66cm+ Dolls LoongSoul -- God of Cloud, Yun Zhong Jun

Back in October '19, I started a 6 month layaway with Alice's Collections for my first LoongSoul doll: God of Cloud-Yun Zhong Jun. I have a bit of a weakness for pale, white-haired guys in Asian dress, I think! Or at least, I seem to be on a more Asian guy kick right now, after going through a bunch of other phases in my bjd-collecting. I have too many dolls already, but this guy was just too lovely to pass up. Also, I hadn't ever had a Loongsoul doll before and was curious.

And now, we are in the middle of a bit of a crisis with Covid-19 quarantining and economic slow-downs. I worried about how things were in China (where Loongsoul and Alice's Collections are located). Luckily, it has been a while since Wuhan went into lockdown, and things seemed to be evening out in China by this time. I worried a bit about the postal services to the US from China--but it seems to have caused no problem.

I paid in full to Alice's Collections on April 6th. The package was posted on Apr. 24, using FedEx (I more usually receive dolls through EMS). Usually I get little notices in my mailbox to pick up a package, whether I'm at home or not--but this time the box was left right at my door on May 1, which was a good thing, because I'm in a few of the at-risk groups when it comes to Covid-19 and have been socially isolating. Despite the box probably being just fine, contamination-wise, I still waited a few days before opening it, because I didn't want to be washing my hands every two seconds and freaking out about viruses.

Anyway--good to know that coronavirus can't stop bjd acquisition!

This lovely black on black box with gold stamping was shipped in a sturdy corrugated shipper with LoongSould logo printed on the side. There was only a slight dent in the shipper, nothing inside was harmed.

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Box contains fullset outfit (in bag on the left), and info flier and guide book and COA and hardware pieces and other items on the right.

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Unfortunately for me, everything was just in Chinese. But there were photos that helped.

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The Guide Book was very nicely illustrated with photos in full-color. It's actually a pamphlet, but had lots of information and was printed on heavy stock. Very nice, even though I couldn't read most of it. It still was useful, though.

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Under those items and a thin layer of black foam was the doll--very securely packed in cut-out foam. That's the wig on his left leg.

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Head was wrapped separately--with a nice face protector with elastic installed, ready to be used on the complete doll. Lots of protection for the head.

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Faceup was pristine--no eyelashes crushed! Very neatly done faceup, too.

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The little bubble-wrapped packages turned out to be two sets of hands-- very similar, but in slightly different poses--one set had more sculpted veins than the other.

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And, a bit of a surprise (I was mostly into the face sculpt and the outfit--wasn't paying attention to OTHER parts!). I should have tried them all on and taken photos--but I didn't! (Maybe later?) All magnets were installed and the smallest one was already on his body. That one fits nice and securely. Hmmm... maybe I should have got the body blushed? Would they do all the parts, too???

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Actually, I do like the detachable penii... I'd worry about them detaching and getting lost, but the small one really sticks on very securely and wouldn't get knocked off easily cuz little! Much nicer when wearing tight pants than the bigger ones that are sculpted on, I think!

Easy to stand out of the box. The joints are nice and tight. Not kicky. There are also notches on some of the joints so that they lock. No sign of any molding lines. Everything was perfectly smooth and perfectly fitted. Joints seem to be well-engineered. Comes with tons of joints-- on thighs and torso-- for no extra fees.

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Note: some missing photos due to weird glitch affecting photos... Hopefully they will show up!

TO BE CONTINUED---

 

I'm a crap poser, but really, this is a very nice sculpt. And very well engineered.

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Notched, locking joints in shoulder. Pretty smooth to use (there are some dolls that you really have to pull out and snap in, but I can just move the arms without trouble. Even in positions that aren't held by the notches, the arms hold pretty well (aren't too slippery/kicky).

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Elbows double-jointed, which is pretty typical these days. These joints also move very smoothly and stay put without the notching/locks.

