I must say your fan service in unparalleled. I clicked on the notification with the mention of my name and when I scolled up … I may have disturbed the peace. 😳
No, no. It’s fine. I do know what to expect when I click on your notifications but still it is a shock each time. 😊 I never knew beauty could be so shocking!?
@seeker And as you can see, he’s far from doing anything in particular or on purpose to make himself look “good-looking” or “sexy”, etc. He’s literally just being his (freaking adorable) self! He really doesn’t need to even try— although, we KNOW when he is lol, like his GQ magazine photo spread— and he just kills people with his genuineness and natural beauty (I don’t even think he’s wearing that much makeup here, probably just a base layer of concealer or foundation)
Thank you for your hard work in making this gif. I know it’s not an easy process and I must confess this and that snow flower ones are my all time favorites.
I confess … I may have seen that a little more than 8 times. So much so that the ♾ had to lie down to rest. 🤭 Then I saw you had mentioned the “exact” time stamp with I was only able to figure out after many few watches.
I keep mistaking the screenshots of Lee Jae Wook on DB as Jung Hae In and now I really miss Jung Hae In. Jung Hae In new drama with Jung So Min come faster, please!! 🥹🥹
Hehehe … I saw it on Tumblr and went Hmmmmm!! I almost wanted to post it for you but then I thought if there was anything out there the first person to see / post it would be you. 😊👐
Thank you for thinking of me ♥️♥️♥️ Hahaha I’ve done it, haven’t I? I’ve now basically steered people to think of me when they see him or think of him when they see me…. Oops 😅
You know it just struck me its been a month since your Love February posts … how time flies. 🤷♀️ I really liked them all and in case you want to write about something or anything that strikes your fancy … you’ll have an audience here at DB eagerly waiting to read your posts. 🙋♀️🥰🤗
Awww you’re always so sweet and encouraging with the right amount of positive reinforcement ♥️♥️ I know I can always be safe with you in what I share, and for that, I can’t thank you enough, Cera 🥰🥰🥰
This is actually a startling picture that raises a lot of different emotions. My first thought was that he looks lonely and vulnerable. But there’s also deep thought and patience here too. Also, with half his face in shadow, it feels like he carefully protects his inner world. It’s amazing what can be conveyed in a single frame of a moment in time.
THIS ^
Now I’m curious to know what @zindigo thinks of the rest of the B-cuts of the photo spread. Feel free to creep my Fan Wall to find it lol The one that evokes all of the same thoughts that you mentioned is actually the black and white one of him sitting on the floor (found here in this batch: https://www.dramabeans.com/members/bebeswtz/activity/1549117/). This one makes me wanna go up and sit with him, ask him “What’s up?” and sit with him for a while just to listen to him share and talk
Hmmm… I don’t have the same reaction to the modeling shots. While the picture above is clearly artistic, it’s a candid shot, so it captures real emotions. When he’s modeling, he’s wearing whatever “face” they ask him to.
It’s true that there is a noticeable–sometimes even stark– difference in the candid shots versus the modelled shots from him– and this difference is very noticeable even in other photo spreads and shoots he’s done previously– but that black and white pic of him sitting on the floor still speaks to me in an emotional way 🥹
@bebeswtz All I really know about him is from what you post. I recall you mentioning that he’s had to go it alone in promoting his career. Coupled with the constraints of his nationality on the international stage, one has to conclude that he is a very unique and self-empowered individual. I can only imagine the inner strength he must have to go as far as he has already at his age while still retaining control over his image, reputation, and project choices. Even in the modeling shots, the photographers have chosen to capture and highlight this vibration, and it’s very effective.
The pics were posted and published in China 3 hours ago, which would have been around 10/10:30PM China Standard Time.
China, despite being such a big and vast country, only has one single time zone, and that is China Standard Time
Yes, their Tuesday
Hahahahaha Perhaps they wanted those who practice Daylight Savings to adjust before posting. It’s definitely helped to wake me up and keep me alert whilst still feeling a tiny bit jet lagged from having to readjust my clock
💯
And photographers who work with Xiao Zhan all collectively repeatedly saying that the work they do with him and the shots they take of him hardly need any touching up and photoshop work done to them solidifies this even more
It is obvious. In this day and age of “photo manipulation” his pics stand out starkly. In fact even in the earlier sepia and blue tinge set it was obvious that his face / body was hardly touched. All the work was done in setting the tone.
It’s a double edged sword:
Sure, it’s something to be carefully happy and proud of that industry professionals don’t see nor feel the need to “clean up”/photoshop his photos that much— if at all— when working with him, and I’m glad XZ himself doesn’t even touch on the subject— he just shyly and humbly says “Thank you” or smiles it off— because it is a very sensitive subject when showbiz is all about appearances and obsessing over youth, beauty, vanity, and perfection.
That guy right there in the pics? He only thinks of himself as a 6/10 🥹🥹🥹
He’s a precious near-sighted bunny 🐰 Maybe he cant see himself clearly XD
Very true! Especially in showbiz of (South) East Asian culture, wherein humility and humbleness is ingrained in the culture itself and is very easily applied and appreciated in the workplace. Many people don’t see celebrity-hood as just a job, which I think is a very dangerous way to approach things, especially in fandom
I know you always say that there is a trend of “fanatic fans”. Can I ask a rookie question. Do you think celebrities tend to think of themselves as needing to cater to the fans above and beyond the work that they do.
@seeker
I think some celebrities will think that— there will always be celebrities who think that, it’s what I feel like the entire celebrity/fan culture of South Korea is like— and I do think that, to a degree, it is a universal thing that happens, regardless of the geographic location (i.e. China, Korea, Hollywood, etc.). It’s just a matter of intensity and the age bracket of fans who are drawn to that and the celebrity who chooses to feed off of that as a way to drive their career (for popularity for a way to feel liked and as a measure of their success) or as a way to thank fan. The latter is how I think Xiao Zhan does it, and I think he knows where and when to draw the line and doesn’t think of it as an overarching obligation to do it nor does he use it as a measure for popularity and success, but he does it as an an action meant to be an outpouring of gratitude and love for his fans who have given love to him. Time and time again, he has always told his fans to always, always, always, prioritize their own personal lives and their own successes before turning to him and go “star (celebrity) chasing” over him. At the same time, many fans have expressed that their success and their happiness has been brought out after some tough times because they discovered him and look to him as motivation—as a good person and as a successful person— to do better and to be better in life
Thank you for a very thoughtful answer. I agree celebrities worldwide do tend to “pander” to their fans to an extent but I was just wondering do they always have to wear that invisible cloak of stardom or do they get to disassociate themselves from the star and live like a normal person at times.
