the-bromance-rec-blog - Tumblr blog

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

I forgot to thank you! Someone suggested The Guest for me to watch and I was kinda hesitant cause it's not really my type of show, but I searched about and stumbled across your post talking about the series's bromance and the water scene and it totally sold me on it, because of your post I watched and it really was a masterpiece! I Thank you so much! Also I love your blog, I'm sad I already watched everything else you recommended and now I can't find what to watch next lol

Hi insaneoldme,

Thank you for such a hearty message, I’m very glad that The Guest proves to be a good experience. I’m always so happy to hear more people praising it. I understand the genre isn’t exactly a cup of tea for many, so thank you for giving it a chance ^_^

I suppose you might’ve heard of this drama since it’s relatively well-known, but recently, I checked out Beyond Evil and it gives off a very similar vibe to The Guest. Not to mention, both of these two dramas have smoothly made their ways into my Best Dramas & Best Bromances list 🥲. I also wrote a review for Beyond Evil here.

Also I’m glad this Tumblr of mine has been useful to you 😆 But it doesn’t actually show an exhaustive list of every ‘bromantic’ work of fiction that I appreciate, since I haven’t managed to write a proper review for everything that I’ve checked out. For a full list of my bromance recommendations, you may want to check out this article on my website here: https://strictlybromance.com/the-complete-list-of-bromances/

I hope you’d be able to find something new to enjoy from here! Once again, thanks so much for visiting this Tumblr page. Have fun watching/reading!

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

From Oct 2021, I’ll be combining this blog with my main blog My-otp-list, where, as you may expect, I’ll continue reviewing and posting random ramblings about my favourite bromances on this planet, alongside updates on my ever-favourite work of fiction Daomu Biji.

Please head to the other blog for more bromance recommendations in the future, thank you so much and I hope to see you （‐＾▽＾‐).

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

I feel the obligation to rant that I don’t think it’s Kim Jae Wook not being cast in more dramas, rather, it seems that he just doesn’t want to show up often T.T I mean, the man has an unworldly height, an otherworldly face and indisputable talent. Who wouldn’t want to cast him 🥺

He hasn’t appeared in any new drama/movie like 2 years now T.T

This drama is pure gold and I’m obsessed.

It is completely, absolutely beyond my comprehension that this isn’t more popular. Apart from being an amazing show by itself, it checks off every single tick on my personal requirements for a perfect bromance show. God Gracious.

Folks, really, if you are in for some angsty, intense, mesmerising, and above all, i’ll-sacrifice-my-life-for-you sort of bromance, do yourself a favour and watch this.

The Guest (K-Drama)

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Detective, Supernatural, Horror/Exorcism, Drama

Synopsis (taken & modified from MyDramaList):

Twenty years ago, Yoon Hwa Pyung, a young psychic born into a shaman family, learns about a powerful demon called "Son" (Guest). The demon has the power to control other demons and allow them to possess weak people. The possessed people then go mad, kill their families, and stab themselves in the eye. Hwa Pyung, Choi Yoon - a young boy born in a religious Catholic family, and Kang Kil Yeong - the daughter of a detective, fatefully meet when their families get interwined in the killing spree of this mysterious demon.

Twenty years later, the demon killings starts again. Hwa Pyung is now a taxi driver who uses his power to seek out possessed people in order to help them, Yoon is a Catholic priest who is talented in exorcism, and Kil Yeong is a detective who doesn't believe in ghosts. The trio meets again and tries to work together to defeat "Son".

Length: Complete - 16 episodes, 70 minutes each

Personal review:

+ The bromance.

+ The bromance.

+ The bromance. Yeah, I think you get my point by now...

This is the kind of bromance that I’m always begging to see in every fictional material I consume. Chemistry that grows naturally and believably - checked; Characters going through life-and-death situations together - checked; A duo consisting of one that is calm & reserved and the other hot-tempered & reckless - checked; Protective of each other from beginning till end - checked.

I’ve been a fangirl for a long time now - the amount of fiction with bromance that I have seen would not be below the 100s range. And I can confidently tell you: the male leads’ chemistry in this show easily makes it to my top 3. I mean, when was the last time you saw two characters literally racing against each other to see who could die for the other person first?

And have I told you about that ‘underwater’ scene in the finale? Beautiful is an understatement. Period.

Introducing the one underwater scene that tops all underwater scenes ever known to humankind.

+ These are the 3 words I’ll use to describe the story: Captivating, haunting and solid. The Guest had me rewatch the whole thing (with better definition and better sound system!) immediately after I finish it the first time, no joke. Packed with great plot twists and a praise-worthy mystery, the show effectively uses this whodunit formula to have you keep guessing “who is the real villain?”. Also, it would be easier to appreciate it if you don’t mind horror and some minimal, ‘well-censored’ gore. After all, this is a show about exorcism.

+ The cast: The main cast is a trio of a taxi driver, an exorcist priest and a police officer (this combo somehow sounds like it comes from a fanfic...) who are closely connected to each other through a tragic encounter. Let me guess what you are thinking: “There is a lady in the poster so one (or both) of the male leads gotta fall in love with her and mess up the plot with their cheesy romance!”. I am here to assure you: There is zero romance in this show. Among the trio is pure teamwork to defeat a common enemy. There chemistry is just brilliant and oh-so-naturally developed.

Trust me also when I say this: I freakin’ love the female lead, as much as I do the male leads (I even dedicate a post for her here hahahaha). She is strong, hard-headed and a total badass. As impossible as it may sound, her role in the team is to protect (yes, she protects the 2 male leads lol) and to mediate the guys whenever they quarrel (which is all the time, by the way (￣▽￣)). Take my words: You don’t come across a female lead like this everyday. This is rarest of the rare.

I’d also like to take this chance to declare my adoration for Kim Jae Wook who took on the role of our ultra-cold-on-the-outside, super-sweet-on-the-inside priest. Sir Priest, you are too handsome to be real and your legs are unworldly. Are you sure you didn’t pop out from some shoujo manga?

I’m totally not sorry it took you a long time to scroll past his ridiculously long legs...

Once again, Korea does their wonders with their casting choices. Every single actor and actress - main and supporting - does their job remarkably and adds so much life to the story. Bravo, just bravo.

+ The filmography: Surreal lighting, gorgeous angles, excellent colour palettes. 11/10 score - I rest my case.

