#underdogs 2013

[beastlymessofmine]

Me anytime I rediscover an obscure childhood movie and see that it has a tiny fandom surrounding it

[shit-sorry-fuck-mybad]

I think one of the greatest movies from my childhood was Metegol (I think the English title is Underdogs??)

It’s so fucking good, and I recently watched it again and like sure the actual people in it are… ok? I guess BUT THE PLAYERS

They were so fun and they all had their own little personalities and they were amazing, if they were a real football team I would 100% be a fan

The only way to properly watch this movie is in the original Argentinian version, like the accents just hit perfectly

Another thing to note is that before this movie I had no idea table football had other names cause in Chile we call it Taca Taca, I’ve never heard anything different, so I spent a lot of time wondering what the fuck Metegol even was

[sunmoonjl]

¿¿¿¿¡¡¡Metegol es una adaptación!!!????

[xinganhao]

vernonboxd 🎥 vernon x rockstar!reader.

movie nights are sacred to you and vernon. a little extra for my catch you when i can verse. ♡

ⓘ established/long-distance relationship, fluff, use of pet names, movie 'reviews' as headcanons. referenced this letterboxd list for some movies vernon has mentioned or recommended.

OOO VERNONBOXD.

Recent Reviews of letterboxd.com/11203km

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) ★★★★ Watched April 9, 2022

🐻‍❄️ says: visually pleasing, classic anderson. saoirse ronan if u read this im free on thursday night and would like to hang out. please respond to this and then hang out with me on thursday night when i'm free. (jk 🎸 ily)

🎸 says: apology not accepted ^ but i loved the tongue-in-cheek humor & deadpan dialogue. agatha & zero's romance >>> would watch again if i needed to see something pretty.

edited to add: if u need to see something pretty, just look in the mirror. ;) yours, 🐻‍❄️

Spirited Away (2001) ★★★★ 1/2 Watched June 10, 2023

🎸 says: breathtaking, show-stopping, one of ghibli's bests. a crown jewel of animation. incredibly word-building and i will die on that hill despite SOME PEOPLE'S contrasting opinions. i want it on record that i wanted to give this five stars. alas, 4 and 1/2 is a compromise.

🐻‍❄️ says: not arguing w a rockstar. whatever u say beautiful.

Luca (2021) ★★★★ Watched November 4, 2023

🎸 says: andiamo! has all the elements of a feel-good pixar flick. setting, dialogue, friendship. "we underdogs have to look out for each other, right?" need to go to italy. wink wink, nudge nudge.

🐻‍❄️ says: booking that flight rn. anyway: well-paced comedy, stunning animation, reminds me a lot of finding nemo. powerful & moving ending (surprisingly). can also open some discussion re: climate tolerance.

edited to add: wait you're kinda hot for that.. - 🎸

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) ★★★ Watched December 20, 2023

🐻‍❄️ says: one-time watch typa beat. peaked at the cinematography but story, script, and pacing could have been better. loses composure because of how fantastical it is. overall, just ok.

🎸 says: not much to say about this movie, but i did like the quote -- "to see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. that is the purpose of life." words to live by.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) ★★★★★ Watched January 21, 2024

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

🐻‍❄️ says: can't wait to do laundry and taxes with you in this life. (:

› scroll through all my work ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧ ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ my masterlist | @xinganhao

[hrrtshape]

　　 THE ROLES IN MY FAME DR. . .

quiet, quiet !!! centre stage, lights dimmed, audience hushed. my fame dr is essentially me winning the metaphorical acting olympics while everyone else is still lacing up their shoes. it’s, like, a line-up of roles so iconic, so overpowered, it’s like i’m thanos snapping my way through hollywood history. i wanted the cookie, and i baked the whole bakery.

here’s the rundown.....each role is a slice of cinematic perfection, OKAY, served with a side of "how does she do it? why does she do it?? how many oscars do you need??" energy.

　꒰ 2002. . . ' PONETTE ' as ponette. — picture a four-year-old (shut up) absolutely devastating audiences, grappling with grief and holding onto the wisp of hope that her mom might waltz back from the afterlife. tiny me..... heartbreaking. oscar-worthy. a pint-sized tour de force !!!

　꒰ 2006. . . ' LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE ' as olive. — quirky underdog vibes. a beauty pageant dreamer dragged through chaos on a family road trip. big glasses, bigger heart. adorable chaos incarnate.

　꒰ 2007. . . ' LÉON: THE PROFESSIONAL ' as mathilda. — street-smart, sharp-tongued, and navigating grief and revenge. turned “child assassin vibes” into a genre.... unlikely bond with a hitman? groundbreaking.

　꒰ 2008. . . ' ATONEMENT ' as briony tallis. — precocious young writer turned accidental chaos agent. one little misunderstanding, and boom !! tragedy for everyone. the literary girls wept.

　꒰ 2009. . . ' TRUE GRIT ' as mattie ross. — fearless teen avenger with a rifle and a vengeance. sharp-tongued, sharp-shooting. unstoppable.

　꒰ 2011. . . ' LOLITA ' as lolita /// dolores haze. — a beguiling and precocious girl cloaked in innocence but steeped in rebellion, a mix of youthful charm and intoxicating danger. made everyone very uncomfortable because it wasn't directed by a pervert but instead an actual person who understood the book !!

　꒰ 2012. . . ' MOONRISE KINGDOM ' as suzy. — whimsical runaway girl with a suitcase full of records and big dreams, embarking on an adventurous and heartfelt runaway journey with her first love.

　꒰ 2013. . . ' BLACK SWAN ' as nina sayers. — the drama. the descent into madness on the basis of perfection. a ballerina teetering on the edge of perfection and chaos.

　꒰ 2014. . . ' THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL ' as agatha. — the sweet baker who saves the day in a pastel-hued, heist-filled fever dream. you could say i was the cinnamon roll that held the plot together.

　꒰ 2015. . . ' CINDERELLA ' as cinderella. — glass slippers, big dreams, unapologetic faith in the universe. cottagecore princess moment.

