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In desperate need of closure
Disclaimer: This review is coming from someone who knows nothing about the webtoon, haven't watched the teasers for S2 AT ALL (as to not give me a hints as to how it'll end), also no idea about the change of directors (which I just read about recently) and other supplementary data about the series.I have been reading comments that some of you guys already knew from the beginning that HY ends up with JJ but as someone who knew nothing about the webtoon, I was disappointed with the ending.
I'm happy with the fact that the girl ended up with the good guy after all, but the process leading up to this ending just doesn't sit well with me.
I mean I'm satisfied HY ending up with JJ but the fact that she had to install that shield so that he can break it off with SO and not giving him any CLEAR explanations (until the end at that!) was a big meh for me.
I rewatched S1 before watching S2 and it just doesn't add up for me. The fact that JJ installed the shield so that she can break it off with SO and just leaving him there, always coming back to her asking for explanations as to why she broke up with him in the first place is just SO FRUSTRATING.
Like girl, how hard was it for you to just tell him that you did this for him yada yada so that he can understand. I know this is directed for the writers of the series but I just expected them (the characters) to be all mature knowing that they're not in high school anymore - I wished this was handled differently.
S1 was all butterflies and rainbows - diving in just lightly into the complicated love stories of the characters but S2 had a really different vibe - it was a feeble attempt to handle the complicated relationships in a mature.
I try not to be biased toward SO but from the fact that his character was introduced in S1E1 and the build up towards the end of S1 - I really expected him to somehow get the girl.
But hey come S2E1, and I got the small hint that he won't end up with Jojo but I accepted and understood it as the series progressed but I was praying & hoping for closure, at the least, for SO but sadly - they didn't give it to him *sigh
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Failed to surpass Love Alarm 1
Let's start with the positive. I liked the ending because I'm happy with whom she ended up with. The acting was good and the music was excellent.Now the the downside, the script for the season 2 was average. It was obvious they didn't have enough material for s2, i spent a lot of time skipping through staring into space and walking aimlessly on the streets scenes. These scenes made this season quite dragging and boring, they were obviously fillers and there was a LOT of them *sigh*.
I probably would not watch this again. I wasm't impressed like in s1. I dont't hate it but I don't love it either.
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IT COULD'VE BEEN MUCH BETTER.
Season 2 was a little better than the first in some ways, but it still wasn't great. I would have liked her to end up with Sun-oh, not Hye-young. They looked much better together, although there was more chemistry and love between Jojo and Hye-young. Overall it was good, but not great, and the acting wasn't the best. I'm not talking about the actors who took part in this project in general, I'm talking about their acting in this series. It could be much, much better. Another thing I didn't like was that, both during the first season and the second, you always had the question "why?" printed in the mind. Jojo and Sun-oh could be happy together, but it wasn't to be. They made my heart beat faster than she and Hye-young did.Was this review helpful to you?
Song Kang is not enough.
I watched 2nd Season few days ago to let me sometime to think about it and write constructive without any personal feelings. And I'm dissapointed. I have to set 1.5 , because the story was so boring. I don't really know why the distance between 1st and 2nd is so big, but I have information to the directors - pretty Song Kang is not enough. To be honest, the fact that I watched it until the end is due to my love for Kim So Hyun's work, which I am a fan of. If it were different actress, the show was be "dropped" after the first episode.I also have problem with crying. They all the time crying and nothing more. In some scenes I thought to myself: "Wait, wait, wait, why are you crying? Are u not too touchy?".
But....it doesn't just have negative sides, scenery and music are very good, which really fit to the drama and characters. I also think the acting was nice. Hopefully we will get a third season which will be alternate and BETTER. If not, then my advice to the actors - don't do that shit anymore. It is a pity to waste your abilities.
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It is just a thing that confuses me from start to end
First of all, I really like the characters and I also liked the actors. Season one was a bit confusing but I still liked it but as soon as I started season two, it was just even more confusing and I hoped it would become better if I watch more. Trust the process, you know? I tried to trust the process but in the end I was just completely dissapointed. Nothing really made any sense. Why did the app develope so confusing? Whats with the dude who killed himself? How was he able to change the app? I was way to confused and hoped, they will explain it, but the only thing that was told is, that the female lead will be together with the dude, she didn't even like in the first season, just because he helped her. I mean the male lead from season one could have helped her too but she didn't wanted to, because of the shield and this doesn't make any sense at all. I'm still not over season two, because I'm thinking to much about the sense in this thing.Was this review helpful to you?
