Saturday, May 16, 2026
星 Stars
星 Stars
歌词
作词:郑国江
作曲:谷村新司
踏过荆棘 苦中找到安静
Tàguò jīngjí kǔ zhōng zhǎodào ānjìng
Treading through thorned bramble, amidst suffering to find tranquility
踏过荒郊 我双脚是泥泞
Tàguò huāng jiāo wǒ shuāng jiǎo shì nínìng
Trudge through wilderness as mire covers both feet
满天星光 我不怕风正劲
Mǎn tiān xīngguāng wǒ bùpà fēng zhèng jìn
The sky filled with stars, I'm undaunted by strong winds
满心是期望
Mǎnxīn shì qīwàng
Expectations fill my heart
过黑暗是黎明
Guò hēi'àn shì límíng
After darkness, comes the dawn
啊 星也灿烂
A xīng yě cànlàn
Ah, the stars too shine
伴我夜行 给我影
Bàn wǒ yèxíng gěi wǒ yǐng
Fellow night travelers, casting my shadow
啊....星光引路
A xīngguāng yǐnlù
Ah, starlight guide the way
风之语 轻轻听
Fēng zhī yǔ qīng qīng tīng
I barely hear the wind's sounds
带着热情
Dài zháo rèqíng
Inspired by burning passion
我要找理想
Wǒ yào zhǎo lǐxiǎng
I'm searching for an ideal
理想是和平
Lǐxiǎng shì hépíng
That ideal is peace
寻梦而去
Xún mèng ér qù
Pursuing a dream yet I go
哪怕走崎岖险径
Nǎpà zǒu qíqū xiǎn jìng
What fear traveling on a dangerous mountain's path?
明日谁歩过
Míngrì shéi zǒulù?
Tomorrow someone will pass this way
这星 也带领
Zhè xīng yě dàilǐng
The stars too will guide the way
Treading through thorned bramble,
amidst suffering to find tranquility
Trudge through the wilderness
as mire covers both feet
The sky filled with stars,
I'm undaunted by strong winds
Expectations fill my heart
After darkness, comes the dawn
Ah, the stars too shine
Fellow night travelers,
creating my shadow
Ah, starlight guides the way
I barely hear the wind's sound
Inspired by burning passion
I'm searching for an ideal
That ideal is peace
Pursuing a dream yet I go
What fear traveling
a dangerous mountain path?
Tomorrow who will walk this path?
The stars too will guide the way
The first half left off-
決意走崎嶇山徑
Juéyì zǒu qíqū shān jìn
Resolved to take the rugged mountain trail /end part 1 male voice
閉起雙眼睛
Bì qǐ shuāng yǎnjīng
close your eyes/ Close your straining eyes/ I close my straining eyes
心中感覺清靜
Xīnzhōng gǎnjué qīngjìng
Feeling peaceful in my heart/ Sense tranquility in my heart/ To put my heart at rest
再張開眼睛
Zài zhāng kāi yǎnjīng
Opening my eyes again
怕觀望前程
Pà guānwàng qiánchéng
Anxiously, I anticipate the my journey ahead
夜冷風更清
Yè lěngfēng gèng qīng
The cold night air clearer
這一片荒野地
Zhè yīpiàn huāngyě dì
Over this wildnerness region
沿途是岐路
Yántú shì qílù
Ahead the path divides
我方向未能明
Wǒ fāngxiàng wèi néng míng
My direction forward unknown
啊...不見朗月
A... Bùjiàn lǎng yuè
Ah- where is the bright moon?
導我迷途
Dǎo wǒ mítú
Guide me gone astray
只有星
Zhǐyǒu xīng
There are only stars
啊...荒野路
A... Huāngyě lù
Ah- rough desolate path
伴我獨行
Bàn wǒ dúxíng
Companions on my lonely journey
是流螢
Shì liúyíng
...a current of sparkling light
沿途寂靜
Yántú jìjìng
along the way, a profound stillness
似只有呼吸聲
Shì zhǐyǒu hūxī shēng
I only hear the sound of my breathe
緩步前往
Huǎn bù qiánwǎng
Slowly I proceed
Resolved to take the rugged mountain path
Treading through thorned bramble,
amidst suffering to find tranquility
Trudge through the wilderness
as mire covers both feet
The sky filled with stars,
I'm undaunted by strong winds
Expectations fill my heart
After darkness, comes the dawn
Ah, the stars too shine
Fellow night travelers,
creating my shadow
Ah, starlight guides the way
I barely hear the wind's sound
Inspired by burning passion
I'm searching for an ideal
That ideal is peace
Pursuing a dream yet I go
What fear traveling
a dangerous mountain path?
