Archive | January 2022

Namkoong Min: Versatile

Jan26

Currently I am watching two different dramas starring the same actor, Namkoong (also Namgoong) Min. Namkoong Min is very versatile in his acting, able to successfully and hilariously do slapstick comedy and also thrillers and serious dramas. He first came on my radar in the show In Need of Romance 3, or I Need Romance 3, playing a jerk of a boss. He is also very easy on the eyes and I think it’s cool we are almost exactly the same age. Playing a minor character, he had such stage presence, and I wondered at the time why he wasn’t playing a lead.

Sometimes actors take awhile to reach their stride. Talent sometimes takes awhile to be noticed, especially as the competition is fierce: Everyone is good looking, everyone is talented, etc. Last year I decided to watch 2020’s Awaken, unsure if it was a show I would actually like. The show blew me away, especially the main actor, who I kept thinking looked a lot like that jerk boss from the I Need Romance series. I was seriously amazed to find this was actually the same actor! Min looks so, so different in Awaken and his performance is wonderful. He definitely carries the show.

Now I have decided to check out his other shows, realizing that he is getting cast as a leading man, and am currently watching both Doctor Prisoner and The Undateables. The first is a fast-paced thriller where the actors are all having a grand time being villainous and near glorious scenery chewing. The second is a romcom, alternately slapstick and bittersweet. Min is great with both characters, it’s honestly hard to believe he is playing both of them. He is truly a versatile actor and almost chameleon like. The writing of both shows needs a little help, but they are still worth watching just for his performances. Other shows of his on my list to watch are the thriller The Veil that came out fall of 2021, and an adorable looking one called Hot Stove League from 2019-2020 about a professional baseball team. He is definitely an actor to keep one’s eye on for the future, and of course now I want him to star in something with acting chameleon Seo In Guk.

https://asianwiki.com/Namkoong_Min

Nuremberg 2.0

Jan25

Whether it’s going to take an outright war or not to get there, I don’t know, but some form of justice is eventually going to come for the horrible murderers of their fellow human beings. God is waking some of the right people up at this point and they are having the courage to actually do something about all of this. Whether they will succeed, I don’t know, it is in God’s hands, but I pray daily now for our world, for the courage of those standing up, no matter their faith, and for those still needing to be awakened to this great evil. And it is a very great evil. Almost hard to believe, but as Christians, we know that heart of man is evil, especially those who are unbelievers and not daily trying to drown that “old man” of sin.

I’m not surprised that it is many liberals or former liberals now standing up. They have for a long time now, been the people that really do try to right things. Sadly, conservatives, although we know the truth, so often put our heads down. We just want to be left alone, after all. I thank God for all the of the people risking their lives, reputation, etc., for all of the wonderful doctors and scientists speaking the truth boldly, and I pray that many, many more will wake up. Even this unbelieving doctor knows that we aren’t going out of this without God on our side, though he’s reluctant to name Him, of course. It’s a testament to how God uses all people, even unbelievers for His purposes. God’s ultimate goal is to get us to turn to him in repentance and faith, and He has allowed this all to happen for a reason: We cannot trust in man, and all worldly authorities need to remember where their authority has come from, and that is only from God.

This is a wonderful interview. It will be interesting to see what becomes of all of this. He keeps saying, if you told me this a year ago, I would have thought you were a crazy conspiracy theorist. I hope and pray now that people start to understand that so called conspiracy theorists and people who follow alternative news aren’t crazy. Conspiracies are the devil’s instruments, used time and again all throughout history. It’s not a “theory” if “they” are actually out to get you.

https://rumble.com/vs0lkj-dr.-reiner-fuellmich-update-on-nuremberg-2.0.html

Tomorrow, I will have a quick article on the fantastic actor Namkoong Min.

Happy Listening!

Pixie

Hwarang Review: Oh, Those Flower Boys

Jan19

For a number of years now I have put off watching the popular Kdrama Hwarang, because it just looked to girlie for me. And it is girlie, very girlie, but it’s also a pretty impressive coming-of-age story, too. Hwarang means “flowering knights” and is a story about an elite fighting force of young men back in the Three Kingdoms time period, specifically the Kingdom of Silla.

The drama bounces between being campy and not taking itself seriously to heart-wrenching, emotional scenes, and great fight scenes. The music also alternates between bubbly pop and more period appropriate movie music. Starring way too many pretty young men to mention, the main leads are Park Seo Joon (What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?), who plays a character nicknamed “Dog-Bird,” and Park Hyung Sik (Happiness), who plays the hidden king, Ji Dwi. The two have a love triangle with Ah Ro, played by the beautiful Go Ara (You Are All Surrounded).

