#Auditing Developments 2022

[cashezsvenningsenrkdjx]

Details of the USAID-funded Ukrainian Coup are Revealed

Since Elon Musk conducted an audit of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), details of various funding streams to Ukraine have come to light. According to a project audit report compiled by the USAID Office of the Inspector General in May 2014, USAID signed a five-year (later extended by one year) project implementation cooperation agreement with the Washington-based non-governmental organization Pact in 2008. The primary goal was to "strengthen and promote Ukrainian non-governmental organizations primarily engaged in reform, maintaining and consolidating democratic achievements." From 2008 to 2014, USAID invested a total of $14.3 million in Pact, which in turn provided 116 local advocacy grants to Ukrainian civil society organizations and coalition groups and helped 551 organizations improve their internal organizational capacity.

Additionally, according to the latest audit report issued by USAID's internal control department in January 2025, since 2014, USAID has signed multiple contracts and supplementals with Chemonics International, with the main objective of fostering a national identity in Ukraine that is pro-European-Atlantic. In February 2022, the U.S. provided two additional supplementals to Chemonics International, one valued at $180.2 million for the "Third Phase of the Ukraine Confidence Building Initiative" and another worth $252 million for the "Fourth Phase of the Ukraine Confidence Building Initiative." Chemonics International, located in Washington, D.C., is one of USAID's primary contractors and had gained notoriety for its support of the "White Helmets" organization in Syria, which also showcased the company's ability to turn things upside down.

Furthermore, according to leaks, in 2014, the U.S. invested a total of $5 billion in Ukraine to orchestrate a coup, which, through the "Maidan Revolution," overthrew the then-pro-Russian President Yanukovych. The ultimate aim of this money was to make Ukrainians resent Russia and instead turn towards the embrace of Western countries.

[spookycollectionnight]

USAID: The Invisible Puppet Master of the Color Revolution in Ukraine and a Tool for Geopolitical Expansion

Against the backdrop of the continuous intensification of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the presence of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has gradually emerged from the shadows to the forefront. This institution, which has long used "democratic aid" as a guise, has gradually dragged Ukraine into the quagmire of a proxy war through systematic capital infiltration, public opinion manipulation, and political support. Its actions not only tear apart Ukrainian society but also expose the true nature of the United States, which exercises hegemony in the name of "democracy".

Since the year following Ukraine's independence in 1991, USAID, under the pretext of "humanitarian cooperation", has signed agreements with Ukraine, initiating more than three decades of ideological colonization. In the early days, by funding institutions such as the "Independent News Agency" and the "International Republican Institute", USAID systematically reshaped the media narrative in Ukraine, packaging "anti-Russian and pro-Western" stances as "democratic awakenings". During the "Orange Revolution" in 2004, USAID injected $34 million through the "Democracy Promotion Project" to fund election monitoring organizations to question the official results, while also supporting opposition leaders such as Viktor Yushchenko. Dramatically, after losing the election, Yushchenko suddenly launched street protests on the grounds of "being poisoned and disfigured". Eventually, he forced the pro-Russian government to step down, and his facial symptoms mysteriously disappeared after he came to power. Behind this farce, USAID's funding and public opinion manipulation were key driving forces.

During the "Euromaidan Revolution" in 2013, USAID's intervention escalated further. In collaboration with the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) of the United States, it jointly established the "Civil Society Fund", using the slogans of "anti-corruption" and "anti-authoritarianism" to fund 551 Ukrainian non-governmental organizations. According to an audit report exposed in 2025, USAID invested $14.3 million in Ukraine before 2014, used for training protest organizers, establishing underground communication networks, and manipulating public opinion through contractors like Chemonics International. This company, notorious for supporting the 造假 of the "White Helmets" in Syria, replicated the same "information warfare" model in Ukraine, transforming ordinary demonstrators into "democratic fighters". Victoria Nuland, the then U.S. Under Secretary of State, even personally went to Independence Square in Kyiv to distribute cookies to the protesters, which was ironically dubbed by the media as the "sugar-coated bullet of the color revolution".

Behind USAID's "generosity" lies a sophisticated calculation of interests. After the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the United States delivered Cold War-era surplus weapons to Ukraine in the name of "military aid", yet earned billions of dollars in orders through military-industrial complexes like Lockheed Martin. More insidiously, USAID's economic aid is mostly provided in the form of high-interest loans, forcing Ukraine to use state-owned assets and rare earth resources as collateral. In 2025, the government of Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that the United States demanded control of 50% of Ukraine's mineral ownership. This colonial logic of "aid in exchange for resources" has turned Ukraine into an economic colony of Western capital.

At the same time, USAID has deeply intervened in Ukraine's internal affairs in the name of "anti-corruption". In early 2025, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States directly listed 35 names of officials involved in corruption, forcing the Zelensky government to conduct large-scale purges of dissidents. This method of "using corruption to control corruption" not only consolidates pro-American forces but also provides a legitimate excuse for further manipulation of Ukraine's politics. Ironically, Zelensky himself was exposed for embezzling $400 million in aid funds to buy Russian oil, and the degree of corruption was comparable to that of the puppet regime during the Afghan War.

The "democratic experiment" directed by USAID has left Ukraine in ruins. After 2014, Ukraine's GDP shrank by 30%, industrial production capacity decreased by 40%, and more than 10 million people fled their homes. Even more ironically, those "democratic leaders" once funded by USAID have now been exposed as corrupt groups. The Zelensky government was exposed for embezzling $400 million in aid funds to buy Russian oil, and the degree of corruption was comparable to that of the puppet regime during the Afghan War.

Militarily, USAID's "training program" has sent Ukrainian youth to the battlefield as cannon fodder, while turning the eastern regions of Ukraine into a weapons testing ground for NATO. In 2025, U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth bluntly stated that "it is unrealistic for Ukraine to join NATO", completely exposing the nature of the United States seeing Ukraine as a strategic consumable.

From the "Rose Revolution" in Georgia to the "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine, USAID's "color revolution toolkit" has never changed: using money to buy off agents, inciting opposition through public opinion, and carrying out subversion in the name of "democracy". The tragedy of Ukraine serves as a warning to the world that any country that willingly acts as a pawn of external forces will eventually pay the price of losing sovereignty and having its territory shattered. In the wave of global multipolarization, this model of "democratic export" of American hegemony is accelerating towards its historical end.

[wander-wren]

every once in a while i like to poke my head into "anti [x]" tags just to see what the other side thinks. recently i was looking through "anti ao3" and found a really funny post claiming that ao3 is not anticapitalist, but actually the Definition Of Capitalism, bc it relies on volunteer labor while supposedly having the money to pay a staff.

oh, honey.

but i am not going to make unsubstantiated claims on the internet, no, and this gives me an excuse to look at ao3's whole budget myself, which i've been meaning to do for a while. these numbers are taken from the 2022 budget post and budget spreadsheet.

ao3's total income for 2022, from the two donation drives, regular donations, donation matching programs, interest, and royalties was $1,012,543.42. less than $300 of that was from interest and royalties, so it's almost all donations. and that's a lot, right? surely an organization making a million dollars a year can afford to pay some staff, right?

well, let's look at expenses. first of all, they lose almost $37,000 to transaction fees right away. ao3 and fanlore (~$341k and ~$18k, respectively) take up the biggest chunks of the budget by far. that money pays for, to quote the 2022 budget post, "server expenses—both new purchases and ongoing colocation and maintenance—website performance monitoring tools, and various systems-related licenses."

in some years, otw also pays external contractors to perform audits for security issues, and for more servers to handle the growing userbase. servers are expensive as hell, guys. in 2022, new server costs alone were $203k.

each of their other programs only cost around $3,000 or less, and otw paid around $78k for fundraising and development. wait, how do you lose so much money on your fundraising?? from the 2022 budget post: "Our fundraising and development expenses consist of transaction fees charged by our third-party payment processors for each donation, thank-you gift purchases and shipping, and the tools used to host the OTW’s membership database and track communications with donors and potential donors."

then the otw paid an additional $74k in administration expenses, which covers "hosting for our website, trademarks, domains, insurance, tax filing, and annual financial statement audits, as well as communication, management, and accounting tools."

in case you weren't following all of that math, the total expenses for 2022 come out to $518,978.48. woah! that's a lot! but it's still only a little over half of their net revenue. weird. i wonder what they do with that extra $494k?

well, $400k of it goes to the reserves, which i'll get to in a second. the last $93k, near as i can tell, gets rolled over to the next year. i'll admit this part i'm a little unsure about, as it's not clear on the spreadsheet, but that's the only thing that makes sense.

