WORSE?!?!?!Arclei:
Yup :-/
Those men should've been kicked out.
I kinda really like her. xD
My hackles were raised with her, but I like her now lol.
I think for me, the location just looked so damn awkward that it made it extra cringe to watch.
Okay, I actually understand you not thinking much of that set. It didn't get much of the budget.
I liked the fighting though. DBZ shaped me more than I realized 💀
The only silver lining is that they're not fighting over men (yet).
>.>
From what I've gathered, they're also hating because they're not allowed to participate. Like in ep 7, the 4th sister literally tells her grandma that "idle hands are a devil's workshop," after repeatedly begging to be allowed to go into the field, so it kinda seems like they aren't allowed to participate, which, if not by FL, it must be by Grandma Rong. Which begs so many questions...
The 4th sister isn't allowed to go into the fields (which I lowkey understand. I feel like she's so reckless, she'd burn it down tbh 😂 And she'd definitely bump heads with the lady who runs the fields because she's also fiery, and that wouldn't be good for the business) but the drama doesn't really tell us if that includes the other sisters?? It kind of seems like the 2nd and 3rd sisters could go if they wanted, but just don't for...reasons. Because Grandma Rong views them as more responsible and level-headed than the 4th sister. So I don't really get what's happening there. Probably another writing fail.
Maybe the others are cousins?
Yeahhhh, I think you're right. Because the sisters who don't share a mom don't seem to share a dad, so cousins are more likely.
Maybe 5th sister is the daughter of a Rong son? Would explain why she has an inferiority complex... Born from a man in a matriarchy AND a maid? Oof.... That's rough.
They're definitely setting her up to be sympathetic. We've seen a glimpse of her mom, so now I'm waiting to see how her mom fits into the family.
I just have to wonder... where are all their parents? How come no one lived?? You can't tell me they all died escorting goods to the capital. No single parent is alive? If it were just the two then I'm like, okay, that tracks, but if there's at least 4 sets of parents... it starts becoming harder to explain...
So, FL's dad is alive and works as some sort of official somewhere, and so is another man in the family, but I forgot who. However, Grandma Rong sent away (divorced?) her husband and some other men were kicked out as well. We know for sure FL's mom is dead, but what about the other moms?
It's all a little too convenient.
Also, did the brother's character bother you too, or was that just me? Ugh, what a waste of an interesting character. As the only son in the family, you would think he would be a unique and interesting perosn, spoiled and pampered kinda like the only daughter in an all-boys family would be. Cherished but as a pretty vase, not really allowed to do a whole lot. I would understand if it isn't quite the same because the outside world is still very patriarchal, so he would probably still have some macho ambitions, but I think they could've played into this a lot better than just making him a bland dumbass like in every other drama and then not showing him again.
I think a personality more similar to FL's not-cousin would've suited him. Spoiled and pampered, but still scheming. He could then help his sister secure power in the family by helping her plot rather than being an absolute nuisance and crybaby (I could totally see him being Grandma Rong's fav grandchild because he's just 'so innocent and sweet' and him totally using that to his and his sister's advantage while sending devious smirks at his other sisters). And/or he could have an interesting storyline with maybe an outside, poorer merchant woman scheming to get into the Rong family and take over the business in some way, using him as her entry point. I think making him somewhat of a homme fatale/green-tea would've be INSANELY good. But if not that, just making him a spoiled brat that enjoys the luxurious life of not having to ever work, while having everything served to him, but in a more RR way than is usually the case. He could get a kick out of getting close with his future brothers-in-law and sowing discord. But idk, he doesn't really show up a whole lot, so maybe they'll do more with him later, though I doubt it'll be anything remotely interesting.
I hated the brother upon introduction, and knew he was going to be a weak, inconsequential character. It's a shame because I LOVE your headcanon for him!!! Making him a spoiled homme fatale/green tea who an even smarter poor woman starts to prey on would be such a good storyline!! She could be an entertainer or prostitute who is used to men looking down on her and trying to use her, so she's a bit taken aback when the brother respects sex work/women being sexually liberated since he was raised in a home where women are running the family business, and a female butler can take on a young lover but wouldn't be cast out if she was found out. And then we follow their tumultuous relationship from the brothel into Rong mansion. The entertainer/prostitute would clearly side with the 2nd and 4th sisters at first, then slowly come around to Shan Bao who shows her respect and kindness. She'd fit right into the family, and having a friend/mentor like Shan Bao and a loving and supporting husband like the brother would heal her childhood scars #FoundFamilyWithInLaws 🥹
Ugh, why is it soooo hard for screenwriters to give us storylines like this? We've literally come up with better storylines for every single supporting character in the span of 24 hours, and one of us is being tortured by her luteal phase while the other is severely dehydrated on four hours of sleep. If we can do it, why can't they??
Idk how they managed to make a female-focused, female-centric matriarchal drama focus on MOSTLY men so far. Truly a skill of all time.
*sigh* Yeah...
I'm getting a flashback to how happy I was when the show passed the Bechdel Test in the first episode. Joke's on me...
OF COURSE YOU'D LOVE IT TOO!!!! A KINDRED SPIRIT!!! GIRL THAT WAS INSANEEEEEE!!! I'm GIFing that scene
I WAS DYING FOR YOU TO SEE IT. I DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO HINT AT IT HERE BECAUSE I WAS SO EXCITED, I WAS AFRAID OF SPOILING SOMETHING AND RUINING THE EXPERIENCE.
