[ANIMATION] NICCOLO

It's short, but incredibly stylish and beautiful animation about Pagonini's life.

[VIDEO] Punkey Doodles "Swan Princess"

Honestly, EACH TIME I see a swan now I think of this video 😂 why they did not write a story like that it's such a waste.

I came across one manhwa which basically has FMC as a cursed person who turns into swan. A FULL LAKE of cursed people who are birds, but not one of them goes berserk. I think it's such a wasted potential for a comedy. Yeah the person who cursed them has black magic. But the black magician needs the swan lady for sure, thus she won't do anything drastic to her, SO FMC COULD HAVE SHITTED ON THAT PARADE LITERALLY. With the rest of the birds. You're birds, just be swift and agressive.

[MUSIC] Madison Beer - yes baby

 

[VIDEO] A Repressed 50s Housewife

This is hillariously fantastic and fantastically hillarious 😂

[VIDEO] If I was in arranged marriage romance novel

 

😂 it's still so funny and that laugh. What? He's a hot and wealthy man who lives away. Why does it sound like it's not an arranged marriage but you gave me the biggest gift.

Honestly, these shorts with romance novels are so funny. But Elisabeth Wheatley is also an author, I wonder if I should try any of her books. 

[MOVIE] Midnight Inn

I suppose it's like a series of movies titled [Midnight Theater], this installment is called "Midnight Inn". The series covers different stories, mostly surrounding horror (like many traditional horror elements, characters etc.). I watched few, but I must say I was lucky this was the first I stumbled upon, because it felt much better than the rest.

Also what a cool cinematography.

PS: Eng subs available.

[AMBIENCE] by Nomadic Ambience

[MUSIC] Madison Beer - 15 minutes

Madison Beer and her own cinematic universe. References to the movies are always the best.

[AMBIENCE] Bossa Nova in Miami by Coffe Shop Ambience

 

[MUSIC] WHEE IN - coco water

[TL] Ah, ah

Ah, ah

Eh-eh-eh, journey

The weekend welcomes me with open arms

Sunlight filters through a half-drawn curtain

I fall down and down and down

Like a little paper boat

Ah, I swim along the current, yeah

While we're splashing and laughing

The heat doesn't bother us, we're oblivious

Summer nights filled with the scent of green

A breeze blowing on my hair

Let me surrender to the breeze

Take me anywhere, even if wе get lost, babe

Stomping on top of this cloud (Yeah)

Floating away, baby, can you comе through? (Through)

Smiling until my cheeks hurt, it's funny

I want to dive deeper into our summer journey

The more I drink, the thirstier I get

I'm curious about what's next, you and I

Smiling until my cheeks hurt, it's funny

I want to dive deeper into our summer journey

Oh-oh-oh

Eh-eh-eh, journey

The night deepens

Or maybe it's just in between

We’re leaving without a word, oh, yeah

Look up at the sky

The moon looks like it's about to fall

I want to fill my eyes with it

We fly along the dawn

Leaving footprints behind

The heat doesn't bother us, we're oblivious

Summer nights filled with the scent of green

A breeze blowing on my hair

Let me surrender to the breeze

Take me anywhere, even if we get lost, babe

Stomping on top of this cloud (Yeah)

Floating away, baby, can you come through? (Through)

Smiling until my cheeks hurt, it's funny

I want to dive deeper into our summer journey

The more I drink, the thirstier I get

I'm curious about what's next, you and I

Smiling until my cheeks hurt, it's funny

I want to dive deeper into our summer journey

Oh-oh-oh

[AMBIENCE] Soothing Summer Rain on the Porch

 

Another wonderful ambience by Calmed by Nature channel. If not for the rain, I can come for the art, because it's perfect to serve as the screensaver when listening to the rain and thunder.

[AMBIENCE] SCP: Research Center - Part 2

 

[TV] Mr. BEAN

Mr Bean is a British sitcom that was broadcasted from '90 to '95. And Rowan Atkinson who plays the role of Mr Bean along with Richard Curtis took part in the creation of this show. The inspirational part is that Rowan Atkinson is a very intelligent person and could have become a scientist, but had a burning passion for play and acting and despite the many fails that met him on the way, the Mr Bean show became hugely successful. He never gave up and believed he had it in himself to make people laugh.

