Go Go Squid 2: Dt. Appledog's Time (2021)

Couldn't Stand Watching at Normal Speed

Not sure if it was because I'm holding a high expectation from Go Go Squid (GGS) or the story is really that boring, but I really couldn't watch this without fast forwarding. Even when I'm watching in 1.5 speed, it is still so slow.

Sorry that I have to disappoint GGS fans, but this isn't the Season 2 you are anticipating. It is basically same story but focusing solely on the other couple (DT and Appledog). TBH, I enjoyed the songs, the casts, the interaction between K&K and how they tweaked the game into the robotic race, but besides the mentioned; the love story, the reenact of the Solo Team story was just boring, not just a little, but quite. I intend to finish the series until it all came out at once and I learnt that the main couple of GGS is only appearing on the last episode, I watched it and thereafter decided to not finish the rest.

GGS was a pretty successful series as they don't only have the story of the main couple but also the story of Solo Team, the kiddo of Solo with the mother, Xiao Mi couple, with a few of the K&K kids' side stories; the whole series became very comprehensive and lots of different chemistry within. BUT for this one, they had similar Solo Team story but a simplified version (plus all the flashback scenes are without Han Shang Yan, looks like a pretty dried out Solo Team story), also have Grunt's and a few opponent stories but still make it up to 38 episodes, turns out to be very draggy. Because they wanted to keep the main cast but they are not featured in most of the scenes, everything look so empty. When they were in competition, no boss, no tutor (captain), smaller team and most of the time only few of them, everything is just weird for me. Anyway, I would say the only good thing was the robot housekeeper which is super cute!

Talking about love story, I had totally no issues with Li Yi Tong, I love her and find her pretty matching with Hu Yi Tian but their story doesn't seem to be appealing. Similar to GGS, they both started with one of the lead in love with the other one; but this series, they had a lot slow-motion scenes in the start featuring both looking into each other's eyes, also a lightbulb room to summarize their relationship in the epilogue, I find it pretty unnecessary, especially when you haven't even build up a deep relationship. Those came so random, to the extent I don't find it relatable and it doesn't touch the bottom of my heart.

But again, I believe some people still enjoy watching Hu Yi Tian and Li Yi Tong together on screen or maybe the K&K team as well (But I miss DEMO), you can still go ahead and try. But please don't have your hopes to high or else you will be as disappointed as I am...

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Watch season 1 first for small details.

Writing, story and actors is good .Season 1 is more about Han Shangyan /Gun's glory and dreams . While this season focuses on Ai Qing / Apple dog's dreams .It's awkward to see DT/Wu Bai talking more but his acting skills have improved. The producers were trying to create this squid universe it would have been better if they didn't changed some actors from first season like Mi Shaofei ,solo etc. They should have stick to CTF to make viewers more nostalgic to season 1 .New actors forT eam Solo are also nice but they look awkward with Han Shangyan with all those photoshop photos and even some of the flash backs Han Shangyan is missing. Still plot is faster then season1 and have done good job with small details. The timeline is little confusing as episode 1-10 focuses before tong nian and 11 after tong nian. I suggest to watch season1 and 2 separately.

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One time watch

For starters I will say that if you guys have watched GGS 1 and you compare it with this drama you would be a little disappointed.
Both the story have same timeline but the fields shown are different. Even the cast has been changed while characters are mostly the same.
DT Appledog’s time is more focused on love story of the leads which goes very smoothly without any third factor. The work and competition story has not been focused on.
Personally, I felt that in season 1 each and every character had a significance and was showcased beautifully. Their work was crisp and clear. In S2 the other characters have lost their track completely.
Mi Shoefai character mostly is quite disappointing in this season as we could say in S1 he had second lead love story.
Speaking of Han Shangyan and Tong Nian, if you think that they have a part then you will be disappointed as they just come for seconds literally.
I have watched S1 3-4 times but S2 is such a drag, The ML and FL acting skills are great. Both are talented even the other members especially SOLO looks great but the drawback is just the storyline.
The story could have been better if it could have continuation.

Do tell me if this was helpful.

