#korea pop role play

[babieken]

I was expecting so much more from Again My Life considering lee jungi was its main character but it was such a let down...

[peacheeeliz]

005. wooyoung's emojis (1.5k wc)

blue = twitch chat

red = among us chat

milfhos: thought you weren't going to play this game again 😒😒

"Haha, so did I," You sigh. You were currently talking to chat, waiting for everyone to join the lobby. "But Yeonjun thought it would help Yunho and I 'work it out.' Yeah, okay."

Back when Among Us was really popular, the four of you played only that and nothing else. Always hopping into lobbies with each other and fellow streamers, screaming at each other during meetings, or simply doing tasks and remaining unbothered. You guys were the big Among Us streamers of Korea, all until it lost its popularity. After that, you all went into your own different directions and haven't touched the game since.

heartzfrombora: wait but i like how the war is going

"Right!" You exclaim, letting out a laugh. "He just doesn't see this stuff the way I do," you exaggerate, placing your hand on your chest with a sly smile.

strwchaos: I'm loving the yucloudz interactions tho idc if you guys 'hate' each other

Your eyebrows scrunch together at that last comment. "You know I still don't understand this whole yucloudz thing. But, I guess I've never understood ship names," you shrug it off. "But! I can get behind one ship name: Twocloudy."

strwchaos: some people just really like the interactions between you two and created a shorter name that's easier to say lol

strwchoas: i do think some weirdos are actually shipping you two tho... so be careful

milfhos: wtf is twocloudy

"Me and Giselle, obviously," you say, but your chat is just more confused. "Cloudie and Aeri. Aeri. Air-y. Get it?" You laugh, but now your chat is just disappointed. "What? I think it's great, you guys don't know what you're talking about."

faepurity: i'm telling giselle you said those corny ass joke

gigigibaby: i love you but no..

strwchaos: i'm leaving

You laugh again, eyeing the game's lobby to see if anyone else has joined. It looked like everyone else had joined, so you turned deafen off to hear the chaotic jumble of everyone talking over each other.

"Why are we playing this again?" Taehyun groans. "I thought the Among Us life was behind us."

"I thought so too, but I also thought it'd be a nice way to bring us all together again," Yeonjun responds, his eyes busy setting up the settings of the game.

"Was the empires server not enough for you?" Ningning asks next. "God, I don't remember anything about this game. I'm going to die first."

"Yeah, well two specific neighbors don't know how to behave," Yeonjun continues. "Well, one neighbor. The other is just innocently naive."

"Hey," Yuyu pouts. "You were my teacher, man. You should've taught me how to not shoot people with a bow."

You laugh, actually agreeing with Yuyu for once. "He's got a point, Junnie."

"Oh, you shut it," he responds, rolling his eyes. "Okay, I was just thinking we play for a couple of hours? Does that sound good for everyone?"

"Seems excessive, but sure," Giselle answers, sighing. "I better get imposter first, I want to kill Y/N for her stupid Twocloudy name."

"They already told you?" You exclaim, laughing.

faepurity: I TOLD YOU I WOULD

Before you could say anything else in the lobby, the game starts, and everyone turns deafen back on. You wait nervously for your role to be revealed, letting out a breath of relief when you get the Crewmate role.

You run around in your little bean body, simply doing tasks and ignoring everyone else. You stick by Winter and Beomgyu for a while and do a few tasks together, so you know they're clear. Lights are sabotaged and you try your best to stay together, until Hyuka's body is found.

"Okay, motherfuckers, who killed my child?" Yeonjun's voice is serious, despite the fact his 'child' was only killed in a game. "I walked into electrical to fix lights, and the report button popped up instantly."

"You didn't look to see who else could've been there?" Soobin questions, eyebrows furrowed. "The killer could've been in there, man."

"Well, for one, the lights were out," Yeonjun states, finding Soobin's accusations suspicious. "And two, lights were sabotaged. Someone could've walked in there at any minute and found me with a body, doing nothing but wiggling if I didn't report this body."

"Well, Beomgyu, Winter and I have been together this whole time, so we're good," you say, glad to be cleared.

"Yuyu and I were together for a hot minute there," Sungchan explains. "Buuut, I did lose him in electrical just before lights were sabotaged..."

"Wait, what, no," Yuyu exclaims, flustered by the implied accusation. "I split off from you before going into electrical, and I stayed behind to watch cams."

"I did see that the cams were on before lights went off," Taehyun adds. "But that could've been anyone."

"No, it was Yuyu," Giselle states, sticking up for her cams buddy. "We were in there together for a bit until lights were called."

"We don't have a lot of information, so let's just skip," Soobin says, voting instantly.

"Remember, guys, there's still two killers out there," Yeonjun says, voting as well. "So be careful."

Everyone votes and the meeting has passed.

"Who the fuck voted for me?" Yuyu exclaims.

"I've got my eye on you, man," Taehyun whispers, before everyone deafens and gets back to the game.

You stick with Beomgyu and Winter again, continuing tasks, hoping to get a task win. It takes a while for another meeting to be called, and when it does, three more people are dead: Giselle, Ningning, and Taehyun.

"Oh my God, guys," Yuyu starts, almost out of breath. "It's Sungchan, I swear to God, it's him. I watched him kill Taehyun right in front of my eyes."

As Yuyu rants, Sungchan just stays silent before he votes. A famous Sungchan tactic to leave the decision-making to everyone else.

"Look, he's not even saying anything," Yuyu continues. "It's him, guys, I swear to you."

Yeonjun is next to silently vote, but he doesn't stay silent for long. "Yeah, I totally watched Sungchan do medbay earlier, sooo. And we've been together this whole round."

"I was also in there when Sungchan did medbay, so, bye-bye Yuyu," Giselle says sweetly, quick to vote out her old cams buddy.

"You do not have to tell me twice to vote out Yuyu," you laugh, voting instantly.

Within seconds, everyone has voted, and Yuyu's little bean body floats out across the screen and into space. The next round starts, with only one imposter left.

"I'd like to see the last imposter get the rest of us all on their own," you tell chat, letting yourself finally stray away from Winter and Beomgyu. You had to at least give the imposter a chance; plus, you were bored now that all your tasks were done.

milfhos: i can't even tell who it is man

strwchaos: are you kidding it's so soobin

faepurity: idk it could be giselle and she sold out yuyu to make herself look innocent

You're too busy walking laps around the map to pay attention to chat, running into your friends every now and then. You find Beomgyu and Winter again at some point, dancing together under the cameras as Yeonjun watches from security.

You eventually break off from them again, heading back to the cafeteria to see if any bodies were hiding in the top half. But, of course, trying to be a good crewmate would just bring you bad luck as Soobin finds you up there and is quick to kill you.

You stare at your screen with a shocked expression despite already having your suspicions towards him. You accept your fate, flying around as a ghost to keep an eye on your friends until the chat beeps in the corner.

yuyuhoes: at least i didn't kill you :)

cloudiey/n: 凸( ` ﾛ ´ )凸

mysticaeri: omg that's so cute

yuyuhoes: i can't take you seriously with that emoji omg

cloudiey/n: i can't use wooyoung's emojis leave me alone

yuyuhoes: wtf is wooyoungs emojis

cloudiey/n: i've said too much

As you close the chat, your body is reported and another meeting starts. It seems Sungchan was killed sometime after you were, as his name pops up with yours.

"I found her up in cafeteria," Yeonjun says, not having much information about this find.

"It must've been there for awhile because we haven't seen her since we danced on cams," Beomgyu shares, voting as soon as possible.

Winter joins him silently, letting out a quiet giggle as she does. Yeonjun follows suit, voting quietly as well. This leaves Soobin confused.

"You guys are so creepy, I hope you know that," he lets out a sigh, almost accepting fate. "Can you at least explain?"

"Well, Beomgyu, Y/N and I were together almost the whole round, so we're all clear," Winter starts. "And Yeonjun cleared Sungchan against Yuyu earlier, sooo."

"Ah, fuck it, fine," Soobin says, voting. "Not like I can plead my case now."

The other three laugh as Soobin's body flies off into space, ending the game as a Crewmate Win.

"Okay, that was actually fun," you let out with a light laugh. "I don't mind playing for a couple of hours now."

synopsis ⤏ you're trying to peacefully build your starter house on the empires server when your neighbor so rudely (accidentally) kills you, starting the biggest war on the server just one day in.

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ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ taglist is closed!

[svt-kiki]

( 🖇️ )　𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐀𝐒 !　⌅ .

───　୨ৎ 　›　𝐅𝐔𝐍　𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐒　.　

she has one of the biggest china bars among the kpop idols. her fandom is strong esp in china, thai, philippines, latin america and europe

although her appearance doesn’t fit korea nor japan’s “beauty standards” perfectly, she is quite popular out there. it took time to get recognize she deserves, but currently she’s one of the most popular kpop idols in korea and japan, thanks to the acting activities.

she has an addictive deep voice.

she is famous for her clean skin, considered as the idol who has most beautiful bare face. she prefers being without makeup on day off.

she’s against the “diet” culture without apology: that most female idols experienced, only eat a few to lose weights. since only female trainee had regularly weight measurement, she rebeled against the company in predebut era to get rid of that system.

she got scouted from jyp, sm ang yg entertainments as a trainee while in pledis. she was a “legend” trainee who was famous among other company’s trainees. the pics of her when she went to sopa’s graduation ceremony ( when seungcheol and doyoon graduated ) went viral on internet.

she’s the only one who constantly replies group chat, named "the only member who’s responsible" in “Know Thyself #2” ( lmao )

her experience in pd 48 literally broke her heart — gaeun was her first friend in korea, watching one of the oldest friends struggling, challenging, and falling apart at last sec was a terrible experience. during the program she held herself strictly not to do her favor nor get biased in any way, but couldn’t help herself into tears after the final. she just decided she’ll never involve to any audition programs again.

however, because of the pd48 appearance, she is basically the mother, or nonna / eonni of the 4th gen idols. lots of people mentioned her as a rolemodel or the sunbae they want to get close with, but it’s because she has so many male friends in the 3rd gen groups already and kiki be the only “safe” female idols to mention esp for male idols.

kiki is known as very polite and humble person in the kpop industry. throughout her careers, she carefully curated own demeanor and behaved very wisely. that, and the fact that she's the only one female member in her group made her allow to interact with other male idols “normally”. she is the heart of the healthy friendships between male / female idols in the industry. now she becoming the “legend” 3rd gen idol, kiki tried to clear the roadblock as something really unhealthy and toxic customs in the industry for the sake of the younger idols.

she plays the role of producing visual side like woozi is doing in music. she takes huge part as deciding concepts, the look of albums and costumes.

she often jokes about how she is “old” now that barely understands japanese youth words and it’s fUNNY

her favorite mangas are jojo’s bizarre adventure ( she’s MADLY in love with araki hirohiko’s illustration ), one piece, bleach, fullmetal alchemist, etc. she also loves psycho-pass and fate series as well.

she spent her childhood in 00s japan, so it’s apparent that she has been greatly influenced by those 00s japanese pop culture. she adores 00s jpop a lot. her favorite artists are amuro namie, utada hikaru, arashi and bump of chicken.

but her visual and fashion clearly got the 90s vibes.

her favorite colors are yellow, blue and black.

she listens to wide range of music. the song she shared to social media or released cover version often goes viral on internet.

she’s good at most sports ( maybe the only one who can controll balls properly in the performance team lol ) but has no idea how to play online pc games.

she reads lots of books except self-development jenre. her favorite authors are higashino keigo, kazuo ishiguro and le guin.

cooking is her speciality! it’s her little dream to have a mini-program that she invites the guests and treats her with her homemade meal.

