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ruanbaijie · 3 years ago

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Thank you so much for your blog, love reading it..... do you mind if I ask recs for either cnovel or cdrama or kdrama? I actually start from an anime/manga lover and now want to try other things.... Do you know manga Akatsuki no Yona? It's about a princess that was running away with her bodyguard in search for the 4 dragons (that turns out to be in human form and become her extra bodyguards)....She tried to take over again her kingdom from her cousin and along the way getting to know and helping the people of her kingdom.... Do you know either media (novel or drama) that had premise like this...? Sorry for the long ask...Thanks again....

ahhh okay first of all, all my apologies for taking eons to respond to this (ノ*°▽°*) I’ve had a hectic past few weeks and I didn’t want to rush through a response for this, so I finally managed to find some time this weekend hehe

welcome to cdramas and kdramas! (o^▽^o) I’ve done a rec for danmei (bl cnovels) here before; I don’t know enough non-bl cnovels to be able to recommend any but I’m currently slowly reading my way through quan zhi gao shou (the king’s avatar) which is about esports >5 million words rip me

I’ve watched akatsuki no yona! wwaaaaayyy back, and I really enjoyed it too! I don’t know if there are any media that have a similar premise to it though... so what I’m gonna do below is to just recommend kdramas I feel are worth the watch and also add in a point or two if I feel there are any similarities! someone else asked me about cdrama recs too shortly after your ask and I’ve answered them here, also putting in a point on two for any similarities

disclaimers!

I haven’t watched a lot of kdramas recently (as compared to past few years) so a lot of the recs you’ll see here are from a few years ago

I prefer shows with action, mystery, monsters (think vampires and zombies), sci-fi, crime, so if you’re looking for romcoms and slice of life, I’m the last person you should be asking (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)

nevertheless, I’ve split the recs below according to completed, plan to watch, and shows I’m not planning to watch now but I know that are very highly recommended

synopses, genres, and tags from mydramalist

completed + MY FAVES (i.e. I will scream at you to watch it now)

Fifteen years ago, a young girl was kidnapped on the way from school, and Park Hae Yeong, who was an elementary school student at that time, witnessed the crime. A few days later, the girl was found dead, and the police were not able to find the culprit. As time went by, Hae Yeong started distrusting the police. Fifteen years later, Hae Yeong is now a police officer and criminal profiler. One day, he finds a walkie-talkie that allows him to get in contact with Detective Lee Jae Han who is in the past. Police officers Hae Yeong, Jae Han, and Cha So Hyun then set out on a journey to solve cold cases.

Genres: thriller, mystery, sci-fi

Tags: different timelines, Hwaseong Serial Murders, murder, criminal profiler, serial killer, investigation, death, tragic past, corruption, suspense

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsdJLm7Swkw

this show is so fucking good like

you know a show is good when it inspires not one, not two, but THREE remakes (japanese, chinese, thai)

I also personally like to think that it inspired a lot of kdramas with a similar premise (crime solving + serial killer + past-present wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff) that came after it

Kim Shin was once an unbeatable general in Goryeo's military who died a tragic death. He now possesses immortality but is tired of living while everyone else around him dies. For 900 years, Kim Shin has searched for his bride, a mortal who can pull out the sword and end his life. One day, he encounters Ji Eun Tak, a positive, upbeat high school student who can see the dead and has gone through tragic events, yet still stays strong. She claims to be the Goblin's bride who can end his immortal life, but what appears to be an easy task, only gets complicated, as the two fall in love.

Genres: comedy, romance, fantasy, melodrama

Tags: supernatural, interspecies romance, dokkaebi, fate, tearjerker, bromance, death, heartfelt, true love

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tOxnroOTWU

I was obsessed with this when it was airing and I happened to also be in south korea at that time and it was such an experience getting the merch and seeing posters everywhere and going all the way to the filming locations to geek out (lol)

might be similar to ANY because of... bickering bromance (idk now that I think about it kim shin and wang yeo low key remind me of hak and jaeha)

As the leader of a crime investigation team, Han Tae Joo has propelled his career and risen through the ranks by trusting data over all else. One day, while investigating a serial murder case, he has an accident. When he wakes up, he suddenly finds himself in the winter of 1988. He doesn't know why, but he's now a detective appointed to work at a police station in a small city. To get back to the present day, Han Tae Joo tries to solve the case.

Genres: action, mystery, psychological, comedy

Tags: 1980s, police procedural, bromance, strong friendship, hallucination, serial killer, coma

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBfKn188dmE

another really good detective show that involves time stuff! but this one is a remake of the UK drama of the same name

ends in a cliffhanger that I found absolutely delicious

might be similar to ANY because of... found family

No sooner does the Joseon King succumb to smallpox, do the rumours of his death begin. The Cho Clan, the clan of the pregnant Queen and her father, Chief State Councillor Cho Hak Joo, declares the Crown Prince a traitor. Questioning the circumstances surrounding the King’s death, the Crown Prince and his guard, Moo Young, set forth to locate Lee Seung Hui, the last physician to treat his father. But the two end up stuck with Assistant Physician Seo Bi and a mysterious man named Young Shin in a village plagued with a terrifying disease.

Genres: thriller, historical, horror, political

Tags: Joseon Dynasty, power struggle, gore, survival, corruption, zombies

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l-yByZpaaM

really clever take on zombies!

and because it’s a sageuk (historical kdrama) of course they had to somehow weave some form of political struggle into it as well

also has a second season, a movie, and an upcoming third season

might be similar to ANY because of... badass female lead who absolutely kicks ass and also uses a bow and arrow (though she only appeared in the movie so far), political struggle for the crown

Kim Hae Il is a Catholic priest. He makes spiteful remarks and he can be rude to others. Koo Dae Young is a detective. He talks a lot and he is also timid. Park Kyung Sun is a prosecutor. She is smart and beautiful. She is also ambitious as a prosecutor and good at her job. The three of them team up and work together to solve a murder case involving a senior Catholic priest.

Genres: action, mystery, comedy, crime

Tags: bromance, church, strong friendship, PTSD, sismance, corruption

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-qk-Xqf-B0

look, there are many kdramas with the “comedy” genre tagged to them

but this one is just absolutely fucking funny

the king of them all (tied with mr. queen - see below)

loads of action, loads of humour!

might be similar to ANY because of... found family

A zombie and a writer team up to solve crimes in this thrilling drama that explores what happens when someone actually comes back to life. After being secretly buried on a hill, Moo Young comes back to life as a zombie thanks to illegally dumped medical waste. With his memory gone, he eventually accepts reality and does whatever he can to walk and look like a human. Luckily, his peculiarly developed sense of smell allows him to position himself as one of the prominent businesses in the field of private investigation, finding the bodies of those who are reported missing. Sun Ji, who once was a writer for a TV show that deals with issues regarding current affairs, is employed as a part-time assistant at Moo Young’s agency. While being emotional, hot-tempered, and willing to stamp out justice at all costs, Sun Ji finds out that Moo Young is a zombie. As she helps the zombie detective look for the traces of his lost memories, she comes to realise how Moo Young is related to one of her previous cases.

Genres: thriller, mystery, comedy, fantasy

Tags: investigation, writer, suspense, zombies, drama, horror, detective fiction

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyTSICDokjE

it says zombie but this drama is an entirely different ball game from kingdom

kingdom is what you can expect from a traditional zombie show: horror, suspense, gore

this one... is a more sanitised, human version

also really funny (ah gotta love kdrama comedies) with an underlying mystery!

Jang Bong Hwan is a South Korean chef who has risen up the ranks to cook for the country’s top politicians in the Blue House’s presidential residences. After a serious accident, he finds himself in the body of the young queen, Kim So Yong, when whisked away to an era deep in Korea’s past. While Queen Kim So Yong’s husband is the reigning monarch, King Cheol Jong, he is so in name only. The late King Sunjo’s Queen, Sun Won, has taken advantage of King Cheol Jong’s better nature, and is ruling the realm in his name. And she faces competition from her own brother, Kim Jwa Guen, who also has designs on power. Queen Kim So Yong will come to discover that her husband harbours some secrets, and is not as gentle and meek as he seems…

Genres: historical, comedy, romance, fantasy

Tags: transmigration, Joseon Dynasty, time travel, body swap, gender swap, power struggle

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dImREPX_Pbk

one of the best, most ridiculous, most hilarious sageuks I’ve watched

kdramas have this uncanny ability of making you really hate the antagonists (which this one had too of course), but the main female (well...) lead was just too damn hilarious

might be similar to ANY because of... badass female lead who kicks ass

Following the death of his family in an accident, loner Cha Hyun Soo moves to a new apartment. His quiet life is soon disturbed by strange incidents that start occurring in his apartment, and throughout Korea. As people start to turn into monsters, Hyun Soo and the other residents try to survive.

Genres: horror, drama, sci-fi, supernatural

Tags: monsters, gore, survival, character development, supernatural phenomena, trauma, school bullying, attempted suicide

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcH81Bzuxz0

because I am a sucker for monster shows (especially where the main lead happens to be the monster who is Trying To Hide Their Identity or Trying To Restrain Themselves Around The Normal Humans) this one was absolutely up my alley

nose bleeding is a huge part of the show though, so if you can’t take very bloody scenes, it’s best to sit this one out

there’s going to be a second season!

Yoon Sae Bom is a special agent with quick wits and reflexes and another special quality. She earns the opportunity to move into a new apartment set aside for civil servants in a coveted apartment complex by pretending to marry high school friend Jung Yi Hyun. Yi Hyun is a detective investigating the spread of a mysterious disease. They are trapped in their apartment building when Han Tae Seok, head of the task force to control the spread of the disease, orders the complex to be sealed off from the rest of the city. Quarantine and disease reveal a social caste system, bringing out the best and worst of the apartment residents.

Genres: action, thriller, drama, fantasy

Tags: disease, virus, survival, fake marriage, discrimination, slow burn romance, infectious disease, illness

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2EiCIyY54I

I’m currently rewatching this hehehehe

I first got interested in this because some people called it a zombie show

but looking at mdl, they’ve tagged it more as “disease”, “illness”; personally I felt the “monsters” in this show were more like vampires than zombies

repeating my point from sweet home since it completely applies to here as well: because I am a sucker for monster shows (especially where the main lead happens to be the monster who is Trying To Hide Their Identity or Trying To Restrain Themselves Around The Normal Humans) this one was absolutely up my alley

yoon sae bom and jung yi hyun (aka girlboss and malewife) are THE ABSOLUTE BEST I LOVE THEM SO MUCH YOUR HONOUR

might be similar to ANY because of... badass female lead who kicks A LOT of ass, found family

A high school becomes ground zero for a zombie virus outbreak. Trapped students must fight their way out — or turn into one of the rabid infected.

