Latent Meridian

Mungkin jika ia adalah Zarah yang masih jatuh dalam amnesia mengerikan, ia akan terperangah mengapa ia bisa kembali ke Bukit Jambul. Tempat dimana ia akan dengan mudah teringat dengan ayahnya. Tapi, tidak lagi. Ia tahu bahwa ayahnya bukanlah “ayah” dalam artian sesungguhnya. Sudah berada di dalam rencananya, orang yang selama ini ia kenal sebagai “ayah” sebenarnya adalah Infiltran. Seseorang yang ia tugaskan untuk menunjukkan jalan dalam kurun waktu tertentu –untuk membuatnya ingat akan fungsi dirinya. Partikel. Anggota Gugus Oktahedral. 

Ia memandang kelima kawannya. Sama-sama anggota Gugus Oktahedral. Masing-masing dari mereka menggenggam jamur. Jamur Guru. Satu-satunya portal menuju ke dimensi lain. Jika dimensi lain dan segala persenyawaan dengan Infiltran dan Sarvara adalah sesuatu yang hidup berdampingan dengan manusia tanpa diketahui, tentu saja, tidak ada bedanya dengan alien. Tapi, Zarah tahu mereka tidak akan pergi ke planet lain, melainkan menuju dimensi yang jauh lebih berbeda. Tempat dimana ia akan meretas dunia layaknya mimpi bersama Gelombang, Petir, Akar, dan yang lain.

Alfa, sosok Gelombang di kehidupan kali ini, memandang jamur di genggaman tangannya. “Aku tahu kau tidak membutuhkannya, Peretas Mimpi,” Bisik Zarah. “Tapi Bintang Jatuh tidak bisa menunggu lebih lama lagi. Ini satu-satunya cara, Gelombang.” 

Bukit Jambul, the Latent Meridian. We'll do it.

[MV RECOMMENDATION] OH MY GIRL(오마이걸) _ CLOSER

[MV REVIEW] INFINITE'S "BAD": OUR MIRRORS

Hello, it’s been a while I am posting something up. I actually had a plan to write review of EXO’s Love Me Right. But, save that for later. Now I am about to talk about Infinite’s new MV, Bad. I really like this MV and despite the fact this MV just out few hours ago, I have already been repeating like crazy here. So, I am now in front of my PC, making a quick writing.

This MV is the best one I have seen half of 2015 to be honest. I don’t know about music. But, the song and the MV concept have been such a great combination. In my opinion the song gives the vibe of rushing or something thrilling. The MV portrays it well. And, I really love it. There is no such useless scene and everything is on its place. Thumbs up for those who direct this MV. You know I really love this spine-chilling-beautiful MV. 

For the dance, oh God, you slay, boys. I am not sure if I am one of Infinite’s fangirls. But, for sure, I always listen and watch their newest MV (never really check the B-sides though hehe). For Myungsoo and Hoya, why are you so damn handsome? Ugh *cough* (now you know who I am fangirling over here, yey yey yey).

I wonder if anyone of you asking the same question just like me. Why are there so many mirrors? There are mirrors in almost every scene. For instance, the boys looking at themselves through the mirrors. Based on this MV, I can tell that the mirrors are the important devices to make us understand the meaning of this creepy yet pretty MV. 

Mirror, as how it has been used for a long time by people on earth, is to have a good look towards our selves. Standing in front of the mirror is like facing our twins. We see the same us. We gaze the same person, over and over. On the other words, it’s like another part of us watching us back. 

What I get from this MV, the way the boys look at themselves through the mirrors, is like facing their own souls. It is portrayed by Sunggyu who hurts himself and then tries to run away from someone. But, it turns out that the one who chasing him is none other than his own self. The very same person he looks everytime on the mirror. That person also has been hurt. Make it short, Sunggyu in the real life and the one on the mirror has shared the same thing over and over. They can’t run away from one another. 

That is why the first scene appear before us is Sunggyu running away from someone which is explained in the end that he is Sunggyu himself. Sunggyu trying to run away from himself but keep being caught since the one chasing him is his another part of self. 

