It’s formally EOY season, which is once we look again on our drama years, and determine which dramas have been worthy of our love, and which dramas we perhaps shouldn’t have spent as a lot time on, as we did. 😁
As earlier than, we’ll be seeing as much as 2 visitor posts per week, and it will unfold into January 2025, and my annual year-in-review will come out in early 2025, after all of the visitor posts have been printed.
This manner, by placing all our experiences collectively, we get a extra wholistic view of Dramaland in 2024. Fairly nice, sure? 🤩
When you missed our earlier posts, you may test it out right here: Sean, Deni+JJ, Natalia, Ele.
Right this moment, I’m happy to announce that j3ffc’s sharing his drama 12 months!
When you’ve been across the weblog for some time, you may be coming to the identical conclusion that I’ve arrived at; that j3ffc’s far more proficient than his self-deprecating humor may counsel. 😉
This previous 12 months, he really outdid himself, collaborating with Ele to provide you with essentially the most epic dream drama, Darkish, which all of us beloved. 🤩
When you’re a fan of Darkish, then you definately’d even be happy to know that j3ffc’s snuck in an additional scene, on this EOY put up!
When you love j3ffc’s type and wish to learn extra of his writing, you may like to take a look at his earlier dream drama, New York State of Thoughts, &/or his EOY put up from final 12 months.
I hope you guys get pleasure from!
~ KFG ❤️
MY LIFE IN DRAMAS
“The main points of my life are fairly inconsequential…. Very effectively, the place do I start?”
—Dr. Evil
Since I’ve written about this earlier than, I’ll attempt to be temporary for many who have no idea me and concentrate on these facets notably related for this 12 months’s story.
I slid into Ok-Drama fanaticism waaaaay again in 2018. I used to be searching for one thing alongside the strains of my beloved “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, and stumbled on “Sturdy Lady Do Bong Quickly” (spoiler alert: this connection turned out to be my fundamental theme in dramas this 12 months).
Now, many wouldn’t think about SWDBS a gateway present, however it positive was for me: a cool new setting, goofy off-kilter humor, and the great Park Bo-young as a unusual superhero.
Semi-hooked, I sought out one other PBY drama (“Oh My Ghost”), which I beloved much more and, as they are saying, I used to be a goner.
The very subsequent 12 months, regardless of warnings from everywhere in the web, I watched “Fairly Noona Who Buys Me Meals” (AKA “One thing within the Rattling Rain”).
In an try to make sense of how that present made me really feel, I got here throughout Kfangurl’s epic evaluation proper right here at The Verdict, and because of this, snuck into this group (by way of the again door, at evening) to partake in KFG’s improbable drama criticism / journalism / management and to benefit from the fabulous group that has fashioned round this weblog.
I wish to thank KFG, each for her arduous work and for founding such a wonderful feast, and to the entire contributors who make this such a protected and enjoyable place for drama fandom (particular shout out to new contributors who’ve actually raised the extent round right here).
And, after all, thanks for the chance to contribute, but once more, on the large platform (and for not kicking me out of Patreon as a result of lack of correct ID and my unhealthy perspective 😈).
I’m a scientist who teaches and does analysis at a US college.
Though I’ve achieved my share of labor as a pure fundamental scientist (inventing new chemical reactions and utilizing them to synthesize cool molecules), within the final decade or so I’ve drifted onto collaborative analysis, which has allowed me the particular alternative of working with some prime researchers in infectious illness analysis, neuroscience (ache, developmental syndromes), and most cancers analysis.
My job is fairly time-consuming, however I nonetheless discover it extra enjoyable than not, therefore not retired simply but (regardless of chopping into my drama time).
MY YEAR IN WATCHING DRAMAS
Now, again to necessary stuff. I’m the laziest individual right here.
It takes me for-ever to complete even the only present, partly as a result of I have a tendency to go to sleep on the drop of a trope and partly as a result of I have to restrict my drama time to exercise instances on the gymnasium, a few hours over the weekend, and the occasional airplane journey.
I’m frequently challenged by the only plotlines, a lot much less something refined (gah, I’m you, time journey reveals) and am continually having to remind myself who’s whom in any given present.
This 12 months, I’ve an excuse (see beneath), however nonetheless my drama enter barely made double digit reveals over your complete 12 months.