Tomorrow who will walk this path?
The stars too will guide the way
Stars
Lyrics: Zheng Guojiang
Composition: Tanimura Shinji
I close my uplifted eyes
to put my heart at rest
Opening my eyes again,
Anxiously, I anticipate the way ahead
The cold night air becomes clearer
Over the wildnerness
Ahead the path divides
My direction forward unknown
Ah- where is the bright moon?
Guide me who's gone astray
There are only stars
Ah- on the rough desolate path
Companions on my lonely journey
...a stream of sparkling light
Along the way, a profound stillness
I hear only the sound of my breathe
Slowly I proceed
Treading through thorned bramble,
amidst suffering to find tranquility
I tread through wilderness
as mire covers both feet
The sky filled with stars,
I'm undaunted by strong winds
Expectations fill my heart
After darkness, the dawn will come
Ah, the stars too shine
Fellow night travelers,
Casting my shadow
Ah, starlight guides the way
I barely hear the wind's sound
Inspired by burning passion
I'm searching for an ideal
That ideal is peace
Pursuing a dream yet I go
What fear traveling
a dangerous mountain path?
Tomorrow who will walk this path?
The stars too will guide their way
Teresa Teng song Stars, which I think is about the courage to go on. There is a Japanese version too called Subaru. The original arrangement and hit may have been Japanese. I focused on the Chinese character version, Elsewhere, Teng sings it in Japanese, Cantonese and perhaps other languages and dialects (not that I can tell the difference). I had to listen over and over again to see if I had the right version. There is also a long version and short version of the song. This is the full version below. The male singer in the first minute and half doing the first half of the song, which wasn't easy to find, is Guan Zhengjie. Teresa Teng does the second half. I used the google, and looked at other people's translations. I've been working on it all week.
.
31:4431 minutes, 44 secondsThus, the empire shall return to peace, and continue to be blessed, so that the great achievements of the two emperors won't be destroyed.
31:5331 minutes, 53 secondsI inform this to all ministers, hoping you to understand my thoughts.
31:5931 minutes, 59 secondsDecember the 17th, the third year of Kaiyun.
32:1732 minutes, 17 seconds"To the right one." Who is the right one?
32:2532 minutes, 25 secondsThroughout history, in abdications there must be a worthy successor. How can there be such a vague single word 'right'? What kind of abdication is this?
32:3532 minutes, 35 secondsMinister Sang? His Majesty cannot say it explicitly. He is to let the ministers to decide. Preposterous!
32:4532 minutes, 45 secondsAbdication, is it an external or internal one? It must be made clear. How can there be an abdication where the new monarch is decided by the ministers?
32:5332 minutes, 53 secondsIndeed. Is it Lord Du? Or the Seventh Prince? It should be made clear. Indeed.
33:0133 minutes, 1 secondAbsurd!
33:0533 minutes, 5 secondsHow can you act like this? Hongchu. Mind your words.
33:1133 minutes, 11 secondsLord Shuiqiu, for forty years, have we Wuyue been serving such a group of ministers?
33:2433 minutes, 24 secondsI do not know which minister you are... Judging by your position in the court, you are probably a minister.
33:3133 minutes, 31 secondsHowever, I still must ask. Are you truly the minister of the Emperor?
33:4133 minutes, 41 secondsYou, you, and you! Are you truly the subjects of the Great Jin's Emperor?
33:5233 minutes, 52 secondsYou just stand here discussing to whom the Emperor's throne should be abdicated?
33:5833 minutes, 58 secondsThe Emperor, is about to abdicate!
34:0334 minutes, 3 secondsWhat you should ask, and care about, is why the Emperor is abandoning his empire, isn't it?
34:1334 minutes, 13 secondsThis young lord of Wuyue, we have encountered a great upheaval and the situation is perilous. The Emperor voluntarily .