I hope you get it at this point. But, that’s not the end of the interpretation. That another Sunggyu is just like a metaphore of the ‘bad’ girl this MV trying to unveil. It makes sense because there are several scenes where there is this girl appears behind the mirror, glass window, a room, and slightly on the television. 

How come the duplicate behind the mirror is the girl when the boys’ faces are the ones being appeared? Yes. It can happen when we connect the meaning of love as being one with the one we love. We share the equal things. What hurt us, hurt our lovers. Slowly and surely they are becoming like us. Just like our mirrors. We see them in ourselves. We see ourselves within them. Right?

Thus, that what happens in this MV. The boys are acutally struggling facing their own selves. Facing tomorrow being with their woman. As how their relationships may go wrong, they get scared and how much they want to run away, they just can’t. Even if they are finally far away from the woman, they will just keep facing the woman within their own figures since they are one after all. 

It explains why in the end, the figures behind the mirrors disappear. They do not disapper actually. Since they are one with the woman, who needs the mirrors anymore? They are just being one. It’s like an obsession that goes through one’s system making them thinking even if one disappears, she is actually not, no mater how hurt it is, she is just there, being with them. 

Haven’t watched the MV? Here check it out:

  

[MV REVIEW] SHINee's "VIEW" : VERY BEAUTIFUL VIEW

Hello, this time, I’ll be surprisingly writing about SHINee’s new MV “VIEW”. At first when I watched and listened to the MV, I just laughed it off, saying ‘It was a kidnapping, fuhuu, funny…!’ but then I realized something more than kidnapping pretty boys within the MV.

Firstly, I found that Onew is so handsome, hahahah. No kidding! 

Secondly, I believe many of us have already realized that there are changes of colors on the scenes. In the very first scene, the MV is shown in a monochrome one when SHINee is told to get out from the place where might they have their concert or anything like that. Then appeared a colorful scene where there is a girl in white holding a robber mask walking. The next that’s to get appeared is Minho (followed by the rest of SHINee) in a still-monochrome-scene. Next second, Minho appears again in a total colorful frame though it is dominated with the blue color one. After that, the boys are captured getting in the car in the monochrome scene (again) before Taemin appears to start the song –in an already-colored-scene. 

Minho appears again while sitting in the car when the girl with the robber mask gets close towards him. It is when we can see how blue his eyes color is actually. It has the vibe that the scene has been created to be so blue, as Minho also wears blue stripped suit. The girl whispers something towards his ear as the monochrome scene gets in the screen again unveiling the kidnapping scene that happens on the boys. 

Without knowing what happens, the boys have woken up in the middle of nowhere with the foreign girls guiding them. As the other boys know nothing at all, Minho has actually realized what happens towards them. Yes, as he is the one who has been informed by the pretty kidnapper leader. When they walk follow the girls towards the deep of the wood, and when one of the girl look around to see them, or maybe towards Minho, Minho has been captured on the camera having a clear vision and doesn’t look confused at all. He is as if following the girl, just curious with what will happen after this. That is not the wondering eyes of lost puppies, but just a normal curious expression. It is totally different expression that has been shown by the rest of the boys, wondering around in a total confusion, knowing nothing. 

The rest of the MV telling us, the spectators, how SHINee having fun of being kidnapped as they see, feel, experience, and meet new things and persons. They enjoy the free time offered by the strangers as they may have been so tired of being busy all the time and do not have time to do bizarre things.

Thirdly, just like how I elaborate I have shown you that the things which I found intriguing and interesting in this MV are the changing colors scenes. I don’t know why but I found them actually very pretty and simply harmonious. They have very significant function in the MV –the movement from monochrome ones to the colorful ones. 

In this MV, SHINee has gotten the roles of being a group of dull person, whose life does not have color. It is like they have hit their boredom despite of they are being showered with the spotlight. While, the foreign girls are a group of bright persons who do everything they want to do, for instance kidnapping the boys. Can you imagine a group of fan-girls kidnapping the boys? Isn’t that crazy? But, that’s how crazy life usually. Craziness is a common thing to happen, and so this is no weird at all. 