Right here’s an unabridged record of reveals that I watched in 2024:
Reveals from 2024 (plus a couple of I began in ’23 and completed early within the 12 months – see? dishonest already): Blood Free | Each day Dose of Sunshine (2023) |Choose from Hell |Beautiful Runner | Shifting (2023) | Mr. Plankton | Queen of Tears | Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023)
Reveals from earlier: All of Us Are Lifeless | Goong | Hidden Love (C-drama) | Korean Odyssey
And as of now, I’m nonetheless watching Fated to Love You.
So, mainly what @seankfletcher or @Deb or @Deni/Deni’s husband see in per week. 😬
Some normal ideas on this 12 months’s viewing. A few of the reveals I watched have been homework for my 12 months’s venture/excuse (nonetheless see beneath), like AOUAD and KO, however I ended up having fun with them so much.
I watched Goong on the suggestion by @Deni that we honor the founder by watching KFG’s gateway drama throughout considered one of her breaks.
That one was a pleasant shock that I’ve written about already (I strongly suggest KFG’s nice evaluation right here after which, should you’re , pop on right down to the remark part for my impressions).
A lot of the relaxation have been completely fulfilling time-spenders, with ups and downs to go round (though if I’m being trustworthy, I simply plain didn’t like Blood Free).
I actually don’t suppose that my throughput qualifies me to supply the total slate of awards that these posts are speculated to entail, so as a substitute I’d like to supply a modest tip of the hat to a couple reveals and performers who stood out this 12 months.
ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Lee Yoo-mi is on a roll.
Though she’s been appearing since she was a young person, it’s been principally minor roles and/or minor initiatives.
One notable instance is the 2017 horror brief, Superpower Lady, the place LYM performs a meek high-schooler who abruptly develops bizarre powers. It’s 25 minutes of creep.
However all the things modified with Squid Sport, by which LYM’s comparatively small (in display screen time) supporting position introduced her worldwide acclaim, even making her the primary Korean actress to win an Emmy award.
(For many who aren’t acquainted, this can be a main worldwide leisure award, one of many 4 immortalized within the acronym EGOT.)
The 12 months after, she made one other massive impression in All of Us Are Lifeless, enjoying a frosty highschool scholar going through a zombie apocalypse.
I, however, being clueless as ever, didn’t even understand it was her till talked about by @seankfletcher on Patreon 😅.
She adopted this up in cartoonish superhero mode in Sturdy Lady Nam Quickly, flexing the superpower thespian abilities she obtained from Superpower Lady.
However the massive prize was this 12 months’s Mr. Plankton, one of many nice drama successes this 12 months.
The entire forged is terrific, particularly the opposite half of the OTP, Woo Do-hwan; I additionally actually loved Lee El because the WDH’s difficult mom determine, whom I additionally had seen this 12 months in Korean Odyssey as a canine demon/secretary (don’t ask).
Anyhoo, LYM was great as “the unluckiest bride-to-be” (in keeping with the Netflix publicity machine).
Coming off a string of style and genre-adjacent reveals, her efficiency as Jae-mi knocked it out of the park with depth, coronary heart, and impeccable comedian timing. Because the expression goes, if the Inuit have [insert random number here] phrases for snow, LYM has simply as some ways to cry.
I believe considered one of her appearing superpowers is to be relatable and plausible no matter setting.
Regardless of the way you take a look at it, Lee Yoo-mi has arrived and ought to be counted among the many prime Korean actors. I sit up for seeing what she does subsequent.
HALL OF FAME
I like nice character actors, who’ve a “sort”, however am much more impressed by actors who can inhabit completely different roles with out seeming to interrupt a sweat.
And, should you search for “sweatless” within the Ok-drama dictionary, you’ll certainly discover a image of Oh Jung-se. [There is no cliché that I will not abuse.]
I’ve seen him as a jerky politician (When the Camellia Blooms), a duplicitous baseball government (Sizzling Range League), an autistic grownup (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay), and, this 12 months, mama’s boy/spurned bridegroom in Mr. Plankton.
Every position was indelible and raised the extent of the general manufacturing.
And that is simply part of Oh’s practically 40 TV appearances, not counting films (about 30 of these). I’m positive that not all of them are nice however I’d be stunned if that might be as a result of a nasty efficiency by my man.
