vienibenmio

Oh man, I loved it. But I also love Gyu-hyun and Ja-yeon. I probably wouldn't recommend this one to people that got sick of them in NGNL. It's not only a silly love story, it's also a glimpse into Ja-yeon's psyche and how she writes as a form of escapism. She creates a world where she will experience the unconditional love that she thinks she lacks. It's so nice to watch it knowing that, in the future, this will no longer be a fantasy for her (obviously, Gyu-hyun, but also she'll come to realize how much Hae-yeong loves her). I also loved how there were so many easter eggs and parallels of scenes or interactions she would have with Gyu-hyun in "reality" in the future. Finally, it was INCREDIBLY fun to see more of her novel. I would definitely read it if it were real!

I'm just trying to figure out if Gyu-hyun became her Ha-jun because she subconsciously had feelings for him early on (maybe when he helped her after she fell and brought her phone to the police station? Or just classic love at first sight?) or if she fell for him because he was her Ha-jun. Either way, it seems like Ja-yeon falls in love pretty quickly (she fell for real Ha-jun pretty after just one interaction too).

Right, but I think that's because we skipped ahead in the novel. We opened with the beginning, but by the time Ja-yeon woke up as Yeon-seo we were at a future point in the story where Ha-jun had softened towards her. That or he became more like Gyu-hyun personality-wise

It's ep 5 (when she passes out) and ep 6 (when she wakes up) in NGNL

I don't really get the people that wanted her with Ha-jun and were dissatisfied that he got thrown out of the running. He was never IN the running. he didn't have feelings for her at all. Heck, he saved her in his phone as "Children's author"

I was also getting invested in the novel story! I'd read the heck out of it

To see the actual ending, you have to watch NGNL. You'd start from ep 5 if you want to see what happened in the "real world" while she was unconscious, or ep 6 if you want to pick up from when she wakes up

She's so expressive, too

He also was Monty in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, which requires legit (almost classical) singing

Right, I think that Gyu-hyun became her Ha-jun because she subconsciously loved him, or it's possible she loved him because he was her Ha-jun.

I adore the second couple but it was also fun to see the novel play out as it was supposed to!

I would strongly recommend watching the parent story first, or at least after. I'm sure it's fine as a standalone, but the context gives it a lot more depth and meaning imo

Oh, I definitely am! I just have to finish my work day first, lol

It is the same writer, for what it's worth. Also, I haven't watched SUOL yet, but doesn't what you describe also kind of reflect Gyu-hyun's arc in NGNL?

Yeah, it would have made me uncomfortable if Ja-yeon got really explicit sex scenes considering she's a virgin in real life (usually otomeisekai it's the opposite - sexually experienced woman gets transmigrated into the body of a character who is a virgin)

It starts out as the actor who plays Ha-jun in NGNL, who originally inspired the character (he's even named after him)

The spinoff takes place entirely in Ja-yeon's head, and in the NGNL timeline occurs within less than a day. It would definitely not be the primary story. In fact, all Spice Up Our Love does is give some context to Ja-yeon's thoughts and feelings in NGNL.

Aww, man, I hoped we'd get a flash forward to after NGNL ended. Oh well, at least I can rewatch ep 12 of NGNL to see the real ending. Thanks!

It is on Prime, or at least it's supposed to be

I haven't watched it yet, but that's what I expected they would do.

I think you need to watch NGNL to fully appreciate their dynamic. I haven't been able to watch this yet, but they have amazing chemistry in NGNL