#romchat AMA

[romchat]

I am loving the double but I can't help feel that the main couple's relationship is so transactional, all she does is ask him to do things for her and all he does is do them. I understand the drama is about her revenge but I thought when she said she didn't want to be a burden and that she's be his pawn too she'd actually help him with his schemes she doesn't have any power but she's very smart and could certainly contribute and help. They both have bigger fish to fry and his also involves loosing his parents but he spends so much time helping her because obviously he loves her I would've liked to see her do the same even occasionally.

Anon, have you seen Episode 28 yet? This scene made me squee:

Fangfei: I've been panicking trying to figure out how to pay you back so I tried to find an excuse. I used to think I would pay you back everything I owed you. Now that I've done the math, I don't think I can. Duke Su: Don't pay me back then. Fangfei: You'll suffer losses. Duke Su: I can afford it.

Their love language is digging up dead bodies and hosting exorcisms for each other.

The ledger might be more in her favor but they clearly match each other's freak.

Although your question makes me think what would happen if they were to get married.

A key theme of The Double has been Fangfei learning to express her desires and to step into the chessmaster role she was born to play. In her previous marriage, she shrank herself to make space for her husband's career and appease her in-laws. That self-sacrifice ultimately left her with nothing more than an open grave and a shovel to the head so with the Duke she uses transactionalism to make sure the scales of their complicated relationship never tip more in his favor than hers.

But in encouraging her autonomy and putting his trust in her, Duke Su has also given her room to bloom. It's a completely different relationship than with Shen Yurong, which opens a lot of narrative possibilities around how will Fangfei's story end, especially as she has always avenged those who have helped or sacrificed for her.

Will the big cathartic moment be from her avenging herself? Or will it be from avenging the Duke and his family because his grievances are now hers? Will she ultimately have to make a trade-off between her plans and his? Or will the tradeoff really be between revenge and her own healing?

As another man's wife or companion, will she truly feel equal and at peace?

I can't believe we only have like 10 more episodes to dive into any or all of that 😭

[romchat]

Tagged by @thisonelikesaliens 🙏🏼 Opening the fun up to any who want!

Last Song: "In Between" by Aziza

(But also obsessed with the rest of the OST of this Palestinian movie)

Favorite Color: Blue

Last Book:

Fiction: Kim Ji-young, Born 1982 (absolutely brutal use of the epistolary form and apparently helped inspire S. Korea's 4B Movement)

Nonfiction: Black Disability Politics

Last Movie: Just queued up The Green Knight (Hopefully I'll finally figure out why so many people are obsessed with Dev Patel lol)

Last TV Show: Have been watching Fangs of Fortune (what a beautiful and glorious hot mess) but now that my sabbatical has started I finally have time to check out Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo and Love in the Big City.

Sweet/Spicy/Savory: As a cook this is so difficult but I recently tried my first lychee gummy and have been obsessed so I guess sweet at this moment in time?

Relationship Status: Blissfully single 🥳

Last Thing I Googled: "Train schedule between Kaohsuing and Taichung" as I prep for my trip to Japan and Taiwan in November

Looking Forward To:

In life? Escaping the US during the chaos of our presidential election and gorging on all the delicious Taiwanese dishes I've never tried before (if anyone has recs, please let me know!)

In media? Squid Games Season 2 (need to get my Wi Ha-joon fix)

[romchat]

following up on my prior ask! i found the luyang arc pivotal for xff and xh (i mean, who wouldnt? we got that beautiful rain scene!), but so much of their conversations confused me because of the way they use metaphors and dance around answers! i apologize if i come off as spamming ur inbox, lol!

some things i wanted to understand more:

-ep 16 tearoom: when xff talks about him inviting her over after every "show" and how what he says is apathetic but always hits the mark and makes her in debt. but now hes showing his cards and asks him if he wants to join?

ep 17 in the rain: when she says "you never tell the truth" and he says "what about you? even after drinking you havent told the truth once" what is she referring to? him i can kinda guess but her? idk!

