#no english translation can bring out how beautiful this line is omg

[gloster]

FAVORITE FANFICS OF 2020

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I know I speak for all when I say....I cannot wait to toss 2020 out the door the way Uncle Phil constantly did with Jazz. One of the things that got me through this rough year, besides family & friends & BTS, were fanfics.

It’s that time of year again where I make a list of all the fanfics that I absolutely adored. Some are by veteran favs of mine, others are new to me who just knocked it out of the park. If you’re interested in past lists, here is 2019′s list and 2018′s. If y’all are interested in doing your own fanfic favs of the year, please do so and tag me. Always on the hunt for new favs. 

So without furhter ado, my fav fanfics of 2020:

1). Another Word for Forever series by stardropdream (sheith)

Summary: Shiro knows better than to expect love in an arranged marriage. This is all for the sake of universal peace, after all, and solidifying a Terran-Galran alliance. At the very least, Shiro can hope to make a friend out of this. Becoming friends would be much easier, though, if he and his husband could actually communicate. 

With a language barrier and a mountain of cultural differences between them, getting to know Keith proves to be a challenge. Luckily, Shiro's always worked well with challenges.

2020 shockingly became the year of sheith. I ended up rewatching the show w/my bestie @littlenightdragon​. Diving more deeply into it w/my other bestie @kila09​. She and I spent the better half of this year devouring so many fanfics of them in various AUs. I came across new fanfic authors, and stardropdream is among them. 

If I could describe this series & stardropdream, I’ll take a cue from Lady Gaga: “ talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, shit on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it”

This series was just PERFECTION. I’ve gotten into arranged-marriage AUs and this has been one of the best I’ve read. It was just perfection. The language barrier definitely added an extra charm to it, in which Shiro finds his own ways to get to know his husband better: both creative and funny ways. So many cute moments, so many funny moments with Hunk being the translating middle man between them, and the smut. THE SMUT. THE SMUT. THE SMUT. Just *chef’s kiss* Incredible. It was just so so sweet, and such a comfort read. I reread this series 5 times already and hope Robin (the writer) does more stories in this AU.

Please read this series. You’re not gonna regret it. It will MELT your heart. 

Honorable Mentions:

If I Called You Mine

Sail Across the Sky Just to Get to You

Finding Shelter (The Alien Baby Remix)

Say You Do(n’t)

2). The Golden Hour by @goldentruth813​ (sheith)

Summary:  After a space mission failure, Shiro loses his arm and his career. Two years later he's settled into a quiet and simple new life on his farm, but when a beautiful alien crashes in his field, he discovers the answers to his questions—and possibly the keys to his future—will come from the stars.

I’m sure no one, least of all Janel the writer herself, is surprised to see this author featured on this list. For now the 3rd year in a row. WOOOW  👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 She is the reason I got into shieth, and she just continues to put out amazing conent with them. This story by far has been the best she’s done this year-possibly one of the best ever. 

We have Shiro trying to have a simple life at the farm with his dog and animals. A curious BOM Keith who shakes things up with his boldness/innocence-and questions bound to test blood pressure, especially Shiro’s. Loads of cute moments, loads of funny moments, and also loads of oreos. 

If summary and my thoughts don’t sell you, only one thing will: reading it for yourself.

Honorable mentions:

Two Hearts in Bloom

Mountain Men

Home is in Your Heart

3). Spun like Gold by Neyasochi (sheith)

Summary: Though Shiro is currently operating his fledgling bakery business out of a decrepit food truck he got for cheap in a repossession sale, he dreams of something more: a cozy bakery and cafe on a tree-lined street somewhere, filled with the smell of fresh coffee and sugar glaze instead of diesel. A little money could go a long way to helping him get off the ground-- and luckily, Keith has money to burn.

Or: Keith takes care of Shiro’s financial woes, in exchange for a little sugar.

OMG, OMG, OMG was this story so sweet. Neyasochi already sold me with the baking/baker Shiro trope, but went a step further throwing in sugar-daddy Keith who knows his way around his manic family and cars, but when it comes to asking a cute guy out? What better way to make an impression than becoming his best paying customer?  

Honorable mentions:

oh, devour me

Healing Touch

on your hand of gold 

4). The Destiny You Sold by @tryslora​ (drarry)

Summary: In which Draco knits, Harry makes wands, and things get very tangled up between them.

If there’s one thing I love about fanfics is how they introduce you to tropes you never would consider before. Draco and knitting was a combo I didn’t realize how much I needed until now. And I love the fact knitting played a big part of the accidental bonding. Also loved the fact everyone in their friend group shipped them like crazy. Highly, highly recommend 

5) What’s My Age Again? by @lazywonderlvnd​ (drarry)

Summary: Harry Potter has had enough of pleasing the public, and his reckless tendencies are finally getting out of hand.

The Quidditch World Cup is only a week away; as Captain of the English National Team, Hermione has assured him that his immaturity won’t be tolerated by the Ministry.

And then Malfoy shows up.

(Inspired by the blink-182 song of the same name.)

It’s no secret that I’m such a fangirl of @lazywonderlvnd​. Any drarry story I read, I always love. Last year, I ADORED The Changing Lights, which was one of my favorites last year, and her updating/finishing the story was a massive highlight for me. I thank ya for that. 

This story was honestly refreshing. I’ve grown so used to Harry being responsible, always doing what’s right, that seeing a story where Harry pretty much has his middle finger in the air to “good reputation”, “being responsible,” because as he brought up: “I’m 25. I’ve been fighting all my life. I’ve earned my life to have fun.”

Okay, granted, it wasn’t quite like that but it was along those lines. And I agree. After all he went through, Harry deserves to have fun. He deserves to be reckless and make stupid decisions.

Also, it was such a blast reading a story where Harry is the brat & Draco has to keep him in line. LOVED.

Honorable mentions: 

Inside Your Mind

Aletheia

6). Chocolate and Pastry by agentmoppet, anemonen (drarry)

Summary:  When Pansy bets Draco that there is no chance he and Harry could carry out a genuine romantic relationship, he and Harry form a plan. But as their fake relationship progresses, Draco sees a side of Harry he never expected. Harry is struggling with something, pushing it far down inside him where he doesn't have to acknowledge its existence. Draco starts to worry, and then he starts to care, and then... horribly... he starts to fall in love.

Do not let the title fool you like it did me. Title alone, I was thinking it was going to be a fun, fluffy story involving baking, maybe chocolate crafting. However....it was not that at all. It was more. A lot deeper. A lot more angsty. It explored mental health, PTSD and the dangers of loved ones ignoring the signs, and contained an important message:

You can’t love someone out of their illness/disease/ addiction. Which is true and this story showed that. 

7). i’m still here by owedbetter (zutara)

Summary: "You see me."

And somehow, that makes all the difference.

If there’s one of the few good things 2020 has brought, it was Netflix bringing back ATLA to their library. Which in turn ignited my love for zutara & had me drag @kila09​ into that ship. 

