#produce 99

[married-2-the-music]

IZ*ONE Deep Dive #2/2: The Greatest Survival Show Group?

IZ*ONE was one of the most famous k-pop project groups, formed by Produce 101. When this review comes out, it’ll be the 6th anniversary of that formation, August 31st, 2018. Though they disbanded in 2021, they had twelve members: IVE’s Jang Wonyoung and Ahn Yujin, Le Sserafim’s Sakura and Chaewon, and now-soloists Jo Yuri, Choi Yena, Kwon Eunbi, Lee Chaeyeon, along with Yabuki Nako, Kang Hyewon, Honda Hitomi, and Kim Minjoo. 

Here are my credentials: It’s hard to be a k-pop fan and not know of IZ*ONE, so of course I’ve heard a decent amount of their songs. I also know a lot of their members because, as mentioned, many of them are now soloists or in different groups. I’ve covered IVE (see here), Le Sserafim (see here), and Yena (see here), but I thought that coming up on this anniversary was a great time to do the full group.

[todayinhiphophistory]

Today in Hip Hop History:

MF DOOM released his debut solo album Operation Doomsday October 19, 1999

[omgpoindexter]

when we get the omgcp tv show we need an accent coordinator. i was just sat here thinking about how vitally important it is that everyone’s accent is perfect. bitty and jack go without saying but lardo’s boston accent. ransom’s canadian accent also. chowder’s laid back cali accent. nursey’s faux chill new york accent? holster’s western new york accent! don’t know what a maine accent sounds like but dex gotta have one. this is very important to me

[sylvia-forest]

[CN] Shaw's Dual Cultivation Pact Date - Part 1

⚡Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a Date which hasn’t been released in EN yet!⚡

[Released Date: 4 August 2024]

[Section 1]

Mayor: To be honest, we really shouldn’t bother you with such trivial matters… Mayor: If the fairy hadn't set up a large formation here to protect our town over the years, I'm afraid this area would have been trampled by demons…

The old man in front of me complimented me endlessly, but at the critical moment, he hesitated to speak and kept looking at my face.

Looking at his submissive look, I felt a little funny, so I lazily changed my sitting position and spoke directly.

MC: There's no need for small talk. The old gentleman wants to talk about Shaw, right?

Hearing the name "Shaw", the villagers shivered instinctively and gritted their teeth before nodding.

Mayor: That's right! That's him! That disciple of yours is acting too arrogantly!

The mayor immediately started talking and complained endlessly.

Basically, it all boils down to Shaw being rude when traveling the world, being selective when fighting demons, and not knowing how to hold back. It's all just boring stuff.

I blocked a yawn with my sleeve, but the mayor didn't notice my impatience. He took a sip of strong tea and patted his knee.

Mayor: …..This time, he went even further and actually tied butcher Qian to a tree, using him as bait to attract ghosts! MC: Oh. Mayor: Butcher Qian was so frightened that he was still lying in bed! MC: ….oh. Mayor: Their whole family depends on him for food. Life is really difficult these days, so… ?.?: So what?

A voice sounded above my head. I looked up and met a pair of playful eyes.

It's Shaw. He sat back on the beam, dangling his long legs, and smiled at me leisurely, then turned his eyes to the mayor.

The young man's tone clearly carried a smile, but his words were as sharp as a blade.

Shaw: I’m asking you, so what? Mayor: No, nothing!!

The mayor stood up in a hurry and almost knocked over the unfinished tea cup.

Mayor: ——Fairy MC, Taoist Master Shaw, I suddenly remembered that I have something to do at home, so I’ll take my leave first!

Before I had a chance to speak, Shaw had already leapt down from the beam and landed right in front of me, just as the mayor scrambled away in a hurry.

He first gave a cold sneer, then swept the teacup the man had used out the door with a flick of his sleeve, treating it like trash.

Shaw: What was he here for? MC: What do you say? MC: Of course, he's here to complain about you, my 'recalcitrant disciple,' being too disobedient and in need of correction.

Shaw: Hey, who is your disciple? Do you still want to train me?

I fiddled with the tassels on my whisk and curled my lips.