───　୨ৎ 　›　𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄　𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃　𝐊𝐈𝐊𝐈　.　

⸺ 𝘗𝘈𝘙𝘒 𝘔𝘐𝘕𝘑𝘐 › . 박민지

✦ ☕️ ⸝⸝ ⸺ 𝘴𝘶𝘣-𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 .

　PARK MINJI was born in 1989 in seoul, south korea. she lived in japan from age of 12 to 15 due to her parents’ work. after returning to korea and enrolling in college, she decided to go back to japan. while studying at a japanese university, minji worked as an intern at avex, a japanese record company, in 2010. it was during this time that she got involved in the collaboration project between after school and japanese singer amuro namie, which was the first time she connected with pledis.

　after graduating from college, minji joined pledis entertainment in 2012. her work initially focused on nu’est’s activities in japan, but when seventeen made its debut, she became one of the managers. minji was also in charge of all group activities for seventeen, but most of all she supported kiki, since she was the only female member of the group, and it was clear that japanese girl needed the ongoing support of the female staff.

　now she is the closest staff to kiki. as she supported her individual works, mostly acting activities in both korea and japan, minji spents a lot of time with her and recognized each other as a best friend. although seventeen’s management job is pretty hard and busy, it’s rare to see that same person remains in the team from debut. she’s one of ‘famous’ staffs like hyelim-nim, bumzu and kim yeonsoo that carats recognize.

⸺ 𝘛𝘐𝘍𝘍𝘈𝘕𝘠 𝘚𝘖𝘕𝘌 › . 曽根 ティファニー

✦ ☀️ ⸝⸝ ⸺ 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘶. 𝘴. 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 .

　TIFFANY SONE was born in 1992 in chicago, the united states. her father is a japanese, grew up in tokyo and left his hometown to purchase his career as a classic musician. later on, he got a place in the chicago symphony orchestra. he met a japanese woman in the city, which was tiffany’s mother. they divorced when tiffany was a little kid, but her father remarried a korean woman after few years later. from this moment, tiffany got interested in korean language and culture through her step mother. she studied linguistics at the college, ended up working at pr company.

　tiffany started to work at pledis around 2019. she is in charge of the group’s u.s. activities as a manager and translator. tiffany has an open mind, bright personality and great sence of humor. all members loved her for it right after they met. now she’s spending more time with kiki, due to the attention she got from overseas.

(    📁    )   :   NAVI   :  MASTER LIST     

(    tag list    )   :   @smh-anon @jennwonwoo @angie-x3 @scarlet789

[femd-archive]

THE DUMB HERO

pairing: omniscient reader's viewpoint — lee hyunsung x fem!reader

word counting: 0.9k

content warning: both hyunsung and reader are soldiers in korea's army | kinda risky sex? but not really lol | pegging | slight nipple play | reader calls hyunsung's pecs 'tits' | feminization | dumbification | hands-free cumming | mention of pregnancy | aftercare

summary: you fuck hyunsung so dumb that he thinks you got him pregnant

side note: english is not my first lenguage, so i apologize in advance for any grammar mistakes

With so little strenght, you push both of your bodies inside Hyunsung's room and close the door behind you, clumsly putting the lock on as you kept kissing your needy boyfriend.

Pulling apart, you attack Hyunsung's neck, making him bit his bottom lip. "I-I don't t-think we should do this here" he managed to say as he fights back the moans in the back of his throat.

"Why baby?" you grin against the skin of his neck. "Worried that the rookies might come back earlier? Don't worry, I send them to a 45 minutes morning run, and after that, they need to attend kitchen and laundry duties" you left another kiss on his jawline as you start to unbutton his uniform shirt. "That give us more than an hour, and I can work with that to make you feel good" you leave a little peck on his pouty lips, discarding his shirt from his body and throwing it in some part of the floor's room.

"Abuse of power" is the only thing that Hyunsung mumbles, making you chuckle as you grab him by his thick thighs.

He wraps his arms around your neck and jumps to your arms, wrapping his legs around your waist as he lets you guide the both of you to his bed and laying him in the matress.

Between lots of kisses and a few whispers of 'I love you', both of you ended up naked as you carried your pink strap-on on your hips. Hyunsung watched you with heart on his eyes as you lubed the dildo up, all while holding his legs up to his chest, waiting for you to fuck him.

"Ready, baby?" you ask, finally putting the lub bottle on the side and move between his legs. He nods cutely, making you smile and unable to resist the urge of kissing hum. Bending down, you leave a kiss on his lips which he returns. "You've been waiting for this, love?" you ask as you guide the tip of the dildo to his lubed hole.

"Yes love" he sighs dreamily, closing his eyes and throwing his head back as he feels half of it going in. "Been so good...fuck me?" he asks, looking at you with those puppy-like teary eyes. How could you say no to such a cutie?

"Gladly" you shortly answer before thrusting was left of the dildo inside of your boyfriend, smiling at the way his eyes roled back as he let out a silent gasp. "Gonna fuck you full, yeah?" you grunt, starting to move your hips on fast pace.

Soon, the room fills up with Hyunsung embarrassing moans and the sound of your thighs slapping against his ass. The bed squeaks slightly, maybe loud enough for somebody to hear if they lean over the door, but not enough to be perceive so easily.

Hyunsung wrap his strong legs around your waist, pulling you closer and not letting you go. You reach out to his pecs, squeezing them before moving your fingers to play with his nipples.

"Look at your tits baby, they're so big" you chuckle, hearing him whimper. "They would be perfect to feed babies" you simply comment before slightly slapping his right peck, resuming back your thrusts.

Through teary eyes, Hyunsung looked at you and then back at his redden tits. In his fuzzy mind, the image of forming a family with you popped surronded by flowers and rainbows. Besides the pool of pleasure that formed in his tummy, his chest also swollen with love at the thought of carrying your kids on him and, after they were born, to cradle them in his arms, breastfeeding him with his big tits.

His left hand moves to his low stomach, where his 'womb' is as you kept on fucking him.

You give the last few thrusts as you see the thick ropes of cum shot all over your boyfriend's abs and chest, smiling at his ruined state. If only his soldiers saw how pathetic their lieutenant is, but this was a sight for you only.

Leaving a kiss on his cheek, you pull out of him, earning a whimper because of the empty feeling left on him. Taking the strap-on off, you leave on the side, deciding to clean it later for you to be able to take care of your boyfriend in his state.

"You okay, baby?" you ask, leaving a kiss on his forehead as you clean the cum out of his torso.

"Mmh, feeling so full" he slurs as he softly pats his stomach, now full of your babies. "What do you want it to be? A boy or girl?" he asks, caressing his tummy with circle movements as he looks dreamily at it.

You stop your own movements for a second, looking at him in shock. He looks back at you, a loving gaze meeting yours along with his cute tired smile, and there is where it hits you. «Oh, he's completely out of it» you think to yourself, as well as something new awakens in you. It wouldn't be bad to see your adorable Hyunsung with a swollen belly walking around.

"Mmh, a boy, so I can look at a mini version of you everyday" you answer back, finishing cleaning him up and tossing the wipes into the trash can besides the bed.

"Oh ~ I also want a girl for her to have all your features, and be as beautiful as her mama" he chuckles, voice slurred and dazed.

You finish putting him on some fresh briefs before moving beside him to cuddle him under the bed sheets. "Guess we'll just gotta wait to know what it's gonna be, right?"

"Mmh, but we're gonna love them regardless of who they are" he whispers, feeling his heavy eyes finally lose to the sleep.

Hearing his soft breathing you smile, leaving another kiss on his forehead as you cuddle him closer. "That's right, love"

[taglist] @tomiokx (sorry it took me so long TT i had terrible writer's block for a while. but here it is :D hope you like it ^^)

[ironboyxs]

Unseen Hearts

Fandom: Stray Kids

Pairing: Felix x Male Reader

Word Count: 4652

Summary: Y/N is a young actor and singer on the rise who has great admiration for Stray Kids, especially a certain member with a huskier voice.

p.s. this is the first time I write about kpop on this blog, I hope you like it! In fact, I was extremely inspired because I've never written so much! and another thing: I mention a Korean ideogram in the story, I tried to do my research but my Korean is terrible, forgive any mistakes. and always remembering REQUESTS ARE OPEN, in the pinned there are the fandons for which I write

You never thought you would be in a serious relationship with a K-pop artist. Of course, you've been a fan of Korean culture since you were 13 and a friend introduced you to the concept of K-pop, dramas and all the rest.

You were lucky enough to have well-off parents who let you study Korean from the age of 13 because you had become completely obsessed with everything about Korea.

But obviously your life didn't revolve around just that, of course you went to shows whenever you could, once you even got a trip to South Korea as a gift to go to a fan meeting.

But one thing that the idol life showed you was that you also wanted to be an artist, you were in doubt between acting and music. After all, you were good at both. In school plays you always got the lead.

Your mother played the piano and from a very early age taught you everything she knew about music, so one of your hobbies, and also a form of therapy, was writing songs.

When you were 18, a family friend who worked for Netflix knew he had a casting call that was a perfect fit for you. You took the test, with zero faith that you would pass.

But it ended up happening, the series was about a fantasy world, four wizard friends fighting an evil entity, you had a lot of fun recording the first season, you made incredible friends, but you never thought the series would be successful.

Until it exploded. And it became the number 1 series on Netflix, with everyone talking about it. And obviously you and your co-stars started doing press tours.

Jimmy Fallon Show

- Hey guys! Welcome back to the Tonight Show! Today we have a very special guest, a talented young man who is having great success with the new Netflix series: Witchbound Chronicles. Let's welcome the amazing Y/N! How are you, Y/N?

