#i made this before i finished his filmography lol
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In Sickness And In Health || Clark Kent x Reader
Summary: You're terrified that your boyfriend Clark —the local superhero and most perfect man on the planet— will see you sick, so you forbid him to visit you while you have a cold. However, when he shows up at your door saying he misses you, he proves that your insecurities were unwarranted.
Warnings: fluff, established relationship, reader being a little insecure, hurt/comfort kinda, my shitty titles (I tried my best :c )
English is not my first language
Word count: 2200
Notes: I wrote this for me while I was recovering from a cold that had me in bed feeling miserable for days. I was a mess and I felt ugly so I wrote this silly little thing to cheer me up as I continued to descend into the Henry Cavill filmography rabbit hole lol I decided to share it bc why not? Hope you guys like it c:
You hated being sick. You hated feeling weak and tired all day, spending hours in bed surrounded by used tissues. You hated that your throat felt scratchy and that your stuffy nose made you have to choose between eating and breathing. You hated having your daily routine interrupted by a stupid cold, but most of all you hated not feeling like yourself.
You were a mess when you got sick, tangled hair tied up in a messy bun and wearing pajamas all day. You usually didn't move from your bed, which resulted in mountains of used tissues piling up on every surface near you. Multiple cups with leftover tea and a packet of crackers decorated the bedside table, being your main source of food for the day. It was an unpleasant sight so you preferred to spend your sick days alone in the quiet of your home where no one could see your red, irritated nose or the filth you were living in.
You had specifically asked Clark not to come by your house for that very reason. You loved him to death, but you weren't prepared to let him see you in that state. You felt ugly when you were sick, almost unworthy to be in the presence of someone as perfect and magnificent as him. Clark was literally the perfect man, he never got sick or had to deal with colds in the winter or allergies in the spring. It was almost impossible to see him disheveled since he was able to stop a building from collapsing with his bare hands without a single hair on his head moving out of place. You knew he loved you and didn't care what you looked like, but you couldn't help but feel self-conscious about it since he was literally perfect. So, to save yourself trouble and to concentrate your energy on recovering, you asked him not to come see you for a few days.
Clark respected your wishes at first, but after two days without seeing you he couldn't wait. He missed you and didn't understand your insistence on being alone, it wasn't as if he could catch a cold from you. So when he finished his shift at the Daily Planet he headed to your apartment —stopping on the way just to buy some groceries and a bouquet of flowers for you. He didn't text you that he was going to see you, knowing that if he did you would find some excuse or some way to convince him to go home instead. That's why you were surprised to see him there when you peeked through the peephole in the door before opening it.
"Clark, what are you doing here?" You exclaimed with a mixture of surprise and annoyance. He wasn't supposed to be there. "I thought I told you not to come here!"
"I know, but I missed you." He pouted and you had to look away from the peep hole before he managed to convince you to let him in with those hurt puppy dog eyes of his. You missed him too, but you were in no condition to be around anyone, let alone him.
"I brought food, I thought maybe I could cook for you while you rest." Clark insisted when you didn't respond. You couldn't help but smile at his thoughtfulness, he sounded so genuinely interested in helping you and taking care of you that it almost broke your heart to have to say no to him.
"I'm not hungry," you lied. "You should go home, Clark."
"Why won't you let me take care of you?" he sighed in frustration. You leaned your forehead against the wood door, debating whether you should tell him the truth. You suddenly felt stupid for having such a specific and probably irrelevant insecurity, but it wasn't like you could control it.
Despite the fact that you and Clark had been dating for quite a while, you still had a fair amount of 'first times'. You hadn't yet gone on vacation together for example, and he still hadn't met your family —though not by his own choice, he really wanted to. And, among other things, he had never seen you being sick. It was such a silly thing, but you felt ugly and disgusting and all you wanted to do was disappear under the covers and not come out until the cold was cured so no human being would ever have to see you in that state.
"It's not that I don't want to," you muttered more to yourself than for him to hear, though you knew he could do it because of his powers. You fiddled nervously with the seam of your t-shirt, feeling a little silly for having to talk about this out loud. "It's just that I'm not in the mood to have guests."
"I'm not a guest, I'm your boyfriend."
“Claaark!” You pouted, begging the universe not to make you say out loud what your real problem was. You heard him let out a chuckle from the other side of the door and rolled your eyes, frustrated that he found the situation funny.
"What?" His voice was a perfect mix of confusion and amusement.
"It's just that... I'm not presentable, the house is a mess and I feel ugly. I'd rather you didn't see me like this."
There was a long silence. Your fingers began to tug at the threads of the seam of the hem of your t-shirt while your teeth nervously nibbled at the skin of your lips, waiting for a response from your boyfriend. The tension grew with every second, time seemed to drag on as the uncertainty of silence ate you up inside. And then you heard a laugh.
Clark was laughing.
It wasn't a mocking or evil laugh, more an expression of his own surprise at your revelation. But it still bothered you. "I'm sorry, is this funny to you?"
"Yeah, a little." He replied with a chuckle and you let out a sigh of genuine disbelief. "I mean, you know I can see you through the door, right?" your eyes grew wide at the realization that due to his powers he had been watching you all this time. You turned quickly, facing away from the door as you hid your face in your hands.
"Clark, stop it right now!" You ordered him and he let out another chuckle. "I mean it!"
"I'm sorry, it's just that I find it a little ridiculous. I mean, you have to know I couldn't care less about how you look. All I want to do is be with you and take care of you, baby." It melted your heart to hear the sincerity in her voice. It wasn't like you didn't know that, but it was nice to hear him say it, to reassure you that his love for you was genuine and pure.
A part of you was dying to be pampered by him, to lose yourself in the warmth of Clark's strong arms as he held you against his chest, soothing all your aches and pains with his presence alone. It was tempting to think of him pacing around the apartment, making tea and cooking dinner while you rested between the sheets. But the other part of you —-the part that was usually in control of your decisions— hesitated, afraid of shattering some sort of illusion or image Clark had of you. It was silly and it only got sillier every time you thought about it, but you still couldn't bring yourself to open the door for him.
"I know, but still... I'm not ready for you to see me like this. I look hideous."
"You could never look hideous, baby." Clark sighed. His voice sounded closer and clearer, an indicator that he had moved closer to the door.
"You're just saying that because you love me and love has made you stupid and blind."
"Well, yeah, of course I love you. But also, you truly are the most beautiful woman in the world." You smiled to yourself, feeling your insides filling with that comforting warm feeling that you could only describe as the flame of love. Clark always knew just what to say to make all your problems go away. It was one of his best abilities, even if it was under-appreciated when compared to the rest of his powers.
"Flattery will get you nowhere." You lied, knowing full well that his sweet words were slowly softening the hard protective shield you had raised around your heart.
"C'mon, sweetheart! I'm gonna have to see you while you're sick eventually. Or what, once we live together you plan to lock yourself in the bedroom for a week and make me sleep on the couch so I don't see you with a cold? Or maybe I'll have to rent a room in a hotel until you get better? Is that what you want?"
You were silent for a moment as your brain tried to process what he had said, not his ridiculous options for staying apart when you were sick, but the part where he mentioned a future together. You'd be lying if you said you hadn't already imagined what your life together would be like for the next forty years. You wanted to wake up next to Clark every morning, share your free time with him and grow old by his side. He was the love of your life, you were sure of that. But what you didn't know was that he was also thinking about your future together.
"Once we live together?" you repeated in an excited whisper, the smile on your face widening. "You think about that stuff?"
"Of course I do!" he assured you, sounding slightly offended that you thought otherwise. It hadn't been his intention to make it obvious that every night before bed he imagined his life with you, but he wasn't hiding it either. He was shamelessly in love with you so why bother disguising it. "I want everything with you, sweetheart. I love you."
All worries faded from your mind, banished by the echo of Clark's sweet words. Your hands worked quickly over the locks on the door, removing the latch before turning the key to unlock it. He had won, there was no way you could tell him to leave after such a confession of love. All you wanted to do was hug him and lose yourself in the warmth of his body until you melted into one, show him how much you loved him and how important his words were to you. It was more than the expression of a wish or a projection of the future. It was a promise. The promise of love and commitment. He wanted to be with you in sickness and in health, in good times and in hard times. Clark loved you as much as you loved him and that was all you needed to know to feel better.
"You cheated." You joked as you opened the door, stepping aside to let your boyfriend in. He smiled in amusement at your childish pout, letting out a slight chuckle as he set the shopping bag aside to close the door behind him
"I was just being honest." Clark looked at you with such adoration in his eyes —his blue orbs glowing with the spark of love— that you couldn't help but feel self-conscious. Blood rushed to your cheeks, making you feel warm for the first time since you'd caught a cold.
"Stop it!" you whined, hiding your face in his chest as a defense mechanism to cope with how vulnerable you felt.
You'd never been good at receiving compliments and always felt awkward when someone said something nice about you, unsure how to respond other than with a shy smile. And even though Clark seemed to make it his favorite pastime to give you compliments, it hadn't gotten any better. You still felt silly every time he complimented your outfit before going out to dinner or when he told you how beautiful you looked the next morning when you woke up in his arms. But just because you didn't know how to respond to his beautiful words other than with smiles and incoherent sounds of happiness didn't mean you didn't appreciate them. On the contrary, you loved the comforting warmth that flooded your insides every time he smiled at you, looking at you with pure love in his eyes. It made you feel special in a way that no one ever had before. It reassured you that you were on the correct path to happiness.
"I love you." You mumbled against Clark's chest and felt him tighten his grip on you, trapping you in his strong arms. You let the warmth of his body envelop you, slowly dissipating all your troubles. His simple presence was more powerful than any drug or medicine you could take, effectively making you forget all your problems in a matter of seconds. His hug alone was able to lift your spirits, restoring color and joy to your tired expression. That was the effect he had on you.
"I love you too, sweetheart." Clark whispered against your hair, placing a delicate kiss on the top of your head. "Now, will you let me take care of you?"
