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Some thoughts midway through reading Happy Doomsday by Nian Zhong

(Spoilers ahead)

Two different AIs with two different creators.

Ruan Xian programmed NUL-00 to learn about humans. This makes curiosity the main feature of Tang Yibu, and he accepts everything he sees because it’s more information for him to add to his growing understanding of people.

Whereas Fan Linsong wanted MUL-01 to guide humans on a better path. So it made changes that it deemed appropriate in order to further this goal. This created “doomsday”. There’s an inherent hubris in wanting to make something “better”, because you assume you know better and can make it better. But when the creator is flawed, the creation is flawed as well, and to ignore that can invite disaster.

There’s something so beautiful and chilling about this story. Maybe the way to reverse doomsday and save the world is just to genuinely strive to understand others and yourself. It’s not that we need to frantically fix everything we see that’s “wrong”. We are flawed humans who may not truly understand what is right or wrong for everyone. Understanding must come before action.

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A Way to Protect the Lovable You

(Manhwa - complete)

Alternate title: Saving my Sweetheart (this is actually the title official English translation, but it sounds so corny)

A fantasy historical romance where our main protagonist goes back in time and has a chance to redo part of her life.

Honestly the romance was just so sweet that I would have read and loved this one even if the plot wasn't that good. But I actually enjoyed the plot quite a bit as well.

There's nothing revolutionary about this manhwa. It's the typical good vs. evil plot. It just hit all the right buttons for me. There is slight angst in the beginning, since Leticia (our MC) is cursed to die in 6 months unless she kills her soon-to-be husband, which she won't do because she fell in love with him in her first life. Of course she doesn't tell this to him in this second life. She just tells him that she wants a divorce by 6 months, and he misunderstands that she doesn't want this marriage / doesn't really like him. But the angst and this misunderstanding doesn't ever get in the way of their relationship. It doesn't ever get painfully annoying (like others I've read). It's just the right amount of angst, and honestly just makes me root for this couple more.

But honestly, I think what I loved the most about this story is seeing how people decide to stop self-sacrificing. It seems like the most straightforward option at times in the plot -- to sacrifice oneself. If they sacrifice themselves, many problems seem to resolve themselves. But it breaks the hearts of those that love them. This story depicts how it's not noble to sacrifice oneself. Rather the more courageous option is striving to find a way where everyone ends up safe and happy, including yourself.

And also, there's the theme that love gives people the power to overcome any obstacles and fears, and believing in the power of love is what saves one last character that I loved. It's cheesy, I know. But the hopeless romantic in me squeals in joy.

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The Man Who Can't Taste

(Manhwa - ongoing)

Alternate title: The Insatiable Man (This is the title of the official English translation, I just like the other translation of the title better.)

It's a story about two people who want to be loved, but who are afraid to be abandoned.

Kim Jiho is a closeted gay man who is afraid of how his relationship with his family will change if he comes out to them. He is fairly close with his mother and sisters, and plus, there are no guarantees that a lover will always stay with him, whereas his family will always be his family, which is why he's so adamant of keeping his sexuality a secret.

Lee Inwoo is a divorced man who cannot taste anything. Inwoo comes across as a blunt and insensitive man, but if that's all he was then us readers would dislike him and refuse to keep reading. He's a popular writer, and his current work in progress is a story where he seems to be exploring himself, his wife, and what went wrong with his relationship.

Through a series of events, Jiho ends up as a consultant for Inwoo's newest story. At first only offering insight into descriptions of taste, but then also giving advice on how characters might feel as well.

The way these characters influence each other is really well done imo. The core of who they are doesn't change, but they gain more understanding and courage as they spend more time together. At the same time, I felt it was very realistic how this story depicts the fears the people have before they start dating, and while they are dating. Overall it's been a really satisfying read so far, and I'm looking forward to more chapters.

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This is a theme that I ADORE this story for — people helping others feel more comfortable being themselves.

