#i support you yeo-reum!!!!

[fairweathermyth]

SUMMER STRIKE 1.01 An Underpaid Pushover at Work

[kateknowsdramas]

*Summer Strike Spoilers*

For the 8 of us watching Summer Strike, I just wanted to express my love for the scene in episode 8 where Yeo Reum tries to pull away and put up a wall between her and Dae Beom because she’s afraid she’s hurting him. (Ji Young shut your stupid face!)

I love how we get Yeo Reum expressing her fears about how she thinks her appearance in the town has hurt Dae Beom. His response is beautiful - listing off all their little adventures together shows that he thinks of her...he’s genuinely glad she came to town. (and he loooooves her....)

When it starts raining and she leaves the porch, we see a literal wall between them. This visual is fantastic. 

Yeo Reum has put herself on the other side of the porch and the rain from Dae Beom. She truly believes that she needs to separate herself from him to protect him. She’s pulling the noble idiocy trope out but in such a sweet and gentle way. Our poor sweetie just wants Dae Beom to be okay. 

In this moment, he lets her talk...only asks her one question in after she does her best to convince him that she’s strong and is able to handle what she’s decided to do. Once he hears her out, though, he gives it a second and then breaks through the wall she’s put up. 

Even after her moves in front of her, he doesn’t try to argue with her, he simply talks about the rain. She’s hurting - feeling insecure and frightened. His response is to be there with her and be supportive in that quiet way of his.

I just adore the way this show is paced and these little moments that show how the characters think and interact. I appreciate that the director chose this method to show how Yeo Reum felt the need to put up a boundary between her and Dae Beom. 

Anyway, not much else to say but that I really love this show and more of you should watch. 

[consumeronionbulletin]

Touch Your Heart / Reach of Sincerity (2019)

I really liked this show. It was fun, quirky and cute with a few heavy moments to keep the show grounded. Not a headliner, but something you can put on and just hang out with for an hour or so and still enjoy.

What Worked

Yoo In-na carried the show. She was just a super cute ball of charm, and all the scenes with her and Lee Dong-wook (who not exactly grumpy, but definitely uptight) were great. This was the happy version of the same couple from Goblin, and I was there for it. The supporting cast was great as well, though only Oh Jung-se's performance was super memorable for me.

What Didn't Work

This show is not very realistic. Most of the time that works, but once in awhile a plot line or a scene will kind of fall flat. Also, I personally didn't like the Choi Yoon-hyuk / Dan Moon-hee pairing. The actors were fine on their own, but a bit too much together.

The Performances

Yoo In-na as Oh Jin-shim / Oh Yoon-seo, AKA "The Talent". Yoo In-na was so much fun to watch. She is just a really great comic actor who knows all about timing and has tons of charm.

Lee Dong-wook as Kwon Jung-rok, AKA "the Ace Attorney". It's funny how you can see him playing an angel of death in one series, and a straitlaced lawyer in another and they somehow end up being very similar characters. I still enjoyed watching him, especially when he was able to open up towards the end of the series, but the character felt very familiar to me after seeing Goblin.

Oh Jung-se as Yeon Joon-kyu, AKA "Fanboy CEO". I liked Oh Jung-se in this. His character was talking, extremely petty, and very funny. May favorite role for him since maybe IOK2NBOK.

Lee Sang-woo as Kim Se-won, AKA "The Bestie". He was billed as the second lead, but this felt more like a supporting role. I enjoyed him when he was there, especially his banter with Lee Dong-wook's character and the whole arc for him, but I didn't miss him when he was off screen.

Son Seong-yoon as Yoo Yeo-reum, AKA "Bestie's Ex". I liked this character, but the show didn't do much with the character arc, overall. Nice, but not memorable.

Jang So-yeon as Yang Eun-ji, AKA "Office Mom". I enjoyed seeing this actor again after her much bigger role in Something in the Rain. I don't like the arc they gave her, but it didn't really detract from the show, just kind of went nowhere.

Park Ji-hwan as Lee Doo-seob, AKA "Secret Poet". I liked seeing this actor, after watching him in Our Blues. I really related to this character, but they didn't really do much with him (other than a small love arc). Another case where they had a really good actor in a quiet role.

Oh Eui-shik as Kong Hyuk-joon, AKA "the Manager". It was fun seeing this guy play off of the other characters, but he was mostly there for comic relief and sometimes moving the plot forward. Not super memorable.

Everyone Else. The rest of the office staff was good, but not memorable. The guy that played the stalker / chaebol crook (Jay Kim) did a good job, but I was kind of glad when they moved past that plot line. I didn't like the "Black Widow" murder plot, but the actors did okay with what they were given.

TL; DR:

A charming romp with two amazing leads, and a good cast of supporting actors that didn't get much attention. But the fireworks from the leads were more than enough to carry the show.

[sweetestlamb]

Why did I wait this long to watch this? This drama is exactly what I needed, woman standing up for themselves, men apologizing and doing better when they mess up, that conversation with Sang Woo made me tear up because sometimes you just need someone to tell you you're doing a good job and even though Yeo Reum is struggling herself she still makes time to support her subordinate🥺🥺🥺🥺I care about everyone in this drama and it's episode 2.

[kimchislaphearts]

Dog Days Of Summer  (2023)

Genre: Youth, Drama

Plot: 

In the summer of 2002, South Korea hosts the World Cup and Yi Joon moves in with his aunt and uncle in Daegu. Yi Joon and his new classmates navigate friendship, family, and growing up over the hot summer. 

Cast & Crew:

Moon Woo Jin as Kim Yi Joon

Park Seo Kyung as Han Yeo Reum 

Supporting cast - Choi Hyun Jin, Kim Ji Sung, Jeong Hee Tae, Heo Dong Won, Kim Kwang Gyu, Kim Ji Won, Go Seong Bo, Lee Joo Won, Jung Yi Rang, Jeon Sok Chan

Director - Jang Min Sik

Screen Writer - Choi Yi Kyung

Music:  

The music felt pretty unobtrusive but on closer inspection the backing music was a mix of music of the time (2001-2002) mixed with some nice instrumentals. The featured music includes: 착각의 늪 -  박고테 프로 ��트, 떠나가라 - QOQ, Please Summer! - 인디고(Indigo),  비몽 - 코요태 (KOYOTE), and 백전무패 - 클릭비 (Click-B). 

Awards: Best Young Actor (Moon Woo Jin) - KBS Drama Awards 2023

Overall: 

This drama special tells the story of Kim Yi Joon, a 14 year old boy in the summer of 2002 who is moving from Anyang to Daegu to live with his aunt and uncle. At first he seems like your standard sullen teen but as the drama special goes on you peel back the layers and find out his story. 

As you watch the drama special you feel all of the hurt and pain piling up on this young boy and it’s quite heartbreaking. Watching him go through all the hardships wrung a surprising amount of tears from me. But he is resilient and it’s a wholesome and heartwarming coming of age story of finding your place in the world. 