As the scene shows the colorful one, we can see Minho’s blue eyes. The color of these eyes has left deep impression in me that being one of the reasons why I decide to write this review. Why only Minho being shown in a specific scene with his eyes looking through the camera in a place like a wood? Then he is portrayed meeting with the girl who whispering on to him…?

Correct!

Minho in this MV is the male lead. Although SHINee members are all here, they are just the male lead’s friends. Male lead’s friends aren’t important? No way. They are important of course. They are the part of the male lead’s life, the same exact dull and sad persons. 

Thus, no wonder the camera has been focused more on Minho –with his blue color eyes. I feel intrigued by the color so I start to search the meaning of blue or blue eyes. And, I found some which I believe suitable to apply in the MV story. 

Blue eyes have been believed by many people as the “eternal youth” since when an infant was born in the world, s/he will sometimes has the blue eyes though will change to the other colors after two weeks or more. In addition, it has also been stated that the blue eyes owner will usually be calm and very peaceful, while it is also said to represent knowledge. 

With the way how Minho expresses himself within the MV I can see that he is portrayed as calm and peaceful person that holds an “eternal youth” inside him. If he does not have the eternal youth and the calm personality, he won’t ever let the girl to bring him and his friends to some foreign places. But, he has them within his nature so the venture towards the colorful world is possible. 

Blue is also said as the symbol of sadness or depression. So, it has dual meaning. It can represent Minho (and SHINee) as the sad persons and also as those who still keep their youth within them. 

People no matter how blue they are actually have urged enjoying the world the way they want. It’s just that they can’t do it. So, why can’t we be like the SHINee-kidnapping-girls who put colors towards others? Be your friends, families, strangers, or anyone you want to? No one ever wants to be dull, but let’s understand, as everyone has their own situations. 

Very ---- beautiful ---- view !!

[DRAMA REVIEW] NAEIL CANTABILE: A KOREAN-REMAKE

I know that I've promised to make a writing out of the 'upcoming' stuffs that I had put on the blog around one-two months ago, but I have this urge to write this one. So, pardon me, guys. Well, I have believed that many of you have known that a Japanese drama, Nodame Cantabile (originally a manga) had been made the remake into Korean version one, entitled Naeil Cantabile, or internationally known as Tomorrow Cantabile. And, yeah, I just finished watching it this week despite it had ended the air broadcast last year on November.

As it has been expected the story is centered around the male lead, Chiaki Sinichi for Japanese version, and Cha Yoo Jin (Kim Joo Woon) for the Korean version one. Meanwhile the female lead is Noda Megumi (Japanese one) or Seol Naeil (Shim Eun Kyung) for the Korean one. Cha Yoo Jin and Seol Naeil are students in Haneum Music Academy where both of them taking piano major. Despite being a son of famous pianist, Cha Yoo Jin does not really look for his father, instead he admires an international well-known conductor, Vierra. Thus he changes major from piano to conducting later. However, because of his childhood trauma, Cha Yoo Jin can't go study abroad. Thus, he spends his days in Haneum, although it does not satisfy him. While for Seol Naeil, she can't seriously play piano followed the partition, instead she plays it as she wants. She doesn't want to be a pro pianist since she only wants to be a kindergarten teacher. The perfectionist and clean freak Cha Yoo Jin finally meets with the fourth dimensional and ambitionless Seol Naeil makes both of them struggling together to find their true selves and overcome their fears from past together. 

