#born to eng sub

[mukuharakazui]

i'm obsessed with everything about amane and kazui as a parallel prisoner duo. amane, the youngest prisoner, has had the least amount of time to see the world beyond the cult, to discover and create her own values. kazui, the oldest prisoner, has had the most time to live under all the pressures of the dominant culture and understand how he differs from what people expect him to be.

amane was punished for disobeying the sub/counterculture she was born into (cult members abusing her for not following rules), then simultaneously rewarded and punished for obeying it (murder eliminated a major source of trauma in her life and also got her into milgram. kazui was both rewarded and punished for obeying the dominant culture he was raised in (marrying hinako caused him emotional turmoil but granted him the benefit of camouflage) and was punished for disobeying it (enging up in milgram and hinako straight up dying).

both were influenced greatly by their parents and other forces within the cultures their parents raised them into. both of their crimes relate to some combination of personal gratification and "saving" someone they held dear to them (though not to the extent of mikoto and kotoko--that's one of their main parallels).

amane regrets nothing while kazui regrets everything. voters widely/generally want to change how kazui and amane fundamentally view themselves, wanting amane to feel like she needs to change and kazui to feel like he shouldn't. both have received very split votes in each trial so far.

some milgram prisoners may feel like a case of "why is this normal ass cat in the zoo?" amane and kazui are not those prisoners. the results of their "sins" brought them closure, but neither in a positive sense. amane's beliefs in the cult's philosophies have been further solidified in her mind. she is also willing to enforce these beliefs on others. kazui's self-hatred has lept to an all-time high as he believes that lying about himself is the only way to keep everyone else in his life safe and happy at his own expense.

anyways can trial 3 give us that kazui cover of rabbit hole or what

[xinyuehui]

Link Click live action drama EP1-4 thoughts

Where to watch: Bilibili (no eng subs at the moment) Bilibili English site (Releasing on Jun 22, assuming it will have subs)

After seeing the atrocious live-action adaptation of Fox Spirit Matchmaker, all hope is lost. But the Link Click drama is produced by the same team who adapted Hikaru no Go (Qi Hun), which was good. Let's see how this goes…

Plot

The screenwriter said this is a prequel, but I disagree. I would describe it as taking the Link Click universe and creating a canon adjacent edition of it, an AU to the original. The outline of the story is very similar, but the finer details and premise are very different from those of the donghua.

In the donghua, the boys were already engaged in time travelling, and we learn later on that they met at university. So far, it has never been explained how they discovered their superpowers.

Whereas in the drama they changed the premise, Cheng Xiaoshi meets Lu Guang for the first time when Lu Guang rescues him from being beaten up by a fish vendor...interesting choice of first meet...Cheng Xiaoshi explains that he was born with a natural instinct, but it's not exactly clear what the superpower is. Qiao Ling is also unaware of Cheng Xiaoshi's superpowers.

Instead of Emma, we have Zhang Xueting, a corporate worker that face injustice. But in this case Cheng Xiaoshi doesn't take over her body, but some other guy. The relationship she has with her parents and the iconic line "Dad, mom, I miss you" is no longer in the drama. I feel like this one is a miss since the family aspect has been shifted.

Then the noodle lesbians...haven't appeared, unless they moved that to a later episode???

Following the donghua, the next one is Chen Xiao who went back in time to say final words to his loved ones before the earthquake. This one made me cry once again 😭

Characters

Everything has changed. OOC at some moments in my opinion. Since season 3 of the anime is not released yet, I'm taking a wild guess that the drama will have an original ending as well. The donghua team appears to have no involvement with the production of the drama.

Qiao Ling is not just a landlady, she is also a journalist at her day job. By the looks of it, helping people will be executed through her reporting profession, and it seems like she will have a lot more involvement compared to the donghua.

Her parents also comes into the story, her parents on the right in the screenshot below. They run a restaurant. Cheng Xiaoshi is very close to them and helps out some times.

Cheng Xiaoshi is portrayed as someone with no real job, he hasn't gone to university and uses idioms incorrectly. Obviously Lu Guang couldn't have met him at uni in this universe. He's a lot more exaggerated and cartoony. I have mixed feelings about this.

Because of the casting, Cheng Xiaoshi is shorter than Lu Guang. I'm sorry to all the girlies who were into canon tall Cheng Xiaoshi 🙏

Lu Guang now has a back story, he has a teacher who passed away that taught him about time travelling?? He briefly mentioned he found the Cheng Xiaoshi they were looking for. Looks like they will unveil the superpowers origins in the drama.

^ A glimpse of the teacher in his memory. Can you believe it's Yuen Kingdan?!?

The overall acting from the cast is fairly well done. There are several actors acting as Cheng Xiaoshi at the same time, and it still feel like it's the same person. Anyone who watched the Hikaru no Go live action will find familiarity here, as some of the actors from that production are also part of this one.

Overall

It's okay so far, although that might change as it airs. It's difficult to digest if you treat this as a faithful adaptation (I know the none cdrama fans have been questioning why Lu Guang don't have white hair). However, if you watch it like it's an AU, and resist the urge to compare it, it's not unwatchable.

I do have one small complaint, the drama should have had a different title because now it's going to get mixed up with the donghua content when people look it up.

One last thing. The ending song slaps hard!

[jokeroutsubs]

ENG translation: "When I'm on stage, I know that I have to be here and only here"

An interview with Bojan Cvjetićanin in Slovenian newspaper Delo, originally published 31.10.2021.

Original article is available here for Delo subscribers. Original article written by Beti Burger for Delo; photos by Blaž Samec; English translation by a member of Joker Out Subs, native proof reading by IG GBoleyn123.

If you repost quotes from the interview, please link back to this post! And if you repost the photos, do not crop out the photographer credit.

Bojan Cvjetićanin, frontman of Joker Out, says that the success happening to them is not the result of something that happened overnight.

When he's standing on stage, he doesn't know what's actually going on. Even though after the concert, he realises that he was on it, and remembers certain moments, he's actually in a zen-like state: his head is somewhere else, and his brain does what it wants to do. Young, reflective musician Bojan Cvjetićanin believes that he was born to write music and lyrics and sing them on stage. "What I enjoy the most at a concert is when we play a new song from start to finish with the band for the first time and we're 'vibing'."

And if some of the lines above did not have context yet when we talked the day before the first concert, and sort of 'hung in the air', in packed Cvetličarna it was crystal clear what he had wanted to say. They were 'vibing' not only when they played well-known hits - Omamljeno telo, Umazane misli, Vem da greš - but also to new songs from the album, when they felt the strong energy and heard the audience was singing the new songs with them... She'll find herself there, where no one knows her, where the road always carries the smell of fresh rain (...) where pearls are in seashells, not on necklaces (Barve oceana).

Bojan truly, as he said, seems a little distant on stage, as if he's in his own world, but also in contact with the audience at the same time. He is both confident and childishly playful at once, with a wide smile on his face, with the charisma of an experienced frontman. His friend and member of the band, bassist Martin Jurkovič, with whom they started their musical journey as young teenagers already, described him well in an interview as someone who "draws all the attention to himself and the band during a concert". When the band members look at each other during a gig, they recognise each other's exact thoughts, and a kind of perversion of pleasure happens. We witnessed this exact thing at the album presentation.

"On stage, I feel sexy, I feel free and accepted. I'm on autopilot and I'm never thinking about what my next move will be, it's when I'm 'free as a bird' because I am surrounded by friends who know me very well, so I don't have to be ashamed of anything. It's also a good feeling when you know that there is a crowd of people in the hall who came to our concert because they like something that we give them. This mutual accumulation of love and energy is very strong." Are there places where he doesn't feel accepted, I query his words. "I think that we all sometimes find ourselves in a situation when we feel like we don't belong there and we ask ourselves what we're even doing there. When I'm on stage, however, I know that I have to be here and only here."

Bojan Cvjetićanin Born in 1999. Frontman of currently the most in-demand young Slovenian band Joker Out which, with their shagadelic rock'n'roll, a genre they actually invented themselves, sold out Cvetličarna twice last week with their just-released album Umazane misli. Even off-stage, he's the 'joker' in a group, optimistic and talkative and an occasionally childishly playful young man. His lyrics (and music) are mature, sensitive and empathetic. The Ljubljana resident, otherwise a sociology student, has been making music for almost half of his life. Last but not least, a listener can quickly recognise that he actually grew up exactly where he feels the best: on stage.

Tired and sleep deprived, just a few days before the concert in Cvetličarna, which had been postponed (more than once) due to Covid-19 and which seemed like it would never happen, he had a nightmare. He dreamed "that there was one song that we just could not start and we tried again and again". He really had a lot of stage fright before the first concert this year. At the end of April and beginning of May, it still looked like there wouldn't be concerts in the summer, and then everything started to open up. They've never had as many concerts as this summer. "Those concerts hit us like a train, because we were neither mentally nor physically prepared for this many performances. We'd got used to rehearsing all day long and being completely self-sufficient. It was pretty hard before the first sold-out concert in Čin čin in Ljubljana, because the audience's expectations, as well as our own, were high. We performed with a new drummer for the first time, so the tension was even greater. When we stepped on stage, however, an enormous wave of energy that reflected from the audience washed over us, you could feel and see that people had been locked up at home, that they needed to relax, needed concerts."

"In these times, when the internet and media constantly bombard us with so much information, that defines us pretty strongly. So it seems like any kind of thinking for yourself, about anything, is already a dirty thought."

The epidemic was also a time when changes happened in the group, as during the creative process, they realised that not all members of the band have the same creative drive, so in the end, they switched their drummer. Since then, they have significantly changed the way they work. They have created, even if not completely intentionally, a spirit of band co-production, they've become more dependant on each other. They've realised that music demands that they help each other. It's also important that, when they start to grow wings from all the congratulations and praises, they pull each other back to solid ground. In interviews and articles, he is described as "the most recognisable voice of the new generation of Slovenian rock" or as "a rising star" and he feels honoured by those compliments, but in truth, those titles don't really tell him a lot. Hearing that from the people who listen to their music is what means the most to him. He says that it's not the sea of congratulations that caresses your ego, but rather certain moments and situations when you actually feel strong and in your own skin. "In the moment when the light shines on you on the stage, the feelings are indescribable, you feel like a god. That's the 'awesome' thing, not when someone tells you that you're a god." He adds that he thinks he's still the same Bojan he was years ago, when all those congratulations and titles didn't exist yet.

"The bassist Martin and I have been making music for almost half of our lives and I think that with time, we've managed to work through everything that happens during the evolution of a band. Our current success didn't come overnight, it is the result of a long period of work." The pivotal year for Joker Out was 2017, when it first started looking like this band could truly become 'something'. "From the start, you want it to be something more, but it's usually just a distant wish, like Cvetličarna used to be." Back then, however, after the single Omamljeno telo, all the positive response gave them the feeling that everything was being taken to a higher level. And there were several of those levels, they have jumped over many of them. "If I look at the situation objectively, it seems crazy to me that we sold out Cvetka (Cvetličarna, a.n.) twice with three singles." As he says, however, nothing that they do in the band is left up to chance. "Very early on, we put our heads together and had an in-depth discussion, first of all about our relationships with one another, and then about our duties, and we promised each other that we would never be afraid to tell each other what we wanted. When we determined our wishes, we turned them into goals, which we are now achieving." In his words, something that definitely contributes to their success is that they're surrounded by people who love what they do. "Now we work as a team, and if a team works well, it can't miss." In the future they want to release another album, and they're also drawn beyond the borders of Slovenia, to the Balkans.

As a band, they want to give people the things that drive them as artists - currently the prevailing theme in their lyrics is love, but also self-reflection and musings. These are very general, many songs talk about how young people sometimes feel constricted or lost and are looking for their place in the world. "We're currently not interested in politics and we don't plan to define ourselves politically one way or another, although our songs do feature some messages about society. We think that our job is to spread love and that people can, based also on our lyrics, come up with their own political opinion, without our imposition," he says.

And when I challenged him to use one of their songs to describe his current feeling before the concert (adrenaline, fear, uncertainty, expectations), he said that "there's a butterfly in my head that's just swimming through a weird universe. It feels like people around me are buzzing and not actually talking." Metulji ('Butterflies') is actually his favourite song. He wrote it at the same time as Omamljeno telo and it already meant a lot to him back then. He wanted to hear a recording of it, but today he says that he's happy that they recorded it later, because back then it wouldn't have been anything like it is today. "Now, the song is exactly as we imagined it back then, but didn't know how to embody it."

As the singer, Bojan Cvjetićanin is also the most recognisable and exposed member of the band. On the Slovenian scene, his role models are (were), among others, Tomi Meglič from Siddharta and Gregor Skočir, the singer of the band Big Foot Mama - "today I can already call them friends, they feel respect for us, as we do for them and for both bands. They come to our concerts, we hang out in private. Even though some people say that you shouldn't meet your idols, because then everything falls apart, now that I know Tomi and know who the person who made all that music is, I like listening to it even more." Among foreign frontmen, his favourite is Liam Gallagher, who became famous with the band Oasis. He was actually his inspiration for keeping his hands crossed behind his back while singing on stage. "I had a period of that 'Liam pose'... I didn't know what to do with my hands on stage, and when I put them behind my back once, it seemed like a good trick. Today, I grab the guitar more and more on stage, so I don't have an issue with what to do with my hands anymore. (smile)." What, then, are the key characteristics of a good frontman? "He has to be honest, genuine. There are many types of lead singers, Mick Jagger, for example, gives himself away completely, goes crazy and dances, while some others stand still constantly, but they both completely enchant you." He doesn't think about this too much, he simply exists on stage.

While some musicians, actors, or other performers are completely different, introverted, in their private lives and in the backstage, Bojan is generally very talkative and smiley. "Even as a little kid, as others have told me, I talked all the time, I wanted to socialise, with older people too, so it seems like I really never had issues with making connections. Now it's actually the same, there are just more people in front of the stage." At Poljane High School, which, as he has stressed many times, shaped him a lot as a person, he performed in a theatre group, so he already experienced the stage in the role of an actor, later he was on TV in the role of a host. These days, he still often says, half-laughing, that - if music won't be what he earns a living with - he'd like to be a sociology professor at Poljane. "But I heard they just got a new one, so I don't know how realistic the chances are."

But for now, he doesn't have to do anything other than make music. Bojan Cvjetićanin is also the author of the lyrics of most of the songs, in which, as he said, he's a kind of medium who conveys others' pain. While he did say not long ago that as a songwriter, he sometimes lacks unhappy emotions and that he doesn't know the pain of a broken heart, it's different now. "I got my dose of inspiration for quite some time..." He says that when making songs, it's almost always the music that comes first, and then the lyrics. "Most often, I take the guitar, lately I also sit at the piano, and I try to find the chords that sound interesting to me in that moment, and then I also sing along. Usually, associations form in my head and it feels like it suddenly becomes clear to me what the lyrics will be, sometimes I "accidentally" sing some lines that end up staying in the song and define what I will talk about." The lyrics are mostly, as mentioned, about love and self-reflection, but there are also a few slightly different ones among them. Aleppo, the duet with Omar Naber, who has been by his side from the beginning and helped him record demos, was created differently. The song, which talks about the city Aleppo in Syria, which is ravaged by war, was created when, in a TV report about what was happening there, he saw a young girl that inspired him. Then, he immediately started writing.

As someone who is sensitive to feeling other people's pain, does he ever fear that he could lose this empathy in the rather apathetic world we live in? "Just last year, there was a moment when I thought that I was completely alienated from myself, and I felt like I was never going to fall in love again. For a while, nothing excited me, I thought I had gone numb, but then something suddenly changed, I just waited for that natural 'click'." When songs become evergreen, hits that everyone sings and that connect generations, is it also important how much empathy the lyricists have?

"Absolutely. You have to have enough empathy to be honest with yourself. If you're honest, some people will connect very strongly with your lyrics. Nowadays, so many songs in the musical world are written just to be written. Not because they carry a real story within. And you can really feel that. It's that easy."

If you repost quotes from the interview, please link back to this post! And if you repost the photos, do not crop out the photographer credit.

[boba-beom]

beomgyu's weverse behavior these days is giving boyfriend texts fr like him reassuring you that he ate and telling you random things that happened during the day and flirting here and there wow...

his messages about whether or not people are born good make me think abt having random deep talks with him late at night when you both can't sleep waaahh

-violet 🖤

violet!!!I miss u here hehe and honestly I’m here reading his comments and ever since his sukidakara cover he’s been extra loving and the boyfriend behaviour’s cranked up by 100 🥹 I just caught up with his wv comments and he replied to a moa who said ‘what do you think came first the chicken or the egg?’ and why’d this flirt (affectionate) reply with ‘to me, you always come first’ 😭 he’s actually so?!? I read comments under the translation and everyone was freaking out lowkey like ‘pls just answer the question beomgyu 🫣’

I feel like beomgyu would be one of the best people to have those random talks with. like it’s a soft debate where you both just talk about all the possibilities on whatever statement has been mentioned 🥹 he’d be listening intently on explanation and he would softly challenge your thoughts but he’s just so precious like that 😞

also just managed to rewatch their live (but will watch again with eng subs) but this as the ending thumbnail has me giggling 🤭 like beomgyu don’t do this to me when your two best friends are looking hehe making me think he’d also be superrrr affectionate even when there’s other people around 🥹

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

[CN] Victor’s Cold Winter Date (Eng Translation)

⌚Warning⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 凛冬之约, that is yet to be released on the global server! ♡

[Translation under the cut]

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

【Subbed Video】

[anika’s notes]: I do very very very highly recommend to watch the video for full immersion + absolute god-level voice acting + the gorgeous music pieces!!! ༼⁠;⁠´⁠༎ຶ⁠ ⁠۝ ⁠༎ຶ⁠༽

—

【Prologue】

I behold  My homeland disappear in the daylight, and emerge in the night.  I behold  The everlasting power engrain within the vast blood of my people.  I behold  A snow-white rose bloom in the winter,   And I behold as it withers in the winter – each petal sailing across the ocean,  To a kingdom no one can reach. 

