Kimchiburger, RusNK, and Commieburger

So, I know I should focus on writing more for the Twin Diaries since I’ve left it un-updated for far too long. BUT, I also have original writing I want to turn into a book, preferably just before or around next year if I can get a publisher to take my work. I just don’t know if it would be something that hasn’t been done before or is the same old rehashed stuff readers are tired of.

Would any of you guys be interested to see snippets of the original work as I progress on it? Or at least give me feedback on if this is a worthwhile project? Definitely would accept critical critique of all kinds! I’ll leave a brief summary of what I’m working on below. It’s a mystery meets thriller meets horror book with a dash of history.

Summary:

Inspired by the true historical event of the Beast of Gévaudan.

I’m so sorry for not updating The Twin Diaries in so long! I am working on the next chapter, but I’m hitting a wall as to how I want to wrap it up without it getting excessively long (it’s already around 4,000 words) and making sure I’m wording everything correctly so I can set up Sang-Kyu’s side of the story properly. I don’t want to end up in a situation where I’m making up his side of the story as I go along. I’m also trying to write Cuba, who I haven’t really worked with before in such depth (I’ve used him a few times but they were sparse and very flat looking back), so it’s taking me a bit longer.

Link

Just updated the Twin Diaries if anyone is interested!

Title: The Twin Diaries

Rating: M, Archive Warning’s Apply (Planned Underaged Drinking, Warnings, Characters, and Other Tags will be updated as the story progresses) Will be a mix of serious Hurt/Comfort Themes and Humor Themes.

CW: brief/vague depiction of a car accident and death, trauma, grief, loss, culture shock, future CWs will apply and be added to AO3 tags as they develop.

Summary:

Human AU

Yong-Soo's life was going great, until a car accident and the deaths of his father and best friend turn that all upside down. He then has to move from Korea to live with his estranged mother and twin brother in the United States, who he didn't know he had. He also has to adjust to going to school at a military academy, adjust to a new culture and way of life, and deal with the grief and trauma of losing family and everything he had come to know as familiar. Yet, he's not alone in this struggle.

Sang-Kyu had a rough, but decent life. He's been in and out of hospitals more times than he cares to count, too many surgeries, an absent father, and an immune system that has caused him to be more reclusive than he would like. He had a boyfriend, a caring, but strict mother, and a life that was starting to turn up, even if he didn't know what he wanted to do with his life after high school. His estranged father's death and readjusting to now having a twin brother in his life was not part of the plan. Now, he has to navigate the maze that is his family situation and build a relationship with his twin. Easier said than done.

Characters: Features Mainly South Korea (Hetalia) and North Korea (Hetalia), but also has planned America (Hetalia) and Russia (Hetalia) as supporting characters. Other characters will be added to the tags of AO3 as they appear in the story.

Original Characters are used and the three OCs of Gojoseon, Jin, and Baekje are owned by @circlique, though the human names for Gojoseon and Jin are ones that I did create.

Pairings: Pre-Established RusNK (Russia x North Korea) and Eventual/Slow Burn of Kimchiburger (America x South Korea)

So, I know some authors will create a separate chapter/character sheet prior to posting chapter 1 if the notes on them make the beginning or end notes section way too long. However, I only have 4 characters that would need to be on a sheet since they are not conventional characters (talking OCs of Gojoseon, Baekje, and Jin, plus one human), so I’m not sure if I should make a separate posting to explain who they are since it’s only less than 250 words long. However adding it to the rest of the beginning notes would make the beginning note section over 500 words long.

After 3 rounds of editing, I’m finally happy with it.

Title: All or Nothing

Rating: T

Pairing: Kimchiburger, America x South Korea

Summary:  

When South Korea has another depression episode due to his damaged relationship with his brother, this time it causes an argument with America that forces them to confront the more delicate and complicated parts of their relationship.

Thank you so much for your support!

So I randomly decided to check my old fics I wrote on FFnet way back from 2012 to super early 2017 after I rediscovered my old password to the account. Most I absolutely cringe over and be more than happy to let fester and stay on FFnet to never see the light again. Ironically, the one I absolutely cringe the most over is still one of the more popularly viewed ones out of all my stories that is still averaging almost 100 views each month (it was an Mpreg story and I’m so leaving it alone after I last updated it in 2016, don’t know what my younger self was thinking writing some of the scenes in that and thought it was okay, also I don’t know what the general attitude is towards Mpreg as of now and really don’t want to accidentally whack a hornet’s nest). Also, I can so tell when my undiagnosed ADHD at the time took over in the writing, as those were the parts that I absolutely hated the most due to the derailing and random nature they came as, or simply for the scenes that I am aghast that they were written at all.

