#M thoughts

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

D-1

🐥"And 10 years from now, wouldn't I be in the army? I think I'd be lonely and sad".

🐥"There are times when it feels like a long time, and there are times when it seems to go by quickly because Jungkook is next to me".

🐰"Why wasn’t I in the dream when we’re going together? I’m hurt".

🐰"But I think it’s really good that I’m not alone and that Private Park Jimin is here with me".

[wisteriagroves]

My heart bonded with yours, my soul recognized yours, my mind danced with yours... all before my eyes ever saw you.

[x-heesy]

𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗣𝗨𝗡𝗞 𝗜𝗣𝗛𝝝𝗡𝝝𝗚𝗥𝝠𝗣𝗛𝗬 𝗠𝝠𝗚𝗜𝗖𝗞

make this world great again

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Space Is A Place by Farai, Chris Calderwood

[poopyjacket]

i bought myself fields of mistria for my birthday!! i love having adult money and buying myself things!!

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

Someday I hope JK watches AYS during his wlives and spills some unknown secrets.

That yapper needs to open a bottle of red wine again and run his mouth about Jimin this and Jimin that. And I know there's plenty of eye brow raising moments we haven't seen. Jungkook, chop chop, add this to your post-military wlive agenda.

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

Are You Sure?! - Episode 8 Observations

10/10 ☆

"If you just watch my trip with Jungkook here, you'll know exactly what I do every day at home."

Jimin - Are You Sure?!, episode 8

Something had shifted that last night in Sapporo. The tongues were looser, the flirting was back in full force, the laughter out of nothing and everything could be heard throughout the house. After two days of activities and always on the move from one place to another, this was now a time to just be. Like they usually are when they hang out together. And it was a peek into how easy it would be for things to escalate. It was like I could finally see how Jungkook could spin Jimin around and then receive a bite/hickey because of it.

A lack of actual objective and purpose cracked the facade that somehow they both tried to maintain and succeded more or less. Especially Jimin. But even in that context, this trip was Jimin and Jungkook stripping away the filters. Add some alcohol in the mix, together with tiredness and soreness and it almost strips them bare. So much so that it leaves enough room to blatantly check the other one up from head to toe while being almost naked. It leaves room to use words like "baby" and "honey" without the other one finding any of it remotely weird.

Going back to that quote from the beginning, despite Jimin referring to how he simply does nothing and lays around the house when he's not out working or on trips around the world, I think it also applies to the cooking session/impromptu show they had that evening. It also takes me back to their second night in Connecticut when Jungkook made pasta and both of them were in sync and knew exactly what to do and how to do it because it was a habit. The difference in Sapporo was that it had the humor twist on top. But even then, it all fell into place immediately. They laugh at the same things and they probably must have put on similar acts in similar situations before. Jungkook is good at making Jimin laugh and how can he not try his best at succeeding that when Jimin is almost falling over because of it?

Which is why the next morning is such a blatant contrast to their good spirits the night before. Reality came crashing down. Impossible to hide. The mood was down, some tears and snifling even before they left the place. Not even shared jokes about puppy Jimin could work anymore. Not even the feast they have each time they go to a resturant. Not even Jungkook opening up all the windows in the car to distract Jimin. And how could it possibly work?

The lack of filter was there that next day, but in very different circumstances. There was no point to put on a brave face and end it with a classic "it was fun, hope we'll do it again, bye". These were the last three days of spending significant time together before 18 months in which most of the closeness probably had to be contained in just being in each other's presence. They didn't hide the sadness. It was not only palpable, but vocalized. Wanting to go back to the first day, feeling down because it's the last one. And ultimately, for someone in his position that has travelled countless times for business and pleasure, the time he spent with Jimin filming this show remains as the most significant for Jungkook. That's a big statetement, but no words were minced.

The memories made during AYS?! will hopefully make their lives easier during their military service. And even though another winter is getting closer and snow is something to be shoveled there, I hope they'll remember running around the streets of Sapporo and only feeling pain in their knees from skiing.

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

Are You Sure?! - Episode 7 Observations

9.5/10 ☆

Something clicked for me in the latest AYS?! episode. After years of following these two people and getting excited for any interaction or information regarding them, it was now perhaps the first time when watching them felt like not witnessing something special. Oh, I know how this sounds, but it's not what you think and I will explain.

