This review may contain spoilers
A good amount of people will hate this but I gotta say.
First of all: the second season is better than the first. Period.To be honest I've only watched the second season because I was very excited when I've heard about this drama where the second lead actually got a shot. I was sick of dramas putting an unecessary love triangle that everybody knew the second lead had no shot (still suffering from True Beauty). I got through the cringey plot, the corny scenes and problematic characters only for that. In 2019, when the drama was first released, I watched. I barely could finish the first episode of so bad I thought it was. Yes, I did only rewatch the first ep, and then watched the rest of the show (2 years later) due the buzz of the second lead having a shot.
This may escape from being a critical review, it's more like a "defense" of an unjustified attack this drama got. I can't get why people are so in love with Sun-Oh. Is due his looks? (I personally don't find him attractive, neither of both, but I do think in fact Hye-Young is better looking than Sun-Oh). But really, you guys should revalue your concepts, that's not what love is, that's not a healthy relationship, not in terms of friendship or romantic. He only expect and demand from people. He's what we call a rebel with no cause. I've heard one of the reviews saying "Jojo had no regards of Sun-Oh's feelings".... DID SUN-HO HAD REGARDS OF JOJO'S FEELINGS? Hyn-Yeong' feelings, his allegedly bestfriend? His girlfriend who always stood beside him? NOO. He did not have regards for anyone's feelings. Potential? No, he had no character's potential. The writers didn't ruin him, he was already bad written in the first place.
The drama itself only revolves about the relationship between these three. To be honest, it's more Jojo trying to live her relationship and Sun-Oh going after her time after time hurting Yuk-jo's feeling over and over. Interesting enough, I didn't think it got dull to watch, and look, I'm not a very romantic kind of girl, I do think it'd be better if they had a plot beside the love triangle, so many wasted material: Jojo's art thing for instance. The characters didn't have bigger aspirations in life, what Jojo was studying? What Hye-Yeong wanted to do as a career? Many unanswered questions. It had a lot of loose stitches, not gonna lie. But still, I liked watching it, maybe because I was keen of the main couple, they really grew on me. I thought they look good together, it had a lot of cute scenes too. Hye Yeong was always a very supportive and respectful about Jojo's life and decisions, while Sun-Oh would only be shouting at her demanding answers, acting like his life was the worst of all. So entitled, he thought the world was only about him. It truly made my day when Hye-Yeong punched him in the face.
Back to my point, I tend to drift away from my subject. In the second season you're more used to this whole love alarm idea, and you kind get why this is so important for them, although it may seem silly at first. Once you get used and set your mind for this concept, the actions and story becomes better (or at least less frustrating and less: "why they care so much about this?"). Although it could be better developed, there is a message behind it, about the issues/bad side of social media, technology and algorithm.
The OST here is awesome, it really made everything better and more emotional. A lot of depht. As you can read by know, I developed a big aversion of Sun-Oh, however, his last scene with Jojo was very good, very emotional, full of nostalgia. It touched me. People change, the heart changes, love change, life moves on. Another thing that usually annoys me in k-dramas is this scenario where someone you dated for a month in high school and that you're still madly in love and it makes impossible to you to date anyone after that (or worse: to feel you don't deserve love again). Gosh, you're not a penguin, it's not only one love for life and that's it. You can have crushes, you can love again.
Overall, is not the best drama ever, obviously is not. But this season deserves way better. I just needed to say these things. Thank you if you read to this point. :)
*I'm rating this keeping in mind the last season *
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S2 is good, for me.
Love Alarm is not a masterpiece, however, the actors are really good, the music is amazing, I enjoy the production value of most scenes, AND, it stuck to the values of the author, which I respect so much. The author doesn’t owe viewers anything, so the hate she, the drama writers and directors are getting feels a bit much to me.I guess if you are heartbroken about the pairing you ship, and feeling dead inside, you will find the plot of S2 boring, but, that’s not my case, so I was never bored at all, except for one moment in the last episode where they went all mystic. I never even used the skip 10 seconds button, which is usually used a lot.
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This review may contain spoilers
Great Message and break the usual K-drama stereotype!
Tackle the aspect of moving on in life, healing from past wounds, and relying too much on application to determine one feeling.Despite the majority of outrage of the ending of Love Alarm 2. I really enjoy the show for what the message trying to convey.The Characters
Jojo
This girl really went through a lot and a major guilt complex. Her flaw of running away, "wishy-washy" attitude, and lack of communication with other characters can cause a lot of frustration for viewers. Despite that, I'm glad that she make a decision and move towards being a better person.