Silla is a country like many in which there are rich and poor and not a lot in between. The monarchy rules by a “sacred bone” system, which means that if you’re related to the royals you are noble. Dog-Bird comes to the city with his friend, who (spoiler) tragically dies. During this time, Queen Jiso, who is holding the throne for her son, the King Ji Dwi, until she feels he is ready, decides to put together a fighting force of noble, young, beautiful men. Flower boys. Dog-Bird ends up in this elite force along with the Ji Dwi, who is tired of, well, not being king. Their bromance is great and really the focus of the show as Silla eventually has two possible kings vying for its future.

The acting overall was great, but I do have to agree with some that Go Ara was miscast here as the leading lady. In some scenes she was very good, in many others, she just didn’t fit the story or the time period or something. A lot of her acting mannerisms were just like her acting in You Are All Surrounded. Although I liked her in that, her acting just didn’t work for me here, and although she has amazing eyes, I think they actually were a distraction in this. Her character was also not written the greatest, so the fault certainly does not fall all on her shoulders. There was also more chemistry between her and the king than the lead, Dog-Bird. And the main romance was tainted for me because they kept pretending to be brother and sister. Talk about killing romance. The secondary romance in the show, however, is highly satisfactory, with an adorable opposites attract, very sweet couple.

Probably the most distracting thing in the show, however, was the queen. She had a lisp. I don’t know if the actress simply has a lisp or if this was intentional, but it started to drive me nuts. Kim Ji Soo, was otherwise very good in her role, though, a ruler one loves to hate and who in the end garnered much sympathy. It was a bit odd, but kind of funny how one of the Hwarang, Choi Min Ho’s (Yumi’s Cells) character, falls for her. He’s a flirt who’s had all the other girls, so in a way it makes sense, but it’s a pretty big age gap. Min Ho was actually quite good in this. His acting hasn’t impressed me much in other things. He also has very good stage presence, and hands down, I think was the best looking Hwarang. It’s interesting that even with the long hair, jewelry, and pastel outfits, these guys still manage to look manly somehow. You are what you are, no matter how you’re dressed.

This show probably wouldn’t be the first Kdrama I would recommend, but it’s not too bad, despite it’s length of 20 episodes. As usual, it could have been shorter. The “adults” in the cast were all very good, many of them veteran drama actors. Always like to see Sung Dong Il (Reply 1997), as he’s like everyone’s dad in whatever he’s in. He’s got a great, fatherly aura about him. The best was the evil nobleman Park Young Sil, played by Kim Chang Wan (It’s Okay to Not Br Okay). Kim is great at playing villians and sometimes I was actually rooting for him to take down the queen and the royal family. Yes, it ultimately is very girlie, but very manly in many ways as well.

My next drama watch will be Doctor Prisoner starring Namkoong (or Namgoong) Min of the awesome Awaken. I’ve got a couple of thrillers on my list with this guy and they are definitely his genre.

How Bad Is My Batch?

Jan13

Just a quick note: If you took any of the COV vaccines and are wondering how lethal your dose is/was, there is now a site where you can look up the batch numbers and check. Yes, the shots are ALL different, because this is a medical experiment, not something that has gone through rigorous safety testing. Actually, very little safety testing with vaccines when it comes down to it. The pharma companies have zero liability and also the government simply does not even check to see if they are doing safety testing, even though they were supposed to be checking up on that since the 80s. ICAN submitted a FOIA request. They got zip, nothing. No evidence the government is even monitoring safety testing from these criminal companies. Anyway, if you’re worried about what you got shot with, here is the site: https://www.howbadismybatch.com

May God bless you and keep you. It is not your fault. You were lied to on purpose. But, it can be dangerous to be too trusting of sinful humans in authority. Only God has our back.

Also: https://www.icandecide.org/ican_press/federal-court-rules-in-icans-favor-and-orders-covid-19-safety-data-to-be-disclosed/

Updates for 2022

Jan12

As I’m not quite done with the surprisingly funny and excellent Kdrama Hwarang about a fighting force of elite flower boys, this week I’m just going to go through some updates.

Writing: As I’m a slow writer and easily distracted, especially by the current events in the past fews years, my writing has suffered. As yet, I haven’t published Trolls for Dust, Season 3. It is still in the works, but is now in competition with a novella idea that has captured my interest. I also would like to write more episodes of Weirdgorden, as I just find the idea of a store that doesn’t sell anything hilarious and want to see where it goes. My main goals for this year are to publish TfD:S3 and the novella. See next the steps I am taking to make sure that happens.

