#it gave me so much cdrama vibes

[slushy-sash]

bro cooked so hard he split the sea in half

#when that music hit i was ascending bro #THAT OST HAD NO BUSINESS GOING SO HARD #BUT IM SO GLAD IT DID #it gave me so much cdrama vibes #i'd watch a cdrama about hsr #also im saving everything for IL danheng i hope i get to E6 him as a f2p #honkai star rail #hsr #dan heng #imbibitor lunae #my art

[alloveydovey]

Dramas from this past month. I'm having such a hard time finishing things 😭

The Forbidden Marriage (rewatch) (kdrama) 9 ⭐️

A broken-hearted king imposes a seven-year ban on marriage, and after claiming to be able to channel the deceased crown princess, the FL ends up as one of his court ladies. Both the king and the officer assigned to protect her (the king's closest friend) end up developing an interest in her.

I love it so much that it became a comfort drama. I’m not into love triangles (who is?), but I looved every aspect of it. It’s a bit crazy how they go from extreme comedy to extreme drama, I’ll admit, but the actors deal with it really well. Romance is 11/10, the usual historical visuals are stunning, and the comedy had me laughing hard.

Love Me, Love my Voice (cdrama) 7.5

Nothing more soft and warm than watching these two characters fall in love. There are no obstacles here, just a doctor/voice actor wooing a senior student/singer/composer with the magic of cooking.

On the other side, because there are no complications, it gets boring. The characters get together way too soon for a drama where nothing happens. Luckily the second couple is as entertaining (if not more) as the leads. So, the main reason I continued watching, honestly, was because of them.

Secret Playlist (kdrama) 7

Cute 8 episode drama about an internet music composer and an idol who join forces to create music. Romance was a bit mid, but the songs were cute as hell, and so were the leads.

And Yet, You Are So Sweet (jmovie) 7

This was adorable af. A little silly (as usual with school love) but I liked the vibes. Girl confesses to her crush, he turns her down harshly and popular boy offers himself as a replacement for the crush. They both start a game where he basically lends himself to her so she can have a fake crush on him and forget about the other guy, except he obviously has feelings for her and she starts having real feelings for him as well. It’s a weird premise, but it gave out a lot of cute moments.

D.P. Season 2 (kdrama) 10

I’ve never watched a season 2 from a drama, and from what I’ve gathered, most of them usually disappoint or are good but don’t come close to the first season. Well, for me, this one was not the case at all. It just felt like a continuation of the first part. I'd say I even enjoyed this one more. Also, I miss theeeeem.

Sixteen Shoukougun (jdrama) 7.5

Okay, so basically, a fuckboy with mommy issues wants to get in between a "tomboy" girl who is known among girls as a prince and her best friend, a girl suffering from severe PTSD. He initially tries to go for the PTSD one, but soon realizes that her friendship with the "tomboy" girl is a little... special. After a few interactions, though, he begins to actually like the "tomboy" girl. In between all this, a sensible boy who is deemed "feminine" is thrown into the mix.

I'll be honest, I went into this one thinking it'd be gl but got disappointed it wasn't the case. At the same time, I actually enjoyed tomboy and fuckboy's relationship too. It's all a bit crazy, especially the friendship between the girls, but I was low-key into it. Fuckboy redeems himself, so I was okay with it, I guess? I don't know, jdramas are extreme, man. What I liked a lot about this one (apart from the sick intro that goes really hard) was how they showed the characters' feelings and the overall theme of just being 16 and growing up around prejudice, abandonment, and liking someone regardless of gender.

Our Secret Diary (jmovie) 8.5

Girl finds a love confession note on her classroom desk from the popular guy in school. Confused about it, she decides to answer him and soon begins exchanging secret notes until she realizes that the note was actually meant for her best friend.

This cute little school movie was very cliché but absolutely perfect.

I am Not a Robot (kdrama) 8/8.5

Here's to me never adding this one to my list because I was not into robots and stuff like that at all, and then completely ignoring my watchlist and going for it since I've read it's very cute.

The comments were right. The storyline is a bit wack and unreliable buuuut, as usual, the main leads make up for it with good acting and adorable scenes.

I'm adding these ones even though I didn't really finish them he ⬇️

The Matchmakers (kdrama) 8/8.5, because it's actually good, just a bit heavy.

Another comedy with Rowoon, sign me up. This one took me a while to get into because even though it was clever, the comedy was really good, and the mockumentary style rocked, there were just too many politics in it for me to fully dive into. I’d get lost and bored at times. It picked up after episode 5, though, and by episode 7, it was definitely more fun. It's more entertaining when they focus on the leads and the ladies they are supposed to set up. I still haven't finished it yet because... I don't know. It is a kind of slow drama, and I don't think I fully get what's going on with the murder and politics.

I May Love You (cdrama) 6.5

Oof. I have so many opinions about this one. ML asks FL to help him woo her best friend not knowing that FL has been in love with him for the past four years. FL fails to help him (on purpose lol) and after spending some meaningful moments together decides to confess in what I like to call the lousiest confession ever. ML rejects her but regrets it later on.

I'm always a girls girl, but here... FL was testing me. The ML spends most of the drama groveling because the FL is mad and upset he asked her for help wooing her friend and then rejected her (also rejected her book project which is possibly the worst thing he did) But the thing is, ML didn't even know FL liked him when he asked for help in the first place, and I believe he had every right to reject her after she told him she liked him because he was rich and handsome. Like?? Who confesses like that? And that's basically the whole drama. I don't know why they thought it'd be cute for the FL to have a wall full of his pictures and then forcefully kiss him. Truly not a good-written character.

A Good Day to Be a Dog (kdrama) 8

I'm gonna finish this, I swear. The whole girl turns into a dog and boy has to kiss her in dog form to break the spell is a bit... weird. Buuut aside from that, these characters and their interactions are just the cutest. It works well because Park Gyu Young is amazing with comedy and her chemistry with Eun Woo is perfect.

Now, the past lives part of the story? A bit too much meh. Some aspects are interesting (the whole story of the mountain spirit and the lady. I thought I'd die of boredom, but they actually made it cute and sad lol). The revenge thing? Boring and so over it. Still gotta watch the last four episodes.

#the forbidden marriage #love me love my voice #secret playlist #and yet you are so sweet #dp season 2 #sixteen shoukougun #jdrama #cdrama #kdrama #our secret diary #the matchmakers #I may love you #a good day to be a dog #dovey watches

[sassybluee]

Dramas in 2023 roundup!

It's midway thru January, but it's never too late to reflect on the year before. I think I watched the most dramas I've ever had this past year, so I wanted to write a little roundup with my thoughts.

Here's an overview of the ones I completed!

Unchained Love (2022) ⭐️ 7.5

I've Fallen for You (2020) ⭐️ 8

Miss the Dragon (2021) ⭐️ 7

The Rational Life (2021) ⭐️ 9

Till the End of the Moon (2023) ⭐️8.5

A Romance of the Little Forest (2022) ⭐️ 7

Back from the Brink (2023) ⭐️ 8.5

The Starry Love (2023) ⭐️ 7.5

The Wolf (2020) ⭐️ 8.5

My Journey to You (2023) ⭐️ 8

Never Give Up (2023) ⭐️ 8.5

Ancient Love Poetry (2021) ⭐️ 9

Destined With You (2023) ⭐️ 7.5

Here are the ones I placed on hold/dropped

Legend of Anle

Love You Seven Times

Love in Flames of War

Only for Love (dropped)

The Snow Moon (dropped)

More detailed thoughts below the cut!

Unchained Love (2022) ⭐️ 7.5

Part palace drama, part comedy, this was a fun ride. I really liked watching the relationship between Bu Yinlou and Xiao Duo develop from friendship into romance. The comedy moments were really well done, and had me actually laughing out loud. The fight sequences were also really well done, and I liked the costumes. However, the last five or so episodes had such an abrupt tonal shift, and there were some questionable decisions made by otherwise smart characters, so it kind of fell flat at the end. BUT I would still watch it again, just maybe just skip the last eps.

I've Fallen for You (2020) ⭐️ 8

I didn't expect to like this one as much as I did. The basic concept is: childhood sweethearts try to find their way back to each other, end up married after a strange series of events, but they aren't sure their spouse is the childhood sweetheart they're looking for. It's silly, cute, and very good fun. I really liked the secondary couple as well. The ending managed to make me very emotional, which surprised me. And I enjoyed that the heroine was a fan of doing autopsies (something that does occasionally become plot-relevant).

Miss the Dragon (2021) ⭐️ 7

Okay, first off, I know this one has a reputation of being a bad drama. And tbh, I agree! Objectively, it's not very good. HOWEVER! The viewing experience? Was so fun. The characters? Very entertaining. The frenemy dynamic between the ML and 2ndML? Hilarious and also a bit gay. The FL is a bit flat, but she does develop more personality through her various reincarnations. My fave life of hers was the 3rd, I believe (the lady general arc). Wang Hedi's acting is not the best but I still think he's very cute lol and he's watchable! It's just maybe not what you'd expect from him if you saw CLJ or The Rational Life first.

The Rational Life (2021) ⭐️ 9

Yes, this was for a bit of a palate cleanser after the overall ride that was Miss the Dragon. I wasn't sure if I'd be into the modern cdrama genre cuz fantasy/historical is more my preferred vibe of media, HOWEVER, I wanted to give it a shot because I'd seen some cute gifs. I really loved it, far more than I expected to. Every character was really well done, and I really liked how the story was centred on women's experiences in various workplaces/times in their life. It also gave me age gap brainrot, I won't lie. I loved the gradual build from coworkers to friendship to romance with Qi Xiao and Shen Ruoxin. I will say tho... I would like to know what whoever dressed Wang Hedi in this show was thinking. Some of those outfits were... a choice lol.