@seeker I think that is up to the celeb themselves. At the same time, it is also different preferences in culture. Specific to South Korea and China, the standard for celebrity-hood is a bit more tight compared to—say— Hollywood:
– Because South Korea has such a strong culture of keeping up appearances, the expectation is that celebrities are put on an unreasonable level of influence and a ridiculously high pedestal, so everything they do is scrutinized, even the things in their private lives. It’s a bit scary, because the trend in Korea is that whatever is popular, whatever is pretty, whatever is trending at the time, everyone in Korea will have to have it, do it, eat it, breathe it, and 99% of these things come from celebrities. In turn, that also means celebrities have an extremely high level of influence on the next generation, so if a celebrity decides to do something stupid, there is more than likely a chance that a portion of the population will follow suit and not think twice about it. On the flip side of that is their extreme cancel culture and strong court of public opinion that can and will break someone down
In China, much is the same, but at the same time, it is much more controlled and regulated and there is no court of public opinion. In China, a celebrity isn’t just seen as a public figure, they are also regarded by the government as a civil servant (a.k.a. An extension of being a government official), and are held at that same standard. This is where things differ a little bit from South Korea:
Wherein South Korea’s cancel culture comes from the people (citizens), the cancel culture of China is ignited and put into action by the Chinese government. Sure, there may be some horrible, horrible netizens in China— like everywhere else in the world— who will spew vitriol, but the ultimate threat to a celebrity’s career and status as a public figure in China ultimately still lies in the hands of the government. On the flip side, if something were to happen to a Chinese celeb and they were/are being wrongly treated—cyber-bullied, defamed, etc.— the government will step in and help to bring that celebrity out of the situation, especially if/when that celebrity has been proven to have done nothing wrong
Thank you. You always explain so beautifully. I guess that is why the need to apologize to fans for “dating” seems so weird but is normal or expected behavior in SK and perhaps China too.
The “burden” of being a celebrity is much more. Now I understand why you say that it is difficult especially for young celebrities to differentiate between their job and personal life.
Fun story – my mom stopped in front of a Nars store and asked me if this was the brand he endorsed. She had seen me mooning over those pics and was quick to recognize him. 😂
XZ Studio posted some B-cuts (unpublished material) from XZ’s GQ Magazine photoshoot. Unfiltered, so none of the blue tinge or sepia palette we got from the published photo spread
It also shows off the beautiful colours of the garments better, too!!
Now that I can actually SEE the colour without the filter, the maroon-ish/deep red colour of his suit in pic #4 is actually the “it” colour of Gucci (for which he is a Global Brand Spokesperson for) and the featured colour of the brand’s newest collection, “Gucci Ancora”
😏
I’m sure he did very well at the photoshoot and gave the photographer (Trunk Xu) MAN, MANY, MANY, choices to choose from for which could be published in the official magazine spread, but a magazine only has so many pages 😂
Speaking of subscriptions, I just had a moment wherein I thought my iQiYi sub expired and almost had a heart attack XD Turns out, because I have different levels of subscriptions with the platform stacked on top of each other back-to-back (Premium & Standard), and they run consecutively, I am still good until 2025. Whew!! Close call hahaha @seeker
IU and Park Bo Gum seem like the type of people who easily make friends—good and true friends who become super close. Now add Lee Joon Gi to the mix and my heart just can’t take it 🥹🥹🥹♥️♥️♥️
I’m waiting for another IU & Lee Joon Gi drama to come my way. “Scarlet Heart: Ryeo”, still has my heart— it wasn’t the best drama, the writing was inconsistent, and a lot of the characters were unnecessary or miscast, but the leads were so, so, so, so, so good. The drama is definitely a case wherein the acting was better than the writing and hit all the right spots of pathos and ethos for me
Park Bo Gum seemed really really shy in Young Actors Retreat. But was also very close to his Moonlight Drawn by Clouds co-actors.
IU and Lee Joon Gi really elevated that drama – more than it probably deserved. 😅 But they needed to be seen and I so wish we can remember them together for a worthy drama.
Yea, PBG seems like the shy type, but it seems he also makes lasting friendships with his drama cast mates 🥰
Oh wow, I just checked and “Scarlet Heart: Ryeo” was 8 years ago!! Okay, that warms my heart even more and makes it even happier to know that IU and LJG have stayed such good friends and have been so consistently supportive of each other all these years. So sweet! It’s sort of like Lee Jong Suk and his cast mates of “I Hear Your Voice”, which also recently just celebrated together another anniversary of their drama’s airing 😊
“Soundtrack #1” ✅
Except for some very minor things (and maybe it’s just me), THIS is how you do a drama justice with the premise of romantic love sprouting from an existing long term friendship relationship between two people ♥️🥰
I’m starting to think that short Kdramas like this one is the way to go for me if ever go back to being consistent with my Kdrama watching again. Something between 4-8 episodes maximum
Yes! I actually love the KBS Specials— “If We Were a Season”, starring Chae Soo Bin, Jang Dong Yoon, and Jinyoung (former B1A4 member, not the GOT7 member) is actually one of my favourite ones
*fans self*
HOW DOES PARK HYUNG SIK DO IT???? Not even 10 minutes into Ep. 1 and I already see and feel where his character is going, but he does it in a way wherein it feels so authentic and heart-tugging and not annoying. Then, his eyes. HIS BEAUTIFUL, DEEP, and EMOTIVE EYES that I fall into time and time again 🫠🫠🫠
…. I’m okay! I’m on the floor, but I’m okay. I’ll be okay…
LOL!
You have not been subjected to the entirety of OBY, and episode 10 and 13 of Doctor Slump (at least that’s my guess.)
That man’s eyes should either be declared criminal or a national treasure.
I liked the ending! Sort of predictable, but this one isn’t done in an eye-rolling way. I love that it’s the FL who took on some of the heavy lifting to get their relationship to take another big step, because this entire time, it seemed like it was only the ML who took lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of tiny steps (like noticing her likes & dislikes, knowing that she’s a slob but he still loves her, knowing that she doesn’t have a habit of wearing a scarf, etc.)
It’s my comfort watch. Disclaimer: I watched the first time in English because I was still getting used to reading subtitles in a long series.
This was when I realized if you take away their original dialogue delivery, it simply crushes the magic. The difference is jarring (I must be been crazy to not listen to PHS saying his own lines, insert eye roll here).
This was also when I learnt ” Bwicchosso’ with tonal expressions in Korean does not directly translate into ‘This is crazy’. Doesn’t cut it, lol!