- Hi Jimmy! I'm great, thanks for having me here.

- It's a pleasure to have you. Firstly, congratulations on the success of your series! What has the experience been like seeing your face everywhere?

- It's surreal, Jimmy. I never imagined things would happen so quickly. I'm just enjoying every moment.

- This is amazing! Tell us a little about the series. What can fans expect?

- Well, the series is called "Witchbound Chronicles" and it takes place in a completely new world full of magic, fantastic creatures and lots of exciting twists. I play one of the main characters, a young man named Ethan, who discovers he has incredible magical abilities.

- This looks amazing! And what was the audition process like to get the role?

- It was a little crazy, actually. I auditioned without much expectation, and when I got the call that I had gotten the role, I couldn't believe it. It was a dream come true.

- And what was it like working with the cast and crew?

- Everyone was incredible. The cast is very talented, and the team behind the cameras did an incredible job bringing this magical world to life. I learned a lot from all of them.

- I'm sure fans would love to know if there are any funny or interesting behind-the-scenes stories you can share.

- Oh, definitely! One day, we were filming a scene with intense special effects, and one of the animatronics that plays the magical creatures ended up going out of control. It was hilarious to see everyone running for cover, but in the end, everything worked out, and the scene was incredible.

- And what can we expect from the future, Y/N? More projects on the small screen or maybe even the big screen?

- Absolutely, Jimmy! I love acting, and I hope to continue exploring different roles and challenges. Who knows what the future holds, right?

- Hey Y/N, our research team made some interesting discoveries on your social media. It seems like you're a big K-pop fan, is that right?

- Oh yes, Jimmy! I'm completely obsessed with K-pop, it's one of my passions.

- This is amazing! Any specific groups or artists that you really admire?

- For sure! I'm a big fan of Stray Kids.

- Oh, and our team also noticed that you have a certain “bias” as they say in K-pop at Felix! You've been expressing your crush on Felix a lot on social media. Any funny stories or embarrassing moments related to this?

- Well, now that you mention that this is public I would say that all my posts about Felix are kind of funny and embarrassing, actually. I try to keep it light and humorous, but of course, my friends always tease me a little about it.

- That is great! And if Felix or any of the Stray Kids were watching right now, what would you say to them?

- Wow, that's a tough question. I guess I would say how much they mean to me as an artist and as a person. Their work really inspires me, and I really admire their talent.

- I hope Felix sees this and who knows, maybe you can meet one day!

Some time later, on a live that Felix was doing, a fan asked if he had seen this interview.

Chat: Felix, did you see Jimmy Fallon's interview with Y/N, the actor from the series "Witchbound Chronicles"?

- Oh yeah! I saw! It was amazing. I couldn't stop smiling throughout the entire interview.

Chat: Y/N mentioned that he's a big fan of Stray Kids and that he has a crush on you. What was your reaction when you watched this?

- Oh, really? This is so cool! I was very flattered to learn that he is a Stray Kids fan. I think it's an honor when talented people like our work.

Chat: Would you have a message to send to Y/N?

For sure! Y/N, if you're watching, thank you so much for your support! It's amazing to know that you enjoy our work, and who knows, maybe one day we can meet. Keep being amazing!

Chat: It would be great to see a collaboration between Stray Kids and the series' soundtrack, wouldn't it?

- Absolutely! We would love it! Who knows what the future holds for us, right? Let's hope something like this happens.

Meanwhile at your house

- Y/N did you watch Felix's last live? - Your sister came running to ask you.

- No, I saw the notification but I was busy so I couldn't watch it.

- You NEED to see this excerpt!

Your sister takes the phone to you with a cut from the live stream where Felix Yongbok Lee is simply talking about you, and of course you completely freak out!

- MY GOD! FELIX KNOWS I EXIST!

- Imagine if you could meet him in person?

You stop and reflect for a second

- What is it? - Your sister asks.

- My Twitter account simply has 1001 posts about how handsome and hot I think he is! I need to deprive that now!

- Wow, but it's great that he knows you have a crush on him!

- He already knows because of that stupid interview, I don't need to be embarrassed anymore! - You run out to get your cell phone.

A while later on a gossip page

“Recently Y/N S/N deprived his Twitter account and opened a new one saying that it would be his professional account. Does the young actor have something to hide?”

/-/

Months later, with the end of recording the first season of the series, and the end of the press conferences, you feel that it is time to return to music. You had loved that whole period of recording and promoting the series but you felt the urge to write about it all, to put it all in the form of music, and deep in your heart, you wanted to write about something, something that you thought was really silly. actually, but your mother always told you that music was made to express all your feelings.

Unseen Hearts

🎶 Unseen hearts, a world apart,

In the shadows, you're the spark.

A crush so sweet, yet out of reach,

Dreams we chase, lessons we teach. 🎶

- This song is AMAZING! - A music producer friend of your mother said when he heard it.

- Did you really think so? I think it's no big deal.

- Is beautiful! What was the inspiration?

- Ah, silly thing, you know... stupid youthful passion - You said with a bit of shame.

- Y/N, I know you've been wanting to combine acting and music for so long, Bobby can give you that opportunity. – Your mother said

- You have so much potential Y/N. - Said Bobby, the producer and owner of the record company you were now part of.

- Now, ideas for a music video?

The Unseen Hearts video was a success, number 1 in views on YouTube. The clip takes place in a magical setting, reminiscent of the world of the series that you are part of. Include enchanted forests, ancient ruins and mystical locations, having a sense of magic and mystery. The story of the music video centers on you, showing your magical journey in search of your unreachable crush. Throughout the clip you searche for a masked figure who wears a necklace with the Korean character:  리

Comments on Twitter

🌟 Just watched the "Unseen Hearts" music video by @Y/NActorOfficial and I'm absolutely enchanted! The magical symbolism and emotional depth in every scene got me hooked. Matt's talent is truly spellbinding! 🔮💖 #UnseenHearts #Y/NMagic

✨ The "Unseen Hearts" music video is a masterpiece! 🎬✨ Y/N's portrayal of an unattainable crush, wrapped in magical elements, is pure art. The visuals, the symbolism – everything is on point! 🌌🎶 #WitchboundChronicles #MagicalMusic

🌌 Theory time! What if the "Unseen Hearts" video is a metaphor for the struggles we face in expressing our feelings? The crush, shrouded in magic, symbolizes the elusive nature of emotions. Y/N's journey represents the pursuit of self-discovery. 🧐💭 #UnseenHeartsTheory

📜 Lyric interpretation theory: What if the lyrics in "Unseen Hearts" reflect Y/N's emotions towards Felix? The masked figure embodies the lyrical expression of an unspoken crush, with the ideogram pendant serving as a musical symbol of admiration. 🎤💔 #LyricConnection #UnseenHeartsEmotion

🎵 Melodic connection theory: The musical journey in "Unseen Hearts" might represent Y/N's emotional connection to Felix. The masked figure, with Felix's ideogram, is the elusive muse driving the rhythm of Y/N's heart. 🎭💖 #MusicalMuse #UnseenHeartsMelody

//

The Kelly Clarkson Show

- Hey guys! We're here with the talented Y/N, who recently released the amazing music video "Unseen Hearts." Y/N, first, I want to say that the music video is amazing, but everyone is wondering: what is the meaning behind it?

- Hi Kelly! First of all, thank you for the compliment. You know, "Unseen Hearts" is a magical journey, an exploration of emotions and personal challenges. I wanted to convey the idea of pursuing something that seems unattainable, but at the same time, it is an experience of self-discovery.

- Oh, this is fascinating! And many fans are curious about the character that appears in the clip. Can you tell us more about this?

- Of course, Kelly. The ideogram is an artistic representation, a kind of personal symbol. It's a way to add a layer of mystery to the story, allowing each person to find their own meaning in the song and video.

- I get it, I love this enigmatic approach! And what would you say to fans speculating about the music video?

- Well, it's amazing to see the enthusiasm of the fans and the different interpretations they are creating. The beauty of art is in its subjectivity, right? I love seeing the theories and stories that people are coming up with. It's a gift to see how music resonates in unique ways for everyone.

//

Live from Felix a few days later

Chat: Hi, Felix! Did you see Y/N's new video, "Unseen Hearts"? What did you think?

- Oh, sure! I watched it, and I have to say Y/N did an amazing job. The magical atmosphere, the emotional narrative, everything was very well done. I really liked.

Chat: And the music? Do you think it has some connection with you? After all, the character with your name appears in the clip!

- Well, it's interesting, right? I think art is interpretive, and each person can have their own vision. If music is an artistic expression, it's hard to say exactly what it means to Y/N. But I loved seeing how fans are creating their own theories and stories around it.

Chat: We are really curious! Do you think Y/N might have been inspired by you for the song?

- You know, Y/N is an incredible artist, and I'm just one of the many artists who can inspire him. I think the beauty of music is its ability to connect with different experiences and emotions. If Y/N found inspiration in something we experienced, it's an honor.

Chat: Hey Felix, we know Y/N mentioned he's a Stray Kids fan. Do you think he could have a crush on you?

- Oh, really? That's kind of funny to think about. I think it's always flattering to know that people admire our work, whether as artists or as people. And well, I don't really know about that. I'm grateful for the fans' support and affection, but personal relationships are something private, right? Let's focus on the music and Y/N's work, which is incredible.

Chat: We're just kidding, Felix! But seriously, what was it like for you to see your character in his video?

It was a pleasant surprise, for sure! Y/N is a talented artist, and it was cool to see that special touch in the video. I think he did a wonderful job of creating something unique and meaningful.

//

A few weeks later you are invited to perform at the Billboard Music Awards, it would be your first time performing Unseen Hearts in front of such a large audience, you were nervous obviously, but something made you even more nervous.

- Y/N you have no idea what I discovered! - Bobby, who was now your manager, called you excitedly.

- What was it?

- So I was organizing your participation in this year's BMAs, and you know who will be there, STRAY KIDS! They will also participate

You froze, you had followed the news, given interviews, seen Felix's live and knew that everyone already knew the obvious, you had burst out writing a song about the crush you had on a boy you saw once at a fan meeting.

- Y/N… are you there? - Bobby asked from the other side.

- I'm sorry, I just got a little distracted.

- I thought you would be more excited.

- Yes, I'm excited, of course, it's going to be really cool - You said a little disconcerted.

- Now are you ready for the big news?

- My God, is there more?

- It has! So the organization was talking to me, and they asked me if you would be willing to sit at the same table as them, you know, you speak Korean, so you can help the members who don't speak it to fit in.

- BOBBY WHAT DID YOU ANSWER?

- I confirmed your place with them of course, I thought you would love it!

