Knowing Brothers (TV Show)

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Knowing Brothers is a South Korean television show first released in December 2015 by the entertainment company SM C&C. It is also known as Men on Mission, or Ask Us Anything. The main cast of Knowing Brothers are Kang Ho Dong, Lee Soo Geun, Seo Jang Hoon, Kim Young Chul, Kim Hee Chul, Min Kyung Hoon, Lee Sang Min, and Lee Jin Ho as of now. The show is currently available on OnDemandKorea, Netflix, VIU, and DramaFever. There are currently 381 episodes of Knowing Brothers as of now. In the television show, different guests, mostly Korean celebrities, appear on different episodes and they discuss topics, some of which are personal, and they play games. 

I watched Knowing Brothers back in 2019 or 2020 when I watched it for this group I really liked and it was really enjoyable. I didn’t watch Knowing Brothers after that but I soon started watching them again recently and I really loved the episode where Seventeen, a Korean boy group, appeared for the second time on Knowing Brothers to promote their song, “Home; Run.” It was really chaotic and the main hosts were hilarious. I enjoy watching Knowing Brothers and watch it whenever I need to laugh. I recommend watching it if you’re bored or just need something to laugh at. 

The Dallas Cowboys’ Offseason Overview (So Far)

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With the NFL training camps approaching in over a month and the draft/free agency being over, I wanted to share some of my thoughts and opinions on the offseason of my favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys.

I think most people would agree that the Cowboys had a solid offseason. They fixed their two biggest needs, wide-receiver and cornerback, by picking up Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore. These are two excellent pickups, especially for the price the Cowboys got them at. Cooks was acquired for just a 2023 fifth-round pick plus a 2024 sixth-round pick while Gilmore was traded for only another fifth-round pick. Brandin Cooks has six 1000 yard seasons in his nine year career, which is one of the most in the league. Quarterback Dak Prescott struggled with interceptions last year (15 in 12 games). The main reason for this is because of his lack of wide-receiver help. His number 2 and 3 receivers, Michael Gallup and Noah Brown, had some of the worse separation in the league. Not to say Prescott is not at fault for these interceptions, but Cooks should be a major asset in the passing game and help him thrive. Meanwhile, Stephon Gilmore is a five-time pro bowler and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. Pairing him with another elite cornerback in Trevon Diggs could be a nightmare for offenses. The Cowboys also resigned some essential players, such as LB Leighton Vander-Esch, safety Donovan Wilson, and RB Tony Pollard.

Although everything I have said makes this offseason seem perfect, there were a couple moments that some people were not happy with. Dalton Schultz leaving in free agency to the Houston Texans could possibly be a problem in this upcoming season. The topic is controversial, however, as some believe it would make a major impact while others feel that it will not change anything at all. Schultz was definitely a solid tight end and a “security blanket” for Dak Prescott, but in my opinion, I don’t think it will be as bad as people are making it seem. Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot, and newly acquired Luke Schoonmaker may be able to fill his role. Speaking of Schoonmaker, he was another addition that many Cowboys fans dislike. Coming out of Michigan, he was seen as a decent tight end that should be drafted in the mid-third round. However, the Cowboys decided to draft him with their second round pick, leaving many fans confused and furious. This move cannot be labeled as good or bad as he has not played a single snap of football yet but during the season, we can see how he plays and progresses to truly determine whether or not he was a reach.

Overall, the Cowboys had a successful and productive offseason and I am excited for this next season. It was the first time in a while that Jerry Jones made any significant acquisition in the offseason and the team has one of the best rosters in the league. However, there are still some question marks heading into the season. One of the biggest concerns is if Dak Prescott is capable of leading the Cowboys deep in the playoffs. He has all the talent around him, and Prescott is also a talented quarterback, but he will need to be consistent to get the Cowboys past the divisional round for the first time in almost 30 years.

BOOK REVIEW (SPOILERS) – Reverie by Ryan La Sala

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(spoilers!) 

I lost my sense of direction when I read this book. 