37:5037 minutes, 50 secondsI also wonder how this perfectly fine capital has fallen into such a condition.
38:1938 minutes, 19 secondsWe pay our respects to Your Majesty. You...
38:3838 minutes, 38 secondsAll of you...
38:5238 minutes, 52 secondsPropriety, order, moral tradition...
39:0339 minutes, 3 secondsYou, are all here to play games with me?
39:1039 minutes, 10 secondsWe, your subjects, simply wish to ask Your Majesty, why you would abandon yourself, and cast aside the empire's officials and people?
39:2339 minutes, 23 secondsYoung man, do you think this empire is still the same empire from decades ago? That empire perished long ago!
39:3539 minutes, 35 secondsI will tell you what the Emperor is!
39:4039 minutes, 40 secondsThe Emperor, is he who has the strongest military power!
39:4839 minutes, 48 secondsWhoever holds the sword can become the Emperor! Whoever wears the armor can become the Emperor!
39:5739 minutes, 57 secondsYou wear armor, and you too can become the Emperor!
40:3440 minutes, 34 secondsTake it. Take it.
40:4540 minutes, 45 secondsYes.
40:5540 minutes, 55 secondsYou wear the armor, you carry the sword, you are the Emperor.
41:0441 minutes, 4 secondsThe Emperor is above, accept this humble man's bow.
41:1741 minutes, 17 secondsThis is the empire now. Rise. This is the way of the world today. Where is there any right or wrong left?
41:2941 minutes, 29 secondsNo one needs them. If you are soft-hearted, you deserve to die.
41:4941 minutes, 49 secondsDo you understand?
42:1842 minutes, 18 secondsHis Majesty has lost his mind. But we still must not lose it.
42:2842 minutes, 28 secondsNow, let us pay our last respects to His Majesty.
Monday, February 16, 2026
Is Spring really coming this time?
Recommend this post below by Simone Chun:
분단된 한반도의 양심의 목소리: 대한민국 통일부 장관 정동영. 북미정상회담 실현위해한미연합훈련 전면 조정. 개성공단 조속히 재개, 남북한 민간 교류 전면 재개. https://t.co/VrPySGu9mu
— KoreaUpdate (@SimoneChun) February 14, 2026
I didn't know the drone incursions in the lead up to the December 3, coup attempt by Yoon, had been so extensive. I believe the Moon administration's "reluctance" to reopen Kaseong was based on US State Department resistance. The US objected to Moon's overtures to North Korea regarding Kaesong, Geumgangsan, and the East and West rail links with North Korea. This opposition was publicly visible from 2018 through the debacle at Hanoi in February 2019. Followed these developments in South Korean media quite closely at the time. The expressions "don't get too far ahead," "no daylight," and "lock step," come to mind.
President Trump seems so inclined again:
Trump administration approves humanitarian aid for North Korea https://t.co/xRtgTQSZYL
— KoreaUpdate (@SimoneChun) February 7, 2026
Monday, January 12, 2026
Lee Surprises Again
<이 한반도에도 언젠가는 혼란과 적대의 비정상이 극복되고, 서로 존중하며 공존공영하는 날이 오겠지요. 북측에도 새해 복 많이 내리기를..>
— 이재명 (@Jaemyung_Lee) January 7, 2026
만나라, 뽀재명과 뽀정은
https://t.co/UJBYAYx2vh
The post is in Korean but the translate button worked...
One day, the abnormality of chaos and hostility will be overcome on this Korean Peninsula as well, and a day will come when we respect each other and coexist and co-prosper. I hope the northern side also receives much New Year's fortune...
Man-nara, Ppo Jae-myung and Ppo Jeong
Penguin Lee and Penguin Kim, Meet!
Simon Chun picked up on this twitter post by President Lee Jae-myung. Lee is referring to a an article dated January 7, on Daum.net, discussing the cultural and potential political significance of a jointly produced animated film that circulated worldwide.
"Pororo the Little Penguin" is an animated film created in 2003 by the combined wisdom and technology of North and South Korea. It tells the story of Pororo the penguin overcoming obstacles and forming friendships with his friends. Immediately after its release, Pororo became a beloved friend to children, ascending to the adorable throne of "President Pororo."
The article notes the significant restraint exercised by Kim Jong-un during provocative actions by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. The impeached former president of South Korea tried to set the stage for martial law by provoking the North Korea with drone violations of North Korean territory among other things.