Till the End of the Moon (2023) ⭐️ 8.5

Everyone has seen or at least heard about it at this point. Dare I say it's iconic? I won't lie, my rating upon finishing it was lower. I had issues with the pacing in parts and I found the last episodes difficult to get thru because they just didn't capture my attention the way the beginning of the drama did. However, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. Plus, the performances by Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu are amazing. And I really feel they embody the "enemies to lovers" trope better than anyone!

A Romance of the Little Forest (2022) ⭐️ 7

Tbh... this show deserves less than a 7, but I rated it as such because I love my queen Xinxin, and her chemistry with Zhang Binbin was good. I think this would've worked better as a 24-episode drama, as the last couple plot arcs felt kind of tacked on. It's great if you want to see Yu Shuxin in various adorable outfits and a fun fake dating plot, but maybe stopping midway is good enough. Fair warning, the second couple's storyline was awful on several levels. Essentially, the man lies about being in a wheelchair to garner sympathy with his crush, who herself is partially Deaf. Yeah, it's BAD. Just skip all their scenes.

Back from the Brink (2023) ⭐️ 8.5

I really enjoyed this, especially how silly it could be. They really amped up the humour, and to me that worked well. At the same time, there were also some very heartfelt moments that made me tear up. I really liked the side couples as well, they were all quite likeable. It was just a really fun show from beginning to end.

The Starry Love (2023) ⭐️ 7.5

I really enjoyed this, up until the last arc. I found after that, it dragged a bit. To be honest, it dragged a bit in earlier parts too. What saved it for me was the humour, the relationship between the two sisters, the Void Realm subplots, and the adorable Di Lanjue. Unfortunately, Yetan/Youqin didn't really do much for me, but I still found them enjoyable at times.

The Wolf (2020) ⭐️ 8.5

This was a surprise for me. I didn't expect I'd like it much going in, but I still wanted to give it a try for my guy Xiao Zhan. I'd tried watching it before when it first aired, but I found the first couple episodes too cheesy. I still found them incredibly cheesy this time, but after about midway through episode 3 when the main plot kicked off, I found myself really invested. Fair warning, Xiao Zhan only shows up in episode 11, so if you're watching it just for him, you may be disappointed. Fortunately, I found myself invested in all the characters quite a bit. If you like messy toxic bitches, this is the drama for you. Warning: there was an attempted rape scene I found quite uncomfortable (though it's not played as being romantic, thankfully). There are a couple other dubcon incidents I wasn't a huge fan of, and one character has a miscarriage. Just things to keep in mind before viewing.

My Journey to You ⭐️ 8

Where do I even start here? Once again, I probably should rate it lower, because the story itself is a mess. HOWEVER, the characters, aesthetics, and cinematography are all excellent. The characters are really what stayed with me the most, and the episode focusing on Yun Que was devastating in all the best ways. The beginning episodes were also fantastic, the way the story unfurled. It just became clear in the latter half of the series that the writer had written himself into a corner and didn't know how to get out. Frustrating, but I don't regret my journey with this show (heh, get it). It's for that reason I'm not sure I can ever rec it to anyone, but I'll gladly talk about it to anyone who will listen.

Never Give Up (2023) ⭐️ 8.5

This was a fun office sitcom-style drama that I really breezed through after the horror show that was MJTY. Lighthearted with short episodes, it was very enjoyable. If you've ever worked in an office, you can probably relate. Once again, I'd like to speak with whoever dressed Wang Hedi cuz they made some interesting choices lol.

Ancient Love Poetry (2021) ⭐️ 9

Another surprise for me. I had tried the first episodes a while back and found it a bit dense, but restarting it this year I found it a lot more interesting. Maybe having more xianxia general knowledge helped me out. It was a really beautifully done drama. The CGI and sets were all superb. There was a whole host of characters to get invested in as well. It was a truly epic story from start to finish.

Destined With You (2023) ⭐️ 7.5

The one Kdrama on this list! I really loved the two actors, their chemistry, and the plot in general, but the pacing in the middle took me out a bit. I would still recommend watching it, as there was lots to enjoy. The modern with magic elements were really intriguing, as was the concept of past lives. I also like that the ML and 2ndML work together instead of constantly butting heads once it becomes clear who the FL will pick. The flashbacks to the past life were also really interesting--I wish we'd had more of that tbh! I'll definitely be looking out for both actors in other dramas!

As for the shows I placed on hold, I will likely stop lying to myself and drop them. But I might give them another shot before doing so. I'm still really disappointed by Only for Love, but I couldn't bring myself to finish it. Not even the power of Didi and Bai Lu could make me do it. It just got too frustrating.

Now, I'm currently watching Story of Kunning Palace, Royal Rumours, and The Last Immortal. I'm not super sold on the last 2, but SOKP has really grabbed me by the throat (just like Xie Wei to Jiang Xuening) so I'm glad to be starting the year off strong!

#sassy watches #cdrama #long post

[tavina-writes]

8 shows to know you

I saw @jaimebluesq make a post about this, and I was like "oh... that sounds so interesting I want to make one" so here I am. This goes in chronological order of when I watched these and they ended up in my brainspace. (I also wanted to make an entirely cdrama list because !!!! cdrama lives in my brain rent free and has since I was a kid.)

Legend of the Condor Heroes - 1983

This is the classic version of LOCH! Made by TVB in the 80s! Turned a whole generation of people into HYS apologists bc this show was written by HYS apologists. Beloved (kind of evil) Wuxia Dilf and Petty Conwoman Daughter remains beloved and cute in my heart. My love for them is >10000.

2. The Eloquent Ji Xiaolan - 2001-2009

The inherent comedy of these three! This series remains one of my childhood favorites and honestly kudos to the actors there's like 145 episodes of this Qing Dynasty political corruption show. (Also there was drama once because my dad lent out the dvds of the third series of this show that he'd bought in Beijing and carried back to the US in a suitcase to a so called "friend" and they straight up never gave it back.)

3. Scarlet Heart/Bu Bu Jing Xin/Startling By Each Step - 2011

One of the most UE UE UE of dramas AND one of the most banging soundtrack OSTs. Tell me that listening to Ivy Yan's "Three Inches of Heaven" 三寸天堂 does NOT make one UE UE UE into the nearest Kleenex.

4. The Story of Yanxi Palace - 2018

In my opinion, theee palace harem drama. As this poster explains there are only like two men in this drama. It's like the opposite of a danmei this drama is so sapphic vibes and I have so many ships and it's NOT FAIR NOT FAIR NOT FAIR. Anyway the reason I could get through this one when I have to persuade myself to think long and hard about Qing dynasty dramas in general is because there's really only 2.5 men here and they wear hats sometimes so I can ignore that they're bald. IN ANY CASE: WATCH YANXI.

5. The Story of Minglan - 2019

I watched this show as it came out and I think it's forever altered my brain chemistry when it comes to writing about historical women and also thinking about history and writing in general. There are no words to describe how much I love this show. The force of 100000 suns. THIS SHOW. I rewatch it almost every year and have since it came out, and honestly like, there are new things to discover every time I watch it. This is an amazingly well put together production and it deserves every episode it has and more.

6. Love and Destiny - 2019

It will be a very long time before they make a xianxia show like Love and Destiny again, with all the lush gorgeous visuals and the lavish costumes plus the classic xianxia reincarnation identity reveal plotline. This was a big budget production and it shows in how absolutely beautiful it looks. I love the main ship in this so much, but I also really really really love the mortal arc of this show (and honestly mortal arcs are kind of ehhh for me overall so anyway this show banging.)

7. The Untamed/CQL - 2019

While this came out in 2019, I was deep in my Minglan-L&D era at that point and did not listen to @autumnslantern who tried to get me to watch this until around like, March of 2022. Which probably is a mistake because now I'm a NHS apologist which could've happened sooner but like, here we are. Beloved flop man....

8. Love Between Fairy and Devil - 2022

This was my favorite show of the past year. This is a xianxia, which looks like it's a fun tropey romcom between star crossed lovers until it sneaks up on you and starts shanking you with a knife. And then you thank it for shanking you. and giving you feels. Anyway I'm so glad I watched this and WHILE the mortal arc is full of clowns....this is just a SHOW.

tagging @shadaras , @fortune-maiden, and @autumnslantern!

#8 shows to get to know me #legend of the condor heroes #the eloquent ji xiaolan #bu bu jing xin #the story of yanxi palace #the story of minglan #love and destiny #the untamed #love between fairy and devil #my posts

[ashortstoryaboutlove]

2023 Drama Year in Review

I watched 21 Kdramas released in 2023. I am relatively new to this—I watched Extraordinary Attorney Woo last fall, then started watching things Netflix suggested in the new year, then started finding things on other platforms and wow! In total I watched 83 Kdramas this year 👀 (I also watched 17 Cdramas and 8 Jdramas this year). A lot of this was over the summer but yeah it’s a lot. Putting my list of favorites below the cut:

My favorites released in 2023:

Daily Dose of Sunshine was a hard watch but so relatable for someone like me who has struggled with depression in the past. This one has stuck with me for a while. Sad but hopeful.

Moving is one of the few I’ve recommended to people irl. My brother is a fan of Marvel & DC stuff and I know he’d enjoy it. It’s one of the best superhero series I’ve seen.

Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 was a riot! I had so much fun watching this one and the wardrobe is A+. Also loved the gumiho bros getting a chance to reunite.

