and can I just say instant follow~ Eushin is such a good ship and despite eugene being the lead, go ae shin has always had her own arc to deal with. At the end he became more of a supportive interest for her than the typical hero.

[askdjkshfkjdsjdsi was going to say thank you for reminding me i still have so many mr sunshine posts in my likes to go through but then you blindsided me with that “eugene being the lead” revelation and now i have to take the day off to deal with that???

LIKE. I THOUGHT AE-SIN WAS THE LEAD. i don’t know why!! the show’s summary centers on him ep 1 starts with his story it makes sense that he’s the lead i just!! i think maybe because eugene does, consciously, choose to make himself secondary to ae-sin’s plans and choices, my brain automatically switched him to second lead/supportive character?? or i saw the attempted love square stuff and immediately went oh of course SHES the lead askdjkshfkjdsjds

this makes…. so much sense…….. IT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE. like one of my favourite things about the show is it doesn’t really follow that love triangle trope of leaving you guessing which one the (usually female) lead will end up with, it actually does a pretty good job at establishing early on that for all of hui-seong’s and dong-mae’s pining, eugene’s the one she loves from day 1, the actual conflict is if both of them are going to let themselves choose a life together over all their other plans and ideals. i loved that! i thought it was so refreshing!! im an idiot!!

CONVERSELY, one of my pet-peeves (and you might disagree idk) is that while eugene basically goes through a complete shift in loyalties and world-view, i don’t think ae-sin really changed/developed a lot during the series? which didn’t make sense to me while watching, why shaft your lead’s character development in this way? but IT MAKES SENSE and IM MORE OK WITH IT if she’s not really the lead but a supporting character with her own thing going on!!]

my stupid brain aside, THANK YOU! i love eusin so much, im so glad you wrote to me! you’re right, he did become more of a supportive interest to her, and the thing i personally find amazing is that that’s something he CHOSE! like that was his arc! the central conflict was, is eugene going to value this love he never expected more than the life and plans and ideals he’s built and fought for all his life in the us? and HE DOES. HE CHOOSES TO, KNOWING it will probably mean doom for him because of her cause and her loyalties. mr sunshine is the story of a lead character consciously re-making himself into a secondary character in someone else’s story purely out of love for them, and it’s just. so beautiful and meaningful and something i’ve never seen before. it’s utter and selfless devotion to another person to the point of annihilating yourself, which usually i would be wary of, because it can so often come across as obsessive or unhealthy, but it was handled with so much tenderness and care, they were so careful to point out it was a fully aware choice on his part to put her life and priorities before his, and we see him ponder that choice and its consequences for 20 episodes before committing, we see him take small steps forward in the first half of the series and then back off when he gets scared or pushed away, and finally we see him fully committing himself to her toward the end. it’s so poignant and lovely, and i have nothing to complain about.

i read a fandom essay once years ago about how we tend to value stories of sacrifice for loved ones only when it’s women doing it (like mothers dying for their sons etc), whereas when men sacrifice personal happiness in stories it’s usually because they’ve devoted their lives to A Higher Cause, like war or vengeance or whatever. 

(yes it was a supernatural essay about dean selling his soul for sam i was 17 years old and i found it very moving ok! moving on)

and mr sunshine took those cultural tropes and said, you know what? we’re gonna do it the other way around. AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL

[khadizwrites]

THIS POST CONTAINS MR SUNSHINE SPOILER! DON’T REAL IF YOU DON’T WANT SPOILER 💜

I... I’m still absorving things. I really don’t know if I liked the final or not. I think I expected more. I read some amazing theories here on tumblr, but the episode was just... In that way. All the deaths were so sad, but Hee Sung just broke my heart and soul. Eugene, Hina and Dong Mae, they kinda sacrifice themself, mas Hee Sung had the most brutal death. I cried like a baby! Eugene (besides Ae Sin) were my fave character and I cried too when he dies, but sacrifice himself for the woman he loves was totally expected, but no less sad. Hina scene death was the most sad scene in episode 23. She loved two men that never loved her back. She deserved so much more!

And no kiss. Euguene and Ae Sin were so intense that I think they not needed a kiss, BUT I WANTED A KISS 😭 AND NO CHILDREN. WOULD BE AMAZING IF THEY HAD A CHILDREN TO FIGHT LIKE HIS PARENTES, WOULD NOT? A child would be alive when the country regains independence, but I don’t think that the people who were in Rightous Army would be alive. I mean... The independence took a lot o time.

AND I WANT TO WRITE A FANFICTION. I NEED AN END WHEN EVERYONE IS ALIVE AND HAPPY. OR A MODERN AU. OU A FINAL SHOWING THE NEXT GERATION FIGHTING AND GAINING THEIR COUNTRY INDEPENDENCE. OMFG.

[jellyfitzjelly]

Row boat [Eugene/Dong-mae/Ae-sin]

a properly OT3 ficlet this time, with the prompt  “Wow. Here I thought we had a moment. I spilled my story to you and all you have to say is 'okay’? What does that even mean?!” from a prompt generator. Tagging @randomingoftherandomness as usual. :)

The boat rocked gently under the starry night sky. Away from the bright lights of the streets, the sky was a breathtaking view, one they never grew tired of. Eugene was rowing, Dong-mae slouched between his legs with Ae-sin in his arms. Though he’d never admit it, rowing was a small price to pay to have his two lovers all for him for a while.