Moon Woo Jin has been in a lot of productions since 2017, most recently Castaway Diva and The Atypical Family but this drama special is one of his first leading roles. He won the young actor award for his performance here and it's not surprising based on his performance. It was nice to see a cast of talented young people given a chance to shine. 

As well as Min Jun’s coming of age story, we get a glimpse of classmate Han Yeo Reum’s life. She also moved to Daegu in recent years and has adjusted to life there. At first she’s an adversary but when forced to work together and secrets are shared they form a bond. Like all her classmates she too is struggling through puberty and the hot hot Daegu summer.  

Korean dramas love the backdrop of their 2002 world cup to tell a story and I liked the way this drama special incorporated it into the story. Including footage from the various games and how it highlighted that Yi Joon was much more interested in basketball than soccer! 

Overall, I thought this was a well done drama special. I enjoyed the coming of age story set in the early 2000s. If you like youth dramas such as Racket Boys or coming of age stories in general this drama special is definitely worth a watch. 

Rating: 9/10

Watch it:  KOCOWA 

Trailer:  KBS World YouTube

[vcurioushhh]

5 Slice-of-Life Gems to Warm Your Heart

Life can get hectic, but sometimes all you crave is a cozy escape into a world that feels real and relatable. Well, my fellow drama lovers, here are 5 slice-of-life gems that will hug you with warmth, make you laugh out loud, and leave you feeling happy inside. ekekekek.

Our Beloved Summer: A Hilarious Reunion with a Second Chance at Love

Remember those epic high school rivalries that blossomed into something more? "Our Beloved Summer" takes you on a nostalgic rollercoaster ride with two ex-lovers who are forced to reunite for a documentary. Expect hilarious flashbacks, awkward encounters that will have you hiding behind a pillow (but peeking!), and a romance that simmers with undeniable chemistry. Will they rekindle the flame or just fan the embers of old arguments? Buckle up for a heartwarming journey that'll leave you in flashbacks. I love how this drama delivered such aesthetic cinematography.

2. Summer Strike: Finding Yourself by the Seaside

Feeling a bit burnt out and like the world is spinning too fast? "Summer Strike" is your chill pill in drama form. Follow a young woman named Lee Yeo-reum who throws in the corporate towel and heads for a stunning seaside village. Think breathtaking ocean views, the calming rhythm of the waves, and the charm of a close-knit community. As Yeo-reum embraces the simple life, you might just find yourself yearning for a beach getaway (and maybe a chance encounter with a bookstore owner?)

3.Run On: Language, Love, and Chasing Your Dreams! ‍

Calling all language nerds and hopeless romantics! "Run On" is a delightful blend of following your passions and the beautiful messiness of love. Meet Ki Seon-gyeom, a world-class athlete who's a bit shy with words, and Oh Mi-joo, a hardworking translator with a fiery spirit. As their paths intertwine, get ready for adorable language lessons (because sometimes "I love you" can be translated in so many ways!), heartwarming friendships that will make you believe in found families, and the inspiring pursuit of dreams, both big and small.

4. Hospital Playlist: Scrubs, Soulmates, and Karaoke Nights

Looking for a drama that will make you laugh, cry (happy tears, of course!), and fall in love with a whole squad of characters? Look no further than "Hospital Playlist." Buckle up for the heartwarming adventures of five doctors who are as skilled in surgery as they are at belting out tunes during karaoke nights. This drama is a perfect blend of heartwarming medical cases, relatable friendships that will make you wish you were part of their crew, and the perfect dose of humor to keep you entertained throughout.

5. Because This Is My First Life: Adulting Struggles and Sweet, Supportive Love

Let's face it, adulting can be tough. "Because This Is My First Life" dives headfirst into the relatable struggles of navigating careers, living situations, and the complexities of modern relationships. Meet Yoon Ji-hoo, a prickly yet hardworking writer, and Nam Se-hee, a responsible and practical loan officer who ends up becoming Ji-hoo's housemate (with some unexpected benefits!). This drama tackles relatable themes with humor and honesty, leaving you feeling understood and maybe even inspired to tackle your own to-do list (or finally call that handyman you've been putting off!).

Happy watching! <3

[mewhoiskpopfan]

REASONS TO LOVE HOTEL DEL LUNA

1. IU – it’s IU, what’s not to love about her. Honestly I used to only be a fan of IU as a singer, but now seeing her acting skills made me want to respect her more as an artist. Only IU can easily pull off the mixture of melancholy, temperamental and comedy in Man Weol’s character.

 2. Yeo Jin Goo – as a child actor, I’ve always seen him in numerous dramas and I had always known how competent he is as an actor, but it’s in Hotel Del Luna that got me hooked on him. His character as Chan Seong was introduced first as hilarious, he’s just so adorably funny every time he gets spooked by the ghosts in their hotel, but as the story unfolds, Jin Goo is doing a great job into transitioning to the more sensitive side of his character. 

Have to give this to both Jin Goo and IU for their chemistry is indeed praise-worthy. They’re not cringey and their team up exudes the perfect balance between comedy and romance.

3. P.O and Mina – the couple we never thought we needed but we ended up uwuing. I’m actually a fan of PO in his other shows like JTTW and Kang’s Kitchen and he is just one big fluffy guy. As for Mina, she’s one of my favorite IOI members coz she’s so adorable. Thus, seeing them together is a delight and their scenes always made me smile. Who would’ve thought that they would look good together?

4. Chung Myung – The character that got everyone interested in Man Weol’s past other than herself and Yeon Weo. Anyway, I gotta admit, if I hadn’t first love Chan Seong I would really want Chung Myung to continue his story with Man Weol. And by the time I am writing this, there’s still a lot to be told on their story… may he be a traitor or not, I still love him and his love story with Man Weol.

5. The Plot – kudos to the talented writers. The plot is just a combination of beautiful, sad, funny, awesome, out of this world and many other positive adjectives. In my opinion the transition between the past and present are not confusing, the characters are well developed, romantic scenes are romantic-not-cringey-type and overall the story is just easy to follow.

6. Man Weol’s fashion – previously being a thief, it makes sense how she is obsess with beautiful things, that includes her wardrobe which is to die for. Man Weol never fail to look fashionable wherever and whatever the situation is. Rumors has it that because of her fashion sense, vintage style clothing will make a comeback in the Korean fashion industry soon.

Just a side note – I’ve always thought IU as a Princess, with her previous roles and her being once Korea’s nation’s little sister, but watching Hotel Del Luna, I’ve witnessed how IU turned into a Goddess, which is emphasized by her equally stunning wardrobe. In each scene her presence is just dominating in a good way.