- Negative point? What negative? I’ve met a Korean drama that completely engulfed my heart and soul - what makes you think I have anything bad to say about it?

Very important advice: If you are giving this a go-ahead, watch it in the highest definition you can possibly afford to. You’ll thank me later.

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

Sometimes I wonder if it’s just this tiny, solitary me who likes this sort of bromance.

Then a sincere reblog like this reminds me I’m not alone.

It’s me who has to thank you.

This drama is pure gold and I’m obsessed.

It is completely, absolutely beyond my comprehension that this isn’t more popular. Apart from being an amazing show by itself, it checks off every single tick on my personal requirements for a perfect bromance show. God Gracious.

Folks, really, if you are in for some angsty, intense, beautiful, and above all, i’ll-sacrifice-my-life-for-you sort of bromance, do yourself a favour and watch this.

The Guest (K-Drama)

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Detective, Supernatural, Horror/Exorcism, Drama

Synopsis (taken & modified from MyDramaList):

Twenty years ago, Yoon Hwa Pyung, a young psychic born into a shaman family, learns about a powerful demon called "Son" (Guest). The demon has the power to control other demons and allow them to possess weak people. The possessed people then go mad, kill their families, and stab themselves in the eye. Hwa Pyung, Choi Yoon - a young boy born in a religious Catholic family, and Kang Kil Yeong - the daughter of a detective, fatefully meet when their families get interwined in the killing spree of this mysterious demon.

Twenty years later, the demon killings starts again. Hwa Pyung is now a taxi driver who uses his power to seek out possessed people in order to help them, Yoon is a Catholic priest who is talented in exorcism, and Kil Yeong is a detective who doesn't believe in ghosts. The trio meets again and tries to work together to defeat "Son".

Length: Complete - 16 episodes, 70 minutes each

Personal review:

+ The bromance.

+ The bromance.

+ The bromance. Yeah, I think you get my point by now...

This is the kind of bromance that I’m always begging to see in every fictional material I consume. Chemistry that grows naturally and believably - checked; Characters going through life-and-death situations together - checked; A duo consisting of one that is calm & reserved and the other hot-tempered & reckless - checked; Protective of each other from beginning till end - checked.

I’ve been a fangirl for a long time now - the amount of fiction with bromance that I have seen would not be below the 100s range. And I can confidently tell you: the male leads’ chemistry in this show easily makes it to my top 3. I mean, when was the last time you saw two characters literally racing against each other to see who could die for the other person first?

And have I told you about that ‘underwater’ scene in the finale? Beautiful is an understatement. Period.

Introducing the one underwater scene that tops all underwater scenes ever known to humankind.

+ The story: Captivating, haunting and solid. The Guest had me rewatch the whole thing (with better definition and better sound system!) immediately after I finish it the first time, no joke. Packed with great plot twists and a praise-worthy mystery, the show effectively uses this whodunit formula to have you keep guessing “who is the real villain?”. Also, it would be easier to appreciate it if you don’t mind horror and some minimal, ‘well-censored’ gore. After all, this is a show about exorcism.

+ The cast: The main cast is a trio of a taxi driver, an exorcist priest and a police officer (this combo sounds like it comes from a fanfic...) who are closely connected to each other through a tragic encounter. Let me guess what you are thinking: “There is a lady in the poster so one (or both) of the male leads gotta fall in love with her and mess up the plot with their cheesy romance!”. I am here to assure you: There is zero romance in this show. Among the trio is pure teamwork to defeat a common enemy. There chemistry is just brilliant and oh-so-naturally developed.

Trust me also when I say this: I freakin’ love the female lead (as much as I do the male leads). She is strong, hard-headed and a total badass. As impossible as it may sound, her role in the team is to protect (yes, she protects the 2 male leads lol) and to mediate the guys whenever they quarrel (which is all the time, by the way (￣▽￣)).

I’d also like to take this chance to declare my adoration for Kim Jae Wook who took on the role of our ultra-cold-on-the-outside, super-sweet-on-the-inside priest. Sir Priest, you are too handsome to be real and your legs are unworldly. Are you sure you didn’t pop out from some shoujo manga?

I’m totally not sorry it took you a long time to scroll past his ridiculously long legs...

Once again, Korea does their wonders with their casting choices. Every single actor and actress - main and supporting - does their job remarkably and adds so much life to the story. Bravo, just bravo.

+ The filmography: Surreal lighting, gorgeous angles, excellent colour palettes. 11/10 score - I rest my case.

- Negative point? What negative? I’ve met a Korean drama that completely engulfed my heart and soul - what makes you think I have anything bad to say about it?

Very important advice: If you are giving this a go-ahead, watch it in the highest definition you can possibly afford to. You’ll thank me later.

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

So I started watching Itaewon Class (because apparently the entire planet watched it?) and upon seeing the male lead, I got reminded of another movie in which he played as a police academy student who got involved with a large crime syndicate, faithfully acompanied by his best buddy. Yupe, a buddy-cop movie - that definitely screams ‘bromance’.

Also, this movie is hilarious AF.

Midnight Runners

Synopsis:

Park Ki Joon and Kang Hee Yeol are great buddies at the Korean National Police Academy. On the day they got booked out, the two got themselves entangled in a kidnapping case of a young lady. What followed was the discovery of an entire crime network, destroying which would be far beyond their experience. They reported their findings to the academy heads yet all they got was a cold shoulder.

And that definitely did not stop them from trying to take things into their own hands.

Genre: Drama, Action, Crime, Investigation, Comedy

Length: 1 Movie - 110 minutes

Personal review:

+ Insanely hilarious. Yes, it was a grave crime and the villains are wicked, but the comedy is wonderfully blended into the pair’s adventure. I saw this at a cinema and I swear the entire crowd laughed until our stomachs split.

+ Ah, buddy cop. Of course we have to talk about the leads’ dynamic! (else why would you bother making a buddy cop flick?) Very nice chemistry, fantastic partners! They get into trouble together, try to solve it together, then successfully get everything fixed together. No, they don’t bicker - they help each other enthusiastically throughout the whole ordeal (and somehow hilarity always ensues). I really love this. Such a pleasant dynamic to watch.

+ Great actions, great plot surrounding a crime syndicate. Don’t worry that because this is a comedy, they take everything else carelessly. The crime & investigation were presented in a serious manner and there were some rather bloody scenes even. Oh, I digress, but both leads have such amazing abs (╯✧∇✧)╯, which we will get to see during the action scenes.

