alterkrmn | Entries tagged with media: thai bl

This week, the "currently making" part of this update makes a comeback! Yay!!

As I explained in detail in a previous post, my week was pretty hectic, so I took advantage of the weekend to catch up on my shows. But I also wanted to make at least a little progress on my secret craft project… and I did!

Currently making

I already have the pattern, and now all that's left is transferring it to the fabric so I can start. Though I’ll admit, this is going to be a test run because I’ve been going back and forth on the background color I want to use. I’ll try my usual style: black fabric with colorful contrasting thread. I’ll see how it turns out, but I think it might look better with a pale blue or even white background, though I don’t love embroidering on white fabric… If I make more progress during the week, I’ll share photos.

Currently reading

SVSSS Vol. 2 - Chapter 10

Currently watching

Winter Begonia (Chinese drama) – Weekly, weekends – 29/49 episodes
Break Up Service (Thai drama) – Weekly, Mondays – 8/12 episodes
Leap Day (Thai drama) – Weekly, Tuesdays – 8/12 episodes
My Stubborn (Thai BL drama) – Weekly, Sundays – 7/12 episodes
Boys in Love (Thai BL drama) – Weekly, Sundays – 7/12 episodes
The Ex-Morning (Thai BL drama) – Weekly, Thursdays – 2/10 episodes
The Bangkok Boy (Thai BL drama) – Weekly, Saturdays – 2/12 episodes

I’m really enjoying SVSSS, and I think part of it is that, despite it being one of the popular novels, I’ve been really good at avoiding spoilers. So I know the names of the main characters (some of them) and who the main couple is, but beyond that, I have no idea what’s going to happen or how. Plus, I love the meta-literary aspect, the commentary through Shen Yuan/Peerless Cucumber’s self-awareness, lol. It makes me think a lot about hypothetical scenarios where I’d be transported into different kinds of books and how I’d react. Like, what if I suddenly found myself in a gothic novel? How would my knowledge of the canon affect my survival in that world? Or, say, in The Witcher novels... as someone who doesn’t believe in the supernatural, getting dropped into a universe full of ghosts and monstrous creatures? Yeah, I wouldn’t last long, haha. But anyway, it’s fun how much this book makes me think.

I also wonder if I’d be enjoying it as much if this were the first novel of its kind I’d ever read. At this point, I’m at least familiar with some of the tropes and elements of the narrative. Maybe I haven’t read the exact type of novel Shen Yuan gets transported into, but having read Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know before, I know they exist, and that their protagonists would probably annoy me, lol. Though one of the fun things about SVSSS is how Shen Qingqiu’s intervention completely changes certain aspects of Luo Binghe. Maybe I’m just rambling, but I’m having fun.

I just finished episodes 27, 28, and 29 of Winter Begonia, and they were intense. I cried during all three, though for different reasons. I adore Charmaine Sheh, and I love that Fan Xiang’er is such a complex character. Sometimes she frustrates me, but I can’t help feeling some sympathy for her, especially since she’s not some helpless damsel. Cheng Fengtai also drives me crazy sometimes, but in these episodes, he got into trouble for helping others, and well… I can’t deny I enjoy seeing him in uncomfortable situations. I also loved seeing him emotionally wrecked… frustrated, heartbroken, miserable. What can I say? I have a weakness for watching pretty men suffer (in fiction). I absolutely adore Shang Xirui, he’s THE character, and I love him. But yeah, these episodes made me cry. Not that it’s news… I’m an easy crier, lol.

Yesterday, I caught up with The Ex-Morning and Boys in Love, and today I watched this week’s episodes of Boys in Love and My Stubborn.

My Stubborn is turning out to be so much fun, and in the seven weeks it’s been airing (wait, what? Almost two months already? When did that happen?), every single episode has had at least one NC scene. But that’s not even its main appeal, it’s just genuinely entertaining to watch Sorn hopelessly obsessed, in love, and head-over-heels for Jun (whose name I’ve seen spelled at least three different ways in the subtitles…) without being able to say it explicitly (well, using words… because otherwise it’s been pretty explicit… okay okay I’ll see myself out) and how their relationship evolves (even if it’s just a little bit at a time). They’re both stubborn in their own ways, lol. And Sorn is a walking red flag, but he’s got his own charm. I’m dying to see him beg and suffer for Jun, but we’ll see. Sorry, this man totally brings out my mean side.

Boys in Love is still so cute, and I really like how they handle certain themes, like Mon’s rebelliousness and his mother’s concern. Sometimes it’s frustrating, I’ll admit, but that’s exactly why I like it… it reflects how being a teenager is complicated, how parenting a teenager is complicated, and how navigating that relationship isn’t always easy. I also love Shane’s internal conflict, Kit’s expectations, and how they deal with the struggles of their new relationship. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d get hooked on this teen-themed series because I usually prefer shows about adults dealing with adult problems (even in BL-land, which is maybe why I connect more with Japanese series in that sense), but I really like it. It’s a great Sunday watch. Plus, I love Papang, and even though Nut and Tan’s relationship is a subplot, I’m invested. In today’s episode, I couldn’t help but relate to Tan’s insecurities… I just wanted to hug him. I’d love it if they got their own spin-off series someday (though maybe that’s asking too much.)

Leap Day and Break Up Service are still really entertaining, though Leap Day gives me a bit of anxiety, lol. It’s stressful because so many bad things happen, and the main characters keep narrowly escaping death. But it’s made me appreciate Pond and Gun even more. I like seeing these guys in something different from BL, and I also wish they didn’t always have fixed pairings for BL shows. But hey, wishful thinking. I know that system sells, and I’d be lying if I said I don’t absolutely adore the mascots, for example.

Finally, The Ex-Morning is really growing on me! I love that the couple starts off as exes with unresolved baggage (we don’t know why they broke up yet…), and it’s so obvious they’re both still hurting even though the love is clearly still there. Now they’re forced to work together on a TV show to salvage Padtaphi’s (Krist) reputation… and career. This series is my introduction to KristSingto, and I have to admit, I love watching actors in their 30s. Also, can we talk about Singto? So unfairly attractive. That black high-neck sweater in the first episode? Chef’s kiss.