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

【Chapter 1】

As the night gradually deepens, the heavy curtains in front of the window are drawn by the attendants, veiling the silvery, meandering moonlight. 

I take a deep breath and push open the doors to the royal bedchamber engraved with a luxurious imperial coat of arms. 

Inside the bedchamber, my newly wedded husband, King Victor, is fast asleep. 

Not long ago, at the behest of my father, Duke William, I was betrothed to Victor.  

Regrettably, before the ceremony could be held, my parents died of ailing health. 

However, the wedding was not delayed due to the unexpected tragedy, and the ceremony proceeded as scheduled, with the Church as witness. 

After all, to those people, what mattered the most was not the protagonists of the wedding, but the wedding ceremony itself. 

–– That’s right, it’s not just me; even the king, Victor, is not held with significance in their eyes. 

After all, it’s known to everyone in the capital that the royal family’s influence is eroding with each passing year. And since Victor succeeded to the throne, he remains in a coma all year round and is merely a puppet in the hands of the Church and nothing more. 

The elusive fragrance of beeswax pervades the air in the room. I step on the soft woolen carpet and draw closer to the bedside. [1] 

Lately, the capital has been shrouded in a haze of doubts and suspicion regarding the disappearance cases, and it was not the appropriate time for grandeur. Therefore, after the hasty wedding, I was ushered into the imperial palace. 

And tonight marks the third night I’m spending alongside His Majesty, the King, who’s been in a state of perennial coma. 

Victor is still in a deep slumber. 

The light from a few candles illuminates one side of his profound features, while the lingering shadows dance across his face as if with fondness. 

Throughout the generations, the kings have always been in robust health. But during Victor’s reign, his health has been continuously plagued with illness. 

It seems even the gods cannot bear to be too cruel to him. His illness has only brought a touch of frailty but has not marred his looks. 

I inhale softly and sit on the edge of the bed, propping my chin up as I gaze at Victor in his slumber. 

MC: ...why are you still sleeping? 

I’ve already started to grow accustomed to this— the bedchamber echoing only my own whispered monologues. 

MC: I thought the Church was so wary of you because you had some secrets that were unknown to the outsiders.

MC: Now it seems your biggest secret is that you were born this good-looking. 

I crack a joke to myself, which also lightens my mood considerably. 

MC: When I think about it this way, being married to you is far better than being forced by the Church to marry one of those evil, rotten old men. 

In addition, within the palace, at least, there are no hypocritical relatives and those ever-watchful eyes— 

I have enough space to contemplate my plan for revenge. 

MC: Revenge... revenge...  MC: But how can I go about taking revenge on the Church... 

Clutching a corner of Victor’s blanket, I cover my face with it in anguish. 

The Church conspired to murder my parents. 

Because my father was a leader of the reformist faction, they extended their malicious hands targeting my family. 

And this marriage, which was arranged by my parents, is now being wielded as a means to threaten my life. 

As I ponder on this, the resentment in my heart swells. I heave a sigh, deciding to change my mood and say something interesting. 

I sporadically recount some happy and entertaining anecdotes from the past, treating Victor as a well-behaved “sleeping beauty doll.”

MC: ...in autumn, you know, there wasn’t much to do. Winter, in comparison, was way more fun.  MC: When I was young, what I loved doing the most was building little snowmen in the courtyard of the duke’s mansion after it snowed. Look, I could make them this big— 

Of course, Victor can’t see any of this, and there’s no hope for a response either. After mustering the spirit to prattle on for a while, all I am left with is endless emptiness. 

I tug at the corners of my lips, forcing a smile, and as if driven by some strange impulse, I reach out and poke Victor’s face, wishing to get him to have the same expression as me. 

MC: Sigh, it’s no fun. I won’t say anything more.  ??(Victor): Why won’t you say anything more? 

An icy voice suddenly sounds in my ears, carrying with it the raspiness of just being awakened. 

I turn my head and nearly let out a scream. 

MC: Y-Your Majesty... when did you...! [2] 

I’m not sure when, but Victor has regained consciousness at some point. Leaning on a soft pillow, he rubs his temple with one hand.

Victor: I’m conscious, not revived back to life. 

MC: ... I’ll sincerely obey Your Majesty’s command! 

In a low voice, I respectfully offer him a curtsy. Victor seems to find my behavior amusing, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. 

Victor: The term of address was “you” even just a moment ago. A certain someone changed her tune rather quickly. [3]    MC: I’m not “a certain someone,” I am...    Victor: I know, Duke William’s only daughter.    MC: [surprised] Eh...? 

Victor: At the age of seven, you received a scolding for building a snowman with the servants. When you were nine, you had a quarrel with a parrot and suffered a crushing defeat–– 

MC: Wait a minute, you... you heard all of that? 

Victor: You’re too noisy. It’d be hard not to hear, [breaks into a coughing fit] cough, cough... 

His words are cut off by a cough. I hastily pour a cup of water and offer it to him under his scrutinizing gaze, keeping silent. 

I can’t help but break into a cold sweat. 

Could it be that... all the past events I casually mentioned, all those self-deprecating remarks, and even... did he really listen to everything? 

But, two days ago, when I plucked up the courage to poke his face, he didn’t react at all... So, when did he actually become conscious? 

A vague, looming sense of oppression involuntarily makes me shrink my neck, and I tentatively open my mouth. 

MC: ...you know about everything regarding me? 

He tilts his jaw slightly upwards, studying my features. His eyes are submerged in the shadows cast by the candlelight, reminiscent of a predator in the dark night. 

A good while passes before he eventually accepts the cup, speaking in a tone that is neither amiable nor impassive. 

Victor: I do. 

I nod and, after a rapid mental calculation, make up my mind. I take a step forward, wearing a small smile on my face as I speak. 

MC: Including the fact that I was sent as a spy by the Church? 

Victor: [seemingly chokes on water] … 

Victor: Are you aware of what you’re saying?

MC: Yes, I’m aware. 

I wish to work together with the king to bring down the Church. 

And when working with a person like Victor, being transparent and honest is the first principle.

I crouch down at the edge of the bed, looking up at Victor from below. 

MC: Your Majesty, I don’t want to hide anything from you. 

MC: Prior to our nuptials, my parents were brutally attacked by the Church due to their advocacy for the reformation of the Church. 

MC: The Church, to exploit my worth, spared my life and assigned me to spy on you. 

Victor arches an eyebrow, clearly still assessing the credibility of my words. 

Victor: Continue. 

I press my lips together and lower my head, trying to convey my utmost sincerity. 

MC: ... I’m unsure of to what extent you know about me, but I’ve never once considered surrendering to the enemies who murdered my parents. 

MC: Now, in terms of both sentiment and reason, we are a family, and I cannot betray my husband. 

MC: So... Your Majesty, will you take me under your wings? 

I blink my eyes at him with a pitiful look, not knowing whether Victor would buy into it. 

Victor: … 

As if in need of a moment to compose himself, Victor seems to momentarily avert his eyes before he turns them back to me again. 

Victor: Family... you seem to have accepted your new identity quite readily. 

MC: Besides you, what else do I have to rely on? 

MC: On the contrary, even after hearing my confession, if you’re unwilling to help me, I don’t have anything to lose. 

I flutter my eyes at Victor. 

MC: Your Majesty, I’ve already got nothing left to lose. 

Victor holds a straight gaze on me. In his eyes, while there is finally a hint of recognition, it’s more as if he is peering into the past through me. 

Victor: ...I will help you. 

His well-defined hand sweeps my loose hair strands back for me. But before I can breathe a sigh of relief, the next second, my chin is cupped and pivoted to face him. 

Victor: The prerequisite is that you can offer sufficient value to me. 

His grip is surprisingly strong for someone who has just regained consciousness. As our eyes interlock, his penetrating gaze intently scrutinizes my innermost thoughts. 

Victor: In your eyes, your husband, whom you’d never met before, is nothing more than a puppet who remains in coma year-round, isn’t that right? 

Victor unfolds his hand to me, revealing a gem as vividly red as the human heart in his pallid palm, and then he encloses his hand— 

In the blink of an eye, the signs of illness are shed off his face, and a rosy hue colors his cheeks, and he seems to be bathed in a divine light. 

MC: This is... do you know witchcraft?! 

Victor places the gem back in its case, then casts a brief look in my direction, apparently turning a deaf ear to what I’ve said. 

Victor: This doesn’t concern you. 

He slowly curls his lips, and his pupils, akin to the deep sea in the darkness, are as profound and enigmatic. 

Victor: There’s a set of clothing on the bedside table. If you want to prove that you’re not just a noble canary— 

Victor: Tomorrow morning, change into it and accompany me out of the palace. 

────────── 

[Notes]:

[1] Beeswax is often considered a symbol of “eternal love” in Eastern cultures. 

[2+3] During her monologues in the 1st quarter of the date, MC was addressing Victor by “你” (informal ver. of ‘you’) pronoun. But the moment he butts in, i.e., gains consciousness, MC immediately switches to “您” (courteous/ respectful ver. of ‘you’) and the respectful address “Your Majesty,” which he teases her about here, haha. 

Point to be noted: MC doesn’t switch back to the informal terms of addresses until the 3rd chapter of the date, when they’re already in love and inseparable for the time being. ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ 

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

【Chapter 2】

While I’m still struggling with myself, Victor has already closed his eyes again. 

Victor: You can sleep anywhere you want; just don’t make any noise. 

MC: ...Yes, Your Majesty! 

The idea of having this mysterious and aloof king sleeping next to my pillow feels more chilling to me than freezing in the cold itself. 

I don’t hesitate at all. I swiftly grab a pillow from the bed and get prepared to spend the night on the sofa. 

But it turns out I actually overestimated my ability to withstand the cold. Before the clock hands have even moved a few notches, I quietly tiptoe back to the bed, hugging the pillow. 

MC: [to herself] It’s just that the weather is too cold. I just want to feel a bit nice and warm— 

With a huff, I murmur in a soft voice and gently lift the coverlet to slip inside. 

Once I’ve got my body settled comfortably, I cautiously look towards the person on the pillow next to me. 

Victor isn’t awakened by my movements. Even in the darkness of the night, his skin is luminously white, his features handsome— he is reminiscent of a sculpture crafted from snow. 

Considering this person’s track record of feigning sleep, I simply watch him quietly without making any more rash moves. 

As I continue watching like this, my mind inexplicably begins to wander. 

Although just moments ago, I kept addressing him as “my husband” repeatedly, when I look at Victor’s cold and handsome demeanor, I always find it difficult to connect him with that identity. 

In my impression, the image of a husband and wife is like that of my parents. So, in the future, will Victor and I also be joined at the hip and inseparable like that? 

Thinking about that reserved and unsmiling face, I can’t help but get chills. 

In his eyes, I seem to be nothing more than a “useful person.” But what value can I provide for him? 

The more I ponder, the more my head throbs, and it’s not until the horizon starts to turn slightly pale that I eventually drift into sleep. 

────────── 

With the break of dawn, I promptly get out of bed and change my attire. Victor has woken up as well. 

Seemingly noticing the dark circles under my eyes, he arches an eyebrow, lifts his hand, and tosses a cloak over to me. 

Victor: It seems like while your courage is not at all small, your confidence sure is lacking. 

MC: I just don’t wish to unnecessarily show off in front of you. 

I fasten the cloak tightly and purposely straighten my neck. 

MC: Your Majesty, please lead the way. 

We exit the palace through a small gate, cross through the commoner’s district, and Victor leads me straight into a small house. 

────────── 

Going from the small house into the cellar, and after navigating through a labyrinth of winding pathways, the cramped field of view suddenly opens up to a wide panorama. 

Everyone: Your Majesties. 

I never anticipated that the entire hall would actually be filled with guards, all standing in a perfectly ordered formation. 

— To pull together an assembly of so many armed personnel, Victor must have spent a substantial amount of time, hasn’t he? 

I’m hardly able to restrain my inner shock as I think back to the frequent news in recent years of nobles associated with the close-knit sects being removed from power or inexplicably meeting tragic ends. Now, it seems... 

Every single person, myself included, severely underestimated this “dying” king standing before me. 

At this moment, Victor picks something up from the long table, and it’s only now do I notice that there are all kinds of torture equipment laid out on the table. 

The appearance of these torture instruments is menacing, and at their tips, dried blood remnants are still visible. 

Practically, the moment I get a good look at them, the reeking of blood and rust assaults my nostrils. I subconsciously cover my nose and mouth, tightly gripping the cuff of my sleeve. 

Subordinate: Reporting to Your Majesty, these are the “refining” equipment we found at the scene. 

Subordinate: But those people are as cautious as rats at dusk; we’ve only found these pieces of material evidence so far. The remains of the blood sacrifice are still being sought. 

Victor nods calmly, and once the arrangements are made, the guards depart in an orderly manner through various secret passageways. 

Victor and I are the only ones remaining in the large hall. I make a conscious effort to restrain myself from looking at those torture instruments, regulating the rhythm of my breathing. 

MC: Your Majesty, did you bring me here to witness something so horrifying to disclose some kind of truth to me? 

Victor: Face has turned pale, but still got some courage. 

A smile tinged with what appears to be praise appears on his face, as he takes out from his bosom the gem that resembles a human heart from last night. 

The crimson light radiating from the gem spreads across his cheeks, eerie yet bewitching. 

Victor: The purpose of all these blood sacrifices is to provide energy for this “Blood King Crystal.” 

My eyes widen in incredulity as I stare at the pulsating vivid red in his hand, sensing a faint inkling of what it might signify. 

MC: When you hold this Blood King Crystal, your complexion appear rosier, and you don’t cough as much... 

MC: Could it be that the Church officials want to extract energy from commoners to enhance their physical strength? 

Victor: Not the Church; it’s the Royal Family. 

Victor doesn’t shy away from nodding his head. He stares fixedly at the red gem that provides him with strength, but in his eyes, there is only icy coldness. 

Victor: The vitality and longevity of successive kings across the dynasties were all due to their possession of the “Blood King Crystals” that were assembled from the lives of countless ordinary people. 

Victor: The Church refines it, and the Royal Family uses it, thus resulting in the Royal Family being controlled by the Church from then on. 

Victor: And anyone who uncovers this secret will die. 

My thoughts go back to my parents, as well as the reformist cabinet ministers— could it be that they all had...? 

My heart immediately falls into a valley. 

I close my eyes for a moment, then fix my gaze firmly on the unwavering king before me, a king who has endured extreme hardships and made sacrifices to stand where he is now. [4] 

MC: Your Majesty, currently, there is a significant following of the Church among the populace. We must find the evidence of the blood sacrifices and bring it to light for everyone to see. 

MC: I will carry on my parents’ legacy and work alongside you to find evidence of the Church’s blood sacrifices. 

In those forever serene eyes of Victor’s, I see the glint of a smile. 

Victor: [assuredly with obvious happiness] It appears you’ve perfectly inherited the chivalry and wisdom of Duke William. 

MC: Well... it’s not entirely that. Whether in public or private matters, it’s only right that I stand by your side. 

I wink at him, half-jokingly breaking the somewhat somber atmosphere. 

MC: After all, I’m not only the daughter of Duke William. I am your wife and, more importantly, the queen of this country. 

Victor: Is that right? It doesn’t seem to me that a certain someone possesses the temperament of a queen. 

MC: Regarding that... I will work hard, so you can’t keep teasing me all the time. 

Victor laughs in spite of himself and reaches out his hand, gesturing for me to take his arm. 

Victor: [laughs helplessly] Very well. My Queen, we should return now. 

────────── 

After coming out of the subterranean passageway, we follow the same path back. We were in a hurry when we came here. It’s only now do I take notice of the surroundings. 

In the nearby roadside, peddlers are selling fresh produce, while in the distant square, a group of less fortunate are circled around a fire, warming themselves and singing songs. 

The streets in the commoner’s district are intersected, narrow, poverty-stricken yet bustling with life, in stark contrast to the overwhelming dead silence of the royal palace. 

I hardly ever left the mansion, so I find myself unable to resist taking in the surroundings repeatedly. 

Victor: Does the Duke’s daughter find these things interesting? 

MC: ...no, no, I’m just looking around in passing, that’s all! 

