#@absolutebl

[doorajar]

Just watched My Partner (2023, USA, 100 min) on GagaOOLala. Charming, well written and played. Enemies to lovers, set in Maui. A native and a Filipino high-school student are assigned to work together; they eventually shed girlfriends and find each other. Families, school, best buds, etc--all the ingredients needed for a successful rom-com ?

Recommended. Check it out ...

[heretherebedork]

I know I talk a lot of pining. Because I love pining. But it is not the only dynamic I love!

So let's vaguely discuss another one!

Because I absolutely LOVE and will do ANYTHING for a pairing where one characters neglects themselves and their partner has to take care of them/convince them to take care of themselves.

I mean, this also might be kind of obvious from a lot of my favorite pairings?

Ae and Pete? Ae is the most darling little demi ever and he knows how to take care of Pete in a way most people wouldn't ever let anyone take care of them and I love them so much.

Tin and Can? Can has a tendency to be oblivious and Tin is good at being right there for him once he gets to that point, though Can returns this favor in terms of helping take care of Tin and his emotions as well.

Leo and Fiat? Do I... do I really need to explain how this fits? Leo's entire life has been helping take care of Fiat and he loves it and him so deeply and all Fiat wants to do is be taken care of like the trash baby he is.

Shen Wei and Yun Lan? Shen Wei constantly neglects himself (the infamous "I am used to being hurt" line comes to mind) and Yun Lan takes care of him. This is also reversed, of course, in which Shen Wei takes fabulous care of Yun Lan. Basically, they each neglect themselves and then take care of the other and I love them so, so much.

Frame and Book? Book's first response to bleeding after sex is that he can't miss school again. Frame makes sure he takes care of himself first. It's DARLING.

Yue Lou and Yu Zhi? Yue Lou would never do anything to help himself, he would never have started working on his PTSD issues with Yu Zhi beside him. Never.

Itt and Pai? ... Look, in my dreams, this is how this pairing works with Itt taking care of Pai who constantly neglects himself for the sake of everyone around him. Is it exactly canon? Uhhhhh. No. Did I want it to be? Yes. So I'm adding it.

Tutor and Fighter? To... an extent? Tutor definitely has a tendency to neglect himself and Fighter wants to take care of him, but their relationship isn't exactly this dynamic. Close, though, very close!

... Look, this is the list that comes from the top of my head. I adore this trope and this type of relationship. Is it healthy? Not most of the time. Do I care in the slightest? NOPE. Should I have found pictures for all these pairings? Probably if I was less lazy.

[doorajar]

Stay With Me, 2023, China, 24 episodes. I just binged the whole thing over five nights (felt like 3).

As @absolutebl would say, that's China for you: censored and/or tragic. In this case, we end on a cliffhanger, with the survival of a lead in question, to say nothing of the relationship. Well, the latter is pretty solid--even if no one's said I Love (or even Like) You, and the only (chaste) kisses being rendered on a sleeping face.

So, am I hoping for a sequel or second season ? You bet l am. I loved this one ...! So much family time, rich and (especially) poor alike, and the most precocious little sister yet. Lots of time in the perfect neighborhood hutong, as well as the usual mansion, seaside setting, car driving and bike riding--and a fine cast, including really winning (cute, beautiful, energetic and emotive) leads, a genuine mustache-twirling villain (older brother variety), mothers supportive and not, dads ditto ... the whole nine yards. Passionate and troubled black sheep rich kid, happier in the arms of the handsome, smart and wholesome poor-boy's family than in his own unloving household. And Duoduo, the little girl who knits them all together ...

PS: I am assured by a reader that a second season has been "signed." Wow ... how long, how long ...?

Why do l find no discussion ? The series ended Aug 12 ...

[doorajar]

@absolutebl you can watch Blue Canvas of Youthful Days to the end without plotzing, l can now report. It's not bad, actually. I liked this series.

There is an unsubbed very short caption in the blackout before the coda; anyone speak the language ? Doesn't seem like much of a loss, in any event ...

[doorajar]

The seventh-episode plot-development trope strikes again ?

I speak of Unknown, Eposode 7, of course.

We waited for it and, lo and behold, we got it.

Yay !

Of course, it ain't over yet, and from the previews there is more ugliness and more beauty to come. "Stay tuned" say the producers !