Love to Hate You was also super fun to watch! I watched this twice this year, once alone and once with my oldest kid (18). Love the chaotic bits and the romance was so satisfying!

Call It Love was quietly beautiful. The characters’ struggles made my heart ache and although it had a last minute reunion (I’m not usually fond of those), it was still a moving and steady show that stayed near the top of this year’s list.

My Dearest blew me away! Such a master class in character development and longing! Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun Jin stole the show with their acting but I was fond of the support cast as well. Unfortunately I wasn’t as satisfied with the second half of the series (pacing and double amnesia was meh) but it was still really good and near the top of my list for the year.

Perfect Marriage Revenge was a perfect makjang with what I consider some of the best pacing and romance of anything I watched this year. The villains were fantastically villain-y and the revenge was so, so sweet. Loved it!

D.P. 2 is somewhat different in tone from most of the stuff I watch but sometimes a serious show looking at serious social issues is just what I need. Love the way the characters fight for each other—their little found family dynamic is the best.

Twinkling Watermelon was lovely for the family dynamics—I loved the son getting to know his parents as teens. And I really liked the way deaf characters were a major part of the story as characters with feelings and relationships and not just one-off side characters.

Honorable mention: King the Land for romantic fluff with very little conflict, Moon in the Day for complicated past lives and ghosts and beautiful romance, Vigilante for Nam Joo Hyuk being badass, Castaway Diva for nice music and Chae Jong Hyeop playing an ML who was the greenest of flags.

Other faves I watched this year that were released before 2023:

Crash Landing on You will always near the top of my list. Love that found family.

Mr. Queen made me see that historicals could be fun and omg Shin Hye Sun being the best!

Tomorrow could have been too difficult, but even with the concept of trying to save suicidal people, it gave so much hope. The comfort women episode was so moving. Rowoon was also adorable.

Our Beloved Summer had one of my favorite soundtracks and a lot of heart. The scene where FL watches ML doing his art at the event was sweet.

25 21 was the best sport-related drama with perfect 90s vibes (haha I was a teen in the 90s), sweet friends-to-lovers romance, and a realistic (if disappointing) ending.

Crazy Love was so chaotically funny at the beginning and I loved it. I will never forget the revenge onions.

My Lovely Sam Soon was the oldest show I watched (2005) and I just adored Sam Soon. ML wasn’t my favorite but I can overlook that bc she stole the show for me.

My fave Cdramas I watched this year: Meet Yourself, Put Your Head on My Shoulder, Love Between Fairy and Devil, Love Like the Galaxy

Favorite Jdramas watched this year: On a Starry Night and First Love: Hatsukoi

Currently watching and enjoying: Tell Me That You Love Me (this will prob be at the top of my list next year if it doesn’t fall apart before it ends in January), Welcome to Samdal-ri, Like Flowers in Sand

Looking forward to what 2024 has to offer!

#my 2023 in review #kdrama #cdrama #jdrama

[uweiy]

3, 5 & 7 💕

Thanks so much I LOVE these questions!!!

3. What do you think makes your writing stand out from other works?

I think my writing style is very "direct" and "to the point", more shorter fics. I have like one objective or one idea, develop that and that's the fic.

I try to show the characters and their thoughts through the dialogue and body language, rather than extensive descriptions (also because I am unable to lol).

Rather light on the plot side, like there is a storyline but it's more... Scenes strung together like beads to form a collar that kind of make sense than a whole ass planned, fantasy adventure with side quests and stuff, and big reveals. I cannot deal with sad endings, so (one excepted) most of my fics you can expect a happy ending lol.

I try to balance out different emotions in a fic, some moments of tension, some moments of angst, trying to make it funny, some moments of comfort. I do love a good domestic- kind of closeness.

I would say angst is the genre I have the most trouble with. I can only handle so much haha then I have a need to comfort. Smut is also smth not completely easy for me.

What I love the most are satisfying resolutions, where I manage to tie together every kinds of character thoughts, clues and hints that I gave-not necessarily on purpose lmfao.

5. What’s the fic you’re most proud of?

I love allllll my little fics. They're like little pebbles that I collect. Like they're not necessarily the shiniest or the most polished and maybe quite plain for the outside observer, but I like to sift through them and when I hold one up to the light it shines pretty colors and I'm happy to just have it in my collection and be able to look at it y'know?

I will show u some of my little pebbles tho, since that is the question:

I like this Chuyao (Chusheng/Lu Yao from cdrama My Roommate is a detective) fic - Empty space. Because I do feel like I managed to "tie everything together", despite the fact that the writing process was a trainwreck lmfao. Like I started the fic intending Angst (which is why the title sounds the way it does), was unable to finish it for a YEAR and when I returned intending to mark it on hiatus, inspiration came back, the fic made a 180° turn in mood, but still kind of made sense and I loved it.

Also this Xicheng (Lan Xichen/Jiang Cheng from the Untamed) fic called trying to hold on (to you). Idk I just really love the VIBE !? It's like rain and dancing and pain and understanding and comfort. Idk man, I love it.

I am also particularly satisfied with the last fic in the Devil Judge Yohan/Gaon series called New Beginnings. It's like, hope and forgiveness and dealing with the past and moving on to the future and I LOVE IT.

7. What element of writing do you struggle with most?

Descriptions!!! Sometimes I picture a scene sooooooo very clearly, but I just... Don't find the words or the elegant sentences to describe it in a way that satisfies me. I really really admire the writers who can write 100k+ fics and it's not boring and the descriptions are great like how.

That's where I really notice that English isn't my first language, because I know that in my own - thanks to years of mandatory language & literature classes, that I am now very thankful for lmao - I am able to.

I'd love to take that kind of classes for english.

On a tangent, I really really respect translation as a craft because damn, it ain't easy.

Thank you SO MUCH, loved thinking about it 💕, and I hope you have a great day!

#ask #inbox #fic ask game #fic talk #xicheng #the untamed #chuyao #mriad #gahan #the devil judge #lan xichen #jiang cheng #qiao chusheng #lu yao #kim gaon #kang yohan #writing

[aylinaliens]

hi kay! i know today’s episode of msp was painful, (truly, i bawled my eyes out 😭) but i was just hit with the realization that tomorrow’s gap ep will likely be equally as bad, if not worse. so for the ask game: monsam ♥️

No but okay msp was angsty but we also got a lot of cute fluff…with the new ep of gap i fear we will be stuck on the pain train 😩 watch neither of them actually communicate how they feel

What made you ship it?

The chemistry and their dynamic 🥹 Gap is giving CEO kdrama/cdrama vibes in the best possible way plus not so unrequited love with a heavy dose of years of pining and a sprinkle of them knowing each other when they were kids. They gave us grumpy x sunshine too and practically everything I love in a ship

What are your favorite things about the ship?

The chin grabs The fact that Sam’s world is slowly turning from a bleak black & white to a world of color because of Mon. It‘a already been like that, she has her friends, but Mon is slowly taking down the concrete blocks that Sam put up because of her family. I love that

Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

I changed my mind but I want the angst 🫣 I think it’ll be good for Mon & Sam to suffer just a tad bit…Sam has been so repressed and keeps her emotions locked up tight so I think she needs that big moment to release it all. I’m pretty sure that’s what we’ll be getting based on the trailers but as much as I love the fluff and sexual tension I want them to completely destroy me emotional…BUT they deserve the happiest of endings. I just think angst is necessary for their relationship to grow and develop

Send me a pairing and I’ll tell you if I ship or don’t ship it (+ answer three questions on why I ship or don’t ship them)

#kay answers #ask games #ship ask game #me two weeks ago: no angst 😭 #me now: i want them to suffer just a tad bit before running off into the sunset 🥺 #sufa 💌

[mejomonster]

So I already have a lot on my watchlist but i keep seeing you post about Hikaru no Go and I am very curious about it and just wanna know more about your opinion on it, cuz you're one of the people i go "oh, if they like, there's most probably something for me to like too". Only if you don't mind of course!

ok so I just replied to @forgive-and-take with this which is a bit of why it might be worth checking out? (and their quote “There’s always one person in a room who you want to see you but they rarely look at you" as this show's nerdy, improbable story of love and go and ghosts where two idiots SEE EACH OTHER and YES that is a perfect way to describe it! my heart is ;-; )

(also i'm realizing i really need to ask you for a show rec list because I bet I'd probably click with your faves too ToT)

So back when I watched Hikaru No Go, it was one of my favorite dramas of that year. And it still holds up as one of the cdramas I found most well done writing and pacing wise (you know how some cdramas pacing sometimes has big lull chunks? Well I'd been watching Go Ahead at the same time which is a phenomenal story but the pacing slowed and I gave up, while Hikaru no Go only really had one slightly slower paced section and since I was binging it I did not even notice since it was only 4ish episodes). I adored the writing, the pacing, the presentation, I could not stop watching when I started. But what I loved? It just was telling such a human grounded story, with compassion and kindness, of this boy who meets this ghost who loves Go. And then this ghost wants to play Go, and asks the boy to play for him. The boy plays with a kid, just wanting a peer or friend, and this other kid is a Go Prodigy absolutely BAFFLED this laid back uncaring-about-go careless kid is Beating Him ToT thus begins a lifelong rivalry/friendship that will ultimately result in these two being partners for life.