#clark kent x reader#clark kent x female reader#clark kent fluff#clark kent x reader fluff#clark kent imagine#superman x reader#superman x female reader#superman imagine#henry cavill#henry cavill x reader
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saw that you finished twin peaks! do you have any thoughts you'd like to share? also, if you haven't already, i high reccomend watching fire walk with me!
ya i saw fwwm after season 2 and before 'the return'. honestly i think my twin peaks opinions are fairly unpopular bc i simply cannot read the series in any way besides as being deeply conservative lol. this becomes especially clear to me in 'the return', which is largely motivated by a narrative of the loss of american innocence (the double r subplot, the numerous instances of drugs and violence tearing nuclear families apart, the encroachment of electricity and processed snack foods and gambling, &c). but this viewpoint is seeded too throughout the first season-and-change of the original series, and fwwm; because what was laura palmer if not the series's first use of rape as metonymous for what lynch sees as a broader process of social breakdown and irreversible change? i understand that some people try to read bob and laura as a critique of the family, in the sense that the violence comes through the father, but i don't think this reading holds even in the original series and it certainly doesn't after part 8 of 'the return', in which bob is explicitly and directly invoked in reference to the bombing of hiroshima and nagasaki, here construed as an originary act of american evil.
i think in david lynch's mind, the spiritual forces and influences in the show are literal and apolitical, and frequently he seems to mean to depict them more as sources of artistic inspiration than anything else ('twin peaks' is in many ways a tv show about making a tv show, hence the double use of electricity throughout 'the return' and fwwm, in particular). but i find this really irritating frankly, because it's at best ignorant of the inherently political nature of the constructions of small-town americana, teenage innocence, violence as an act of moral corruption, and so forth—and also because, after the return, it's simply impossible to deny that the show's overarching narrative IS plugged in to political and historical lines of critique. like, i am not trying to 'force' a reading that deals with us imperialism—lynch put the show on this discursive terrain explicitly and deliberately, through not just the bomb footage and the penderecki threnody but also the inversion of classic symbols of american 'greatness' (the unlucky penny, the evil lincoln impersonator), culminating again in the violation of a young girl's body by the forces of evil. what this all adds up to is the invocation of american empire as a kind of universal moral struggle, stripped of its historical specificity or even the barest pretense of material critique or commentary. if it sounds like i'm asking too much of network television... i mean, maybe i am, but again, these were deliberate choices lynch made and specific historical events he invoked on purpose, lol. see also the jacoby trump commentary in 'the return' (cringe and yawn).
i'm not a lynch scholar but i do think there's a tension throughout his work (what i've seen) between the desire to make art about what he sees as the purely spiritual process of making art (heavily informed by his own TM beliefs), and the conservative elements that creep in anyway, noticeable especially in his commentary on american history, corruption, modernity, &c. the idea of any pure, transcendent, apolitical spiritual dimension of human existence is itself, i would argue, at best a misguided conservative fantasy, and 'twin peaks' ultimately shows these cracks more blatantly than some of his other work (say, 'inland empire') because it tries to subordinate the material to the spiritual in a kind of fantastical historical parable. but, you can see this recurring tension throughout his filmography, eg, the loss of small-town innocence ('blue velvet') and a kind of generalised modernity anxiety ('eraserhead', though taken on its own this one would permit other readings depending on how you interpreted the role of german expressionism in it).
i don't think lynch is an ideologue or even considers himself particularly political, but nevertheless his narratives do idealise a certain conservative vision of post-war america, mourn its loss, and wax nostalgic for its perceived ethos (& it's not a coincidence lynch is/has been a reaganite, lol). anyway, i thought 'twin peaks' had some really incredible moments of visual artistry (part 8 of 'the return', for example!) and i found much of it frankly beautiful and compelling to watch. so, i don't mean any of this to dismiss lynch as a filmmaker—he is, if nothing else, highly technically adept. unfortunately i did just really hate most of what the series was actually saying, lmao.
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Omg, Idk if i'll ever finish bc there's some movies/shortfilms i can't find anywhere 🥺🥺 with the tv shows i'm going slowly.
Yeah, he has done a lot and he's always amazing. I totally get that you had to draw the line bc some of the movies really touch on heavy topics.
Yeah, paradise lost had potential. I'm guessing maybe after watching tv shows like Narcos it seems really... amateur? and while I think Josh Hutcherson is super talented, his character is really random so it's hard to care about him and he's the main character so....
Oh, yes. I watched dark forces. It's baaaaaaaaaaad. Like, a part of my brain understands what the director was aiming for, but the other part of my brain was like ?????????. The hot scenes were like a breather in that meaningless plot. But to be honest I stayed bc I like to complete stuff and bc at some point I just started laughing about it. It was absurd 😭😭 but he gave it his 110% and I admire him for that.
You know, in a podcast, Tenoch said that he regrets two movies he made and I have my theories about which two those could be....... and this one is on the list lol.
I used my previously existing VPN subscription to the fullest and that helped me find most stuff honestly. It was too expensive to afford after a point lol.
A lot of his short movies are on Vimeo by the way, give that a shot. Narcos was a production in another league and of course paradise lost couldn't match. It was also kinda random haha. Narcos by the way, was my first intro to Tenoch. And I thought oh this actor is so good, and so hot, he must be a crazy person IRL. I had no clue he's this big of a sweetheart. I didn't even recognize him as Namor. He's a true form changing mutant 😂 Call it fate that I randomly rediscovered him because I made a plan with a friend to watch BPWF half an hour before the show (coz we had no plans on Thanksgiving 😂). But I'm not letting him go now 😂😂
And I'm with you on completing things which is why I saw almost all of his filmography 😂 it was a winter project for me. I did end up watching all of dark forces just because I wanted to know what the hell was on the director's mind for coming up with that 🤣
I think I know the podcast that you're talking about. Dark forces is in there for sure 🤣 I wonder what the second one is? Maybe something he did for the money/career but didn't like what the character portrayed I guess.
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Bakusquad + “Why are you awake” Part Two
PART ONE HERE
So here’s part two! Fun fact, the song Jirou plays you in her part is actually a song I wrote! I didn’t include any of the lyrics though because its lowkey really cheesy :/
I hope you like this! This one is for Sero, Mina, and Jirou.
Warnings: insomnia, depression kinda
Sero Hanta
- Sero is very much a hypocrite when it comes to getting enough sleep
- He’s constantly up at all hours, even sending you random texts if he can’t sleep
- But when you aren’t going to bed at a normal time?
- He’s so sad
- He looks like you kicked his puppy and then him in rapid succession.
- It’s crazy because he seems to just instinctively know when you’re awake
- Like he bolts up in his bed all, “they ain’t in bed. I’m abt to beat some ass.”
- He’s never sure if he’s right though, so he texts you a meme he made specifically for you being up too late
- It’s probably really cheesy and outdated, but the effort is there
- If you respond to it (because you will) he knocks on the wall between your dorms and talks to you
- Often, you both just stay up like that
Sero’s body is awake before his mind, moving him to sit up in bed before he can think. He was having a really intense dream; something about talking mice. He didn’t mind it, but he woke up as if he’d had a nightmare.
Faintly, from the wall beside him, he can hear low music playing, but he can’t make out what song it is. It’s coming from your room, though, so he’s concerned.
The sky outside is dark, clouds drifting across his windowed view of the moon. It must be pretty late; all the noise is gone, leaving nothing but static air, and the music. He leans over his bed to look at the time on his phone. It’s around 2 am. The song you’re playing ends, and he recognizes the next one. It’s on your sad playlist.
He sends you the meme, as well as an invitation for a hug as soon as it’s morning. You respond almost instantly, assuring him that you’re fine, you just couldn’t sleep. But he knows you better than that.
Knocking on the wall between you, he hears the music stop suddenly. He calls out to your wall.
“Mi amor? What’s keeping you awake?” He’s met with silence for a moment before your shaky voice responds.
“I’m okay. I just kinda got hit with some sad, y’know?” He does know. He knows that this happens sometimes. It happens to him, too. But he hates hearing your voice sound so lost. You almost sound hopeless, and he can’t bear it.
“I understand.” He places his hand up to the wall, wishing he could hold you. Unfortunately, you had both been told off by Iida for sleeping in each other’s rooms more than enough times lately, so he couldn’t just go see you. He opts instead for hugging a stuffed giraffe you had gotten him after the Sports Festival.
“Do you want me to distract you, or do you want to talk about it?” He asks, stroking the giraffe’s head as if it’s your hair, not knowing that on the other side of the wall, you’re holding a stuffed lion the same way.
“Distract me?” Your voice comes out only just loud enough for him to hear you, but he understands. He begins to tell you a story. He’s told it before. It’s about a great hero, one who fights crime valiantly, and his partner, also a fantastic hero. He ad-libs parts of it, making pretend villains say silly slogans, and recounting how the heroes save the day.
As he reaches the end, he hears you giggle a bit. “Oh? Did it work? Are you smiling over there, my sweet?” He calls to you, a teasing lilt to his voice.
“A little bit.” You respond, playing with your stuffed animal. “If you keep talking, maybe I’ll even smile more.”
He laughs, eyes bleary with sleep, but happy to talk to you the whole night.
Mina Ashido
- Honestly, she’s no better than you about staying awake
- She tries to sleep, but her thoughts are always racing
- Sometimes it’s thoughts of you, sometimes of new things she wants to try in training, or things she wants to see if she can convince her friends to do
- But she wants you to get adequate rest, even if it’s hard for her to do the same
- She used to get told off for sneaking to your room every night, but then Momo and Iida saw how much better you were performing in school on the days after she’d been there, and they started letting it slide
- It’s nicer for her, too, because she has someone to ramble to as the two of you fall asleep
Mina skipped down the hallway toward your room. It was a bit past midnight, and usually, you would be asleep by this time. It was well past lights out, and classes had run long that day, not to mention the endless exams that were happening at UA right now. So when she reached your door, she was surprised to find you watching a movie on your phone instead of snoring.
“Hey bug! Why are you still up, don’t you know what time it is?” She says, throwing a grin your way as she puts her blanket down next to you.
You shrug, yawning. “I could ask you the same thing, love.” She pouts at that, tossing her arm around your shoulder and pressing a kiss to your temple.
She watches you watching your show for a few minutes before saying anything. It looks good, she supposes, but she has a better idea of what to watch. “Scoot over.” She pushes you lightly, giggling as you scrunch to the side to give her more room. “Do you wanna watch something with me?” She asks, holding up her phone.
You look at her for a moment. “That is what we are currently doing, is it not?” You hold up your phone in return, showing her the paused screen.
“But I have a better movie!” She insists, unlocking her screen and shoving it above yours so that you can see her pick. She’s right, it is a better movie. You guys have watched the entire Studio Ghibli filmography, but even you know that her favorite, “When Marnie was There,” is the better option at this particular moment.
You toss your phone to the side, pulling her in to lay next to you. “Fair enough, bubs, I guess yours is better.” You feign reluctance, watching her excitedly press play and tuck the blanket in around the both of you. Her arm curls tighter around your shoulders, and she giggles as the opening credits start.
“Hey Minari?” You use her favorite nickname, looking at her through hooded, sleepy eyes. She hums in response. “Why is this one your favorite?”
Hearing the question, she pauses the movie, turning to look right at you. She’s quiet for a moment, thinking about her answer. “I guess because they remind me of us! Like I’m Marnie, and you’re Anna, and we’re having this great adventure together!” You feel your face heat at her words, thinking about the movie more critically now. Mina continues, “It’s like…” she pauses, finding the right words. “Like Anna is learning how her friendship with Marnie can make her feel more right, as a person. And I feel like that about you!”
You’re tearing up now, unsure how to respond. Mina is so many things, and being with you is that important to her? It’s a new feeling, but certainly a welcome one. You pull her down, giving her a kiss. And then another kiss. And one on her nose.
“Press play, Mina.”
Kyoka Jirou
- Lol u think she sleeps?
- She does, but not at night
- Were it not for classes, Jirou would be essentially nocturnal
- So you try to remind her to go to sleep
- Sometimes you’ll walk past her dorm at night, and you hear her guitar, softly playing her favorite songs
- Before you got together, sometimes you would sit outside her door and listen to her play
- Not in a creepy way, there’s just a little common area right outside her room and you like took a book there, you weren’t like ooh it’s late i think i’ll sit outside someone’s room and listen to them
- You aren’t Mineta.
- But anyway
- Now that you are together, Jirou thinks it’s really sweet that you listen to her play
- Sometimes she leaves her door cracked open so you can come in
It’s 4 o’clock in the morning, and the light is on in Jirou’s room. You had come out to go to the bathroom, but you noticed her guitar, and decided to stay. The soft strumming is pretty, and you’re glad to be one of the few people allowed to hear it.
Opening Jirou’s door just a bit more, you nod toward her desk chair in a silent question. She nods, so you go sit down.