I wanted it to shock you like it shocked me because I wasn't expecting her to go after him like that, and I wasn't mad at it >.>. The girl brought a CROWD of women to see the poor dude in his skivvies! Kindred spirits indeed ❤️
So you know how the 5th sister told the scholar to kowtow to the 2nd sister in that scene?? If this drama was darker (and the writers had the guts), imagine the ML not being able to come and save the scholar, and him having to kowtow in front of all those women in his underwear???? That would have been crazzzzyyyyyyy! It would have been a gag of epic proportions! And I know the 5th sister would've been PISSED she couldn't see it hahahaha! Then maybe someone could come rescue him after he's already been humiliated, but instead of the ML, it's the boy cousin, and he says essentially says to the 2nd sister that she's always been so cruel, and this is why he likes Shan Bao. Her blood would boil, and it would make her more determined to get him.
It would've been such a good scene because it would've been whump, and both couples intertwining and entangling with each other.
Giiiiiiiiiiiiirl, the way you COOOOOKED with thiiiisss!!!
We could've gotten so much good unhinged, possessive yandere-core moments as we got with the scholar, but with big watering eyes, cutie cousin being rendered a helpless, flustered mess. OMG WE WERE ROBBED!!!! I can also see her REALLY liking his bratty tendencies. She'd get a kick out of it FOR SURE.
YES. It could've been so intense!! Think about how crazy her obsession with him would be if she's been pining for him since they were kids? And of course, we'd have to get cute, but heartbreaking flashbacks of the cousin running after Shan Bao and the 2nd sister running after him as kids. It could show her sadistic streak developing early by her sneaking into the room he uses when he stays with them, and breaking all his toys. Maybe muddying his favorite clothes too. Girl has had it bad for multiple decades, and her feelings have finally reached a dangerous point where she absolutely will not allow him to marry Shan Bao.
She would definitely enjoy his bratty tendencies because they'd go hand-in-hand with hers lol. They'd be a fiery, clashing couple. Similar but different. Both bratty, but he's kind and sensitive and she's violent and selfish. We were completely robbed!
Ohhhhhhh, she would be LIVID if anyone touched her bbg, ESPECIALLY hurting him?! AUGH- You know those two guys would be GONE if she had gotten involved. Absolute bare minimum they would been bedridden for a few days...
Yup! The only one who's allowed to hurt him is her XD
AND.... if we wanna be really evil... We could have her force herself on him in a more intense way 😈😏 And then go to Grandma Rong, all like "omggggggg- I lost controooolllll, I didn't mean iiiiiiittttt"
I mean....yeah, depending on how dark we want to go, I could see her getting desperate enough toward the end of the husband tournament (after all her scheming to get him kicked out has failed) to "compromise" them both and force a marriage for propriety's sake >.> So their marriage would start out with him hating her, and he'd slowly fall for her after and see she's not all bad.
Can you imagine if we'd gotten something like this and the relationship with the scholar and 5th sister in one drama??? Idk, I think I would cry. And I'd barely be interested in the main couple lol (unless the writing also intensified their dynamic). But at that point, it'd be a totally different (better) drama.
If Forever Love and The Princess Decree taught me anything, it's that you're about as sadistic as I am. At least when it comes to cruel women and pretty men.
In all seriousness...I'm glad I met you ☺️ It's hard to be alone in these feelings.
I am too, but I might be enjoying our conversations about it more than the drama itself, HAHA
Same 😂 I'm LOVING this.
Finding someone with similar preferences who is a writer, and also likes to yap is like finding gold.
Another thing! Am I the only one who finds it hilarious and also cringy how the grandma seems to be an NPC stuck on that one chair? Like, why doesn't she go anywhere? What does SHE do all day if she doesn't run the business, the house, or discipline her granddaughters?
NOPE. That's why I'm also super disappointed by her character. I know she's elderly, but the drama hasn't mentioned she's ill, so why does she only exist on the chair? Or in her room? Why is she hardly around when all these crazy, dangerous, illegal things are going on under her own roof? I thought she was gonna be this tough ol' bird with energy and a presence!
My bestie in role reversal, ARE YOU SEEING THIS?!??!!??
Unfortunately, I am not T . T
It's a blank box with a blue question mark in the middle.
It's a blank box with a blue question mark in the middle.potatocouch:
Douban, gRRRRR DOUBAN GRRRRRR
What about now?
Otherwise, here's the link: https://movie.douban.com/photos/photo/2929974576/
I actually just finished Hong Luan Yin and I enjoyed it so much. Gotta love a reverse harem, when the FL has everyone wrapped around her fingerChon3yyy:
WELCOME!!! ☺️
Hong Luan Yin altered my brain chemistry. It made me write my first review on here.
And YESSS, fellow XLOV enjoyer!! 😌✨
Seeing more feminine men representation in K-pop makes me ridiculously happy. The styling, the confidence, the softness without apology? Live for it.
I'm an NCTzen (Haechan is such a mouthy bottom), but I really like XLOV's music. It's interesting how they tested the waters with I’mma Be (more androgynous than anything) before going full blown into a feminine concept that is being well-received.
I am awaiting your reply with tea.
Oh!!! By the way...I have two delightful things for you:
Have you heard of In Your Radiant Season? It's a new K-drama, and here's the synopsis:
Song Ha Ran is the chief designer of Korea's premier high-end fashion house Nana Atelier. Unlike her flawless, seemingly perfect image, she has locked herself in a winter state due to the loss of loved ones. Song Ha Ran accidentally meets Sunwoo Chan. This causes cracks in her daily life and the balance of her life begins to shake.