I have watched her make that speech, and him responding to it, I bet…20 times. Disney probably thinks I’m a sad and lonely person, but that scene just reduces me to utter blubber every time.
I agree!! I used watch lots of Japanese anime and animated movies (like the Studio Ghibli ones) dubbed and also used to watch Mainland Chinese dramas dubbed in Cantonese when I was younger and before I learned the Mandarin dialect, but I would never be able to go back and do all of that again and watch the stuff dubbed again. It has to be in the original audio and in the cast’s own voices— or at the least, in the same language and/or dialect of the original content (like how Mainland Chinese dramas are dubbed, but at least it’s dubbed in the original Chinese dialect)— for me to be able to fully enjoy something now. The only thing I am able to watch dubbed and not in its original language is Studio Ghibli’s “Howl’s Moving Castle”, just because when I first came upon that movie, I watched the American English dubbed version with Christian Bale as the one who dubbed the male lead character and I think he does a really good job with it
@attiton Seon-Ha it’s one of the most beautiful confessions in everything I have watched (the closest I can think of is actually a Hindi movie). I was so happy they gave her those lines because she is supposed to be a writer. Disney knows you are erudite and aware 🙂
I just about forgot that “Our Blooming Youth” is actually a Korean adaptation of a C-drama (originally a novel) that has yet to air, and just how fast the production of “Our Blooming Youth” dissociated itself from the Chinese drama after only saying it once in the VERY initial stages of production that it’s actually an adaptation of a Chinese work
The Chinese source material— specifically the Chinese drama remake of the original novel— had Kris Wu as the initial male lead. Filming with Kris Wu had just completed and the announcement of the drama was made by the production, and then his scandal broke out not long after. And not long after the announcement of the Chinese version wrapping up production with Yang Zi (the FL) and Kris Wu, the announcement of a Korean version—based off of the Chinese drama, and not the original Chinese novel— was made, and my guess is that at the time, the Korean producers hadn’t gotten the news about Kris Wu yet. Not long after THAT, the Korean producer’s finally realized about the whole Kris Wu situation, I guess, and were very quick to distance themselves from the Chinese production, even before the Korean production had an official press con about their own production
Re-shoots of the Chinese version with a new actor to replace Kris Wu were just completed late last year, so hopefully the production can now move on and move past what has happened and the drama can air soon!
Well, it was complicated lol.
The cdrama and kdrama adaptations of the source (the wonderful Chinese historical mystery novel (available in english) “The Golden Hairpin” by Qinghan CeCe had given me and many others agita.
How do I keep it short:
1. The novel was dramatized in China into a 60 episode series with Kris Wu as ML scheduled to air in 2021. Then the Kris Wu scandal blew up. That shelved the drama from airing. There are reports that TGH is on its way to finally being released.
2. When I first heard that there was to be Korean adaptation of “The Golden Hairpin” with Park Hyung-sik as lead I thought PHS was perfect casting for the Prince (ML). Things started to fall apart. Off the top of my head I recall SK/China tensions which made a straight adaptation not possible. TVING’s OUR BLOOMING YOUTH (2023) (Viki US) was the final product. Somewhat based on the original novel but very different. I made it through 14 of the 20 episodes and pulled the plug. A huge negative to me was making the Prince in the original into a Crown Prince in the SK version. In the original the Prince lived and operated outside the palace not so the case in the SK version.
The original novel was obviously set up for a sequel which I believe has been published. Iirc that is where any romance would have developed.
@cera, I wish the SK version had ‘honored’ and stuck closer to the source novel.
If and when the cdrama is sprung I will watch it if it is available on a legal stream.
(I am recalling this somewhat from memory. If others can fill in the blanks please do.)
Thank you for helping me understand. I find it very upsetting when an entire production has to suffer because of one person but at the same time I also understand how disrespectful it would be to continue because of that person. This is really a catch 22.
Yea, when there’s so many moving parts— such as the production of something in showbiz— and so many livelihoods are on the line—because, let’s face it, as glitzy as showbiz is on the outside, at the end of the day, it really is still a job for many who work behind the scenes— it really is difficult to find a balance. All there can be done is to minimize the damage to try to contain the damage to a minimum
Wow, I tried twice to reply and both time my comments were inexplicably flagged. Not sure how to comment now. But I liked your post and did have a supportive reply 😀
Aww thank you 🥰
Yea, I think DB has been getting glitchy with comments on Fan Walls again. If it was a longer reply, breaking it up into shorter and separate sections and posting that way might help mitigate the issue for now
I read the novel, and I like it better as a Tang Dynasty story. However, it didn’t translate well to Joseon, IMO. I wish they had kept it in the same era. Pick Shilla, Baekje, or Goguryeo. It’d work with either one.
Oh, I totally understand. What I thought “Scarlet Heart: Ryeo” did surprisingly well was finding an appropriate era of Korean history that matched up with its Chinese drama counterpart. I totally thought that OBY is on Netflix—which is where I would be watching it— but I just came to the realization that it’s not 😑 I am switching gears and am watching “Soundtrack #1” for the time being—because I have come to a tipping point and need Park Hyung Sik back in my life, somewhere somehow some way—as I weigh my options for how I’m going to watch “Our Blooming Youth”— either get the stupid Vicki subscription or go to the Dark Side (i.e. illegal sites) to watch it. I’m begrudgingly leaning towards the former, just because I really do not want to nor do I like to utilize illegal sites if I do not absolutely have to. It’s an occupational hazard— I come from a Public Relations/Communications background—and it’s been ingrained in me since university that the main channels are the way to go; it’s less fuss, less sketchy, and is the more ethical way to go… And the PR/Communications industry is heavy on the ethics, which I can actually understand and appreciate
I like dramas like this—not just “Soundtrack #1”— wherein it short and sweet, but the writing and the acting—sometimes it’s even solely just the acting— just sucks the viewers even without a full backstory, but because it’s so good, a backstory doesn’t even feel needed. I’ve had this great experience with some short K-dramas that are even shorter than “Soundtrack #1”— the one that sticks out most from the top of my memory is the short drama, a KBS Special, “If We Were a Season”, starring Chae Soo Bin, Jang Dong Yoon, and Jinyoung (former member of B1A4, not the one from GOT7 haha)
I do, too! But at the same time, I can’t let myself do another re-watch of the drama, or else I won’t be able to come out of that rabbit hole… I can’t allow myself to re-watch it again until I am ready. Wei Wu Xian will forever be a precious permanent fixture in my heart ♥️
I might have looped this YT Short a few more times than considered healthy… The way he pronounces “Quatre” 🫠🫠🫠 I almost didn’t catch it because he said it so effortlessly
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 30, 2024 at 6:01 PM
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 30, 2024 at 7:06 PM
Here @seeker no need to go back to the go if you don’t want to. Just come here directly 😏
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 30, 2024 at 7:06 PM
*video
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 30, 2024 at 7:17 PM
I legit fell down my chair!? 🤯♥️👌🤭👏👌
I must say your fan service in unparalleled. I clicked on the notification with the mention of my name and when I scolled up … I may have disturbed the peace. 😳
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 30, 2024 at 7:56 PM
Oh my goodness , are you okay??
