#update tag june 28 2023: well!

[eons-arts]

bro wants to be a villain SOOOOO badly

[multifandomgirl08]

Mini Verstappen Series Masterlist

Paring: Single Dad!Max Verstappen x Fem!Reader

At the end of 2020, Max Verstappen gets the surprise of his life when he finds out that his ex-girlfriend had given birth to a son, his son. A year and a half later Max's longtime girlfriend of 8 months finds out about his son Nico.

This is an ongoing series. I'm always adding to it. The masterlist changes often.

I do take requests for this. If there is anything that you want to see happen in this series just message me in my ask box. All of my normal request rules apply.

Reader Face Claim: Hande Erçel

Total Published Word Count: 62,970 Words

Disclaimer: This work below is fictionalized ideas and stories involving real people but does not directly reflect their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. Please keep in mind that this is a work of fiction, so enjoy it as such.

𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑂𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟

0.0. Prologue - [December 10, 2020]

Max finds out that he has a son. And it changes his world.

0.1. Be Something You'll Love and Understand [December 11, 2020] Outtakes

He knew that he should have called his mom yesterday but he was still wrapping his head around the idea of being a father.

0.5. The Moment You Smiled At Me - [December 27, 2021]

The evening that started it all for Max and Reader.

1. Mini Verstappen - [August 15, 2022]

You get a small surprise the first time you visit Max’s apartment.

1.5. Girlfriend? - [November 1, 2022] Request

You meet Nico.

1.8. Caught - [June 4, 2023] 18+ Outtakes

Lando swears he knocked before walking into Max's hotel room, maybe he should have yelled before opening the door.

2. Change - [November 26, 2023 + January 2, 2024]

It’s the end of the F1 season. Some things are changing for the Verstappen's.

SMAU #1. The Secrets Out - [December 31, 2023 - January 1, 2024]

It’s the start of a new year. You and Max decide to tell the world about Nico.

3. A Lioness Protects Her Cub - [May 5 - 9, 16, 23, 2024] Request

Reporters are vultures and Max picks out a ring.

4. Day At The Karting Track - [June 14, 2024]

Nico starts karting. It opens a small can of worms.

4.5 The Engagement - [August 15 - 16, 2024]

He moved his hand over yours, moving the engagement ring that he placed on your finger, side to side.

SMAU #2. Through Max's Eyes - [March 8, July 30 - August 15, 2024]

Max’s Instagram posts about Y/N, and a small life update from the couple.

5. Something Bad, Something Good - [August 17 - 19, 2024] Request

Reader deals with the haters on Twitter, Nico calls Reader Mama. Max claps back at the haters on Instagram like the malewife that he strives to be.

5.5 Time to Move? - [August 25, September 15, 2024]

When Max had brought up moving, it was because the lease on his apartment was going to be up at the end of the year. Maybe it was time to find a new place for all of you.

6. Race Day - [October 20, 2024] Request

Nico tags along with Max during a race day in Monza, well as much as he can.

6.1 Wedding Headcanon - [February 2, 2025]

Headcanons from Max and the Reader's wedding. Social Media posts from their honeymoon.

6.5. Give and Take (Kind of Love We Make) - [February 28, 2025] 18+ Request (The Morning After)

Max had a plan in his head for the evening. He had mapped out the track before, and intended to keep to his strategy until they got home.

6.7. To Constantly Be Away - [March 9 & 10, 2025]

Second race of the season and Max is already having a tough time with the car. Missing his family only makes it worse.

7. From Three to Four - [April 4, 2025]

Reader tells Max that your expecting, he doesn't have the best reaction at first.

8. Stones To Throw At My Creator - [July 19, 2025]

He wasn't his father. He would never raise Nico like that.

SMAU #3. The Verstappens - [January 8, February 2, May 26, December 3, 2025]

Big things happen to Max and the reader in 2025. Moving, getting married, and a little surprise that neither of them were expecting.

8.7 Give Me Eyes To See - [December 8, 2025]

Nikita's first few days at home. Flashbacks to moments from the reader's pregnancy.

8.8 Nikita's First Christmas - [December 24-25, 2025]

Nico's first Christmas with his baby brother.

8.9 Ghost of Bittersweet Memories - [January 25, 2026]

A few of the drivers visit you and Max for the day, and you end up talking with Charles about a woman that he meets at an FIA event. (This is the conversation I referenced in Part 2 of Bittersweet.)

9. Glass Houses - [February 17, 22, 23, 2026]

When Raymond had called you about going and getting lunch, you should have known that something was going on.

9.5. All That I Can Give - [May 10, 2026]

Another Mother's Day and one of Nikita's firsts.

9.7. On Sleepless Roads, The Sleepless Go - [December 2-3, 2026]

It's the early hours of Nikita's first birthday, and you can't help but look back at the day you brought your son into the world.

SMAU #4. A Year in Moments - [February 10, May 28, August 2 & 27, October 22 & 31, 2026]

10. Redline - [May 25, 2027]

"I'm sorry, mijn leeuwin. I know you were excited to announce it to everyone."

10.5. Mommy and Me - [May 31 - June 6, 2027] Request

Late one evening after dinner Y/N brought up the idea to Max for her to take Nico out for the day.

11. X3 - [July 8-9, 2027]

“Hallo, kleine welp,” Max said.

11.5. She's Not Acid Nor Alkaline - [December 8, 2027]

Max and Reader have a night away from the kids in Santorini for the 2027 FIA Prize Giving Gala.

SMAU #5. Welcoming Another Verstappen - [2027]

12. Hey, Little Sister - [March 27 - November 20, 2028]

SMAU #6. - [2028]

13. The End of An Era - [November 2030]

The days leading up to Max retiring from Formula 1. The Article announcing his retirement. And the last race of his F1 career.

14. Right On Track - [2036]

Checking in with the Verstsppens in 2036.

15. Letters From The Past - [November 17, 2038]

Max and Reader sit down to read the letters that Amelia (Nico's birth mom) wrote.

𝐸 𝒳 𝒯 𝑅 𝒜 𝒮

Pinterest Board

Playlist

Paring Evolution

Timeline

Dividers made by @cafekitsune | Banner made by me

Mini Verstappen taglist: @karmabyfernando, @barcagirly, @sachaa-ff, @iamahallucinationnn, @musingsbyshreya, @glow-ish, @nonsensical-nonsence, @fanboyluvr, @champomiel, @gothicwidowsworld, @lighttsoutlewis, @itsalwaysgay, @minkyungseokie, @mynameisangeloflife, @ursforever129, @aundercover, @bborra, @mindless-rock, @cixrosie, @barcelonaloverf1life, @taylorslovesswifties13, @konsti081, @mellowarcadefun, @smnthnclj, @brekkers-whore, @lpab, @thedecalcomania-blog, @xoscar03, @em-gvf01, @haikyuen, @shelbyteller , @geniusalpaca, @princessria127 , @mysticalnightenthusiast , @green-thots , @leah-also-known-as-creatoronwp

[marielaure]

[large text]

Random Grishaverse Ship Stats on AO3 because my brain and eyes got tired from reading Chaucer:

[Big Text]

I. Publication/Release Dates

[Regular Text]