Although it can be concluded into romantic drama, Naeil Cantabile can't be really grouped into one. It is because if you expect to see any cheesy and kiss scene, you won't find one. The romance is there, as the device for Naeil to get attached to Cha Yoo Jin, but this is not the romance every one imagine to be. The romance between these talented and genius musicians can't be put on other couple. In this drama, music is as the plot device to show how the characters have developed, how their romance life have come to the point they want to be together. There is a scene where Cha Yoo Jin and Naeil listen to a Rachmaninoff's song, and Yoo Jin says that he wants to have duet with Naeil on stage. At that time, Naeil answers that the duet performance will make them to be like a real couple and Cha Yoo Jin agrees to it. This is the metaphor of how their relationship is actually associated with their music. Naeil always believes when she can perform with Cha Yoo Jin on the same stage, it means that she can be the one for Cha Yoo Jin. No wonder, it has been the trigger for Naeil to be a pro pianist by entering competition. Slowly because of her desire to be on the same level as a couple for Cha Yoo Jin she grows herself to be a new person who overcomes her fear on stage and starts to play piano follows the partition. She has stopped her immature side since she realized that she is adult after all.

For Cha Yoo Jin, he has fear of flying the most because he has the trauma in his childhood which he flied with his mother but there was an accident in the plane. But, because of Naeil whom he unconsciously trusts most, he is helped. Naeil has used the hypnosis to help Cha Yoo Jin gain his confidence again so that he can fly and study abroad. 

After following Cha Yoo Jin around and she thinks that their relationship does not develop on the love/romance level except their music abilities, Naeil decides to give up on him. But, in the end, Cha Yoo Jin is the one who can't give up on Naeil, either of her talent as a genius pianist and her as a Naeil herself. Thus, he decides to confess to Naeil and both of them ends up as a couple whose objective study abroad together and grow better while supporting each other. 

Nothing like kiss scene happens in the drama, although there are some teases like almost kiss or Naeil who is persistence trying to steal some kisses from Yoo Jin. However nothing. There are still embraces and hugs and lovely scenes that can make the spectators fluttered but nothing more. It suggests that love can be showed not only from the skinship only, but also from how much caring we are and support our beloved one.

In this Korean version, there are slightly differences compared to the Japanese one. For instance, Kuroki who is in Japanese one played oboe and has crush on Nodame has substituted by a boy who plays cello, named Yoon Hoo from Juilliard and he also has crush on Nodame. Naeil's apartment is more spacious too. But, still, on the whole I enjoy this version too. It has the vibe of Korean drama that can naturalize the weird-all-came-from-Mars-Japanese-drama style (I hope you know what I mean if you are a fan of Nodame, remember 'gyabooo'? that's it, hahah).

If I were about to give this stars, I would like to give 3.5 out of 5. I don't say this is bad and I don't say this is fabulous as a remake. But, this drama has its own charm that you will find out if you have a will to watch it. Although for me, this drama is the best for the year-end drama that makes me feel happy every week waiting for the episode comes out (although I was busy and watching the last four episodes just last week lol) that offers you innocent love, pure friendship, beautiful classical musics, and ... handsome casts, kidding.

Anyways, for Nodame fans, I pleadingly hope you guys watch Naeil Cantabile if you miss our 4D heroine, but do not expect to see her in Naeil. Just enjoy it as it is, do not be so critical! Besides, there are so many things offered by this drama to think at the end of the day. Of course it is a plus mark, gyabooo~

[MV REVIEW] HI SUHYUN 'I AM DIFFERENT': GOOD TO BE YOUNG

OKAY. This one is purely me fangirling. So, this time is my Lee Hi and Akdong Musician's Suhyun duo. But, the hidden card is Bobby. I mean I love our rapper Bobby who is charming. Hahah. Well, this MV is the funniest MV of this year. I really like this MV as it makes me smile and all giggle by myself. On top of that, I feel so young and so flustered. 

I don't know about the music, but the beat reminds me of SNSD's 2012 Dancing Queen (which is the remake of Duffy's Mercy). But, no prob, as long as it is easy on my ears. Honestly the song is not that very extraordinary or different than the other K-pop songs. But the playfulness of the MV can be delivered effectively by the song itself. As the duo is still in their teenage years, this MV fits them perfectly. The school-stalker-unrequited love concept. I love it.

The MV tells about two girls (Hi Suhyun) who happen to be best friends have crush to the similar boy (Bobby). This MV has made me remember how nice my high school life was. Although back then I had many subjects to advance, but still this kind of activity of stalking a boy or girl you had crush on was another enjoyment of our youth. Don't you think so? That's a normal life of teenagers. It doesn't mean you practically follow him/her everywhere. But, there is this time when you will steal some glances towards him. Or, you will come to his basketball match on your spare time. Right? 

