takes a bit to get used to after Go Go Squid
Not to happy with the changes between Go Go Squid and Go Go Squid 2, but I was a fan of Battle Bots when I was younger, so I still enjoyed it. its weird with some of the characters being different but glad DT is still the same. the same with 97, Han, Grandpa and Tong Nian. I started watching it once before but I didnt like it and figured i would give it a second chance. glad i did but still wish it was closer to the same as the first, but was still good to watch. And it was cool to see another side of DT. His reactions to Han and Tong Nian had me going lol.Was this review helpful to you?
A sequel that goes through the motions
I didn't realize until I started watching that this isn't REALLY a direct sequel — it sort of takes place in an alternate universe where a lot of things are similar but not exactly the same, including the game that they played.With that being said, I felt like the drama found itself in a really confusing position between being a standalone and a sequel. You can't really watch this one without watching the first season because you'd miss out on a lot of fun references and be way more confused about what exactly the backstory is, but if you HAD watched the first one already, this drama felt very repetitive and watered down.
I don't really care much about the switch from e-sports to robotics and I think it definitely did get more interesting, but I don't feel the stakes much, mostly because S1 focused more on the story element and S2 focuses more on the romantic element.
Still, the plot did grow on me over time; the first 10 or so episodes were really hard to get through because I didn't care for the characters (who all felt different) or the romance.
I really didn't like the romance in the beginning of the drama. While I always enjoy a little bit of one-sided pining from my male leads, it felt very random to start the story with him idolizing her to that extent without having interacted with her directly. It made a lot of the so-called romantic scenes feel unearned. At the start, feel similarly with the second lead couple — their beginning felt very out-of-the-blue and it was like they didn't know each other at all and the relationships somehow got serious.
The drama gets a little better after we get through those and the leads start interacting more, and I really do like how there were not many misunderstandings or annoying side characters.
There is, however, one scene that I just have to talk about. After the leads are already together, there's one moment where the ML becomes rough and drags the FL into a car out of insecurity and jealousy. It's played off like a misunderstanding because she didn't know what was happening, but NOTHING excuses how much force he used. It was a little out-of-character but regardless of that, it was terrifying and was probably the worst part of the show.
In terms of the characters, they also feel watered down compared to the original, especially because there were a lot of actor swaps. Some grew on me, like Wang Hao and Mi Shao Fei, but I really couldn't reconcile the Appledog in this with the one in the first season. She was mature and intimidating there, and with the new actress being shorter and more bubbly and smiley, Appledog felt like a completely different character. It really felt like the casting director and the writers didn't know how to write a romance drama with the original dynamic and instead reverted to the easy formula of quiet ML/bright FL.
In conclusion, I really think this drama got better and was a light-hearted low-stakes watch, though it's far longer than it has to be. It ends on a high note, and I personally enjoyed how the FL was shown as capable (and compared to the first one, very non-cringy) but I feel like most people who loved the first one would be disappointed.
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Enjoyable
Story:At first I thought this will be the same premise as Go Go Squid, all about e-sports competition and rom-com. However, I found out that this drama is almost completely different. I prefer Go Go Squid story set-up bcoz online gaming is more interesting than robot stuffs. In this drama, not much of comedic side as GGS, but the romance is far sweeter. Too sweet to make me feel emotional. In my opinion, the downside of this drama is that the story is not congruent with GGS. The conflict in GGS which should be told in this drama, was like a plothole. It's like watching a halfway drama from different source.
Acting:
I haven't watched many of Hu Yi Tian's drama, therefore I can't compare his acting in other drama. But I like his acting as Wu Bai. Not similar to other cool handsome character, Wu Bai is nerdy yet warm guy. And his kindness and feelings touch everyone's heart. This character brought many emotions to this drama. Li Yi Tong is experienced actress. She can act as cold princess, cute girl and badass female lead. Even she didn't show many funny side of her character as this is a rom-com drama, she is into her role as Ai Qing who is older and more mature than Wu Bai.
Music:
In the beginning episodes, the soundtrack editing was pretty annoying for me, makes me feel like I watched some kind of musical drama, since it was too much infused to the scenes. However after reach the middle episodes, this kind of editing was reduced and become like normal modern drama again. Nevertheless the music and soundtrack are pleasing.
Overall:
This drama is more focus on the romance than the sport, unlike GGS which is, I thought, half-half of romance and sport. It is an enjoyable drama, but 38 episodes are too long, as I see it, since it wasn't many conflicts happened in this drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
I sincerely loved this drama.
