For Writing Is Dreaming

I understand its experimental nature, but I cannot relate to it on any level. (I didn’t think there would be an album I liked less than “BE”, yet here we are.) I don’t fancy RM’s solo art, and this album is kind of dripping with it. It might fit his work, but it doesn’t fit the group’s, in my humble opinion. Moreover, I do not think it sounds like a mature version of “Dark and Wild”. It doesn’t sound like the improved BTS roots. Perhaps I anticipated—no, I craved—more cultural elements both musically and lyrically. The overproduced they-are-in-a-tin-can sound aside, which turns me off, I found the lyrics equally disappointing on almost all tracks. I would equate it to “Killin’ It Girl”. To top it all off, the predominantly English, and more importantly, basic verses just killed it for me.

I love the classics, their very first album included. I’ve cried to “Never Mind” because of where I was in life. I absolutely loved and still do “Satoori Rap”. Same goes for “The Rise of Bangtan”. I am a huge fan of “War of Hormone”. I’ve quietly sobbed to “Truth Untold” because I could relate to it, and the music is gorgeous. I breathe “Mikrokosmos”, “Anpanman”, all the cyphers, and so many others. “Shadow” had made me teary-eyed even before I heard the first line. Just the music alone. It still gives me goosebumps. I became a BTS ARMY after the first listen to “Dope”. I can go on and on. Not so long ago, I finally articulated why I like them so much. If I only had one thing to say… They make me want to be creative. It’s an overflowing inspiration. Until “Swim”…

“Swim” sounds and looks like an ad for a cologne or underwear. Do it in black and white, and there we have it. It’s lifeless. In it, there are no mature truths that I would find interesting. There is no particular beauty in the melody. Once done, it left me speechless in a bad way. I remember JK saying that we, as fans, might have expectations, but they did what they wanted to, and that’s great. I’m happy if that’s the case. Yet, that doesn’t negate the fact that I, as a listener, am not on board this time. I’m not less of an ARMY because of that, and I don’t remember signing up for a cult of which certain online comments reek. One might like Shakespeare’s plays more than his sonnets. They might prefer early van Gogh to his later works. All of that is completely fine. That doesn’t make you a faux admirer of Shakespeare.

I had no idea that, when my husband and I put Shine On Me on last Saturday just because, we would be sitting in front of the TV screen for hours upon hours. No exaggeration. Did we enjoy it? A definite 'yes'. It's well-written, well-acted, and beautifully done overall. And the soundtrack? 10/10.

I don't watch a lot of Chinese dramas, but I've already re-watched certain scenes from this one and will most likely continue to do so. Things appeared logical to me, and that included his ability to carve snowmen and his inability (permission) to operate since it's a pile of snow versus someone's life.

The heart of it - the romance - is authentic and very well mapped out. The openness, vulnerability, joy, sorrow, and everything else that love encompasses. Yusen's and Xiguang's relationship is not impossible. On the contrary, it's delightfully everyday in so many ways. It grows in understanding and commitment, and it flourishes in mutual respect and admiration. It was my first time seeing either Jinmai or Weilong, but the chemistry is there. She is so natural, and the look in his eyes is spot on.

The drama is also about choices and consequences, about courage, honesty, and lack of thereof. Do I feel bad for Zhuang Xu? Not at all. It was a learning curve that he threw at himself. More than once, the drama pleasantly surprised me by not following a drama-like path with regard to the characters' actions and words.