7. Amazing OST – their soundtrack is so beautiful it will make you cry. Seriously. All of the songs are chosen well to  perfectly support the story. I like almost all the OST’s but my favorite is Taeyeon’s A Poem Called You. Whenever this song is played along with Chung Myung and Man Weol’s scenes, especially that part where Man Weol is secretly waiting for him as she lived through different eras, it just never failed to bring tears to my eyes.

8. Backstory can be a stand-alone story itself – what can I say… Obviously I’m really a big fan of Chung Myung and Man Weol. I know, I know, I love Chan Seong, but there’s just that melancholy feeling of attachment about our first loves that we’re somewhat attracted to. Despite everything Man Weol has been through, I’m just hoping that Chung Myung really did loved her despite how tragic their story ended.

Of course there are still numerous ways why we should love and support Hotel Del Luna, I could go on with how amazing the overall story is, the other characters - Sanchez, Kim Seon Bi, Choi Seo Hee, Yeon Woo now Young Su, Mago and even Mira, their star studded cameos - Joon Gi, Sulli, Da Reum, Kim Jun Hyun and many other factors that get us fans hooked to this wonderful drama, but this post is long enough, so for now, I’ll just leave it as it is.

[dramaruni]

Hello lovely Karuni! I´m your secret valentine to try and make something nice for you. So I´m going to cut the chase and I´ll ask you for your fav actor of all times. I knooooow how dare I when I literally have like at least 5 ults hahaha. But like let´s see what you got! Or maybe do a list of 10 from mostest to a little bit less mostest but mostest nonetheless hehehe

Hey secret valentine, nice to meet you!

This is such a difficult question, both because there are so many to choose from but I also don't know who my ultimate fave is these days.

But I shall try to give you a list nonetheless. All of these are subject to change and also chosen based on people I have a tendency to follow and/or look up their previous work (and actually watch it). Also don't mind the order of it too much, love all of them and think they are great actors.

1. Kim So Hyun

An actress I have seen a lot of work from, I think I have watched her work since 2012-13ish? I haven't watched everything, but anything that I have watched her in, I thought she did a really good job. She also showed her skills in Who you are: school 2015, when she played a dual role so convincingly.

2. Jeon Yeo Bin

I absolutely loved her in Be Melodramatic and while Vincenzo was a flawed drama, I still loved it. So she has to be one the list.

3. Park Eun Bin

Amazing in Hot Stove League and then she played a character completely opposite to that in Do you like Brahms? and she still made me completely love her.

4. Jang Dong Yoon

Solomon's Perjury was one of my favorites and Just Dance another all-time favorite. I also loved Tale of Nokdu and the cross-dressing character he played there. So, he is one I try to keep up with.

5. Kang Ye Won

She is actually the only person on the list I discovered outside of dramas. I mean I had seen Bad Guys before and I liked her character. But when I watched Sister's Slam Dunk, she won me over. And I also really like her in The One and Only.

6. Yoon Se Ah

She could definitely have been higher on the list if she was a main-lead actress. Most of what I have seen her in, she is a supporting character. But she definitely knows how to pull her weight and she is enjoyable to watch.

7. Kim Yeo Jin

Same as Yoon Se Ah. Great actress but mostly a supporting character, which she always plays well. She is usually a mom-character, but she did so great so well in Vincenzo as a villain, so clearly she got the range to play any character.

8. Le Je Hoon

I first discovered him last year but I also watched 3 dramas with him that year and I loved him in all of them, and I will probably also check out his next project.

9. Nam Da Reum

A child actor who hasn't had many lead roles. But he is now getting older and starting to get roles that isn't just the younger version of the male lead. And he did great in The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim, and he is also the reason I even liked Jipyeong as a character in Start Up. So, I can't wait to see more from him, he is definitely lead material.

10. Kim Hae Sook

Most of what I have watched in her in, she has been a supporting character, but she definitely knows how to be a lead, which Room no. 9 perfectly demonstrates. But either way, it's always a good time with her on the screen.

Anyway, hope this list helps you.

[kpopandcream]

Palette - I

Pairing: ReaderxSehun

Genre: Angst / Fluff

Warnings: Mentions of Self Harm, Dark Themes.

He was the beginning of spring and you were the end of fall and he went forward while you went back, meeting somewhere in the middle. It was odd, feeling so akin to someone you hardly knew, but it was the colour of his hair that begged you to put him down on paper and carve his name into your heart.

Word Count: 7.0K

Part Masterlist

The bag that held your supplies was hung nicely on the hook meant for your jacket. That was strung on the floor somewhere beneath it along with the casing for an unused canvas. You quickly picked them off the floor, rushing to get to the meadow before the afternoon sun set. You had the early shift at the local diner that morning and it was perfect considering the day. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, meaning everything would be exactly how you wanted to immortalize it. The thought of it caused buzzing in your fingertips that didn’t go unnoticed.

“I’ll see you, Yeo Reum,” you chimed as you shouldered all your bags. The older lady gave you a small smile and waved before turning to take Mr. Kim’s order. He was a gruff elderly man who liked to talk about his days in the army and was very strict about rules and language. He nearly shouted at you for the familiarity between you and Yeo Reum but you escaped quickly enough after a final wave to your other coworkers. Baekhyun gave you a chipper grin, telling you message him later as he waved back.

You rushed down the street, finding the lightness in your chest building. The places where your brain couldn’t roam and your hands didn’t work were places where you felt most detached from your soul. There were short walls and small places and you were forced to conform, not letting your heart romp like the ones of gods and higher powers. Yet, the steps that pushed you forward toward the budding lake that formed over the large, concrete hill you were climbing made you feel in touch with yourself again. The strength in your arms returned. The anticipation of new colours to create and people to depict grew again. You felt like a picked wildflower, forced to be in a crystal vase but when the sun touched your petals, you were allowed to feel like you were at home again.

The rays that licked at your face reminded you of the weather and you reached for a hat in your bag so you wouldn’t have to squint to see the soil before you as you came closer to the waterbed. The idle cars that waited in parking lots behind stores and stout buildings were far behind you. The only moving things were leaves in the trees as wind ran its fingers through them and the swaying grass. You breathed in deeply, imagining the life that filled your lungs and the death that left it. You worked your legs forward, waiting impatiently for the time you could set your stand up and start.

It took a moment but soon, you were all prepared. You brought water for cleaning your brushes and your regular outdoor easel. The summer critters climbed slowly up and down it but you paid no mind to it. There was the air that moved apart the hair you had tied up, the same air that allowed your hand to float where it wanted. Even without any music, there was nothing to be bored by. The waves, the birds, the stretching of trees and the yawns of animals. The yellow that fell through the spaces in the shadow where you stood, the orange that danced on the corners of the lake and the vibrantly deep blue of the water. There was so much untouched beauty here, away from people, away from judgement, away from anything that dared to touch it. It was your favourite place to be and when you stopped to eat something, your heart filled with a familiar happiness.

