What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Marriage

This is my English assignment. I decide to share it with other people. I apologize for any grammatical error.

What is homosexuality?  Homosexuality is a sexual or romantic attraction for people with the same sex.  The common terms for homosexual people are lesbian for females and gays for guys.  Same-sex marriage is opposed by so many people because it’s against traditional values of marriage.  But what is marriage?  Marriage is a socially or ritually recognized union or legal contract between spouses that establishes rights and obligations between them, between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws (wik14).  Some of the essential things in marriage are patience, commitment, love, honesty, and communication (Becker, 2011).  Gender and sex are not included.  

Common perception is that same-sex marriage disrespects ‘traditional and normal’ marriage because the marriage is done by two people who have the same sex.  Before you agree, you should ask yourself whether love is only limited by genders and sexes or not.  Besides, respecting marriage is not about who, but it is about how long and how strong.  A marriage that is done between opposite sexes doesn’t always respect ‘traditional and normal marriage’.  In 2011, Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries divorced after 72 days of their marriage.  That event is an ‘awesome’ example of respecting traditional and normal marriage because it shows how ‘strong’ their commitment and love.  So, ‘respecting traditional and normal marriage’ is a weak excuse because ‘normal’ people do not always respect marriage.

Some scientists have proved that sexual orientation arises in the womb (Dvorsky, 2012).  This means gays and lesbians can’t change themselves because they are born that way. Even if sexual orientation is a choice, it’s not okay to forbid people for getting married because their personal preferences and choices.  It is a form of discrimination  Just like religion, sexual orientation is a personal preference that won’t affect the society directly.  If you can choose your religion, why can you not choose your sexual orientation and the people you love?    

When there’s a wedding between a guy and a guy, what will you lose?  In what way that wedding will harm you?  “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.” (Mill, 1859).  Marriage is not genocide or an act of terror.   This means, marriage won’t harm other so there’s no need to prevent same-sex marriage.
     

Religions and morality are created by humans.  So, the values and rules in religion and morality are not completely right or wrong.  Also, religion only applies for the followers.    If a country prohibits same-sex marriage by reason of religion, the country forces religion belief on everyone, includes those who don’t believe.  Therefore, the country violates one of human rights (Freedom of Religion).  Each religion has different rules and perspective, but the country should protect marriage equality.

The morality in society isn’t always right.  Remember back when American people think that a marriage between black people and white people is a taboo?  Now, you are seen as an idiot if you still think so.  The conclusion is, religion and morality are weak excuses to prohibit same-sex marriage.

In short, same-sex marriage should be legalized because it shows equality and it doesn’t harm other.  Marriages that are done by heterosexual couples don’t always respect the values in marriage.  The things that human create are not perfect, the same with religion and morality.  Furthermore, a religion only applies to the followers.  If we keep questioning the cons of gay marriage, we will see that the reasons are weak, illogical, and degrading humanity.  By supporting same-sex marriage, you are a human who has rationality and heart.

Sources:

Becker, Joshua [Online] // becomingminimalist.com. - 2011. - October 31, 2014. - http://www.becomingminimalist.com/8-essentials-for-a-successful-marriage/.

Dvorsky, George io9.com [Online]. - December 2012. - October 22, 2014. - http://io9.com/5967426/scientists-confirm-that-homosexuality-is-not-genetic--but-it-arises-in-the-womb.

Mill, John Stuart en.wikipedia.org [Online]. - October 2014. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harm_principle.

wikipedia.org [Online]. - October 29, 2014. - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage.

Things I want to do (that I won't do for a long time)

It has been a long time since my last post in this blog. I really want to do so many things, but I'm easily distracted by...so many things. So I create a list of things I want to do to keep some kind of track record and a reminder.