Victor’s hand offhandedly adjusts a corner of my cloak. He takes a long stride, veering from the route back to the palace and heading in a different direction. 

Victor: That path is too narrow. Let’s stroll this way and get some fresh air. 

We slowly stroll along, taking in the surroundings as we walk. Not far ahead, there is a dilapidated small tavern. Victor gestures for me to take a look. 

Victor: I just suddenly recalled that you mentioned being curious when you were little and licking the snow with a fork. 

Victor: During winter, the iron cups in the tavern also have an element of sweetness. You should try it some other time. 

My scattered thoughts, fluttering around like wild and untamed grass, suddenly drop to the ground, and I can’t help but choke. 

MC: ...Your Majesty, are you teasing me? 

There is a slight curve at the tip of Victor’s brow as he gently curls the corners of his lips into a smile. 

Victor: [laughs softly] Perhaps I am, or perhaps, it is a sincere recommendation. 

MC: Could it be that you’ve drawn that conclusion after experiencing it firsthand? 

Victor: You could say that. 

Seeing him take the bait, a massive smile spreads across my face. 

MC: So, speaking of, does that mean that you’ve also stuck your tongue to an iron cup in the past? 

Victor seems to choke on his words for a moment. He shoots me a wordless look and walks forward, paying no mind to me. 

MC: [teasingly continues] So, did that really happen? Did it happen or not... 

We’ve almost circled the area surrounding the palace. Victor is tall and has long legs, but from the beginning, he has maintained a matching pace with me, making it so that I can always touch his shoulder by simply turning sideways. 

The weather is very cold today; my hands and feet are freezing, yet I deeply breathe in the bitingly chilly but liberating air. 

Even though I cannot purchase any dubious items to bring back to the palace, and even though I know the end of this path leads to the imperial palace that holds me captive— 

But perhaps because I have someone walking alongside me, I feel surprisingly at ease. 

In my sight, obscured by the chilling breeze, I see Victor squatting down and petting a skinny kitten at the corner of the alley. 

The cat stretches its body and lays down lazily under Victor’s hand, meowing. Victor smiles, and both of them then look at me together. 

Victor: [extremely softly] The winters in the future won’t be as chilling anymore. 

────────── 

[Notes]:

[4] The idiom used here is “越王勾践,” which came to life from the true story of King Goujian. I’d encourage you guys to just even google and see the small wiki on him if you can. This idiom in and of itself is the essence of the date in terms of Victor’s perseverance, and how he imposes suffering on himself for the constant reminder of what it is he’s fighting for by refusing to use the “Blood King Crystal.” 

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

【Chapter 3】

Victor soon announces the news of him regaining consciousness to the masses, sending waves of shock to everyone across the country. 

Amidst the reigning turmoil among the Church and the nobles, he proposes visiting the prominent noble households. 

In my capacity as the queen, I rightfully visit every noble residence with him, where we find numerous correspondences implicating the collusion between the nobles and the Church. 

The nobles kept the letters for the purpose of blackmailing the Church, both sides engaging in mutual exploitation, but they never once considered that there could be one day when they’d have to face the consequences. 

Using the letters as a starting point, a series of pivotal evidence regarding the Church’s blood sacrifice is unearthed through Victor’s thunderous methods. 

I, on the other hand, use my identity as an orphan of the reformers to help him win over the newly elevated nobles. More and more people begin to rally to our side... 

When a former subordinate of my father hands me a letter, as if in tacit agreement, both Victor and I simultaneously realize that the final piece of the puzzle has fallen into place. 

It’s about time for the verdict to be pronounced. 

────────── 

Tomorrow, Victor will convene a National Convention to expose the crimes of the Church to the masses. 

I can’t fall asleep, so I rise from the bed and pace around the bed chamber in my nightgown. 

Victor: [laughs helplessly] If memory serves me right, the person set to address tomorrow is not the queen; it’s the king. 

He is lying in bed with drowsy eyes. Turning towards me, he speaks in a low, raspy voice, infused with a teasing tone. 

MC: ...I didn’t realize I’d wake you up despite the carpet being so thick. I guess I’ll just go outside and sleep elsewhere. 

As I drape on my outer garment and am about to head outside the chamber, my wrist is suddenly gripped from behind, pulling me back onto the bed. 

Victor: [in an overwhelmingly sensual tone] You’re the queen. Where do you plan on sleeping when you look like this? 

Tangled up in my thoughts, I have tousled my hair, causing it to become disheveled. Victor sighs, who then picks up a comb and sits behind me. 

Victor: [switches to an overwhelmingly tender tone] Dummy. What is there to be nervous about? 

The moderate pressure on my hair pacifies my restless heart. I rub my ears, which have heated up, trying to shift the topic of conversation to conceal my shyness. 

MC: In the past, when my father would go to visit the king, my mother would become anxious like this and often wouldn’t even be able to eat anything. 

Victor: So, what would happen next? I’m afraid the duke probably wouldn’t let his duchess remain in a constant state of worry. 

MC: Mm-hmm. Whenever this kind of situation arose, my father would always hold my mother’s hand... 

As I speak, I immediately begin to regret it a little. It feels like I’m sending a rather awkward hint. 

Without waiting for me to dwell on more embarrassing thoughts, Victor’s hand has already enveloped mine, and the warmth from his palm flows to my icy fingertips. 

His temperature is reminiscent of dandelions in a garden, floating gently, landing on my face and neck. 

We are the puppet king and queen, husband and wife in name only. Even though we reside together in the same bedchamber, we’ve never been this intimate. 

I feel a sensation as if a feather quill is caressing my throat, making it impossible for me to conceal the true feelings harbored in my heart. 

Reflexively, I tighten my grip on Victor’s hand and turn to face him. 

MC: Victor, to be honest, even though I never mentioned it before, I used to think you were quite unfeeling. 

Victor: There was no need to say it; it was written all over your face. 

Victor: Also, not addressing me as “Your Majesty” anymore? 

MC: In any case, you are not going to hold it against me now, will you? 

MC: During this period of time that I’ve spent with you, running here and there together, I’ve come to realize in every passing moment that I hardly knew anything about you before. 

MC: For instance, in the case of those Church henchmen, according to the old laws, their families should have been exterminated, but you chose to exercise your discretion and grant amnesty to those who were unaware. 

MC: And regarding the commoners who have fallen victim to the blood sacrifice, you’ve been supporting their families with long-term financial aid. 

MC: You always project an image of keeping people at a thousand-mile distance, but in reality, there is also a tender side to you. 

A flicker of astonishment crosses Victor’s eyes, but he simply tightens his grip on my hand. 

Victor: [with a very evident hesitation in his tone] It sounds like... getting to know me is something that brings you joy? 

MC: Yes, it does. I wish to know you even better— the past you, the present you, and the future you. 

I gaze deeply into his eyes. 

MC: But you’re so encumbered by everything. I can only utilize the little time you set aside for me each day to learn about you amidst the calls of the people. 

Victor: ...MC. 

Victor’s eyes tighten, and a heartfelt and regretful emotion swirls within them. 

MC: I don’t wish to rob you of your time because of my selfish desires. 

MC: So, after the National Convention concludes, and when you’re no longer so busy... 

I draw in a breath, low and slow. And like that, just like the first time I met him, I lay bare all my yearnings and affections before him. 

MC: Reserve some time for me, will you? Not in your role as the king, but as my husband. Share your stories with me. 

MC: Will you, Victor? 

All my thoughts translate into clumsy words, pouring out like the way winter grass eagerly awaits spring rain, confessing everything I have in me. 

Victor continues gazing at me like this, until that gaze of his becomes infused with almost sorrow and a reluctance to part. 

Before I can decipher those cryptic code words, he has already cast his eyes downward, veiling the emotions within. 

Is this a silent rejection? I exert myself to force a smile, intending to crack a joke to ease the situation, but then he speaks first. 

Victor: [if a person’s voice alone could shatter one’s heart, I swear this would be it] There’s no need to wait till later. Let’s do it now. 

In astonishment and jubilation, I look up, locking eyes with his sincere gaze. 

On the night before the pivotal moment in destiny, I finally witness Victor’s wordless confession. 

────────── 

The following day, the National Convention proceeds as scheduled. 

Attired in royal robes, Victor stands at the forefront. Below the platform, countless eyes, some treacherous and others devout, are all converged on him. 

Victor: In my capacity as the king, I stand here only to declare one thing. 

Victor: The mysterious disappearances in the capital over the years have all been caused by the Church. 

The earth-shattering statement stirs up a commotion among the people, and the followers of the Church appear visibly unsettled. 

Victor: The Church extracts energy for the “Blood King Crystal” through the massacre of civilians in blood sacrifice rituals. 

Victor: As for the particulars, I will leave it to the Knight Commander to elucidate. 

The attendants toss numerous sheets of paper into the crowd off the platform, each containing records of clear and unmistakable evidence. 

In a matter of moments, the crowd transitions from initial silence to restlessness, ultimately erupting into an agitated uproar. 

It turns out that the matter of the true culprit behind the disappearance cases has been an enduring emotional anchor for the people, completely overturning everyone’s cognition. 

Some hurling curses, some wailing, and some even charging to express their scorn at the Church... 

Amidst the chaos, only Victor’s voice, his calm and powerful words, continues forward with a steady resolve. 

Crowd: Overthrow the Pope, give us back our people! Overthrow the Pope, give us back our people! 

As the chants and shouts cease and amid the furious uproar of the crowd, the Pope, who is ringed, calmly casts a glance in Victor’s direction. 

The Pope: Silence. Dear Compatriots. 

The elderly Pope walks slowly to the center of the platform, an inscrutable and chilling smile playing on the layers of wrinkles on his face. 

The Pope: His Majesty speaks the truth. The Church does indeed extract energy for the “Blood King Crystal,” and the blood sacrifice of civilians has truly occurred. 

The Pope: However, all these casualties and deaths stemmed from the demands of the royal family! 

The Pope: Throughout history, every king has relied on the “Blood King Crystal” to survive, and even our righteous and dignified king, His Majesty, is using it at this very moment! 

The Pope: The very purpose of the “Blood King Crystal’s” existence is to secure the longevity of the king. Without a king, who will lead the country? How can the kingdom have a future? 

The Pope raises the scepter high, directing it towards Victor. 

The Pope: Your Majesty, the Church has been faithful and devoted to the Crown for all these years. As you pronounce judgment on the Church’s sins today, do you not feel a sense of guilt? 

The wrath of the masses below the platform has no outlet after his manipulative and distorted speech, and their eyes shift to Victor. 

Silent inquiries and judgments flood the eyes of the crowd, prepared to tear everything to shreds at any second. 

The noble king, however, has maintained his impassive demeanor from the beginning. He lapses into a moment of silence, gazing into my eyes. 

Amid the scrutiny of the spectators below, I lock my eyes with him, and in that gaze, I see the very same expression of unwillingness to part that I wasn’t able to discern last night. 

But at this moment, I seem to understand its meaning. 

Holding back the bitterness in my eyes, I take a step forward and speak in a loud voice. 

MC: What the Pope said is true. The kings of the previous dynasties colluded with the Church for their personal gains, resulting in the slaughtering of civilians. 

MC: However, the Blood King Crystal has never been a precious treasure, but rather a curse. 

MC: As each king became more reliant on it, the health of the royal descendants suffered increasing repercussions, which led to an even deeper dependence on the Church. 

MC: His Majesty has been working tirelessly to put an end to these nefarious activities, solely for the sake of the future of this country. 

MC: As for the Blood King Crystal... 

I close my eyes, my eloquent speech coming to an abrupt halt. This elicits puzzled murmurs from the crowd off the platform.  

At this time, Victor walks to the forefront of the stage. 

He retrieves the vivid red gem from his bosom, and the blinding luster falls on his chest, projecting an image as if blood were coursing through. 

Victor: Behold, the Blood King Crystal. 

Before anyone can comprehend, Victor swiftly exerts a slight force with his fingertips, and the Blood King Crystal instantly disintegrates into fine fragments in his hand. 

Pope: You...!! 

Countless crimson red powder, reminiscent of blood, streams out from between his fingers, and his complexion has already turned a shade of pallor. 

The elixir of immortality, amassed from the sacrifice of countless human lives across generations of kings, the venomous sac upon which the Church depends for survival, has been completely eradicated before the eyes of everyone. 

Victor: Those deserving of being brought to reckoning, not a single person will be spared. 

Victor: That includes the Church, as well as the Royal family. 

He unfurls the hand that holds the Blood King Crystal. His palm now only holds a thin layer of gemstone powder, and he allows it to be carried away by the northern breeze. 

Victor: Henceforth, dust will return to the earth, and blood will be bestowed upon the people. 

Victor: I shall personally redeem the filth that has accumulated for far too long. 

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

【Chapter 4】

In the wake of the National Convention, Victor instigates a series of reform policies to root out corruption, setting off a massive surge across the country. 

He works tirelessly day and night, paying no heed to my attempts to dissuade him. There is an urgency in him that I don’t want to understand, a rush that drives him to get everything in order. 

Throughout this time, I’ve been seeking out renowned physicians from everywhere, but all I’ve received are negative answers filled with a mix of dread and despair. 

Until one day, he slips back into a coma again, and even the duration of his coma seems to be stretching longer and longer as the days elapse. 

And all I can do, or more accurately, want to do, is simply to remain by his side. 

With his eyelashes hanging low, a gentle shadow falls upon that beautiful yet pallid face, and it seems even his breathing has become very light. 

As I gaze at Victor’s side profile in deep slumber, I can no longer find the same relaxed and carefree state of mind I had when I first stepped into the royal bedchamber. 

He is no longer someone who could have confined me, the husband I had never met before, but rather my beloved with whom I have been through thick and thin together. 

My only wish is for him to open his eyes and look at me, share some dry jokes, and then walk with me through the streets and alleys again and observe how people are living nowadays... 

Victor’s life began wither away the instant the Blood King Crystal was shattered. All he can do now is expend every ounce of the remaining warmth. 

He knew the consequences better than anyone else, yet he still orchestrated his own ending with his own two hands. 

I remain by the bedside, tightly holding onto his hand. I can’t tell whether I’m trying to comfort him or myself. 

MC: [sobbing] Victor... 

Tears well up and stream down my eyes. A hand reaches up to caress my cheek, gently wiping away those tears. 

Victor: Why are you crying? 

Victor has woken up at some point without my notice and is now frowning as he looks at me. 

Quickly, I wipe away the tears in a haphazard manner, the corners of my eyes stinging from the abrasion of my forceful fingertips. 

MC: I’m alright. Are you hungry? What would you like to eat? 

Victor doesn’t answer. Instead, his gaze passes over my shoulder and settles on the view outside the window. 

Victor: It’s snowing. 

It’s only now do I take notice that the imperial palace courtyard has already been blanketed in snow, transforming into an expanse of pristine white. 

Victor: Weren’t you most fond of building snowmen when you were a child? Why not give it a try now? 

MC: But your health... 

Victor: [in an even tender and heart-wrenchingly weaker tone] It’s just building a snowman. 

I press my lips together. The truth is, I have long grown to despise winter, and I don’t like building snowmen anymore. 

After the death of my parents, the attendants who had been my companions from childhood to adulthood were all substituted with the informants from the Church, and the duke’s mansion became eerily cold and desolate. 

The winter season I once loved became increasingly colder as time went on, and I no longer had the desire to go out. Warmer seasons began to become more likable to me. 

But none of these are worth mentioning to Victor. Because this winter— it is marked by the moment I met him. 

I nod. 

MC: Of course. 

MC: In that case, I must show you the snowmen-building skills I’ve honed since childhood! 

I force a smile and step outside with Victor after donning our outer garments. He tucks my hand into his cloak. 

Victor: A certain someone was shivering in the cold during the last outing, and she still forgot to bring her gloves this time. 

MC: I did it intentionally. Otherwise, how could I get Your Majesty to help warm my hands? 

With this said, I slip my chin into my cloak, and the smile at the corner of my mouth instantly fades away. 

Victor’s hand is much colder than mine. Taking a deep breath, I grip his hand even tighter, and together, we step into this pure white world. 

────────── 

The chilly breeze howls as Victor and I tread through the snow, neither of us uttering a word. [5] 

Reminiscent of a wanderer losing its way, the mist hangs over the frigid ground and eventually dissipates into the pale grayish expanse above. 

Victor suddenly loosens his hold on my hand. 

Victor: Didn’t you want to showcase your skills to me? Why aren’t you going yet? 

I cast a brief glance at the mounds of snow under the trees, nod in silence, and reluctantly let go of his hand despite my heart breaking. [6] 

MC: Well, Your Majesty, please wait for just a short while. 

I tighten Victor’s cloak for him, then dash to the snowdrifts and begin building a snowman. 

My hands move at a blazing pace. There is only a single thought circling in my mind right now, and that is to swiftly end this time-wasting game and return to his side as fast as possible. 

To add to my woes, the newly fallen snow proves challenging to shape, much like bleached wool. Despite my vigorous efforts to press the snow together time and again, the snowballs continue to fall apart, each and every time. 

A mix of vexation and restlessness churns in my heart. I have nearly exhausted all the strength left in my body to mold the snowballs, and both my hands are now aching from the cold. 

