hi, i wanted to yap but didn't want to make a review post since I don't like rating things until they're done.
I actually had no idea this was out until I randomly saw it pop up, so i got to binge 3 eps tgth - ugh the once a week wait is gonna hurt. but before i yap here is my team ranking as of rn (ranking these moreso based off of on screen impression and teamwork, not really intelligence, all of these ppl would absolutely clear me in an IQ test so mya):
Yonsei: I reaaallly liked watching them play through the puzzle game, they really work as a unit which is super cool. I don't have much to say except that I hope they keep putting pressure on the other teams, because they definitely have the skills to match every other university's contestants imo.
Oxford: Way more down to earth than their foreign competitor counterparts this season.... yEaH okay I thought the wink boy was cute too SUE ME. But lol, for real though they give the vibe KU team did last season. They are playing the game, not just competing. Yes they use strategy too but they also just try to compete for themselves for the fun of it and its super engaging and makes me wanna root for them. Still find Yonsei to be more of like an imposing threat though but maybe thats because its still early in the game.
KAIST: Sorry the names haven't settled for me yet but the guy who was 2nd place in the benefit game is super impresive when it comes to nerves. Sure his hand shook or whatever while playing the rockpaperscissor chess but like it seems no matter how much his body wants to freak out his head is in the game always. It was super cool to watch. The other members are also very cool and they're similar to Yonsei in the way that the at least move in a unit. Only thing is I'm finding it hard gauging who is the leader or main strategist in their team.
SNU: Someone is going to bite my damn head off-- LET ME TELL YOU SMTH LET ME ETLL YOU SMTH pff --I really lke gyumin(?) yeah he obviously slays. Super chill impression while being competitive and hella smart. But the rest of the teammates are such a pain to watch on screen I'm so sorry. Last season SNU team was so easy to root for not just because of insane members but because most of them were very down to earth. While they rallied around the fact that they had Hyunbin, they still each were integral to the team and also didn't walk into games blinded by their member's abilities. I feel like this season's team is going to stub their toe by putting their entire confidence on gyumin's skills instead of their strength as a group.
PostTech: Don't have a ton to say but they each seem super smart and a great unit. Obviously I get why they're playing safe rn but I think that maybe when I get to see the member's individual talents I'll warm up to them more.
KU: That's crazzyy, KU was one of my favorites last season because of how happy-go-luck they were. Last season it felt like that team was genuinely playing a game, not competing, and I think that's how they got so far despite other teams not taking them super seriously. This season's team is plainer and doesn't have the same spark. One of themembers mentions this during their elimination but yeah, a lack of a proper leader/strategist cost them time in every single game.
MIT:...yeah idk ya'll the U.S. teams are sucking so bad. Their ego was about the same as the Harvard team from last season, but their skill level as a team was even more lacking. For example, not caring about the puzzle aspect of the puzzle. I saw someone else last season mention this but essentially the foreign countries aren't sending their best students, they're sending their best korean students, and its exceedingly clear here for MIT. Honestly doubt even SNU would have landslid as much as they did if MIT was allowed to send their actual top most students.
Game wise uhMMmm girl i did not understand almost any of the games in ep 3 for the second team match. Liiike last season at least I was on the same page. I am not even on the same book this time. Looking forward to seeing how they implement other games that aren't solely math like in last season, obviously most of the members mention how good they are at memorizing and math. But we saw last season that memorizing is only half the coin to be a well-rounded team.
Overall I'm pretty happy that the teams at least hold up as on screen personalities. Definitely feel like last season I was only interested in SNU and KU. This season there are a couple more teams I'm interesting in watching continue on. And I'm super curious if Oxford will stay in longer than Harvard did. Also, seems like they're not doing the whole individual gam before each big match anymore or something? Like the daily rankings? Unsure but yah anyway wonder which winker is gonna be the host next episode lolll. and lemme know ur rankings if you read this far. saw a buncha ppl in the comments say they love the snu team so ik my ranking is probably unpopular but ya! if the website lets me i'll edit this as i watch episodesss