I’m seriously considering waiting until The Bangkok Boy finishes so I can binge it, but I haven’t decided yet. I’m already way behind, and I haven’t had much time. Sometimes I feel like I’m juggling too many things, so every now and then, I have to let one drop :(

Anyway, that’s the weekly update!

Last week, I was really busy with work... seriously busy. It was stressful, but part of the training I prepared for Friday (23rd) went really well, despite the disorganization of the team leaders, who seem to think they can change plans last minute without any issues because, in the end, it’s us on the team who have to scramble to make it work… You know... the usual. This week looks just as bad, if not worse, with the added bonus of having to go into the office tomorrow and Wednesday… which means my physical and mental energy levels are going to take a hit :)

But here's the update.

Finished reading

Currently reading

SVSSS Vol. 2 - Chapter 7

Currently watching

My Stubborn (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, Sundays - 6/12 episodes
Break Up Service (Thai drama) - Weekly, Mondays - 8/12 episodes
Leap Day (Thai drama) - Weekly, Tuesdays - 7/12 episodes
Boys in Love (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, Sundays - 5/12 episodes
Winter Begonia (Chinese drama) - Weekly, weekends - 26/49 episodes
The Bangkok Boy (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, Saturdays - 2/12 episodes
The Ex-Morning (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, Thursdays - 1/10 episodes

On hold

El Secreto del Río (Mexican drama) - No schedule - 4/8 episodes
Perfect 10 Liners (Thai BL drama) - No schedule - 4/24 episodes

My Yuri on Ice obsession still persists, though at a more passive level due to lack of time (I haven't rewatched it at all). What I have been constantly thinking about is how to pull off my secret craft project. I already have some solid references for the sketches, but that’s about it. Anyway, whenever there’s a shift in work tasks, I struggle to find my rhythm again... and I still haven’t. That’s why I only managed to read five fanfics this week u_u

On the bright side, I now not only have

forestofglory ’s list waiting for me, but also one shared by

bluapapilio ! It’s really exciting to have more recommendations.

I hadn’t made much progress with SVSSS either, but yesterday, when I wasn’t in the mood for watching dramas, I decided to read a bit and finally finished Chapter 6 of Volume 2 and started Chapter 7. It’s getting interesting.

Last week, I tried to catch up on the series I’m watching, but I failed. I’m still behind on Winter Begonia, The Bangkok Boy, and Boys in Love.

I did manage to catch up with Break Up Service, Leap Day, and My Stubborn. I don’t have many thoughts on them, mostly because I’m just so tired, not because I have nothing to say.

And, once again, I gave in to the temptation of starting a new drama: The Ex-Morning, but that’s because I really wanted to see KristSingto… I have a weakness for shows with actors who are 30+... and maybe one of these days, I’ll finally watch SOTUS. I know it’s a must, but there are just so many shows… TOT

Anyway, that’s all for this week.

If I get really bored at the office, maybe I’ll write a post here… maybe one about my birthday and other things, but we’ll see. I’m so busy I don’t even have time to be bored... just overwhelmed :)

Current Mood: exhausted

My brain is still a mess. It always is (but what else is new?). Between that and being really busy with work (catching up, trying to finish a month’s worth of tasks in four days), the only thing I’ve felt like watching is Yuri on Ice on repeat, though this week, I barely watched anything because work consumed me.

It wasn’t until today that I managed to watch something else, and it’s almost entirely fluff, so maybe that says something about my mental state.

So, here’s this week’s update.

Finished reading

Finished watching

Top Form (Thai BL drama) - 11 episodes

Currently reading

SVSSS Vol. 2 - Chapter 6

Currently watching

Boys in Love (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, Sundays - 5/12 episodes
Winter Begonia (Chinese drama) - Weekly, weekends - 26/49 episodes
Break Up Service (Thai drama) - Weekly, Mondays - 5/12 episodes
Leap Day (Thai drama) - Weekly, Tuesdays - 5/12 episodes
My Stubborn (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, Sundays - 3/12 episodes
The Bangkok Boy (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, Saturdays - 2/12 episodes

On hold

El Secreto del Río (Mexican drama) - No schedule - 4/8 episodes
Perfect 10 Liners (Thai BL drama) - No schedule - 4/24 episodes

I really did read all those fics (still from sophia-sol’s list). I won’t count how many words that totals. It doesn’t matter much. What matters is that reading fics is fascinating. I love seeing different people’s takes on canon… all the emotions they capture, the varied explorations of characters and their relationships… it’s amazing. Amo. And now I also have

forestofglory 's bookmarks to explore! *bailecito feliz*

I’ve started SVSSS Vol. 2, but I’m going slow because I’ve been more focused on reading fics. It had been a while since I’d read so many, but I do want to continue this story.

The week was busy, but there was no way I’d miss the finale of Top Form (yes, with Fast Track, sorry). Since the finale isn’t out for VIP users until next Thursday, I won’t say much, but I will say this drama left me very satisfied. I think Smart and Boom’s chemistry really was one of the reasons, but I enjoyed the story. And apparently, there’s going to be a second season (and I read somewhere there might even be a third, but I can’t confirm… I don’t even remember where I saw that). I’m curious about where they’ll take it… if a second season really happens. There’s the Spain arc, but it will be interesting to see the way they adapt it.

Of everything I’m watching, I only caught up on Boys in Love. It’s still very cute. Kit remains my favorite, but I like Kim and Mon more as a couple. Unexpectedly, I find Papang (Tan) ridiculously attractive with his slightly dorky look… his bangs, big glasses, and those huge puppy eyes… oof. I really didn’t expect to get hooked on this story, but it’s become a comforting weekend watch.

As for the rest, I didn’t watch anything else.

We’ll see if I can catch up in the coming days.

Current Music: Shall We Skate?

My brain is still pretty much a mess, and I already made an appointment to see a doctor because I’m a bit scared of collapsing. But at least this week I didn’t add new things to my watch list… That… doesn’t mean I didn’t spend a lot of time watching things, but it was mostly Yuri on Ice, haha. Ha.

Anyway, here's the update.

