This review may contain spoilers
so good it hurts
"i wanted to find my own universe. in my once dark heart, i now have one little star shining so bright. i have found my universe with all our stories."i wasn’t prepared how raw and painful this was going to be. it was completely different from how sweet and wholesome the first season was.
first off, seojoon. i was genuinely hurting for this man. i wanted to go inside the screen just to hug him and tell him he didn't do anything wrong to deserve the kind of treatment from the person he thought he'd spend his life with. i was like his best friend throughout the show because i wanted to hit him just to make sense out of him. face palming myself when he kept coming back just to get the worst treatment back. it was genuinely heartbreaking to see someone who has so much love to give even when he didn't grew up nor surrounded with it willingly endure all that. personally, wouldn't dare to think for a second to take someone back after getting that treatment the first time around.
second, jiwoo,it wasn't exactly easy to understand this man but i do, only to an extent on what he felt during the relationship. his feelings at that time were valid. he had his own problems and fears and those fears tend to come out in the worst way possible which lead us to make the worst decisions ever but what i don't understand was how he treated seojoon after. i've come to know him in S1 as someone who might seem reserved but is actually a very warm person and to see him treat seojoon like that, the one person he always protected even in the smallest things, was maddening. what was even worst was he was doing it intentionally, he did everything to make seojoon hurt, to push him away. not knowing that was actually his worst fear, seojoon finally giving up on him because how lucky you are to have someone unconditionally love you in spite of your flaws, faults, and weaknesses and yet be so cruel to have that someone swallow their pride to beg for your love and take every worst treatment from you just to have you back in their life even if you're not the least bit deserving.
lastly, i don't entirely agree on the writer's view of how one person needs to be more giving in order for the relationship to work but i do agree with the line "in this world, there's no perfect man nor the perfect form of love. it's just a matter of understanding and adapting to each other through love. it's about learning to speak one's mind rather than put one's pride ahead" because what is love if not learning and growing to be better individuals to each other. as much as i love how sweet and easy the S1 were, i love how depth S2’s story got because i was able to relate with each character and i get to be invested with them; to feel for them, to hurt and learned from them.
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This review may contain spoilers
Better than the first season!
I was a bit worried going into the second season because of all the mixed reviews I was seeing. I loved the first season, and it's one of my favorite Korean bl's, so I was still excited about seeing these characters again. There was definitely a lot of angst and sadness this season, but it made sense and drove the story. Ji Woo pushed Seo Joon away for many reasons. Loneliness, sadness, guilt, and confusion. Yes, Ji Woo was harsh, but I also kind of saw his perspective. He has trouble navigating his emotions and actions. He was suffering in silence. He should have talked to Seo Joon, and none of what happened to them would have happened. Then, again, if they did, we wouldn't have a story. I liked how the episodes were longer, and we saw flashbacks in nearly every episode. This season felt more like a full-length, well-navigated drama. We are also introduced to a handful of new characters, and they really add a lighthearted and happy element to the story. I also feel like the actors have grown a lot from the previous season. They looked comfortable and did excellent, bringing to life all the kissing and emotional scenes. Overall, I really enjoyed this season even more than the first one and recommend watching it, it's worth it!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Good but annoying
The first season was really good, I'm not sure why I watched this one, honestly, I would've been fine with just season 1 because it ended very well. The whole series was just really annoying to me.First of all, I disliked Ji Woo's character, he turned from a cold person with a soft heart to a cold person with a cold heart, we didn't get a full reason why he left Seo Joon, just that everything Seo Joon did annoyed him which was just an easy way out, instead of saying he was scared to be in a relationship or something that made sense.
It pained me to see Seo Joon trying too hard to get Ji Woo to like him again, he needed to move on because he didn't deserve Ji Woo and the way he treated him. Seo Joon even found out Woo's restaurant wasn't doing well so he did everything he could to get people to come to the restaurant and Jo Woo was still stand ofish.