Sunwoo Chan works as a character designer at a world famous animation studio. He has a bright and cheerful personality, but, behind that, he harbors deep wounds from a mysterious incident from his past. His accidental encounter with Song Ha Ran leads him to face an unimaginable secret.
It's giving inverted grumpy x sunshine 🥹 That trope in a modern setting is like crack to me. I'm giving the first episode a try tonight, and I'll report back with my findings. (Plus it has the FL from Weightlifting Fairy, and I like her because she's tall and knows how to play b*tchy, non-trad female characters very well. This honestly sounds like it's her character in Call It Love, which also had similar RR dynamics).
Delightful Thing #2:
So...I know of your great love of femboys, and I just wanted to make sure YOU KNEW WHO HE WAS:
Meet Xiao Bo Xian (aka Tang Shi Hao)
This absolute angel is a rising star in fashion. He's soooooo stunningly perfect, I thought he was AI, but he's real. He's so pretty it actually hurts to look at him! He is the femboy to end all femboys, so I was wondering if you've heard of him. If not, I wanted to introduce y'all. I better get a wedding invite.
Sorry, a few more pics because WOW. How does he exist?
I need him to get an acting coach and transition to dramas already. His agency has already done like a five minute historical BL with him and some other guys to promote them, but that's it. I need him to get serious, and also consider RRs.
Douban, gRRRRR DOUBAN GRRRRRR
What about now?
Otherwise, here's the link: https://movie.douban.com/photos/photo/2929974576/
AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is probably partially due to my lack of sleep, but I'm gonna burst into tears BECAUSE POOJA WHAT IS THIS BEHAVIOR?????? 🥹 Are we seriously getting a legitimate, unapologetic, FULL-LENGTH RR that's going to commit to the dynamic????
I can't believe this is happening! The surprised but anticipatory look on his face, the slightly parted mouth. The way she's got his tall self pressed up against that railing (he won't fall because she's got him 😌) with THAT HAND GRIPPING THE BACK OF HIS FREAKING NECK LIKE HE'S A NEW BORN KITTEN????
I can't. I can't. I'm DYING for this. I can't believe we have to wait so long.
Also, I know we've been practicing not going into things, especially RRs, with high expectations because the writers, directors, and networks keep failing us, but at this point with Shadows of Desire...it's inevitable. My hopes are higher than the Burj Khalifa because of the trailer and all these stills. If it turns out to be a bait and switch or it doesn't deliver, I will not recover.
It's giving inverted grumpy x sunshine 🥹 That trope in a modern setting is like crack to me. I'm giving the first episode a try tonight, and I'll report back with my findings.
I HAD heard of it and was about to start it cuz it was giving me the vibes, and it seemed like it might move me, but I know better than to start airing dramas that don't air daily, lol. What if I LOVE it and it's everything I want, and then it airs slower than I update my word count?
Please let me know how you end up liking it, and if it's RR, I'll add it to the index ^^ I didn't like Weightlifting Fairy, but the FL has potential, and the ML has a smile that leaves me FLOORED with palpitations, so- goddamn what a duo.
Meet Xiao Bo Xian (aka Tang Shi Hao)
You CANNOT do this to me, bestie... You- YOU CANNOT just jumpscare me with this beautiful man that my dreams are made of just like that, unprompted, in my club, on a casual thursday night-
Do I know him... DO I KNOW HIM!!!!??? Only with a dedicated pinterest board just for him with over 100 pins, give or take. I never had a crush on anybody but this man... I can't look at him too long- okay? Don't do me like this, bro.
I have more pics...
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First and third images are my favs... Frail beautiful wife-core.
Never mentioned him because no one likes femboys like I do 😔 I'm so alone in my musings, but he's inspired SO much of my writing... I am but a humble scholar, and he is my muse.
I love how quickly you clocked my type, bro. To be seen is to be loved-ahh moment.
I need him to get an acting coach and transition to dramas already. His agency has already done like a five minute historical BL with him and some other guys to promote them, but that's it. I need him to get serious, and also consider RRs.
I'm the down-bad simp that had that drama added to MDL (Feng Yue Shi).... 💅 Sadly, I think he does BL exclusively (he's done a lot of BL-themed photoshoots, too, and I watch with only a little jealousy).
If he ever did an RR anything... I... I don't know how I would cope. Maybe it's for the best that he does only BL. idk if I could handle it.
but I'm gonna burst into tears
I love that both our reactions are to get teary-eyed 🤝
Are we seriously getting a legitimate, unapologetic, FULL-LENGTH RR that's going to commit to the dynamic????
gIRL, I FUCKING THINK SOOOOOO
I can't believe this is happening! The surprised but anticipatory look on his face, the slightly parted mouth. The way she's got his tall self pressed up against that railing (he won't fall because she's got him 😌) with THAT HAND GRIPPING THE BACK OF HIS FREAKING NECK LIKE HE'S A NEW BORN KITTEN????
The PARTED LIPS, BESTIE- YOU NOTICED TOOOOOO!!!!
Her grasp on his neck is SO gentle. More like a slight reminder that she's there, that she's got him where she wants, but also where HE wants~ This FL likes to pin her man~ PLSSSS, this is SO GOOD
And notice... notice.... she's got her other hand on his waist... SHE'S GOT HER HAND ON HIS WAIST, FOLKS- I AM FINNA PASS
I can't. I can't. I'm DYING for this. I can't believe we have to wait so long.