Along the way this ghost starts caring about the other important things in life, about his connections with people and the world and not only being the Best At Go ever, this kid grows up and learns and connects with so many people in life and figures out What He cares about and why, and that kid he played grows as well - wanting to rematch kid 1, then wanting that kid to take this thing he loves (Go) more seriously and caringly, then they're on a big road to encouraging each other and growing because they See each other and just. This show is so good. There's so many wonderful side character stories, mentors and friends, its very much slice of life with this mystical element of the sweetest Go Superplayer ghost Chu Ying mentoring and eventually befriending and finding family with the kid who let him do things in life again, and this whole fiasco resulting in Shi Guang and Yu Liang meeting the other and changing each other's lives forever after that.

So in some small sense its like Cherry Magic with the fantastical premise in a Very grounded yet compassionately caring story of real people living their lives, its a bit like a sports anime but that's not my usual genre and this story's focus on the most important thing being our personal passions and connections as we grow with people and change because of them and our lives are touched really Resonated with me in the way 'wanting to just be the best' absolutely wouldn't have it - so its hands down my favorite 'competitive type story' I've watched. At the time I was into Go Ahead too (which is good) and it definitely has a bit of that vibe as well in the sense of these really grounded characters (who still remind one of their Anime based counterparts) and their loved ones and friends and growth. I loved the ending, the sad parts meant something and as much as they made me cry they were earned, and I just. It left me feeling like I'd grown with them and changed in the most loving way possible. I very much still want to check out the original Hikaru no Go manga it's based on still, because this show definitely had heart and I'm sure the original's full of that same heart (and the art is by one of my favorite manga artists who also did the art for Death Note).

tldr: its on my rec list of 'hands down quality shows worth watching' but like more personally it the one competition-setup-genre story I really loved and would watch again. (and mildly related? while I'm sure yuri on ice is definitely my kind of show, its the only other 'competition' type story I resonated with but the pressure to 'win' and the realism with the anxiety always felt too close to home for me to get through the show ToT - so in that way I appreciated Hikaru No Go being 'gentler' in how it handled those feelings and being less intense with the motivations to 'need to win' that's in a lot of competition-type stories). And its on the shorter end for a cdrama! if you have time I really recommend even just the first few episodes - I knew really quickly I was going to like it!

and yes u can watch it if you have no idea what Go is because i had not the slightest idea, am not normally a competitive-story-setup watcher in the vaguest, and i immediately clicked with this show and loved it ToT

also rivals to best friends/partners/lovers if that's the interpretation u want is absolutely another summary of this show (with rivals who are each others emergency contacts and regularly hope the other is doing well despite acting like They Must Challenge or Overdo the Other when its Public time ToT which is a very fun rivals to partners dynamic)

and i. love chu ying the ghost. i love him so much. my heart is full ;-;. his growth arc is one of my favorite things about the show.

#replies #ask #@elletromil #hikaru no go #qi hun #i hope this helped? ToT im sorry if i didn't explain well. also it was on iqiyi subbed when it aired so #i imagine its subbed in many places now it should be fairly easy to watch #also like. 'fluff' itself is not my fave genre either so when i say it was gentle/compassionate i mean like #it has the happy friend moments and the hard life moments but just like. very cherry magic in that it tells it in a way where it feels more #like a compassionate relating than something harsh and super brutal if that makes sense? which i really love in more realistic stories #because it makes them get to have a plethora of emotions and moments #but the story doesn't feel as draining as it feels soothing overall #and yes ToT supernatural setups in mundane daily life stories is absolutely one of my favorite story types #to anyone reading this YEA this show is worth checkin out #u will know if u click with it within a few episodes i knew within like 3-5 i was going to binge it #i didn't think it'd be a show i'd resonate so much with but it really was #this show was definitely on the wholesome slice of life growing up side #versus like huge stakes world changing the untamed or love and redemption stuff

[dangermousie]

Hi dangermousie I would like to ask for some recs, if you're feeling up for it. I love great characterization, a good story, and a mystery or genre mashing but like. At least good characters lol ToT. So The Wolf gave us Darren Wang, and Monarch Industry gave us that handsome general - any more cdramas with handsome male leads you can think of, more of that vibe rather than the super-pretty idol dramas tend to have? I'm guessing Novoland and Secret of The Three Kingdoms may have that?

(2) My other rec ask is: any dramas with a regular person and a royal as the leads? I can think of a few that are demon/heavenly clan (I'm VERY into if they have a happy ending let me know like Xuanji/Sifeng), but pretty much all the historical/costume dramas I've seen are 2 royals (which was good but I'm looking for a specific setup lol). Goodbye My Princess almost has that feel just because the 2 leads come from such different societies, and I'm looking for more stories where the leads really feel

(3) (part 2) like they came from very different backgrounds/lives. LWSS kind of gives me that feel, Guardian definitely did, Romance of Tiger and Rose did while the main love was a pirate (but I think he's actually a noble so it didn't stay so very different), Till Death Tear Us Apart they came from quite different bgs (loved that drama). Bonus if its a historical drama/costume drama since I'd love more contrast like what Goodbye My Princess had, potentially even more. But idk what's around...

Oooooh, I love this ask!

Handsome but a bit grizzled male lead? That is my favorite thing in the world despite cdramas not going for that much. I say skip Secret of Three Kingdoms if you want that because despite the fact that I am very fond of both Elvis Han and Ma Tianyi, neither is really manly - Secret is really more like idol take on Three Kingdoms. As to Novolands, Novolands Tribes and Empires is definitely gonna satisfy that need, but Eagle Flag leads are pretty young though definitely not in the least pretty or idolish.

Now, on to other recs for this. Well, let's be honest - you can't do better than Three Kingdoms 2010. It's an amazing drama in its own right but if one has a Daddy thing *ahem my finger is not pointing at self nope nope* you might as well be in the brothel with this drama.

There is also The King's War with Peter Ho and Chen Daoming. The upcoming Imperial Age also looks wonderful on that score if it ever leaves development hell.

Honestly, your best bet for that sort of thing is in hardcore historicals. But if you want something less of that genre, how about The Longest Day in Chang'an? Nirvana in Fire 2? Vigilantes in Masks? The Lady and the Liar? General and I? Love and Fight with a Terracotta Warrior? Demi Gods and Semi Devils 2003 (I think that's the year - with Hu Jun and Jimmy Lin), Story of the Han Dynasty (I have a thing for Hu Jun, sue me.)

Regular person and royal as leads.

Imperial Doctoress (she is a doctor, he's an emperor. It's a solid drama.) Novoland Eagle Flag (one of the main trio is a concubine born son of a minor gentry person, his OTP is a literal princess.) Jade Palace Lock Heart (I love this drama!!! - Feng Shao Feng is a Qing prince, Yang Mi is a modern day time traveler.) Sound of the Desert (he's a general/prince and she's a random nomad girl), The Myth (she's a princess, he's a modern day time traveler. I love that drama), Colourful Bone (sort of - he ends up being the emperor but for the bulk of it he's a bodyguard with no idea who he is and she's a princess), Princess Jieyou (well she turns out to be a princess but either way she marries into a barbarian land and so there is a bunch of culture shock), Princess Agents (she’s a slave, both dudes are princes.)

Hope this helps!

#asks #cdrama

[mostlyfate]

hi! could you tell what are you favorite dramas over time that you’ve watched? 🤍

Hi hi! I’m pretty sure I have answered similar asks before but it’s been a while and I have watched more dramas! I also feel like my perspective on some past dramas (that I’ve called a favorite or recommended) have changed. I do have a drama list page here you can check out but I haven’t updated it in a long time lol. I’ll list my absolute favorite dramas + also some that I enjoyed and would recommend to give a try~

Japanese Dramas:

— Itsuka Nemuri ni Tsuku Hi (2019) | episodes: 06, duration: 25 min. genres: fantasy, friendship, school, supernatural.

This one still makes my heart hurt whenever I think about it and I just simply love it to pieces. It really has left an lasting impression on me. Short and bittersweet. ♡

— Talio Fukushu Daiko no Futari (2020) | episodes: 07, duration: 45 min. genres: comedy, crime, investigation, suspense.

It’s been months since this one has ended but I still haven’t shut up about it. As of right now I can definitely say overall it’s my favorite Asian drama I’ve watched so far. The way both leads played off each other and their chemistry was just- a++ The soundtrack for the drama was also such a treat and the vibes matched it so well! The vibes of the whole drama though!! I think it was also shot beautifully. And the consistency (!!! the way they kept things going even the smallest details !!!) throughout was something I really appreciated and looked forward too :’) I really be missing it everyday... </3

+ special mentions:

- Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Dokomade mo (2020) 

- Bishoku Tantei Akechi Goro (2020)

- Kishibe Rohan wa Ugokanai (2020)

- An no Ririkku: Sakuragi An Haiku Hajimetemimashita (2021)

- Uchi no Musume wa, Kareshi ga Dekinai (2021)

Korean Dramas:

— Splash Splash Love (2015) | episodes: 02, duration: 1 hr. 10 min. genres: comedy, historical, romance, supernatural.

This one isn’t an full length drama but a special. It’s just a fun and charming drama? Like not exactly sure what about it made me love it so much? but I do and it’s an easy/quick watch. :)

— Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016) | episodes: 16, duration: 1 hr. 22 min. genres: comedy, fantasy, melodrama, romance, supernatural.

Ah, so I feel like everyone who’s seen a kdrama or looked up some has watched/heard of Goblin and from what I’ve seen it’s like either you loved it or hate it? I’m someone who did love it and the soundtrack for it was a+. Goblin was something I watched when I just started getting into kdramas so that might be a reason for me always mentioning as a favorite though! Also my love for Lee Dong-Wook as Grim Reaper... and the bromance/comedy were the best parts for me!