This story was just incredible. The way it was written, it really felt like it could have been canon. Deleted scenes that a certain creator didn’t want us to see. The way Zuko and Katara came together, starting from their peaceful friendship after the Southern Raiders episode up, becoming closer along the way. 

I dare y’all to read this and not think OMG...is this secret canon bonus material? I definitely plan to read more by owedbetter. 

8). all the what ifs i never said by rosegardenlake (sheith)

Summary:  Keith is nine when he first notices Shiro. Shiro is gentle and quiet, always keeping to himself. Keith is rough and loud, running wherever his feet will take him, screaming on the top of his lungs into the wind. But despite that, they're a constant throughout each other's lives...if only that could be enough. As they grow, Keith just wants them both to be happy, but instead, he's falling apart.

Rosegardenlake is another sheith writer who I adored last year & adore this year as well. This was a story that I read during the beginning of quarantine-life and when I tell you the number of times Keith’s emotions of loneliness got to me, it’s a big number. 

Keith’s struggle with life after high school, after peaking in school, and his mental health reminded me too much of where I was at 2018, which wasn’t a good year for me at all, especially mentally. So that was triggering but it was also helpful since I saw how far I came. And it was beautiful seeing how far Keith came. 

Also the relationship between Shiro and Keith was just beautiful. It’s very funny how Keith was Shiro’s protector growing up and Shiro became Keith’s later on in life. There’s a chance your heart may be heavy, but will also be so swelled up with feelings these two bring it. 

Honorable mentions:

Where the Light Doesn’t Reach 

9). When Night Comes by Oh_Hey_Tae (BTS; poly ot7)

Summary: Jungkook’s tipsy, but he’s not buzzed enough to miss that he doesn’t recognize any of the four dozen people here. And seeing as his friends aren’t ones to ditch and there’s no way they’d play a prank this mean on him, Jungkook reaches the conclusion that he just walked into a stranger’s very expensive home, uninvited, and started eating their food and petting their well-dressed dog.

(Or: Jungkook shows up to the wrong Halloween party and meets the most powerful family in Seoul.)

I can easily say Oh_Hey_Tae easily one of my favorite BTS fanfic favs. Always come through with the stories, and this one was just amazing. We have Jungkook stumbling into a Halloween story, and soon enters into a intense, insane relationship with all six guys, who are already in a relationship with each other. Oh, and supernatural creatures at that. 

You do see certain relationships are stronger, deeper. For example, a lot of moments between Jin and Jungkook. Vmin has their own story and moments. But it was just so amazing. 

Fair warning. Halfway through, things get darker and Oh_My_Tae really loves playing readers diirty with the angst, but it’s so good. 

10). peace-weaver by magisterpavus (sheith)

Summary: You will be the peace-weaver, his mother told him, smiling though her dark eyes welled with unshed grief. The one who brings two bitter enemies together and ends the bloodshed and death between us, once and for all.

But men will always crave war. The Galra, most of all.

Yet another arranged-marriage AU that I loved. This particular one is well-loved in the sheith fandom. I can definitely say it’s considered one of the classic fanfics that’s been read or shared at one point or another. 

The story itself reminded me a lot of Macbeth, involving murder and dark forces at bay. The dynamics between Shiro and Keith reminded me of Drogo and Daenerys from GOT, one of my fav couples there, which only made it all the more better for me. 

I do credit the author for the creative approach they took with quintessence and Shiro’s role/persona as the Champion

Honorable mentions:

The Boy in the Window 

Sheith Demon/Priest AU

A Matter of Scale

Directive 

Honorable mentions that I seriously wanted to add to the list but this post is already lengthy. All amazing, all greats reads by various writers y’all should check out:

Hold Me Tight, or Don’t by snowfallen (yoonmin with a Mr. & Mrs. Smith AU featuring assassins and hitmen, secret identities, fake marriage, and a lot of smut)

The Prince and Pirate by Maniacani, @nerdherderette​ (drarry with a splash of royalty and pirates. Perfect if you’re needing to fill in any Pirates of the Caribbean or Black Sails cravings)

First Kisses are the Best Ones by SashaDistan (sheith in a 50 First Dates Fusion heartfelt/heart-gutting story)

freely, as men strive for right by @bixgirl1​ (drarry w/Harry explaining the many ways why Draco’s the love of his life. we love to see it)

The Sacrificed by SasuNarufan13 (sasunaru w/ dark fairytale elements similar to Little Red Riding Hood & Beauty and the beast + feat. mpreg)

Chasing Treacle Tart (and Draco Malfoy) by xErised (drarry feat. lunch lady Draco + scheming Harry + loads of fun w/sweets & more)

Red Desert by @beatitudinembty​ (taekook in a unique sci-fi AU; hard to explain but so worth a read

one way ticket to another life by starboykeith (sheith Hades x Persephone background)

Even So by lewilder (zutara; arranged marriage+ language barrier +soft strangers to lovers)

Well, lovely people, there you have it. My top 10 favorite fanfics of the year. I do notice a certain ship shows up a lot on this list, but I wasn’t kidding when I said they took over this year. Still, I tried to mix the list up with other fav ships/fandoms of mine. To the writers who created these incredible stories. I applaud you. I thank you for creating and sharing these wonderful stories. Anyone interested in doing the tag, please do. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR, GUYS

[dandaelions]

finally some good fcking food aka "empathy" thoughts

I woke up bright and early, got dressed, made some coffee and cut up some peaches, warmed up a croissant that I got from a local bakery yesterday, and sat down to listen with a ksoo-state of mind. then my supervisor suddenly asked me to join a meeting (so much for blocking off my calendar 🙃) aaaaand then I got busy all day lol but now I've finally got some free time to soak this in

rose: a simple acoustic track – more brighter and upbeat than “that’s okay” but still in the same vein. it feels a bit run-of-the-mill if I’m being completely honest, but that's probably just me and the fact that I don’t usually go for acoustic songs like this lol. gosh the lyrics are cute though, songwriter ksoo came through with the romantics 😊🌹💕 can definitely see how they were gunning for widespread listenability with this one. also the mv was so whimsical and fun! it made me laugh in a few places, not to mention ksoo going about his day without a care in the world is all I really care about seeing. the animations were so cool!

I’m gonna love you: less folk, more contemporary pop with that guitar lick in the intro. I had to pause and replay ksoo’s first bit here, I just couldn’t believe that was him! whoa this kinda of pseudo-rapping is quite a different sound from him. his lower register is so smooth omg. oh yeah now that's a beat drop!! LOVE the chorus! not familiar with wonstein but I'm surprised to hear a rap feature on this album, I didn't think that would be something ksoo would go for but it sounds really good here! their little harmonies YAH. also adlibs yesssss!! for those of us hoping for an r&b song, here it is!

my love: he brought the whole soundstage for this one, mmm yes love this chill down-tempo vibe. oh gosh he's mixing just the perfect amount of falsettos and growl into some of these lines here, he's so good at creating those smooth-harsh edges if that makes any sense lol. not to bring bbh into this but I’d really love to see ksoo perform this song as a duet with him!

