Beanie level: Unemployed slacker in a sparkly tracksuit

@eazal And whoever else is interested, this came under my suggestions on YT

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    This video is so cute!

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    Thank you! Taecyeon is such a hoot. Describing Heartbeat as a light, fun rom-com⁉️ What script were you given Taec. 🤯 I loled that he was just as amazed that it would be airing on Prime. That AOL diss was just too good. 😭

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    I remember watching this back when it was released. So funny in retrospect. Eric is a great interviewer. I always click when his videos popup in my feed.

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    They are adorable!! My cutie Dumbo ears!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

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      I will admit, I did not like Taec at the very beginning, least of which was when after Jay Park left. The first few years after Jay Park left were probably my worse years with Taec. I get that he stepped up and took the role of “leader”, but he was VERY arrogant, rude, and disrespectful about it. I think transitioning more to K-dramaland and working with so many seniors and veterans on the K-drama side of things definitely helped and gave him a big dose of humble soup, especially in S.Korea, wherein seniority is such a huge thing in their working culture

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@seeker @reply1988

The multiple interviews he did during Milan Fashion Week are rolling in— I love listening to him talk:

1. Marie Claire for TOD’s – https://youtu.be/p9D6J87fvjE?si=DJxbTAjOeGRDhtyP
2. VOGUE for TOD’s – https://youtu.be/CQ6zsjnE3T0?si=kUoUrwPPhBMvhUQa
3. V China Magazine for Gucci – https://youtu.be/lbjNpdfsaEk?si=eh7x_Il_xfZ1DPxi
4. Tencent for Gucci – https://youtu.be/pivvfUwYkhU?si=cM3WbwYoAstYdhvz

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He changed his flight and stayed another 2 days. My guess is that he only brought one set of PJs lol THE COLOURS OF THAT SKY THOUGH 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
@seeker @reply1988

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Good morning and happy Sunday to y’all too LOL 🤣

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@seeker Volume 2: Part 2

That’s it! 💙

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    Beautiful, beautiful, still more beautiful. 😍 😊

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      I love that he chose to go to a place with traditional architecture to use as the background—instead of staying in the city with all the lights and cars for this shoot— which suits the occasion, being that he did this as a part of his Lunar New Year greeting. Again, very meticulous and thoughtful in the details

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        Each and every little detail is so thoughtful. As you kindly explained to me, the doorway messages, hanging spices, each and everything is meaningful.

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    I never knew blue (jacket) and white (snow) is my favorite combination. 😘 💙 ❄

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@seeker Volume 2 of the overall photoshoot starts here

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@seeker Part 4
This was all a part of his Lunar New Year Studio photo shoot last year (2023)

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    Oh! It’s a rabbit and not a fish?

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      Yes!! It’s a rabbit! Last year was the Year of the Rabbit in Chinese zodiacal custom for the Lunar New Year. At the same time, it’s also another subtle nod to fans, who endearingly have nicknamed him “bunny” or “bunny boy” because of his 2 front bunny teeth. It’s also why you will sometimes see bunnies or rabbits in his doodles or drawings and it may seem random, but it’s because of this little tidbit between him and his fans

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      Comment was deleted

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    Okay so I recognize the candied dates and the fish, what is hanging in the last pic?

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      It’s strings of dried chili peppers! In Mexican tradition, it’s a sign of welcoming guests into the home. In Chinese tradition, it’s a sign of good luck and protection

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        I thought so but wasn’t sure. They’ve been tied so beautifully. Also what are those white ones in the back.

        Thank you for always patiently and carefully answering all my ignorant questions. 😅 Your consideration is much appreciated. ❤

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          No worries!! It’s because you’re interested and that’s why you’re asking. I can’t complain about someone who’s interested in my culture ♥️ Especially not now, when Chinese culture and it’s peoples are treated as punching bags and/or actually getting racially attacked at every corner for one reason or another— most of which are people who keep saying, “Love the people (the Chinese people), but hate the government”, but end up hating both DX

          I’m not sure what the brown ones in the back are, but the white bulbous ones in the back should be garlic. In Chinese culture, hanging strings of garlic at the doorstep means to ward off thieves— and I mean, if you use it to whack the thieves hard enough, it just might work!! Hahaha 😂

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            I think ‘they’ cycle through who are the ethnic group to hate this week, with 9/11 it was any person who could be a Muslim, with Covid it was anyone who could be Chinese. African or Caribbean we are just the background public enemy no 1 and the people to be measured against e.g. ‘as long as you’re not black or too brown you’re okish’ and never ever bring one of us home as a potential partner unless you want to be disowned or married off to someone else asap.