To paraphrase the late, nice Roger Ebert: No present with OJS in it’s fully unhealthy.
I get the sense that OJS is an “actor’s actor”.
There’s a enjoyable episode of “Home of Wheels” the place he hangs with Camellia star Gong Hyo-jin and hosts Sung Dong-il, Kim Hee-won, and Yeo Jin-goo; they go to the lovable city the place Camellia was filmed.
Perhaps I’m projecting, however I believed all of them appeared to be just a little in awe of Oh (say that thrice quick! “Awe of Oh! Awe of Oh! Awe of Oh!”). And the man already has two Baeksang awards.
What he doesn’t have is a number one romantic main position. Though that’s most likely not within the playing cards, I’m positive he’ll proceed to steal scenes from better-looking actors and that reveals shall be higher for it.
He may even have an off efficiency, and it received’t diminish his accomplishments, a principle that we’d quickly check when OJS seems as a fruit fly sci-guy in “When the Stars Gossip” (or no matter that present known as this week).
So, I suggest to enshrine Oh Jung-se into the Ok-drama Corridor of Fame, with admiration for his expertise and thanks for hours of affecting performances.
GENRE SHOWS
I watched two horror reveals this 12 months. Not often my jam, however I ended up actually, actually having fun with each All of Us Are Lifeless and Choose from Hell.
The latter has been rightly praised for Park Shin-hye’s against-type efficiency because the titular demon doing time on Earth and dispatching unhealthy, unhealthy, unhealthy folks to, effectively, Hell.
Though there was loads of scene chewing, PSH by no means overpassed her character’s internal contradictions and private journey. It’s masterful and extremely enjoyable to observe.
However there was one side of the present that I discovered notably participating. No, not the theology, which was, let’s say, form of sketchy.
It was the manufacturing design. The present’s creators made a really specific-looking place with intelligent quirks (bizarre coronary heart object! cola habit!) and created revolutionary set items.
For one instance, there’s gonna be retribution for a automobile drowning, and the automobile in query drives out from backside of a lake! So cool. I like a Ok-drama with type and JFH had it in spades.
For folk, like me, who usually are not zombie film fans, it usually appears as should you’ve seen one zombie apocalypse, you’ve seen ‘em all.
However halfway by way of All of Us Are Lifeless’s careen towards collapse of civilization, they introduce a novel twist on zombie lore that I didn’t see coming and which opened the door to a completely completely different story path than would have been doable with out it.
I’m not typically a fan of multi-season Ok-dramas however would actively welcome seeing how this present may develop on this idea.
It’s extremely arduous to breathe new life into previous types, so how great is it when that occurs? Each AOUAD and JFH deserve a tip of the hat for including freshness into their genres.
SHOW OF THE YEAR
Mr. Plankton, arms down.
It has already gotten plenty of love within the EOY posts by, so I’ll be temporary.
It did just about all the things proper, together with assembling a improbable forged who delivered, nice pacing and storytelling, and an affecting OST. It even nailed the ending, which as we all know, is just not all the time the case for even top-shelf Ok-dramas.
I particularly appreciated that there was not a cop-out to be discovered because the story progressed.
The one factor that it didn’t get fairly proper was selecting a reputation, IMO. I hesitated to observe the present for a very long time as a result of I had no concept what it was about or can be like, however ultimately caved into the FOMO fomenting on Patreon, and I’m glad that I did.
Mr. Plankton was outstanding for being an extremely well-balanced present. It was intelligent with out being treasured, humorous however not excessive or foolish, and smartly-plotted with out being convoluted. It wore its feels on its sleeves however earned each considered one of them. Bravo.
DARK (YOU KNEW IT WAS COMING)
My excuse for not watching extra reveals is that I spent most of my drama time this 12 months engaged on an imaginary one.
After I set out on this venture, I had modest ambitions however ended up having a mini-experience of many facets of manufacturing a present, from writing a narrative, to digital casting, to assembling music (due to Sean F for endowing the moniker “the j3ffc manufacturing home” 🤗 ).
One side that I hadn’t counted on experiencing was the publicity part of releasing one thing into the world. I’m not snug with self-promotion, both right here or in actual life (Hey! I can see you again there, shaking your head and saying, “Yeah, proper, no matter you say.”).