That's the REAL crime here- But hey, if that means we get something good... I'm willing. I'm going to sit so damn patient and be so normal about this.
but at this point with Shadows of Desire...it's inevitable. My hopes are higher than the Burj Khalifa because of the trailer and all these stills. If it turns out to be a bait and switch or it doesn't deliver, I will not recover.
At least we'll be able to be there for each other if it does end up going south... I can't even say anything to help cuz it'd just be gaslighting at that point. Like, it looks SO promising. I think it'll deliver at least Glory lvl of entertaining and I'm okay with that...
Imma reply to the rest of your replies once I'm a little bit calmer- Today's been an intense day xD
but I know better than to start airing dramas that don't air daily, lol. What if I LOVE it and it's everything I want, and then it airs slower than I update my word count?
I don't even have that level of self-control 😔 Whenever I try to do that, I always break and start watching.
Please let me know how you end up liking it, and if it's RR, I'll add it to the index ^^ I didn't like Weightlifting Fairy, but the FL has potential,
Will do! I liked Weightlifting Fairy for the novel concept of a strong woman in a realistic, non-superhero or fantasy setting, but FL was still a cutie pie (and I did adore her). The actress played b*tchy well in Cheese in the Trap (ugh...in a bad way) and Call It Love (ugh...in a good way). So I'm excited to see her to do it again.
Only with a dedicated pinterest board just for him with over 100 pins, give or take. I never had a crush on anybody but this man...
Okay, I'm not surprised the ultimate femboy lover would already know the ultimate femboy 😂 I just wanted to make sure because otherwise it'd be a tragedy.
Never mentioned him because no one likes femboys like I do 😔 I'm so alone in my musings
That's hard, bestie 😕 I can partially exist in that space with you, but I'm picky when it comes to femboys. I'm only attracted to femboys that look like Felix (when he is, in fact, in femboy mode because sometimes he's not and he's just pretty) and Xiao Bo Xian.
I can appreciate XLOV's aesthetics, but I'm not really attracted to any of the members.
I love how quickly you clocked my type, bro. To be seen is to be loved-ahh moment.
Girl, immediately. I gotchu. I saw him, and was like...I wonder if he knows he's got a wife out there named Arclei...
Ugh, my brother-in-law is soooooo exquisite! My fav pics are 1 (twinning lol) 4 (how is he prettier than every woman I've ever seen??) and 7 (EXPOSED SHOULDERS....someone hose me down like a dog!)
If he ever did an RR anything... I... I don't know how I would cope. Maybe it's for the best that he does only BL. idk if I could handle it.
I need him to split his time and also do RR 😂 And I'd send you a defibrillator so your brother could resuscitate you, and you can get online to discuss it with me!
If I have to survive Zhang Ling He in Pursuit of Jade, then you have to survive your hubby in a RR.
I love that both our reactions are to get teary-eyed 🤝
We deserve this 🥹 We are owed this.
The PARTED LIPS, BESTIE- YOU NOTICED TOOOOOO!!!!
Of course! I must have a thing with parted lips because I always notice them.
And notice... notice.... she's got her other hand on his waist... SHE'S GOT HER HAND ON HIS WAIST, FOLKS- I AM FINNA PASS
Omg I missed that!!!! Ahhhh! It's tucked under his robes! This is not a drill! (I'm cracking up because my first "Ahhh!!!" had so many exclamation points, they went OFF the page hahahaha. I don't know if it shows up that way for you too, but it's funny).
I'm going to sit so damn patient
Phew...😮💨 Me too. Me too...even though it's painful.
At least we'll be able to be there for each other if it does end up going south
That's true. This time it'll be different because we have a little support group.
Take your time responding!
AND SPEAKING OF PRETTY MEN WITH SOFT VOICES... You must've heard Charlie Zhou, right?
I am making this so much worse for myself, but fuck it, we ball
No, but I'll check him out.
You know I was listening to a song the other day, and thought about sending it to you because the singer's voice was so soft and smooth, and it would break here and there as we was singing? But I didn't for some reason yet here you are sending me a singer...
I'm tired of talking about this weird link we have, so I'm just gonna be normal about it and move on. Not sure if you're into J-Pop, but here it is:
Under Pressure Cover by Shayne Orok
(Chris Brown is my nemesis and I don't even like the original song, but I heard this version on Youtube shorts, and was enamored by the singer's voice. It's so light and sexy, and breaks and rasps at the right moments. Ignore the cringey artwork, I BEG. LOL).
Edit: About to start ep 15, and the women are literally so stupid LOL. It's not feeling very RR right now. Especially with the main couple.
I don't even have that level of self-control 😔 Whenever I try to do that, I always break and start watching.
Aw bestie... I feel so sorry for you... that's very rough. T_T I'd hate to be in such a position
I liked Weightlifting Fairy for the novel concept of a strong woman in a realistic, non-superhero or fantasy setting
Valid. It's not an awful drama, just really not my scene, and it did a lot of tropes I really dislike (love triangles, nasty ML, the RR is comedic, etc but it also introduced me to NJH, so). It was my first kdrama, actually, and I rated it a 4 I believe. Glad I gave kdramas another chance xD
Hopefully she delivers again! Yippie!
Okay, I'm not surprised the ultimate femboy lover would already know the ultimate femboy 😂 I just wanted to make sure because otherwise it'd be a tragedy.