MC: Since you're not my disciple, why do you have the right to look at the cultivation manuals and texts I've collected?

Shaw: No reason. Anyway, I want to read it, and you can’t stop me, right? Shaw: Besides, I haven’t looked at your cultivation manuals for nothing. Shaw: Since I came here, haven't you been able to practice your cultivation with peace of mind, without having to be invited down the mountain by these people every once in a while?

Back then, Shaw appeared at my courtyard gate without any warning.

He claimed to be a wandering martial Taoist, here to find someone, and while he was at it, to do some ghost and demon exorcism work to make a bit of extra money.

Seeing that he had good aptitude, I casually gave him some pointers.

In return, while he was traveling down the mountain, he used my name and handled many mundane affairs on my behalf.

This subtle understanding has continued until now. But now…

MC: Other things might be forgivable, but why were you so harsh with the butcher Qian? Shaw: Didn't you tell me about Qian Butcher before? This fat man encountered a demon with his brother when he was young. He pushed his brother into the demon's mouth and ran away. Shaw: Afterwards, feeling guilty, he came to you for help with rituals and prayers, didn't he?

While he was talking leisurely, he poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of me.

I took a sip of the tea and briefly recalled that I might have mentioned this during one of our casual chats over tea and meals.

MC: What does this have to do with you bleeding him to attract ghosts?

Shaw: It doesn't matter, I just want to say... I am much kinder than him. Shaw: He used a human life to feed the demons, while I only use a vial of blood and a bit of courage... With all the clamor, aren’t I still kind-hearted?

When Shaw leaned toward me, the faint scent of tea flowers escaped from his collar, and I held my breath.

MC: You might think it's just the way it is, but let me remind you of something… MC: Next time, do it more discreetly, lest the old man come up the mountain again and bore me to death.

Shaw burst out laughing.

He originally had sharp features and a somewhat arrogant appearance. When he smiled, his demeanor became even more unruly and bold. He didn't seem like a righteous person dedicated to expelling demons and upholding justice, but rather like a little devil causing trouble in the world.

When he stopped laughing, I asked him some more about his experiences at the foot of the mountain, and all I got were answers that were completely different from the mayor's.

Shaw: ...I scolded him because he deserved it. I told him not to go out during the time of demons, but he insisted on strolling around. All I can say is that if he died, he brought it on himself. Shaw: ...Is a poor person's life worth less? Anyway, I’ll go help where I want to help. If he's in a hurry, he can ask another Taoist priest. Shaw [sighs]: …That demon was quite powerful. I was caught off guard, which is why it managed to set half the village on fire. If I had known earlier, I would have learned from her. MC [surprised]: Her?

When I heard this word, my heart felt like it was gently pulled by a thread, but my face was still smiling.

MC: Are you referring to Fairy Xuanhe when you say "her"?

Shaw: Yes, who else could it be?

I looked at Shaw, and he confidently spread his hands.

Shaw: If she were to handle it, she would probably crush the monster to ashes, and avoid the troubles that would follow. MC: Not necessarily. MC: Fairy Xuanhe has an eccentric personality and cruel methods, which will only cause more trouble. MC: Maybe if she wasn’t in a good mood while exorcizing demons, she might set the village on fire herself. Shaw: …..

Shaw narrowed his eyes and twitched the corner of his mouth.

Shaw: MC, I originally thought you were different from the rest of the world. Shaw: It turns out you think of her the same way. MC: It’s not that I think of her that way, it’s that everyone in the world thinks so. Shaw: Everyone in the world? Shaw [scoffs]: I don’t care what everyone in the world does, I just ask you, do you also think that Fairy Xuanhe is a fallen witch?

I averted my gaze, avoiding the sight of Shaw's hand slowly curling into a fist, and spoke each word deliberately.

MC: Does what I think matter? MC: Shaw, she is dead. Don't look for her anymore. It will only make you have delusional thoughts… Shaw: I do not believe.

Shaw interrupted me coldly.

Shaw: Unless I see her body with my own eyes, I won't believe it.

He had reached this point, and I knew that it would be useless to say more, so I could only close my mouth.

A long silence brewed between me and him. When the teacup on the table was no longer warm, Shaw finally stood up.