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Slow but satisfying watch- one of the best endings ever

I super happy I gave some time to this drama because it was worth it. No matter how different it was from Season 1, I'd still consider this Go Go Squid 2 although here the "Squid" has little to no importance. The story still has heart, the characters are incredibly nice, the cast fits well and the romance got even better.

PLOT:
It's fairly simple. It was fairly refreshing to see Wu Bai chasing Ai Qing as S1 was all about Tong Nian pursuing Han Shangyan. I did skip some gaming sub plots but other than that the drama was pretty consistent. It was less comedy and more drawn-out, slow burn romance. But this version was undoubtedly more romantic in some ways and the main two couples complimented each other. My favourite part was the ending because it gave a good closure to S1 and 2 both and I was elated to see Tong Nian and Han Shangyan make appearances again (yes!).

ROMANCE:
It was both the best and also somewhat flawed part of the drama. The romance took me some to get into because it was very, very slow. The long stares and gazes were somewhat boring but because Wu Bai and Ai Qing were so serious about each other- they made it work. I wanted to drop this but glad I held on because they had a genuinely sweet relationship. At times I favoured the second couple more because their chemistry was more natural and the interactions were more fun. The romance wasn't what I usually like but the actors made it work.

ACTING:
Everyone did a decent job but for me the star was Li Yi Tong. She played her part with a lot of poise and made her character seem very chill and mature. Hu Yi Tian wasn't ever in my list of good actors but he did great here. I also want to mention Wang An Yu because this role suited him a lot. He seems youthful and playful and he got the perfect role here. I also like Ai Qing's sister- she was very likable too. I'll also mention Li Xian and Yang Zi doing their cameos well and still being as interesting as they were in S1.

OVERALL:
I did skip some boring game talk but it was handled better than some other sports/e-sports dramas I have seen. This drama could have been shorter but in a way the slow burn is satisfying to watch. Maybe it would have been best for a 24-28 episode drama but since we get the perfect happy ending for our main couples for S1 and S2, I cannot complain.

I recommend this to people who have time because it is a very slow-ass drama and even seems draggy and pointless at times. But if you like the leads, it's probably worth it.

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a good fluff after a sad drama

This is good but also slow. If you need a fluff after a sad drama this is for u because there's a bunch of sweet scene! I love season 1 as that's one my earliest cdrama, they have special place on my heart so I try to not think about it so much and just separated them. So I really love it when Han Shangyan and Tong Nian showww up hehe ^^

This is slow for me especially during the first half since a lot of "slowed eye-contact staring" between them. One of the main reason this is so draggy. I used speed button A LOT if not I can't finish this one. They can actually end this within 24eps :)

Anyway, Wu Bai is a best boy. Although, my personality might not match with him as he love to do so much for people he love. I'm not that person who easily accept others giving. The only time I don't like him was when he used too much force to Ai Qing when he was jealous. I do hope he apologized to Ai Qing for that. I love how he talk more this season, that was the development from ep1 till ep38 we can totally see!

Ai Qing was totally loveable. She think mostly on logic side that it's so cute because Wu Bai tend to just go for it if Ai Qing want it. I miss to see her in her "Appledog's" shirt tho huhuhu.

Chemistry I like it, there are cute, adorable and sweet together. Really suitable for each other although some said she don't look like a jiejie to him but I guess because I know she's older than she look so it's doesn't bother me. But the sweet scene was a little bit too much tho. (this is my first time I wish to see less sweet scene hahahaha)

My rant will be we see so little scene of K&K's member. Only more during the second half of the drama and for me, I feel more excited here. The cast of S1 are still more memorable than this one except for Grunt and Slide for me.

