South Korea and romance. Is it still a Thing? Traditionally, yes; an overwhelming yes if you celebrate most all the annual romance days (per the Korean Herald):

Jan. 14 – Diary Day
On this day, lovers ring in the New Year by gifting their significant other a fresh diary -- perfect for chronicling their romance going forward.
Feb. 14 – Valentine's Day
Tradition dictates that women take the lead, bestowing chocolates upon their beloveds.
March 14 – White Day
A month after Valentine's Day, the tables turn. Men who received chocolates the month before return the favor by presenting candy to their admirers.
April 14 – Black Day
Singles take center stage, with friends commiserating over jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles) in a celebration of self-love.
May 14 – Rose Day
Men gift roses to their partners as a symbol of love.
June 14 – Kiss Day
No further explanation needed.
July 14 – Silver Day
Also dubbed "Ring Day," men gift silver accessories to their partners on this day.
Aug. 14 – Green Day/Music Day
Green Day calls for a romantic escape into nature, while Music Day sets the stage for dancing the night away with one's significant other.
Sept. 14 – Photo Day
The day marks an occasion for couples to document their love through commemorative photos.
Oct. 14 – Wine Day
Lovers enjoy an evening of wine over dinner.
Nov. 14 – Movie Day
Movie Day encourages couples to enjoy a classic date night, setting aside time to watch their favorite films together.
Dec. 14 – Hug Day/Money Day
Rounding out the year, the day involves embracing each other warmly and/or splurging on extravagant gifts.

Happy Valentine's Day to all Beanies! I hope everyone is enjoying their K-Drama rom-com of choice!

It's been a quiet week as the Lunar New Year winds down and things start going back to normal though I am watching the news coming out of the U.S. with more and more horror.

The one thing that has been running in a loop through my mind is:

If South Koreans could swiftly nip a coup attempt by their conservative misogynist president, why can't Americans do the same since that's what's happening now thanks to Trump and Musk?

I am extremely worried about friends, family, and colleagues in the U.S., most of whom are not White and not male and not straight.

THIS WEEK IN KOREAN WOMEN'S NEWS:

1. South Korean woman punished for biting off tongue of would-be rapist gets retrial

A South Korean woman, 78, who in 1965 received a suspended jail sentence for biting off part of the tongue of a man attempting to rape her will have her case re-examined.

Choi pursued higher studies in the 2000s and said as she became more educated, she realised the extent of the injustice she had endured, motivating her to seek a retrial with the help of a women’s group that supports victims of sexual violence.

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3298614/south-korean-woman-punished-biting-tongue-would-be-rapist-gets-retrial

2. BLACKPINK's Jennie, aespa recognized in Billboard's Women in Music Awards

K-pop acts aespa and Jennie from BLACKPINK won recognition for their influence in the music industry with honors at the upcoming 2025 Billboard Women in Music Awards.

Jennie from K-pop icon BLACKPINK will also be honored with the Global Force award, given to individuals who have made notable contributions to the music industry.

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2025/02/398_392195.html

Omoo… Melomovie is a single drop guys, with 8 episodes! Not sure if there’s part 2, but for now I’m excited for my weekend watch.

Happy Friday and Valentine's Day, Beanies! It's a busy and tiring week for me, so I'll try to keep today's entry semi-short because, unlike certain someone, I'm not freshly off beach vacation and don't have lots of energy left.

First, we have a new OST - “The story is to be continued” from BATTLE THROUGH THE HEAVENS/FIGHTS BREAK SPHERE anime. Quite a pretty song, but then again, all LYN's anime ones are good. Maybe it's because there aren't as many OSTs in animated series compared to idol dramas, so makers invest a bit more effort in the few they do have? Surprisingly I even found it with official subs, yay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxMPKE46huE

Also LYN had a stage at CCTV's Lantern Festival gala, performing his newest trademark hit “Hardworking people” together with China's Disability Performance Group. Gotta say, adding sign language (I assume they were translating song's lyrics) instead of standard backup dancing for this song was simply genius. Yuning himself learnt a bit of it too, look:
https://x.com/Bigsislilred/status/1889683652851781690

The stage itself (beaded embroidery on his jacket is hand-made, btw, boy is getting more expensive with each passing day), which was super well received by media:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPzYs1bd5Lc

Outside of these 2 events he's been pretty lowkey since returning from his vacation, finally giving me space to catch up on his multiple livestreams lately. Starting from third to last, where we still got 2 songs left – namely the already familiar to yall “The sound of snow falling” (THE STORY OF YANXI PALACE OST). Very fitting for the season, right?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WOEe_JdE2k

And another one from his all-time classics repertoire - “The worldly tavern”. Don't you love how this silly goose thinks that wearing designer shades indoors=being cool?))) This song lacks the winter season vibe, unlike the one above, but no worries, he'll also add snowflake filer to makeup for it. Forget the somewhat serious singing, I'm cracking up through it because of him lol:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5aYGZ7EDl4

Second to last livestream – which birthed some truly epic sick burns from No Damns Left To Give troll gege, like him calling haters “nothing more than content for his streams” or this quote: “I know, you're worried I might say the wrong thing, but I literally don't care anymore” (c) - had only a bit of music because he preferred to yap in his cute strawberry-like sweater (at least this time he didn't flip over his clothes being compared to food) and even cuter beanie with little bows everywhere (how macho!). 2 more songs, including his own New Year-themed oldie “A happy (new) year”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP8V4BKpv_4

Happy Friday, open threaders! I just wanted to invite everyone on DB to go their fanwall and post any favorite music you've had this year. There have been great OST's on these kdramas that I've been listening to, kpop groups who have basically disbanded coming back this year, and more music collaborations than I can keep track of. We'll start now and through Sunday in your time zone. Hope to see you there!

