This review may contain spoilers
Season two falls slightly short of season one
Love alarm 2 is a well thought out concept continuing in the future from love alarm season one and is a quite well packed 6 episodes that was able to crammed a lot content into the short season 2 series. There are lots of great areas but some flaws as well. In comparison to the first season, this second season has slightly a more serious tone and is trying to drive several messages and close the story. I personally liked season one better and thought that it did not live up to the hype and bar that the first season has set.
Story (7/10) and Rewatch Value (4/10)
I thought the story was well written and that it was able to concretely convey its message (that in this new world, humans are too reliant on tech telling them what to do what who to love that they are simply sheep that do not think for themselves. Also, that communication and showing love by saying out "I love you" is now replaced by the love alarm. Lastly, love can be nourished) without compromising on the story and direction of characters and story. I did not agree with the choice of the closure of the main couple and thought that if that was selected and known by the director and story teller - then the focus should be direction from that angle so that the audience is able to build a connection with the intended couple. However its so focused in telling its story from the tellers preference that we have this disconnect and the audience's viewpoint ignored. Massive points lost there; Kim JoJo and Hwand Sun Oh were obviously the better young love couple :P. As much as I like the Lee Hye Young's character - I think too much focus is put on JoJo and Sun Oh's struggle to get back together. That being said - rewatch value and story took a hit. As well - I thought some plot points could have been scrapped ... like Park Gul Mi (JoJo's cousin) and Cheon Duk Goo's storyline ... and what the heck was the point of Brian Cheon anyways...
Also, it seems like the story kind of shifted into a more one directional view solely from Jojo's prospective as a lot of focus was put on her backstory as well as a bit of Hye Young's back story - while the story was trying to ship JoJo and Sun Oh ... which created dissipated focus (I'm guessing they wanted to keep the choice open - like as if JoJo can end up with either one of the guys... but if the focus is going one way and shipping another couple.. its hard on the audience to invest in).
On a more positive note - I thought it did an absolute amazing job with the shooting and videography. Scenes were very very well shot - great choices - good lighting, angle and focus where it really brought out feeling out of the picture. Even though - some scenes I felt was dragged out too long, it was still enjoyable to see great camera work. The CGI was also seamless and high quality, very high budget quality.
Acting (9/10) and Music (7.5/10)
All the cast were great! The main roles did an amazing job - especially Song Kang and Jung Ga Ram! Kim So Hyun was amazing too! Support roles were okay, but roles are very minor considering the limited screen time for six episodes. Music was alright. The 10/10 song was still Blooming story by Tearliner - Amazing. They should have used it more! and not only near the end. Second might be 'Edan - For you' .. however its like half a song. lol The others were mediocre.
Overall (7.5/10) was a good short series. I ranked it high due to factors outside the story telling (production value, skillful art of its beautiful camera shots, actors did a great job given the hand they were dealt). It definitely wasn't as good as season one, but if looking at it objectively, it isn't all that bad. I know there are many really bad reviews - and totally understandable! since the direction the story that led the audience did not know where it was going! I'm not hating on Hye Young and JoJo; they make the sweetest couple, however if that was the intended ending then the story telling should have been different! and Season one setting up the foundation shouldn't have focused on JoJo and Sun Oh so concretely! Hence 90% of the audience including myself are rooting for JoJo and Sun Oh. I felt like the character's maturity and characteristic as well as Season one has set us up for some young reckless love! and not some serious mid-life deep true love. Nonetheless - production value and cinematography was extremely well done! Story telling had a solid and powerful message, great actors, pretty people, and heartaching love. If it was longer - i'd say can skip to save your from heartstrings being pulled in all random directions - however, since its short - I'd recommend giving the 6 episodes a spin.
Story (7/10) and Rewatch Value (4/10)
I thought the story was well written and that it was able to concretely convey its message (that in this new world, humans are too reliant on tech telling them what to do what who to love that they are simply sheep that do not think for themselves. Also, that communication and showing love by saying out "I love you" is now replaced by the love alarm. Lastly, love can be nourished) without compromising on the story and direction of characters and story. I did not agree with the choice of the closure of the main couple and thought that if that was selected and known by the director and story teller - then the focus should be direction from that angle so that the audience is able to build a connection with the intended couple. However its so focused in telling its story from the tellers preference that we have this disconnect and the audience's viewpoint ignored. Massive points lost there; Kim JoJo and Hwand Sun Oh were obviously the better young love couple :P. As much as I like the Lee Hye Young's character - I think too much focus is put on JoJo and Sun Oh's struggle to get back together. That being said - rewatch value and story took a hit. As well - I thought some plot points could have been scrapped ... like Park Gul Mi (JoJo's cousin) and Cheon Duk Goo's storyline ... and what the heck was the point of Brian Cheon anyways...
Also, it seems like the story kind of shifted into a more one directional view solely from Jojo's prospective as a lot of focus was put on her backstory as well as a bit of Hye Young's back story - while the story was trying to ship JoJo and Sun Oh ... which created dissipated focus (I'm guessing they wanted to keep the choice open - like as if JoJo can end up with either one of the guys... but if the focus is going one way and shipping another couple.. its hard on the audience to invest in).
On a more positive note - I thought it did an absolute amazing job with the shooting and videography. Scenes were very very well shot - great choices - good lighting, angle and focus where it really brought out feeling out of the picture. Even though - some scenes I felt was dragged out too long, it was still enjoyable to see great camera work. The CGI was also seamless and high quality, very high budget quality.
Acting (9/10) and Music (7.5/10)
All the cast were great! The main roles did an amazing job - especially Song Kang and Jung Ga Ram! Kim So Hyun was amazing too! Support roles were okay, but roles are very minor considering the limited screen time for six episodes. Music was alright. The 10/10 song was still Blooming story by Tearliner - Amazing. They should have used it more! and not only near the end. Second might be 'Edan - For you' .. however its like half a song. lol The others were mediocre.
Overall (7.5/10) was a good short series. I ranked it high due to factors outside the story telling (production value, skillful art of its beautiful camera shots, actors did a great job given the hand they were dealt). It definitely wasn't as good as season one, but if looking at it objectively, it isn't all that bad. I know there are many really bad reviews - and totally understandable! since the direction the story that led the audience did not know where it was going! I'm not hating on Hye Young and JoJo; they make the sweetest couple, however if that was the intended ending then the story telling should have been different! and Season one setting up the foundation shouldn't have focused on JoJo and Sun Oh so concretely! Hence 90% of the audience including myself are rooting for JoJo and Sun Oh. I felt like the character's maturity and characteristic as well as Season one has set us up for some young reckless love! and not some serious mid-life deep true love. Nonetheless - production value and cinematography was extremely well done! Story telling had a solid and powerful message, great actors, pretty people, and heartaching love. If it was longer - i'd say can skip to save your from heartstrings being pulled in all random directions - however, since its short - I'd recommend giving the 6 episodes a spin.
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