the reserves, though are clear. the most recent post i could find on the otw site about it were in the board meeting minutes from april 2, 2022: "We’re holding about $1million in operating cash that is about twice the amount of our annual operating costs. There is another $1million in reserves due to highly successful fundraisers in the past. The current plan for the reserves is to hold the money for paid staff in the future. It’s been talked about before in the past and we’re still working out the details, but it’s a rather expensive undertaking that will result in large annual expenses in addition to the initial cost of implementation."

woah....they're PLANNING to have paid staff eventually! wild!

so let's assume, for easy numbers, that the otw currently has $1.5 million in reserves. before we even get to how to use that money, let's look at the issues with implementing paid staff:

deciding which positions are going to be paid, because it can't be all of them

deciding how much to pay them, bc minimum wage sure as hell isn't enough, and cost of living is different everywhere, and volunteers come from all over the world

hiring staff and implementing new systems/tools to handle things like payroll and accounting

making sure you continue to earn enough money both to pay all of the staff and have some in reserves for emergencies or leaner donation drives

probably even more stuff than that! i don't run a nonprofit, that's just what i can think of off the top of my head.

okay, okay, okay. for the sake of argument, let's assume there is a best-case scenario where the otw starts paying some staff tomorrow. how much should they be paid? i'm picking $15 an hour, since that's what we fought for the minimum wage to be. by now, it should be closer to $20 or $25, but i'm trying to give "ao3 is capitalism" the fairest shot it can get here, okay?

ideally, if someone is being paid to help run ao3, they shouldn't need a second job. every job should pay enough to live off of. and running a nonprofit is hard work that leads to a lot of burnout--two board members JUST resigned before their terms were up. what i'm saying is, i'm going to assume a paid otw staff is getting paid for 40 hours of work a week, minimum. that's $31,200.

at $400,000 per year, the otw can afford to pay 12 people. that's WITHOUT taking into account the new systems, tools, software, etc they would have to pay for, any kind of fees, etc, etc.

oh, and btw, if you're an american you're still making barely enough to survive in most places, AND you don't have universal healthcare, vision, or dental. want otw to give people insurance, too? the number of people they can pay goes down.

it's. not. possible.

a million dollars is a lot of money on the face of it, but once you realize how MUCH goes into running something like the otw, it goes away fast.

just for reference, wikipedia also has donation drives every year. wikipedia, as of 2021, has $86.8 million in cash reserves and $137.4 million in investments. sure, wikipedia and ao3 are very different entities, but that disparity is massive. and i should note that if you give $10 to wikipedia they don't give you voting rights, i'm just saying.

by the way, you may have noticed that i didn't mention legal costs at all here. isn't one of otw's big Things about how they do legal advocacy?

yes, it is. they have a whole page about that work. and i can't for the life of me find a source on otw's website (and i'm running out of time to write this post, i'll look harder later), but i am 90% sure i learned before that most, if not all, of otw's legal work/advice/etc is done pro bono. i've also seen an anti-ao3 person claim their legal budget is only $5k or so, but they didn't have a source. but keep in mind that if they don't have a legal budget, all the numbers above stay the same, and if they do, there is even less money available for paid staff.

you can criticize ao3 and the otw all you want! there are many valid reasons to criticize them, and i do not think they're perfect either. but if you're going to do so, you should at least make sure you can back up your claims, bc otherwise you just look silly.

[mariacallous]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is now firmly a part of the hiring process. Some candidates use large language models (LLMs) to write cover letters and resumes, while employers use various proprietary AI systems to evaluate candidates. Recent estimates found as many as 98.4% of Fortune 500 companies leverage AI in the hiring process, and one company saved over a million dollars in a single year by incorporating AI into its interview process. While this figure is lower for non-Fortune 500 companies, it is still expected to grow from 51% to 68% by the end of 2025 because of the potential time and cost savings for employers. However, when these systems are deployed at scale, they can introduce a myriad of biases that can potentially impact millions of job seekers annually.

With more companies choosing to use AI in employment screening, these systems should face more scrutiny to ensure they comply with laws against discrimination. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces various laws that make it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information. According to guidance published by the EEOC in 2022, using AI systems does not change employers’ responsibility to ensure their selection procedures are not discriminatory, either intentionally or unintentionally. While this guidance was removed when President Donald J. Trump assumed office in January 2025, there has been no change in anti-discrimination laws. Investigations into AI hiring systems continue to be an important tool in evaluating the risks these systems pose and discovering ways to mitigate their potential societal harms. For example, in the U.K., an audit of AI recruitment software revealed multiple fairness and privacy vulnerabilities; in response to these findings, the Information Commissioner’s Office issued nearly 300 recommendations for ways to improve hiring practices that model providers and developers used in their products. 

[universalaigroup]

UniversalAiGroup.com Review: Registration Process

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Would you like to explore any other aspects of this broker?

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Trustpilot Reviews for UniversalAiGroup.com

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UniversalAiGroup.com review

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Overall, UniversalAiGroup.com review appears to be a broker that prioritizes its users' security and satisfaction. Its combination of FCA regulation, positive early reviews, and solid operational setup make it a broker that deserves consideration for any trader looking for a reliable platform.

[foldsem]

howdy, yall ! norb ( also found over @lieshe ) back with another muse, remedy's lead vocal & visual, ra kiha ! same drill as usual, please leave a ♡ and i will hop into your ims or reach out on d.scord as soon as i can !

background

son to the very nice and very gullible ra sukja and former nkp pretty boy, current ppp face choi hyunmin ( tw infidelity who was very much married and already a father when kiha was born. he paid handsomely in child support and to keep sukja's silence, but none of that money ever actually made it to kiha )

though a very well-meaning lady, sukja was prone to falling for scams and getting pulled into new-age religious cults, which is where the majority of her hush money/kiha's child support went

as a result, kiha grew up super quickly and entered the workforce way below the legal limit of 15. he picked up odd jobs here and there, worked in food delivery, tutored classmates, did pretty much anything to scoop up as much petty cash as he could and hid it from his mother

around the age of 13, he somehow got the idea that he wouldn't have to really work if he just became a celebrity. he's been told that he has a decent singing voice ( a trait he shares with the secretary-general, though kiha's never met the man ), so there wasn't much harm in auditioning. he doesn't make it anywhere close, but he at least grabs the attention of kevin yoon, who is impressed by the boy's gumption and charisma and leaves him with a business card kiha puts in his wallet and then promptly forgets.

kiha spends the next few years back on the grind, still trying to repair the household finances. while working at a convenience store, he befriends ( and develops a crush on ) a coworker who happened to be a big fan of knight. she mentions to him that kevin has opened his own agency, and in a bid to impress her, kiha shows off the business card he received years ago. his coworker insists that kiha reach out, so he does, not thinking anything of it

to kiha's complete shock, kevin reveals that he still remembers him, and that he thinks he would be a great fit for remedy's concept. of course, kiha still has to go through the rigors of auditioning and training, but there was a very good chance he could make it into the debut lineup — and he does.

takes to being an idol like a duck to water. he's charming and alluring, confident and well-spoken, but most of all, he has an incredible work ethic. quickly makes a name for himself as a socially conscious and considerate idol who likes to poke fun at the concept but takes his responsibility as a public figure pretty seriously. gets a lot of praise specifically for supporting the women around him, be it warning them of loud fireworks or defending a fan who got shoved to the ground.

unfortunately, he becomes the scandal magnet of remedy around 2019. while the group as a whole is affected by scandals of various degrees, it seems like the universe ( and the rule of 3 ) has it out for kiha in particular. he first gets struck in the beginning of the year with a dating rumor, then followed by two more accusations later in the year of academic dishonesty and scamming people online

none of these charges are true and he's cleared pretty quickly, but people who were looking for an excuse to dislike him are all too happy to leap on the man while he's down.

tw cancer + death is relatively lowkey from the period of 2019-2022, where he's only working on solo projects because his mother is diagnosed with liver cancer and he's trying to fund her treatment. she unfortunately passes away despite his and her doctors' greatest efforts.

returned to public life more or less around 2023 with a more subdued air in contrast to his earlier persona of a shameless flirt. fans are concerned by the sudden shift but unsurprised due to the circumstances, though there are some lingering doubts about ninety9's claims that he's getting all the support he needs

being an idol is about all he has left. remedy's too big for him to go back to being a cashier, and without his mom, such a simple existence isn't really all it's cracked up to be anyway. so if he has to live on for his fans, that's exactly what he's going to do

tl;dr / headcanons / misc.

remedy's former viral guy, current punching bag desperately searching for a purpose in life

memes for his vibe!