The browser translate function readily produced a good English translation. I would have posted more but there was a stern copyright warning.
Meet, Pojaemyeong and Pojeong
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Byeokrando Spirit
Korean old style diplomacy: Will it work?
Japan's PM Takaichi (right) watches with discomfort South Korea's President Lee and his "splendid parade" of commercial representatives who accompany his diplomatic mission to China. The leaders of the industrial chaebol Samsung, Hyundai, SK, LG, etc., included in his delegation spur her sense of isolation. The latter a self imposed disadvantage due to her innate contempt for China, and ahistorical extremist nationalism (make Japan great again).
Graphic of "old Korea" ostensibly the Goryeo Dynasty-Song Dynasty trade routes. Korea was threatened by the "barbarian" Khitan Empire in the north (a tribal nomadic dominion in present day Manchuria, part of North Korea, and northern China) while the prosperous classical Chinese Song Dynasty existed to the southeast. Solution? Pay tribute to the Khitan to satisfy security needs and at the same trade with the Song Dynasty from the Byeokrando trading port on the Yellow Sea north of Gangwha island and east of Kaesong (in present day North Korea). The Byeokrando principle being that national security interests (placating the Khitan) need not and should not preclude the profitable trade with the Song, an advanced civilization.
Graphics source- 이재명 '벽란도'에 중국은 환호하고 일본은 통곡하고 있다ㄷㄷ B급정치 1.05.2026 youtube
Saturday, December 27, 2025
December 22 in South Korea: Weird Historical Coincidence?
Who is Yi Jae-myung?
Lee Wan-yong was a former prime minister of Korea who is infamous for being the leading "traitor of Eulsa" who signed the so called Treaty of Eulsa, delivering the "Korean Empire" over to Japanese control as a protectorate in 1905.
Lee Won Yong (left) and Ito Hirobumi. prime minister and Japanese resident general of the Korean protectorate respectively, circa 1907. Ito was assassinated in Harbin in 1909, by a Korean independence fighter, Ahn Jung-geun, a national hero to this day. Lee was the victim of an attempted assassination by stabbing months later on December 22, 1909 in Seoul by Lee Jae-myung. Lee Wan Yong was known at the traitor of Eulsa.
This is a picture below of the freedom fighter Lee Jae-myung or Yi Jae Myung, the namesake of the current President of South Korea. The current president's birth date was registered by his father as December 22, 1964.
The first Lee Jae-myung, the Korean independence movement doctor/attempted assassin of Lee Wan Yong, attacked with a knife.
In a twisted turn of fate, an attempted assassination by stabbing was made on then opposition democratic party leader Lee Jae-myung in January 2024, by a Mr. Kim, believed to be a Sincheonji (New Heaven and Earth) cult follower.
So Doctor Lee Jae-myung the independence hero who attempted the assassination of the most famous "traitor of Eulsa" is commemorated on the same day as President Lee Jae-myung's birthday.
Lee Wan-yong was a former prime minister of Korea who is infamous for being the leading "traitor of Eulsa" who signed the so called Treaty of Eulsa, delivering the "Korean Empire" over to Japanese control as a protectorate in 1905.
Lee Won Yong (left) and Ito Hirobumi. prime minister and Japanese resident general of the Korean protectorate respectively, circa 1907. Ito was assassinated in Harbin in 1909, by a Korean independence fighter, Ahn Jung-geun, a national hero to this day. Lee was the victim of an attempted assassination by stabbing months later on December 22, 1909 in Seoul by Lee Jae-myung. Lee Wan Yong was known at the traitor of Eulsa.
This is a picture below of the freedom fighter Lee Jae-myung or Yi Jae Myung, the namesake of the current President of South Korea. The current president's birth date was registered by his father as December 22, 1964.
1909년 12월 22일, 종현 천주교당(現 명동성당) 앞에서 군밤장수로 변장한 이재명 의사는 이완용을 습격해 중상을 입히고 당당히 만세를 외쳤습니다.
— 국가보훈부 (@hun2day) December 22, 2025
오늘 12월 22일은 이재명 의사 의거 116주년입니다.
의사의 확고한 신념과 독립의지를 깊이 기억하겠습니다.
