I've been mistaken for a man
As yet another teaser for a potential feature on Lim Ji-yeon’s acting, here’s a quick look at how many evil faces she makes in just one scene. The above image is from a YouTube thumbnail for her show Welcome 2 Life, which we can use as a reference. She’s expressing anger, but it’s a comedic scene. There’s a measure of indignant shock tempering the threat. … More Park Yeon-jin’s Evil Faces
Today is The Glory Day, everyone, which I’ve been excited about for at least a month. I watched the first new episode this morning, and wow, was it scary. I’ve been meaning to write something more substantive about Lim Ji-yeon, because she was so impressive in Part 1, but now having seen her play a kind-hearted character — a doofus, even — in Welcome 2 Life, her transformation here is astonishing. She’s so evil, I just want to sing her praises all day. … More Casual vs. Stressful Viewing
Before I’d seen it for myself, Decision to Leave was my horse in the race for the Palme d’Or. Last year’s Cannes Film Festival was only another opportunity to proclaim my love for Park Chan-wook, a love that hasn’t abated even after a less-than-stellar entry in his catalogue. But I remember reading the list of award winners, and noting that while he won Best Director — and that is one of the best directed films of 2022, for sure — the grand prize went to something called Triangle of Sadness?! Not the best introduction of movie to prospective moviegoer. … More The Weight of a Winner
Join Donovan and I in our second discussion of Physical: 100, covering episodes five through the season one finale. We talk about the increasing difficulty of the challenges — and whether or not they’re suitable to the physiques on display — the game itself, and of course, the Riddle of Strength. … More Physical: 100 – Final Report [PODCAST]
In between last week’s episodes and this week’s, I found myself engaging with a Facebook group I’d otherwise elected to hide from (long story). Somebody wanted to know if anyone was watching Physical: 100, and apparently, I’ll take any chance to raise my hand and flail about. In that time, I’d also written an article for Collider, and characterized the show in breathless terms: “Whether all the contestants believe it, men and women are equal competitors in these challenges which emphasize a variety of strengths, creating a final, holistic visual metaphor — this time, for egalitarianism.” Wow! Put that on the DVD box: “Egalitarianism” – Collider. Naturally, I then bit my tongue, remembering that Jang Eun-sil was on thin ice, and if she goes down, the rest of the women follow. … More Jang Eun-sil Report – Physical: 100 Episode #7
Last episode, we learned that five eliminated players would be returning, though their identities weren’t revealed right away. “So, they’re the survivors,” Chung-hoon says in proper anime form as they walk in – still unrevealed. We flash back to a “Quest 2.5,” where the torso busts hang from the ceiling via shibari, and the room is lit with steamy red. This is when Seohyun walks in and cracks the whip, but unfortunately, Love and Leashes never made it to the Netflix top ten. Physical: 100 hit number two this week! … More Jang Eun-sil Report – Physical: 100 Episode #6
This severe-sounding K-drama is coming up this year, the next major project for Lim Ji-yeon (The Glory). Based on a webcomic called Kookminsahyungtopyo, I guess, the plot synopsis is provided by Asian Wiki… … More New K-Drama Alert! National Death Penalty Vote
After bonding over this show on an episode of the podcast, Donovan and I were messaging last night about the upcoming fifth installment. I told him I wouldn’t be able to sleep, with the terrible weight of soon knowing Jang Eun-sil’s destiny on the bridge. He asked when the episode was actually gonna drop on Netflix, and we discovered it’s 8:00 GMT. What that means for our time zones, I could not tell you. You know how it is, with math. … More Jang Eun-sil Report – Physical: 100 Episode #5
An earthquake initially centered in Gaziantep, Turkey was felt in Cyprus, Egypt, Israel and Lebanon. It’s killed and injured tens of thousands of people in Turkey and Syria, including Syrian war refugees. The relief effort by the United Nations has been complicated by the destruction, as rescue workers continue searching for survivors. … More The Humanitarian Crisis in Turkey and Syria
To discuss the new Netflix anime Physical: 100 — up to episode four — we need QNA cohost Donovan Morgan Grant, who offers an insider perspective on the world of fitness, having taken his body into his own, Renaissance sculptor hands. Our conversation covers as many of the contestants as we can, their various dramas in this fitness challenge, and how anyone can integrate a more active lifestyle into their routine. It’s safe to say that Physical: 100 has breached the bounds of the Netflix window and haunts both of our daily lives, daydreaming about those magnificent torso busts we want to be [with]? … More Physical: 100 is a Personal Attack [PODCAST]
With Eyes East 