            It’s a sad world we live in 😞

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            @reply1988 💯 There will never be a 100% win-win situation

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            Thank you!! I appreciate your thoughtful responses and yes I am very interested in many things and keep asking questions – that is why I’m seeker and not because of Harry Potter. 😊

            If the garlic is pungent enough they may just faint. 😂
            Ķ

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            This mindless discrimination against people is also because no one actually takes the time to learn about “others”. IMO there are no others because at the end of the day we are all human. All cultures have deep rooted meaningful traditions and practices, which are all lessening with “modernization”. But it is amazing how many similarities there are across cultures. Which basically proves the common link – we are all just the “human” race not *insert ethnic group* divided and separated from the rest. There can never be “world peace” that so many of the beauty pageant contestants keep espousing.

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            ^^ … contd/-

            Till we accept that we are One people.

            @Reply1988

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            @seeker 💯 ♥️

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    What beautiful smiles … really looks like he’s having fun.

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      Yea!! I think he really did have fun in this photoshoot. He also looks and feels very much at ease

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      I agree, I think a lot of the model shoots they go for serious, moody, sexy and these just seem more normal pictures you would have of your boyfriend (we can all dream😆) @bebeswtz

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        Yes! And I think he prefers it this way. He has a good head on his shoulders in the sense that he knows what is work and what is something he can pull back on and which doesn’t need all the bells and whistles, and he likes to draw a very specific and precise line between the two

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@seeker Start here for the full version

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Here you go @reply1988
Along with the flower photos of this photoshoot itself (there’s so much more from this photoshoot, just let me know if you want the full version ♥️)

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    Oh wow, I think when you first posted it a while ago it was the video that stood out for me. He is super cute and it reminds me of his role in Sunshine by my side.

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      This is a photoshoot he did last year—almost a year ago to the day, actually— to ring in the Lunar New Year, and since it’s a photoshoot he did with is own staff— versus it being an actual work commitment and a photoshoot for a client, i.e. a magazine— he is definitely more comfortable, more laid back, and more himself in this shoot. Exuding a soft, gentle, light (almost pillowy), and very boyish aura—almost child-like. I think doing it in the snow also helped, since he likes snow/ the winter, because he says that winters in his hometown (Chongqing) doesn’t have snow, so whenever he’s elsewhere during winter he likes it when it snows. This might’ve been done in the city of his current residence, Beijing

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        “I think doing it in the snow also helped …” bringing my mind to this song from the 90’s.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OW4IVNjzOE

        BTW two of these have been teachers for one of my girls.

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        I am surprised with how much time actors are willing to be on duty. He could have been relaxing with family and friends but he was thinking of his fans. I know the window for roles based on youthful looks and fashion shoots is small but their schedules really are overwhelming. However I do get the impression he would make sure he gets adequate downtime too.

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          While it may be “job” but these small gestures are really meaningful. Also since he went with his team it seemsike a mini vacation / downtime.

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            * seems like

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            I agree! With him working so much, it also means that his team/staff is working just as much to a degree, so to be able to do something fun like this even when it’s still “work” (because fan service is still work— completely unplugging and taking time off for himself and for his family is what I consider as real time off) seems like their work collective version of a “break” or “mini vacation” depending on where this was taken (I’ve since forgotten LOL)

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          I think a lot of it has to do with contractual obligations as well, especially when it comes to (being flexible with) the timeline of things and unforeseeable changes, but then on paper, they’ve already signed on the dotted line saying that they’re committed to participating in X. During his interview backstage at Weibo Night earlier this year, when asking about the interviewer about taking breaks and how that will look like for him in 2024 and how it compares to his 2023, he said that he—officially— he only took half a month off from work in 2023 🤯😳🥺 I was just saying to another fan the other day how it seems like he’s working himself like a horse, and her response was, “Well, we know what happens to horses that are overworked”, suggesting that they tired out and end up getting put down 😱