— While You Were Sleeping (2017) | episodes: 32, duration: 30 min. genres: comedy, fantasy, mystery, romance, thriller.

So, the first kdrama I ever watched! It holds a special place in my heart because of that fact! The soundtrack for this drama also... I remember listening to it on repeat for a while after finishing. :’) I don’t regret this being the first I watched because I remember being super into it (I’ve rewatched like two times tbh when I had hulu back when lol) and it introduced me into kdramas. I still love make gifs for it because it was such a pretty drama as well. ♡

— Run On (2020) | episodes: 16, duration: 1 hr. 15 min. genres: life, romance, sports.

PLEASE, best kdrama of 2020 for meeee! Honestly Run On was such a treat?? Ugh I be missing it. It was just too good. It gave us the most chaotic energy and epic moments. Like when will another kdrama ever??? Also me liking literally almost all the characters?! I struggle with always being annoyed/disliking every other characters in dramas that aren’t like the mains. So it’s really one I enjoyed from beginning to end and looked forward to seeing all the characters ending. For me each episode just top the next and there wasn’t an episode I didn’t enjoy! ♡

+ special mentions:

- Bad Guys (2014)

- Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016)

- Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017)

- Secret Forest (2017) + season 2 (2020)

- Prison Playbook (2017)

- Chicago Typewriter (2017)

- Life on Mars (2018)

- What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018)

- Extraordinary You (2019)

- 365: Repeat the Year (2020)

- A Piece of Your Mind (2020)

- Handmade Love (2020)

Chinese Dramas:

*I want to say that there hasn’t been a cdrama yet that I’ve really loved and felt like a connection/attachment to? But I have enjoyed many so I’ll list the few that come to mind!

- Unexpected (2018)

- Go Go Squid (2019)

- Joy of Life (2019)

- Put Your Head on My Shoulder (2019)

- Dating in the Kitchen (2020)

+ special mentions to these few others:

Thai Drama: Girl Next Room: Richy Rich (2020)

Taiwanese Drama: Wacko at Law (2020)

#ask #anonymous #dramas #! #me realizing i only have six dramas i really love?? #like sure i do have many favorites but not so much as i'm attached to them i guess! #i've been working on answering this ask for days but i still feel like i'm forgetting to mention something T_T

[gizkasparadise]

kdrama rec/review: mystic pop up bar

KDRAMA AND CDRAMA MASTER LIST OF REVIEWS

Series: mystic pop up bar Episodes: NOT ENOUGH 12 Genres: urban fantasy, urban horror lite, found family!!!, friendship, mystery, comedy, supernatural, warm fuzzies despite an alarming amount of death Spoilers in the Rec: minor ones/for the set-up If You Like, You’ll Like: hotel del luna (although it has a very different feel), early bleach (manga), found families, being human (uk & us versions), those moments in shows where you’re like OH MAN HOW ARE THEY GETTING OUT OF THIS and then they do. because friendship.

Rank: 10/10

I went into this with low expectations. it sounded like it was trying to bank on hotel del luna, but i was still down to watch a ghost version of leverage or whatever this turned out to be. figured it’d be decent to watch but not AMAZING. 

the first ep gave me that impression. by the second ep i was hooked. and by the third ep this was one of my favorite shows of all time

PREMISE

during the joseon era, a shaman named weol ju went and fucked up a perfectly good sacred tree. as punishment, she now has to resolve the grudges of 100,000 humans or go to hell. as a shaman, she can accomplish this by plying them with alcohol and entering their dreams (well the alcohol part might just be her artistic signature).

time to start a bar!

in the current day, 500 years later, weol ju owns and runs mystic pop up bar, where she learns about her customers’ grudges. and apparently has sound business strategy, as she serves like 4 people a day but still has enough overhead to craft these 4 people bespoke meals that speak to their inner tragedy. and also sandwiches.

helping her is chief gwi, a ghost cop who’s been reassigned to her bar to help weol ju accomplish her quota. because time’s running out--weol ju now has less than a month to solve her 10 remaining grudges.

enter bambi kang bae. a regular human who works a regular customer service job, kang bae has one terrible power: anytime someone touches him (or he touches them), they want to confess their deepest, darkest secrets. kang bae is understandably not comfortable around people (but desperately wants to be around people. my poor fucking heart) and incredibly lonely. 

when his and weol ju’s paths cross, she makes him an offer: he helps her out with her remaining grudges, and in return she’ll remove his powers.

deal!

MAIN CHARACTERS

weol ju

a 500+ year old shaman who is paying for her sins on earth because she went out on a limb :| . begins the series angry and ends the series angry, because it turns out angry people can still be kind, which is great to see with a female protagonist. how close she’s cutting it to the deadline on her quota speaks strongly to sixth-year senior vibes. wears modern versions of hanboks which are all v. cool and on moments of aching realization wednesdays she wears pink.

will steal your shit and look you straight in the eyes as she walks backwards into hell.

gwi/gui

a former ghost cop who’s been reassigned to help weol ju run the mystic pop up bar. he’s a lot more chill than weol ju and has the vibe of someone who forgets keys at home. while at the bar, he does a lot of the prep work, and is sometimes asked by yeom to help catch nearby, evil spirits. 

he’s actually like a hardcore warrior, but you forget it because he wears goggles to cut onions and dresses like someone who would be the spokesperson for microwaveable fish sticks. team dad. fanboy of romantic serial e-novels.

han kang bae

a baby.

in a truly amazing narrative move, kang bae works customer service at a market by day and solves grudges at a bar by night. is a sweet, simple boy who just wants to help people and is SO EXCITED to have new friends in weol ju and gwi. you want to give him a hug BUT YOU CAN’T.  human carebear

even the yellow collar of his customer service uniform makes a heart:

SOME SUPPORT CHARACTERS SELECTED BY HOW MUCH THEY ARE MY FAVORITES

kang yeo ri

lmao you know it’s going to be good when a character is introduced dropping a dude straight to the ground. yeo rin is a bodyguard mild spoiler turned security guard for the market where kang bae works. she could beat the shit out of you and you’d thank her. has no luck in dating. rocks a suit. sobs at movies about gout

yeom, the grim reaper

your friendly neighborhood grim reaper. yeom very much screams middle management, and works in the same “district” that weol ju and gwi have their pop up bar in. sometimes they’re at odds with one another (because weol ju has about the same amount of respect for the rules that an untrained puppy has for new carpet), but they’re still friends. gwi sometimes works with him to catch evil spirits, buddy-cop style. loves noodles. 

yeomra-daewang 

god of the underworld. in charge of handing out punishments and determining the fates of those sent to the afterlife. forgets who she’s texting. appreciates true love but is also aggressively annoyed by it. take your fucking scroll and go

samsin

probably the character with the most name recognition. samsin (or samsin granny) is the goddess of mothers and children, and in the show the focus is more on children. loves karaoke, basic bitch coffee, and claw games. gives out too many sexy tiger dreams.

kim wong hyun

he gave them the heebie jeebies. he had nothing else to give

ringtones.

they’re their own character. check out those motifs. 

Drawbacks

if i had any, it’s that the first episode undersells the rest of the series. and even the first ep isn’t bad

12 episodes is not enough :( 

Reasons to Watch.

i love the little details: that the supernatural characters have ring tones that correspond to their role (ex: the god of the underworld’s are screams; i believe the grim reaper’s are a shaman’s bells?, gwi has SPOILERS), or that the food special of the day connects or reflects with the person they’re helping. themes/significant moments are represented by the colors characters are wearing. im a nerd for this stuff

there are some dramatic reveals about who characters are and how they relate to one another, but like. dynamics barely (or don’t at all) change, and that’s due to how strong/familial they are already? and the show’s built up to it and it all feels really earned A+

i HATE monster of the week formats, but the ones in this show are integrated with the main characters’ backstories and also propel the major arcs forward. and it’s wholesome when the grudges are solved

i like that you think you saw a full scene in the flashbacks, but then a few eps later the flashback gets extended. idk it’s a cool narrative device

the romance is wonderful all-around

the pacing was great. i wish one of the Reveals was introduced earlier just so we could have more moments with it, but everything was cohesive/wrapped up nicely

all the characters have their own unique relationships to one another. kang bae + weol ju have their own dynamic, weol ju +gwi, gwi + kang bae, and so on. it was nice to see that none of the main trio were satellite characters 

Final Thoughts.

they’re a team, god damn it ;;;;;;

#mystic pop up bar #hwang jung eum #yook sungjae #choi won young #kdrama #gizka does kdrama #!my post #i love it and them :(

[as-rare-as-trees]

Ok, so. I've just finished watching the cdrama My Roomate is a Detective and I wanted to share some thoughts I've had for a while. If you haven't seen it, read on at your own discretion. I'll focus on the relationship between the three main characters, so I'm gonna mention some specific scenes, but I'll put a warning if I talk about one of them in detail (both at the beginning and at the end).

I find quite interesting the way their relationship and its dynamic was handled, but I honestly also found it confusing at times in a way. What I mean is, it was kinda obvious since the beginning what the romantic pair was going to be (because of the usual storytelling that makes it almost certain that if there are a male and female lead they'll end up together), but still I feel like first of all they focused on building the friendship between these three. It's great to see honestly, instead of seeing how from the exact first moment the male and female lead meet there's romance or the shadow of it.

