I write long analyses, reviews and sociological analyses on various topics, mainly about BTS & Jimin, cdramas, TTEOTM and Luo Yunxi. Here is a selection of my favorite posts!
For example:
❀ A heartless path of his own: A character study of Tantai Jin from TTEOTM
❀ "Out of time" Appreciations post for Li Susu portrayed by Bai Lu
❀ Female Power Done Right: A closer look at Pian Ran from TTEOTM
❀ Fandoms as scenes: A different perspective on streaming (a semi short analysis) (Repost from Reddit)
❀ Shipping as an online conspiracy theory – a short analysis on Taekook shipping narratives (Repost from Reddit)
Posts & Meta about cdramas
✘ TTEOTM Essay Collection
Ranking Luo Yunxi's characters & scenes in TTEOTM based on my level of obsession
✘ A heartless path of his own: A character study of Tantai Jin from TTEOTM
✘ And the award for the best villain goes to ... Ye Bingchang!
✘ The symbolism of food in Till The End Of The Moon: Between survival, love and agency
✘ "Out of time" Appreciations post for Li Susu portrayed by Bai Lu
✘ The problem with identification of the audience in Till The End Of The Moon
✘ So I watched most of Luo Yunxi's (allegedly) mediocre filmography ... here are some thoughts.
✘ Series: Rating cdramas I watched as a newbie
Analyses & Meta about BTS
✘ Fandoms as scenes: A different perspective on streaming (a semi short analysis) (Repost from Reddit)
✘ Shipping as an online conspiracy theory – a short analysis on Taekook shipping narratives (Repost from Reddit)
✘ Interpretation and Appreciation of “Filter”: it's lyrics & performance, and it's relation to art (Repost from Reddit)
✘ Me, Myself, and BTS: Art and interpretation in kpop – between projection, consumerism and cultural context. Discussing Me, Myself, and Jimin ‘ID : Chaos’ (coming not so soon)
✘ Masterlist BTS Jimin’s “Face” - theories, interpretations and general thoughts
Jimin’s success defies the standard narrative of how artists rise in systems like K-pop. Systems where hierarchies are rigid, paths are tightly controlled, and deviation is often punished, not rewarded.
He wasn’t the obvious pick. He didn’t fit the prototype. From his trainee days, he was constantly told he wasn’t enough. He debuted last and had the shortest training period. And yet, against every prediction, he became a central force in one of the most influential music groups in history. That kind of trajectory isn’t just rare. It’s unacceptable by industry logic. Because success, especially in K-pop, is supposed to be the result of a clear formula: pre-debut rankings, seniority-based positioning, aesthetic compliance, and a willingness to play the game quietly until it’s your turn.
But Jimin’s story breaks that.
Not because he skipped the work. On the contrary, he worked harder than most. But because he carved out a place for himself despite being told there wasn’t one. Today, he may look like a predestined star, but that’s just how it looks in hindsight. What we’re seeing is not inevitability. It’s the result of relentless discipline, emotional resilience, and creative instinct. He isn’t here because he was chosen, he’s here because he refused to be erased.
And that matters, especially in an industry where going off script usually means getting sidelined.
In music sociology, there’s a concept called positional capital — the idea that your chances at success depend on how well you align with the system’s power structures. Jimin had none of that. What he had was ‘embodied capital’: the internalized skill, presence, and intensity that, once revealed, couldn’t be denied. That’s what made him visible. That’s what made him necessary.
When someone like Jimin succeeds, it’s not just inspiring, it’s structurally significant. It cracks open the illusion that success only comes to those who follow the rules, who wait to be picked, who belong to the inner circle.
He reminds us that there is another way. That discipline, instinct, and self-trust can rewrite the game. That being the outlier isn’t a flaw. It can be the very thing that shifts the center. And in an era obsessed with virality, shortcuts, and overnight fame, his path feels almost old-fashioned. Built on consistency, honesty, and care. And maybe that’s why it’s lasting.