It’s love: oh man he sounds GOOD good! ooooh wow all those flourishes and accidentals and runs oh my god. THIS is the song for the live lounges! the stripped-back instrumentals let him be front-and-center on this one, oh I really hope he performs this one live!! the hushed strings add that romantic vibe that really makes it feel like he's serenading us 🥰 ooh when he goes down an octave in that last part and then back up again OH MAN

dad: this brought tears to my eyes, what a beautiful and touching tribute 🥺 oh no I looked up the lyric translations and now I'm crying 😭 my dad and I tend butt heads a lot, and growing up I didn't understand why, but as I've grown older I've realized it's because we're so similar, and at the end of the day he's sacrificed so much for me :((( anyways not to get super deep and personal but just hearing the raw emotion in his voice brought up a lot of my own emotions too. I'm sure his dad is very proud of him right now :)

^^me going from "dad" to "I'm fine"

I’m fine: ALRIGHT HERE’S THE RIFF THAT’S BEEN HAUNTING ME FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS. oh god that intro 💆‍♀️💆‍♀️💆‍♀️!!!! a little darker than the previous tracks – the bass and guitar infuse some latin flavor here. hoo WOWWWWWW the way he weaves his voice (which he sounds just DIVINE here) around those instrumentals, also LOVE the way his enunciating the lyrics, like plucking guitar strings, and is this in a harmonic minor key? the way this ebbs and flows and goes up and down and the way he slips into falsettos oh my god this song alone fed me better than whole albums have this year, I cannot imagine anyone other than ksoo doing this justice. this song just is a big steaming mug of spiced hot chocolate. also can we just give it up for songwriter ksoo I looked up the translation and yeah big hit of sweet melancholia right here. my fave song on the album!

rose (eng ver): oh sheet I don’t know if anything would’ve prepared me for “your lips look so fine and you’re looking so cool” but the damage is done my hp is at -2 🤕 these lyrics are cute too! but I think I prefer his korean lyrics over these :) ofc he sounds like he's been speaking english his whole life adskjfdkj it's so amazing how he preserved all of those vocal details from the korean version

si fueras mia: the spanish ver of “it’s love…I really can’t believe that’s HIM singing this omg what I would give to see a live performace of this. I’m not a spanish speaker (all I have are two years of high school Spanish to my name 😔) but like he's actually blowing the pronunciation out of the water!! absolute mad props for putting a spanish song on his debut ep, that was a bold move and it paid off! if I had to choose, I like this version better. again, so blown away by how he sung this the exact same way as the korean version, that's not an easy feat!!

overall: I mean what more can I say, this is what people have waited YEARS for and it's finally here. in true ksoo form, it doesn't try too hard to impress or demand your attention. its simplicity is its charm, and in a landscape of blaring electronica, it's a warm soothing escape. I'm happy 😊

[chacusha]

FFVI live-blogging (1/?)

While I wait for all my game consoles and my PC to make their way here, I decided I would replay Final Fantasy VI on an emulator. In particular, I’m trying out the GBA edition for the very first time. Exciting!

Little known fact: I have never finished FFVI despite it being one of my favorite games. I have probably started a new game and played through a significant portion of the story about five or six times (the farthest I got was the World of Ruin after having re-collected most of party again i.e. able to fight Kefka at any point but still dicking around with sidequests).

Followup fact: This is because there are some aspects of this game that I struggle with because I’m really obsessive about how I play games. In particular, the magicite/Esper system is really hard for me to deal with, because I obsessively try to make sure every person in my party builds up a fairly complete repertoire of magic, which takes an insane amount of grinding. (And then I don’t really use magic other than healing spells, so uh... I don’t know why I do that.) The second thing is Gau’s Rage skills. I also get really obsessive about building up a fairly complete collection, which usually involves HOURS of grinding on the Veldt (an activity that doesn’t even give EXP, apparently? somehow I never realized that...).

So anyway, I’m now at the point where Terra rejoins your party after turning into her esper form (and Celes is back in the empire). In other words, I am now at the point where I have a new flood of magicite and the Veldt is newly accessible again and uh... it might be a while before I move on. 😅

Anyway some thoughts:

One thing I like about the early Final Fantasy games is how obviously inspired they are by Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, and I think FFVI is the game that makes that inspiration most clear. The story framing of a small group of people (each of them a distinguished person in their own right -- a king, a general, the strongest knight of a kingdom, a gambling airship pilot, etc. etc.) band together to take down an expansionist empire against all odds, even if that means sneaking behind enemy lines to carry out a dangerous mission. (I forever love Biggs and Wedge, and the “Aren’t you a little short to be an Imperial trooper?” line.)

I love the maximally steampunk aesthetic of Figaro Castle going into submerging mode.

Edgar is a very similar character to Ringabel -- charming and flirts with every woman in a kind of gallant way. Despite how that kind of behavior would be irritating in real life (and occasionally crosses into sketchy territory, like when flirting with children), they are both perennially popular characters among women. I find that fascinating. Like, I also know I’d find that behavior annoying if I encountered it in real life, but I also really enjoy both of these characters??

The reveal of Locke’s literal dead girlfriend in a basement will never not be amazingly hilarious, creepy, and very sad all at the same time.

Guy in Jidoor: “After they threw out all the poor people in town...” Me: After they did what now? (Not sure how I feel about the class politics of “all the poor people are pathological liars” that is Zozo. Then again, they also had a “rich dude betrayed everyone in South Figaro to fascists the empire for money” so maybe that makes up for it.)

The opera scene is still A+++. Like, one of the things that make it so great is that the sets (like the balcony that Celes is on) would be crazy amazing if they actually existed in real life. Like, imagine going to the opera, and they have this amazing multi-level tower, complete with a balcony, pillars, and a beautiful night sky backdrop. You’d be like, holy shit, they didn’t hold back!!

Having played FFIX, I now can see how much of FFVI is in that game. The theatre troupe, the auction house, the lady-protecting thief, etc. are all very familiar.