When I say it didn't feel special I meant that nothing felt like a novelty. You know how shocked and excited we all became when Jimin called Jungkook during a birthday wlive? Or the collective metaphorical screaming on social media every time one would get close into the other one's space in some behind the scenes clip? That reaction for me was also a result of having to see that in a larger context in which jikook were not always the main focus.

Now with AYS?! and seven episodes in, I'm used to basically everything. The evening and morning routine, the soft talking, the flirting, the playfighting, the way they eat together. The nakedness and all the tattoos on display. I've developed a tolerance to it. And episode 7 really helped in cementing that. Yeah, they're half naked in a hot spring. Of course they are. They're brushing their teeth and do their morning skincare routine together. Of course they are. Jungkook buys the snacks and Jimin is in charge of feeding him. Of course. They laugh at the same things and everything is funny when they're together. Of course they do. They're playfighting again? Why would anyone be surprised at this point?

And I love that we got here. It's everything I wanted without ever thinking that it could be possible. It is extremely satisfying and fun to watch them. It has always been, but AYS?! was an open window into their lives together in a way that it hadn't happened before.

Sapporo is a special segment for many reasons. And as much as it's fun to see them have a good time, the impending military enlistment looms like a shadow over their trip. Jungkook is the one who seems intentional in talking about it in a way that makes light of the situation, while Jimin is more on the silent side.

But all this inevitably made me think of a downside. Because how am I suppose to go back to waiting for an aknowledged look while Jimin and Jungkook would sit at opposite ends in an interview setting? Or not doing a wlive together? Getting minimal interactions because there's 5 other people there? It would feel like something is not right. Jimin and Jungkook come in a package and they do everything together. They laugh and never get bored together. Jungkook cooks for Jimin while Jimin fills the exact needed space and purpose in that kitchen. Jimin can talk about learning to snowboard with Jungkook's friends and that conversation to remain between them and no one else. They can take showers together and then act like stupid boys in some endurance contest in the freezing water and it's their own thing and theirs only.

AYS?! Sapporo is bittersweet. For Jimin and Jungkook because as much fun they have, they know that their remaining time of freedom is getting to a close. Snow is beautiful there and they are together, but in a few weeks whatever sentiment that might evoke will be in the back of their minds when their reality will be completely different. That's why making those last minute memories together was so important. And they knew that and Jungkook felt the need to say it out loud. Like a constant reminder of how special those few days were.

And it's bittersweet for me too. While there's always the option of rewatching, who knows when such an opportunity (and privilege) will arise once again? Maybe never. Maybe AYS?! will be the first and last time to be able to take a peak through that window at their life...

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

Are You Sure?! Episode 6 Observations

10/10 ☆

A few weeks ago, when once again Jimin and Jungkook were pretending to be strangers in another roleplay session, I had this idea of what it might mean. A response that I categorize as ridiculous speculation on my part, but one which can be used as a starting point of one interpretation. The roleplay might just be part of their flirting (it is the main reason), but the type of narrative they always engaged with made me wonder.

Their stories always follow the theme of strangers meeting in a bar/cafe/forest/out on a lake, etc. Not a day went by in which they didn't do it. It almost feel like a reflex. Both Jimin and Jungkook fall into their parts instantly and they bounce of each other. Never an awkward pause. Never a line that falls flat. They always enjoy it and it comes naturally to them. It's a habit. But one that allows them to imagine themselves perhaps as just two regular guys where one uses a pick up line and the other one accepts that glass of whiskey. Because why not? Perhaps these are all fictional worlds in which they are not famous and they can be whoever they want.

Are You Sure?! might be in a way one of those fantasies. An attempt at "doing life" from people who are living unconventional lives and who are trying to do anything two friends or two lovers might do when they need a weekend away. Yes, we're aware of the convention. It is a show with a specific format. It is made for an audience. But it's a show where "nothing" happens. There's no actual dramatic points being pushed. It's a vlog with slightly higher productions costs in which shots from the subjects' hand held cameras are edited together with ones filmed from another pov. But the essence of it might be reduced to the "fantasy of the mundane".

That tone and perspective was perhaps most visible in episode 6 of AYS?! so far, despite the fact that the staff presence was felt a lot more.