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            I am watching The Producers at the moment and Cindy is falling asleep standing up because she is tired and gets injured. She said she was grateful for the time in hospital as it was the first time since her trainee days she got some down time and could sleep more than three hours at a time. She then goes into hiding for 3 days as that is the only way she can get a proper break without being harassed by her Company CEO. The CEO was telling her, while she was in hospital that she had cancelled some appointment due to hospital stay which resulted in a financial loss but she knew Cindy would feel bad about it so had booked her in for an event even though she still had a cast on her foot. I know they exaggerate some of the elements for the show but I bet this is not far off for some of the big names. 2 weeks off in a whole year when he spent the other 50 weeks travelling across the world, switching between acting and modelling is ridiculous. I think they waste a lot of time on set etc where they can’t really switch off and relax in between scenes etc.

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            Yea, in the earlier days of Kpop— the early 2000s when 2nd Gen. Kpop was just starting out, every few weeks could read about X artist going to the hospital getting an IV drip because of exhaustion, you could read about X actor/actress getting tired out and needing to be rushed to the ER once their drama wrapped sigh
            And it’s not gotten any better, imo, with escalating struggles in mental health. The health crisis is still there, it’s just taken on a different form.

            On the flip side, it might be because of it not being reported (because there is a need by the government to “keep up appearances”) or because C-celebs are struggling with other aspects, or maybe they just don’t go through the same struggles— but are still struggling about SOMETHING— behind the scenes as K-celebs, and are all just worried and so uptight and basically tied to their jobs (yes, celebrity-hood is just a job, some fans need to get this fact through their thick skulls) because competition is just SO HIGH because there’s just THAT MUCH MORE celebs and overall population in China, and the celebs don’t even have the time to breathe, let alone have a moment to sit down and ponder, “Hmmmmm, what do I feel like I am struggling with right now in my life?”

            … Both situations and circumstances scare the heck out of me

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            I just hope he is able to go though these demanding career requirements peacefully because as we all know now is the time to work while he’s still young.

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            Luckily he is trained and talented enough to earn money even after the job of a celebrity is over. I hope after he graduates those mature roles the pressure would be less, but that won’t be for some decades.

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            @seeker
            Yea, I worry about him a lot, but I am also comforted because I know he has a good and smart head on his shoulders. I also believe that he has a better foundation in handling things because before he became a celebrity, he was already working (office job as a graphic designer) and was his own part-time boss with his own photography studio. He has that experience of real life before being a celebrity, so he is not easily influenced by what he sees from the entertainment industry and he knows how to think for himself and isn’t easily influenced (which is the fear for celebs who became celebs at a very young age, because that’s all they know). A part of the reason why his former agency (he is now on his own, just XZ Studio, with his own staff) didn’t give him any opportunities— and even actively blocked them from him— is because they actually didn’t like him and thought that he’s too old to be joining the entertainment industry and was past his prime age being a newbie (he was 24/25 years old when he made his entertainment debut— 9 to 10 years older than some of the members who are a part of the same idol group as him).
            I have a feeling that he has been trying to move onto more serious and less “idol” roles/dramas for a while now, but it might be because of the timing in which he signed the contracts for those idol dramas (earlier in his career) so he has to still fulfill the contract obligations even though he is past that stage in his entertainment career. Let’s hope that his upcoming movie with renown Hong Kong director, Tsui Hark, will finally be the thing he needs in his career to make the transition into serious roles that will actually challenge him and improve his career and has acting craft for the future 😊

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            Why ever did the agency sign him in the first place if they were not interested in promoting him. Glad at least it gave him a foothold in the industry and thankful that he had the wherewithal to have his own set up.