Really. Good to be young. Now I realize as I get older every year, I have been sometimes longing for my young self. That's school days with uniforms were really the best. So, for young puppies, please study well to get good grade, but don't forget to find a good and nice boy to date, okay? No. I mean don't forget to do everything you want to do while you still can do it. Join school clubs you like. Ah, I do envy you, youngsters!

[DRAMA REVIEW] YOU'RE ALL SURROUNDED: GANGNAM'S P4

Yay. I have successfully finished a drama again. This time is an action-comedy-crime-drama. The story is about a group of rookie detectives in Gangnam Police Station, South Korea. There are four of them: Eun Dae Gu (Lee Sung Gi), Oh Soo Sun (Go Ara), Park Tae Il (Ahn Jae Hyun), and Ji Gook (Park Jung Min). They are chosen to be part of team 3 in crime division, under the command of legendary detective, Seo Pan Suk and his friend, Detective Lee. These four newbies are called P4. 

The story is about the daily life of detectives in handling criminals and many unexpected situations. The drama also shows how the rookie detectives are being trained to fit in as polices. Of course there are several interesting cases and the drama also showcases comedy within it and love line to make the story tastier. I really love how comical the characters are. They are really great actors. I laugh when they do something silly, comedy at its best, and cry when the scenes tend to touch the spectators. This drama has been a good friend of me for this week. I enjoy it so much. 

If this story just tells about random crimes that happened in Gangnam, this drama is gonna be a regular one. But, to differentiate it from other dramas, the writers seem like making a root as the core of the story line. The way they deliver and stir the viewers' perspective and way of thinking is quiet intriguing. There are several twists in every corners of the story. You should watch to know what I mean.

The main conflict is actually about Eun Dae Gu who wants to reveal the truth behind the death of his mother eleven years ago. Someone had killed his mother in front of his own eyes. His real name is actually Ji Yong, but he then moved in an orphanage and changed his name into Eun Dae Gu. After he joined team 3 crime division of Gangnam Police Station, he has the chance to catch the killer and those who have plotted the crime scene. The result of his investigation is actually bigger than he can imagine, involving the Police Chief, Assemblyman and his family. 

The drama although has the purpose to entertain with the way how comedic actually it is directed, it is still delivering messages here and there through the dialogues and also the characters' actions and choice decisions. You're All Surrounded shows the corruption of the society and how can innocent people be unfairly judged. But, still, no matter how you've been wronged and burned by hatred to take revenge, don't ever put gun on your opponent because when you do that all the reasons will vanish and only left with the result (Detective Seo Pan Suk). 

If you want to watch something funny and also thrilling, you may try to watch You're All Surrounded. This drama will make you laugh and also sit on your couch for 20 straight hours. 

Warning: When Yoo Ae Yun appears, please don't throw your mug towards the monitor (that ahjumma is sure crazy bitch). 

FAV SCENES: when they cross the road in front of Gangnam Police Station

video credit: SBS on youtube

[DRAMA REVIEW] JOSEON GUNMAN: THE MAN'S DREAM

 

I just finished watching "Joseon Gunman" or "The Gunman of Joseon". The drama is set during the Joseon era of Korea where enlightenment has been talked among the scholars and even the King wants Joseon to make it happen. Because of this enlightenment that mostly led by scholars and their teachers, the guns or western weapons start to be imported to Joseon. The guns have been a talk among all the officials and people in Joseon since it is different from swords and marks the new era of war: gun vs sword. There are some gunmen who work for those who disagree with the idea of enlightenment in Joseon. There are three of them at the moment. One of them is a leader of merchant group in Joseon that has been the slave of the So Ho Gee group that against the enlightenment. The idea of enlightenment which is being talked by scholars is the idea of revolution from the class-based-on-culture where the noble ones (yangban) will be richer every time and the poor will be poorer. At that time Joseon is divided by the noble class and slaves. Slaves will work their hell out for the noble. Even the noble ones compare the slaves with animals. This is what have been seen by the scholars as a wrong-doing and they want to make equality in Joseon. Everyone can have the same right. Not only the noble kids who can get to study, but also all people in Joseon. Not only men can work as officials, but also women. This is what has been dreamed by Soo In (Nam Sang Mi). She wants to make the new world comes true. On the other hand, Park Yoon Kang (Lee Jun Ki) is a man who likes to play around and does not even know what he wants to do in his life. Although he is a man who loves his family very much. Both of them have to meet and eventually involved in tragic and extraordinary fate.