Maybe I should start putting disclaimers in the things I tag you in from now on, just so you’re prepared 😅
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 31, 2024 at 3:18 AM
No, no. It’s fine. I do know what to expect when I click on your notifications but still it is a shock each time. 😊 I never knew beauty could be so shocking!?
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 31, 2024 at 4:34 PM
@seeker And as you can see, he’s far from doing anything in particular or on purpose to make himself look “good-looking” or “sexy”, etc. He’s literally just being his (freaking adorable) self! He really doesn’t need to even try— although, we KNOW when he is lol, like his GQ magazine photo spread— and he just kills people with his genuineness and natural beauty (I don’t even think he’s wearing that much makeup here, probably just a base layer of concealer or foundation)
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 31, 2024 at 7:21 PM
It would be funny to model for nightwear in a full face of makeup but then again we’ve seen all that and more in dramas. 🤣
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 30, 2024 at 7:19 PM
Thank you for your hard work in making this gif. I know it’s not an easy process and I must confess this and that snow flower ones are my all time favorites.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 30, 2024 at 7:57 PM
Where there’s a wil, there’s a way 😅🙈♥️😘🌹
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 31, 2024 at 3:19 AM
👌👏💯😍🙏
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 31, 2024 at 11:17 AM
Oh! and updated display picture too. 🧐🤭😊
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 31, 2024 at 11:20 AM
I just had to. Like, LOOKIT HIM 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹😘😘😘😘😘😘😘
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 31, 2024 at 11:21 AM
💯♥️👍👏👌
I’m on board with it!!
kiara
March 31, 2024 at 5:53 PM
😘
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 30, 2024 at 8:24 AM
He’s so soft 🥺🥺🥺 The 8 seconds mark— I can’t even ahhhh
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 30, 2024 at 11:31 AM
😭😭😭
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 30, 2024 at 1:25 PM
RIGHT?? He has no care for my poor heart 🥺🥺🥺🫠🫠🫠
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 30, 2024 at 7:03 PM
I confess … I may have seen that a little more than 8 times. So much so that the ♾ had to lie down to rest. 🤭 Then I saw you had mentioned the “exact” time stamp with I was only able to figure out after
manyfew watches.Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 30, 2024 at 7:04 PM
He will do that to you 🫣😅🫠🥰
zindigo
March 30, 2024 at 12:07 PM
You are so cute with your fan-girling 🤗
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 30, 2024 at 1:23 PM
😅😅🙈🙈☺️☺️
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 29, 2024 at 7:50 PM
New endorsement announcement (with MIIOW). I never knew I needed to see him in silk pyjamas, but here we are 😍🥰
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 29, 2024 at 10:02 PM
🤭 Well … silk PJs is a vibe.ooks fancy enough to lounge in all day. 😊
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 29, 2024 at 10:02 PM
* Looks
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 29, 2024 at 10:13 PM
Oh my goodness YESSS huge lounging feels
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 29, 2024 at 6:35 PM
I keep mistaking the screenshots of Lee Jae Wook on DB as Jung Hae In and now I really miss Jung Hae In. Jung Hae In new drama with Jung So Min come faster, please!! 🥹🥹
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 23, 2024 at 9:33 AM
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 27, 2024 at 9:54 AM
That scholarly look!! 🔥
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 27, 2024 at 10:16 AM
🔥 is right!!
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 23, 2024 at 9:32 AM
He has no business looking this good tryna sell eyewear 🫠🫠🫠
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 27, 2024 at 9:54 AM
Hahaha! SOLD!!
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 27, 2024 at 10:17 AM
RIGHT!?!? Sheesh this guy
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 13, 2024 at 9:24 PM
Question:
Has anyone ever looked at a picture of something or someone and suddenly felt shy and bashful?? Because I just did with this pic ☺️🙈♥️♥️♥️
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 14, 2024 at 8:15 AM
Hehehe … I saw it on Tumblr and went Hmmmmm!! I almost wanted to post it for you but then I thought if there was anything out there the first person to see / post it would be you. 😊👐
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 14, 2024 at 8:57 AM
🙈🙈🙈🙈🫣🫣🫣🫣
Thank you for thinking of me ♥️♥️♥️ Hahaha I’ve done it, haven’t I? I’ve now basically steered people to think of me when they see him or think of him when they see me…. Oops 😅
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 14, 2024 at 8:59 AM
Match made in heaven!! 🙌
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 14, 2024 at 9:08 AM
🫠🫠🫠🫠 If only…
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 14, 2024 at 9:26 AM
💯♥️
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 14, 2024 at 11:10 AM
You know it just struck me its been a month since your Love February posts … how time flies. 🤷♀️ I really liked them all and in case you want to write about something or anything that strikes your fancy … you’ll have an audience here at DB eagerly waiting to read your posts. 🙋♀️🥰🤗
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 14, 2024 at 11:27 AM
Awww you’re always so sweet and encouraging with the right amount of positive reinforcement ♥️♥️ I know I can always be safe with you in what I share, and for that, I can’t thank you enough, Cera 🥰🥰🥰
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 14, 2024 at 11:52 AM
🤗🥰
zindigo
March 14, 2024 at 11:33 AM
This is actually a startling picture that raises a lot of different emotions. My first thought was that he looks lonely and vulnerable. But there’s also deep thought and patience here too. Also, with half his face in shadow, it feels like he carefully protects his inner world. It’s amazing what can be conveyed in a single frame of a moment in time.
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 14, 2024 at 11:53 AM
Wow … I love your analysis. His pictures have a wonderful play of light and shadow. And as we’ve always heard – a picture can say a thousand words.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 14, 2024 at 1:20 PM
THIS ^
Now I’m curious to know what @zindigo thinks of the rest of the B-cuts of the photo spread. Feel free to creep my Fan Wall to find it lol The one that evokes all of the same thoughts that you mentioned is actually the black and white one of him sitting on the floor (found here in this batch: https://www.dramabeans.com/members/bebeswtz/activity/1549117/). This one makes me wanna go up and sit with him, ask him “What’s up?” and sit with him for a while just to listen to him share and talk
zindigo
March 14, 2024 at 5:37 PM
Hmmm… I don’t have the same reaction to the modeling shots. While the picture above is clearly artistic, it’s a candid shot, so it captures real emotions. When he’s modeling, he’s wearing whatever “face” they ask him to.
