the quiet of the blue tide @hwarintide - Tumblr Blog

Suddenly, a therapy session in the middle of a demon-created nightmare? For me? For me?

I really love how many Asian dramas explore the inner world and fears through dreams. it seems like Chinese wuxia, in particular, takes this to a whole new level with how deeply and thoughtfully they approach it.

#fangs of fortune #cdrama

citrinekay

BIBI as Kim Jaehee Gangnam B-Side (강남 비-사이드) | Episode 5

biochemjess

What I love about Chinese dramas is that you can make an utterly insane statement like, “and then he gave up his dream of becoming a chef to accept his destiny of being a mountain,” and 100 people will completely understand what you’re talking about.

yesdramas

FANGS OF FORTUNE 大梦归离 — 2024, dir. Edward Guo, Luo Luo, Wei Nan

xiaolanhua

The Judge from Hell 지옥에서 온 판사 (2024) Dir. Park Jin Pyo – Ep. 14

First episodes of Light Shop were great but also creepy. I'm invested!!

#light shop #kdrama

krushing

@kdramaspace 2024 YEAR IN REVIEW | ON LOCATION ↻ favourite sets: WON-YOUNG'S LIGHT SHOP in LIGHT SHOP

Why do you wear sunglasses indoors? Because it is very bright. My eyes have gone bad from working here. Yeah, maybe you should do something about that. Lower the lights? It's too bright in here. I can't do that. I mean, after all this is a light shop.

tsunflowers

book from the sky (tianshu) xu bing, 1989-91

I was so excited to see a copy of this in real life bc it's something I studied in art history. this is a book that was typeset and printed by hand using wooden blocks but every one of the characters was invented for the sake of the piece and does not correspond to any word in the Chinese language

tsunflowers

yes. he invented and hand carved 4000 characters. it is a CRAZY project that resulted in an intentionally unreadable book. I love it

curioscurio

Xu Bing you're legendary to me !!!!

snarkspawn

when in doubt, meme

gizkasparadise

Wait there's discourse over whether the ML from when the phone rings is a green flag or red flag? From the show where the first episode establishes that all the fun is going to be from watching this cold shady bastard go completely unhinged?!

I've come across the argument several times that Baek Sa-eon couldn’t possibly love or even be slightly interested in Hong Hee-joo for the past 20 years because he never made an effort to learn sign language. But I’d argue that this perspective might come from a place of privilege—perhaps those who think this way have never encountered a relationship where someone makes irrational decisions yet genuinely cares. How can we definitively know what is or isn’t love? Love manifests differently for everyone.

In Sa-eon’s case specifically, I believe he has never fully recognized his attachment to his wife. He admitted that he felt comfortable being with her in complete silence. That's it. Likely, before the events of the drama, he never engaged in active acts of love because he was more accustomed to receiving from others than giving. In a way, I think his personal trauma lies in his inability to connect with others through words. That’s perhaps why, in a desperate attempt, he first became a television anchor and is now a spokesperson for the presidential office. If he couldn’t bridge the gap with his parents, maybe he thought he could at least create the illusion of understanding with the public.

From a young age, he learned that trying to communicate was pointless, and that same belief carried over into his relationship with Hee-joo, leading him to make little effort to grow closer to her. However, the events in the drama seem to push him out of this passive state. But we'll see.

#when the phone rings #kdrama

ambitionsgreaterthan-deactivate

The discourse surrounding the When the phone ring male lead is fascinating, I think some people need to broaden their horizons a little and watch more dramas. Engaging with fictional romance solely in terms of green flag/red flag is not only strange but reductive, dramas aren't supposed to be a depiction of the fantasy relationship you want in real life (although if that's how you choose to engage with them, some of them can be) they're supposed to tell good stories and deliver interesting and complex characters and relationships. And if you equate fictional morality with that of real life then I don't know what to tell you other than :

dangermousie

impala124

This whole discourse surrounding Baek Sa-eon's character is making me scratch my head. Like, he isn't even that bad. Sure, some parts are exaggerated, but I think people tend to forget that our past experiences define the person we are today, and not everyone has functional relationships around them to look up to. Yes, the man is a bad communicator with his wife, but calling him toxic seems a bit excessive. We are all looking forward to the character's growth and arc during the series, right? If they have no issues in the beginning, what will they work through? If you just want fluff, no judgment, but maybe this kind of series isn't for you.

hwarintide

I totally agree. Viewing characters through a binary lens of "green flag/red flag" or "toxicity" oversimplifies their purpose. Fiction is a medium to grapple with the messiness of life in a controlled way—allowing us to understand, critique, and even empathize with perspectives we might not condone in reality. Engaging with such nuanced stories broadens our horizons by challenging us to step outside of our comfort zones, consider diverse perspectives, and confront the gray areas of human nature. This kind of engagement fosters creativity, inspiring us to think more deeply about relationships and moral complexities.

If we expect characters to be perfect from the start, we strip them—and the narrative—of the opportunity to challenge our assumptions or foster growth. Moreover, embracing imperfection in fiction enriches our imagination and encourages us to explore new dimensions of storytelling, ultimately expanding our understanding of both art and humanity. Imperfection is not the same as toxicity; it’s a starting point for transformation.