Shadow and Bone: 5 June 2012

Siege and Storm: 4 June 2013

Ruin and Rising: 17 June 2014

Six of Crows: 29 September 2015

Crooked Kingdom: 20 September 2016

The Other duology series: 2019 & 2021

Shadow and Bone Season 1: 23 April 2021

Shadow and Bone Season 2: 16 March 2023

[Big Text]

II. Canon Ships

[Regular Text]

Kaz/Inej: 5011

1st: 29 December 2015

Latest: 21 August 2024

Alina/Darkling: 4665

1st: 9 August 2013

Latest: 21 August 2024

Jesper/Wylan: 4570

1st: 24 November 2015

Latest: 21 August 2024

Nina/Matthias: 2078

1st: 29 December 2015

Latest: 21 August 2024

Nikolai/Zoya: 1043

1st: 14 February 2016

Latest: 21 August 2024

Alina/Mal: 852

1st: 29 November 2013

Latest: 20 August 2024

Fedyor/Ivan: 553

1st: 24 April 2021

Latest: 19 August 2024

Genya/David: 518

1st: 22 October 2014

Latest: 21 August 2024

Tamar/Nadia: 187

1st: 25 September 2014

Latest: 18 August 2024

Nina/Hanne: 98

Adrik/Leoni: 46

——————————————

[Big Text]

III. Popular Not-Canon Ships

[Regular Text]

Kaz/Jesper: 402

1st: 19 August 2016

Latest: 17 August 2024

Alina/Nikolai: 383

1st: 21 July 2014

Latest: 19 August 2024

Nina/Inej: 189

1st: 24 February 2016

Latest: 29 July 2024

Alina/Zoya: 165

1st: 25 September 2014

Latest: 16 August 2024

Alina/Genya: 149

1st: 20 September 2017

Latest: 14 August 2024

Mal/Nikolai: 79

1st: 8 April 2020

Latest: 14 August 2024

Darkling/Kaz: 43 (why did I think there were more?)

1st: 19 April 2021

Latest: 17 August 2024

Inej/Alina: 31

1st: 16 July 2021

Latest: It’s mine! Did NOT realize that - unintentional.

——————————————

[Big Text]

IV. Miscellaneous/Other/Rare Pairs

[Regular Text]

Kaz/Wylan: 114

1st: 25 April 2021

Latest: 17 August 2024

Jesper/Inej: 69

1st: 16 June 2018

Kuwei/Jesper: 62

1st: 30 Jan. 2017

Latest: 12 August 2024

Kaz/Matthias: 62

1st: 19 April 2017

Latest: 14 August 2024

Kaz/Nina: 46

1st: 28 April 2017

Latest: 30 July 2024

Wylan/Matthias: 30

1st: 4 July 2021

Latest: 25 July 2024

Matthias/Alina: 27

1st: 1 July 2021

Latest: 30 June 2024

Matthias/Inej: 19

1st: 28 August 2019

Latest: 25 July 2024

Tolya/Inej: 11

1st: 19 March 2023

Latest: 29 April 2024

Kaz/Alina: 9 (again, thought there were more of these for some reason)

1st: 26 April 2021

Latest: 27 January 2024

Tolya/Alina: 9

1st: 13 January 2022

Latest: 21 August 2024

Nina/Alina: 7

1st: 9 May of 2021

Latest: 26 March 2023

Zoya/Inej: 5

1st: 18 May 2021

Latest: 4 June 2024

Zoya/Kaz: 5

1st: 18 October 2021

Harshaw & Oncat: 4 (We’re all so lucky, I originally searched with a slash…luckily nothing popped up. But they’re so close buddies that they made this list. Harshaw is an Inferni from the original trilogy and Oncat is his cat)

Jesper/Alina: 2

Alina/Tamar: 2

Jesper/Jordie: 1

Wylan/Alina: 0

Tamar/Inej: 0

Wylan/David: 0

BUT I ended up finding an interesting fic in the process. I read the first chapter, it’s titled “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Republican National Convention” I don’t know it’s one hell of a title given 2024.

——————————————

[Big Text]

V. Notes

[Regular Text]

*I didn’t realize until later Darkling/Alina may not be considered a “canon” ship, but they perform so well I’m not changing it 😊

*I haven’t read the latest duology so that’s why I didn’t do much for Adrik/Leoni and Nina/Hanne. The only reason I know about Zoya/Nikolai is YouTube and its popularity for only having two books setup.

*There’s only 8 fics with “Harij Ghafa” or “Inej Ghafa’s Brother” —I want to know more about this dude! I have so many headcanons and stories bouncing around my head…another time, another time.

*I broke the pattern a bit at the end

*Also, anyone who has read The Wraithling and Her Saints — my sporadic updates tag is living up to its name 😊. This fic I’m messing with the magic system, world building, history, family lineage, and personalities (?) of what feels like everything. It’s so fun, but I’ve just got to be in a very certain mindset and vibe to write it. I’m trying to make it a longer Inej/Alina fic as those are normally shorter.

*Suggestions: Comment below any ships or just platonic pairings you’d love to see more of! I actually have a Jesper & Alina story in mind, will it ever be written? Who knows. But I’d love to hear y’all’s thoughts!

*Stats as of 20 August 2024 and 21 August 2024

[wikipedia-the-non-official]

Hazen Street

article additional citations verification. improve article citations reliable sources. Unsourced material challenged . sources: "Hazen " – · newspapers · · · JSTOR (November 2012) ( )

Hazen ( typeset Hazen St.) American supergroup 2004. features Freddy Cricien Hoya Roc (Madball); Toby Morse (H2O), Kennedy ( Racer, , later & Airwaves), Mackie (Cro-Mags & Brains). Chad Gilbert (Shai Hulud later ) co- album, Hazen 's label contract . replaced Brian "Mitts" Daniels Madball.

Hazen

Origin York , York, U.S.

Genres Rap ,[1] hardcore punk,[1] metal[1]

2004–2006 2009 2011 2012–

Labels DC

Toby Morse Freddy Cricien Hoya Roc Mackie Jayson Kennedy

Chad Gilbert Brian "Mitts" Daniels

History

2004, ExtremeThing .[2] April 2004, group supported headlining tour.[3] Hazen -titled debut album, Hazen Benji Madden's DC . August 31, 2005, posted update website, reporting 2005, label announced. However, website updates , album, presumably Kennedy's - involvement & Airwaves.

November 2006, announced " ?" official theme WWE Survivor Series 2006, annual Survival Series -per-. Wachovia Center November 26, 2006.

Hazen reunited - June 21, 2009, supporting H2O show York .[4]

Hazen reunited Tsunami Fest 2011, Hardcore/Punk /Metal , Pennsylvania.

2012, Hazen Groezrock Belgium. Rancid York .

Madball H2O, Hazen Tour 2023, shows Europe.[5]

Toby Morse – vocals (2004–2006, 2009, 2011, 2012–)

Freddy Cricien – vocals (2004–2006, 2009, 2011, 2012–)

Hoya Roc – bass (2004–2006, 2009, 2011, 2012–)

Mackie Jayson – , percussion (2004–2006, 2009, 2011, 2012–)

Kennedy – guitar (2004–2006, 2009, 2022–)

Chad Gilbert – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2004)

Brian "Mitts" Daniels – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2005–2006)

Garrett Krinsky – tambourine, backing vocals (2004–2005)

Lederman – , percussion (2004)

Hazen (2004)

Videography

(2004)

pop

"Hazen " - leads Rikers Rikers Facility, possibly inspiring .