The scene with Celes and Locke in the Magitek Factory (where Kefka claims that Celes was on the Empire’s side the entire time) reads differently to me than it did in the SNES version for some reason. I always thought that Celes was obviously what she appeared to be (a deserting general) and that Locke’s “omg is it true, Celes?? 😧” reaction was just him being dumb/gullible. But during this playthrough, this scene makes it seem like Celes actually WAS meant to infiltrate the Returners and she had a change of heart halfway through. I think the reasons it reads differently are (1) that there isn’t as much flavor text that indicates Celes’s character or personality (the SNES description of Celes having “a spirit as pure as snow” makes it sound like she deserted the Empire because she could no longer stand its crimes, but the more accurate GBA description that people have never seen the woman that lies underneath the general simply suggests that she is hard to read AKA a good spy), and (2) Kefka’s more detailed claim that Celes “deserted” and was “rescued” in order to infiltrate the Returners seems too specific for him to be making that up on the fly. I wonder if that was the writers’ intention, though... Okay, wow, looking up information on the FF Wikia and comparing game scripts, and I think spy!Celes is canon: “Celes was originally meant to be a ‘conflicted spy’ archetype—a spy working for the antagonists, but swayed by the benevolence of the people she was supposed to be spying on and how nice Locke was to her.” Woolsey translation: Cid: Can it be true that you came here as a spy, seeking to cause an uprising!? Locke: !? Celes...? Kefka: So that's it! Magicite... Cid, you miserable blockhead! Now... General Celes!! The game's over. Bring me those Magicite shards! Locke: Celes! You... decieved me!? Celes: Of course not! Have a little faith! Kefka: G'hee, hee, hee! She has tricked you all! Celes, that's so... YOU! Celes: Locke... Please believe me... GBA translation: Cid: Is it true you worked your way in amongst the rebels as a spy? Locke: ...!? Celes...? Kefka: Oh, I see! Magicite...! Excellent work, Cid! General Celes! We needn't keep up the charade any longer. Bring me those magicite crystals! Locke: Celes! You...tricked us!? Celes: Of course not! Please, trust me! Kefka: Hee-hee-hee! The sweet taste of betrayal! Oh, Celes! That's so...you! Celes: Locke... Believe me... (Cid’s line is no longer ambiguous which side Celes is spying for. Coming from Cid (a more reliable character than Kefka), the story that Celes is a spy is not so easily dismissed. Kefka is also so unruffled at encountering Celes in a secure empire facility that it just doesn’t seem like he’s improvising either...)

I love the Maduin flashback. I don’t know if it’s significantly different/pared down in the English SNES version or what, but those scenes never really stuck with me before... But seeing them this playthrough? OMG the feels. First, the ominous esper music playing throughout is so Atmospheric and Foreboding. You really get the feeling that the events depicted changed the fate of the world. (Also, it reminds me of this track from the Sailor Moon RPG, which is also a great track.) Second, Madeline is such a clear and striking character given how little screentime she has. The one trait she most clearly has is, like, a misanthropic hatred of humanity. And throughout her scenes, you get this really strong impression that she’s really fierce, bitter, and almost... thorny? Like really hard to get close to -- a determined loner. Third, the Maduin/Madeline relationship -- first off, I appreciate the metaphorical sex scene where they dance/fly around a cave together and drop two sparkles that combine to form a baby. Second, that last scene where Madeline kind of foolishly runs off and Maduin chases after her and they have this “you’re being a dummy” “I know” “let’s go home” kind of tender moment before EVERYTHING GOES WRONG. Ouch my heart.

Also, it strikes me that Terra and Aerith are very parallel characters -- half-human, half-supernatural race, captured and experimented on as a baby, mom dies trying to save her, etc.

Also, I find Gestahl a very unsettling character. I feel like Kefka is the Voldemort or Bellatrix of Final Fantasy VI -- unstable, weird, very over-the-top, god complex villain who screams “eeeeevil” with his design -- while Gestahl is the Umbridge of Final Fantasy VI -- civil, polite, reasonable, functional, and yet utterly uncaring and dismissive of other people’s concerns. Whereas with the Kefka type, you’re like, “who would follow this person?” and don’t feel threatened, Gestahl is not only a person people would follow; he’s a person many people already ARE. That’s scary to me.

[mihanada]

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation Liveblog(back to masterpost)

I’m working on a timeline for this novel! It’s going to be a work in progress as things are revealed in the English translation. I’ll probably get it out in a few hours after fixing the presentation up a bit.

Chapter 10: Arrogance (Part 5)

I missed this the first time around, but Wei Wuxian’s hands tremble when he lifts the flute to order Wen Ning to help Jin Ling, who is thiiiis close to losing his soul to the soul-consuming goddess. The actions are small each time, but he really does worry about Jin Ling, doesn’t he.

I can’t wait to see Wen Ning’s fight with the goddess statue animated~ It’ll probably be a short fight, seeing as it only lasts a few paragraphs in the novell, but the brief preview in the latest trailer looked quite good.

I remember that this whole ‘conscious/unconscious’ corpse and fierce corpses and low-level corpses just flew over my head on the first read-through. lol. But I get it now. I didn’t think Wen Ning could actually...well, act like a real person and not an undead corpse (albeit, he is a bit extreme in taking what Wei Wuxian says literally lol).

lol I love how the other cultivators rally everyone into attacking the “Ghost General” because, hello, even if the Yiling Patriarch is dead, if there is someone of equal skill or power to summon that Ghost General, it should be quite a cause for concern, shouldn’t it...

So about that guessing game of ‘how/when did Lan Wangji recognize Wei Wuxian’- when I went back and read, I really couldn’t figure it out for the life of me. My best guess was that him summoning and controlling Wen Ning was the give-away, however, I felt that explanation is too obvious for it to be correct. Seeing as the novel keeps dragging the mini mystery out, by the laws of fiction it probably isn’t something so glaringly obvious (as much as Wei Wuxian thinks it isn’t- seriously, he thinks just any cultivator who cultivated the demonic path would be able to control Wen Ning- it’s sort of true, sort of not. we saw that even Xue Yang had some issues, thus the pins in his head)

My other guess had to do with Wei Wuxian’s behavior, but that’s also something difficult to tell (until he gets to the GusuLan sect then there’s literally no mistaking his antics lol

I did learn what made Lan Wangji realize it was Wei Wuxian, but I’ll leave it unsaid just in case there are readers who want to find out when the time comes.

omg Jiang Cheng you are so dramatic. I can’t believe you made your disciples dress up in order to stalk Jin Ling and help him.

It’s Zidian! I love how Jiang Cheng is the guy who gets the whip that emits purple lightning. like, it’s so flashy. it suits him. somehow. because then he just gets into it with Lan Wangji and they have this huge clash in the mountains and geez you are an adult can you not calm down for two seconds-

lol then Zidian fails to expel Wei Wuxian’s soul and everyone is shocked.

the true mark of Jiang Cheng’s extreme reactions and that mountain-sized grudge he holds is that he continues to believe it’s Wei Wuxian despite the fact that Zidian failed. like. he really wasn’t this bad as a kid, he definitely didn’t seem to lose his temper so often. But, well, life (and the messed up events of the last one and a half decades or so) and Wei Wuxian have a way of changing a person.

BUT STILL. why do you have to bring him back to interrogate and torture him. It’s happened multiple times that he dragged people back, and obviously they can’t all be Wei Wuxian you would think he would just chill after 13 years, but nope.

lol then even Lan Jingyi calls him out on “hey that’s enough isn’t it, it’s Zidian after all!” at least it did get him to stop. Well, Jiang Cheng was always concerned about saving face (and Wei Wuxian ruined that every time as kids lol), so that’s an aspect of him that hasn’t changed.