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Knees also double-jointed. Nice-looking joints, really. Also easy to use.

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Thigh joints moved pretty well. I have Iplehouse dolls with thigh joints like this and they can get a bit loose and sloppy (and I think Iples are pretty top quality)--but maybe this was just new and tight, but this guy was very easy to pose and the joints stayed put.

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I don't think I've seen many dolls with extra joints at the ankle (aside from Doll-Chateau ones who have extra long necks and legs and everything).

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Two torso joints. Not a LOT of extra movement with most torso joints, but these can still give him a bit more variation in poses.

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Here's how useful the guidebook pamphlet was... I guess I should have figured out what those two little sticks were, but it's been a while since I've changed hands on my dolls. I've used chopsticks before... never needed these specialized things--but it was really nice to have! They really included everything--even though most of the doll was already assembled (no worries about gluing in magnets, thank goodness!). Such a nice touch to have the rings holding the elastic at the wrists. They were easy on my hands--could grab them and slip the sticks in there, then easily attach the hooks built into the hands. Really made things a breeze!

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I wore gloves for some of this stuff. I should use them more often, but I'm SO LAZY! (Poor dolls!)

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TO BE CONTINED!!!! ------------------

 

Eyes--Small iris, in nice little box with foam. I'm not a huge fan of acrylic--BUT he's got narrowed eyes and the small iris with non-raised domes worked perfectly. I often change the eyes, but in this case, I like how they look too much to bother with different ones.

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Perfectly fitted head-cap--

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I always skip using the supplied eye putty... I didn't like the look of the green stuff and prefer the white UHU Sticky-Tack. Had no problem using it (sometime there is slippery mould-release left, which makes putty not stick well--seriously--such a nice clean resin doll!).

The single magnet made getting the headcap off easy--a little too easy--but better than worrying about prying some headcaps off, I think. And it wasn't too easy to knock off.

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Not too many dolls can sit cross-legged and cross-armed--

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LOTS of pieces of outfit--luckily, not too hard to figure out--but I still printed out an official photo to make sure I was doing it correctly. They should give instructions with some of these outfits, I think! Again--good thing they were in fully-constructed, finshed pieces, so they went on easily enough--

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Wig, already styled... first one with I've had with a lace front. They even included two strips of tape to use... I'll have to go look up how to apply it correctly... For the moment, the wig is just plopped on and sliding a bit...

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Lace is also not white-white... best on a flesh-toned doll, but oh, well! (if he yellows, it'll be fine, wig-wise).

First layer (there are 4 layers plus pants!). Very nice zipper in back of this with tiny pull. Fit is perfect. Seams are all finished. You can barely see this layer, but it's really nicely done.

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Very lightweight, but still finished trousers. Tie closure at waist.

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Second layer. Snap in front.

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Cloth belt with tie closure.
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TO BE CONTINUED-----------

 

Jewelry piece tied over belt. Hanging piece with sheer layer and brocade with jewels underneath, tied under belt.
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Third layer, heavier coat, with jewels and sheer bits at shoulder--printed design in pale blues--

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Fourth layer, light coat in sheer fabric. He's holding jeweled piece that attaches, one at each shoulder to this layer.

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I really love his face and hair--

I need to trim the lace on the wig (I've been watching Youtube about how it's done on human-sized wigs!), and use the wig tape. Also fix the stray hairs that got messed while I was dressing him. I really should have been more careful since that wig is styled, and has hair pulled back in a loose tail. --And I will put his boots on eventually.

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Here we go with the outfit--

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He's not wearing his matching white brocade boots... because I'm lazy and you can't see them anyway! I'll put them on later!

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Whew! I know this is super-long and detailled, but I like seeing all that stuff. He's my first Loongsoul and I didn't really know what to expect, but I'm impressed. Everything was very nicely packaged and created at all the steps. Even the material in just Chinese was useful.

This is all very good for me because I already put another Loongsoul doll on layaway, so I'll REALLY be looking forward to getting him.

