My Love

Remember when I wrote the first post about the most wonderful human being, named Kim Jonghyeon? I've been worshiping him for years before that. The world lost its most spectacular, precious and pure treasure today.

I can't write. I can't think, and I'm barely able to function. I can't form any coherent thought. I can only cry.

And I will cry for the rest of my life.

08.04.1990 - 18.12.2017.

Throwback Thursday Part 43

In 1962 "Infamous Columbus Day Storm strikes the U.S. Pacific Northwest with record wind velocities; 46 dead and at least U.S. $230 million in damages". Therefore today's Throwback Thursday is to the storm, howling winds and rain pounding like hellhounds during John Bonham's replacement casting.

Board up your windows and here we go!

Sewol Sinking Facts - Japanese Documentary

Somehow looking for Kim Namgil newest drama episode files has led me to finding this documentary from 2014. I do understand the logic behind it - after all people died in Sewol ferry sinking.

Throwback Thursday Part 42

In 1975 Rembrandts "Nightwatch" was slashed and damaged in Amsterdam. Therefore, today's Throwback Thursday will be to the year 1975. Could be to slashing and damaging, but the sun is shining so not today...

Deserving of the Name OST Part 1

First post after hiatus. Because I feel like it^^

Throwback Thursday Part 41

On this day in 1977 Jonathan Rhys Meyers was born, so today's Throwback Thursday is to the year 1977.

Official stills for Kim Namgil's double life in "Live Up To Your Name"

Because I, having so much free time, translated some article.
Enjoy^^

Throwback Thursday Part 40

On this day in 1969 humanity witnessed the first ever Moon Landing: Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin from Apollo 11, with Michael Collins left above. Therefore, today's Throwback Thursday is to the Moon. Not moonlight but Moon.

After Yet Another Ijime Suicide Students Meet to Ponder Over the Dignity of Life

Ijime is a huge problem in Japan that has a peculiar status - everybody knows about it and no one does a damn to address it and make a change. Because making a change is so hard in Japan lately, no one wants to be the first person to take a risk. 

Throwback Thursday Part 39

In 1940 Sir Patrick Stewart was born and in 2305, Captain Jean-Luc Picard. And since Harrison Ford was born on the very same day, a man has something to say as well, so today's Throwback Thursday is to the music from works of these men.

Bravely listen...

Li Ronghao (李榮浩) - That is it (就這樣)

A week ago his new single was released.

Typical for him, a ballad, but there is a dividing line in the middle - the first part is very lyrical, and the second one is more desperate/angry.

[First Impression] Killjoys 3

Season two left us mourning with Johnny after Pawter died, and with the plot to control the Westerly unfolding even more. The green plasma - the matrix for Super 6, and basically any ability, was explained to be found by Aneela. And from the foreshadowing in the last episodes, we know she and Dutch will meet eventually. And I hope for no confused identity - I did not like that twist in BSG, I won't like it here.

Season 2 got us also few moments that made me question if there's really nothing between Johnny and Dutch, except for years-long, danger-tested, deep friendship. Even if they both do things in secret, in spite of one another, they always end up comforting each other.
And then Johnny went AWOL to respond to an SOS signal...

Let's see how this plays out.

Deserving of the Name - pictures

So far so good. He's alive.

[Movie Review] The Beauty Inside

 

This was probably one of the most bizarre and yet endearing movies I have seen lately. The premise is so improbable I had my doubts before starting it, but if I can watch a movie about giant lizards, I can watch a movie about the power of love, right? Any love, or maybe other way round - a love transcending gender, age, race. Love is love, as shown in this nice, heartwarming parable of a movie.

Throwback Thursday Part 38

On this day in  1189 Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England. Therefore, today's Throwback Thursday is to the lion.
And I also want to start something new along the TbT - each week, I will also make a Spotify playlist of the theme, and will link it with every post. The playlist will be longer - 30 songs.

Hear me roar!
Not you, Katy Perry...

[First Impression] Forest of Secrets/Secret Forest

For a small toad a shrub is a tree. And bushes - a whole forest. Sometimes this forest can be "une forêt de Bondy", the one having a horrible reputation, a cursed place where Childéric II, a grandson of Dagobert was assassinated, also it was frequented by the brigands and ruffians. There is also Birnam Forest in Macbeth, a nightmarish harbinger of main character's fall. And Brocéliande - which has few parallels to the drama here. In it, as in Chrétien de Troyes' version, Ywain pours the water from a well over a stone, causing a storm and suddenly a knight appears that guards the forest. Then Ywain kills the knight...

[First Impression] Fight My Way

I came here looking for fluff and fluff has been found, albeit with the bitter aftertaste. And this "first impression" is a downright lie - I watched all episodes available, that is 10. Or make it 12 right now.
The main story is not about some chaebol, for which I will be eternally grateful. Main characters struggle with money, own weaknesses and stupidity (yes, I'm looking at you, Juman!). There is something ringing very true in this drama - the pursuit of dreams and whatever the happiness is made of. But there is also something touching - friendship.