The little girl was extremely annoying to me and they were she was calling Ji Woo "dad" She needed to stop, Also her "running away" and hiding in the cupboard just because her mother couldn't pick her up was unnecessary.
I wish they could've found someone else for Seo Joon, he was just too pure for Ji Woo
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it's painful, but worth it.
10/10 would go through the pain of 9 episodes of angst to watch episode 10 again and feel joy.the to my star series is easily one of the best and well crafted korean bls out there. ms hwang da seul i owe you my entire life!!! will watch anything attached with this woman's name guaranteed! her vision is so simple, but beautiful. my heart broke for seo joon and ji woo every week in hopes that their love could be reconciled and over the ten episodes we get to see the boys in a different light and see the change in their relationship from what it was in its early stages. i felt despair upon watching episodes 7 and 8 and thinking...how can they ever come back from this, but I should have known to trust that there was an endgame in sight (even if it was a bit rushed imo) and pure elation i felt watching episodes 9 and 10 was so special. this series is so special to me. im sad that we won't get to see more of seo joon and han jiwoo's story, but i am glad that I got to go along on the journey we did get.
now its time to do a full series rewatch!
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This review may contain spoilers
Singing an out of tune 'Beautiful'
There are relationships that are not worth fighting for. There are others whose members may not have said goodbye forever. But there are other broken relationships that still have a solution.Sometimes you do everything right in a relationship, and yet love can abandon you, leaving only paralyzing pain and a ton of questions behind. Among these the "why?" It will drag you to the bottom of the abyss.
In this case, when he (or she) is gone, you can follow him or her. You can still convince him that you love each other, that you are perfect for each other, sing him an out-of-tune 'Beautiful', by Baekhyun, and make sure he doesn't get on the plane at the last minute and leave forever. You can also crash their wedding just before they say their final "I do", so that they run away with you to the astonishment of each other's family, while mutual friends scream with joy. Or get into your car with a trailer caravan where you will live you don't know how many days, months or years, travel the distance that separates you from your loved one, stand conveniently under his window, a few meters from his bed, waiting for him to At some point I will allow you to enter it.
Or in the face of a cold and disconsolate response, you could very well be a regular at their restaurant with a name that hurts the insides and you, because you are clueless, because you don't know the reason why they abandoned you, you don't know its meaning.
What if you decided to collaborate in making the menu of said restaurant, become friends with the villagers, help clear up misunderstandings that involve your loved one's family, which is why he is not popular among the locals and why his humble business is going down the drain, and, between filming sessions and road trips, will you adapt and integrate into the quiet and simple life of the person you want to win back?
I would suggest that after reading the vague goodbye note and discovering that your lover has packed his bags and left the apartment you have shared, you put strong pressure on your agency, and tell your representative and his subordinate that you will jump out of the car in leave if they don't locate him.
Or when you can't explain to yourself what you did wrong and you can't find answers to the cause of the breakup, you choose to win the affection of the best friend of the person who has put your life in check and her small and precocious daughter, knowing that every step In this sense, it will allow you to create new opportunities to reconnect with your ex.
Precisely the latter was what Seo Joon (Son Woo Hyun) did when Ji Woo (Kim Kang Min) broke his heart in the second season of 'To My Star 2: Our Untold Stories'. Yes, I am referring to those two young people, one of them a famous celebrity and the other an ordinary chef, from two different worlds, with little in common, whose lives were shaken when they met and fell in love.
Well, it seemed like both boys would be together forever, but fate had other plans. After giving us some of the most romantic moments in Korean BL, they also filled us with sadness. But there the actor goes in search of his chef to continue enjoying, among other things, his delicious food.
And Hwang Da Seul, the director, took very seriously that no one is saved from death and a broken heart and that we must all face, throughout our lives, several different types of goodbyes. Knowing that every breakup has its reasons, its consequences and its bitter, and sometimes bloody, extensions, that life is not always laughter, love and joy, he summoned screenwriter Park Young to take up the story and develop a second season to imitate , very well filmically speaking, the breakdown of the relationship of that couple so beloved by fans of the genre, and then reconciling them, because otherwise it could not be, since, otherwise, as an audience, we would not forgive them.
