This review may contain spoilers
It was just frustrating
This was an utter disappointed from beginning to end. We have waited for two years to receive a second season and this is what they came up with?The story could have gone into such a nice direction since I believe the idea of "love alarm" was original and had potential. However, they did not make use of it enough, in my opinion. They could have driven the story further by removing the shield from KJJ and her having to face her feelings. The main plot they had was, like in every drama, no communication. If everybody would have just talked to each other, all issues would have been resolved. Even in the end it was disappointing that she never explained HSO why she installed the shield and why she broke up with him. We only get an "I'm sorry" and that is it. We get no closure because a lot of things are left unsaid. Not to forget that the story takes place over a couple of years and not a single character has changed. They all remain the same and stick to not talking it out with each other. That was very frustrating.
As already mentioned, I fairly enjoyed the first season and that is why I was excited to see the second one. Already at the beginning I was confused since we never really get to see the outcome of the ending of the first season. Additionally, I do not know why they focused on KJJ and HSO so much in the first season, only to let her be with LHY in the end. Personally, I did not really feel the chemistry between KJJ and LHY at all. The scenes of them together in the second season did not feel genuine and I only waited for things to go wrong. I would have wanted more interaction between KJJ and HSO but HSO was basically irrelevant in the second season. The only thing that he did was harass KJJ, scream at her and stalk her. (I still do not know why people romanticise these things...)
Other storylines were completely useless since it did not do anything for the plot. The story of HSO's family did not really change HSO or his actions. Further, the story of PGM and CDG was disappointing. All in all, I did not enjoy the side stories.
In conclusion, I think the second season had a great base with the first 8 episodes but they did not realise its full potential. It is a long, slow-pace story which only frustrates you. I do not know if they had issues with filming because of the pandemic or something else but the second season seemed rushed and not thought-through.
Lastly, some scenes were filmed in a weird way. I do not know why some scenes were filmed in that particular way. For example, when HSO talks to YJ after he drives her home we never see their faces. It was supposed to be an emotional scene but it was only filmed from afar. (?) Also sometimes half the screen was covered with furniture or a wall but then did not have a nice transition to the next scene. (?) I think one time they tried to immitate a famous scene when they used a mirror to film LHY but I believe that was the only thing they focused on regarding filming.
In my opinion, just watch the first season and leave this one out. It is better to have an open ending in season 1 than going through the painful process of watching season 2 and being frustrated in the end.
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This review may contain spoilers
Absolutely brilliant - one of my favourite dramas in 2021
This drama had me hooked from the beginning. They did such a great job in introducing the characters, showing their development and completing each story line. It was a refreshing, feel-good and realistic drama. Each episode was exciting and I was never once bored.The relationship between the main couple was very well developed. They showed us that they talked a lot, they laughed together and first became friends before anything else happened. Also, they did not use the typical plotline of misunderstanding because they actually talked with each other.
I really enjoyed that they fought society's stereotypes such as the man has to confess, the man has to propose, the woman has to do all the house chores and even that they both wanted to be intimate with each other and not only one person. Their relationship felt genuine and they had awesome chemistry. Additionally, I enjoyed that there was a lot of skinship. It made everything more realistic.
The only thing that bothered me was that once the couple got together firstly, that the female lead changed a lot. Of course, it was to show that she was in love but it did not do justice for her strong and fierce character that she was before. Also, that they included her hitting him because they did not want the others to find out about their relationship was too much for me. You should never hit anybody to that extent.
Furthermore, the other storylines kept the show interesting. The ratio between the main couple and the side stories was well done. They included topics such as sexual harrassment, marriage issues, being old, sexuality and many more. In general, the stories of the neighbours were interesting and also well thought-through.
All in all, the show was considerate of the current times and more advanced than other dramas I have watched. It was refreshing to see a more realistic story. I absolutely enjoyed this drama and it became one of my favourite dramas. The last few episodes made me cry so much but in a good way. It is definitely worth the watch.