+ The acting? It’s Korea - ain’t easy to find a movie where the acting is bad, not to mention this is a thriller/crime movie. Yes, in Korea, the actors hardly ever screw their acting when it comes to this genre. And they keep that momentum in Midnight Runners - so you can rest assured.

- Negative? Hm, I can’t think of anything. Really, grab some popcorn and sit back, I can promise you’re gonna have a great time. Oh and be careful with your stomach...

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

So at one point Daisuke’s Wiki looked like this (it’s corrected now)

I completely lost it at “Relative: Jumin Han” 😂😂😂

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

11 YEARS LATER. We actually get season 2.

TIGER AND BUNNY SEASON 2

Coming 2022!

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

If I have to describe this in one sentence, I’d say: An animal story that is surprisingly human.

I confess that when I first learnt about the title, this is what I knew: School Life, Coming of Age, School Romance, Slice of Life, Animal Universe. Exactly the genres that I almost never ever touch.

The end result: I gulped down 160+ chapters in 4 days.

It is that good.

The bromance? Not exactly the main theme of the story, but whenever it gets featured, the standard is gold.

Here I am, telling you about the latest manga that I can happily put into the “Really Good” category.

Beastars

Genre: Shounen, Action, Drama, School Life, Romance, Comedy

Synopsis (taken from BakaUpdates):

“In a world populated by anthropomorphic animals, herbivores and carnivores coexist with each other. For the adolescences of the Cherryton Academy, school life is filled with hope, romance, distrust, and uneasiness.

The main character is Legoshi the wolf, a member of the drama club. Despite his menacing appearance, he has a very gentle heart. Throughout most of his life, he has always been an object of fear and hatred by other animals, and he's been quite accustomed to that lifestyle. But soon, he finds himself becoming more involved with his fellow classmates who have their own share of insecurities and finds his life in school changing slowly.”

Length: Ongoing - 160+ chapters

Personal review:

+ The story, as expected from its School Life label, starts out in a perfectly familiar setting: Main character has some insecurities, joins a club, encounters a popular student (imagine the Student Council President type), gets into some odd troubles with said student, somehow falls in love with a girl who is the source of many bad rumours... Yep, you know where I am going. Surely this does not sound like much potential, but stay tuned. Things do not stay familiar for very long.

In simpler terms: the plot turns into directions that you can hardly foresee. And it gets dark real quick.

This is where the story develops its charm. The manga won an Osamu Tezuka New Creator prize for a reason.

Somehow, Beastars shapes itself into a (possibly) relatable coming-of-age story in a highly appealing fashion. You feel for the main character, the supporting characters (even though, to be honest, you may not necessarily like them), their insecurities, their struggles, and most importantly, their choices in life. Beastars is essentially a story about young adults who are working hard to find their place in the society. But the most intriguing part? As human as the characters are made to be, they honest-to-a-fault stick to their animal traits. It is a peculiarly successful blend of human values and animal nature.

Characterisation-wise, rest assured that the mains are given ample development. You will definitely grow to love Legosi - such an adorable, honest, idealistic-but-not-stupid young man. I so look forward to a happy ending for him, I truly do.

+ The art? Skilful, to say the least. At first, it looks like some sort of illustrations in children’s storybooks (think Big Bad Wolf), then the actions kick in and you realise - this is pretty strong art. The author herself did mention that she loves animals and has been drawing nothing but animals since young. Surely she has put her talent in the right place.

Also, weirdly enough, the characters faithfully retain their animal appearance, yet you could clearly tell that certain individual is a “hot boy”/”hot girl” animal. I am serious. (I just basically confessed that I think Louis is smokin’ hot.)

+ Now, the bromance. In fact, there are a few ‘bromantic’ pairings in this manga, but the one with the most moments is the main character and the senpai that he reveres so much. The below panel describes their relationship in a nut shell, for real.

These two have a very, very interesting dynamic. Legosi The Wolf is obsessed with herbivores and Louis The Deer is obsessed with carnivores (now you probably think they are obsessed with each other well you aren’t wrong). Their chemistry is wonderfully built upon trust, respect and a common goal of making the animal society a better place for both species.

- I can imagine there are elements in the story that will make people feel uncomfortable. For once, the plot twists & turns may be too sharp it’s borderline ridiculous. I, however, find them bearable and even refreshing sometimes.

- Not exactly a negative thing since this is very subjective, but you might not like certain choices that the characters make. They sort of irk me sometimes. But I understand that’s what makes the story captivating. Bear in mind that Beastars is definitely not a title about perfect heroes who save the world. It’s a poignant tale of finding the right path in life, and on that path, one is bound to make mistakes. The characters’ occasional idiotic choices give us, the readers, some room to understand, to reflect and to think hard about the complexity of life. Lots of mangas attempt to deliver deep messages, but not many actually succeed, don’t you think?

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

Not that I know much about K-Drama, but 2019 sure has been a fun one for a bromance lover like me.

This one gives a slightly similar vibe to Strangers From Hell, albeit it’s a comedy. The ‘bromance’ is hilariously portrayed too.

Presenting you a very recent show with a pretty unique premise and a highly refreshing plot. An outstanding blend of fun and thrill!

Psychopath Diary (K-Drama)

Genre: Comedy, Detective, Thriller, Drama

Synopsis (taken & modified from MyDramaList):

Yook Dong Sik is a 34-year-old office worker who is so weak and timid that he is used by everybody around him. After a corporate incident, he becomes the scapegoat of his company. Facing the prospect of losing the job and his family turning their back on him, he decides to commit suicide. While doing so, he unexpectedly stumbles across a murder scene, but gets into an accident while running from the murderer. He wakes up with amnesia with the psychopath’s diary in his possession. With no other clues to his true nature than the diary and his fragmented memory lining up with the diary entry, he begins to believe that he is in fact a psychopath serial killer.

Follow Yook Dong Sik on a hilarious, full-of-mishap journey to get back his memory while helping the police to track down the actual killer!

Length: Completed - 16 episodes, 70 minutes each

Personal review:

+ The bromance.

A great thing about this show: You get two bromances in 1 package.

The CEO and Male Lead

A wise one once said, “A picture speaks a thousand words”. So, yeah, you get the idea (￣▽￣).

Also another precious scene:

Don’t you hear the wedding bell already ringing in the background?