I imagine Da Seul digging through the films and television series of yesteryear and today to revisit those that deal with breakups and narratives that address every cliché about love and its components, always with a similar structure and, above all, with a happy ending, a sung ending, that is, "from a movie". And all in order to promote significant topics, such as the couple's commitment and communication.
And it does so with incredible bravery, taking the flaws of the first season, especially that of a pleasant but substanceless original story, to make a sequel with greater development of the characters, expanding the dynamics of their relationships and amplifying the emotions.
While it is true that it suffers from a saturated melodrama at times, with artificial conflicts that could have been polished or not incorporated, what is also real is the achievement of the elegant arcs of the characters, which highlight growth, maturity and redemption .
I know that many BL fans will not like what is related to the breakup and the subsequent suffering of the members of their favorite ships, but a work that shows deep conflicts and characters with greater psychological complexities is appreciated.
Without giving any type of spoiler, I will ask you the same question that comes into play during the first minutes of the story: what is the reason for Jin Woo and Seo Joon's breakup?
With this fuse that is lit at the beginning of the series, the characters develop in a narrative with which they will manage to improve the original series, with richer backstories, more character development and complex relationship dynamics, allowing 'To My Star matures, comes of age and becomes a sophisticated BL drama that unfolds in a fascinating journey, seeking and fulfilling the objectives of unraveling a failed relationship, while the protagonists and the audience wonder if they would have a second one. opportunity to reconnect and be happy.
What BL lover wouldn't be surprised by the breakup of their idealized perfect lovers? Seo Joon experiences the same anxiety when faced with Ji Woo's inexplicable departure after leaving a vague message containing a single word: "Let's leave him."
So, the series is aimed at exploring why the breakup and, as I said, reconciliation. But now everything will happen far from the big city, as the cameras will focus on a small town several hours from Seoul, in Ji Woo's hometown and where he went after the breakup, and while he struggles to move his business forward in an Italian restaurant, Seo Joo continues to face problems in his acting career.
And if the proposal alone still doesn't catch your attention, I'll give you another colorful fact: through the experience of the two protagonists, the sequel explores the moving breakup of a couple with intrigue, intimacy and intense emotions. But it doesn't do so by adding a dramatic twist behind the breakup or an infamous evil destroyer of loves and homes.
No, the creators will pleasantly surprise us by letting us know that the reason for the discord is much more personal, simple but complex at the same time: Ji Woo has always preferred to repress his feelings and alienate those who care about him. Yes, it is not easy to live with him, and the series, through flashbacks, will make us understand why he is the way he is. In his case, he is not the typical individual that we see in other audiovisuals that explain his misunderstood actions, such as abandoning a person he loves and from whom he receives love, using the handy excuse of "suffering from childhood trauma." Ji Woo doesn't do anything wrong, he just stays away from Seo Joon and other people in his life to avoid being hurt.
Woo Hyun continues to show the same charm as his persistent Seo Joon. He continually and without hesitation expresses his feelings, says what he thinks and leaves no room for misunderstandings. He goes for it.
For his part, Kang Min continues to play his role as the grumpy but cute Ji Woo, but towards the end you will see him grow wings, all thanks to the persistence and love of Seo Joon.
If many BL sequels have disappointed for various reasons, 'To My Star 2' does the opposite, transforming a simple love story, but without much substance, into a moving saga of breakup and reconciliation. The maturity in the team, both acting and technical, is evident to deliver an ambitious product, the result of hard work and experience.
At this point in the note, you can already imagine what happens with Ji Woo and Seo Joon... But in case you weren't paying much attention, I can confirm that yes, they fight! However, in this case, new characters and new conflicts are added to the dynamic. With longer chapters, with diversification of filming settings and an increased supporting cast, with their plots, traumas and life stories, complex events and characters were developed that will enrich the main story through a compelling narrative.