She’s playing a song you don’t recognize, and the lyrics are sad. Even still, it’s beautiful, and your eyes seem to naturally close, taking in the melody of her voice. She used to tell you her voice wasn’t anything special, but she seems content now to let you listen.
The guitar resonates with the last few chords, and the ending note is held for three beats. When she’s finished, Jirou opens her eyes and looks at you, waiting for your thoughts.
“It was beautiful. Did you write that?” You ask her, your hands fidgeting with the urge to hold her own. She nods, but doesn’t say anything.
You don’t acknowledge the sad theme of the song. She’s told you before that sometimes sad songs are easier than happy ones. That the melody is clearer. You don’t mind. All her songs are beautiful, and they reflect her in them, and isn’t that what makes a piece of art?
“I have another one, if you’d like to hear it?” She looks nervous; something you never see on her.
“I’d love to!” Your exclamation seems to snap her out of the anxiety in her eyes, which narrow a little.
“Just…” She starts, looking away from you to adjust the capo on her instrument. “Don’t freak out, okay?”
Confused, you nod, and she starts playing.
The song starts out with a few chords repeating in a loop, and then she begins to sing. The lyrics are confusing to you at first, and you still aren’t sure why she’s told you not to freak out. But then she gets to the chorus, and it begins to make more sense.
Lyrics, in essence, are a poem, and this one is a love poem. Her thoughts, written out, are so sweet and loving, that you’re sure you don’t know what to think. She sings elegantly, like someone who’s never known how to dance, and yet is waltzing perfectly across a shining floor.
She finishes the song with a declaration of loyalty, and you realize your eyes are watering. She looks at you, waiting for your thoughts.
You say nothing. You don’t know how to say anything, so you stand, cross to her, and pull her into a hug. She’s not usually one for physical touch, but she holds you tightly.
“It’s about me, right?” You laugh, leaving a kiss on her calloused fingers. She rolls her eyes.
“Obviously.”
She smiles at you, pulling you to lay on her bed as she puts her guitar in its case, taking the capo off the strings. “You should sleep. It’s like, morning now.”
“You should too.” You retort, still holding her hand.
“No.”
#mha fluff#mha x reader#mha imagines#sero x reader#sero hanta#sero hanta x reader#mina ashido#mina x reader#mina ashido x reader#jirou x reader#kyoka jirou x reader#mina ashido fluff#sero fluff#jirou fluff
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I just finished watching murder on the orient express and a snippet of martin eden and I just realised that marwan smiles so big like a thousand watt smile, while luca's smile is more subdued like he's shy almost (or maybe that's just martin's character???) And I'm just falling in love with them all over again ❤❤ do you have a favorite of both their movies? I'd love to watch those smiles more often 😍 (also never realised how broad luca's shoulder is wow tog really downplayed his features a lot)
Ah yes. It's all because of their characters they portrayed, that's why you see such a contrast in their smiles. Both of these movies, the characters have entirely different motives to show through their expressions, so it's understandable why there is a stark different in the way they smile.
Since we all know that both of them are such brilliant actors, everything they did in their movies I believe is the deliberate choice in their part to highlight the character personality.
Pierre smiles so widely in the movie because first I think he overall does it because of his job requires him to be all smiling and friendly and he also has something to hide, this is a mask too, this smile.
there is a moment where there is trouble behind his character when he sit on the chair in front of the rooms, waiting, subtle fidgeting on Marwan's part. I mean Pierre didn't have much screentime but all the small moment given to him, Marwan have used it to the best of his ability to showcase all of Pierre's motive as a character.
But yes his megawatt smile was truly enticing in this movie.
Now we move on to Martin. Martin smiles too a couple of time in this movie but there is some irony behind each smiles, some hidden sadness and even in his happiest time, we can still see that lingering gloom in his eyes, like he is not sure if he should smile or not, like this moment will vanish before his eyes and everything is just some sort of illusion.
Compare with this Smile when he played other characters. One is mischievous smile, sexy even though it was simple smile but we can feel his confident and his playfullness when played as Primo and another one was a genuine happy smile for his brother, with twinkle in his eyes when he played as Loris, a loving and caring brother.
Everything is deliberate choice for Luca. Even when he played Nicky.
Ugh..especially when he played nicky. Him not doing much is actually Luca doing most to show that Nicky is reserved and calculating and listening and just observing his surrounding and understanding. Then he laugh freely once when he was only with Joe to show us how much he loves his husband, how happy Joe made him even in the most hopeless place, strapped in torture table. 😘👌
(Also I think this is the most beautiful smile/laugh from Luca in any of his movies I have ever watched he's in. Or I could be bias. Because I love Nicky lol but seriously, this smile is so precious. We have to treasure it.)
Also Yes. Luca has such a broad freaking shoulder. Like it's there so jarringly when you watched his other movies. I think even when he's playing Nicky, his shoulder clearly shows that it's broad as hell.😂 they didn't down play it, it's just limited screentime for Nicky if we didn't pay too much attention we might miss it. That's why have to watch it at least 5 times guy to appreciate tog to the fullest. And to appreciate Luca as Nicky. It's chef's kiss 😘👌
What interesting though. Even though his shoulder was so broad, in that recent video Gina gave to us, when Marwan engulfed him in his embrace, that broad shoulder kind of disappeared. So I don't know who has broader shoulder at this point haha.
I mean, in Marwan's Workout Video or when he played as Majid. It was clear that he also has broad shoulder.
Anyway, it's become quite long and I haven't even answer everything. I got lost in making all the gifset to answer this haha. I have more smiling Luca gifset now. It's a bonus so thank you for this ask.
My personal favorite from all of their movies I have watched :
For Luca Marinelli I think his best role was playing as Primo in Trust FX (2018). He owned that role to the point I don't think anyone can do the character Justice the way he did in that series. He is like a wild untamed animal, like we couldn't predict what he would do next and he is playing the criminal in such a charming way. Everything about Primo screams sexy. It's hard to hate him as a villain of the story because he was so compelling and so interesting you just want to see more of him.
Martin Eden (2019) also such a good role, but it's bleak and it's poetic. Beautiful but decaying and it's hollowing. Something about Martin that makes you feel helpless and hopeless about the world and I love that movie because of it.
Luca as Fabio in They Call Me Jeeg (2015) also such a good role that Luca portrayed, playing a villain too but I still think Primo is the OG. But watching Luca as Fabio was really fun too. He wasn't a conventional villain, he sing, he is clean freak. He is beautiful and deadly too.
Ohhhh It's a long List of all The luca roles I like. I love him playing Roberta (The last man on earth/L'ultimo terrestre 2011) too! He completely become another person like it's hard to find Luca in Roberta, like Roberta is Roberta and Luca is Luca and that's how you know he clearly nail the role when he emerged as another person entirely.
Paolo (Il padre d'Italia 2017) is worth mentioning too because there is something about Paolo that makes you feel too much for him too. The last one is Loris (Up to the world 2013) because after being tortured by Luca's filmography because most of it are sad and bleak and to see something sweet with Luca character didn't have too much baggage to carry, I feel liberated and want to cling on Loris to make me happy 😂
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For Marwan Kenzari I personally really love him in Wolf (2013) as Majid. It was such an interesting role to play, so many side of majid, so Marwan has a role to showcase all his acting abilities with this role, so much room to show all his emotions and his physicality and the story also I think hits home for Marwan so it feels personal to watch and such a beautiful movie too. Majid will always be my favorite.
Another one from Marwan that I think everyone should watch was when he played real life figure Ashraf Marwan in The Angel (2018) , there is a strong charisma and charm he carry as this character and tenderness and also fierceness, secret in plain sight that makes us keep questioning the motives of the characters even though we already know the story. It's such a fun movie to watch and also one of Marwan best performance.
Marwan as Idris (Instinct 2019) also need to be mentioned because how good he played this unsettling character, it's an interesting watch for sure. Another one is Adrian (what Happened to Monday 2017) though he wasn't the prominent role but he made an impression that stays with you after watching the movie. And the movie also was truly truly good too, He was so handsome here too.
It's been fun answering this question for 2 hours, I hope it's informative enough😂
#answer#the old guard#joe x nicky#immortal husbands#luca marinelli#marwan kenzari#kaysanova#lapinangeliq#movies#movie rec list
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Here’s a (disastrous) translation of the interview Adèle Haenel in France Inter back, in their « Popopop » radio show back in June 2019, when she was promoting her film Le Daim. They rebroadcasted a couple of days ago. I’m really sorry about how messy that translation is, it’s even worse that usual lol. But anyway here you go:
Begins at 6:00 -
The lady interviewer, Charline Roux (CR), talks about Adèle’s filmography: Les diables, Naissances des pieces, l’Apollonide, Suzanne, Les Combattants etc.
6:45
The presenter Antoine De Caunes (ADC) says that if she gets two more Césars she can make a coffee table out of them (the 4 legs of a table). And she replies that only one César is enough for that.
7:00
De Caunes asks her how does she feel when she wins awards.
AH: It’s enjoyable obviously and it gives you confidence. And it’s encouraging. I try to be sincere in my work and to have this support reinforces my desire to work that way.
ADC: It makes you feel like you didn’t take the wrong turn ?
AH: Or everybody is taking the wrong turn with me
CR : You’ve been nominated almost every year for the César (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019 and she didn’t know yet but 2020)
AH: Yes it true
CR : So you’re not really taking any wrong turn here
AH: Yes but it’s not the reason why I do this, but I’m happy when it happens of course. It helps me staying confident in a job envrionment that is quite unsettling.
8:00
So then they said they asked for her « pop » list, which are her favorite book, film, tv show and song. So De Caunes says that Adèle’s book choice was Mémoire de fille by Annie Ernaux published in 2016.
Charline then talks a bit about the book and then Adèle reads a short extract of the book. Then she explains why she likes it.
9:23
AH: I love Annie Ernaux and you chose a very good extract for me to read because it talks about how she tries to find her presence in her absence of life. And this where she really tries to find who she is. And it’s very powerful and it’s a very honest writing.
DC: You like all of her writing ?
AH: Yeah I love the writer she is.
Then De Caunes says Adèle chose Carol as her favorite film. And then Charline explains the plot of the film.
10:35
Then De Caunes asks why she likes the film so much. If it was because of the complicated love story, Todd Haynes, Cate Blanchett, the drama, all of that ?
AH: It’s all of this together. To me it’s an amazing film, a film that makes the emotions speak. For me Cate Blanchett is an incredible actress, she plays that fantasized character but we also see the fractures that appear in her character and in the image. I find her way of working wonderful and the image is beautiful. And also the relationship between brave and beautiful people. I love that film.
ADC: When you see Cate Blanchett acting you as an actress -
AH: I’m so thrilled haha, it’s amazing
ADC: Yes but do you tell yourself « this is what I’m trying to reach » ?
AH: What I like about her is that she doesn’t try to just act well, she takes the job as a artistic research. And it wouldn’t be good to try to do like her but to follow that way of working, that spirit, that’s interesting.
CR: And what is great is that she does that no matter what is the film. She does that with Carol but also with Thor. Even in Thor we believe in it and she’s really good.
AH: She’s always searching and I don’t know her personally but this way of being is always the most enjoyable and the most interesting one.
12:08
ADC says they also asked her to chose a tv show but Adèle had nothing. And he asks her why she doesn’t watch them.
AH: Well I don’t know why. I just don’t. And I wasn’t going to give you a show like Une femme d'honneur *laugh* (it’s a terrible cheap French show)
CR : Because you really watch Une femme d’honneur ?