Could have been written better
I was disappointed with season 1 and hope for season 2 to change my disposition. Major changes on a lot of cosmetic touches, lightened up on the back to back misery and hurdles of Jojo, Aunt changed her treatment on Jojo.What’s disappointing the most is season 1 written that the shield was to protect Sunho who Jojo supposedly love but season 2 betrayed that scene without any explanation. I like underdogs in a series to win the girl when the story flowed to it but this didn’t fit at all.
I also feel bad for Sunho’s current gf where he turned to after being dumped by Jojo. At the end, the way the story is conveyed, Sunho still couldn’t love her but will continue seeing her hoping one day he will. I felt like the girl didn’t value herself much to put up with that.
I skipped a lot and fast forwarded. To me, this didn’t bring a happy ending.
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Season two falls slightly short of season one
Love alarm 2 is a well thought out concept continuing in the future from love alarm season one and is a quite well packed 6 episodes that was able to crammed a lot content into the short season 2 series. There are lots of great areas but some flaws as well. In comparison to the first season, this second season has slightly a more serious tone and is trying to drive several messages and close the story. I personally liked season one better and thought that it did not live up to the hype and bar that the first season has set.Story (7/10) and Rewatch Value (4/10)
I thought the story was well written and that it was able to concretely convey its message (that in this new world, humans are too reliant on tech telling them what to do what who to love that they are simply sheep that do not think for themselves. Also, that communication and showing love by saying out "I love you" is now replaced by the love alarm. Lastly, love can be nourished) without compromising on the story and direction of characters and story. I did not agree with the choice of the closure of the main couple and thought that if that was selected and known by the director and story teller - then the focus should be direction from that angle so that the audience is able to build a connection with the intended couple. However its so focused in telling its story from the tellers preference that we have this disconnect and the audience's viewpoint ignored. Massive points lost there; Kim JoJo and Hwand Sun Oh were obviously the better young love couple :P. As much as I like the Lee Hye Young's character - I think too much focus is put on JoJo and Sun Oh's struggle to get back together. That being said - rewatch value and story took a hit. As well - I thought some plot points could have been scrapped ... like Park Gul Mi (JoJo's cousin) and Cheon Duk Goo's storyline ... and what the heck was the point of Brian Cheon anyways...
Also, it seems like the story kind of shifted into a more one directional view solely from Jojo's prospective as a lot of focus was put on her backstory as well as a bit of Hye Young's back story - while the story was trying to ship JoJo and Sun Oh ... which created dissipated focus (I'm guessing they wanted to keep the choice open - like as if JoJo can end up with either one of the guys... but if the focus is going one way and shipping another couple.. its hard on the audience to invest in).
On a more positive note - I thought it did an absolute amazing job with the shooting and videography. Scenes were very very well shot - great choices - good lighting, angle and focus where it really brought out feeling out of the picture. Even though - some scenes I felt was dragged out too long, it was still enjoyable to see great camera work. The CGI was also seamless and high quality, very high budget quality.
Acting (9/10) and Music (7.5/10)
All the cast were great! The main roles did an amazing job - especially Song Kang and Jung Ga Ram! Kim So Hyun was amazing too! Support roles were okay, but roles are very minor considering the limited screen time for six episodes. Music was alright. The 10/10 song was still Blooming story by Tearliner - Amazing. They should have used it more! and not only near the end. Second might be 'Edan - For you' .. however its like half a song. lol The others were mediocre.