Dramas to watch:
Reply 1994
Nobuta wa Produce
Painter of the wind
American Horror Story
It's Okay, It's Love
49 Days
The City Hall
God of Study
Scent of a Woman
I need romance

Books to read:
Any book by Dika, Raditya (except Radiskus Makankakus)
Any book by Toer, Pramoedya Ananta
Any book by Tohari, Ahmad
Siti Nurbaya by Rusli, Marah
Azab dan Sengsara by Siregar, Merari
The Bell Jar by Plath, Sylvia
Norwegian Wood by Haruki, Murakami
High Fidelity by Hornby, Nick
Sense and Sensibility by Austen, Jane
Emma by Austen, Jane
Mrs. Dalloway by Woolf, Virginia
To the lighthouse by Woolf, Virginia
A Clockwork Orange by Burgess, Anthony
Red Dragon by Harris, Thomas
A Pale View of Hills by Ishiguro, Kazuo
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Wilde, Oscar
To Kill a Mockingbird by Lee, Harper
In Cold Blodd by Capote, Truman
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Stevenson, Robert Louis
Animal Farm by Orwell, George
1984 by Orwell, George
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Stowe, Harriet Beecher
Great Expectations by Dickens, Charles
Misery by King, Stephen
Carrie by King, Stephen
Lolita by Nabokov, Vladimir
The Hunger Games trilogy by Collins, Suzanne
The Silver Lining Playbook by Quick, Matthew
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Chbosky, Steven

Mangas to read (I've only read five mangas in 16 years, lol):
Black Butler
Skip Beat!
Death Note
Slam Dunk
Vampire Knight
Lady Snowblood
Akira
A Drifting Life
Nana
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
20th century boys
Gyo
A Distant Neighborhood
Kakashi
Detroit Metal City

Films to watch:
Movie Watchlist

Other stuffs:
STUDYING
Finishing my fanfics
Learning to cook
Studying Korean, Japanese, and maybe French.

I bet that I won't have done half of this shit by the end of the year, HAHAHAHAHAHHA.

Mimi (2014)

I CAN TOUCH CHANGMIN'S FACE, B**CH! AND I'M NOT EVEN AN OFFICIAL CASSIOPEIA!

Genre: Mystery, romance
Written by: Seo Yoo Soon
Directed by: Song Chang Soo
Episodes: 4
Channel: Mnet
Cast:

• Shim Changmin as Minwoo
• Moon Gayoung as Mimi
• Shin Hyun Bin as Jang Eunhye
• Jung Ji Soon as team leader of manhwa department
• Yoon Da Kyung as Minwoo's mother
• Lee Yeon Kyung as Mimi's aunt 

Plot: Min-woo is a 28-year-old introverted writer of webcomics (or "webtoon") who has partial memory loss.   One day, he finds a memo on his desk calendar, and because of it, writes a new webtoon titled December 8, which becomes an instant hit. But as the webtoon gets even more popular, Min-woo feels pressure from work and begins to suffer from severe headaches. He strives to recover his lost memories from the time he was an 18-year-old high school student, especially those of his first love, Mimi, as he unravels their mysterious fate. (Taken from wikipedia.org)

The relationship between Mimi *the shy sasaeng* and Minwoo *The lost twin of Shim Changmin*

I know you're at least not Ted Bundy or Osama Bin Laden, so those are good reason for not getting to know about you. Yes, even if we have internet now.

Mimi and Minwoo don't have a strong foundation on their relationship.  Their love story is super cliche and so fast.  But the lack interaction between them makes the love story of Mimi doesn't convince me that they are in love or even care with each other.  The disgusting lovey-dovey moments are pointless and they make the story less effective.  Why?  Because it lacks chemistry.  As a writer, Seo Yoosun should learn from Up or Titanic, how to create a cliche, fast, but effective and believable love story.  In Up, Carl and Ellie have an eight-minute love story without dialogue, but they still can touch people's heart, because the story is solid and effective.  Jack and Rose fall in love only in days, but it's believable because the interaction between them is solid.

I don't understand how Mimi and Minwoo are so attracted and attached to each other.  They are not united by some kind of music or film like Summer and Tom (500D0S).  Let's just say that they are attracted with each other by physical appearance.  Then how come they grow to be attached with each other?  They don't spent their time by getting to know each other like Jesse and Celine from Before Trilogy, but they spill their secrets to each other in the very first episode!  It's inconsistent and ridiculous.  But sometimes we spill secrets to strangers because they are strangers, right?  Well, I think Mimi and Minwoo are not strangers to each other.  They go to the same school and know each other for Shisus's sake!  I think it will be better if Mimi and Minwoo have known each other since childhood, so they already have a strong foundation in relationship, like Yoonjae and Shiwon from Reply 1997.  You may ask why it's so important to have a strong relationship from the start because in reality, not all of us have a strong or memorable relationship in high school.  If Mimi and Minwoo don't have strong relationship, how come they're still attached *emotionally* after so many years, especially Mimi?!  SM can create a better (rumor) script than Mimi for Shisus's sake!