　꒰ 2017. . . ' LADY BIRD ' as christine "lady bird" mcpherson. — high school angst meets big-city dreams. small-town girl, big personality, fiercely independent. greta gerwig girlies cheered.

　꒰ 2019. . . ' ROMEO AND JULIET ' (dir. sofia coppola) as juliet. — tragic romance, youthful rebellion, a modernised shakespearean masterpiece. the english teachers are obsessed.

　꒰ 2019. . . ' ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD ' as sharon tate. — an enchanting actress and rising star, embodying the golden glow of hollywood’s bygone era with grace and optimism.

　꒰ 2019. . . ' LITTLE WOMEN ' as amy march. — ambitious, artistic, unapologetically confident. justice for amy achieved!!!

　꒰ 2019. . . ' STRANGE COLOURS ' (dir. david lynch) as naste. — struggling sculptor in post-war 1950s paris, whose pursuit of success leads her to morally complex decisions in a crime and punishment-inspired tale.

　꒰ 2020. . . ' THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT ' as beth harmon. — a brilliant yet troubled chess prodigy navigating personal demons, ambition, and addiction while conquering a male-dominated world.

　꒰ 2021. . . ' THE FRENCH DISPATCH ' as juliette. — a cynical and enigmatic character in a whimsical anthology capturing the spirit of journalism and artistic eccentricity.

　꒰  2021 . . . ' PROFIL PERDU ' as josée. — a woman caught in a crumbling marriage, drawn into a web of intrigue and liberation when a wealthy magnate offers her a new life filled with possibilities.

　꒰ 2021 & 2023. . . ' SUCCESSION ' as lukas matsson's complicated girlfriend. — it’s giving chaos. it’s giving scandal. the girl who walked into the roy / mattson power vortex and made it just a tad messier.

　꒰ 2022 & 2025. . . ' SEVERANCE ' as helly r. — kafkaesque corporate dystopia, dual personalities, fighting against the machine. the drama of it all.

　꒰ 2022. . . ' X ' as maxine. — it’s sexy, it’s terrifying, it’s iconic. a daring and ambitious young woman pursuing fame in the adult film industry while navigating fear and survival in a horror setting.

　꒰ 2022. . . ' PEARL ' as pearl. — a dreamer turned unhinged by isolation and frustration, whose violent tendencies emerge as her craving for stardom spirals into tragedy.

　꒰ 2023. . . ' POOR THINGS ' as bella baxter. — a curious and eccentric woman reborn into a surreal world, exploring life with uninhibited wonder and self-discovery. an eccentric frankenstein moment.

　꒰ 2023. . . ' THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES ' as livia cardew. — capitol decadence personified. the symbol of privilege and mean-spirituality. as well as coriolanus snow's future wife.

　꒰ 2024. . . ' MAXXXINE ' as maxine. — a raw and determined character fighting to make her mark in a world that feeds on fame, continuing her saga in the x-pearl trilogy.

　꒰ 2025. . . ' FRANKENSTEIN ' as the bride. — a haunting and tragic figure, torn due to her her husband's newest project.

that oscar is practically monogrammed with my soul. engraved, embossed, bedazzled in my honour. if possession is nine-tenths of the law, that golden man is legally, spiritually, and cosmically mine. you ever look at something and just know?? that’s me with oscar excellence. signed, sealed, delivered. twice for emphasis.

also....dividers not mine !!!!!

[myobsessionsspace]

Thinking about their struggles, when it all would get too much, what do they do…

Travel TOGETHER

2017

It would only be during their MMA 2018 after winning the Dasaeng that Jin would reveal the depths of their troubles, that the group had been contemplating disbandment.

At the time in their career they were reaching new successful career heights, but also impossible physical and mental lows as a team and individuals. They documented this time period after the fact, in their show ‘Monuments: Beyond the Star’ and also their autobiography ‘Beyond The Story: 10 Year Record of BTS’.

BTS were reaching new heights in their career, starting to receive greater Western awareness and achievements, after already making waves in their home country of South Korea (debuting in 2013) and Japan where they debuted the following year. They were in the final stretch of their Wings World Tour, which had started in February 2017, but all was not well for the group members.

They were overwhelmed and overworked and each trying to cope in their own ways, sometimes leaning on each other or others but mostly trying to power through alone.

As a belated birthday gift for Jimin (whose birthday was Oct 13th), when the members had some downtime from their tour dates, which would end in December 2017, Jungkook paid and planned for the two of them to go to Tokyo. Somewhere Jimin had wanted to go when not working.

Jimin had expressed interest in visiting Disney and had also through the years, expressed the desire to be able to spend personal time travelling with Jungkook as well.

Jungkook brought Jimin’s desires to life in the middle of one of their most difficult times in their careers.

Jimin & Jungkook head to Tokyo 2017

2023

Another milestone period in the groups career, this time it wasn’t the looming consideration of disbandment plaguing the members but the inevitable pause of group activities, with all of them agreeing to complete their country’s mandatory military service for all able South Korean men.

Time and time again the members have let it be known their love for performing, being active members of the group and being able to connect with their fans, ARMY.

This time Jimin and Jungkook weren’t part of a group 4 years into their stardom but members of an established, globally accomplished group of 10+ years worth of fans, success and stardom.

Before enlisting in the army, something that had been the subject of national and international discourse for years. Before they would be under instruction from military superiors and surrounded by new comrades they’d never met before. Jimin and Jungkook decided to not just travel to Tokyo together like they had done in 2017, but visit several spots, to enjoy each other and the world before essentially being benched for 18 months.

Jimin & Jungkook head to Tokyo 2023

Why I Think They Share

2017

Jimin and Jungkook both documented the trip to Tokyo in their own styles and shared it online.

It was a trip for the two of them, but like anyone who goes on a trip, sometimes during it or sometimes when we return, we post on our IG, our FB etc. We share videos and photos with our friends and family, our colleagues even our neighbours. We want to revel in the memories, share the stories of the fun we had, places we saw and food we ate.

Jimin’s video is totally that vibe…whilst GCF Tokyo is something so much more.