AH: No but not anymore *laugh*, it’s awful, but yeah I just don’t watch shows. I find them very interesting when people tell me the story but I don’t watch it.
ADC: Is it because it’s too long ?
AH: I don’t know, I just don’t, I don’t find the time for it, I’d rather read.
ADC: Well since we’re not scared of anything, we will recommend you one show that is linked with one of your inspiration for Le Daim
CR : You said you got inspiration from the Goosebumps books so we’re recommending you the series adapted from the books that was broadcast in the late 90’s on France 2. They’re now on Netflix
AH: I didn’t think of it but if I did I would have watched it.
ADC: Let’s finish your pop list with the song you picked and it’s this one: *Mississipi Goddamn by Nina Simone is playing*.
13:55
ADC: So what’s up with Nina Simone ?
AH: Nina Simone is an wonderful artist. Sometimes in her songs she’s really in the present moment and it’s the goal of every artist. I love everything she does and here it’s really beautiful because there’s a political thought that leads to anger that is used as an artistic inspiration and that’s very powerful.
DC: So you’re more Nina Simone than Joe Dassin, who’s in the soundtrack of Le Daim
AH: Well a priori yes.
Then they’re doing a mix of all her pop list.
15:20
DC: So do you recognize yourself in that mix ?
AH: Well it’s pretty well done live yes.
They play some music
17:00
De Caunes explains the story of Le Daim and tells Adèle it’s a pretty weird plot. She agrees. And he asks her if that’s how they presented her the movie.
AH: No they gave me the developed version of the story, which is called a script. And then I made my own pitch with it.
CR: So Quentin Dupieux didn’t just come to you and tell you « its’ a story about a guy with a jacket »
AH: Actually he didn’t explain me anything, he sent me the script directly
ADC: In the past Dupieux made Steak, Rubber and Réalité. But for that one he said he he wanted to film about madness. So are we close to that with that film ?
AH: Well to me there’s always a part of madness in all his films. I don’t know if we’re close to that but we’re in his world.
CR : What did you see from Dupieux before saying yes ?
AH: I loved Réalité. I didn’t know much about his films. And so I’ve been told to watch Réalité and I loved it. And I also saw Au Poste later. And What I love is that crazy side. And that’s why I wanted to do that film. The main character is the jacket, the supporting role is Jean Dujardin, and the third character is me. And I tried to make a character that goes along with the film's craziness.
Then they play a extract of the film.
19:35
Charline talks about Denise, Adèle’s character. And since we don’t know much about the character’s background she asks Adèle if she imagined one for her.
AH: No, not at all. I think all the characters are really uprooted in this film. What I tried to do is to find a goal for her. Her goal was to shake her reality by adding some craziness in her life, even if it becomes macabre in the end. So I tried to focus Denise’s fascination on the jacket. That was the idea.
ADC: A suede jacket, which is the main character as you said, worn by an Oscar winner. How did you work with the jacket, did you feel like you had two different co-workers with Jean Dujardin and the jacket ? Was it easier, harder ?
AH: No it was great because originally, Denise was written in support of the character of Georges. And what I tried to do with Dupieux was to change this so Denise wouldn’t just look at Georges but also the jacket. And that’s how the relationship with Jean Dujardin could really be developed. Georges was so obsessed with that jacket, the only thing he was looking at were the people interested in the jacket and everything around the jacket. And when Denise started to focus on the jacket Georges saw a partner in her. So we built our relationship like that.
ADC: And you also yourself stopped wearing jackets, you came here in a sweater.
AH: No no, I just let my jacket outside
DC: Oh well sorry
CR: Dupieux said he wanted to talk about madness with this film but he also wanted to make his first realistic film. So how do we try to be realistic as an actress in that kind of film ?
AH: That was the whole point of the movie in the first place. My idea was to include my character into this crazy film and I didn’t try to be realistic. Jean Dujardin has an amazing character and totally crazy from the beginning and I thought I had to make my character become even crazier because she’s a normal person and we don’t see her becoming mad.
CR: So we have to ask that question. Do you consider your fashion style as « un style de malade » (it’s a catchphrase from the film that means « dope » basically)
AH: *laugh* yes yes… nope.
22:33
ADC: So I read that you have many inspirations from the Wolfe in Tex Avery, to Jim Carrey in The Mask or even Nicole Kidman in Eyes Wide Shut. What do you take from those people to make your own thing ?
AH: Well I kinda say this without really thinking about it. We all say stupid things sometimes. But what I like in Tex Avery is how you imagine your body as something else that what it is and I creates an physical imaginary that I love. For Nicole Kidman I don’t know, I must have answered that without really thinking.
ADC: You prefer Cate Blanchett now
AH: Yes I do, but I already talked about her. And for Jim Carrey, he’s the human version of Tex Avery. I love how he doesn’t even think about his acting and if he’s acting well. He’s going mad but with so much honesty. And it’s so great to see imagination pictured like that.
ADC: Is it something we develop more in comedy ?
AH: I think it’s more necessary in comedy. It’s harder to run away from that. But you can bring that in drama and all genres. There’s not just one way of acting, which is why it’s great.
24:11
CR: We’ve seen you more in dramas but comedies suit you very well like we saw in Le Daim or in En Liberté !. Is it a choice not to do a lot of comedies or don’t you get a lot of offers ?
AH: Until now people didn’t offer me a lot of comedy roles, they probably thought I was boring as fuck. But I’ve always loved comedy as a spectator, it’s a way to discover everything we can do in acting. We’ll see what happens now.
ADC: What do you find in comedy that you don’t in drama ?
AH: The imaginary is stronger in comedy. There’s also a very strong accountability. But it’s also present in drama, it’s pretty much the same, there’s a dialogue in both. And we’re also less in the continuity in comedy. That’s what I learned with Salvador in En liberté!. There’s a much more discontinuous rhythm in comedy, where in drama it’s usually more flat and it’s about the rise of emotions.
CR: And didn’t you talk about an experience that was more collective in comedy ?
AH: Yes we built the rhythm with two people. So yeah it’s a collective work with your colleague but also, for me at least, I can’t do comedy on my own, so the look and support of the director is really needed and they can help us with the acting. We’re more independent in drama.
ADC: in the soundtrack of Le Daim we only hear one song : *Et si tu n’existais pas by Joe Dassin plays*
AH: I love that song, it’s beautiful.
ADC: Is it a song that capture the craziness of the film ?
AH: well there’s that kind of nostalgia - I think it’s a very beautiful song, it wasn’t in my pop list but I love it. But yeah there’s that nostalgia, like a boat that leaves the coast and won’t ever come back.
26:43 - end.
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i had no idea you've been here for 2.5 years! that's incredible! my question is: what drives you to write? is it the cathartic release? is the fun of making the characters do what you want? (ish, i know characters can have a mind of their own lol). Also, what sparked your love for Ben Barnes?
Hi, anon! Thank you for all these great questions, I appreciate them all. My answers got super wordy, so I’m going to save my followers’ dashboards.
Technically, my main account @suchatinyinfinity has been registered on tumblr for a good chunk of time, but I never actually did a thing with it until early- to mid-2018. I lurked for a few months before I ever began posting, and this side blog was made late that same year to keep up with all my writing in one place. My main blog is way too chaotic!
A lot of things drive me to write. It comes easy to me, and always has for as long as I can remember. In school, I’d write essays the night before they were due in the span of an hour (and about half of that time was because I went over the max word count). And saying it was easy doesn’t mean it wasn’t fun-- I had a ton of fun, weaving words together to paint a picture or tell a story or educate someone on whatever the topic was. I’ve been urged a number of times since 7-8 grade to look into getting published (especially regarding my poetry, which I no longer write), but just never did it.
Now, I write for a number of reasons. Fun is still up there, but in addition to that (and specifically in the case of fan fiction) I write as a challenge to myself. I strive to get better at the craft as a whole, and also in specific areas that I see as weaknesses. I think most writers strive to be better at some point. Secondly, my main concentration in fan fiction is split between two things: painting a picture of my story in a way that anyone who reads what I write can feel like they’re there, or see a clear picture in their mind. The biggest priority of all is keeping a previously created character in character. I won’t say there are certain things I divert from, and I definitely play with different timelines, but justifying who a character is essentially is very important to me. Billy Russo isn’t going to get married and have a family; Benjamin Greene isn’t going to marry just for money, and Ryan Brenner isn’t going to give up his lifestyle to settle down and work a 9-5. Those are just examples, and there’s a lot more to it, but I strive for the realism of a fictional character. Oxymoron much? And lastly, writing can be a type of catharsis and bring me calm. It also brings with it a feeling of accomplishment-- I created something, and it felt great, and maybe it’s not my best, but I want to share it because it’s mine.
To be honest, the thing that sparked my love for Ben was a friend of mine recommending that I watch The Punisher. Since it’s Marvel, my mind naturally went to comics and superheroes, and that’s not my jive. I’ve tried to get behind it and can’t, and figured TP was the same thing. The first episode got me hooked and Billy hadn’t been introduced yet but when he was... that was it. Not only is Ben insanely attractive, but he has talent in buckets, and when I finished binge watching that show, I went through his entire filmography. Naturally curious, I looked him up on YouTube and Instagram and fell in love with his personality and demeanor, not to mention his voice! And that’s the road I went down to get here, on a Sunday in November, answering your questions.
Thank you again for taking the time to ask these! I loved answering them.
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Quaranthings: Korean Dramas
It’s been a while, Tumblr. LOL I haven’t posted in a while – but we are living in a time of pandemic. I have never thought such day would come but here we are.
It has been 41 days since Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was implemented in Manila – and I have managed to catch up on my Korean drama backlog.
Thanks to streaming sites like Viu and Netflix, I have spent countless hours just catching up on the latest dramas (The King: Eternal Monarch, Itaewon Class) and the ones I have not finished watching (Mr. Sunshine, Reply 1997, Go Back Couple, Kill Me, Heal Me, My Love from the Stars). I also found time to rewatch my favorites (Secret Garden, Innocent Man).
The last one I watched was Mr. Sunshine. The writer, Kim Eun Sook, tells the story of a Joseon slave-turned-American soldier named Eugene Choi and a noble named Go Ae Sin – and the people around them: the mysterious samurai Go Dong Mae; the rich playboy Kim Hee Seong; and the beautiful, rich heiress/double agent named Hina Kudo. Set in the early years of the Korean Empire (led by Emperor Gojong), the drama depicted the political turbulence of the time: the traditional Joseon ways clashing with that of imperialists as well as the personal struggles of each character. Then there’s storge, eros, philia, and agape - I’ll probably write another review of that because in terms of writing, I think this is the best Kim Eun Sook drama.
I have been meaning to write something like this, but I guess I was inspired to share with the world why I love Korean dramas – like it really is a hill I would die on anytime.
Some weeks ago, a Filipino director openly tweeted his disdain for Korean dramas. In his words, he said that Filipino movies and tv are “doomed” because of “K-drama galore: faux Cinderella stories with belofied whiter than white actors. And it’s all about love in the midst of pandemic.”
LMFAO. I had to laugh.
It came from a director with reputable filmography – I mean I loved two (2) of his films for their social commentary but I have to ask.
How many Korean dramas have you watched – LOL don’t tell me you only watched Crash Landing on You.
HELLO, ITAEWON CLASS WAS IN THE TOP 10. DID YOU WATCH THAT? Did you watch the rags-to-riches story of Park Saeroyi and his quest for justice to defeat the biggest food company, Janga Corporation?