Genres: action, thriller, horror, sci-fi

Tags: zombies, survival, death, gore, school, virus, slight romance, zombie apocalypse, high school

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzD2DS1fe6Y

very bloody, very gory

a zombie show that is very true to the zombie genre (vs. zombie detective and happiness from above)

might be similar to ANY because of... badass female characters

completed

Geum Jan Di comes from a poor family who owns a dry-cleaning shop. One day, she visits Shinhwa High School, a prestigious school for the wealthy, and saves a student trying to commit suicide because of bullying. For her heroic act, Jan Di receives a swimming scholarship and starts attending the school. In Shinhwa High, she meets the notorious F4, the most popular and powerful group of boys at the school, consisting of Gu Jun Pyo; the leader of F4 and heir to the Shinhwa Group, Yoon Ji Hu; the grandson of a former president of Korea, So Yi Jung; a skilled potter who comes from a family that owns the country's biggest art museum, and Song Woo Bin; whose family runs the country's largest construction company. Her life at school starts out miserable, as she doesn't fit in with other students because of her status, and later becomes worse when she is labeled as the new bullying target of the F4.

Genres: comedy, romance, youth, drama

Tags: school bullying, love triangle, high school, evil parental figure, reverse-harem, first love

Fanmade trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUuPWK01JZs

I wouldn’t normally recommend this but... I put it in because of the reverse harem trope that’s kinda similar to ANY... (ง ื▿ ื)ว

this was the second kdrama I ever watched (the first being jewel in the palace because my mum happened to be watching it lol)

remake of the japanese manga hana yori dango

After receiving an anonymous letter stating that someone will die, eight students at the elite boarding school, Susin High School, nicknamed "Prison High", decided to remain at school for the 8 days of winter break. To accompany them, a teacher is forced to remain. On their first night, a psychologist named Kim Yo Han takes refuge at the school after being involved in a car accident nearby. Due to the snowstorm, the roads are closed and he is forced to spend the winter holiday with them. However, at a time when everyone else is celebrating Christmas Eve, the students realise that the anonymous letters they each received were not the result of a harmless prank; and there is a murderer in their midst.

Genres: thriller, mystery, psychological, youth

Tags: Christmas, high school, student, moral ambiguity, psychologist, drug usage, trapped, depression, deafness

Fanmade trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCAc1soe3ZM

unlike what the name suggests, I found this drama quite “dark”

Shin Ji Hyun was enjoying absolute bliss as she was about to marry her fiancé, Kang Min Ho, but her perfect life is shattered when she gets into a car accident that leaves her in a coma. She is given a second chance at life by a person called The Scheduler, but it comes with a condition: she has to find three people outside of her family who would cry genuine tears for her. In order to do this, she borrows the body of Yi Kyung, a part-time employee at a convenience store for 49 days.

Genres: romance, drama, melodrama, supernatural

Tags: body swap, second chance, coma, death, car accident, flashback to past, depression, tragic past

Fanmade trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em-pRRFI-Mk

will make you cry A LOT

not usually the genre I go for (I think I picked it up because of the supernatural aspect) but I found myself really enjoying it!

Choi Kang Chi is a half-human and half-mythical-creature who was adopted by the lord of the Hundred Years Inn. He was the son of Gu Wol Ryung, the guardian spirit of Jiri Mountain, and the human Yoon Seo Hwa. Dam Yeo Wool is a martial arts master and daughter of the leader of a secret organisation protecting the region. She was sent to the Hundred Years Inn to observe and protect its lord. They met at the Hundred Years Inn, the most popular inn in the region, and fell in love with each other despite Choi Kang Chi being a half-human. When their world turned into chaos, it is up to Choi Kang Chi to put it back into order; and up to Dam Yeo Wool to ensure that Choi Kang Chi's half-mythical-creature side does not get the best of him.

Genres: action, historical, romance, fantasy

Tags: interspecies romance, nine-tailed fox, superhuman strength, revenge, cross-dressing, love triangle, death of a parent

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itROM2-fy6Q

god I was so hyperfixated over this when I watched it

though tbh I preferred the secondary couple over the main couple and cried more over them than the latter ahaha

might be similar to ANY because of... badass female lead who kicks ass

Eun Dae Gu, Uh Soo Sun, Park Tae Il and Ji Gook - otherwise known as the P4 - are the new recruits in the violent crime unit at Gangnam Police Station. These rookies are neither enthusiastic nor passionate about their new jobs and have joined the crime squad for varying but unbefitting reasons. They are led by an erratic and hot-headed Seo Pan Suk who wants nothing more than to wash his hands of the incompetent new recruits.

Genres: action, mystery, comedy, drama

Tags: revenge, death of a parent, tragic past, childhood acquaintance, teamwork, police procedural, bromance, murder

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRSVxIMdrEo

A traumatic childhood experience leaves Cha Do Hyeon, suffering from memory loss and dissociation. The latter has resulted in the creation of seven distinct personalities. Wanting to regain control over his life, he asks Oh Ri Jin, a first-year psychiatric resident, to help him, but she eventually falls in love with one of his personalities. Ri Jin’s twin brother, Oh Ri On, a famous mystery novelist, investigates Do Hyeon and his family.

Genres: psychological, comedy, romance, drama

Tags: dissociative identity disorder, trauma, boss-employee relationship, mental health, PTSD, psychiatry

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkLlJk2hsoc

again, not my usual genres, but I started watching it back then because of all the really good reviews it was getting

in which ji sung acts like... at least 7 different characters

In 1986, Park Gwang Ho works as an excellent and enthusiastic detective. His life changes when he’s pursuing leads in a serial homicide case and then passes through a time portal, which transports him to present day Seoul. He meets a new partner Kim Sun Jae, an elite detective who happens to be a bit eccentric, but is one highly skilled investigator. The detective duo will also find help in psychology professor, Shin Jae Yi.

Genres: thriller, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy

Tags: time travel, murder, criminal profiler, serial killer, bromance, hidden identity, character development, slight romance

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WI0ukjqsKQ

another crime drama with sci-fi time elements!

also another really enjoyable and addictive one

Taking place in both the present year 2017 and in the year 2037, when people believe that their future depends on humans controlling and regulating their emotions, this drama is a sci-fi mystery. When alien visitors arrive on Earth, humans learn new skills from them and take advantage of them; what ensues is a story of alliance, resistance, and love. Each episode will contain two shorter stories, the first part set in 2017 and called “Beta Project,” with the second set in 2037 and called “Grand New World.”

Genres: thriller, mystery, sci-fi

Tags: future, alien, bromance, kidnapping, character development, human experimentation

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWlO0cQbuyg

Nestled deep in the heart of Seoul’s thriving downtown sits a curious hotel, the like of which no one has ever seen before. Old beyond measure, the building has stood for millennia, an ever-present testament to the fact that things are not always what they seem. Running this hotel is Jang Man Wol, a greedy, suspicious soul who has spent the past thousand years acting as the establishment’s CEO. Bound to the hotel by a deity who keeps her there to save her from going berserk and self-destruction with rage, hatred and thirst for revenge. Her only hope of escape is if she could let go of her resentment and hatred, and find love. Trapped in her resentment for a betrayal, Man Wol is doomed to spend all of the eternity running this odd establishment, catering to the needs of the most peculiar clientele. Things take an interesting turn when Goo Chan Sung shows up. Once the youngest assistant manager ever to work at a multinational hotel corporation, Chan Sung finds himself forced to manage the Hotel del Luna because of a deal his father made with Man Wol years ago. Excellent with managing money, he starts to put Jang's excessive spending and disastrous finance situation in order, that may be exactly what this odd establishment and its cursed CEO needs.

Genres: horror, comedy, romance, fantasy

Tags: boss-employee relationship, ghost, supernatural, hotel

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IjMTR2DxlA

Dong Baek has an extraordinary ability. He can peer into the memories of whoever he touches. With his supernatural power, get it done attitude, and eye-pleasing looks, he is fervently revered worldwide as a superstar detective. However, when his punches meet with suspects before words, he can be a bit of a headache to his comrades. Starting from the age of twenty, Han Sun Mi is the youngest to have passed the bar exam, obtain a doctorate in criminal psychology, and become a senior superintendent in the police force. Having solved five cold cases that even a detective with supernatural powers couldn't do, she is a genius profiler. She has a secret that drives her to do what she does. These two highly-skilled professionals meet their match—a serial killer with abilities that transcend theirs combined. It's going to be a fight worth watching.

Genres: action, thriller, mystery, supernatural

Tags: serial killer, criminal profiler, supernatural power, investigation, cult

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq7APoxy3uA

one of the kdramas that I watched recently (past 1-2 years) that I really enjoyed!

though the antagonist (as you can see from the poster) was a bit creepy

A story where ten people get the chance to go back in time by one year, but unexpectedly mysterious situations start to arise when their fates are changed and twisted in the process. Ji Hyung Joo is a detective in the violent crimes division. He used to be part of the traffic police but was promoted when he arrested a wanted criminal. It's been seven years since the change, and he's a talented individual who always knows how to relax. Though he is happy at first to have the chance to go back in time by one year and "reset" his life, he begins to search for the truth when a series of mysterious events befall on the group of people he goes back in time with.

Genres: thriller, mystery, drama, fantasy

Tags: time travel, suspense, murder, fate, supernatural, lying, psychiatrist, bromance

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOqOBJpqVX0

I’m just gonna say... plot twist

Lee Gon is the third Korean emperor of his generation. His citizens regard him as the perfect leader. But behind this flawless appearance, hides a deep wound. When he was eight years old, his father was murdered before his eyes following a coup. Today, instead of respecting his filial duty, he prefers to escape the palace to attend university conferences. During one of his escapades, he sees himself propelled into a parallel world where he meets Jeong Tae Eul, an inspector with whom he teams up with to defeat the criminals but also close the door between their two worlds.

Genres: mystery, romance, drama, sci-fi

Tags: parallel universe, doppelganger, royal family, royalty, murder, monarchy, treason

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWRtVkheXVc

from the same writer as goblin, you can see her similar touch in terms of the romance and fantastical world building

“Mystic Pop-Up Bar” is based on a popular webtoon of the same name and tells the story of a mysterious pojangmacha (outdoor drinking establishment) run by a prickly woman and an innocent part-timer who visit customers in their dreams to help resolve their problems.

