#rebel spring

[slaughter-books]

Day 8: JOMPBPC: Worst Book In A Series You Liked

I didn't like the first two books in this series, but I ended up loving the third book and the rest of the series too! 💕

[lurkingshan]

The Ride or Die Drama Couples List

So the other night I got a little sassy on main because some of the girlies were complaining that King the Land is focusing more on the couple moments (aka relationship development) between Gu Won and Sa Rang and doesn’t have enough plot. Which is a very typical fandom complaint about romcoms that I absolutely hate, because in a good romance the relationship is the plot, people! It’s bizarre attitudes like this that get us random murder plots spliced into every other romcom for the ratings, and I am begging y’all to stop the madness. 

Ahem. Anyway, that post seemed to resonate with some folks and get them discussing other dramas, and so inevitably @troubled-mind wandered into my notes and said gee Shan, it seems like maybe you should make a list of dramas that show us couples in a relationship and explore how they make it work and ultimately stay together. And I’ve warned y’all before, if you make a stray comment in my direction there will be a list coming your way. So here I am again, doing the absolute most.

Today I present to you a list of my favorite dramas that show you not only how the couple gets together, but also how they stay together. Criteria:

The couple doesn’t have to be together when the drama starts, but they do have to actually begin their romantic relationship no later than halfway through the drama’s run so that we have substantial time with them as a couple

The relationship development between the couple is a primary plot driver (so no dramas where there’s a great long term couple just hanging out in the background)

The relationship story may include some physical separation or even a temporary breakup, but not the betrayal kind–these are the sort that actually force an unaddressed issue to the surface and ultimately bring the couple even closer 

Happy endings only, these pairs are sticking together 

Ride or Die Drama Couples

Bad Buddy - Pat and Pran

(Thailand, YouTube)

This is tumblr so do I really need to tell y’all about Pat and Pran? There is a reason we all lost our minds over this show and it’s because we got to be in this relationship with them so intensely and see them fight to stay together despite it all. Their ending is bittersweet because of their families, but the show leaves us no doubt that they both think the other is worth it and they will always stick it out together. 

Dark Blue Kiss - Pete and Kao

(Thailand, YouTube)

Shout out to the OGs! Pete and Kao originally got together in the Kiss series (you can watch it, but you really don’t have to, fam) and Dark Blue Kiss brings them back three years into their long-term relationship to give us a peek into their struggles with the closet and the toll it takes on both of them individually as well as the strain it puts on their relationship. 

Flower of Evil - Hee Sung and Ji Won

(S Korea, Netflix or Viki)

Hee Sung and Ji Won are already married (with an adorable daughter) when this drama begins, and the backstory of their relationship is unspooled alongside the larger mystery at the heart of the show. One of the most fascinating and heart wrenching love stories I have ever seen, centered on a character who is so emotionally damaged that he genuinely believes he is incapable of love even as love pours out of him. Damn, I’m gonna make myself cry into my oatmeal.

It’s Okay, That’s Love - Jae Yeol and Hae Soo

(S Korea, Viki)

Speaking of crying, lord. Ahhhhhhh. Let me pull myself together. It’s Okay, That’s Love is a healing drama about two people who fall in love and support each other through serious mental health challenges. I don’t really want to say much more than that. Bring tissues, besties!

La Pluie - Patts and Saengtai

(Thailand, iQIYI)

My beloved! This Thai drama is about a pair of soulmates–or are they–who find each other and try to make their relationship work. That’s it, that’s the show. In this drama, the relationship truly is the plot, despite some of the fantasy elements being used to highlight its themes. La Pluie is about the importance of choice and a rebuke of romantic fantasies that fate and destiny will handle your love life for you. I and many others have written about it extensively, so if you decide to watch, you can go nuts on meta. 

Lighter & Princess - Li Xun and Zhu Yun

(China, Viki)

I really love this show. This is a long format drama so there will be longer stretches where the couple still has not officially gotten together, but the relationship between them is the heart of the entire show, and we get the distinct pleasure of watching them fall in love twice, and the second time figure out how to make it stick. Such a treat.