- ARE YOU TELLING ME I'M GOING TO COME FACE TO FACE WITH THE GUY I WROTE A SONG ABOUT?????

- Wait, was the song really about Felix?

- My God Bobby, I thought you were my manager and paid attention to the nuances.

You wanted to pass out obviously.

//

Billboard Music Awards Day - Red carpet.

- Hi Matt! We are excited to see your performance today. What can we expect from this presentation?

- Hello! I'm looking forward to the night, it's going to be amazing. The performance will be full of energy, with a touch of magic and emotion. I hope everyone enjoys it!

- Good luck! Now, we've heard rumors that you and Stray Kids have a special connection. Any future collaborations on the horizon?

- Well, I'm a big fan of Stray Kids, they're so talented. Who knows what the future holds? I'm always open to surprising collaborations. - You say with a bright smile

- Hmm, intriguing! And regarding the "Unseen Hearts" video, many fans speculate about the inspiration behind it. Any subliminal messages?

- Ah, "Unseen Hearts" is an emotional journey, an exploration of personal feelings and challenges. Fan interpretations are fascinating, and I like to leave the song open to different meanings.

- What about the ideograms? We saw Felix from Stray Kids in the video. Any special meaning? - The interviewer asks with an insinuating smile

- Ideograms are like artistic elements, each one can find its own meaning. Sometimes it's just a way to add a special touch to the visual narrative. - You say, wanting to curse yourself for when you had the brilliant idea of putting one of the ideograms of Felix's name in the music video

Interview with Stray Kids

- And we're here with Stray Kids! You guys are killing it as always. We're curious to know, are there any secret collaborations you have in mind? Maybe something with our dear Y/N, who is also here today?

- Well, you know, we are always open to new musical experiences. Y/N is an amazing artist, so who knows what could happen in the future? - Felix responds.

- Interesting! And speaking of collaborations, we saw Felix's character in Y/N's "Unseen Hearts" video. Any idea what this could mean?

- It seems like Y/N wanted to add a special touch to the video. I don't know if there's a deeper meaning, but it's an honor to be included in his art in some way. - Felix says smiling

- What if we talk about the music itself? Any thoughts on "Unseen Hearts"? - The interviewer says wanting to provoke.

- Of course, we all watched the clip and were impressed. The song has a unique vibe, and Y/N's performance is engaging. It's great to see artists exploring different styles. - Bang Chan responds

- It seems like there are a lot of secrets being kept! Speaking of secrets, do you have any future projects that you haven't revealed yet?

- Well, we never reveal all our secrets, do we? You can expect more surprises in the future. - Hyunjin responds, ending the interview.

//

Later, after the red carpet, you have to face reality and go to your seat next to the members of Stray Kids. You're dying of embarrassment, not only because you meet artists you admire so much, but because you know what the topic of the moment is.

You greet everyone in Korean, trying to be as polite as possible, they are all incredibly kind to you.

When it's time to sit down, it's as if fate hates you, and of course your seat was next to Felix.

- I really enjoyed your series on Netflix. - Felix said trying to start a conversation.

- Serious? Didn't you find it a little too fanciful?

- It's too fanciful, but I like things like that, it's really cool.

- Thank you very much - You said blushing.

He looked incredibly handsome that night, you were trying very hard not to stare.

- I really liked Unseen Hearts too, it's a beautiful song.

- Oh thank you, but it doesn't even compare to your work, I'm still quite an amateur. - You always had this habit of diminishing yourself.

- Hey don't say that, your work is incredible. - He takes a strand of your hair and puts it back. - Your eyes are very E/C

He immediately takes his hand out of your hair and apologizes. There was a slight awkward atmosphere but the touch of his fingers in your hair were still there. “You’re not living a fanfic, focus on reality”, you forced yourself to think.

You didn't want to do it but you had to, you didn't want them to keep bothering the boy because of the damn ideogram in the clip.

- Look at the clip, and the ideogram, I'm sorry they keep disturbing you with this, I saw some of your lives and how embarrassed you were.

- Hey no, I thought it was really cool! Was it really a reference for me?

You look down, well, there was no point in lying anymore, right? At least you would leave with the knowledge that your idol would never see you as anything more

- Yes, it was, but you know we all have crushes on famous people, don't worry, it doesn't mean anything big.

- What a shame - He said looking down

What? - You were shocked.

- I wouldn't mind, you know, if it was a genuine crush.

You didn't have time to respond because Bobby came to call you to say that you needed to get ready for your presentation. You ran away with your heart racing, what did that mean, what did Felix mean?

//

- Ladies and gentlemen, singing Unseen Hearts Y/N S/N

On the Billboard Music Awards stage, the "Unseen Hearts" moment begins with you positioned center stage, radiating a magnetic presence. The mesmerizing melody fills the room, creating a magical atmosphere that captures everyone's attention.

The scenery is full of fantastic elements, as you immerse yourself in the performance, conveying the emotion of the music through each note. The audience, enveloped by the magic of the presentation, watches attentively.

During the performance, the camera occasionally cuts to the audience, where Felix from Stray Kids is sitting. His eyes meet at various moments, creating a visual connection that transcends the stage. You, while singing, exchange intense glances with Felix in the audience, conveying deep emotions and a unique harmony.

The exchange of glances is loaded with meaning, as if you were sharing your story not only with the audience, but also with Felix. Every facial expression reflects the intensity of the song, as your eyes meet Felix's, conveying a silent, emotional narrative.

At the end of the performance, the audience bursts into applause, recognizing the beauty and emotion of the performance. You, as you come down from the stage, exchange a final look with Felix, a moment that remains suspended in the air before being lost in the effervescence of the applause.

On twitter

🌟 The exchange of looks between Y/N and Felix during "Unseen Hearts" at the #BBMAs was simply magical! This emotional connection transcended the stage. ✨🎶 #UnseenHeartsMagic

😍 I can't get over the intensity of the looks between Y/N and Felix during the performance! Their chemistry is palpable, and "Unseen Hearts" became even more special. 🔥💖 #BBMAs # Y/N xFelixMoment

🧙‍♂️ I'm absolutely delighted with the performance of "Unseen Hearts" at the #BBMAs. The looks between Y/N and Felix added an extra layer of magic to the performance! 🌈🔮 #EnchantedConnection

🎭 "Unseen Hearts" at the #BBMAs was an emotional journey! The looks between Y/N and Felix brought a unique depth to the presentation. A masterpiece of connection and magic. 🌌🎶 #MysticalPerformance

🤩 The performance of "Unseen Hearts" at the #BBMAs was a visual and emotional spectacle! Y/N and Felix exchanging looks made everything even more captivating. 😊💫 #KPopMagicMoment

😭 I cried at the beauty of the performance of "Unseen Hearts". The intensity of the looks between Y/N and Felix is heartbreaking. A unique emotional experience. 💔🌟 #BBMAs #EmotionalJourney

🎶 The chemistry between Y/N and Felix during "Unseen Hearts" at the #BBMAs is something that cannot be described in words. A perfect fusion of music, emotion and connection. Angry! 👏🌈 #MusicalAlchemy

🌀 "Unseen Hearts" at #BBMAs left my soul vibrating. The looks between Y/N and Felix transcended the stage, creating a unique and magical experience. 🔮✨ #MysticVibes #UnseenHeartsVibes

//

You couldn't believe what had just happened, you had performed Unseen Hearts in front of hundreds of people but it was as if you could only see Felix, you were completely embarrassed by it. How could you be so unprofessional to stare at the boy like that? What would they say about you? What would they say about him?

A knock on the dressing room door makes you stand up. It was the boys from Stray Kids and you quickly rushed to open it.

- Y/N, man, you just killed it on stage! It was amazing! - Bang Chan says hugging you.

You're grateful for the compliment, but a wave of self-consciousness hits you. Did they notice your distraction? Did they notice the prolonged glances in Felix's direction?

- Oh, thanks, Chan! I'm glad you liked it. - You say smiling, trying to hide it.

- Did you see the audience? Everyone was mesmerized. It looks like you worked some real magic up there! - Jeongin says.

Everyone laughs, and you join in the laughter, trying to keep your self-critical thoughts away.

- Y/N, that performance was incredible. You brought such a unique energy to the song. - Felix says with a shy smile.

- And I think our friend here needs to speak to you in private. - Changbin says leading the others to leave the room.

Okay, you thought: now he's going to say that what I did was horrible, that it could cause gossip and horrible repercussions for his career. And so you will have ruined the mere chance of having a friendship with someone you admire.

But his response was very different from what you imagined.

- Yeah… I wanted to ask… if you want to go out with me, do you know after the awards?

The initial perplexity is replaced by a mixture of relief and surprise. You expected the worst, but here Felix is, not mentioning anything about the intense stares, but rather extending an invitation to hang out.

- Wow, of course, I would love to! It would be amazing. - You smile trying to hide your surprise.

Felix seems to relax a little, like he's relieved by his answer.

- Great so! Will be cool. The awards are going to be incredible, but I think after that we can relax a little, what do you think?

- I will love it!

- Excellent! See you after the awards, then. - He says with a dazzling smile

He turns to leave the dressing room, and you stay there, processing the unexpected turn of events. What seemed like a potential uncomfortable situation turned into an invitation to hang out. Perhaps the intense looks were perceived differently by Felix.

Later that night…

"Y/N from 'Unseen Hearts' and Felix from Stray Kids spotted holding hands after the Billboard Music Awards!"

"The beginning of a new ship? Y/N and Felix, moments of romance after the awards."

"Fans are ecstatic over photos of Y/N and Felix together. Could this be the start of a new friendship or something more?"

And on Twitter…

😱 Holding hands? This is real? Y/N and Felix together? I'm freaking out! 😍🥰 # #Y/NxFelix  #UnseenHeartsLove

🚢 Is a new ship being born? The internet needs to know! 😏🚀 # Y/Nlix #ShipSpeculation

🌟 The friendship between Y/N and Felix is so beautiful! We loved seeing the two together. 🤝💖 #FriendshipGoals # Y/NAndFelix

🧐 Holding hands? Are we all witnessing the beginning of something special? 🤔🌈 # Y/NAndFelix #SpeculationsRising

📸 Exclusive photos of Matt and Felix leaving the event. Are we seeing the birth of a new partnership? 🤝💫 #CelebrityNews # Y/NFelixMoments

📚 What do you think of a fanfic based on these photos? 😏💕 # Y/NlixFanfic #ShippingDreams

And so maybe Unseen Hearts weren't so unseen...

[andy-wm]

I have thoughts about the Tiktok JK deleted

<<I realise its a few days ago now and you might be wondering 'what tiktok?' but I've been writing in snatches when I have a few minutes so it took a while. Anyway, here it is...>>

A few posts I've read have suggested JK did the silly>sexy Tiktok challenge backwards. That he did sexy>silly instead. That he was being random and funny.

