Sorry this blog is rather inactive. Been multi-tasking with RL and reading novels and webtoons mostly. Should work on catching up on some Manga too. Here's what I've been reading and listening to over the months.
Love In The Big City - Park, Sang Young
Four short stories following the life of Young as he lives his adult queer life, meeting his best friend Jaehee and also encountering various men whether they be hook-ups or actual relationships. Anton Hur's English translation is remarkably witty and brings out the humour in some of the scenes. I love the gay icon references through music whether it be Kpop or Western artists.
I just heard there will be a drama adaptation coming soon after a film adaptation was completed recently so it will be interesting to see how both versions tackle the original novel. The film apparently focuses on Young's friendship with Jaehee. Having re-read the book, I am more excited to see these adaptations in their entirety.
Days At The Morisaki Bookshop - Yagizawa, Satoshi
Main protagonist Takako suffers heartache and relocates to another town where her Uncle Satoru owns a bookshop in Jimbocho. Looking for a fresh start, she then works there for a short time until moving into another role. Both books are quick reads and very touching. I was emotional reading both this and the sequel More Days At The Moristaki Bookshop. The things you do when you move elsewhere and encounter other people in your life. It sounds very dreamlike and a wishful POV for those who want to escape.
Welcome To The Hyunam-dong Bookshop - Hwang, Boreum
Yeonju's life falls apart with relationships and work and she decides to fulfill her dream of opening a bookshop. Business grows gradually and more customers find refuge in the books and the shop itself. Like with the Morisaki bookshop title, this particular novel has a similar charm and gives us life lessons on acceptance and learning to live a good life.
This could also be said for Yun Jungeun's Marigold Mind Laundry which I just finished reading lately. Jieun accidentally uses her powers on her parents and they disappear into thin air. She spends years, maybe centuries trying to find them and then winds up in a little town to start a special laundry service where customers can come in to clean their stains away. However these stains consist of memories or situations they would rather forget or perhaps fix. The novel is magical and quite honestly if there was ever a real life laundry like this, I may consider visiting to erase some painful moments. Of course when you alter something in your life, there is that risk of making things worse as opposed to better. But who knows?
Chk Chk Boom - Stray Kids
These guys are really growing in popularity along with other Kpop artists that is hard to keep up with their activities. Chk Chk Boom is catchy and even I admit the Deadpool and Wolverine cameos in the actual video itself were entertaining.
But Slash which is featured in Deadpool and Wolverine soundtrack is also a notable song.
Ice On My Teeth - ATEEZ
Wow it's been a while, ATEEZ. Absolutely loved this more than their previous single to be honest. I enjoy smooth ATEEZ as much as their hard hitting side.
The dance practice
XOXO (Only If You Say Yes) - ENHYPEN
ENHYPEN bringing out their lovely, romantic side in this comeback but not forgetting the vampire lore from the Dark Moon saga.
Brought The Heat Back is undoubtedly for the concerts and clubs with its beats.
No Doubt was the title track for the repackaged album and released after Daydream (the whispering gives me goosebumps). The guys look really great in the office suits.