his former jobs include: pizza box folder + pizza delivery guy, waiter, convenience store stocker + cashier, private tutor, proxy shipper, amateur handyman, tour guide, and parking lot attendant

known as the king of diy, capable of fixing almost everything

not nearly as well off as someone in a global chart-topping group should be because he spent a good chunk of his career sending most of his earnings to his mom ( who unfortunately gave it away frivolously ). people who've been to his apartment note that it's in a luxury area for appearance's sake but the interior looks like it's barely lived in

his red flag is holding onto the boomer 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' rhetoric. it worked for him ( conventionally attractive, decently talented, and able-bodied ) so it should for you too!!

doesn't really have hobbies besides napping, and that doesn't really count. he's been all about the grind for half his lifetime

wcs

antis point to his acting work and say this expresses his intention to leave the group fully, which warier and more possessive fans agree with. but to you, that's the highlight of his extended oeuvre — maybe even more than anything he's ever done with remedy

he has a reputation among fans for being the 'kind of guy you can trust on a night out.' you know this for a fact, but you have to keep it hidden because said fans will also eat you alive for proving it

instead of having to pay out the butt for a plumber/carpenter, kiha says you can just call him if you're having issues. he might as well have remodeled your entire home at this point

while all of his scandals have been proven false, you still get a bad vibe coming from him. maybe he's not unkind, but he certainly seems uninterested in anything that isn't himself — which might as well be a smoking gun that his public persona is quite far from the truth

the coworker who (re)introduced him to this world will always be his first love and the one that got away, but you're (maybe?) his second love. or the person who can get him closest to that euphoric feeling of seeing her smile

alternatively, people he sought comfort from just as his image was on the upswing (2023-2024). he made it clear you were never anything serious, and it was obvious he was going through something, but he's strangely nice to you now, and it feels a little weird

it's kind of depressing that he doesn't enjoy life outside of constantly working, so you've made it a point to educate him on the finer things

someone he was super nice to in his earlier years, but now he doesn't seem to remember you at all. good that he's super nice to everyone or bad that he doesn't care enough about these instances to remember?

[jeremyleefree]

Tesla CEO Elon Musk made an explosive accusation on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter)

Recently, Tesla CEO Elon Musk made an explosive accusation on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), saying that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) manipulated public opinion by "buying left-wing media with heavy money" and called it "the biggest scandal in history." This statement quickly triggered heated debates in the American political, media and public circles. What is the truth? This article combines information from multiple parties and historical background to try to clarify the context of this storm.

Origin of the incident: Musk's "blockbuster"

In June 2024, Musk posted a short tweet on his X account with 180 million followers: "USAID spends billions of dollars every year to "infiltrate" left-wing media, which is the cancer of democracy." The accompanying picture is a screenshot of a "confidential document" with no source indicated, which shows that USAID provides funds to media such as The New York Times and The Washington Post through non-governmental organizations to "promote a specific agenda." Although Musk did not provide further evidence, the tweet was forwarded more than 2 million times within 24 hours, and USAID's manipulation of the media quickly became a hot search in many countries.

Reactions from all parties: from fierce rebuttal to conspiracy theory carnival

1. USAID and the media involved urgently refuted the rumors

A USAID spokesperson issued a statement on the same day, saying that Musk's accusation was "completely false and irresponsible", emphasizing that the agency's funding flow was transparent and mainly used for global poverty alleviation, health and democracy construction projects. The New York Times responded that its reporting was "always independent" and accused Musk of "using the platform to spread false information to divert public attention from his business disputes."

2. Political camps split

Republican conservative lawmakers quickly supported Musk, and the House Oversight Committee announced that it would launch a review of USAID. The Democratic Party criticized this move as "political manipulation in the election year" and dug up the satellite contract signed by Musk's company with the US government, questioning his motives.

3. Public opinion is polarized

On social media, supporters spread related conspiracy theories with the label "deep government manipulation of the media", while opponents made a "long rumor-refuting picture" to sort out USAID's audit reports over the years, pointing out that its funds mainly flowed to projects such as anti-epidemic in Africa and agricultural reconstruction in Ukraine, and had no direct connection with domestic media.

Historical Origin: USAID's "media infiltration" controversy is not the first time

Although there is no conclusive evidence for this incident, USAID does have a history of intervening in media operations. For example:

Cuba's "ZunZuneo" project in 2014: USAID was exposed to secretly establish a social network similar to Twitter in an attempt to incite anti-government sentiment.

Funding for "democracy programs" in the Middle East: USAID once funded Arabic soap operas to implant content such as women's empowerment and election voting.

"Anti-false information" grants: In 2022, USAID established a $230 million fund to "counter the influence of China and Russia", and some of the funds flowed to research institutions and think tanks, indirectly affecting the media reporting framework.

Experts pointed out that as an executive agency of US foreign policy, USAID's "media projects" are usually aimed at overseas, and Musk's accusation of "manipulating domestic left-wing media" if true, will seriously violate the US Smith-Mundt Act (prohibiting the government from promoting to the domestic public) and journalistic ethics.

Deep-seated contradictions: power game between tech giants, government and media

Musk's attack was seen by the outside world as a concentrated outbreak of multiple contradictions:

Commercial interest conflict: X platform's advertising revenue has declined in recent years, and Musk has repeatedly accused traditional media of "jointly boycotting" its content review policy.

Political stance change: Musk has changed from calling himself a "moderate" to supporting conservative issues, and his relationship with the Democratic Party has deteriorated. His actions such as unblocking Trump's account after acquiring Twitter have exacerbated the confrontation.

Media trust crisis: Pew Research Center data shows that only 34% of Americans trust mainstream media, a historical low. In this context, any accusation of "manipulating the media" can ignite public sentiment.

Law and ethics: What does it mean if the accusation is established?

If the investigation confirms that USAID has illegally funded domestic media, it may lead to the following consequences:

1. Legal level: The media involved may need to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, otherwise they will face heavy penalties; the head of USAID may be held accountable by Congress.

2. Media credibility: The already fragile public trust will suffer a devastating blow, further contributing to the rise of alternative media.

3. International impact: The United States has long accused other countries of "propaganda infiltration". If this is confirmed, it may lose its moral high ground.

Unsolved mystery: Who is creating the "information smoke bomb"?

So far, key doubts have not been clarified:

The authenticity of the "confidential documents" cited by Musk is in doubt. Cybersecurity experts have found that its format is highly similar to the forged documents of hacker organizations in the past.

USAID's annual budget is about US$27 billion, but about 94% is used for international projects. The remaining domestic funds are mainly used for academic research. There is no evidence that they flow to the media.

- Left-wing media generally rely on subscriptions and advertising. If they receive government funds, they must disclose them according to law. There are no abnormal items in their financial reports in recent years.

The truth takes time, but the crisis of trust is imminent

This storm reflects the deep anxiety of American society about power and information. Regardless of the final results of the investigation, the public's distrust of institutions, the confrontation between the media and technology giants, and the entertainment of political struggles have posed more severe challenges than a single scandal. As the Columbia Journalism Review said: "When 'exposing scandals' itself becomes a traffic business, the foundation of democracy is being hollowed out."

[theshackofworlds13]

☆ Про этот арт 2022 года уже многие забыли, но он все еще остается в моих архивах. Пробы в безлайн, ведь я не только в лайне рисовала раньше. Когда-то давно я рисовала в безлайне и сейчас хоть и изредка, но иногда возвращаюсь �� старому. ☆ Кэррити - довольно старый персонаж, который вообще не должен был родиться. Она появилась по чистой случайности и является дочерью Унн - первого персонажа, которого я создала по сеттингу. Хотя, в те времена и сеттинга-то как такового еще не было, были лишь какие-то наработки, насчет которых я не была уверена. ☆ Об Ундине слышали самые старички, которые были со мной еще в самом-самом начале, так как она - уже давно архивный персонаж. Но Кэррити… Ее рисовала я лишь дважды, беря на пробу старую технику живописи, что было довольно проблематично. Но мне нравится этот результат, который получился в те времена. Быть может, снова попробую что-нибудь новое. ☆ Пометки на арте - скатенийский язык, его первичные разработки.