-ep 17 eating dumplings: when xff offers to invite him to watch a play (her helping the ye family) and he says "i dont watch plays" why is he mad?! lol and why does she respond "if you like these buns and want them in the future, ill settle everything" when he says that when its found out to be a "misunderstanding" who does she think has to take the blame (referring to himself as he would tip them off)

-ep 18 eating dumplings (again): when she asks about how he tried cases in the past and he tells her she doesnt have to make him put up an act before she confesses? where did this come from? did i forget something in the past?? and then even more... "today onward, i am once again despised by everyone" what does he mean? when wasnt he? why does she respond with luyang is beautiful and the night duty is coming??

idk theres so much i think i grasp but then i relisten to it and confuse myself lmao! theres definitely more (like the huixiang pawn speech she had with him) but the luyang parts im most interested in! so sorry that this is so long and such word vomit!! thank you so much if u do take the time to respond! i think you have such a good comprehension and a way with words that seriously has added to my enjoyment of this show SO much more. thank you!!!!!

I welcome all word vomits but oh boy you're really stretching my memory here 😂

Ep. 16 Tearoom

Fangfei is still annoyed at Duke Su because of her jealousy over seeing him with another woman at the brothel in Episode 15. In that episode, she had assumed he was following her to Luyang but then thought differently once she saw him with Wu Lan. I think her calling out his sudden "apathy" is essentially her implicitly asking if their odd little relationship has changed (i.e., why are you acting differently?). Which is why he asks:

Duke Su: Are you getting angry at me? Fangfei: Can't I? Duke Su: Your words are really pleasant then. (smiles)

He just confirmed that she's behaving the way she is because she's jealous, which is why he finds her words "pleasant". So he reassures her by telling her who Wu Lan is even though she has nothing to do with Fangfei's dealings with the Ye family--he's like a husband keeping his wife informed about his struggles at work lol

Ep. 17 In the Rain

He's referring to her real identity as Fangfei (which he's known about for a while but wants to hear directly from her about) and I believe she's referring more generally to all his private dealings, which keeps entangling him in her plots (e.g., General Biao, who they had that drinking competition with).

Ep. 17 Dumplings

This was the day after Fangfei's drunken flirtatiousness in the rain so my guess is that he was fishing for her to reveal her true feelings about him ("does that mean you remember what happened that night?") and he gets frustrated when she friend-zones him by wanting his help for her scheming versus talking about this shift in their relationship. Especially since one of the last times they talked about theater, it was when he tricked her into being his cover during the theater attack and she told that him that she now clearly sees what their relationship actually is. Her talking about the theater after their almost kiss probably feels like taking one step forward and two steps back for him!

But Fangfei's "If you like these buns, I'll settle everything" is ultimately her asking for his help to execute her plan and trying to settle the score. Remember, at this point in the drama, she's always counting how much he helps her so she can pay him back and not have to owe him. (Which is why one of my favorite flirting moments of theirs is in Episode 16 when he swoops in during her drinking competition and tells her that his help won't be put on her tab.)

Ep. 18 Dumplings Part Deux

Oh that's just another flirtatious way of giving Duke Su permission to ask her questions about her real identity! By this episode, he's interrogated her at the nunnery as well as his residence but they're always interrupted and/or she leaves when he gets too personal. She's telling him she's willing to share more about herself because of how much he has helped her up to this point.

I'm not quite sure what "today onward, I am once again despised by everyone" refers to (maybe if the palace finds out how he has helped Fangfei given that I think at this point he knows of Princess Wanning's involvement in Fangfei's death?) but I wonder if Fangfei's night duty comment is her reflecting on how even though she just experienced momentary success there is still a long road of challenges ahead of her. That's why Duke Su reassures her that she's strong and a survivor ("right now, all the lights in Luyang are on. If you were a restless spirit, you would have long been reduced to ashes") and she promises him that she "will live on well."

--

Hope these ramblings were helpful!

[romchat]

Nine people I'd like to get to know better

Tagged by @thisonelikesaliens (as usual thank you!)

Last song I listened to

Absolutely obsessed with the grooviness of all this band's covers.

Currently watching

Excited to finally start Season 2 of Interview with the Vampire but the stress of watching the shitshow that is my country's presidential election right now has been making me seek out the gentle escapism of To The Wonder.

Gorgeous cinematography and the women characters are lovingly written.

Edit to add: Nevermind the FL is awful. WTF kind of last episode was that?

Also, actor Yu Shi gives me young Takeshi Kaneshiro vibes, which is never a bad thing.

Sweet/savory/spicy:

As a cook, this is like picking between my children but if I had to choose...savory.

Relationship status

Blissfully single 🥂

Current obsession

Just started my first Chinese web novel, Yuwu/Remnants of Filth, and am already unwell about the word "home". Pretty sure this danmei will destroy me by the end.