3/5 stars from me!

Reading Reverie by Ryan La Sala changed my life — in lovely, strange ways. Reverie, a story about superheroes, amnesia, and a DRAG QUEEN FOR AN ANTAGONIST, wasn’t the worst book I’ve read. 

The story follows Kane Montgomery, an out-and-proud gay teenager who recently lost all his memories. Throughout the story (spoilers), he finds out that he was a superhero… who can shoot rainbows out his hands. I mean, I love the representation, but I guess it feels forced. 

Additionally, there were other things that felt off that are included in this lovely, little list:

  1. The writing style wasn’t great. Many lines from the book were outright cringey, not funny, or just placed really strangely. Hard read.
  2. There was a lack of development both in the plot and characters. The start was long and unnecessarily overdeveloped… the end was bland and just strange (La Sala mentioned someone falling in love… and never brought it back up)… etc. 
  3. The novel felt so very close to an inclusive twist on a children’s superhero show. 
  4. I understand Kane, the main character’s confusion! But let’s not make the reader confused, alright?
  5. Cliffhanger after cliffhanger… and no resolutions.

There were positives from this read, however! Few. 

  1. I have to give props to La Sala for coming up with a wonderfully complicated magic system!! But actually, I really enjoyed the concept of Reveries and dreams, but I feel like it was poorly executed. With a new, broad world of magic, execution is key. The novel lacks development with worldbuilding.
  2. Inclusivity! I enjoyed knowing that Kane was gay every few pages. Overall, Kane is a lovely, somewhat 3D character, but the author was trying so desperately hard to show off this book. Overstating that a character is gay feels like you’re just fishing for money and/or fame. 
  3. The cover and the villain are the best parts of this entire story.

Again, 3/5 stars. The idea is cute, yes. The execution was horrendous, yes. 

Reading this book was like mindlessly wandering through a labyrinth. There was no escape with Reverie.

Reverie by Ryan La Sala is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Martian by Andy Weir

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*this review may contain spoilers

I had to read this book for my English class and I actually enjoyed it which was surprising because I’m rarely interested in anything sci-fi related. However, I would say it is a generally long book, so I would only read it if you are dedicated to the storyline/plot.

Astronaut, Mark Watney and his crew mates travel to Mars but essentially he is abandoned alone on Mars due to his crew mates believing he had died. This book follows his journey of staying alive and the various challenges he faces on Mars. Through log entries, readers are able to encompass his thoughts and feelings and really feel connected to him throughout the book.

The book is mainly written in Mark’s POV but fluctuates between workers at NASA and his fellow crew mates. The structure that Weir presents, makes the book enticing and urges the audience to continue reading to know what happens next. I found myself continually rooting for Mark to survive and his comedic and witty personality makes him relatable amongst readers and build a connection amongst the protagonist (Mark Watney) and the audience.

I would first and foremost recommend this book to any sci-fi enthusiast because the entire book is pretty much set in the lonely Mars atmosphere. Another thing, a movie about this book has been made which I thoroughly enjoyed because it helped me envision the characters a lot better. I would say to read this book if you plan on branching out to new genres or wanting to get into sci-fi readings.

-Madison C.

The Martian by Andy Weir is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Tangerine by Edward Bloor

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Tangerine is a young adult novel by Edward Bloor.  The story revolves around a middle school-age boy named Paul Fisher.  Paul has just moved with his family into a spacious home in Tangerine, Florida.  Paul always needs to wear thick glasses because of an eye injury he suffered when he was younger.  The injury is mysterious because Paul cannot remember how it happened.  He has an older brother named Erik, but they do not get along.  Erik is a star high school football player, and he receives most of the attention from their parents.  Paul wants to play on the soccer team, but he does not make the team because of his visual impairment.  To make matters worse, Paul suffers from various strange occurrences and flashbacks. He seems to be haunted by his past.