When you were alone, you found yourself able to keep your heart in the reins others strangled around them. You weren’t wild, that much you knew. You were one of those people who preferred home, familiar places, little things. Yes, it was the world that brought you inspiration but you could remember the times where inanimate objects brought you joy and you would spend hours sketching the same chair until your parents came home and you’d retreat back to your room. Yes, you liked to roam but you wanted safety as well. Being alone made you feel that way. The horses walked in their pen happily, running as far as they wanted but always coming back. You were a well kindled fire when you were on your own, living and breathing and licking at everything it could but always coming back. You always came back and yet, people still tried to smother you.

Your parents, your coworkers- even your friends. Though they tried to understand, it wasn’t enough. They wouldn’t go as far as trying to know you, inside and out, from the places you felt like you were burnt to the core and the places where you could rise and light fires in the hearts of all. They didn’t see it and never would. The only one who made you feel relatively human was Grandma Oh, a quiet spirit who appeared very much out of nowhere but she was kind to you at least. She let you speak.

Eating your sandwich, palms covered in dried paint, you looked out at the rippling water. You sometimes wanted so desperately to be the stillness that came with it and the feeling of being complete. You wanted to feel like people could rely on you but you supposed that came from what people said and the whispers you heard in the darkness of the night. They asked you to settle down and, if not for the better part of you, you would oblige. You wanted to be what everyone wanted you to be so sometimes you wouldn’t feel so lonely. Yes, you were at your best alone but it wasn’t easy to feel like no one wanted you. It was rather sad, in fact, and you were never forgetful of this.

You didn’t notice you were crying until a tear dripped onto your arm and you quickly rubbed it off. Pulling yourself together, you finished eating and exhaled deeply. Not wanting to let your emotions get the best of you, you worked at your painting again and tried to channel the previous happiness in it. Not much of it stuck in what you made but that short day was perfect for what you wanted to accomplish. You attempted to capture the portion of the day where the afternoon dipped into the evening and everything transitioned from lemons to apricots. It was beautiful and you felt that way about what you saw in front of you, barely started but still good. Still trying. Still kicking. It gave you hope as you started to pack up, humming a quiet tune to yourself.

“Y/n!” a voice called out behind you, far away and seemingly detached from a body. As you twisted to see who it was, hat still firmly on your head and eyes wide, it came again. “Is that you?”

You scanned the horizon that lined the top of the hill, straightening to find Grandma Oh in the chair of her walking support giving you a pale wave. You returned it, hurrying to greet her. She hardly went anywhere alone so it was odd to see her out and about. Though, it was a beautiful evening. You weren’t necessarily surprised, considering she was the only one who seemed to understand the passion that curled in on itself in your soul. She’d ask about your painting and her eyes would brim with excitement whenever you showed her one. In fact, she even bought one off you although you begged her not to. She wasn’t that well off but she insisted on giving you a mighty sum for it. You received fifteen dollars and a large package of candy but it was most definitely the thought that counted and you were happy nonetheless. Part of you wondered if she still hung it in her living room or if she’d forgotten about it completely but you didn’t bring it up as you hurried up the hill to meet her.

“Grandma Oh,” you huffed, extremely out of breath and suddenly aware of how out of shape you were, clutching your supplies and what felt like three million bags to your chest, “good evening.”

“Good evening,” she parroted, eyes facing the water just like yours were a few hours ago. There seemed to be mist in them but you always considered that to be knowledge and loved the way it looked against her skin. There were wrinkles and clear signs of age, as well as the artificial curling of her thinning hair but her smile was still a wonder to behold. She reminded you of someone otherworldly, who didn’t quite fit in but was left here.

You followed her gaze, placing a small hand on her walking support to keep her in place on the ground. “Are you enjoying your evening out so far?”

“Hmm?” Her eyebrows raised the smallest inch before she smiled and patted your arm. She seemed to bring her head down from the clouds then, caught off guard by your start of conversation. “Yes, dear. I’ve been having a wonderful time.”

“You came alone?” you asked, looking around a bit to see any sign of life but there were just the starting of cars far off and the lights that started to turn on one by one. People wandered the streets but seemingly unaware of you and Grandma Oh, as if you weren’t even there to begin with. You frowned, needing to go home and take a shower or at least tell your parents where you were but you didn’t want to leave the old woman alone. She was frail and tired and there was no knowing where the youth in her soul would want to take the body it was rotting in.

“No, no, my grandson was with me, although I don’t know where he went,” she admitted, quietly adding the last portion and you nodded. It was typical for young people to leave their elders behind, thinking they’d find their way home. They’d just go for a quick drink or talk to some friends while their grandparents enjoyed the nature. That was anything but true and frankly ridiculous to assume that elderly people didn’t need company. In fact, they needed it the most and you couldn’t help but feel disappointed in the grandson you saw from your window last night.

“Well, I’ll stay with you until he comes back,” you said without question, placing down all of your accessories except the bag of materials which you shouldered. Grandma Oh tried to thank you but you dismissed it, saying it was the least you could do. She smiled.

“You’re a sweet girl,” she hummed, patting you again as she kept her eyes to the shifting lake under the setting sun, “it’s a pity people can’t see it.”

You wanted to laugh at the irony.

For a silent moment, you thought of a conversation starter between you and the bohemian woman beside you, when the sound of keys behind you caught your attention. You were in the process of sitting down in the grass beside the wheelchair but instantly straightened and turned to find someone jogging up the hill towards you two. He had his signature orange hair, which rose and fell with each step and a worried look on his face. The final rays of the sun that hit him on the way up were startling and caused a skip in your heartbeat. Everything about him was structured and at the same time not at all sharp and it was so interesting to stare at. His mouth opened to rip your attention from your thoughts.

“I found the keys,” he breathed, showing his grandmother them before turning to you and giving you a tight smile. “Hello.”

“Hello,” you repeated, taking a small step backwards to press your heel against your windbreaker on the floor and nodding.

“This is y/n,” Grandma Oh hummed, gesturing to you. Her grandson gave you a polite smile in return, going to stand beside his grandmother while she introduced him. “And this is Sehun.”

“Nice to meet you.” Every word in that sentence seemed to unnatural but the way he murmured ‘you too’ made you understand he was just as uncomfortable. With a smile, you felt the knot in your throat loosen due to a sudden dawning. It seemed to click that he wasn’t as akin to strangers either and you wanted to know why. It was so starkly different than everyone else here who simply pried and pried and gossiped and pried more.

“She’s the one that painted that portrait I have in my living room, do you remember? It’s very pretty.” Grandma Oh continued although Sehun didn’t really seem to care, patting his arm lightly. She liked to do that more than she knew. Sehun simply nodded, giving you a look before gesturing to your bag.

“Are those your supplies?”

You simply shifted a bit, feeling the end of your portable easel in your backpack and nodding. Sehun looked between his grandma, who was giving him an expectant look, and yourself before managing, “uh, I could carry that for you on the way back to your house? It’s late so we might as well walk you.”