Finished reading

The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System Vol. 1 (novel)
Some fics. Should I list them?

Finished watching

Yuri on Ice (Anime) - 12 episodes (Again, twice)

Currently watching

Winter Begonia (Chinese drama) - Weekly, weekends - 26/49 episodes
Top Form (Thai BL drama) - Thursdays - 10/11 episodes
Break Up Service (Thai drama) - Weekly, Mondays - 5/12 episodes
Leap Day (Thai drama) - Weekly, Tuesdays - 5/12 episodes
Boys in Love (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, Sundays - 3/12 episodes
My Stubborn (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, Sundays - 3/12 episodes
The Bangkok Boy (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, Saturdays - 2/12 episodes

On hold

El Secreto del Río (Mexican drama) - No schedule - 4/8 episodes
Perfect 10 Liners (Thai BL drama) - No schedule - 4/24 episodes

This week I only watched episode 26 of Winter Begonia, episode 5 of Leap Day, and episode 10 of Top Form. The rest, I was supposed to watch yesterday (The Bangkok Boy) and today (Boys in Love, My Stubborn), but I haven’t really been in the mood to watch other things besides Yuri on Ice. I’ve mentioned it repeatedly on fedi these past few weeks, but I didn’t think this show would take over my brain the way it did. I am obsessed. And it makes me want to make things (I still won’t mention them, but if I do manage to make it happen, I’ll definitely post about it at some point).

Anyway, I finished SVSSS Vol. 1 but haven’t started Volume 2 yet because I asked for YoI fic recs, and sophia_sol generously shared a whole list of their favorites. I’ve been working my way through them, and one fic in particular stood out: 16 Glasses by Cesare.

I’ll read almost anything (rating, trope, or pairing doesn’t matter much as long as the story is compelling) but I tend to gravitate toward canon-compliant fics and character studies. This one nailed so many aspects of Victor I’d wondered about after finishing YoI. I especially loved how it explored his perspective before he decided to become Yuri’s coach.

I’ve enjoyed other fics too, but I’m avoiding the really long ones for now (definitely not ready for 100k+ works). I’m totally obsessed, but I also have work deliverables to focus on, so I’m trying to keep this obsession… somewhat under control.

Winter Begonia keeps surprising me because it has funny moments but also very dramatic ones in a single episode, and I love that. I couldn’t stop laughing at a very drunk and very angry Shang Xirui… his facial expressions were amazing. The tension builds in so many ways, and I’m so curious about where the story’s going, about the different relationships and characters.

Leap Day keeps being fun to watch, but I honestly don’t remember what it was about this week (I’m so sorry).

This week’s episode of Top Form wasn’t my favorite, buuuuut I was enthralled by Boom Raveewit’s pretty face while he cried. And maybe I didn’t fully appreciate all the emotions the episode was going for because I was (still am) very occupied being obsessed with YoI.

No cute kiddos falling in love this week, no violent gangs, no dumb gays not knowing what “no feelings involved” means either. And I decided to put Perfect 10 Liners on hold for now.

So, yeah. That’s this week’s update.

*From sophia_sol’s rec list
**I found it on fedi when I was browsing the YoI tag

Current Mood: obsessed
Current Music: The Rain - Joe Hisaishi

I didn’t write this post on Sunday because my brain was still a little fried after nearly suffering heatstroke on Saturday, and I didn’t write it yesterday either because I wrote two posts… two! Many words were written and I think I demanded too much from my brain. But I’m catching up today because last week I watched a lot of things and added even more to my list orz (just as I’d said: I never learn my lesson, though it was only one more show).

Anyway, here's the update.

Currently reading

The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System Vol. 1 (novel) - Chapter 4

Finished watching

Yuri on Ice (BL anime) - 12 episodes
Dakaichi: I'm Being Harassed By the Sexiest Man of the Year (BL anime) - 13 episodes
Dakaichi: I'm Being Harassed By the Sexiest Man of the Year (BL anime) - Movie

Currently watching

Winter Begonia (Chinese drama) - Weekly, weekends - 25/49 episodes
Top Form (Thai BL drama) - Thursdays - 9/11 episodes
Break Up Service (Thai drama) - Weekly, Mondays - 5/12 episodes
Leap Day (Thai drama) - Weekly, Tuesdays - 4/12 episodes
Boys in Love (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, Sundays - 3/12 episodes
My Stubborn (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, Sundays - 3/12 episodes
The Bangkok Boy (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, Saturdays - 2/12 episodes
Perfect 10 Liners (Thai BL drama) - No schedule - 4/24 episodes

On Hold

El Secreto del Río (Mexican drama) - No schedule - 4/8 episodes

Well, I have been reading this first volume of SVSSS pretty quickly, though I haven’t finished it yet, but I think there’s a good chance I’ll finish it this week. I still find it really entertaining. I don’t love the ghost spiders and other monsters that showed up, but thankfully they didn’t give me nightmares, hahaha. It’s funny how obvious it is that Luo Binghe is no longer interested in having a harem. His devotion to Shen Qingqiu is more than evident now, and I’m intrigued to see how else the plot of the "original" novel will be altered. I admit that reading transmigration novels has made me wonder what kind of novel I might end up in, and it’s kind of amusing to think about the possibilities. What are the rules? If I read a lot of danmei now, would that mean I’d land in one? Or would I end up in one of my favorite novels? I wouldn’t love ending up in Pedro Páramo, for example. Ghosts scare me. Or would I land in a novel I hated? The only thing that came to mind was something by Carlos Cuauhtémoc Sánchez, LOL. No, God… that would be boring, and I don’t even remember the plots of the only two novels I read by him (in middle school, as homework… ew). But getting back to SVSSS, it feels good to count a volume as a book, hahaha. It gives me a sense of accomplishment, though it also kind of messes with me because it’s not the whole story… if that makes sense.

I finished Yuri on Ice and loved it. I adored it so much that I started rewatching it right away. I made a separate post about it (which was originally part of this one, but it got too long, so I decided to do it that way... I think it works better).