Genres: mystery, comedy, family, fantasy

Tags: afterlife, tragic past, grudge, spirit, special power, family relationship, flashback to past, food

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0RfpPHksRA

another drama with a familiar set-up (helping ghosts with their unresolved grudges), but I found this one in particular very hilarious yet also heartwarming

The mythical nine-tailed fox, or gumiho, Lee Yeon had to settle in the city many centuries ago. Able to transform into human form, he eradicates supernatural beings that threaten the mortal world. His real aim is to find the reincarnation of his lost first love. The talented television producer Nam Ji Ah works in a show that features urban myths. In the past, her parents were involved in a mysterious car accident and disappeared, and she suspects that Lee Yeon might be connected with this accident. The half-brother to Lee Yeon is the captivating Lee Rang. Despite being half-human himself, he harbours a deep-seated contempt for all people. For sport, he will unleash his seductive prowess upon his human-du-jour, by promising to grant them their wishes, only to trick them into paying a hefty price for their earthly desires.

Genres: thriller, horror, romance, fantasy

Tags: nine-tailed fox, reincarnation, supernatural, sibling rivalry, immortal, interspecies romance, imoogi, death of a lover, mythical being

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCqhd_u2-xY

Tells the story of demon hunters called Counters who come to earth under the guise of being employees at a noodle restaurant in order to capture evil spirits that have returned to earth in pursuit of eternal life. So Moon is the youngest of the Counters. After suffering from a mysterious car accident as a child, he eventually becomes a central figure among the Counters. Do Ha Na has the ability to sense the locations of evil spirits, even those that are hundreds of kilometres away. She can also read memories of others through touch and works with So Moon to do away with evil spirits. Ga Mo Tak is a Counter with incredible strength. He’s a former police officer who lost his memory seven years ago after an accident and is unable to stand idle in the face of injustice. Ga Mo Tak is also So Moon’s mentor. Chu Mae Ok is a Counter with healing abilities. Outwardly, she’s the chef of the noodle restaurant, but among the Counters, she is the emotional pillar of the group. Choi Jang Mool is the oldest Counter. He’s in charge of all of the Counters’ expenses, and he is a living legend among the Counters in Korea.

Genres: action, mystery, drama, supernatural

Tags: special power, evil spirit, spirit, school bullying, childhood trauma

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI55SRM6uhs

A 70-year-old with a dream and a 23-year-old with a gift lift each other out of harsh realities and rise to the challenge of becoming ballerinos. Shim Deok Chool has had a life long dreaming of performing ballet. He is 70-years-old and retired from his job as a post office employee. Due to life situations, he put aside his dream of becoming a ballet dancer and worked a normal job to support his family. Now, Shim Deok Chool makes the decision to pursue his dream again. His family, including his wife and adult children, are not happy with his decision, but Shim Deok Chool does not waver in pursuing his life long dream. He joins a ballet company to learn ballet. There, he meets Lee Chae Rok. Lee Chae Rok is a 23-year-old man. While growing up, he played different sports like baseball, swimming, and soccer, but he wasn't talented in any of those activities. He then became interested in ballet. His mother was a ballet dancer, but she died from a disease when Lee Chae Rok was young. His father later went bankrupt. Lee Chae Rok learned that he has a talent for ballet, but, after pursuing ballet, he barely has contact with his father and he has a hard time supporting himself financially. Going through hard times, his desire for ballet fades away. At this time, Sim Deok Chool appears in front of him.

Genres: friendship, life, drama, family

Tags: ballet, dream, life lesson, old-young generation, unusual friendship, father-son relationship, second chance, grandpa-granddaughter relationship, married couple

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtK3Vtw4rno

I didn’t expect to start watching let alone complete this drama given how it’s not my usual genre (I started watching for song kang hahahahah)

but it’s a really heartwarming and touching drama (god the number of times I cried) and brings a fairly different take from other shows which are usually told from the perspective of much younger mains

Do Gi has lived more honestly than anyone else as an officer in the Special Forces. Yet, when a serial killer murders his mother, he spends his days in agony. While feeling wronged and broken, Do Gi meets Jang Sung Chul, who recruits Do Gi to work for his company, Rainbow Taxi. Far from an ordinary taxi service, Rainbow Taxi is a secret organization that avenges victims whom the law didn’t protect. Here, Do Gi becomes a star driver who delivers satisfying revenge. Meanwhile, Ha Na is a prosecutor who investigates Rainbow Taxi. She is furious with their lawless behaviour, but at the same time, she feels confused to see them solve cases that the law cannot. Between those who believe that revenge embodies true justice and those who pursue the outlaws, Do Gi seeks what justice truly means.

Genres: action, thriller, mystery, drama

Tags: revenge, investigation, secret organisation, antihero

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnnhq_fTV5c

lee je hoon is A GEM in this

might be similar to ANY because of... the revenge theme. I can’t really remember if the revenge theme in ANY was a very important one (I’d watched it a while back) but in this kdrama, it’s the entire basis of the story

Set in a dystopian version of present-day Korea where daily life is chaos and society has collapsed to the point that people openly voice their distrust and hatred for their leaders. In this world bereft of law and order, Head Trial Judge Kang signals the need for change. His courtroom is the subject of a reality show where he mercilessly punishes the guilty, earning him the "Devil Judge" nickname. As a divisive figure with an aura of mystery that belies his true identity and ambitions, the public is unsure whether he is a true hero or someone, knowingly sowing the seeds of discontent in his courtroom. A bitter rivalry has taken shape between the "Devil Judge" and the highly ambitious Jung Sun Ah, who has risen from poverty to become a corporate social responsibility foundation director. Into this turbulent world enter two childhood friends on a quest for true justice: rookie Judge Kim Ga On and Police Officer Yoon Soo Hyun. Do they have what it takes to challenge both the scheming Jung Sun Ah and the notorious "Devil Judge"?

Genres: mystery, law, crime, drama

Tags: judge, tough past, dystopia, antihero, bromance, courtroom, corruption

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZKLRQBoXTs

tbh I found this a little too dramatic for my liking, but it’s an enjoyable watch nevertheless!

might be similar to ANY because of... revenge

plan to watch

Set during the end of the Goryeo period to the early Joseon period. Two friends aim their swords against one another due to differences in opinion about "my country." Seo Hwi is a warrior. His father Seo Geom is a famous commander. Seo Hwi does not compromise when it comes to injustice. His life devolves into a hellish existence, but he still holds a smile. Nam Sun Ho is smart and a talented figure. Because his mother was born into the lowest class, Nam Sun Ho is looked down upon by other people. He wants to pass the military service examination. Due to a corruption scandal involving his father, Nam Sun Ho loses his dream. Making things worse, he comes into conflict with Seo Hwi over a misunderstanding.

Genres: action, historical, romance, drama

Tags: friendship, bromance, Joseon Dynasty, power struggle, war, first love, evil parental figure

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khANmq-3Too

Soo Yeol, the competent ‘bad boy’ on the police squad, regains his humanity after meeting K, the righteous but ‘crazy’ guy. Despite having a mere high school diploma, Soo Yeol is an accomplished member of the Anti Corruption Unit. He’s ambitious, so he chooses pet cases of his superiors and produces their desired outcomes. Often that means turning a blind eye to injustice, especially if it stands in the way of those preferred results. With promotion time looming and without anyone’s backing, Soo Yeol fears exclusion once again. Congressman Do Yoo Gon had given him some hope of advancement but dashed when the righteous but crazy K entered his life.

Genres: action, thriller, mystery

Tags: injustice, corruption, investigation, policeman, slight comedy, crime solving, antihero, police department

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC0M6aAJg-A

not currently in my to watch queue but that I’ve heard good reviews for

Bok Joo is a weightlifter who is pursuing her dream of winning the gold medal but she then finds romance for the first time in her life. While she is a woman who trains with heavy steel weights, she is also very feminine when it comes to relationships. Focusing solely on weightlifting would jeopardise her relationship but leaving her weightlifting career for love would keep her from attaining her dreams. Can she find a way to have love as well as glory at the age of 20? The characters within this drama are elite athletes in weightlifting, swimming and rhythmic gymnastics who work hard to reach their goals in life. It covers their coming-of-age stories and relationships through hectic life.

Genres: comedy, romance, youth, sports

Tags: college life, dream, friends to lovers, weightlifting, bantering relationship, campus romance, tomboy, swimming

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t5dLenA85Y

The stories of people going through their days that are seemingly ordinary but actually special, at the hospital, a place known as the microcosm of life, where someone is being born and someone's life meets their ending. The five doctors are long-time friends of 20 years who started their undergrad in 1999 in the same medical school and now are colleagues in the same hospital and have a band together.

Genres: friendship, romance, life, medical

Tags: strong friendship, best friends, hospital, slow romance, multiple couples, slight romance, bromance

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqIM2cenBAs

Moon Gang Tae is a community health worker at a psychiatric ward who was blessed with everything including a great body, smarts, ability to sympathize with others, patience, ability to react quickly, stamina, and more. Meanwhile, Ko Moon Young is a popular writer of children’s literature who, due to suffering from an antisocial personality disorder, seems extremely selfish, arrogant, and rude. Moon Gang Tae denies love and Ko Moon Young doesn’t know it. The two defy fate and fall in love, finding their souls and identities in the process.

Genres: psychological, comedy, romance, drama

Tags: melodrama, mental health, emotionally wounded, healing, psychiatry, childhood connection

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89i-Fn2CqQg

At the age of eight, Park Joo Hyeong went to Italy after being adopted. He is now an adult and known as Vincenzo Cassano to the Mafia, who employs him as a consigliere. Because mafia factions are at war with each other, he flees to South Korea, where he gets involved with lawyer Hong Cha Young. She is the type of attorney who will do anything to win a case. Now back in his motherland, he gives an unrivalled conglomerate a taste of its own medicine with a side of justice.

Genres: comedy, law, crime, drama

Tags: mafia, revenge, injustice, bromance, father-daughter relationship

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S12-4mXCNj4

Geu Roo is a young autistic man. He works for his father’s business “Move To Heaven.” Their job is to arrange items left by deceased people. One day, Geu Roo's own father dies. Geu Roo is left alone, but his uncle Sang Koo suddenly appears in front of him. Sang Koo is a cold man. He was a martial artist who fought in underground matches. He went to prison because of what happened at his fight. Sang Koo now becomes Geu Roo’s guardian. They run “Move To Heaven” together.