The relationship between Jang Eunhye and Minwoo

I'm not a cassiopeia, so why should I see your face? Oh well, it's just another wasted bless from Krisus. Other girls will find luck just like me.

We see more interaction between Eunhye and Minwoo in the third episode.  Eunhye-Minwoo couple doesn't have the best chemistry, but their progress is better than Minwoo-Mimi.  But again, I have a problem with Changmin and Shin Hyunbin, because their chemistry seems forced.  Their dialogue is not flowing flawlessly like the dialogue between Yoonjae and Shiwon from Reply 1997.  Maybe it's because Minwoo doesn't talk much?  If they can't give the viewers a flowing dialogue like Reply 1997, then Changmin and Shin Hyunbin should build or fix their chemistry from the start.

Some kind of fail psychoanalysis of the characters

I conclude that Minwoo is a loner and he doesn't have a great social skill.  There's no indication that he's popular or made some friend in his high school.  He is not even close with his colleagues.  But suddenly, there are so many people who remember and fond of him!  Even the lost twin of Shim Changmin is able to be famous so quickly. 

I think whatever it is between Mimi and Minwoo, it's not love.  What I see from Mimi is not affection, but possessiveness.  Poor Changmin, like he doesn't have enough sasaengs... I know that she decides to erase Minwoo's memory for his sake, but I think it's too much.  She's not her mother yet she decides something that's so crucial for him.  Is that love?  No, it's definitely possessiveness.  Her possessive character can be seen by the fact she never leaves Minwoo, even after so many years have gone.   

I think it's a shame the writer didn't manage Minwoo's mother well.  I interested with her character and her relationship with Minwoo.  Minwoo's relationship with his mother feels so anti-climax and unsatisfying for me, because her part in this series is pretty little.

Eunhye is a nice girl.  But there's a sense of possessiveness from her.  We can see that when she rips Mimi's picture that was drawn by Minwoo.  Gosh, why they the hell they give creepy girls to Changmin?!  Why can't they send nice fans just like me...

Acting

Changmin's acting in Mimi is better than his acting on Paradise Ranch, hallelujah!  But his performance is not a mind-blowing one.  Yes, he's decent, but he's not Seo In Guk or even T.O.P.  There are some moments when he really good, but his face expression is pretty limited.  Mun Gayoung's acting is decent too, but again, not a mind-blowing one.  In my opinion, she only can make two or three facial expressions: 

1. Don't do it, Minwoo-ya! or I will replace him or Don't remember me face
=> Wide mouth, red eyes, and sometimes knitted-brows.

Behind that smile, lies a pervert idea for smut fanfictions. Or even hardcore...and fluff.

2. There's-a-high-chance-she'll-get-killed-by-Cassiopeias face
=> Smiling, a bit bashful, basically like a shy sasaeng

Anyway, I don't like her singing scene in episode two.  Gosh, it's awkward.  Please tell Moon Gayoung that she's no Isabella Rossellini from Blue Velvet.  Even Ji Sukjin's I Swear is more decent than her singing scene.

As a couple, Changmin and Gayoung don't have a good chemistry.  They seem forced and don't sync with each other.  I think that Changmin and Gayoung didn't interact often or just didn't prepare their characters well.  There's an obvious reason why Kim Jong Kook - Lee Kwang Soo couple has more shipper than Changmin - Gayoung.

The other actors: decent.  I don't see the function of this stalkish-and-uncharismatic man who follows Mimi everywhere.  He gives Mimi the matches, but his character doesn't add anything in Mimi other than that. 

Cinematography

Damn...I forgot to jerk off this morning.

