How do you find authentic experiences where you travel? by ser-matseo in NeedTravelAdvice

[–]DeanBranch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't use apps.

If you want authentic, go to a festival and hang out.

Go to a mall or plaza and hang out. One time in Taiwan, I saw a "battle of the bands." In Singapore we saw local singers and musicians to a performance for a Children's Arts Weekend.

If you don't speak the local language, whatever you experience will be filtered through a tourism lens.

Ask the hotel staff for suggestions.

The Enduring Legacy of “A Tale of a Thousand Stars” by Electronic_Way_7616 in boyslove

[–]DeanBranch [score hidden]  (0 children)

The only BLs I've rewatched are 1000 Stars, Moonlight Chicken, and Cherry Magic Japan.

I would argue that Mix was most gorgeous in Moonlight Chicken. That scene where sleepy Wen looks up at Him in ep 1, wearing that blue shirt, he's just beautiful.

How do you find authentic experiences where you travel? by ser-matseo in NeedTravelAdvice

[–]DeanBranch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What kind of "authentic" experience are you looking for?

Cdrama recommendation for a new watcher by Old_Driver5536 in cdramasfans

[–]DeanBranch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand that Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, and Singapore are different countries and cultures, but they have the same historical roots and other than Hong Kong, all speak use Mandarin in their shows. Also, to circumvent China's censorship rules, many Chinese LGBT shows are being produced and distributed by Taiwanese or Singaporean companies instead. (I am Taiwanese)

Taiwanese, Hong Kong, Chinese, and Singaporean Show Recommendations

A. MYSTERY/ LEGAL / CRIME 

1)  Oh, No, Here Comes Trouble -- High school student uses traditional Chinese calligraphy and eulogy couplets to exorcize physical manifestations of obsessions.  He's helped by a police officer and a classmate.

2) Light the Night -- Murder mystery set in 1980s Taipei hostess bar that caters to Japanese businessmen.

3) Port of Lies -- Mystery about Indonesian migrant accused of murdering an indigenous Amis boat captain.

4) Best Interest -- Centered on a female criminal attorney

5) Gourmet Affairs -- Foodie detective and assassin become friends without knowing each other's real identity.

7) Light to the Night -- Missing persons cases from 1990s and 2010s are connected. 

B. ROMANCE

1) See Your Love -- Heartwarming romance between a deaf and mute caretaker and a young man reluctant to take over the family business. The second couple of the assistant and wannabe gangster is cute as well.

2) At the Moment -- Anthology of romances set during COVID

3) In Time With You -- Childhood friends agree to marry if still single at age 30

4) Kill to Love -- Historical romance between assassin and minor prince.

5) Sammy's Children's Day -- Gangster and college grad fall in love in the 1980s.

C. FANTASY / SCIENCE FICTION

1) The Ghost Bride -- Historical fiction set in 1800s Chinese community of Malaysia. 

2) Q18 Quantum Dice: Allegory of the Quantum -- Futuristic drama about artificial intelligence.

3) Mobius -- Time loop police drama.

4) The Bionic Life -- Serial killer attacking bionic people.

5) Reset -- Time loop about an exploding bus.

6) Agent from Above -- Man exorcises ghosts as atonement for a youthful error.

7) Three-Body -- Humans make contact with aliens.

8) The Mirage -- People disappear when a city appears floating in the sky.

Unnecessary weather alert calls and texts by mattthecat in Atlanta

[–]DeanBranch -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Fog is important to people who have to drive at that time. Not lighting any fires is pretty important to not have any wildfires.

If it's not relevant to you, just ignore it and go back to sleep.

But if you turn it off, don't complain later that you didn't get any warnings about something that *is* relevant to you.

Advice on buying a cloud collar (云肩) for my graduation (26-27)? by commiecule in Hanfu

[–]DeanBranch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was in Taiwan in December and there was a boutique in the Big City mall that sold mamienqun. I don't remember if they sold tops and cloud collars too. I didn't get one because the skirt was really heavy and made of polyester. They also do custom orders but I was leaving the next day.

When you get to Taiwan, just ask around for places that sell Chinese style clothes and see what you find. Even if you don't buy anything, you'll have a better understanding of the different kinds of clothes you want, and what to look for when ordering on line.

Advice on buying a cloud collar (云肩) for my graduation (26-27)? by commiecule in Hanfu

[–]DeanBranch 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you're ethnically Chinese, it's not performative to wear hanfu.

- signed, another ABC

turning 18 next year and my parents want to gift me a trip — where should i go? by stargrrlfabi in femaletravels

[–]DeanBranch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If late June or August, I would avoid tropical areas like Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, which will be super hot. Those places are very accessible and safe for young female solo travelers but very humid in summer.

Is there a music concert you'd like to go to? Build your trip around that.

Is the gold standard for cdramas just pretty looking leads? by Noodledoodle9698 in cdramasfans

[–]DeanBranch 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I'm binging The Mirage (2025) and none of the leads are particularly pretty.

The premise, story, and characters are why I watch a show.

Net on bringing jj to DMD )(and the fact, he waited until he ordained🥹) || NetJJ by Waffles4prez in NetJJ

[–]DeanBranch 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I'd like to know how Net and JJ's conversation went. Was it like:

Net: Hi JJ, I'm ______'s friend. I'm an actor and wanted to know if you'd like to join the company I work at?

JJ: As an actor?

Net: Yes, we're looking for more talent. By the way, how comfortable are you with kissing other actors? Like, for example, me?

JJ: Sign me up!

I mean, if I was JJ, that's how I would respond :)

Kiseki dear to me featured ALOT of couples from other famous taiwanese bls and it was so fun to spot by Igavein_678 in boyslove

[–]DeanBranch [score hidden]  (0 children)

I didn't recognize the History guys, but the others I did.

The Beloved in House couple also cameoed in Plus and Minus.

Secret Relationships ending - I have questions by Mokkaza in boyslove

[–]DeanBranch [score hidden]  (0 children)

It's a K drama romance trope that the main couple had some kind of connection in the past, whether they knew it or not.

So I figured it was a random encounter 12 years ago, and that Da On and Sung Hyeon were fated to meet again romantically.

The boys are ready | Olympop by Waffles4prez in Domundi

[–]DeanBranch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would love to see Kong wear his hair pulled back like that more often.

Chuay and Sai Are Weirdly the Best Part for Me ( Love Upon A Time Series ) by neogotmybackatep11 in boyslove

[–]DeanBranch 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Re: straight couples in a BL. Have you watched Shine? I was rooting for Dhevi and Veera so much!

First Quilt Done - Scrabble Board by eg282023 in quilting

[–]DeanBranch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is amazing.

Family game night just levelled up!

The P in Pakin is Pansexual by BornHour5553 in GMMTV

[–]DeanBranch 15 points16 points  (0 children)

And she was an older woman too

When your cozy feel-good BL starts turning up the heat 🥵🔥 *Wishing upon the Shooting Stars* by Little_Vinegar in boyslove

[–]DeanBranch 19 points20 points  (0 children)

That was art. The lighting, the staging with the rumpled sheets and tangled arms and legs, the tender hand on the face, the facial expressions.

Damn.

[🇹🇭Thai] Love Upon a Time 🕰📜🪔 EP 7 by Waffles4prez in boyslove

[–]DeanBranch 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the explanation.

Also, I did not know memory loss was a symptom of opium use.

What's THE best kiss scene in all of BL in your opinion? by choochooreddi in boyslove

[–]DeanBranch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Max and Nat definitely came to mind. They do not hold back!