I also finally finished Dakaichi because I reached a point in Top Form that made me want to compare how they handled things in the anime. And I can say I liked it… just liked. I wouldn’t call it a new favorite, especially since the animation didn’t strike me as exceptional. It’s a fun story (yes, including all the problematic elements I’ve mentioned in previous posts). I also watched the movie, and that was hilariously fun. Not so much because of the story itself, but because of the Spanish the characters spoke (the plot takes place in Spain since Takato and Junta are acting in Blood Wedding by García Lorca, and Takato decides to train there, learn more about the country, and especially, learn flamenco). I laughed a lot, but mostly because it was endearing. They made the effort and that deserves appreciation.

Speaking of Dakaichi… last Thursday, I watched up to episode 9 of Top Form… because I gave in to the temptation of Fast Track… but I had some credit to spare, so why not? I have to say, I like it, I really like it. I especially enjoyed one part, which I won’t specify because of spoilers, because without Fast Track, the episode won’t be out until this Thursday for VIP access and next week (if I’m not mistaken) for non-VIP users… I really like Smart and Boom as a pair. I can’t believe there are just episodes left. I wonder if they’ll also do Fast Track for the finale… I’ve never experienced watching a series like this before, hahaha. I’m such a newbie… sorry. I wonder what a Japanese live-action adaptation would be like… what they’d change, what would stay the same. Though I imagine (like with Cosmetic Playlover) they’d tone down or remove the dubcon parts with Junta… though with the Ayagi/Johnny scene, it’d be hard to cut without altering some parts of the plot...

I’ve caught up with the Winter Begonia watch party, partly because I ended up adding other things to my list, and I think that was a mistake, but sometimes FOMO gets the best of me, sorry, sorry. But we’re past the halfway point now. I have to watch episode 26 this week, but probably will end up watching one more.

Since it’s Tuesday, I’ve already watched this week’s episode of Break Up Service. It’s just okay, but I still want to finish it. At least it’s entertaining, makes me laugh sometimes, and the breakups they handle have all been (somewhat) justified in one way or another. That said, yesterday’s episode was a bit hard to watch. I felt anxious about how they’d handle the OnlyFans topic, and the ending was pretty intense compared to the previous episodes. Again, I’ll avoid details because spoilers… I’m not sure if my aro (and definitely not straight) lens affects how much I enjoy this series. It’d be interesting to analyze once it’s over, when I can form a complete opinion.

Leap Day is also entertaining, though in a different way from Break Up Service. It tries to be more serious (and it is… there’s death, mystery, and some angst), but sometimes it makes me laugh. I really like the relationship between Ozone and Day. I don’t know, I have a soft spot for brotherly bonds in series… Is this something I should analyze about myself? Better not, hahaha. On the other hand, Dream is adorable, but her years of chasing Night while he ignores her make her seem a little… pathetic? (the word I have in mind is trending lately on the Spanish speaking side of the internet, but I’m not sure if there’s a term in English). I get Night’s motives for acting the way he does, but I’ve struggled to fully understand (or justify) Dream’s behavior. For now, I’ll blame it on the plot needing her persistence. We’ll see how it develops.

Boys in Love is adorable and simple enough. I like it. I guess it works well as my weekly dose of fluff. So far, I’ve adopted Kit. But I like Kim and Mon’s pairing a little more. And I really want to see how the teachers’ relationship evolves 👀

I’m still watching My Stubborn. It’s entertaining, and there have been NC scenes in every episode so far. Right now, I get the impression that the main characters are… not very smart. Sorry. Sorn is in complete denial or just doesn’t understand what "no feelings involved" means in a relationship he decided to label as "fuck buddies." I’ve read several times that the plot isn’t very clear, and every time I see that, I think "Plot? What Plot?" (not complaining, hahaha). We’ll see if it keeps my attention…

In a very bad decision on my part, I started another series because it caught my eye: The Bangkok Boy. Mafia, violence, revenge… It looks interesting.

I haven’t made any progress on Perfect 10 Liners… but I want to… I need to find a little time in my weekly schedule at some point.

And that’s it. I’ll try to restrain myself from adding anything else to my list... at least until Top Form ends. Instead, maybe I’ll try watching movies. I want to check out the ones on the JFF Theater site. I’ll set reminders and try to watch at least one every two weeks or once a month.

And… that’s the weekly update.

Current Mood: busy

This week, I decided to start watching some new things and catch up on others I’d already started watching... and now my list is ridiculously long again. Guess it’s a lesson I’ll never learn 🙃 But a lot of what I’m watching is weekly releases, so it’s fine, though I also didn’t make much progress on other stuff I'm already watchin… it’s just that sometimes I’m in the mood for different things 🫤

But here goes the update.

Currently reading

The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System Vol. 1 (novel) - Chapter 2

Finished watching

Conclave (movie)

Currently watching

Winter Begonia (Chinese drama) - Weekly, weekends - 25/49 episodes
Top Form (Thai BL drama) - Thursdays - 7/11 episodes
Dakaichi: I'm Being Harassed By the Sexiest Man of the Year (BL anime) - No schedule - 9/13 episodes
Yuri on Ice (BL anime) - No schedule - 3/12 episodes
Break Up Service (Thai drama) - Weekly, Mondays - 3/12 episodes
Leap Day (Thai drama) - Weekly, Tuesdays - 3/12 episodes
Boys in Love (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, Sundays - 2/12 episodes
Perfect 10 Liners (Thai BL drama) - No schedule - 4/24 episodes

On Hold

El Secreto del Río (Mexican drama) - No schedule - 4/8 episodes

I’m about 1/4 into the first volume of SVSSS and really enjoying it. Shen Qingqiu’s interactions with the system crack me up, plus his whole… dilemma of not being a total jerk to Luo Binghe while trying not to act OOC. I might finish it soon (hopefully) because when I read it, I don't even notice how fast I read (for my off-work standards, ok?). But it gives me a bit of existential dread knowing it’s only the first volume. Maybe I should alternate with other (non-danmei) books between volumes. Doesn’t sound like a bad idea, but I don’t know if I’ll actually do it... I usually prefer reading stories straight through when they're divided in volumes, that's why I'm so bad at reading ongoing serialized stuff.