“Wei Ying was a frivolous and wanton person who loved to have tangled ties with pretty girls.”

And yet, it is Lan Wangji he devotes entire paragraphs of thoughts to describing as beautiful like jade and all sorts of other descriptors haha.

lol it’s hilarious how Wei Wuxian was slightly offended by people saying “nah he can’t be the Yiling Patriarch, his flute playing was horrible”. Considering his flute was a piece of bamboo he literally just prepared with a sword... When I play an instrument, it sounds like a dying chicken or something.

“Then, why is Second Young Master Lan going to such great lengths to protect an unimportant person such as him?” -Jiang Cheng

maybe because he’s not a terrible person and doesn’t want to let you go torture this random guy?? sure he acts a little out there (or as a “lunatic” as they put it), but that doesn’t mean he deserves to get tortured even after it being clear he’s not Wei Wuxian (lol not true, but the others don’t know that). It’s really not hard to understand, Jiang Cheng??

...if anything, though, the more Wei Wuxian talks, the worse he makes it for himself. His responses are, well, very much him. He grew up alongside Jiang Cheng for years as his brother, he’d be able to tell Wei Wuxian’s mannerisms even after so long.

hahaha Lan Wangji’s “Mark your words.” I...didn’t entirely get this, the first time around, even after reading the lines a few times.

You tell he already knows this is Wei Wuxian because of this response, especially on the second read-through.

hehe then Lan Wangji resolves to drag Wei Wuxian back to the Cloud Recesses!

(quotes from ExR’s translations)

← back・onward →

[mademoiselleenjolras]

A bit more about On Your Feet

Okay, I've had a decent amount of time to recover from this show, and to think about it, so I figured I'd share a bit more about this wonderful performance that Does Not Get Enough Love™

The preshow announcement was absolutely adorable can I just say? I reblogged it a while back and y'all should give it a listen

This show was so high energy from the get go you KNEW you were going to be on your feet (haha) by then end of it

Gloria and Emilio Estefan are actual goals their love story and the way they care about each other is apparent from the opening scene and all the way through

The show stayed really true to their music- only one word in one song is changed, which can’t be said for a lot of jukebox musicals like this

The guy who plays Emilio is Super Hot and I fell in love from the back of the theater

Christie Prades, who was the Gloria cover during part of the Broadway run, makes an incredible Gloria Estefan

Gloria’s grandmother plays a major role and she is absolutely Hilarious

Gloria’s mother also plays a very important role, as she nearly became a professional singer herself. There’s an incredibly moving scene of her performing during what she finds out mid-set will be her last night in Cuba 

The vocal ranges of both Gloria’s mother and grandmother are considerably lower than the typical range of a female character. Both tend more toward a tenor range in their biggest songs and it’s honestly really great to see that

Speaking of great things to see the DANCING was great it drew really heavily from Cuban styles and from more than just the salsa and I loved seeing it so much

Emilio has so many great lines in this show I don’t even know where to start

During an Act I scene where Gloria and Emilio are trying to get one of their label execs to help them ‘crossover’ into the English-speaking market, he shoots them down and tells them to keep playing in Spanish and basically insinuates that they aren’t “American enough”

Emilio: *up in this guy’s space, points to his own face*

“Look very closely at my face... THIS is what an American looks like!”

And you can bet that in Downtown Miami

That line brought the fuckING HOUSE DOWN

A solid 40 seconds-a minute of applause and its no hyperbole

Eventually the exec became one of their biggest supporters which I like to think means he learned how not to be a jerk and how to be accepting and supportive of other people’s cultures and I feel like a lot of people who see it should take that lesson to heart

The references to Miami clubs and night life in Miami were just great

Gloria’s grandmother traded Cuban pastries to one of the most important club owners in Miami to get him to play their music and it was set up to look like a drug deal and I hope its a true story because that was HILARIOUS

The kids in the cast were FABULOUS omg

During the Act I closer the ensemble came offstage to dance with the audience on the floor level (sadly, I was up in the third tier, but ya’ll can bet my rhythm-less self was dancing in my seat anyhow). I didn’t know this was part of the show, which surprised me because of all the hype that Great Comet got for expanding upon the same thing. I would love to know if this happens in more shows out there

Her grandmother also came out of the audience during one of Gloria’s ‘concerts’ now that I think about it

And of course during the standard jukebox-musical-mix of all her songs at the very end of the show they got the audience dancing as well

A flashback scene shows Emilio having to leave his mother and grandfather behind in Cuba in order to leave the country and I don’t cry at musicals but I swear it was hard right there and my mascara suffered. These stories are always so moving to me.

The portrayal of Gloria’s relationship with her own mother is so powerful and their story is so important

“You’re 19, you know 19 things. I’m 48. I know 48 things.”

Another musical that officially lets the male lead cry onstage because he is emotionally terrified lord please let this trend continue thanks

They used Famous and I was Not expecting it, especially where it came in during the show

The scene where Gloria performs at the AMA after being in a horrible bus accident is gorgeous

There’s more but this is already really long so I’ll continue on to the curtain call before ya’ll get bored If anyone wants to hear me rant more message me please

Let me just say that I Did Not Realize that I was attending the show on opening night. It had already been playing for a few days and I didn’t even know that tours had previews but I guess they do???

But we all stood up to applaud for the bows, as people are wont to do, and when things calmed down, a couple of people start going up on stage, and my mind could not wrap around it

I honestly thought they were inviting the audience up on stage for some weird finale thing

But then people start going “Oh my god that’s her” “Holy crap that’s really her”

And my jaw just DROPPED and I looked to my friend to the left of me who isn’t from Florida and who didn’t quite get it right then and all I could say was “HOLY SHIT”

Because there were Gloria and Emilio Estefan there on stage

As well as most of the original Broadway cast and the creative team

The Estefans both gave speeches- Emilio’s far shorter because Gloria kept saying how grateful she was that the show made it this far and how wonderful all of the people involved were and she went on a tangent about how talented her grandson was and it was just the sweetest thing because you could tell how happy she was to bring this story back to life and to Miami

I called my mom to tell her about it and she hung up on me when I told her lol

Okay I know I’m rambling at this point

I just... as a Floridian, as someone who has grown up seeing Cuban culture all around and hearing the Miami Sound Machine, I love how this show worked hard to embody the story of the Estefans, which can be translated to so many immigrant families here

Though I am not an immigrant myself I could see that it hit so close to home for so many people around me and that was so beautiful to see

It truly was beautiful and a wonderful show

And yes, it fell into a few of the pitfalls that usually chase shows built around an existing catalog of songs, mostly in the areas of transitions and plot in this case

But overall it was wonderful and I will be damned if it gets forgotten like so many other shows that came out in the same year

On Your Feet is an incredibly moving and relevant show about family and the story of two immigrants who made their own dreams come true and it truly embodies the Miami vibe

Check it out. Give it a listen. And get On Your Feet.