Tagging

Anyone is welcome to join in to make up the final nine but a few folks might be @silviakundera @renewedmotionforjudgment @dreamyklutzs @aster-daisy @oceanodedoces @tsuyoi-hikari

[romchat]

Do you think she will actually sacrifice duke su in the future like her husband did to her? Idk about the symbolism but I personally doubt it, even if we forgo the fact that she's falling deeply in love with him, she's not the kind of person who would that after it was done to her.

Like you, Anonymous, I doubt she'd betray him and it would take some extraordinary writing gymnastics to convince me otherwise.

That said, the only reason why I threw it out there as a possibility in my Episode 17 reflection is...

I don't believe the show has actually confirmed on screen that the Xue family is dead? Please someone correct me if I missed that scene. And on tv, if it isn't shown, there's always a possibility of that plot point becoming a Thing. So if there was any reason that Fangfei would betray Duke Su, whether unintentionally or out of necessity, it would be for her brother and father.

We're only 40 percent of the way through this drama and maybe this is just my Cdrama PTSD talking but that makes me nervous.

The symbolism of red. Like I've said before, I don't usually give that much credence to the idea that colors have strict meanings in dramas BUT I do think it's interesting that the Duke wears red so often. Originally, I had assumed it symbolized the political connection between his and Fangfei's tragic stories or even a red thread of fate that binds them but what if it also acted as forecasting?

But I truly hope it's none of these things and instead of a betrayal arc we get some sexy times with the Duke's red fan. 🤞🏼

[romchat]

Rules: without naming them, post ten gifs of your favorite tv shows, then tag people.

Tagged by @thisonelikesaliens (Heh this was fun. Thank you!!!)

I think I counted that correctly...

Tagging @sadviper @randomingoftherandomness @labseraph and anyone else to see what they come up with :)

[romchat]

hey, this is unfashionably late praise, but i just wanted to say that I loved your analysis of the cinematography of fitymi ep 6 (i only recently binged the show in its entirety and was really blown away). perfectly verbalizes what we as an audience member understand implicitly. the composition of each frame in the show is done so well and intentionally, which is super refreshing!! after reading your post, i became even more cognizant of other ziquan/ying scenes and how the camera is used to build romance between the characters (in addition to the amazing writing and chemistry between han dongjun and cai wenjing). thank you for your lovely post!!

Aww, thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed the analysis.

I adored Fake It Till You Make It. Ziquan and Ying were hands down one of my favorite dramaland couples of 2023. Their scenes were realistic but quietly sexy-- I so appreciate shows that use banter as foreplay and the camera work just reinforced the sharp writing and great acting chemistry.

And that walk-up scene when Ziquan is gazing at Ying through the windows of her walk-up?

Absolute perfection.

[romchat]

Gothic Horror in a League of Noblemen!!

Also since bad kids is that one director's older work. Would you recommend watching that before his recent drama? (brainfarting on the name.) Anyway what I mean does his style evolve in a way that it matters to keep his works in sequential order? Or does his storytelling mature further?

Ooh @kingsandbastardz this has to be a two-parter because I can go OFF about ALON.

The Long Season vs. The Bad Kids

I'm only halfway through The Long Season, but I'd say it's both thematically and narratively more sophisticated than The Bad Kids. The show is ruminative, bleak, but also humane.

One of the things I love about Director Xin Shuang's work is how meticulously he captures stories of the choices people make when they feel like they have no choices. In The Bad Kids, he uses color and frames within frames to create a sense of dread and inevitability about our young characters' futures. And in The Long Season, he uses editing and visual parallelism to create an even more complex narrative of fate. It's like the characters are forever suspended in time, doomed to repeat mistakes even in old age as they cling to the nostalgia and ideals of a world that doesn't exist. The fact that these moments are intercut with hope, resilience, and comedy make them even more devastating.

That said...I much prefer The Bad Kids. At least so far. It's simpler but also, at least for me, more emotionally engaging. The inherent vulnerability of our young main characters make the stakes feel that much higher. I also haven't seen a show do misdirection that well in YEARS. The way it plays with our assumptions and capability for empathy...it implicates us as much as its characters.

So I think watch order depends on the feeling you want to leave with rather than the director's style!

[romchat]

Romchat's Meta

Still trying to figure out tumblr search for my own posts lol so pinning all my analysis stuff in one place.

NOTE: I love nerding out about my favorite shows through writing (visual) meta so I welcome asks about the shows I'm watching and/or the analysis process!