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 15, 2024 at 8:55 AM
That is such an astute observation. 👏
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 15, 2024 at 8:58 AM
It’s true that there is a noticeable–sometimes even stark– difference in the candid shots versus the modelled shots from him– and this difference is very noticeable even in other photo spreads and shoots he’s done previously– but that black and white pic of him sitting on the floor still speaks to me in an emotional way 🥹
zindigo
March 15, 2024 at 9:43 AM
@bebeswtz All I really know about him is from what you post. I recall you mentioning that he’s had to go it alone in promoting his career. Coupled with the constraints of his nationality on the international stage, one has to conclude that he is a very unique and self-empowered individual. I can only imagine the inner strength he must have to go as far as he has already at his age while still retaining control over his image, reputation, and project choices. Even in the modeling shots, the photographers have chosen to capture and highlight this vibration, and it’s very effective.
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 15, 2024 at 9:46 AM
^^ You really have a way with words. 😍 Beautifully expressed.
zindigo
March 15, 2024 at 10:03 AM
@Seeker Thank you! 🤗
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 15, 2024 at 10:04 AM
😊👌
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 15, 2024 at 9:14 AM
^^ I agree there is something very arresting about that picture.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 9:14 AM
#1 in overall trends on Weibo (China’s amalgamation of FB & IG) and #3 in Entertainment News trends:
“XZ Studio is preventing people from sleeping”
OMG I can’t stop laughing
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:14 AM
Just too apt. 👏👏👏 Did they publish it at night-time in China.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 10:24 AM
The pics were posted and published in China 3 hours ago, which would have been around 10/10:30PM China Standard Time.
China, despite being such a big and vast country, only has one single time zone, and that is China Standard Time
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:27 AM
And that would be tues night right. Hehehe … at least they didn’t post it on Sunday night.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 10:32 AM
Yes, their Tuesday
Hahahahaha Perhaps they wanted those who practice Daylight Savings to adjust before posting. It’s definitely helped to wake me up and keep me alert whilst still feeling a tiny bit jet lagged from having to readjust my clock
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:37 AM
Sounds legit. After all they need to think of fans world over. 👍👏
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 9:08 AM
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:13 AM
I guess that’s what they call picture perfect!!
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 10:21 AM
💯
And photographers who work with Xiao Zhan all collectively repeatedly saying that the work they do with him and the shots they take of him hardly need any touching up and photoshop work done to them solidifies this even more
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:30 AM
It is obvious. In this day and age of “photo manipulation” his pics stand out starkly. In fact even in the earlier sepia and blue tinge set it was obvious that his face / body was hardly touched. All the work was done in setting the tone.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 10:37 AM
It’s a double edged sword:
Sure, it’s something to be carefully happy and proud of that industry professionals don’t see nor feel the need to “clean up”/photoshop his photos that much— if at all— when working with him, and I’m glad XZ himself doesn’t even touch on the subject— he just shyly and humbly says “Thank you” or smiles it off— because it is a very sensitive subject when showbiz is all about appearances and obsessing over youth, beauty, vanity, and perfection.
That guy right there in the pics? He only thinks of himself as a 6/10 🥹🥹🥹
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:38 AM
Huh … does he need an eye exam!! Well it’s better to fly a little under the radar as much as possible.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 10:44 AM
He’s a precious near-sighted bunny 🐰 Maybe he cant see himself clearly XD
Very true! Especially in showbiz of (South) East Asian culture, wherein humility and humbleness is ingrained in the culture itself and is very easily applied and appreciated in the workplace. Many people don’t see celebrity-hood as just a job, which I think is a very dangerous way to approach things, especially in fandom
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:49 AM
I know you always say that there is a trend of “fanatic fans”. Can I ask a rookie question. Do you think celebrities tend to think of themselves as needing to cater to the fans above and beyond the work that they do.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 11:13 AM
@seeker
I think some celebrities will think that— there will always be celebrities who think that, it’s what I feel like the entire celebrity/fan culture of South Korea is like— and I do think that, to a degree, it is a universal thing that happens, regardless of the geographic location (i.e. China, Korea, Hollywood, etc.). It’s just a matter of intensity and the age bracket of fans who are drawn to that and the celebrity who chooses to feed off of that as a way to drive their career (for popularity for a way to feel liked and as a measure of their success) or as a way to thank fan. The latter is how I think Xiao Zhan does it, and I think he knows where and when to draw the line and doesn’t think of it as an overarching obligation to do it nor does he use it as a measure for popularity and success, but he does it as an an action meant to be an outpouring of gratitude and love for his fans who have given love to him. Time and time again, he has always told his fans to always, always, always, prioritize their own personal lives and their own successes before turning to him and go “star (celebrity) chasing” over him. At the same time, many fans have expressed that their success and their happiness has been brought out after some tough times because they discovered him and look to him as motivation—as a good person and as a successful person— to do better and to be better in life
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 11:40 AM
Thank you for a very thoughtful answer. I agree celebrities worldwide do tend to “pander” to their fans to an extent but I was just wondering do they always have to wear that invisible cloak of stardom or do they get to disassociate themselves from the star and live like a normal person at times.
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 11:41 AM
Just get off the clock at times?
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 12:35 PM
@seeker I think that is up to the celeb themselves. At the same time, it is also different preferences in culture. Specific to South Korea and China, the standard for celebrity-hood is a bit more tight compared to—say— Hollywood:
– Because South Korea has such a strong culture of keeping up appearances, the expectation is that celebrities are put on an unreasonable level of influence and a ridiculously high pedestal, so everything they do is scrutinized, even the things in their private lives. It’s a bit scary, because the trend in Korea is that whatever is popular, whatever is pretty, whatever is trending at the time, everyone in Korea will have to have it, do it, eat it, breathe it, and 99% of these things come from celebrities. In turn, that also means celebrities have an extremely high level of influence on the next generation, so if a celebrity decides to do something stupid, there is more than likely a chance that a portion of the population will follow suit and not think twice about it. On the flip side of that is their extreme cancel culture and strong court of public opinion that can and will break someone down
In China, much is the same, but at the same time, it is much more controlled and regulated and there is no court of public opinion. In China, a celebrity isn’t just seen as a public figure, they are also regarded by the government as a civil servant (a.k.a. An extension of being a government official), and are held at that same standard. This is where things differ a little bit from South Korea:
Wherein South Korea’s cancel culture comes from the people (citizens), the cancel culture of China is ignited and put into action by the Chinese government. Sure, there may be some horrible, horrible netizens in China— like everywhere else in the world— who will spew vitriol, but the ultimate threat to a celebrity’s career and status as a public figure in China ultimately still lies in the hands of the government. On the flip side, if something were to happen to a Chinese celeb and they were/are being wrongly treated—cyber-bullied, defamed, etc.— the government will step in and help to bring that celebrity out of the situation, especially if/when that celebrity has been proven to have done nothing wrong
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 1:02 PM
Thank you. You always explain so beautifully. I guess that is why the need to apologize to fans for “dating” seems so weird but is normal or expected behavior in SK and perhaps China too.