This guy is Grace(69~75) > God of Cloud-Yun Zhong Jun
73cm (with head) body.
White skin.

--I thought the top layer of sheer was a bit much--but it really does go with the whole "God of Cloud" business!

Still on layaway: LOONG SOUL/ELEGANT (63-68) / QIONG QI BEAST VERSION

Thanks for looking!!!

 

It's hard for me to NOT show all the cool details! The box alone was pretty--and I'll probably just hide it away somewhere. I really appreciate them putting everything together so nicely. It's just a joy to get something like this. It took me days to open everything (of course, I was taking my time since I'm stuck at home anyway!). At one point it looked like a fabric shop exploded--but now that all the layers are on him, things looks so tidy!

I've been into bjds way before Loongsoul came into being... I remember their first few sculpts, and was impressed by how nice their boy bodies looked, but never bought any Loongsoul before now. I think they are really impressive in all aspects--and I have a LOT of dolls. Seriously--too many!

I hope you get one someday... of course, there are a lot of wonderful dolls and doll companies out there--you can't go wrong with any of them, I think!

Yes, gorgeous photoshoot! They've definitely caught my eye, anyway. (Gah! I can't believe I have another one on layaway! I need to stop buying dolls!)

I was worried that Covid-19 lockdowns would interfere with shipping and just making dolls--getting all the supplies in, etc. Or that the US would stop shipments from China or something weird like that. Hopefully you get your head back soon! (I've been getting packages from pretty much all over the world--but as I said, I haven't been going out and would have problems if I had to go to the Post Office to pick something up--luckily they have been adjusting here and delivering mail very regularly--and picking up mail from homes, too.

Interesting about removing the extra ankle heighteners. I might do that. I'll wait to see how he looks with the other Loongsoul when he arrives, though. Thanks for the tip!

 

Oh, that's funny! Yeah, great minds think alike, for sure!!! --No, I didn't get Azure Dragon-- although he is WOW!!! I seriously shouldn't have gotten the two I did order. I think I have over 100 bjds now, and I can barely do much of anything with them that they all deserve!

This guy took a bit less than a month to ship out after I PiF... so you might get yours sooner than 2 months. Although these days--who knows? I was surprised mine shipped in good time, not knowing how the pandemic was affecting things. I was sort of glad that Qiong Qi wouldn't be paid for for a while longer (I just paid 3rd month of 6)... but it seems things will be OK as far as dolls go--at least for the short term (unsure how economic downturns will affect everything!).

Anyway--I hope you get your Yun Zhong Jun soon! I'll look forward to seeing yours.

 

I know--there seem to be some companies that just don't get a lot of postings on DoA, and Loongsoul seems like one of them. I'm guessing their main business may be mostly in Asia, so they aren't too worried about exposure here. But it's nice to see different dolls, so I hope more will be seen here.

I seem to have a thing for BOs--mostly over-documenting them! But there's so much behind the scenes stuff that aren't shown in most owner-photos, I just have the desire to publish them when I can--particularly for dolls that aren't seen much.

Ha-ha! Throw pillows: I took a fantastic trip to France in '18 for L-Doll and all the souvenir shops were full of various tapestry designs--many of the for throw-pillows. They are easy to pack (sold without the interior pillows), and good for putting in baggage with lots of L-Doll loot to travel back to the US---so I bought four, all for me! (My friend at least got some for gifts.) We actually saw the Unicorn tapistries at Cluny/Musee de Moyen Age in Paris, so tapestry styles like that were a must--and the cat-head portraits in various historical garb were too cool to pass up.

I love doing Box Openings! I'm lucky to have a lot of fullset dolls direct from companies--so there's a lot of cool stuff to open.

The extra parts were a surprise! I'm really curious to know if they all get blushed if you buy the body blushing!!!??? That would be hilarious! (And too cool!) --More stuff I never thought I'd wonder about!!!