자세히보기 https://t.co/NMRUmXjH0e pic.twitter.com/zoPhl9JFVe
The first Lee Jae-myung, the Korean independence movement doctor/attempted assassin of Lee Wan Yong, attacked with a knife.
In 1909, he was seriously injured in an assassination attempt by the "Five Eulsa Traitors Assassination Group". The incident happened on 22 December 1909, when he and other targeted officials were attending a memorial service in Jong-hyeon Catholic Church (present-day Myeongdong Cathedral) for the recently deceased King Leopold II of Belgium. The assassin, Lee Jae-myeong (이재명; 李在明, 1887–1910) caught wind and disguised himself as a chestnut vendor outside the church. At around 11:30 a.m., Yi Wanyong appeared and was heading towards his rickshaw when Lee Jae-myeong sprung into action, stabbing him three times with a knife while shouting 'Long Live the Independence of Korea'. The assassin was quickly subdued by Japanese police and was arrested with serious injuries; he would be sentenced to death.[6]
In a twisted turn of fate, an attempted assassination by stabbing was made on then opposition democratic party leader Lee Jae-myung in January 2024, by a Mr. Kim, believed to be a Sincheonji (New Heaven and Earth) cult follower.
On 2 January 2024, Lee was stabbed in the left side of his neck while holding a question and answer session with reporters after touring the construction site of a planned new airport located on Gadeokdo in Busan.[49][50][51] Though Lee remained conscious, he continued bleeding and was transferred to a hospital approximately 20 minutes later.[49] The assailant, who was wearing a "I'm Lee Jae Myung" paper crown,[52][51] lunged at Lee after asking for his autograph.[53][49][51] The assailant was arrested at the scene.[49][51] The assailant was identified as a man named Kim Jin-sung and was reported to have been born in 1957.[54][49]
Though the neck wound was not considered to be life-threatening, Lee's surgery took longer than expected, with damage being inflicted on his jugular vein that led to additional bleeding.[54][53] The laceration in his neck which resulted from the knife wound was determined to be approximately 1 centimetre.[54] While in custody, the assailant confessed to Busan Metropolitan Police that he carried out the attack with the intention of killing Lee.[54]
So Doctor Lee Jae-myung the independence hero who attempted the assassination of the most famous "traitor of Eulsa" is commemorated on the same day as President Lee Jae-myung's birthday.
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Night Garden
밤의 정원
보컬 Lucia(심규선) 작곡 Lucia(심규선) 작사 Lucia(심규선)
Credit to https://music.bugs.co.kr/track/6132661?wl_ref=list_tr_08_chart for the lyrics.
한밤중에 악몽의 틈에서 그대를 데려와서
In the middle of the night, I will bring you from the edge of nightmares
고요하고 너르른 풀밭에 눕히고 재우리라
and lay you down in the wide, quiet grass field, and let you sleep.
풀벌레 소리 시냇물이 흐르는 곳에
Where the crickets sound and the stream flows,
내일은 아직 오지 못하리 그대가 잠들기 전엔
Make tomorrow not yet come, before you fall asleep
연거푸 짚고 일어서려는 손
Your hands keep grasping in an effort to rise
긁히며 달려 멍들고 지친 발
Running feet, scratched, bruised, and exhausted
여기 넘어진 채로 우리 함께 엉겨 쉬면 어떠리
Here where we fell, why don't we lay and rest entangled together
깊은 밤 깊은 잠 깊은 밤
Deep night, deep sleep, deep night
젖은 이끼에 벌거벗은 등을 뉘여 보면 어떠리
If I lay my naked back on the wet moss, how will it be?
숨 쉰다 마신다 뱉는다
Breathing, drinking, gasping
부드러운 파도를 그대의 턱 끝까지 덮어주고
Soft waves cover you to the chin
창밖에는 눈꽃과 안개가 밤새 춤추게 하리라
Outside the window, snowflakes and fog seem to dance all night
어린 날의 결핍 무엇으로 채우리야
What will fill the want of childhood days?
어제는 다신 오지 못하리 그대 이제 안심하오
Yesterday will never come again. Now you can rest assured.