's , " " featured NHL 2005 Madden NFL 2005[6] soundtracks.

" " featured NBA 2K5 soundtrack.

, " " included 2004 Warped Tour Compilation DVD Nitro Circus 2 theme 2006 WWE Survivor Series.

References

Loftus, Johnny. "Hazen Biography Johnny Loftus". AllMusic. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

Heisel, Scott ( 8, 2004). "xtremeThing Sports/Music returns Las Vegas". Punknews.org. Retrieved 23, 2021.

UG Team (April 28, 2004). " Brief: Damageplan, Kills, SOiL, ". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved April 2, 2018.

" Knitting Factory (Brooklyn) 21 Jun 2009". .fm. Retrieved September 25, 2020.

"H2O Joins Madball & Hazen Europe!". . Retrieved 1, 2023.

"Madden NFL 2005: Soundtrack - Xbox". TeamXbox. July 1, 2004. Archived original 4, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.

External links

MySpace website

DC website

WWE Survivor Series website

~ Hope you enjoy wiki this one as well wiki, will send more another day <3

~ @not-in-the-bible

Ps: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazen_Street

Pps: please tag this with #unbibled

Ppps: I am about to reuse this signature for all of these, sorry if it's annoying

Pppps: Love you!

Ppppps: I might've messed up formatting and unbibling, the stress test did not go well

Pppppps: Tempted to make more and more of these ps thins....

Ppppppps: I'll stop now tho

Pppppppps: bye!

My legal name being in there jumpscared me-

That's a lost of ps /pos

Love you too :3 (/p)

[firstprince-ao3feed]

Two souls longing for each other's warmth

Two souls longing for each other's warmth https://ift.tt/VjtGkJg by spencessmile Alex notices June take a shuttering breath, “Your emails to Henry have been leaked to the press.” Alex's eyes rimmed red with tears as he held onto June’s hand like a lifeline. or Henry flies to Washington after the leak of the emails. Words: 4282, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: M/M Characters: Alex Claremont-Diaz, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, June Claremont-Diaz, Nora Holleran, Ellen Claremont, Zahra Bankston, Mentioned Cash (Red White & Royal Blue), Mentioned Amy Chen | Amy Gupta (Red White & Royal Blue), Mentioned King James III (Red White & Royal Blue), Shaan Srivastava, Mentioned Beatrice Fox Mountchristen-Windsor Relationships: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Additional Tags: Alex is not taking the emails being leaked very well, All Alex wants is to talk to Henry, Alex Claremont-Diaz Loves Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Loves Alex Claremont-Diaz, Alex is an anxious baby, Alex Claremont-Diaz Needs a Hug, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Needs a Hug, Alex will always find an opportunity to tease Henry, Good Parent Ellen Claremont, Good Sibling June Claremont-Diaz, Mentions of Panic Attacks, Alex Claremont-Diaz has a panic attack or two, Author will update tags when not so sleep deprived, Canon Compliant, Emails are used directly from the book, All credit goes to Casey McQuiston via AO3 works tagged 'Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor' https://ift.tt/1Lzef3Q December 28, 2023 at 04:50PM

[feuqueerfire]

Feu's January 2023 BL/GL Wrap-Up

A little monthly (spoilery!) wrap-up of all the shows I’ve watched or am watching in January 2023, general thoughts, and ranking of them all.

Recommendation of the month:

Strangers From Hell! Soooooo good~

Ranking

Strangers From Hell

Midnight Motel 

Choco Milk Shake = Roommates of Poongduck 304

The Director Who Buys Me Dinner = Girlfriend Project Day 1

Average Rating: 6.2/10 

MDL Updates - Added to Watchlist:

A section because I’m curious about how many shows I decide to add to my Watch List a month and also the ratio of watching them:adding them.

Added a whole bunch of K-Dramas which seem to be thrillers/crime/horror genre and/or have bromance-y plots after watching Strangers From Hell

My School President

Till the World Ends

Midnight Motel

Strangers from Hell

The Devil Judge

Beyond Evil

Psychopath Diary

Mouse

The Merciless

Parasite

Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu (The Full-Time Wife Escapist) - From the Certified Noonas podcast; apparently this talks about how the housewife is being compensated for her work and backup plans etc

Happiness - zombies but there is also fake dating? or contract marriage? or something. I think Certified Noonas mentioned it

Go Back Couple - Certified Noonas mentioned it. kinda reminds me of 18 Again except both people who are about to divorced go back in time

The Uncanny Counter - Certified Noonas. This is an OCN drama I think? seems cool 

lol I added so many this month, many of them non-bls (though a few are known for bromance vibes)

To Watch List At Start Of Month: 47

To Watch List At End Of Month: 49

Removed from To Watch List:

removing the first 3 are shows that I’ve been meaning to watch for a while but probably won’t actually ever get to (but if the mood really strikes, I’ll pick them up for sure because every time there’s an opportunity to watch them, I just make an excuse)

Until We Meet Again

You're My Sky

To My Star 2: Our Untold Stories

Flower of Evil - was considering watching this during my kdrama time but everyone seems to have complaints about the second half or last few eps and I can’t deal with that. Also saw a specific spoiler that I really hate so

Kei×Yaku: Abunai Aibou - it’s a bromance and people say the plot is weak. Think I’d rather watch higher quality bromance action/thriller shows

Love Class

Watching On-Air

Never Let Me Go

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Dec 13, 2022 - Feb 28(?), 2023

Watch Via: Youtube (free)

Watch Dates: Jan 1 - ONGOING, 2023

Rating: ?/10

Overall Impression:

tags: never let me go

Also Appears In: Never Let Me Go Ep 1 - 4, Ep 5, Ep 6, Ep 7, Ep 8 Live Blogging

Completely Watched

Midnight Motel - non QL

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Dec 28, 2022 - Jan 12, 2023

Watch Via: Youtube (free)

Watch Dates: Jan 11 - 14, 2023

Rating: 6.5/10

Overall Impression: The acting was great, the script was comprehensible and well-paced, the production is good, featured sex work without villainizing the workers or the work itself. I loved Mote’s little fantasies of possible scenarios or of imagining an interaction in a different way (the card game with June, convo with dead Pat). I’m impressed by the creative team behind it. I won’t think about this much after today I don’t think but I liked this little show.

tags: midnight motel

Also Appears In: Midnight Motel Live Blogging

The Director Who Buys Me Dinner

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Dec 15, 2022 - Jan 12, 2023

Watch Via: iQiyi (free)

Watch Dates: Jan 18 - 19, 2023

Rating: 5.5/10

Overall Impression: I feel like this should be higher just because it’s got a cool concept and the cinematography’s good but I felt like maybe 1 emotion during this whole show (the hug in the car), which sucks. The writing in the show sucked, both in terms of relationship development (there was none. why were they from A to Z without B C...) and the fantasy/lore aspects. In a better show, Dongbaek’s dying wish to be the one who remembers next time coming true would be a punch to the gut but here, I don’t gaf 

tags: the director who buys me dinner

I was wondering if I should watch Flower of Evil but because of the reasons mentioned above + he gets amnesia (?! agh), I’m removing it from my To Watch for now rip

I’m kinda in the mood for something longer and with darker tones though, so I’m looking at like Strangers from Hell, The Devil Judge, Beyond Evil which all seem to be horror or thrillers (and with BL undertones? I hear about Devil Judge a lot). I think I’ll watch Strangers From Hell cuz it’s like 10 1-hour long eps bc the others are 16 eps with 75 or 65 mins each ep.