BL One-Offs

The Time of Fever (Ep. 1-3): The Metamorphosis

Unknown: The Series (Ep. 1-8): How to film heartache

Unknown: The Series (Ep. 9): Life comes down to a few things

Cdrama One-Offs

Fake It Till You Make It (Ep. 6): Cinematography of falling in love

Fangs of Fortune (Ep. 25): Quick notes on the visuals

In Blossom (Ep. 1-7): How to film a gothic romance

Love in a Dream (Ep. 1-2): A masterclass in contrast

Ripe Town (Ep. 1): Under the cover of light

Ripe Town (Ep. 12): The ghost of one's conscience

The Rise of Ning (Ep. 1-2): Home is where the drama is

My Journey to You

Ep. 1-2, 24: Portraits of power and masculinity

Ep. 10: It's all in the hands

Ep. 11: Peering through paper doors

Ep. 12: Love in blue

Ep. 13: Lanterns of fate

Ep. 23: Ravens only belong to winter

Musings about Yuanzhi, Shangjue, Qian

Musings about Weishan's costuming and the use of naked skin

Visualizing the Slow Burn in My Journey to You and Story of Kunning Palace

Story of Kunning Palace

Ep. 14: Redemption in life

Ep. 18: Observing you observing me

Ep. 20: To be free like the birds

Ep. 24-25: Over the threshold of regret and possibility

Xuening's Harem

Visualizing the Slow Burn in My Journey to You and Story of Kunning Palace

The Double

Ep. 1: Beauty in death

Ep 17: Into the fog of the unknown

Ep. 26: A place to rest your head

Ep. 32: You reap what you sow

Duke Su’s character arc through cinematography

The On1y One

Ep. 5: Seeking an opening

Ep. 6: Boys in blue

Ep. 11: Burned

Director Deep Dives

The Feminine Gaze of Zeng Qingjie (A Familiar Stranger, Butterflied Lover)

[romchat]

hey! so sorry to bother you about this, but i want to say i ALSO saw ur posts on reddit (only knew it was you cause i checked the icon just now!) and i loved ur posts about the episodes there too, lol! just letting you know!!! thanks for providing beautiful, in depth reviews of the episodes. i genuinely want to know your thoughts on other things in the series, but only if thats okay!

Aww thank you so much 💙 Blushing over here like Duke Su.

Please ask away! It's been a while since I finished The Double (so my memory might be a bit spotty) but I'm always down for nerding out about Cdramas!

[romchat]

8 Fandom Questions To Get To Know Me Better:

Thanks to @kingsandbastardz for the tag :)

3 Ships You Like:

Nozue/Togawa from Old Fashion Cupcake and Wei Wuxian/Lan Wanji from The Untamed are forever faves. Special shoutout to all the poly/harem/love triangle possibilities of the boys from A League of Nobleman--still one of the most shippable cast of characters I've ever come across.

As for recent obsessions, I loved the "no one can kill you but me" revenge vibes of Han Ri-ta/Do Ha from Moon in the Day and the "so fucked up they deserve each other to save everyone else the hassle" nonsense of Jiang Xuening/Xie Wei from Story of Kunning Palace.

First Ship Ever:

(Unfortunately) Lily/James and Wolfstar from Harry Potter. Also loved the James/Sirius Livejournal fanart of that era.

Last Song You Heard:

It's Sunday which means this Latina is mopping the floor with some Fabuloso and beats.

Favorite Childhood Book:

Up until the age of 18, I was obsessed with Egyptology (my first-grade science fair project was on the mummification process) so my favorite childhood book was one of those museum books with transparent overlays of a sarcophagus lol

Currently Reading:

The Memory Police.

A quiet yet devastating dystopia that explores the tenuous relationship between language, memory, and selfhood. It beautifully captures the ache of losing what makes us human.

I'm still not sure how I feel about the upcoming Hollywood adaptation.

Currently Watching:

Just started watching Perfect Propose. I have such a soft spot for the melancholic but gentle storytelling of workplace Jdramas. There's something consoling about watching the quiet moments when others allow their frayed edges to show.

Currently Consuming:

Grapes and Babybel cheese

Currently Craving:

A totally soul-consuming Cdrama to distract me from the realities of corporate life. So when are Fangs of Fortune, Legend of a Female General, The Princess Royal, or Kill Me/Love Me coming out? 😒

Tagging anyone else that wants to do one of these! 🥳