I appreciate your consideration 🥺 It would be a tragedy. I'm glad you got to witness him as well, girl, what a sight!
I can partially exist in that space with you, but I'm picky when it comes to femboys.
Yeah, I understand xD I kinda did not expect you to like femboys at all. Pretty boys, yes, but femboys... hmmm... an interesting development and yet another thing to add to the twin list, I suppose xD
Girl, immediately. I gotchu. I saw him, and was like...I wonder if he knows he's got a wife out there named Arclei...
Man got wifed against his will 😂
Ugh, my brother-in-law is soooooo exquisite! My fav pics are 1 (twinning lol) 4 (how is he prettier than every woman I've ever seen??) and 7 (EXPOSED SHOULDERS....someone hose me down like a dog!)
You're so cultured, I knew you'd appreciate my simp posting!!! #4 is a more recent photo and bro... I had to do so many double-takes because he looks like a girl, I just-- how is this real? Goodness bro- I am not ok
(The dog comment got me laughing so good, I nearly choked on my egg salad bro)
I need him to split his time and also do RR 😂 And I'd send you a defibrillator so your brother could resuscitate you, and you can get online to discuss it with me!
If I have to survive Zhang Ling He in Pursuit of Jade, then you have to survive your hubby in a RR.
Girl is MERCILESS XD But I suppose that's fair... *laughs in yours is definitely happening while mine will most likely not happen*
Of course! I must have a thing with parted lips because I always notice them.
You and me BOTH. That's the first thing I clock, too, like omg.... 🥵 (I also have a bad habit of focusing on them in my writing like a LOT, oof)
I'm cracking up because my first "Ahhh!!!" had so many exclamation points, they went OFF the page hahahaha. I don't know if it shows up that way for you too, but it's funny
I was gonna mention this, but I was so caught up in the moment! Yes, it busted my entire page, and now I have a lil scroll bar going horizontally xD I was like "yes, this is the kinda reaction I was expecting from bestie"
That's true. This time it'll be different because we have a little support group.
Yesss!!!! We're gonna be so not-okay when this airs xD
No, but I'll check him out.
I'm actually surprised O-O bro is in like every cdrama OST!!!!!
WAIT, I'LL SEND U RECCS!!!!
- Rubia (first time hearing him... could not believe this was a man)
- Asking Flowers (especially his vocalizing in 02:10)
- The Mermaid Song (Those high notes brooo)
- Creation (This has been on loop for me all day)
- Clearly
- Free Floating
- Chasing the Moon
- Cocoon
- Dust of Time
- River
- Big Fish
- Cliff Walkers (melancholic lullaby)
- Upwards to the Moon (Bro those high notes (+ he's so tiny))
- And his cover of Time to Say Goodbye (idk
Just a few~ If you understandably don't wanna listen to all of them, just listen to a few of my favs in bold ^^ I tried rlly hard to not bold all of them
Now, is this a little bit of a simp post because I'm really into classical music and know how difficult it is for even a woman to be able to sing like this? Yes, yes, it is- BUT STILL GIRL, LIKE OMG his voice is so effortless, soft, gentle, airy, perfeeecttttt
But I didn't for some reason yet here you are sending me a singer...
It was a SIGN! We were meant to bond over music!
Under Pressure Cover by Shayne Orok
You won't believe me, but I knew of this singer already... I had heard his Unholy cover, which now that I'm relistening to it.... 👀👀👀 (also Cruel Summer is good, I'm listening to it rn) You just made me sub to him, thanks!!
Light and sexy is a good way to describe his voice. He has some really pretty high notes, too!
(also check out his channel banner xD)
(Chris Brown is my nemesis and I don't even like the original song, but I heard this version on Youtube shorts, and was enamored by the singer's voice. It's so light and sexy, and breaks and rasps at the right moments. Ignore the cringey artwork, I BEG. LOL).
I guess this is one of those moments I'm grateful I don't keep up with celeb culture much xD I have no idea who the og artist is, haha.
Edit: About to start ep 15, and the women are literally so stupid LOL. It's not feeling very RR right now. Especially with the main couple.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Ugh, girl start ff-ing
As far as sci-fi-esque Asian dramas, I liked Duel and Awaken.
I dropped Duel because of the detective's atrocious fit and hair 😖 I didn't know Awaken was sci-fi...
so when I think about it our sci-fi preferences kind of align with our Asian drama preferences lol (which is pretty cool)
Huh... now that you mention it........ LMFAO
You totally watched the SW prequels before the OG trilogy, didn't you? XD You're like the only person I know that'd consider SW to be politics-heavy, even tho it kinda is, tho the prequels definitely were the most politics-heavy.
In case you haven't noticed, I love finding trends in myself and others.
I had no idea, no /sarcastic xD I find it fun too, pattern-spotting is entertaining and finding the reasons to why is too!
Call me jaded, but that's most people 😭
Nah cuz where's the lie, bro???
Okay, this is shocking! I kind of pegged you as someone who enjoyed stuff that made your brain hurt in a good way—especially since we have such amazing conversations (I've noticed there's an overlap of people who like feeling their brains throb and good conversationalists LOLLLL. That's not to say the two are mutually exclusive, just an observation).
Whaaaaat? That's an interesting observation! I must be of the exceptions then, because I dislike my brain hurting in any way xD Mindfucky stuff leaves me feeling weird and off, and oftentimes disturbed, so I avoid it. Maybe if I watched it with someone, it'd be better, but definitely not something I seek out. The interesting aspects are kinda lost on me.