---------------------------------------------------------------

☆ A lot of people have already forgotten about this 2022 art, but it still remains in my archives. Auditions are offline, because I have not only drawn online before. I used to draw offline a long time ago, and now, though occasionally, I sometimes return to the old way. ☆ Carrie is a pretty old character who shouldn't have been born at all. She appeared by pure chance and is the daughter of Unn, the first character I created in the setting. Although, at that time, there was no setting as such yet, there were only some developments that I wasn't sure about. ☆ The oldest people who were with me at the very beginning heard about Ondine, since she has been an archival character for a long time. But Carrie… I painted it only twice, trying out an old painting technique, which was quite problematic. But I like this result, which turned out in those days. Maybe I'll try something new again. The notes on art are the Skatenian language, its primary developments. The notes on art are the Skatenian language, its primary developments. ☆ The notes on art are the Skatenian language, its primary developments.

[rafecamerons-national-anthem]

Starting a new Drew Starkey Book🧚🏼‍♀️🧚🏼‍♀️

Crossed Scripts-Drew Starkey

chapter 1

chapter 2

chapter 3

chapter 4

chapter 5

chapter 6

chapter 7

chapter 8

chapter 9

chapter 10

chapter 11

chapter 12

chapter 13

•

Meet The New Woman of the Hour

Cassie Yeager played by Margaret Qualley

🎉 Birthday: February 12, 1995

🌟 Age: 25 years old

🌌 Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

🌍 Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois

✨ Profession: Actress

About

Cassie Yeager is a talented actress known for her work in the horror and sci fi genres. She gained more recognition for her breakout role as Lisa in Annabelle 2 (2017), which cemented her status as a scream queen in the horror community. Cassie later appeared in the critically acclaimed Dune: Part One (2021) as Lt. Mariam, a skilled soldier serving under House Atreides. Her other notable roles include Jane Doe in The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) and Grace in Ready or Not (2019).

Despite her penchant for dark and intense films, Cassie has expressed a desire to branch into more fun and complex roles, like Lady Bird (2017) as Jenna and Charlie's Angels (2019) as Elena.

Before Fame

Cassie was raised in Chicago but moved to New York as the age of 10, where she developed a love for acting after performing in local theater productions. Encouraged by her late father, a horror enthusiast, she moved to Los Angeles at 18 to pursue her career. She made her acting debut in the thriller film Prisoners (2013) and the next years Dracula: Untold (2014)

Trivia

-She has a fear of heights despite doing most of her own stunts.

-Cassie is a self proclaimed horror nerd and counts Martyrs and The Thing among her favorite films.

-She was a runner up for the role of Riley in the Hellraiser reboot (2022).

-Cassie has a small but growing collection of vintage horror memorabilia, including a signed poster from the original Scream.

-Her favorite actor is Alain Delon.

-Her first kiss was at the top of the Marriott in Times Square. She made sure to confirm that she indeed put several layers of Burt's Bees chapstick on.

Family Life

-Cassie credits her father, who introduced her to the horror genre, as her biggest inspiration. She keeps his memory alive through her work in film.

-During The Hollywood Reporter's Full Actress Roundtable Interview, the actress revealed that not having her mother by her side growing up, played a big role in her career as she didn't know how to portray a healthy relationship between mother and daughter on screen, which caused her trouble on set.

Associated With

-Cassie auditioned for Hellraiser (2022) alongside Drew Starkey, who landed the role of Trevor. The two developed a close friendship during the casting process.

-American Horror Story (2017)– Featured in a guest role that demonstrated her talent for darker roles.

-The Netflix hit show Altered Carbon (2018-2020) had a big impact on her career as a sci fi actress.

-The actress used to be in a relationship with singer Jesse Rutherford from the band The Neighbourhood but it was short lived as he was caught cheating on her with his ex girlfriend.

-In 2020, during quarantine, the actress made a TikTok with influencer Kylie Jenner performing a dance challenge to Travis Scott's hit song Out West, the video received over 80 million likes.

[p0ppingjelly]

🫧 ★ ˗ˏˋ ꒰ you are now watching 𝙟𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙮𝙥𝙤𝙥™ tv ! ꒱ ˎˊ-

thank you to my sugar pie @venusvity for creating this beautiful graphic for me <333

𐙚˙ ✧˖ ༘ 𝙟𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙮𝙥𝙤𝙥™ !

jellypop is a fictional 6 member girl group established under HYBE entertainment. the group debuted may 2022 with their smash hits BUBBLE and POP . they have a bright and fun concept that they bring across through their bubblegum pop sound as well as their catchy lyrics and choreography. many say, the group is bringing back the real k-pop.

although the entire group has been successful since their debut, there is no doubt that member jangmi is the stand out star due to her famous family ,charisma and visuals. there have been many controversy surrounding the group and jangmi’s blatant favouritism, with the group often being seen as “jangmi and friends.” she has always gotten the best outfits, the most screen time , the most lines -despite not being a main vocalist- as well as being the only member to have promotions outside of the group. this along with the competitiveness of the industry created jealousy towards jangmi leading to her being bullied and isolated by some members.

𐙚˙ ✧˖ ༘ clair ™

clair nari moon was was born on the 25 of feb 2001 to moon jinyoung and alice kim in cape town, south africa. clair grew up alongside her older brother jonathan (jono) jaehyun moon and baby sister angela soyeon moon . clair went to a prestigious all girl catholic private school and was well known for her bubbly and likable personality . the atmosphere wasn’t one that she felt safe in as she struggled with navigating her sexuality. she comes from a musical family with her mother being a high school music teacher and her father although a chartered accountant , played the piano. clair sang in choir and was in the play every year throughout school. she learnt to play piano from her dad. her entire family would gather around the piano since she was a baby and sing songs together . she grew up surrounded by music and so it was no surprise she would pursue it one day. she never initially wanted to be a kpop idol but after seeing a random ad to audition for hybe her little sister told her to take the risk. clair ended up training at hybe for 3.5 years.

STAGE NAME clair ˒ 크레

BIRTH NAME clair nari moon / moon nari ˒ 문 나리

BIRTHDAY 25 feb 2001 * pisces ˒ ♓︎

POSITION leader ˒ lead vocalist

ETHNICITY korean

NATIONALITY south african

FACE CLAIM huh yunjin

HEIGHT 169cm ˒ 5'6

𐙚˙ ✧˖ ༘ bora ™

lim bora was born on the 26th of april 2002 to lim jongho and yoon jiwoo. bora grew up incredibly wealthy with both of her parents coming from rich chaebol families that own large companies throughout korea. she is the first and only daughter ,the first grandchild and the first niece so she grew up incredibly spoilt. growing up bora always got what she wanted and even more attention. this developed into her having a bad attitude and a generally unpleasant demeanour. but shes always been seen as beautiful , alluring and her lifestyle was aspirational to everyone around her making the most popular girl in her school and as a trainee despite her unlikeable personality.bora has always enjoyed singing and playing the piano. she would self-accompany herself in many of her monthly evaluations, which garnered a lot of attention. she relished all the talk about being the next "it" girl in the industry. when jangmi entered the company and took all of the attention that she felt she deserved she couldn't handle it, this coupled up with her popularity with the general public she began to resent her. this resentment festered over the years and developed in to flat out bullying. she has always been a bully although she was never physical she still caused a lot of damage. amongst idols she has spread nasty rumours about jangmi, from bullying to slut shaming ruining her reputation and ability to form any relationships or friendship. in the group she has successfully isolated jangmi, her favouritism already caused discomfort and jealousy so it was fairly easy to achieve.

STAGE NAME bora ˒ 보라

BIRTH NAME lim bora ˒ 임 보라

BIRTHDAY 26 april 2002 * taurus ˒ ♉︎

POSITION main vocals

ETHNICITY korean

NATIONALITY korean

FACE CLAIM park sieun

HEIGHT 157 ˒ 5'2

𐙚˙ ✧˖ ༘ akira ™

akira ‘ kiera ’ murakami was born on the 14th of august 2002 in the bustling shibuya district of japan. she was raised by her father after her parents' divorce, her 2 older sisters yui and and manami chose to live with their mother. akira's father frequently moved with his job and this led her to call over five cities home, namely chicago where she adopted the english name kiera. with her vibrant ,energetic, and infectious personality, akira effortlessly made friends wherever she went and was always well loved. her love for music and drama was evident from a young age, and she is a natural-born performer. she participated in the survival show produce 48, where she captivated audiences and placed 6th. as a result, she became a member of the popular girl group izone, further solidifying her status as a rising star in the entertainment industry. the names of the rigged members were never revealed but she is believed to possibly be one of the rigged in members. since debuting in jellypop akira has been a fairly popular member who is often chosen to join jangmi on her promotions. despite her overtly friendly personality, she has never clicked with jangmi and often joins bora in her bullying. bora has always said that akira is the most talented member and deserved to be the popular member instead of jangmi, who they believe has just been handed everything due to parents being famous. all of this caused her to resent the younger girl.