Jimin and Jungkook play at life. One that gets to be highly romanticized in Sapporo by the subjects themselves. There's a constant feeling of living in a fantasy. In some cases, the roleplay and acting attempts made it obvious. The pick up line in a jazz bar and offering a glass of whiskey. Pretending they're in anime while gazing at the ocean from their train window. Such dreamers. And why not? Why not forget for 3 days that the world knows them, that they are working non-stop for their music or that they have to leave all their fantasies behind in two weeks?

Sometimes pretending helps. A "what if". They can live in this bubble where they don't have to sweep the snow and instead they can just run through it like puppies. They can go grab coffee on a weekday morning from that cafe on the corner where students gather everyday to study. They can squeeze a shoulder and gulp and freeze for a second when one of them gets baby fever in a train station. They can imagine a life in which they were same age friends, even though their hierarchy now is all backwards.

It's only for three days before they have to return to reality. For now, they stay in their Sapporo dream.

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

I know there's still behind the scenes footage left out there (hopefully Peaches will be kind enough to post it tomorrow). But in the meantime, these are my favorite shots so far:

Flirty Jungkook, creating a jikook bubble and on the right, Jimin using the SNTY excuse to show off his well-trained ass.

I can see the appeal of the extra footage, but what surprised me the most was that the more personal/mundane conversations were not included in the original run of AYS?!

I'm thinking of Jungkook and Jimin talking about Bam, or their knowledge of slang and word origin (a little more interesting than only showing us originally how they just tell each other how good the food is).

Neverending inside jokes and being fond of each other

And last but not least, I believe we have an instance of tea spilling at the same magnitude as "4 am together" in 2020:

Jimin, do you know the power of your words? And how many people screamed internally when you shared another of your "me and Jungkook together at night" stories? Apologize!

A 14-hour flight without any sleep after a schedule and Jungkook still cooked for Jimin in the evening immediately after he got home and then they probably stayed up until the morning when they left for Jeju. Eight episodes of AYS?! later and this one little thing got to me the most.

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

I hear Jhope said they can save up their leaves for the last month and take them combined. I am assuming that's what JM and JK did and are taking some time away to relax before they get into whatever schedule is waiting for them.

I see jikookers are excited about new ays. But they can't film anything right? They are still serving.

I was reluctant to say anything about this yesterday and I was proven right. Too many things happening and I was more or less joking like everyone else that maybe I should get ready for a Jungkook wlive.

Look, let's just call jikook out for a bit. I think we should. At least I will 😅 Because this is not normal, either way you put it and I'll break it down.

1. Jimin left for Tokyo with his friends and a manager/security. The next day, we see Jungkook and his manager (the same one he had dinner with in Itaewon last weekend). Both in Tokyo on holiday, but separately. Are you serious? What coincidence is this? What planning is this? You both live together in the same military dorm and you decide to do separate things, but hey, let's get on a plane and go to the same city? Ok, weirdos.

2. It's a jikook holiday, together with Jimin's friends. OMG, how obsessed are they with each other that they literally have to spend their last holiday in ms together as well? And not just taking the same weekend off to go to Seoul or Busan. No, let's go to Japan.

As to whatever they might be doing there, I'm strongly of the opinion that it has nothing to do with work or work that will later be released on a public platform. They are still enlisted and prohibited to work outside their military jobs. I also don't think there's any GCF type of situation here as many are speculating, even though Jungkook does have a that big camera bag with him.

As of right now, there's more questions than any answers and I will be wary of anything that comes out in the next few days. Real info will be mixed with made up stuff because that's usually the case.

This entire thing is quite odd though. It's exciting because we got to see Jimin for the first time in so long and Jungkook traveling to the same place, but ultimately, it is really really odd for me. Regardless if they are together there or not.

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

It's the perilla leaf argument, but now in an actual situation

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

Jungkook eating bread while Jimin is in the bathroom?

Welcome back, Body Electric vlive osaka 2016

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

Speak your truth, Jungkook!

Oh man, there is so much to talk about and dissect. I had fun, it ended on a high note, perfect episode. But I have work and once again, I'll have to come back later to tumblr.

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

Just realised that JK was in NY up until a day before the trip, which means he wasn’t in Korea and was busy with a schedule whilst Tae decided to self insert himself, just imagine that and not being able to stop him.