He picked up a few books on my table and waved at me.

Shaw: It's time for me to leave. Please lend me these few volumes of exercises and return them to you later. Shaw: By the way, remember to treat me with a different kind of tea next time, this one is too unpleasant to drink. MC: Whoever wants to entertain you, please return the book to me!

I shouted angrily at Shaw's back, only to receive a wanton chuckle from him.

—

[Section 2]

Ever since the earth's spiritual veins were tainted by demonic energy a century ago, monsters have been rampant everywhere. Not only have people been living in constant unease, but even the flowers and plants have lost their vibrancy, always appearing withered and desolate.

Sighing, I broke off a few withered branches and finally discovered a cluster of blooming flowers.

MC: ...Although they bloomed a bit later than last year, it's good that we met again.

I reached out my hand with joy and touched the petals.

It gently swayed its branches, as if responding to my mood. A drop of night dew fell from its petal tip, moistening my fingertips.

I brushed away the water stain, and my thoughts drifted away, following the spreading fingerprints.

Shaw [in a low voice]: What are you doing?

A slender hand suddenly appeared before my eyes, emanating a familiar, stronger fragrance of blooming tea from the sleeve.

Only then did I come back to my senses and turn around to glare at Shaw.

MC: Why do you scare me every time you come here?

Shaw: Are you scared? I see that your expression is very calm every time. MC: Hmph, it's just my refined demeanor. Shaw: Yes, yes, who doesn’t know that Fairy MC is unparalleled and her joy and anger are never visible in her expressions.

Shaw casually quarreled with me, raised his eyebrows, and looked around.

Shaw: How do I feel... your yard is much prettier than the last time I came here? MC: You always come in autumn and winter, so how can you see any flowers and plants? It's almost summer now, and of course the flowers are blooming more. Shaw: Indeed, you must have put a lot of thought into raising these delicate little things so well, right? MC: Fortunately, it doesn’t matter if you spend more time thinking on the things you like. Shaw: As long as you like it, will you spend more time and effort?

Shaw's rhetorical question came out of nowhere. I was a little surprised and turned to look at him. But I saw his eyes falling directly on my face as if he was confirming something.

Being stared at by him made me feel a little nervous, and I bit my lip.

MC: What's wrong...don't you know how? Shaw: Of course, I do too.

Shaw finally looked away and raised the corners of his mouth.

Shaw: I will not put just "a little" thought into something I like, but will use all my strength and risk everything to win it.

Indeed, you're still too young. Only someone youthful would casually use words like 'exhaust' and 'everything,' which carry such a resolute meaning. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

MC: You'd better keep some for yourself. You've finally achieved results in your cultivation. Wouldn't it be a big loss if you gambled it all away? Shaw: Lose or win, I have the final say.

After he finished speaking, he paused and added another sentence.

Shaw: MC...has my practice really paid off? MC: Certainly. Even if you don’t know how many boundaries you have broken, you can still feel the yang energy in your body being filled, right? Shaw: That's true... Lately, when I've been walking at night, no wandering spirits or ghosts dare to come near me.

Shaw muttered, handing me a few scrolls from his arms.

Shaw: I'm really curious, where exactly did you get these techniques from? Shaw: I've been stuck at a bottleneck in my cultivation for a long time. I've sought help from both reputable sects and unorthodox paths, but nothing has worked—I've been stuck at the same level. Shaw: Ever since I started using your techniques, cultivation has become remarkably easy. MC: These are all techniques I created myself. Besides, isn't it a good thing that they're simple to practice?

I took the scrolls and calmly met his gaze.

MC: Just think that this fairy is an unparalleled genius and happened to be so compassionate that she helped you.

Shaw: Hahaha, this is the first time I have seen someone say that she is a genius!

He laughed so loudly that I couldn't help but pout.

MC: Is that not okay? Shaw: Of course, this genius fairy is so cute.

His straightforward words made my face heat up slightly, and I quickly changed the topic.

MC: Okay, tell me what you have experienced during this time.

In order to ensure the stability of the formation and peace in all directions, I have been living in the mountains for a long time. I rely on Shaw to tell me everything I know about the outside world.

