just-4pple-pi3

[just-4pple-pi3]

Spoilers, how I tackle it.

I tend to ignore spoilers of dramas, movies, anime. I see only the genre and the imdb rating, fan rating and others reviews at times. If they do not convince me enough, then I see the summary a little bit, such as the first sentence, and if that doesn't catch my interest, I drop it.

I choose comics and kdramas with caution. If I notice that even after my initial reading of the first episode it doesn't catch my attention enough and doesn't align with my interests, I drop it.

If by chance you do encounter a spoiler you didn't wish to know, then give a huge gap, for example, like 3-6 months. You will forget it and would be able to enjoy properly. That is how even after watching explanation videos of so many things that I never watched properly, yet I was able to watch the whole of it with a fresh mind. For example, Big Bang Theory, The Office. I did watch some funny moments compilation in yt but decided to start way later as they were short in length and I only remembered a bit that it envoked laughter and fun in me.

[just-4pple-pi3]

Silas Marner by George Eliot

Sep 1, 2024

[Spoilers ahead for Silas Marner by George Eliot]

I believe books require a particular atmosphere and mood to read in. Today was a cold cloudy day. Usually cloudy days are hot and humid here, but today was an exception. My mind has been at ease due to the weather. I was glad that I am not sick, and do not have flu and cough. Moreover, I did not have my morning class. The sleep knowing that there is no schedule the next day is comforting. Therefore, I finished Silas Marner. Yesterday, I was in the part where Silas complains about his robbery. It was sad that he lost his meaning in life for the second time. When this novel was in my syllabus i roughly read the summary only and had found it to be terribly boring. But after reading the whole of it, I'll say it is full of good vibes, this book was perfect for a day like this.

I felt that the first half was bland. I could feel that the writer perhaps first thought about the latter part of the story, which is so well-written in terms of humor, speech, thoughts. The first parts see Silas Marner from a third person perspective, but no one will be able to guess what they are getting into, whether reading this book is going to be good or bad. I found most of the detailed explanation regarding how we should feel or how the characters feel about something to be exhaustive in that the language was not understandable. I assume the purpose was to make the emotions understood as a whole, but that purpose failed in my opinion. Perhaps this purpose served during its contemporary times. In this aspect, the parts from where Silas is consoled by his neighbors for the theft and especially from the part where the 'un (baby) arrives is well-written in that, almost every aspect is understood fully. But i will say a part I found to be witty yet exhaustive is where Silas comes to put forth the charge in Rainbow after getting fully soaked in rain and we see the conversation of the people of that area. Perhaps why this part is so long and boring is exactly to bring that effect in that the neighbors are engaging in useless talks and affairs that goes on and on.

Another witty character portrayal is that of Godfrey Cass, his emotions, thoughts, and motives were well portrayed. The writing starts to get better and enough keep you hooked after Marner discovers the 'un. Overall, you can definitely trust this book to be a good read full of good vibes that will leave your heart fuller towards the end, I can assure you of that.

Did you know that George Eliot is actually female? Her actual name is Mary Ann Evans. In that era, in the 19th century, women authors were still not free from prejudice about their writings, deemed to be "too emotional". She wanted her publishes to be judged solely based on their literary merit and not with biasness, which is why she took up the pen name.

September the 1st is also world letter day. I was thinking of writing letters to the few friends of mine. I pondered abt what to write, how to make the envelop and the letter exceptional and creative, what gifts should i give. I might attempt to gift handmade bookmarks. I'll share here if I do. It has been a long time since I did arts and crafts.

~Just Apple Pie. Really gotta make some apple pie someday.

[just-4pple-pi3]

UN Village and City Lights by Baekhyun

MV and album discussion

UN Village by Baekhyun

The title song and mv is well comprised because it shows Baekhyun's vocal color and his power in exo (light). To me, it felt like Baekhyun has been hiding from too much light, aka from showing too much of his power (you will know what I mean if you look up for exo's theory and Baekhyun's role in that concept in Tumblr: @adoringdo). The R&B song itself however talks about spending a special time with the beloved in Hannamdong UN Village hill. He wishes that the beloved speaks their true love to him and enjoys the particular lovely moment with each other. The composition of the background score features unique heavy sounds arranged in a way that it becomes subtly emphasized. The sound makes us get into the song, makes us question that let me see how this song continues to sound like, and then comes Baekhyun's first line "Navigation 독서당어린이공원으로 누르고 엑셀을 밟아" (Navigation to Deokseodang Children's Park press start and step on the gas). The line is something one would not expect to be uttered in an R&B song in the very first line. Nevertheless, Baekhyun's accentuation made the line sound so subtle and natural that it felt easy-going. I personally found verse 2 (1:34) to be compelling because Baekhyun's voice sounds like it is heard from a radio (if you know how to explain this more accurately please let me know).

Moreover, the flow is different there than the rest of the song, it gives a lo-fi feeling. The background sound also sounds different than the rest in this part. The scenes from (1:34) to (1:56) went perfectly with verse 2. The high notes and long notes in this song seem to function with the tone of emphasis upon the lover's wish and longing for love.

The overall aesthetic the mv seems to be going for is the same, subtle but special. It emphasizes the flowing whispering love the singer sings about. The mv also has a light seductive side to it, which could be seen through the noir vibes (walking through darkness, black and white, serious looks, buildings, roads), play on different colored lightings (blue, red, white, yellow, green), close up shots of Baekhyun. The flow of different scenes were really good. I just found some of the black and white shots to be unnecessary(again, if I could know the Director's reasoning behind it that would've been cool). For example (0:31), (2:58, 2:53), (2:20)- because I would have liked to see scenes with actual city lights.