Also, this bother me so much how K&K club to Ai Qing's house was supposed to be 3/4hrs drive away but for some magical reason, it's got shorter and shorter as the drama goes on. One time, they're fighting, Ai Jing went out to go to K&K for Wu Bai and few mins after she went out, Slide come to chat with Ai Qing which don't take much time but then Wu Bai as always he come from there and somehow end up in front of Ai Qing house at the same time as when Ai Qing want to go to him (right after Slide go back) like WHATTTTT

Also the central park and SP at first Wu Bai need to drive from SP to the central park but eh during the ice-cream scene it's as if Central Park was just walking distance from SP. It's bother me sm :3

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Some of you might be mad but…

Some of y’all might disagree with my opinion but oh well. For me, this season is WAY better than season 1. It’s weird that some people in the comments in some of the episodes were saying that “season 1 was better”. lol first of all, it’s disrespectful and it’s weird to comment that. I think we all have opinions and have a right to stick to them. But seeing comments like that is frustrating for fans of season 2 to see. If y’all think season 1 is better than keep it to yourself or comment HERE not under the episodes ?Anways, this couple were so so cute. The chemistry was everything. For me, the friendships were also good in this season. For people who want to watch this but aren’t sure if they should because the comments saying “season 1 was better”. Please give it chance.

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Annoying parallel story of a good show

I'll start with what I liked., I like the actress playing the female lead (at least in other shows) and her acting was fine. I liked a couple of the songs.

Now for the mess that was this show. It is neither a sequel nor a prequel but a parallel story. If I had not seen Go Go Squid, I may have rated this a 5 - basically no character development, and lots of scenes with the leads staring or flashing back to something that literally happened a minute ago. There was really not much, there were other characters in the show that basically ha no story and were just there - had I not seen Go Go Squid I would have no idea who they were and would not have cared about them, so it is hard to judge this as stand alone show and not compare to the FAR superior first show.

There are just so many things that made me scratch my head but I was giving the show the benefit of the doubt..... half the characters have new actors, which was jarring but I can manage that. The ML was the same and the grandpa, 97 and One where the same. They also brought back the same actors for Han Shangyan and Tong Nian, the leads of Go Go Squid.... I almost wish they hadn't since the story basically derailed everything. Next the competition changes from Cyber security to Robot battles, with no explanation. The sets changed, and K&K moved from Norway to Chicago, and the entire K&K team was like 3 people. While Han Shangyan was mentioned he was never there for ANY of the events and the absolutely perfect Wu Bai was the one managing the club and making all of the decisions - recruiting the team and Little Mi to be the manager. Half way through the show I started to hate it and what the did to the original. I get the parallel story but to undo everything.

Where the original was cute, had a less than perfect ML growing and developing, and actually spent time given us back story on a lot of characters so you knew who they were and understood them. This version is a perfect ML and an annoying second couple (FL leads sister and Grunt (different actor). Everyone else else was just background and never developed.

I cannot understand why they basically removed Han Shangyan from having any part (to the point of being neglectful of the club). I assume the actor was busy and didn't want to bother with a minor role, so he just showed up as a guest. What I do not get was the need to wipe him out of the Solo team back story, and his presence with the team and make the ML of this being the only person doing anything.

It is so frustrating for the first time ever I wrote a review before finishing and I am seriously debating dropping the show.

UPDATE.... I finished the show. I was going to update this every episode with what was annoying. It really didn't get better. I mean at the world championship Han Shangyan was not even around. I'm assuming the actor was not available but really???? They made everything about how perfect Wu Bai was.

As for the wedding - I feel it cheapened Han Shangyan and Tong Nian in a way they were an after thought. Would Little Mi who was Han Shangyan best friend, be with Wu Bai to pick up his bride? ugh. I will see it was great seeing Han Shangyan and Tong Nian and I felt they seemed sooo much happier (especiallyHan Shangyan) at the wedding. It just reminded me how much I liked them and that this show was a pale comparison,

Final thoughts, if there was no Go Go Squid, this was a middling effort with a bland love story and a lot of characters that were never fully developed but there (Little MI story is missing, Solo story and his daughter) so it was hard to understand any of the characters without knowing Go Go Squid. Which is the probably with this show.... Go Go Squid was better in story telling and acting. It was funnier and more serious at the same time, this parallel show was just bland. Although the FL actress was good in GGS2.

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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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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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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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This is an excellent romance of a guy's devoted love since a teenager for a girl just three years older than him. He charts the course of his career and goals all for the love he cherishes in his heart. I adored the male lead's robot son almost as much as the main leads.??‍?

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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