Genres: life, drama, family

Tags: autism, uncle-nephew relationship, death, savant syndrome, mourning, tearjerker, father-son relationship, life lesson, ex-convict

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-er_AJioOA

#*recs #*replies #kdrama #long post

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brazenautomaton · 4 years ago

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Given that you are literally the perfect candidate for this, I request your assistance. In light of recent animu viewings, and upon stumbling across the TVTropes page for Princess the Hopeful, I was inspired to run a few sessions for my boys. However, digging back through your blog, I found a post indicating you had some fairly negative feelings on the system. As I trust your judgment, I would like your input on How To Make Princess Work, whether these suggestions are thematic and/or mechanical.

well I can't be as helpful as you would think because after a certain point the instinctive shame was too much and I can't even bear to read the current version of it so I don't know what to say "don't do this" other than "don't do anything that was Earthscorpion's idea". I asked someone to read it and summarize for me but then they just didn't do that.

and some of it was mechanical stuff you can't change, and probably the most important one was the post about nightmares as the primary environment, which I can't find now because of course I can't and now I am thinking maaaaaybe I never actually detailed it outside of PM?

the primary environment and source of low-level threat is a Nightmare, which is a little sub-reality bubble created by one person's fear and misery, operating under dream logic, where spirit creatures that are manifestations of that person's fears and flaws dwell, and the person is both the prisoner and monarch, exalted and tormented. the nightmare creatures go out into the world and hurt people and try to bring them back in, so that's the first source of monsters of the week. to put a stop to them you need to find the source, the Nightmare itself, and free whoever is trapped inside. the Nightmare reflects their fear and trauma and etc and you need to at least somewhat understand it to free the person, because you need to convince them they can and should leave. also because the nightmare creatures aren't self-aware it's a situation where starting a fight doesn't mean the end of social interaction; some challenges have to be talked through and some have to be fought and maybe you're doing both at once because the talky creatures don't notice or care you're fighting the gibbering monster creatures and you need to get past both to get to the core

yes, there's a lot of Madoka in that, but when Princess was first conceived Madoka didn't exist so it gets to catch up

higher level antagonists use and exploit these Nightmares. Princesses of Tears drive people to this point on purpose because like Kyubey harvests magical girl despair, the energy released by awakening a Nightmare is what keeps the lights on in Alhambra for a little while longer. evil warlocks use them as a source of disposable minions.

things are bad, it is a World of Darkness, because everything is tainted by Darkness. the taint of the Darkness is not Blizzard fel corruption or sinister black mind control oil -- the taint of the Darkness is fear. people do bad things because they are afraid. if an antagonist isn't cackling and unapologetically evil and clearly Okay To Kill, their actions are motivated at some basic level by fear. set them up so they can be redeemed and helped because a Princess is about fighting fear and balming misery. but also that redeeming them will take away most of their evil powers so that the group doesn't just accumulate a larger and larger posse of warlocks to stomp everything.

Dark Magical Girls should always be able to be redeemed. Ignore whatever stupid fucking subsystem EarthScorpion put into Princesses of Storms that kills them if they turn good, whether it's still the stupid organ implants or he changed it to something else. Basically anything that is a unique subsystem just for them was probably EarthScorpion's idea, he was obsessed with them for some reason

give players lots of opportunities to interact with higher-level antagonists before they are in a situation where one of them has to die, so they can get to know the antagonist better.

never imperil a character's civilian-life relationships unless they have fucked up super hard or you have given them ample, ample chances to prevent it from becoming a problem -- you cannot make it so the best idea is to cut yourself off from your friends so they won't be in danger, that's what lonely and isolated and terrified Dark Magical Girls do

the Queens are maternal figures who cannot give advice relevant to the situation on the ground (can't solve problems for you) but help you work them out yourself (they would love to do more but the dream-state they are in makes it hard to operate on anything but dream-logic)

Princesses are not evil, Queens are not evil, there is no "oh no you're so morally grey maybe you're the bad guys" because that is covered by every other WoD game. the darkness level of the game is keyed off of "how much does it matter that you're truly and righteously good guys? will that help you change things?"

this does not preclude them from getting into conflict with other forces who believe themselves to be or truly are motivated by goodness, but play up how that's a tragic thing that people who want to help the world have to fight

I also had a thing where Princesses basically gambled Belief the way Hunters gambled Willpower, to represent getting extremely emotionally invested in what you were doing and the possibility of being spiritually crushed if you try your hardest and fail. this was a way to get fucking super amped up EX modes on your Charms but not knowing how their system works I can't say how to adapt it

one other mechanical thing I wanted was "a Princess is basically invincible if she's devoting all her juice to keep herself safe, but has very little capacity to actually do anything else; the more effective you want to be at actively doing things to the world, the more you have to put yourself out there and risk being harmed" but again don't know how to integrate that into whatever mechanics they have

if I think of anything else I will let you know

#princess the hopeful

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joonies-gf · 7 years ago

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Attention | Pt.2

Part.1 | Part.2

A/N: I thought I would continue the chapter even though it’s not that good. If you are having issues reading it from my blog, copy and paste it into a notepad, just don’t steal :) (although who would want to, its really bad.)

Inspired by the Charlie Puth song “Attention”

Genre: Drama, School, romance

Summary : "What caught my attention was his bad boy attitude. Always having sass in his voice, the way his amber eyes pierced through me. His voice always seemed to hum in a deep growl. But my favorite part about him, was the way he made me feel safe."

Word count: 3089

The lunch hall smelled spicy and sweet. The sound of chatter could be heard from down the hall. Tables were lined with trays of golden curry. You licked your lips as a growl erupted from your stomach. Grabbing your tray from the lunch bar, you hastily made your way to an empty table away from the crowd. You take a spoonful of the golden substance and shovel it into your mouth. The savory flavor spreads a smile across your face. If you had to choose one thing to live on, it would be curry. It brings back happy childhood memories. Happy memories are few and far between with your family, so when one is remembered, you do your best to cherish it. Lost in your thoughts of innocence; a familiar face sits down across from you. His orange hair looked neon from the rays of sun shining into the window. A square smile painted on his face, eyes arched and wrinkled. You noticed a small freckle on his nose and just how sharp his jawline was. His facial features seemed to soften as he spoke."Jimin, I see you're enjoying the curry! Curry is my favorite thing to eat. Especially on a day as cold as today." You lick your bottom lip, lapping up the little bit of curry that had managed to not make it into your mouth. Taehyung eyed your lips for a good second before breaking the silence again. "Now is as good a time as ever to get to know each other since we don't have any classes together yet. You seem like a cool person to hang out with so I'll break the ice first. What do your parents do?" Your heart drops to the pit of your stomach. Reluctant to answer the question, you begin to think of a lie." I can't tell him about my actual home life. I don't want to be pitied." Lying the spoon down on your tray, you part your mouth to speak. "Um, well." His eyes stared at you in anticipation. "My dad is a chef at a 4 star restaurant in New York. My mom teaches at Harvard in the States, that's why I study so well. And my sister is studying at a medical school in Japan to become a doctor." Your voice trails into a small crack towards the end of your sentence. Biting your plump bottom lip from anxiety, you can only hope he believes you. "Wow! That's so cool! My family isn't that elite. My dad owns a convenience store, my mom helps out there a lot. My little brother has just started Elementary school. You know, I always wanted to study-" The sound of static becomes audible. It almost sounds like a walkie-talkie when you push the button to speak into the receiver. "Students, I encourage you to be careful this evening as you head back to your dorms. There have been reports of an assault that took place near hear, the assaulter is rumored to be around this area. Please don't stay out past curfew and be sure to walk in a well lit area." The intercom cuts off and the lunch hall falls silent. Everybody is anxious and students are turning and looking to other students in confusion. Taehyung averts his attention back to you, you begin to feel that nauseous feeling creep into the back of your throat. Your mouth is watering, but not from the curry. You fiddle your thumbs and look down at the ground, too anxious to continue eating. "What if he's in this campus." You shake your head to snap yourself back into the present. "Don't worry Jimin, I'm sure he's not around the campus. Besides, our security is top-notch." You feel a bit at ease from hearing the encouraging words. The ear-splitting sound of the class bell goes off again. It's finally time for the last lecture of the day. Taking your tray up to the wash station, you leave it and trail off down the hall to your homeroom. The teacher pushes his thick, squared frames back onto the bridge of his nose. His eyes looked fierce, almost like he had bad news to tell everyone. "Students, now I know we have only just started, but I feel as if this week would be a good time to have a mock exam." The harrowing sighs of students fill the air. In your peripheral vision you can see Hoseok shift in his seat, he seemed to be nervous. "I will be handing out study materials, they aren't exactly notes so don't think you can get away without taking any. History is an important subject, so I ask you all treat this importantly." Taking a stack of paper, he placed it onto the teaching podium. "Please take a packet before you leave." He continues with his lecture, but all you can think about is Hoseok. He looks agitated and you want to know why. Minutes go by and the bell sounds off one final time for the end of the day. Frustrated students grabbing packets and complaining along the way, you Notice Hoseok leaving, and not grabbing a packet.

The sun has begun to go down; orange, pink and peach hues paint the watercolor sky. The mock exam is going to be held this Friday, you don't want to fail it, so you decide it would be a good idea to stay behind and study some notes. The headmaster's warning completely slips your mind, and before you know it, you had studied for two extra hours. Now the sky is black, save for a few stars. Not many stars are visible because you live in a city where the lights never go out. Or so you thought. Before you exit the class, you take two packets. Hoseok never grabbed one, and all you can think about now is helping him out. Soon you're dashing out the door. It's a Tuesday night and the air is bitter and cold. Winter will be here soon. You're walking on a narrow sidewalk that leads back to the dorms, there aren't any shortcuts or you'd have taken them already to escape the harsh cold. Green bushes line the sidewalk you are walking on. They are starting to turn brown and die out. You come to an area on the path where the lights are out and the ground is littered with dead leaves. There is no wind, surprisingly despite it being close to winter. But you can still hear rustling coming from a bush. "There's no wind. How can the bush shake like that if there's no wind?" It's all coming back to you now. The headmaster had warned everyone to not be out at night. But here you are, all because you wanted to hang back and study. Park Jimin, you should have studied in your room. You've outdone yourself this time. Gulping back your anxiety, you begin to quicken your pace to get back to your room faster. You fumble with the front pocket of your school blazer to make sure the key is there. You can't feel it. The panic within you begins to escalate even more as you realize you had left it in your room. Unfortunately it's still a 15 minute walk because the campus is huge. The rustling becomes even more audible. You are already walking pretty fast, but now you are breaking out into a sprint. Clenching your chest to catch your heart if it ever decides to try and beat out of your chest. Your breathing becomes labored and all you can think about is just making it back alive. And Soyou. If you die right now, Soyou will be lost. Then it happens. A person jumps from behind a bush and lands in front of you. Screaming and cowering in fear, hand still on your chest because now you are sure your heart will try to escape. Tears stain your cheeks and all that your brain processes is the fact it is dark, cold, and that you are about to die. "Hey! Jimin. It's me, Hoseok." You're still crying hysterically as Hoseok places a hand on your shoulder. "Jimin, stop crying. It was only a joke. It's just me." His voice is finally able to reach you. Sniffling and wiping away the tears, you look up to find concerned eyes staring down at you. "It wasn't funny." You say in between sniffles. "Today at l-lunch, the headmaster said an assault happened near here and that the assaulter was rumored to still be around this area. H-He warned us to not go out after d-dark. But I forgot and stayed behind to study." Clear beads begin to roll down your face again, they sting as the cold air hits them. "I didn't know. I was tired so I skipped lunch and went to find somewhere to sleep instead. I never heard anything from the headmaster, and nobody seemed to be talking about it either. I'm sorry Jimin, I didn't mean to scare you." He stretched his hand out to you so he could help you up off of the ground. You grab his outstretched hand and he began to pull you up with one swift motion. "I thought I was going to die." Hoseok furrowed his brows, his eyes seemed apologetic. "It's okay, I won't let anything happen to you." The words sent a warm feeling throughout your body. You're not cold anymore, and your irregular heart beat seemed to regulate itself again. "Please don't make me walk back alone. Please stay next to me, for now." Your whisper perplexed Hoseok. He didn't know that you'd be that upset, or that terrified to ask him to stay with you.

