Weekdays drag on forever, but weekends, months, and even years fly by in a blink. It sounds totally illogical, but hey, that’s life, right? ๐คทโโ๏ธ
As the end of each year approaches, I reflect on how this year wasn’t drastically different from last, but it wasn’t exactly the same either. With that, let’s dive into my own top rankings for this year, shall we? ๐
1. Event of the Year: Car Accident
No doubt, my most unforgettable event this year was the car accident ๐ด๐ฅ. I was cycling down the main road when a car popped out from a side street and hit me. I rode in an ambulance for the first time and even visited the ER. As I lay on a makeshift bed waiting for my full-body X-ray results, I remember the nurse rushing over because my heart rate was turtle-slow. ๐ Note to everyone: be careful out there!
2. Song of the Year: ‘Vampire’ by Olivia Rodrigo
If you read my ‘2023 Streaming Report,’ you might find this surprising. But in the fourth quarter, after switching from Melon to Apple Music, I played this song on repeat until I almost went deaf ๐ถ. It’s leagues ahead of the old tunes in the report, boasting a tight composition that feels like a musical packed into a four-minute song. ๐ค
This year, a notable runner-up: ‘New Order T-Shirt’ by The National.
3. Discovery of Degeneration: 4K Hearing Loss
After a particularly stressful day at work, I woke up feeling like I was underwater. Swallowing or equalizing didn’t help. I felt like I was floating in space as I went to the ENT clinic, where I spent half an hour undergoing a hearing test with a device that seemed to play the Voyager’s Golden Record ๐. It was super boring.
The result? ‘Low-frequency hearing loss,’ a temporary condition caused by stress. But that test also revealed a dip in my 4K frequency hearing. It’s a phenomenon only occurring in those constantly surrounded by noise, yet my workplace is eerily quiet. Blame it on earphones, full volume, and heavy metal. ๐ง
4. Musician of the Year: The Beatles
The legendary band released a real new song through a heavenly collaboration. Their ‘Now And Then’ is, in my opinion, one of humanity’s most meaningful creations using deep learning. ๐ถ
5. Rediscovery of the Year: Popeyes
Popeyes, oh how I missed you! The Louisiana Classic Burger is so good that even Five Guys, Shake Shack, and Super Duper don’t stand a chance. ๐ Just a note: I got bored eating two patties from Five Guys.
6. Cuteness of the Year: Go Yoon-jung
She made me binge-watch ‘Moving’ and left me wanting more with ‘Lee Jae, Soon to Die.’ ๐
7. Drama of the Year: Moving
It’s been ages since I enjoyed a drama from start to finish. Occasionally, when Go Yoon-jung wasn’t on screen, it got slightly dull, but it’s been a while since a drama had such perfect pacing and episode balance. ๐ฌ
8. Worst Variety Show: Comedy Royale (Netflix)
Honestly, it was painfully unfunny and a waste of time. I occasionally enjoyed meta-comedy clips on YouTube, but after this show, my interest plummeted. Kwak Beom and Park Jin-ho were just the worst. Still, they’d probably be funnier than most at a drinking party, right? Here’s hoping. ๐ค
9. Movie of the Year: Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3
I watched quite a few films, but this one stood out. Rocket’s backstory hit me right in the Toy Story feels, and I couldn’t help but tear up. ๐ฅ
10. Book of the Year: City and Its Uncertain Walls
It wasn’t the most exciting read, but it was more engaging than others. Even upon reflection, it wasn’t that interesting… For those unfamiliar with ‘Hard-Boiled Wonderland,’ it might be enjoyable, but Iโd recommend ‘Hard-Boiled Wonderland’ instead. ๐
11. Device of the Year: MagSafe 3-in-1 Charger
Supporting MagSafe, this foldable 3-in-1 charger powers up your phone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously. It’s well-built and, though I used to insist on wired charging due to slow wireless speeds, I find myself placing devices on it even when they don’t need charging. No idea why. ๐
12. Technology of the Year: ChatGPT, Again
Still unparalleled. The continuous stream of services it introduces is mind-blowing. I’m convinced there will come a time when it will surprise humanity like a smack on the back of the head or a twist of the neck. If there’s a company planning its next-gen project without imaginative talent, I’d recommend waiting six months. Tangible examples will flood in. ๐
13. Game of the Year: Resident Evil RE 3
People complain it’s short, but I liked it that way. It’s the only game I finished this year. Though I bought Resident Evil RE 4 due to its rave reviews, I can’t seem to progress past the initial village entry. ๐ฎ
Almost finished another game, Death Stranding. Its world and atmosphere are unmatched, but the gameplay is just delivering packages. While trekking across mountains and rivers with packages, I kept wondering, ‘What am I even doing?’ I hoped for something, but there was nothing. ๐ฆ
14. Restaurant of the Year: Modern Shabu House
Is it okay to name a specific restaurant? Anyway, it’s delicious. ๐ฒ
15. Showdown of the Year: Karaoke Battle
While drinking with a project developer, he boasted about his singing skills. As a music enthusiast, I couldn’t let such arrogance slide, even in passing.