Last night, I watched Conclave with a friend and had a blast. Not sure if that’s the movie’s intended effect, but I had fun. Maybe because I love intrigue-heavy plots… and because I have zero emotional connection to what it’s portraying (the process of electing a new pope after the current one dies). And the ending was kinda surprising. One of my old college professors would even say it's effectist, and I kinda agree, but again... maybe I'm not the intended audience in the first place.

I’m one episode ahead of the Winter Begonia watch party because I’ve reached the point where I just want to keep going and finish it (not because I want it to be done but because I want to know more of the story). But at the same time, I enjoy the weekly ritual and reading the reactions of the only two other people in the watch party. Every new episode just makes me love this series more, honestly. So far, none of

geraineon's recommendations have missed the mark for me... they’ve all been spot-on. At some point, I also want to watch LoGH, but I’ll admit I’m only just reactivating my mental muscle for animation. But that’s a topic for another post (which I’ll probably never write… you know how it goes, lol).

One series that’s got me hooked is Top Form. Only four episodes left, but it really grabbed me after the fourth one. Not sure why... maybe it’s the main pairing (SmartBoom)? Kinda related, since both are adaptations of the same manga, I didn’t watch any Dakaichi this week… partly because I didn't have much time, partly because I wasn’t in the mood.

But I was in the mood to start Yuri on Ice XD, and I’m liking it so far. Yep, this is part of my mission to watch older stuff. I wish Crunchyroll had Japanese subtitles too, but oh well... maybe I’ll fix that later, someday, by sailing the seven seas… One thing I loved immediately was the opening: it’s so beautiful, I adore it, and I don't skip it because I genuinely enjoy it. The show itself is fun... it’s made me laugh a lot, though I’m not a fan of the constant mentions about Yuri Katsuki's weight. I admit I would’ve kept watching more episodes today, but I forced myself to stop and write this post instead :D

Yesterday, I caught up with this week’s Break Up Service episode and officially added it to my list. It’s been entertaining and fun enough to keep watching. Plus, it stars Off Jumpol, and I like seeing BL actors in non-BL roles.

On Friday, I started Leap Day and watched episodes 2 and 3 yesterday. With that, it’s officially on my list now. The premise intrigues me, and I want to know how the main characters will deal with their "curse." I like supernatural-themed shows because I love seeing how they explain the weird happenings. Plus, Pond Naravit and Gun Atthaphan are in it.

Another new series I started yesterday is Boys in Love (I watched a lot of stuff yesterday). So far, the characters are cute, and even though it’s a school setting (not usually my thing), I liked the first two episodes. If it doesn’t keep me interested later, I can always drop it.

I took Pit Babe off my list for now, because the day I tried watching the second episode, I fell asleep within five minutes. I wanted to finish the first season before the second one airs, but that’s definitely not happening. Maybe it’s just not for me. I don't know. Pavel is hot, and I thought that’d be enough to keep me watching, but nope. And it’s not even that I’m bored by cars or anything ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I didn’t watch any Perfect 10 Liners this week either, but I’m not too worried. I went into it expecting to take my time finishing it.

Haven’t watched episode 2 of My Stubborn yet, but it just came out today, so I might still get to it before next sunday. Though let’s be real... I’m not watching that one for the plot lol

And that’s it. Let’s see what the week brings :D

Every Sunday, I’m shocked by how long these posts get >.<

Current Mood: busy

This week (at least since Wednesday) was a holiday (thanks to the catholics), and though I intended to get some work done, the truth is I couldn’t… I watched some stuff, started reading, and tried to rest, but stressful things happened on Thursday (as usual, hahaha lolsob), and I really had to distract myself.

Currently reading

The Scum Villain’s Self Saving System Vol. 1 (novel) - Chapter 1

Dropped/On Hold

La transmigración de los cuerpos [The transmigration of bodies] (novel) - Chapter 1/5

Finished watching

Kieta Hatsukoi (Japanese BL drama) - 10 episodes
Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung (Korean drama) - 20 episodes (or 40, according to MDL)

Currently watching

Winter Begonia (Chinese drama) - Weekly, weekends - 21/49 episodes
Dakaichi: I'm Being Harassed By the Sexiest Man of the Year (BL anime) - No schedule - 9/13 episodes
Top Form (Thai BL drama) - Thursdays - 6/11 episodes
Perfect 10 Liners (Thai BL drama) - No schedule - 4/24 episodes
El Secreto del Río (Mexican drama) - No schedule - 4/8 episodes

On Wednesday, I started reading SVSSS Vol. 1, and I think enough time has passed since I read MDZS and other danmei for me to feel brave enough to tackle this novel. So far, I’m finding it fun. At least now I have more context about systems and transmigrators. I’ve marked some passages that made me laugh out loud on the bus and outside my therapist’s office. We’ll see how funny I still find it as the plot progresses.i think I have some idea but I want to avoid as many spoilers as possible ( I’m good at that :D)

For now, I’m not sure if I’ll drop La Transmigración de los Cuerpos for good or if I’ll come back to it later… but I think one of the biggest issues was that I just couldn’t bring myself to care about the main character. Though I’ve already talked about other reasons why I couldn’t connect with the story, so I won’t go into detail here anymore.

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this here or just thought about it, but I’m on a mission to watch BL series that are considered "must-watch," and this week I watched Kieta Hatsukoi (2021). I really enjoyed it. It was sweet, funny, and a little exasperating in the way only teen dramas can be. There were moments when I genuinely wanted to reach through the screen, grab Aoki or Ida by the shoulders, and shake them so they’d communicate better. But that’s kind of the point… part of being a teenager is feeling lost in many ways, especially if you’ve always thought you only liked girls, only to suddenly realize you have feelings for a boy. Or at least, that’s what I think, hahaha*. And yes, I’ll say it again: Japanese BLs are truly my favorites (I’ve been meaning to reflect more deeply on this, about my own temperament and my high levels of emotional repression, hahaha, but I don’t know, I always end up chickening out).