Have you watched Sky Castle? The compelling story of rich families and their schemes to get their children into the best universities?
How about the Reply series? A nostalgic drama that tells the story of families, youth, and the times they lived in – 1994, 1997, 1988 – the nostalgia was fucking rich. I especially enjoyed 1994 and 1997.
Did you check out Another Oh Hae Young: a woman struggling to come into terms with her personal insecurities? Or have you picked up on It’s Okay, That’s Love: a romantic drama that properly tackled mental illness (the lead had schizophrenia).
From personal experience and the vast filmography of Korean dramas I have seen, let me point out why Korean dramas are the best – and why they’re so fucking addicting. I would have to say that this is not a research paper but rather a lengthy analysis based on my 12-year experience as a Korean drama enthusiast.
1. Creative value
Every drama starts with a great plot.
Sure, many Korean dramas are romantic. In fact, most of the Korean dramas I have seen in the early 2000s are romantic: Autumn in my Heart; Stairway to Heaven; Winter Sonata; Full House; My Name is Kim Sam Soon; and Princess Hours. There’s also Memories of Bali; I’m Sorry I Love You; and Coffee Prince. These dramas actually launched the Hallyu (Korean wave) that we know today – and their plots have the typical Korean drama romantic equation: guy meets girl – they don’t get along at first – then they fall in love – misunderstandings (or separation) ensues – reunited – fall in love again – they get married or end up together (or a lead dies). Then there are the non-romantic ones (historical): Jewel in the Palace and Jumong.
But as time went on, you see that the genres become varied – we started seeing action dramas (one of my favorites was Time Between Dog and Wolf) and medical dramas. Then there were dramas that also featured how Korean dramas were made (The World We Live In).
Korean dramas have varying plots that get recycled in many instances but with great plots also come characterization. The characters we see in dramas remind us of real people – we always relate to a character and we all get frustrated when they make stupid decisions (the Noble Idiot Syndrome) that really do not make sense. At the end of the day, we want happy endings for those who deserve happiness – we want justice served, we want closures, etc. because that’s how humans are.
In many romantic dramas, plots are reused but no character is the same. They would have similar traumas but never the same, carbon-copied character. There are villains you want to kill and then there are villains you sympathize with – because you realize that humans are multilayered, complicated creatures.
2. Production value
Another observation I have with Korean dramas is their careful attention to details. When writers create the script, they somewhat have actors in mind to play the character. In Korean dramas, they don’t really care about love teams. In the Philippines, we produce dramas based on the hottest pairs. In Korea, they don’t give a shit about that. Dramas are produced with the intention of creating a meaningful production so actors are chosen based on whether the writers and producers think they can bring their characters to life, not because they are the hottest commodity. In some dramas, actors have to audition, but in many instances, scripts are sent to actors with potential to perfectly portray the character.
Prior to filming, writers, actors, and production staff would spend a day or two in story conferences – actors would have the opportunity to discuss with everyone how he or she thinks his/her character is like. The directors and writers would provide their input on how the characters should talk, act, etc. Actors would also take the extra mile to learn a skill or two for the characters they played. They would have dialect coaches, language instructors, etc. Writers would consult with professionals – for instance, in many medical or legal dramas, they would hire doctors or lawyers on board to verify accuracy of terms. During broadcast, you would even see the jargon on screen to simplify them for the audience. In historical dramas, you would also see the terms used (in Chinese characters) and explain them in hangul.
During filming, you’d see how the staff has placed much attention on details – from the wardrobe to the set. You would also see themes, symbols, etc. The production aspect is really like how movies are: vivid, deliberate, beautiful. Who would’ve thought red pinwheels would make me tear up?
Each drama has a particular soundtrack – can I just say that Korean dramas have the best soundtrack. Each song played in a specific scene perfectly conveys the mood and feelings of the character. I have cried so many times listening to Park Hyo Shin’s “Snow Flower” (I’m Sorry I Love You) or Ji Sun’s ”Goodbye Without Saying Goodbye) (My Name is Kim Sam Soon). On my Spotify account you would see I have played Goblin, DOTS, and CLOY OSTs countless times.
In the past, dramas are not really pre-produced (meaning script came a week or two before filming). There are dramas wherein halfway through the broadcast, they had to switch writers because the earlier writer had a falling out with the production – so you’d see that the quality suffers (story plots would go crazy lol). There are dramas wherein they had to replace the actors because of scandals or accidents. In the last 5 years however, Korean dramas have become pre-produced: meaning the dramas will be filmed 6 months-2 years before being broadcasted. I guess this aspect has contributed to the fact that many Korean dramas are already available on streaming sites.
3. Cultural value
Each drama gives us a slice of the Korean culture – food, drink, skincare, attraction, and history. And noraebang (karaoke). Every romcom Korean drama has to have a scene at the noraebang...or jimjilbang (sauna).
Modern and traditional Korean dramas have to feature food: Korean barbecue, stew, side dishes. LOL you name it. There’s also soju, beer, and makgeoli. BEER AND CHICKEN.
In most modern Korean dramas, makeovers are a must. You would see product placements of known Korean products: Laneige, Etude House, Nature Republic, etc. The characters would go shopping in a particular shop like The North Face. Their coffee dates would be in one of these (Caffe Bene, Dal.Komm, HOLLYS, Zoo Café, Mango Six). They would buy their cakes or bread from Paris Baguette or Tous Les Jours.
Then there are road trips – many Korean dramas would feature a particular attraction, province, or city. Who can forget Nami Island (thanks Winter Sonata) or Namsan Seoul Tower (Boys Over Flower) or Petite France (Secret Garden, My Love from the Stars)? Of course, you can’t forget Busan (Reply 1997) or Jeju (Warm and Cozy) or Gangwon-do. It is definitely a K-drama fangirl’s dream to be able to visit in one of these places so we can relive our favorite Korean drama moments.
All of Korean dramas I have seen put emphasis on family – the importance of filial piety is always highlighted. The characters are often portrayed as dutiful daughters or sons. Conflicts often ensue when the character is challenged to choose between the parents or the love of his/her life (well in most Korean dramas that’s the case lol). Many dramas portray characters who try to be the good daughter-in-law and yet nothing is ever good enough. Then there are subtle flexes on Korea as an emerging superpower as seen by drama characters (chaebols) who head conglomerates. There is always a character who is filthy rich and can afford a billionaire lifestyle. Product placements include big companies like Samsung, Hyundai, etc.
Slice-of-life dramas also depict the realities in Korean society. Because This is My First Life and Something in the Rain aptly depicted the realities of harassment in the workplace from a woman’s experience. Many Korean dramas also relay harsh realities: meritocracy in the workplace; young adults juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet, etc.; even real estate situations are featured. Often you would find characters renting a small room because that’s all they can afford. From the dramas you would also notice that Koreans are not very kind towards single mothers or orphans. Then of course, there’s the North and South Korea situation: Crash Landing on You, Doctor Stranger, Spy Myeong-Wol, Descendants of the Sun are a few dramas that discussed this theme. The Reply series is a nostalgia drama featuring families that lived through some of important events in South Korea like the Seoul Olympics (1988), Asian financial crisis (1997), Sampoong Department Store collapse (1995), and the historic World Cup (2002).
Korean historical dramas are also interesting on their own – I guess until now, the Japanese occupation of Korea is still a sensitive matter for Koreans. Many of the dramas that feature such themes always depict the resilience and resolve of Koreans as they try to fight off the enemy. Yes, the scenes are depicted artistically, and the thought lingers long after the episode is over.
In terms of marketing, the government has also been proactive. With the Korean Wave (Hallyu), Korean dramas, as well as films, music, food, etc. have become an important commodity overseas. In 2016, Korean Culture Center wrote that Descendants of the Sun was sold to 27 countries, posting a profit of over KRW 10 billion (Php 412 million). The government acknowledges the important contribution of Korean dramas in tourism. Numerous papers have already been published showing the effect of hallyu in the South Korea tourism industry.
To make the long story short:
Korean dramas have gone beyond “faux Cinderella stories with belofied whiter than white actors”. I mean, if you want to produce a quality drama, it takes time and effort. Personally it has become a great escape from the realities I face. I do not welcome opinions that clearly spring out of snobbery and disdain for another person’s craft. Perhaps the director can look beyond the Top 10 (since that’s what he mentioned) and check out the wide selection on Netflix. Viu is also a great platform (I’ll start on World of the Married – been hearing and reading about it lol)
Hallyu did not flourish overnight, and the Korean drama industry – while a great model to cite – is also not perfect. There have been numerous cases and instances when staff are overworked or not paid long after the production is over. The #MeToo movement has also exposed some actors who have harassed fellow actors. If we want Filipino dramas to enjoy the same spotlight as that of the Korean dramas, we should be frank about the outputs we have had. We have potential, but it really is up to the decision-makers (at least from the network perspective since it’s all about profits and star value rather than quality production in the Philippines) to come up with a formula that would revitalize Filipino dramas. I can’t say the same for Filipino films because we have great films – the dramas need much work to be profitable. I mean, are we really satisfied with a few dramas being sold overseas? When will we produce dramas that are at par with our Korean chingus? If you want Filipino dramas to be streamed on Netflix or Hulu or Apple TV – maybe we can look at genres beyond police brutality or infidelity or hacienderos harboring a secret child somewhere.
Anyway, Korean dramas are awesome – and that’s the tea.
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Gladiolus
Pairing: Onkey, side Onho, even sider Jongtae
Rating: Teen
Genre: ANGST and romance
Warnings: Kibum is a ghost for the entire fic, so it’s kind of a character death but not really because he’s already dead lol SORRY
When Jinki first steps through the door of his new home, suitcases in tow, he sighs in satisfaction. He considered the empty apartment a blank page the new chapter his life would be starting on, of finally becoming independent and not having to worry about his parents or roommates determining how his time should be spent or how his life should be lived.
Empty aside from the man sitting in the corner of what was going to become the living room. Jinki’s heart beats against chest, thinking someone has broken into his apartment, until he sees the wall of the living room through the man’s transparent body, tinted by his bluish hue.
The man sighs, his shoulders visibly rising. “Looks like I have to deal with yet another one.” He rolls his eyes, stands up, and disappears through the wall.
Jinki drops his suitcases in the doorway and mentally curses himself, making his way towards the room connected to the wall the man had phased into. He should’ve checked more carefully while touring the apartment before buying it.
He opens the door, startling the see-through man, who regards Jinki with wide eyes. “Jesus, what’s he going around shoving doors open for?” He scoffs, shaking his head.
“I can hear you, you know.” Jinki says, crossing his arms. “I can see you, too.”
The man visibly tenses. His eyes dart to the wall he just came out of, and vanishes inside of it so quickly Jinki could’ve mistaken him for a smudge on his glasses. Jinki runs back to the living room, only to find it as empty as he hoped it would’ve been when he first entered. He sighs and leans his forehead against the wall.
A plot twist this early in the chapter was not what he had expected.
Jinki was born with the inexplicable ability to see ghosts. One would think that seeing other people in various degrees of decay would ruin a young child’s psyche, however it was such a regular occurrence that he didn’t even realize he could see things others could not until his father caught him speaking to his great aunt when he was four. The same great aunt who had died ten years prior.
Although his condition was indeed rare, it was not entirely unheard of. His own uncle carried the same burden until his death when Jinki was thirteen. He was a great mentor to Jinki, and one day explained to him why he believed this hardship had been placed upon them.