The best thing about this mini-series is definitely the cinematography.  I really love it.  The color palate and the light are very soft and pretty.  They remind me of some K-Ballad's music videos.  I wish there were more long-range shots though.  It's okay to have lots of short-range shots as long as you're in the same level with Choi Min Sik.  I also wish there were more shaky-cams so this drama would be more indie-ish.

Soundtrack...or a propaganda for promoting SM The Ballad

I know this drama is produced by SM but does SM really have to play SM The Ballad in every f**kin episode?!!  The album is not really amazing.  The whole songs are forgettable for me, because it's only filled with generic ballad songs.  I really notice in the first and second episode where they play the same songs *each episode is different* and only separated by 10-15 minutes.  I know they want to promote SM The Ballad, but that's really too much for me.

Conclusion

Overall, I don't like Mimi.  It's not the worst thing I've ever watched, but it's not the best thing I've ever watched.  The concept and theme of this drama are good, but the script is plain and boring.  The problem of this drama is Mimi doesn't have a stand-out substance and the writer can't create a good process from the concept.  This drama is like an B-cup boobs in the middle of D-cup and E-cup boobs.  Or an Asian porn actress with small boobs who's standing between Monica Belluci and Brigitte Bardot.   C

Battle Royale (manga) Sad Moments

manganews.com

Guys, I have a little secret.  Ineverknowanythingaboutbattleroyalebeforethehungergames.

There, I say it.  Seriously, although I'm not a big fan of The Hunger Games, I will never know anything Battle Royale if Collins doesn't write THG.  

The real Battle Royale is a dystopian novel that was written by Koushun Takami and was first published in 1999.  Battle Royale (manga) was also written by Takami and illustrated by Masayuki Taguchi.  It was serialized by Akita Publishing in Young Champion Magazine from 2000 until 2005.  

Anyway, Battle Royale is the first comic that made me crying.  Yup, this brutal and vurgal made me crying like a baby.  I really want to review this amazing manga, but I skip some of the chapters, lol.  So I'm gonna talk my sad *in a good way* experience with Battle Royale.

SPOILER ALERT

 

8. Kiriyama Kazuo's flashback

screwattack.com

Chapter: 110, God's Child, vol. 14

I'm not a fan of Kazuo Kiriyama, he's too stoic for my liking.  His physical appearance is too divaish.  But his flashback of his bittersweet childhood and accident are enough to touch my heart.  It's cliche, but still sad.  I think the part that really squeezes my heart is the fact that Kazuo was once a cheerful boy who liked to help everyone.  Can you imagine how different it would be unless Kazuo was in an accident?  With his brain, I bet he could help Shinji to build the bomb...if he was not in the accident.  He's evil and he has done so many murders, but he has a reason for what he has done.  

7. Hirono Shimizu's Death

Chapter 37: Existence, vol. 5

Hirono Shimizu's death is not that sad...but it gives me a *very* bitter feeling, anger, and a little bit of sadness and pity.  I'm not really attached with Hirono and I think most of the readers don't know much about her.  But her death is the kind of death that really influences me.  Why?  Because Hirono really holds Shuya's promise. 

6. The Death of Yumiko and Yukiko

 
Chapter 16: The Right Thing to Do, vol. 2

Maybe it's because they are both innocent girls.  Maybe it's because they are killed from behind.  Maybe it's because I read and watch their friendship.  Maybe because they really care about each other.  Or maybe because they were killed after they had done the right thing.   

5. Death and Confession of Takako Chigusa

Chapter 27: Respect and Affection, vol. 4   

I personally think that Takako Chigusa's death is a bit early.  If she was killed after the readers had known more about her, her death would give more emotions and mixed feelings.  And her character doesn't bait me to be sympathetic to her.  But the subtle rejection from Sugimura is just....

I'm not Chigusa's fan, but I really ship her with Sugimura.  Hard.

4. Hiroki Sugimura and Kayako Kotohiki's Death

Chapter 93: Promise, vol. 12

I ship Chigusa-Sugimura, but I can't deny that Hiroki Sugimura and Kayako Kotohiki really look cute together.  There are not much things that more painful than seeing the death of the people you love.  Dying is one things.  But dying and seeing the death of your loved-ones?  It's a jackpot.  Anyway, Hiroki's point of view was drawn in a unique way.     