I feel like Lu Yao and Bai Youning's relationship (like my sister kindly pointed out) was treated more like a siblings' relationship: they tend to bicker most of the time, getting physical too, and only saying to each others' faces how annoying the other one is, but actually caring and worrying about each other. That's how it is most of the time, except for some more serious moments in which it becomes clear that they're going to become a couple. (Honestly, I need to think some more about their dinamics, because there are some things, particularly in the later part, that leave me a bit hesitant) But the thing is: they don't get a lot of those clicheé romantic scenes. They do have bonding moments, for example when they talk about their past, or drink together or things like that, but there aren't any stereotypical romantic tropes. And here comes the confusing part, because you know where you can notice them instead? In Lu Yao and Qiao Chusheng's relationship. I did stop to wonder whether I was just looking for a way to see a m/m relationship, also because half of the cdramas I've seen are based on bl novels, but I wasn't. There are quite a number of scenes that are usually played by het couples, (the closeness, casual touches, that whole romantic dinner...) and I felt like their chemistry/dinamics were more on a flirty level let's say, above all on Qiao Chusheng's part. I don't know honestly, maybe it's just his face, but that smile he gave Lu Yao sometimes did look kinda flirty. Then there's the way he dotes on him, and actually protects him no matter the cost (but so does Bai Youning later on). This doesn’t mean that it has to go past the point of friendship, because there are friends that flirt jokingly or buy each other stuff out of the blue (I wish I could do it) etc, but I think it’s interesting that they gave them these kind of scenes. And let me talk a little about that romantic dinner because it's ridiculous:

*SPOILER FOR EP 15*

Qiao Chusheng brought Lu Yao to a restaurant whose main target is made up of couples, paid a violinist, bought him an expensive gift and insisted on putting it on him himself (and tell me if the shot in which he is putting the watch on Lu Yao doesn't look like those scenes in which the main lead puts a ring on the female lead's finger) and then acts confused when Lu Yao is embarassed?? And then Lu Yao's friend passes by them and basically gives them thumbs up? I mean...

*SAFE TO READ AGAIN*

I feel like Lu Yao on his part is a little more oblivious in a way. It's true that he was the one to joke about being Qiao Chusheng's boyfriend that one time, but for most of the time he looks more passive let's say, meaning that he doesn't do much, he takes more than give. And maybe it's bound to his own personality, the way he starts off being self centered and selfish and saying it clearly, (And I could talk about how through the show he starts caring about his two new friends, do we wanna talk about how he says he can't leave Shanghai because he has two people he has to look after?)

However, even through the differences, the super interesting and quite refreshing thing for me is that these two relationships were put on the same plane. Maybe it's just that I'm used to the idea of romantic relationships as The Ultimate Relationships, meaning that they're the highest level of relationships and are on a sort of pedestal in relation to friendships. There's a clear distinction between the two. It's like there's a sort of hierarchy, and your romantic partner (singular because I think it's something more tied to monogamy and the whole idea of your lifelong love) is at the top, while your friends are a little lower. Which for some people works just fine, I'd lie if I said that I don't consider my relationships at different levels. But the point here is that I feel like the way it is portrayed usually is that once you get a romantic partner things change abruptly, and the division between your romantic relationship and your other ones is obvious. And it must be like that.

In this show instead it's different.

To sum up a little: Lu Yao's relationship with Bai Youning is built more like a siblings' relationship, but it's directed towards a romantic relationship; between Lu Yao and Qiao Chusheng there is a flirtier vibe let's say, with more stereotypical romantic details, but going forward it's in theory just the relationship between two best buddies/brothers. But still, no matter how they're built, it's never shown as if one of these relationships is more important than the other one, and once the romance starts, friendship ends.

I think there are some moments in which it is said in a more direct way:

*SPOILER FOR EPS 21-22, 31-32, 34 and last 2 eps*

-the one I mentioned before, before Lu Yao almost gets kidnapped. Jiang Zhiqing asks him whether he wants to stay in Shanghai because of somebody and he says there are two people he can't leave, not only one. I was honestly surprised because I feel like normally a moment like this would have been used to build on the main romantic relationship, showing how the main lead actually feels deeply for his love interest. Instead they used it to state how both Qiao Chusheng and Bai Youning have become greatly important to Lu Yao.

-the second moment is when in ep 32 (or 31?) they are in the hospital and when the nurse asks Bai Youning and Qiao Chusheng who between them is Lu Yao's family they answer at the same time that they are.

After that there's the first distinction in the two relationships because Bai Youning says she is Lu Yao's wife. And there's also a greater focus on their romantic relationship. But it still isn't portayed as being more important than their friendship with Qiao Chusheng, there isn't a "Oh well, now we are together so let's forget him". (Even from the point of view of production, he doesn't just disappear as a character, I'm thinking about the way there's a lot of shots of his expressions during the wedding and when Lu Yao and Bai Youning leave)

+ I loved when Qiao Chusheng says that he'll probably have to be a full time gangster again because of the tension with the British, and they immediately ask him where he wants to move to and basically offer him an alternative choice when he's just stated that sometimes you can't choose.

*SAFE TO READ*

So look. The thing is that I find their trio quite interesting, I love their dinamics, and the way they are built in quite a complex and sometimes ambiguos way. I think these three work pretty well together.

I know this is probably going to sound like a contradiction to what I said about how I like the way they put the two relationships on the same plane even if they're different etc. But because of the way said relationships are built throughout the show, I feel like these three could also either stay all friends or be in a poly relationship. Even though in this last case it'd be more like "Lu Yao gets both a boyfriend and a girlfriend who are ready 24/7 to threathen people on his behalf and actually act on it", because I feel like between Qiao Chusheng and Bai Youning things really do stop at friendship, maybe also because it is stated from the beginning that Bai Youning is like a younger sister to Qiao Chusheng. Or maybe like I said they all stay friends and that's it.

[Sorry if it got this long, I don't even know how it is possible. I hope what I wrote makes sense and I haven't been analysing all these things in a completely wrong way. I am open to talking about it politely. And if I've said anything ignorant or offensive or senseless from a cultural point of view, please do tell me. Thank you if you've got this far, wish you a great day and more!]

#my roomate is a detective #qiao chusheng #lu yao #bai youning #cdrama #gods #this sounds more like a rant than anything else #i feel kinda stupid rn

[myfriendsarerealidiots]

Comparing Adaptations

‘Kay so I went on one of my whims again and did something stupid. Couple weeks or so ago, I wasn’t really in the mood to watch anime so I opened up Netflix and watched a Cdrama that I wanted to watch for a while now.

That Cdrama was ‘The Untamed’ which, prior to me watching it and doing said whim, I thought was just your typical historic Cdrama. Oh boy I was wrong. As I was watching it, I was thinking to myself, “This show’s really selling itself off as BL.” Which, I found out after finishing it was because it is BL. Hah...and that was just the start of it.

As I was doing my ‘Post-show research,’ I found out that it was based of a novel, called ‘Mo Dao Zu Shi’or as translated by the people on the internet as ‘Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation.’ Said novel had 2 more adaptations along with ‘The Untamed’ which were a manhua and a donghua. So me being me, I decided to watch the donghua adaptation and read both the og novel and manhua.

So how I went through this was...

The Untamed (2019)

The Donghua aka Anime I guess

The Manhua which I read while having class (such a responsible student aren’t I)

The original novel

All hail this person who has too much free time on her hands.

Anyways, as it says on the tin, I’ll be comparing the 4 adaptations/versions of the story and see what changes between them as well as the pros and cons. (Wow I sound so professional)

Some background of myself just to avoid confusion

I am not a mega hardcore Fujoshi. I don’t really enjoy reading smut, nor am I old enough to do so bear that in mind

I have 7 years worth of Chinese lessons under my belt which means I barely understand a thing and that I can get some of the jokes like how Wei Ying’s sword is called ‘Sui Bien’ and it’s funnier to hear in Chinese. In other words, compared to like actual Chinese people who live in China, I pretty much have the knowledge of a 10 year old.

The versions of the Manhua and Novel that I read were translated in English so somethings might have been lost in translation.

I have a bit of a goldfish brain so forgive me if I wrote something wrong or forgot the name of a certain character, most likely I will look it up to correct it but if I don’t...well sorry.

I am writing my opinions on each version as I finish them, so if they don’t link up to the original that’s the reasoning behind it.

All of these are my opinions and thoughts on the story. You are not entitled to follow them if you disagree. I personally believe that everyone has a voice of their own and they should use it. (Even though I don’t half of the time.)

Slight Spoiler Warning

I will be breaking down some of the scenes and characters for my comparisons so please keep that in mind.

The Untamed (2019)

As this was my first exposure to the story, I didn’t know what to expect. I loved everything about it except for the fact that literally half of the show was spent in the past, building context for what was happening in the present.

The characters were lovable and all had distict personalities, especially Wei Ying and Lan Zhan which I guess makes sense since they’re the main characters (their actors are also cute and have good chemistry.) Speaking of characters, Yanli has a more forward role in the story here compared to the other versions. The way certain characters were introduced was different too. Since it’s live action, it’s also harder to show things like extreme blushing and such so it makes Lan Zhan look very stoic and way more unexpressive here than in the other versions.

The soundtrack is nice to listen to, especially with the 2 mains singing the theme song together it’s so cute and gives it another meaning in itself. Although, I do wonder how that poor bamboo flute Wei Ying made in like 2 mins plays decent sounding music. Chen Qing(is this the name of it?), the flute he uses after his trip to the Burial Grounds has the same sound quality as that bamboo flute which is just, “how???”

They took out most of the extreme BL!!! I feel like that is the biggest difference between this version and all the rest. I know they did that to appeal to more people but it does remove some of the context to things. That doesn’t mean the moments that were kept in weren’t cute though. It did make the pair look more plantonic than romantic.

