Unlike the first season QOM 2 really leaned into the over-the-top comedy and all of the cases felt very disjointed. It was weird. Almost like from season 1 to season 2 there were different directors and production teams. There wasn't though, I checked. That seamless blend just wasn't there. Instead it felt more like the series was trying to tell everyone's story in a way that highlighted the individuals away from the rest of the cast rather than having a true feel of an ensemble cast which I loved from season 1. I mean, it's a mystery/police drama: it's all about the ensemble!
Not to mention the sudden appearance of Detective Ha's brother who was never mentioned in season 1, Profiler Woo seemed to become even more robotic in season 2, where he was actually a relatable character by the end of season 1 with a budding bromance between him and Detective Ha, and the most anticipated plot revolving around Hyun Soo was confusing and never really explained in any way to make her story relevant.
I know this might all sound critical but there were some positives: the comedy was good and the individual performances were stellar. If nothing else, anytime the medical examiner, Hwang Jae Min was in a scene I was laughing my head off.
The ending felt very much like they are expecting a season 3, which I'm against if season 2 is any indication. There were so many open ended questions left but I honestly don't care. I'll admit that I only finished the drama because I was hoping against hope that it would all come together in the end, but it never did. So all of the big reveals and whatever closure there was just didn't feel as gratifing as the 1st season. Too bad. for all intents and purposes everything was there, but it was put together in the wrong way.
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This review may contain spoilers
Need Season 3
I really like this Series of Queen of Mystery 1 + 2.... The acting, story line and crime-solving moments are amazing, IMO. The chemistry between the main male and female lead is very good. I always like the main actor and I find him to be good in being strong and yet vulnerable at the same time, to be cute and funny. I also like the main actress in her role as a female Sherlock Holmes. She has good discerning eyes and sharp senses to details. It is a pity that the society she lives in (South Korea) does not appreciate her good talent and skill in being a good detective. She would have been greatly appreciated in other countries, perhaps in USA. I don't know, this is just my opinion. I hope there is a Season 3 because so many issues were left unattended and open-ended. When will the 2 man female and male leads get together and live together or get married? Who the Hell is Secretary Kim and what is his back story --- and Why the heck is he so powerful? Please pretty Please, I beg the Korean Writers, please make Season 3!!!!!!Was this review helpful to you?
One of the major reasons why I felt like this season did not live up to the previous one was the change in Seol ok's character. The charm of the first season relied on the unique plot which is a housewife turned investigator. That was such a clever and fresh take on an investigative drama in which drew me in the first place. However in this season all of that were gone, she was divorced and chased her dream of becoming a police officer. Her bright and loveable aura faded and became this dull and boring cliche character. And also I did not like what they did to her HAIR, I mean it was her signature bob that added to her quirky personality.
Another thing is the change in cast. Although a few of the important cast returned, the new members really did not do anything, even with the addition of my fave Kim RAE WON. I missed captain Hong, the grocery store lady and even the group of ahjummas, their chemistry I'm solving the cases was very entertaining to watch.
if they're planning to have a third season I suggest that they bring the fun back from what it was in the first season.
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This review may contain spoilers
I'm gonna preface this review by saying that I have yet to finish this drama for the simple reason that a major plot point was introduced towards the end that infuriated me deep within my body, all the way down to my bone marrow, and I haven't mustered the strength to finish the last few episodes because of it. I will eventually go back and finish, if only out of loyalty to the main leads that I adore so much, but I'm pretty confident of my current opinion and don't think those last few eps are going to change it. (UPDATE: I did not finish this drama and currently have no plans of doing so. So there's that.)The truth is, this was not a good season. The cases had a strange pacing to them, starting halfway through one episode and ending halfway through another. The big mystery from season 1 we were all expecting to get answers and a conclusion for....never went anywhere substantial. Instead, we were subjected to unnecessary twists and a bizarre new villain who felt totally out of place most of the season. And the romance! ThE RomANcE!!!! The romance showed so much promise! Things were looking so good! And then the writer didn't take it anywhere!!!!!!!!! Honestly, after the major plot twist I mentioned in the first paragraph that left me so infuriated, the romance is the thing I found the most disappointing about this drama.
I will forgive a drama for a lot of things if it at least keeps me invested in the romance.
You couldn't even do that, Queen of Mystery 2. You couldn't even do that.
I would be very surprised if this drama got picked up for a third season, and if that is what they were angling for with the way they chose to Write this season, then they really screwed themselves over. Because this season was dumb.
D-u-m-b, DUMB.
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I watched the first QOM series and I fairly enjoyed that and was a bit nervous about it's sequel.
When I watched the first episode of the sequel I was going to drop it because that episode was all over the place. I was thoroughly confused and was wondering if it was going to stay in that direction for the next 15 episodes. I was very close to dropping it but after the second episode I ended up binging on the rest of the episodes.
Again this series focused on several criminal situations that needed to be solved and I liked the way it was done. What I didn't like though was the last episode. It was a mess. It seemed as if the writer had a hard time trying to come up with a way to end last episode so they threw in a little bit of this and a little bit of that and what was left was a hot mess. I wonder why Korea always have a hard time ending their last episodes in these dramas. Especially if it only have to do with one plot!
It seems that there will be a third QOM because several plots weren't solved in the last series. I hope that's the case because I most definitely liked this series.
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The side cases were fine but the main one was too messy, weak and generic in both seasons. The comedy often relied on loudness, repetition and rattling, in season 1 mostly because season 2 wasn't comedic but just dumb silliness. There's a weird down time between some cases that could've been utilized better. Half of the cases either lacked a proper villain or a proper victim. Don't get me started on the endless dumb moves.Regarding Season 2, it was a significant downgrade. The series became straight up silly. Just from watching the first episode of season 2 I knew exactly what direction they are taking the sequel. A bad one! I was already sick and tired from the obsession over Hyun Soo but this was only amplified with season 2. Which why, in both seasons, the main case was a despicable mess. They even made Hyun Soo more important than the female lead! They could've taken the story in many interesting directions but they decided to copy the first season and make it dumbed down and sillier. There was no need to make a 2nd season in the first place. Season 2 left me with nothing but disappointment. I don't care about season 3 and would prefer not to get one at all. I would give S1 a 5.5/10 and S2 a very generous 3.5/10.
What's even the point of forcing a romantic connection between the leads in season 2 if they weren't gonna do anything with it? It didn't even serve a purpose for the climax. Speaking of which, after endless mentions of Hyun Soo, the drama didn't allow the male lead to interact with Hyun Soo after he found it her identity. After all the commotion, it ended up in vein. Even more, the female lead backstory of her parents death was given less than 10 minutes of attention in both seasons.
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