2023

Now superstars as a group and in their own right as solo artists, more internationally known than ever before and in the middle of (more than a break from a tour) solo promotions and preparing to retreat from society to serve in the military for a year and a half Jimin & Jungkook still made it possible. They still made it possible to enjoy time with each other and travel but also to share that like before.

This time not a video by Jimin and a GCF by Jungkook but an 8 part series! Not one trip but several trips, not a video each from Jimin & Jungkook but several episodes on a globally accessible platform. Something for people to watch whilst they are out of the public eye, they enjoyed during and now we can enjoy now.

I’ve said this before with Jikook and I’ll say it again.

Some things change but some things stay the same

🖤🤍

TL;DR as third parties watch after the fact and be happy, smile and laugh at the fun times they enjoyed with each other. Witness and appreciate their sincerity and bond. Hope they have many more opportunities to do this whenever they need and want to, not just when rough times are had or coming. Be happy for them.

[sgiandubh]

Autopsy of a gay lie: the Wikipedia trail

“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.”

― Abraham Lincoln

For starters, sorry for the length and numerous screencaps. It is an investigation, after all and these are sorely needed.

Never underestimate the conjugated power of Internet, a Sunday afternoon and the lightbulb moment that can happen while baking something, because you know, people have also to reward themselves at some point.

I might have fucked up my foolproof Lemon Squares recipe, but I regret nothing. It took me three hours I could have gratefully used to finish that spirits post, but this is too damn good not to share.

Remember Meow Kabob's cross my heart and hope to die pinky swear she found confirmation of Data Lounge's allegations on Wikipedia, out of all places? How she regularly unburies that infamous screenshot listing S under the Wiki "Gay Actors" category? How she told us, filthy and uneducated shipper mob, over and over again, that story about STARZ people scouring the Internet far and wide and scrubbing any gay reference related to S, as soon or shortly after he was cast as JAMMF?

I can confidently prove now Lincoln's perennial truths I quoted above apply to this situation.

I was just pouring my lemon juice, eggs, flour and sugar mix over the hot and nutty shortbread when I stopped in my tracks: 'wait a second, isn't Wikipedia an open source project? BUT OF COURSE IT IS, SILLY COW - yes, I very often talk to myself like that. RUN. NOW. I HAVE TO KNOW.'

Sure enough, like death and taxes, the full edit list of S's Wikipedia page was there for everyone to see:

Even better, since Internet is forever, we have full access to all these edits and can take screenshots.

This is how Sam's Wikipedia odissey started, on November 11th 2007, when he was the complete underdog:

A ' strapping lad with natural dark blonde hair and 6'2'' tall', ideal for the role of Alexander the Great - pious silence and RIP. I grinned, because it sounds well, naïve? It also sounds gay, perhaps? What else does it prove, other than the gay crowd has an acute interest for novelty and a wandering eye?

Nothing. Not even remotely related to S.

Also, note the two classification categories: British TV actor stubs/ British actor stubs. Mark them, they stayed still and alone for a looooong time.

Up until 2009, in fact, when the wikientry was no longer considered a stub and even got several category additions:

Then again, some movin' on up, on that semi-dormant page, in 2013. Totes normal:

By early 2014, even more interest in S commands an expanded webpage and a longer, more detailed, category listing:

Let's quickly peruse 2015...

2016...

The incorrect Irish descent category stayed there for about ten days, until removed by another user. This is how it is done and it is then added to the list:

2017, 2018, 2019, early 2020, no change in the categories, but all hell broke lose content-wise. From Cirdan, the 'estranged brother' acting in a very gay connotated theatre production I have never heard about, in London, September 2016...

...... to a woman named Tiffany Trach who used to dream the impossible dream, in October 2016 (and she was not the only one, far from it)...

...to some halfwit being rightfully slapped for adding brainless Flukenzie Floozy content in March 2017:

By that time, I was getting supremely bored clicking on links and wanted to pack the tent and throw my lemon squares in the trash bin. But, lo and behold, what do I see on January 26th 2020:

With the tag possible vandalism:

Whodunnit?

A very brave person, hiding under a string of random numbers...

... and one single contribution EVER to the Wikipedia juggernaut. This is what I would call a targeted attack:

It stayed like that, unmolested, for five days only, until the user Spiderpig662 decided enough is enough and did something about it...

....categories being then restored to the previous wording:

The last vicious gay reference on Wikipedia dates back to May 28th 2020 (Ha-wa-wee, anyone?), was labeled as 'hate speech' & promptly removed:

Where wuffter is, in British Cockney slang:

Same modus operandi, this time an IP address, pinging in (you simply can't make this shit up, can you?)...

County Durham, FYI.

I then asked myself when exactly did Meow Kabob appear on Tumblr?

Even more exactly, on...

That is, to say the least, a troubling coincidence.

I do not imply anything, I have no wish to attack anyone. All I am saying, is that particular argument, which this user is shouting anytime she is prompted to, had a very short online lifespan. How could an American woman, who appeared in this fandom shortly afterwards, have known about changes operated for five days only, by an unknown user, on the open source webpage of a B-listed British actor?

I have only one question, Your Honor:

WHY?

I rest my case.

[Edit]: To make it maybe more clear, I now know where the person adding that category lives, thanks to Wikipedia's own tracking system:

No surprises here:

Augusta. Georgia. USA.

Now, yes. Now I rest my case.

[smolwritingchick]

Forced To Believe Masterlist

A Dean Ambrose x OC story! The Shield 4th member.

Summary: Taking place during the start of The Shield's debut in 2012, follow Morgan Lopez's career as she becomes a member of The Shield, revamps herself as The Outspoken Diva and makes a name for herself in WWE.

OC Profile of Morgan Lopez

Chapter 1- So, You Wanna Wrestle?

Chapter 2- My WWE Debut

Chapter 3- Fighting Back

Chapter 4- My First Wrestlemania

Chapter 5- Becoming Heel

Chapter 6- Total Divas Season 1 Episode 1

Chapter 7- The Shield's Girl

Chapter 8- Total Divas Season 1 Episode 2

Chapter 9- The Shield Isn't Unstoppable

Chapter 10- Total Divas Season 1 Episode 4

Chapter 11- Justice Continues Being Served

Chapter 12- The Underdog from Philly

Chapter 13- Catching Up Before MITB

Chapter 14- Money In The Bank 2013

Chapter 15- Total Slap!