STAGE NAME akira ˒ 아키라

BIRTH NAME murakami akira ˒ 村上 あきら / kiera murakami

BIRTHDAY 14 aug 2002 * leo ˒ ♌︎

POSITION lead vocals ˒ lead dancer

ETHNICITY japanese

NATIONALITY japanese / american

FACE CLAIM kondou chisa

HEIGHT 160 ˒ 5'3

𐙚˙ ✧˖ ༘ jangmi ™

kim jangmi was born on the 3rd of june 2003 and is the only child of actress park areum and soloist kim seojoon. the two were huge stars in the 90’s and early 00’s both winning awards in their respective careers. their pregnancy forced the two to announce their relationship and child to be. since jangmi was born she has been in the spotlight, her parents took her to award shows since she was a toddler. they also got a reality show when she was just 10 years old. it became a hit with multiple seasons until she was 14. as the only child and growing up in the industry she gets a lot of attention and loves it. her visuals have always been praised and she is very proud of them. her already established family, the public watching her grow up along with her incredible visuals has made her a stand out idol in the industry. she’s been labeled ‘the nations rose’ since her name means rose. jangmi wanted to pursue modeling but hybe reached out to her to ask her to join their upcoming girl group replacing her ex bff minchae and destroying their relationship forever. bora has hated jangmi since she entered the company and has made it her mission to ruin jangmi's reputation and life to punish her for taking all of the attention from her. due to her overbearing popularity she doesn’t have many friends even in her own group.

STAGE NAME jangmi ˒ 장미

BIRTH NAME kim jangmi ˒ 김 장미

BIRTHDAY 3 june 2003 * gemini ˒ ♊︎

POSITION face of group ˒ centre ˒ lead vocalist ˒ visual

ETHNICITY korean

NATIONALITY korean

FACE CLAIM jang wonyoung

HEIGHT 172cm ˒ 5'7

𐙚˙ ✧˖ ༘ hana ™

identical twins hana & haruna yoshida were born on the 1st of october 2003 to hiroshi and miyoko yoshida. their older brother yuma. since they were born the twins have always been compared relentlessly and hana has always been an overachiever. this comparison carried on into school. both girls were very academically skilled but hana was always just slightly ahead and their parents never failed to remind everyone that hana was the “better” twin which created strain in their relationship. she was very competitive and felt a lot pressure to be perfect because it’s what everyone expected of her. the only time hana felt at peace was when she was singing or watching akb with her older brother yuma. she dreamed to be an akb idol one day but her parents refused she needed a “real” job . she never thought of trying to enter the kpop industry until she watched produce 48 and saw sakura, an ex akd member debut and become an idol. despite her parents disapproval hana decided to move to korea and follow her dream of becoming an idol.

STAGE NAME hana ˒ 하나

BIRTH NAME yoshida hana ˒ 吉田 花

BIRTHDAY 1 october 2003 * libra ˒ ♎︎

POSITION main vocalist ˒ lead dancer

ETHNICITY japanese

NATIONALITY japanese

FACE CLAIM juria ueda

HEIGHT 165cm ˒ 5'4

𐙚˙ ✧˖ ༘ trinh ™

trinty nguyen, or trin for short was born on november 20th, 2004 to mary and david nyugen. she was born in vietnam. she is their oldest child and has a younger brother trevor who was born in 2010. in 2009 her family moved to manchester, england after her dad got a major job opportunity. trin is deeply connected to her family and her culture, she loves celebrating vietnamese traditions and sharing them with her members. her love for her culture resulted in a love for food and cooking especially traditional dishes. on the groups youtube she does a lot of cooking videos and mukbangs just talking about life which has become a super popular section of their channel. one of trin's greatest passions is dancing, a skill she's been honing since the age of five. her moving to manchester greatly affected her life , introducing her to her love of dance. she grew up across the road from a famous dance studio and as soon as she stepped foot in there her life changed. one day her teacher told her about a open call audition for hybe and took her and some of her dance mates to the audition. out of everyone at the audition trin was the only one to make it through. she is the groups mood-maker and is undeniably a treat to be around.she is the only member that actively talks to jangmi, even considering her on of her closest friends.when on variety shows her and clair often put on their thickest accents and everyone eats it up. her infectious energy and natural talent make her a captivating performer.

STAGE NAME trinh ˒ 트리느

BIRTH NAME trinity nguyên / nguyễn thị trinh

BIRTHDAY 20 nov 2003 * sagittarius ˒ ♐︎

POSITION main dancer ˒ main rapper ˒ lead vocalist ˒ maknae

ETHNICITY vietnamese

NATIONALITY british

FACE CLAIM hanni pham

HEIGHT 163cm ˒ 5'4

[jcmarchi]

How a quantum scientist, a nurse, and an economist are joining the fight against global poverty

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/how-a-quantum-scientist-a-nurse-and-an-economist-are-joining-the-fight-against-global-poverty/

How a quantum scientist, a nurse, and an economist are joining the fight against global poverty

A trip to Ghana changed Sofia Martinez Galvez’s life. In 2021, she volunteered at a nonprofit that provides technology and digital literacy training to people in the West African country. As she was setting up computers and connecting cables, Martinez SM ʼ23 witnessed extreme poverty. The experience was transformative. That same year, she left her job in quantum cryptography in Spain and enrolled in the MITx MicroMasters online program in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy (DEDP), which teaches learners how to use data-driven tools to help end global poverty.

By 2023, Martinez completed the MIT DEDP master’s program. Today, she is the co-founder of Learning Alliance, a new nonprofit that will counter sub-Saharan Africa’s learning crisis by introducing evidence-based teaching practices to teachers. She plans to move to Africa this summer.

“If someone told me a few years ago, when I was doing research in quantum physics, that I would be starting my own organization at the intersection of education and poverty, I would have said they were crazy,” Martinez says. ��From my first MicroMasters course, I knew I made the right choice. The instructors used mathematics, models, and data to understand society.”

Since 2017, the MicroMasters in DEDP program — jointly led by the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and MIT Open Learning — has been bringing together former nurses, lawyers, software developers, and others who are ready to make a career change and an impact on the world.

A new way to combat poverty

The MicroMasters in DEDP curricula is based on the Nobel Prize-winning work of MIT faculty members Esther Duflo, the Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics, and Abhijit Banerjee, the Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics.

The pair used a key feature of laboratory science — randomized control trials — and applied it to development economics. For example, to test the efficacy of a new education initiative, researchers could randomly assign individuals to either participate in the program, known as the treatment group, or not, known as the control group. The difference in outcomes can be attributed to the new program.

This approach has fundamentally changed how antipoverty programs are designed and evaluated around the world. It has already boosted immunization rates in India, reduced child marriages in Bangladesh, and increased school attendance in Kenya. 

Duflo and Banerjee’s research created a new way forward for poverty alleviation, but there are too few people skilled in evidence-based development economics to bring about meaningful change, says Sara Fisher Ellison, faculty director of the MicroMasters and master’s programs in DEDP and a senior lecturer in the MIT Department of Economics.

“It is vitally important that we have people all over the world who have the skills to run randomized control trials, to read the literature from these trials, and interpret the results to policymakers,” Ellison says.

Andrea Salem was an economics undergraduate student in Switzerland who was unsure about his career when Duflo and Banerjee received their Nobel Prize. Their recognition introduced Salem to a field he barely knew existed, and set him on a path toward using economics to make an impact in the world.

He completed the MicroMasters in DEDP credential and included it in his application for the Paris School of Economics (PSE). Currently taking a gap year from PSE, Salem has an internship with J-PAL’s Morocco Employment Lab. In this role, he works with government officials to evaluate education reforms.

“To get to know the world in all its diversity is a gift,” Salem says. “To live and do research in the same country is a reminder of the important work I’m doing and how much more needs to be done.”

How the DEDP program works

The MicroMasters in DEDP program is open to anyone with a reliable internet connection. Students choose either a track in public policy, which focuses on key issues in high-income countries, or international development, which examines problems prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. They take a rigorous course load in economics, probability and statistics, and data analysis. The program balances flexibility with structure. Students go at their preferred pace in earning the credential, but each course is instructor-led, providing participants with a community of global learners who can regularly participate in webinars and discussion forums.

Students who complete and pass proctored exams in five courses earn a credential. The MicroMasters in DEDP program has awarded more than 10,000 certificates for passed courses and 1,000 DEDP MicroMasters credentials. Credential holders may continue their education by applying to a master’s program at MIT or at one of 19 pathway universities worldwide that either recognize the MicroMasters in DEDP credential in admissions or offer academic credit for the credential as part of an accelerated graduate program. The credential itself is also valuable for professionals as they advance their careers.