Victor: [with endless helplessness] Dummy, no one is competing with you for first place. There’s no need to be in such a rush. 

Subconsciously, I pause in my movements, turn my head, and find him gazing at me with a serene expression. 

The urgency and anxiety in my heart seem to find equilibrium, and my hands unconsciously settle into a steadier motion. 

Regrettably, the snowman I end up crafting doesn’t even qualify to be described as “adorable.” Even so, Victor earnestly lowers his head, observing it with the bearing of a connoisseur appreciating a gem. 

Victor: To create this shape without it falling apart is indeed a testament to skill. 

His teasing remark elicits a chuckle from me. I pick up a twig and walk over to him. 

MC: There’s still one last step, but it requires Your Majesty and me to complete it together. 

Placing the twig in his hand, I then hold onto his hand, and together, we draw eyes and a mouth on the snowman’s face. 

Victor chuckles softly, and conversely, he grasps my hand, guiding it to make strokes. 

Victor: You’re holding so tightly; its eyes are all crooked now. 

Looking at the snowman with its enlarged eyes due to our modifications, I’m just about to crack a few jokes when I notice a touch of weariness on Victor’s face. 

MC: We’ve almost completed the snowman. Would you like to rest for a while? 

Victor: I know a tavern. Come with me. 

We’ve arrived at the alley where we met that kitten before. It has undergone a complete transformation, and the newly opened tavern is bustling with patrons. 

It’s a snowy day, and the tavern is filled to capacity. I initially thought that there would be no seats available. However, the owner leads us straight into a room. 

MC: Huh? Did you reserve the room with the owner in advance? But you weren’t... 

Victor brushes away the snowflakes off my head, seeing through my puzzlement. 

Victor: I arranged it in advance, yes. 

Victor: Since I didn’t know when I would be awake, I told the owner beforehand that I would have this room reserved for as long as it snows. 

The fire in the hearth produces a crackling sound. Victor’s facial features are enveloped in the cloud of heat, his eyes gentle. 

Victor: I just thought that one day, I would take you out to see the snow. 

We sit on the terrace, sipping the warm wine. Amidst the aroma of wine wafting in the air, he speaks in a soft tone. 

Victor: I did stick my tongue to a cup in the past. It happened when I was five years old and had a taste of my father, the king’s red wine in secret. My mother, the queen, had gotten quite the shock. 

MC: Eh? What are you talking about... 

Victor: Dummy, aren’t you always clamoring about wanting to hear my stories? 

He says it as if it were the most natural thing, as if this were merely an ordinary winter day, as if we were an ordinary married couple offhandedly conversing about our everyday life while enjoying a drink and keeping ourselves warm by the fire. 

The north breeze makes my eyes sting, but I still force myself to smile as I look at him. 

MC: So, it turns out that His Majesty was a dummy, too, when he was five years old. How about when you were six? What was it like? 

Victor: When I was six... 

In the back-and-forth questions and answers, more than twenty years of Victor’s life have become etched in my mind. 

I dare not listen. I can’t help but feel as if once I’ve heard everything, he will leave me. And yet, I listen carefully to every single word. 

I listen to the way he speaks each word— the way his teeth collide, the way his two lips meet, the way the nuances of his trailing notes alter between closing and releasing. 

Victor: Next, it’s the day when I got married to a certain someone. 

MC: ...there’s no need to tell the next part of the story. After all, the stories related to me have only begun. 

Victor pauses, but doesn’t follow up my words with a playful remark.

MC: ...Victor? 

Victor: What’s wrong? 

I shake my head, and when I open my mouth again, the name that has been lingering on the edge of my lips and weighing on my heart spills out involuntarily. 

MC: Victor.  

Victor: Mm, I’m here. 

He tacitly acquiesces to my almost naïvely foolish behavior, responding to my call of his name over and over again. It feels as though, if only I can keep confirming like this, the hole in my heart would be filled. 

MC: ...Victor. 

This time, he doesn’t speak. The silence forces me to stop. 

MC: [sobbing] I just want to know... what can I do to make you stay... [7] 

Victor sighs softly and beckons to me. 

I lean over and nestle in his frigid arms. 

As if he can no longer support the weight of his long, ink-black eyelashes, he casts his gaze downward. His nearly translucent skin appears as if it’s about to blend with the sunlight. 

Victor reaches out and touches my cheek, his finger pads caressing the contours of my face with utmost gentleness, as if sketching my features. 

His fingertips carry with them the chill of death, making me shiver involuntarily. 

Slowly and stiffly, I weave my words together, but the sentences that come out of my mouth are still shakily out of tune. 

MC: [teary-eyed x1] Victor, do you find it a little chilly? Maybe your cloak is too thin? 

MC: [x2] The fire is obviously burning so strongly, and the mead is also very warm... [8] 

MC: [x3] Look, there’s a kitten on the eaves over there. Isn’t it the one we met that day? 

MC: [x4] It looks so lively today. Seems like its frame of mind is as cheerful as ours. 

When I utter the last sentence, I hear his gentle sigh. 

At the same time, the laughter of playful children chasing each other, the chatter of young people, and the sighs of emotions of the elderly can be heard amidst the wind and snow. 

Victor: Hear that, the sounds outside. 

The sunlight seeps through the terrace, haloing and enveloping the surroundings with a layer of warm and bright haze. 

Bathed in that glow, my body’s consciousness returns little by little. I tightly clutch his hand, no longer shaking. 

MC: [x5] I can hear it. It’s almost New Year, and the streets are bustling and serene. 

Victor: The snowfall this year is promising. So, the harvest will be abundant next year. 

MC: [x6] Yes, people will become more affluent and happier. 

Victor: You will be a part of it all, too, and that’s really good. 

I bury myself in his chest, silently listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat, one beat after another. 

The heartbeat in my ears, following its rapid pace, begins to grow increasingly feeble. A realization dawns on me, and I force myself to lift my head and look at him. 

He is akin to a wan rose, wilting before my desperate eyes that seek to make him stay, withering within my outstretched arms as I reach out to hold on. 

From limbs to blood, to the light in his eyes— bit by bit, the luster fades. 

My king entrusts the future of this country to me, and then he steps out of time, heading toward eternal peace. 

I gently incline my body, kissing his peacefully closed eyes. 

MC: ...good night. 

This time, I don’t receive any response from him, but the snowstorm suddenly ceases. 

The curtain of the evening has already descended, and the vermillion sun sinks below the horizon. The final ray of the splendid afterglow thaws the ice and snow of the land. 

MC: Victor, I will take you to witness the tomorrow of this kingdom. 

────────── 

[Notes]:

[5] The exact phrase here actually was “冷风呜呜作响,” which literally means “the chilly breeze is producing a mournful sound”-- the “呜呜” used here is the onomatopoetic word for “sobbing/ wailing.” wanted to include this note as an example to gush about the brilliant atmospheric descriptions LZY writers use, e.g., the picture painted here echoes that even the nature is mourning at this slow, rather unfair, transition, mirroring the heroine’s and LZY’s pain of parting. ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ 

[6] The expression used here is “依依不舍,” one of my favorite phrases and hated ones to translate LOL. You’d usually see this phrase being translated as “reluctant/unwilling,” but it doesn’t even come close to expressing the depth of its meaning. The phrase means “reluctance to part with sb you love/ being broken-hearted at having to leave,” with an underlying tone of “wanting to be with that person regardless,” -- and I tried to retain the OG meaning without being too wordy haha~ 

[7] Not sure how much of the sentiment I could make it come across in the translation—the term (留住) MC uses here literally means “ask sb to stay/ keep sb for the night/ ask them to wait.” the beauty of it lies in the fact that it expresses such a multitude of emotions— desperately wanting to keep sb in your life despite knowing it’s not up to either of you so you want to know if they can wait for you even though you know it’s not possible~ ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ   

[8] Mead (蜂蜜酒), also known as honey wine, is a type of alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey mixed with water and other fruits. You can google it to know about it in detail if you want LOL.

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 

[thekagepro24]

made an AMV for Harumaki Gohan's 10th anniversary song full of other Harumaki Gohan MVs!!

and if you turn on ENG CC subs you can see that I also translated the song itself!!

Translation under cut:

I Can't Become a Lovely Girl / 僕は可憐な少女にはなれない - English Translation

I can’t become a lovely girl…

I know that, everyone knows that…

Why can’t I choose what my own body is like?

It’s not like it’s written in the rules of today 

If I was pretty enough to want to show off to everyone,

maybe it’d be weird to thank my parents for that.

It’s not just a matter of what we like,

the things we might hate are part of us too.

The ‘you’ who’s deeper than where the heart lies,

might understand what I mean.

I can’t become a lovely girl…

I know that, everyone knows that, but…

The reason I sing songs of those who are not me 

is because I couldn't be you.

Your beautiful hair that sways in the wind

is just one of the things I see in you which I lack.

With your beautiful voice that sways in the wind,

Just a bit, I sang out.

If life was as important as it was in the moment of being born, 

Then I’d offer to stop the time that passes by so easily.

And in the place of bad dreams, I’d be dormant.

Though the you of that day might scold me for that. 

It’s not just a matter of what’s a lie,

the things we believe in have to be decided upon as well.

And if there’s no voice there,

then I’ll buy it from the neighboring town.

So I can’t become a lovely girl…

Plans just keep piling up,

you probably understand that as well.

I can’t take your hand,

but this galaxy seems to have been drawn out.

There's no way I could forget.

After all, this is a town where monsters eat people.

And so I grabbed your sleeve and we ran off,

because you were the only human.

And from there, what I like, what I hate, and what I want to be in the future,

it should be obvious by now…

I wanted to be a lovely girl…

I can’t become a lovely girl…

I know that, everyone knows that, but…

Until one day when I can't walk anymore,

I ask of you to take me away somewhere.

Your beautiful hair that sways in the wind

is just one of the things I see in you which I lack.

With your beautiful voice that sways in the wind,

Just a bit, I became a girl.

[aoihono96]

[DLD] Stage play “Vanitas no Carte - Encore“ stream English subtitle

Hello everyone! I present you the English subtitle for the stage “Vanitas no Carte - Encore“ stream version.

About the story:

Scorned by others of his kind for being born under a blue moon, the  vampire Vanitas grew afraid and desolate. According to legend, he  created a cursed grimoire known as the "Book of Vanitas," and it is said  he would one day use it to bring retribution upon all vampires of the  crimson moon.

In 19th century Paris, Noé Archiviste is searching for the Book of Vanitas. Whilst traveling aboard an airship, he is saved from a  vampire attack by an eccentric doctor who calls himself Vanitas and  carries the very tome he seeks. Ironically, the self-proclaimed vampire  specialist is a mere human who inherited both his name and the book from  his master, the same Vanitas of legend. Rules to get the subtitle and more info under the cut:

Cast member includes:

Ueda Keisuke as Vanitas

Kikuchi Shuuji as Noé

Nanaki Kanon as Jeanne

Sawada Miki as Dominique

Maeda Musashi as Luca

Yashiro Takuya as Louis

And others

I didn’t translate the curtain call talk as I’m planning to sub the DVD version as well. If the curtain call part will be included there, I’ll sub it there.

Here are some rules to get the subtitle and some requests for after you receive it.

Please read until the end!

* Warning! Since it was a streaming and not the DVD version, the Eng subtitle matches the file I have, so there may be small delays with the files you have. You’ll have to match the subtitle with the video  yourselves!

* I’m sharing only the subtitle, not the video file!

* For those who want the subtitle, please send me an ask or a message.

* Be polite when asking for the sub and have patience to get it. I’m not in front of the laptop 24h/7.

* Be sure you download the sub as fast as possible because I’m changing the link from time to time!

* Please don’t post or share it anywhere! If someone asks about it, please lead them to this post!

Please respect and follow the rules because I made them with a reason.

[the-monkey-ruler]

how common is it for adaptations to give stone monkey a (usually female) friend on flowerfruit mountain? i've noticed it in a couple adaptations and wonder if it comes from a specific adaptation

Funny enough YES!

At least I think we can all think of one man in particular for the common grey-fur monkey companion that Shihou/Wukong has...

And that is Tezuka Osamu!

I think it starts with his manga My SonGoku ぼくの孫悟空.

This was first published in 1952 and has been quite influential in Japanese interpretations of Sun Wukong.

He was actually influenced by Tessen Koshu who made the Princess Iron Fan cartoon 铁扇公主 in 1941 with that kind of rubber hose kind of art style.

Anyway, the main point is that this guy made a certain character at the start of his manga before Wukong left for his training.

"While Biko, a monkey born from a stone, starts as a shy crybaby, he becomes the king of the monkeys with the encouragement of a gentle sister monkey, LinLin. He learns Senjutsu, becomes Son Goku, and goes on a rampage in Heaven...

Sister edition of "Boku no Son Goku", girls' manga version "Journey to the West"."

Otherwise known as RinRin depending on how you translate it. Or even DeeDee or Reina. Depends on what you are looking at.

"RinRin-chan" The tomboyish monkey to the main character. She names the stone monkey Biko and takes care of him as an older sister."

I haven't read the manga (I don't know Japanese) nor do I understand how manga history in how this is both a "Hitomi" (Akita Shoten) 1960 serialization but I do know she is credited to Tezuka Osamu. And her influence has been in serial more of a couple of Japanese Xiyouji iterations.

Her next appearance being in ALAKAZAN THE GREAT Saiyuki ぼくの孫悟空 which was made in 1960. This was written by Baku Yumemakura who was a fan of Tezuka Osamu's works where she goes by RinRin. A pretty one-to-one look from what she looked like in the manga

This is also some inspiration in the 1967 Goku's Great Adventures 悟空の大冒険 but any female side character was replaced with a fairy-like person Tatsuko. She isn't Rinrin of course but I think that since this was also credited to Tezuka Osamu that having a pink-themed older sister character was what inspired her.

There was also a female monkey by the name of Fanya from the 1999 Magic Monkey モンキーマジックTV series that is more well-known for its video game. Not named Rinrin at all but... look at her. She gets TWO flowers in her hair and a pink theme. I know flowers and pink aren't the most creative choice for a girl monkey but that is a clear inspiration.

She wasn't really seen by name until the 2003 movie, My Son Goku ぼくの孫悟空 where she was brought back by where she goes by Reina in the eng subs! Here her name is slightly different but I think that this might be my favorite version of her thus far! She is such a caring person and while he isn't in the movie that long she plays such an impactful role!

These are mostly Japanese interpretations because of their tie with the My SonGoku manga but there are a few more giving Wukong a grey monkey friend in his Shihou phase in Chinese interpretations.

The only one I can think of that can be a real nod of acknowledgment is really 1999 Legends of the Monkey King 西游记 with an unnamed girl monkey (if she does have a name please let me know I've never learned it!) Love the change from pink to yellow, we are getting creative here.

These are all the examples I can think of at least in the media I've personally seen!

The only grey-furred sidekick thus far was LiuEr Mihou from Monkey King 2009 美猴王. I think this one might be more coincidental with the grey fur and the pink theme but that would be hilarious if it was to fit the 'childhood best friend' card that Rinrin, a completely different character, has set.

I do find some comments on how LiuEr in this version took RINRIN'S place as the childhood best friend trope. Like that idea of Wukong in his Stone Monkey phase of life having a Best friend is now tied to the image of Rinrin! It is funny to think that out of all the interactions of giving Wukong sidekicks, this one seems to be a re-occurring one consistently. Sadly I haven't seen another version in nearly 20 years!! We've been deprived!

Will we see this character again soon? Hard to say considering it's been so long but I love that in at least 3 different Japanese Xiyouji interactions and a general nod in acknowledgment in 2 as well.

Until we see you again beautiful queen!