Chapter 16- Frustration

Chapter 17- Total Divas Season 1 Episode 5

Chapter 18- I Know What I Have To Do

Chapter 19- Do You Know Who I Am!?

Chapter 20- Total Divas Season 1 Episode 6

Chapter 21- Army of One

Chapter 22- Wiping That Smirk Off Your Face

Chapter 23- You Look Like You've Seen A Ghost

Chapter 24- Total Divas Season 1 Episode 7

Chapter 25- Mommy Knows Best

Chapter 26- Revenge Is Sweet

Chapter 27- Total Divas Season 1 Episode 8

Chapter 28- Is That You Being Serious?

Chapter 29- In Due Time

Chapter 30- Trying To Gain Momentum

Chapter 31- The Slammy Awards

Chapter 32- That Was A Miracle

Chapter 33- The Answer Is No

Chapter 34- Tribute To The Troops

Chapter 35- Morgan's Answer

Chapter 36- Move Thief

Chapter 37- Meeting Hot Rod

Chapter 38- Respect

Chapter 39- I Hate Snakes

Chapter 40- If Only You Knew

Chapter 41- Making A Statement

Chapter 42- Yikes

Chapter 43- Sister Abigail

Chapter 44- I Lost Her

Chapter 45- She Belongs To Us Now

Chapter 46- I See What You Want

Chapter 47- Armageddon

Chapter 48- Armageddon Part 2

Chapter 49- That Supernatural Stuff Don't Work

Chapter 50- What Are You Doing!?

Chapter 51- Things Got Personal

Chapter 52- He Kept His Word

Chapter 53- Harley Mode Was Captivating

Chapter 54- Rosa's Mind Games

Chapter 55- Togetherness

Chapter 56- Public Displays of Affection

Chapter 57- The Shield Against The Authority

Chapter 58- Bad News Dinner

Chapter 59- Getting The Upper Hand

Chapter 60- Annihilated

Chapter 61- Catching Up With Old Friends

Chapter 62- Wrestling's Fun

Chapter 63- Get Back Here!

Chapter 64- War

Chapter 65- Trust Is Dead To Us Now

Chapter 66- Confronting The Sellout

Chapter 67- Going Our Separate Ways

Chapter 68- They Can't Control Me

Chapter 69- Clock Is Ticking Morgan

Chapter 70- Outsmarting The Architect

Chapter 71- Closing The Chapter

Chapter 72- I Win (All Hell Breaks Loose)

[jmdbjk]

Episode 2: Adolescence 

Beyond the Star, produced by HYBE Media Studio

They begin by conveying how important concerts are for them. Concerts. Not performances. Concerts.

They thought they “made it” in 2016 when they booked the Olympic Gymnastics Arena for a concert. It was the dream venue for idols at the time and are amazed they are performing there and never imagined they’d have a concert that big.

During the interviews where they are expressing their thoughts about what performing during concerts means to them, we see footage of different concerts illustrating what they are trying to explain. 

Hobi harkens back to their first concert in October 2014 for The Red Bullet tour, at Seoul’s AX Korea with 6,000 in attendance. He says they didn’t care about how many hundreds or thousands were there, they were just so thankful for the fans who came to see them.

Attendance rose at each progressive concert. Their fourth concert in 2015 had 13,500 in attendance at the Seoul Olympic Handball Gymnasium, and their fifth concert in May 2016 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena, mentioned at the beginning of this episode, had 25,000 in the audience. They were in awe at how huge it was when they first arrive at that venue, looking out at the empty seats before they began rehearsing.

They were always so emotional during their ending ments, so thankful for what they were experiencing after knowing how hard they’d worked from debut up until the end of each one of those concerts.

In the early years, the hearts of those young men were bursting with passion and to see so many fans supporting them had to be an overwhelming relief, its no surprise their emotions overflowed.

Though they finally saw their hard work being appreciated, the joy was tempered with having to deal with pushback.

One of the things I noticed that was not mentioned yet in Episode 1 was how much pushback, bullying, negativity and hate they received from their peers and other fans outside their team and company from the very first day.

Working their asses off to fulfill their dreams while being faced with all that makes it even more amazing that they stuck with it. 

It was them against the entire kpop industry. We all know how much BTS is hated by other kpop fandoms. We see it daily on the X timeline. The jealousy is real, it's destructive and it's dangerous.

BTS is untouchable now but in 2013, Jungkook was 15 years old. A CHILD! Jin was 20! BigHit had no money. There was a point after debut when they were asked to move out of the dorm because the company couldn't afford it anymore. Underdogs is an understatement, truly what the hell did they think they were doing up against all these established kpop groups, their fandoms and the big 3 companies?

Now, in Episode 2, we start to hear how the guys handled all this. For some of them, they did not handle it very well. Namjoon talks about his panic attacks and how he avoids the internet and going online during a song/album release. 

In Episode 1 we saw Hobi and Jin so thrilled and excited, anxiously waiting and monitoring online their very first album release at midnight on June 13, 2013 and for Namjoon to tell us now he can’t enjoy the thrill of that is so devastating to me. 

When an artist sends their art out into the world, it is like a living part of themselves, an extension of themselves that they lay bare to the world. The visceral reaction of panic when seeing people hate you for it…and the amount of courage it takes to ignore that and keep going and make more art to release into the world…I challenge anyone to show me they have THAT amount of courage.

And I implore you to understand the depths these guys LOVE their fans ESPECIALLY BEFORE THEY WERE BIG to keep doing it in spite of the hate.

Yoongi was incredibly diplomatic when he says “we had a lot of unreasonable controversies.” I would have said "we had a lot of total fucking bullshit that meant nothing thrown at us by a bunch of stupid butt hurt people." There, I fixed it for you, Yoongi.

They had a ludicrous amount of people gunning for them, hating them for being successful, hating them for being different. Jealousy drives people to do the most hateful things.