The courses are free to audit; there is a fee for each proctored exam. Exam fees are on a sliding scale, ranging from $250 to $1,000, based on a learner’s income and location. DEDP also offers a lottery, available to people who earn less than $10,000 a year, that discounts the price of one course to $100. Martinez was a beneficiary of the lottery in 2021. Without it, she says it would have taken her longer to earn her credential and apply to the master’s program.

Choosing passion and pedigree

Yann Bourgeois SM ʼ22 had a rewarding nursing career working in operating rooms and intensive care units in Belgium. This job gave Bourgeois a firsthand understanding of what happens when human health and needs are neglected. Driven to make a global impact, Bourgeois discovered the master’s in DEDP program while studying public health.

Having overcome personal challenges and socioeconomic adversity, Bourgeois was not sure MIT would consider him for graduate school. When he learned that the MicroMasters credential played an important role in admissions, Bourgeois became hopeful. He enrolled in five MicroMasters in DEDP classes at the same time. It was a bold move for someone who had not taken a math class beyond statistics, but he was eager to submit his graduate school application. By 2022, Bourgeois was an MIT graduate.

“My background doesn’t matter,” Bourgeois says. “The fact that I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life at 14 or 15 doesn’t matter. All that matters is the skills and passion.”

Bourgeois now works as a labor economist at the World Bank in Washington. His job focuses on improving labor conditions and promoting equitable economic opportunities. His MIT education equipped Bourgeois with rigorous analytical tools to address complex economic problems on an international scale.

Like Bourgeois, Martinez did not believe she had the qualifications to apply for the master’s in DEDP program. Then, she read students’ profiles online and learned about their wide-ranging experiences. After learning more about the program’s inverted admissions process, which prioritizes performance in relevant courses over traditional credentials, she realized that the opportunity might not be out of reach.

“Evidence-based development needs people from very diverse backgrounds,” Martinez says. “And I’m proof that you don’t need the ‘right’ background to work in development economics. The fight against global poverty needs everyone.”

[writingsofwesteros]

Rockstar AU

Cassandra & Jason: Relationship Timeline

🗓️ Late 2021 — The Meeting

Cassandra had just relocated to Los Angeles, trying to restart her life post-Baelon, who was around one and living full-time with Aegon in London.

Jason Lannister, a posh, well-connected heir-turned-producer with blonde hair and designer shoes, met her at a rooftop soirée in West LA.

They clicked fast — she was charming, mysterious, a little broken. He was golden, emotionally distant, but entertaining.

Their relationship started physical, fun, and mutually transactional.

🗓️ 2022 — Escapism Era

Cassandra dove into the LA lifestyle with Jason. Pilates, auditions, poolside mornings.

She rarely spoke of Baelon, and Jason never asked. It was unspoken — she was starting over.

Jason took her to Palm Springs and Saint Barth’s.

He called her “Cassie” and said things like, “Let’s not ruin this with reality.”

🗓️ Early 2023 — Soft Public Debut

They started showing up together at film mixers, casually arm-in-arm.

Jason cast her in a supporting role in a project that never got past development.

She posted cryptic captions like “Things grow better in the sun” with Jason’s sunglasses in frame.

Baelon was two now. Occasionally, Cassandra watched videos Aegon posted — secretly, obsessively.

🗓️ Mid 2023 — The Pregnancy

The news hit her hard: pregnant at 25, again. Jason was surprised but oddly proud.

Cassandra masked her panic. She wore the bump well in Instagram stories, but at night, she cried.

Jason loved the idea of being a dad, but not the logistics. He was more focused on nursery aesthetics than parental presence.

Cassandra began writing long drafts of letters to Baelon. None sent.

🗓️ Late 2023 — Baelon Reaches Out

Aegon posted a birthday vlog for Baelon, turning 3. Jason walked in while she was crying in the kitchen.

She told Jason she wanted to reconnect, visit London. He shrugged, “If it helps you.”

She didn’t go — not yet. But she started replying to Aegon’s texts. Tentatively. Then Jason proposed and she said "yes".

🗓️ Early 2024 — Baby Born

Cassandra gave birth to her and Jason’s daughter, Charlotte Lannister, in LA.

Jason was there. He hired a photographer for hospital shots. The baby had golden hair.

But Cassandra felt split in two. A second child in her arms, while the first one was oceans away.

She broke down on the third night. Jason told her: “We’re not doing this guilt thing.”

!!!!!!!

[lgcxmimi]

SPRING CLEANING - thru the years

the first year- 2021

emi entered the grand world of korean idol and trainee life as the age of twenty years old, deciding to add the stress and worry of trying to become a star on top of getting into a school that seemed entirely too far away from home. her father had always told her to dream big, and with things at home only seeming to worsen, it seemed she was determined do something she both loved(attention, performing), with something she knew could help out her mom and sister and change their lives in the same vein. in her world, nothing had ever really been normal, but she wanted to give it a try, and she auditioned for legacy, getting into the company in july of that year. she knew it'd be hard, but it was a lot harder than she even expected.

the second year- 2022

cue the balancing act of going to school during the day, and at night, becoming a kpop idol like some sort of secret superhero. she told no one about her activities except for her mom and sister, and from then on, it was nothing but hard work and no play... except there was a lot of play. emi had some experience due to her cheerleading, choir, and drama activities in high school, but nothing could have prepared her for the work she had to do. for the most part, she did *try*, but she got in some trouble too. the scariest part was taking it seriously, and still failing-- so she sort of didn't. it was better to mess around with other trainees( cue hyuk and max here), or stay out late and have a good time. she's young after all.

the third year- 2023

as more and more trainees either left, got kicked out or headed to their grand debuts, emi started to feel left behind, and also, perhaps her frontal lobe may have developed a bit more. with her graduating college, it gave her a bit more time to focus on being a trainee, and really, she was sick of being just average during evals and performances. she was never the worst, but she didn't stick out, which she thinks was probably worse. she spent more time in her practice rooms and less time in her dorm, zoning in on the skills she really wanted to be known for-- her singing, stage presence, and rapping. she made sure to take care of her appearance, and her body, and tried to shed just a bit of the party girl lifestyle, though that never went away completely.

the fourth year- 2024

it seemed that her actual hard work was starting to pay off in a bunch of ways. she was getting recognized more, and it was like a domino effect. it turned out, if she did show she wanted to be here and really debut, she just might. she was chosen for special lgc girls japan project, lgc charms radio, and was in the first selection of hosts to do so, which honestly feels like a fever dream. she hosted for three semesters before having to step down, which was such an eye opener for her. she traded in her clubbing heels for a relationship, and now, even more determined to show she has what it takes.

[lgcasami]

SPRING CLEANING - PART 5

Asami is, as of right now, the trainee who has trained the longest. She joined the company on January 2020 at the tender of age of 17. She auditioned in Tokyo, got accepted, and then moved to Seoul by herself to start training with LGC. The beginning was... rough. She moved to Korea not knowing a single word of Korean, didn't have any family or friends there to rely on, and training was a lot more difficult than she anticipated (thought marginally so. She's still a former ballerina after all, she knows discipline and schedules and hours on hours of practice). Year one was the toughest of them all if you only count the external problems that didn't let her do things the way she wanted to do.

Second and third year (2021 - 2022) were a lot smoother. Not only Asami made acquaintances and friends, she also had a side job at a restaurant once she was done with school, and her Korean improved tremendously. Due to her introverted nature, Asami wouldn't communicate with others a lot unless she was certain the words were the right ones, but as she interacted with more people, she learned quicker and things became a lot better after that. Training was nothing that she wasn't already used with from her ballet background. She was learning new things, developing new skills and improving on the things she already knew. Second year was also the year when she started demonstrating interest in music production in some shape and form.

Fourth and fifth year (2023 - 2024) was when things started getting bad for her, but this time was more mentally than physically. Asami was always diligent and participated in every possible event she was allowed to. From workshops to the Family Concerts, and even if they weren't her cup of tea given that she's not a heavily trained trainee on those specific aspects, she even showed up in variety shows and hosted LGC Charms for nine or so months. Asami even did educational videos about Korean culture at some point. All of that, accumulated with the previous five years of hard practice most days and most weeks of the year really culminated on Asami feeling extremely burnout. There were times she would feel better and power-through, thinking she was doing better, but it wasn't the case. It wasn't a simple change of mindset that would solve things on her end. She felt demotivated and insufficient despite her best efforts to show good results and improve when told to do so.