[homuraakemis]

My favorite Dark fanvids - Part 1

JONAS/MARTHA

Jonas & Martha | Bound for eternity. by HelenMand

Jonas & Martha - A Perfect Match by Irina Rusinova

(Dark) Martha & Jonas | silhouettes by Julies

Jonas & Martha | The Night We Met by GlamourStar0x

Dark | Netflix | Goodbye | Jonas and Martha by Forget It

Jonas and Martha // Dynasty (Dark S1,2,3) by Dacg

Losing game||Jonas🤍martha-arcade|DARK by JOYBOY

Flickers (Jonas/Martha - Dark) [Season 3] by briony

sweater weather - jonas & martha by micaela

martha & jonas - everything i wanted [dark] [s3] by Archiekins

Jonas & Martha • One way or another by sigyn27

jonas and martha | but we are the mistake by teamezria53098

Born To Die: Martha and Jonas || DARK [season 3] by Meha Stillmeya

Jonas & Martha - Familiar | Dark by CHET惡

Jonas & Martha | All the things she said by perspƎctive

Jonas and Martha| Six Feet Under by KBPRODUCTIONS

I'm only a fool for you || Jonas & Martha by Ceiwyn

Lovely || Martha and Jonas [S1-S2-S3-SPOILERS] by pau vala

Jonas e Martha - Nós ficamos perfeitos junto. Nunca duvide disso. by AA EDIT

(Dark) Jonas Kahnwald & Martha Nielsen || Remains by 𝐁.𝐊.𝐃 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐒

Wicked Games - Jonas & Martha - Dark - Ursine Vulpine ft. Annaca by whiterose87

The Labyrinth Song [Dark, Jonas/Martha] by falafelfilms1

Jonas & Martha - Adam & Eve | Tribute video | Dark | Tv Show | Channel K Square Tribute by Night King

Jonas and Martha by Arafat Malitha

Jonas x Martha | Dark | Daylight by StrangeOrange

jonas and martha edit - fine line by ancie

Dark - Me and the Devil | Martha and Jonas by Mani Rathnam

Jonas & Martha - Hold On | Dark by nupur

Jonas & Martha - Dark edit by valeoftear

jonas and martha edit // bloodstream by voidemons

Jonas X Martha - Without Me [Dark Netflix] by Metefizique

Jonas & Martha [ Dark ] || Surrender [ + S3 ] ( sub eng + sub ita) by DreamSara1

Jonas and martha/ Another love/ Moonlight by Moonlight

ADAM & EVA || time to say goodbye || DARK S3 SPOILERS by Zuxinha

Jonas & Martha | Surrender | Dark | S3 by sararufus

Jonas & Martha - Get You The Moon by Evan Haze

Jonas & Martha | Let me down slowly by movsrimus

Martha & Jonas 8 by Projeto NEXUS

Jonas ❤ Martha - Back To You [AMV] || Dark || @v3gen3666 by V3 GEN

A Thousand Years | Dark | Jonas & Martha | Twilight | Christina Perri by Cupful

Dark: Jonas & Martha - Lovely by D P A

Jonas and Martha (Dark) - My Immortal by Cerine Sp

Jonas + Martha | Dynasty by Martina Benedetti

Jonas and Martha- Take me to church by mikasa_braun edits

Jonas & Martha / Where's My Love by alexbarrioz

martha & jonas | we're not a good match. by ultraangst

Make you mine | Jonas and Martha #dark #jonas #martha#preset by Perman

Jonas & Martha [ Dark ] - Let Me Down Slowly - Alec Benjamin by R U B A I T H

#DARK⚫#Jonas⚪#Marta⚫#Adam⚪#Eva📀Final series, the Dark Eva and Adam best moments/🎶Take Me to Church by GOLDEN MUSIC TV ოქროსფერი TV

Jonas and Martha Dark | Rewrite the stars ✨ by Notion Spell

DARK -Jonas and Martha | Into your Arms | Ava Max by Grinchy Guy

Dark | into your arms | Jonas & Martha #dark #intoyourarms by Mohamed Fayaz

Ed Sheeran - Perfect, Martha & Jonas (Sub. Español) Dark. by minasooul

Martha & Jonas || Falling by elei

Jonas x Martha || We Could Leave by elei

Jonas + Martha (but it's a rom-com) || Dead or Alive – You Spin Me Round by Stranger

Jonas And Martha - Perfect Match by Magic Official Channel

Jonas and Martha || Playing love by Tatiana Marano Edits

Martha X Jonas♥️| dark love story | HEART CANDY by Thangavel K

Martha and Jonas - Can You Feel My Heart by Well Edits

Jonas & Martha | You are a memory by Hanxa

jonas&martha / a glitch in the matrix (their story) by PerfectLife

jonas & martha | a glitch in the matrix [s3] by Delena Fan Girl

My Love Will Never Die | Claire Wyndham | Jonas & Martha | DARK NETFLIX | Lucifer | by SRK TUBE

jonas&martha - i found love where it wasn't supposed to be - dark by Anna Clara Aquino

Jonas & Martha︱Lovestory︱Dark Netflix by TrailerGen

Ghost in the Machine - Jonas&Martha by lilitifrock

Dark | Jonas & Martha | Perfect Match by Farid Pasha

Dark | Jonas & Martha | We're a Perfect Match (Music Video) by M.G.

NF - If you want love // JONAS & MARTHA (Dark) by Sarthac

Martha&Jonas | Remember To Remember Me by LibertyInfinity

Martha & Jonas - The Birds by shoxbroken

Together we'll be running somewhere new... ? by Lou Nyx

I Don't Deserve You (Jonas & Martha) by Chloi Manon

jonas & martha | lost on you (Türkçe Çeviri) by liv

DARK: Jonas & Martha || A Glitch in The Matrix by Malati Di The Walking Dead

Jonas & Martha | A glitch in a matrix (DARK) by Earwen

Jonas & Martha X Yellow. whatsapp status by Editplus15

D A R K ||Jonas & Martha|| Love💕|Webseries| by Baby bear💞🐻

Jonas & Martha: Die With You by FairyCutie86

DARK || Martha + Jonas || So Fern, So Nah by Cryss

𝕯𝖆𝖗𝖐 𝖜𝖍𝖆𝖙𝖘𝖆𝖕𝖕 𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖙𝖚𝖘 ∣ 𝖏𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖘 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖒𝖆𝖗𝖙𝖍𝖆 ∣ 𝖓𝖊𝖙𝖋𝖑𝖎𝖝 by Alan

DARK | A Glitch in the Matrix by inferno92000

Martha and Jonas/ Dark/ Angel Koda Lyrics Sub Español by Random ML&CV

Jonas and Martha || Dark Netflix by Galaxy Edits

Jonas and Martha || Dark Netflix || #shorts #new #news #newstatus #whatsappstatus #whatsapp by Galaxy Edits

Night We Met || DARK by Skaotic Edits

Jonas and Martha || Always Remember Us This Way || by Wantit T.V

DARK You and I are perfect for each other. Never believe anything else by UCHIHA ITACHI

Jonas and Martha/Secrets by Isombard

Jonas and Martha • Nobody Like You • Dark by EditionMix

'∞' Dark Series Netflix - In the end by BlendSk Mix

Jonas & Martha - Wir Sind Falsch (Dark Netflix Series) by DAN

Ready to Start (Jonas/Martha - Dark) by briony

Adam and Eva : Jonas and Martha Dark season 3 ft Electric love by detheditz

Jonas and Martha | Adam and Eve by Keshav Kashyap

DARK OPENING THEME SONG | good bye whatsapp status | true love whatsapp status | Netflix series by vlovely_ videos

DARK , Season - 3 (Jonas and Martha❤️) by Nikhil S

❤Jonas and Martha❤~|●Dark●|Best WhatsApp Status by Mojo Hub

//whatever happened to the young, young lovers.

[born-to-eng-sub]

2022.11.18 Seo Eunkwang Theatre+ Interview English Translation

Original Korean article here. Interviewer's questions in bold. 

Please credit Born To Eng Sub if you post excerpts anywhere. 

[COVER STORY] Never Ending Story: Actor Seo Eunkwang

As the leader of an idol group, as a vocalist who gets recognition, as a 10-year musical actor, Seo Eunkwang never treats any dream recklessly and shines today.

editor: Son Jeongeun; photographer: Kim Taewoo; stylist: Park Hyejeong, Jeon Sohyeon; Hair: Taehyeon (Mijangwon by Taehyeon); makeup: Hana (Mijangwon by Taehyeon)

In the defining number 'A Musical' from musical "Something Rotten," famous musical numbers are wittily melded together. You may wonder why we're bringing up a past work, but the start of this story was 2 years ago. Back then, in a video interview with Theatre Plus, we asked if there was a musical parodied in that number that Seo Eunkwang would want to participate in, and without hesitation he answered "Jesus Christ Superstar." "It would be so great if I could do that musical with Michael (Lee)," he said and in two years that has become reality.

The musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" was created fifty years ago by the musical world's virtuoso composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice. It interprets the story of the seven days before the death of Jesus from an unconventional perspective, and became a topic as it stood at the center of several controversies. It was a work so ahead of its time that even now, a long time later, you can still feel how unconventional it is. One wonders what kind of message it will throw to the audiences of 2022. We asked Seo Eunkwang, playing the role of Judas, to tell us about this work which is being performed again in Korea after 7 years.

You mentioned that your dream work was "Jesus Christ Superstar" in a number of interviews. How does it feel to have that dream come true?

Like I've said, this is one of the works I wanted to try doing the most, so it makes me want to do a really good job. While I've been doing musicals, I think this is the first one that's made me feel this much pressure. And the thing that adds even more pressure is that this is the 50th anniversary performance. It's even the first time it's been performed (in Korea) in 7 years. Since I know that so many people have so much interest, I'm working very hard to prepare. It's such an honor to be able to participate. I'm very happy.

You mentioned that your dream role was Jesus, but this time you ended up with the role of Judas.

I wondered what kind of feeling it would be to stand onstage as Jesus, and that kind of expectation led me to say I wanted to play Jesus. I'm still not good enough for that role, so I think I'll have to build up more years of experience first. And Judas is very impressive and has a lot of charm, so I'm really into him. The Judas numbers are very intense, so on one hand it's very difficult.

Like you said, this work has a reputation for having very difficult musical numbers. You're famous yourself for being good at singing, but it must feel very different to be engaged in this work.

Since the Judas numbers "Heaven on their Minds" and "Superstar" are so famous, a lot of people probably know them, but as I've actually been starting work on the show, there are also a lot of other difficult songs. I was shocked the first time I started practicing. The number "Judas' Death" which he sings just before dying is incredible. And besides that all the other songs are hard, too. Three or four songs are in the range of the top of the second octave, even playing into the third octave, which is just ridiculous for a male role. It makes me wonder what the composer was thinking when he composed them.

And also all the different Judas actors have interpreted the songs in their own different ways.

That's why practice was so hard. The work itself is very free. The melody line is set, but everyone has sung it with their own style. So after absorbing the sheet music, changing it to fit my own style was really extremely hard. It was my first time doing such a free work, so it was very new for me.

Recently on a livestream you showed yourself practicing "Heaven on their Minds." It was like getting a taste of Seo Eunkwang's Judas.

Now I'd like to delete the video. At the time, after practicing a few songs including Western ones, I started livestreaming because I wanted to show that, but I really regret showing this song in advance. Since I was just practicing, there were a lot of parts that were lacking. It's a relief that the fans like it, but next time I'll have to be more thorough.

Even though it was practice, that in itself makes you feel like it was lacking, I guess.

When singing, I want to show a perfect side of myself. Compared to the past, I've let go a lot. When I was young, I felt that way strongly, but lately I've thought that I wanted to show my growth through even the imperfect side of myself. That's why I showed myself practicing, but afterwards as time has gone on I've felt regretful about it. "I could have done it better," I think.

There are a lot of videos where your fellow BTOB member and musical theater actor Lee Changsub sings the number "Gethsemane." It makes me wonder if the two of you might do this work together someday.

We tend to sing for fun, and we both really like that song. If someday Changsub could play Judas and I could play Jesus and we could stand on stage together, that would be a dream come true. Wow, just imagining it is amazing.

Judas is a person who's remembered as a betrayer. But in this work, he's drawn as a revolutionary, which became a hot topic.

I also only knew Judas as a betrayer. But while preparing for this work, the other day I asked my mom while we were eating. My mom is an elder and is very devout. I asked, "What do you think about Judas?" and what she told me is very similar to how I'm interpreting Judas now. Most people think of him as a betrayer, but how much must he have worried and thought over his decision up until he sold Jesus out, and what kinds of thoughts must he have had when he heard Jesus predict that he would betray him. She told me that must not have been an easy decision, and that put part of my mind at ease. I thought that I could express Judas as much as I wanted and the people watching would fully accept that. I had a lot of worries, but thanks to that I became a bit freer.

What kinds of things were you worrying about?

The hardest part was that the character of Judas isn't explained very well. In the Bible, he's mostly portrayed as a traitor, so most of the audience will come in with only that background for him. You can't help but come in with those biases. But within this work, rather than being a betrayer, he loves Jesus so much and reveals his own beliefs so strongly, and those beliefs are so clear. So my homework was to portray that well. Also my own image tends to be strongly of someone very bright and happy, on top of my build being on the small side, so I worried about how best to capture the character in order to explain him well.

In the role of Jesus, actors Michael Lee and Im Taegyeong have returned. What is the difference between the two Jesuses?

We're still in the practice stage, but I feel like Michael Lee sunbaenim's Jesus feels more like a friend. He mentioned that this season he wanted to show a more human side. So when we practice, I feel those parts and there's a closeness to it. I think Im Taegyeong sunbaenim's Jesus feels a little more divine. Rather than a friend, he feels like a teacher or a father.

It's been 50 years since this work was shown to the world for the first time. Yet the modifier of "unconventional" always seems to follow it even now.

Actually, I had never seen this musical before, myself. It's being performed in Korea for the first time in 7 years, and there aren't a lot of videos. I had only heard of it indirectly, and the reviews of audiences who saw it in the past were quite cutting. People say it's very serious and can be very polarizing, and due to the fact that it's all sung-through people could get bored, and as a rock musical the songs can be unfamiliar. I was also very nervous when practices started, but everything was a lot more fun than I expected.

In particular, I think there are a lot of reviews that say it can be polarizing.

I saw a lot of those reviews, too. But when it actually came down to doing it, it was very fun. Is that because I'm on the "liking it" side of the polarizing divide? (laughs)

Then please appeal to the audiences and tell them why you ended up liking it.

First of all, the development is very clear so the storyline progresses well on its own. The musical numbers are very convincing, as well. Seeing Jesus' more human side is very fresh and shocking, so it's not boring and has a lot of new charm to it. At first when people I knew told me they were going to see this musical, I, too, responded by saying "It's so polarizing, and it can be unfamiliar because it's sung-through." But now I say "Guys, this is so fun! You can expect good things from it," to people. It's a work that's snappy and full of charm.

Have you ever felt, like your character, that you are being led by a fate you can't refuse?

With my personality, I tend to accept things rather than try to refuse them. Even when I'm exhausted, I tend to think that if I can just get through this time then things will get better later. So I don't think I've had very many times when I feel like things are so hard that I break down. I live happily and enjoyably. I like living.

Just because you say you're happy, I'm sure you've still had hard times. How do you get through those times?

Of course I have hard times, too. When that happens, I try to work things out in a good direction, and I think that someday things will get better.

You must have what they call a good mentality about things.

I do think that I do. I've never doubted it.

This year BTOB reached their 10th anniversary. And you're also in your tenth year of doing musicals.

My debut in the group and my debut in musicals were just about a year apart. I've been doing musicals since I was 23, and back then there were a lot of things that were hard. Because I was young and an idol, I got a lot of various attention, and because of that I felt a lot of pressure to do a better job. Now I'm finally in the hyung line! [Someone with relatively more experience who is relatively older.] As I've been consistently working, now there are more people junior to me, so I'm a lot more comfortable now. I've always been the style to be less reserved with people younger than me. And now that I can work again with actors and staff I've already worked with, the practice room has also become more comfortable and I feel like I can try doing more new things.

When you look back, what is the most memorable period for you?

The thing that comes to mind the most is the practice room for my first musical, "Monte Cristo." I remember being so nervous I was shaking like a leaf. Back then I played Albert and Im Taegyeong sunbaenim played the Monte Cristo role with me, so I was so happy to see him again this time. It had been a long time, but I was so thankful that he greeted me so happily.

You've been consistently appearing on the musical stage. What kinds of charms do musicals have that they keep leading you to the stage?

I think the best thing is that through a musical work, you can live as various different people. I don't think I could really perceive it clearly until now, but this time thanks to this work I could strongly feel it. I thought "Wow, the works I've done up until now were really amazing." The thing that played the greatest part in leading me to realize that was Director Hong Seunghui, who is directing this time. The director always tells me to do things the way I want to, and asks me how I feel about each scene. The director tells me to follow my emotions and move the way I feel. I think I was able to immerse myself more in the role when I practiced because I was able to fully become Judas. So with this musical, I think I felt the good points of musicals even more.

So when you approach your character, what point do you start from?

Of course with each character you have to show a different side of yourself, but at first I work hard to find things that go well with me. When I look at myself, the nice way of saying it is that I have a strong identity, and the not-so-nice way of saying it is that I am a person who sticks out a lot. Because Seo Eunkwang is that kind of person, I think that if I only try to match things generally without melding more thoroughly, then I can't blend with the character well. So I try to find and bring out the most Seo Eunkwang-like parts of myself.

So then of the characters you've played so far, who was the most Seo Eunkwang-like one?

The character who fit me best was Nick Bottom from "Something Rotten." I barely had to add anything. I didn't need to immerse myself, he was just me so it was very easy. However, the tap dancing and other dancing, as well as the large amount of lines I had to memorize did make things harder, but when I think of the character it was so much fun. I think it might have been the only work I've done that was that comfortable for me.

With this work, you've achieved a dream of yours. What's your next goal?

I want to try something really shocking. Like Lola in "Kinky Boots."

You always have precise goals. And it seems like your goals are designed to challenge yourself.

I think you should always make goals for yourself. You need to have goals in order to prepare thoroughly and make progress. It's not just for musicals, I can only grow as a vocalist and singer when I make goals for myself, as well. And I always like a challenge. That's more fun, and I think I'm more proud of the result, as well.

Is that the reason that you appear on so many singing competition shows, too?