Who did you meet, what demon did you kill, what food and wine did you eat…

From Shaw's gentle words, I could hear, see, and feel the long-lost warmth of the everyday world.

But this time as I listened, I suddenly noticed something was wrong.

MC: ..... Even if this monster makes you unhappy, you can just get rid of it. Is it necessary to beat it half to death and throw it in front of its deadly enemy?

Shaw [scoffs]: Oh, it offended me, why should I let it die happily? Shaw: Of course, I have to let it be tortured to death by its mortal enemy so that I can feel relieved. MC: ……Nonsense.

Is he imitating Fairy Xuanhe's method again? Looking at Shaw's face, I swallowed these words and sighed lightly.

MC: When I first met you, you were still a very well-behaved child.

Shaw [clicks his tongue]: Tsk, who are you calling a kid? Do you really think you're that much older? Shaw: Besides, when I saw you, I looked pretty much the same as I do now. Where exactly do you think I still seem like a kid?

Shaw took a step forward. With his tall stature and sharp demeanor, his presence was imposing and gave off the pressure of an adult man, making it difficult to resist.

I couldn't help but take a step back. Seeing me retreat, Shaw seemed to find it amusing and continued to advance, matching my steps.

The more I retreated, the further he advanced, until I had nowhere left to back up. My back pressed against the flower stand, and I found myself surrounded by the intense fragrance of blooming flowers.

I couldn't help but stare at him, but he just smiled at me.

MC: Is it fun?

Shaw [whispers seductively]: Fun. Shaw: Seeing the clumsy fairy retreating like this, not even bothering to use a spell to push me away, is really amusing... Eh!

I immediately did as he wished, swinging my whisk and sending a gust of energy that forcefully pushed him backward.

Shaw stumbled a few steps before steadying himself with the flower pot, but the corner of his mouth was still turned up in a smile.

Shaw: You pushed me too far. MC: You should just stand there. Shaw: I prefer not.

As he spoke, Shaw plucked a blue lotus from the flower pot and approached me again.

He raised his hand and placed the blue lotus hairpin into my hair.

MC: …..?

I looked at him, puzzled, and met his gaze with his crescent-shaped eyebrows and eyes.

Shaw [in a sweet voice]: This is just a token of gratitude for lending me your techniques. MC: Shaw, you borrowed my books and now you’re giving me one of my own flowers as a return gift? You're the one being foolish!

Shaw [whispers seductively x1]: Maybe. Shaw [x2]: But the fairy looks quite beautiful like this.

His whisper was low and seductive, but also with a subtle hint of caution.

In those bright eyes, there was only my reflection: the snowy white robe and the delicate blue lotus.

The fragrance of the blooming flowers grew more intense, like a fine wine nearing its perfect brew.

My heart raced as if something long-awaited was about to appear before me.

MC: Shaw….

Shaw [x3]: I remember she looked like this when I first saw her.

Everything was shattered, and my face instantly turned cold.

I swung the whisk again, and this time, Shaw was sent outside the courtyard, a hundred meters away, before he even had a chance to make a sound.

MC [coldly]: I won't accept it.

—

📿 Part 2

[greenerteacups]

Just curious because I love your thoughts on this silly magical world... Do you think the sorting hat could pausibly put Hermione on Slytherin? Do you think she would survive in there? I have no idea how canon would play out in this case but its fun to think about

Young Hermione is caught up in the idea of following The Rules and doing things The Right Way. She wants to do good in the world, but that's not necessarily the same as wanting success or the fulfillment of personal ambition. That's all to say that she could definitely succeed as a Slytherin — I tend to think someone as smart and driven as Hermione is bound to succeed anywhere — but there's a big question of what she'd succeed at. Much of Hermione's drive and purpose comes from Harry and Ron: she's at her best when she's helping them overcome their obstacles, whether it's grades or Triwizard Tasks or horcruxes. She doesn't seem to have many large independent objectives (extremely fair, considering one of Harry's major problems is "save the Wizarding World from a fascist demigod") and when she does, like with S.P.E.W., it's depicted as being slightly wrong-headed and brash, with insufficient attention to how the subjects of her crusades for justice actually feel.