And I leave for last, precisely because of its importance, an issue that is striking to me: it seems very light that in a country as conservative as South Korea where discrimination against members of the LGBT+ community still persists, marriage between people of the same sex, and homosexuals have difficulty fitting into society, since coming out is not welcomed in most families who consider homosexuality as something similar to a crime, show a rural community, generally defenders of patriarchal and heteronormative traditions, without its inhabitants ever questioning the "friendship" of the two protagonists when the type of relationship they maintain is evident and even trying to influence it so that it is fostered.
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Done right! Just done right!!!
It is pretty safe to say that the second season of this series is as magical as its first season was. And yes I am not exaggerating.I loved first season, well we all did. Although it isn't a new story but it hit all mark right. Only into first two episodes of second season, I could see how humble they remain and stick to the story rather lost into the fame received from first season. Both leading actor performed exceptionally well in their respective roles, and they are performing with equal passion in second season.
The story is pretty guessable and seems basic, but what magical is how actors persuaded its viewers that a story told many times, still can be fresh if it is made, performed and execute with passion. And I can clearly see the efforts of cast and production to bring a quality content to us once again.
There are no big daunt on coming out or big stigma of dating a celebrity, but rather their problem exist in them, which led to sway away in a relationship. But love never lessened never faltered. Sometimes when you love someone beyond your limits, you are bound to hurt that person with your inability to control your emotional outburst of good or bad intentions.
What I have seen so far, their breakup has a deep connection of love that is very much alive but rather it is on a small hiatus, as among them one, trying his best to become the best version of himself, before he could offer himself to his love of life.
Love bird KSJ is a quick to react, but at the same time, can't hold grudges, easily forgives, ducks in to the love of his love despite not committing any mistake, smiles at him, cares to death for him, expressive and lives for him, on the other hand, HJW, a quiet puppy, with less words and expressions, he has mammoth amount of equal love for his lover. Although one may seem HJW is not reasonable but he knows he is trying best as his personality is opposite to KSJ, but stepping out of his comfort zone and move into the world of KSJ was not an easy step.
HJW already a man with fewer words, left KSJ for reasons we will know in coming episodes, but one thing remains, he loves him, and loves him to the point that he had to leave in order for him not to hurt KSJ out of his own miseries.
Also, I was surprised the girl in this season would be KSJ ex, but it turned out to be HJW's. This was a unusual surprise, usually in such type of story, ex appears for a popular one or should I dare say for "seme (top)", I know it is stereotypical of me to say that, but that is a surprise actually. I am going to see how once again love will bloom again and how HJW entrust himself to KSJ once again.
I am so looking forward to, first two episodes made me fell for this series once again!!!
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The Story is too realistic. Not your burst of sweetness like S1.
I watched all available episodes just today and I am like in awe at where their relationship has headed to. Usually S2 are just a sweet and tangy continuation of S1. But this is a whole 360° to what one can expect or what I had expected. For now it's all SJ's pov and it's freaking heartbreaking for me. But I must admit that this story is very realistic when it comes to difficult human emotions.SJ is a like an abandoned puppy who has tried literally everything he could for this good for nothing relationship. And I am just sad and frustrated at how JW has been treating him. In S1 when SJ confessed initially, JW spoke of his doubts that SJ might play with his feelings or take this relationship as a child's play, but what JW did to SJ was exactly playing with his feelings for one or so year, using him as a substitute to taste somehting new for a while and then when he was done playing, he left. For 6 episodes if this was SJ's pov then I wanna see JW pov too coz for now he is being nothing but an as*hole.
rn I just want SJ to stop, stop wasting his time and energy on a stupid and arrogant man like JW. I cannot imagine how hard it is for SJ. working, leaving from work and coming to a remote area so far away and then keep getting rejected like a fool. Keep listening to stupid shit like what JW listed as their breakup reasons???? Does JW realise how ridiculously narcissistic and arrogant he himself is? People like SJ are hard to come by, they are like light, but they are also sensitive and alone. JW thinks he is the only lonely person when we already know (from S1) that it was never easy for SJ too. He is also very alone. He also struggled all his life. Just bc he is a star and he is rich doesn't mean he is not sensitive.