3. Souma Mitsuko's death and flashback

Chapter 98: Magic, vol. 13

I'm not a big fan of Souma Mitsuko.  She's too vulgar and disgusting.  But her flashbacks are so sad.  I hate Mitsuko Souma.  Yet I can't really blame for being a heartless and manipulative person.  Her flashback is the saddest and the most persuasive.  It's really painful to see little Mitsuko was betrayed by her loved ones. Mitsuko is a typical product of bad childhood and fail parents.

I think her nakedness and the way she acts before she dies represent how she has nothing to hold on or love other than "Magic Emily", her father's last gift.  The real Mitsuko is a lost little girl who still waits for her father.

2. Yuko Sakaki's death - Yuko Sakaki's parents

Stars: Chapter 72: Yuko Sakaki, vol. 10
Ends: Chapter 74: Reparation, vol. 10

Yuko Sakaki is the only one, whose parents show up in this manga.  How Yuko's parents memorize their 'journey' with Yuko and discuss her psychological state definitely made me crying.  Chapter 72 really shows how Yuko's parents really care and love their child.

At first, Yuko's dad is somehow optimist that Yuko has a chance to survive.  Then they talk how the last winner is a girl, that Yuko has friends, etc.  But deep down they know that Yuko will lose the game because her psychological issue.  The most heart-breaking scene is when Yuko's mother says that she wants Yuko to come back to them, no matter how 'crazy' Yuko will be.  

Yuko Sakaki's death also made me crying.  She sincerely regrets her action.  The heart-breaking part?  She realizes that the real monster is not Shuya, but the real monster is inside her.  I really pity her because at the end she just blames herself.  Yes, she does a mistake, but she also has problems, psychological problem to be exact.

1. All moments from the fight between Yutaka Seto and Shinji Mimura until Shinji Mimura's death

Starts: Chapter 49: Firing, vol. 7
Ends: Chapter 55: Trajectory, vol. 7

WHY DID YOU HAVE TO KILL SHINJI MIMURA, GODDAMNIT!  HE'S SEXY, HANDSOME, CHARMING, FUNNY, ATHLETIC, CHARISMATIC, AND MOST OF ALL, A LOYAL FRIEND.  *sobbing hard under shower* *chopping onion and throwing it to Koushoun Takami*

Well, you can see I'm a big fan of Shinji Mimura.  I like him, both the novel and film version.   

The friendship between Shinji Mimura and Yutaka Seto is the best and the most developed one in Battle Royale.  The friendship between them is not only based from memories or flashbacks, but the present.  They really fight side by side.  They pass the ultimate test of their friendship, even though it's not in an easy way.     

I didn't cry immediately after I had read Keita Iijima's death.  I started to cry after Shinji and Yutaka had forgiven each other.  Seeing people forgiving and hugging each other really touches my heart.  It's a beautiful scene, whether it's from manga, real life, films, or even books.

The way Shinji fights for his life is very, very, very touching.  That means not only he appreciates his life, he also honors the memory of his uncle and his friends, especially the dead ones.  Shinji understands that life is priceless and every seconds are worthy for life.  He doesn't spend his last seconds uselessly.  He even tries to avenge Yutaka's death.  That's why by fighting for his life, Shinji honors his friends and his uncle.   
         

The Man From Nowhere (Ahjussi)

The ones that live for tomorrow, get fucked by the ones living for today. - Cha Tae Sik

fewrandomrantings.wordpress.com

The Man from Nowhere or Ahjussi *means uncle or stranger in Korean* is a South Korean action-thriller film.  It is Korea's highest grossing film in 2010 and it is one of the most famous Korean film.  The Man from Nowhere was directed and written by Lee Jung Bum.  The Man from Nowhere won so many awards and the film has strengthened Won Bin's career as an actor.  Some of the scenes have also been parodied in South Korea's variety shows.