Your eyes widened the slightest bit, blinking before laughing embarrassed and waving a free hand. “N-no that’s totally okay, you don’t have to at all.”

“No, he insists,” Grandma Oh crooned, motioning for you to take off your bag. You gaped for a moment until Sehun closed the gap before you to help you with the other objects you had in your possession. The most important was the drying canvas board you brought with you that was propped against her chair.

“Don’t try and fight it,” he whispered as you both bent down, your hands picking up the canvas while he grabbed your windbreaker and backpack, “she’s persistent and will fight me when we get home if I don’t do this.”

You turned slightly to see his face, unable to read anything by his voice. There was a twinge of a smile on his lips as he straightened and you realized the joke, exhaling with a smile of your own.

“Got it.”

Grandma Oh reached for the keys but her grandson just as quickly took them from her grasp and chuckled, unbelieving. You watched as his eyebrows arch up, eyes opening up at the ends with amusement as he shouldered your bag and you fixed your grip on the drying board. “Absolutely not, you were the one that lost them in the first place.”

“But you’re carrying all of her things,” she pointed out very bluntly, as if it was almost idiotic not to understand why she would want to hold the keys, “I can’t be completely useless tonight.”

“You’re not,” he assured her, giving her shoulder a tight squeeze before handing you your thin coat. He said in passing that it was going to get cold tonight and you murmured a small thank you before fitting it somehow across your shoulders while Grandma Oh huffed and asked how. As Sehun grabbed the handles of her wheelchair, he smiled.

“You’re going to sing for us.”

This lit up the old woman’s eyes and she looked behind at him before setting herself comfortably in her seat and letting Sehun take her forward. The way her back straightened and her grin set in place filled your heart with a warmth the sun could never bring. Suddenly, the old woman’s understanding of you made complete sense and the three of you made your way home in a perfect silence, listening to the shaking notes and beautiful technique of a forgotten singer.

The next morning, you let yourself sleep in. It was a rare occurrence considering the streaming in of the sun through your windows and the banging of doors and pots and pans downstairs as usual. Somehow you managed to sleep through it, waking up to the chirping of the quiet birds near the afternoon and the rustling of trees. Looking at the clock from your phone, you found the time was too close to when you were supposed to pick up the children you babysat from kindergarten and frowned. You would have liked to paint a little more of what you remembered but you didn’t necessarily regret the time spent asleep. You hardly got enough so, as you walked past your canvas and ran your fingers softly across the lighter parts of it, you smiled.

Last night was oddly kind considering it was the first time you properly met Grandma Oh’s infamous grandson. People in town didn’t really like him, you heard. He didn’t get involved in the activities in town and hardly got to know anyone. He preferred to stick to his grandmother when he visited and he would say hello to the few boys he made friends with on the way to the groccers or the convenience stores around. You would have to ask if Baekhyun knew him just to see what kind of character that would add to him because you thought he was nice but, then again, you weren’t too good at reading people. It was why you had given your heart to people who didn’t care. It was why you didn’t have many close friends now. The closest thing you had to a real friend was Heeji, who was miles away in the city, doing her full-time studies.

You were allowed to do a few courses a week but one was online and the other two were all on Mondays. You would sleep over at Heeji’s house those days, where she would tell you about all the fun she’d been having living alone. Yet, seeing the city once in a while wasn’t enough to still your lust for more than this life. You supposed this was why you wanted to know more about Sehun. He seemed experienced with the arts of the city, the tattoo on his upper arm which he didn’t try hard to hide giving you the clearest indication. He looked like he knew so much, about how to make it there and how to stay. You knew it wasn’t as glorious as you were making it out to be but it certainly had to be better than this hell you were in.

You supposed this was also why you were slightly envious of Heeji. She never fully got her way but her parents pushed to make her happy. They gave helped her on her way to her dreams. She wanted to be a successful business woman, genuinely finding interest in the economics of things and it was wonderful. You were jealous of how she had a support system that never faltered, how people praised her for going after what she wanted. That was never the case for you but you supposed it was her family’s background. Her parents were more lenient with her and were, in fact, rather wealthy. They were city folk but decided the suburban- well, closer to rural- life would be better for their children. Heeji’s brother, Minkyo, ended up staying here but he made quite a living for himself. He took part-time courses and, overtime, became a medical professional here. Being much older than Heeji gave him an advantage as well but he seemed lonely to you. Sometimes you wanted to comfort him but you also knew too much about him, having been friends with Heeji since you were very young. Seeing Minkyo as anything but an older brother for yourself as well was unthought of, though you would visit him occasionally and bring him gifts.

As you brushed your teeth, you hummed the same tune as yesterday to distract yourself, letting your mind wander elsewhere. You were hardly ever going to get a chance to fully leave home, you decided, and no one would ever fully appreciate what you wanted out of life. You might as well enjoy the time you had left pretending you weren’t slowly decaying from the inside out.

The silence in your home was welcoming and you let it wrap around you like a blanket mothers put over sleeping children for comfort. Having no one home who pestered you and made you feel constricted was the only perk of being alone often. You could make spaces where nothing mattered but yourself and the thoughts that roamed and grazed and fed themselves until they were fat and well. Sometimes it felt like the world was a dream you were living in and the stairs you walked down barefoot and the kitchen sinks you turned on to wash your apples were the only real things there ever were. Sometimes though, it felt like the place you disappeared to wasn’t real. The second you closed the door to your home, you closed all possibility of reality to seep in through the cracks. You were forever entrapped in fantasy and walking outside brought you to your senses. You weren’t sure which one scared you more.

For those few moments before you set out to leave, you looked at what you got down on your canvas. It rested upright on the easel in your room, across from the end of the bed you sunk down into. Nothing really seemed to make any sense yet and there were no real outlines of the true landmarks of the scene but it eased your mind. The colours were the exact ones you hoped to see and you were glad that something inside you still worked the way you wanted it to.

Quickly, you snatched up your handbag and slipped on a pair of light shoes that somewhat matched your paint-stained jeans and white quarter-sleeve shirt and went to the door. The mirror that hung in place above the keystand at the door caught your attention and you looked at yourself as if you’d never seen the face staring back at you. Something within you hesitated and you looked for a moment longer, eyes patiently boring into the ones in the reflection. You were you and still somehow, never truly yourself. With a snap of your head, you shook the thoughts from your head and jerked the door open.

A shrill, short screech escaped your mouth within a second before your hand flew up to cover it and your eyes screwed themselves shut. The beating of your heart didn’t subside but, slowly opening your eyes again, you were met with a similarly shocked Sehun. His hand was still perched up to knock on your door but his lips were torn apart from each other in an ‘o’ shape and his eyebrows grazed his hairline.

“Holy shit, I’m so sorry,” you huffed, embarrassed and forcing a laugh to come out of your mouth as you leaned forward. Your hands fixed themselves over your face and attempted to wash away your sudden panic as they dragged down them and you murmured, “you just really scared me.”