“It’s rightly a curse.” His uncle had said, cigar between his lips. Jinki’s mother told him it helped him relax. “But someone has to do it. Them fuckers only get stuck on this hell-hole earth when they got something holding them back. And sometimes, those regrets and unfulfilled promises require the work of the living.” He turned to Jinki and gave him a sad smile. “That’s where we come in. To help lead them to the afterlife.”
Jinki thought he made them sound like grim reapers, but the reality was much duller than that. The ghosts rarely reached out to him, and he didn’t pursue them either. He supposes he might have helped two throughout his entire life; a young girl and a doctor. And he was fine with that, really. He preferred living his life under the cover of normalcy, rather than letting the atrocities the ghosts had suffered through affect his well-being. It wasn’t selfishness, it was self-care.
But now there was an uninvited guest in his home and Jinki couldn’t even find him to tell him to get the hell out. He once hoped that he had scared the man off and he found a new person to annoy, but he would occasionally return from school and find the television turned on, or his laptop in a different place other than where he had left it. It was seriously getting on his nerves.
That’s why, the day his linear programming professor cancelled class, instead of taking the extra two hours to hang out with his friends, he headed straight home. A change in schedule was exactly what he needed to try and ambush the ghost when he least expected it.
As Jinki predicted, there was the man, floating above his couch and watching some mediocre 90s sitcom. The man jumped when the apartment door was forced open, and scrambled away as Jinki angrily stomped towards him. Jinki’s hand closed around his arm before he could reach safety inside the wall, both surprised that Jinki was able to touch him in the first place. But then Jinki’s hand was grasping at smoke, the arm seemingly evaporating into thin air, and he looked up at the man in alarm. The smoke swirled towards the man’s shoulder and compressed back into the shape of his arm. The man smirked and waved with his now free hand, subsequently vanishing into the wall before Jinki could even think about grabbing him again.
Jinki groaned, slamming his fist against the wall right where the man’s head had been. “Motherfucker.” He cursed under his breath. “Okay, fine, if you don’t have the guts to face me, then just listen.
“I’ve lived with ghosts plenty of times and I don’t really care that you’re here.” It was a lie, but Jinki figured baiting the ghost with honey rather than vinegar would be more beneficial in the end. “But what I do care about is that you’re using my shit and avoiding me instead of, you know, talking to me and asking me. And it’s really annoying and kind of freaky that you hide all the time because I never know when you’ll pop out, especially when I’m taking a shower or changing my clothes. Seriously, have a little decency.”
When no reply comes after three minutes of waiting, Jinki’s shoulders drop and he sighs. At least he tried.
Just as he was about to turn around and gather the school supplies he haphazardly abandoned at the door, a head pops out of the wall, scaring him half to death and forcing a rather high-pitched shout out of him. The head just rolls its eyes, and reveals its body as it steps out of the wall, floating towards the kitchen.
“What are you doing?” Jinki gasps, hand over his heart as if it would help calm it down.
“I’m going to make dinner.” The ghost says, lowering his feet to the ground and opening the fridge. “What are you in the mood for?”
It’s weird. Jinki doesn’t like eating ddeokbokki while some stranger sits across from him, staring at him, boring holes into his skull.
He coughs, whether from the spiciness of the food or the awkwardness in the air he isn’t sure, and sets his chopsticks on the table. “Do you have to stare at me?” He asks, shifting in his seat.
“What else am I supposed to do?” The ghost deadpans.
“You can’t eat?” Jinki says. He can’t recall if he’s seen ghosts eating before, but he sees no reason why they can’t if they’re tangible. At least to him they are, apparently.
The ghost blinks, slightly taken aback. “I’ve...never tried…” He says. Jinki wordlessly slides the bowl towards him, since he didn’t have much of an appetite anyways. Getting scared shitless will do that to you. The ghost shakes his head and says “No, I only made enough for one person.”
“Dude, just eat the food when I give it to you.” Jinki dictates, and throws the chopsticks across the table, clinking them against the wood.
The ghost shrugs, takes the chopsticks in his hand, and raises the food to his mouth. Jinki stares in awe as the ghost’s lips close around the ddeokbokki; his semi-transparency made it almost seem as if it had vanished, like a magic trick. The ghost finishes chewing and swallows, raising his eyebrows at Jinki. “I don’t like being stared at either, you know.” The ghost says. Jinki sputters and averts his eyes, the ghost grinning at his reaction. “I mean, I am pretty fascinating and all, so I don’t blame you.”
“It’s not that, it’s just…” Jinki rushes to defend himself, only to be met by the ghosts patronizing gaze, elbow on the table and hand on his cheek. “Whatever.”
The ghost chuckles, a somewhat sharp sound due to the cutting nature of his voice. “Anyways, I can’t taste this, so you can just eat it.” He says, pushing the bowl back towards Jinki.
Jinki eats in silence a few moments more, neither men knowing what to say. After all, they were meeting under rather unusual circumstances, and they knew nothing about the other. Jinki decides he would treat this conversation like would with another human, beginning with pleasantries. “What’s your name?” He asks, mouth full of spicy rice cake.
“Kibum.” The ghost, no, Kibum says. Jinki will have to mentally adapt to the switch. “And yours?”
“Lee Jinki.” He replies.
The gho - Kibum places his hands on the table and looks down at them as if he were somehow mesmerized by his thumbs twiddling back and forth. “Well, Jinki, I’m sorry for using your things without your permission.” His lips suddenly quirk into a half smile. “If it makes you feel any better, I never was able to find your porn stash.”
For some reason, Jinki finds himself smiling back. “Please. I’ve taken enough computer classes to know how to properly hide my porn.”
Sometimes, Kibum will appear. The instances are few and far between, but Jinki will occasionally come home and find him, watching TV or reading one of Jinki’s books, both of which Jinki said were okay to do. He forbad Kibum from touching his laptop, but he suspects the ghost still uses it when he’s not home, the bastard. However, with no real evidence, he can’t just accuse Kibum despite his suspicions.
On one of these rare days, Jinki and Kibum are sitting on the couch watching a black and white movie, which they both appreciate for different reasons. Jinki likes the “terrible old man jokes”, as Kibum so lovingly calls them, and Kibum likes observing how filmography has evolved over the decades.
After watching a man wave goodbye to his fiance as he boards a train, Jinki turns to Kibum, a question forming in his mind. Kibum, sensing Jinki’s eyes on him, faces him as well.
“What is it?” Kibum asks.
“Why are you still here?” Jinki says, immediately raising his hands up in defense. “Er, wait I didn’t mean it like that.” Kibum’s mouth curls up in amusement as Jinki continues. “I just meant, why aren’t you off traveling the world? You don’t seem to be stuck in one place like some of the ghosts I’ve met, and since most people can’t see you, you could easily sneak onto a plane or something…”
Kibum hums in thought, turning back towards the television. “I suppose that’s why I don’t do it.” He says, and Jinki is about to ask something else, but Kibum presses on. “I tried traveling for awhile after - um...” He shakes his head. “Well I mean, it’s not much fun when you can’t talk to anyone. And there’s no point in buying souvenirs and I don’t have a camera or anything, so…” Kibum trails off, an unreadable expression across his face. Jinki isn’t sure what to say, so he doesn’t say anything, just watches the movie alongside Kibum. After a moment, Kibum chuckles, and Jinki turns towards him again. “I was about to tell you off for suggesting I should leave.”
Jinki takes in a deep breath, as that’s exactly what he wishes he could do. He lets it out through his mouth.
“Because I mean, I bought this place long before you even stepped foot in here. It’s my property more than yours.” Kibum says, and shifts so he’s leaning on the arm of the couch.
A feeling he can’t quite name rushes over Jinki. He had never thought of Kibum that way, simply seeing him as an insect; hardly noticeable, but unwelcome all the same. The idea that Kibum was just as much of an owner of this four hundred and fifty foot space as he was had been entirely unheard of until just now.
That night, he wonders when becoming desensitized to ghosts’ constant presence also shattered his sympathy towards them.
“Jinki?” Kibum approaches him out of the blue one day. Jinki raises his eyebrows behind his glasses, setting down the textbook he was taking notes on.
“What is it?” Jinki asks, slightly bewildered. Kibum had never willingly shown himself to Jinki before, only on accident when Jinki happened to walk in on him.
“Would you - ” Kibum sighs and cuts himself off. He scratches his temple and glances at the wooden floors. “Would you mind taking me somewhere?”
“Where do you want to go?” Jinki responds, and he stands up to grab his keys off the kitchen counter while telling himself that the only reason he’s doing this is to get out of studying. When no reply comes, he looks over his shoulder and sees Kibum wringing his hands. A thought passes through his mind, a thought telling him that this was the smallest he’s ever seen Kibum look.
“Could you take me to see my grandma?” He says.
They pull up to a retirement home that Kibum admitted to using Jinki’s laptop to find, and Jinki had replied by saying he’d get angry later. They both scrunch their noses before even stepping foot inside, the memories of past visits to nursing homes invading their nostrils.
“I’ll tell you everything you’ll have to say.” Kibum promised on the ride there.
Jinki scoffed. “And why should I do anything for you?” He said, decidedly ignoring the fact that he was driving Kibum to the home at his request, so he might as well do as he was asked or else the trip would be pointless.
Kibum slumped into the leather car seat. “She’s my grandmother, you asshole. Seriously, have a little decency.” He smirked as he echoed what Jinki had said to him during their second conversation ever. Jinki just gripped the steering wheel tighter.
Now that the young nurse was leading them through the hallways of the retirement home, Kibum had gone quiet again, falling a few steps behind them. Jinki told himself a few more times than necessary that he preferred Kibum this way, silent instead of talking his ear off.
They stop in front of a door, and Jinki hears Kibum audibly inhale. “Mrs. Kim, you have a visitor.” The nurse calls into the room, lightly nodding at Jinki. He reluctantly steps into the dim room, the soft mutters and the squeak of a rocking chair in the corner reminding him all too much of the horror movies he watched as a teenager. A strange noise comes from behind him. He ignores it.
“Mrs. Kim?” Jinki says, approaching the figure hunched over in the wooden chair. As he gets closer, he sees that she has sores covering her face, and her scraggly white hair stands at attention in a seemingly random order. She’s looking out the window even though the blinds are closed. The same noise reaches Jinki’s ears. He realizes it’s coming from Kibum this time.
“I, um…” Jinki starts, and clears his throat. He never knew why he always felt awkward around old people. Maybe it was because they seemed so fragile. Or perhaps it had something to do with his condition. He doesn’t dwell on that thought for too long. “I have a message from your grandson.” She mutters something barely audible in response. Jinki turns around to Kibum for help, only to avert his eyes away from him as he catches sight of Kibum’s crying face.
“Grandma…” Kibum sobs out, and Jinki thinks he might actually go insane. If he had known it would be like this, we would’ve stuck to studying. “I’m sorry I took so long.”
“He apologizes for taking so long.” Jinki repeats, folding his hands in front of his torso.
“And I’m sorry for leaving before you.” Kibums wipes away the tears falling from his eyes and Jinki tenses. Kibum’s dead. Oh my god Kibum is actually dead. Why is he getting surprised by this he knew it all along what is wrong with him -
“He says he’s sorry for leaving before you.” Jinki’s voice cracks in the middle and he clasps his hand to his throat. Why did it do that?