This drama is actually directed by the director of "Princess's Man" which I dropped the drama during its first episodes since the drama is too tragic and I couldn't take it anymore because my heart was too weak. But, for "Joseon Gunman" I can finish it. It's really amazing. It's not as tragic as "Princess's Man" in my opinion although in some scenes I can recognize "Princess's Man" within it. However, in "Joseon Gunman" there is no scene where head is being displayed in the court, etc. It's a lot "softer" compared to "Princess's Man". Besides, the romance is like 20% of the whole. This is really good since the love line feels so natural and is not forced on the plot. It's so fresh since too much romance will make it look like "just another drama". About the acting, well, all of them are great, especially Lee Jun Ki. I never been a fan of him, but I usually watch his drama, the last time was "Arang and the Magistrate" and I always come to like his character. I don't know how but his character always so alive. His eyes really... talk a lot.

I like how this drama has portrayed many things. Of course the setting itself which is Joseon has given interesting insights even before watching it. I have expected to see the hanbok everywhere in the drama, or  traditional carriage, and ornaments and the languages. I really love Korean historical drama. Really. I come to love this drama more since it raises about revolution. The scholars want to win over the corrupt officials or the royals. The portrayal is actually talking a lot about the condition in our society too. There is someone who is greedy, loyal, two-face, etc. But, the most interesting part for me is when the women in this drama state their minds of wanting to be equal with men, or at least can do or accomplish something. As we know, woman is believed to always walk few steps behind her man. However, in this drama Soo In has been shown as a woman who walks side by side with her man, Park Yoon Kang. They talk a lot, discuss a lot, and help each other in accomplishing their dream of enlightenment for Joseon. Although in the end, their striving for new world has failed, they are still together and helping other people to establish the better Joseon. 

Park Yoon Kang is at first a man without dream. But, he then realizes that Soo In is his dream, he wants to live together with her. I can assume because he adores Soo In's knowledge and also her beauty. But, mostly he loves Soo In because she is a woman of the enlightenment itself. However, after his father is killed, Park Yoon Kang has to runaway since the accusation of high treason and his sister made to be a slave. He then is separated from Soo In. He is then thought to be dead from the gunman's shoot. In the end he is alive and living in Japan. He is back to Joseon as a Japanese man, Hasegawa Hanjo, a success merchant under Yamamoto, a famous Japanese merchant. When he is back to Joseon, he carries his own mission of revenge towards those who have killed his father. Again, he meets Soo In and starts to do the revenges. However after several times killing others, Park Yoon  Kang thinks that revenge only gives him emptiness in his heart. He then finds his real dream, that is working for the humankind. He helps people who needs his hands. He gives rice to the poor people and frees the slaves. His doing soon becomes an idea for story teller and he gets himself a name "The Dark Gunman Under the Moonlight" because he always carries gun as his weapon. Park Yoon Kang has been the hero for the mistreated people in Joseon. Yes. Then, along with his dream of wanting to live together with Soo In, he has set a new dream of doing justice since he doesn't believe the King anymore. He has thought that the King has no power whatsoever. The King is just a man with power who has the need to save his own life. It is complicated since the politics do many things here. Park Yoon Kang has his own ideology, so does the King. 

Well, I recommend this drama for those who like to watch an action-romance drama with the thought of feeding your minds. "Joseon Gunman" is not really a drama that you seek for laugh but it's not bad to try.