On paper, this drama has everything I look for: a compelling story centered on character development, female relationships, and political intrigue rather than just romance. It starts off with great promise, drawing the viewer in with its strong foundation. However, as the story progresses, it becomes stalled by repetitive obstacles thrown in the protagonist's path, which ultimately saps the momentum from an otherwise intriguing narrative.
Duanwu (played by Zhao Lusi) is raised as a slave on a pearl farm until she escapes this harsh and oppressive environment. Determined to uncover the truth about her family, carve out a place for herself in the world, and seek revenge on those who wronged her, she embarks on a transformative journey. Her path becomes intertwined with the enigmatic Yan Zijing (Liu Yuning), who is pursuing his own vendetta against the families that destroyed his life. Along the way, they encounter new allies and adversaries, including the righteous Zhang Jinran (Tang Xiaotian), the skilled Yue Yunxi (Shang Wanqing), and the ambitious Cui Shijiu (Xie Chloe).
Through numerous twists and turns, Duanwu begins building her own business as a jewelry maker and seller. Slowly, and with the support of her newfound allies, she not only establishes her reputation and business but also closes in on the people who took everything from her.
My review - spoilers ahead!
The first few episodes were absolutely thrilling and deeply moving—they even brought me to tears. The show tackled heavy themes like sexual violence with sensitivity, delivering a female-focused narrative that made me root for the main character with all my heart. The developing friendships and romances were equally compelling, filled with chemistry and emotional depth.
I’ve always loved stories about women overcoming adversity to build their own businesses, as seen in New Life Begins. However, in this case, the story begins to lose its spark in the second half. The intrigue fizzles out as repetitive obstacles are thrown at the protagonist, making the narrative feel stagnant. The show would have greatly benefited from fewer episodes and tighter storytelling in its latter part.
By the time the tragic ending unfolded, my emotional connection to the characters had waned due to the overly drawn-out plot. Finishing the show felt like a chore, as each new conflict added little to the overall progression of the story. While it had incredible potential, the lack of narrative focus in the second half sadly undermined its impact.
Apologies for not posting in a while—life has been a whirlwind! Between transitioning from job hunting to starting a new career, moving to a new place, and now preparing for my first child, it's been quite the journey. With so much going on, I barely had time to watch any dramas. When I did, I mostly turned to my comfort shows for some relaxation.
Now that maternity leave is on the horizon, I’m hopeful I’ll have more time to dive back into dramas. My watchlist is still overflowing, and I still haven’t finished my TTEOTM anniversary post. I hope I can get back into it soon(ish)!
The heartwarming story struggles with its delivery, lacking clear direction. It relies on the audience's attachment to the characters and their growing relationship, only to ultimately leave these elements underdeveloped.
Ling Miaomiao (played by Yu Esther) accidentally finds herself inside the latest novel of her favorite author, taking on the role of a supporting character and villain she had disliked as a reader. The novel turns into a computer game with quests, an experience system, and the constant threat of death—some more permanent than others. She has no choice but to complete the main questline to survive. Along the way, she teams up with the mysterious and moody Mu Sheng (Ding Yuxi), his sister Mu Yao (Zhu Xudan), and Mu Yao’s love interest Liu Fuyi (Yang Shize). Together, they battle monsters and unravel supernatural mysteries that are intricately tied to each character’s past.
My review - spoilers ahead!
The drama’s main storyline is revealed episode by episode, which makes it difficult for a cohesive narrative arc of suspense to develop. Instead, the audience’s interest lies in the evolving relationship between the two leads. Unfortunately, this relationship never fully blossoms into a love story—at least not on screen. The anticipated emotional revelations and romantic moments are more implied than explicitly shown, which I find to be a very odd creative choice. Even the dramatic revelations about Mu Shengs real identity, Liu Fuyi's guilt and Mu Yao's possession barely have any emotional impact. The rest of the plot simply isn’t strong enough to carry the series on its own, so as the finale approaches, the show regrettably becomes increasingly dull (but still rather sweet).