For me, the highlight of her character when accepting her past and feeling of heaviness and moving on with life. I'm glad she slowly heals from her past baggage. She's actually my favourite out of the three.
Hye Young
Hye Young character takes some time to grow on you from season 1.He remains to be a patient and respectful to Jojo. His presence brings comfort and serenity to Jojo. His flaw is always sacrificing his feelings for others, which Jojo highlighted on. Moreover, this season briefly touches on his family which adds a nice character to him.
Sun Oh
To be honest for Sun Oh, acts the way he did is due to the lack of love in his family and getting hurt from Jojo. Despite his selfish behaviour I find his character quite endearing.
Though, he continues to act like a brat when things don't go in his way and in the process hurt both Jojo and Yook Jo in the confrontation scene.
I'm glad he gets the proper closure with Jojo in the end and slowly move on to have a proper "fresh start" with Yook Jo.
Gul Mi really grows on me this season. Her bratty attitude is still there but her motives to see the developer is hilarious and ironic. I do enjoy her character this season more.
I find the cast for season 2 shrinks by in size. For the characters, I do enjoy the 3 mains for their flaws and character development.
Cinematography
Continues to be good! The shots are beautifully taken. I stopped several times just to take a screenshot of the beautiful scenes.
Music
The new ost is great! Can't wait for the new soundtrack to be out.
Things I don't like
Several plot points got shafted and barely got enough explanation such as Brian Choo and Duk Gu. It will good to have a further explanation of the apps and their relationship.
Maybe it's just me there's a lack of proper explanation on The Ringing World plot. The stalker guy just got arrested all of the sudden. :/
Some parts of the show feel a bit draggy, this could be attributed to the slower pacing in season 2.
Most of the negative feedback due to the end ship :(
To those who are willing to give this drama a watch, please keep an open mind and try to understand the message and lesson behind it. You might truly appreciate it.
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This review may contain spoilers
NOT BIG SPOLIER just a few things you should know before watching thisb drama
This drama was different from the others i usually watch. That's why many watchers are dissappointed in this drama. Well firstly the FL mett her first love in school, then broke up with him and few years later falling in love with his best friend. That would not be that bad but they made whole season 1 and 2 look like she and her first love are supposed to be together. I was very dissappointed in storyline becouse i wanted somebody other to be the ML actually in the end i ended up crying. But i would not put this drama between those bad ones, i would just say it was waaaaay too realistic i mean the romance and for somebody it could be a big dissapointment. So you can try watch it but be aware of the twisted ending.Was this review helpful to you?
Love Alarm could have been so much more than this.
The concept of Love Alarm itself is so intriguing - it's something that would fit right in with the Black Mirror series. However, it only scratched the surface of this amazing concept which is such a major waste. The plot itself was bland, horrible and failed the bring out the potential of Love Alarm and the effects it could have on society. The series was just filled with childish decisions, selfish thoughts, and half-assed feelings.I did like the ending though, for the most part. I was only able to get through both seasons because of the actors.
It's really disappointing Read More
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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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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?
I Don't Know What I Was Expecting ... But ...
I honestly don't know what I was expecting in this second season. I didn't like the first one and the only reason why I got through this one is because I was in the middle of crocheting and didn't want to get up to rummage through my "Plan to Watch" list.What is the story? I understand the title, but I don't understand the story. I was really hoping for more development and some closure leading into this second season and I still got absolutely nothing. The characters are dull, boring, and completely unrelatable. There is so much nothing, I wasn't at all surprised, let down, or even baffled by the end. It was just ... oh, ok? ... that's it ...
The acting was exactly the same as Season 1? Did they continuously film this or was there an actual gap? The acting is dry and forced. It's almost like they didn't even enjoy the character they are portraying.
The music is lackluster. Nothing memorable that makes me want to hesitate skipping to the next episode because I want to continue singing the theme.
There is no rewatch value ... literally none ...
Overall, I do still want to check out the webtoon to find out if there is some semblance of a plot. The drama does nothing in any way shape or form. I think this was the first drama that I was not cheering for a single character. I sighed a breath of pained relief when the final credits rolled.
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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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Wasted many hours of my time!
I was enjoying the first season but the second season doesn't make sense. **Spoiler Alert** It doesn't make sense for a young lady to end a relationship so suddenly with someone who she was in love with. Jo Jo and Sun-Ho clearly loved each other. Jo Jo ended the relationship to prevent Sun-Ho and herself from being hurt.JoJo said she didn't want to have a relationship ever again with anyone . If she changed her mind surely she would try again with the person who she deeply loved and not try to force herself to love someone else. This has really made me feel low. I love a good romance story but not one which splits up the loving couple who were clearly meant for each other
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