Jimin says, “having to deny the bad rumors was always so upsetting.”

Namjoon recieved death threats during the Red Bullet Tour. Early on they were accused of chart manipulation because they sold so many albums. This is the company had no money, there was no money to spend on chart manipulation!

They were accused of plagiarism and brought to court and were exonerated because it wasn't true.

Jimin received death threats at the end of the Wings Tour.

Being the humans that they are, with feelings and emotions, Yoongi says they and the fans were getting desperate and spiteful in the face of all this backlash and hate. 

The fan song “2! 3!” was an anomaly. It is somewhat somber for a song dedicated to fans. Most fan songs are light and cheery. But this song fit the emotions BTS was experiencing and bonded them closer with their fans and was again, another instance of the members being sincere and genuine in their expressions. 

The emotional scenes of BTS standing on stage, Army singing the lyrics back at them, waving their purple plastic bagged Army bombs, has to be one of the best memories for them. A truly bonding moment between artist and fan.

December 2016, Mnet Asian Music Awards, they win Artist of the Year. It is their first major award. Yoongi says “in a movie, the ending credits are supposed to roll at this point.”

They’ve reached the top… as they knew it. End of story... 2016? Nope.

Early the next year while they were on the Wings Tour, they were told they were going to the United States for the Billboard Music Awards. No other Korean act had ever done that before. They had no expectations for that trip. They had no idea what they were supposed to do when they got there.

It’s kinda cute seeing them prepare and wondering what to expect. They are so young and you can tell they are trying to figure out if they’re supposed to try to emulate the image of a western pop star.

When they get out of the van at the red carpet event, they all look around the back of the van to the other side of the street and see the fans screaming at them. They knew who the real fans were and they wondered what everyone else thought: perhaps people were just curious about who they were. 

Namjoon wonders how different it may have been had they, the members, been a little more culturally proficient, meaning at that time, they were inexperienced, naive and ignorant about the impact they were making. It was all a big wonder to them at that point. They were thinking “do they even know who we are?” 

Then they win Billboard’s Social Artist award, not a major award but still, it had been won by Justin Bieber for many years prior and now it was BTS’ opportunity to kick in the door. And they did. With all seven pairs of feet. Western artists began to take note and wanted to collaborate with them. The thorn in the western music industry's side had arrived in the form of this team of 7 and their fans.

Yoongi thought it was a one-off token award, but then they were invited to perform at the AMA’s. They can’t believe they’ve made it that far. 

They are soaring and going places they never imagined they’d go. Everything seemed like a fairytale, the success, the adulation, the global attention…

But it was happening too fast, their young minds, their emotional development and sense of self never had a chance to mature and catch up to their work load and the pressures and expectations their image and success placed on them. They never had a chance to stop and assess themselves personally and consider if this level of fame was something they even wanted.

Literally, they never. stopped. working. When they say "we just kept running forward" that is not a euphemism, it is literal.

As soon as one event, concert, appearance, fan meet, photo shoot, shooting Run BTS, music shows, whatever was over, it was on to the next one...from plane to hotel to venue back to hotel back to plane, to be repeated over and over.

In mid-2017, by the time they talked about resting for a while, it was perilously close to being too late. They still had the rest of the Wings Tour to complete through December. Some of them had already considered quitting. Some did not possess the confidence to endure the burden. Some of them wondered if pausing was the right thing since they were doing so well. 

They were confused by how they could be feeling like this after they’d worked so hard to get to this point.

The title of this episode is "Adolescence" and it pertained not only to the members who were just emerging from it and their careers that had gotten past the starting line and now riding an almost out of control rocket to stardom. It also was a point in time for the company trying to get its feet under it, for its leader Bang PD trying to steer this team, to figure out how to manage this worldwide sensation they'd created.

Bang PD had to learn how to deal with his team's enormous success as he watched them begin to burn out. He embraced a philosophy of focusing on the importance for an artist to have autonomy and be happy as a person which was not a thing in the kpop industry at that time. He was worried about their mental well being and their happiness. He suggested a break.

They knew there was an "end" coming eventually. End of contract, military... et al. They pondered the inability to enjoy the fruits of their hard work and that it couldn't "end" with them being unhappy.

We know in 2018 they renegotiated their contracts. 

For a group as close as they were, as committed as they were to their careers and to each other, they had to come together and discuss how they were feeling while being burned out, they had to admit to each other they wanted to quit. We don’t know the nitty-gritty details of how it went down but they worked through it and re-committed to each other and their team.

They didn’t give up and that tells me not a single one of them are quitters.

My own personal thoughts are that they recognized they needed to stop at that specific point in time and regroup. They knew enlistment was coming eventually and the typical life-cycle of a kpop group had been about 7 years when idols aged and younger ones took their place. But they'd reached places in the stratosphere that none other had before. I think they paused, recalibrated and actually let themselves seriously think of a future after enlistment that would allow them to keep up this level of success, to keep pushing boundaries...and therefore they re-evaluated what was in that contract to include things that ensured their well-being so they could grow. That new contract was set to expire this year, well after Jin was supposed to be back from the military and most likely all of them. I am curious to know what that original 2018 contract planning included...

Anyway, I accidentally rambled a lot adding extra context and my own thoughts while watching this episode.

Review of Episode 3 next…

[zot3-flopped]

The thing with louis is that he's a grifter. I apologise for the length of this but he really pisses me off. He was the energy vampire of 1D. Lots of those early interviews show him disrupting the others giving answers. He picked the person who was getting the most attention and made eyes at them. It 100% worked, and people felt he was the most fun, the kindest and sweetest.

Well is he kind and sweet now? Does he receive kindness and sweetness from the others? No. It stopped with Harry in 2013. Louis moved on to Zayn, and when Zayn left, Liam. Harry won't be seen with him even when they are at the same football match. Zayn has only just started talking to him (that we know of). Liam was a different case, and yes he supported Louis a bit, but they weren't in each other's pockets. Niall we don't really know.