His laugh was a bit static and uncomfortable, hand dropping down. “Ah, I- I’m sorry.”

“No, no, that’s my fault,” you admitted, straightening to look him in the eye. He seemed unmoved by this action, simply taking a step back as you made to leave your house. While you locked the door, your curiosity got the best of you. “Why’d you come over?”

“O-oh, my grandmother wanted me to ask your family over for dinner on Sunday,” he informed you, using his thumb to gesture behind him at his house. You followed it with a bit of surprise, lips pouting and mind processing it. As you walked down the stairs of your house with Sehun in step, you found yourself confused.

“Well, thanks. I’ll tell my parents and I’m sure they’ll be there.” You shot him a little smile at the bottom of your stairs as you both settled there. Your feet were anxious, not wanting you to be late but the conversation held you in place.

“You won’t be there?”

You shook your head lightly, looking behind him at the descending street that led to the school in the centre of town before flicking your eyes back to his. Your hands curled around the strap of your bag unconsciously as you spoke. “I have classes in the city on Monday so I’m not here.”

He registered this without any sign of it before asking, “where are you going?”

You wondered briefly if he saw how impatient you were to leave but decided against that, noticing how unwavering he was at how you tapped your foot or inched forward ever so slightly to get somewhat of a start. Somehow you formed that you were picking someone up at the school and he nodded at this, hands finding a place in his pockets. His head swung around to look down the street before looking back at you and his words seemed lose as he spoke.

“Do you mind if I walk with you?”

You blinked a few times, confused and caught off guard, stuttering out a timid, “why?”

A shrug fell off his shoulders, body turning to go into town. “Grandma’s asleep and there’s nothing to do around the house. I want something to do.”

“No,” you corrected immediately, searching for his eyes that were glued to the horizon. Reluctantly, they met yours and you clarified, “why with me, I mean.”

Another shrug.

“You’re the only person I’ve met here that hasn’t asked me what my blood type is or the time and date of my birth so you can match me up with whoever after five minutes of speaking so there’s that,” he stated, probably as a joke considering the little smile that danced across his lips. You didn’t necessarily react to it which caused him to wipe it off quickly and cover with, “plus you’re right across the street so I might as well.”

“I guess,” you hummed before starting out ahead of him. This didn’t necessarily surprise him, though he took a beat to catch up and walk in stride with you. His hair was covering his forehead and he would shift his neck to get it out of his eyes as he walked. There was a sway of silence between the two of you which you were grateful for. You didn’t have much experience talking to people you weren’t familiar with so it was odd thinking of how to go about starting a conversation. This didn’t seem to be a problem with Sehun though. Beside you, he looked content to just have some sort of companionship.

“I didn’t know Grandma Oh sang,” you chimed, trying your hand at being a good conversant. His eyebrows moved upwards, the rest of his face forming like stone as he nodded.

“She hasn’t for a while but recently she took it up again.” There was a twinge of background to this statement that you didn’t understand but you didn’t want to press. Grandma Oh was under the looking glass of most people in the town, what with her sudden move to the town only a year ago, but no one knew much about her. She really did just keep to herself as well and you supposed that was where her grandson got his qualities from.

You glanced sideways at him, eyeing the striped loose long sleeve over his torso and the belt around his waist. His shirt was tucked in around the buckle, making the silver there shine in the high sun. The summer was swimming towards the town with every passing day and it affected the weather, causing your shift in clothes. You normally covered up more but the rips in your jeans and the shortened sleeves of your shirt reflected the heat. Soon it would be sweltering- hell, it was even hot for you right now- but the man beside you showed no reaction to the heat. He seemed content in his longer pants and his flowing shirt and you found it odd.

“Do you sing?”

Sehun snorted, shaking his head. “No, I’m no good.”

“Sorry if I’m prying but what do you do then?” you asked, hopeful for a start in a real conversation. Asking questions was tedious and hurt your head so you hoped this would give you something to properly throw back and forth. You paid attention to the clicks of both your shoes against the floor as well as his words as he spoke.

“As in, what am I studying?” He looked at you for confirmation and you nodded. This gave him a bit of comfortability and he smiled lightly as he recalled it. “I did kinesiology for my undergrad but I just applied to this sort of medical program. They train people to perform first aid for athletes which is what I’ve wanted to do for a while.”

Shocked, and then upset that you were shocked, you gaped at him. It wasn’t hard for you to be impressed by people so you simply told him you were. This caused the bones in his back to align once more and he murmured a small thank you before asking about yourself. Slowly, a bitterness spread in your mouth and you shrugged.

“Nothing important, really. I’m just taking courses to slowly get a bachelors in psychology.”

“But you paint too,” he pointed out lightly, elbow moving to touch your arm. You looked down at the place of contact as you nodded and readjusted the bag on your shoulder.

“Yeah but that’s not a real future.”

He clicked his tongue at this disapprovingly but didn’t say anything to refute it. Somehow, you wanted him to reassure you that the passion that burned in your heart wasn’t pointless. Left disappointed, you internally criticized yourself for needing validation from someone you hardly knew and scowled at the floor.

There was another silent bought where you listened to your breathing and your thoughts. The wind blew through the trees in front lawns and carried the honking horns of the depths of the city towards the two of you. As you descended a small hill that would lead you to a main street, you couldn’t help but think of how weird this experience was. To have a friend walk you anywhere was relatively unsettling because you never really knew what to say. Yet, this near stranger just decided to swing by and take you into town to pick up the children you babysat on a whim and seemed completely fine with saying nothing the whole walk through. It was odd and not necessarily unheard of but unnatural in terms of yourself.

Everyone you met was eager to speak, some of your closest acquaintances being the most talkative people you knew. You supposed it helped take your mind off the constant turmoil in your head, as if noise from someone else would smother your thoughts for a moment. Sometimes you just needed to breathe and maybe that was why you were so drawn to loud people  and maybe why you took up babysitting. Overwhelming sounds could keep you afloat. Then, there were people who spoke so little that it made you uncomfortable. You had enough time to think about everything that plagued you, that creeped into your bed at night and wound spindles around your throat, taking every last breath. This scared you and you hated it so you were either alone or with people nothing like you. It was ironic, wasn’t it?

As the sting of summer soared ahead, birds chirping far off in the shade, you reached in your bag for a hat. Sehun looked at you briefly before catching your eye and looking away. He seemed rather bashful and it made your lips soften as you adjusted the hat on your head. It was a bright white which you hated but your parents were a fan of getting you gifts you hated so you might as well make use for it. You neared the busier part of town, the sounds of honking cars and chattering in the street coming closer and closer and somehow, you raised the courage to speak again.