[ch-hyngwn]

[MONSTA X IN NYC]

here’s my experience at the concert fyi it’s extremely long, sorry >.<

i don’t think i’m gonna go into depth of the setlist and all that cause you’ll find them on youtube, i did record some videos of my own but i haven’t put them on the laptop yet and i’m just generally that lazy lol.

i had P1 tickets so i was in the pit and got the hi touch and photo op experience. first of all, okay i’m 4′10 and so many fans were so tall??? like how? so i didn’t bother with being close to the stage since i didn’t want to get shoved and strain my neck while looking at the stage, so i decided to be in the back of the pit, which was fine. the concert didn’t start til about 8:45, there was a medical issue and they didn’t give any information about it (but i heard a fan got hurt outside while coming in :( hope they’re alright) so staff put a hold on the other fans from coming in for the that fan’s safety (i’m assuming).

it was so funny at one point while waiting for the concert to start/venue to fill up, there were staff coming from backstage still setting things up and fans starting screeeeeeeaaammingg like it was one of the members but nah it was just staff LOL (not gonna lie i did too only because why not, get that shit staff man). so once venue starting filling up, and when the time came the lights just goes out and the vcr recording starts playing and everyone starts losing their shit. then you see the members walking onto the stage and i’m like :O (they are so beautiful like wow words cannot describe)

they go right into beautiful and shit is super hype (remember i’m in the back of the pit, it’s super roomy, i was walking around) so i wanted to get a closer view because like once they started performing freaking phones are out!!! like so many!!!!!!! and it blocked the view for a lot of people :/ so i got a little closer where my cousin was (lucky her, she’s taller) and i guess someone got so excited that they dropped? spilled their smoothie? chocolate milkshake? i don’t know but it splattered all over the floor, i thought it was vomit until i seen the cup, pretty gross and you weren’t even suppose to bring in food or drinks (side eyeing you fan).

so once they performed some songs, they get to the talk/ment and sometimes it was hard to hear what they were saying because fans were still screaming, even when the translator was too but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ shownu went “hello ladies and gentlemen, i’m shownu!” SO CUTE I MELTED, everyone else introduced themselves normally, except fucking wonho he took his chance to start stripping and shit but whats new and of course!! they mentioned hyungwon :’(((( and how regretful it was that he wasn’t there :’(((

all the stages were so good, all six of the members gave it 100 and everything was spot on, even though i was totally bummed hyungwon couldn’t make it (but health comes first guys) they made sure that nothing lacks or was off. i brought my boyfriend along and he’s not a fan (now he is, aayyeee) and went “if i hadn’t of known hyungwon was in the group (cause he’s my bias and of course he’s gonna know who hyungwon is) i would’ve thought it was just six of them. broken heart totally broke my heart though! i was on the verge of crying when hyungwon’s part came up and they left that space for him and minhyuk made a hand motion to where he was suppose to be and the little spark effect came in that blank spot and i was so TT-TT

after they performed no exit they exited the stage (har har) and the venue was pitch dark, the only things that lit up was the monbongs and we all started chanting “monsta x” we actually chanted that twice and then after that the whole venue start chanting “hyungwon” it was so beautiful i was in tears, like yaaasss my boy, we miss and love you so much. they come back up on stage and did their closing speech and shownu spoke some cute english again and said he was “touch-ED” LOL he’s so flipping cute. and they went on and performed last page and it was bittersweet and beautiful with all the confetti falling.

so skipping to the hi touch, it went by SO FAST first was jooheon, he’s so unbelievably handsome with his dimples and all that ugh, then minhyuk the freaking sun, then shownu HIS EYE SMILE, then changkyun so adorableee, then wonho HE GOT SO DAMN BEEFY LIKE HOT DAMN, and kihyun was last and he had the tightest and longest grip. i made eye contact with all of them and i didn’t really know what to say to them as i went through so i just said their names? lol i don’t know i feel stupid now thinking about it but oh well. all i remember was that jooheon, minhyuk, changkyun, wonho, and kihyun said hi back but shownu was the only one to stay quiet and just smiled lol.

SO for the photo op, i was the first one in line for my group to stand in the photo, there was 20 per photo (i’m gonna assume because of the delay) and the staff guy that was standing next to me goes “so who are you gonna stand next to?” and i was like “WHAT I GET TO CHOOSE?!” and he’s all “i don’t see why not you’re the first one” and so i turned around to my cousin and boyfriend and made a last minute decision and was all “JOOHEON!! I’M STANDING NEXT TO HIM”. (they’re still in the same order as the hi touch btw) and so i’m walking down and the other staff member is like “c’mon let’s keep it moving” and i looked at him and asked “i have to walk all the way down????” and he said “yup please keep going” and so i looked over to jooheon and pouted. JOOHEON AND MINHYUK POUTED BACK AT ME LOL but it was no big deal i didn’t really get a good glimpse of shownu or changkyun at that point but then here’s wonho and he grabs my hand and says “hiiiiiiiii” in a very deep voice LIKE WYD and you got kihyun over there at the end telling me “c’mon!” and motioned me down next to him.

y’all they’re standing on this platform, so they’re higher than they should be, i’m 4′10 and these other fans are just so tall so i asked the staff lady if i could stand on the platform too since i’m short and she hesitated for a moment and it looked like she was going to say yes but ended up saying no, guess she didn’t want to bend the rules for me. so it’s getting full from the other fans and i remember saying “i’m gonna get blocked” and kihyun did this hand gesture for me to get onto the platform next to him and i was thinking ummmm okay sure why not. and come to find out he had hovered his arm around me for quite some time because my boyfriend thought he had his arm wrapped around my shoulder but i said nah he was hovering cause i didn’t feel any physical touching lmfao. so i get up there and we all pose and the photo is done. the members are saying their thank you’s and goodbye’s to the fans and i turn to kihyun, he’s literally only a couple of inches away from me and he takes my hands and like we’re HOLDING HANDS and i started talking to him i told him thank you for coming, i hope you can come back again, and bring hyungwon next time please. you know just basic english on something he would understand and the whole time we had eye contact and he was smiling and nodding and saying yeah. and when i brought up hyungwon he made this very sad/worried face and nodded and said yeah, okay. at one point he let go one of his hands and notice my cousin next to me and shook her hand with that one LOL but omg i don’t know how i did it but yeah i fucking spoke to kihyun and we had the longest eye contact and held hands throughout the entire thing while a staff memeber was telling me to get off the platform and i was just so into kihyun i didn’t hear any of it until my boyfriend told me LOL.

all i have to say is the members are all so sweet and their hands! their hands are so soft! going to this concert literally revived my love for them and yeah i know it’s sad to say but i’ve just had a lot going on and this concert literally help with destressing and it was such a great experience.

[ps] i have footage and still debating if i wanna upload that but i seen so many fancams already :T

[icharchivist]

@killuabs ​ replied to “¦ I just realized that my category tag for Leopika being lp can also...”