As a person who never lived in UK, we've watched broadcast back in the day. And nothing says about popularity as selling copyright abroad.

I love the simple naming behind Mr Bean and the story of show's creation. Because mostly it's a silent comedy with minimum dialogue. 

Mr Bean is a peculiar person. He is not truly likable, but he has a certain appeal to himself. He shows a lot of wit on a daily basis, but also has human shortcommings, he may be grumpy, but may also find a lot of fun for himself to do. What I also like is that his life despite not having companions (except the teddy bear though :) ) is full of adventure. He travels, goes to places. And even if he meets obstacles, it's always fun to watch how he deals with life.

The show only has 14 episodes. I know it feels like it has 14 seasons instead :) But indeed has only 14 episodes, each approx. 24 minutes long. With the emergence of YT Mr Bean actually has an official channel. And I have no idea who is behind it, but they made sure to edit and upload, so the channel will stay active, which is a great thing. The only thing is they cut sketches from different episodes. 

Official YT channel: Mr Bean

I have my own collection of Mr Bean and the following are the series and the screenshot of sketches from those episodes. The titles are not official, it's just to help myself to know which episode had which sketch.

1. Mr. Bean

Examination room

Changing on a beach

Church

2. The return of Mr. Bean
Shopping

Birthday dinner

Royal meeting

3. The curse of Mr. Bean

Swimming pool

Parking lot

Lunch at the park

Cinema

4. Mr. Bean goes to town

Buying TV

Camera thief

Stone in the shoe

Club (magic show and dance).

5. The trouble with Mr. Bean

On the way to dentist's appointment

Dentist appointment

Picnic

6. Mr. Bean rides again

Bus stop

Post

Getting ready for travelling

Airplane

7. Merry Christmas Mr. Bean

Mr. Bean having fun at the shop

Jazz band

8. Mr. Bean in room 426

Arrival

Shower

Shutting himself outside (btw drag :) )

9. Mind the baby Mr. Bean

Baby

Rides

All ends well

10. Do it yourself Mr. Bean

New Year party

New Year sales

New Year renovations

11. Back to school

Open day: exhibiotion, chemistry, drawing class and karate

12. Tee off Mr. Bean

Laundry

Golf

13. Goodnight Mr. Bean

Hospital

Photoshoot withe the guard

Goodnight

14. Hair by Mr. Bean

At the hairdresser

The fair

Passing the gate

In many ways Mr. Bean pioneered some comedy elements that I don't think I've seen anywhere else :)

[ANIME] Puparia (2020)

[MUSIC] Laufey - From the start

Don't you notice how

I get quiet when there's no one else around?

Me and you and awkward silence

Don't you dare look at me that way

I don't need reminders of how you don't feel the same

Oh, the burning pain

Listening to you harp on 'bout some new soulmate

"She's so perfect," blah, blah, blah

Oh, how I wish you'll wake up one day

Run to me, confess your love, at least just let me say

That when I talk to you

Oh, Cupid walks right through

And shoots an arrow through my heart

And I sound like a loon

But don't you feel it, too?

Confess I loved you from the start

What's a girl to do?

Lying on my bed staring into the bluе

Unrequited, terrifying

Lovе is driving me a bit insane

Have to get this off my chest, I'm telling you today

That when I talk to you

Oh, Cupid walks right through

And shoots an arrow through my heart

And I sound like a loon

But don't you feel it, too?

Confess I loved you from the start

Confess I loved you

Just thinking of you

I know I've loved you from the start

[AMBIENCE] It's okay, calm down

Ambience that sounds like an audio playing in a big and empty abandoned hall. Although atmospheric, but partially disturbing. For days with special mood and the need of certain vibe.

[Music] EVERGLOW - Zombie

 

Wow, what a cool concept. Even if the word 'zombie' appeared not once before, but I don't think there was such an MV before. With the theme of mental hospital and all girls being glued to their phones with the contact "ex" they can't reach and the simple lyrics conveying how you feel like you died emotionally after a break-up. I love that it is soft-sounding with great ad-libs. I assume the soft sound is the latest trend among gg where no one chases the high pitch.