I love finishing a drama/movie, and sitting through the credits as I stare into space and try to rationalize what I've just seen, the characters' motivations, the themes, how it relates to me and my life...etc.
Dang, maybe I've just had too many mid experiences and seen too many botched endings to feel this way about anything, haha xD
As much as I like Nolan, I still haven't seen Interstellar. In what ways was it bad?
Imma be real with you. It was boring as all hell. That movie had no business being 3 hours long!!!!
I watched it with like a dozen people online streamed to me and at a mid point in my life, so I definitely could not appreciate it any more than that, but ugh... it was so so boring and just like... uncomfortable weird.
Isn't Nolan the guy that did the Batman movies?
I'm bumping it higher up on my PTW.
I adore seeing a ML who's proud of his girl boss.
I hope you like it! Curious what you'll think of it... 👀Let me know, let me know!
It did fly a bit under the radar, now that you mention it, but the people who did watch it really liked it, so at least it found its audience.
They're soooo cute 🥰
She looks like that a lot, serious, cold, aloof (she's quite sweet too, but her face just gives off scary vibes), and he's just retriever. Like you can almost see his tail wag. I think you'll like them.
Let's chat and watch! Do you want to use a messaging app?
I would prefer it to MDL, but I don't really have any other than Discord, which you don't have. We could maybe open a temporary chatroom... wait... those were a thing, weren't they? Hang on cuz back in my RP days, my friends and I used to open private chatrooms and then close them once we were done... But now that I think about it... idk how good of an idea this is.... 😬 Feels a bit unsafe
Otherwise... I once had a live conversation with people on a google doc?
bumps into Li Wu for the first time in two years. He flinches like he's in pain, and he's furious with her. The interaction doesn't go well, and as she's leaving she overhears he's recently been flogged by a superior. She rushes back into the palace, and manages to convince him to come back to her mansion so he can recover. And yes, he falls asleep in the carriage with his head on Cen Jin's shoulder ❤️❤️❤️
Yeeeeeeesssssssss!! Because pookie would never tell her!! But we all know her 'managing to convince him' is just her grabbing him by the wrist and snatching him away! If she were a bit taller, she would throw him over her shoulder for suuuuure.
Ugh, I love our brains. We're just casually writing fan fiction in the replies of MDL's forums lol. If we pasted everything we've come up with together, that's an outline for a solid fic.
Bro, I actually did paste everything on my Scrivener fanfic project with a link just in case, cuz I have been considering a fic, okay?! And it's just so so scrumptious!!
It's nice to have writer fren that's also into RR 🥺 It's like my dream come true
Bahahaha yes!!!! This would be such a good scene because Cen Jin would know he ingested it on purpose, but she'd humor him anyway.
Ofc she'd know!!! Which means it's also perfectly okidoki no matter how this ends up going~ 😋
I liked the fighting though. DBZ shaped me more than I realized 💀
Valid, I find most wuxia-type fighting very cringy, but I've also learned to accept it, so *shrugs*
>.>
Called it!
So I don't really get what's happening there. Probably another writing fail.
Yeah, probably so. Such a shame because I was looking forward to a family of merchant women all doing their own thing, but bumping heads and fighting for the true heir position. Ugh... what a waste.
Yeahhhh, I think you're right. Because the sisters who don't share a mom don't seem to share a dad, so cousins are more likely.
Let's be real, the Rong family would never allow the men to take in concubines/multiple wives xD
So, FL's dad is alive and works as some sort of official somewhere, and so is another man in the family, but I forgot who.
Oh, interesting! I didn't see that yet!
It really is a bit too convenient. I always have this pet peeve in matriarchy dramas, too, where there's just never any adults, ESPECIALLY not men. Like, ugh, such a shame... Gimmie them older femboys- don't be COWARDS!!!
Making him a spoiled homme fatale/green tea who an even smarter poor woman starts to prey on would be such a good storyline!!
RIIIIIIGHT?!??!?! GIRL WOULDN'T THAT BE SO FUCKING PEAK???!!!!
so she's a bit taken aback when the brother respects sex work/women being sexually liberated since he was raised in a home where women are running the family business
Omg YES!!!! This would actually be accurate for his character!! Making him misogynistic is stupid asf given where he grew up in (like let's be real, he would have the misogyny beaten out of him). He should hate his sisters because he's a green-tea bitch and because of who they are, not because they're women!!! DUHHHHH
And then we follow their tumultuous relationship from the brothel into Rong mansion.
Their relationship would be INTENSE because they're similar; both overlooked, looked down on, cunning but never allowed to make use of it, both manipulators, and both ultimately better than they even think of themselves. Liiiiiiike, it could EEEAAAAATTTT!!!!
The entertainer/prostitute would clearly side with the 2nd and 4th sisters at first, then slowly come around to Shan Bao who shows her respect and kindness. She'd fit right into the family, and having a friend/mentor like Shan Bao and a loving and supporting husband like the brother would heal her childhood scars #FoundFamilyWithInLaws 🥹
Oooooo, I really like this!!!! Her going from siding with the obvious 'loud' bunch to then siding with the genuine, actually good side would show her character growth and her true person underneath all the years of survival trauma... And that'd probably also get the Rong son to see his eldest sister in a new light and appreciate her more, even though I can totally see him not really participating of the in-family politics past helping his sister and his now wife, but I think he'd switch to his wife pretty quickly... tho I've yet to see how the brother-sister relationship develops, so I'll put a pin on that for now.
