We are delighted to welcome Busan-based artists Silas Jennings and Ryan Estrada to the show to discuss the 2025 South Korean drama Tempest. Silas and Ryan share their experiences as extras on the show as well as other insights about being Western actors on South Korean drama productions. We also discuss the drama's target audience, its highlights, our quibbles, and whether it lived up to high expectations for its esteemed writer/director team. Join us for a fascinating look behind the scenes!

Find a further introduction to Ryan Estrada from his first guest appearance here:

Banned Book Club and the South Korean Culture of Protest with Ryan Estrada

Find our guests on Instagram:

@liquidartsnetwork

@ryanestradadotcom

Ryan's website:

www.ryanestrada.com

We are delighted to welcome our fellow Patreon member Lorna to share her latest Seoul trip with her. Lorna went to Seoul primarily to try their skincare and beauty treatments, following months of extensive research! We are lucky that she's happy to come and discuss them on the podcast with us. She also took an MBC studio tour and tells us about that and her other experiences in Seoul. Join us for a virtual trip to Seoul this January!

Show Notes

• Color analysis at Color Lab. Included face shape, glasses shape rec, skin tone, season, etc. $48. 8/10. A little rushed but very interesting.
• LeeKaja Hair Salon. $30, Consult, great shampoo, haircut, blowdry, style. 10/10.
• Half-day Hanaro health checkup. $475. Treated well, 15 different tests, no non-Koreans, 9/10.
• JW Dental teeth cleaning. $35. Just like US. Beautiful office.
• Moclock Scalp Treatment 5/10. Meh. More $ than SF. Paid $85
• Insadong Sauna & Spa. Great, local experience. 2 hr package $90. Body scrub is incredible. Very naked.
• Karin Clinic in Myeongdong. Did Shurink 300 shots (high intensity ultrasound device). Rushed. Smoe upselling. Lovely office. $90 7/10.
• Ocean Clinic in Gangham, Pico toning laser, Genesis V laser and IPL (intense pulsed light). $95. Modeling mask, next big thing. “Factory,” I guess, but nice. 9/10.
• Orta Clinic in Gangham. Pico toning neck, LDM (ultrasound) hydration mode, Aqua Peel, masseter botox 50 units $15. Total $120. Lovely space, efficient, good consult, no upselling. Great first-timer prices. 9/10.
• Repic Clinic in Gangham. 3 areas botox $35! Botox in general is around $1/unit vs $15-18 in US. Chose Korean brand, Great skin analysis. Limited in botox areas offered. 8/10.
• MBC Studio tour booked via Viator (also available via Klook)
• Hotel - Maker Hotel in Jongno

Patreon Guest hosts take over the podcast to discuss the year in BL dramas!

We welcome Nicole, Alison, Heather, and Gavin to discuss the highs and lows of BL in 2025, while asking and answering questions like what country had the best year in the world of BL? Is Heesu in Class 2 underrated? Which of us are My Stubborn stans and who is Team Khemjira? Listen and find out the answers to these questions and more in this BL recap episode of Afternoona Asks.

Show notes:

BLs talked about by country:

Chinese BLs:

Revenged Love

ABO Desire

Secrets Happened on Litchi Island

To My Shore

Korean BLs:

Secret Relationships

Heesu in Class 2

Ball Boy Tactics

Thundercloud Rainstorm

My Bias is Showing

Match Play

Peach Trap

Checkered Shirt

Thailand:

Khemjira

My Stubborn

Top Form

Reset

Shine

Boy Next World

ThamePo: You Steal My Heart

The Wicked Game

My Magic Prophecy

The Ex Morning

The Next Prince

Mystique in the Mirror

Lover Merman

Me and Thee

Pit Babe 2

Sangmin Dinaew

My Golden Blood

Goddess Bless You From Death

Burnout Syndrome

Taiwanese BLs:

Secret lover

A Perfect Match

Japanese BLs

School Trip: Joined A Group I’m Not Close To

When It Rains, It Pours

10 Dance

Love Begins in the World of If

Punks Triangle

10 Things I Want to Do Before I Turn 40

Therapy Game

Proper Way to Write Love