[ANIMATION] Treasure Island (1988)

One of the best animations I've seen, because of its' style and uniqueness. It simplifies the original story into adventure and a bit of seriousness masked under its' light-hearted tone. Allegedly the intermission songs that are the only parts with real people were written very quickly, which is surprising, since they're quite hilarious and catchy. I still quote some of the songs or diologues in daily life :)

 

[Music] XG - Woke up

 

Yeah

I been here waiting lookin’ at ’em

Tryna catch up take it how you wanna take it

Left the place in panic

Left to take another planet

Left to make another statement

XG baby say the names right

Spell it out so u can learn it

You can smell the tires when they turnin’

You can smell the fire when it’s burnin’

You can tell we all made it work for us

Made it but we had to work for it

Work work work so perfect

That it hurt don’t it? surf on ’em

Right away ride the wave ride away

Cause we had the right of way

Bye bye bye flying past then we fly away

Into outer-space

Drop top in a coupe outside

When I hop up out of this plane

Look at my fit right now

When I just walked outta my bed

Fix my hair and fix my make up on the way

Bound to the next stop

Bound for the great

Make ’em bow down to the X (uh)

A little more than ordinary honorary

Underestimated leavin’ all you broke

I’m the judge and jury I don’t wanna hear it

I’m the one they fearin’ keep it on the low

This is automated I’m the motivator

Told my haters “Yo more the merrier”

Y’all my entertainment fascinated

I’m just laughing cuz it’s so hilarious

Little girl with a big mouth uh

Small group with a big house yeah

Big watch on the wrist now uh

I just thought of that flow now just now

Put a little more down for the buss down

Went on tour on a bus and tore the bus down

Everything custom now

Fans rushin’ out

Security had to push me out

48 laws of power

Little girl with a big motor on a kid tho mhm

Watch me rip tho

Watch me snap like motorola flip phone mhm

I don’t wanna hit you this hard on a intro

Bring that bounce like 64

Find me in tokyo rappin’ in a skirt

Are you catchin’ my drift tho

Woke up lookin’ like this

So don’t get under my skin

Woke up lookin’ like this

Like this

Woke up lookin’ like this

So don’t get under my skin

Woke up lookin’ like this

Like this

Light flex go easy

Tag it up graffiti

Drop a pin or addy

That’s where I’ll go

Rip the show and that’s all I know

I’m super visioned

Y’all just built on superstitions

Watch me do

Everything everywhere

All at once all the time

All around the world

Woke up lookin’ like this

So don’t get under my skin

X G A L X

And that’s the name of this ship “And that’s it!”

Den mother mother wolf

So don’t make fun of my kids

We all fam and stand tall now

So don’t talk down on my kin hey

Welcome to the party

Floatin’ like it’s mardi gras yeah

You can call me HARVEY

But I’m not your barbie doll yeah

Hardy hardy ha laughin’ at ’em

While we blast away

Black on black on black

Outfits all packed away

C to the O C O

That’s me lord have mercy

Young queen but I act like an unnie

Young blood but I’m built like an OG

Gotta lift weight for the bags

Lookin’ real fit for the mags

And I’m a wolf in a pack

So I just woof and attack uh huh

Woke up lookin’ like this

So don’t get under my skin

Woke up lookin’ like this

Like this

Woke up lookin’ like this

So don’t get under my skin

Woke up lookin’ like this

Like this

~ ~ ~

When it comes to rap I think no one can compare to XG on the Asian market. Maybe there are, but I would hear about them by now somehow? (the Internet is now following what you search and what you talk about and recommends it after all). They're so young, but damn you can feel they are living and breathing it.