And bro, can you imagine after a life of having to seduce men for a living, kiss up, and fulfill their every wish to suddenly being the one welcomed home by a pretty man half-naked in bed with eyes only for her and the homme fatale skills to make sure she stays? Bro, not us making an OC xD
EDIT: Also... imagine if she were older... like maybe 5+ years? I could see the age gap being bigger too, so we get a diff generation in the family dynamic (I also think he's fairly young- my guess is about 4th sister's age, but could be younger too so it'd be a nice contrast). He can then be the green-tea who's experienced with everyone else but completely outplayed by a veteran green-tea herself whom he ends up absolutely smitten with? He tries to play coy and seduce her, only to end up having the tables turned on him? Pinned down and flustered?? Imagine!!!!!
He can be the clingy LW to her traumatized CJ? Aye? And he'd be all insecure about her late nights spent with FL checking accounts and maybe visiting certain business places if there's an issue and he'd be all like "hmph, bet you were out all night with other men" and she'd have to coax him and she'd do this by playing into his commentary and he'd act all offended and then they'd giggle about it or kiss, or both 🥺😩
Ugh, why is it soooo hard for screenwriters to give us storylines like this? We've literally come up with better storylines for every single supporting character in the span of 24 hours, and one of us is being tortured by her luteal phase while the other is severely dehydrated on four hours of sleep. If we can do it, why can't they??
I have NO idea why the writing quality is SOOOOOOOo bad in cdramas. Bro, imagine if it were more like we headcannoned rn... augh, I would never shut up about it.
But also bestie... I am a bit concerned about the dehydration and lack of sleep 😭 Are you okay? Pls at least hydrate!
I'm getting a flashback to how happy I was when the show passed the Bechdel Test in the first episode. Joke's on me...
In your defense, it did start out really promising!
I wanted it to shock you like it shocked me because I wasn't expecting her to go after him like that, and I wasn't mad at it >.>. The girl brought a CROWD of women to see the poor dude in his skivvies! Kindred spirits indeed ❤️
BRO I COULDN'T BELIEVE IIIIITTTT- When 5th sister first threw tea on him, I was in my head like "pls compromise him pls compromise him," BUT THIS IS NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING!!!!! I've only ever seen minis try n be so bold...
So that I will give them credit for... the butler x boytoy scene and this one were exquisite. I love evil women so fucking much omg. Because idk if we talked about it, but the butler SCENE IN EP 3?!??!? I couldn't BELIEVE what I was seeing, just mouth open STARING!!!! Girl really said, "pay me with your body," and he DID!! She then offers to train him to bag one of the sisters????? Like???
And I GIFed the scene, so I noticed that he has HELLA scratches on his back AND chest. Both are also sweaty asf afterwards, like butler lady did not hold back. She saw a pretty boy and claimed him. Also, how she watches him get dressed while smirking? Auuuuuggghhhh- butler lady x boytoy my belovedddd
I wish we got to see more of them. I wanna see them so so so bad!!!!
him having to kowtow in front of all those women in his underwear???? That would have been crazzzzyyyyyyy!
Nah cuz I was hoping that would happen... I have too much minidrama brain rot and didn't even consider the fact that ML would go save him! But it's so boy's boy of him to do that, tho. Girl, I would've eaten that shit upppppppp
And I know the 5th sister would've been PISSED she couldn't see it hahahaha!
You're SO RIGHT!!!! Serves her right for tricking a pure soul!!! Orrrrrr. her pretending to be blind acts starts slipping cuz she maybe gets flustered or jealous, or or or?? Possibilities.
Then maybe someone could come rescue him after he's already been humiliated, but instead of the ML, it's the boy cousin, and he says essentially says to the 2nd sister that she's always been so cruel, and this is why he likes Shan Bao. Her blood would boil, and it would make her more determined to get him.
You're just describing my ideal story at this poiiiintt!!! You'd write an incredible toxic FL I just know it. These ideas are next lvl, girl!!!!
Her getting even more possessive of him every time he name-drops FL is just *chefs kiss* so in-character and yummy! Oh, she'd see reeeedddd. That dynamic is gonna explode SO good bad!!!!
I also would like it being the cousin to rescue the scholar cuz the scholar had gone out of his way to protect the cousin when he was nearly SAed, so this would be a good payback and development moment for them both <3
It would've been such a good scene because it would've been whump, and both couples intertwining and entangling with each other.
10/10 no notes. They should hire you
Think about how crazy her obsession with him would be if she's been pining for him since they were kids? And of course, we'd have to get cute, but heartbreaking flashbacks of the cousin running after Shan Bao and the 2nd sister running after him as kids
OMGG YEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! Finally, a love triangle I can get behind!!!!!
It could show her sadistic streak developing early by her sneaking into the room he uses when he stays with them, and breaking all his toys. Maybe muddying his favorite clothes too. Girl has had it bad for multiple decades, and her feelings have finally reached a dangerous point where she absolutely will not allow him to marry Shan Bao.
Oooooo, yesssss, really emphasizing the younger sibling inferiority complex by also throwing in a love interest into the mix!! She'd feel like FL took everything from her, the position, her mother, her friends, her lover, even her happiness, and she'd be seething and wanting to get ALL of it (or as much as she possibly can) back!!!