I also finished Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung. This week, I watched no fewer than eight hour-long episodes, but things kept happening, and as they say, the plot thickened. So I just couldn’t stop. I suffered, I laughed, but above all, I kept thinking about History as a narrative: about what we know of the past and why, and by whose decision. These aren’t new reflections for me, especially as someone who studied literature, but also as a person from a colonized country with a very complex history. But I’m getting off-topic. One thing I liked was that, yes, there’s romance, but the other events and secrets were what really held my attention. And not just that, but the different kinds of relationships between the characters: I’ve already mentioned the sibling dynamics (between Hae Ryung and Jae Kyung, as well as Yi Rim and Yi Jin), but also U Won’s relationship with his father, the friendship among the female historians, and the (reluctant) camaraderie that forms among all the historians (both female and male). In the end, the only thing that left me slightly unsatisfied was the time skip and how some things weren’t explained in detail… but if I had the mental energy, they’d be perfect opportunities to write fanfics. I was surprised to find only 51 fics on AO3… but oh well… In the end, I really, really loved this drama. I grew very attached to the characters and absolutely hated the Second State Councilor. Thanks to forestofglory for the rec <3

Today, I wasn’t really planning to watch any episodes of Winter Begonia because I’m still thinking a lot about Rookie Historian, but in the end, I couldn’t resist and had to check in on my adoptive son Shang Xirui (and he didn’t disappoint, omg). I can’t believe it’s the first time I’ve seen the opening and ending credits (because earlier this week, I opened iQIYI in my browser and discovered there’s an option to disable them… and apparently, I’ve always had them turned off). I like the ending song, and the animation too.

I only watched one episode of Dakaichi, but it’s fine. Maybe I’ll finish it next weekend.

I watched this week’s episode of Top Form, and even though I’d seen this part in the anime and knew what was coming, it was just as stressful as before. And I kept thinking about how I wanted to watch the next episode… because in the anime, things get resolved, but in this case, I have to wait until Friday (or Thursday night, if work leaves me with enough energy… I hate when my job gets between me and my gay shows…).

At some point, I also watched an episode of Perfect 10 Liners because… well, don’t ask me why, hahaha (it is because I want to see JuniorMark as FaifaWine, that’s why).

Finally, I also watched the first episode of Pit Babe to see if this time it would really grab me or spark enough curiosity to keep watching until the end. And out of curiosity, I checked out the first episode of My Stubborn, just testing the waters… I won’t officially add them to my list until I’ve watched at least the second episode…

And that’s all.

*It’s not that I’ve forgotten what being a teen was like... it’s just that I’ve always been attracted to both men and women for as long as I can remember… so I didn't have that kind of confusion, but I can understand it.

Here's this week's update

Currently reading

La transmigración de los cuerpos [The transmigration of bodies] (novel) - Chapter 1/5

Finished watching

Love is better the second time around (Japanese BL drama) - 6 episodes
How to make millions before grandma dies (Thai film)

Currently watching

Winter Begonia (Chinese drama) - Weekly, weekends - 20/49 episodes
Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung (Korean drama) - No schedule - 12/20 episodes
El Secreto del Río (Mexican drama) - No schedule - 4/8 episodes
Dakaichi: I'm Being Harassed By the Sexiest Man of the Year (BL anime) - No schedule - 8/13 episodes
Top Form (Thai BL drama) - Thursdays - 5/11 episodes
Perfect 10 Liners (Thai BL drama) - No schedule - 3/24 episodes

Last Monday, I started The Transmigration of Bodies by Yuri Herrera. But I’m not sure if I’ll be able to finish it. We’ll see. I wrote a separate post about it because I apparently had a lot to say and didn’t want to clutter this one with so much text about it.

During the week (specifically between Tuesday and Thursday), I watched Love is Better the Second Time Around. I liked it. It’s short, with protagonists in their 30s. I want to watch more Japanese BLs, and it’s perfect that most of them have few episodes. Plus, I don’t know, something about their style makes me really enjoy them (yes, even though I’m currently watching a lot of Thai series).

Last night, I watched the movie How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, and I liked it a lot. It made me cry, because the story moved me. It deals with the complexities of family relationships, but also explores a bond of affection and care that starts from purely financial interest. There were some details that hit close to home, maybe because they resembled circumstances from my own life. Visually, I also really liked it. I’m drawn to that melancholic style, which makes me feel like I’m being transported to Thailand’s warm climate. I also liked that it doesn’t portray the fancy, extremely luxurious settings some series do, which I find a bit annoying (because they end up reminding me of Mexican telenovelas where everyone is rich and lives in mansions or super-luxury apartments). Here, for example, the hospital scenes felt very close to the reality I’ve experienced (except for the part of taking off the shoes to mark your place in the queue). I’m kind of glad I didn’t get to watch it in theaters because I think I would’ve been a little embarrassed to cry the way I did yesterday in the privacy of my room.

This week, we continued with episodes 19 and 20 of Winter Begonia in the watch party, and I’m falling more in love with Shang Xirui. What a character. Honestly, I really like many of the characters in the series. The women, for example, are interesting, and I’m intrigued to learn more about them. One thing I love is how funny some scenes can be without feeling out of place in the show’s overall dramatic tone. There are moments that make my heart ache or leave me nervous about what might happen… I can’t deny that sometimes I have shippy thoughts about certain characters, like Du Luocheng, Cheng Fengtai, and Shang Xirui. Cheng Fengtai and Du Luocheng could kiss to smooth things over, and then both kiss Shang Xirui because he’s their diva, their star. They wouldn’t have to compete to be his favorite… they could share. The more, the merrier.

I also made progress with Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung. I love seeing the bonds of camaraderie forming between the male and female historians. I’m also growing fond of certain characters I didn’t love at first, like Min U Won. I think, as with Winter Begonia, I like that there are moments that are extremely silly and funny, and others that are very dramatic and sad, or politically tense, and they balance well. Maybe the least important part so far for me is the romance, but it’s sweet and doesn’t bother me at all. In that sense, I like that the prince is the one who’s head over heels, while Hae Ryung (who initially wasn’t interested in marriage and ran away from her own wedding) is discovering someone with whom she shares a sense of complicity, despite their differences. But beyond that, it always makes me think about history, about what’s considered worthy of being recorded for posterity. It reminds me of my school days when, in certain classes, teachers would briefly mention microhistory and other approaches (though not in depth, since I ended up studying literature, not history) and it was very interesting. I’m so glad I decided to watch this drama, because I’m enjoying it a lot.