Strangers from Hell - non QL

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Aug 31, 2019 - Oct 6, 2019

Watch Via: :>

Watch Dates: Jan 19 - 23, 2023

Rating: 7.5/10

Overall Impression: The whole descent of Jongwoo was interesting to see, as well as how his environment and people around him made him who he is and what he had in him from previous experiences and by nature. The acting and cinematography/atmosphere were good. I liked the hallucinations/dreams (I loved it when I couldn't tell whether he really was breaking the keyboard until the CCTV showed it or whether he was beating up the supervisor until the others came in bc he had violent imagined scenarios so often) and I'm glad it was just 10 eps. I do like to think Moonjo's obsession was tinted with gayness. I like that he's dead but still alive through Jongwoo; that even if he was killed, he still won.

tags: strangers from hell

Also Appears In: Strangers From Hell Live Blogging

Girlfriend Project Day 1 - GL

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Aug 19, 2022 - Sep 2, 2022

Watch Via: Youtube

Watch Dates: Jan 25, 2023

Rating: 5.5/10

Overall Impression: I watched this mostly with Korean subs (though I could also understand a bunch without the subs) with French ones underneath. It’s a good one to watch for learning/practice because the sentences were pretty easy to comprehend, even if I didn’t understand All of it. It was only 25 mins and so it was all very fast/shallow (it was cute so far) but I heard there’s gonna be a 2nd season, so maybe we’ll get more

Choco Milk Shake

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Oct 25, 2022 - Dec 20, 2022

Watch Via: Youtube (free)

Watch Dates: Jan 26 - 29, 2023

Rating: 6.5/10 6/10  [Jan 25, 2024 Update: Decreased by 0.5 stars when rerating my top shows: 6.5 -> 6]

Overall Impression: Very cute and also had a fair bit of emotional moments, I liked it! Also got a fair amount of Korean practice out of it. However, it did take me 4 days to watch this though bc I kept watching only one or two of the short eps every day bc it didn’t have that pull of wanting to watch more. So it’s cute and well made the the actors for Choco and Milk did so well haha but I’m not super invested in the characters and probably won’t think about them much.

tags: choco milk shake

Also Appears In: Choco Milk Shake Live Blogging

Roommates of Poongduck 304

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Oct 13, 2022 - Nov 3, 2022

Watch Via: Viki (free)

Watch Dates: Jan 29 - 31, 2023

Rating: 6/10

Overall Impression: I wish I was in more of a romcom mood because this was really funny, more so than expected but I didn't really care about the romantic aspect and the last ep was so fast and squished. It was good but not great.

tags: poongduck 304

Also Appears In: Roommates of Poongduck 304 Live Blogging

[polizwrites]

WIP Update - 7 Mar 2023

Busy week IRL, so not much writing done.  I touched 2 fics (1 WIPs & 1 new works)  for a total of  1694 words. 

On Ao3, I posted: 

-- the final chapter of  Make My Heart Come All Undone   - WI No Powers/Supernatural AU meet cute

-- Recollection of Anticipation  - CA;TFA compliant - Steve POV going through memories just before the train mission. 

I have  12 active WIPs  with my current  deadlines being  the Stucky and Avengers bingos.  

See below cut for what I’m working on/planning to work on - arranged more or less by bingos/challenges/etc.  As always, feel free to send me prompts or plot bunnies as well as asks regarding any of these projects  or any other WIPs I’ve got out there.   Interaction really helps feed the Muse and keep me motivated!

Tony Stark Bingo - Round 6  [TSB_R6  (Ends 28 Feb)

Masterlist

February Ficlet Challenge [FFC23]  (Ends 28 Feb 2023)

I kind of petered out on this, but the organizer said they’re keeping the collection open til June, so I may try to write a few more if inspiration strikes.  

I’ve completed ficlets for the following prompts: (12 of 28 days)

Day 1: Wave;  Day 2: Caught in the Rain, Day 3: “What’s up, Doc?”;  Day 6: Pirate AU  Day 7: Carnival/Amusement Park,  Day 8:  “This is the last time I bail you out!”;  Day 9: Soulmate AU;  Day 10: “Wet your whistle”;  Day 12: Secret Admirer,  Day 13: Vampire and/or werewolf AU;  Day 15: Ice; Day 16: Out to Sea

Stucky Bingo Round Four [SB_R4] (Ends 31 May 2023)

Thirteen fills and one WIP with a couple of other vague ideas.

* B1 - Mutual Pining -  no specific idea, but it’s so On Brand for me I’m sure I’ll come up with something!  (maybe  the Centerfold fic idea I’ve been toying with)

* O2 - Stark Tower -  See BBB Flash  Ultimatum above.

* N1 - AU: Fairytale - stretching this prompt a little to combine it with the FFC23 Day 15: Ice prompt for a double drabble.   The Captain and the Soldier is vaguely inspired by The Snow Queen (Hans Christian Andersen).    

* O4 - AU: Supernatural - got inspired by a dream to start a Stucky fantasy AU (magician!Steve/ensorcelled!Bucky) that @bill-longbow  is collaborating on with me. We’re currently sitting at 1640 words  (984-ish of which are mine).   Will probably continue on this sometime in February/March.   Current Last Line:  "My men will accompany you back to Brookline in the morning.”

I also adopted the Writing Format: Remix one of your fics  square  – am thinking of taking one of my Stony or WinterIron  No Powers fics and adapting it to a Stucky pairing – if you have any requests - hit me up!  

WinterIron - No Powers AU  –  Stony No Powers AU

Avengers Bingo Round Four [AvB_R4] (Ends 2 June)

This time around the card is a 3x3,  so am looking at writing different pairings for my two favorite Avengers - Tony and Steve.    I have 2 fills completed and two WIPs, with a couple more ideas in play.

* A1 - Vulnerability - see TSB James “Rhodey Rhodes square above

* B1 - Unrequited Love -  see TSB Secret Admirer square above.

* B3 - Mistaken Identity -  I’m planning a third chapter of my Tony/Rhodey  Western AU   Decision at Sundown   based on the ficlet I wrote to fill the “Wet Your Whistle”  FFC23 prompt.   The expansion will make both this square (and probably the fic itself) more explicit.  😁

* C3 - Dog Tags - seems like a good  Steve/Bucky  (or Steve/Sam?) square.

All Caps Bingo [ACB_R1]  (Ends 30 Sep 2023)

This new bingo focuses on Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson as its main characters - paired up with each other or anyone else!    I’ve got three completed fics, one WIP and two different ideas for the One Fill, One Bingo Challenge - see this Tumblr post for details. 

* B1 - Knotting - started a Cap!Steve/Modern Bucky A/B/O AU story this morning - 314 words so far.