One Spring Night - Ji Ho and Jung In

(S Korea, Netflix)

Oh how I love this quiet little drama about two people who fall for each other while one is still in a relationship with someone else, and figure out how to untangle the mess they’re in. We get to see them not only fall in love, but figure out how to become a unit who can withstand the harsh judgment coming their way and become a family on their own terms. Bonus adorable child alert!

Tomorrow With You - So Joon and Ma Rin

(S Korea, Viki)

This time travel melodrama is one of those that I started with no expectations and then sat up part way through and said what gave you the right to be this good! This is another one where the relationship begins for dubious reasons, but the suspect motives are quickly taken over by genuine feeling. We really get to live with the relationship in this one and the message is all about treasuring the life and time we have together. 

The Rebel Princess - Awu (Wang Xuan) and Xiao Qi

(China, Viki)

I think the phrase Ride or Die was actually invented for them. Talk about a power couple. Once these two get to know each other (this is a historical so as per usual, their marriage wasn’t actually their choice but rather the result of some asshole’s machinations in a quest for power, joke’s on them though) they are in, baby, and their devotion and loyalty never wavers. This is a historical epic in war time, so the couple will be physically separated multiple times, but it only makes them stronger and each of their reunions sweeter. Their relationship is the heart of the show and the throughline in their chaotic lives.

What Did You Eat Yesterday? - Shiro and Kenji

(Japan, the ether)

Saving the best for last because this right here is the GOAT in this category. It sits at the top of my all-time favorite dramas list and I love it passionately. Because y’all? This drama is explicitly about a middle-aged couple learning how to be together in a long-term relationship. That is the entire plot. And it’s fantastic. Stop reading this and go watch it!

Honorable Mentions

Yumi’s Cells - Yu Mi and Goo Wong 

(S Korea, Viki)

This one is not on the list proper because (gasp) the couple doesn’t end up together. I know, I’m still sad about it, too, even though I went into this drama fully aware of the concept (a season about each of Yu Mi’s major relationships). But man. Yu Mi and Goo Wong just have that something, you know? Even knowing they don’t stick it out, it’s a delight to watch them fall in love and settle into a relationship together. Technically there is a second season featuring Yu Mi’s next relationship (Babi? I don’t know her), but I don’t want to recommend it and you can’t make me.

I must also give a shout out to the bl season 2s that exist expressly for the purpose of showing how the characters settle into a relationship after the first season get together:

Gameboys 2 (Philippines, Gaga) - Cairo and Gavreel

Minato’s Laundromat 2 (Japan, Gaga)- Shin and Minato 

SOTUS S and Our Skyy (Thailand, YouTube) - Kongpob and Arthit

Still 2gether (Thailand, YouTube) - Tine and Sarawat

Utsukushii Kare 2 (Japan, Gaga) - Hira and Kiyoi

And because this is my post and I make the rules, I am also doing some honorable mentions of the friends to lovers slow burns where technically they are not together until the final arc of the story but let’s be serious they are together the whole time and just don’t realize it yet so you know exactly what their relationship is going to look like:

Fight for My Way (S Korea, Viki) - Dong Man and Ae Ra

Happiness (S Korea, Viki) - Sae Bom and Yi Hyun

Hospital Playlist 1 and 2 (S Korea, Viki) - Song Hwa and Ik Jun

My Only 12% (Thailand, iQIYI) - Seeiw and Cake

My Ride (Thailand, Gaga or YouTube) - Mork and Tawan 

Romance is a Bonus Book (S Korea, Netflix) - Dan Yi and Eun Ho

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo (S Korea, Viki) - Joon Hyeong and Bok Joo

Whoops you woke the beast @troubled-mind. @rocketturtle4 @neuroticbookworm @chickenstrangers here are more for your mile long rec lists. :)))

[mundanalyst]

Lory State Park, Colorado; 4/27/2024

[film-baby]

I'm obsessed with the gloomy dark clouds that contrast with the pretty orange sunset.

April 7th, 2024.

