Probably one of the underrated ones this year
the chemistry is probably the one thing viewers will take notice on early into the drama and it also has a good balance between the romance and sport and they tried their best with itleads are probably one of the best things about this drama atp the chemistry top class , acting top class ml really shines
and both characters are really well they kinda balance each other out and side characters also did a really good job in setting the mood and immersion i guess lol anyway for me this drama is a reason i look forward to weds and thrusdays so hope you start it whoever is reading this review and give it a try the drama really deserves it
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Still smiling thinking about this show 10 months later
I watched this underrated drama 10 months ago in 3 days and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about it. Taeyang and Taejun have to be one of my top 3 kdrama couples.Lets start off with the story. So the show mainly focuses on Taejun, Taeyang, badminton and their relationship with each other as well as the sport. Personally I am not a fan of sports dramas, however I loved this one. I think the show has a very good ratio of badminton to drama. One thing that did take me by surprise is the fact that this show is honestly a light hearted melodrama. Taejun and Taeyang both have a lot of childhood trauma, family issues and psychological issues that they both need to overcome in order to make their relationship work and to fulfil their dreams as badminton players. Although, in the later quarter of the drama the show can be more emotional and serious (the story does need to progress so no complaints from me) there is also plenty of comedy relief. From the team, to the many coaches, love all play had me smiling and giggling. The show also does have multiple couples which was enjoyable but didn't shy away from the main couple. The Yunis team also does live in dorms so there is a sense of that University life within the show.
NOW ONTO THE GOOD BIT. Never in my life have I watched a kdrama and loved a couple this much. Their chemistry was absolutely perfect and found myself having butterflies and smiling anytime Chae Jong Hyeop smiled. Seriously my jaw hurt from smiling so much, kicking my feet in joy, putting my phone down whenever the scene was too sweet. No character has boyfriend the way Taejun has boyfriend in a show. From the minute he saw her it was like love at first sight and pursued her so persistently and cutely, I too was falling for him. He was so obsessed with her ( as he should be) and smitten and I have genuinely never enjoyed watching a man pursue a woman in a romance drama so much in my life. I have genuinely rewatched this show so many times because I have yet to find a couple that I like more than them two.
Park Juhyun is one of my favourite Korean actresses and have literally watched every single one of her kdramas. She embodies versatility and it was a delight seeing her play yet another different character so well. I will always look forward to any kdrama she has coming up. In addition, this was the first kdrama that I've watched from Chae Jonghyeop and his acting was great. I have never seen an actor fit the 'golden retriever/ sunshine' trope so well. Of course the supporting cast were amazing as well!
The music was also great very catchy and uplifting.
Now, if I had any complaints it would be about Taeyang and the situation that caused her to leave badminton in the past. Although I understand why characters were angry, Taeyang did NOT deserve to be treated the way she was. I don't want to say too much because I do not want to include any spoilers but that situation was frustrating in the sense that it really wasn't solely her fault and people should take responsibility for themselves instead of pinning the blame.
I would definitely recommend this drama to any one who is a big fan of romance and doesn't mind sports dramas. Like I said it is not a full on melodrama however you can fill the essence of a melodrama. I have genuinely rewatched this drama every month and watch edits everyday of the Park twin couple!!
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First half intriguing, second half mehhhh
Love all play started very well, giving us a glance in the past of the main characters and focusing more on the sports aspect. The situation that young athletes go through in their life, was visibly portrayed in the first half of the drama.The downfall started in the next half, wherein it became more of a love story and very little a sport drama. Undoubtedly, the main characters 'Park Twins' had a good chemistry on screen, however too much of an emphasis on their love life and not on their professional life as a badminton player, let me down in the second half.
The soundtrack was decent, however while watching the show, it felt like an Instagram filter thanks to it's weird production. Overall, Love all Play had good intentions but didn't stood upto the expectations as a sports drama.
My Rating : 5/10
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The Park Twins
I LOVED THIS DRAMA. This was the first CJH drama i watched where he was a ML. LIKE FINALLY?He is such a green flag here and a good actor. His emotions and all seem so genuine here and he was really feeling thr character. There was no awkwardness in their characters and they truly look like they were in love. The FL? Damn she is good. I got emotional during het story and when she ran away, i got all sad.
This drama is not just about them playing badminton but its more to that. Its about their story on how they become good at it and what helped them to become what they are now. Its more than just a simple drama. This is similar to racket boys i gotta say and overall i could say i definitely 100% enjoyed this drama.
Would i rewatch this? OFC!