The Gangster Sidekick and Male Lead

This one is super adorable. The sidekick is also a major element of humour in the show. He supports the Male Lead wholeheartedly and is always there for him. Truly the kind of friend that we all secretly wish for.

Bonus (subject to personal preference): Female Lead and Male Lead

Well, this isn’t bromance per se. Also, you could tell that this pairing is meant to be non-platonic (very subtle though). Not that I mind them developing a romantic relationship post-finale, but as far as the show progresses, I’d like to think of them as my BrOTP. Both of them are so cuteeeeee, and they work amazingly well together. Also, the fact that a full-blown romance between these two isn’t awkwardly shoehorned into the ending is great, because don’t we all have enough of under-developed, forceful relationship that pops out of nowhere? ¯\ _(ツ)_/¯

+ The plot. As said above: Very unique, very refreshing. Our Male Lead witnesses a murder, happens to pick up the murderer’s diary, gets hit by a car and thus loses his memory, ends up thinking up that the diary was his, resulting in him getting convinced that he IS the murderer. Like, what again?

The first 4-5 episodes are real fun, with lots of ridiculous situations taking place and the CEO trying desperately to win over Male Lead’s heart. Toward the second half, the tone shifts slightly as the show starts diving deeper into the actual drama/murder mystery. That being said, it maintains a light-hearted, comedic feel throughout. Even the final showdown between Male Lead & the Villain is hilarious AF.

+ The acting. I think I’ve been abusing the word “cute”, but honestly most characters in this show are so cute, including the murderer (I know that sounds kinda wrong, but don’t forget that this is a comedy, so they make fun of everything). Also the Male Lead is impossibly likable. And full of nonsense.

Look at him eating A BLOCK OF TOFU. You can’t get cuter than this.

In general, once again, (I seem to say this for all the Korean shows I review) you can’t spot a single actor/actress that is doing a bad job. Granted, this is a comedy - but no character is annoyingly over-the-top, obviously trying-too-hard or downright cringy. I’m so thankful.

- Sure, the show isn’t perfect. Say, I’m not particularly impressed by Female Lead’s “deduction” ability - it’s too far-fetched to be believable. Certain elements are illogical considering the plot revolves around crime and solving crime. But then again, it’s a K-Drama, and a comedy at that. I think if you watch enough K-Drama (that isn’t a full blown thriller/investigation/mystery) you will soon learn that they sometimes brush off logic to move the plot forward.

Honestly, I’d like to believe that everyone (including the creators/actors of the show) has lots of fun with this. I read somewhere that “this show has one brain cell” - and I agree completely. Just sit back, grab a drink, laugh out loud a have a hella good time. After all, an evil serial murderer writes diary and a soft-and-pure dimwit deludes that he is a murderer - how serious do you think it will get? (｡-ᴗ-)✧

——

With this, I’d also like to officially declare The Guest, Strangers From Hell and Psychopath Diary as my Holy Trinity of Korean ‘Bromantic’ Thriller Series (as if there exists such a genre, but oh well). Thank you for being such amazing dramas, for crossing my path, and for satisfying this thriller fanatic’s never-ending thirst for some good ol’ bromance.

Thank you for a great 2019. Here’s to the hope that more series of similar nature continue to be produced. ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

Hi there. I'm living in the Netherlands and desperate to find any raw scans of Himitsu. I'm waiting for my Japanese tankubons to arrive, which would take another 2 months TT_TT. If you happen to have the raw scans would you mind sharing? Thank you very much

Hi there, thank you for your message.

As the online English translations are up till the first half of vol.10, I assume you won’t need the raws for vol 1-9. Please find vol 10-12 in the Google Drive link here.

I hope this helps. Have fun reading! ^^

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

Exact reason why I’m so head over heels in love with obsessed with KDrama these days.

Introducing K-Drama’s next big thing: The Second Male Lead being blatantly head over heels in love with obsessed with the Male Lead

- also known as The Creator Knows Exactly What The Fangirls Want phenomenon

(Yeah, I’ve just basically summarised half the plot of these 3 dramas.)

——

Dramas featured: The Guest (2018) | Strangers From Hell (2019) | Psychopath Diary (2019)

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

This drama is pure gold and I’m obsessed.

It is completely, absolutely beyond my comprehension that this isn’t more popular. Apart from being an amazing show by itself, it checks off every single tick on my personal requirements for a perfect bromance show. God Gracious.

Folks, really, if you are in for some angsty, intense, mesmerising, and above all, i’ll-sacrifice-my-life-for-you sort of bromance, do yourself a favour and watch this.

The Guest (K-Drama)

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Detective, Supernatural, Horror/Exorcism, Drama

Synopsis (taken & modified from MyDramaList):

Twenty years ago, Yoon Hwa Pyung, a young psychic born into a shaman family, learns about a powerful demon called "Son" (Guest). The demon has the power to control other demons and allow them to possess weak people. The possessed people then go mad, kill their families, and stab themselves in the eye. Hwa Pyung, Choi Yoon - a young boy born in a religious Catholic family, and Kang Kil Yeong - the daughter of a detective, fatefully meet when their families get interwined in the killing spree of this mysterious demon.

Twenty years later, the demon killings starts again. Hwa Pyung is now a taxi driver who uses his power to seek out possessed people in order to help them, Yoon is a Catholic priest who is talented in exorcism, and Kil Yeong is a detective who doesn't believe in ghosts. The trio meets again and tries to work together to defeat "Son".

Length: Complete - 16 episodes, 70 minutes each

Personal review:

+ The bromance.

+ The bromance.

+ The bromance. Yeah, I think you get my point by now...

This is the kind of bromance that I’m always begging to see in every fictional material I consume. Chemistry that grows naturally and believably - checked; Characters going through life-and-death situations together - checked; A duo consisting of one that is calm & reserved and the other hot-tempered & reckless - checked; Protective of each other from beginning till end - checked.

I’ve been a fangirl for a long time now - the amount of fiction with bromance that I have seen would not be below the 100s range. And I can confidently tell you: the male leads’ chemistry in this show easily makes it to my top 3. I mean, when was the last time you saw two characters literally racing against each other to see who could die for the other person first?

And have I told you about that ‘underwater’ scene in the finale? Beautiful is an understatement. Period.

Introducing the one underwater scene that tops all underwater scenes ever known to humankind.