And yes, I'm doing ok with the Hunger Games portion of post COVID US health decision-making. It's really my kids that will be reaping what is being sown right now, but I have hope for them. The pendulum will swing so far that there will be backlash at some point. That's how we got here.

In Kdrama watching news, I've been totally engrossed with the usual suspects: Love Scout, Motel California, Trauma Heroes, and Check-in Hanyang, Study Group. I've also watched 3 BLs this week which honestly are so angst-free and wholesome. I just want to point out "See Your Love" which is Taiwanese-Japanese and has a deaf-mute main character due to an infection (that was likely vaccine preventable, which hit the nail on the head for me this week). It's just so nice. Short and I would recommend it if you want something between the other shows you're watching. Also watching Chuang Asia Season 2 where international boys compete to be part of the next international pop group. It's so adorable and my fav is the youngest, Omar, who is 15 years old and just so doe eyed and innocent.

A show I'm thinking about starting: Unmasked, but think I'll be a mess crying every episode and I can't go into that right now. And Melomovie-- that looks so soft and pretty.

I talked to my daughter last evening and was so saddened because her differential equations professor, a petite little Japanese woman was struck while walking across the street by a truck. She said that it didn't even slow down. She's alive, but has multiple facial fractures and bones. So if you're a praying person and believe in a higher power, this is one of the times that prayers for a stranger would be very appreciated. My daughter was making cards for her when I called her last evening.

I didn't mean to end this on such a depressing note, which is why music is my happy pill and I hope you join me on the fan wall this weekend!

Woooow, I don't think I've ever thought the phrase "I hate the Hollywood system" before but I JUST experienced that and it really was just 😶😕😯🙁😟 wow.

Even though I've had moments of being disappointed in Hollywood choices, I kinda also didn't care. Live action/CGI version of Disney movies from my childhood? Ehh, I'll watch it if I'm curious enough (so far I've only seen 3 and 2 were my childhood favorites haha). A million sequels and remakes? Ehh, I don't have to watch them. Superhero fatigue? Again, don't have to watch them.

But seeing a trailer for a live action How To Train Your Dragon just broke me haha. I don't even know how old I was when it came out nor when I first saw it but I love that movie. I haven't even seen the final movie cause I can't see them say goodbye to each other.

And now these greedy corporate clowns in suits made the EXACT same movie but in live action. WHY?! Just watch the original. There is literally nothing different in this trailer. As they are speaking, all I'm seeing and hearing is the original actors (I think Gerald Butler is in the movie so I'm *really* hearing the original haha)

The dragons DO look just like the original which is interesting but I don't know how to explain it in a technical sense.

I'm honestly surprised by how intense my reaction was haha. All I think is just watch the original. There was zero need to remake this (which could also be said for many other projects but I digress [though maybe I'll mini rant about that later])

I'm not much of a music fan. Despite Kpopalypse and some Youtube suggestions I haven't actually heard any new k-music this year that was worth listening to all the way thru, much less listening to a second time, although Rockit Girl is sometimes worth a 2nd look, if you catch my drift.

So of course it is total coincidence that I am posting anything about music this week, and anyone would have to be bonkers to add any of the following to any kpop playlist...

My favorite discovery this year was the Bayraktar song which I have linked before
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=890z0skXQzI&rco=1

Close 2nd was: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - The Danish National Symphony Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enuOArEfqGo

Next were Riki Lindhome songs
Don't Google Mommy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm5fhMlQu-c
Middle Age Love - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3gUy40Stzg

You may remember her from Garfunkel and Oates, and you need to have heard their "Loophole" to fully appreciate "Don't Google Mommy". But for the love of God (or at least Jesus), don't play it at work. Their channel is https://www.youtube.com/@garfunkelandoates

I am knitting a lot these days. Last year's autumn, I decided to use my stash, and there was enough for a good handful of sweaters, so I had lots to do. Since it's Valentine's Day, I have been busy getting the HOT SOX ready after finishing and sending the crocodile sweater to a little girl. (I am looking forward to getting pictures of her in it 😍🐊 )
The one sox I managed to finish to today can be seen on my fan wall (as yet). I am a little proud of the chili, I made the pattern myself, screwed it up, and then half made-it-as-you-go'ed.