I went on a lot of them for that reason, but to tell the truth because of that I've been considering things a lot. I feel like I've been showing myself too much lately, and now maybe it's time to take a break for a bit. I asked my vocal teacher about these worries, but my teacher said "Eunkwang, you need to do these in order to grow." A person like me has to make goals and run towards them, as my teacher also knows. In order to even reach the general ballpark, I have to set clear goals and move towards them.

You're the kind of person who whips yourself into shape, I guess.

That's right, that's how I live. That can be my driving force. When I hear compliments, it feels nice, but it doesn't really help me to improve. So I also seek out negative comments. It lets me know what I need to work on. If it's not a helpful comment, I do pass it by, but for some negative comments I feel like if I can take them in, then I can make it so that I won't hear those comments anymore. I try to use them in a positive direction. When I do musicals, I look for a lot of audience reviews. I really look at everything. Be careful, everyone. (laughs)

You'll reach your 10th year anniversary of being a musical actor next year. What kind of musical actor do you want to be remembered as to audiences?

I want to be a truthful actor. An actor whose sincerity can be felt on every stage. And I want to continue to show my growth in the future. Of course I will continue to work hard and do my best. Since I'll continue to stand on stage and pour my heart into it, please continue to support me. And I'd like it if a lot of people could get good energy from me. As someone who is living through this time, I want to show that I'm living my life to the fullest. Let's all live the best we can.

[sexy-lee-min-woo]

Nonstop (2000)

Folder with episodes (Note: There are many episodes missing)

Download pack 20+ photos (3MB) https://mega.nz/file/65ZTEASR#9OcGsaxLN9UvCIAdQedJr3Qi-It_0-OGXd0sE7Mf6aA

2001-09-26 New Nonstop E317 Conflicted Choice (Eric, Minwoo, Dongwan, Junjin) [RAW] 2001-09-27 New Nonstop E318 Let's Continue Dating (Eric, Minwoo, Dongwan, Junjin) [RAW] 2001-09-28 New Nonstop E319 One Autumn Day (Eric, Minwoo, Dongwan, Junjin) [RAW]

2003-11-04 Nonstop 4 E031 Boys Over Flowers: Parody of F4 (Hyesung, Junjin, Andy) [ENG SUB] 2003-11-06 Nonstop 4 E033 She appeared (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-11-07 Nonstop 4 E034 A fox and a goblin (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-11-10 Nonstop 4 E035 Yes, we're band (Junjin) [RAW] 2003-11-12 Nonstop 4 E037 Everyone is handsome (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-11-13 Nonstop 4 E038 Draw as you want (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-11-14 Nonstop 4 E039 Scandal (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-11-17 Nonstop 4 E040 Chicken instead of pheasant (Junjin) [RAW] 2003-11-18 Nonstop 4 E041 Between friend and brother-in-law (Junjin) [RAW] 2003-11-19 Nonstop 4 E042 Dangerous cohabitation (Junjin) [RAW] 2003-11-21 Nonstop 4 E044 The song is about love (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-11-24 Nonstop 4 E045 A spy who loved enemy (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-11-26 Nonstop 4 E046 The Spy Who Loved His Enemy (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-11-27 Nonstop 4 E047 From a boy to a man (Junjin) [RAW] 2003-11-28 Nonstop 4 E048 My love lobster (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-12-01 Nonstop 4 E049 You in my memory (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-12-03 Nonstop 4 E050 Let's study (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-12-09 Nonstop 4 E053 Born! A non-stop song (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-12-10 Nonstop 4 E054 Should I say I love you (Junjin) [RAW] 2003-12-11 Nonstop 4 E055 After confession (Junjin) [RAW] 2003-12-12 Nonstop 4 E056 Waiting for you (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-12-15 Nonstop 4 E057 Mong meets a jobless (Andy) [RAW] 2003-12-16 Nonstop 4 E058 Love messenger (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-12-17 Nonstop 4 E059 Sad loving day (Junjin) [RAW] 2003-12-18 Nonstop 4 E060 Lie for her (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-12-19 Nonstop 4 E061 Great detective brother and sister (Junjin) [RAW] 2003-12-23 Nonstop 4 E063 Slim and fat (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-12-25 Nonstop 4 E065 Geunseok's double life (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-12-29 Nonstop 4 E066 Bong met a smile-angel (Junjin) [RAW] 2003-12-30 Nonstop 4 E067 Couple making (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2003-12-31 Nonstop 4 E068 Adieu! 2003 (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-01 Nonstop 4 E069 Beautiful guy: Mong Bong scolds Mong (Junjin) [RAW] 2004-01-02 Nonstop 4 E070 Incomplete love (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-05 Nonstop 4 E071 I entrust you with Oh seobang (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-06 Nonstop 4 E072 Let's praise professor (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-07 Nonstop 4 E073 Mong, fall in love (Junjin) [RAW] 2004-01-08 Nonstop 4 E074 I can't take you (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-09 Nonstop 4 E075 Yeseul's tears (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-12 Nonstop 4 E076 The way to you (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-13 Nonstop 4 E077 Absurd couple-making (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] (problem) 2004-01-14 Nonstop 4 E078 You're a spy when you don't know her (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-15 Nonstop 4 E079 Six siblings (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-16 Nonstop 4 E080 Avoiding poverty (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-19 Nonstop 4 E081 Revenge is my power (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-20 Nonstop 4 E082 The period of one's stay in a dream room (Junjin) [RAW] 2004-01-21 Nonstop 4 E083 Bad memories about Lunar New Year (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-23 Nonstop 4 E085 Creating Roommates (Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-26 Nonstop 4 E086 My boyfriend's girlfriend (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-27 Nonstop 4 E087 Who? who? (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-29 Nonstop 4 E088 Stirred audition (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-01-30 Nonstop 4 E089 Thirsty for love always (Junjin, Andy) [RAW] 2004-02-02 Nonstop 4 E090 Jin goes abroad (Junjin, Andy) [RAW]

2004-02-03 Nonstop 4 E091 I miss you. (Andy) [RAW] 2004-02-05 Nonstop 4 E093 The first kiss (Andy) [RAW] 2004-02-09 Nonstop 4 E095 Forbidden love (Andy) [RAW] 2004-02-11 Nonstop 4 E097 Don't ask me my age (Andy) [RAW] 2004-04-09 Nonstop 4 E135 Their golden age (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-04-12 Nonstop 4 E136 Okay, You're Great (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-04-13 Nonstop 4 E137 Taekwondo VS Cheap (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-04-14 Nonstop 4 E138 Best friends (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-04-19 Nonstop 4 E140 Don't trust dreams (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-06-10 Nonstop 4 E177 A stir with firebird (Parody of Eric's drama "Firebird") (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-06-24 Nonstop 4 E187 Unbelievable (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-06-25 Nonstop 4 E188 Who are you? (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-06-28 Nonstop 4 E189 His pride (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-06-29 Nonstop 4 E190 Is it love (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-06-30 Nonstop 4 E191 To me, you're… (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-01 Nonstop 4 E192 Cinderella Mong (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-05 Nonstop 4 E194 You don't know what I'm thinking, you don't know how I feel (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-06 Nonstop 4 E195 Jealousy is Mong's power (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-07 Nonstop 4 E196 An uninvited guest (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-08 Nonstop 4 E197 I entrust you with Yeseulssi (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-09 Nonstop 4 E198 A rival appears (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-12 Nonstop 4 E199 Memories of Spin Kick (Dongwan, Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-13 Nonstop 4 E200 Too lovely Oh seobang (Dongwan, Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-14 Nonstop 4 E201 A hungry traitor (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-15 Nonstop 4 E202 Heartbreak leaves piece of music (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-16 Nonstop 4 E203 If it's for Young Eun (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-19 Nonstop 4 E204 Things that are impossible to happen to Yeseul (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-20 Nonstop 4 E205 For suffering lovers (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-21 Nonstop 4 E206 Please let Mongyoung love you! (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-22 Nonstop 4 E207 Her last wish (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-23 Nonstop 4 E208 Mong is fighting with overeating (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-26 Nonstop 4 E209 What happened at the beach (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-27 Nonstop 4 E210 Because I love you (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-07-28 Nonstop 4 E211 Chicken instead of pheasant (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-08-02 Nonstop 4 E212 Who is Yeseul's love? (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-08-04 Nonstop 4 E213 Mong's married girl (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-08-10 Nonstop 4 E217 Hyun Bin, get to know (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-08-11 Nonstop 4 E218 Please calm down (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-08-13 Nonstop 4 E220 A cold confession (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-08-16 Nonstop 4 E221 Love left to one's fate (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-08-18 Nonstop 4 E222 Temptation of air-conditioner (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-08-19 Nonstop 4 E223 The temptation of the air conditioner (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-08-23 Nonstop 4 E224 Memoirs of an attic dweller (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-08-24 Nonstop 4 E225 Runaway (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-08-26 Nonstop 4 E227 Yeseul's love method (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-08-30 Nonstop 4 E229 I can't! (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-08-31 Nonstop 4 E230 A nervous Hyunbin (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-01 Nonstop 4 E231 Kiss me, darling (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-02 Nonstop 4 E232 Gone with tears (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-06 Nonstop 4 E234 A great brother (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-07 Nonstop 4 E235 My girl (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-08 Nonstop 4 E236 Love goes away (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-09 Nonstop 4 E237 Dangerous maid (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-14 Nonstop 4 E240 Friendship of grasshopper brothers (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-15 Nonstop 4 E241 Sad love story (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-16 Nonstop 4 E242 But she's a girl (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-17 Nonstop 4 E243 Andy gets to know (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-20 Nonstop 4 E244 You're far away (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-21 Nonstop 4 E245 A letter to Young-eun (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-22 Nonstop 4 E246 I won't let you go (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-23 Nonstop 4 E247 Even Though I Hold You (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-24 Nonstop 4 E248 Our love Nonstop band (Andy) [ENG SUB] 2004-09-30 Nonstop 4 E249 Chuseok special (Nonstop 4 Special Show) (Andy) [RAW]

2005-07-14 Nonstop 5 E195 Legend of the Wind (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-07-20 Nonstop 5 E198 A Dream for Success (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-07-22 Nonstop 5 E199 Jung Rin's Boyfriend (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-07-25 Nonstop 5 E200 The Know-How-To Flattery (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-07-26 Nonstop 5 E201 Love for Even That Person (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-07-29 Nonstop 5 E204 The Birthday Which I'm Only Aware Of (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-01 Nonstop 5 E205 Betrayal (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-02 Nonstop 5 E206 For the 1 in a Lifetime (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-03 Nonstop 5 E207 To Live You Must Use Sparingly (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-05 Nonstop 5 E208 Former Life (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-08 Nonstop 5 E209 Non-Cinema's Image (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-09 Nonstop 5 E210 Red Umbrella (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-10 Nonstop 5 E211 Do You Remember Me? (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-11 Nonstop 5 E212 Finding the Lost Sound (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-12 Nonstop 5 E213 Mong Bang Friends (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-15 Nonstop 5 E214 Mastering the English Language Completely (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-17 Nonstop 5 E215 To Your Side (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-18 Nonstop 5 E216 Expert in Acting (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-22 Nonstop 5 E218 Bohemian's Priorities (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-23 Nonstop 5 E219 The Hero We Crushed (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-24 Nonstop 5 E220 The memory that disappeared (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-25 Nonstop 5 E221 Best Friend (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-26 Nonstop 5 E222 10 Years Later (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-08-29 Nonstop 5 E223 Dancing with Her (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-09-01 Nonstop 5 E226 Can Love be Interpreted (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-09-02 Nonstop 5 E227 I am a Woman Too (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-09-08 Nonstop 5 E230 My Adolescent Confession (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-09-09 Nonstop 5 E231 On Your Birthday (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-09-12 Nonstop 5 E232 She, Who I Loved (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-09-21 Nonstop 5 E237 You're Perfect To Me (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-09-22 Nonstop 5 E238 Runaway (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-09-26 Nonstop 5 E240 Charlie's Angels (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-09-27 Nonstop 5 E241 Although I See Her (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-09-28 Nonstop 5 E242 I Run (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-09-29 Nonstop 5 E243 The First Date (Minwoo) [RAW] 2005-10-03 Nonstop 5 E244 Family (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-10-04 Nonstop 5 E245 Leaving Home by Train (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-10-05 Nonstop 5 E246 Last Confession (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-10-06 Nonstop 5 E247 I Wish I Could Forget (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-10-07 Nonstop 5 E248 Life Depands on 3 Legged Faith (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-10-10 Nonstop 5 E249 When You Need a Boyfriend (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-10-11 Nonstop 5 E250 My Boyfriend's Secret (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-10-12 Nonstop 5 E251 Selfish Love (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-10-13 Nonstop 5 E252 The Road to Letting You Go (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-10-14 Nonstop 5 E253 Father (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-10-18 Nonstop 5 E255 Good Bye... Non Cine... (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] 2005-10-21 Nonstop 5 E257 Hello Non-Cine?!...Part 2 (Minwoo) [ENG SUB] (short)

[duyeqing]

Spoiler to the show.

PLEASE TURN ON the CC for Eng sub

TTEOTM

Come and see the story of my life -Tantai Jin

😫😭 translated: Nothing, there's nothing. Sincerely and fearfully, I now understand This perplexing and restless life of mine I still have to walk alone Come, all come Unceasing fists This humble and fragile body of mine Facing the truth, I move forward I fantasize, gaze, and beg for it Look at me, look at me please But as it transcends time, transcends separation, it tells me save it, I can only fend for myself The daylight will rise Shed tears, Shed a drop of tears let it illuminates me translucent doted everywhere, they are black stars

[he shall be born via matricide] [Grew among affluence and upper elite] [but suffer from neglect and degradation]

[he shall ascend to the top] [experience the feel of superiority] [ride on the crest of success, gaze upon the world]

[then let him fall to the abyss] [encounter betrayal and resentment]

[despite heavenly ordained controlling the world] [still cannot escape familial strife spousal estrangement]

[he shall walks the so-called righteous path, gaining the warmth from friends and mentor] [only to realize it's all an illusion in the end, become demon by killing his mentor]

gone, all gone Sincerely and fearfully, I now understand This perplexing and troubled life of mine I still have to walk alone I only need a pair of tearful eyes To see all the sins along my way I want a long, mournful cry To commemorate the injustices I've endured I need a pair of hands waiting at the end To block my final trace of weakness Because these shattered bones that move forward Are reborn in this moment of light

[Tantai Jin you become me I become you the end result is the same]

[although the love I recieved may be little but it isn't none at all]

[this is the end of you and me] good bye I know there was never a way back I can only walk, keep walking, and walk along Just let it be Drifting, drifting

[jokeroutsubs]

Audio + CC link: https://youtu.be/ulyrcg0Fmqw

ENG SUB: JokerOutSubs x RADIOAktivno collab: 'Umazane misli' Album Presentation

We are very happy to have been able to collaborate with Boštjan Najžar from RadioAKTIVNO podcast (Facebook, YouTube), who very kindly reuploaded the removed video on YouTube again and agreed to collaborate with us by adding subtitles!

Below you can find the transcription of our translation of the interview, which originally aired on 23.11.2021, on Radio Prlek/RADIOAktivno YouTube channel.

Everyone: We are Joker Out.

Bojan: And you are listening to RADIOaktivno.

Boštjan: We've heard 'Gola' by Joker Out, from the album 'Umazane Misli'. Today with me on the RADIOaktivno show on Radio Prlek all the members, Martin, Jure, Kris, Bojan and Jan.

Everyone: Hello.

Do you have any dirty thoughts?

Jan: Every day. Yes, more and more. That's what connects us, that's what's always stuck with us. I think we're born with dirty thoughts. We've just released that on a CD.

Now you have finally made them public.

Bojan: Yes, it took a while, but these dirty thoughts have changed in the last two years, since the album should, in theory, have been released originally, they have evolved a lot. And they have evolved in such a way that we are now really very happy with them. So, yeah, the physical form is finally with us.

Anyway, Joker Out, you've been playing your cards successfully for a few years now. Are there many Jokers in the game?

Kris: Yes, there are exactly five in the game, right? Each one special in their own way. That specialness and dirty thoughts, as they say, unite us, too, don't they. I don't know what else to add to that.

Do you play cards?

Jure: Do we play cards? No. Socially, we don't play cards. No. 

Bojan: We’ve actually never played cards.

Jan: We were at the casino last time.

Bojan: Hey, we were. And on average, I think, we were in a deficit, just two euros in total, or four.

Jan: Something like that.

That's a good result.

Bojan: Really good.

Kris: So kids, don't go to the casino.

Bojan: Yes. You will always lose.

Five Jokers, well connected.

Martin: Seems pretty well connected to me. We kind of complement each other nicely in what we create and what we do. What else can I say? Well, if there are only two Jokers in a deck, here we have five. Kind of.

Bojan: Like the Power Rangers.

Jan: Yes. Power Rangers. Power Rangers. Power Out. Joker.

Bojan: Is there a pink Power Ranger?

Jan: Joker Rangers.

Martin: There's a pink Power Ranger.

Bojan: I am the pink Power Ranger. Bojan.

So does each one choose his own colour, or is it assigned to a particular member?