As for the story itself, as a story on its own, it’s nice, as an adaptation that’s where the line gets blurry but it leans more towards the good side. They did indeed change some things, made them work better with the medium than if they didn’t.

An example I can place is the mask. Where the other versions used white make up with oddly placed red circles around the eyes, this one used a mask instead. I agree with the choice they made, seeing as they removed the fact that Mo Xuanyu was homosexual and so the make up wouldn’t make sense. It also looks nicer than what I imagined what could’ve happened with they kept with the make up. They do make a reference to this in the show when Jin Ling and Wei Ying have a conversation in Carp Tower. “You’ve seen my face right?” “How do I know? Your face is always caked in make up or covered by that mask.”

Another issue I had which I’ll touch on later was the first episode—I had no idea what was going on for those 40 minutes of screentime.

Donghua

As of writing this post, season 3 of this has yet to come out.

My first reaction to this was “Man, the animation’s pretty, and they made Wei Ying look scarier.” Watching stuff at 12 in the morning isn’t the best thing but that’s what I do.

Anywho, this version made Wei Ying really attracted to going down the path of ‘evil’ compared to the other versions. I don’t really understand why they made this change...but they did so we have to deal with that. And his eyes glow red!! It makes him look scary and cool at the same time. I love it!!

The transitions between certain events were a bit weird to say the least. For example, at the end of episode 2/3 Wei Ying gets forcibly dragged into the Cloud Recesses and the episode ends there. By the next episode, we’re 16/23/13 however many years in the past. This makes it really confusing for someone who hasn’t watched or read any other version of the story. It definitely made me confused and I already finished one.

While ‘The Untamed’ told us everything in one long flashback, the donghua broke it up into small chunks placed whenever information was needed. I don’t think that was a good idea, but then I also think it was a better decision than what they did for the Cdrama. As I watched this adaptation, I found myself confused from time to time because what happened in the prior episode didn’t always match what happened in the current episode like I mentioned earlier.

As for the artstyle, personally, I think some of the characters look similar minus the hair. However, I do like the little ways they made Lan Zhan express his feelings towards Wei Ying.

Speaking of which, when I first saw them together in this version in the forest near the Goddess Temple, I had to do a bit of a double take because of the height difference which wasn’t so evident in ‘The Untamed’. I soon found out that Lan Zhan was taller than Wei Ying before and after he gets reincarnated(?) Prior, it was just a small gap of 2cm which later turned to 6cm after possessing Mo Xuanyu.

I didn’t notice their height gaps while watching ‘The Untamed’ because Wei Ying’s actor, Xiao Zhan, is taller than Lan Zhan’s actor, Wang Yi Bo by about 2 inches which is like 5 cm? and so they had to do some weird thing with platforms to make Xiao Zhan look shorter in comparison.

Soundtrack wise, I personally think that ‘The Untamed’ was better in that sense. Where it had an amazing souding flute, this one had minor earrape in a nutshell.

This version made itself, in my eyes look more like a historical fighting anime as opposed to the BL vibes I was getting from ‘The Untamed’ and the other versions. They added a lot of action scenes and made the mystery more interesting for me. Along with this, the overall look and feel of this made it seem like it came from a completely different source material.

Manhua

Small FYI, as of writing this post the Manhua is at 147 Chapters.

(I should’ve kept up the trend and got a screenshot from that scene in the Manhua but I didn’t so here we are with gay rabbits.)

As your local internet friend who reads more manga than normal books nowadays, I enjoyed reading the manhua and finished it in a couple days.

Compared to the first 2 versions here, these last 2 are both things that you have to read to get through, albeit one has pictures and one doesn’t.

While normally, one would read silently, I like listening to music while I do. And seeing as the OST of ‘The Untamed’ sounds really nice, I listened to it while reading both the manhua and novel when I could.

This one brought out the BL elements that were missing from the first 2. They gave Wei Ying and Lan Zhan a lot of kissing or just straight up affectionate scenes which I think ties in with the general theming of the original novel more.

As this one is probably the closest of the adaptations to the original, it’s the least confusing to read, although that might’ve been influenced by my experiencing the story for the third time at this point. I say that, however, there were many story elements that weren’t present in either one prior to this.

Examples this can be seen with their collecting of body parts that belonged to the former Nie Sect Leader. In ‘The Untamed’ they find the sword spirit which guides them through the rest of the story. In the Donghua adaptation, they get the arm, but also get the head of the the Jin with the hundred holes curse which was an original addition. Here, they get the arm from Mo Manor, find the other one then find the torso and so on before finding the head in Jin GuangYao’s possession.

The flashbacks in this version were also executed really well, in my opinion, as it doesn’t feel super confusing while reading it and it gives just enough information to help the events unfold. It also gives us a chance to see how much of an ass(sorry) Wei Ying was when he was the Yiling Patriach from his own perspective as well as give us a moment of WangXian in the middle of all that chaos.

Novel

Here’s a picture of gay rabbits for everyone.

At this point, I was switching between the novel and the Manhua to read whichever one I wanted at any given time which might have blurred my sense of what belonged in each one so I’ll try my best to make sure.

Since this one is the original source material, it was clear from the get go that this will be the one with the least confusing version of events and the most amount of detail.

I was surprised on how close the manhua and ‘The Untamed’ was to the novel. Although, the former condensed the mystery to fit within the timeframe while the latter hasn’t finished just yet.

Personally, I like this author, and will probably read more of her works further down the line. Even though the version I read was in english, I still could feel the meaning behind certain aspects which I think shows her skill as an author.

The novel clearly shows the mischief that goes through Wei Ying’s head and their gradual (I say gradual but I think Lan Zhan just snapped) change of attitudes towards each other.

Arc One- Mo Manor

Past here I’ll break down the first arc of each one because I think all of them did it in relatively different ways. Be warned for spoilers if you haven’t watched or read all of them.

The Untamed (2019)

Out of all of these versions, this one definitely had me scratching my head in confusion the most even after watching it a second time once I finished the entire show.

As the only version that had the curse issued at the start as a moving factor of the story as well as the Yin Iron which was specifically made for this version, it didn’t explain enough at the start.

There were many things I could say were wrong about this beginning, from starting at a flashback to not properly introducing us to our characters but the biggest problem in my mind was the lack of explanation at the present.

Like I mentioned, starting at a flashback is a terrible idea as it gives the viewer high expectations only for it to be crushed the second it ends. Here, it shows a small portion of the battle at the Nightless City without much context then it quickly changes to 16 years later with a seemingly random group of people.

Another issue is the amount of useless characters who were introduced. In the other versions, there were only 2 Lan disciples who were given names and were introduced properly while here there were more than I want to count. Add to that the one telling stories about the YiLing Patriarch and the weird guy walking around with a flag, and you got yourself total confusion.

Donghua

This one was slightly less confusing to watch. As it starts with a clip of Wei Ying commanding corpses which matches the overall feel of the donghua. The rumors that he died stretched over the time skip and we meet this version of Mo Xuanyu who is caked with make up, whether or not he was a cut-sleeve (gay) in this version, I forgot.

It fully explains the curse and instead of having a couple of Lan disciples just standing there watching, we get to focus on the 2 important ones, Lan Sizhui and Lan JiYing. It gives us a slightly deeper insight into Wei Ying’s mind, as he states ‘you got the wrong one,’ just after being reincarnated, indicating that he isn’t as vicious as painted by the first few minutes of the show. Like the other versions, they also show how he considers the cons of using his demonic abilities and that Sizhui would probably tell on him to Lan Zhan, meaning that Sizhui was a keen, observant young man.

Manhua and the Novel

As for the introductions, these two were very similar. Both have the rumors of the Yiling Patriarch across the screen as we get further down the story and meet our main character.

It gets the details from the Donghua adaptation and mixes it with more information to create a more detailed account of what was happening, also making this Wei Ying seem smarter compared to his counterparts in other versions. He also hesitates more on showing his abilities, knowing that he’s going to be caught if he does.

Final Thoughts

As of writing this, I’m only halfway through the novel but it covers the portion until where the manhua is currently at. I would finish reading it before posting this but it would take too long and probably make this post even longer than it currently is, which isn’t such a good idea. If I had much more patience and effort I would really like to break down each arc and their differences from one another but I can’t be bothered right now. (Sorry)

I can safely say that in terms of adaptations, ‘The Untamed’ is relatively close to the novel, albeit a very condensed version. As flashback filled as it is, it wasn’t very confusing to watch past the first two episodes.

The Donghua adaptation takes several liberties, going more of an action oriented route instead of the calmer more, I wouldn’t say love but character oriented novel.

The manhua is definitely the closest to the novel, so if you really don’t want to read a lot of words, and I mean a lot of words, then go ahead and read it.

What else do I have to say...if you’re new to the story, welcome, if you’re a veteran who’s been here longer than me, sorry for taking up space on your feed. And congrats for making it to the end.

#the untamed #mo dao zu shi #manhua #donghua #cdrama #wei wuxian #lan wangji #wei ying #lan zhan #fujoshi #comparisons #mdzs #wangxian #yiling patriarch #yiling lao zu #hanguang jun

[hawopro]

Thoughts of a rare soul who enjoyed DMBJ’s Time Raiders 2016 adaptation (1/2)

[SPOILERS]

So I got into DMBJ bc of Reboot Zhu Yilong’s Wu Xie, I’ve been comparing all the Wu Xie, and came to check out Luhan’s. I just didn’t expect to fall in love with Jing Boran’s ZQL/MYP and catch feels for Pingxie?? Once again falling into niche fandom life??

Apparently within the niche DMBJ fandom, there’s a tinier, almost nonexistent niche for Time Raiders, so I have to rant about it.

