astromantic

毎日grind, 毎日rhymes

  • Flashback Friday #2

    Flashback Friday #2

    See also: “history tag” from last year! And since Namie Amuro is retiring, I figure it’s as good a time as any to do this…

    1. What was your first song?
    Technically the first Japanese song I was ever exposed to was the .midi version of the Sailor Star Song on some Geocities (!) page. Those don’t have vocals so it doesn’t really count! The first actual song I heard after that was BODY FEELS EXIT, but sometime around 2000 or so.

    2. How did you discover j-pop?
    OH BOY. Like a lot of people, I discovered j-pop through anime… but it was more of a semi-discovery because back when Sailor Moon first aired in the US (late 90s), it was dubbed and all the songs were in English. I think I found out about Namie Amuro through a Sailor Moon fansite, so when the webmistress posted some of her favorite Japanese songs, that was the one I immediately took to. I also used to frequent a lot of MP3 rotation sites!

    Then I fell deep into the anime trap, NO thanks to Toonami/Adult Swim (2000-2001). What a time.

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  • Fall ’17, Part 1

    Fall ’17, Part 1

    ⬆️⬆️⬆️ AKA me after the first few weeks of school. Not really watching too much this season.

    Hito wa Mitame ga 100 Percent / HitoPa is a ticket to the chuckle bus. The drama has a habit staying on a comedic beat for a liiiiiittle too long, but it’s whatever. What I don’t understand is that they’re telling me NO ONE will even glance at Kiritani Mirei… are you kidding me? She’s cute. Mizukawa Asami is gorgeous. And the only thing tragic about Blouson Chiemi is her eyebrows. Suspension of belief is 100% required, but it’s still lighthearted and fun. — Episode 3

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  • Forest of Secrets (fin.)

    Forest of Secrets (fin.)

    Wow. 끝났어. I’m overwhelmed. My heart is full and I’m at a loss for words, so this won’t be the 1000+ word type post I’ve been routinely banging out these past few weeks haha.

    [white_box] Mild spoilers for the last episodes (15-16). Thoughts are a bit all over the place! [/white_box]

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  • Forest of Secrets (Episode 13-14)

    Forest of Secrets (Episode 13-14)

    Oof, my heart.

    [white_box] There is a spoiler for The King 2 Hearts, so if you haven’t watched that drama you might want to skip this post (or scroll past the first two sentences, lol. I should figure out how to make spoiler tags.) [/white_box]

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  • Forest of Secrets (Episode 11-12)

    Forest of Secrets (Episode 11-12)

    Heck yeah I’m going to make this a weekly thing! To anyone reading these, I actually write about an episode after I watch it, then wait until the next one to jot down thoughts (never retroactively change my opinion)… this week I couldn’t wait for Dramafever, so I just watched the Netflix version (which is up immediately after it airs). (more…)

  • Forest of Secrets (Episode 9-10)

    Forest of Secrets (Episode 9-10)

    Before I get into my feelings for the week, I just want to make one thing clear: I am on that DEFEND YOUNG EUN-SOO tip. Now, forever, and always. Not since I Hear Your Voice (or The King 2 Hearts) have I gotten a second lead I enjoyed this much, not only because of performance but also writing. Dong-jae does not receive the same level of criticism (of all people!) as she does, and it’s like her criticism is always in direct comparison to my girl Yeo-jin. Yikes. That’s not to say we can’t compare characters and how they conduct themselves, but it’s something that’s been weighing on my mind these days.

    [white_box] Spoiler and text heavy. Tread carefully! [/white_box]

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  • Summer ’17

    Summer ’17

    My thought process right now is a little something like “FML I wish I was a better writer so I could more accurately express all these feelings!!!” and “I NEED TO POST SOMETHING ASAP BEFORE 9-10!!!”. To anyone who actually reads this blog, this is my PSA for the summer: WATCH FOREST OF SECRETS. It might change your life, just saying.

    [white_box] Spoilers up to episode 8, also very text heavy because I was too lazy for images. [/white_box]

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  • summer selection

    summer selection

    Summer has arrived, it’s hot AF, and it is officially appropriate to crack open a cold one with the boys!!! If you don’t have any cold ones (or boys to share any with), don’t worry — these summer dramas should bring just as much joy.

    1. Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo (2013) — for summer hijinks… ah, youth!
    2. Slow Dance (2005) — for a good summer slow burn.
    3. Oh My Ghostess (2015) — for a thrilling summer romance. You know what they say about watching scary things in the summer…
    4. Moteki (2010) — for a 🔥 sizzling 🔥 summer fling!
    5. Beach Boys (1997) — THE summer drama. If there’s anything you watch on this list, make it Beach Boys. And tbh, is there anything more pure than Takenouchi Yutaka and Takashi Sorimachi living their best lives at a seaside minshuku? NOPE.
    6. Ruri no Shima (2005) — for something sweet and sentimental. Also takes place on an island in Okinawa!
    7. It’s Okay, It’s Love (2014) — for summertime sadness and suffering. Just in case you wanted to replicate the feeling you get after realizing you spent all that time during the summer and didn’t really accomplish much. And to think you started off so hopeful! LOL… 😒
  • Spring ’17

    Spring ’17

    (Yes spring, because summer doesn’t actually start until June 20th!)

    Like last year, I’ve been obsessed with a certain game that’s left little room in my heart for dramas. H O W E V E R, Mystery Queen (or Queen of Mystery) is the only drama that managed to hold my interest and actually reaffirmed my belief in big network dramas. I loved coming back after a day of work/school and tucking into this drama. Mystery Queen isn’t necessarily one of those dramas where you turn your brain off, but it has that excellent combination of factors (hilarious, crazy good chemistry between leads, fun supporting characters, good mysteries, cute factor) that make it a comforting watch. (more…)

  • RE: April

    RE: April

    pictured: HYUKOH, “Wanli万里”

    What is blogging? How do I Photoshop? Long time no see to whoever is still reading my blog. I had a really busy April for mostly school related reasons, but I am free (for now). Some tings:

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