+ These are the 3 words I’ll use to describe the story: Captivating, haunting and solid. The Guest had me rewatch the whole thing (with better definition and better sound system!) immediately after I finish it the first time, no joke. Packed with great plot twists and a praise-worthy mystery, the show effectively uses this whodunit formula to have you keep guessing “who is the real villain?”. Also, it would be easier to appreciate it if you don’t mind horror and some minimal, ‘well-censored’ gore. After all, this is a show about exorcism.

+ The cast: The main cast is a trio of a taxi driver, an exorcist priest and a police officer (this combo somehow sounds like it comes from a fanfic...) who are closely connected to each other through a tragic encounter. Let me guess what you are thinking: “There is a lady in the poster so one (or both) of the male leads gotta fall in love with her and mess up the plot with their cheesy romance!”. I am here to assure you: There is zero romance in this show. Among the trio is pure teamwork to defeat a common enemy. There chemistry is just brilliant and oh-so-naturally developed.

Trust me also when I say this: I freakin’ love the female lead, as much as I do the male leads. She is strong, hard-headed and a total badass. As impossible as it may sound, her role in the team is to protect (yes, she protects the 2 male leads lol) and to mediate the guys whenever they quarrel (which is all the time, by the way (￣▽￣)). Take my words: You don’t come across a female lead like this everyday. This is rarest of the rare.

I’d also like to take this chance to declare my adoration for Kim Jae Wook who took on the role of our ultra-cold-on-the-outside, super-sweet-on-the-inside priest. Sir Priest, you are too handsome to be real and your legs are unworldly. Are you sure you didn’t pop out from some shoujo manga?

I’m totally not sorry it took you a long time to scroll past his ridiculously long legs...

Once again, Korea does their wonders with their casting choices. Every single actor and actress - main and supporting - does their job remarkably and adds so much life to the story. Bravo, just bravo.

+ The filmography: Surreal lighting, gorgeous angles, excellent colour palettes. 11/10 score - I rest my case.

- Negative point? What negative? I’ve met a Korean drama that completely engulfed my heart and soul - what makes you think I have anything bad to say about it?

Very important advice: If you are giving this a go-ahead, watch it in the highest definition you can possibly afford to. You’ll thank me later.

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

I’m not sure if you can classify this as ‘bromance’. It’s more of a special connection between a messed up character and a character that got messed up by the former?

I know that sounds totally wrong... But do not scroll through yet! I guarantee you, this show is hella good. 11/10 good. One of a kind good. Binge-watch worthy good. Promised!

Strangers From Hell (K-Drama)

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Drama

Synopsis (taken from MyDramaList):

“Yoon Jong Woo is a young guy in his 20s, who moved from the countryside to Seoul after his college friend, Jae Ho, offered him a job. While looking for a place to live, he stumbles upon Eden Gosiwon, a cheap apartment that shares the kitchen and bathroom with other residents. He is not thrilled about the quality of the place or the other abnormal residents, such as his next-door neighbor Seo Moon Jo, a charismatic dentist. Nevertheless, Jong Woo decides to put up with it for 6 months until he saves enough money to move out. However, mysterious events start occurring in the apartment, causing Jong Woo to start fearing the apartment's residents.”

Length: Complete - 10 episodes, 60 minutes each

Note: This drama is closely adapted from a webtoon of the same name, which is serialised on Naver. No English translation is yet available.

Personal review:

+ I started watching this drama when only 4 episodes had aired, purely because I saw some friends post about it on FB and I’m such a sucker for anything thriller. Little did I know the show would get me instantly hooked and I would see through 4 episodes in one single sitting. Yes, you can imagine the torturous wait for new episodes. Granted, I‘m biased toward mystery/thriller genre but I am confident you will agree that the atmosphere is set up amazingly right from the start, the lighting is top-notch and the acting is, seriously, gold *chef kiss.

To be very specific, the Eden Gosiwon residents are undoubtedly the soul of this show. I won’t even exaggerate: Each of the actors/actresses deserves a standing ovation.

+ The story keeps me on edge at literally all times. The pacing is super fast and the tension adds up relentlessly. Is something bad happening to the main guy? How is he going react to the situation? Is he finally getting the villains? Is someone else going to die in this episode? Warning: Yes, it does get a bit bloody (skip those scenes if you are uncomfortable).

+ Now, on the actor part, I cannot shut up about the dentist. Omg omg omg. When was the last time I saw a human this perfect?! He is soooooo beautiful. You really can watch the show just for him! [I’m sorry. Fangirl mode accidentally turned on]

That beauty... Urgh... *faint*

+ Since we are at “the dentist” part, let’s now talk about the bromance/chemistry/special connection/whatever word you deem fit in this drama. You can see this ‘obvious spark’ between the main character and the dentist since the very moment they first set eyes on each other (that sounds more romantic than necessary, but, well...). I won’t give away too many spoilers but do note that many non-horror fans set foot into this drama purely to see these two. It really is that good.

+ Maybe a tiny bit of generalisation but have you heard about just how good the Korean are at making thrillers? Let me give you the answer right away: They are exceptional. And Strangers From Hell happens to be yet another fine piece of art thriller that they produce. If you never watched any, start now with this drama. I guarantee: You are going to be blown away. [Source: I’ve been adoring Korean thrillers for about 9 years now (￣▽￣)]

- Negative point? Nope, not at all. Absolutely zero. Perfect length, perfect casting, perfect cinematography. 11/10, thank you very much.

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

Ah, here we go again, a vampire going gay for a human - a trope that I daresay will never get old... (~￣▽￣)~

Vampire Library (Manhwa)

Genre: Shoujo, Supernatural, Drama, Comedy

Synopsys (taken from BakaUpdates):

“Yu Mano wanted a job where he wouldn't have to deal with lots of people looking at him, and maybe where he could get some of his college homework done during breaks. Being an albino in South Korea, he always stands out. There's this creepy yet eye-catching mansion in his neighborhood that somehow is a library, so he decides to work there part-time for a while.

But his annoyance level soon shoots through the roof because every single one of the (admittedly gorgeous) librarians there are vampire otakus! They even dress and talk as if they are vampires—and as if they're certain he is one, too!

After an awkward first encounter with the head librarian (including being dragged into his elegant coffin), he is determined to never go back but...”