It was so easy to watch, and there were no unnecessary issues and fights between the main lead couple. While Go Go Squid 1 was about the reality of how some people have to fight for their love, Season 2 was about how love and staying in a relationship can also be easy and unproblematic.Wu Bai has loved her for 10 years. Ai Qing was the reason why he joined the sport. She wanted to be a world champion? With that, HER dream became HIS too. He became a better person and player. He became what he deemed as worthy just to be able to stand beside her. Quite literally, he EARNED her love. I love the fact that he set a standard for himself. I love how he truly and wholeheartedly saw her as someone beyond his level, even when he was already the shining star in the sport.
On a different note, I aspire to have Ai Qing’s maturity. when she realized that Wu Bai was feeling insecure of their love, she didn’t simply blame him for being insecure, she assessed herself. She pondered on how her actions made him feel as though she didn’t love him or he wasn’t WORTHY of her love. When she finally realized her mistake, she apologized, and I loved that so much because it is the epitome of a mature woman.
Overall the drama is about the pursuit of dreams of not only the main lead, but also everyone on the story. The supporting roles were essential to make the drama more meaningful and flavorful.
Memorable Drama Quotes:
- Marriage is falling in love with the other person daily.
- Some people overcome fear and move forward. Some people break though and grow swiftly.
- Some people are consistent and never give up their passion. While some people leave for a short time, and come back with their dreams.
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This review may contain spoilers
Bit Boring and Huge Letdown to Go Go Squid S1 fans
This was a difficult watch. I've just finished Go Go Squid and this pales in comparison to the first one.Acting
- Li Yitong is good. Hu Yitian is ok but their chemistry is lacking compared to Yang Zi and Li Xian.
Plot
- Aside from the comparisons to S1, the story on its own is quite flat. Feels very dragged out . It's ok if you just wanna watch for the sweet scenes and watch Hu Yitian swooning over Li Yitong.
- This was a major issue for me because they retconned so many things from S1 in order to fit this version i.e.
- 1. the biggest issue being that Han Shangyan never reconciled with Solo
2. the second issue, the removal of key supporting characters such as Niannian's best friend and Mi Shaofei's love interest, Demo etc
3. the third issue, the change from CTF to robotics. CTF felt more like an unknown industry and having such a big club/house/training center for such a small team in DT Appledog's Time seriously felt weird and full of loneliness.
4. the fourth issue, having Wu Bai be the main leader of K&K ... which is weird because Han Shangyan is the boss but he's barely seen in the club.. I understand that the story's focus would be on Wu Bai but and having Li Xian and Yang Zi being in the show so much might overshadow the focus on Wu Bai and Ai Qing. There are also budget concerns and scheduling and stuff to think about but it could have been done..
5. They should have just continued with S1 and recast Li Yitong as Ai Qing.
6. Even One's personality seemed different.
7. Go Go Squid wasn't just about Tong Nian and Han Shangyan's story.. It was also because they explored the family and friendship issues so well.. Like with Solo's daughter and every supporting character had their moment to shine. I kinda felt like this was lacking in Go Go Squid 2
Casting
- Recasting Ai Qing is fine because the original actress for Ai Qing has zero romantic chemistry with Hu Yitian but the rest of the cast should have been retained
- None of the actors recast for the new version had the same level of energy and charisma as the original actors for Solo, Mi Shaofei, Ou Qiang. Disappointing because the supporting cast is always a huge factor in a drama's quality.
- Would have been better to pull in the original actors for Tong Nian's parents at the end for the double wedding. This felt really weird having all Ai Qing and Wu Bai's relatives there but none of Niannian's parents there
OST
- This was nice and fitting for the story
Scene stealers
- Wang Anyu (I like him but I preferred the way the original Grunt was written and portrayed)
- 97
- The grandpa
- Lastly, Li Xian and Yang Zi
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I might have expected too much from this drama?
Having watched GGS at least 3 times, while watching this series i have this phrase repeated in my head " do not compare the 2 dramas, this is a spin-off" Nonetheless, i cannot help but compare! The character change for Wu Bai, is too much imo, and Grunt and Ai Jing? I didnt even know Ai Qing had a sister in the first part.Also i would rather them did not stray from computer securities to robot duelling. This series did focus alot on the romance part and i definitely loved having the 2 leads from GGS in this series. But it is just different and honestly i would rather watch GGS one more time because i felt that the first series set the bar up a little too high.
While the acting of the cast i have nothing to complain, i just felt that the story could have been a little better. This is really just my opinion!