I disagree.

What he did was unexpected, a little left of centre, and for the people who can read subtext, not random at all but very very clever.

I'll tell you why, (It may not be what you think) but first I need to vent about two things:

1. Give the man some credit. He knows what he's doing.

There are some who love JK but who see him as a naive innocent. He is not. He isn't a child or a himbo.

Saying he did the challenge just because it's trending, and he reversed the order of the content for a bit of a joke, is insulting to him as an artist. It would suggest he has no forethought or understanding of himself or his (global) audience, and his decisions are made on impulse with no idea of the consequences.

He's very intelligent and has plenty of experience with digital media and creating content. Besides being involved in producing complex visual narratives as part of BTS for the last ten years, he has directed and produced seven highly polished and professional GFC videos. And don't forget the MVs for Life Goes On. For the October issue of Vogue Korea he took on the role of Creative Director. That's a pretty big deal. So we can assume he knows what he's doing.

If he produces content in a particular way, it's because it enables him to communicate what he wants to communicate.

2. You may not understand the message. That doesn't mean there's nothing to understand.

A heads up to people who can't work it out... your inability to grasp meaning doesn't equate to 'no meaning exists'. Suggesting that people who recognise what he's doing are reaching or delusional is an insult to both the audience who can read this situation, and to Jungkook, who is sharing his message.

Consider a system of writing you can't decode. Lack of comprehension doesnt mean the writing is meaningless, it means you don't understand the language.

Even if you believe you understand what's being said, please recognise that context may play a role too, that it could reveal a richer and deeper message. Don't just assume the easiest (laziest) interpretation is correct.

(You may have guessed, someone suggested I was 'behaving like the cult' when I pointed out that JK's tiktok was more than being funny ... and now I'm mad 🤣)

Vent over. Now back to he topic at hand...

💜💛

What was he was really doing? And why is it not at all random?

Let's take a step back to recall what army has been saying about this...

Almost every interpretation i read suggests he reversed the order (silly>sexy becomes sexy>silly). The reason given is that his tiktok only makes sense if the order is reversed, and this idea is backed up by the caption saying "I go the other way".

But the 'reversed order' theory is based on a hereronormative perspective of what's sexy (and a stereotypical perspective of silly.)

So consider the content of his tiktok from a queer point of view...

For a man in a relationship with another man, the idea that he's with all those women is silly.

It's silly to believe he's got a girlfriend - or several. It's silly to think the womens' names in the song are relevant to him.

He posted this tiktok at a time when he's releasing music that fits the western pop norm of boy + girl, and when rumours of him dating several women at once are rife. The timing is not a coincidence and nor is the choice of background song for this.

All these assumptions and rumours are pretty silly, JK is telling us.

Now let's talk about the second part, the sexy part. Yes it may look silly on the surface, but we have seen him and Jimin make dorky faces at one another when they're flirting. It seems to be the visual equivalent of calling Jimin 'Jiminssssi'.

It's just another way they create distance and avoid 'getting caught'.

Maybe sexy for Jungkook actually is lying on the couch in your sweatpants making corny faces at your boyfriend.

Remember that he puts out 'stereotypical sexy' on command as part of his job so maybe that doesn't feel very sexy to him. Maybe that's work.

In my view (I know this is subject to interpretation) they've been together for years now. This is not the first flush of love. When you've been with a partner for a while, sex is (hopefully) more fun and less serious. Maybe it's about having the confidence to be wholly unselfconscious.

(My partner makes a Pepé Le Pew face at me when he's goofing. No, i don't know why either... 🤣🤷)

But wait, what about that caption?

What about 난반대로 간다?

My beautiful Korean friend (who sadly has zero interest or care about jikook) confirmed the literal translation:

"I go the other way"

"I take the opposite direction".

It's not "it goes the other way" or "this goes the opposite direction". He's referring specifically to HIMSELF.

Jungkook goes the other way.

But it's more than that according to my friend.

It's a bold statement:

"I don't follow the mainstream."

It reminds me of his tattoo ...

RATHER BE DEAD THAN COOL

He doesn't do things just because everyone else is doing them.

"I don't follow the mainstream."

OK. HOLD UP.

This is where it gets interesting.

Then why would he do something as mainstream as a trending tiktok challenge? Especially something as vapid as this challenge?

And why would he tell us DURING that Tiktok challenge that he DOESN'T follow the mainstream?

And then delete it.

Creating content takes time.

And we know he's a busy man.

He's about to release an album. He's doing live performances. He's prerecording for music shows. He's overseas right now... for the fourth time in a month! Does he have time for this??

And he DELETED it...

Did he just WASTE all that time?

No, he did not.

He deliberately chose to do this.

He did it knowing ARMY studies every action, every video, and every media release.

He did it knowing ARMY would already have copied the video before he took it off his profile.

He said on Stationhead that he knows ARMY has it, and is sharing and posting it. He's FINE with that.

So he took the time to create and upload that video. He wants it out there.

He just doesn't want it on HIS page. That's an important part of the story.

So lets go back to the caption.

"I take the opposite direction"

"I go the other way"

"I don't follow the mainstream."

*Said boldly* remember. It's a loud statement, captioning an otherwise pointless very mainstream trending challenge.

So if he's not referring to tiktok itself, or to uploading challenges, what could he be referring to?

...

...

There's only one thing left: Himself.

I take the opposite direction

I go the other way

I don't follow the mainstream

Essentially... I swing the other way.

There's no way a queer man would make that statement and not fully recognise the message he's sending.

As for deleting the video, I'd say he knew it was too risky to leave on his profile, being a celebrity in Korea. He's managing his brand. Deleting it also gives him plausible deniability. He can say he made an error. As I said, he's very intelligent. He knows ARMY will see it and share it. He knows that those of us with a queer eye will hear the message loud and clear.

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈 And we do hear it. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

[gatheringbones]

[“It can be difficult for people raised as girls to express rage when we’ve been taught from very early on that it is in our best interest to suppress our anger. It is culturally acceptable for women to be sad, not angry. In one study on gender, anger, and the workplace, the participants conferred higher status to sad female employees than to angry ones. For men the opposite was true. Men, particularly white men, are rewarded and forgiven for their anger, while women are penalized and blamed.

Ceci, the mestiza paralegal, now lives in Los Angeles with her husband, five-year-old son, and twenty-two-year-old stepdaughter. She described herself using the exact language of a woman who was taught by the culture not to value or express her anger: “I’m a people pleaser. I don’t rock the boat. I go along with everything, do what people tell me.” This is the path of being a good girl, a good woman, and eventually a good mother. Lifelong gendered learning teaches people raised to be women to push down anger and any feelings in the “sub-anger” ballpark, such as annoyance, irritation, and frustration. I imagine this emotional push-down like the carnival game whack-a-mole. Each time an uncomfortable or unpleasant anger-related feeling pops up—whack!—women automatically bang it with a big-headed mallet, sending it back beneath the surface.

Like the rage itself, this game of anger whack-a-mole is an international phenomenon for women. In Korea, there is a culture-related anger syndrome called hwa-byung. It translates literally to “illness of fire” and mostly affects working-class middle-aged housewives, who have chronically suppressed anger stemming from strict gender roles, gender-based inequality, and patriarchal family structures. In traditional Latin American folk medicine, it is believed that holding onto certain emotions can cause physical illness. In Northeast Brazil, the term engolir sapos translates to “swallowing frogs,” and is mostly used by women to refer to the suppression of anger and irritation, and the pressure to tolerate unfair treatment without complaint.

Cheryl, the Black civil rights lawyer who internalizes her mom rage, is practiced at playing whack-a-mole with her anger: “I’m good at repressing things. So, a little problem, I repress it, and it gets packed on top of all the other things that make me mad, until there’s no way to untangle it. It’s just this huge tangle of anger that I’m trying to disassociate from all the time.” In our present-day culture of busy, intensive motherhood, stuffing down unpleasant emotions can be a matter of practicality. Minutes are a precious resource, and airing every frustration is a time expense that modern mothers cannot afford. Emails must be sent, dinner needs to get into bellies, and bodies need to snuggle under covers. But the perceived time-saver of the Emotional Whack-a-Mole phase is a mirage. Every time a mom suppresses her angry feelings, as she’s been taught to do her entire life, she is pushing them onto an ever-growing pile of anger inside her. Eventually, the pile will topple.”]

minna dubin, from mom rage: the everyday crisis of modern motherhood, 2023

[room-surprise]

EXTERNAL FICTIONAL INFLUENCES IN DUNGEON MESHI

We know that Ryoko Kui spent considerable time at the beginning of working on Dungeon Meshi doing research and planning the series. Kui constantly references real world culture, history and mythology, but she also occasionally references other fictional works and fantasy genre staples, as well as real-world philosophy.

FICTIONAL INFLUENCES: FANTASY, RPGS AND VIDEO GAMES

There are three major fictional influences on Dungeon Meshi that Kui cites: the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, Dungeons & Dragons, and the Wizardry video game series.

All of these works borrow heavily from the real world themselves (and both D&D and Wizardry borrow from Tolkien), so in many cases similarities between them and Dungeon Meshi are simply the result of Kui going back to the same ancient source material as her predecessors. Other times the ideas Kui is influenced by are things that have become so entrenched in pop culture they are ubiquitous in the fantasy genre, so though the idea may technically originate in Tolkien, D&D, or Wizardry, Kui may not be purposefully borrowing from them.

J.R.R. TOLKIEN

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) was an English writer and philologist, a scholar of linguistics. He was the author of the high fantasy works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien’s work has had such a huge impact on culture that most fantasy fiction created after him borrows either intentionally or unintentionally from his work. Kui stated in a Q&A in Korea that Lord of the Rings is one of her favorite fantasy stories.

Elements in Dungeon Meshi that originate in Tolkein are: Hobbits (halflings) and how they are depicted, the idea that elves and dwarves are two distinct races in conflict with each other as well as some of their identifying traits, and the fictional metal, mithril.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game originally created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson in 1974. The game was derived from miniature wargames, and was heavily influenced by the work of Tolkien and other Western fantasy authors such as Jack Vance. D&D was the beginning of modern role-playing games, and had a huge impact on video games and fantasy fiction in all media.

Because of this, obviously D&D came up a lot when Kui was researching the history of fantasy, so she read the rule books, replay novels, and studied some other games inspired by D&D.

The biggest single contributions D&D has made to pop culture is the concept of a dungeon as a place where characters in a story go to explore, fight enemies, find treasure, and gain power or glory, and that a group of people with different specialized skills will join each other as a “party” in order to traverse a dungeon.