This book had a much darker tone than I expected.  The story deals with some difficult themes, including the mistreatment of young people.  The modern setting is highly realistic, although some events are quite extreme.  I think many teenagers could relate to the characters on a personal level.  The heavy emphasis on sports would be relatable for anyone involved in athletics, although it may be boring for someone less interested in sports.  The story is very dramatic, with various mysterious subplots.

Paul’s gradual recovery of his memory regarding his eye injury is particularly gripping.  I enjoyed the mystery and suspense of this book, even though the overall tone was quite dark.  The book is surprisingly long for a young adult novel, but the story was engaging enough to keep me interested throughout.  This book might not be appropriate for younger readers because of the difficult themes, but I can see how many teenagers could appreciate it.

Tangerine by Edward Bloor is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass

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A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass was a fantastical read. Princess Annika, who is much more than just a pretty face, and closed-off Lennox were an unplanned pair that reminded me of my childhood wonders of princesses and true love. But Annika and Lennox’s story is somewhat different than most fairy-tales.

I appreciated how Annika’s life as a princess did not change her brave, composed character. Throughout the story, Lennox’s softer side comes out when the narrations are told from his perspective.

This fiction novel was unlike the stereotypical fantasy story. Instead, Annika and Lennox almost entirely party ways and were initially unfriendly towards each other. In fact, the two met when Lennox and his band of men kidnapped Annika.

To add to the plot of the story, Cass included Nickolas, a practical man whom Annika’s father has chosen for her to marry for the better of their country. Annika and Lennox’s obvious feelings for each other are prevented by duty, fear, and family.

While Annika and Lennox have their own problems and pains, they both help each other through it all; Annika’s warm light helps the shadow of Lennox’s past fade away and Lennox’s encouragement gives Annika the hope she needs to lead.

In the end of the novel, after having braved many hardships that test their love for each other, Annika and Lennox’s love is sealed. The tender moments and intense times they have had together all come together in a beautiful ending. I especially enjoyed reading the epilogue of A Thousand Heartbeats, where the reader gets a glimpse of Annika and Lennox’s blissful futures.

A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Movie Review: Creed (2015)

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As the sequel to the famous Rocky movie series, this movie really got my attention. Since I was interested in the series and wanted to see how Creed would turn out, I watched it as it came out during the week of Thanksgiving. I really enjoyed it then, and as the newest movie of the series Creed III came out, I rewatched this movie and realized just how great the series has progressed.

This movie featured Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of former boxer Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) who died in the movie Rocky IV. Adonis is revealed to have a hard life, as he lacked a father figure after Apollo’s death before he was born and faced time in juvie – even getting into fights before being taken in by his biological mother, Mary Anne Creed (Phylicia Rashad). Although Adonis earned a desk job, he abandoned this pathway and instead pursued boxing as he faced off in underground fights, similar to how his father’s friend, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), did in the first Rocky movie.

As Adonis learned about Rocky’s connection with his father, he looked for Rocky and eventually convinced Rocky to train him in boxing. He also met a woman who lived nearby to him, Bianca Taylor (Tessa Thompson), who he eventually gets into a relationship with. With these relationships, he received motivation as he started his boxing career and picked up wins in some professional fights as he progressed.

In a similar way to Rocky, Adonis also found himself in a huge professional fight as he found himself in a fight for the Boxing Heavyweight Championship of the World due to circumstances against the champion at the time, Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew). However, Adonis found himself conflicted as he learned that Rocky faced cancer and needed treatment that he was unsure of accepting, as well as public criticism as the press and Conlan questioned whether he could live up to Apollo’s legacy as a Creed. Despite his challenges, Creed stepped up to the plate and took Conlan to the limit in his first fight for a boxing title, and despite a loss, proved to the world and himself that he represented Apollo’s legacy proudly and legitimately. He also inspired Rocky to take the treatment and bonded with Rocky as they shared a heartwarming moment in a famous callback to the Rocky films.

Overall, this film exceeded my expectations and set the standard for the next Creed films that followed. What resonated with me the most was the lesson of believing in yourself to keep going despite challenges — represented through the mental struggles of both Adonis and Rocky, as well as the growth that they have throughout the movie that left them on a great path. Adonis and Rocky both remind the audience the meaning of self-worth and pride in the legacy of family.