There are so many amazing dolls out there--I know how that is... I wasn't tempted enough to buy a Loongsoul doll for years (although I remember when they first released their male body sculpt--and it was very nice). I thought I was pretty safe--but all of a sudden I've got one and am paying off another! Time and sculpts/outfits were just hitting at the right time for me, I guess.

I love it when I can appreciate dolls through photos instead of buying dolls every time. Glad you're enjoying!

I kind of over-do the photos, but I knew nothing about LS dolls before getting one... so I figured I'm just spam away, in case anyone else might be curious! --and yeah, LS has some nice-looking guys... I am so weak when it comes to that...!

 

Heh-heh, I think most of us here have a weakness! (But mine is BAD, REALLY, REALLY BAD!!!)

Seriously, thanks for looking! I love posting these things, but having others actually slog through all my chat and photos is just amazing.

 

Thanks! He's definitely making my quarantine-time a lot more interesting.

I enjoy hanfu, too, but this is only my second fullset. (I have an Angell-Studio Lan Ling.) The body is very nicely engineered--it was lovely to pose him right out of the box! But I am a terrible poser... Poor boy is sprawled on my couch at the moment. I need to fix that soon!

Oh, congratulations!!! I hope he is in your hands soon!

I think most companies make lovely faceups--but if you want something different, that needs to be waited for! I'm usually waiting until I like the company's faceup because I need to see the whole doll, and because I'm lazy and easily content with what the company does.

I hope you will post some photos when you get your guy. Stacy's Pink Ocean has some great outfits!

 

Oh, wow! Outfit sounds great. Good luck in having an arrival soon!

 

Yes, I loved the hand-stoppers. I have seen similar things before, but rarely--so much so that I really recall where! It was so nice to have everything there so I could easily put his hands on. And to be able to use them in the future if needed. It was also a good way to ship the doll with less risk of damage. Fingers are one of the easiest things to break.

Thanks for looking and commenting!

 

Thanks! It was great to get him during this time--I can appreciate him more. I took 3 days just to open the box and get him dressed because I had the time.

I was also crazy and have another layaway going with Loongsoul--so it's good that I was happy with this guy. (But I really need to stop buying dolls! It's getting crazy here. I should take the time to reorganize everything--but so far I've been lazy.)

 

I know--the anxiety was terrible! It's getting a bit better now that several months have passed and things seem to be going along, not amazingly, but not horribly, at least. I think I'm just getting used to the whole thing. BUT--I still haven't got much of anything done. I know I'll regret it, but just getting through the day is good enough at the moment.

Of course, getting a doll is always good, quarantine or no! And having some arrivals to look forward to!!! I've actually got 2 on layaway... (Stress-buying! I'm going to use that excuse, anyway.)

I hope you're doing well enough, all things considered!

 

I'm kind of obsessive with Box Openings--I often end up taking too many photos. In this case--he came with so much stuff, it made some sense at least!

The body is nicely engineer. I think it's slightly too large for the head, but that's a personal thing, and it doesn't bother me.

Faceup wasn't incredibly detailed--but it wasn't sloppy or lacking, and I don't mind this for a slightly realistic look. The photos didn't have a very involved faceup (with fine lines and designs, etc., so I didn't expect that--and there was less to go wrong, I think). And he's not body blushed, so Loongsoul didn't have a lot to worry about. I've seen faceups that were more basic (Ringdoll and Doll-Chateau), and I still buy from them, knowing things might not be exactly as pictured... but they are close enough I won't complain (too much). This one was very close to the photos. Eyelashes were really nicely applied. So I was happy.

I'll definitely post a Box Opening when I get my Qiong Qi! But I have him on a six month layaway so it'll be 3 more months, at least...

 

I've been into bjds since 2004, and wasn't into the Chinese styles until recently, so I hear you! The outfits are pretty amazing, though. So many layers of robes and so much fabric--with little details and trimmings...

If a doll and outfit happen to really catch me, I'm just totally helpless!