The important thing to note here is that “dungeon” only exists in the title of Dungeon Meshi in Japanese, and using the word “dungeon” in the main text of the story is a change made in translation. In Japanese, the characters only refer to the dungeons as labyrinths, which is a word with a specific historic and mythological meaning, completely different from what fantasy fiction dungeons have come to mean.

So although Kui takes advantage of the word “dungeon,” and the unique connotations it’s grown due to D&D, it’s usage is completely external to the world and culture of Dungeon Meshi, it is a title for readers outside of the Dungeon Meshi world, not the characters within it.

Elements in Dungeon Meshi that originate in D&D are: the word and concept of “dungeon”, some monster concepts, such as different colored dragons having different magical/elemental abilities, and having eastern archetypes such as samurai, ninja and martial artists existing alongside western archetypes like knights and wizards. Kui mentions “dark elves”, which are something that D&D invented, however Kui states that they don’t exist in Dungeon Meshi, and that “dark elf” is just a slur non-elves use for elves they think are bad.

WIZARDRY

The computer role-playing game named Wizardry was released in 1981. Heavily influenced by Dungeons & Dragons, Wizardry in turn influenced many other games, and fantasy fiction in general. The series is particularly popular in Japan, to the point where many Wizardry games were made for the Japanese market exclusively, and many modern Japanese fantasy works can directly trace their roots to Wizardry.

Kui watched her father play the original Wizardry when she was a child, and she cites Wizardry VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge specifically as a major source of inspiration for Dungeon Meshi.

Elements in Dungeon Meshi that originate in Wizardry are: kobolds being dog-men (I’ll provide a more detailed explanation in Chapter 8), the idea of returning to the dungeon to revive someone who had died on a previous journey, and the difficulty and danger of teleportation magic.

Although many of the concepts that inspired Kui are not unique to Wizardry, Wizardry is most likely where Kui first encountered them. For example, there is a plotline in Wizardry VI that has some elements in common with Dungeon Meshi: a lost/abandoned kingdom run by immortals driven insane by their immortality, including a wizard who is controlling the kingdom with the infinite knowledge he gained from the Cosmic Forge pen. The Cosmic Forge pen is also similar to the demon in Dungeon Meshi, since both can grant wishes, and they both have a secret price for using them.

However, I think the most interesting things Wizardry inspired in Dungeon Meshi are less concrete, for example the game mechanics involved in teleportation, or returning to the dungeon to revive a dead party member.

The first Wizardry game was infamous for its extreme difficulty. In the event of their entire party being killed, gameplay could not be resumed; however, players could create a new party, start the game over, and use their new party to recover the bodies and items of their previous one, and revive their old characters if they wished. Doing this was extremely tedious and difficult, but it was also a common part of gameplay, so it’s easy to imagine a young Kui watching her father do it at least once, and that it left a strong impression on her.

Another thing that would have left a strong impression is the way teleportation worked in the original Wizardry. The game lacked an automap feature, which forced players to manually draw a map for every level on graph paper while they played, this was so essential that the publishers included graph paper in the game box. In order to successfully teleport, the player had to enter both the level and target coordinates from their self-drawn map, and so it was easy to get killed by accidentally teleporting into a trap or into a wall.

This sort of careful observation and planning seems like something Kui is fascinated by, as she often shows this kind of attention to detail in Dungeon Meshi, and she repeatedly addresses the risk of teleportation magic, and the value of making maps and carefully documenting your surroundings and experiences in the dungeon.

(This is an excerpt from my essay on cultural and linguistic references in Dungeon Meshi)

[atiny-for-life]

Creative Spotlight #2: Park Seonghwa

Masterlist

Intro: With so many new Atinys coming in, I figured now would be a good time to shed some light on all the boys' creative solo projects over the years, big and small.

ASMR

Lover of ASMR Seonghwa started his own ASMR series following a one-off video back in 2020:

Titled Mars ASMR, the series kicked off in 2020...

... with the most recent one being released 2 years ago:

In 2021, he also appeared on M2's K-Pop ASMR series, Tingle Interview, with Hongjoong (Seonghwa did a great job, of course, while Hongjoong tried his best... buddy was just a little lost sometimes):

Seonghwa was also featured on his favorite ASMR YouTuber's channel, Soy ASMR, with Wooyoung (once again, he did a great job - Wooyoung on the other hand kept trying not to laugh or seem weirded out until she brought out the snacks and told him eating could be an ASMR thing - then he was fully on board):

Imitation Soundtrack

While playing a smaller role, Seonghwa was also a part of the Imitation cast, together with Yunho, San, and Jongho, and thus a member of the fictional group Sparkling, which means we get to see him perform on several occasions throughout the show.

They toned down their actual skills significantly for the sake of looking like rookies on the show, but damn, if you were around at the time Imitation was airing, you'll know how iconic these songs were for the fandom (more on that on the other three's posts):

Cover Songs

Released in 2021, Seonghwa released a cover of Lauv's The Story Never Ends set to a vertical black and white video with the instrumental arranged by Hongjoong which was super clean and pretty and builds both instrumentally and vocally in the last third with layered harmonies:

In 2022, Seonghwa dropped a cover of Pink Sweat$'s At My Worst, recorded and mixed by Buddy, and sharing many baby pictures in the video since it was a birthday present for himself and us. It's a very cozy and sweet song:

Last year, he came back with Troye Sivan's Angel Baby, recorded and mixed by Maddox and arranged by Hongjoong:

The video has the vibe of getting brought along on Seonghwa’s travels while we get to listen to warm and comforting vocals. He's being very playful and cute throughout the clips, matching the cozy energy of the song. If you were looking for a comfort video on a draining day, this is it.

Fashion

Seonghwa made his Paris Fashion Week debut on September 27th, 2024, styled in designs by Isabel Marant the day after hinting at his appearance there via his Instagram stories. He's now the fourth Ateez member to participate in Fashion Week, alongside San, Hongjoong, and Wooyoung.

Pictures of his outfit were shared by him on his Instagram and his appearance was also included in the guest list reported on by Vogue since he was invited to "an intimate dinner Thursday night, [hosted by Isabel Marant], celebrating both the brand’s 30th anniversary and its first return to Los Angeles in ten years".

His outfit for the main show was now also posted on his Instagram.

On October 23rd, 2024, the Behind the Scenes video for his appearance here was released in the form of a half-hour vlog which kicks off in Korea before he heads on the plane.

While in the car in Paris, he tells us about how hard all the staff worked to ensure he'd be able to attend and make his dream come true, which includes the retelling of a conversation he had with the CEO of KQ (Ateez's dad) so, of course, Seonghwa had to imitate his voice as always:

As a proud member of "clothes have no gender" Ateez, we also get to see him make the conscious choice to wear something from the women's side of the collection (and we love him for it):

While in Paris, we get to see him talk to the staff, wear several unique outfits we've also seen on his Instagram before, and, finally, attend the show itself where he evidently had a lot of fun. The video ends in his hotel room where he expresses his gratitude to the members and Atiny in an emotional speech which was very sweet but also somewhat sad since he doesn't seem to fully acknowledge his own efforts:

[shineemoon]

ONEW•JONGHYUN•KEY•MINHO•TAEMIN… '15th Anniversary' SHINee's 'RACE'

Since the debut in 2008, SHINee has been considered a role model for many K-pop artists as both a group and solo artists. Not only did all the members release solo albums, but they also have a solid career in various fields such as entertainment, acting, musicals, and fashion. SHINee, who has been developing personal skills not only through the team but also through solo activities, announced that they will reunite to mark the 15th anniversary of their debut this year. While high expectations are being placed on the synergy that 'Complete SHINee' will show, we looked back at SHINee's brilliant solo career.

Unrivaled ‘VOICE’ Onew. Onew, who sang many drama OSTs and collaboration songs, released his first solo album ‘VOICE’ in December 2018, which was filled with his own lyrical music, once again proving his warm tone and outstanding singing ability. He solidified his position as a unique vocalist by presenting a fresh and refreshing charm with ‘DICE’ and a healing song that comforts the listeners with his first regular album ‘Circle’ Last March, he held his solo concerts in Korea and Japan, thrilling his global fans with a high-quality performance that combines colorful music, performance, and scent production. He also played the role of Haram in the musical 'Midnight Sun' and received favorable reviews for his delicate portrayal of his shy character. Unchanging team's ‘BASE’ Jonghyun Jonghyun, who was recognized for his solid skills early on with his refreshing vocals, has released his first solo album ‘BASE’, his first collection 'Story Op.1', his first full-length album 'She Is', his second collection 'Story Op.2' and his second full-length album 'Poet | Artist', the albums that show a wide spectrum of music have received enthusiastic responses from music fans. In addition, he participated in the lyrics and composition of various songs that cross genres, such as his solo album songs, SHINee's hit songs 'Juliette' and 'View', Taemin's 'Pretty Boy', and EXO's 'PLAYBOY'. For about three years from 2014, he communicated with listeners every night as a radio DJ and gave warm comfort, and he was active in various fields such as publishing the novel “Skeleton Flower: Things That Have Released and Set Free”.

Always new ��FACE’ Key Key is showing off his versatility in music, entertainment, fashion, etc. to the extent that he is called 'all-around cheat key'. He opened wide the door as a solo artist with his first full-length album 'FACE', and with the so-called 'retro trilogy' leading to his first mini-album 'BAD LOVE', his 2nd full-length album 'Gasoline' and repackage 'Killer', he presented music and performances with a unique charm that can be heard. In addition, Key is displaying an excellent sense of entertainment in popular entertainment programs such as tvN's 'Amazing Saturday' and MBC's 'I Live Alone'. Accordingly, it was realized that he was receiving high public attention by winning the Male Excellence Award in the variety category at the '2022 MBC Broadcasting Entertainment Awards', and winning the '2022 Brand Customer Loyalty Awards' and the '2022 Brand of the Year Awards' for two consecutive years in the entertainment idol male category. Challenges with passion ‘CHASE’ Minho Minho, a 'passionate character' in the music industry, has played a prominent role in various entertainment shows, including sports variety programs since his debut, combining his superior physique, passion that burns like a flame, wit and sense. He also showed his smooth hosting skills as an entertainment MC, including various award ceremonies and the original TVing ‘Webtoon Singer’. In addition, Minho showed a variety of performances across the spectrum through dramas such as tvN's ‘The Most Beautiful Goodbye’ and Netflix series ‘The Fabulous’, as well as movies 'Inrang' and ‘Jangsari: Forgotten Heroes’. In December last year, he released his first mini-album ‘CHASE’ filled with hip-hop and R&B genres with his own emotions, filling the last puzzle piece of SHINee's solo album. K-pop ‘ACE’ Taemin Taemin announced his solo debut as the first member of SHINee with his first mini-album ‘ACE’ in 2014. With the hit songs ‘MOVE’ and ‘WANT’, he caused the so-called ‘Move’ and 'WANT' syndrome and won awards in the album and best dance performance solo categories at various awards ceremonies. In addition, Taemin is loved by fans all over the world for his excellent vocals and powerful performance skills, as he has various modifiers such as 'Yeoksolnam (all-time solo male singer)' and 'Taemdol (Taemin is also a role model)'. He has established himself as an irrefutable "ACE" of K-pop by proving his powerful global power by successfully completing his first arena tour 17 times in six cities across Japan in 2019.