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This review may contain spoilers
Enjoyable drama with a disappointing message
This drama is a feel good drama and always wants you to continue watching. I have to mention that this drama has everything that you would want in a drama. The misunderstandings, the rich, handsome male lead, the second male lead, the friendship and the family.Personally, I have to say that even though I have already watched multiple dramas I still cannot get enough of the rise in tension when the episode is about to end. You do know the outcome sometimes but it just constantly keeps you on your toes.
All three leads in this drama did a good job of portraying their character. Lim Ju Kyeong played by Moon Ga Young shocked me at first because I only knew her from her other drama "Tempted". The range this woman has is amazing! Cha Eun Woo who played Lee Su Ho was a perfect fit for the cold jerk since he has that mysterious, arrogant vibe about him. Lastly, Han Seo Jun played by Hwang In Yeop did an excellent job. I was fascinated by his acting skills. I noticed that he really tried to act naturally and based on what a real person would do, especially with his facial expressions.
The other actors did a wonderful job as well but I have to say that those three stole the show, hihi.
However, the story in itself worries me. The basis of the entire story is that the female lead is "ugly". The only thing that they did to make her "ugly" is make her have red skin, some pimples and she has to wear glasses. This is what made me angry. Why exactly is a little bit of discoloration of the skin considered ugly? We are human beings and not puppets. Additionally, everybody has pimples. Especially, when you are a teenager. Why is that still considered "ugly"? Lastly, when exactly have glasses become a sign of "ugliness"? They are such a cool accessory and can make your face look different in a good way. Why exactly is a visual impairment considered such an "ugly" thing in society? Furthermore, when she is younger it is clearly visible that they made her eyebrows darker and thicker in an unrealistic way. Dark, thick eyebrows can be really cool and beautiful as well. In general, I just did not like this aspect of her being portrayed as ugly even though other people might struggle with the exact same issues but are beautiful.
(Spoilers from now on)
Later on in the series they seem to just accept everything quite easily only because she was bullied for it. However, we never got to the fact that she has been called ugly by everybody around her, even her own family, which should also be considered bullying. I am not saying you should go out and tell everybody they are beautiful if you do not think they are but just let people be if you do perceive them as ugly. Everybody has their own opinion and you know that if you force your own opinion on somebody else, they will be hurt if it is a negative thing. In general, I would have wanted this issue to be covered more in depth and it would have also been great to know why exactly the bullies had a problem with her other than her being ugly. A backstory for the bullies would have added addiitonal understanding of the problems that people have to face in society.
Further, the relationship between Lim Ju Kyeong and Lee Su Ho was not healthy. They even showed that they were not able to tell each other everything in that one scene where Lee Su Ho has so many things on his mind but only ends up saying that he loves her instead of talking about his issues. This is probably also the reason why I wanted to see her with Han Seo Jun since those two actually talked together about their feelings and what was on their minds. Regarding this, I would have wanted a portrayal of a healthier relationship between the two main leads. I believe it would have also made people pine less for Han Seo Jun but still enough that the story would not have been tainted.
Lastly, the fact that so many things involved physical fights without any major consequences made me worry. There were so many times that they got into a fight without any major consequences. This does not really set a good example for the younger audience. However, I do know that this is common in these kinds of dramas and somehow a part of what people want to see. I just think that the main message again that they told us is that you have to physically fight your bullies in order for them to leave you alone since that is the last scene we see of the bullies with Lim Ju Kyeong. It would have been nice to have a realistic way of dealing with the bullies instead of a fist fight to make the main character even stronger.
All in all, I enjoyed watching it because it had some funny scenes and the love triangle really put me on the edge of my seat this time around. For further dramas, I wish that they could add in a better message to the viewers. I enjoyed it because I knew that the things they did in this drama were very common for dramas but it should definitely be watched knowing that this is not how the world and society should be.
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