W h a t asgfdhbnxjskgdks omg

Do i look like im kidding when I’m talking leopika kinky stuff

Moody Restaurant for starter. That you gotta listen all the way through and try to keep a straight face. (also sorry I can’t pick up some lines to explain how perverted it is it’s just. Man. The voice acting.) (also it’s the only one who has the translation on the video so ;O)

Then:

Intellectual LeoKuradio // Full translation at the bottom of the page

Kurapika: umm. I want us to play. Leorio: Play? Kurapika: Um, no, not like that, I want you to play a game with me Leorio: P-play a game? Kurapika: I mean, isn't it lonely because Gon and Killua are so caught up in games lately? So in order to not get left behind, I want to practice gaming too. Leorio: What, was that it? So you're telling me to become your teacher in games, right? Fine, I accept it. Then first, let's try a fighting game. Kurapika: Fighting game? That means a combat game, right? Sure. Leorio: Hold this controller first Kurapika: yeah Leorio: Are you ready? Let's go. Kurapika: Wait a second Leorio: Alright, I won. Kurapika: That's mean! Going all out against a beginner... It's... my first time, so... you could teach me more gently... Leorio: I see. Your first time. You're hopeless. Alright, let's guide you through everything. Kurapika: Now I feel a bit anxious... But I'm counting on you! Leorio: It's starting. First up are consecutive hits. Kurapika: Like this? Leorio: No, faster, move your fingers! Kurapika: Like this!? Leorio: More! Faster! ...That's right!! Ok, next is a combo! Whip it out, spread your legs, and spin!! Kurapika: Ah, like this? Leorio: Right right, like that! Up, up, down down, right left! Kurapika: um, Up, up, down down, diagonal-right... Leorio: What the heck, that's wrong Kurapika: Up, up, down down, right left! Leorio: Right! Now it's the finish! Kurapika: Like this!? Leorio: More fiercely, More!! Kurapika: LIKE THIS!!!? Leorio: Aaah! ... you did it, Kurapika. You were great. I have nothing more to teach you.

Moody Shiritori // Full Translation

N/A: Shiritori is a game where one person must say a word and the next person must say another word starting with the last syallbus of the previous word said. you’re not allowed to say a word finishing with “n” bc no words start in “n”

Kurapika: The adult-oriented moody midnight show (...) Leorio: Moody shiritori? What kind of game is that, Kurapika? Kurapika: It's a game of shiritori where you only use moody words. Leorio: I see, so it's like that... Kurapika: Yeah, like that. However, there is one rule you have to follow, even if it costs you your life. Leorio: What is it? Kurapika: It's the rule that you can absolutely not use any really perverted words. Leorio: Hmmm... (...) Kurapika: Then... jaguchi (faucet) Leorio: Faucet? Kurapika: It's moody, isn't it? Leorio: Chi, huh... Kurapika? Kurapika: What? Leorio: You're deceiving me. Making me say a word beginning with chi... ( (1) The Japanese word for male... parts, begins with 'chi', so I think that's what they're hinting at.) Kurapika: You can't say any really perverted words. Leorio: I can't think of anything but a perverted word. Kurapika: You can't, Leorio! It's a moody show. Leorio: Chi... chi... chikashitsu (basement) Kurapika: Ooh... that's so moody! Leorio: There's a dangerous atmosphere about it... Kurapika: tsu... Leorio: It's tsu Kurapika: tsumirejiru (fish dumpling soup) ... Moody, isn't it? It has an adult atmosphere... Doesn't it make you think of a casual Japanese restaurant? (I bring you back to Moody Restaurant to understand why I’m laughing at this one) (....) Leorio:  .... rusubanzuma (stay-at-home wife) Kurapika: That's... Leorio, that's just barely safe. Leorio: Is it dangerous? Kurapika: It's barely okay. It's right on the line between 'moody' and 'perverted'. Ma... ma!? Leorio: It's ma Kurapika: Leorio, did you just think so long, just to give me something ending in ma? Leorio: No, I didn't think that far. It's ma! Kurapika: ma... ma... Matsuo Basho (It's the name of a haiku poet) Leorio: Matsuo Basho... Hmm... That's kinda sexy Kurapika: It makes your heart pound, right? It has a wonderful fragrance too... Leorio: U... umiushi (sea hare) Kurapika: Shi... shitsuke (discipline) Leorio: You're making fun of me, aren't you? Kurapika: Take that. Leorio: Ke, huh... Kenuki (tweezers) Kurapika: tweezers!? Ki... Leorio: It's ki... You can't say THAT... Kurapika: You're really doing your best to end in stuff like 'ki' or 'ma', aren't you? Ki... kinou no yoru (Yesterday night) Leorio: It's ru again... ru... Kurapika: rururu~ Leorio: Let's make it something beautiful...

this is also 100% worse when you listen to it fyi bc they are very, very short in breaths and  they seem like they’re doing “something else” while playing that I ha t e

Oh and this one is worth noticing:

Moody English Conversation // Full Translation

Leorio: Hey. Kurapika. Kurapika: Hello, mister Leorio Leorio: How do you do? Kurapika: I'm fine, thank you. And you? Leorio: I'm fine too, thank you. By the way, it's very hot today. Kurapika: Ah, it sure is. Leorio: Do you have an undershirt? Kurapika: No, I don't have an undershirt Leorio: No shirt? Kurapika: No shirt. Leorio: Hm... It's very nice! Kurapika: Thank you. But I have some cups Leorio: Yes, Yes Kurapika: I have A cup, B cup, C cup, D cup and E cup. Which cup do you like? Leorio: Hmm... Oh... I like the E cup. Please give me your cup Kurapika: I see, sure. Leorio: Ah, yes, yes... Ah... It's a cold milk.

honestly this one wouldn’t be that bad if it wasn’t for the reading during that very last sentence I’m still crying wtf Leorio

And after all this sin here you can listen to just a drunk kurapika bothering Leorio

Kurapika: Next, let’s continue with page 155 of volume 7 of the textbook, eh? Leorio: Alright then. “kukuku, you are so cute” Kurapika: eh eh eh, you irresistible! Repeat after me  (..) Leorio: “No, you shouldn’t give things away so easily” Kurapika: No, you shouldn’t be so straightahead Leorio: No~ Kurapika: Yes, that was good, that was good. (...) Leorio: What the heck is this!? Kurapika: Oh, this is the conversation between a married couple after they found out one of them was cheating. Leorio: It isn’t!  Please, go home already! 

All of those are so ba d like. The voice acting. They keep on having short breaths and almost moan most of the time this i s so bad.

And the worst?? 

THIS IS OFFICIAL. ALL OF THIS. IS FROM THE 1999 ANIME’S DRAMA CD WITH LEORIO’S AND KURAPIKA’S VOICE ACTORS. 

Makes you reconsider absolutly everything you knew and then just know : they’re very, very kinky with games. And this is bad. So bad. I hate everything.

[jiora]

Top 25 Kpop Songs 2017-OMG It’s Here!