The chemistry between the main cast is decent and effectively supports both comedic and dramatic scenes. Despite its flaws, this is the first drama in a while that I’ve actually managed to finish!
When my mother spoke about her pregnancy, she always described it as a wonderful experience. In reality, it was far from magical. She hid her pregnancy from those around her, moved to a new city without any financial support to complete her studies. She avoided pregnancy preparation courses because she didn’t want to be influenced by the fears and worries of others. She had faith in God, or so she says. After nine months, I was born in a farmhouse that had been converted into a shared apartment for students, in the room of my future stepfather, above the pigsty.
My reality is different. No God, no faith that everything will just be okay. Instead, constant nausea, stomach pains, and worries.
I knew that pregnancy wasn't as easy as everyone tried to make me believe, and thanks to the internet, I vaguely knew about the absurd consequences that pregnancy can have on the female body. And yet, I am happy – even though I don’t feel well.
But for the first time in my life, that’s not a big deal. Even though every day is a struggle, and I have to use almost all my energy to plan my meals and get through the day with as little pain as possible, it’s bearable. Because I know that my child is growing inside me. And because I know that this condition is not permanent.
But there’s something else. A certain sense of satisfaction and the knowledge that I was right. For many years, I regularly went to doctors (male) and described my complaints in my stomach and digestive tract. They conducted examinations but ultimately found nothing. The diagnosis always varied from "that's just how it is sometimes" to "stress." Stress as the main explanation increased after I developed anxiety disorders during the Corona pandemic. Suddenly, all my agonizing symptoms were simply caused by my mental health. As if it were all in my head.
And yet… why did my symptoms subside when I stop taking the pill? Why was my skin a disaster and my hair thinning if this can't be hormonally related, even though it only happens after stopping the pill? Again, it’s all stress, and sometimes it’s just how it is, the doctors (male) said. For many women, these issues disappear during pregnancy, said my dermatologist, though sometimes they get worse.
For me, it has gotten worse. Everything has gotten worse. Hair, skin, digestion. Because it’s about hormones. BECAUSE IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT HORMONES. For years, they tried to convince me that I couldn’t read my own body. That my body observations were even pathological. And now suddenly the connections between female hormones and my complaints are known?!
And yet… I was right. Being a female-read person in the healthcare system is such a wonderful experience.
Such an aptly worded rant. As a doctor myself, I feel utterly let down by the medical system, everything so focused on the immediate effects and rarely thinking of treating the cause. Symptomatic treatment has been such a plague within the Ob/Gy branch. A simple gesture of nonchalant behaviour, a frivolous "this happens, deal with it" rather than empathising with the pain of a woman. A pain only a woman would ever bear.
A lot of people are so enamoured by the ease of access of the pill that they forget the hormonal disaster that might upset the whole system. Why were women's bodies the only ones meant to be manipulated by birth control, I wonder. Not as a doctor, but as a woman myself. Sometimes I feel like unless and until we stop treating illnesses at a surface level we will never get a perfect healthcare system.
I'm only a drop of idea in an ocean of knowledge, and I can only do what's in my hand, but when I go and ask for a solution for my own problems, I'm treated like a regular person myself. I can empathise with you, OP. Hope this pregnancy is gracious to you, and hope you and your kid get all the love and care you need. Take care.
Thank you so much for your empathic and introspective words. Awareness seems to me to be an essential factor in opening up a system – and expanding knowledge. I am a researcher myself and have spent many years explaining to my students how important and challenging unbiased research is. And yet… the lack of robust medical research on the female body - or even research that includes it at all - is alarming.
I hope that good, self-aware doctors like you can guide the next generation of medical professionals and researchers. Wishing you all the best!
When my mother spoke about her pregnancy, she always described it as a wonderful experience. In reality, it was far from magical. She hid her pregnancy from those around her, moved to a new city without any financial support to complete her studies. She avoided pregnancy preparation courses because she didn’t want to be influenced by the fears and worries of others. She had faith in God, or so she says. After nine months, I was born in a farmhouse that had been converted into a shared apartment for students, in the room of my future stepfather, above the pigsty.