So, I felt like a kind of drama characters who say issues like “I’ve simply ready a 20,000-word, extremely by-product mash-up between two beloved types whereas desperately attempting to not look unhealthy. Please take a look.”
I completely get that many shall be bored with listening to about “Darkish”—I do. Nevertheless it was a lot of my drama 12 months that I couldn’t write this put up and not using a little retrospection. So, apologies.
To Kfangurl: thanks for publishing this story and to your help all through the method. It’s such an honor to be a part of this group.
To these of you who learn, commented on, and loved “Darkish”: thanks so very, very a lot from the underside of my coronary heart. It has meant the world to me.
The story was conceived about 15 months in the past, when a number of of us within the feedback right here and on Patreon talked about a love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
I had already tried my hand at a brief “Dream Drama” known as New York State of Thoughts and tossed the informal remark out that Buffy would make a pleasant drama.
A pair people seized on it (particularly JJ and Ele, I appear to recall) and I believed, effectively, since that’s what acquired me to take a look at Korean TV within the first place, why not have a go? I had written New York in a few week however rapidly realized that doing this proper would require much more effort.
In fact, I perceive that not everyone seems to be conversant in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
If you’re Buffy-curious, I’d suggest a 50-minute primer within the type of a single episode, “Prophecy Lady”, which was the finale to season 1 (it’s episode 12).
BTVS is offered within the US on Hulu/Disney+ and Tubi (no subscription required); I’m unsure about worldwide availability or if a VPN would work.
It’s not the very best episode ever (the present normally hadn’t fairly discovered its footing but and acquired significantly better in subsequent seasons), however it was thought of a strong season finale.
It’s fundamental BTVS, a enjoyable watch, and offers a superb really feel for the principle characters and features a key villain from Darkish, in addition.
The objectives have been easy however daunting. I needed to seize the vibe and type of each Ok-dramas that I preferred and Buffy in a method that might honor each supply supplies.
As I went alongside, I spotted that the variations weren’t as nice as one may think (might or not it’s that some Ok-dramas have been impressed by BTVS?). I needed to function characters that many people would know and pepper the story with semi-original characters that would slot in with these I took straight from earlier reveals.
At no time did I dare to suppose that I might write one thing that might be objectively good, however I did my finest to create one thing that might be enjoyable and never horrible.
To any diploma that Darkish ended being not horrible, I owe Ele a ton of thanks.
In October, 2022, I had a little bit of story and, by way of KFG, reached out to Ele in hopes of recruiting her as a sounding board/editor for the proposed story.
By this time final 12 months (2 Jan 2024, to be precise), I had gotten a glimmer of a plot and despatched my preliminary ideas in an e mail to Ele. I’ll prevent the small print however will simply say that the arrange was kind of intact, I had gotten a lot of the fundamental characters however had no concept the place to go from there.
This unique sketch had the terrible concept of constructing the target of the unhealthy man to allow North Korea’s nuclear program, however Ele fortunately talked me out of that. I’ll share one joke that I actually preferred however removed ultimately, although:
This part ends with a kind of bizarre instances the place two characters stand about 10 ft aside and simply take a look at one another for what looks as if an eternity. (Buffy: “What?” Jang: “Nothing.” Buffy: “Why aren’t we saying or doing something?” Jang: “Don’t know. Requirement.” Or some such nonsense.)
The complete first part (Staves 1 and a couple of) was completed rapidly, by the top of January, however the remainder took till the primary draft of the ultimate part was despatched to Ele by mid-Might.
I additionally spent these months watching Korean Odyssey and All of Us Are Lifeless for analysis; it was then that Richie (AKA Zombie Lady) acquired extra of a key position within the story (I fell in love with the character like most individuals who’ve seen KO did).
All through, there was plenty of backwards and forwards in regards to the story, plot factors, and what to repair.
Figuring out we needed to have an October launch for Halloween, I spent Might to October revising and dealing on the music, pictures, and graphic design for the story (there have been 4 full revisions plus plenty of principally pointless futzing across the nearer we acquired to the publication date—stuff like “two gumiho” or “two gumihos”).