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            @seeker He was the fan favourite and voted into the final debuting lineup for the group, and then when the group was beginning to look at other opportunities—like, solo activities and entertaining the idea that their existing idol group is just going to be temporary—and the agency caught wind of it, they made sure to hinder him while trying really hard to give more opportunities to the other—younger, some of them 9 years younger than Xiao Zhan, i.e. More years for the agency to work with to ensure more money— members of the group. Who knew that XZ gave them the biggest slap in the face and has come out as being the most successful one out of all of the members (if you haven’t guessed it yet, including Xiao Zhan, there’s 9 of them in total lol) and that age isn’t what people look at nor is it what they see when they search up XZ Studio to try to get an opportunity to work with XZ. It is his strong principles and strong work ethic and his good reputation with his existing and former co-stars and co-workers who have all vouched for him over the years—and continue to do so at every opportunity when asked— that draw new people and new opportunities to XZ, which he deserves

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            If the agency had any foresight they should have realised who most connected with the audience. 😊

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            I didn’t know he was originally an idol😮 He has never presented as an idol turned actor. Also his graphic design and photography background have been great foundations for his current job. He was brave to make the leap into the entertainment industry and well done him for forming his own agency and growing his own staff. He will continue to do well and prove the doubters wrong through his outstanding achievements.

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            @reply1988
            Yea! He’s always loved singing—he was even in his university choir, where he met his bff who now works as his assistant at XZ Studio— but his parents wanted him to finish his education, and so he did. After finishing university and getting his degree and working for a year or 2 and opening up his own photography studio, he still felt a very strong love for singing, so he entered himself into that idol competition show just to see if he could do it, and he could! Not only could he do it, he came out on top, despite things working against him, most of which, was his age— making his debut in a showbiz career at 24/25 years old. His own work studio and staff actually was a result of a settlement after he had actually sued his former agency for hindering him from getting work. The court case was settled out of court, but he technically lost, and the deal in the settlement was that a separate team would be established for him in order for him to do his own work but a portion of his profits would be going to the agency, that was how XZ Studio was born and established. It was last year that his contract with the agency finally expired, and he was able to completely and legally separate from the agency and be on his own, AND he was able to keep XZ Studio and all of his own staff 😊 It was actually in the midst of the court case that he went out on auditions on his own—without any staff or help from his agency—for drama roles because he wasn’t getting much luck nor resources for the music side of things, and that is how he got to where he is now in his acting career, truly by his own determination and grit. I’m surprised he doesn’t appear to be phased by how dark the entertainment industry is, having experienced some of the dark stuff himself by the very people he entrusted—his own agency whom he started his showbiz career with— or maybe he’s just good at hiding it, or maybe he’s just over it and knows how to look at things so that it truly doesn’t bother him anymore. Like, being betrayed and cooped by your own agency, and then being cyber-bullied by crazy “fans” not long after and being soft canceled for almost a year?? Scary stuff to happen for someone working in China’s entertainment industry

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    This is lovely!

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    😍😍😍😍

    Yes please for the full version.

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@seeker These, too! ♥️

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Here, @seeker, all in 1 place for you

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@seeker For you:



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@seeker
Out of all the outfits Xiao Zhan got to wear in the last 2 days whilst he attended Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2024/2025, my most favourite outfit of his that he wore is actually this one, the outfit he wore as PJs (?) in his reel (from here: https://www.dramabeans.com/members/bebeswtz/activity/1540161/ )that was showing him just relaxing in his hotel room balcony. He looked the most relaxed and comfortable in this outfit, as if it was his second skin, which I think is something that the clothes we wear should be making us feel

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    Yes, that caught my eye too. And what were you taking about yellow … it looks perfectly adorable on him. I love the collars. He really looks so relaxed and at peace.