Note: BakaUpdates says this is Shounen-ai but the author says it’s Shoujo. Up till the latest translated chapter there is no official romance between the male leads, but there are tons of subtext. Guess we shall wait to see what the genre actually turns out to be?

Length: Ongoing at 89 chapters (Korean) / 30 chapters (English)

Personal review:

+ When was the last time I actually read a Korean comic that is black & white rather than fully coloured (ie those webtoons that have taken the world by storm in recent years)? Indeed this feels refreshing. The beautiful, nicely polished art is a big plus also.

+ Cute main character and supporting cast. Note: not your typical vampires xD I also appreciate that Mano isn’t a damsel-in-distress type of human (a trope often encountered in Korean romances, don’t ask me why). He is independent and definitely smart. And his bitchiness is really on point. (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧

+ Lovely, easy-to-digest humour. The fact that the author likes to break the 4th wall is great (read: those jokes on Boys’ Love are absolutely hilarious).

+ Story-wise, it is a collection of slice-of-life-with-a-pinch-of-supernatural episodes surrounding the daily encounters of Mano and his vampire squad. Nothing too grandeur, but surely easy to read.

+ On the bromance: As pointed out in Note, I’m still waiting to see if this is actually SA or pure Shoujo. But it’s really obvious hinted that Carbel the Head of the Library (aka the Head Vampire) has more-than-just-friendly feelings for Mano. Which is really adorable, by the way.

- 30 chapters in and I still have no idea where the story is actually going. Hm. Can be a good title to check out when you crave for something not too heavy on the drama, but do not expect too much from the plot or the characterisation. But then again, to be fair, the English translation is only 1/3 of the Korean raws, so we have a lot in store to look forward to.

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

A friend introduced me to this title and I finished it in like 2 seatings. Quite a unique anime I should say. Imagine Sherlock Holmes meets 07-Ghost and ta-dah, here’s the result:

Vatican Miracle Examiner (Anime)

Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Shoujo, Supernatural  

Synopsys (taken from BakaUpdates):

“Based on the eponymous novel, the story focuses on Hiraga Joseph-Kou, a genius scientist, and Roberto Nicholas, an archive and cryptanalysis expert. They are partners and two of the Vatican’s “miracle examiners,” whose job is to travel the world and conduct investigations to verify the authenticity of claims regarding miracles.”

Anime Length: 12 episodes + 1 OVA

Note: This anime is based on a novel. If you are interested to read it, there are some parts that have been translated and posted on Tumblr.

Personal Review:

+ Mystery! Investigation! Hot priests solving murder cases (this sounds kinda wrong…)!

+ Great atmosphere setup.

+ 2 beautiful, dorky leads who are great partners and practically married. I kid you not. Also, there’s an unbelievably gorgeous villain [No spoiler intended hehehe (~￣▽￣)~].

- I think I’ve read somewhere a review that goes like this: “Vatican Miracle Examiner is so bad it’s good”. And I think that’s a fair statement. I myself wouldn’t necessarily call VME bad, it’s more like… odd. The mystery is built up really really well, yet the revelation turns out to be either: a) Ridiculous b) Absolutely impossible or c) “WTF?”. I find it a huge pity, for I believe that this series has the potential to be on par with some famous detective series up there.

- I managed to get hold of the raw Japanese manga (no one is translating this OMG why T_T), and I have a feeling that the manga is a lot more elaborate in the investigation & revelation segments (the first case takes 4 episodes in the anime, but in the manga it takes up full 3 volumes - that’s a lot!). Also, the art looks real great. Somebody, someone, some translating group out there, pretty please?

[This is taken from vol.2 of the manga. Hello Sherlock! Hello Watson! ( ﾉ^.^)ﾉﾟ]

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

Fun-filled adventures with adorable protagonists and a supernatural setting. I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely in. Without further ado, today’s manga rec would be:

——

The Morose Mononokean

Genre: Supernatural, Fantasy, Comedy, Shounen

Synopsis (taken & modified from BakaUpdates):

Ashiya has spent the first seven days of high school stuck in the infirmary because of a "mononoke" (or “yokai” - monster spirit) attaching itself to him. He ends up asking the owner of a small tearoom - Mononokean - for help.

This is a series of mysterious stories involving the very morose owner of Mononokean, who guides mononoke to pass on to the next world.

Length: Ongoing (67 chapters)

Translation: Ongoing (similar pacing with raw version)

Personal review:

+ Meet Hanae Ashiya, a clumsy average human who happens to be able to see mononokes, and for that he gets hired by Haruitsuki Abeno, a certified tsundere who happens to be the master of a tearoom that floats between the Underworld and the Human Realm.

+ Follow our protagonist duo on their intriguing adventures and misadventures into the world of mononokes. The plot has a laid-back pacing and an episodic style, with each story covering a different mononoke getting caught in some problem and our protagonists trying to solve it. Is that all there is to the plot? Obviously no. Do our protagonists have any tragic backstory™ or deadly secret? Ha, you bet! (╯✧∇✧)╯

+ Chemistry-wise, as you might have guessed, Ashiya has a tendency to get into troubles which requires his protective husbando Abeno’s rescue. Okay to be fair Ashiya indeed grows and gradually learns to fend for himself. Needless to say, their chemistry builds up along the way. The two has a lovely, pleasant dynamic I should say. And Abeno’s tsundere moments are truly precious.

+ Ah, the art. What a charming art style, and how can I not mention the super cute chibi! Also, Abeno is seriously hot but I’ll try to not digress. (￣▽￣)

- Though the series is nothing incredibly ambitious or grandeur, there isn’t any major weakness to pick on. It truly is just a delightful, easy-to-read manga with lovable characters. So no negative point to discuss here.

PS: If I still have not convinced you to read this manga, here’s a picture of the duo’s adorable sidekick. The name is Fuzzy aka Hairball:

Yeah, go read it now.

[the-bromance-rec-blog]

Who would have thought there’s such an amazing fic in this virtually non-existent fandom?

100 words of kneeling - Shirogane no Ou

(set immediately after Fenrir Craft and thus contains spoilers for the entire series)

As he sat on the veranda, His Majesty dozing at his back, Right-Eye took stock of the situation and concluded that it remained entirely untenable.

