Back to My Coping Mechanism: Asian Dramas
- Vivian
- Jan 23, 2025
- 3 min read
One of many coping mechanisms is to "escape" to another world. That could be writing stories, poems, blurbs. The other vice is watching anime and Asian dramas, don't get me wrong, American dramas have their good ones. But the Asian dramas, movies, and movies have only ever swept me up and kept me in a never-ending waltz, and sometimes that dance turns into a heart-pounding, blushing swing dance where the adrenaline is constantly pumping.
Asian dramas and anime weren't how I was introduced to Asian culture and cinema. My mom was just as indulged in the culture as I was, I grew up with Asian and Greek-inspired literature and culture.
So it was only in due time that I drifted back to an old coping mechanism and fell back in love with a trusted medium.
I have the comfort dramas that help let me cry my eyes to dramas that let me feel like a 12-year-old girl who was awe-inspired by traditional Chinese medicine, to the 19-year-old who listened to nothing but C-pop/rock and K-pop/rock and had a list of actors she adored.
Now I know not all dramas and anime are 10s and 5 stars, but if they touched me in a way that had me heal even in the tiniest amount and had me go on a fixatation, then I will note that drama down and learn the soundtrack.
Recently I watched a Chinese drama titled "Fangs of Fortune". It's a tragicomedy drama, where there is comedy, and ends in tragedy. The songs and music used in the drama are good. But there is one song that still captivates me every time I hear it on my Spotify.
Below are the English lyrics and a link to the song. I've cried and laughed to this song.
Yuanzhou's Youth
A boat drifts between the world, the heart is bitter and sweet
Unable to tell the difference between night and day
On the edge of dreams, someone is yearning
A whisper cannot bring back the past
The heavens and the earth
The years are filled with grievances
The yelling summer cicadas
The heavy sleep in the winter snow
No delusions, no hope for eternity
Who has seen the juvenile in bright clothes and an angry horse?
One step at a time, chasing every yesterday
The sun's rays
Stranded everything in the world
You appeared in my dream
Ah, the flower in the palm of my hand
Ever-changing, quicksand at fingertips
Struggling repeatedly, endless suffering
The spring breeze asked him why he had gray
A lamp, a fire, a crescent moon
A vow of life and death
You left with tears in your eyes yet without saying goodbye
There is no need to borrow a green silk not stained with snow
When you have a strong wine in your heart
In another month, we'll see the sunset again
A boat drifts between the world, the heart is bitter and sweet
Unable to tell the difference between night and day
The heavens and the earth sigh relief, half in love and half in hate
Do not forget the past years
Who has seen the juvenile in bright clothes and an angry horse?
My steps are staggering, yet I never ask about tomorrow
The sun's rays
Stranded everything in the world
I see you in front of me
Who misses the juvenile who remained vigilant on the abyss of suffering
He shouted loudly, wanting to be heard by the world
The cruel debt of fate
Can be replaced by a willingness
The wind blows and Yuanzhou comes ashore
I've sung to this sung along to this song so many times. Now I'm not fluent in Mandarin Chinese, but when I hear the song, I sing along like there's no tomorrow.
I just wanted to share this song and the thoughts that have been running around in my mind lately. Of course, there's much more than Asian dramas, there are dark thoughts as well but in due time.
I hope you give the song a chance and enjoy it as much as I do.
Remember to keep the flame of creativity lit.
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