As the movie is currently streaming on Amazon Prime and available free of charge with a Prime subscription, I would highly recommend seeing this movie, especially as the latest movie, Creed III, recently released in March of this year.

Creed is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong

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Warning: This book review may contain spoilers from the prequel to this book, These Violent Delights

The year is 1927. Any time now, a revolution is about to occur and everyone knows it. After sacrificing her relationship with Roma Montagov, Juliette Cai sets on a path to find the five missing insects, the ones Paul left behind for another to make more monsters to their benefit. Seeing Roma angry at her for something she didn’t do saddens her but she knows that what she did was for the best. Her cousin, Tyler Cai, is watching her as closely as ever; with one look of sympathy toward the White Flowers, her role of heir to the Scarlet Gang will be usurped by him.

Roma, on the other hand, is more bitter than ever. Unlike how he used to be, he kills off Scarlets at a rapid pace in the name of his friend who he believed Juliette killed. But reluctantly, he will have to team up with Juliette once again to figure out who controls the five monsters and what they wish to accomplish with the monsters. Shanghai is in chaos, both from the monsters and from the conflict ensuing between the Nationalists and the Communists. It is up to the two heirs to keep Shanghai in as much control as possible.

Usually, in a series, I like the first book more than the second book. But with this duology, that isn’t true. The suspense in this book is astounding. I could barely put it down because I wanted to know what happened next! The only times I would put the book down was to prepare myself for the devastatingly emotional scenes that I knew were coming. I will never forget these beautifully written characters and this amazing plot. I highly, HIGHLY think that everyone should read this book (if you are okay with some gory scenes and emotional damage).

Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe Bryant

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The Mamba Mentality: How I Play is one of my favorite books and is written by the one-and-only Kobe Bryant. For those who don’t know, Kobe Bryant is a Laker legend and one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He played 20 seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring at 37 years old. He unfortunately passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020 when he was 41 years old. 

Before he passed away, he published a book called The Mamba Mentality: How I Play which described his view of the game. In the book, he analyzed players he faced throughout his career and described some experiences he had. He also discussed his preparation and routines that helped him become the player he was throughout his amazing NBA career. The book includes small segments from NBA Legend and Kobe’s Laker teammate Pau Gasol and Kobe’s former head coach Phil Jackson. 

Kobe Bryant was an incredible basketball player who believed in sacrificing everything and exhausting himself to the point of blacking out to reach his goals. He is a great role model for upcoming athletes and has proven that hard work leads to success. His dedication and determination to achieve his potential and be the best version of himself is shown in his book, where he explains his mentality and approach to his basketball career. 

If you are a young athlete interested in achieving your potential in your sport, I suggest studying some of Kobe’s behaviors and words (found in his book) because it was the blueprint to his success. 

Enjoy reading!

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe Bryant is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

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The novel “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley illustrates the story of a young scientist named Victor Frankenstein, who desires nothing but to create a living being. Frankenstein eventually fulfills his goals, and creates a monster out of dead body parts. However, the creature’s terrifying appearance causes Frankenstein to run away from it. As a result, the monster forges a plan to murder its creator for abandoning him, as it realizes it’s desire for compassion and love.

While reading, I found that the most impactful theme in this novel involves the dangers of too much ambition. Frankenstein had a life-long wish to “play God,” and accomplish something that no other scientist could ever dream of. However, he never considered the consequences of what his actions may bring, and still continued with his plans. One may never consider the negative effects of such lofty goals, yet Shelly was able to perfectly highlight this by causing Frankenstein to gradually lose himself and everything he loves, showing the negative impact just one decision can have when not dealt with carefully.

Overall, through her imaginative novel, Mary Shelly revolutionized science fiction, inspiring generations of authors for years to come. This story also had a great impact on pop culture and science fiction films as well, making it an excellent classic that should be read by everyone at least once in their lives.

-Aysha H.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.