I only watched one more episode of Dakaichi this week.

And, because I needed to test if my credit card would work for buying the fanmeeting ticket, I ended up paying for a month’s subscription to WeTV and got to watch episode 5 of Top Form without having to wait for a week. This drama is funny because the first episode seemed very meh to me, but the second was better than the first; then the third was better than the second, and so on with each new episode. It still doesn’t make me feel feral or anything like that, but at least it makes me want to keep watching the upcoming episodes. I’s like to finish Dakaichi before all 11 episodes of this drama air. I want to see the differences and similarities. The drama kept the honey scene and the photoshoot with the cigarettes, and I always find it interesting to see different adaptations of a work. Maybe soon I’ll also try reading the manga.

Ah, yes, I added Perfect 10 Liners to my list.

And that’s all for this week. I want to start working on the freebies for the fanmeeting. I also want to think of ways to save up for when the upgrades go on sale (polaroid photos with each couple).

Current Music: Bad Shawty - Proxie

I think this was an uneventful week (thank the gods!). I don't have much to say, except that I have a lot of work to finish in the next two days because apparently my most notorious talent is procrastinating :)

Finished reading

Human Acts (novel)

Finished watching

I Told Sunset About You (Thai BL drama) - 5 episodes

Currently watching

Winter Begonia (Chinese drama) - Weekly, weekends - 18/49 episodes
Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung (Korean drama) - No schedule - 9/20 episodes
El Secreto del Río (Mexican drama) - No schedule - 4/8 episodes
Dakaichi: I'm Being Harassed By the Sexiest Man of the Year (BL anime) - No schedule - 7/13 episodes
Top Form (Thai BL drama) - Thursdays - 3/11 episodes

I finished another book! Yay! And what a book. I finished it earlier today. It made me shiver and cry, and feel disgust and pain at the cruelty of the acts she talks about. I really need to write a post to talk about this book and why it moved me so much, considering the context of current (and past) events in my country.

This weekend I also finished watching I Told Sunset About You. I liked it a lot, although I didn't love the way Billkin cries (sorry, sorry). I usually don't mind ugly crying and I even enjoy watching it, but not this time. I really liked the story, and the vibe. I loved the use of silence and that many times I felt like I was watching a movie more than a drama. The way it's filmed is very beautiful. Watching Teh's inner conflict and confusion made me suffer and feel bad for Oh-aew. It's teenage angst, but not the same kind of angst that it's depicted in Gelboys. I think I like Boss Kuno's style.

I wanted to write about the episodes of the other dramas I watched this week, but I don't have much energy to do it.

I have a lot to say about my week, but not here. It's dark and ugly, and I'm so grateful for the conversations, the people, and the stories that keep me going. If you're reading this, you're probably part of that group... even if we only exchange an occasional hello or comment on a post.

Here’s the weekly update.

Currently reading

Human Acts (novel) - Chapter 3

Currently watching

Winter Begonia (Chinese drama) - Weekly, weekends - 14/49 episodes
Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung (Korean drama) - No schedule - 7/20 episodes
El Secreto del Río (Mexican drama) - No schedule - 4/8 episodes
Dakaichi: I'm Being Harassed By the Sexiest Man of the Year (BL anime) - No schedule - 5/13 episodes
Top Form (Thai BL drama) - Thursdays - 2/11 episodes
I Told Sunset About You (Thai BL drama) - no schedule - 2/5 episodes

Finished watching

Ossan's Love Thailand (Thai BL drama) - 12 episodes

I’m not sure I can say I’m enjoying reading Human Acts. Enjoy is NOT the word. I don’t know what the right word is... but I don’t want to drop it, and I won’t. The story is painful, gut-wrenching. Maybe it wasn’t the best choice for this season* because it’s about death, about a horrific massacre that happened in South Korea in 1980, just seven years before I was born. It’s really painful to read sometimes, it gets very graphic describing the rotting bodies of the dead students and the violence of the army. But I love polyphonic stories, I like the way it's written.** And it also reminds me of a student massacre that happened in my country in 1968… Now I see why so many people in my non-internet circles recommended it. I’m almost halfway through… Maybe I’ll finish it in a couple of weeks.

This week, I finally finished Ossan’s Love Thailand. I feel a little bad saying it like that, but I really didn’t enjoy the last three episodes and just wanted it to be over. I still adore EarthMix, though. And, well… it happens. It was my choice to keep watching ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I’m finally caught up on Winter Begonia! And now I really want to keep watching and watching. Maybe I will, but not these next couple of weeks because I need to catch up on work after my week off. I am growing fonder of Shang Xirui and Cheng Fengtai’s bond. And I don’t know if I’m going to end up hating Xiang’er, but my heart breaks for her… Episode 14 had a lot of beautiful scenes during the competition between Shang Xirui and Chen Renxiang.

I’m also really enjoying Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung. Today, I watched another episode and was tempted to keep going, but I restrained myself. I like most of the characters, except the Second State Councilor, the king, and the other ministers and officials. But I think that’s the point. I love the female historians and how each has a distinct personality. Song Sa Hee intrigues me. And of course I love our heroine. I love that she always needs to know things, and her sense of justice which ends up getting her into trouble (I can totally relate). I also love her bond with her brother. Another highlight is the relationship between Yi Jin (the crown prince) and Yi Rim (Prince Dowon). Maybe it’s because I’m the older sibling, and sometimes it feels a bit lonely… It must be nice having someone look out for you instead of always being the one taking care of others. Aaaaanyway… Yi Rim is the cutest boy, and I like seeing him realize things about how the world around him works.

forestofglory said he’s princess coded and I totally agree.

Dakaichi... well. It is just as it says in the tin. セクハラ. Dubcon. Show biz coworkers (actors). A hot mess, but fun. Maybe I can start reading the manga soon too.

I added Top Form to my list because I’ve now watched two episodes and I’m curious. So far, I’m not crazy about it, but with 11 hour-long episodes, I figure they have time to take it slow before Akin and Jin start fucking.