“I know you said you didn’t like it when people asked personal questions but you said last night that people in town don’t like you. Why’s that?” You supposed you were being cautious with your words, waving at some of the town goers that gave you smiles or were coming out of their stout buildings for lunch. Sehun avoided their eyes like the plague but shrugged for you.

“I just don’t fit in. I don’t try to which is obvious,” he snorted, raising a hand out of his pockets to point to his hair. You offered him a kinder smile and chuckled back, much to the growing surprise in his deep eyes.

“You should invest in some hats,” you hummed, trying to be friendly. He took the bait and, with a coy stare, he grasped the corner of your brim between his fingers.

Giving it a small shake, he suggested, “or I could take yours.”

Part of you wanted to find this endearing and you did, you felt the picking up of your heart which you’d only experienced once or twice when you went out with Heeji; but the other part of you was uncomfortable in the sense that you weren’t used to people being so receptive to you. You wondered if it was because he hadn’t grown up here, in a place made for people who held closed minds and even tightly shut hearts. Maybe it was the city that drew you to him, the way he smelled like no one here did because he wasn’t forced to buy the same deodorant as everyone else. There was the brightness of his hair and the stellar look of all his clothes, never trying to fit in. Your mouth curled, looking for words to say but nothing coming out- or at least nothing that would have impressed you.

“That, I wouldn’t mind.”

He kept his eyes on you a little longer than usual before he tore them from you and focused them on the ground. He absentmindedly kicked at a few pebbles out of the way, hands sliding into his pockets again. You wondered what you looked like to other people: two outsiders trying to fit in. It caused a rising bubble in your throat and you were suddenly aware of everyone you said hello to. There was Gemma, the woman who ran the flower shop. She’d seen you multiple times, your eagerness to paint flowers when you were younger overtaking any conversational fear you had. She’d always been nice but you heard her chatting with some of the older women in town. In those moments, you realized how nice she really was, words cutting through lies and people alike. Her eyes were kind when she met yours but you could only imagine what she might concoct into a story for everyone to hear by tea time.

There was the mechanic Pete. Out of all people, he was most likely not to care. Plus, the car he had just finished up just sprayed oil everywhere. Of course, you passed by your shop and waved a little hello to your boss. Baekhyun, who’d been condemned to work there nearly everyday of the week came rushing out to give you a hug and you were in full surprise, arms wrapping around his thin body slowly. Sehun pretended he didn’t see it, shuffling a bit and turning his head down to the street.

Baekhyun looked up at the man before meeting your eyes again with a bright grin. “We’re going out tonight right?”

You nodded, hands back to your side while his rested on your shoulders, keeping you closely apart from him. His shirt was black and loose on him but tied tightly by the striped apron around his waist and you admired it while you spoke.

“You’re bringing the good one, right?”

“Do you doubt me?” he asked, eyes narrowing but ever playful. You simply smiled in response and urged him to go back inside. He didn’t do so without giving Sehun a proper ‘good day’ and a final wave. You could see the scolding he was going to get on Yeo Reum’s face and watched as she threateningly raised a menu at him. Baekhyun didn’t seem to mind though and it took you a moment before you could rip yourself from the scene.

“Are you guys close?” Sehun’s question was slow but immediate and you caught something unrecognizable in his voice. Not knowing what to say, you found the shrug on your shoulders now.

“We’ve been friends since our elementary days so, I guess so,” you managed, not knowing how else to characterize your friendship. Sure, you’d known each other for a very long time but that didn’t constitute as close, not for you at least. Sehun made a low hum in response and you returned to your usual quiet stroll. Somehow, you found yourself wondering if this was commonplace with him. Then, your mind scrolled into how it would feel if he walked you all the time. You decided that, however much of a stretch it was, you wouldn’t necessarily mind it.

“Hey, y/n?” he started, wary and unsure as you neared the school. You felt the shifting of your hair as you turned to face him, children’s chattering flooding one ear while his voice filled the other. “If you ever need a ride into the city, I’d be glad to do it. I know Grandma won’t be against being alone for a night if I say it’s for a good deed or something.”

The offer rang in your head for a moment. However sweet it was, it still caused an unusual beating in your heart, one that screamed how ridiculous it would be to take him up on it. What did he want from you in return? Why would he offer this to someone he hardly knew? The implications of being in a car alone with him were enough to make your head spin but not in an excited way. Picking your words carefully, you found yourself surprisingly rejecting the notion.

“That’s okay,” you decided, mind racing to find a fib that wouldn’t be too far out of reach, “I like taking the bus.”

“No one likes taking the bus,” he retorted but the look on his face wasn’t one that was trying to push. You tore apart the way he looked at you but it wasn’t sexual at all. There was nothing hiding in between the cracks where his skin created smiles. There was just a genuine offer and you were unsettled.

“Maybe,” was the only word you offered in response before getting swept off your feet by the children that came rushing out of the school at the ringing of the bell.

Some swarmed at the cars waiting and the parents from the back yard where they were covered with dirt. Some tumbled down the stairs and laughed or chased each other without looking for their parents. For all they were concerned, it was playtime and the idea made you smile. You lifted onto your toes to look over the crowd for two small boys. One was demure and quiet while the other, his brother, was about as tameable as a wildfire. You loved them both though, having been their babysitter since the first was born. He teetered down the stairs carefully and you excused yourself from Sehun to go and grab his hand.

His face lip up immediately when you bent in front of him, arms wrapping around your neck and he gave you the warmest hello. “Nana y/n! I missed you!”

You wanted to laugh but the fact that he stilled called you a name akin to a grandmother’s after all these years bothered me. You simply hummed that you missed him as well, though you’d just seen him yesterday when he came to breakfast with his parents, but that didn’t matter. He was as sweet as could be, rambling about his day and how Kihyun stole his orange juice. You gasped dramatically, eliciting a loud ‘I know!’ and further talk of this tragedy. As you circled around the small lot, you searched for his younger brother and frowned until-

“Nana y/n!”

Sehun’s voice called the name like it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. You turned to be faced with Kihyun hanging off his raised arm and an amused grin on his lips. His eyes were alight with something so perfect and you wanted to pause this moment so you could get it down on paper or capture it. It passed too quickly, Inguk tugging his way out of your hold and propelling himself towards his brother.

“You owe me an orange juice!”

There was a loud cackling as Kihyun kept crawling around Sehun and you followed, desperate to get him off the man. Sehun didn’t seem to care, letting Inguk reach for his brother while keeping Kihyun out of reach. The laughter was loud and sweet and rang through the streets, lost among the others but so important to you. You tried to pry Inguk off Sehun but the boy wouldn’t budge and you sighed.

“I like this one,” Sehun said offhandedly, looking at Kihyun while he lifted him over his head. Kihyun flipped upside down and giggled, his tiny belly showing and you were left a little speechless.

“W- well if you like them so much, then you babysit them,” you muttered, bending down to give Inguk a bit of a scolding. Sehun simply looked down at you before squatting himself and letting Kihyun down to the floor. Your eyes met softly, the two boys rushing around you in a tight race.