However, there are two or three pieces that I’m thinking about rewriting entirely or reposting to AO3, since they were some of the only ones that I actually still liked or still saw some potential in. One is more or less still fine as is, though does need some minor rewriting (it’s an old Kimchiburger fanfic). The other two need some serious rewriting to the point they won’t be the same as the ones on FFnet (one is a Yandere Simulator AU focusing on Kimchiburger, while the other focused on the Korea twins and a military academy setting with themes of humor, family, trauma and healing [hurt/comfort]).

Obviously, I haven’t posted anything other than Commieburger content on AO3, but, honestly, I was thinking about branching out to include other pairings, even ones outside of the Koreas (first that came to mind was ScotFra, Scotland x France, which is one of my other favorite ships). I tried setting up a poll to see if anyone would be interested in reading these old fics, especially the two that need serious revamping, along with seeing me post fics that were not Korea-centered, but I can’t seem to find the option to do it.

Definitely different from what I normally do, but sometimes I find songs that just fit the characters or a group of them too well and want to share. Plus, music is often how I generate writing ideas.

CW: mentions of the Korean War, mentions of the Japanese Occupation, some angst

I didn’t do the platonic trio of America, South Korea, and North Korea (I’ve seen the term DMZ trio float around as a potential group name, and I like the idea of these three in a platonic group), mostly because I was having a hard time deciding what songs fit the trio.

(Platonic) South Korea + North Korea:

“We’re Gonna Find It” - From Barbie and the Diamond Castle

I feel this fits these two pre-Korean War, since they always relied on each other through thick and thin throughout history together. As long as they had each other, they believed they could reach any goal they set their minds to and would be happy, regardless of circumstances. They’ll find their happy ending together.

“Two Voices, One Song” - Also from Barbie and the Diamond Castle

This is kind of fitting for both pre- and post-Korean War, thought the tone would change drastically between the two.

Pre-Korean War it speaks to their unity as twins and how in-sync they are together, as well as the belief that they will always be together.

Post-Korean War it’s more hollow and sad with a twinge of hope, as these two do long for each other and to be reunified again, even when that hope is slowly dimmed due to politics. They both know each other has changed, but they believe deep down that they can still be like the old times if they can figure something out.

“Still Love You” - Lee Hong-Gi (alt. spelling: Lee Hong-Ki) and Yoo Hwe-Seung

Technically it’s a post-break up love song, but I view this from a platonic stand point. Post-Korean War, these two regret all the hurtful things they’ve said and done to each other, but realize that they’ve potentially crossed the point of no return for their relationship, despite still caring and loving their respective brother deeply. They realize they will forever feel the ghost of the other, their absence, and that cuts them deeper than any of the harsh words or stinging bullets ever did.

(Platonic) America + South Korea:

“My Buddy” - CREAM

These two became friends due to like minds and interests, and, no matter how far apart they are, the memories they share and make together are some of the best. Like, these two are the friends that could go for months without contacting each other and be able to pick back up with each other like it was nothing. They act like those people that have been friends since they were in diapers and that friendship has never changed over the years.

(Platonic) Russia + North Korea:

“Through Hell” - Citizen Soldier ft. Royal Bliss (honestly, Citizen Soldier has quickly become one of my all time favorite bands)

Again, it communicates the fact that they both have been through some dark history and emotional trauma. However, instead of developing love, they develop a deep platonic blond knowing that someone has been through hell, just like them, and truly understands their experiences, feelings, and thoughts. They know that, thanks to each other’s presence, friendship, and help, all of the mistakes, darkness they’ve seen, and trauma have made them who they are today, and they’ve found who they really are. In a way, they’ve become each other’s ride or die companion that will have their back come hell or high water.

(Couple) Kimchiburger (America x South Korea):

“Heaven” - Ailee

I can see this coming from SK’s POV, especially after the Korean War, and it expresses the deeper emotional bond that he develops towards America when he’s at his lowest point, beyond his initial crush phase.

“Here’s to Never Growing Up” - Avril Lavigne

These two are the chaotic couple that will get up to all the shenanigans and have mad puppy love for each other, while not caring at all about what others say.