‘Hmm, I doubt you can sing that well.’
That’s me, always ready to provoke. It led to plans for a karaoke night. It was my first time at a pre-scheduled karaoke session. A few weeks later, some project members got together for a drinking session to fulfill that promise, and guess what? He prepared three playlists. Depending on his first song’s condition, he’d pick the suitable list. How cocky. ๐ค
After the gathering, we hit the karaoke, and his first song was ‘With Or Without You.’ Not a tough song to sing, but capturing the mood isn’t easy either. Surprisingly, he pulled it off well. Before I could react, he selected the next song with the remote. The opening chords of Elton John’s ‘Crocodile Rock’? The vocal dynamism of this song is almost musical-like. If you don’t sing lively, you’re bound to hit the stop button before the second verse. Yet, he sang it effortlessly, shamelessly. His next pick was Cranberries’ ‘Zombie.’ Is he channeling an ’80s spirit? Plus, it’s a female vocal song, but he nailed it, voice flips and all. ๐ค
Let’s be honest. I’m impressed but not moved. Sure, his pitch, rhythm, and intonation are spot on, but there’s something familiar about this feeling.
Yes, it’s like an AI singing. The developer used logical thinking to sing. Understanding the vocals as code-driven makes sense. No pitch errors because all are pre-handled. It’s too dry. Perfect but lonely. Is this the future of humanity? Just saying. It was fun though. ๐ค
16. Sport of the Year: Cycling
I rode consistently every weekend until the accident hit. ๐ดโโ๏ธ
17. Persistence of the Year: Reading (feat. Hope Jahren’s ‘Lab Girl’)
I can’t even recall how long I’ve been reading this book. Every time I remember it and dive back in, I find it interesting. Then, months go by without picking it up. I don’t know why. I’m not even sure if this is persistence or the opposite. ๐
18. Animation of the Year: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Although it aired last year, I watched it this year. For fans of near-future apocalyptic themes, don’t miss it. The anime gave a massive boost to CDPR’s ‘Cyberpunk,’ previously criticized for several issues, and after watching, I reinstalled the game. (But still didn’t play it) ๐ฅ
19. Disappointment of the Year: Meta’s <Threads>
After launching, user numbers skyrocketed, but it fizzled out. I tried to use it actively but eventually forgot all about it. ๐
20. YouTuber of the Year: Middle-aged Gamer Kim Sil-jang
A working YouTuber who logically discusses games based on deep experience and knowledge. He’s on another level compared to other streamers who only mention the fun aspect of games. His chemistry with the female PD who joins him is unmatched. Is it over-the-top to say I’ve started connecting his content to my work, society, and life? Regardless, he’s one of the most trusted YouTubers to me. ๐ฎ
21. Insight of the Year: YouTube Clip <The Challenges From Software Overcame While Making Sekiro>
Though it’s a reflection on gaming, I highly recommend this clip to those seeking insights on UI/UX. Still think gaming isn’t beneficial to life? ๐ฎ
22. Challenge of the Year: Year-end Starbucks Frequency Challenge
‘Ah, it’s so tough to choose when there’s nothing I want.’ I realized this for the first time. โ
23. Rejuvenation of the Year: Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival
Thanks to a friend I work with, I got tickets and attended the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival! Was it attending or watching? Either way, having friends with similar hobbies is more of a blessing than luck. Huge thanks to my high school friend who served beers in the press section for three days straight. ๐ธ
24. Wonder of the Year: Cactus
I’ve been taking care of it well since early this year. (Or maybe it’s just growing well on its own) ๐ต
25. Passing Encounter of the Year: Park Se-ri
Walking through Seongsu-dong, I saw someone familiar approaching, so I greeted them with a ‘Hello?’ She replied, ‘Hope you’re well?’ and casually walked past. It turned out to be Park Se-ri. ‘Hope you’re well?’ We’ve never met before… ๐ค
26. Prophecy of the Year: Human Crisis Is Coming
Within the next 1-2 years, there will be significant shifts in human professions, and NLP (Natural Language Processing) will be both the catalyst for this apocalyptic-like progression and a trigger for the balance of power to shift from government to corporations. Not just the working class, but legal, medical cartels will undergo seismic changes, causing societal turmoil. Don’t forget: you can’t control what you don’t know. Study up. ๐
Wishing everyone a prosperous New Year! ๐
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