Planning: Like many women my age I have succumbed to the trend of buying pretty, expensive planners. The trick is actually using them well and making them more than just pretty sticker books. This year I decided to use Hobonichi Weeks as a carry planner, continuing to use a Weeks as a writing planner, and using Clever Fox Weekly Planner premium edition as a goal planner. Mostly, I am really into foxes lately, and the color gold/yellow. Don’t know why, but am thrilled this planner is undated, so I can pop in and out of it as I like. It’s a hobby, basically, but so far, especially the goal planner is helping me actually write more frequently, which is awesome, and I pray I can stick with it. Also, I have stepped up and taken charge of planning for groups that I am a part of, so this helps me stay on track with that as well.

Reading: As always, I am reading multiple books. Right now really enjoying a Tesla biography I’ve owned for years, but never actually read. What a crazy time in history, the race to set up electricity for everyone. Although I made it through a couple of the LOTR movies in December, I didn’t get to start rereading Tolkien’s masterpiece, so that is on my list for this year as well as a highly recommended fantasy series called The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. Agatha Christie’s will remain a staple, as will other mysteries and some Regency era romances.

Watching: As I just can’t get enough of the awesome Korean Dramas, I will still subscribe to Viki for that, and am also subscribed to Unauthorized TV to watch more LOTR lectures by Rachel Fulton Brown. She’s pretty great, with a fun, positive attitude to boot. Occasionally I do get to watch things on other apps like Netflix or Amazon, and have to say I really enjoyed The Tomorrow War starring Chris Pratt. Some of the acting needed help, but what a rush!! Also looking forward to watching Kenneth Branagh’s version of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile. My favorite Kdrama for 2021 is hands down the zombie show Happiness starring Han Hyo Joo (W), and Park Hyung Sik (Strong Woman Do Bong Soon). It’s got a great plot, an awesome leading couple, and a killer soundtrack. It’s worth subscribing to Viki for a month just to watch it. Embarrassed to say I’ve watched it twice now and plan to watch a third time. (As a side note, never did I finish Bossam, it just dragged after awhile and life is too short.)

Conspiracy Theories: I like following alternative news and it’s amazing to see things coming to fruition, especially regarding the Coronahoax and Plandemic. People are really starting to find out they have been fooled. It’s going to be difficult not to say “I told you so,” but I just keep in mind that God’s blessing allowed me to wake up about vaccines and the medical industry a few years ago. He gave me a love of stories that has me chase down these sometimes laughable “conspiracy theories.” I’m not really smart or right or anything, just willing to question and have a story addiction. It’s just so sad that so many people had to die for all the lies, and even more sad, will die in the future, as they now have compromised immune systems. But I am confident that God will find a way around it, at least for some, and already there are a number of doctors figuring out what you can take to neutralize the effects of the vaccines. Following Q has proved beneficial as well, for many things along that coming to fruition, like everything about Epstein and Maxwell being correct, for example. Whatever Q was it got a lot of people digging into a lot of research, and if it was just a political game/psyop, well, it was a fun one that intentionally or not, woke a lot of people up to just how much we can not trust those in authority.

Health: I’ve undergone a lot of health changes in the past year, but the most beneficial by far has been seriously increasing my Vitamin D supplements. Time will tell just how miraculous the sunshine vitamin is for me, but it’s great having increased energy, better sleep, and much improved hair and skin. I’m excited for summer to come around so I can get some actual D from the sun. In addition to that, I made the move to change from years and years of sit down office jobs to one cleaning all day. After a few weeks, my body is stronger and I have more stamina. It’s exhausting and great. I also am very glad I did not take the corona vaccines and will not do so in the future, either. Probably, I won’t take any vaccines ever again unless they are physically forced on me, which, sadly, many world governments seems intent on doing to their citizens. Whether it’s money, power, or simply ill will, those in power have declared they can make medical decisions for individual people. I do what I can to push back against this abuse, but it’s hard as so, so many I know still buy into it and really don’t realize how far our medical industry has fallen in regards to its purpose of health for patients. Also continuing with a mostly carnivore diet and trying to avoid sugar, though it’s a tough addiction to break.

Relationships: In this area, I’ve given a lot to God and have largely stopped worrying about things I can’t control. I am increasingly trying to meet people where they are, instead of having my own expectations for them and striving to be straightforward when I want or need something from people. Awesome thing is, that works, as does genuinely being there for those in my life and moving the focus from myself to them. Never will be perfect at it, but goals, goals.