REGARDLESS of whether the enslavement of house-elves was a good vehicle to characterize Hermione in that way, the S.P.E.W. campaign does give us this information about her: she has a strong sense of what's right and wrong, but she's not great with people, and she has a habit of not listening to them whenever their ideas conflict with her own sense of reason and justice. Which makes sense! Hermione is smarter than most people she meets. Her heuristics are telling her that she usually knows better, and she usually does. But she can't do most of what she wants to do alone, and she especially can't do it if she doesn't listen to people and learn to ask for advice/counsel, which Harry and Ron don't often force her to do. They're great friends for her in that they check her arrogance and her imperiousness, but they don't necessarily have a ton of emotional depth or insight into Hermione as a person.

Being in Slytherin might change those things about her, or it might not. She might become more attuned to people and the ways to use friends to get what you want both personally and politically — Slytherin is a hotbed of political connections, and Gryffindor culture is much more brash and direct anyway — or she might flounder and struggle for that very reason. It would depend on the people she met and the friends she made, just as her experience in Gryffindor did. Regardless, I think she would be a very different person — a more politically canny person, but probably a colder and less forgiving person — if you took her friends away.

[weezeryuri]

scollace fanfic recommendations

because you asked so niceies :-]

SFW

• LITERALLY ANYTHING BY MY DEAR MUTUAL HORRORCOMEDIES/APOLLOSHRINE all SFW. sleep in the heat (and repeat) is honest to god one of my favorite pieces of scollace content ever i highly recommend with my whole heart and soul

• Scott Didn’t Drink by (also my dear mutual) konji857 scott gets drunk and sad and overstimulated and cuddly. goodass autistic scott pilgrim content. mild hurt/no comfort

• achilles, achilles, come down by flwergardens how scott and wallace started sleeping in the same bed and how wallace both hates and loves it. lots of clumsy cuddling and elbowing

• the story is somewhat gay, yes by fizzyblogic literally the oldest scollace fic on ao3. university/post-break up pining. ends on a cliffhanger but still slaps

• In The Quiet by TrashficParlour pre-canon uni fic based on that one flashback where they met. summary describes it best: For a moment they were both quiet before Scott turned to Wallace and giggled. “Dude,” he slurred. “I think I love you.”

• hunger by nvls short fic about why wallace loves and hates scott

• new year’s kiss by NotALemon sfw with implied offscreen stuff. wallace yearning for scott while helping him recover after envy leaves his life. lot of crying, lot of hurt/comfort

NSFW

• Way Too Hot to Simmer Down (Might as Well Overheat) by 100yos 18+. very very cute pre-canon fic with really good and silly characterization. scott being cringefail at experimenting with his sexuality after envy left him

• she was laughing in the sun by pexadillo 18+. scott drunkenly vents about envy and asks wallace (also drunk) to help him figure out if maybe he just needs to try getting a boyfriend instead. goes exactly how you expect it to go

• Let’s be Late by tyedyedragon 18+. established relationship. short fic about scott getting slonked silly

• Cause I’m Desperate by tyedyedragon 18+. transmasc scott desperately needs to get laid after being single for too long. wallace lends him a hand

• Our apartment echoes with your touch by call_me_cordelia 18+. wallace and scott drunkenly hookup. wallace reminisces after waking up next to him hungover

• You've been out drinking with other boys again/telling them that no we are only friends by call_me_cordelia 18+. wallace ponders his weird ambiguous situationship with scott

• next to you, naked by karezza 18+. from the summary: “Scott's been wondering what it's like to be dominated by another guy. Wallace is happy to entertain him.” REALLY REALLY REALLY good first time fic ft. scott pilgrim’s praise kink

• not keeping track by kyuuketsukirui 18+. one of the weird encounters wallace keeps having while sharing a bed. sleepy frotting. very short but one of my faves

[connecting-the-stars]

Friend asked me what my Roman empires was I obviously responded literally and scanned through my most recent fixations and jumped on the one that I believed was mainstream enough to share,

“Star Wars. The clones and how it explores individuality in people that are meant be copies of one person.”