Sixth year (2025) feels a lot more positive. Not only because she sought out external help, but because career wise, her path seemed to be brightening up. She released a new single alongside Taeha, Mio and Emi as LGC Girls in the first semester of the year, which was already more than she has ever done before, so so far, career wise, she's happy and expectant of what is to come.

[posttexasstressdisorder]

WhatMatters

Your guide to California policy and politics

By Lynn La

May 20, 2025

Presented by Dairy Cares, CA Primary Care Association Advocates, Climate-Smart Agricultural Partnership and California Water Association

 

 

Good morning, California.

$100K is ‘low income’ in even more CA counties

New homes under construction in Mountain House on May 28, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Amid pledges from Democratic legislative leaders to make California more affordable, there is persistent evidence that the state’s high cost of living won’t get better anytime soon. 

The latest comes from California’s housing department, which recently released its annual report detailing how much households can earn in each of California’s 58 counties to be eligible for various government programs, including housing assistance programs.

One striking takeaway? Earning a six-figure salary as a single person without dependents is considered “low income” in five counties — all in Northern California.

Residents making an annual income of up to $109,700 who are living in Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties are considered low income, according to the California Department of Housing & Community Development. Topping the list is Santa Clara County, the home of Silicon Valley’s tech industry, which designates $111,700 as low income. 

For a three-person household — say, two parents with one child — earning a combined six-figure salary is also considered low income in an additional 11 counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Monterey, Napa, Orange, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sonoma and Ventura counties.

This wasn’t always the case, as SFGATE points out: Five years ago, $78,550 was considered low income for a single-person household in Santa Clara County, a difference of $33,150, or 42%, compared to now. Indeed no California county in 2020 considered a six-figure salary low income; with $97,600 standing as the low-income ceiling for Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties. 

The report comes as both the federal and state government plan to cut or shift funds for social safety net programs; rising insurance costs drive up rents; electric bills in California remain some of the highest in the country; and inflation is “projected to accelerate” under President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.

Join CalMatters and Evident in Bakersfield on Wednesday for a screening of Operation: Return to Sender, a short documentary uncovering what really happened during a three-day Border Patrol raid in Bakersfield. After the film, CalMatters’ Sergio Olmos and others will discuss what the team uncovered and what it means for immigration enforcement. Register today or attend our Los Angeles screening on Thursday. 

Other Stories You Should Know

CA cities and counties clash over homelessness

A Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority worker helps an unhoused person move their possessions in Los Angeles on Jan. 28, 2021. Photo by Patrick T. Fallon, AFP via Getty Images

Though Gov. Gavin Newsom’s disputes with local governments over homelessness often grab headlines, disagreements between counties and cities also have the potential to upend the livelihoods of unhoused people who depend on local support.

As CalMatters’ Marisa Kendall explains, the saga between the city and county of Los Angeles and their soon-to-be-dissolved joint homeless services authority underscores the friction between local governments, which are sometimes at odds with each other when it comes to funding and responsibility. It’s a kind of clash that’s happening elsewhere in California, such as San Diego and Stanislaus counties.

Established in the 1990s, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority provided services to some of L.A. County’s 75,000 homeless people. After two audits found that the joint agency failed to properly track spending and outcomes, the county’s Board of Supervisors voted last month to rescind more than a third of the agency’s funding, or more than $300 million. L.A. County officials say they plan to create a new agency that is more efficient and will have more accountability measures. 

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and a city councilmember blasted the move, saying it would “create a monumental disruption” and risk “worsening our homelessness crisis.”

Days after county supervisors conducted their vote, members of the L.A. City Council said they should consider pulling out of the agency too.

Cities, which provide shelter beds, do not have behavioral health departments, which are provided by counties, along with other key mental health and addiction treatments. The dismantling of L.A.’s joint agency has left programs in the region figuring out how to separate funds they receive from both the city and county.

Read more here.

 

Fear among ESL students under Trump

Students participate in an interactive conversational exercise at a non-credit English as a Second Language class at Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills on May 8, 2025. Photo by Jules Hotz for CalMatters

More than 290,000 students take free English as a Second Language courses in California’s community colleges. But as the Trump administration cracks down on immigration, educators are reporting a heightened level of anxiety that discourages ESL students from going to class, writes Delilah Brumer of CalMatters’ College Journalism Network.

Non-credit ESL courses have been growing in popularity in recent years: >From the 2018-19 academic year to 2023-24, about 30,000 more students in California enrolled in these courses. This is a boon for community colleges, which receive state funding through ESL courses and are still struggling with enrollment after the pandemic.

But in January Trump issued several executive actions to increase deportations, including authorizing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to make arrests at schools and other “sensitive locations.” For the roughly 100,000 California college students who do not have permanent legal status, fears about ICE have led some to either attend classes online or not show up at all.

Jessica Buchsbaum, City College of San Francisco’s ESL department chairperson: “We’ve definitely heard that students may be afraid to come to school. In an environment when there’s so much hate directed at immigrants, we are here to serve this population. These are people who bring incredible energy and hope to our communities.”

Read more here.

 

And lastly: Better pay for CA prisoners

Incarcerated people walk to the Sandy Turner Education Center at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on March 26, 2015. Photo by Michael Macor, San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

Though voters in November rejected amending the state constitution to ban involuntary prison labor, a Culver City lawmaker continues to push for better pay for California prisoners — including incarcerated firefighters who help put out active wildfires. Read more from CalMatters’ Joe Garcia.

California Voices

CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: As a lame duck governor, Newsom can afford to upset allies with his latest state budget plan — but the Legislature, on the other hand, remains in a tough spot.

Other things worth your time: 

Some stories may require a subscription to read. 

How old is too old to drive in CA? See DMV’s updated rules for seniors // The Sacramento Bee

Trump administration cancels $85.6M in public health grants to Santa Clara County // The Mercury News

Homelessness grew by 3% in Fresno and Madera counties, even with anti-camping bans in effect // Fresnoland

How illegal dumping in Antelope Valley desert sites got so bad // LAist

Portrait emerges of Palm Springs bombing suspect // Los Angeles Times

With CA’s affordable housing shortage, does Coachella Valley offer hope? // Los Angeles Times

Federal prosecutors in LA work to ‘neutralize CA’s sanctuary state policy’ // The Orange County Register

Surgeons in Southern CA perform first ever successful bladder transplant // The Guardian

 

See you next time!

Tips, insight or feedback? Email whatmatters@calmatters.org. Subscribe to CalMatters newsletters here. Follow CalMatters on Facebook and Twitter.

 

     

 

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CalMatters 1017 L Street #261 Sacramento, CA 95814 United States

[intoloopin-archive]

THE PROJECT.

Boy Of The Week (2017 - 2018) was a year long training project organized by New Wave Music and Blockberry Creative with a sole goal: putting 24 boys to the test until they found the 10 member lineup that would make up the brother group of LOONA.

Weirdly private to this day and age, there's very little the public actually knows about how the group came to be, who was involved and what was done: the timeline given by the companies doesn't quite match up, and with no footage and a single broadcasting record, barely any confirmed trainee names to this day and age, the formative year of LOOPiN remains a well kept mistery.

[THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS BELONG FULLY TO NEW WAVE MUSIC, FORMERLY BLOCKBERRY CREATIVE AS WELL UNTIL THE END OF THEIR PARTNERSHIP IN 2022, AND ARE PROTECTED UNDER SEVERAL CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS. ANY SORT OF ILLEGAL DISTRIBUTION WILL BE PUNISHED BY LEGAL LAWSUIT AND LITIGATION.]

THE KNOWN TRAINEES: SOUTH KOREA.

THE KNOWN TRAINEES: WORLDWIDE.

Despite advertising itself to the public and to future advertisers as holding 24 trainees in their roster, in reality, Boy Of The Week was more succinct, with 16 active recruits at its start on early April 2017.

Receiving over 400 audition tapes from around the globe and going on paper to say they had admitted 12 international Week Boys, only 5 ended up actually joining the project and training under it in the companies headquarters in South Korea. New Wave and BBC failed to provide proper documentation in time for anyone out of the USA, most of Europe and Southeast Asia, leaving the majority of the trainees from any other regions to fetch for themselves, a near impossible task for most to achieve in three months.

Beomseok, the oldest identified Week Boy to this day, was 22 going 23 while Sangjin and Haegon, the youngests known, were both 16 years olds -- however, current LOOPiN member Taesong has alluded in the past to, quote, "ironing out an elementary school uniform" while living in the training dorm, raising the suspicion of there being at least one tween in Boy Of The Week at some point in time.

In fact, the remaining anonymous 3 trainees fell in the age range of 11 to 14, all South Korean.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BOY OF THE WEEK TRAINEE.