The 15 minute walk back to the dorms seemed like an eternity. Neither of you spoke, but you made sure to trudge beside him closely. You can almost touch his arm with yours. But you didn't care, you wanted to know that you were going to be safe, and Hoseok makes you feel safe. He didn't seem to care either, as he never mentioned you being too close. That or he pitied you to the point where he didn't want to say anything. He's making sure his steps match yours, he isn't walking too fast or too slow. You and Hoseok finally approach the doors to the dorm. Your eyes beam at the sight of the doors. You scramble into the entrance and walk up to the third floor, then you make your way to the room. Your thoughts are clouded, but that doesn't stop you from remembering that you forgot your key. Tears well up again and start to slide down your face once more. "I don't have my key." Your voice cracking as you look over to Hoseok. He pulls his out of his right pant pocket. "It's okay, I have mine." Hoseok unlocks the door and holds it open for you to walk through. You know you should shower, but you're too exhausted. Your eyes already feel heavy and your legs don't want to hold your weight. Hoseok watches as you absentmindedly wander into bed and cover yourself so that not even an inch of you is visible. "I royally messed up this time." He set the alarm at an early enough time so that you could get up to shower and left a note on the snooze button. "Don't forget your key this time, crybaby." Hoseok turned out the lights and headed into bed himself. The thought of you being scared to death made him restless. The boy is constantly tossing and turning. In between your spouts of waking up you could hear him shifting.

The shrill sound of the alarm going off makes you rise out of bed. You hit the snooze button and notice it has a film over it. Unlike how it felt when you first touched it; it didn't feel like hard plastic. You crane your head to the side and peel the paper off. Rubbing the sleep from your eyes so that they focus, the brazen note is the last thing you wanted to see this morning. "He scared me to death last night, treated me kindly after he did so. And now that it's a new day he starts again." Huffing and puffing in frustration, you gather your clothes and head to the shower; thinking of ways to win arguments when you see him. Your thoughts soon drift towards other thoughts, and you remember Hoseok looked distraught yesterday. You can't help but worry about him, even after all that has happened within the last 13 hours. Thoughts of Hoseok and only Hoseok are swarming your mind.

Your feet lead you to class, where you take your respected seat next to Hoseok. He smirks a little bit before asking "did you read the note I left you?" Hissing in distaste "Yes, I read it." You take a packet out of your backpack and slam it onto his desk. "You didn't take one of these yesterday." He didn't say much after that. He only clicked his tongue in annoyance and crammed the packet into his desk. Teacher Yang walked through the door and began class mentioning the exam. "Students, I've prepared some possible questions that may be on the exam for you all to look over." The intercom hums before a voice begins to speak through it. "Teacher Yang, please report to the Headmaster's office." Teacher Yang looked impatient. He let out a heavy sigh of defeat. "Okay everyone, as you all heard I have to leave. Please pass back the question pamphlets and look over them." The sound of paper rustling and voices clutter the air as teacher Yang made his exit. You turned your gaze to Hoseok. "Hey, yesterday when teacher Yang mentioned the exam, you looked uneasy. What's that about?" Hoseok gave you a sour look. "It's none of your business." He averts his gaze and places his elbow on the desk then rests his cheek on his open palm. It makes you uneasy and you wished he would say something. It didn't matter if it was sarcastic or not at this point. The thought of Hoseok not looking at you or speaking to you made your heart ache. And you didn't know why.

Class ends and it's time to go back to your rooms. This time you make sure to leave before it gets dark. You still don't know if the assaulter is still on the run or not, they didn't exactly update anybody on the situation. Your room is cold because neither you nor Hoseok turned the heating unit on before you left. Speaking of Hoseok, he isn't here. Upon noticing this, you're beginning to get antsy. I might as well wait on him. I have nothing better to do. Your side of the room is clean, not even a speck of dirt is on the floor; whereas Hoseok's side is cluttered with clean clothes he refused to put away. School papers litter the ground and the sight of the mess kicks your instincts into gear. "What a slob." Deciding to be nice despite him ignoring your existence, you pick up the papers and stack them neatly onto his bedside table. You're folding his clothes and stacking them onto his bed. The scent from one of the shirts catches your attention. It smells like Hoseok. Sweet. Vanilla with hints of sandalwood. The scent is inviting, it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. You've become completely distracted with the enticing scent, and soon you're drifting to sleep. Hoseok opens the door and is taken aback by the image. You're curled up and cuddling with his shirt on the floor. Your face buried into the neck of it. Your chest rising and falling slowly but steadily, he's marveling at how peaceful your face is. The sight of it is enough to make Hoseok melt. The corners of his mouth turning upwards; he was lost in admiration from the sight. "I can't just let him sleep on the ground like that." The sound of his feet sliding across the floor brings you back into consciousness. Your eyes open slowly to look up to the boy standing above you. You're still drunken from sleep and have completely forgotten you're cuddling the shirt. You bring yourself into an upright position, still staring up at Hoseok as his eyes sparkle with contentment. "What time is it." Confused, you think it's early morning from how long you think you have slept. "It's 12:30." You jump to your feet with worriment, still tightly gripping onto the shirt you once cuddled with. Your head is spinning now because you stood up too quickly. Hoseok reached an arm out to help you steady yourself. "Why were you out so late? Don't you know that guy could still be wandering around?!" Hoseok's eyes lose the sparkling effect from before, instead his features hardened with disappointment. The corners of his mouth had lost the smile and was now replaced with a frown. His eyes slightly glared at you and his voice turned into a low growl. "Don't worry about it. I'm back now aren't I." He spun on his heels and began to walk in the opposite direction. But before he could get too far away you clasped onto his wrist. "I was worried. I didn't know if you were safe, or if you were coming back tonight at all." Your voice was nothing but a croak. He didn't try to break your grasp. He didn't vent frustrations either; instead he said something completely different. With no attitude or sarcasm in his voice at all. "I'm not going anywhere." You released your hand from his wrist and dropped it at your side. You felt better after hearing those words. Eased of worry, full of reassurance instead. Those words were enough. You watched him with the eyes of a hawk as he made his way into bed. "I'm back now Jimin, you can go back to sleep. I won't go anywhere, I'm too tired." You still worry he'll leave your side. Instead of sleeping on the bed, where it would be comfortable and warm, you slide your blanket and pillow onto the floor next to his mattress. Your eyes are stinging from drowsiness. You can hear the soft and gentle snores leaving his mouth. It's a lullaby to your ears, shortly you yourself had fallen asleep from listening to his breathing.

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littlejulianeverett · 8 years ago

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Children must be born with the idea that their reality is relative. Julian took his first theater class this weekend, and he spent the hours beforehand hunting for zombies in the sewer, which really meant he was walking stealthily around our living room with a flashlight and a walkie-talkie telling the rest of us that his mission was just too dangerous for us to join in. He was engrossed until we told him it was time to put his shoes on for class, and then he promptly abandoned the zombie hunt and asked about a snack.

I’m having a harder time than my children figuring out our shifting reality these days. Our personal life is full of excitement and joy and future-making, but it’s been hard not to get dragged down by the bigger reality playing out all around us. The contrast between Obama’s farewell speech this week and Trump’s first press conference was jarring. We are losing a leader who, for so many of us, epitomizes hope and grace, and we’re replacing him with someone who spews anger and aggression and bald-faced lies, which seems either part of his appeal or else irrelevant to many of his supporters. Reading Jeff Sessions’ testimony on Monday left me screaming into my pillow, but seeing most of his colleagues–our representatives– roll over and give him a pass was downright infuriating. Last week, Paul Ryan declared that Congress would defund Planned Parenthood. Stripping an organization that provides basic reproductive healthcare for 4.6 million people every year is all part of Congress’ bigger plan to repeal Obamacare, which they moved to do this week.

It occurred to me sometime in the wee hours of the morning that I don’t know how our family will be insured this spring, so I worried on that for a few minutes. But my lot in life allowed me to conclude before the sun was up that we will figure out a way. What are we doing to those members of our species who don’t have the privileges I’ve been born into?

Most of us now spend more time living in cyberspace than interacting with the physical world, so it’s easy enough for me to sink into a reality where my Tumblr feed represents everything that matters about life this week. Auggie painted. Julian had a couple of play dates. Our new babysitter Anna is awesome and also cooks dinner. If these posts represent our life, then could spouting off like this on my blog in this cyber reality represent action in the real world?

—- Ouizie is coming this week, and on Saturday, the two of us are catching a bus to the Women’s March in DC. I am going to find inspiration in the real world, because signing online petitions and giving money to Everytown and Planned Parenthood and HRC no longer feels satisfying enough. I’m going to recognize that my anger is collective and can matter. And because I hold hope that the experience will help me find physical, real-world, lasting ways to make it matter. Most of all, I’m going because I want Julian and Auggie to know that when we are so fundamentally upset by the state of things, we should act. And when we don’t know where to begin, anywhere seems like as good a place as any.

But when Julian asked me today what my protest sign is going to read, I couldn’t answer. How could one possibly narrow it down?

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irltrexxx · 7 years ago

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First Adventure of Orvieto Zama 2017!

Sudie inspired me to continue journaling via blog for my trip, as a blog is a little less ephemeral than emails. It is nice to see everything in the same place. So I am picking up my tumblr again! I started this back when I first started planning this trip, and the tone of the writing is very different. I am adapting to accomodate my audience. Also there’s no autocorrect with this text editor so please forgive my spelling errors!