#when the phone rings

fairweathermyth

You can’t do this! Who do you think saved you from your opium addiction? I even had Mr. Ko bribe the press with money from the troupe! --- Goodbye, Princess.

JEONGNYEON: THE STAR IS BORN Episode Ten

November Viewing Log

Yeah, I know it’s the end of the year, but I went ahead and started this side blog, complete with a section for my monthly watchlist anyway. I wanted a space where I could jot down quick thoughts on what I’m currently watching (and loving).

Currently Watching

The Tale of Lady Ok (🇰🇷) – After finishing the incredible Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born, I had this huge urge to watch another sageuk. I was so happy to find something new that’s so well-made. Even after just two episodes, the plot had me hooked — stories about the struggles of the lower class in historical settings always grab my attention, and this one doesn’t hold back. By the end of episode two, I found myself thinking about how the main character, ironically, might’ve been “freer” when she was enslaved. Once her status changed to something noble, she became bound by duties to others.

When the Phone Rings (🇰🇷) – Everyone’s obsessed with this show, and yep, count me in. It’s such a breath of fresh air at the end of a not-so-great k-drama year — a story about adults (with not-so-adult decisions haha), wrapped in a darker, sensual tone. The characters are flawed, complicated, and just so interesting to watch.

Fangs of Fortune (🇨🇳) – Total newbie to c-dramas here. I’ve only seen a couple of modern ones, and this is my first wuxia. But wow, I’m obsessed already. The plot is promising, the action scenes are amazing, and the sets and costumes? Chef’s kiss. Even though I’m usually neutral about fantasy, this show is winning me over.

Revenge of Others (🇰🇷) – Honestly, I started watching this solely because Shin Ye Eun is in the lead role. Normally, I avoid school dramas, but the thriller angle pulled me in. Plus, Shin Ye Eun is just (always) wonderful, so I’m sticking with it.

Watched

Juvenile Justice (🇰🇷) – I started this one back in 2023 but put it on hold for a while. The overall vibe was good, but I needed the right mood for such heavy themes like juvenile crime and cruelty. I came back to it this year and finished it — and I don’t regret it. It’s such a well-made show that dives deep into the law and intertwines the cases with the lead’s own tragic backstory. The acting was memorable, and I’d love to see a second season.

Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born (🇰🇷) – Probably my favorite drama of the year. I cried so much — literally had tissues ready for every episode. It had everything I love: a historical context about women’s theater (a topic I didn’t know much about before), my favorite Kim Tae Ri in the lead, the equally amazing Shin Ye Eun and Ra Mi Ran, an almost entirely female cast, and a story that’s deeply emotional. The theater performances were so captivating I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. Honestly, I’m shocked it didn’t get more love from international fans, though it was well-received in Korea.

Love in the Big City (🇰🇷) – The book this is based on was one of the first I read in Korean. I remember it as a beautifully written, honest, and realistic story, so of course, I had to watch the adaptation. And it didn’t disappoint.

The Trunk (🇰🇷) – Honestly, I found this pretty boring. It felt like the creators were trying to hint at some deeper meaning behind a simple story, but it didn’t land. It could’ve been a decent movie, but as a series, it felt empty and dragged out. That said, the house design was memorable, and the OST was nice.

Mr. Plankton (🇰🇷) – At one point while watching it, I was borderline obsessed, but looking back with a cooler head, I think it was just Woo Do Hwan and Oh Jung Se pulling me in. I love their acting styles and delivery. The plot, though? All over the place. In theory, it could’ve been a cool modern take on some classic Korean folktale about a morally gray lower-class antihero kidnapping a poor girl from a noble family. But it feels like Netflix tried to cram every melodramatic trope into one series to appeal to everyone — and, honestly, “for everyone” often ends up being “for no one.” Still, I don’t regret watching it.

What Comes after Love (🇰🇷🇯🇵) – I’m also studying Japanese, so I was intrigued by the setting involving both Japan and Korea, with characters speaking both languages. It’s a classic love story about unspoken feelings and how emotions change over time. The ending felt quite logical.

Beyond Goodbye (🇯🇵) – I watched this right after What Comes after Love because of Sakaguchi Kentaro. It might be your typical Japanese drama about reincarnation and fated connections, but it was beautifully shot and well-acted, so I’m happy with it.

Queen of Tears (🇰🇷) – I started this as it aired but dropped it, and honestly, I probably should’ve left it there. There was no chemistry between the leads (even though I like their acting individually), and the makjang elements couldn’t even justify the plot holes. Yet another case of trying to throw in every possible trope and failing to tie it all together.

The Frog (🇰🇷) – Should’ve dropped this after episode two. But I stuck with it for you, my dear Go Min Si.

Gangnam B-Side (🇰🇷) – It felt like a spin-off of The Worst of Evil set in modern-day Gangnam — and I’m not even complaining. The Worst of Evil was my highlight last year, and while Gangnam B-Side isn’t as cohesive, it’s worth it for those standout scenes with Ji Chang Wook and Bibi.

qpjianghu

Male leads in cdrama crime shows be like: what if you moved in with me bro? it's for the case bro I swear... and what if the criminal investigations are just an excuse to take you on a date bro? what if we healed our joint childhood trauma via extreme eye contact and pining... what if we were gay and solved crimes... what then...