Immediate catastrophe had been averted–the King of Zephil had been turned away, His Majesty was safe, Right-Eye hadn’t been thrown out of the palace or executed for treason–but still, Right-Eye knew his position remained tenuous at best.  It galled him to acknowledge that; what else did he have to do to prove himself?  The tattoo on his left arm was largely unrecognizable now, ink replaced by damage that would soon become scar tissue; Ulysses was dead twice over, once a decade ago and again today by his own proclamation; he had defended His Majesty against Zephil’s plot, raised his sword against his own blood brother.  Most importantly, his king wanted him, trusted him, believed in him.

But it wasn’t enough.  The fact remained that Right-Eye had been born and raised a prince of Zephil, and if so many people had distrusted him when they didn’t know his provenance, then surely they would feel their distrust justified when they learned that his veins carried the royal blood of an enemy nation.

And it wouldn’t stay secret, Right-Eye knew that.  Too many people knew, now, and those who didn’t would be able to put all the clues together soon enough.  And between the Royal Guard and His Majesty’s advisors, there were plenty of people who wanted nothing more than to run Right-Eye out of the country–or run him through with a blade.

Right-Eye wrapped his arms around his knees and took a deep breath.  His Majesty wants me here, he reminded himself, clamping down the anxiety that gnawed a hole in the pit of his stomach.  As long as His Majesty sits on the throne and wishes me to be his right eye, I will remain by his side, and nothing and no one can change that.

“Right-Eye? Have you seen–oh.”

“See, I told you he’d be here.”

Right-Eye looked over his shoulder and saw Wolfgang standing at the veranda door, Lord Shirogane draped over one shoulder.  "Sorry for barging in,“ Wolfgang said.  "I knocked, but you didn’t answer.”

“My apologies,” Right-Eye replied.  "I didn’t hear you from out here.  How can I help you?“

"I was looking for that idiot,” Lord Shirogane announced, nodding at His Majesty.  "Is he asleep?“

Not anymore, Right-Eye thought.  His Majesty hadn’t moved, and his breathing remained soft and steady, but he was pressed up against Right-Eye’s back, a long line of warmth; when his muscles tensed, Right-Eye could feel it.

"It’s been a long day,” Right-Eye said apologetically; an understatement if there ever was one.  "I didn’t want to wake him.“

"Well, at least send him to bed,” Wolfgang said, half scolding, half fond.  "If he wakes up with a crick in his neck, he’ll make everyone else’s lives miserable, you know he will.  He’s a pain in the ass like that.“  He deposited Lord Shirogane in Right-Eye’s lap.  "You need to take care of him, Right-Eye,” he said, his expression sober.  "He won’t let anyone else even try.“

Right-Eye gently gathered up Lord Shirogane.  "I’ll do my best.”

Wolfgang nodded and turned to leave.  When he reached the door, though, he paused, one hand grasping the doorjamb as though for support.  "Right-Eye,“ he said, never turning around, "you’re going to stay, right?  Stay with him?”

Right-Eye lowered his eyes to Lord Shirogane, who gazed back up at him speculatively.  "Of course,“ he said, to both of them.  "As long as His Majesty will have me, I will be his right eye.”

“Good,” Wolfgang said, as thought that was the only thing he had wanted to hear, and he left without another word.

For a few moments, there was silence.  A few seconds of peace and calm.  Then Lord Shirogane said, “Hey,” brusque and unyielding, and he thwapped his tail over Right-Eye’s shoulder and smacked His Majesty on the back of the head.  "You’re a terrible actor.“

"Lord Shirogane,” Right-Eye said reproachfully.

“What?  I know he’s awake.”

“Shut up,” His Majesty grumbled, and now he was sitting up, no stretching or yawning, not the slightest pretense of sleepiness.  "Can’t a man have an hour of peace?“

"Not around here,” Lord Shirogane said, far too chipper.  He wriggled out of Right-Eye’s hands and up His Majesty’s arm, settling around his shoulders like a mantle.  "Did you properly talk things out?  He looks like he’s about to run away again.“  He glanced slyly at Right-Eye as he spoke.

His Majesty scowled.  "He’s not going anywhere,” he growled, and then he turned and looked at Right-Eye.  "You’re not going anywhere,“ he repeated.  Right-Eye couldn’t tell if it was more question or threat.  His Majesty kept glaring, and Lord Shirogane abandoned subtlety and craned his head to peer at him, too.

Right-Eye averted his gaze; those three eyes staring at him were three too many.  "As long as you want me, Your Majesty,” he said, “I’m yours.”

His Majesty snorted, unimpressed.  "But?“ he asked.

Right-Eye lowered his head.  "But people will ask questions,” he said.  "If you thought it was bad before, it will be many times worse now.  Once it gets out who I am–who I was….“  He shook his head.  "There’s only so much you can do to protect me, Your Majesty.”

“A king’s duty is to protect,” His Majesty replied.  His voice was disgusted; Right-Eye had to tell himself, more than once, that the disgust wasn’t directed at him.  "You’re my right eye.  Anyone who still has a problem with that can go fuck themselves.“

"It isn’t that easy, King,” Lord Shirogane said.

His Majesty let out a sound like he wasn’t sure whether he wanted to be sick or to shoot someone.  He grabbed Lord Shirogane by the nape of the neck and dragged him down to stare him in the eye.  "Not you, too,“ he snapped, giving him a disapproving shake.

Lord Shirogane wormed out of His Majesty’s grip and inched back up onto his shoulder.  "They’re idiots,” he said, “but they’re idiots who are helping you run the country.”

“I’ll fire them.”

Right-Eye closed his eyes.  "The younger brother of the King of Zephil went undercover as a nameless mercenary, infiltrated the palace, won the king’s trust, and began exerting his influence on the king.  Eventually, the king became nothing but a puppet, and the foreign prince effected a purge of the Quatredina government, eliminating everyone who criticized or questioned the king’s decision to keep the heir to the Zephil throne as his personal bodyguard and bringing the country one step closer to being overthrown by Zephil.“

The story practically wrote itself.  And Right-Eye didn’t know how to change the narrative.

"That’s absurd,” His Majesty snapped.  "You’re not working against me.  You’re protecting me.  You’re my bodyguard.  You would take an arrow for me.“

"I would,” Right-Eye said softly.  "And yet I’m not the one who did take an arrow.“

His Majesty recoiled, his expression stricken.  "That’s,” he snarled, his voice ablaze, but nothing followed, as though he, too, began to sense the futility of it all.  He turned away, teeth gnashing, and then he let out a sound of utter frustration and braced his forehead against his clasped hands.