“Deal,” he said so lightly, a challenge in his eyes that caused a shallowness in your breath, “think they’ll like Grandma’s cooking?”

Without looking for a response, his smile grew and he snatched the hat from your head, placing it firmly on his. You watched, wide eyed and so unbearably entranced by his movements: the way his lips arched outwards and his eyes became thinner and filled with life, the way his shirt dipped and revealed his collar, and the way his eyes never left yours as he fixed the baseball cap’s position on his head. You would have stayed there forever, studying the angles on his face if you could but the responsibility which you carried in your stomach propelled you forward and out of your trance; but god, was he beautiful.

A/N: okay look I know I said this would be angst and this whole thing is really fluff but, I promise it’s coming friends! This is gonna be a short series, maybe about 6 parts so please look out for each post! I hope to see you soon with the next one! feel free to inbox me your opinions!

[fashournalist]

Hyperthymesia

One year after I submitted my manuscript, I still cannot believe it. I feel overwhelmed. I read my manuscript today, Hyperthymesia: Stopovers and Detours of a Time Traveler--and I travel to exactly 365 days ago.

180 pages of sleepless nights, each paragraph weaved the path to my graduation.

I remember the smell of paper, the sound of printer, the rush of students coming in to have their manuscripts and theses printed. Other students were getting their printed outputs while I was still cramming the final touches of my final opus.

Every minute mattered. Every second counted.

June 1, 2018 determined if I would march on June 23 or not. If it were not for that day, I would still be preparing to march this June 2019. I remember receiving a text from my adviser Ma’am Grace Mendoza, who I am so blessed to have, that if I would not be able to submit my manuscript on or before 5 PM, we would lose by default. The editor in me could not find contentment and it took a lot to tell myself to stop, Grace, you have done your best. Submit this and wear your sweet Sablay in 22 days. I remembered when my countdown started from 399 days to go, that was May 20 2017–and now we’re this close.

Because acknowledgement was limited to three pages, I used font 8. This is an excerpt, the first half of the first page, dedicated to my dearest parents who always reflected God’s love to me, supporting me every step of the way. Some of the people I thanked wanted to be thanked in private. I could not thank my loved ones enough, everyone who helped me from the start, everyone who made an impact in my life, this is all our achievement. We made it, guys! Thank you for never giving up on me.

June 1, 2018 determined if I would march on June 23 or not. If it were not for that day, I would still be preparing to march this June 2019. 

A letter I received from my co-intern in DZJV, Jobelle. This is one of my favorite parts in my exhibit.

I remember receiving a text from my adviser Ma’am Grace Mendoza, who I am so blessed to have, that if I would not be able to submit my manuscript on or before 5 PM, we would lose by default. The editor in me could not find contentment and it took a lot to tell myself to stop, Grace, you have done your best. Submit this and wear your sweet Sablay in 22 days. I remembered when my countdown started from 399 days to go, that was May 20 2017–and now we’re this close. 

I remember leaving Miked Computer Shop nervous, thrilled, excited, nostalgic, awed. The feeling of gratitude, pride, sleeplessness, fulfillment, relief in every step heading to UPLB, my home. 

Lord, this is it. You are faithful. In every season, You saw me through. Carried me when I could not get up and walk. Equipped me to go beyond my limitations. To do what I cannot do on my own.

Excerpt of Theater Insights chapter. I took my internship at ARTIST Inc, served as the stage manager for music in Senakulo, held at Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba. I also worked as secretary and synthesis writer at Balitok 2018, a national theater congress. I learned a lot from different theater organizations from across the country. My output was part of the goal to digitize data and archive theater performances.

Every step I took from Grove to the campus brought me flashbacks of every time I ever walked on this same street, heading to CAS because I had a class. An exam. A paper to submit, mostly at the last minute. This time, I am taking the same route, going to CAS, because I am submitting my final legacy, an extension of me, this manuscript. My baby. Haha! I could not believe it. All the struggles I went through in the past seven years. I’ve had semesters when I could only take three units because I was still recovering from clinical depression. But this final semester, I fought and went the extra mile. Against the recommendation of my doctor, I fought for overload units, all while doing my last third of internship (theatre), having a part-time job as an ESL tutor to my last batch of students, So Yeong and Yeo Reum, and writing my manuscript. There was a time when I did not sleep for 50 hours straight. I mean, unbelievable. All these to reach that one moment.

The room inside the Dean’s Office was filled with anticipation. Here we are, soon-to-be graduates waiting to have our manuscripts signed. I don’t know a lot of them, but I feel joy for each of us. I look at them and wonder about everything they have been through to reach this point. I feel genuinely proud of them and of everyone in our batch. We all made it through. We rose above the challenges and all the times when we never thought we would graduate. I am especially proud of graduates who are delayed like me. How many times did we think we would not make it but now we are here? (Congratulations to us for pushing through, guys! Late man, nakalabas pa rin tayo ng UP!! Haha.)

I look around the office, and remember the times I was here. I am no longer here to drop a subject, to file for LOA, or to file for readmission when I was dismissed.

I am here because I am on my way, finally, to wear my Sablay.

There is a lot to write, and I hope this June can give me the opportunity to have a throwback of my June 2018. :)

Thank You, Lord Jesus.

[kimchislaphearts]

Do You Know Taekwondo? (2012)

Genre: Sport, School

Plot: 

The story follows Do Hyun a college student majored in Physical Education in University and his dreams of becoming an action star but coincidentally becomes Taekwondo master at his old school while teaching three out of six were troublemakers who the school gave up on and the other three who don't even have the slightest talent in this sport.

Cast & Crew:

Im Ji Kyu as Do Hyun

Supporting Cast - Niel, Yoon Park, Han Yeo Reum, Kim Hee Won, Choi Min Soo, Chae So Young, Ki Joo Bong, Lee Dae Hoon, Nam Tae Boo

Director - Kim Young Gyoon 

Screen Writer - Yoo Bo Ra

Music: No outstanding tracks, the backing sounds fit the drama special well. 

Overall:

This drama special was a short story about mistaken identity and taking chances when they come to you. It was the first drama credited to Yoo Bo Ra of Just Between Lovers fame.

It tells the story of Do Hyun, a man who wants to be a stuntman like his father was but is struggling to get by and is dumped by his long term girlfriend. All of a sudden he gets an opportunity to take an after school taekwondo class at his old high school when confused with his classmate by the same name. The drama follows his struggles as he takes on a ragtag crew of teens. 

As a teacher it was relatable seeing how students think, feel, and treat one another.

It had a fantastic cast for a drama special. I thought that Im Ji Kyu had good chemistry with the cast and the fight scenes, especially the last, were particularly fun. 

Overall, it was an okay watch but not something I would rewatch. 

Rating: 7/10

Watch it: KBS World Youtube