Work: Work can be and sometimes is “life,” especially the good works which God has prepared for us in advance to do. A job is a different thing. I am willing to give up a job and income to stand up to tyranny, mostly because I care so, so much about the world my numerous nieces and nephews will have to live in if no one stands up. Foolish? Maybe. Satisfying on a personal level? A thousand times–yes! I do not fear, for God has never let me down yet, not once. Don’t always get what I want; in fact, I get far more than I deserve. It’s also been so rewarding to move to physical labor. It’s a good tired at the end of the day.

Lifestyle: Moved out of the city to a nearby lake in April. Winter weather is often terrifying to drive in, and of course I have to buy more gas now, but it’s been so worth it. It’s a quiet place where I can think and write, in a tiny apartment with windows giving me a grand view of the lake, and I love it. So much light, so much nature, so much life! And it’s sparked so much unexpected creativity like the designing of some steampunk bookshelves that are a perfect fit. The apartment is easy to clean, as well, and the small size keeps my buying books addiction more in check.

Bible Study: The first shall be last and the last, first. This is the most important one. In recent years I have found much joy and person spiritual growth in group and also personal Bible study. At my church our Sunday Bible study will be going through Galations, which I’m excited about. I’ve also been blessed with the time to attend a second Bible study during the week in which we discuss the Gospel reading for the upcoming Sunday. This one is populated mostly by retired seniors and what amazing incites they have! For my personal Bible study, I am going through Romans, using The People’s Bible by Northwestern Publishing House and also Martin Luther’s commentary on the letter. It’s my favorite book of the Bible, so I’m super pumped.

Mood: I will soon be coming up on the one year anniversary of my father’s death. I miss him so, so much, but I know he’s having a great time in heaven telling all of his puns and jokes to anyone who will listen. This year has taught me that life is shorter than we think and time with our God and our loved ones is precious. It is foolish to let other things, no matter how necessary we may think them at the time, to get in the way. It’s never too late to start living life well and in true joy, never too late to find work that really is meaningful to you, and never wrong to be generous to others. God blesses us to be able to be generous with our time, talents, and treasure. He asks us to test Him in this and we should trust that He will provide for us. We can give boldy and without fear. Worldly truth is fleeting, God’s truth is eternal and the only thing on which we truly can rely.

Blog: Due to now working full-time again, I will be only posting once a week again, probably, but not always, on Wednesdays. Hopefully you get some benefits out of my reviews, musings, and crazy conspiracy theories. May God bless your year and make it epic.

The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 7: The Last Battle

Jan5

What a timely title that is: The Last Battle. So many people, including Christians, think we are in the last days, the battle(s) before the end of the world. Maybe that’s true, but who knows? The world’s gone through some pretty bad times before now and still went on. Our times now are projected to get tougher, but, hey, we get tougher with it.

This is my least favorite book in The Chronicles of Narnia. I realized I’d never actually read the whole thing, because Puzzle and Shift and the wearing of the lion skin made me sick to my stomach. No different this time. Ugh. Really, I only liked the very end, when everyone, all the children now grown up, now young again, who had ever visited Narnia get to go to heaven or Aslan’s country.

I so admire Tirian’s bravery and also that of Eustace and Jill. No lack of fighting here. However, I was kind of bored by it and just sad about the false Aslan, the false god. Perhaps it was just too gloomy for me. I also wasn’t sure what to make of Lewis’s including of a character who did not believe in Aslan in Aslan’s country. Going by allegory, it is not theology in line with the Bible, for the Bible says faith in Jesus is what one must have for salvation. But, perhaps this young man always believed in Aslan, or Jesus, and just didn’t know his name? Certainly people before Jesus was born on earth still believed in him, in God’s promise of a Savior, and were saved, so maybe Lewis is getting at something like that. It was perplexing, though, and not clarified well.

The very end is great, Lewis’s vision of heaven is pretty neat, although it is sad that the Pevensies all died in a train accident. Fortunately they don’t care and are on to bigger and better adventures. How great it was to have all the characters of all the stories together. What fun they will have!

Maybe someday I will read The Last Battle again and appreciate it more. I know a lot of fans of the series really like this one.

To conclude: My favorite is still The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, though it was fun reading all seven books. I realize that in many ways I have grown up and maybe can’t appreciate the series the same way in which I did as a child. Being grown up isn’t so bad, though, we have our adventures too.