But that’s not the easiest thing to do. Yeo Joon felt safer keeping people at a distance, being liked superficially for his money, his looks, and “bright”, easygoing personality. But safety is not happiness. Wearing a mask takes a toll on the spirit because what these people are “valuing” him for is not him, but rather what he gives them. And ultimately he just wants to be loved and valued (I mean, don’t we all?).

The crux of the matter is, though, that he doesn’t feel that being himself is good enough to be loved, which is a product of his experiences with his very dysfunctional family. Hence, the mask.

And it’s not until he meets a blunt (or rather, rude) sunbae who cuts through the bullshit and speaks his mind on what he sees (“campus wallet” comment for starters), and another sunbae who he relates a little too much to (being a doormat for others while desiring love from people that can’t love them back), that Yeo Joon starts to change — that he rekindles his hope for genuine connection with others.

It’s a really satisfying journey that these three go on. You can really see how positively people can influence each other, how they can inspire courage and provide support, making previously impossible things a possibility.

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HE RANG THE DOORBELL!!

To his own house!!!

Just so he could be greeted by his sunbae. Because he doesn’t have to endure everything silently alone.

God I love these guys’ relationship.

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this show was insane actually

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“I accepted help from my friend.” 💚

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What do you want from me? What could it be?

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At a Distance Spring is Green

Recently started watching this drama. The title alone is evocative. How illusionary and immaterial the dreams sold to us are. And yet, we feel like we need to hold ourselves to some ideal standard, no matter how unrealistic it may be. So we hide behind masks, smile, and pretend that our lives are perfect.

Sometimes I can’t help but wonder how much of others we really see. How much of myself do I really show? Barely anything to most people. I think that’s why I find Yeo Joon to be such a relatable character. I’m really rooting for his happiness. I hope he can be himself, and feel genuine love and acceptance.

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I’m rewatching Sasaki and Miyano Graduation again and I’ve also read the entire manga but the scene where Miyano is telling his mom about Sasaki for the first time gets me every single time. Like I’m so happy that Harusono chose to make his mom accept him right off the bat and not be homophobic about it. Like Sasaki and Miyano does such a good job of showing how supportive their friends are while also still addressing that not everyone will be cool about it like Sasaki’s older sister’s initial reaction to finding out or Ogasawara’s struggles with BL as a genre. (Fortunately both characters also come around and are very supportive but that just adds to how wholesome and wonderful this story is) Lol the point being that I love this story it makes me so happy to see such a healthy and wholesome BL that is also getting the recognition it deserves.

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Somebody.. poisoned my food. It was the housekeeper apparently. She was fired right away. I never got to see her again. But I liked her. Since then I do not know who I can trust. Did she really do it? And if not.. was it someone else? Who?

Perfect Marriage Revenge (2023) • EP 2

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Perfect Marriage Revenge EP 6

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Why are they like this MY LUNGS

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This scene shattered my heart in a million pieces cause Doguk's words is what Yijoo probably needed to hear the most. She needed someone to empathize with her, to validate her sufferings and give her understanding and compassion for all she's been through.

The most gut wrenching thing to me was how, for a moment, she nodded and faintly smiled, desperately trying to keep it together, but then she just breaks down cause Doguk's words have overcomed the wall in her heart and seen the vulnerability hiding behind it. She can't pretend she's fine anymore cause the pain and the tears and the anger and the frustration need to be let out.

And so she does. She cries, and he lets her. He encourages her to let it all out and reassures her that she's safe with him, that he won't hurt her already tattered heart. And maybe Yijoo can't bring herself to fully trust him yet but this is the first small step to get there, to learn what genuine love looks like and to not be afraid to embrace it anymore.

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amane swearing on his life he won’t fall in love again and then meeting a guy like this

it’s impossible not to fall in love with ryuji, like if you’re not in love with him you’re not doing it right

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KIMI TO NARA KOI WO SHITE MITE MO [EP 1 vs CH 1] Manga by Kubota Maru, translation by 2nd Life Scans

Ok, I haven't been so taken with the manga since Our Dining Table. Both versions are so wholesome and deserve all the praise. My favourite comfort watch/read for the time being.

BONUS:

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👩‍❤️‍👩.