It has been a hell of a day! I had a leisurely morning, putting the finishing touches on my two backpacks that I plan to bring to Italy/Japan and downloading lots of media to consume on my 10 hours of flights. My parents and I grabbed hot dogs at JJ’s Red Hots (I had a Carolina dog w/ coleslaw and chili, see photo below) and scoped out a couple of tennis courts for my dad’s future practices. We headed to the airport around 3pm for my flight from Charlotte to Newark. My flight was delayed a little bit, but nothing too bad. I was still worried it would not leave me enough time to move between terminals and go through security again once I got to Newark, but we ended up landing only 15 minutes late.

As soon as I got on the AirTrain at Newark I got a text alert letting me know my flight from Newark to Rome was delayed by 3 hours (originally due out at 11pm, now set to take off at 2 am). Not great, but I can handle it! After going through security at the international gates (very interesting mix of cultures!) I headed straight for the Irish bar at the gate and drank a Corona while I made the necessary updates to my travel arrangements with trains and monasteries. I paid the $10 for my beer and got cozy with my current book (Stephen King’s The Stand) and things were overall very tolerable. That’s when I got the text letting me know my flight was now set to take off at 10am the next morning, an additional 12 hour delay :(

None of the attendants had made an annoucement so I hoped that the text update was a glitch. I was the first person to walk to the flight counter to ask whether they had any more information…they did not. Norwegian had not even communicated to them the possibility of further delay! An angry mob formed very quickly behind me while the poor attendants tried to get someone from Norwegian to answer them on their walkie talkies. It sounds like one of the 2 Norwegian planes that were at Newark on 12/28 was not functioning, and they have no idea when the next functioning plane wiill arrive. So fun!!

The attendants announced that stranded passengers should proceed to Baggage Claim where attendants would assign us hotel rooms at the airport Marriott. There was a mad rush! I am so happy I am traveling by myself and with only two backpacks. I ended up being fifth in line and only took down one installation of cordoning rope. It took a while for the attendants to start assigning rooms because they had to call the police (not just airport security) to our original gate because of a few enraged passengers (kind of wish I had been there to see that…) but eventually I got my room. They even provided a shuttle, a voucher for breakfast in the morning, and a voucher for lunch! Not super promising in terms of me ever arriving in Rome, but it doesn’t suck!

Presently I am tucked in bed watching South Park, drinking tea, and testing out my wifi hotspot. I am awake much later than I usually am, so I will try to sleep in tomorrow and take a hot bath before figuring out how to get travel plans back on track.

Thank you for the inspiration to blog, Sudie! This was very cathartic. More to come soon!

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kevingbakeruk · 7 years ago

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13 Top Mom Bloggers Share Expert Tips For Family Travel

Having children doesn’t have to slow you down on vacation! Whether you’re an adventure enthusiast, road trip-lover, or relaxation seeker, you can do it all—even with kids in tow.

Expert Tips For Family Travel

We asked top mom bloggers from around the world to share their tips and tricks for traveling with kids—along with their favorite family vacation destinations—to help inspire your next trip. From where to go and when to start planning to what you absolutely can’t forget to pack, these moms are experts when it comes to family travel. Heed their advice, and make this the year you finally plan a vacation that pleases everyone.

While you might not be able to control the number of meltdowns or bathroom breaks needed while you’re away, you can control where your family stays each night. Opt for a vacation rental and ensure that your family has the perfect place to stay during your trip. Enjoy amenities that come with renting an entire home, like extra room, outside space for energetic little ones, enough proper beds for everyone, a fully-stocked kitchen, and in-home laundry. All you need to do is set your budget, choose your rental, and go!

Fun Money Mom | Florida

Favorite family vacation destination: Living in Florida, our favorite family vacation destination is Walt Disney World. It’s an easy drive and no matter how many times we go, we have a different experience each time.

Top tip: Planning ahead is so important! I try to find the least popular times to visit destinations and, if possible, that’s when we go. I also search the internet for deals before we leave. There are sites online with discounted tickets to popular events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. If it’s a beach vacation, I look for places where kids eat free or two-for-one deals on attractions like mini-golf.

Don’t forget to pack: I’d be completely lost if I forgot my camera. After all, part of the fun of a great family vacation is reminiscing over the photos when you get back home.

Harrassed Mom | South Africa

Favorite family vacation destination: The Western Cape has come to be one of my favorite places. Last year we stayed in Botrivier and it was such a stunning spot! Kid-friendly, close to the beach, and the weather was perfect. The beach is a great destination because it is “free” fun for the kids.

Top tip: Space! Your accommodation needs to have space for the kids to run. And preferably a restaurant/shop nearby.

Don’t forget to pack: WETWIPES! And water for everyone.

Kreativemommy | Florida and India

Favorite family vacation destination: Our first family-fun trip was to Disney World in Florida with our eldest child when she was just four years old. I would love to take my younger one there too, as Disney World is truly magical. Not only did our daughter love it, but my husband and I did too. More recently, our favorite family destination is Goa, India. Goa is famous for its beautiful beaches, yummy seafood, flea markets, and water sports. It was a memorable trip and we are looking forward to going back soon.

Top tip: Traveling with kids means a lot of pre-planning and a lot of things to be carried along on a trip. The most important tip for other moms traveling with kids is to book everything in advance. It’s always better to book the accommodation, cabs, or anything else you will need a reservation for before your arrival. It saves time, and you don’t want any kind of hassle when you are traveling with kids.

Don’t forget to pack: There are many things that I make sure to pack on a family trip, but the three that top the list are: books (very helpful on long drives with kids), food (cookies, cakes, fruits, or anything that the kids can easily eat while traveling), and medicines (better to be prepared than running around on a vacation).

One more thing you can’t forget to pack: a camera. Traveling with family is all about creating memories to be treasured.

Lady and the Blog | Spain

Favorite family vacation destination: We recently returned from Spain and had the most wonderful time. Between the hustle and bustle of Madrid, the beauty and design of San Sebastiàn and then the relaxing beachfront escape that El Vendrell provided, the trip offered the best of all worlds! I have to say, as someone who has been to dozens of countries all around the world, Spain was my favorite yet!

Top tip: I think it��s important to remember that there needs to be a third of your day that is scheduled specifically for downtime. Your children can only do so much. Keep your accommodation centrally located for sightseeing and dining and easily accessible for afternoon naps.

Don’t forget to pack: Some people may not appreciate this one, but chargers! My family needs our electronics. While in Spain, we took two 6-hour train rides and they were both managed all thanks to game apps and downloaded movies. Thank goodness for battery packs and plugs!

Merlot Mommy | Florida

Favorite family vacation destination: We’re big Disney fanatics in our house. I went to Walt Disney World with my parents and grandparents for the first time when I was 6 years old. Those memories have lasted my whole life, and we’ve been helping to create lasting memories with our family since our kids were little, too. WDW is our favorite family vacation destination because of that. Our kids love the magic of the Mouse.

Top tip: We love traveling in the shoulder season—fewer people, often better rates. We look for dates that work for us, and it’s always a more pleasant trip. Our kids help with the planning so it’s a team effort and everyone helps to make some of the planning decisions.

Don’t forget to pack: Water bottles and sunscreen—two musts for a hot, sunny day at a theme park!

Mommy Scene | Oregon Coast

Favorite family vacation destination: We love exploring the Oregon Coast when traveling with kids because we can keep going back and always see something new! Our favorite Oregon destinations are the seaside boardwalks that are perfect for family hikes, Newport Aquarium, and visiting old landmark lighthouses.

Top tip: We have three small children, and it’s important for us to plan flexible activities for each day. We generally research an area using a service such as TripAdvisor and we choose several destination options. I love when a travel resource also includes reviews of each attraction in an area! We also enjoy staying at a vacation rental rather than a hotel because vacation rental houses often include multiple rooms and more amenities (such as a kitchen or hot tub right outside the door) for a young family of five. Our experience at a vacation rental is often unique each time, allowing us to build fun memories with our kids on our family vacation.

Don’t forget to pack: We can’t forget to pack the double stroller! A reliable compact stroller is a must-have for traveling with kids through a new city. But make sure it easily folds up to fit in the trunk of any rental car.

Mommy’s Memorandum | South Dakota

Favorite family vacation destination: Ask my family and hands down we will all say South Dakota. It was a family vacation that made us curious, allowed us relaxation, and kept us going out for more. We toured Mount Rushmore and Bear Country and everything in between. It is wide open land with scenic views and a pace that allows for relaxation.

Top tip: We’re always looking for someplace new. Our first question is “where have we never been?” and then we start searching for things to do and places to stay in that location. We’ve planned destinations based on books we’ve read, movies seen (Oak Island for Nicholas Sparks fans), and also places we’ve read about on the internet or in books. We keep a running list, and as our life takes us down different roads, we check in with our list.

Don’t forget to pack: Our one thing is a day pack. We each have one loaded with high protein snacks, extra water, a walkie talkie (in case we get separated), and bandannas. It makes spontaneous travel easy…sometimes we just pull off to the side of the road, grab the day pack and see where the trail takes us. Other times, we follow a tour guide. We’re always ready with our day pack. As soon as we come in at night, we restock any items used.

Rockin Mama | Maui

Favorite family vacation destination: Our favorite family destination is Maui. The island offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and begs to be discovered and explored. As a family, we have the option of simply relaxing by the beach or making the trek up the mountain to see the sunrise at Haleakala. Whether you crave adventure or want to unplug, the island offers a myriad of activities, water sports, and more.

Top tip: My best tip for selecting a destination is to plan ahead with sufficient time. Not only will this ensure the best prices, you have the most options when it comes to selecting accommodations and activities you desire, particularly during high season.

Don’t forget to pack: The one thing we can’t forget to pack is a camera to document all of our incredible memories together as a family.

Role Mommy | Jamaica

Favorite family vacation destination: My all-time favorite family destination is Treasure Beach, Jamaica. We fell in love with it when we visited for the first time six years ago and discovered the adventurous way to travel with your family through community tourism. Over the course of one week, we went out with our boat captain Dennis Abrahams (who happens to earn a #1 rating as the most popular activity tour to take in Treasure Beach). Captain Dennis took us to Pelican Bar (a bar in the middle of the ocean), cooked us a jerk lobster beach lunch on a private island, and navigated our way through Black River where we observed wildlife and crocodiles and swung off tree vines to cool off on a hot summer day. On another trip, we even stopped to meet a farmer who gave us watermelons before ending our journey at the beach with a lobster dinner under the stars. I could go on and on, but if you have older kids and are in for adventure, fun and great food, then Treasure Beach is the place for you!

