vvlin91

[vvlin91]

The Fifth Monkey presents:

Journey to the West - an Audio Drama Series

Chapter 28 Part 1 & 2

Karma, basically.

EMERGENCY AID TO HELP OUR MEMBER

Spotify (monthly fee is <$3)

Youtube (monthly fee is <$3)

Patreon (beginning at $3/month with access to loads of exclusive content)

Ko-fi (donate however much you like!)

Follow us on other platforms:

Bluesky

Bilibili

Weibo

Our homepage

For paid members on Youtube, Spotify and Patreon, early access to Chapter 29 Part 1 & 2 is now available.

[vvlin91]

Thank you for the notes! Sorry I didn't have time to make complementary English subs but you are pretty on point! Yes, there was a lot of disbelief on my part when I learned there was an actual date lol

The gender narrative part actually applies to both GSNK and TCB because all the characters flip conventional gender stereotypes in their unique ways. TCB simply followed GSNK's steps.

As for my criticism about internet virality lol I pointed that out I actually have more followers than Gong Shi Hei has (in the drama she has about 10k, I in reality have almost 30k), but at no point did I ever have a top comment with thousands of likes. So for her to have a casual comment getting 3k+ likes feels very unrealistic lol

And my thoughts on the ending was how the drama somehow did not explicitly connect Qiandai's criticism of Ye Qi's comics with Ye Qi's personal experience. Ye Qi did fall for her at the sight of her ribbon, that's why he drew the exact same scene in his comics. Qiandai thought it was too over-the-top when he actually based it on actual experience. Like, the audience can probably figure it out ourselves but I just thought it would be better if they did a more clear callback to connect the two events together (plus how Ye Qi always emphasizes how everything he draws has factual basis).

Another thing that might need a bit clarifying would be "how TCB hits og gsnk fans with a certain modern feeling as we grew with the manga over the years"

That actually wasn't what I was discussing. My exact point was that the writing team made the wise choice to not fill the script with easily obsolete internet memes and gags but instead went for media that were more of the "collective memory" variety, such as Hollywood blockbusters, classic manga series like One Piece, etc. This allowed the drama to not appear "outdated" despite being several years behind its scheduled release. And by leaning more into pop culture that has more lasting power, the story fills me with nostalgia and at no point I felt it was "outdated" because I am also a pretty "outdated" person myself and don't follow the latest trends anyway.

Sooooo I made a review (it's mostly just me fangirling over the show) of "The Comic Bang" and it's out on Bilibili now!

All in Chinese though. In this video, I went over a lot of things I like about TCB and the artistic choices they made to make the show stand out on its own. I also discussed the gender narratives in GSNK and TCB which made the story so comfortable to the heart.

I also DMed the drama's director and writer and they are excited to watch my review too! Looking forward to their feedback as well.

That'd be all. Have a nice day!

[vvlin91]

One thing that really struck me after I publicized my vocal appreciation for The Comic Bang on Chinese social media is that a lot of fans come to my comment section telling me how "lonely" they felt for being a fan and how happy they are to have found me. They tell me how well I voiced their love for the drama and they wish more people can let go of their "manga fundamentalism" and embrace this wonderful live action.

I'm not here to discuss why TCB is so under-promoted (c-ent is very cutthroat, don't ask me how I know) or why some manga fans continue to hate on the live action for no particular reason given no one is forcing them to watch it. I just wish people who genuinely like a thing can have the company and safe space to like that thing without feeling marginalized, alone and unseen. I'm glad I became the person who provided them with that space, whether it's on Bilibili or Weibo. And I strive to do the same on Tumblr.

And this, strangely, is also how the creators of the TCB felt at first until they saw my reviews and posts. The director and producer said they were in tears watching my review knowing that their hardwork was not just appreciated, but thoroughly understood. I am also a writer and creator myself, I relate to that feeling so hard.

I don't know why I wanted to write this post, but I just want everyone to know that if you like The Comic Bang, you know where to find a fellow fan. My DM is always open, you can leave questions about the many cultural Easter Eggs in TCB that only a native Chinese viewer can pick up or comments to show your love for the show's creators. I am actively collecting comments and questions for my upcoming chat with them. If you have a thought, feel free!

At the end of the day, whether it is GSNK or TCB, the story is always about young enthusiasts who came together for a shared passion. We love this story because we also yearn for that kind of connection and bond.

Thanks for reading my random thoughts!

[vvlin91]

This is one of my personal favorite moments in the entire drama.

I just love how Ye Qi would put himself below Qiandai's eye level to check on her. It's all these subtle movements that show how much he cares.

Web c-drama The Comic Bang/开画！少女漫 based on Tsubaki Izumi’s manga series Gekkan Shojo Nozaki-kun, now streaming on iQIYI.

[vvlin91]

The Fifth Monkey presents:

Journey to the West - an Audio Drama Series

Chapter 27 Part 1 & 2

This chapter needs no description.

EMERGENCY AID TO HELP OUR MEMBER

Spotify (monthly fee is <$3)

Youtube (monthly fee is <$3)

Patreon (beginning at $3/month with access to loads of exclusive content)

Ko-fi (donate however much you like!)

Follow us on other platforms:

Bluesky

Bilibili

Weibo

Our homepage

For paid members on Youtube, Spotify and Patreon, early access to Chapter 28 Part 1 & 2 is now available.