“The stars never fail to moist my eyes,�� sighed Ae-sin.

Dong-mae only gave a purr, nuzzling his face against Eugene’s waist.

“Are the stars such a sad view to behold?”

She chuckled.

“On the contrary. It brings me comfort. It has always brought me comfort in difficult times.”

Silence fell again. Rowing was given up in favor of petting lovers’ hair. The boat slowly drifted on the water, cradling its occupants. After what felt like centuries, Ae-sin spoke again:

“When I was a child, I had this doll I adored… She was everything to me. I would dress her, brush her, sing her songs and tell her stories. One night, when the stars were bright, I brushed her hair and her head came off. I cried for three days. No one could fix her. But… years later, I discovered Mrs Haman had in fact ordered not to repair her, because she thought I was too old to play with dolls. I hope never to suffer such a betrayal again.”

None of her lovers spoke. Suddenly, she felt Dong-mae’s breath on her neck. He was quietly laughing.

“How- How dare you?!”

She gave him an indignant punch on the shoulder as his laughs grew louder.

“Really, baby boy. Stop it. What kind of man are you to mock her tragedy?” said Eugene, voice quivering with contained chuckling.

“You too?!”

“Well, I was expecting a more sorrowful story.”

Ae-sin sat up sulkily and glared at her lovers, which only encouraged their fit of laughter.

“I thought we were having a moment. I opened myself up to you and you dare laugh at me? You ruined everything. I can’t believe I trusted both of you.”

Her lovers didn’t even look slightly guilty. Suddenly Dong-mae’s face went very seriously and looked at her.

“Hey, don’t be sad anymore. I’ll buy you a doll. One with an ironclad neck. You’ll brush her to your heart’s content.”

Eugene roared with laughter as he grinned with mirth. Ae-shin resolutely turned her back to them.

“I hate you. Go back to the shore, I want to get out. I don’t want to stay another second in this boat with you two.”

The angry tirade continued under giggling and chuckles and after a while, even the angry tirade turned into laughter.

[jellyfitzjelly]

Baby boy [Eugene/Dong-mae/Ae-shin]

ok lmao this was supposed to be a vignette on this OT3 but instead I ended up focusing on Dong-mae and Eugene, with Ae-shin away. I promise I’ll write a proper OT3 drabble next time. Maybe.

OT3, established relationship, rated G. for @randomingoftherandomness who has kindly tagged me in their last ficlet! thank you!

“You alright, baby boy?” Dong-mae heard as he tried to get his breathing under control.

Eugene’s cool hand over his heart finished to dissipate the nightmare that had clutched him.

“It’s nothing. Get back to sleep.”

He hummed softly in response. Dong-mae put his hand over his and, feeling utterly safe again, also went back to sleep. It was only the next morning that his mind went back to Eugene’s foreign words. English was a reflex in him. Dong-mae didn’t understand a word of it, despite Ae-sin’s efforts to teach him. He did, however, recognize two words. Two words he heard often, though he ignored their meaning.

Baby boy.

Eugene had always refused to tell him what they meant. Even Ae-sin, usually so eager to show off her English, resisted all his attempts to interrogate her. The words would surge spontaneously, when Eugene’s eyes were soft with tenderness and his smile easy and relaxed. Dong-mae knew it was at least partly involuntary on his lover’s side: each time he said the words, he would look embarrassed. What could be their meaning?

“What does it mean?”

“What?” answered Eugene after a moment, focused on getting in his uniform.

“What you told me last night. Baby boy. What does it mean?”

Dong-mae saw the telltale sign of his shoulders tensing. Eugene pretended to be absorbed in knotting his tie as he answered:

“I don’t remember. Did I talk in my sleep?”

“Stop taking me for an idiot and answer me.”

“Ae-shin’s train will be there shortly.”

Dong-mae leaped out of the bed to catch his arm.

“I want my answer, Yu-jin. You won’t leave this room until I know what these words mean.”

Eugene turned to look at his lover. Seeing the determined look in his eyes, he sighed in defeat.

“Baby boy.”

“What?”

“It means baby boy.”

His lover blinked, silently confused.

“Are you- Are you mocking me? Are you saying I’m a baby?”

“Of course not! It’s just affectionate!”

“It is affectionate to call someone a newborn?”

With a heavy sigh, Eugene passed a hand on his face.

“You- Look, in America, when you love someone, sometimes you call them things that are precious or beautiful.”

Dong-mae snorted, clearly unconvinced.

“What? Are babies really so precious there?”

His lover gently cupped his cheek, bringing his gaze into his.

“Yes. A child is seen as a gift from the heavens. So… you may not be a baby, but you are precious to me.”

To his delight, Dong-mae’s face reddened.

“If you say this in front of anyone, I will kill you,” he said, trying to look threatening and failing completely.

Eugene smiled and kissed him on the corner of his lips.

“Anything you want…baby boy.”