Cha Tae Sik (Won Bin) is an anti-social man, who runs a small pawnshop.  Everyone around his neighborhood thinks he was a gangster or a child molester.  His only friend is Jung So Mi (Kim Sae Ron).  So Mi is an outcast, whose mother is a striptease.  Although Tae Sik is stoic and quiet around So Mi, So Mi doesn't mind and keeps visiting him.   One night, So Mi's mother (Kim Hyo Seo) steals a drug from a powerful mafia.  She keeps the rest of the drug in a camera bag and sells it to Tae Sik, who doesn't know that the drug is in the bag.  The mafia manages to locate So Mi's mother.  One of the mafia, Jong Seok (Kim Sung Oh) tortures So Mi's mother and kidnaps So Mi.  Because Tae Sik cares So Mi too much, Tae Sik agrees to do everything Jong Seok and Man Seok (Kim Hee Won) told him.

Unfortunately, Jong Seok and Man Seok deceive Tae Sik and they indirectly give him to the police.  The police also find the body of So Mi's mother with Tae Sik.  They investigate Tae Sik and his possible connection with Man Seok and Jong Seok.  Meanwhile, So Mi is given a 'job' as 'courier' to the mafia.

furiouscinema.com

Many people praise Won Bin for his performance in Ahjussi.  He even beat the legendary actor, Choi Min Sik, in an award or festival.  

Puhleaze, his performance in this film is seriously-overrated.

I'm really disappointed with Won Bin.  I thought his performance *at least* would be in the same level with Lee Byung Hun in I Saw the Devil.  I really had high expectation for someone who beat Choi Min Sik.  Won Bin is good, but he's not good enough to touch my heart.  I know it's damn hard to have a stoic character because you can't express your emotion or acting skill so easily.  But Won Bin has some chances to show his skill, and I think he doesn't use it well until the last scene.  Cha Tae Sik is one of those sexy-and-cold-blooded-East-Asian-guy-who-can-kick-asses.  His character is somehow shallow and cliche.  He's pretty much a one-dimension character.  I know that he has flashback scene, but that scene is cliche and predictable too.  oh, his abs can't change my mind about his acting.  His abs can't change...his abs...

lens-views.com

MUST. STAY. LOYAL. TO. SONG. JOONG. KI.

How about So Mi?  She's also a cliche and one-dimension character.  She's one of those troubled-child-whose-parents-have-trouble.  Kim Sae Ron is not Danny Lloyd from The Shining or Jodie Foster from Taxi Driver, her performance is good and emotional enough to touch my heart.  I cried after I had watched the scene where she thought she embarrassed Tae Sik.  Her chemistry with Won Bin is also good.  These two outcasts just somehow fit with each other.

Also, two thumbs up for Thanayong Wongtrakul.  In case you don't know, he also starred in this film as Ramrowan, one of the mafia members.  He and Won Bin have an epic scene in a club. They just stare into each other as if they are the only people in the club.  

If we see it from characters and plot aspect, Ahjussi is clearly a cliche film.  But does it make Ahjussi a typical action film?  Nope.  In visual and cinematography aspect, Ahjussi is different from most Hollywood's action films.  Yes, Ahjussi has fighting scene, shooting scene, jump-from-the-building scene, even a little car chase scene.  So, what makes Ahjussi different from most Hollywood's action films?

The level of violence, art, and emotion in it.      

I never watch an artsy-action film, except Kill Bill and Inception.  It's so hard to find an artsy-action film because most action film directors focus on the action and the thrill in it, not the visual art.  While Ahjussi is no Oldboy or I Saw the Devil, the violence level in this film is higher than most Hollywood's action films.  The action in Ahjussi is not just shoot-and-die.  Won Bin brings his hammer as if he's related to Oh Dae Su (Oldboy).  There's also so much blood in this film.  

Most action films put romance, betrayal, or friendship in an action film.  But the friendship in Ahjussi is a different kind of friendship.  Tae Sik and So Mi are clearly not 'buddies' like Jack and Lemon *30 Rock* or Frodo and Sam *TLOTR trilogy*, but nevertheless, they are friends.  Also, The Man from Nowhere doesn't in all smiley and happy ending like Hollywood's films.  It ends in a bittersweet way.

Overall, I like it despite the clicheness.  The violence and cinematography are refreshing.  I really recommend it, especially if you a fan of action films and or South Korean films.  But if you're not a big fan of blood, then I think you should think twice before you watch this film.