He set himself up in 1D as the spokesperson, took on that energy whether anyone liked it or not, and did it get him anything? Is he now a leader, a respected elder statesman in the boy band world? Is he fuck. All it achieved was to give him a self-appointed role for a while, since he couldn't sing well or play at all. He came out of the band to a few personal upheavals (I don't underestimate that), but once he'd decided he was moving forward with music - a stupid decision I wonder if he regrets - he didn't go at it with the energy of a leader, a man who knows what he's doing. He's never presents his career in that way. So that version of Louis that his fans celebrated in 1D was likely also fake. Just a cover for him being a sneering, disruptive dickhead, most likely.

This whole underdog persona, the whole 'Harry won't struggle to get great people to work with him' sad face thing, I think it's real actually. I am sure he does feel inferior. Presenting it as other people's fault is the grift. Didn't understand the band had ended? Balls. But maybe he assumed the others would be as clueless as he was, and would come back. When that didn't happen and Harry in particular flourished, he had to make it look like it was somehow a bit more his fault, if only to save face.

Harry, and Niall on the quiet, had been writing and getting on with making contacts. Because who wouldn't, several years into a boy band?! They're not idiots. (Liam said he wasn't going to go back to music till he was given Strip That Down and got enthusiastic again. We now know what he'd been dealing with.) Well, Louis didn't do any of that, did he? He was 100% relying on the others not making it work, because he hasn't got it in him to accurately estimate people. If you pay attention he underestimates everyone: songwriters, managers, his bandmates. Treating people badly, like his tour crew and his support band, who are doing all the work, is underestimating them.

His shitty career is exactly - far more than - what he deserves. Every shred of relevance he has is pulled from someone else. Currently it's Liam Gallagher. Once he makes another pointless album, it'll be Harry again, some pointed throwaway comment. He uses Larries as well. He creates so very little - his albums are largely written by others, his voice in shows is the voice of his backing band.

Say what you like about Harry, he's created a world around his music and his shows that people deeply love and he does it without talking a single person down or relying on mentioning conspiracy theories.

👏👏👏Looks like he is gearing up for another round of promo and festivals, but he really does need to find new talking points.

[0lympus-mons]

“The third period begins with a camera cutting between Jordie with his ghostly white and blue helmet, and Augustin skating in slow circles near the faceoff dot. The media loves narratives, and this is a more compelling one than most: the underdog versus the fallen angel.”

Leafs v. Rangers, November 2013

Bonus: tfw ur chris patenaude and everything about this is a coincidence

[silverslipstream]

OC intro: Natalie Bertrand

Natalie Bertrand (FRA) Born: June 9, 1995, Rouen, France (age 28) Debuted: Singaporean Grand Prix, 2017 Race number: #39 2024 team: Electron Motorsport (AUS) Favourite track(s): Spielberg, Sakhir

2013 Formula Esprit Eurocup champion 2015 European Formula 3 champion

To partner one of the greatest drivers in Formula One is no mean feat—but Natalie Bertrand has shown herself more than capable of it. Following a patchy junior career characterized by brilliant underdog performances and a chronic lack of funding, Natalie found herself promoted to Octane’s main driver seat mid-season after Kurt Roth’s shock transfer to Esprit. Her performances were good enough to get her a full-time contract in 2018, where she established a quick reputation as one of F1’s up-and-coming young drivers. When Electron Motorsport came knocking in 2022 for a second driver to partner Esteban di Fernandez, Natalie jumped at the call.

Bertrand is often portrayed as the antithesis to di Fernandez in terms of racing philosophy, with excellent tire-saving skills and metronomic consistency that make her a vital rear-gunner in Electron’s bid for the Constructors’ world title. Withdrawn and shy, Bertrand nevertheless sticks close to former Octane teammate Callista Fontecchio, with the pair often being seen together.

[daisyunchained]

#CarylersAnthem #Caryl #Carylers #Daryl #Carol #TWDCaryl #TWD #TWDDarylDixon #TBOC #DarylDixonSeason2 #SoulMates #Epicduo #DreamTeam #MyCarylLovingHeart

Caryler’s Anthem

October 1st 2024

I saw so many spoilers for #TWDCaryl on Tik Tok & I just let myself watch them all. Since we’re not getting what we want, what’s the point? I don’t want to give anything away about what I saw. There’s so much I have to say that I’m sorting through my head, (not about the spoilers). So before antis laugh, let me explain.

Why we are #Caryler’s -

Since S2 of #TWD we watched Caryl and Daryl become each others person in so many ways. They understood each other. They filled in the gaps for each other. He was the yin, she was the yang. When the world constantly tried to throw them way, they were there to remind each other “you matter.”

In a real world that mirrors the show (minus the zombies), many of us have felt like underdogs. When these two underdogs that no one expected to live through the first season began to grow & strengthen, we rallied around and cheered them on. They were us. Everyone knew, they couldn’t have made it without each other.

While this was happening, we could see how truly special these two actors were. Even better was how much Mel & Norm cared about each other irl. Watching their friendship blossom was a treasure. Their chemistry was undeniable on & off screen. Every scene between them electric.

At the same time this was happening, Norman/Daryl was becoming a known heart throb, even landing himself the title of People Magazine’s sexiest man of the year in 2013. While the public praised him, Melissa/Carol often got a different reaction.

Mel, an actress true to form let her hair go gray for the show. It was realistic. And with her grey, she was gorgeous in her own right. She began to break the mold. This shy actress started a trend among woman who suddenly weren’t afraid to go grey.

Yes she is easily noted as the best actress of her time, which can be seen by anyone who has eyes but she’s had to battle agism left & right. None of her counterparts in her age group, including Norm himself who she was always paired with. No one else got that kind of negative attention. Her fans quickly came to her defense. So did Norman.

Norm was known to say that Mel hated when she was referred to as Daryl’s mom. He often came to her defense in interviews, proclaiming how beautiful she was, inside and out: but things amped up online, antis were cruel, her fans defended. With all the fighting and negativity, Mel left even Twitter.