I can not emphasize sufficient how a lot Ele contributed to Darkish. She is herself an extremely proficient and artistic author—should you’ve learn her EOY put up, that (and should you haven’t, my goodness, what are you doing right here? Go NOW!).
In addition to providing eager insights on what was proper and unsuitable with my story and writing, she contributed loads of plot factors and enhancements, encouraging me to maintain it easy, decrease dream sequences or no less than put them the place they make sense, and keep away from having so many characters that the reader couldn’t preserve observe of them (though many, if not most, of the cameos from different dramas are hers).
She did an impressive edit on Model 3 that added a ton of pop and enjoyable to the story. I couldn’t have requested for a extra beneficiant writing companion.
The story was constructed from the skin in, that means that I had the start and an ending in place early, after which blocked out sections that might get issues from level A to level B.
I divided the shop up into 12 “episodes” that I known as “Staves” to accommodate this.
Enjoyable reality: I picked “staves” as a result of ghosts play a outstanding position in Darkish and I needed to pay homage to the best ghost story of all time, Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Plus, it’s one letter from “stake” 🧛♂️.
I’ve already gone on too lengthy, however listed here are a couple of extra issues I discovered from this venture:
1. Writing is tough.
I knew this earlier than, however developing with a narrative that made sense and that encompassed humor, motion scenes, getting the feels proper, and so forth., was difficult.
Whole props to those that do that for a dwelling, since writing even essentially the most mundane drama requires actual expertise—and when reveals rise above that, effectively, it’s virtually a miracle.
If I have been a superb individual, I might in the reduction of on my snarky reactions to poor writing going ahead. However ….😈. (Hey, I’m partially making as much as The Sound of Magic with the good picture of Ji Chang-wook above.)
2. Actions scenes are arduous.
Some of the fulfilling issues about scripting this was the dialogue (The Grasp is horror comedy gold) however some issues I discovered super-hard, like motion scenes.
There’s one which I needed to revise 10 instances as a result of I saved forgetting if a selected character was standing or on the ground.
3. Illustrating Darkish was powerful.
The conference of “casting” a dream drama and offering pictures was concurrently inspirational, difficult, and finally limiting.
Illustrating a narrative makes it far more accessible, particularly while you’re mimicking a visible kind like TV, however discovering an applicable picture for a brand new story might be powerful.
For borrowed characters like Buffy, or for ones impressed by these in different tales, it was just a little simpler.
For instance, Jang Nara has been in one million reveals (solely barely exaggerating) however even there I needed to restrict myself principally stills or display screen caps from Promote Your Haunted Home for our story.
And Hwang Min-hyun was a nightmare. I primarily based his character on his look in Alchemy of Souls however something that takes place in The Precise Flipping World was unimaginable as a result of the dude by no means appears to be like the identical.
In nonetheless different circumstances, I acquired plot concepts from different pictures and reveals, together with the story’s MacGuffin. And all of this was OK, given the intentionally by-product nature of the venture, however I believe it will be so much more durable for one thing totally unique. For that, AI can be a boon, as would precise creative expertise.
4. Creating an OST was difficult however enjoyable.
I’ve written in regards to the music at excruciating size on Patreon, however taking over the problem of assembling an “OST” was enjoyable and led to a different rabbit gap for me to dive into. Watch out for extra music-oriented posts sooner or later.
All in all, whereas I might have loved watching extra dramas, this was for me a most fulfilling and academic venture; I’ll all the time take a look at dramas just a little otherwise sooner or later.
I even teared up a bit studying it on the very finish. The expertise jogged my memory of my highschool drama days, once I’d fall into despair when a play was completed.
I do know it’s foolish, however I grew to like these characters (irrespective of how badly I could have handled them), and I miss spending time with them.
So as soon as once more, for you who learn and loved this venture, thanks so very, very a lot.
And to you, right here’s just a little New 12 months’s present. The next “deleted scene” takes place some months earlier than the start of Darkish (I encourage your indulgence for minor continuity points). (Music credit score: “Standing” was written by Joss Whedon.)
And a Comfortable New 12 months to Kfangurl and all of you who make The Verdict a particular place. Might 2025 carry you peace, happiness, and solely the very best sorts of drama.
DARK: THE APT.
Over a black display screen, we hear a knock after which the phrases, “It’s open.”