Here it is! The thing that a handful of people who aren’t me have seen... My annual list of the best Kpop songs!

My annual KPOP list has been a top 30 for the past 2 years. But this year I feel there is a drop off in quality after 25 songs. So here it is! Top 25 Best KPOP Songs of 2017 25 Fingertip by GFRIEND- GFRIEND is usually not to my taste but this song is so different from their usual style. It is like music from an '80s action movie. In the video I really wish that they had used their "Fingertip"s as guns instead of the plastic ones. 24 Ko Ko Bop by EXO- EXO did not impress me as much this year as they usually do. The dance breaks in this song were trying too hard to be cool. LOL. But, the parts where they sing actually are cool. And cool is the best word to describe this funky laid back track. The choreography was for the most part excellent, but at times I think the arm movements were too fast to make a proper impact. 23 Save Me by I'M- This is a slow song from a former member of Topp Dogg. I believe he is someone that deserves more attention. I love the layering of the vocals and the changes in melody. The heavy hearted mood created by the song is captivating. 22 Gashina by Sunmi- This song is like a journey. A fun journey with your friends. A journey where something fun is always happenning and the destination isn't really the point of the trip. I think that metaphor will stand as the only sort of review I give this song. 21 Like This by Pentagon- Pentagon had 6 comebacks this year. "Like This" was the strongest. It has a chorus that soars. A lot of songs this year were just simple and pleasant background music and "Like This" almost falls into this category too. But there is something uplifting about it. It isn't just background music it makes you feel something. I get a similar feeling when I hear rock songs like Don't Stop Believin', Journey and Beautiful Day, U2. 20 Reborn by Jay Park, BOI B, DOUBLE K- The year cannot be complete without hearing at least one thing from Jay Park with this kind of sound. It is Jay at his usual greatness, what else can I say? I understand it is an ad for a digestive medicine: Hwalmyeongsu. Such a shame that a good song will be associated with sickness. 19 Whisper by VIXX LR- VIXX LR has a different sound to it than VIXX or than Ravi's solo rap. VIXX LR is my favourite version of VIXX. This song is sensual and melodic. 18 Run The Streets by DEAN- I love DEAN's unique voice. He has a sincerity in his voice. He is not being over theatrical. The lyrics are really dramatic and he doesn't over do it to sound like he is bragging or like he is venting. He is just stating and it seems more sincere that way. He goes into a bit of a scat in the middle, which is brilliant. 17 Energetic by Wanna One- I haven't enjoyed anything as much as I enjoyed Produce 101 Season 2. This show had me falling in love with every contestant. They didn't even have to try to make good music after that, but they did! The human piano was inspired! and that "why~~~" near the beginning of the song just makes me melt. Then in the chorus they do that "got me feelin energetic" with the 'Macarana' type dance moves and I'm hyped! This song gives me a total range of emotions. 16 Kiss Me by WJSN- The cute girl concept usually doesn't appeal to me but this one is too catchy to ignore! It is not even really cute in the typical sense. It's just fun and fluffy. That must be why I enjoy it. It is also very consistent. There is no part that stands out as better or worse than another. It flows nicely and always sounds like it's over too soon. I could loop this for an hour. 15 Dance With Me by VAV- VAV has song writers from SM Entertainment and they put great riffs and runs in this song. Since this was a group that I hadn't heard much from VAV before it took me a while to realize how good this song actually was. It includes harmonies in the background which is something a lot of groups don't bother to do. It really enriches the sound. 14 All Night by Girls' Generation- This kind of sound has been missing from Girls' Generation for a couple of years, and I'm so glad to hear it again. More than that, however, I love the outside-the-box outfits. I feel like a lot of Kpop groups have been playing it safe and wearing clothes that are conventionally pretty. But we can count on SM entertainment have the balls to dress their artists in all kinds of deliciously tacky sparkles and feathers! 13 Cherry Bomb by NCT 127- NCT 127 has made a creative effort again this year. This time it landed a little better than last year's "Firetruck". Every verse and chorus and dance step gives me something I haven't quite seen or heard before. It falls short of off-putting and lands in engaging. 12 I Love You by Bobby- Bobby seems so natural and comfortable in this song. He has the natural YG swagger, even if his style of swagger is a little more youthful and vibrant than other YG artists'. The song has a little bit of the Carribean flavour that has been so popular in 2017, but not so much that you would call it tropical. 11 What's Good by Niel (feat. Justhis)- Niel is an amazing dancer. The choreography in the rap break is killer and Justhis' rap is brilliant. The chorus and the verses both move you to groove along.

WATCH THE TOP TEN!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3zB21l-mfQ 10 Sorry by The Rose- This singer takes the opposite approach from DEAN and I like it that way too. The singer puts so much emotion into every word that you can feel it even when you don't understand the language. I think that is something very special about music in a foreign language. It allows you to listen to peoples emotions without being distracted by their words. I don't usually fall for the rock genre but I will be looking out for The Rose in the future. 9 Don't Wanna Cry by Seventeen- This song is very sparse in terms of vocals. The dance is my favourite thing about it. I want to call this the choreography of the year. 8 Stranger's Love by Barberettes X Jang Jinyoung- These girls have buckets full of talent. I'm thrilled to be putting the Baberettes in my top 10 list this year.The tone of this song is so seductive. 7 Dirty House by Nam Taehyun (South Club)- I'm not a K-rocker, but I think this song is so cool. Play it while you are cleaning the house. Ever notice how the word house sounds a lot like the word hoes. Dirty hoes? I kind of like how the song crashes for a few seconds in the middle and then recovers. 6 Fruity by Hyolyn (feat. Kisum)- How can an ad for a fruity drink be such a good song? I hope these companies keep pumping money into KPOP if this is the result. 5 O Sole Mio by SF9- This song is framiliar sounding. The Spanish guitar rhythms are gorgeous and delicate.  Can we talk about how they sing four languages in only one line O sole mio Italian, te quiero Spanish, neo nae taeyang Korean, O my Lady English. The innovative wardrobe caught me eye too. Their large shirts are like a modern take on the matador cape. So many details in this song. 4 On/Off by ONF- If you look up the word bop in the dictionary this song starts playing. Someone had to bring a happy, catchy boy band sound this year. We got it from the debut song of ONF! Well done new boys! 3 Sixteen by Samual (feat. Changmo)- The best post-Produce 101 song. This has early Justin Beiber feels to it. Or at least Justin wishes his video were this good. Samuel makes dancing look easy and natural. 2 Wake Me Up by BAP- This song is about a big and important issue, but read a translation of the lyrics and they are just ambiguous enough so that the song can be about any issue that the listenner wants it to be about. Even with the video there are still gaps left open for the viewer to fill in. It's really cool when the same art means something different to different people. 1 Goodbye by 2NE1- The perfect goodbye song. 2NE1 is a group that got a lot of people hooked on KPOP. The world would not have been the same without them. If they had to leave I am glad they left on such a beautiful note.