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Love All Play Does NOT Play Around (Except With Your Heart)
I was first going to point you in the direction of the synopsis and go on about my feelings instead but the synopsis on here is pretty terrible and I probably wouldn’t have picked it up had it not been for the ML. Which, hey, what a great place to start. The ML in this show is the greenest green flag to ever flag. Or green. Or exist, whatever. You get the idea. He sits at the table with some of my favorite green flag MLs and I don’t give that title lightly. He is literal sunshine and made me smile like an idiot on several occasions. I can’t stress this enough. I just need you to know this before I go on about the synopsis and then my feelings. Okay, cool. Moving on (for now).Love All Play is about a badminton team. It’s about the different plays on the team and their individual struggles individually and as members of a team, together. Obviously, our focus is on our FL and ML but we get insight into other members of the team occasionally and they are just as special in my heart honestly. Our FL is returning to badminton after leaving the Olympic team in disgrace. There’s a lot of question marks about what happened and why, but the main story is bribery and then she literally disappears off everyone’s radar. Our ML is kind of apathetic about badminton, despite being a great athlete and this being his livelihood. It seems more like a job than a passion, and his heart isn’t really into it. There’s a lot more to it than that, but I can’t really say without spoiling. Both the FL and ML get picked up by a commercial team and the rest is just … kind of magic to watch. She’s scared, holding back (both herself and just so so much else), very much hated by her ex-teammates and others in the profession, and is having a really hard time but she also loves the sport so much she can’t bear to be away anymore. The ML is really great and talented but there’s no spark in what he does and he almost doesn’t seem to care… about anything. Now pair them up together and they really bring out the best in each other. Both leads are really warm and loving in different ways and it was truly a joy to watch their romance unfold.
I will say, the romance isn’t as prominent as other romance kdramas because there is so much focus on other aspects of the show, character growth, and just plot. However, what we do get is so so beautiful. I also need you to know that there are a lot of heavy topics and issues that are addressed and dealt with in the show. It’s not all fun and games, despite it being centered around one. Sometimes it was a lot, especially with how much the FL had to deal with.
Despite all of that (or maybe because of it), I highly recommend this show. It’s criminally underrated. It is about growth, about facing your fears, about loving something (or finding something to love) so much that you can’t not do it, about not just sitting down and doing nothing or letting fear win, but also about knowing when and where to stop. It made me cry and smile like an idiot. It was so well written and had so many different lovable characters that I adored. The cast was phenomenal and I loved them all. One person in particular (outside of our two leads) really really grew to be a favorite despite me hating him initially, and that’s what I love about this show. It’s about pain and dealing with it and growing and doing better. It’s about A LOT OF THINGS aND I LOVED IT OKAY.
Also the ML really really made my heart hurt in the best way. He was so loving and adorable and warm and just … I need you all to watch and experience this love too.
That is all, thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
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CHAE JONGHYEOP AND PARK TWINS' CHEMISTRY
HELLOOO I LOVE THIS SO MUCH HUHU. want me some taejun so badd like he is the standard fr. this show fits my need the moment i watched this bc i needed romance then it has an additional genre, my ult fav genre-sports, which is badminton and i like badminton!!! I am really happy that I did not watch this when it was still airing. The chemistry of all the characters is *chef's kiss*, the conflict, the relationship of the main leads, and the number of couples in the drama are all so impressive. Waaah, omg the personalities of both main leads are really great, and how they handle their relationship in and out of public is really my ideal relationship. They still show a bit of sweetness in public, and when they are alone, hugs and a few cries is already enough and they can call it a day. What I realized the most in this series is how I totally suck at comforting other people. Although I already know that, every time a confrontation comes and a character needs a comfort, I would always get nervous thinking how am I going to be able to comfort them if i was in their shoes?? Also, both of them is really good at playing their sports. What I can only critic is its ending because I really wanted to see their long-awaited match against junghwan and yumin but that's not enough for me to rate it below 10. If I could, I would really rate this 100/10 huhu yes it is legit nice. This is the first kdrama where I have encountered chae jonghyeop so you can say that this is definitely a blessing. He is so cute and handsome especially during the first eps and he looks and sounds so hot when gets mad and screams. And there's Taeyang (Park Juhyun) whose personality seems so bright but deep inside is struggling with her emotions. Haaaa they are so whipped for each other and they are totally meant to be. Anyways, this kdrama is really realistic and fun. I watched this not in a binge-watch manner, but when I get back to watching it again, it seems like I am still binge-watching it lol that is the best way to express how I enjoyed this one. So highly recommended. Where's my Taejun T^TWas this review helpful to you?
About friendship & healing
This was a series that started off well but began to drag and become repetitive about 1/2-way through.None of the 3 athletes involved in the "incident" in the past can get over themselves, and it makes them all unlikeable. The female lead's unending self-deprecation was too much. The characters do eventually improve, but it takes a long time. The most likeable character is the golden retriever-like male lead.
The romance is cute, but not the main focus. The private bandminton team environment is OK, but also takes a backseat.
There are other kdramas that handle romance & athletics in a much more compelling way - like the usuals: Fight for My Way, Weightlifting Fairy, 25/21
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OMGGG
Amazing! A great serial. Honestly, i didn't pretty liked this at first and the episodes just felt liked it would take 3 hours to finish. I would say the last 3 or 4 episodes just felt like it finished fast. I am the type who likes the episode to end fast and not, like to not feel like the episode is 3 hour long, but not to finish in 3 min, too. I liked the other couple( junghwan and yumin) more than taejoon and taeyang, but ?♀️. My opinion. I'm really happy that all ended good and they are happy together. BUT THE FINALLL! OMGG HOW CAN U LET ME LIKE THAT!? I WANTED TO KNOW( i know, you know, we know, lee know, haha) WHO WINS. but i guess we'll never knowWas this review helpful to you?