Throwback Thursday Part 37

On this day in 1613 Shakespeare's Globe Theatre burns down, so today's Throwback Thursday is to the fire. And you thought it would be to Shakespeare so I could fangirl over Mr. Sewell. Ahahaha!! I'm not that kind of girl! Except for Johnny Cash, no obvious choices like SHINee, Billy Joel, The Doors or BTS.

[First Impression] Circle

I see a ship in the harbour. I can and shall obey
But if it wasn't for your misfortune, I'd be a heavenly person today
And I thought I was mistaken, and I thought I heard you speak
Tell me, how do I feel? Tell me now, how should I feel?

(New Order, Blue Monday)*

A good science fiction is a really difficult genre, both in literature and in moving pictures. It's not enough to mix few weird ideas, add blinking lights and Deus-ex-machina solutions. A good sci-fi has its own mythology, its own air, its own laws within which it operates. And after a recent slump in TV science-fiction, past few years are marked by the genre's revival (most notably 12 Monkeys, The Expanse and Stranger Things) with fresh approach and new ideas. And Korean TV wasn't that kind of a medium for sci-fi, so this is even more satisfying.

Sci-fi feeds on both fear and hope, those are two main motors of countless stories. And fear and hope are two rails of the same tracks carrying the train of characters' fates.

2017 Z-Class Movies (Part 1)

It is safe to say that the first half of this year was pretty intense, when it comes to fighting giant snakes or battling a group of Tasmanian devils. And since I'm trying to keep every Friday as a Z-Class movie Friday, I decided to divide in two the list I planned to make in December like last year. Therefore, in 2017 there will be two lists, one now, at the end of June (because I will have troubles watching in August, so less movies), and another at the end of the year, rounding up all these awesome movies I have the pleasure to watch and live-tweet.

And since action in these movies starts around 15 seconds in, we're jumping into the list right away!

Bookshelf Part 6

Yet another pack of books some people might find interesting enough to read. And some might question my - why yes - questionable taste.

Throwback Thursday Part 36

On this day in 1342 (according to Shire Reckoning) Bilbo Baggins returned to his home at Bag End, but today's Throwback Thursday is not to the Middle Earth. It is to the theme of travel, visiting places and so on.

Because, as the poet once said:

Let us wander where we will,
Something kindred greets us still;
Something seen on vale or hill
Falls familiar on the heart;
So, at scent or sound or sight,
Severed souls by day and night
Tremble with the same delight -
Tremble, half the world apart.

(R.L. Stevenson, Swallows Travel To and Fro)
Today's music is very world music.

[Movie Review] Pandora

Starting a movie or a drama with Kim Namgil is like opening a Pandora box indeed - you never know what horrible death awaits his character by the end. Probably his own fault because no one can surmount an enormous mountains of suffering and deep, soul tearing pain as beautifully and hauntingly as him.

Even here, in this uneven and a bit too long (2:16) movie, he managed to show a fracture of his talent, and his last moments have been haunting me for months now, so as a cathartic treatment, I decided to write a bit about this movie.
Plus, Namgil-nim speaking with saturi.

Spoilers ahead, because I don't give a damn about your soft shells hiding even softer flesh.

[Review] Baekhee Has Returned

This is a 4-part drama that aired last year, and last month I stumbled upon it and then, completely spontaneously, I decided to give it a go. And despite the style of it being over-the-top comedy, this little series is pretty heavy from all the social issues it tackles.
The review is short, don't expect any in-depth analysis.

Throwback Thursday Part 35

On June 15th 1991, we witnessed the eruption of the Mount Pinatubo volcano (Philippines), the second-largest volcanic eruption on Earth in this century. Therefore, today's Throwback Thursday is to the year 1991. 

I also had songs about volcanoes in mind, but I was afraid that one pun-loving man on my t-list would have a field day.

Unwatchable - a short movie about rape as a warfare

I was on my "war movies" path to continue watching many of such on my list, but lately, and unexpectedly, I have seen probably one of the most horrific depictions of war.

The movie is called Unwatchable and it's about the conflict in Congo. And the very specific method of the warfare - which is rape.

This is a short video, around 22 minutes in total and consists of 3 parts: first one (the main movie is around 6 mins. long) introduces a white family in rural England destroyed by a group of soldiers, and the fragment asks: what if this would be happening here? Here being in the rich, sophisticated West. And then we have the narration of Masika Katsuva, a survivor of something unimaginable.

Warning: the movie is cruel and not for people of weak nerves.

Throwback Thursday Part 34

 

In 1989, albeit on the 6th of June (yesterday), there was a second that made the date: 01:23:45, 6/7/89. Therefore, today's Throwback Thursday presents songs titled as those numbers.
Enjoy^^

Throwback Thursday Part 33

Since today is Children's Day, today's Throwback Thursday is to the songs that have "child" in their title.

War movies (Part 1)

This list gathers all war movies that I have watched this year so far and that were made after 2010. This way, I cannot sing paeans to Black Hawk Down. The list is in random order.