Kris: Yes, I think basically the colour is assigned based on his character and temperament. So maybe pink really suits Bojan, yes.

Kris, which one for you?

Kris: Yes, I don't know which Power Rangers are left.

Bojan: Red, yellow, green.

Jan: You can have one of your own.

Bojan: Black.

Kris: Is Jan the black one?

Bojan: Jan is the black one.

Kris: Jan is the black one, right.

Bojan: Jure is the yellow one, right?

Jure: Am I the yellow one, or what?

Kris: Is he the yellow one?

Martin: Nooo.

Bojan: Yes, I don't know, is it?

Kris: I would say, the green one?

Jure: Green.

Kris: Jure is...

Bojan: Green.

Jure: Well, come on.

Kris: Hey, what's left, red and blue still, Jurko?

Martin: Yes, yes.

Jan: Jurko is more…Martin is more the blue one.

Kris: Well, I'm the red one and Martin is the blue one.

Power Rangers are always in action, are you always in action too?

Martin: Yes, especially lately, I think, that we're pretty much in action. Well, from all points of view, musical and others, socially. What else can I say on this topic?

Jure: There's a big thing in the works right now. So, we have to split up the tasks and that's it, yes.

But there's a lot of "sweet" work now?

Jure: Yes, yes and no, right?

Bojan: If you interpret it that way, it's much easier. If you tell yourself that it's "sweet" work, then many things that originally are not directly related to music, but are just things that we have to do along the way, to be successful, it could work, after all. We have a lot of "sweet" worries, we often have worries that we would like to or be able to give to someone who tolerates them better than we do, or just not have them.

Kris, were you going to add something else?

Kris: I just wanted to say that there's a lot of sweet powder as well. To get this, the context of one of the songs will come in handy.

UMAZANE MISLI

Gola' was the opening track, the second will be the title track for the album, 'Umazane misli'.

Bojan: Yes, 'Umazane misli' is one of those extremely upbeat, good-mood songs, which was kind of our attempt at Brit pop and we feel that it was very much the beginning of a certain vibe that we would like to maintain. It's also a very particular song because it was sung by one of my classmates from college, who had never sung or stood in front of a microphone in her life, so it has that touch of naivety. So yes, a very beautiful song that I hope we'll listen to.

Umazane misli' by Joker Out's album with the same name. You are a five-member band, I read online, you started from the ruins of Apokalipsa, in 2016.

Bojan: Yes, on the ruins of Apokalipsa and then Buržuazija (Bourgeoisie). These were the two bands that kind of broke up and then formed this current whole. Except for Jurček, Jurček joined us this January from the ruins of many other bands where he was forged.

But Buržuazija is still active. So you have taken away a member from them?

Jan: Yes, they got replaced. I mean, no matter what, Buržuazija always finds a way to its position.

Kris: True. The class struggle continues.

Jan: But, yes. I mean, this is a band that's replaced every member five times, at least, so...

Bojan: They're really a living organism.

Jan: Resilient. They're resilient, yes.

Martin: That's the question, right, if you replace every part of the boat, is it still the same boat?

Bojan: No, it's not the same boat, but it is a very good thing for Buržuazija, because I would say they are in the best possible shape right now. Maybe I dissed Jan and Kris with that, because it wasn't so good when they were there, but yes... Great band, still, or rather now.

Kris: Yet I 'Still' ('Vedno') enjoy it.

Jan: Yes, that.

Then today, Jure, you are actually the youngest member, joining the band?

Jure: Oldest member but youngest in the band, yes, I think.

In experience with Joker Out, I mean.

Jure: In experience with Joker Out, yes.

Bojan: He's the only one with a sweater on, so actually, kind of, the levels balance out.

Jure: I try to get on your level.

Have you received him nicely?

Kris: Absolutely. He's fitted himself in so perfectly into our band that I actually sometimes forget that we've been together for... - Just... - ...less than a year.

Bojan: He still has to adress us formally and eat at a separate table.

Jan: He did make us a really great roast once, so that's when we finally accepted him into our band.

Bojan: True, yes.

So you also have entrance exams in the group?

Bojan: Informal ones.

Given that Jure is cooking a roast to enter the group, what did the others do then to get in?

Martin: That is only for the members of Joker Out to know, right? Something like that.

Anyway, we first got in touch in 2017, Kris texted me then that you had a song, if it could be presented on the radio. If we could do an interview, but then Kris immediately left Bojan holding the bag.

Kris: Yes, that's when I, I don't know, I think I got lists from my mum of 30 music editors and we wrote to everyone when we released our first single 'Omamljeno telo' and I was genuinely surprised and I thank you, for even answering, so thank you very much. I really did, however, leave Bojan holding the bag at the time and still, I would do it again. That's just the duty of the frontman, or how should I say it? He has privileges and duties.

Usually the frontman is the most exposed member of the band.

Bojan: Yes, that's just kind of how it goes generally, but I will say that we have, especially in the last few months and in this final process of making the album, greatly expanded the public exposure of the whole band. And I personally would like to see this be brought to the maximum level, if possible, so to say, to be as exposed as possible. Not only because I find it to be right, but because I also sometimes feel like not going to every single thing.

VEM DA GREŠ

The next song will be 'Vem, da greš'.

Kris: What can I say about this track, listen to Bojan's sufferings.

Bojan: No, we have one interesting thing about 'Vem, da greš'. Vem, da greš' had three forms. It was a very slow balladic song at the beginning, but it kind of got on our nerves during the recording process and we didn't know what to do. We ended up speeding it up a lot. Mark Pirc, our video producer, had to edit the whole video again and shorten it by one minute, because we'd also shortened the song. Jan recorded the last guitar parts two hours before we sent the song to be mixed, so two months of work was practically in the trash, in such a bombastically short time before the mix itself.

Kris: May I add, it doesn't look to me like it was all garbage, because we would never have come up with this in the last four hours if we hadn't done that two months before.

Bojan: But Žarko clicked 'move to trash', 'delete'.

But then it was left in the bin anyway?

Bojan: It was left in the bin, yes. And also on his old computer, so we'll never hear that stuff again, even if we wanted to.

You've been accumulating experience on stage for quite some time, from various competitions and things like that.

Kris: Yes, it's true, as soon as we formed as a band, we also started looking for gigs, because we knew it was the only way for people to actually hear our music and feel it. Because what you see on YouTube, maybe doesn't capture you as much as live music. And there are, basically, at least for young bands in Slovenia, quite a lot of opportunities to show off, various competitions and bands battles and so on. And we've entered everything. Even when we weren't playing well, we thought we were better than everybody and we went to play. And basically, well, apart from showing off to the audience, you also get to know a lot of the young music scene, with whom it's very good to link, and I think that this has also helped us a lot in the long term.

What has it given you?

Martin: First of all, I think that these opportunities make it possible for young bands to come out of some kind of closed space, where they feel comfortable since they practice in front of each other and create some music to perform and show what they've been creating for the audience and let's them see how the audience reacts or, especially, how they don't react to your music at the beginning and it gives you some first experiences that are very important for then performing in front of larger audiences on bigger stages.

How is it, being in such competitions or opening for a more famous band that has stage experience behind them?

Jan: The first time we played as the opening act for Big Foot Mama in Domžale, I kind of felt so privileged, I was, I think, so privileged to be able to take part in it. So without going through that and being an opening act to bigger bands, also you can't become what they are now. So, 25 years ago, yeah. So, yes, it was interesting to feel a really big stage for the first time, right. And now we're kind of almost used to it, I think.

Kris: Do you know the song 'Garbage Hip Hop?'

Today it's different when you're the one on stage.

Jure: I don't know, I don't know if it's different. I think you have to make the same effort. You have to make the same effort. Maybe, okay, now people, people maybe percieve the opening act and the main band a little differently. But still, if you play what you what you agreed on, if you have good energy, communicate with people, it doesn't matter whether you're the opening act or the main band.

Bojan: Are you going to tell me that you don't feel a thousand times sexier on stage right now, than you did then? Don't lie.

Jure: No, no, I don't know if I do. No. I mean, I'm at the back, I'm the drummer, it's the same to me.

Bojan: Drummers, poor drummers, they never see the crowd and they can't even be seen on stage. But we'll buy you a pedestal, my dude, three metres high, dude, for everybody to see.

Jure: Lights.

Bojan: Then you're gonna see.

How do you feel as a singer now, when you're the frontman in a band and you have an opening act, compared to when you were the opening act?

Bojan: Yes, it's really one of those interesting leaps that we actually can't believe has already been made, I will say, honestly, as if we were just now realising that we had come to this point that someone is our opening act. We really do have a lot, a lot of work to do. But we are very happy to do a concert and there's somebody else before us. But we know that this role was ours, literally, for the last four years and we have always welcomed it with the greatest joy and pride. And it's a must on every musician's journey, so, yes, we're looking forward to a lot more opening acts, and hopefully as many as possible, that then will be back as the main ones, in the future.

To make the competition fiercer?

Bojan: Absolutely, I think that without good and healthy competition, there is no scene at all. So the more musicians we have, that are growing and that people are listening to, the more we will have an audience that wants Slovenian music.

PROTI TOKU

Is 'Proti toku' next?

Jure: Proti toku', that's a new song, yes. We finished this one together, right? After I joined the band. So, this is one of the latest ones. I don't know what else to say, 'Proti toku'.

Kris: Okay, so 'Proti toku' is the first track, you're going to hear from our new album and it's brand new. It's actually fairly well known amongst our audience, because we've been performing it for at least three years, I believe. But it's in a completely new format because we turned it upside down three times in the studio and we hope you like it.

Considering your music, are you a rock band?

Martin: We're definitely a rock band. By the way, we discussed this just yesterday, how as young performers, well, we are still young performers, but in the early days, we didn't know exactly how to define our genre. When we were asked what our genre is, and we were maybe a bit thoughtless, or you could say thoughtful, when we replied that our genre was 'Shagadelic' rock and roll, which is still what we all agree on.

And if we translate that, what is that supposed to mean? We know that there are many different kinds of rock.

Martin: I don't know how to translate that, as somehow...

Bojan: Fuckable is a literal translation. Fuckable.

Then we know which audience you are targeting most.

Bojan: Yes, everyone who is looking for...

Kris: Middle-aged males.

(laughter)

Jan: I mean, yeah, yeah, we are rock, right? I mean, rock isn't just leather trousers and beer, it's also smart clothes and beer.

Bojan: It's the eternal question of defining who is rock and who isn't. In our band there are three electric guitars, a bass and drums and I think the sound of our guitars is distorted. I don't know what else people want from us. Now, the fact that we're young, obviously, objectively speaking, girls find us charming, obviously degrades us into not being rock or something, according to many people. But sorry, not sorry, Guns N'Roses will never be on our setlist.

Were you in a dilemma at the beginning about what to play and which direction to follow?

Jan: We definitely were. I think we have quite different musical backgrounds. At least I was a little bit more metal at the beginning, which didn't really suit the other members, because Bojan doesn't sing "raaah". His voice is more delicate. Then, yeah, we explored a little bit, experimented some more with funk, but it didn't work out, because we just aren't... that funky, well, but... So, yeah, in a bit of a roundabout way we've reached this Shagadelic style, which we still hold on to.

How many adjustments were there at the beginning then? And brainstorming, different ideas, ways of looking at where to go and how to move forward?

Kris: Ugh...

Others: We still do that a lot. - It still happens.

Kris: That's constant. It's always present. It's a shouting match and the loudest one... No, no...

Bojan: And if you shout the loudest, you win.

Kris: Yeah, yeah. No, but seriously usually we had very different ideas, but somehow we at least let everyone speak their mind, and if it was really bad, it was just... Like that, the rest... But if anybody had a half decent...

Jan: Why are you looking at me now? (laughter)

Kris: Sorry... (laughter). But if anyone had a half decent idea we were like, okay, let's go and try to develop it and somehow we've always found a joint thread, invariably.

Would you also take a vote when you create then? To vote, like in a democratic fashion?

Jure: No, we don't, we don't take votes.

Bojan: Žare has this...

Jure: Yes, we do understand and know each other enough, so we know exactly which buttons we can and can't push.

Bojan: Our opinions don't really count, because in the end, Žare has the last word.

The producer has it then.

Bojan: Right, yes. We often bring the arrangement and then after 25 seconds we're faced with dissaproval and a horrified look on the face of Žare Pak, so we have to get back and rehearse ASAP.

The expression says it all.

Bojan: It tells it all. All of it, all of it.

Jan: And the vowel, right?

Bojan: He uses a vowel, ə... - əəə...

Several members: əəə...

Martin: Which we hear quite often in the band, right?

Bojan: Now we can write a book called 'The Thousand and One ə'. And Žare, we'll basically take Žare's, we'll write a whole book out of one ə.

After all, the Slovene language also has several e's.

Bojan: There are more, but believe me, Žarko probably knows even more of them.

DOPAMIN

Next up will be 'Dopamin'.

Martin: Dopamin' is a very exciting song from the album, because it's quite different from the others but it's still Shagadelic and it's ours and you can hear that. Although we kind of went out of our comfort zone creating it and what's particularly interesting to me, it's how well the fans have embraced it. So let's listen to 'Dopamin'.

Kris: Dopamin' is actually the best song to play after this whole rock 'n' roll debate we just had. It's a song that was essentially created two weeks ago, let's say, to completion. We had already been working on it with no real progress for a year and a half, because we, I had lots of different lyrics, this is actually a song I wrote, lyrics and melody for the most part, the only one on the album, and there was constant back and forth between Bojan and me, who's going to give in and when will the final version of the song be good enough.

Bojan: Yes, I would like to say that I am extremely happy, that Kris's debut made it onto the album and I'm not apologising to him one bit for any rejections that may have come his way, because they've led to a great song.

You have ten songs on the album, is there more material, is this a selection?

Jan: Yes, we've written at least 70 thousand songs in our life, but...

Martin & Bojan: They're cherry-picked.

Jan: They're cherry-picked, right. It's the cream of the cream of the crop. Well, yes, there is already more material coming up for the next album, which will be released at some point we've written at least one song.

Bojan: And a half.

Jan: One song and a half, yes.

Martin: Which won't pass the ə-test, right. The ə-test we were discussing earlier, so we'll see what happens.

Bojan: People always want to know how many E's are in their food, but we're interested in how many ə's are in Žare's answer.

There can be a lot of ə's in the studio with this technique.

Bojan: Loads.

Although I do miss some songs from your ealier period on the album. Have you separated then those perfect beginnings from the more recent period?

Bojan: Yes, actually we said that we would like this album to sound cohesive and represent our choices for example which period defined the Joker Out people know now. We have many songs that were part of our beginning, and we're not ashamed of them at all, but we feel that maybe they stylistically and sonically don't belong on this tangible product we have in front of us now. But we're discussing how and in what way we can put them into, if possible, physical form, and present them to the whole of Slovenia.

How do you go about creating then? Do you have a dedicated person who does the music? who writes the lyrics, or do you work together?

Bojan: I mean, people from the label usually come in, bring all the material...

Jure: And the money.

Bojan: We go to the photoshoots, pose and smile, do some interviews.

That's what most listeners think, but I know that's not the case.

Martin: I have one comment. Yes, this, this label is the Cultural Arts Association Joker Out, isn't it?

Bojan: Yes

Martin: Kind of. This label takes care of the whole creative process, finance and everything else, really, so we're pretty much the ones to blame for our own fate.

Kris: Right, in fact, this is how our creation process flows, as far as music is concerned, we all work together. You can start a song by, let's say Bojan or I can start making a framework for the song, with the lyrics and the melody, or someone could bring a melody on guitar to the rehearsals, a groove on the drums, like, a chord progression and we just build from there and then usually Bojan will write some lyrics over it and the melody and then we build it up until the producer screws it up, as we've mentioned a couple of times today and then we try to glue the pieces back together somehow.

Bojan: We're doing a mosaic, through and through.

Kris: Yeah, yeah, right, right. But in the end, the suffering is always worth it, obviously.

So gluing is popular with you, too.

Jure: Gluing is popular? Yes, it is. I mean.

You take a little bit from this song and cut up the other one.

Jure: Exactly. We can't do without it, yes. But it's more Žare's job, it's what he does.. We put together some stuff when we rehearse, we think it's nice, we record it, we're like, okay, smashing, let's go to the concert and let's promote it. And then we get to the studio our plans crumble..

Martin: As a label we have everything ready, but then we're just not on the same page as our producer.

Bojan, then you're the one who's responsible for the lyrics?

Bojan: Yeah, most of the lyrics on the album are mine, yeah.

Jan: Or the main culprits for the lyrics are the girls, who captivated Bojan in our favour.

Are there many of them?

Bojan: Well, you know how, I'm fascinated by, not only by the girls, girls as well, of course, but I'm fascinated by everyday things, a glimpse of... Every single glimpse of the world can fascinate you or disappoint you. When I write it's more often out of disappointment than out of fascination. But yes, I think there is a lot of inspiration around us.

BARVE OCEANA

Next up will be 'Barve oceana'.

Jan: The next song is 'Barve oceana', yeah. It's a song which has the colours of the ocean. Well it's also a song, that's undergone quite a lot of changes. At the end we added one genius synthesizer sound.