Further more, when anyone asked both Carol and Daryl about Caryl going canon, they would often tease about it. Even with the writers the answer was never no. Their chemistry just grew with the show. Haters were still awful with their taunts, saying things like “Why would Daryl go out with an old lady.” 😢 But Norm continued to speak highly of her. He is Melissa’s biggest fan & dear friend. It didn’t matter if she fit the social norms. Carol and Daryl, as well as Mel and Norm were forging their own path. They were breaking the mold in Hollywood & it was beautiful. The great thing about Norm, he’s the type to see the value in that.

Their scenes together were always passionate, moving, magnetic, powerful, sexy and captivating. When the spin off was announced, we all celebrated. If Caryl didn’t get together by the end of the series, it just meant they were saving it for the spin off. Right?

Caryler’s always respected #TWD for giving Daryl integrity. We praised the show for not throwing the hot actor with some young actress for cheap ratings. We Caryler’s believed in that whole heartedly. We were grateful to the show for staying true to form in that aspect.

I can leave this out. Carol had her relationships in the show but they were more on the surface. Even her relationship with King Ezekiel seemed like an escape, Henry, a reason to carry on. She did love the boy. When that arc ended even Carol called it a fairytale.

“I don’t regret the fairytale...” she said while giving Zeke back her ring.

Daryl had his almost none existent stint with Leah. It was more a means to an end, or a beginning I should say. It was a story arc that would lead us into the finale. Covid changed things. As a writer, I could see where they were headed. I believe there would be a story arc between Leah and Carol over Daryl, including the reapers arc but with Lauren Cohen returning to the show, I believe the story line was given to her to bring her back into the fold. But with the spin off announced, a Caryl centric story arc could now be moved to their own show. Even with Melissa taking a year off, we had every reason to hope.

I really thought the spin off would respect Caryl’s sacred bond & expand on it. I figured they would go that way out of respect for Melissa. Finally hooking up Daryl & Caryl romantically would break the mold on the unfair, ageist bull$hit people kept throwing at her when being compared to Daryl. The way the last seasons of #TWD were going, all signs pointed to yes. We became hopeful. We began looking forward to see Carol and Daryl cross that last boundary.

We had many reasons to hope that we would finally see Daryl and Carol give each other the love they both desperately deserved while they battled new surroundings. And who better for each other than Carol and Daryl themselves. No one knows their hearts, their wounds, their pain, their wins, shared and separate like Carol and Daryl. No one deserves it more.

Maybe it will still happen in S3 but with seeing all the spoilers, I don't think I should continue to hope. I do hope I'm wrong.

I still praise the actors valiant efforts & superb acting. Mel & Norm are at their best. Carol facing her trauma and ptsd is superb. She deserves healing. I just feel like we were mislead on Caryl going canon. Even the advertising for the show was misleading. Maybe the creators became bitter with the idea of Caryl going canon after toxic bouts with over zealous fans who in their own right, had invested 14 years into these characters and just wanted to see their favorites happy. If you wonder why Caryler’s are taking this hard, this is where our heads & hearts lie.

Much love from my forever Caryl loving heart.

PS. On a side note, I have never, not once, looked at my parents or siblings the way Daryl and Carol look at each other. ❤️‍🔥

[broadwaydivastournament]

Broadway Divas Tournament: Round 3

Anika Noni Rose (1972) is a Tony-winning actress known for Caroline, or Change (2004), A Raisin in the Sun (2014), and the 2013 first workshop of Hamilton where she originated Angelica Schuyler. She is also known for being one of the iconic Dreamgirls in the 2006 film, as well as the voice of Tiana in Disney's The Princess and the Frog. In 2011, alongside Lea Salonga, she was named a certified, official, Disney Legend. Her latest Broadway show, Uncle Vanya, will open this week.

Multi-hyphenate LaChanze (1961) won her first Tony as Celie in The Color Purple (2006) and is known for her fantastic work in shows like Once On This Island (1990), Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (2018), and Trouble in Mind (2021). She is the only Diva to have two Tony Awards for producing, having won both of them last year, one for Kimberly Akimbo and the other for Topdog/Underdog. This season, she has produced Here Lies Love and Jaja's African Hair Braiding, and is co-producing The Outsiders.

NEW PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA UNDER CUT: ALL POLLS HERE

"I continue to remain in awe of this woman's undeniable beauty as I eagerly await the day I see Uncle Vanya."

"LaChanze is a wonderful performer, but she truly is a divine producer. I have loved nearly every single show she's put on since she started a few years back, and I hope she keeps raking in those Tonys for it."

[rimrovers]

RIM ROVERS: WHO’s The NBA Players, MVP 2024.

CANDIDATE, “James Lebron, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic” so, choose your fighters.

The Legends of the Game: Basketball’s Trailblazers

Basketball has seen its fair share of icons, but a few players stand above the rest, redefining the sport in ways that transcend the game itself. From record-breaking achievements to game-changing innovations, these athletes have not only mastered the court but also captured the hearts of fans worldwide.

Today, we take a deeper dive into the lives and careers of three such legends: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Nikola Jokić. Each has left an indelible mark on basketball, shaping its future with their incredible skills, unwavering determination, and unique perspectives. Get ready to explore their rise to the top and the triumphs that made them household names.

ㅤ … ⛹🏻‍♂️

“James Lebron: The King of Courts”

LeBron James, often dubbed the “King”, has dominated the basketball scene for over two decades. Born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio, LeBron’s rise from humble beginnings to NBA legend is iconic. Known for his versatility, LeBron can play any position, from point guard to forward. His basketball IQ is off the charts, making him a court maestro.

LeBron’s career highlights are numerous: 4 NBA championships, 4 MVP awards, and countless All-Star appearances. His legacy extends beyond the game with his philanthropy, particularly the LeBron James Family Foundation, which opened the “I PROMISE School” for at-risk youth. Superhuman in his prime, yet humble, LeBron’s ability to redefine greatness while pushing the envelope on and off the court is why he’s still in the conversation for GOAT (Greatest of All Time)

LeBron’s accolades include:

4 NBA Championships (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)

4 MVP Awards (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)

17 NBA All-Star Selections

2 Olympic Gold Medals (2008, 2012)

NBA Finals MVP (4 times)

All-NBA First Team (multiple times)

ㅤ

“Stephen Curry: The Sharpshooter Phenomenon”

Stephen Curry, born March 14, 1988, in Akron, Ohio, has revolutionized the game of basketball. As the NBA’s greatest shooter, he redefined what it means to be a scoring threat. Curry’s insane 3-point shooting range has forced teams to rethink defense, and his cerebral style of play has made him a beloved figure both on and off the court.