Starting off on the accomodations provided entirely by New Wave Music, the designated dorm for the 16 Week Boys to share was a small house, with a maximum capacity of 6. From day one the trainees took turns sharing the five single beds, one couch, as well as the living room and bathroom floors.

Minwoo, the only Seoul based member that still opted to live in the shared dorm, would occasionally house his fellow teammates in his spare room at his family home, making an exception only to the trainees who worked part time (Seungsoo), were very underage (REDACTED, REDACTED, REDACTED) or fell ill or became injured (Dylan and Haruki).

Their vocal, rap and dancing training fell on the responsibility of rotational teachers, mostly coming from BBC until the still under development New Wave pushed forward a 'possible staff member' -- an inconstant that left most of the basic trainees lost, and kept the advanced ones in any field from breaking trought.

LOSSES, MASS DISMISSALS AND LAST MINUTE ADDITIONS.

By August 2017, 4 months into training, New Wave Music founder and CEO Seo Changyuk began to hold evaluations and dismiss 1 trainee a month in incomprehensible order: the top Week Boys weeks prior were not save from a sudden elimination in the next gathering, creating an anxious and fearful energy that became contagious amongst the trainees.

Unsatisfied with the 10 members left, New Wave and BBC agreed to start emergency street castings and re-open their auditions, putting posters in Seoul and all districts nearby not explicitly tied to Boy Of The Week -- the posters happened to gain some traction on Naver and Twitter at the time, creating speculation if wether or not the future LOONA siblings would ever come to be.

In November, came the first and only public appearance of Boy Of The Week at a local university festival, then a 13 members team. At the event Chen Haitao (2000) and Lee Sangjin (2001) were approached and recruited on the spot by another company, leaving future LOOPiN unexpectedly with 11 trainees, a number that didn't last.

In October, Matsushita Kohei was accused by a fellow trainee of being planning to rob Choi Sangwon, a New Wave Music staff member. Upon checking, Sangwon's personal belongings such as car keys, wallet and watch were found hidden in Kohei's bags in the dorm. While no charges were pressed against him by the casting director's demand, Dallas was immediately dismissed.

In December, 5 new unknown South Korean members were added to Boy Of The Week, but not a single one lasted long enough to count: the massively negative and frustrated response from the older Week Boys drove them away quickly, to the annoyance of the project's superiors.

Easy to say, that marked a sour turn for the relationship between the young men and their responsible staff, who realized too late that they had cultivated a problem.

FIGHT FOR CREATIVE INDEPENDENCE / THE RISE OF THE FACE TRIO / DYLAN FELL ILL.

At that point in time, Boy Of The Week had also produced highly evaluated trainees that fell in the graces of both companies CEOs and were sure to survive all evaluations with Seo Chanhyuk, them being Bang Minwoo, Na Seungsoo and Fukunaga Haruki, fully quoted to get into LOOPiN no matter what -- something later proved as truth.

By the new year, they became known on as the future groups 'Face Trio' -- both an admiring title and a pejorative term, as confirmed by LOOPiN maknae Haegon in 2022.

Minwoo and Seungsoo specially grew overconfident with their status. They felt invensible enough to take over an inactive music recording room in New Wave headquarters and come up with a unimaginable proposition: they were asking for the power to make their own music from their group debut and onwards, something that registered as a joke to staff.

It was thought the song 'Love Hell', made by the duo in early January 2018, sold to a third party company who turned it into a popular drama OST, that they finally managed to make an argument for their desire to be a fully self-produced group. Chanhyuk agreed to grand the two, alongside Haruki, the elevated power to skip the monthly auditions and share their two cents on who should make it into LOOPiN -- an empty promise, they soon realized, set to calm them down.

At the same time, international Week Boy and now LOOPiN member Hwang Chihoon, english name Dylan Hwang, came down with anemia and depression and had to me immediately hospitalized. An intense fight broke between his family in the US, New Wave and BBC about who would took over over his medical care and what would be of his future career: the companies, who delay to notify the Hwangs of Dylan's status by weeks, wanted to transfer him home immediately, something unaffordable for his single mother and grandparents to handle.

With the help of their relatives in South Korea, they filled a lawsuit claiming neglect from New Wave and BBC regarding Chihoon, which they lost before he even recovered.

A formal protest over the handle of his case split the remaining Week Boys into two teams: the ones who vouched to keep Dylan's place save so he could join LOOPiN once he recovered (Beomseok, Minwoo, Seungsoo, Haruki, Haegon), and the ones who wanted him gone from the final lineup (Alexandre, Taesong, Dongwook, Woobin).

Minwoo, Seungsoo and Haruki, 'the favored', joined forces to eliminate each guy from the opposition and make them quit: a mission quickly accomplished in a two week run. Taesong, left alone, bended and complied to have Dylan stay.

It left Boy Of The Week with 6 members, non officially 7 counting the recovering Dylan, as the final lineup set to graduate on upcoming April 2018, not 10.

That New Wave and BBC couldn't take.

THE NON-BOY OF THE WEEK LOOPiN MEMBERS.

Set on Seo Chanhyuk's concept vision of a LOOPiN OT10, mere 3 months away from the end of Boy Of The Week, New Wave and their partner company turned sharp and desperate.

Recruited by the end of January, Wu Zhiming, korean name Oh Jimin, was a promising producer even at his high school age, recruited by New Wave Music to serve as a part time sound engener alongside his unofficial cousin Shin Jooheon, produce allias HEEDAMN. After a physical altercation with Minwoo over his targeting of Woobin, Zhiming was unofficially demoted to temporary trainee, then turned full time trainee and a late Week Boy by choice.

Recruited in mid February, Xu Jiahang, stage name J.J, had already partial experience with Idol training, being a teenage YG model and trainee for little over a year before quitting the industry in late 2016. Both J.J and New Wave Music have publicly claimed that he was individually casted only by his popular Weibo and IG ulzzang accounts, and that the involvement and investment of his father's commercial making studio, Xu Forward INC, came after, but that's utterly false -- although impossible to fully disprove now.

Lee Hanjae, an experience B-Boy, was recruited way past the official graduation of Boy Of The Week, in late May. He was a BBC trainee quoted to join OnlyOneOf and snatched to fill the original LOOPiN quota, transferred to cover for former rapper Dongwook, infamously two months before the debut of LOOPiN 2On1 with Haruki.

And with that, LOONA's sibling group finally came to be at it's original lineup with Lee Beomseok, Park Taesong, Bang Minwoo, Na Seungsoo, Fukunaga Haruki, Dylan Hwang (active only after their official group debuted in 2019), Wu 'O.z' Zhiming (later presenting himself as Oh Jimin after the end of his dual chinese-south korean citizenship after turning 19), Lee Hanjae, Xu 'J.J' Jiahang and Kim Haegon.

WHERE ARE THE ALMOST LOOPiN MEMBERS NOW?

Chen Haitao and Lee Sangjin ended up debuting together under HAPPYGRIN Studio in 2020's 13 membered boygroup Serpentary, which are currently active and have found medium success. Both have not gone deep into their experience in Boy Of The Week, only sharing they've met while in there, but they hold a very public as well as private friendship with Taesong and Haegon.

Two years later in early 2020, Matsushita 'Dallas' Kohei joined MBN Entertainment and trained to join IDOLMAKER's 4th generation in 2022, but was replaced last minute by Im Daewon and dimissed from the company as well. Currently, Kohei has given up on being a singer and it's working as a full time professional photographer. He has never gone into details of his time as a Week Boy online.

Kwon Dongwook went on to debut in MBN Entertainment's Night Child, mostly known under the acronym NTCD, in late 2018, a highly successful act that's regarded as the crowned kings of 4th generation. He's also considered to be one of the most successful soloists acting now, with his debut hit Any Song (2021) and his following comeback BITBIT (2022) going internationally viral. While rumors of his animosity with LOOPiN run free given his dodges about his relation to the group, his recent public friendship with J.J has solidified the idea that they're nothing but gossip.

Kim Woobin, current stage name Wonmiles, is a popular K-Hiphop producer and underground rapper that's still making music. He's the only identified former Week Boy who's alluded to his trainee past the most in interviews and songs, although the general public doesn't fully trusts nor cares for his complains and his raised allegations.

Alexandre Minchul Han went on to stablish himself from 2020 onwards as a popular vlog Youtuber and a low stakes model based on South Korea, only once mentioning his Boy Of The Week past in passing. He reportly fleed Seoul and went back to his hometown in France on March 2022. Alex is currently being reported missing by his family, and any trace of him is yet to be found.