Oh god I am just so frustrated at this ill behavior of JW😠 I really don't care about a happy ending at this point. What I would love is a realistic ending just like how this whole season has been so far. No matter how diplomatic I try to be I still cannot wrap my head around this shitty behaviour toward a lovely person like SJ. It hurt me so much when SJ mentioned that he will change just to be with JW. No baby, in love you don't change, you adapt yourself to your lover likes or dislikes a bit but you still remain what you are.. and it has to be mutual. So no baby, you won't be SJ if you change and that stupid sh*t JW doesn't deserve this hardwork & true emotions of yours.
I wouldn't mind a sad ending but I also would like to see SJ happy whether it is with JW or without him. And I want JW to cry and regret for how shitty he has been to SJ. That's only justified.
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This review may contain spoilers
Han Ji Woo is a Noob
This BL show is way better than any other Korean one I have seen but I have a problem with Han Ji Woo's behavior towards Kang Seo Joon. He is being a total dick. And extremely cruel. While Kang Seo Joon on the other hand just wont stop following him around despite the constant crappy treatment. It doesn't matter why Ji Woo ghosted Seo Joon (blackmail, life or death or whatever), his treatment and the things he says to him are just so far beyond the pale that its unbelievable that anyone would ever get back with him after being treated that way (which i presume the two do end up back together). Personally i hope for an alternate ending where Ji Woo begs Seo Joon to take him back and is flat out, bluntly and in every nasty way possible rejected. And then Seo Joon runs off into the sunset with some other guy who is a 100 times hotter and nicer than Ji Woo.Was this review helpful to you?
Beautiful story
MY NUMBER 1 BL DRAMA THIS STORY IS SO AWESOME LOVE LOVE LOVE ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Was this review helpful to you?
Exceptional Talents
I loved season 1 and I am really excited for this seaso 2.. I love the fact that they stick still to their story. More secrets to be revealed. Love you KSJ and HJW. Fighting.. the story shows how the relationship goes. How many obstacles you will face. But i am pretty much sure if you love that person, you will really understand the differences. There is no perfect relationship. However, respect and acceptance is really important especially that everyday you are both exploring.Han Ji Woo maybe cold but i can see how caring he is to Kang Seo Jeon. They really love each other.
Another factor I want to know also is the character of Kim Hyung Gi. I hope there is more story about him.
Nevertheless, i love this series and will continue to support this series.
Love you all ❤️❤️❤️
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As bad as others say
To my Star S1 is a series I’ve watched many many many time. I’ve shown my friends and have praised the show often.S2 is nothing like S1, I understand that fandoms give leeway for some toxicity. However, what was displayed in this season was disgusting. while I believe Ji Woo has the right to choose who he wants to be with. I find it odd that SJ continues to grovel at his feet.
in no world does Ji Woo deserve SJ, I don’t really care about trauma anybody goes through. Adults are expected to live life and not act like a teenager who lives on angst.
I’m my opinion Season 2 doesn’t exist. Simply a fever dream by SJ, will feel the same about a Season 3 as well.
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EMOTIONAL DAMAGE
That sums up.I wouldn't rewatch the first 9 episodes even if someone paid me, but I still subject myself to the pain by watching some amazing FMVs... And then I go back to the last episode and the cycle of trauma continues.
It resonated with me so closely that I really regret watching and suffering through it. Is it a masterpiece? Maybe, probably so. But at what cost?
And for me, Seo Joon is such an unbelievable strong character because he is so hopeful, and amazingly full of life. Any other person would let the pain fester when they got back together and lash out at some moment. Only Seo Joon is capable of letting go, forgiving, almost forgetting, and trying to be happy. But for us, viewers, the pain is real and raw.
A fucking emotional damage.
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