As the sunshine comes up, Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan) and Daybreak Summer season (Michelle Trachtenberg) enter a small condo. They’re carrying a bottle in a brown paper sack and a grocery sack full of treats.
As they take off their coats and go searching, they hear a guitar strumming as Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) begins to sing from a sofa. Willow sits throughout from Giles and closes her eyes, magically bringing forth a full aural accompaniment that envelopes the room. All sway as they benefit from the impromptu efficiency.
Standing
.
Because the tune concludes, Willow smiles at Giles. “Not unhealthy, huh?” she inquires, chirpily.
Giles coughs and he removes his glasses, which he begins to wipe with a handkerchief. “Not unhealthy in any respect. Perhaps the strings have been just a little GarageBand-y….”
Willows expression drops and her eyes start to blacken.
Giles rapidly provides, with a refined smile, “No motive to go Darkish, Willow. You already know I’m joking.”
Willow’s eyes loosen up and she or he chuckles, “Oh, positive, proper. In fact!” Then, with eyebrows furrowing. “I assume I’m stunned you may nonetheless sing your tune from our little musical journey. I can’t bear in mind mine in any respect.”
“Nicely, you didn’t actually get….” begins Giles, however Daybreak interrupts earlier than he can end the thought.
“I acquired to bounce!” she says, unnecessarily loudly.
“Ah, sure, so you probably did,” mumbles Giles. Turning to Willow, “Did you’ve an opportunity to have a look at these uncommon magical disturbances we have been speaking about?”
“Oh, proper. The soul assortment drawback.”
“Certainly. I could have a lead.” Giles pulls out a laptop computer. “Indicators result in someplace in Asia…can you’re feeling something in that path?”
Willow closes her eyes, her pupils quickly shifting underneath their eyelids. This goes on for a minute, till the witch shudders and her eyes snap open. “Korea.”
“Which one?”
“The South. There’s one thing afoot in Seoul.” Willow appears to be like straight on the former librarian. “That is greater than the standard psychic shenanigans, Giles. Somebody there may be amassing some severe magical mojo.”
Giles mutters, “Helpful, if redundant. Acknowledge something—or anybody?”
“I do however can’t fairly place it. Somebody acquainted. Very highly effective, and fairly…previous?” Willow closes her eyes once more briefly. “However there are others. It’s fairly the social gathering beginning. Misplaced souls abounding.” She appears to be like at Giles. “We should always do one thing.”
Giles nods. “I used to be afraid that may be the case.”
“Do now we have anybody on the bottom? Who can, , discover a soul in Seoul …”
Giles snaps his fingers. “Ah, sure! I do know simply the individual. A younger lady with a outstanding connection to the religious world and able to, as you say, discovering a soul. I met her when she was very younger. Even then, fairly spectacular.”
Giles pulls out his laptop computer. “We should always examine in with our Korean workplace.”
Daybreak, flipping by way of {a magazine}, appears to be like round Giles’s modest condo. “I didn’t know we even had a Korean workplace. Should have acquired it with what we saved on this workplace.”
Giles appears to be like over his glasses whereas tapping on the keyboard. “Very humorous. For the reason that Council acquired, uh, blown up, I believed we should be just a little extra low-key.”
Giles is interrupted by a voice popping out of his pc. On his display screen, we see Jo Min-ja (Kim Mi-kyung) wanting up from a half-finished kimbap. She is in a raveled state, as if she had simply woken up.
“Rupert!” Min-ja shouts into her pc mic. “You simply woke me up,” she lies, hiding the kimbap out of digicam sight.
“Min-ja, I’m very sorry to hassle you. However there appears to be some uncommon exercise—very regarding, I have to say—centered in your a part of the world. We’re getting frightened.”
“Who is that this “we”, Rupert?”
Willow leans into the image and waves hello. “Hi there, Madame Jo!”
Min-ja brightens. “Oh, hello Willow! How are the flute classes going?”
“Simply dandy! I’m engaged on—”
“Ahem, Min-ja,” interrupts Giles. “I used to be questioning should you’ve gotten any data in your facet.”
Min-ja faucets furiously on her keyboard and solutions with out stopping or wanting up. “Sure. There’s plenty of bizarre exercise centered in Seoul however I’m unsure the place, precisely. Or extra necessary, why.”