Top tip: Absolutely check out reviews that real people have written about the places you’re visiting. I have to say, even though we have been to Treasure Beach a few times, when we wanted to try new places to eat or visit, I definitely checked out TripAdvisor to see what places people raved about and which restaurants or cafes they loved. And of course, I loved the fact that Captain Dennis has the #1 tour in Treasure Beach—I know firsthand he’s earned the recognition!

Don’t forget to pack: One thing I have found to be a huge resource now is to make sure we get International data and calling when we are out of the country. That helps when searching for things to do or navigating your way to a destination if you’re on your own. In terms of packing, sunscreen and bug spray are always high on our list!

The Mommyhood Chronicles | Hawaii

Favorite family vacation destination: Hawaii is a great family vacation because of the vast amount of kids activities in one of the most gorgeous places in the world. We love the various fresh foods and the different family trips you can take there. I highly recommend Kauai and Maui for great family fun. Don’t forget to try the pineapple and shaved ice!

Top tip: You have to make sure everyone in your family can enjoy the trip. We have kids at various ages and if one kid is not occupied, it can get boring quickly and end up being a bad vacation. We also try to make sure there are family-friendly activities at the various places we visit.

Don’t forget to pack: Sunscreen and medicines.

The Multitasking Mom

Favorite family vacation destination: Our family loves to take road trips where we spend a few days at accommodations with some fun local sites nearby. We like to stay in places that have nearby activities and preferably a pool, so we can choose how active we want to be and just enjoy each other’s company. We also might take one or two days to see local sights. Especially with young kids, we like to have a plan, but not be over-planned.

Top tip: I’d put together a list of must-dos and nice-to-dos. Include any time restrictions, like if a museum you want to see is closed on certain days. Fill in the must-dos on your schedule. Then keep your list of nice-to-dos with you so if you feel like you need another activity, you have a whole list already compiled.

Don’t forget to pack: Since we love road trips, we can’t forget car activities. No one wants hours of driving with a cranky toddler.

The Taylor House | Colorado

Favorite family vacation destination: Our favorite family vacation destination has to be Colorado! We love the mountains and all of the outdoor adventures that await us there. We’re huge outdoor people so we love to hike, fish, swim, and everything that goes along with a Colorado adventure vacation!

Top tip: I think about what it is we want to do—is it hiking, riding rides at a theme park, lying on the beach? Then I narrow it down from there. I try to pick a location that we’ve never been to before, because we like to see new things and discover new places. Consider the busy times of year too, and avoid those when you’re planning.

Don’t forget to pack: My camera!!!! Photos are so important to me, I want to be able to look back at them and remember that amazing time my family had!

The post 13 Top Mom Bloggers Share Expert Tips For Family Travel appeared first on The FlipKey Blog.

from Tips For Traveling https://www.flipkey.com/blog/2017/10/04/family-travel-tips/

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janerchambers88 · 7 years ago

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13 Top Mom Bloggers Share Expert Tips For Family Travel

Having children doesn’t have to slow you down on vacation! Whether you’re an adventure enthusiast, road trip-lover, or relaxation seeker, you can do it all—even with kids in tow.

Expert Tips For Family Travel

Fun Money Mom | Florida

Don’t forget to pack: I’d be completely lost if I forgot my camera. After all, part of the fun of a great family vacation is reminiscing over the photos when you get back home.

Harrassed Mom | South Africa

Top tip: Space! Your accommodation needs to have space for the kids to run. And preferably a restaurant/shop nearby.

Don’t forget to pack: WETWIPES! And water for everyone.

Kreativemommy | Florida and India

One more thing you can’t forget to pack: a camera. Traveling with family is all about creating memories to be treasured.

Lady and the Blog | Spain

Top tip: I think it’s important to remember that there needs to be a third of your day that is scheduled specifically for downtime. Your children can only do so much. Keep your accommodation centrally located for sightseeing and dining and easily accessible for afternoon naps.

Merlot Mommy | Florida

Don’t forget to pack: Water bottles and sunscreen—two musts for a hot, sunny day at a theme park!

Mommy Scene | Oregon Coast

Mommy’s Memorandum | South Dakota

Rockin Mama | Maui

Don’t forget to pack: The one thing we can’t forget to pack is a camera to document all of our incredible memories together as a family.

Role Mommy | Jamaica

The Mommyhood Chronicles | Hawaii

Don’t forget to pack: Sunscreen and medicines.

The Multitasking Mom

Don’t forget to pack: Since we love road trips, we can’t forget car activities. No one wants hours of driving with a cranky toddler.

The Taylor House | Colorado

Don’t forget to pack: My camera!!!! Photos are so important to me, I want to be able to look back at them and remember that amazing time my family had!

The post 13 Top Mom Bloggers Share Expert Tips For Family Travel appeared first on The FlipKey Blog.

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mrrolandtfranco · 7 years ago

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13 Top Mom Bloggers Share Expert Tips For Family Travel

Having children doesn’t have to slow you down on vacation! Whether you’re an adventure enthusiast, road trip-lover, or relaxation seeker, you can do it all—even with kids in tow.

Expert Tips For Family Travel

Fun Money Mom | Florida

Don’t forget to pack: I’d be completely lost if I forgot my camera. After all, part of the fun of a great family vacation is reminiscing over the photos when you get back home.

Harrassed Mom | South Africa

Top tip: Space! Your accommodation needs to have space for the kids to run. And preferably a restaurant/shop nearby.

Don’t forget to pack: WETWIPES! And water for everyone.

Kreativemommy | Florida and India

One more thing you can’t forget to pack: a camera. Traveling with family is all about creating memories to be treasured.

Lady and the Blog | Spain

Merlot Mommy | Florida

Don’t forget to pack: Water bottles and sunscreen—two musts for a hot, sunny day at a theme park!

Mommy Scene | Oregon Coast

Mommy’s Memorandum | South Dakota

Rockin Mama | Maui

Don’t forget to pack: The one thing we can’t forget to pack is a camera to document all of our incredible memories together as a family.

Role Mommy | Jamaica

The Mommyhood Chronicles | Hawaii

Don’t forget to pack: Sunscreen and medicines.

The Multitasking Mom

Don’t forget to pack: Since we love road trips, we can’t forget car activities. No one wants hours of driving with a cranky toddler.

The Taylor House | Colorado

Don’t forget to pack: My camera!!!! Photos are so important to me, I want to be able to look back at them and remember that amazing time my family had!

The post 13 Top Mom Bloggers Share Expert Tips For Family Travel appeared first on The FlipKey Blog.

from The FlipKey Blog http://ift.tt/2wxyOhb

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effywild · 7 years ago

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Welcome to this week’s edition of Friday Five! Five things that are rocking my poptarts! Good things. Moving things. Things that restore my faith in humanity, or my faith in myself. Artsy things! Nerdy things! ALL THE LOVELY THINGS!* If you’d like to get my blog in your inbox, click here. If you’d rather just get my weekly newsletter (with a round up of my blog posts included in link form + subscriber perks, including discounts), click here.

The links I share in these posts are not affiliate links unless otherwise noted with an asterisk*.

Thing One

I got a kitten.

Yes, I know. I’m allergic to cats, but listen. I had this feeling, after the manchild moved out of my studio and into his own place that it was time to move another furbabe in, and it *had* to be a kitten. Had to be. Like, I dreamed about it.

So I got a package of Claritin, a box of tissues, a tube of Polysporin, a box of band-aids, a litter box, a bunch of cat toys, and I trolled a local ‘buy/sell’ pet section for a kitten.

Meet Sybil.

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Sybil Approves of my paper stash.

Sookie Does not quite approve of any of this.

Sybil wants to know why you’re not painting.

Sookie is opposed to the theft of her sunbeam.

Sybil has been here for about a week now, and it has been a mostly seamless transition. Sookie is still a bit put out by the whole thing, though she has of late been rolling around on the floor showing her belly in attempts to get Sybil to play. They can share my lap without squabbling over it now, and they both come to bed with me every night.

I’m in love with this cat. She’s 14 weeks old. part Siamese, very, very talky, and full of beans. She makes me laugh multiple times a day, and her purr makes me melt.

It was meant to be.

I dusted off my instagram account today because #catsofinstagram, so please feel free to join me there.

Thing Two

I’m hosting a giveaway on my blog today. You should check it out!

Thing Three

I had the loveliest experience last week of writing to a poet whose work inspired a painting to ask her permission to use some of the lines in her poem in the painting itself. It turns out that it was the anniversary of a rather monumentally difficult thing for her, and my note came at the perfect time. It also turns out that the poem I’d found and fell in love with was her very first published poem. *Goosebumps*

Anyway, the painting was something i was creating for Ever After 2017, which you can check out here. I am *in love* with the technique I’m teaching this year, and I know you will be, too.

My lesson goes live in October, and there are a multitude of gorgeous lessons already up in the classroom so please join us! You’ll be glad you did!

Thing Four

Oh. Mer. Gerd you guys. THIS STUFF IS AWESOME.

I’ve been down over the last few days with some kind of weird gastric thing – nausea, pain when I’m hungry, pain when I eat, etc. blah, so I put myself on a liquid diet for a few days to see if I could get things to settle. It’s working, and I’m already feeling better, and this stuff is half the reason why.

It’s only available in Canada (SORRY!), and it is rather high in sodium (SORRY!) but it is the perfect starter broth for pretty much any kind of ‘what’s in the fridge’ soup you could think of.

I sipped it as is for the first couple of days of my fast, but last night, I added some ground pork, matchstick carrots, matchstick potatoes, matchstick radish, cilantro, ginger, black pepper, lime zest & juice, and sriracha to finish, and whoa. Best soup ever.

Apparently, there’s a mushroom broth, too, as well as the usual chicken & beef broth.

There’s even a recipe for Beef Pho here on their website.

I intend to keep it handy for those times when I really want to make soup, but I really don’t want to bother with making my own stock (so, like, every time I want to make soup!).

Thing Five

Did I mention I got a kitten?

And that’s it for this week’s edition of Friday Five! I hope you enjoyed this peek into what’s delighting & inspiring me this week. Have a beautiful weekend and I’ll see you back here soon. ❤

My Newsletter | Journal52 | My Blog | Find my classes here. | Find my tip jar here.

Friday Five – Sybil, Pho, and a Giveaway! Welcome to this week’s edition of Friday Five! Five things that are rocking my poptarts! Good things.