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 1:07 PM
The “burden” of being a celebrity is much more. Now I understand why you say that it is difficult especially for young celebrities to differentiate between their job and personal life.
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:41 AM
Fun story – my mom stopped in front of a Nars store and asked me if this was the brand he endorsed. She had seen me mooning over those pics and was quick to recognize him. 😂
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 10:44 AM
Oh oh oh!!! Has he gained another Mama fan??
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:47 AM
My Mom has a rather refined taste … this is the first time she has recognized someone so instantly!!
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 11:02 AM
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 9:07 AM
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:11 AM
The hair in pic 1 … 🤪 its as if it’s carved!! 😍
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 10:19 AM
LOL 😂 It’s gelled up a little TOO perfectly and statue- esque
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:31 AM
Gelled and painstakingly set up via back comb!!
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 10:37 AM
Imagine the work his stylist—and maybe the stylist for the photoshoot, if they had one— had to do that day hahaha
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:44 AM
Well it is a piece of art to be sure.
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:12 AM
I love the way the mirror is used to give different perspectives. An inspired choice. 👐
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 10:19 AM
Yes!! That’s why I don’t get bored even if multiple shots are taken with the same backdrop
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:32 AM
It gives dimension to the photos.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 10:38 AM
Yesss
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:42 AM
🤩
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 9:06 AM
XZ Studio posted some B-cuts (unpublished material) from XZ’s GQ Magazine photoshoot. Unfiltered, so none of the blue tinge or sepia palette we got from the published photo spread
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:09 AM
So much more beautiful. 😍
The things he does to the mirror … hehe! Beautiful, beautiful.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 10:17 AM
Right?? So much better without the colour filters
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:24 AM
Much, much better. Just like I suspected. 😂
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 10:28 AM
It also shows off the beautiful colours of the garments better, too!!
Now that I can actually SEE the colour without the filter, the maroon-ish/deep red colour of his suit in pic #4 is actually the “it” colour of Gucci (for which he is a Global Brand Spokesperson for) and the featured colour of the brand’s newest collection, “Gucci Ancora”
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:34 AM
Yes … even I thought for a moment oh! is it a new outfit then I remembered no the pictures were tinted.
Lovely color and lovely name.
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:10 AM
I like how they call it B-cuts. IMO its A+. ♥️😊
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 10:18 AM
😏
I’m sure he did very well at the photoshoot and gave the photographer (Trunk Xu) MAN, MANY, MANY, choices to choose from for which could be published in the official magazine spread, but a magazine only has so many pages 😂
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:25 AM
No worries … all the rest B to Z cuts can have a place in his fans’ hearts.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 12, 2024 at 10:29 AM
I’m pretty sure XZ Studio has more in their stockpile that they’re going to randomly release over time, like these ones lol
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 12, 2024 at 10:34 AM
Waiting eagerly!!
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 11, 2024 at 3:01 PM
Speaking of subscriptions, I just had a moment wherein I thought my iQiYi sub expired and almost had a heart attack XD Turns out, because I have different levels of subscriptions with the platform stacked on top of each other back-to-back (Premium & Standard), and they run consecutively, I am still good until 2025. Whew!! Close call hahaha
@seeker
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 11, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Different *annual* subscriptions
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 11, 2024 at 7:50 PM
I hope you get to watch lots of dramas you enjoy and which give you pleasure. 😊👏
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 11, 2024 at 7:53 PM
♥️♥️
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 11, 2024 at 11:12 AM
This makes my heart happy 🥰🥰
https://www.soompi.com/article/1647873wpp/lee-joon-gi-reunites-with-iu-backstage-her-concert-also-poses-with-park-bo-gum
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 11, 2024 at 11:46 AM
And how cute are they! ♥️😍🥳
@Reply1988 – see someone is wishing you luck on managing his Fan Club.
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
March 11, 2024 at 12:01 PM
Cute!
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 11, 2024 at 12:05 PM
Comment was deleted
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 11, 2024 at 12:06 PM
IU and Park Bo Gum seem like the type of people who easily make friends—good and true friends who become super close. Now add Lee Joon Gi to the mix and my heart just can’t take it 🥹🥹🥹♥️♥️♥️
I’m waiting for another IU & Lee Joon Gi drama to come my way. “Scarlet Heart: Ryeo”, still has my heart— it wasn’t the best drama, the writing was inconsistent, and a lot of the characters were unnecessary or miscast, but the leads were so, so, so, so, so good. The drama is definitely a case wherein the acting was better than the writing and hit all the right spots of pathos and ethos for me
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 11, 2024 at 12:13 PM
Park Bo Gum seemed really really shy in Young Actors Retreat. But was also very close to his Moonlight Drawn by Clouds co-actors.