* B2 - AU: Fugitive -  I combined this with the FF23 Pirate AU prompt to write  Flying the Flag of Freedom.   I plan on expanding it to bring Sam aboard (so to speak) but need to do some more research first.  

* G1 - Isaiah Bradley -  see BBB Underdog above.

* O1 - “This is payback, isn’t it?” -  Posted  Recollection of Anticipation - to Ao3.  Combined with the FFC23 - Day 7: Carnival/Amusement Park prompt  to get Steve  revisiting memories based on Bucky’s comment about the Coney Island roller coaster.   It came in at 552 words.

* O3 - Pararescue Sam Wilson - may try to squish this into an expansion of  A Rising Star -  a previous Flash Fiction Friday fill.  

Sam Wilson Bingo [SWB_R3]  (Ends 15 Oct 2023)

Finally got my square incorporated into my Master Bingo tracking workbook and have one fill.  I have a few squares I want to swap & will probably start tacking this and the All Caps bingo in earnest this month.

G1 - Rescue Mission  -  I combined this with last week’s  @flashfictionfridayofficial​ prompt [#FFF190 Trapped in the Dark] to write a Sam & Bucky mission fic  hurt/comfort ficlet:   Down in the Hole (Some Emotions Are Hard to Hide) It came in at  525  words and will get posted to Ao3 sometime next month.  

* G3 - Joaquin Torres - possible expansion of   A Rising Star .  

————

On other creative fronts:  I have a  Bride of Frankenstein figure in progress -  still working on the figures/props for my three Marvel Trumps Hate  auction winners as well (7 of 8 done so far) – thanks so much for your generous support!!  Finally, I am prepping for a superhero con in March  and another con in June  so am pretty well booked up through spring/early summer.

That said, if you’re looking for one of a kind gifts for birthdays or other celebrations later in the year, check  out Stuffed With Character   over on Facebook for a full list of my designs (now over 100!).   They’re  mostly Marvel and monsters, but I have some Star Wars, Star Trek, DC   and Disney figures as well. Plus I love to take custom design  requests  for any fandom!

[rexobibang]

2023 Timeline

**updated 4/16/2023**

January 1, 2023

Sign ups open!

February 4, 2023

Sign ups for Writer closes!

April 14-17, 2023

First Check In – OPTIONAL! 

Must have 30% of your story complete. Writers can still change tracks at this point.

May 6, 2023

Sign ups for Artists, Betas, Pinch Hits close!

May 12-15, 2023

Second Check In – MANDATORY!

Writers -  where you at?

June 9-11, 2023

Third Check-In – Mandatory

Writers must have 60% complete, submit draft

This is last chance to drop out without penalty as well as the last chance to change tracks.

June 23-25, 2023

Writers must provide summary and tags for art claims

June 30-July 8, 2023

Art Claims!

July 28-30, 2023

Fourth Check In – MANDATORY! (fanworker + writer)

Last chance for artist to drop out

September 1-3, 2023

Fifth Check In – MANDATORY! (fanworker + writer)

Drafts are due from artists and writers; writers should have 90% completed, artists should have good progress made.

September 3-16, 2023

Promo posting opens

September 17-30, 2023

Posting

October 8-14, 2023

Amnesty Posting

[twwofwwands]

A Year and a Day UPDATED - 206 prompts - A Quest to discover my individual Witchcraft

*UPDATED - original post was 196 prompts

After a lifetime of subtle magic and a year of failing to step into my power, I wrote this personalized curriculum to learn my own individual Witchcraft over 366 days. There are 206 points on the list. Some will take a bit of time and work. Others require more simple answers.

I used the words "personalized" and "individual" for a reason. Witchcraft is very personal. We are all individuals and nothing we do looks exactly the same. Some of the points may not suit you. Adjust or omit them.

I will be kicking this off with a devotional river bath on June 1st.

Follow me on Instagram if you'd to tag along. Inspired by https://sammmango.tumblr.com/post/175974393404/a-whopping-list-of-grimoire-prompts-and-ideas

Cleansing Commencement Ritual

1. List everything you’re grateful for. Be very specific – from the people you love to the water you drink

2. Write down what you want to change about your life. What is holding you back?

3. List everything you need to release, unlearn, and cleanse

4. Write affirmations to support your unlearning and growth with everyday

5. Take a cleansing shower or bath. Use whatever candles, herbs, crystals, etc. you feel like.

Wheel of the Year

6. Create your own calendar/”wheel” as you go

a. Keep a running list of signs you notice of the changing seasons

7. Research each of the Sabbats and decide how they work into your craft.

a. Summer Solstice/Litha – June 20

b. Lammas/Lughnasadh – August 1

c. Fall Equinox/Mabon – September 22

d. Samhain/Halloween – October 31

e. Yule/Winter Solstice – December 21

f. Imbolc/Candlemas – February 2

g. Spring Equinox/Ostara – March 20

h. May Day/Beltane – May 1

8. How do you wish to celebrate the popular holidays or combine them with related Sabbats? Valentine’s Day? Easter and Ostara? Yule and Christmas?

Witchcraft 101

9. Definitions – Determine what these terms mean to you by researching various descriptions

a. Grounding

b. Centering

c. Cleansing

d. Charging

e. Blessing

f. Charming

g. Enchanting

h. Warding

i. Binding

j. Banishing

k. Consecrating

10. How do you ground and center?

11. How do you cast a circle? Do you bother?

12. What are the corners? How do you call them?

13. How do you set up an altar? Do you bother?

14. Research various workings and their origins;

a. Candle magic

b. Knot/braid magic

c. Sigils

d. Self protection

e. Home protection

f. Egg workings

g. Foot track work

h. Hair/Tag-lock magic

i. Money magic

i. Money bowl/plate

ii. Money candle

iii. Money dust

iv. Lode stone money spell

v. Look up 5 good money spells that you would use

j. Sex magic

k. True jar spells

Correspondences

15. Directions

16. (5) Elements

17. 7 Days of the week

18. Colours

Astrology

19. Read your own birth chart in depth while working through this section

20. Triplicities – Elements in Astrology

21. Quadruplicities – Cardinal/Mutable/Fixed

22. The 12 zodiac signs

23. The 12 houses

24. Aspects

25. Rising sign

26. Sun sign

27. Moon sign

28. Mercury

29. Venus

30. Mars

31. Saturn

32. Jupiter

33. Uranus

34. Neptune

35. Pluto

Lunar Magic

36. Moon Phases

a. Correspondences

b. Add to your calendar/”wheel”