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rkbahuja · 8 years ago

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From Tales to Talkies, the Terribly Tiny community isn’t so tiny anymore. What started with incredibly enticing stories narrated in just 140 characters has now grown to memorable short films that touch all the right chords. Helming this transformation in storytelling are Chintan Ruparel and Anuj Gosalia, the Co – Founders of Terribly Tiny Tales and Terribly Tiny Talkies.

On a rainy evening, I caught up with Chintan, who had just returned from the edit of one of their Father’s Day films. As the office bustled with energy, we sat down for a freewheeling chat about all things Talkies. As Chintan passionately spoke about films, the journey that it has been for TTT, the various film formats they are experimenting with and more, I couldn’t help but feel amazed and inspired. With such hearts and minds involved in the art of filmmaking, we can surely look forward to a revolution in cinema, one that has already begun.

Here are excerpts from our conversation.

Chintan Ruparel

What prompted the expansion from Tales to Talkies?

Anuj (Gosalia, Co-Founder) and I always wanted to expand storytelling to different formats, and films were such a tempting segment to explore! Anuj loves cinema, he also ran a blog called Popcorn Friday where he reviewed films. Coming from an advertising background, I’ve seen films happening in front of me. You think of an idea, a story and then see it happen in front of you, you see the magic on the sets and it just sweeps you off your feet. With writing, it’s just the paper and you; you are everything. But when it comes to films, there are so many people involved; to control that, bring that to the table, have a shared vision and also make money out of something like films is a huge challenge. So we thought of dabbling with films, short films to begin with. The challenge was to adapt the 140 characters (from Tales) to something like film. Because, what is terribly tiny when it comes to film – is it 10 sec, 50 sec, 1 minute or 10 minutes? There was nothing to define it. So we thought of starting with five minutes.

We contacted all our friends in the advertising industry, film industry, writing community etc., as we knew quite a lot of them who were very talented. But they were not really able to do what they liked or make films the way they wanted to. They were all frustrated in their work and had expressed an interest in working with us if we were to expand to film. So we called four filmmakers and I was the fifth, because if I had to give feedback to a filmmaker, I had to know how to make a film. So I made my first film with the first edition of Talkies. We made five films of five minutes each on the theme of love. The first edition premiered at Matterden where we had a full house of people. It was a great sign and that encouraged us to make more films.

The challenge was to adapt the 140 characters (from Tales) to something like film

You started off with a 5-minute bracket and now have 10, even 15 min films, what determines the stories you’d like to back as a platform?

One is the honesty in storytelling. The idea should be close to the maker in some way and should be something that he or she really wants to make. Apart from that, it should be an idea that hasn’t been done before, or hasn’t been said in this way. It should be fresh. The last and the most important thing is that it should be engaging. Initially, we began with 5-minutes but we realized that a lot of filmmakers suffered as a result because they felt that if one more shot or one more sequence could have been included, it would have added to the overall telling of the story. So, we decided to relax ourselves on time and told them to keep it under 15 – 20 minutes, with 7 – 10 minutes being ideal. But if the film is engaging enough and needs more time, we will not let length kill an idea.

Chintan Ruparel with Anuj Gosalia (Left)

A large number of your films are very red-letter day/occasion specific, what is the thought behind this approach?

Our films are designed for social media and not necessarily designed for virality in terms of the content. These red-letter days are a good time when people want to share stuff. The Internet is bombarded with content, so much is being thrown at you on a red-letter day. So we didn’t want to be those people who curate or collate or distribute content that is designed on virality. We wanted to keep it occasion specific. Other content creators go the whole viral route, they are designed in a way to make people laugh, they create sketches and so on, but we were never those people. We wanted to tell a story that has value. That was a tough call but that is what defines us.

We have a Terribly Tiny community that looks forwards to these films on all occasions.

Our films are not necessarily designed for virality in terms of the content

Which brings me to your recent Father’s Day films. What was the thought that went into these heartwarming stories?

The relationship between fathers and children is very special. It’s a given that mothers do more – give more, express more etc. But there is something so amazing about these species called ‘Fathers’. They apparently don’t do enough and while there is a whole patriarchal side to them, if you leave that aside, they are sweethearts who need to be celebrated. We have all had those special moments with our dads while growing up.

What we also realized is that the relationship between a father and son is more strained than that between a father and daughter. These films will mostly touch upon that and how fathers are awkward in expressing what their feeling. They don’t say a lot of things but do feel them.

So, we’re releasing two films this time, because in addition to passion and love, we need to take on meaningful brand collaborations that add to our portfolio and also generate revenue to fund the other films that are produced solely by us. We’re doing one film with Ola Cabs called ‘Rear View’. It’s about two fathers colliding – a passenger who is a single father and a driver, who is an expectant father. The conversation they have and how that changes the course of their lives in one day and how they end up touching more lives around them because of that, is what the film is all about.

The other film is called ‘Aamad’ which means ‘invitation’. It is the story about a son who returns home after many years, in his 30s, and finds his father on the deathbed. Their relationship was strained in the past and what efforts the son makes to mend things with his dad and whether he can make up or not forms the crux of the story.

When it comes to these movies, what is the making process, how do they come together?

We’re currently doing three kinds of films. One is for our YouTube audience, proprietary films that are not backed by brands, films that we want to put out regardless of brand or no brand. These films define what Talkies is all about. And people look forward to these films and we make it a point to surprise and delight them in some way.

The other is branded content which keeps money coming into the bank, but we aim to collaborate in the right way. Several brands want to do ad films with us, but once you go down that route, it’s hard to come back. So we stick to collaborating with brands that are interested in telling meaningful stories. It has been very good so far but budgets are still a challenge because brands don’t see the returns in this, what such a film can do for their brand. It’s a fairly new way of telling stories for them. So we’re taking one step at a time.

The third is the film festival route. This year, we’ve already commissioned a few films, one is ready and the other is going on floors next week, which are purely for film festivals. We wanted to test ourselves against the best out there. So we will not be in a hurry to release these films because they may give us a new audience, a new reputation and open more doors with VOD platforms.

We’re launching a fourth kind, which is contest-based. This Friendship’s Day we’re opening up Talkies to college campuses. We’re asking students to make films (under 5-minutes) on friendship and submit them. We’ll choose the best and put them online under TTT Campus. A lot of these kids aspire to make films and we’re fairly known in that (student/youth) community. So it’s worth exploring.

We co-incubate, co-create, creatively produce, platform the film, promote it and oversee the creative process

While making proprietary films, solely backed by TTT, do you’ll approach filmmakers or does it work both ways?

We get a lot of queries and I have script readings everyday. Thankfully, we now have Sharanya Rajgopal on board. She is a fantastic writer and has worked on several feature films earlier. Sharanya is the Chief Writer here and anything that come to us, first goes to her. When any script comes to us, we first assess if it is the kind of film we’re looking at, if the scale is right, it is not going over budget and so on. A lot of writers send us their scripts, so we see if they want to make their first film or are they fine with us giving it to somebody else to direct. We prefer writer-directors because they’re more in control of their craft.

From this year onwards, we’re having more emphasis on the script and Sharanya is the best gatekeeper for that. She’s also creative producer, so both of us work very closely. We sit with filmmakers and try to understand what they want to make. Sometimes we call filmmakers whose work we like and ask if they’d like to attempt any of the upcoming red-letter day films. From there on, it’s a collaborative effort. But we don’t get into production. We are like the studio, we co-incubate, co-create, more importantly creatively produce, platform the film, promote it and oversee the creative process. We outsource production depending on the film and the maker.

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Is it a conscious decision to stay away from production?

Yes. Even if it’s writing, we call ourselves ‘enablers’ as a platform. We want to enable more storytellers. If we get into production, there is another round of headaches; permissions, taxes, several risks. We may get into it in the future, but as of now this model gives us scope to do more. Unless the team expands and we feel a dire need to have a production of our own, we would rather outsource it.

People don’t understand how to treat sex in India

Coming to your audience, while the younger crowd is hooked on to TTT, your target is not restricted to them alone, Khujli being a successful example. Is it important to target this new demographic that includes our parents?

With platforms like AIB and TVF, you may not or cannot necessarily watch that content with your parents. But we want our films to be enjoyed by everyone. We’re okay with going edgy like in Khujli as long as the story and content is good. It was a conscious decision to make a film like that because people don’t understand how to treat sex in India. Sex and humor haven’t gone well together, and you have films like Masti and other very bad films being made. So, to have that right balance of a good story with good performers and then make it well and make sure it reaches the right audience was a challenge but we enjoy such challenges. We wanted to move on to different genres and experiment with different kinds of films. One of the films that we’re making this year is a horror film. Again, horror is not a genre that is explored well in India. We’re doing a horror film for Raksha Bandhan (smiles). It’s a very different take on a brother-sister relationship, and we can’t wait for it!

With so many players in the short film segment, what does it take to keep it sustainable?

Not many people know this, but for one entire year, we didn’t make films at all. After making around 13 films; five films in the first edition for Valentines Day 2015, five more films on Mother’s Day in the same year, and then three films on Independence Day, we realized that we’d put in a fair amount of money, but it was not coming back! We realized that passion is one thing, but economics is a completely different ball game. And these films consumed most of my time, so we needed to have some returns on investment. After a lull year in 2016, we are back in 2017 doing more films. We’re making a comeback of sorts. Economics was a huge reason why we stopped films for a year. Also, there is a way to smartly package content and deliver it well. With so many VOD platforms coming up, there is potential to sell content and recover or even make money.

Our ‘Backspace’ videos are a new way of telling a story in a video

Going forward would you’ll be open to exploring other formats like features, web series et all? If so, will it be in a similar space to the content you’ll are exploring now?

A lot of people ask us if we would do feature films and I say why not?! We don’t want to rule out anything. We’re already experimenting with various formats. As I mentioned, with TTT Campus we’ll be exploring student short films though it’s a risk because they don’t know how to package films and do QC but it is a new format for us. Another thing we’re really proud of is called ‘Backspace’ videos, which you can see on our Facebook and Instagram account. These videos are executed on the basis of WhatsApp chats that people have. Because a lot of times, you type something but erase it and send something else. That psychology of hesitation, how our minds work, is a very interesting concept that can be explored around various themes. It is a new way of telling a story in a video. Some of these videos are backed by brands and we’re getting a phenomenal response.

We’re trying to crack new formats and are open to things. The moment we find a story that we feel is different from what’s out there, and we need put our hearts and money in it, we’ll make it happen.

Revolutionizing storytelling with each tiny step: Chintan Ruparel on TTT From Tales to Talkies, the Terribly Tiny community isn’t so tiny anymore. What started with incredibly enticing stories narrated in just 140 characters has now grown to memorable short films that touch all the right chords.

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