[vvlin91]

My review for The Comic Bang crossed 10k views on Bilibili which is awesome coz my channel is very small and not a lot of videos go that far.

In the meantime, please send your positive comments and/or questions for the creators of the drama my way! I will make sure to relay it to them!

[vvlin91]

My review for The Comic Bang crossed 10k views on Bilibili which is awesome coz my channel is very small and not a lot of videos go that far.

In the meantime, please send your positive comments and/or questions for the creators of the drama my way! I will make sure to relay it to them!

[vvlin91]

OK this is for real

The director and writers of The Comic Bang agreed to sit down for an interview on my Bilibili channel in the future.

Sooooo if you have a question re: the show and how it was made, feel free to drop a comment or DM me.

Be nice! And once we've had our chat, I will translate their answers and get back to you.

This is a link to my channel:

This is the drama review I made for The Comic Bang which almost brought the director to tears because I managed to pick up all his movie references and weird Easter Eggs.

[vvlin91]

OK this is for real

The director and writers of The Comic Bang agreed to sit down for an interview on my Bilibili channel in the future.

Sooooo if you have a question re: the show and how it was made, feel free to drop a comment or DM me.

Be nice! And once we've had our chat, I will translate their answers and get back to you.

This is a link to my channel:

This is the drama review I made for The Comic Bang which almost brought the director to tears because I managed to pick up all his movie references and weird Easter Eggs.

[vvlin91]

Sooooo I made a review (it's mostly just me fangirling over the show) of "The Comic Bang" and it's out on Bilibili now!

All in Chinese though. In this video, I went over a lot of things I like about TCB and the artistic choices they made to make the show stand out on its own. I also discussed the gender narratives in GSNK and TCB which made the story so comfortable to the heart.

I also DMed the drama's director and writer and they are excited to watch my review too! Looking forward to their feedback as well.

That'd be all. Have a nice day!

[vvlin91]

Received this little gift from The Comic Bang after they picked me (among many others) for their official fan lottery!

It’s Jieyue!

[vvlin91]

Web c-drama The Comic Bang/开画！少女漫 based on Tsubaki Izumi’s manga series Gekkan Shojo Nozaki-kun, now streaming on iQIYI.

The Birth aka The Production Special (with English subtitles by me)

(((original link here)))

In this clip, you get to see truly behind-the-scenes how the creative team brought the story to life and all the passion, love and thought put into making this drama.

Useful links:

Official Weibo

Name localization guide

To be tagged under: #GSNKTCB just so you know it's from me.

[vvlin91]

Web c-drama The Comic Bang/开画！少女漫 based on Tsubaki Izumi’s manga series Gekkan Shojo Nozaki-kun, now streaming on iQIYI.

The Birth aka The Production Special (with English subtitles by me)

(((original link here)))

In this clip, you get to see truly behind-the-scenes how the creative team brought the story to life and all the passion, love and thought put into making this drama.

Useful links:

Official Weibo

Name localization guide

To be tagged under: #GSNKTCB just so you know it's from me.

[vvlin91]

Web c-drama The Comic Bang/开画！少女漫 based on Tsubaki Izumi’s manga series Gekkan Shojo Nozaki-kun, now streaming on iQIYI.

The Actor Special (with English subtitles by me)

(((original link here)))

This special focuses on the main cast and how they were cast, featuring interviews with director Zhong Qing who is now weibo mutuals with yours truly. Interesting and wholesome stuff, makes you appreciate each cast member even more!

Useful links:

Official Weibo

Name localization guide

To be tagged under: #GSNKTCB just so you know it's from me.

Note: I will be posting screenshots, gif sets and some written insight into how the show may be different from the manga original. For other official material, please check them out on Weibo. There is already too much of them for me to keep up so I won't be reposting here. I am a certified Chinese-English translator so if there are sub questions(the offiicial subs can get sloppy), feel free to let me know.

[vvlin91]

Web c-drama The Comic Bang/开画！少女漫 based on Tsubaki Izumi’s manga series Gekkan Shojo Nozaki-kun, now streaming on iQIYI.

The Actor Special (with English subtitles by me)

(((original link here)))

This special focuses on the main cast and how they were cast, featuring interviews with director Zhong Qing who is now weibo mutuals with yours truly. Interesting and wholesome stuff, makes you appreciate each cast member even more!

Useful links:

Official Weibo

Name localization guide

To be tagged under: #GSNKTCB just so you know it's from me.

Note: I will be posting screenshots, gif sets and some written insight into how the show may be different from the manga original. For other official material, please check them out on Weibo. There is already too much of them for me to keep up so I won't be reposting here. I am a certified Chinese-English translator so if there are sub questions(the offiicial subs can get sloppy), feel free to let me know.

[vvlin91]

In another fun twist of events.

Zhong Qing, the director of The Comic Bang, is now also mutuals with me.

In a fun twist of events.

I am now weibo mutuals with one of The Comic Bang's writers.

I wrote a positive review of Ep.16 and they reposted me and then we started talking on weibo and now we are mutuals like wtf.

If you have anything nice to say to the team, I am your girl now?

[vvlin91]

I literally have withdrawal symptoms now.

The Comic Bang just updated all the way till its finale. You need to pay for early access but that's money I am willing to spend.

See you on the other side!