“King,” Lord Shirogane said, sounding surprised.

Right-Eye’s stomach twisted and curdled inside him.  "Your Majesty….“

"You’re my right eye,” His Majesty muttered.  His shoulders slumped with bone-deep exhaustion.  "I gave up my right eye once.  It was my choice, it was my responsibility, and I won’t let anyone else take the blame.“  At last he looked up, and Right-Eye’s breath caught in his throat, because His Majesty’s single pale eye glinted with that absolute refusal to surrender that was part of his blood and his bones.  "But what happens to my other right eye is also my choice and my responsibility, and I’ll be damned if I lose my right eye again.”

Right-Eye swallowed.  "Your Majesty,“ he whispered, his voice thick, and found no other words to say.

What had he done to deserve this?  After everything that had happened in his life, how had he earned such unshakeable trust and loyalty?

The moment was shattered when Lord Shirogane spun about, landing his tail square in His Majesty’s face.  His Majesty spluttered on a mouthful of fur and scowled, but Lord Shirogane merely huffed, looking at them in turn.  "This is touching and all,” he said, sardonic, “but what are you going to do about it?”

“Do about it?” Right-Eye echoed.

“We shouldn’t have to do anything about it,” His Majesty said crossly.  "It should be a non-issue.“

Lord Shirogane smacked him in the face again.

"Do about it,” Right-Eye repeated, ruminating over the words.  Now that he thought about it, what had they done about it?  Right-Eye had always tried to stay present but unobtrusive–to remain by His Majesty’s side enough for his loyalty to be known, but not let anyone look too closely for fear of what they might see.  His Majesty had not always kept his cool, but he had at times shied away from being too full-throated in his defense of Right-Eye, lest people think the king protest too much.  They had tried to let the evidence of Right-Eye’s actions be enough to defend him.  But what had that achieved?  Nearly the entire court and Royal Guard had stood up against him, and that was before his past had been revealed.

“Perhaps we should confront it head-on,” Right-Eye said slowly, pondering even as he spoke.

His Majesty raised one eyebrow.  "Meaning?“

"My past is out,” Right-Eye said.  "There’s no way to unopen that box.  So instead of trying to keep it quiet, we announce it to the world.“

His Majesty’s draw dropped.  His gaze went incredulous, then sharp.  "You’re an idiot.”

“We can make a whole production of it,” Right-Eye continued, warming to his subject.  "We announce that I was a prince of Zephil, and then I publicly renounce my birthright.  I’ll swear a formal oath of fealty.  I’ll kneel before you, vow to serve you, pledge my loyalty to you.  My tattoo is mostly unrecognizable by now, I think, but I’ll take a brand to burn the rest of it off, and–“

”Enough!“

His Majesty surged to his feet.  Lord Shirogane yelped and clung to his shoulder by the very tips of his claws.  Right-Eye stared up at him, shocked into silence.

"They’ll eat you alive,” His Majesty snarled.  He clenched his hands into fists so tight they trembled; his voice was so livid it could have sparked a wildfire.  "You’d be throwing yourself to the wolves.“

”Hey,“ Lord Shirogane objected.

"It’s not happening,” His Majesty spat.  "I won’t let you hurt yourself for me, and I won’t let you kneel before me.  They’ve done enough to you as is.  If the choice is to have you humiliate yourself in front of the world, I’d rather throw them out, and fuck the consequences.“

Right-Eye stiffened.  "Your Majesty,” he said.  He couldn’t keep the edge from his voice.

“You aren’t even going to hear him out?” Lord Shirogane asked.

“No.”  His Majesty tore Lord Shirogane from his shoulder and practically flung him at Right-Eye.  "And you’re going to convince him that he’s being a fucking idiot, because I’m not listening to this anymore.“

And without another word, His Majesty turned and stalked away, his shoulders tense and his footsteps heavy.  He slammed the door behind him with a bang.

In the ensuing silence, Right-Eye felt the tension drain from his body.  He slouched where he sat and let out a heavy sigh.  "I didn’t think it would upset him that much,” he admitted, settling Lord Shirogane more comfortably in his lap.

Lord Shirogane snorted.  "King isn’t exactly known for his composure,“ he said, "but he has even less of it when it comes to you.”

Right-Eye lowered his gaze.  "I’m sorry.“

"Wait, wait, why are you apologizing?  I’m sorry!  It’s not your fault!”  Lord Shirogane frantically patted Right-Eye’s leg with his tail, a gesture that was probably meant to be comforting.  "It’s just the idiot being an idiot!“

"The idiot,” Right-Eye said, “is my king.”

Lord Shirogane deflated.

Right-Eye took a deep breath and collected himself.  Then he picked up Lord Shirogane, lifting him until they were eye-to-eye.  "Do you think it’s as bad of an idea as he does?“ he asked.

"It’s a crazy idea,” Lord Shirogane said bluntly.  "And it’d probably blow up in your face.  But it just might work.“

It wasn’t like anything else had improved Right-Eye’s standing in the eyes of the country, so he saw no reason they shouldn’t give it a shot.  There was only one problem.  "But he’ll never stand for it, will he?” he said, glum and rhetorical.

“You might be able to convince him,” Lord Shirogane said doubtfully.

Right-Eye sighed again.  "I know he’s trying to protect me,“ he said, lowering Lord Shirogane onto the bench beside him.  "But I’m his bodyguard.  More than that, I’m his right eye.  He gave me a name, and a place, and a purpose.  A king’s purpose may be to protect his country and his people, but my purpose is to protect him.”

Lord Shirogane’s ears drooped.  "Protecting him as his bodyguard is one thing.  But he doesn’t want you lowering yourself for his sake.“

”He is my king,“ Right-Eye said through gritted teeth.  "I would gladly take His Majesty’s brand on my arm.  Swearing my loyalty to him in front of the world is no humiliation.  I would be honored to kneel at his feet.”

“Kneeling for your king is great and all, but you realize that I’m the important part here, right?” Lord Shirogane asked dryly.  "I’m the reason he’s the king, after all.“

Right-Eye dredged up a fraction of a smile.  "I would kneel for you too, Lord Shirogane,” he said.  "If you wanted me to.“

Lord Shirogane wasn’t wearing his regular smirk anymore.  Instead he gazed back, his eyes uncharacteristically frank.  "I would let you kneel for me,” he replied.  "But only because he wouldn’t let you kneel for him.“