I have a suggestion to better support the awesome DB staff writers and recaps.
How about a virtual Tip Jar?
At the end of every article - there would be a link to tip the writers directly. 100% of tips to go directly to the authors.
We know they are paid with beans and love. How about we supplement it with cold hard ca$h?
Whatcha think?

Hi everyone, I'm still around! I've been busy with rehearsal for our community theatre production of Brigadoon and also coping with sociopolitical stuff (I am in the US and, due to my job, quite affected by what's going on). And, due to the aforementioned politics, I've been more strict with using my work computer for fun things, like posting on this website. I also haven't been watching any dramas, due to being so busy and also just not having anything that I really want to watch. But, I'm gonna try to watch Melo Movie and there are a few ones starting in March that intrigue me as well!

Happy weekend Beanies and keep Beaning On!

Is there something like pre-spring fever? On the weather forecast it remains dark, cold and grey. On the entertainment front a slump persist. At work it is the calm before the storm. Action kills anxiety, but having to wait for things makes that impossible.

I’m getting my new electric bike tomorrow, which is hopefully the start of more exercise, fresh air and outdoor activities.🚴🏻🚴🏻🚴🏻

It is also the starting signal in my agenda for a couple K-dramas I want to watch, and for work changes to finally happen. Two formations with exams, teaching newbies, moving to a new office building and finishing my own internship/back to work journey.

I will definitely complain about all this once it is upon me, but at least I will be finally dealing with it. Busy Spring schedule and Sunshine, you better catch up!💪🏻

Belated, but well-written, posting by New York Times on the passing of Barbie Hsu.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/world/asia/barbie-hsu-dead.html?searchResultPosition=1

It's embarrassing and it's maddening like you said. It's also incredibly head inducing because folks will make you think *you're* the crazy one.

I don't know if I mentioned it here or somewhere else but it kinda made wonder if this whole thing made people feel more empathetic about people in abusive relationships or who fall into cults cause my god, the gaslighting.

I know people reference 1984 alot and..
Yeah

Reasons why I like My Love from the Star- A continuation from my fan space post ‘ Reasons I don’t like MLFTS’
The actors. Kim Soo Hyun. has a face the camera loves. He has a broad eye socket and defined lips, which means he can wear lighter makeup. (He also has very good hands, but at this early stage of his career no one had realised it yet I guess- we don’t see multiple hand close ups like we get later, eg in Queen of Tears.) Of the supporting cast- Yoo In-na is ethereal, and Ahn Jae-hyun is bright.
The story. , The thematic idea of a superpowered person watching and protecting you. There are a number of satisfying story beats. - Cheon Sung-yi gets rescued from a car off a cliff, from a thrown object, from a boat. ( She also gets treated for appendicitis and poisoning,as a part of the super-powered care, but those story beats verge on the ridiculous)
The emotions. The evocation of loss and return is powerful. The desperate feeling that Do Min-joo is going far away where he cannot be reached, and the satisfaction when he reappears. ( I know when I first watched this drama I cried cathartically from grief)
The filmography. The production makes good use of frozen moment/time slice effects. This would have been, and probably still is, a rare production effect for a tv drama. There are multiple scenes where Do Min joo is able to walk around or past people and rearrange objects. Of the scenes, the most beautiful is DMJ walking among snow flakes. The most emotionally charged is at the end, where DMJ reappears, stops time, and sweeps Song-Yi off her feet But he also uses the time stop to foil bad guys.
The people who replied to my original post ( in last weeks fan space if you want to find it) were people who did not like MLFTS. I didn't expect that. As I said last week, there were lots of things that I did not like, but things I like as well. Did anyone else appreciate the things I liked? Or did you think they were negatives?

I got a copy of Han Kang's novel, called in English We Do Not Part from the public library Wednesday. I started it yesterday when I was on public transport. It came out in Korea in 2021. I've only read a couple of chapters so far. It seems like a sequel to Human Acts, which I just finished recently. At least in part, it's about the psychological impact of immersing oneself in the "dark history" of human rights violations. I'm actually somewhat familiar with this--my ex-husband and my mom each did projects where they interviewed people who had lived through tough events for oral histories. My ex was documenting the movement for Black civil rights in the US and my mom took interviews from Holocaust survivors. I still remember my mom calling me at college because she had interviewed a survivor who jumped from a moving train when she was my age at the time.

But what really got me was the description of a person who had her fingers reattached and had to be, essentially, tortured to keep the nerves alive while she healed. Anyway I have a lot of thoughts about it but it's time for me to ring off. ♥

I forgot to mention this yesterday so I don't know if people will even see or comment on this but the superbowl halftime show.

Like it/dislike it, get it/don't get it, I'm not talking about that but one of the things that I liked that resulted from it was all the conversations and analysis. Because of Serena Williams's dance, I learned of a real black tap dancer who was a double amputee and an advocate for people with disability. It didn't even seem real and yet there it was it was on youtube and I saw his name mentioned somewhere else (Henry 'Crip' Heard).

As much as I lack of faith in humanity, sometimes I'm amazed by people's resilience and creativity.