I can totally see her being very destructive and aggressive as a child, which is why boy cousin is so distant with her. He's quite scared of her. Maybe at one point, when they were a bit older, she started bullying him to show her affection (you know, the reversal of the boys bully girls they like), and that just made him even more scared of her, while FL always protected him and scolded her for it. I can just imagine at one point in the present day, when FL protects boy cousin yet again, and the 4th sister just has this moment of pure rage where she recalls every near-identical instance where FL scolded her for being 'too rough' 'too mean' 'too impolite' 'too cruel', and she just SNAPS. Or... she has to swallow her rage and then lashes out on someone else, oop
She would definitely enjoy his bratty tendencies because they'd go hand-in-hand with hers lol. They'd be a fiery, clashing couple. Similar but different. Both bratty, but he's kind and sensitive and she's violent and selfish. We were completely robbed!
Yes, both brats, but in a different way!! Omgg yesssssss~ I can see her being enamored by him sassing her and finding it cute, especially once she no longer has to fight for him and can just enjoy his attitude constantly. FL from Forever Love style.
Also, also... I think a good explanation as to why she didn't just tell Grandma Rong or FL that she wanted to marry the boy cousin could be either 1. She refused to ever admit that FL 'owned' him and that she couldn't just claim him for herself. She didn't need to ask FL for 'permission' because FL should never have had first dibs anyway 2. She was in complete foolish denial and wanted to win him over herself (by setting traps to get him to drop out n stuff like you mentioned earlier), or 3. Maybe she did say it, and the boy cousin STRONGLY disagreed, and not wanting to force him, Grandma Rong and FL decided to not allow the marriage to go through, so 4th sister is EXTRA livid and betrayed... which would also explain a possible forceful encounter I mentioned...
Yup! The only one who's allowed to hurt him is her XD
😉😏😈 Ya just know she's rough
to "compromise" them both and force a marriage for propriety's sake >.> So their marriage would start out with him hating her, and he'd slowly fall for her after and see she's not all bad.
Oooooooo~ I do love me a good enemies to lovers when it's the woman that's evil <3
Can you imagine if we'd gotten something like this and the relationship with the scholar and 5th sister in one drama??? Idk, I think I would cry. And I'd barely be interested in the main couple lol (unless the writing also intensified their dynamic). But at that point, it'd be a totally different (better) drama.
Bro, it would be SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PEAK!!! I might just give it a 10/10 for the sheer audacity and entertainment of it all!!!
But yeah, it'd be a completely different drama than what we got... And China would never be so bold. Even though I think this is all still safe enough to be done. *shrugs*
In all seriousness...I'm glad I met you ☺️ It's hard to be alone in these feelings.
Girl, this comment made my day, and it's entirely mutual!!! I've been enjoying our conversations so so much!!!! I can't tell you what a joy it's been to be able to share all my random thoughts and feelings and not have to cut out like 50% at least or tone it all down a LOT xD I tend to be a lot for people energy-wise, but like we're the same rnnnnnn
Finding someone with similar preferences who is a writer, and also likes to yap is like finding gold.
Bro, FOR REAL!!!! I'm so glad we met under ZGZZS that one random day!!! Who would've thought it would turn out like this!??! A writer friend who's also into RR and likes to chat, and also lowkey twin? I mean- yeah, GOLD!
Why is she hardly around when all these crazy, dangerous, illegal things are going on under her own roof? I thought she was gonna be this tough ol' bird with energy and a presence!
Me tooooooooooooooooooo, I was hoping for a cool older baddie grandma!!!! So sad she's just boring grandma... :/ But at least there's a prominent grandma character in a drama at all. Those are so rare.
ALSO I REMEMBERED WHAT I WANTED TO ADD!!!!
Okay, so just me, or do you not really get that FL gives a single flying duck about the boy cousin? They talk and talk about how they were childhood sweethearts and allathat but I don't see it. Bro is smitten, and she cares about him like she'd care for a dog, maybe... They then try to pretend like she does by having her 'favor' him, but this lowkey seems to come out of left field, no?
I didn't watch any episode today, yet... I'll see if I can watch at least 1 before going to bed now xD
If you got an extra ghost ping, yes, you did. I decided to leave the last msg out for another day XD
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BUT YOU KNOW WHAT PING YOU WILL GET??!?!
Pursuit of Jade is airing on MARCH 6th!!
HAHA, JUST WHEN YOU MENTIONED IT TODAY!!!
Look at them!!! I love sleepy men on their woman's shoulder~
Good luck, bestiiiiiiee~ better hurry up with Glory xD
ISTG all the dramas I've been anticipating are airing this year... Glory, Unveil: Jadewind, Generation to Generation, Pursuit of Jade, and allegedly Coming to Myself is rumored for March too- Like???
<3 <3
YOUR POFILE IS SO CUTE !
I’m not sure if you noticed on the club's homepage, but I created a playlist. If you have any favorite tracks from RR dramas, feel free to share them in the group, and I’ll add them to the list. It’s updated regularly, so don’t hesitate to share as many OSTs as you want with a link so I can make sure its the right track . Hope you enjoy it !
Simi_Tutu:
YOUR POFILE IS SO CUTE !
I’m not sure if you noticed on the club's homepage, but I created a playlist. If you have any favorite tracks from RR dramas, feel free to share them in the group, and I’ll add them to the list. It’s updated regularly, so don’t hesitate to share as many OSTs as you want with a link so I can make sure its the right track . Hope you enjoy it !
Sweettt! Yes, if I come across anything that’s not on the list, I’ll definitely give you a shout-out!!