37. New Moon rituals

38. Full moon rituals

Divination

39. Read cards every day

40. Pull a tarot card for each week. Read it for yourself. Research traditional meanings and symbolism as well.

41. Draw some tarot spreads to refer to.

42. Write a list of other divining methods that you’re interested in

43. Make runes or charms…a bone set?

Crystals

44. How do crystals work?

45. How do you cleanse crystals?

46. How do you charge crystals?

47. How do you program crystals?

a. Create a charm to carry with you as reminder and amplifier of your magic

48. What are the uses of crystal grids? Look up some examples for more ideas.

49. How can you use crystals?

a. Physically

b. Metaphysically

c. Around the home

50. Write an information page for every crystal you have. (See Crystal List)

Green Witchery

51. Research all the herbs you are growing;

a. Basil

b. Calendula

c. Chives

d. Catnip

e. Chamomile

f. Dill

g. Lavender

h. Lemon Balm

i. Oregano

j. Peppermint

k. Rosemary

l. Sage

m. Thyme

52. Identify and research 15 plants or trees in your yard. How can you use these in your craft?

53. Identify and research 15 wild plants or trees in nature. How can you use these in your craft?

54. How can you garden by the moon?

55. Note any foraging times on the calendar/”wheel”

Potions

56. Research the essential oils you have on hand

a. Bergamot

b. Cedarwood

c. Cinnamon leaf

d. Chamomile

e. Eucalyptus

f. Frankincense

g. Geranium

h. Lavender

i. Lemon

j. Lemongrass

k. Lime

l. Peppermint

m. Rose

n. Rosemary

o. Tea tree

57. Make body butter

58. Make “Personal Growth” scalp and nail massage oil

59. Make face/gua sha oil

60. Make toothpaste

61. Make toner with oil (like micellar water)

62. Make ‘Thieves’ body spray

63. Create your own signature scent in a body spray

64. Learn to make herbal infusions

65. Learn to make infused oils

66. Learn to make herbal decoctions

67. Learn to make tinctures

68. Learn to make mouthwashes

Spirit Work

69. List the Spirits you can think to work with

a. Ancestors

i. Do you have an item that belonged to them?

b. Flora, Fauna & the Land

c. Planets

i. Where are they in your chart?

70. How can one connect with the spirit of a/an;

a. Ancestor

b. Plant or tree

c. Natural body of water

d. Fairies

e. Planet

71. What type of offerings would you provide different spirits?

a. Ancestors

b. Plants or trees

c. A natural body of water

d. Fairies

e. A planet

72. Take what you’ve learned above and try connecting with spirits;

a. An Ancestor

b. A plant or tree

c. A natural body of water

d. Fairies

e. A Planet

Shadow work

73. Look at your chart;

a. Moon, house

b. 12th house, ruler

c. Saturn

d. Chiron

e. Hard aspects

74. Research Jungian Archetypes and determine which ones fit you.

a. What are your shadows? How can you work on them?

75. Research Myers-Briggs personality types and determine which one fits you.

Personal Maintenance & Glamour

76. Hydrate – your body, brain, Earth and the Moon are mainly water

77. Eat of the Earth

78. Create a soothing bedtime ritual

79. Create a morning ritual that you look forward to

a. ‘Bubble up’ ideas

b. Make a list of Affirmations

c. Gratitude candles

d. Print a checklist

80. Exercise – hike, bike, lift

a. Make a list of your favourite dog walking spots

b. Make a list of your favourite hiking spots

c. Make a list of your favourite biking spots

81. Meditate daily – even if it’s just a few minutes

82. List best hair care practices

83. List best skin care practices

CULMINATING PROJECTS

84. Make a detailed Calendar or “Wheel” with your individualized plans for the next year. (June 1, 2022-June 1, 2023)

85. Write your Grimoire – Create a tidy book of the information that you will use in your craft.

a. Your personalized Holiday/Sabbat celebrations, dates, symbols, etc

b. The basics that make up the foundation of your craft

c. The various workings you do/intend to use

d. Spells

e. Correspondences

f. The tools of your craft

g. Your completed birth chart interpretation

h. Moon Rituals

i. Personal Tarot card meanings, spreads

j. A guide to your Runes, Bones, or whatever divination set you may have made or acquired (#39)

k. Crystal practices, information pages

l. Plant information

m. Essential Oil information

n. Recipes

o. Spirit information, communication records

p. Shadow work and a plan to work on your shadows

q. Your ideal day

r. Your ideal week

[feuqueerfire]

June 2024 Movies/Shows Wrap-Up

A little monthly (spoilery!) wrap-up of all the shows, movies, and shorts I’ve watched or am watching in June 2024, general thoughts, and ranking of them all.

Recommendation of the month(s): Infernal Affairs (2002) does not need any recommendations because it's so well-known and popular and The Departed is a remake of it. However, I needed a recc for it because I wasn't aware of it until the day I watched it and I'm so glad I found it.

Ranking

The Worst of Evil (2023)

Infernal Affairs (2002)

Oh No! Here Comes Trouble (2023) = Unknown = A Shop for Killers

Spaceless

Currently Watching: Wandee Goodday, My Stand-In, Lovely Runner

Average Rating: 6.6/10

MDL Updates - Added to Watchlist: 

A section because I’m curious about how many shows I decide to add to my Watch List a month and also the ratio of watching them:adding them.

Title MDL (year) - (date added to Considering or finalized to Watchlist): initial reaction

Wandee Goodday - 240601: Only hear good things about the first few episodes and am gripped with the urge to watch it as it airs.

Spaceless (2024)

My Stand-In (2024) - 240618: Thinking of starting this while it's airing and has a few episodes left because everybody's watching it and I'm nervous about getting very spoiled.

25 Ji, Akasaka de (2024) - 244518: Celeb romance? I'll check it out || People seemed to like it and how it ended

I Feel You Linger in the Air (2023) - 240620: everybody loves it, i just missed the timing for when this was airing and so hadn't added it to the watchlist. I did listen to podcasts and didn't skip when they were discussing this one because I thought I wouldn't watch it, so I'm quite spoiled on the plot lol

Mood Indigo (2019) - 240610: has many parts but i think the main relationship has age gap, uncomfortable relationship dynamics, and complex characters, I think I'll really like watching it when I'm in the mood.

Infernal Affairs (2002)

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon: Wi Hajoon lead + noona romance + she was his past teacher/tutor. General good reviews, though maybe slow?

To Watch List At Start Of Month: 65

To Watch List At End Of Month: 62

Removed from To Watch List:

Title (Year) - (date removed): reason

Lucky My Love (2023) - June 18: I initially added this to my watchlist in January because I was like I'll just keep it for when I'm craving a GL even though people don't seem to really like it BUT I realized I don't need to keep it on hand because there are more and more GLs coming out, so I don't need to hold onto shows I'm not excited for. Like literally right now, we have Blank S2, Love Bully, and My Marvelous Dream Is You all airing and I'm hoping to watch the first two. Soon we'll have The Secret of Us, Uranus2324, and Loyal Pin out as well + a bunch of BLs now have GL sides as well (The Trainee, Love Sea).

Legend of Yunze (2021) - June 18: similar reason as above and this one has like 3 minute episodes, which I'm not keen on at all.