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dont waste ur time, it started great but slowly got worse
Beautiful start. I love their chemistry and history. Childhood lovers. it was pretty good, but things started to get sloppy. They rushed the romance. like dating in the first couple eps. The story was rushed and messed up. Some moments were too stretched while some were too rushed. Horrible time and duration management. It was really repetitive and boring.This show is only for people who have extreme patience to deal with annoying people.
OST: The ost was amazing. It started to remind me of Itaewon class. The singers' voices reminded me of Gaho the singer of the Itaewon class's ost. The story then started to remind me of Itaewon class. I always got goosebumps by the ost.
Characters were annoying:
The main female lead was so annoying and problematic. She ruins kinda everyone's life. I hate her personality and she got on my nerves so much. The main male lead was amazing. Major green flag. He just got unlucky and had a horrible love and personal life. His sister always being better than him and being favourited. And his love is so annoying.
SPOILERS:
When they randomly brought back his sister, I understand her but she is kinda a little dramatic. I would also be mad but i wouldn't bully her for it. In the end tho she had a good heart. Junghwan was annoying and couldn't pick a girl. I felt so bad for the short hair girl. He mistreated her so badly. But Junghwan was amazing for giving up his spot in the national team for her.
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Love All Play My Review
The drama started off with much expectations. However midway and throughout it become draggy especially the girl,Tae Yang. She was a coward probably throughout the series. Make herself miserable and others too. If I am Tae Jun, I don't think I will stick to her. Crybaby and always depressed. I don't think there's any guys who are so forgiving and generous like Tae Yang. If there's such guy, cling on to him. Taeyang is a much better actor. Of course I don't really understand how Tae Yang friends were against her to the max in the beginning and later start forgiving her totally even when they know is her fault.
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definitely one of my all time faves
i finished this in 2 days and i have to say that i absolutely adore the main leads. the chemistry between park ju hyun and chae jong hyeop is perfect and kinda carried this drama for me. tae yang is a character i relate to a lot and tae jun is definitely the biggest green flag ever. also i love badminton so i was never actually "bored" during the training and competition scenes. park jun young was incredibly annoying after she first appeared in ep.9, same goes for her mom... i couldn't stand neither of them and feel like this whole snowboarding accident thing was unnecesseraly dragged out. moreover i liked the second couple and thought they were quite cute together, but i have to admit that the way junghwan couldn't get over ju young for so long was terribly frustrating to watch and made me feel bad for yu min. oh and the ending was also really great and wrapped everything up well. all in all a good show, made me laugh, cry and giggle like an idiot of the romantic scenes, so 9.5/10 for me?Was this review helpful to you?
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Can we seize the chance?
Why is this drama called Love All Play when even the subs say Going to you at speed of 493? I guess it is easier to remember but it is such a boring title: makes you think of all those insipid c dramas....Love All Play is not a drama about badminton. It features badminton heavily but if you hope to learn something about the sport, the rules and the gameplay: go watch something else! The badminton training centre serves just as the backdrop for a slice of life story of a redemption of a fallen prodigy.
There are too many characters called Park here so I won't even try to mention them here. It took me about half of the drama to sort the main leads out. They are both damaged individuals.
The FL made a mistake a few years earlier which made her a pariah in the badminton community. But her love of the game was too strong to keep her away so she is willing to suffer all kinds of bullying and rejection in order to win the right to train and play. She's overly cheerful, replying to insults with a big smile which seems frustration and annoying until she declares to prefer to smile when she wants to cry! Her tenacity finally wins her teammates over. She used to be best friends with another woman from the team, she loved her and at one point she declared that her friend was her first love. The FL is bi?
The ML grew up in the domineering shadow of the star, overly talented big sister so much that he felt neglected by their parents. With his sister away due to an injury it is finally time for him to shine.
The story is well written, the topics dealt are balanced and fairly treated: guilt, redemption, love, talent, family. Unfortunately, nothing is outstanding in this drama.
The acting is correct though the chemistry is missing across the board.
There is a slight "criticism" of korean society or rather the repetition and confirmation of usual society norms: the whole family is responsible for a mistake committed by one of its members (the FL), a divorced woman with a child is not allowed to get into a relationship because she's THE MOTHER and therefore it is unseemly, a father getting berserk because his 25yr old daughter wants to date, across the board virgins who never dated (because family and sport, of course!).....I wish someone would show us the current generation of Koreans rebelling against these awfully strict and coded societal norms. This is not the case here!
The badminton matches were filmed with brio but we could not actually see a match just the players running and beautifully jumping in order to catch the shuttlecock. Moreover, the venues where the competitions were held were completely void of the audience. So it is either COVID restrictions (the drama takes place in 2022) or they didn't have the budget for extras. Whichever may be the case, the empty seats were gloomy and ridiculous!
The music was boring: one funky song playing endlessly but luckily it is not a song good enough for it to be memorable.
This was not a drama to be remembered: even though I binged it and the actors were cute, I'd recommend it as a light slow burn watch.
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