“My Everything” - 98 Degrees

I’ve talked about it before how these two are super supportive of each other due to their insecurities in their reputations and general confidence. I think this embodies that aspect, plus the aspect that these two found love in each other when they were at pretty low points in their life, at a crossroads, or at a pivotal moment in their respective lives. For SK, his feelings solidified after the Korean War when America was 100% willing to be there to lend an ear or hand. For America, SK became the one who was there to keep him going and remind him that someone does genuinely love him for him when all of a sudden he became a top superpower after WWII (mostly cause nearly everyone else were borderline destroyed in terms of infrastructure and he got lucky cause his home wasn’t a battle ground) and during the stresses of the Cold War.

(Couple) RusNK (Russia x North Korea):

“Love in the Ice” - TVXQ (also go by DBSK)

These two have hardened their hearts to the world, Russia from his general isolation from nearly everyone at all levels (some of which were definitely his fault) and North Korea from losing his brother, the one person he trusted and loved the most, causing himself to spiral downwards. Yet, they do develop a love for each other, possibly due to understanding each other’s pain. Their relationship is a struggle because they want to heal each other, but their own hearts and minds are just as frozen, so they struggle to accept that they mutually love each other, and that this love is quite fierce if they let it go uncontrolled. Once they do accept their feelings, these two cling to each other for emotional support and show their true selves that nearly no one else would ever see.

Like, they first meet with the expectation of a political duty, but then they quickly realize as they let their guards down around each other that they are catching feelings. But they are super hesitant to move forwards because of the emotional trauma.

Excerpt translated into English:

            “Alone in the end of time (my heart)

             Don’t be afraid because you were left alone (Don’t be afraid)

             Till the end of time (Let you know my love)

             I’ll protect you, you know because I love you (You know, let you know                   my love)

I think I may have put this with Kimchiburger in an earlier post, but after listening to it again a few years later, it definitely fits these two more.

“Love Me Like You Do” - Ellie Goulding

This speaks to their hesitation at making their relationship official, and their general slowness to accept they caught feelings and eventually acting on them. Like, they realize the small spark that started between them, and it quickly developed into a series of sparks, like someone furiously trying to light a fire. But it took a moment before NK decided to act on the emotions first with a kiss and trying to subtly ask Russia out to dinner while trying to not be too obvious. He is wary of getting his hopes up and letting himself be that vulnerable again. Then Russia is the one to make their relationship official and take the leap, because he is finally sick of waiting when it becomes clear that they both feel the same way and they want to freely love each other.

“How Do You Love Someone” - Porcelain Black (some may know this from Ashley Tisdale’s version)

While “Love in the Ice” reflected some of the trauma and hesitancy in their relationship with a more positive outcome/attitude, this song is far more angsty. This song, I believe, has the heavier focus on the tragedies and darker history each have had that has caused them to become almost emotionally numb to nearly everything. So when they are confronted with the fact that something was building between the two of them, part of their minds was absolutely terrified because they felt they didn’t know how to love, or that they couldn’t allow themselves to love someone for fear of betrayal, being used, lack of reciprocation, and just being that vulnerable and at the mercy of someone else. Especially the last one, since both have experienced the worst case scenario (Russia under Mongol Rule and NK under Japanese occupation). Not to mention the conflict with their political situation at the time causing more problems, like NK fully understood what his position was when the USSR began aiding him and how he balanced his relations with both China and the USSR.

(Couple) Commieburger (America x North Korea):

“Eternal Snow” - originally from the anime Full Moon wo Sagashite (cover I’m thinking of is by AmaLee)

I can see this as representing the in-between period before these two got together and the both of them grappling with their conflicting feelings for each other. Like, they’re realizing they are in love with each other but are conflicted about if they should be feeling that way, since they are supposed to be enemies. Part of them thinks it is just a passing thought, a little crush that will quickly fade, but another part realizes it stubbornly won’t go away and that they are starting to miss each other’s company. These feelings are borderline painful for them.

“Unconditionally” - Katy Perry (I’m more thinking of the Ryan Jirovec cover)

More from America’s POV. As he finds out more and more about Sang-Kyu himself, he is falling more and more head over heels. He wants NK to open up more to him, not just because of politics, but because he wants Sang-Kyu to blossom as a person, to become more confident in himself and trusting. I can imagine when America more or less accidentally admits to NK that he loves him, that NK would question America as to why he would love him of all people, after all the things he has pulled. And America just says that he has come to love him in spite of all of that, that his love is unconditional.

“Let You Love Me” - Rita Ora