Of course it's understandable when it comes to forming a group that people are put together with a certain goal in mind. If you've seen some k-pop groups together you would see the disparity in overall visuals and also height. Sure everyone knows that XG is not k-pop. It's a Japanese group with Korean producer and they sing mainly in English. But probably because the performed in Korea and also even in this MC Cocona uses "unnie", you can't completely tear them off. The concept of 'xtraordinary girls' seems simple and I think it wasn't only to find talented, as mentioned they're young but they're striking. And I think they also have balls to experiment (heck Cocona shaving her head Sinead O'Connor style). 

I have no idea what type of vision their producer Simon has, so I can only assume it. I don't know why exactly he decided to go to Japan in search for talents, only assume that the Korean market might be thinned out, since Korean entertainment when it comes to idols debuted so many groups through years. Recently I always have a question about many groups - can they sing live? Those Music Bank and Inkigayo programs are not in the scope of research, since it's ibvious they use not only the original track but original vocals from the track to fill the gaps of live performance, have no idea how they call it nowadays.

Japan on the other hands loves pop, loves kawaii and sometimes many indie bands can get their own niche, but what about hip-hop and rappers? Don't mention South Korea, there are many talented rappers no doubt, but when it comes to girl groups I feel like it's just a position and the person in question might not really be too into it? Assumptions. But also some of the rap is 1) more like reading than rapping and 2) let's be honest, this has a lot to do with accent. What I like about XG is that they were ready for the international arena right away and when they sing I can understand what they sing. Even though Japanese also have a heavy accent and won't be able to pronounce 'r' and 'l' differently, even if their life depended on it. All said in good humor with no negative energy.

Back to the vision, so Simon comes to Japan, girls go through strictess draft and become a team. You can feel that they don't aim just to sing in their own corner,  after all prior to this some k-pop groups and let's mention Psy, who let everyone know that there is such energizer somewhere in South Korea, opened doors for Asian groups. It's not like they were the first ones, no, it feels like during this period the stream of groups going to international arena grew and became steady, instead of this arena waiting only for one specific artist and not giving a damn about others. It's not only groups, k-pop and k-drama hand in hand did this. Earlier I remember some aimed to make US releases, but now people became smarter maybe :) they sing their own, but still perform outside, without needing to conquer the foreign charts, their original songs aimed for domestic market can do it too. Thus in year or two XG already traveled to several countries and from concert videos you can see how welcomed they are. Although it sounds all materialistic like some business plan, but hey :D

The other part that I truly like about their rap is delivery and content. Unlike k-pop which I listen to a lot actually, a lot of rap in k-pop sounds silly to me, or flat.  It's like a bunch of random words put together. What about being cool, wearing famous brands etc. It's like look at my success and be jealous and that's it. XG might also have lyrics about success, but there is something about how they put words together, how they rhyme and deliver which makes the content feel better. I honestly feel like a pigeon that shook its' head while listening and I still do, because it's so addicting. So far I couldn't say anything bad about any of their releases. It actually feels diverse from hip-hop to ballads to something more pop and each time I always think to myself after listening to their new song - damn, they did it again :D

[Music] ARTMS - Pre1 : Birth

[TL] Take away a bitter kiss

Were you that sweet

Everything my everything

I wanna ask you one thing

Would I hold you in my heart

And close my eyes

Take me don’t lie to me

Through this long night without you

Though you fade away

You stay still

You swallow me

I can feel it deep inside

I could gather ex boyfriends

Searching for you with that handout flyer

Thank you, I’ve become your monologue

I’ve been rolling down my sleeping

I could make it better future

When I wake up tomorrow

I’m born with a fake smile

An illusion in delirium

Sheds light to my manipulated memories

Close your eyes and swear to yourself

Love me, it’s a gift

I’ll forget you, be forgotten, I’ll leave you be

I just keep lying to you, Lie lie lie

Fake it heart, fake it all

My pure face has been a lie all along

Fake it love, fake it all

What is the truth

Everything is yours

I could gather ex boyfriends

Searching for you with that handout flyer

An illusion in delirium

Sheds light to my manipulated memories

Close my eyes and swear to myself

Hate me, it’s a blessing

~ ~ ~

Props to those who wrote this and also directed such a music video. I think it's the first time I heard drum&bass in a music track in kpop and the music video with such interesting thriller/horror vibe. Deeply fascinating.