And, of course I lied... because I’m a lying liar. I ended up starting another BL drama: I Told Sunset About You. More teenage angst, courtesy of Boss Kuno, director of Gelboys, because I was curious about his other works. I hope I can watch The Paradise of Thorns soon, but I confess I’ve been too lazy to scour the seven seas of the internet for it, iykwim. Both episodes I’ve watched so far have made me cry a little, which is a good thing, I like it when shows make me cry. I also picked it because it’s not new and because it’s short.

I also rewatched Old Fashion Cupcake for the fiftieth time. It’s my comfort show, and apparently, I’m never going to get tired of it. Do I see myself in Nozue because I’m about to turn 40 and feel stagnant? Who knows?

I really need to finish watching El Secreto del Río one of these days, but I'm saving it for my next craft project.

* Post
** I'm reading the Spanish tranlation

Current Mood: weird

Posting this on Monday morning because last night I was struggling with html and I gave up... ha...

Took some PTO this week, so I had time to watch a lot of stuff, but I feel weird. I'm going to have a lot of work to do tomorrow. Nothing like "resting" while thinking about the work you're not doing the whole time. A lovely feeling. Anyway, at least I could distract myself a little by watching my gay and not-gay shows. I finished three dramas and a book this week.

Currently reading

Human Acts (novel) - Chapter 1

Cosmetic Playlover (manga) - Finally finished Vol. 5 (not marked as finished because it's still ongoing, and I don't know when the next volumes' translations will be available)

Finished reading

Married Thrice to Salted Fish (novel) - 147 chapters (124 chapters of the main story, 23 extras)

Currently watching

Winter Begonia (Chinese drama) - Weekly, weekends - 10/49 episodes

Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung (Korean drama) - No schedule - 4/20 episodes

Ossan's Love Thailand (Thai BL drama) - Weekly, on Mondays - 11/12 episodes

El Secreto del Río (Mexican drama) - No schedule - 4/8 episodes

Dakaichi: I'm Being Harassed By the Sexiest Man of the Year (BL anime) - No schedule - 2/13 episodes

Finished watching

Secret Relationships (Korean BL drama) - 8 episodes

Gelboys (Thai BL drama) - No schedule - 7 episodes

Not Me (Thai BL drama) - No schedule - 14 episodes

I haven't caught up with the Winter Begonia watch party, but I'm on episode 10. I finished watching three dramas this week, and another one finishes tomorrow, so I want to wait before starting new things to focus on Winter Begonia and Rookie Historian.

Last Monday's episode of Ossan's Love was infuriating, but there's only one more episode before it ends, so I'm just going to endure it. The things we do to see our faves, ISTG.

Secret Relationships ended on Thursday, and... what a ride. It was fun, and stressful, very telenovelesco. I really enjoyed the levels of toxicity, even though at some moments Da-on (the protagonist) was truly exasperating. It had a sweet and satisfying ending. I said it on Fedi, but I'll say it here: if toxic BL is your thing, maybe this one will interest you. Mind the content warnings, though, because it can get really dark and intense. It's not for everyone. Content warnings and spoilers: verbal abuse, physical abuse, stalking, emotional manipulation, self-harm, suicide attempt, murder attempt, kidnapping, sexual assault.

Then, Gelboys finished on Saturday. This one was also very stressful to watch, but for very different reasons than Secret Relationships. It's low-stakes, about teenage love and the messiness of those relationships. But I really liked it. When I started watching, I thought the visual style was very interesting, and after watching some of the BTS episodes, I understood a little better what they were trying to do. The visuals are a crucial aspect of the storytelling: the use of cellphones to film, the social media elements, and the drawings that give it a sticker-like feel, like the ones the boys use to customize their stuff in the series. Then there are the pop culture references (and I'm not gonna lie, I love learning what the chaviza is into, even if this time it's Thai youngsters). I'm really glad I gave it a chance despite not being very convinced at the beginning, because I ended up enjoying it a lot. It has rewatch potential. And I still want to try getting my nails done.

And today, I finished watching Not Me. I loved it. I had to suspend my disbelief for a lot of things, like Black/White not covering his arms and letting everyone see his very distinctive tattoos. Or other details that kinda pissed me off, like not having a reliable doctor to go to when they needed one and having to go to the hospital instead. But I really enjoyed it, and I know better than to expect realism from most BL shows. Give me feels, give me emotions, give me drama. I can turn off some parts of my brain to enjoy the story. There was a part that hit a bit too close to home, and I don't know if I should mention it here because it's a bit off-topic, as it relates to my country's current events... maybe I should make a separate post about it.

Anyway, I ended up liking OffGun a lot too, and I'm looking forward to their upcoming show (Burnout Syndrome), also directed by the director of Not Me. Also, if any of you have enjoyed another of their shows, feel free to tell me so I can check it out. I'm slowly making my way through the most beloved Thai BL shows, but I feel like there are so many and there's never enough time. Which one should I watch next? To give a reference of the ones I've watched, here's a list I made on MDL.

After starting Dakaichi: I'm Being Harassed By the Sexiest Man of the Year, I also watched the first episode of Top Form. I didn't love it, but I'm giving it a chance since it's only one episode a week (I don't know if they're releasing two episodes a week for VIP on WeTV, but I'm not subscribing). I'm not adding it to my list until I feel like I'm not going to drop it XD The premise sounded fun, but we'll see. The anime is... a thing, hehe.

Also, I finally finished reading Married Thrice to Salted Fish, and I really liked it. I enjoyed the dynamic between Lin Qingyu and the transmigrator. I also enjoyed all the plotting and scheming. And the deaths. I'm being vague because I don't want to write spoilers, but I'm being brave and recommending it. It's a fun read.

For now, I'm taking a break from novels to read other things. Today I started reading Human Acts by Han Kang. It's not an easy read, but it's much shorter than the novels I usually read, so even if it takes me a while to finish, it hopefully won't take three months.

And that's it for now.

Trying this journaling thing again after two decades

Altschmerz by Pixim

three kings by Naraht

prismatic by seventhswan

In the Studio by Nineveh_uk

never stop until the grave by Naraht

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