Incredibly long post, so here’s a summary:

Action, A-Ning’s insole blade

My favorite Wu Xie adaptation

MYP whump and his damned smiles

A-Ning & PangZi + Badass tomb-raiding crews

Questionables things, prop & plot

Pingxie + 2/2

Foremost, this is an action movie. The action sequences are very nice, even with the occasional flying/floating people/objects in cdrama. As an action movie nerd, I approved and gave it 6.5/10 (and my standard is The Old Guard okay.) There’s everything--swords, guns, grenades, A-Ning’s insole blade. I particularly enjoyed ZQL vs Da Kui & Pan Zi, and ZQL vs A-Ning cut.

Characters are pretty fleshed out for a movie, motives and development are clearly established. 

I really like this Wu Xie, personally I think he came closest to what I imagined to be novel’s WX. He is inexperienced, incredibly curious, and daring, but knowledgeable, he thinks outside the box and pulls his own weight, even aiding the crew. He’s BABY, naive, kind, and cheeky af. Refer to How to make friends--a guide by Wu Xie.

But by the end, you know that he matured, he’d seen deaths, hell, he broke his promise to take care of MYP, he grew up. STILL, he made me so protective over him, I finally understand how the entire Reboot casts feel about ZYL’s WX now.

Zhang Qiling/Men You Ping is still mysterious, indifferent; he’s very lost in life, has a goal but almost no will to live. Still OP af, but the WHUMP--so much ZQL whumps with bloody mouth, self-sacrificing tendency and everything. But he appreciates his experience more after knowing WX, like even without shipper eyes, you can tell he cares for WX--the first person who insisted to be his friend, who told him ‘I’d take care of you.’

I like drama MYP but, I completely fell in love with this angsty boy who needs some good sleep. Also probably bc of HIS DAMNED SMILES!! I’m a sucker for poker-face characters who can smile/laugh naturally. Bonus that he only did so with WX! Refer to ZQL smiling at Wu Xie.

I also dedicated an entire gifset on him because uhh I accidentally got attached?? LOOK AT HIM HE’S BEAUTIFUL

ANYWAY 

Here is our favorite forced-to-cooperate gang again. Sadly, the Iron Triangle dynamic isn’t developed in here at all. 

A-Ning has a bigger role than Pangzi, she’s still freaking competent, badass af, almost equal to ZQL. She is not so heartless at the end, obviously cares for her men, somewhat for WX. Seems to have a mild connection with ZQL over their fighting prowess LOL, and somehow bonds with PZ. 

Pangzi is still comedic relief, unfortunately, has little motives and developments. His interactions with WX are hilarious though. They’re dorks together. Although, I found an easter egg: PZ wearing pot on his head again.

I appreciate the side characters in this movie a lot (especially Pan Zi with his kickass martial art). I think they made very badass tomb-raiding crews, both San Shu’s and A-Ning’s; it's clear that (some of) these men know what they were doing, and they aren’t afraid to die. 

Also the props in here, holy cow, elaborated af. CGI is better than drama, but can always be improved... 

BUT the time period is confusing as hell? This looks like old-school vibes, but they had incredibly high tech, drones and holograms? Uhh okay. Xie Yu Hua’s people used drones in The Lost Tomb 2, but this is a whole new level of sci-fi blue-screen computer stuff. And it’s probably very historically inaccurate, bc what queen back in the day had steampunk technology installed in her tomb?? The coiled machinery-ness bothers me. Ignore it if you can. 

English is only better than The Lost Tomb 2’s English hahaha, but not so unbearable that I had to give up the movie. What hit me out of the left field is WX’s flute ability?? LMAO he pulled a Wei Wuxian bc what the heck? How does that even work? But I let it slide.

The plot is very basic: heroes go on quest, heroes face typical mastermind villain and powerful endgame monster. Featuring not-immoral-enough-to-destroy-humanity Hendrix, also known as, can’t-say-no-to-WX-baby-face Hendrix. And final boss: worms-queen with armors and tentacles and everything.

There are plot holes, but it’s an action movie, come on, nobody watches action movies for the plot.

But if you're a shipper, you should watch this movie for the SOFT AND WHOLESOME Pingxie content! 

I didn’t expect it. I honestly didn’t watch the movie for Pingxie because I didn’t even ship Pingxie prior to this. I knew it existed, I liked the idea of it and I would read fic of it, but I didn’t feel a lot for it until now. 

And then BAM, pokerface MYP with a very visible soft spot for WX? Hell yes. Worried and protective MYP who will catch WX when he falls? Also there.

MYP telling WX about his existential crisis of forgetting who he is? “If I totally lost myself one day, there’s still someone who would remember me.” WX insisting on being MYP's friends, and walking around recording memories for him with his little camera?“You won’t be lost.” YEP.

MYP and WX saving each other? “I said I’d take care of you.” Oh, for sure. Not to forget my standard for (b)romance: prolonged eye contact, smiles, so much smiles, and HANDS! They're all there!

Now, there are even more subtle things that told Pingxie’s story on a deeper level, which I talked about in continuation post 2/2 here.

Anyway, I know Time Raiders isn’t related to the main story aside from the characters and certain tropes. BUT as someone who just dipped their toes in DMBJ, out of everything I’ve seen--Lost Tomb 1, 2, Reboot, I’m in the middle of reading Book 3-- this installment is my favorite, barely beat out Lost Tomb 2 and only below the novel. 

#dmbj #time raiders 2016 #the lost tomb reboot #the lost tomb 2 #pingxie #movie review #text post #long post #ranting bc i need to talk about this new obsession #mine #tr16 stuff #dmbj stuff

[sarah-yyy]

I just finished watching Love Online and the Blue/White side story because of your rec post. Thank you thank you for reccing them! Do you have any other cute Cdrama recs?

This is 300% reminded me that I still have a 自古蓝百出CP wip that I…….really should’ve finished writing last year. /o\ But uh yes, nonny, I always have cute cdrama recs!

I very recently just finished My Mr. Mermaid and THIS SHOW IS SO CUTE?? What you should expect: fluff and cuteness the whole way through, just basically your ideal Feel Good drama. Parts of it are cliche in the way you should really come to expect from college setting cdramas, but not in the bad way tbh because the set up for this is so cute??? Up-and-coming athlete with a Mysterious Backstory and a rookie sports reporter do the whole love at first sight thing after he saves her from drowning? I AM SO WEAK FOR THIS WHY???? Also Xiong Ziqi’s character in this is just THE SOFTEST BOY WHICH I AM ALSO VERY WEAK FOR. Just. Just watch the show. [300/10]

(Okay if I do have to say something bad about MMM, it’s that the resolution to the whole ~mysterious backstory~ part was pretty anti-climatic, but honestly, a couple of episodes in and you won’t even mind it, because you won’t be watching for the plot, but mostly for the cute getting-together bits, trust me.)

I also tried to watch A Love So Beautiful, but because it was all anyone I lived with could talk about and also I honestly should’ve blacklisted this on tumblr when I decided I wanted to watch it, I was way too spoiled for this to enjoy it properly. :( It was a shame, because this was A Cute too, and if you’re into cute high school romance, this is The Show to watch! I did enjoy the last few episodes quite a bit!! The height difference between Jiang Chen and Xiao Xi honestly just…….gave me life. [8/10 at least for the eps I did watch]

I’m also watching, albeit proceeding very slowly because Bar Exams, Jin Dong’s Mr. Right. Because……..Jin Dong. I’m not embarrass to admit that I’m really only watching this for Jin Dong. And he is VERY ATTRACTIVE IN THIS SHOW. Ft. fun tropes like enemies to lovers (probably, I haven’t seen enough of this to make this call, but I’m assuming the leads end up together, so), misunderstandings, mistaken identities (of sorts). Basically, uh, Jin Dong’s character moonlights as an anonymous online love guru, and he sort of helps people win over their crush. [7/10, a huge part of which is honestly just because I love Jin Dong’s everything, but I would say this has the most Love Online vibes out of everything else]

I’m gonna throw a couple of other shows out here for y’all that my friends have rec-ed me but I haven’t had the time to watch yet:

Pretty Man - starring Xiong Ziqi (from My Mr. Mermaid, which is why this is pretty hight on my to-watch list) and Sierra Lee (the 女二 from The Interpreter and PLHZ) // ft. tropes like misunderstandings, actually-requited-unrequited-love, fake marriage because showbiz calls for it // i watched it, and trust me, just..........NO. very, very disappointing for how much i enjoyed xzq in my mr. mermaid, and sierra in the interpreter. they had zero chemistry, the acting felt really forced (this is less a comment re: their acting skills, and more of an observation that they were really not suitable for the roles they were playing), and the plot was.........everywhere but also nowhere.

Rush to the Dead Summer - I’ve been rec-ed this so many times, and I really should watch it because Chen Xuedong and Bai Jingting are both in it, and I love them ahhh // ft. high school romance, friends to lovers // updated post talking about this show here, but tl;dr, just.....don’t bother. idk why i try with zheng shuang’s dramas anymore, i know i don’t like her. bai jingting and the side couple in this show were the only saving grace, but even then this show did them dirty in the end, so. nah. 

That should be it??? Normally, I’d throw a cursory NIF2 rec here, but it doesn’t fit the theme, so. :P hmu if y’all are watching anything good too! 

#asks #sarah watches tv #tv rec #cdrama #but like seriously rec me shows #nif2 is ending tomorrow and i'll speed through mr right because there won't be anymore nif2 to occupy me #so i'm going to need new shows #Anonymous