They blinked at me. And the sense of dread kind of sunk in my stomach for a minute. Like damn - did you do this bit wrong?

“You made it philosophical.” They joked and turned in kind with a fact about the stormtroopers and the relation to German armies.

Then they said their Roman Empire was Yung Gravy and red heads.

Lmao. Our conversations are always something.

[bigbeanbear]

Stephanie Beatriz answering the moderator question if she’s looking to direct more after she directed one episode on Brooklyn 99.

@ TwinCitiesCon

[windvexer]

Sat down sicker than I was yesterday to reply to your posts @asksecularwitch thinking that somehow my brain would work better just because I have coffee, but apparently no, today the coffee gods do not deign to part the fog of viral infection.

[sweaters-and-vertigo]

most of the global population at a couple of rich morons:

[married-2-the-music]

IZ*ONE Deep Dive #1/2: The Greatest Survival Show Group?

IZ*ONE was one of the most famous k-pop project groups, formed by Produce 101. When this review comes out, it’ll be the 6th anniversary of that formation, August 31st, 2018. Though they disbanded in 2021, they had twelve members: IVE’s Jang Wonyoung and Ahn Yujin, Le Sserafim’s Sakura and Chaewon, and now-soloists Jo Yuri, Choi Yena, Kwon Eunbi, Lee Chaeyeon, along with Yabuki Nako, Kang Hyewon, Honda Hitomi, and Kim Minjoo. 

Here are my credentials: It’s hard to be a k-pop fan and not know of IZ*ONE, so of course I’ve heard a decent amount of their songs. I also know a lot of their members because, as mentioned, many of them are now soloists or in different groups. I’ve covered IVE (see here), Le Sserafim (see here), and Yena (see here), but I thought that coming up on this anniversary was a great time to do the full group.

[todayinhiphophistory]

Today in Hip Hop History:

Gang Starr released the album Full Clip: Decade of Gang Starr July 13, 1999

[giantkillerjack]

Today, I am learning about Malcolm X, and the way he talks about white liberals really struck a chord with me.

I also found this quote from him about John Brown, a white abolitionist who went to war for his beliefs and helped push America towards civil war. I only learned about John Brown from my very racist AP US History teacher, Mr. Green, of Hampton Township, at Hampton High School, in D Hall, who lied to us and said the Civil War wasn't about slavery. And so this'll shock you, but I never learned about Malcolm X in school! Anyway, Malcolm X says:

“We need allies who are going to help us achieve a victory, not allies who are going to tell us to be nonviolent. If a white man wants to be your ally, what does he think of John Brown? You know what John Brown did? He went to war. He was a white man who went to war against white people to help free slaves. He wasn’t nonviolent. White people call John Brown a nut. Go read the history, go read what all of them say about John Brown. They’re trying to make it look like he was a nut, a fanatic. They made a movie on it, I saw a movie on the screen one night. Why, I would be afraid to get near John Brown if I go by what other white folks say about him. But they depict him in this image because he was willing to shed blood to free the slaves. And any white man who is ready and willing to shed blood for your freedom—in the sight of other whites, he’s nuts. As long as he wants to come up with some nonviolent action, they go for that, if he’s liberal, a nonviolent liberal, a love-everybody liberal. But when it comes time for making the same kind of contribution for your and my freedom that was necessary for them to make for their own freedom, they back out of the situation. So, when you want to know good white folks in history where black people are concerned, go read the history of John Brown. That was what I call a white liberal. But those other kind, they are questionable. So if we need white allies in this country, we don’t need those kind who compromise. We don’t need those kind who encourage us to be polite, responsible, you know. We don’t need those kind who give us that kind of advice. We don’t need those kind who tell us how to be patient. No, if we want some white allies, we need the kind that John Brown was, or we don’t need you. And the only way to get those kind is to turn in a new direction.”

[finnickodaiir]

I'm sorry but I just can't believe when people say they think Girl at Home TV is like good...

[kil9]

<- professional premin thinker

[applefae]

They literally explain it in the Tinkerbell movies, these absolute PHILISTINES don’t know about the pixie dust tree!!!

why do they let the worlds most boring people direct movies