War movies are probably my most favorite genre of movies, and sadly our modern world gives me plenty to watch - new movies about new conflicts. There are hundreds of those - some deal with WW2, some with earlier conflicts, and some with 21st century ones.

Maybe you'll find something to watch as well.

Throwback Thursday Part 32

 

On May 25th, in 2008, SHINee debuted. Therefore, today's Throwback Thursday takes us back to some of their songs that spell the name.

This day also went down in history as First Steps of Gods Day.

Taiwan Releases (April - May)

 

Another bunch of new releases from Taiwan.
No Roy Qiu in any of them.

Bookshelf Part 5

Another bundle of books I've recently finished.

Throwback Thursday Part 31

Today's Throwback Thursday is to anger. Timeless. Limitless. Overwhelming. Burning like the frozen water. Not for those who don't like noise. Because there's mostly noise.

Throwback Thursday Part 30

 

Today's Throwback Thursday is to the year 1965.
Enjoy^^

Throwback Thursday Part 29

On April 27th, 1986 Soviet authorities ordered the evacuation of the city of Pripyat (pop. 50,000) 1 day after the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Therefore, today's Throwback Thursday is to the wonderful year of 1986.

I know all of you missed the 80's, right?

Bookshelf Part 4

 

Another bookshelf presented. As always, I don't include academic books because even though they can be fun, they are sometimes regional and no use telling about them.

Throwback Thursday Part 28

Today's Throwback Thursday takes us to the year 1611. Macbeth was performed for the first time. Therefore, songs about greed, err... something and marching forests.

Throwback Thursday Part 27

Today's Throwback Thursday is to the year 1970 when Apollo 13 announced: "Houston we've got a problem!" This is why today - songs from the year 1970.

This is also a special year for me.

Sending the demons away during Sōjinsai

A short article translated about the festival called Sōjinsai in Saitama prefecture. The main aim of the event is to banish the evil deities causing plagues and illness.

It's always held on the second Sunday of April.

Throwback Thursday Part 26

1320: The Scots reaffirm their independence by signing the Declaration of Arbroath. Therefore today is Tartan Day. And today's Throwback Thursday is to Scotland.

[Review] The Last Kingdom Season 1

The Danes don't like Saxons. The Saxons don't like Danes. The Danes like the lands of the Saxons.
The end.

Throwback Thursday Part 25

Today's Throwback Thursday takes us to the March 30th, 1891, when British Steamer "Utopia" sank off Gibraltar killing 574.

Because that's what utopias usually do. 

The antithesis of utopia, in the common understanding, is dystopia. I'd argue that the latter is rather a mirror image, distorted whenever possible, but it's not the complete opposite. It's probably almost the same ontic entity but with one tiny molecule of some quality more. It's not another quality. It's like chocolate. One may dream a world of chocolate to live in. But after some time within a world like this, having nothing more to eat or drink, not seeing anything else but chocolate flowers, one might shoot themselves between the eyes.

Taiwan songs

I've been going through a list I made this month when  was roaming the YouTube in search of a nice music and I thought about sharing some Taiwanese music I came across that didn't make any list or couldn't be included into any TT. I could easily make 50 posts only with Jay Chou's songs, but here I tried to put some reins on my smiling stupid face.

Throwback Thursday Part 24

In 1903 on this day, Wright brothers obtained a patent for a plane. Therefore, today's Throwback Thursday takes us on a flight.

Bookshelf Part 3

Another month, another post.
Last few weeks I've been reading lots of boring, scientific-ey stuff not worthy being mentioned here. Also, gros of those are in my own native language and I doubt anyone would be interested to hear about a book on hermeneutics.
Without further ado, let's do it!

Nat King Cole's Birthday

There will never be the voice quite like his. I wanted to fill the background with hearts, but then I said to myself: damn girl, you have more class than this. I'll swoon in silence then.

Throwback Thursday Part 23

 

"I have one aim—the grotesque. If I am not grotesque I am nothing."

On this day, in 1898, died Aubrey Vincent Beardsley.

Today's Throwback Thursday is inspired by his work. Because he was  inspired by Michelangelo. Bless him.

[Review] The Event

The series that ended only after the first season. Ended with a cliffhanger, but that's nothing surprising, lot of them ended like this. I'll be honest, I wasn't even sure to continue watching after a very confusing first episode, mixing timelines of the events. It was a hard watch, as for me, but I'm glad I persevered through - in overall I tremendously enjoyed this little sci-fi series about clash of species. Clash of politics.

Throwback Thursday Part 22

Today's Throwback Thursday is to 1891 when a Great Blizzard in England killed 200 people and 6000 animals. And lasted for 4 days.
That's why today's motif is - snow. Granted, there's this one song I won't be putting here.

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni's Birthday

Author of the portrait - Jacopo del Conte (fragment)

He didn't celebrate the day, his leech family remembered him only when they needed the money (granted, they always needed it), they even attributed Pietà to someone else the first day it was uncovered (so our Artist had to carve his name on the belt across Mary's chest). That is why we are here to celebrate!

By buying a 5-meter long block of a discarded Carrara marble we'll never be able to turn into David.