“Grandma.” Kibum phases through Jinki, and Jinki stands there, unmoving, as though his legs are made of marble. He never would’ve thought it would feel like that, a ghost running through him. He felt warm, like a kindling was catching fire inside his chest. The smoke from the fire starts creeping into his throat and he coughs, shocked when he sees black smoke in front of him. Kibum doesn’t seem to notice he had just quite literally walked into another person, only kneels down beside his grandmother’s chair. “Grandma, I love you so much.”
“He - ” Jinki breathes out, the gradually building fire inside of him sneaking past his lips with each word, the flames falling and smothering on the floor. “He says he loves you.” His mouth burns but he keeps speaking. “He says he loves you so much, Mrs. Kim.”
Kibum’s small hands wrap around a wrinkled one, his shoulders heaving as repressed whimpers catch in his throat. Jinki falls onto his knees.
When he looks at the carpet, no burn marks are to be seen.
They sit on the couch back home. Kibum is still trying to calm himself down, and Jinki is trying to do the opposite. His mouth and eyes linger open, staring at nothing in particular. The burning had since concluded, but the memory remained, how he could feel the smoke encompassing his lungs, coating his insides. It was painful and wonderful and he wanted to feel it again.
“Jinki.” Kibum chokes out, dried tears strewn across his cheeks. He may have stopped crying anywhere from thirty to two minutes ago and Jinki would be none the wiser. How long had he been sitting there?
“What is it?” Jinki replies. His voice sounds detached from his body, as if he were a puppet and someone was controlling him, moving his mouth and doing a crude impression of him.
“Why am I still here?” Tears brim his eyes again, but he turns and smiles at Jinki despite that. It’s wrong, Jinki thinks. Kibum sighs when Jinki doesn’t respond. “I heard that ghosts only stay here if we have something we need to take care of.”
Jinki nods. “Yes, I heard that too.”
“I thought - ” A whimper escapes his lips and he takes a moment to compose himself once more. “I thought if I apologized to my grandma, I could finally be at peace.” His lips quiver and Jinki feels a needle probe at his heart. “But I’m not.”
“I, um…” Jinki begins and trails off, blinking his eyes a few times in an attempt to ground himself back to reality. “My uncle once told me that the reason I see ghosts is so I can help them.” Kibum doesn’t say anything and Jinki takes a deep breath. “I don’t know why you haven’t…” He makes a vague gesture with his hand, “...passed on yet, but maybe…” He bites his lip and Kibum tilts his head, raising an eyebrow Jinki only now notices has a scar, “...maybe, if you told me how…”
“How I died?” Kibum finishes for him. Jinki nods and nibbles some of the dead skin off his lips. At least Kibum didn’t seem offended. He hovers somewhat higher above the couch, crossing his legs and spinning slightly so he’s directly facing Jinki. “Congenital heart defect.” He says, and taps his fingers over his chest. “It’s really hard to notice, so I didn’t even know I had it until…” He looks down at his lap, and then back up at Jinki. He wishes Kibum would stop smiling like that. “It’s kinda weird, you know? I never thought I would wake up one morning and see my own body beneath me. So I just kinda…” He brings his knees under his chin, “...sat in the corner like this. I don’t really remember what I was thinking, or if I thought of anything in the first place. Next thing I knew, I heard my grandma scream, and…” His voice catches in his throat again.
Jinki wishes he never asked, because it didn’t make anything clearer and now he’s pitying Kibum. If there was one thing he had learned about Kibum from their fleeting encounters, it was that he didn’t want to be thought of as lacking. “I’m sorry I made you talk about it.” Jinki mumbles.
Kibum smiles the same fake smile from before. Jinki decides he hates it. “It’s okay. It was worth a shot, right?”
No, Jinki thinks. It wasn’t worth it.
When Jinki feels lonely, he likes to call out for Kibum, and suggest that they spend time together. At first, Kibum is surprised.
“I thought you hated me.” He jokes the first couple of times, but the more often it happens, the more accustomed to it he becomes. Sometimes he even appears before Jinki asks him to, as if he had an internal clock telling him exactly when Jinki was going to look for him. Jinki thought himself greedy, the only things gained from these experiences one-sided; an ease to his guilty conscience, another dip on the couch, a solution to an empty table.
Yet Kibum never shows any hint of distaste, never once complained about having to partake in these pastimes, and for that Jinki is grateful. It wasn’t that he had no friends, because he did. The problem lied in the fact that he felt secondary. Never the first choice to spend time with, but always the first to be called on when they needed help because of some stupid situation they had gotten themselves into. Forgotten during conversations, never invited to parties, but they still expected him to care for them. The worst part was that he did. He felt like the photographer in their grand group selfie and he was sick of it.
Eventually, just one person isn’t enough for him.
And that’s why a young man is walking through his front door, draped across Jinki’s arm. They both seem happy, the glasses of alcohol they shared earlier in the night lifting their spirits. Jinki suggests the man take a seat on the couch and he makes his way to the kitchen.
“Would you like something to drink, Minho?” Jinki calls out, head shoved in the open refrigerator.
“Yes, please.” Minho answers, and crosses his long legs, a bashful smile tugging at his lips. Neither of them did these sort of things often, but they found each other handsome, and they were both in need of companionship, so really, what was the harm in seeking solace in each others bodies for one night? That was what Minho told himself, until he was ripped from his thoughts when he sees something move in the corner of his eye. Was the coaster always that close to the edge of the table? he thinks.
He isn’t given much time to contemplate it before Jinki returns, a grin across his face and two wine glasses in his hands. They laugh and drink, slowly becoming more comfortable around each other, inching closer and closer on the couch until their thighs are touching. Minho looks down at their legs, and then up at Jinki’s dark, clouded eyes. He bites his lip, only for it to be covered by Jinki’s own, a hand caressing the back of his neck.
Jinki pushes Minho down onto his back, climbing on top of him and never once breaking the kiss. A whimper escapes Minho as Jinki presses their hips together, bucking slightly into the touch.
They moan into each other’s mouth and continue moving together, feeling the room heat up as their bodies grow warmer. A screeching noise cuts into Minho’s ears and he opens his eyes, turning them towards where the sound was coming from. His heart slams against his chest, and he pushes Jinki off of him, the elder’s eyebrows furrowing together. “What is it?” Jinki says, trying not to let his annoyance seep into his tone.
“Th - the…” Minho stammers, and points at their wine glasses. “It moved!”
“What moved?” Jinki questions, seeing nothing in the direction Minho was pointing in.
“The glass! I heard it! I saw it!” Minho says, not taking his gaze off the table for even a millisecond.
Jinki has to fight every urge not to roll his eyes. “Baby, I’m sure it was just your imagination…” He purrs, lowering his head down into the crook of Minho’s neck and kissing the tanned skin. “Would it make you feel better if we moved somewhere else? Hm?”
Minho forces his gaze away from the table and gives a slight nod despite his tight grasp on the fabric of the couch. Jinki kisses across his jaw to the skin underneath his ear, and Minho shudders at the light touches. Just as their lips were about to meet again, the television lights up, showcasing a man in a cloak peering at human brains. Minho yelps and visibly jumps, and even Jinki is shaken as well.
Jinki chuckles and gives Minho a reassuring smile. “I must be sitting on the remote.” He says, and shifts down the couch to search for the device. He’s barely been looking for three seconds before Minho is pointing to something in the distance behind Jinki. Jinki turns around and follows where Minho’s finger is pointing to; the remote, resting on the cushion of his lounge chair.
An unsure laugh bubbles out of Jinki’s lips, but Minho’s lips are set in a firm line, his already large eyes wide enough that Jinki could see his own reflection in them. Their shaken out of their respective moods as they both scream, the cabinets in the kitchen repeatedly flying open and banging shut, thundering in their eardrums.
Before Jinki realizes it, Minho is jumping off the couch, snatching his jacket off the hook on the wall and haphazardly slipping his shoes on. “Minho, wait!” Jinki calls out, only to be answered by the slamming of his own front door. The banging of the cabinets stops, but is replaced by another as Jinki stomps across his apartment into the kitchen, where Kibum is nonchalantly hovering over the counter.
“What the fuck, Kibum.” Jinki seethes, balling his hands into fists at his sides. “What the actual fuck is wrong with you?!”
“What’s wrong with me?” Kibum says, gesturing towards himself and scoffing. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you bringing some stranger into our home without giving me some kind of warning?!”
“It’s not fucking your home!” Jinki yells. “It may have been once but now it’s mine.” The words taste bitter against his tongue, but he’s too angry to care at the moment. “If I want to bring someone home I can because this is my apartment and I can do whatever I damn well please!”
Jinki swears he sees Kibum’s face fall for a second before it’s replaced with a sneer full of rage. “Are you fucking serious?!” He slowly begins rising towards the ceiling as he speaks. “I didn’t fucking choose to die, you asshole! Where do expect me to go, huh?! You want me to go hide out in my parents place when they were too fucking busy to even come to my funeral?! Or go stay with my grandma and watch her slowly die in that fucking chair?!” Hot tears are streaming down his face now. “I hate you, just shut up and go away!” He spits out, and vanishes into the ceiling.
Jinki glares at the spot Kibum disappeared into before fuming back to the couch. It’s a good thing Kibum’s gone, he wanted this from the very beginning, he tells himself and slumps down on the cushions.
Kibum’s gone, so why can he still hear crying? He looks around out of suspicion, but of course there’s no one there. As a last resort, he presses his fingers against his cheek. He doesn’t understand why they’re wet when he pulls back.
“Yo, Jinki, you okay?” A hand waves back in forth in front of Jinki’s face, snapping him out of his trance. He turns to see his friend grinning from ear to ear in pure giddiness. “You’ve been staring at that bookcase for the past five minutes.” He laughs.
“Oh.” Jinki says dumbly and clears his throat. “Sorry Jonghyun, I didn’t sleep well.”
He knew that was a mistake to say as soon as it left his mouth and Jonghyun is practically jumping with joy in his seat. “Oh my god, did you…?” He makes an obscene gesture with his fingers and Jinki playfully smacks his shoulder.
“Almost.” Jinki chuckles, and picks up his pencil, attempting to drop the subject and go back to studying. Jonghyun, obviously unable to take a hint, nudges his arm and he sighs.
“What do you mean ‘almost’?” Jonghyun asks, leaning into Jinki’s personal space like a preschooler during storytime. “You either got laid or you didn’t, it’s not that difficult of a concept.”
“I didn’t, then.” Jinki says, pushing his textbook away now that he’s sure Jonghyun wasn’t going to let him off the hook. “I was going to get laid, but then I got yelled at, and getting called an asshole can really kill your boner.”
Jonghyun snorts and leans back in his chair. “Yeah, I know how that goes.” Jinki waits for him to elaborate, but when he doesn’t, he raises his eyebrows at Jonghyun in a silent question. “Didn’t I tell you about how Taemin and I started dating?” Jonghyun asks. Jinki searches through his brain but comes up with nothing, shaking his head. “Oh. Guess the wound must’ve been too fresh for me to tell you about it at the time.” Jinki wants to believe that instead of what his mind is screaming at him, that Jonghyun forgot to tell him because it’s unimportant. Because he’s unimportant. Ignore it ignore it ignore it, he thinks.
“Well,” Jonghyun begins, folding his hands on top of his book, “back when we were just roommates, I texted him saying I was bringing a girl home and to leave the dorm room, right?” Jinki nods, and Jonghyun continues. “But when we got there, he was still in the dorm. So I tried to play it off, made us some drinks, sent Taemin signals to fucking leave and what not. But when I went back to the couch, my date was gone, and Taemin was sitting there grinning like he just won the lottery.” He forces out a laugh. “He told her I was HIV+, can you believe that?” Instead of waiting for an answer, he presses on. “We yelled at each other for hours, and I ended up sleeping in a hotel that night. Course, while I was staying there, I realized the only reason I chose that girl was because she reminded me of Taemin. I’m sure you can figure out what happened next.”