My reality is different. No God, no faith that everything will just be okay. Instead, constant nausea, stomach pains, and worries.
I knew that pregnancy wasn't as easy as everyone tried to make me believe, and thanks to the internet, I vaguely knew about the absurd consequences that pregnancy can have on the female body. And yet, I am happy – even though I don’t feel well.
But for the first time in my life, that’s not a big deal. Even though every day is a struggle, and I have to use almost all my energy to plan my meals and get through the day with as little pain as possible, it’s bearable. Because I know that my child is growing inside me. And because I know that this condition is not permanent.
But there’s something else. A certain sense of satisfaction and the knowledge that I was right. For many years, I regularly went to doctors (male) and described my complaints in my stomach and digestive tract. They conducted examinations but ultimately found nothing. The diagnosis always varied from "that's just how it is sometimes" to "stress." Stress as the main explanation increased after I developed anxiety disorders during the Corona pandemic. Suddenly, all my agonizing symptoms were simply caused by my mental health. As if it were all in my head.
And yet… why did my symptoms subside when I stop taking the pill? Why was my skin a disaster and my hair thinning if this can't be hormonally related, even though it only happens after stopping the pill? Again, it’s all stress, and sometimes it’s just how it is, the doctors (male) said. For many women, these issues disappear during pregnancy, said my dermatologist, though sometimes they get worse.
For me, it has gotten worse. Everything has gotten worse. Hair, skin, digestion. Because it’s about hormones. BECAUSE IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT HORMONES. For years, they tried to convince me that I couldn’t read my own body. That my body observations were even pathological. And now suddenly the connections between female hormones and my complaints are known?!
And yet… I was right. Being a female-read person in the healthcare system is such a wonderful experience.
Logging back in to see what my favourite fandoms are up to...
... Fanwars, sabotaged promotion, blacklisting by the industry, being sued by Trump, character being potentially killed off, mobbing at the airport, tiny thing blown out of proportion, everyone trying to end someone's career, fake righteous anger and performative activism used as a tool to further personal agendas ...
today in "google AI is fucking useless because it hallucinates things that never happened", i bought a couple CVS thermometers that have both been acting up, tried to search if there had been a problem with the whole product line:
there is no record of this product recall. it did not happen. the date "feb 8 2024" is the date someone listed a thermometer for sale on ebay.
Google's trying to save you the time spent clicking on a site full of AI-generated SEO garbage by presenting the AI-generated garbage right up front! Such efficiency.
#so google probably uses chatgpt right? #because for some time now chatgpt has done this #become utterly insane and make up random bullshit #and nobody knows why
I was under the impression that we did know why: AI isn't actually a brain and can't actually think or understand information, so it has no concept of something being true or not, or what markers indicate truth or falsity, or how to synthesize information. It's putting a bunch of words in a jar, shaking the jar, and then dumping it out, and acting like that means the jar knows how to talk.
Like, in this case, OP asked for information about a recall. The AI knows that, throughout the entire internet, the word "recall" usually is surrounded by information like a date or a number, so it gives you a date and a number. It doesn't know what a date is or what it's for or what it means. (It also apparently doesn't know the difference between "recall" as in "removing a dangerous product from the shelves" and "recall" as in "remembering," since it smooshes the two together)
[ID mostly by @homunculusalphonse : A photo of the Google search results for the phrase "cvs thermometers recall": "On February 8, 2024, CVS Health recalled its rigid tip digital thermometer with memory recall and fever alarm. The thermometers have a memory recall feature that stores the previous temperature. The item number for the recall is 375235991489." Both the links attached to this text are from eBay and Pinterest. This module does say "AI overviews are experimental", in much smaller font. /End ID]
Couldn't agree more. I have re-watched the film 3 time this last two week and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier twice. Then I binged Fresh and Pam & Tommy - all while working... someone send help...