연거푸 흘러내리는 붉은 땀
Repeatedly flowing down, red beads of sweat
흉진 곳에서 새 잎이 돋는다
New leaves sprout in the scarred places
여기 넘어진 채로 우리 함께 엉겨 쉬면 어떠리
Here where we fell, why don't we lay and rest entangled together
깊은 밤 깊은 잠 깊은 밤
Deep night, deep sleep, deep night
그래 언제고 일어서서 다시 가야 할 때 오겠지
Yes, at some time we must rise and go again
하지만 지금은 아닐 뿐
Only now the moment has not come
나를 잠들게 해줘
Make it so I can sleep
눈꺼풀 위로 깊은 잠이 마치 범람하듯 넘친다
Deep sleep washing over my eyes
잊는다 잊힌다 잊는다
Forget, make me forget, forget
잠든다 꿈조차 없는- 잠-
Sleep, without even a dream...sleep
Bugs 님이 등록해 주신 가사입니다.
https://music.bugs.co.kr/track/6132661?wl_ref=list_tr_08_chart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDPsTaqH3PM&list=RDFDPsTaqH3PM&start_radio=1
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Farewell Song 赠别、渭城曲、阳关三叠
陽關三疊 - 郭淑珍 Guo Shuzhen - Yang Guan Triassic
From the notes of the youtube post above:
Also an English translation of the original Wang Wei poem, credited to John Thompson at http://www.silkqin.com/ and to Jin Qiuyu 金秋雨 :
Recommend reading the entire notes at the youtube post.
The video itself presents calligraphy of the original poem, artwork portraying scenes from the poem and more contemporary song derived from it. (Also the Mandarin lyrics of the song are in the notes). Likeness of Wang Wei are presented as well. Beautifully and thoughtfully put together.
Weicheng was near Xi'an, the capital of the Tang Empire. Anxi was deep inside Xinjiang, a Tang Dynasty post there at the time. Probably a long hard trip in the 8th Century. I read one explanation that said back then, one wouldn't expect to see a friend again, who leaves on this trip.
Below is a link to another blog which put together a translation or the original Wang Wei poem to English with pinyin which is quite helpful:
王維 送元二使安西 translation: Seeing Off Yuan Er on His Mission to Anxi, by Wang Wei
Wikipedia has an interesting entry on Wang Wei:
Wang Wei
There are a number of Stephen Owen translations of other Wang Wei poems in the Wikipedia article that are wonderful.
It's not suprising that Wang Wei was a Chan Buddhist.
Yang Guan Triassic is one of China's most famous Guqin (string instrument) songs. The song's origins go back to 1491. It is based on a 4 line seven character quatrain "Send Yuan Er Shi Anxi."送元二使安西 (Seeing Yuaner off on a Mission to Anxi) written by Tang Dynasty poet Wang Wei王維(701-761) Wang Wei, from Taiyuan in Shanxi, was a well-known poet, painter, and musician of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). He wrote over 400 poems. The poems of the frontier fortress and the seclusion poems of the mountains are very popular with people all over the world.
Also an English translation of the original Wang Wei poem, credited to John Thompson at http://www.silkqin.com/ and to Jin Qiuyu 金秋雨 :
The morning rain at Weicheng dampens the light dust,
At the inn, the willows look lush and green once again.
I urge you, dear sir, to finish one more cup of wine, for
Going west through Yangguan there will be no old friends.
Recommend reading the entire notes at the youtube post.
The video itself presents calligraphy of the original poem, artwork portraying scenes from the poem and more contemporary song derived from it. (Also the Mandarin lyrics of the song are in the notes). Likeness of Wang Wei are presented as well. Beautifully and thoughtfully put together.
Weicheng was near Xi'an, the capital of the Tang Empire. Anxi was deep inside Xinjiang, a Tang Dynasty post there at the time. Probably a long hard trip in the 8th Century. I read one explanation that said back then, one wouldn't expect to see a friend again, who leaves on this trip.
Below is a link to another blog which put together a translation or the original Wang Wei poem to English with pinyin which is quite helpful:
王維 送元二使安西 translation: Seeing Off Yuan Er on His Mission to Anxi, by Wang Wei
Wikipedia has an interesting entry on Wang Wei:
Wang Wei
There are a number of Stephen Owen translations of other Wang Wei poems in the Wikipedia article that are wonderful.
It's not suprising that Wang Wei was a Chan Buddhist.
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