Rewatching "Love Between fairy and Devil" because 王鶴棣

王鶴棣/Wang Hedi/Dylan Wang

 

So, I'm trying to write about something that isn't related to 기황후, since I have currently overused that topic, and I'm sure many of you are tired of hearing about it.  Instead, I'll write more about "Love Between Fairy and Devil," since it is currently occuppying a large amount of mental space.  I seriously cannot get over how hot 王鶴棣 is!  I decided to rewatch it because I didn't want it to end, and I wasn't ready to let 王鶴棣 go prior to resuming my usual 사극 viewing, which I admittedly needed to take a brief break.  Also, while watching "Love Between Fairy and Devil," I'm seeing some great fan art opportunities.  I couldn't help myself, and I purchased a photo book and a replica of the bone orchid bracelet, which just shows you how abnormally attached I am to this show, ha ha ha.

The death defying body switch that even impressed my husband, as Dongfang Qingcang went from hypermasculine sociopath to effeminate empath.  Not an easy switch for a male actor!

And in regards to my purchase of the bone orchid bracelet, why the hell not? That bracelet is beautiful.  And I love the meaning behind it, which is to protect Orchid when Dongfang Qingcang can't be there.  Something like that just has a layer of extra special value.

Bone Orchid bracelet, top image

Because "Love Between Fairy and Devil" ended up being very special to me, I had to get the photo book because I wanted a tangible, keepsake reminder of such a great show.  My daughter has a ton of K-Pop merch, and even though she doesn't listen to much of it anymore, she keeps it all due to the memories and positive emotions attached.  My intent is the same with this photobook.  If there had been something similar available for 기황후, I would have been all over it.  Especially if anyone had replicas of all the crowns.  Oh baby, I'd buy at least one of those!

A beautiful reminder of developed true love and loyalty.  They both worked hard to get to this point.

Anyway, I'm commissioning some really cool fan art to be completed just in time for the upcoming Renaissance Faire season here in the United States. I'm actually quite excited, as I feel the artwork I have in mind will be profitable, and will also appeal to those who aren't even aware of "Love Between Fairy and Devil." Because 시극 and Historical/Fantasy C-Drama still aren't widely known in the US to the extent that "Squid Game" is, I have a balancing act to engage in.  I have to determine relevant fan art from these different shows while making them appealing to people who have never heard of them.  Only a tiny number of my fan art images have mastered that.  The die hard anime art appreciators have no problem buying my stuff, as do the history and culture buffs.  Your average, on the bandwagon, mainstream anime fan, however, is way too self conscious, as they are more about finding something that will cement their social standing with their peers.  Those people, I'm not too concerned with.  It just stinks that they make up a huge portion of the people browsing my booth when I'm not at a Ren Faire or K-Pop Cupsleeve event.

王鶴棣 in full demon gear really impressed my husband.  Especially when it was after the body switch with Orchard, and he was being super effeminate and empathic.

 

So, yeah, I'm rewatching "Love Between Fairy and Devil," and I'm currently on Episode 17. At this point, I can feel the strong feelings Dongfang Qingcang has for Orchid, and when I first watched, it blew me away.  So, in the following episodes when Orchid pulls away, I got very ugly feelings of nervousness, and I went online, read the spoilers to reassure myself that she indeed lets him back in.

 

I pulled this image from Pinterest.  I am sorry for not knowing who the original creator of this is. Please let me know!

Something that I must mention is that I'm impressed with the body switch between Dongfang Qingcang and Orchid.  Both did an excellent job in acting, but I will say that 王鶴棣 really mastered it.  He goes from being cold, sociopathic, hypermasculine to being effeminate and empathic.  Actually, when he does the body switch, his acting reminds me of how 지창욱 played Emperor Toghon in 기황후.  While Yu Shuxin's acting was also impressive, because every woman has an inner ice princess/mean girl that gets to be expressed from time to time in the appropriate circumstances, I don't feel it was as much of a stretch for her. 王鶴棣, on the other hand went from hypermasculine to borderline homosexual.  Most men I know here in the US who are not gay would be mortified (no matter how progressive they are) to be seen as acting that effeminate that well. 

I'm not entirely sure what to watch after this because I feel that attempting to watch something humorous so soon wouldn't go over very well.  I tried watching "Shine or Go Crazy," after watching "Scarlet Heart: 려," and it just felt really unsettling.  I also tried watching "Mr. Queen" after "기황후" which felt even more unsettling.  I'm not sure if I should do one more C-Drama before going back into 사극 land, or if I should do a rewatch of "Scarlet Heart: 려." Decisions, decisions!  One thing I do know, I'm really looking forward to getting my bone orchid bracelet.  I will seriously be wearing that thing everyday!

Two sexy swordsmen! "You can both have me!" ha ha, just kidding, in my dreams!