IU and Lee Joon Gi really elevated that drama – more than it probably deserved. 😅 But they needed to be seen and I so wish we can remember them together for a worthy drama.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 11, 2024 at 12:27 PM
Yea, PBG seems like the shy type, but it seems he also makes lasting friendships with his drama cast mates 🥰
Oh wow, I just checked and “Scarlet Heart: Ryeo” was 8 years ago!! Okay, that warms my heart even more and makes it even happier to know that IU and LJG have stayed such good friends and have been so consistently supportive of each other all these years. So sweet! It’s sort of like Lee Jong Suk and his cast mates of “I Hear Your Voice”, which also recently just celebrated together another anniversary of their drama’s airing 😊
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 11, 2024 at 12:36 PM
It is awesome to see these RL friendships. We all need friends but those in showbiz even more so. 😅😊
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
March 11, 2024 at 12:01 PM
Thanks for sharing the joy🥰
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 6:49 PM
“Soundtrack #1” ✅
Except for some very minor things (and maybe it’s just me), THIS is how you do a drama justice with the premise of romantic love sprouting from an existing long term friendship relationship between two people ♥️🥰
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
March 9, 2024 at 7:40 PM
i am so pleased to hear another beanie has joined our small Soundtrack#1 fan club🥰.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 7:58 PM
I went into it for Park Hyung Sik and came out of it with renewed and increased love for him and a newfound love for Han So Hee 🥰🥰🥰
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 9, 2024 at 9:49 PM
🫂
Ally
March 9, 2024 at 8:05 PM
I really liked this one too.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 8:28 PM
I’m starting to think that short Kdramas like this one is the way to go for me if ever go back to being consistent with my Kdrama watching again. Something between 4-8 episodes maximum
Ally
March 10, 2024 at 8:15 AM
So KBS specials, web dramas, and BL’s? Those are all shorter.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 10, 2024 at 8:40 AM
Yes! I actually love the KBS Specials— “If We Were a Season”, starring Chae Soo Bin, Jang Dong Yoon, and Jinyoung (former B1A4 member, not the GOT7 member) is actually one of my favourite ones
Ally
March 10, 2024 at 11:14 AM
Yes. I’m familiar with both Jinyoung’s! 😂
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 10, 2024 at 1:03 PM
This is what happens with people whom have the same name— gotta specify!! 😂
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 4:09 PM
… And then HER MOM!!! Her mom is so awesome!!! 🥹🥹🥹🥹 SO SUPPORTIVE OF HIM ahhhhhh
And then…. And then, we get swoony eyes at dinner!!!!! Ahhh
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 9, 2024 at 9:48 PM
🤷♀️ dramaland motivations!
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 10:02 PM
Her mom should be made the Dramaland Standard OMG 👏🏻
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 9, 2024 at 10:45 PM
Yay yah!! 🎉
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 4:04 PM
“Soundtrack #1”, Ep. 2
The way he said “Bingo”
🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 9, 2024 at 9:23 PM
Hehehe
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 9:45 PM
🙈
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 9, 2024 at 10:45 PM
🫶
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 1:03 PM
“Soundtrack #1”, Ep. 1
*fans self*
HOW DOES PARK HYUNG SIK DO IT???? Not even 10 minutes into Ep. 1 and I already see and feel where his character is going, but he does it in a way wherein it feels so authentic and heart-tugging and not annoying. Then, his eyes. HIS BEAUTIFUL, DEEP, and EMOTIVE EYES that I fall into time and time again 🫠🫠🫠
…. I’m okay! I’m on the floor, but I’m okay. I’ll be okay…
Minnie🫘👩🏻🚀Pioneer and Teacher 👩🏻🏫🌱🏹
March 9, 2024 at 2:10 PM
LOL!
You have not been subjected to the entirety of OBY, and episode 10 and 13 of Doctor Slump (at least that’s my guess.)
That man’s eyes should either be declared criminal or a national treasure.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 2:26 PM
I’ve been there with “Hwarang”, “Strong Woman, Do Bong Soon”, “Heirs” and parts of “High Society” 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 2:26 PM
And I agree— it’s illegal, but at the the same time, definitely a national treasure
Seon-ha
March 9, 2024 at 2:29 PM
Just you wait until the end of S#1…this show is a doozy. You’re gonna love it.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 2:34 PM
😍😍😍
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 10, 2024 at 8:02 AM
I liked the ending! Sort of predictable, but this one isn’t done in an eye-rolling way. I love that it’s the FL who took on some of the heavy lifting to get their relationship to take another big step, because this entire time, it seemed like it was only the ML who took lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of tiny steps (like noticing her likes & dislikes, knowing that she’s a slob but he still loves her, knowing that she doesn’t have a habit of wearing a scarf, etc.)
Minnie🫘👩🏻🚀Pioneer and Teacher 👩🏻🏫🌱🏹
March 10, 2024 at 8:09 AM
It’s my comfort watch. Disclaimer: I watched the first time in English because I was still getting used to reading subtitles in a long series.
This was when I realized if you take away their original dialogue delivery, it simply crushes the magic. The difference is jarring (I must be been crazy to not listen to PHS saying his own lines, insert eye roll here).
This was also when I learnt ” Bwicchosso’ with tonal expressions in Korean does not directly translate into ‘This is crazy’. Doesn’t cut it, lol!
Seon-ha
March 10, 2024 at 8:12 AM
I have watched her make that speech, and him responding to it, I bet…20 times. Disney probably thinks I’m a sad and lonely person, but that scene just reduces me to utter blubber every time.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 10, 2024 at 8:46 AM
I agree!! I used watch lots of Japanese anime and animated movies (like the Studio Ghibli ones) dubbed and also used to watch Mainland Chinese dramas dubbed in Cantonese when I was younger and before I learned the Mandarin dialect, but I would never be able to go back and do all of that again and watch the stuff dubbed again. It has to be in the original audio and in the cast’s own voices— or at the least, in the same language and/or dialect of the original content (like how Mainland Chinese dramas are dubbed, but at least it’s dubbed in the original Chinese dialect)— for me to be able to fully enjoy something now. The only thing I am able to watch dubbed and not in its original language is Studio Ghibli’s “Howl’s Moving Castle”, just because when I first came upon that movie, I watched the American English dubbed version with Christian Bale as the one who dubbed the male lead character and I think he does a really good job with it
Minnie🫘👩🏻🚀Pioneer and Teacher 👩🏻🏫🌱🏹
March 10, 2024 at 8:49 AM
@attiton Seon-Ha it’s one of the most beautiful confessions in everything I have watched (the closest I can think of is actually a Hindi movie). I was so happy they gave her those lines because she is supposed to be a writer. Disney knows you are erudite and aware 🙂
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 9, 2024 at 9:17 PM
It’s never to late to join the party!! 🥳 Best use of the subscription. 💯😍👌
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 9:20 AM
I just about forgot that “Our Blooming Youth” is actually a Korean adaptation of a C-drama (originally a novel) that has yet to air, and just how fast the production of “Our Blooming Youth” dissociated itself from the Chinese drama after only saying it once in the VERY initial stages of production that it’s actually an adaptation of a Chinese work
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 9, 2024 at 9:59 AM
😳 omo … why not acknowledge (and honor) the source material⁉️
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 10:59 AM
The Chinese source material— specifically the Chinese drama remake of the original novel— had Kris Wu as the initial male lead. Filming with Kris Wu had just completed and the announcement of the drama was made by the production, and then his scandal broke out not long after. And not long after the announcement of the Chinese version wrapping up production with Yang Zi (the FL) and Kris Wu, the announcement of a Korean version—based off of the Chinese drama, and not the original Chinese novel— was made, and my guess is that at the time, the Korean producers hadn’t gotten the news about Kris Wu yet. Not long after THAT, the Korean producer’s finally realized about the whole Kris Wu situation, I guess, and were very quick to distance themselves from the Chinese production, even before the Korean production had an official press con about their own production
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 11:03 AM
Re-shoots of the Chinese version with a new actor to replace Kris Wu were just completed late last year, so hopefully the production can now move on and move past what has happened and the drama can air soon!