You made me go and look it up. Yes, Jungkook had that performance at Global Citizen Festival. He arrived back in Seoul on the 25th and left for Jeju on the 26th, which was the first day of the trip. And if the entire story about the schedule gc and feeling left out is true, it means Jungkook might have found out about the changes in his trip right before his flight or during it.

I can't help but think how that news was received. He was done with work for just a bit because a few days later 3D was about to be released. But they managed to squeeze a few days to be together for the show on Jeju and then everything changed.

But, judging by their bigger luggage and what Jungkook said about visiting his parents for Chuseok, it's possible jikook traveled to Busan afterwards.

And if those rumors and sightings of jikook in August in Jeju are true, then they at least had the chance to be there together. The hijacking only happened when the cameras were rolling.

There's one thing that I want to say here as well. I don't understand how it's possible for stans to use whatever logic they want and disregard common sense and what is a common response to a situation, just because they were taught to "love" some kpop idols. But it goes to show how the BH/BTS brainwash works on army. Because it is a normal and common reaction in real life to at least get annoyed if someone, be it a friend or family member, would suddenly say they felt left out and invited themselves to a trip that had been arranged and planned accordingly in a way that was also on point thematically with the AYS concept. It would suck and we would complain and swear here and there and depending on the relationship we have, we would accept the situation or say no to that person.

But in fandom spaces (I include here army, solo fans, akgaes, shippers, etc), all of a sudden, that is not only allowed to be said/commented on/criticized, and there's a huge backlash, with arguments that mostly boil down to: "vminkook love each other, you all have lost the plot, touch some grass". Because the act of looking at these people as regular folks just like us, who can be assholes (just like us), who can ruin the vibe (just like us), who can make passive aggresive comments (just like us), is something completely absurd.

And lastly, if someone talks about being left out and has to insist on being included, it means he wasn't wanted there in the first place. Having some self respect and self awareness does wonders though!

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

Damn it, Park Jimin. I'm up at 7 am even on my days off because you decide to be active on Weverse!

I love it, I don't mind, please come more often 🥺

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

Are You Sure?! Episode 3 observations

6/10 ☆

The entire theme and purpose of AYS has been changed in the Jeju segment. It seems there is no connection to the previous episodes. What was supposed to be a travel show through which Jimin and Jungkook would allow themselves to idealize their trip to become this memory of youthfulness right before enlistment, it has now turned into a Run BTS episode. One that has been made and edited with an entire different audience in mind.

The Connecticut episodes showed two adult men acting like adults. Goofy at some points, but it was something catered towards an adult audience as well. That was evident from the conversations they were having as well.

The Jeju episode so far seems completely disconnected through two means: a larger focus on activities mixed with child-like down time and the difference in dynamics between JM and JK in what is conceptually their show as a pair and how it has to adapt in the presence of a guest.

AYS somehow managed to show in the first two episodes a bit of a more complex look at the Jimin and Jungkook relationship that also included an element of intimacy that was heavily present throughout their trip. Once in Jeju with their guest, it quickly became apparent that for those familiar with BTS variety content before the hiatus, that the audience will not witness anything new that they haven't seen before. The trio vminkook in 2023 was the same as the one doing a wlive a couple of years before or paired in a run bts episode. It remains a surface-level dynamic that has barely changed because it is not meant to show that when they know the usual recipe works for the fandom at large. Acting as buffoons is what army wants. (Consequently, the Jeju episodes might have the biggest ratings due to that exact reason).

Nevertheless, small comments and more subtle things have made some cracks that open a door into what might exist right underneath the surface.

Demanding to be on a trip two days before the flight had obviously led to changes in itinerary and sleeping arrangements. It had also showed that there was a push for the guest to be on the show coming from him and a bit of displease with that, disguised as jokes and subtle jabs throughout the first day on the island.

Jimin being sick again and suffering from nausea in the first part of the day had a contribution to how the activities moved forward. It became apparent that he is not only the glue of the trio, but also the one constantly aware that they are in the role of entertainers. Even so, sickness can do enough that his energy level in the afternoon was clearly low. Tagging along and being half enthusiastic to an activity-packed day.

Depending on the context and the people surrounding him, it's interesting to notice Jungkook's level of involvement and the way he chooses to behave. Theme park and water guns in the situation in which he's influenced to goof around are quite different than a trip in which he can show more of his mature side with someone that is on his wavelength.