Jinki pursed his lips in thought. “So...he did that because he liked you?”
Jonghyun laughs again. “Well yeah, we’ve been dating for two years now.” Jinki closes his textbook and places it under his arm, collecting his pencil and eraser with his other hand. “Where are you going?” Jonghyun questions, watching as Jinki’s back strides away from him.
“I have to see someone.” Jinki answers, even though he’s far out of earshot from Jonghyun.
He’s breathless when he stumbles through his apartment door, dropping his school supplies and forgetting to take his shoes off. “Kibum?” He calls out into the seemingly empty space. “Kibum?!”
“What do you want?” A muffled voice hits his ears, but he doesn’t know where it came from and Kibum is nowhere in sight.
“I want to see you.” He replies, fumbling around the apartment in hopes of finding the person he was looking for. Soon enough, he finds Kibum, curled up in a ball on his bed, arms wrapped around his legs. His head lifts when Jinki walks through the door and quickly shuffles off of the mattress.
“Sorry, I was just...it was, um…” Kibum stammers, scratching the back of his head. “Sorry.”
“Kibum.” Jinki breathes, slowly approaching the man in front of him, belatedly acknowledging all these characteristics of Kibum’s; his cat like eyes, his sharp cheekbones, the slope of his nose and his heart shaped lips. He was beautiful and Jinki never even realized. “I’m such an idiot.”
Kibum chuckles and leans back on the heels of his feet. “I already knew that. I’m surprised you didn’t.”
“So am I.” Jinki says, never once looking away from Kibum, even as the younger turns away shyly.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Kibum asks, and he’s sure if he still had blood rushing through his veins, it’d be creeping onto his cheeks.
Jinki doesn’t answer, only steps closer to Kibum until they’re inches apart. Kibum doesn’t back away, but doesn’t look up. “Do you like me?” Jinki whispers, and Kibum turns his head towards Jinki’s, blinking at him.
“What if I do?” Is Kibum’s only reply. And somehow, despite only knowing him for a short amount of time, despite their arguments, despite Jinki’s flaws, he knows exactly what that means, and leans forward, lips almost meeting. He stops himself, because what if that wasn’t what Kibum wants?
The thought is pushed out of his head when Kibum places his fingers underneath his chin, raising his lips to meet his own. It’s just a simple brush, but Jinki’s mind is already reeling, the same warm feeling from before igniting in his chest, and he wants more.
Kibum lets out a sound of surprise when Jinki presses a bit more firmly against his lips, but accommodates quickly by wrapping his arms around Jinki’s neck. The fire is hotter than it was before, it’s spreading more quickly than it did the first time and the smoke is so thick he can’t breathe, but he doesn’t care. He keeps moving his lips, savoring this feeling so he can always look back on this moment of agonizing bliss.
He doesn’t think about it when the pressure around his neck dissipates, he keeps kissing, until the lips kissing him back disappear as well. He opens his eyes, preparing himself to ask Kibum what was wrong, only to be met with a sight he never wanted to see; Kibum’s terrified face staring back at his, as if asking for help.
“Kibum?” Jinki says, followed by a cough that released more smoke. “What’s wrong?” He chokes out, and clutches his chest. God, it burned, but that wasn’t important right now.
“Jinki…” Kibum breathes out, and raises his hands in front of them. His fingers are falling apart, unraveling as if he were a doll made of yarn. They both watch in horror as the fabric of his skin is pulled apart, disappearing into the air like the residue of wood during a campfire. “Jinki!” He cries out again as it reaches his arms, and Jinki is paralyzed as he realizes the same thing is happening to his legs.
But what really makes Jinki’s soul plummet into his stomach is that he’s seen this before.
“You’re going to be free…” Jinki chokes out, and collapses onto his hands and knees, hacking out clouds of smoke. He still feels the fire alight in his chest, and it’s charring his heart, burning it into a crisp.
Kibum starts flailing what’s left of his arms and screams in frustration. “I don’t want this! Help me!” He yells as tears fall from his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Kibum…” Jinki crumples onto the floor, smoke still escaping with each shallow breath he takes. Kibum starts shaking with terror when his arms are completely disintegrated and the infection reaches his torso, now aware that his legs are gone too.
Jinki is too weak to look up when Kibum’s face disappears from existence, only hears his voice cut off as his mouth turns into ash, and that, too, dies in the stale air of their apartment.
The fire extinguishes by itself, just as sudden as it began, and Jinki curls up into into a ball, suddenly feeling very cold, even as the scorching tears roll down his cheeks.
Kibum’s purpose was never to apologize to his grandmother.
It was to teach Jinki how to love.
#onkey#onho#jongtae#oneshot#fics#i ripped off paranorman SO WHAT???#WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO STAB ME????
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Kdrama 10 Answers, 10 Questions
Yo, actually I was tagged twice in this so it’s more like 20 answers, 10 questions. but whatever, I like answering questions, lol.
Thanks to @floatingdownthemoonriver and @kdramafeelings for tagging me :)
I putting my answers/questions under a read more because this is super long. But if you’re on mobile I think you’ll see it all anyway. I apologize.
1.Rom-com or mystery-thriller? Why?
If I had to pick between the two it would be rom-com. But a rom-com-mystery-thriller would be great. I don’t tend to watch things unless there is some sort of romance in it (even a little bit is fine) unless it looks like super great.
2. Is there a drama you love, but wouldn’t recommend everyone cause you think it wouldn’t fit everyones taste?
Ehhhh... I don’t know. I think my taste’s fit in pretty well with most people’s generally. But I guess I probably wouldn’t recommend anyone to watch Moon Lovers because even though I liked it a lot it is way too tragic, lol.
3. What’s more important to you your favorite actors/actresses in a drama or a good plotline with a good script?
I would like to be able to say that I would love my fav actors/actresses in anything. But I the drama has to at least be enjoyable. I don’t need things to be totally quality, but if the drama can’t hold my attention, it doesn’t matter who’s in it.
4. Do you like to get spoilers before watching a drama or do you hate everyone that spoiled the story to you :D?
I don’t mind spoilers generally, and sometimes I’ll purposely wait a little bit to watch a finale to prepare myself if I think it’s going to be tragic. I think one exception to this is that I stayed off tumblr all day before the goblin finale because I didn’t want to get spoiled.
5.If you listen to kpop, did you start before watching kdramas or after?
I had heard a handful of kpop songs before watching kdramas but I didn’t really listen to them. And even now I mostly only listen to songs if they are on an OST. I enjoy the songs, I just don’t have enough time at the moment to get super into a group.
6. Favorite Director, and do you realize if the drama is from him/her when you watch a drama?
I wouldn’t say I really have a favorite director, I don’t pay a lot of attention to that kind of thing.
7. What are your reasons to drop a drama?
If I start to get too annoyed by the plot I usually drop it. Especially if it has to do with characters making super dumb decisions. If I’m intrigued enough with the plot then I can get over being annoyed, but me dropping a drama usually has to do with getting frustrated at the direction of the plot. Or if the drama is super boring.
8. Is there an actor/actress whose complete filmography you watched, if not, who is the actor you watched the most?
I think I’ve seen basically everything Ji Soo is in. And I’ve seen most of Lee Jong Suk’s work as well.
9. Did you or would you ever consider watching a 50-episodes long sageuk drama?
I’ve tried it, but I struggle with finishing them. All the political maneuvering gets on my nerves and even though I enjoy a lot of the setting and costumes and history and stuff I tend to end up getting bored or too annoyed to finish them.
10. Did you reach a point in a drama where you were just tired of the protagonists and started to root for the villain? Who and why?
I don’t think so??? If it gets to that point I tend to stop watching the drama so I can’t think of any circumstances where that has happened.
Alright. Now the next 10!!
1. do you have any actors/ actresses who you think are over rated? along with their works? anyone where you just don’t see the mass appeal?
Lee Min Ho?? I’ve seen most of his dramas and I admit that he is very handsome but I feel like a lot of the time his female lead and the second leads out act him???
2. are there any dramas you liked but would tweak certain aspects of to make them perfect? if so, which ones and what would you tweak, change or add?
I think I would get rid of the unnecessary drama in like. All the dramas I’ve seen. lol. I wish we got more time with the OTPs being happy and together rather than like having them be happy and then drama happen and then not being happy until the last five seconds.
3. top three favourite actresses?
Lee Sung Kyung, Park Shin Hye, Shin Min Ah
4. what’s the drama world you would like to live in? is it a goblin world? a mermaid world? a world with a royal monarchy? a world where you could be a ceo at the age of 20 just because of the golden family business? you can include general setting or houses you wouldn’t mind staying in.
Yo, if I could be a chaebol heir that would be great. lol. Eh... but I think being a mermaid would be pretty cool too. Except I wouldn’t bother with the whole falling in love with a dude and risking dying because he doesn’t love me or whatever. I would find a nice merman to fall in love with and go swim with penguins or whatever.
5. top three dramas where you loved the fashion/ outfits/ costumes?
I don’t know... I don’t really pay a lot of attention to the fashion. I loved the outfits in Moon Lovers... and I think a lot of Korean fashion is really pretty?? I don’t have a good answer for this one.
6. top three dramas where you did NOT love some of the fashion/ style choices made?
I also don’t have a good answer for this one. But I guess a lot of the older dramas have some questionable fashion choices, but that’s more because they are dated.
7. who’s your dramaland hubby/ wife? (mine’s baek in ho ;p) your dream partner? who is it.. your dramaland soul mate?
Ahhhh. This is super hard because there are so many great choices. Maybe Ahn Min-hyuk?? Since he’s rich and also super sweet and also handsome.
8. any dramas you thought had wasted potential?
The most recent example of this is Tomorrow with You, I think. I was super excited about it and all the teasers seemed great. But it was just really disappointing.
9. two dramas where you loved the ost?
I still listen to the Goblin OST all the time. And I also think that Moon Lovers had a great one.
10. what do you think is the most iconic kdrama?
I think the best answer for this one is probably Boys Over Flowers. Even though I didn’t really like it. It’s like a kdrama staple and everyone probably needs to watch it at some point.
Okay. My 10 questions...
1. What are your top 3 least favorite kdrama tropes?
2. Is there a drama that you liked but didn’t like one of the actors or actresses in it? Who would you recast in their part?
3. If you could pick one historical drama and put it in a modern setting which one would you pick. Or if you could pick a modern one and make it into a sageuk?
4. What would be your dream drama cast? What actors/actresses do you think would act really well together that haven’t already or who you would like to see in a drama together again?
5. Is there an actor/actress that mostly is in one genre of drama that you would like to see in a totally different drama, who?
6. What is a drama trope that you would like to see in more dramas?
7. If you could be best friends with any character in dramaland (or group of characters) who would you pick?
8. Who is an actor/actress that has never been a lead and you think would do a great job as the star of a drama?
9. If you could pick a series from another country to be remade into a kdrama which series would you pick?
10. What drama would you recommend to a friend/family member who has never seen a kdrama before.
I’m done!! That was fun, I love these games. Ehhh. I’m going to tag, @cloudy-kg, @sydonland, and @gimme-a-chocolate, @pekkalastrega plus anyone else who wants to answer my questions!!
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