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I think the two seasons were made available long enough apart that I didn't have a strong urge to compare them, and I was satisfied with the love story. I really liked that both dramas had a love at first sight theme.💘💓
I really enjoyed how much this couple supported each other's goals and dreams. Lots of affection displayed by the male lead, good strong female lead, two great competing teams, nice secondary couple, and a very lovely ending for both the main couples from Seasons One and Two.👫💑
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More I watch more I enjoy
To be honest I wasn't a huge fan of part 1: Go Go Squid but I am a huge fan of Hu Yitian and his character Wu Bai. At first like many others I was disappointed with all the flashbacks, slow motion and exaggerated moments but I can tell you if you can get pass it and give it more episodes, the story will develop and come alive. Here are the many positives why I am enjoying this drama so much:1-CP: Yitian and Yitong make a great match, appearance and acting wise. For the first time I am not wondering why a guy like him would go for a girl like her. Yitian definitely has been improving and I feel like Yitong being so natural, makes him a better actor.
2-Wu Bai/DT is even better than I expect. Thinking at first he is just another cool hot guy like Jiang Chen in A Love So Beautiful but Wu Bai is so much more. He is often adorable and completely boyfriend goals.
3-Story: it is about first love. What makes it not a typical story is how long DT has been in love with Appledog and how much he invested and continues to, enough to melt any girl.
4-The switch from e-gaming to robotics is more exciting. I am not just watching them press buttons but actual robot machines fighting. I also really like the robot housekeeper at KK central.
5-Side story to Appledog's sister is not bad.
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Li Yitong & Hu Yitian are adorable!
Li Yitong and Hu Yitian are adorably cute together! Though many may put them behind Li Xian and Yang Zi, but to be honest, Yitong and Yitian are actually the power couple I prefer in different way. In my opinion, Li Yitong and Hu Yitian are more good looking than Yang Zi and Li Xian anyway. In GGS 2, They acted greatly in portraying a shy and reserved couple (unlike Li Xian and Yang Zi who had more playful characters) who were deeply in love. Together, they somehow could turn the coldness in nature into a warm, beautiful and sweet romance that makes me smile and happy. It’s a feel-good drama that is worth to watch as it’s a refreshing love story and moreover, both lead casts are naturally good in acting!Was this review helpful to you?
As Good As The 1st
This story is different then the 1st one but I still really liked it. The characters are great and especially the 2 sisters. The way the 2 sisters support each other in chasing their dream and their way of life. They are 2 strong female characters that know what they want. Their father also supports their choice and supports what they do. I also like how they brought back some of the characters from the 1st Go Go Squid. The writer did not forget the relationship he had with older brother and the relationship older brother had with the girl he fell in love with. That made the ending even better. I like that there was no obsess lover or parent that did not agree because of statues. Just a story of fulfilling your dreams. I like that the 2 competitive teams come together to win the championship for their country. That they can be friends and even train together. Every character is great and you like following their story. The actors performance was wonderful and I loved their chemistry. Grandpa became my favorite character. The way he supports the 2 grandson and he is so cute. The ending was a perfect ending Thank YouWas this review helpful to you?
Cute but not as good
I watched this with an open mind, not expecting a sequel. The romance was sweet and the chemistry between the two was pretty good. The one thing that irked me was some parts where they were retelling the same story but putting in Wu Bai instead of Han Shanyan. I am glad that they cast a different actress as the former Appledog was beautiful but way too old for him. If you haven’t watched the former GGS you can easily watch this one and may actually enjoy it more but I personally still like the first one better and will be rewatching it when I want to feel the fuzzies.Was this review helpful to you?
"Specially And Really Specifically" For Those Who Want A Drama Without Love Triangles and Villians.
Amazing 👏 Drama For Drama Lovers🏅@Great Starter for 2021.😇
Simple and Sweet!🦷 No Melodrama! 💫
Worthy Spinoff!! WHY??
1.) Amazing Cast. Good Acting. Won't get bored🥱 as every character is loveable.😁
2.)Those who haven't watched Go Go Squid can really watch it after this as you will enjoy more the story of Han and Tong Nian if you watch Dt. Appledog's Time first.🤩😍
3.) Each Ost Song🎶🎶 is amazing even the instrumentals 🎻🎹🎸are also good and really goes with the scenes and situations of drama.
4.) Story is well written✏✒. Well Acted. 🎬📽
No regrets💯
5.) Drama is full of different Relationships that every normal human being has. Friends, Siblings, Parents,Grandparents all relations are just amazingly presented.👍👌
6.) Supporting Cast is really supporting 🙌 and joins the dots really well.
Special Thoughts:- Higly Recommended!! Cute and Sweet Drama. No exaggeration📢
Challenge:-Just Watch First 3 Episodes and let's see it you are able to drop it in between.🎗
First 👊 Watch 🎥Makes You Feel To Re-watch 💻
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