Bojan: We used this weird organ belonging to Žare from the '70s.

Jan: Žare's organ from the 70's, pardon me.

Martin: From Sweden.

Jan: Yeah, does anyone else have anything to say?

Bojan: Was that all you had to say, because...

Jan: I don't know, dude. What would you add?

Bojan: Yeah, 'Barve oceana' is one of those songs, that conveys, I'd say, not discontent, but more of a concern about the direction our society is heading in. Our consumption is increasing and very few people ask themselves what they can give back. It's about a certain desire to distance yourself from the material towards, let's say, the more elemental realm.

You've won several music awards recently, in the last two years, I believe?

Bojan: Yes, in 2019 we were awarded the Golden Flute for Newcomer of the Year. In 2020, we received the Golden Flute for Artists of the Year. This year, our song 'Umazane misli' also won the Radio Maribor and SI Frišno Award the favourite song by audience vote in the previous year. I don't know, did we win any other awards? Except...

Martin: Yes, there's one coming up. So, the publishing house Cultural Arts Association Joker Out, will be honouring Joker Out with the most Shagadelic record of the year award, so we're expecting it and looking forward to it. (laughter)

And you'll probably get a plaque as well, a gold or diamond record for record sales.

Martin: That's right, because that's what the label would give to the band. So we haven't decided on the colour yet, we're considering platinum, diamond. But we're going to discuss it at the label and then present it to the band, something like that.

What do such high sales mean?

Martin: Yes, it means that basically the CD as a product is not just for listening to music, it's also an experience for the listener. We've put a lot of effort into the design of the CD and I think it's a good looking tangible product. But at the same time, the listeners support us by buying it, so we're very grateful.

Is it just storefront sales or does it include digital sales as well?

Bojan: Digital sales as well. Actually there are some standards applicable, in terms of how many streams count as an album sold. We, of course, do not follow them in any way, because we're self-published and we can totally get away with it. So when Martin said, we're going to give ourselves one award, I believe we'll be handing out many. It is because when people come to our place, it will look like we've already got decades of awards behind us.

Earlier, you also mentioned that you participated in the Frišno Fresh festival and played with the Big Band. How did that feel, when your song actually got a whole new arrangement?

Bojan: It was phenomenal, because we, I'll say, we're all fans of the musicians, who were in the line-up. Maybe Jan's words after the concert or during the concert would best describe what it meant to us.

Jan: Yes, I listened to the band perform this song and I've been a long-time fan of Primož Grašič and Blaž Jurjevčič. And when I watched Grašič, let's say, as he played my piece, I got... It was just a special, special feeling. It was just... Yes, exactly.

Bojan: Emotional.

Jan: Emotional.

Bojan: Please don't cry Jan, it's okay. We're wiping away tears, it's okay.

But overall, all the compositions sounded very good.

Jan: Yeah, really, I mean, those are really world class musicians, kudos to the arrangers and the mothers who gave birth to them. So, yeah, basically, I just didn't see it coming. But it was refreshing to hear these songs, we hear on the radio on a regular basis in a slightly more jazz-like style.

Did you have a part in making the arrangements?

Bojan: No.

Kris: Yes, in fact, technically speaking we did, because we noticed that they took the original arrangement and incorporated certain harmonies into the new one. Which is actually quite an honour for us. That such accomplished jazz musicians...

Bojan: They weren't above it.

Kris: ...incorporated our amateur harmonies into their grandiose compositions.

METULJI

Metulji' is next.

Bojan: Metulji' is a song that was written, let's say, at the same time as 'Omamljeno telo'. In 2017, that is. Our biggest issue with this song was, that it had a very Yugo-nostalgic rock feel to it, which was not the sound we wanted. We just didn't know how to manifest what we heard in our heads. and that's why we decided at the time not to record the song. And that's why we only recorded 'Omamljeno telo'. But now this song has got, as far as I'm concerned, exactly the sound I always imagined, and I didn't know how to recognise it or explain it. Daniel Bogataj joined us for the arrangement, and another violinist (f) who... Daniel did the arrangement for strings and also recorded most of the string sections. So the song is very special, I'll say, as far as our album is concerned, it has a slightly more classical feel to it and it's also my personal favourite.

The promotion is already behind you, as you can read online, the response has been great.

Kris: Yeah, in fact it's hard to believe, that it's really all over. I, I believe, I speak for all of us here, when I say that I haven't really gotten down to earth yet from the whole thing. It has been quite an incredible experience. Both nights, the energy was high, Cvetličarna was packed. Who would have thought? Certainly not us five years ago.

Jure: We had no idea even back in September. In the middle of September we were, we were like Cvetka, we know it's happening, we can start renovating our place now. So we started to renovate the place, all of it, and then it was the end of September, okay, we were clearly lagging. So we had to find a new rehearsal place, so we were able to rehearse at all.

Bojan: Because of how many metres of timber we do now have in our place waiting for us?

Jure:Yes, far too many cubic metres of timber. We installed drywalls, the whole thing. We were filthy and then we had to sit down and pick up the instruments. And we had to rehearse and work for the whole month. It was really exhausting.

Now then, while you're renovating the place, or your rehearsal space, do you have dirty thoughts as well?

Jure: We had dirty hands.

Bojan: Hands, yeah.

Martin: And everything else.

Bojan: Sweet powder and white dreams. The was a lot of dust, because we had to sand the drywall, it was all over the place. And we ended up painting it white so it became a kind of... a shiny white space, our white dream. So, yes, we will also have a new rehearsal space soon and we'll personally and we'll personally invite you to the opening, so we can talk a bit, record something, you can see all these mighty accolades.

That's what I'm interested in, yes, to take a photo and release it to the public, into the world.

Bojan: Absolutely. I think the world needs to see it. It's imperative.

Do you already have a designer(f) for the awards?

Martin: Actually, we don't have one yet. But I promise we really will do our best with these awards, so maybe another band will join our label eager for the awards. We can also make some additional plans with them.

Jure: But that would mean some serious money, you know.

Others: Money talks.

Martin: Money talks, let's just put it that way.

Kris: When we sign the contract, we can go for a beer together.

Bojan: The only negative thing, I have to add, about applauding yourself in self-publishing, is that you pay for the awards yourself. So, we borrowed a lot of money as a band for these awards, but it's all worth it for the glitz and glamour.

Will the other band coming to your label, be called Joker In then?

Martin: Yeah, we'll see about that.

Jure: A wedding band, you know?

Martin: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Bojan: That's what they are, for weddings. A medley of Dalmatian songs, yeah. A six-hour repertoire, no biggie, and you can hire us from next April onwards, thank you.

Martin: Kidding aside, we've already received these kind of requests. For Dalmatian songs, weddings and stuff.

Bojan: Oh, yeah. I once made a joke on Val 202, when the host asked us about our repertoire, how many songs we performed, and I jokingly mentioned, that we also play a medley of Dalmatian songs, and then we received a couple of requests in the mail for birthdays and weddings.

Martin: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Jure: Oh, my.

When you're conditioning, you need to get as fit, as, let's say, the musicians out there on the rafts in Belgrade who play for eight hours straight without taking a break.

Bojan: But for the moment, I'll just say, that as far as the rafts go, we only ever go there to party. Otherwise, yeah, we've played once or twice with other bands at the same event and when the guys told us, how long their setlists were, we realised, that with one gig, they actually perform as much as we do in month, so...

Martin: But the guys also benefit financially, don't they.

A SEM TI POVEDAL

The next one will be 'A sem ti povedal'.

Kris: A sem ti povedal' is another exciting track from our album.

Bojan: They're all exciting...

Kris: Come on, they're all exciting songs, especially the exciting ones. It's special because it perhaps has the hardest sound...

Martin: It's dark, dark.

Kris: The hardest, darkest amongst all the songs on the album and for an extra touch of eroticism Erazem Grafenauer has recorded a classical guitar intro.

I've read somewhere that this is the most anticipated album of the year.

Bojan: Yeah, for us it is.

Jan: Yeah.

Bojan: We've been busy making it.

And last but not least, for the fans.

Bojan: There's absolutely a lot of people who couldn't wait for this album to be released.

Jan: Amongst others, the five of us.

Bojan: Amongst others, the five of us, most of all, definitely our parents. But, unfortunately, there were, unfortunately, the circumstances didn't allow us to get the album out sooner than we did. And we're glad we've released it now and that we have been able to introduce it to the world with these two concerts. So we have no idea if it's the most anticipated one. For us it was absolutely the most anticipated. But we hope that if this one wasn't, the next one will be.

You've placed yourself on the cover in colours.

Jan: Yes, in the colours of the ocean and the Power Rangers. Yes, we went to shoot that cover or the cover photo to a mansion.

Bojan: To Rogaška Slatina..

Jan: In Rogaška Slatina, yes. Jan Pirnat took the photo. So, yeah, basically this light beam represents our path as it bounces off various walls and eventually finds its way to the top.

Bojan: Plus, there is another explanation, that this beam basically represents the dirty thoughts that confront us, penetrate through us, and are then projected out into the world.

To the audience.

Bojan: That's right.

Otherwise, you also invest a lot in video production. In fact, you seem to support every single with a video.

Kris: Yeah, it seems to me the only right thing to do is to support every single with a video. Even if you don't, if we didn't want to, it's the modern standard. And many people might disagree, that we invest a lot in video production.

Martin: But we do.

Kris: We are making a huge effort. And the main thing is when we do videos, we also like to be involved in the actual writing of the script. and deciding what it's going to be about.

Jan: Every time we draw straws to see who's next, who's going to sacrifice a kidney for the production.

Bojan: Exactly. That's exactly it. We are missing a few kidneys in the band because of these videos.

Can your music be accessed via Facebook or in another way, through your website?

Martin: Our music is actually accessible, we've tried to make it accessible, it's virtually everywhere on the internet and through Facebook, Instagram, now even on TikTok. Maybe the label will consider, if it's worth releasing a TikTok single, because that's supposedly popular right now. Anyway, it's something to think about, but it's exciting. And we have a website, we're putting a lot of effort into it ourselves, to make it as organised as possible and appealing to everyone. Since the other day, you can also buy our CDs, T-shirts and sweatshirts and everything else to support the band, so we don't have to sacrifice as many kidneys in the future.

Kris: If not, there are also Russian torrent sites. Everything is available there as well.

Bojan: Besides, we sing in the Cyrillic alphabet,right?

But with advice like that, there will actually be one golden or platinum record less.

Kris: Yeah, what can I say, we have ourselves to blame.

Martin: Well, we also have one more record for torrent listeners, So basically, we are on trend, it seems to me, in this respect.

Kris: The ones from the Russian websites, are in this red and gold, very communist style, this...

BELE SANJE

Next up is 'Bele sanje'.

Kris: Yeah, that song, when we perform live, Bojan always mentions that it's about nightlife horrors. So, listen up.

To conclude, will you be applying for EMA?

Bojan: Hey, is that a girl, or what?

Bojan knows the girl quite well.

Bojan: Honestly, there hasn't been serious consideration of applying for EMA. Maybe if we ever get carried away. But it seems to us that now that Måneskin has won it would be a bit, how do you say, tacky, imitative, for us to give it a try now. Like, now it's an obvious recipe for victory. So we are waiting when the next extreme will emerge, that's totally the opposite of our band, and win Eurovision, and next year we'll apply.

Jure: Well, we would need some support. No, not for going to EMA...

Bojan: 100 million euros.

Jure: You've got a new piece of music and... You put on a show... and that's where it ends.

Bojan: That's it. Let's say 100 million euros of support would be lovely. If we can manage.

Martin: We'll ask the label to pay for it.

Jure: Or if you buy the merch, well, maybe. Or if someone... [inaudible]

Anyway, as I understand you are already creating new material?

Jure: We are creating new material. If not with guitars, then at least in our minds. So... It's forever bubbling in the depths of our ever-dirty minds.

Anyway, I guess, now you're aiming for as many stages as possible, and the listeners are welcome to check the schedule on all the social media sites...

Martin: And on the website

... because it can vary from day to day, right?

Kris: Yeah, at the moment, we have a lot of interest for our gigs up to the end of the year and we hope we'll be able to have I'm knocking on wood, 10 to 15 concerts more and it will basically serve as...

Bojan: A mini-tour.

Kris: A mini-tour for the 'Umazane misli' album launch. We begin... a couple of days ago we performed at Rakičan castle, it was awesome.

Otherwise, again, as Martin says, we should mention the website, because you're one of the few bands that still maintains it.

Martin: Right, but it's interesting that we set up this website as some kind of vital inconvenience, and it turns out that people really like to visit the website where you can always find information, where in your vicinity we are going to perform in the near future, and all other relevant news.

OMAMLJENO TELO

We will end with the song 'Omamljeno'.

Jan: Its full title is 'Omamljeno telo'. It's basically our earliest track on this album, which you can tell from Bojan's slightly more boyish voice.

Bojan: And Tomi Meglič impersonation.

Jan: Yeah, right.

Jan: ♪ For you ♪

Bojan: ♪ to conjure up... ♪

Jan: But yeah, I think this song is excting because, it is the same now, when it is released, as when it was created, on one of the first ever rehearsals.

Bojan: It's the only song actually, we brought into the studio and that's exactly how we recorded it.

Jan: We knew exactly what it should be and that's how it remained.

This is our final song. Jan, Bojan, Kris, Jure and Martin, thank you, for being guests on the RADIOaktivno show at Radio Prlek. Have a successful and most productive future.

Jan: Thank you very much for inviting us.

Others: Thank you.

Bojan: Thank you very much for the invitation, we wish you the same.

Kris: We will come again sometime.

Martin: We hope to be back with you soon.

I hope so.

Martin: We do too, thank you.

-~-~-~

Transcript + translation by: drumbeat and @varianestoroff, ENG review by IG Gboleyn123, CC by drumbeat, Tumblr transcript by @kurooscoffee.

DO NOT REPOST, and if you quote, please link back!

[fairchildsbett]

cüneyd güneş | BLUE (cc for eng subs)

“you were born reaching for your mother’s hands, victim of your father’s plans to rule the world”... 

[miss-miko]

For anyone who love Kamigami no asobi- Besides of full english translated playthrough i will make a guide for all characters.

Playthrough (eng sub) will be on my youtube-> https://youtube.com/@mikaido100?si=NkJlRixHKUzMn7H5

Guide in english will be here in tublr, also probably on discriptions in video/s.

With every published route i will publish also a route, then i will publish all of them again just in one file ig. We'll see.

If i will have good mood in future maybe i will publish my english translations for untranslated routes (Tsukito, Anubis, Thoth, Dionysus, Akira, Melissa, Thor)

All decisions about routes(and more) are based on community votes in my channel, so if you want have a voice go there! 💕

Plans for game projects:

Kamigami no Asobi

Utapri all stars

Diabolik Lovers: Chaos lineage

Plans for CD Drama projects:

Diabolik Lovers: Eternal Blood

Diabolik Lovers: Born to Die

Diabolik Lovers: Zero

It will take some time because we're just 2 person(!) team-please be patient and keep it in mind~

Hope you all for support in this and other future projects 🖤

[aoihono96]

[DLD] Stage play “Vanitas no Carte“ stream English subtitle

Hello everyone! As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ll try to upload other subtitles I’ve been working on, so here comes another one.

Looking forward to the reprise of the stage, I present you the English subtitle for the stage “Vanitas no Carte“. About the story:

Scorned by others of his kind for being born under a blue moon, the vampire Vanitas grew afraid and desolate. According to legend, he created a cursed grimoire known as the "Book of Vanitas," and it is said he would one day use it to bring retribution upon all vampires of the crimson moon. In 19th century Paris, Noé Archiviste is searching for the fabled Book of Vanitas. Whilst traveling aboard an airship, he is saved from a vampire attack by an eccentric doctor who calls himself Vanitas and carries the very tome he seeks. Ironically, the self-proclaimed vampire specialist is a mere human who inherited both his name and the book from his master, the same Vanitas of legend.

Cast member includes:

Ueda Keisuke as Vanitas 

Kikuchi Shuuji Takamoto Gaku as Noé

Noujou Ami as Jeanne

Sawada Miki as Dominique

Tamua Souta as Luca

Maeda Musashi as Luca 

Yashiro Takuya as Louis

And others

Right before the first performance, Kikuchi Shuuji was tested positive for covid, and most performances were cancelled, excpet one, in which Takamoto Gaku took Kikuchi’s role.

Here are some rules to get the subtitle and some requests for after you receive it.

Please read until the end!

* Warning! Since it was a single streaming and not a DVD release, the Eng subtitle matches the file I have, so there may be small delays with the files you have. You’ll have to match the subtitle with the video  yourselves!

* I’m sharing only the subtitle, not the video file!

* For those who want the subtitle, please send me an ask or a message.

* Be polite when asking for the sub and have patience to get it. I’m not in front of the laptop 24h/7.

* Be sure you download the sub as fast as possible because I’m changing the link from time to time!

* Please don’t post or share it anywhere! If someone asks about it, please lead them to this post!

Please respect and follow the rules because I made them with a reason.

Last but not least, enjoy the stage~~