[patiiences]

[weregonnabecoolbeans]

I really want to follow more people on here :)

So please reblog or something if you like to talk about any of the following on your blog:

Star Wars especially Obi Wan, the clones, and rebels

Starkid

Marvel especially Bucky, Loki, Captain Marvel, and Hawkeye

Once Upon a Time

Alice Oseman stuff especially Solitaire

The Shadowhunters Chronicles

Glee

Twilight especially its ridiculousness(affectionate)

Hozier

And Movies and Tv in general

I might add to this if I think of more

[gil-estel]

~spring~

(drawtober 2023 day 9 - loth-cat/bounce)

[kazoosandfannypacks]

"Sunshine" Ezra Bridger fanart for @monthly-challenge day 5!

[praetorqueenreyna]

What if instead of sleeping I stayed up and meticulously planned a nyxlin fic

[lovelyllamasblog]

Octavia Raven

Parent's Story: The Sevens Ravens

Powerful Qualities: Smart, Dependable, Independent

Roommate: Petra Pan

Secret Heart’s Desire: I’m the youngest of eight. There is no privacy from my older brothers. I would like to have some time alone, you know? They are so overprotective too.

My “Magic” Touch: I can understand birds. Ravens, crows, doves, swans,… you name it, I’ve probably talked to one at some point.

Storybook Romance Status: I think Ivan Fearless is pretty cute… But don’t tell my brothers that!

“Oh Curses!” Moment: Because I can understand birds, I tend to tune out those around me in favor of listening to the birds. They talk about some pretty interesting things.

Favorite Subject: Debate and Diplomacy 101. Considering I have to negotiate with the sun, the moon, and the stars, I think I’ve got it down.

Least Favorite Subject: Damsel in Distressing. How did I even end up in that class? Don’t ask me. I think Headmaster Grimm is trying to make a requirement for all girls to take that class at some point. Thank fairy godmother I dropped out of that class my Freedom Year.

Best Friends Forever After: Cerise Hood, Minerva Trudy, Sweetie Plumfairy, and Lawrence Bonecrusher III.

Pet: Ari the Bat

[abirddogmoment]

I got a refurb canon rebel t7 as a wedding gift last year and have several good lenses (Tamron something for landscape, and a canon 55-250 mm for zooms) both of which are second hand from camera shops, but I was wondering what exactly do you recommend for a birding setup? Preferably dedicated amateur-friendly, and not national geographic level! Also I'm limited to the t7 for at least a while. The 55-250 is blurry at max zoom but I can get decent pictures with good lighting and a stationary subject and I wonder if better lens will help. Thank you!

Hi! I'm gonna be honest, 85% of my wildlife photos on this blog were taken with my Canon Rebel T6i and a Canon 55-250mm. It is not a professional level lens but it is extremely versatile and was my go-to for years and years. I would highly recommend it as a budget lens for pretty much everything!

I would personally stay away from the Canon 75-300mm. It's a decent lens but you get a lot of distortion and I found the image stabilizer lacking. I used my 55-250mm much more than my 75-300mm.

My current set up is a refurbished Canon 7D, which I really like so far, and a Sigma 150-600mm. You can definitely get better lenses (and better cameras) but for where I'm at in terms of skill, usage, and budget, it's pretty much perfect. I'm really excited to get out more this year now that I have a really solid set up!

[mundanalyst]

Lion Gulch Trail, Colorado; 5/24/2024

[film-baby]

~self reflection~

[patiiences]

[marmotclaw]

Dewspring

Name meaning: splotchy markings, kit-like, playful, alert

Sturdy grey tom (he/him) with a broad face

Family and Education

Mother: Plumwillow

Father: Sandynose

Foster Father: Hawkwing

Brother: Finleap

Sister: Reedclaw

Mate: Nectarsong

Daughter: Beesting

Son: Beetleshine

Mentor: Macgyver

Apprentice: Rootspring

Nature

INTP

Lawful Moral

[kazoosandfannypacks]

"Bubbles"

Loth Cat fanart for @monthly-challenge day 9