SHINee is set to release a new full-length album to mark the 15th anniversary of their debut this year. (Source: xportsnews)

[starryalpacasstuff]

A Gay Korean Musical? My youtube fyp knows me so well

Today, my youtube fyp popped up with something interesting

A gay korean musical? Naturally, I had to know more.

I did some digging (most of which was simply letting the youtube algorithm do it's thing—it's usually annoying but rather useful for these purposes) and it's called Bare the Musical, and it actually appears to be a remake of an American musical of the same name (although there's apparently two version, Bare: a pop opera and Bare the musical. I do not know what the difference is, but tumblr is telling me it is significant).

Though there's no subtitles for the performances, I could gather that the story seems to be about two boys in high school who are secretly dating, one of whom is popular while the other is a loner, the latter feeling pushed away and insecure at times. It also seemed to me that religion plays a role in the whole story. And according to the internet, it seems I'm mostly right. Article about it is here and the original american musical does have a fandom on tumblr, which I surfed briefly.

However. HOWEVER. The play ends sadly, with one of the main leads dying. The bury your gays trope continues to haunt us. I honestly cannot concisely explain my disappointment when I found out, although I wasn't particularly surprised. So there's that. I don't know the plot of the musical so I'm not able to judge whether the ending was appropriate, but it was a bit of a let down regardless.

Something interesting is that the musical premiered back in 2015 (I think?), and it seems to be still going, like there's clips of it from a couple of months ago, having changed casts multiple times, which is pretty standard for musicals from what I know. While I don't know much about musical lifespans and stuff, this does imply that the play has enough traction in Korea for it to be revived multiple times over, which is intriguing, I suppose.

Anyways, I don't know much about anything surrounding this topic at all, but I thought I'd share, and if you have any insights, please do add on! More clips below (they're all fairly wholesome, I didn't find any of the darker ones and I'm not particularly inclined to go looking). They are rather delightful, so I do recommend checking a few out.

Practice clip from the official channel of the company

Performance clip of the song in the practice

Another song

One more for fun! It's the longest one I found

[gacha-incels]

@frozenemus I want to eventually do a larger and much more researched post regarding misogynist men who are drawn to these types of games: socially, psychologically, financially and historically especially in South Korea. I don’t want to wait that long to reply here so I’ll let you know my thoughts so far which are by no means going to be a comprehensive look at everything.

Yes, I think these games pander to what this type of man already believes about women and this is why they will flock to them. The “gacha game” medium comforts him with the always-available cartoon woman who can literally be “won” (not through confusing things like treating them with respect but rather money),will never leave (until EoS), obeys all his orders (through gameplay), and always looks perfect (because she is drawn that way).

I believe these games and in effect all mainstream pop/entertainment media (among other things) serve to uphold the status quo in one way or another. This is not a phenomenon unique to gacha games themselves. Media like this can have a significant affect on its population, which is why you will see the US military finance so many films, tv shows and videogames. I don’t think any singular pop media can do something as drastic as completely change a population’s opinion regarding an issue, but rather it can flatter its audience by showing them an easy lie rather than confront an uncomfortable truth, which in turn serves to solidify certain concepts in a society. This media often reflects back onto the consumer a stereotype or dichotomy they feel safe with, which in turn creates a kind of feedback loop of comfortable falsity that becomes enshrined as truth. This can be something as seemingly benign as replacing an actual eagle’s cry with that of a hawk’s because that’s what the audience “expects to hear” or more sinisterly the “third world filter” used in many North American productions when showing scenes in a country viewers “expect” to be in poverty. There’s been a lot written within the past couple years regarding “copaganda” entertainment which exemplifies a lot of this type of thing. Similarly I believe it’s been studied that when in times of big changes or economy crashes, more sequel movies will be made and toy store aisles will have an extremely stark divide between “boy’s toys” and “girl’s toys”. It’s in part to comfort the society that fears the unknown future with both saccharine nostalgia and familiar dichotomies with clear and dividing gender roles to fit into. You don’t have to think or be worried- it’s all been decided already so just get in the box.

The medium of “gacha game” itself I believe is the first thing that should be considered- the first message conveyed to the consumer is what medium the “artist” chooses to tell their story. In a whole host of ways, interacting with a book is different than a play which is different than a movie, etc. You can find, for instance, older books where directors write about the need to recognize and utilize the unique facets of film to get meaning across rather than fall back on the familiar and easy stageplay of the theater. Off the top of my head, I think Tarkovsky, Cocteau and Maya Deren have written about it in their books, and a more contemporary book I especially liked was Doug Aitken’s “Broken Screen” interviews. Anyway you’ve probably read or heard of Marshall McLuhan’s “the medium is the massage”(message), it’s something I would like to elaborate on in a future post so I won’t get into it now. The most unique aspect of the “gacha game” is gambling and often spending large quantities of money for in-game anime style characters to play as/command. Like I said in the last post, these games ride or die on high spenders dropping cash to max these characters out. EVERYTHING about the game must cater to this consumer first and any “artistic intent” will be filtered through the expectations of these customers. None of the story beats or, more importantly, character designs can afford to offend the gacha gamer. Artistic intent and concepts are neutered simply by the medium itself- sorry but this is why I find it ridiculous to see so many people venerating Arknights and Limbus Company as making some incredibly progressive statements regarding capitalism or feminism. It is antithetical to the very medium with which they chose to tell their “stories”, especially when the companies can tell their incel playerbase “don’t worry, we fired that nasty female artist! this game is just fantasy, no need to think about real life atrocities or those hateful feminists.” This gives these men the ego boost they want and imbues them with a sense of power, especially over women who they frequently get fired. Even this is part of gacha games- the power these men get to control a real woman’s financial fate and to make a company publicly refer to feminism as a hate movement. What does this tell you about their intended audience? This is getting long so I’ll make another short post regarding some character design specifics. Hopefully this somewhat could answer your question lol

[carinalastimosa]

Man, oh man, oh Manny!

Star Wars’ The Acolyte may have been review bombed but it opened y’alls eyes up to the man, Manny Jacinto. The Filipino-Canadian actor made waves as The Stranger/Qimir. Now, if you haven’t seen the show, I won’t spoil it for you but I am sure by this point, you’ve seen some sort of meme/TikTok/post/text from your nanay, featuring the sexually charged (okay, Disney!!!) scenes between Amanda Stenberg’s Osha and Jacinto. In honor of The Acolyte’s finale, which aired last night on Disney+, here is a list of some of the other Asian men I’ve loved over the years on the big and small screen.

Paolo Montalban - The Definitive Prince Charming

One of my favorite movies, to this day, is the 1997 Whitney Houston produced television movie Cinderella. Even my top 4 on letterboxd proves this. It’s one of my first memories consuming pop culture because of the diversity in casting. Houston saw that this story didn’t have to follow traditional casting norms. You can have a Filipino prince and his parents be a white man and a black woman with no one questioning it! Since I saw this at the young age of 7, I thought this was the norm, when in fact, it was the opposite. It’d be one of those rare moments where my parents would ask, “Filipino?” because they weren’t and still aren’t used to seeing Filipinos on screen. Paolo Montalban as Prince Charming is honestly, charming! He brings an earnestness to the role and has genuine chemistry with the luminous Brandy as the titular Cinderella. Their chemistry was so strong, that they’ve even reprised their roles in the recently released Disney+ movie Descendants: The Rise of Red.

Tuxedo Mask - My First (Animated) Crush

That’s right! We all have one. And my animated crush was Tuxedo Mask from the Sailor Moon series. I mean, who could resist! The mask, so mysterious! The black, so tuxedo!

Dante Basco - Rufioooooooo!

The beauty of film is that it is forever. Which means, that for generations of kids to come, they have the exuberance of Dante Basco captured on screen as Rufio in Steven Spielberg’s Hook. I was one of those kids when I was first introduced to the film in the last 90’s. At first, it didn’t even register to me that Basco is also Filipino-American and I think that’s the beauty of Basco’s performance. He’s just one of the boys, the lost boys. While Basco’s career moved more towards voice over, he made his indelible mark as Zuko in Nickelodeon’s animated Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Charles Melton - This Man is a Movie Star

My first introduction to Charles Milton didn’t come through the hit CW series Riverdale. It was after my time. I’m of the Gossip Girl generation, xoxo. I started to hear about the Korean-American actor as the scene stealer in the hotly anticipated Natalie Portman-Julianne Moore headliner May December. And he didn’t disappoint. Melton completely transforms into a man forced into very adult circumstances, still trying to navigate his adolescence. It’s a deeply felt performance filled with longing. He should have been nominated for an Oscar. During the campaign trail, he exuded glamour with his style, affable charm during his interviews, and pride in his heritage in acceptance speeches. Proving why he should be Hollywood’s new leading man.

Lee Jung-jae - Quit Playing (Squid) Games with my Heart

Netflix probably didn’t realize they had a mega international hit on their hands when they dropped their all Korean language tv series Squid Game on their streaming platform. Studio execs will say a foreign language show will alienate audiences, that there aren’t enough bankable Asian stars even when shows like this and FX’s Shogun have proven otherwise. Squid Game made several stars out of the series, including model turned actor Jung Ho-yeon but Korea was already hot on Lee, already a well established star there, we were just playing catch up. It didn’t take long. Lee won numerous awards for his performance and he easily won my style heart. What an elegant, sexy ass man! Needless to say, I’m very grateful to his Gucci campaign.

Dev Patel - The Man

The Indian-British actor/producer/director has had an already varied and expansive career spanning nearly 2 decades, doing so with just 26 acting credits to his IMDb. Which tells me the industry is simply not using this man enough!