I assume the director added these scenes either to not make the mv too much noir or to match the lyrics, or to make the mv more nostalgic and melancholic (could be anything idk). Also, please let me know what you understand from the last scene where Baekhyun is lying on a table and a woman passes by, I have no idea.

My most favorite shots have been

1. Blue hues with blueish Baekhyun (1:46) (1:50) (2:35)

2. The projection on the surface of the building (3:42). The cut to the projection from actual video (2:44-2:50)

3. 0:49 going through that corridor (black and white with play on lighting)

4. The play of red and white lighting, Baekhyun's cool fit (2:22- 2:27) (2:38) (3:07- says turn the light off (lighteul kkeo) and the white light turns off)

5. Every black and white scenes shot in/with that building, especially on (0:56) (1:00) (3:16)

The other songs in the album:

Diamond: The layering with Baekhyun's voice sounds really catchy in the chorus. The song goes well after UN village as it has almost the same theme. It sings about wishing to be more close and intimate together, desiring to explore more of the beloved. To his eyes, the beloved shines like a diamond when they stand next to the lover.

Betcha: The girl does not care or pay enough attention yet. However, the lover is determined to win her over. The guy is confident enough about that. The song has a playful and confident tone into it. Betcha also has a playful dance with it which you'll find in SMP Floor, Baekhyun and Haechan also did challenges with it.

Ice Queen: The transition from Betcha to Ice Queen is smooth, as if Ice Queen is the next part of Betcha. The lyrics here are more descriptive than Betcha. The lover invites the ice queen girl to feel his warm heart with her cold hands. The lover has the warmth and passion of love reminiscent of fire, which is the opposite of the ice queen. The lover wishes to evaporate and get lost into the reaction of their love. Other EXO-L's said that the beginning of Baekhyun's Ice Queen has the same sample as JB's Sunrise, so that's something to note. I love the ending, where he shouts "On my way!"

Stay Up: Well, ahem this one's gonna be a bit racy. It delves into doing amorous activities together. Almost towards the end of City Lights, the lovers are about to take off into next level. This city night resembles the beloved since the beloved is lonely and puzzled, and extravagant, the same as the city streets. Beenzino's parts were natural and embedded with the song well. The sing was produced by well-known producer Cha Cha Malone. Many aeries were shocked to have matured lyrics sung by Baekhyun, which I can relate because he has such a cute face which deludes us into thinking that he is not 27 already by then XD. The lover wishes to go for the third base as the lyrics says "Baby we can stay up, Throw you at me, to the deepest point fall in love...Get in there, reachable lips...I'll fill your empty heart full of me. No sleep tonight. We makin' love. Until the sun shines down on us...Baby lay back. Close your eyes. I'd like to get drunk on you sweet. I'll go easy on you. We can go on and on tonight."(say what?!) Baekhyun makes smut sound like poem, he has such an affectionate yet seductive voice. [*slaps myself for simping over his voice] The ending was nice with "On and on..." but I feel this line should've been longer, the gentle vocal in this part was impeccable. Actually, the lyrics were not overtly explicit, it describes the intimation gently without making it obvious, which is why I commend it.

Psycho: EXO always have had two sides to their love. In one love, the lover becomes a monster or Jekyll, in another, the lover falls into a deep obsession. In this album, the love that started as being playful where the girl did not pay attention at first (in betcha), ended up being psychotic. I would recommend y'all check out Bebe's cover of this song in Street Woman Fighter 2, it's too good, and I'm glad she covered it, she accurately choreographed according to the lyrics and feelings if this song. Baekhyun said on his City Lights showcase that Psycho is about a toxic relationship. While reading the comments, I came across some theories by aeries, which I appreciate. Some linked it to DID, some compared the light exol- healthy relationship and dark exol(or not)- toxic. There is a push and pull going on in the lyrics. On one hand, the lover wishes for the beloved to stay because he needs her, on the other he hopes she goes away because of his dual personality.

The name of the album City Lights is apt. The loneliness, dark and light theme, a romantic night in the city are all featured in the songs using different metaphors and meanings. However, I loved the album cover so much where Baekhyun is on top of a car in an evening over the road where the city lights are shining. So, I would've loved it more if the concept teaser, teaser photos and/or the mv featured more of that image.

Now that it's 2024, we know that we saw some nice mv's that features such nighttime imagery. For example, Baekhyun's Bambi and Minho's Heartbreak.

City lights imagery in Baekhyun's Bambi:

City Lights imagery in Minho's Heartbreak MV:

Give a listen to Baekhyun's City Light, Bambi, and Shinee Minho's Heartbreak!

~Just Apple Pie

[just-4pple-pi3]

About My Content

In this platform I will share reviews upon my interests, non-interests, with a critical lens over various topics.

My scope could be:

K-pop: EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, aespa (especially), and any other groups

K-drama

Webtoon

Literature

Art and aesthetics: painting, music, film/movies, awards, photograph

Lifestyle, philosophy, and hobbies

Politics: Global South and International

I will try my best to keep the criticism as civil and constructive as possible. The motive is to practice artistic criticism in the development of art, literature, politics, and the complications of human life. This practice is a way for me to express myself and my tastes. With that being said, let's get started~

Below is one of my recent photographs, I love taking pictures of the sky (especially a clear one). As, I believe that no matter which country you are in, the sky above us is always the same.