Archive of Thoughts

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[callester]

Rebirth (冰湖重生) Scenes: Revealed Deception

Reference: Rebirth (Episode 7, 28)

[callester]

Childhood Glimpse

Zhao Ban Er (portrayed by Xia Meng) Riverside Code At Qing Ming Festival (清明上河图密码)

Happy International Children's Day 🎉

[callester]

Rebirth (冰湖重生): Glimpse of Thoughts

Reference: Rebirth (Episode 3, 4, 7, 28, 30, 35)

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Rebirth (冰湖重生) Recap: Shared Philosophy

Reference: Rebirth (Episode 16, Episode 18)

Reference: Rebirth (Episode 17)

Reference: Rebirth (Episode 17)

[callester]

"Plants are more courageous than almost all human beings: an orange tree would rather die than produce lemons, whereas instead of dying the average person would rather be someone they are not" (Mokokoma Mokhonoana)

In the context of Rebirth's (冰湖重生) Yan Xun and Zhao Chun Er

Zhang Kang Le as Yan Xun ▪︎ Xia Meng as Zhao Chun Er

This story fails to grant happiness to each and every character that plays a part in it due to the obsession of wanting all to fit into the predetermined positions left by one's respective predecessor and thus, obeying a seemingly inescapable fate.

A tale of pawns that dreamt of breaking the chessboard, only to be chained to its endless cycle of sacrifices that diminishes one's core.

A rebellion that harbours no vision, a world that hangs without balance.

Relaying the same hope as the casts' conclusion on prioritising oneself (自己, zi ji) to their characters;

Zhang Kang Le: Lone eagle of Yanbei, fly freely. This time, there is no kingdom, no hatred, only yourself.

(燕北的孤鹰，自由地飞吧。这一次，没有江山，没有仇恨，只有你自己。)

Xia Meng: Goodbye, Chun Er, if there are parallel worlds, may you find fulfillment that belongs to yourself in another world.

(再见，淳儿，如果有平行世界，愿你在另一个世界里拥有属于自己的圆满。)

And to quote their previous roles' wisdom as Zhang Qi Ling (Adventure Behind the Bronze Door ▪︎ 藏海花) and Zhao Ban Er (Riverside Code at Qing Ming Festival ▪︎ 清明上河图密码):

To more future collaborations between Zhang Kang Le and Xia Meng!

[callester]

Photographical Takes

Condé Nast Traveler Magazine

Source: Cheng Yi Studio (Weibo)

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Shared colour theme across Nightfall and Yuri Briar's outfits

Spy×Family Anime Extra Mission II

Shades of purple

Nightfall: Overall outfit

Yuri: Collar and cuffs

Shades of black

Yuri: Hair colour

Nightfall: Inner attire layer and belt

Shades of white

Nightfall: Hair colour

Yuri: Trousers and belt

[callester]

Rebirth (冰湖重生) Scenes: Resumed Clash

Reference: Rebirth (Episode 2)

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Rebirth (冰湖重生) Snippets: Plotting Opposition

Reference: Rebirth (Episode 2)

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Rebirth (冰湖重生) Snippets: Vengeful Take

Broadcasted version + excluded scene (4th)

Reference: Rebirth (Episode 15), Rebirth Trailer

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Rebirth (冰湖重生) Snippets: Momentary Resolve

Reference: Rebirth (Episode 35)

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Rebirth (冰湖重生) Snippets: Rabbit Tail Token

Reference: Rebirth (Episode 34, 35)

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Rebirth (冰湖重生) Recap: Fall

Reference: Rebirth (Episode 3, 4, 5, 6)

[callester]

Rebirth (冰湖重生) Relationship Recap: Yan Xun & Zhao Chun Er

Spiritual encounter: A symbolism of meeting one's lingering spirit.

In a coincidental timeline where Chun Er sees Yan Xun in her vision while Yan Xun is struggling past a fatal situation.

Brief reunion: In a guise of moving from the past

A switch between a personal exchange to one that serves purpose to their official positions.

A shared past: The reminder and remnant of a distant memory

Where Chun Er had recalled the memory of being given a rabbit by Yan Xun, while Yan Xun proves to still recall it by presenting her a rabbit-tail token.

Found resolve: A truthful conversation by the end of one's hallucination

Yan Xun reveals the reason behind excluding the rebellion from Chun Er's knowledge, as Chun Er later vaguely conveys a form of regret that may relate to the Yan family's tragic massacre.

Destined clash: A sliver of care

As portrayed by Chun Er by taking offence of Yan Xun's deliberate planning against her, alongside Yan Xun's shock at the unseen strike towards Chun Er and an almost successful retaliation on her behalf that comes after.

In a distorted reality that once presented a fleeting possibility, reciprocated feelings existed only to be buried by their inescapable fate.

Props to Zhang Kang Le and Xia Meng for nailing the complex relationship between Yan Xun and Zhao Chun Er. Anticipating more collaborations between them (though preferably less tragic)!

[callester]

Storyline Parallels

Crossover: Flip That Coin (The Kingdom, 더킹덤) × Moncler advertisement (Zhang Kang Le, 张康乐)

[callester]

Rebirth (冰湖重生) Exchange Analysis: Contextual switch

Of shared bond between long-time acquaintances

Of political exchange between an envoy and a king

Reference: Rebirth (Episode 17)

[callester]

Rebirth (冰湖重生) Recap: Same-mindedness

Reference: Rebirth (Episode 16, Episode 20)