Henry Golding - Crazy Handsome Asian

To me, one of the most magical things a film can pull off is perfect casting. It’s a magic trick if they cast a virtual unknown, dazzling the audience, wondering how they did it. That’s how I felt with the casting of Malaysian-British tv correspondent Henry Golding in the film Crazy Rich Asians. A lot was already riding on this movie adaptation: a big budget, romantic comedy, starring an all Asian cast. It had to do well. Or else studio execs had the “proof” they needed to no longer back Asian-led films. Casting Golding as their leading man could have been a risk but with their heroine Constance Wu and Oscar-worthy supporting performance from Michelle Yeoh, the movie was in good hands. Golding holds his own in his first feature film outing. Effortless and magnetic. Buzzy roles quickly followed in Paul Feig’s A Simple Favor and G.I. Joe franchise Snake Eyes. He’s also taken on more dramatic roles in smaller films, further pushing his acting ability. He continues to develop his craft, further cementing why we fell in love with him in the first place.

Manny Jacinto - The Inspo of this Blog

Everybody say, "Salamat, Manny"! He deserves all the roles. No more getting cut from films! In The Good Place, he played the classic himbo, which could have easily pigeonholded into similar roles but he's shown his versatility in shows like Nine Perfect Strangers where he held his own with, my favorite actress, Nicole Kidman. The Acolyte is another facet he's getting to show us and I hope this momentum carries him to the big screen. I'm rooting for this manny, talaga.

[fcble]

THE PROBLEM WITH FABLE is a video essay uploaded to YouTube on November 19, 2023. Despite being the channel’s only video, it was quickly picked up by the recommendation algorithm and gained nearly half a million views in its first week. The half-hour video examines and critiques Fable’s concept. Sentiments in the comment section were almost evenly split between agreeing with the video’s premise, and 2000-word essays about how it's wrong. Three days after the video was uploaded, the comment section was disabled.

CHAPTERS AND SELECTED EXCERPTS

THESIS STATEMENT [00:37 - 1:04] … The problem with Fable has always existed. It’s built into their concept—the very foundation of any group. A single concept doesn’t have to be a bad thing, if a group can properly execute and then push the boundaries and truly explore their concept. Fable does none of that. They get on stage in their hanboks only to perform pop song 8265734—now with gayageum.

THE ONLY GOOD PARTS (WHEN THE QUALITY IS BAD?) [03:42 - 6:29] … Before we get further into the bad, there are two—and only two—parts of their Korean concept that make sense. First, Korea has become such a large part of their image that all of their endorsements and brand deals are with South Korean companies. Hell will freeze over before a single Fable member represents a Western brand or product. Second, their dedication to Korean song titles is unmatched. In a surprising power move, Zenith Entertainment usually refuses to provide English translations.

PROBLEM #1 [6:30 - 15:44] … The greatest problem with Fable's concept is their inconsistency. It's been five years and they can't make up their minds about what they want to represent. They cherry pick what they want to represent. An instrument here or an outfit there. Slap a traditionally significant symbol—tiger, magpie, persimmon—on the album cover and call it a day.

For Fable, Korea exists in a bubble, which is obviously not the case, eschewing centuries of cultural mingling throughout East Asia. Their album titles are sajaseongeo—four character idioms—with roots in Chinese chengyu and similar to Japanese yojijukugo. Far from unique. For another example, Confucianism plays a major role not in their music, but in their variety shows and other content. As the state religion and governing philosophy throughout the Joseon dynasty, it was obviously highly influential on traditional Korean culture and eventually Fable. But in their promotion of the ideology, they miss out on swaths of history. While Confucianism’s five constant relationships permeated every social class, philosophy and learning were restricted to the upper class yangban. Which of course, Fable loves to represent themselves as. They’re always kings and noblemen and scholars—without a single mention of the common people. 

Aside from ignoring social class, they also ignore half the population—women. It was, for lack of a better word, shitty to be a woman in Confucian society, and it continues to be shitty to be a woman in a society still strongly influenced by Confucian values. And yet Fable glorifies this past, where women were subservient to fathers and husbands and sons and not much more than property. To make matters worse, they do this all in front of an audience of teenage girls and young women. It’s doubtful that the people in charge of Fable’s creative direction and marketing have ever felt the touch of a woman.

PROBLEM #2 [15:45 - 22:39] … While Fable hasn’t figured out what they’re representing, they’ve certainly figured out who’s doing the representing. The treatment of their two diaspora members—gyopo, dongpo, whatever term you want to use—stands out from the treatment of the rest of the group. Andrew has expressed his frustration with not being able to participate in the group’s music as much as he wants to. And then there’s Mingeun. It’s impossible to talk about Fable without talking about Mingeun’s scandal at the peak of their career, when it was revealed that he had pretended to be a South Korean national for two years. That supposed secret alone should make it obvious that when it comes to the two of them, something is different. It speaks volumes about their goals as a group—fully Korean, for Korea, to the point where even diasporan Koreans don’t belong.

In an ironic twist, their refusal to entertain anyone other than “pure” Koreans becomes even more representative of contemporary Korean society. As the nation’s economy becomes increasingly more globalized, its social attitudes still remain firmly in the past. In Fable’s single-minded focus on Korean history, they continue to perpetrate such ideas. While one kpop group is not going to solve racism in South Korea—an issue deeply entrenched in their hermit kingdom past and the years under Japanese occupation—it becomes hypocritical for them to work so hard to export their culture while being intolerant of others.

CULTURAL REPRESENTATIVES [22:40 - 27:03] … No exploration of Fable’s concept and marketing would be complete without a mention of their nickname. In 2021, they became known as the “cultural representatives of kpop” by netizens. They've seemingly embraced the nickname since, if the way they've never switched up their concept is any indication. Which begs the question: why are they so intent on this direction? Kpop—with its idol culture inspired by Japan’s idol industry and the very industry inspired by the American one—is distinctly un-Korean. Kpop is instead a hybridization of cultures, with musical genres invented by Black Americans and its commodification of art invented by American capitalists. If Fable is really so intent on representing traditional Korean culture, then where’s the pansori song or sijo lyrics? Being the nugu face of the tourism industry—next to much bigger groups like BTS and Blackpink—is not enough. They need to do something other than appear in a Korean Air commercial and gush about how nice Jeju Island is at this time of the year.

SMASH THAT LIKE BUTTON [27:04 - 29:12] … The inconsistency and hypocrisy of Fable’s concept does more harm than good. They promote a glorified version of history completely inaccurate to the actual past to impressionable young people and kpop stans incapable of thinking for themselves.

If you enjoyed this video and want to see more, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe.

[eternaltae7]

Hani (Fox)

BTS 8th Member

Background:

~Full Name: Hani O’Riordan (한이 오리오던)

~Stage Name: Fox

~Birthday: June 22, 1998

~Nationality: Irish-Korean

~Birthplace: Ireland

~Moved to Korea: When she was a baby, so she has spent most of her life in Korea.

~Family:

•Younger Brother: Currently attending college in America.

•Father: A professor.

•Mother: An artist who teaches art, specializing in painting and pottery.

~Languages: Fluent in Korean and English, with a soft Irish lilt when she speaks English.

~Heritage: Celebrates both Irish and Korean cultures, combining traditional Irish melodies with K-pop rhythms.

~Role in BTS: vocalist, dancer, and song writer

Personality:

~Creative and Playful: Loves to incorporate her Irish heritage into her music and performances.

~Intelligent and Strategic: Known for her quick wit and being a strategic thinker in games or challenges.

~Calm Under Pressure: Provides a grounding energy during intense rehearsals or tight schedules.

~Loyal and Protective: Fiercely protective of her BTS family.

~Warm and Mysterious: While she may initially appear reserved, she is deeply caring and supportive.

Appearance:

~Height: 167 cm (5’6”)

~Hair: Auburn, often styled in soft waves, giving her a striking, unique look that complements her Irish-Korean heritage.

~Eyes: Hazel-green, reflecting her Irish heritage.

~Style: Unique mix of modern and traditional Korean and Irish elements in her outfits.

~Stage Presence: Known for her captivating, mysterious stage persona with a sharp, intense gaze.

Talents:

~Singing: Rich, soulful voice with a slight rasp.

~Rapping: Occasionally delivers precise, impactful rap lines.

~Dancing: Known for her fluid, graceful dance style with flexibility and power. Grew up learning ballet.

~Instruments: Plays the piano.

~Songwriting: Incorporates personal experiences and cultural influences in her lyrics.

~Artistry: Influenced by her mother, Hani has an eye for visual aesthetics, and she enjoys painting and pottery in her spare time.

Quick Facts:

~Nicknames: “Fire Fox,” “Han”

~Favorite BTS Song: “Spring Day.”

~Hobbies: Hiking, painting (even though she’s not good), reading, and occasionally helping her mom with pottery.

~Favorite Food: Jjajangmyeon and Irish stew.

~Signature Move: Her “fox smile,” a mischievous grin she uses to tease the members.

~Fan Interaction: Engages with international ARMYs in both English and Korean during livestreams.

Relationships with Other Members:

~Namjoon: Intellectual conversations about books and philosophy.

~Jin: Shares a love for food and cooking, often talking about opening a restaurant together.

~Yoongi: Spends long hours in the studio with Yoongi, discussing deep topics.

~Hoseok: Her calm balances his bright energy.

~Jimin: Playful banter and intense dance rehearsals.

~Taehyung: Artistic collaborations and shared creative interests.

~Jungkook: They have a playful, competitive dynamic, frequently challenging each other in games and athletic activities. Jungkook is protective of her but enjoys teasing her since she’s the youngest.

Stage Persona:

On stage, Fox is enchanting and mysterious, with fluid movements and captivating eyes that draw the audience in. She brings an emotional depth to her performances, often weaving in her cultural influences.

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[koreandramarec]

BYEON WOO SEOK

1 ~ Lovely Runner

Im Sol, played by Kim Hye Yoon, is devastated by the sudden and tragic death of her favorite star, Ryu Sun Jae (Byun Woo Seok), a former swimmer turned K-pop idol. But as she's plunged into anguish, she magically travels back in time to 2008, when Sun Jae was still only 19! Breathtaking chemistry, moments of laughter and tears, and an interesting script.

2 ~ Strong Girl Nam-Soon

Starring Lee Yoo-mi in the title role, the series serves as a spin-off to the 2017 series Strong Girl Bong-soon. Returning to Korea in search of her biological family, the young woman with superhuman strength becomes embroiled in a drug deal that will put her powers to the test.

Woo seok plays the bad guy in this kdrama,  the main antagonist of the series.

3 ~ Record Of Youth

Starring Park Bo-gum, Park So-dam, the series focuses on two actors and a make-up artist struggling to realize their dreams. This tale of three young people in their mid-twenties shows the reality of their responsibilities, the influence of parents and the weight of society. As the episodes unfold, we follow their daily struggle to become the person they aspire to be.

What is your favorite kdrama of byeon woo seok ?