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      That sweater looks more liked a cream colour to me, not completely yellow. He looks soooooooooo good and sooooooooo comfy in it. Makes me wanna give him a hug

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    Isn’t it too fancy for PJs. 😅

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      Right?? So I don’t know how he actually treated the outfit. Maybe it’s one of those things wherein it’s not pjs he goes to sleep in but is an outfit he changes into mid-morning after he gets up and after he does his morning workout & showers— not completely pjs (like, sleeping pjs) but maybe not an outfit he would go out in, either??? I dunno 😅

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        For me it looks perfect to go out in but I understand what you’re saying, more like a in-house day outfit. Ah! yes “lounge wear” I believe its called and you have to admit he’s the perfect definition of lounging here. 😂

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          You’re totally right! I also don’t have the habit— the clothes I sleep in are the clothes I wear around the house if I am not going out— but I totally get the “loungewear” idea and habit. For him, even more so, especially since working out (and sweating) is the very first thing he says he does after he gets up in the morning

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More from Gucci

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    Hehehe… he’s been photographed on mobile. Giggle … I don’t know why I find it so funny and weirdly curious about the mobile.

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      At least we’re sure neither Gucci not TOD is into phones … phone accessories maybe.

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        You just put into words something that I knew in my head but wasn’t able to put into words:

        Both are longstanding brands (100+ years of history) and very renown names, at the same time, both have very different approaches.
        TOD’s definitely feels more niche and likes tradition and keeping with tradition, therefore, they’ve kept with traditional photography and used cameras to take pics of him. In contrast, Gucci—though still very traditional in their craftsmanship—seems to be flowing with the times in terms of branding, styles, feel, and usage of things,
        i.e. As you’ve pointed out, people are using their phones to take pics of him

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          Fashion is such a vibrant and ever changing industry that only those who prioritize timelessness survive. While approaches to business may differ, any brand surviving and thriving after 100 odd years can only do so by optimizing the quality and designs.

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            💯
            There’s a reason why there are brands that are 100+ years old and still standing, and it’s because they have found a sweet spot and are doing *something* right

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    The Gucci backdrop is a masterclass in understated elegance.

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      I liked how they’ve kept it the same throughout the years— simple, but it makes a statement, and the style is very recognizable as the “Gucci” style for a backdrop, just the colour scheme of the collection they’re showcasing with the brand’s logo on it in their signature font

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    Hmm … another layer added under the coat … is is a shirt, waist-coat, 🤷‍♀️ but apparently not buttoned up. Hee.

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      he buttoned up real quick as soon as he was done at this photo wall and before he was to meet and socialize with other people at the event 😂

      Like:

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Xiao Zhan for TOD’s at Milan Fashion Week F/W Collection (continued…)

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    Another beautiful set, beautifully framed backdrops and complimenting staircase … what are the chances of that. 👏👏

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      To me, I find that it’s actually really reminiscent of the photoshoot he did with his Studio at the hotel he was staying at when he was in Singapore a few months ago for a Ralph Lauren event

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        I thought it looked familiar but I take your word for it. 😊 I like that even while making him the focus, the surrounding is complimenting and not distracting in the pictures.

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          I was scrolling through my FanWall and can’t find the Ralph Lauren shoot anymore…. Hopefully it’s just me not looking (hard) enough and not that DB glitched a wiped it out from my Fan Wall sad 😢

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    Maybe it’s the hotel he’s staying at?

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      I definitely think it has to do with the hotel he’s staying at and him & his staff having an artistic eye to see the place in it’s beauty and then choosing where he wants to have the photoshoot

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        The place has that old world charm and beautiful gardens – scenic location for a photoshoot.

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          Yes!! Italy has that Old World charm for sure, and I love it! Actually, I think most of Europe has that charm to it, even though I’ve never been haha It’s on my bucket list to go, though!!

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            Also there are stringent European laws about protection of old buildings etc. You cannot just construct nilly willy and change the facade.

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            @seeker True!! And it makes sense to have those in place because Europe is so old. I’m sure the same could be said about certain places and landmarks in Asia, too! For North America (where I am), when things are given the “Historical Landmark” label, then that means it can only be fixed if it’s broken but it absolutely cannot be torn down and replaced

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            Apparently the cobblestone streets are a (shoe) killer, for us at least, the locals can strut about happily even in stilettos.

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            @seeker Yea, I am bringing a good and sturdy pair of runners for my Europe trip LOL

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    The hand in pocket with legs crossed is such a classically effortless look on him. 😍

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      That’s the thing about the photoshoots that he does with his own staff— all of them feel so effortless and gives me a very “comfy” feeling, even when he’s super blinged out in a fancy outfit

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