If reality is stranger then fiction is my friend

The marketing team used HaoBin and HaoBin's fans as a part of their publicity strategy (I mean, this tweet?), and it worked, considering I'm here now.

It's a show about KPop survival trainees and I think that's where the similarities end. Ngl I like it this way. There are a lot of possibilities to explore.

My favorite character for now is Jaemin. What happened to him was so unfair, but I guess that's how things work even in real life.

I really like his dynamic with Hyunjae.

I think (hope?) things will start moving faster starting ep 5, but we'll see.

Unrelated to the story, but it's interesting that Sae Byeol (Hyunjae's actor) is really a member of the boy group Waker.

Anyway, I did start and finished it last weekend and also watched the movie yesterday.

Now, there isn't much that I want to say, but I guess I'll drop some of my thoughts/impressions.

First, Baker's death was so sad. Out of any other deaths, somehow his is the one that broke my heart the most (I thought that it'd be McVries). Just, the way he kept bleeding, and when he talked to Garraty, how he couldn't even see where his hand was going so Garraty had to hold it with his two hands... Even as I'm writing this, I can feel the pain resurfacing. It just broke my heart.

Second, Garraty and McVries's relationship. I think it's.. beautiful, to see that even in the face of death threats, and even when they are competitors, Garraty and McVries are constantly saving each other. Like they let themselves get warnings just to save each other. It's just beautiful.

Now, the movie. I like it. Some characters are way different than my imagination, but that's to be expected. Stebbins tho, I was a bit disappointed that he's become an athletic guy, but Garrett Warning is very attractive, I can't complain.

However, if there's one thing I wish to be kept in the movie, it'd be the fanfare of the walk. I guess the empty streets in the movie showed us how bleak and desolate the country was, but I really like the contrast between the gruelling and despairing experience the boys went through and the cheery and enthusiasm of the spectators.

I was hoping to see all the fireworks and marching bands, I guess not.

Anyway, I found this wonderful channel that made The Long Walk into a commentary show. I haven't finished the eight hours content, but it's very interesting and entertaining. It gave me something I didn't get in the movie.

If you have some time, maybe try to listen to it too.