Currently Watching

Wandee Goodday

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: May 4, 2024 - Jul 20, 2024

Watch Via: GMMTV Youtube (free)

Watch Dates: June 1 - ONGOING, 2024

Rating: -/10

Overall: - not caught up: 9 eps out, I'm up to ep 8 -

tags: wandee goodday

Also Appears In: Wandee Goodday Live Blogging Eps 1 - 5, Ep 6, Ep 7, Ep 8

My Stand-In

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: Apr 26, 2024 - Jul 12, 2024

Watch Via: iQiyi, so ;>

Watch Dates: June 2 - ONGOING, 2024

Rating: -/10

Overall: - caught up: Ep 10 -

tags: my stand-in

Also Appears In: My Stand-In Live Blogging Eps 1 - 10

Lovely Runner 

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Apr 8, 2024 - May 28, 2024

Watch Via: Viki (paid)

Watch Dates: June 25 (Ep 1 only)

Rating: -/10

Overall: - Watched 1 episode of Lovely Runner, will binge next month -

tags: lovely runner

Also Appears In: Lovely Runner Live Blogging

Completely Watched

Spaceless (2024)

Country: Thailand

Release Dates: June 4, 2024

Watch Via: Youtube (free)

Watch Dates: June 4, 2024

Rating: 5.5/10

Overall: Got spoiled about the sad ending and what happens, so I prepared myself for that but it was still like you did all this on the first week of pride?! jail!! It did make me look forward to 4 minutes more though, after seeing Bible acting after SO LONG + seeing the natural interactions and chemistry between Bible and Jes. It was also a bit interesting/new to see Bible acting as just a regular guy who has a crush on somebody else rather than Vegas in flashy clothes committing crimes. I would've rated it higher if I felt anything for the characters tbh but I think I knew too much to get involved and also was like man... to both of the characters.

Oh No! Here Comes Trouble (2023)

Country: Taiwan

Release Dates: Apr 15, 2023 - May 13, 2023

Watch Via: iQiyi (so ;>)

Watch Dates: June 5 - 12, 2024

Rating: 6.5/10

Overall: A good watch with engaging smaller story arcs (well, some more engaging than others) that play into the larger story (I love that it relates to family), a good cast of characters, good acting, and coherent story. Although, I must say, it's not necessarily that this show is elusive or confusing but sometimes I felt like I wasn't picking up clues or subtext that I would in a different show, so idk what's up with that. I liked the concept of the calligraphy and the "obsession" where these weren't like actual ghosts but beings that were borne from obsession. I didn't really ship Yiyong and Guangyan romantically, though I thought that I would, but I liked their friendship alongwith Chuying; they're a fun trio and the characters well-realized. I will however likely not think about this show and also it was boring/repetitive sometimes.

tags: oh no! here comes trouble

Also Appears In: Oh No! Here Comes Trouble Live Blogging

Unknown

Country: Taiwan

Release Dates: Feb 24, 2024 - Apr 20, 2024

Watch Via: Youku Youtube (but apparently Viki has better subs)

Watch Dates: June 13 - 17, 2024

Rating: 6.5/10

Overall: I'm so glad I got over my pseudo-incest brother-lover aversion because I can now watch this stuff in delight. Though I must say, my favourite aspect of this show is the little family trio with Qian, Yuan, and Lili, with San Pang occasionally invited as well. I loved how they cared for each other and how though Lili was left out of the romantic duo inside their trio, it didn't feel like she was forgotten or sidelined. The romance itself, I think the development was nice, especially from Yuan's side since we saw how he thought of Qian and how he supported him and we also saw a bit of from Qian's when when Yuan was gone + when he returned. Since there was so much angst and build-up for like 10 episodes, their actual coming together should have been grander. Feels like their relationship actually switching to lovers wasn't treated with enough gravitas and seemed a bit too much too fast and they didn't seem to emotionally struggle with the switch at all, though I would've expected a bit from Qian. Lastly, Qian is so beautiful, like incredibly attractive to me, woah.

tags: unknown

Also Appears In: Unknown Live Blogging

My Stand In Ep 8 released today (June 14) and I already know something about sneezing and saw some photos and a clip and I'm just so nervous that I'm gonna get Extremely Spoiled about this show when I don't... want to. I'm considering starting My Stand In after Unknown, before I jump into my Korean shows... I'll try to time it for ep 9 so that I only have to wait 3 weeks till the end.

Happy Ending Series - Pilot Trailer (June 15): watched full trailer. I've been looking forward to the pilot since like May 21-ish when Jeff's company started teasing it on twitter and teasers/posters started coming out. I'm very intrigued, I love a murder story, serial killers, etc (The artsy killer reminded me of Death's Game part 2 serial killer artist) the vibes are great, it's intriguing, and it seems not BL but I wonder if there'll be homoerotic undertones (sometimes that works better in these sorts of shows, especially if there's not necessarily a happy ending). Supposed to come out next year. I'll try not to be too excited though because the vibes and whimsy of a 6 minute pilot that doesn't necessarily need to be coherent doesn't necessarily translate to a well-written show with the same vibes (not every show can be Strangers From Hell)... but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless.

The Trainee - Official Trailer (June 16): watched full trailer. I don't often watch a full official trailer, especially if I'm planning on watching the series but I did this time because people were saying it looks good. Didn’t end up watching Cooking Crush, so I’m really hoping this one turns out great, I'd love to love a new OffGun show. It’s also interesting that they showed so much of the cast and their storylines in the trailer, usually it tends to focus more on the main couple. Especially excited for the side GL (with a love triangle)!

There seems to be a new trailer every few days this month so far, I think I'll write my thoughts on all of them lol

Century of Love - Official Trailer (June 13): watched full trailer when it was released. It's not a super common trope but there have been several shows with the trope anyway, haven't super enjoyed any of the ones I've watched (First Love Again which I can't remember a single thing about and The Director Buys Me Dinner left a lot to be desired storyline wise). I don't care that the past iteration of Offroad's character is a woman (The Sign also had that), though Daou's dramatic opposition of that is kinda corny. We'll see, I'm hoping it'll turn out well because I wanna watch a DaouOffroad show (I kinda became interested since Daou-Joong-Est are friends)

Sooo many trailers came out for shows or movies I’m keeping an eye on, like Hwang Daseul’s Taekwando movie BL, Battle of the Writer (TutorYim), The Loyal Pin and Uranus 2324 (FreenBecky show and movie), but I’m not watching their trailers because I don’t tend to watch official trailers (The Trainee and Century of Love are random exceptions). There are also a bunch of trailers for shows I don't have interest in, like The Rebound.

A Shop for Killers 

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Jan 17, 2024 - Feb 7, 2024

Watch Via: ;>

Watch Dates: June 18 - 20, 2024

Rating: 6.5/10

Overall: Interesting premise + interesting execution with all the flashbacks, they way the flashbacks were in Jian's POV, then Jeongmin for 1 ep, then Jinman (we did have some repetition during Jinman's that we already saw through Jian's). The flashbacks cutting through the current action were sometimes bothersome, especially after we'd already established important stuff and then the flashback stuff didn't feel as important as the current. I found Jinman intriguing and mysterious and understood him despite being frustrated with how he treated Jian at times. Jian, I liked way more at the beginning but then started being annoyed toward the end at times. Mihye was soooo cool. It was a surprisingly funny show, especially in regard to how this is just a job for these mercenaries and killers lol The ending was a bit anticlimactic in terms of how things were resolved + there was a bunch of important threads that were unfinished (aiming for a season 2?). I wasn't surprised by the ending but I don't know if they were aiming for that anyway, I think they knew the audience to predict it and were okay with it.

tags: a shop for killers

Also Appears In: A Shop for Killers Live Blogging

Japan: I keep wondering if I should bring in a Japanese section again and watch just 1-2 shows because I wasn't really in the mood for moody Japanese shows while in the section this year. Of the 5 Japanese shows I've watched this year, 2 were rewatches and 2 were Ustukushii Kare sequels, so I only had My Personal Weatherman as a new universe/set of characters that I watched. I legit have 13 Japanese shows on my to-watch list which is a lot considering I have 14 in my Thai show list and I watch so many of those (and only SK has more on my to-watch). Anyway, idk, it'd have to be next month at the earliest (maybe I'll tack it on at the end of my Philipino and Indian sections because both of those have just a few).