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 9, 2024 at 11:09 AM
That’s good. I hope the production does really well.
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 9, 2024 at 11:08 AM
Oh! Guess that makes sense. Thank you for the heads-up. 😊
bong-soo
March 9, 2024 at 11:25 AM
Well, it was complicated lol.
The cdrama and kdrama adaptations of the source (the wonderful Chinese historical mystery novel (available in english) “The Golden Hairpin” by Qinghan CeCe had given me and many others agita.
How do I keep it short:
1. The novel was dramatized in China into a 60 episode series with Kris Wu as ML scheduled to air in 2021. Then the Kris Wu scandal blew up. That shelved the drama from airing. There are reports that TGH is on its way to finally being released.
2. When I first heard that there was to be Korean adaptation of “The Golden Hairpin” with Park Hyung-sik as lead I thought PHS was perfect casting for the Prince (ML). Things started to fall apart. Off the top of my head I recall SK/China tensions which made a straight adaptation not possible. TVING’s OUR BLOOMING YOUTH (2023) (Viki US) was the final product. Somewhat based on the original novel but very different. I made it through 14 of the 20 episodes and pulled the plug. A huge negative to me was making the Prince in the original into a Crown Prince in the SK version. In the original the Prince lived and operated outside the palace not so the case in the SK version.
The original novel was obviously set up for a sequel which I believe has been published. Iirc that is where any romance would have developed.
@cera, I wish the SK version had ‘honored’ and stuck closer to the source novel.
If and when the cdrama is sprung I will watch it if it is available on a legal stream.
(I am recalling this somewhat from memory. If others can fill in the blanks please do.)
bong-soo
March 9, 2024 at 11:36 AM
While I was composing my comment Bebe ⬆️ filled in the back story.
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 9, 2024 at 11:54 AM
Thank you for helping me understand. I find it very upsetting when an entire production has to suffer because of one person but at the same time I also understand how disrespectful it would be to continue because of that person. This is really a catch 22.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 12:11 PM
Yea, when there’s so many moving parts— such as the production of something in showbiz— and so many livelihoods are on the line—because, let’s face it, as glitzy as showbiz is on the outside, at the end of the day, it really is still a job for many who work behind the scenes— it really is difficult to find a balance. All there can be done is to minimize the damage to try to contain the damage to a minimum
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 12:12 PM
I’m just glad that the culture of “guilty by association” isn’t as strong in China as it is in S.Korea when things happen
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 9, 2024 at 12:23 PM
The crew is the one who suffers the most.
zindigo
March 9, 2024 at 12:51 PM
Wow, I tried twice to reply and both time my comments were inexplicably flagged. Not sure how to comment now. But I liked your post and did have a supportive reply 😀
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 1:05 PM
Aww thank you 🥰
Yea, I think DB has been getting glitchy with comments on Fan Walls again. If it was a longer reply, breaking it up into shorter and separate sections and posting that way might help mitigate the issue for now
kiara
March 9, 2024 at 12:58 PM
I read the novel, and I like it better as a Tang Dynasty story. However, it didn’t translate well to Joseon, IMO. I wish they had kept it in the same era. Pick Shilla, Baekje, or Goguryeo. It’d work with either one.
I’m still waiting for the original to air.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 1:11 PM
Comment was deleted
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 1:14 PM
Oh, I totally understand. What I thought “Scarlet Heart: Ryeo” did surprisingly well was finding an appropriate era of Korean history that matched up with its Chinese drama counterpart. I totally thought that OBY is on Netflix—which is where I would be watching it— but I just came to the realization that it’s not 😑 I am switching gears and am watching “Soundtrack #1” for the time being—because I have come to a tipping point and need Park Hyung Sik back in my life, somewhere somehow some way—as I weigh my options for how I’m going to watch “Our Blooming Youth”— either get the stupid Vicki subscription or go to the Dark Side (i.e. illegal sites) to watch it. I’m begrudgingly leaning towards the former, just because I really do not want to nor do I like to utilize illegal sites if I do not absolutely have to. It’s an occupational hazard— I come from a Public Relations/Communications background—and it’s been ingrained in me since university that the main channels are the way to go; it’s less fuss, less sketchy, and is the more ethical way to go… And the PR/Communications industry is heavy on the ethics, which I can actually understand and appreciate
zindigo
March 9, 2024 at 1:56 PM
I loved Soundtrack #1! It’s short, but it’s beautifully produced. Personally, I loved the simple and sweet story. And it’s perfect for PHS fans 😉
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 2:32 PM
I like dramas like this—not just “Soundtrack #1”— wherein it short and sweet, but the writing and the acting—sometimes it’s even solely just the acting— just sucks the viewers even without a full backstory, but because it’s so good, a backstory doesn’t even feel needed. I’ve had this great experience with some short K-dramas that are even shorter than “Soundtrack #1”— the one that sticks out most from the top of my memory is the short drama, a KBS Special, “If We Were a Season”, starring Chae Soo Bin, Jang Dong Yoon, and Jinyoung (former member of B1A4, not the one from GOT7 haha)
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 8, 2024 at 1:32 PM
@kiara
https://x.com/xztheatreactor/status/1766074398941855884?s=46
kiara
March 8, 2024 at 5:40 PM
Thank you! ❤️
I miss Wei Wuxian.
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 8, 2024 at 7:28 PM
I do, too! But at the same time, I can’t let myself do another re-watch of the drama, or else I won’t be able to come out of that rabbit hole… I can’t allow myself to re-watch it again until I am ready. Wei Wu Xian will forever be a precious permanent fixture in my heart ♥️
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 9, 2024 at 10:08 AM
What lovely pockets. 😍👌
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 7, 2024 at 8:41 PM
I might have looped this YT Short a few more times than considered healthy… The way he pronounces “Quatre” 🫠🫠🫠 I almost didn’t catch it because he said it so effortlessly
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 9, 2024 at 9:56 AM
😍 Oooh! He is beyond cute!! 👐🥳
Bebe | Nessa❣️
March 9, 2024 at 9:59 AM
He’s definitely got many sides to him, and cute is one of them, yes 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥹🥹🥹🥹♥️♥️♥️♥️
🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
March 9, 2024 at 10:21 AM
Hehehe