Overall (7.5/10) was a good short series. I ranked it high due to factors outside the story telling (production value, skillful art of its beautiful camera shots, actors did a great job given the hand they were dealt). It definitely wasn't as good as season one, but if looking at it objectively, it isn't all that bad. I know there are many really bad reviews - and totally understandable! since the direction the story that led the audience did not know where it was going! I'm not hating on Hye Young and JoJo; they make the sweetest couple, however if that was the intended ending then the story telling should have been different! and Season one setting up the foundation shouldn't have focused on JoJo and Sun Oh so concretely! Hence 90% of the audience including myself are rooting for JoJo and Sun Oh. I felt like the character's maturity and characteristic as well as Season one has set us up for some young reckless love! and not some serious mid-life deep true love. Nonetheless - production value and cinematography was extremely well done! Story telling had a solid and powerful message, great actors, pretty people, and heartaching love. If it was longer - i'd say can skip to save your from heartstrings being pulled in all random directions - however, since its short - I'd recommend giving the 6 episodes a spin.
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The idea could have been nice, but it was ruined in more and more ways
Before watching a drama, I usually do some research and try to figure out if I will enjoy the story or if it is worth my time. This is to say that the story (8 episodes in Love Alarm and 8 episodes in Love Alarm 2) wasn't that bad, however imaginative, but it was ruined by some script choices and above all by an ending that made little sense and was not very pleasant. The kind of ending that leaves you thinking "the they did it on purpose to show that they are different and don't do things like everyone else"Was this review helpful to you?
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What a strange story
At first I thought I was going to watch a wonderful drama. The beginning was wonderful. But after the accident of the heroine, I never imagined that the story would take such a bad turn. As the heroine's head was replaced by the hero, the hero fell madly in love with the heroine, sacrificing his social status or self-esteem. How could the heroine cost him like that. I cried when I saw how the hero begged madly for the heroine at the end. So much love was not shown in the second hero's performance. The hero selection was wrong. It would have been better if the role of the hero was swapped. Or me. I want a third season where the heroine matches the first hero. It hurts to see such a horrible boring ending. What happened! Even if the heroine can't be good even with so much love, is the heroine's heart made of stone or does she have no mind at all? The cast of the heroine The hero came like crazy at the moment. What did the heroine do. What kind of story is this. Nah I couldn't believe it. I watched the 2nd season after the accident in the 1st season. I prayed to God to match them in some way. But what did I see? My chest was bursting with tears. The hero's face was covered with tears. His question was ringing in his ears. Tell me why this shield, what is the shield. Extreme towards the heroine. Anger is rising and towards the writer.Was this review helpful to you?
AWFUL
I don't even know where to start. This season was just infuriating and just completely unnecessary. Like y'all could've left S1 on its own and we would've been fine! But noo y'all had to fuck it up. First of all everybody here was absolutely annoying. The characters' motivations make ZERO sense! There was no story to be found. The acting was just as bad as S1 but the characters were written WORSE. The visuals looked worse too smh??? I only gave the music a 5 because I can't remember any of it- The strawberry on top was the awful ending which is literally a crime against humanity. This was only 6 episodes long but was smh still way too long I cannot...Was this review helpful to you?
I think this season is lacking? in a way that they finished it too fast, but the first episodes are slow-paced.
I like melodrama genre in korean dramas, but this one shows how that type of drama works but it was not fully developed since it is suppose to be a romance drama basing on the first season. The vibe with season 2 is totally different with season 1 that it came out to me as not a continuation but rather a really different drama. I was rooting for Hye-Yeong all the way, even in season 1 but no justification for me as watcher in the love story part between him and Jojo, I was frustrated. Maybe I should have read the original story.
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It all went downhill
just couldn't understand the fact that jojo has to throw sun-oh out the window after all of that, it's not because of the ending.Not even in season 1 that they made jojo and hye-hyeong build a good connection, but no, there's no spark at all, not even that uplifting feeling. But still, i would've accepted that Sun-Oh isn't the guy who's gonna end up with jojo in the end if Sun-Oh was actually the one who did wrong, if he cheated or even hurt jojo. BUT NO, he dearly loved jojo, but she left him hanging with no proper answers. Sun-Oh keeps knocking on her everytime. He keeps tearing because of the pain in return. and that pain for almost FIVE YEARS. Now i can channel the anger sun-oh felt when said "Do you know what she did to me?" that is such a valid reaction. Jojo was such a coward even as an adult.
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