“I’m questioning if we should always ask Jang Nara to see what her group can discover out.”
Min-ja continues tap-tap-tapping away. “Good concept. However her group is down a person—the large man broke his leg in a karaoke accident. So, they’re mild on muscle proper now. Anybody you can ship? You already know that that Rufus is ineffective in a struggle, ought to it come to that.”
Giles and Willow catch one another’s eyes, then flip to Min-ja and reply in rapid-fire settlement.
“Sorry, no.”
“Completely not!”
“Nobody coming to thoughts.”
“Nope-er-ooni.”
Min-ja’s eyes slender as she stops typing and slams her kimbap stump on the desk. “Rupert Giles! You known as me, bear in mind? Is that this necessary or not?”
Rupert, cornered, sighs. “OK. I’ll see what I can do.”
Min-ja favors Giles with a microwink. “You would come your self—carry out a little bit of the previous ‘Ripper’, no?”
Giles chuckles. “I admire your confidence, however that is, as you mentioned, fairly necessary. I’ll ask the Slayer to go.”
Min-ja’s whistles by way of her tooth. “You are severe. I’ll let Nara know assistance is coming and I’ll regulate the darkish internet. However subsequent time you’re in Korea, we have to end what we began on Jeju—”
Giles loudly interrupts—“ThankyouMinjagoodluck”—as he rapidly closes the laptop computer.
Willow, startled, blinks at Giles, who avoids her gaze and adjustments the topic. “Hmm, sure, now I must ask Buffy to go to a overseas nation. She had issues sufficient with Canada.”
Daybreak sighs in settlement. “She by no means did get snug with Tim Horton’s.”
Willow sits up straight and snaps her fingers. “I can spell her some Korean language abilities.”
“Wonderful concept, Willow.” However as is usually the case with Giles, the smile is rapidly adopted by a frown. “I’m nonetheless involved about sending Buffy over there by herself. She tends to behave—”
Willow finishes the sentence. “—with out telling anyone. Belief me, I do know.”
Pondering cap firmly affixed, Giles regards Willow. “It’s not preferrred, I do know, however I believe we should always ask Xander to accompany Buffy. He, no less than, is aware of how function a cellular phone once I ask him to.”
Willow, abruptly appears to be like uncomfortable, avoids Giles’s gaze, and gulps. “Xander?” she squeaks.
Daybreak, who’s now paying full consideration, begins squirming in her chair.
“Sure. Xander.” Giles has to show his head sideways to look Willow within the eyes. “I believe we should always ship Xander to Korea.”
“Xander?” repeats the witch, virtually whispering.
“Sure, Willow, let’s ship Xander.”
“We will’t.”
Giles raises his voice. “Why can’t we?”
Willow blurts out, “As a result of he’s already there!”
“Already there??!”
Willow digs in. “Sure, he’s, Giles. I despatched him. He’s on a mission.”
“A mission??!”
“Sure, a mission. An important mission.”
“A mission??!”
Daybreak involves Willow’s support. “It’s a really difficult task.”
Giles can’t consider he’s listening to this and begins stuttering. “What mission? What is that this essential and really difficult task that apparently the 2 of you’d ship Xander to Korea with out telling me?”
Willow appears to be like at Daybreak, and Daybreak at Willow, earlier than each whisper in unison to Giles.
“BTS tickets.”
Giles is about to protest, however earlier than he can converse, his eyes meet the ladies’s embarrassed expressions — and all three escape laughing.
The group focus on sensible particulars, together with preparations for Xander to hook up with Nara’s group earlier than Buffy arrives. As they end their work, Willow abruptly remembers the unique motive for his or her go to. It’s New 12 months’s Eve.
Now enjoyable, Giles dials up “Love Really” on the TV as Willow pours three glasses of essentially the most aromatic, bubbly cider that one might think about, and Daybreak lays out a plate of powdery cookies.
“Comfortable New 12 months, Giles,” Willow presents her glass. “One other 12 months and we’re nonetheless right here.”
Giles responds, “In no small half due to you two.”
Daybreak smiles broadly and provides, “All of us, collectively.”
The three clink glasses.
“Comfortable new 12 months to all.”
~j3ffc
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