The Worst of Evil

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Sep 27, 2023 - Oct 25, 2023

Watch Via: ;>

Watch Dates: June 21 - 22, 2024

Rating: 7.5/10

Overall: Surprised even myself by binging this in 24 hours (10am-10am June 21-22) when I was planning on watching ~3eps/day for 4 days. Intense, interesting, engaging, exciting, thrilling. How fun. It made me feel like when I had just started watching k-dramas or thrillers, and everything was exciting and I'd just watch it for hours on end. Knew Wi Hajoon is in this (the guy who really had me getting into watching shows and dramas). I wasn't on anybody's side - I knew/suspected the cops and Seungho would win because that's just the kind of story but I wanted more and better from each side, I wanted them to be clever and to outsmart each other. When Gicheol did something clever, I was excited and when Seungho did something clever, I was equally excited. I pity Gicheol, he really only had Seungho and Euijeong left at the end but they both were conspiring against him. But Seungho was right that Gicheol didn't need to do all this, it's an excuse, and it's not surprising that others turned their back on him. Enjoyed Seungho-Junmo constantly pushing farther and doing too much just to keep his cover and have the investigation continue. I liked the main romance at the beginning but it makes sense that they divorced or stopped being together after that mission. Euijeong was underutilized, underwritten, and ultimately not very useful, I wish she was more involved. Miss Lee was so good, she played the spoiled and love-sick fool who still had bite and resources and power well, and I enjoyed her with Seungho. The ending was fitting. I'm curious about whether I will remember this show or think about it later on since I binged it so quickly and didn't develop emotional connection with the characters despite finding them interesting and being invested in the plot.

tags: the worst of evil

Also Appears In: The Worst of Evil Live Blogging

Infernal Affairs (2002)

Country: Taiwan

Release Dates: Dec 12, 2002

Watch Via: ;>

Watch Dates: June 22, 2024

Rating: 7/10

Overall: Watched this the night after I finished The Worst of Evil in the morning because I was still in the high of watching like gangster and mole cop action stuff. This is a movie that I think I'd more out of on a rewatch. It's fast-paced, fairly short (100 minutes), lean, and straight to the point but full of subtlety and quite philosophical in a way. The main characters have both been cosplaying for a decade and their lives have been shaped by their current lives, so despite technically being a cop and a gangster, are they still now more like their mole identities? Yan was a cop but nobody other than himself and Wong knew it, so after a decade, what difference does it even make that he's a cop? It's a tragic ending where Wong and Yan both die while Lau is praised for killing Sam and the other cop mole without being found out as the real mole who was working with the gang for 10 years. Then again, it's a movie where you don't even necessarily want Lau to face retribution because you can see him want to become better and abandon being a mole for the gang. I appreciate the bleakness.

Also Appears In: Infernal Affairs Live Blogging

What happens if I give up my BL/GL watching and become a full-time gangster (and cop) movie/series watcher?

Watched 1 episode of Lovely Runner

I think I'm going to have to switch up how I watch shows because I'm gonna have long commutes and usually I download an episode of a show for it on my iPad but I don't want people on the way to work to watch me watching people making out/getting it on. So I'll probably watch my non-BL shows since they mostly tend to be like thrillers/mysteries and the non-thriler romances are usually chaste or like Twinkling Watermelon which is more friendgroup based than romance. Might watch episodes of BLs or GLs that aren't likely to have a surprise NC /makeout/suggestic scene. But does that mean I'll always have a non-QL going? But if I'm watching thrillers on the train... I love binging thrillers, I always wanna know what's going on, so either I'll have to hold off on watching them during other times or I'm gonna keep binging thrillers and only watching thrillers because I'll pick up a new one for the next train ride. anyway idk, we'll see how it goes ig

Or maybe I'll rewatch stuff? idk...

Okay y'know what, I've decided I'm gonna keep My Lovely Runner in the backburner for 2 more weeks and watch it on the train hehe. I'm on my South Korea round right now and have a few more shows to get through for it but I think I'm gonna pause it and start my Thailand round early, beginning with My Stand-In.

The accidental trend of watching multiple things in a row where the main character is not being themselves/is acting as somebody else. The Worst of Evil: cop going undercover in a gang. Infernal Affairs: cop going undercover as a gang member & a gang member going undercover as a cop. Lovely Runner: girl travels back in time and she's still herself but she's herself from 14 years ago and so can't just say all the stuff she knows. My Stand-In: Our MC Joe is in the body of a different Joe because this guy's mother tried bringing him back but uh... brought the wrong Joe back in this body, so Our MC Joe is now being his stand-in.

What other actors have played vastly different characters/archetypes like Up in Lovely Writer and My Stand-In and Bible in KinnPorsche and 4 Minutes? Most actors stay in the same top-bottom position and general dynamic with their partner while in BLs and even when they switch partners, they may often still stay in the position role they were originally given. Up and Bible are playing opposite different actors and their position role is different (I know there are people who Really dislike that Bible is playing "the bottom" in 4Minutes) and also have played a character like Ming and Vegas. It's just interesting, I'd love to see more actors play a different archetype or dynamic than they usually do but it usually doesn't happen.

Khaotung - Tonhon Chonlatee & The Eclipse: different pair, different position/role

Mark Pakin - Only Friends & The Dentist BL: different pair, different position/role. He's actually done lots of different characters and pairs, though he's been (portrayed as) a good guy in all of them I think (Nick was way more of a red flag asshole than the show made it seem like)

Gawin - Dark Blue Kiss, Not Me, Be My Favourite, Golden Blood: Different pair, different position.

There are a bunch of other actors mentioned in this reddit post about actor range/versatility but I was specifically curious about range not only in the character personality but also the top/bottom position given in BLs.

Ending with My Stand-In catch-up. Usually, I end the month with 0 Currently Watching and sometimes, occasionally, rarely with 1 On-Air show that I'm carrying onto the next month but this month... 3 shows I'm in the middle of. 2 on-air that'll end next month and 1 Lovely Runner which is done but I'm saving it to binge next month on my commute.

To Watch This Month - Planned at the Start of the Month:

On-Airs: Wandee Goodday ⏸️ and My Love Mix-Up! TH ⏭️. hmmm I'm not very good at watching shows as they air but for some reason feel like starting 2 new ones at once, lol. We'll see how it goes.

Taiwain: Lesson In Love ⏭️, Oh no! Here Comes Trouble ✅, Unknown ✅

Korea: 1-2 BLs (including Method), 1 GL (She Makes My Heart Flutter), het romance (Lovely Runner ⏸️), Non-Romance Thriller/Crime/Mystery (Shop for Killers ✅, Worst of Evil ✅).

✅: watched this month, ⏸️: currently watching, ❌: not watching in this iteration/section of country, ⏭️: moved to next month/ran out of time

Next month, I'll be doing a bunch of my watching on the commute, so I'm curious how that'll change things.