Curry is the engine behind the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty. With 4 NBA titles, 2 MVPs, and more records than one can count, Curry has taken the Warriors from a mid-tier team to an unstoppable force in the league. He’s the reason “Splash Brothers” is a household term, with his sharpshooting alongside Klay Thompson. But Curry’s impact isn’t just in the stats: he’s a catalyst for change, showing that you don’t have to be physically imposing to be an NBA star. His rise from a slender underdog to the league’s best shooter is a testament to his work ethic and the power of grit.

He’s widely regarded as the best shooter in NBA history, and his achievements include:

4 NBA Championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022)

2 NBA MVP Awards (2015, 2016)

NBA All-Star Selections (multiple times)

NBA Finals MVP (2022)

All-NBA Selections (multiple times)

All-Time Leader in 3-Pointers Made (breaking Ray Allen’s record)

ㅤ

“Nikola Jokić: The Silent Serbian Giant”

Nikola Jokić, born February 19, 1995, in Sombor, Serbia, is the most unique player in the NBA today. A savant of the game, Jokić plays with a creativity and fluidity that’s almost otherworldly. His skills as a center are more like that of a point guard: he’s a playmaking wizard who averages near-triple-doubles as a big man.

Jokić’s style is slow and deliberate, but don’t be fooled: he’s one of the most efficient players to ever grace the NBA. With 2 MVP awards under his belt, Jokić is the focal point of the Denver Nuggets’ offense, and his vision, passing, and basketball IQ make him stand out in a league dominated by athleticism. He’s often called the “Joker” (because of his quirky personality and occasional unpredictable antics), but his game is anything but a joke. He’s the epitome of effortless dominance. Not bad for a guy who was drafted 41st overall in the 2014 NBA Draft!

Has taken the NBA by storm with his unorthodox, yet brilliant, style of play. His achievements include:

2 NBA MVP Awards (2021, 2022)

NBA All-Star Selections (multiple times)

NBA All-NBA First Team (multiple times)

NBA Western Conference Finals Appearance (2020, with the Denver Nuggets)

ㅤ

Each of these players has won numerous individual and team honors, and their contributions to the game are undeniable. Their ability to push the boundaries of what’s possible on the court has inspired a generation of young players.

Left an indelible mark on the game, bringing something fresh and innovative that speaks to the evolution of the sport.

[deadlyanthem]

what's good gang! ares here with canon kd1 (the king 2016), han wonbin. super excited to be here! without further adieu, below the cut you will find info on my kennedy wannabe. hit this post with a like and i'll swing into your dms to plot 📩

look, you should know...

the han's come from a line of noblemen, old money, people with positions of power

his father, for a long as wonbin can remember, has always been for and in the conservative political party. a real stickler for traditional ways, keeping the rich rich and the poor, well, working.

ruled his house in a very cutthroat way; you either wise up or shut the fuck up.

but that was exactly wonbin's problem. the black sheep, the sore thumb, he did everything different. he's a lover, not a fighter. too smart for his own good. listens too keenly. wears two faces. gets under your skin. gets you right where he wants you. his father doesn't trust a man who smiles a lot. wonbin gleams.

this divide between the han patriarch and the youngest son fostered a mean spirit inside wonbin, but don't worry, he keeps it under wraps. no one ever knows what he's truly thinking. he's charismatic, a friend to everyone and enemy to none. your mother would love him.

but only because she doesn't know him. really, he's an entitled, spoilt philanderer with a skewed view of how the world works and how it should work for him. maybe he's not so different from his father after all? but yeah he's known as the peasant king, and yeah, despite being in a right wing political party he feigns interest in the layman's life. but only because he wants to keep them there, where he thinks they belong.

long may you rule when you no one knows your true intentions and at the end of the day, you think they're all beneath you.

the king and all of his...

it's not totally strange for him to get into the king's club. his father and his brothers had been through the same process although it was unbeknownst to him at the time. see, he thought he had something over them, thought that he might have been the better han. he doesn't know yet that he is all of the things his father simultaenously hates about himself and wishes he could be.

he's approached by the queen in 2013, son of a prolific politician and debate team hopeful, he's so full of promise. wonbin quickly manipulates her into vouching for him and helping him in getting the leg up on all of the rituals.

the kid is smart, he's got brains but they're not doing him any good. his weakness was women. his daddy issues meant that he sought validation in the eager eyes and the plush lips of a lover. it's almost like a drug, the way he craves someone to look at him and only him as if he put the stars in the sky. and when he's a chessmaster, he learns the perils of such hunger.

he cheats on his fiance. it's a paltry offence in his grand scheme of things but the fallout is divisive. he'll blame their differences, they were on the out for a long time, it was hardly love

but this is where he differs from his father. ever the lover, never the fighter he takes this set back like a punch to the chin. he tries on humility for size. dare he turn the other cheek.

he champions the underdog, he places them strategically on his chessboard. he coaches them to victory. he makes diamonds out of coal and maybe he loses himself in the process. his father stares at him every time he looks in the mirror and there's something so violent about his smile now.

2024, the ghosts are knocking at your door...

he follows his father's path, hot on his heels. he scrutinises him and all his shortcomings as he builds his own case. president han is a steadfast and vicious leader, his cabinet knows this well. but he is as only smart as tradition limits him and this is where he'll fail, wonbin thinks.

wonbin swears he's going to best him, don't you worry. for now he bides his time, and solidifies his seat at the table. he climbs his way up to deputy minister of health and welfare and soon the policies and laws that he takes part in implementing thrusts him into the public spotlight. with all these eyes on him, he stresses the need to be a man of the people, unlike his dear father. they all trust him, for now. but they do not know of the man behind the mask, they do not know of his greed.