One of the most captivating and genuine Korean dating show I've ever watched

I'm an avid fan of EXchange Love, and I very much enjoyed Season 1 and I didn't think anything could top it but Season 2 topped the first season by tenfold for me.

After Yihyun left the show, I lost interest because she was my favorite person initially but I eventually came back around and picked it up again and followed along as it premiered weekly. I have to gave major props for the PD for casting this season's couple. I loved seeing the variety in couples and learning about the history and there was just so much more depth to this season. I liked that they added more things for them such as opening the ex room or the chatting room where they couldn't hear each other's real voices. And kicking off the season by allowing the exes to chat with each other was a really good change as well.

I think that there was a good balance of couples with more intense stories and couples with more friendly and laid back stories (ex: Taei and Jiyeon). My absolute favorite was the addition of Na Eon and Hyunggu, I almost wished they came in earlier because they are both so captivating. I loved their relationship history as well and they added so much more light to the cast.

Overall, I was extremely invested this season and it was so fun to watch certain friendships and relationships bloom. The ending was a bit predictable for some but I'm very much happy with who Haeun ended up with. I could just empathize with her pain so much and her being able to come out of that and move forward with someone new was so refreshing.

Great cast, great stories, great filming and such scenic locations too. Also adding BamBam as a permanent member of the panel was also so fun to watch! It warms my heart to see how close the cast still are today and see all the beautiful friendships that came out from this show. I don't think I've ever been so invested in a dating show's cast until this one (the one prior would probably be Heart Signal 2) but the way this show portrayed the cast's stories in this season was absolutely phenomenal. I will definitely be rewatching at some point!

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UNDERRATED & BINGE WORTHY, WILL TOUCH YOUR HEART DRAMA

I recently finished binging this drama on Netflix and I loved almost every second of it. This is NOT your typical korean rom-com drama. It is one that is meant to highlight the emotions and feelings one may have while being in love, being in a relationship, being in a marriage, and going through a breakup. It does a good job at depicting that love isn't always sunshine and rainbows but that it's painful - and you have the choice to choose whether that love is worth the pain.

The story line and character developments has a very natural growth to it; though it seems slow pace - I actually thought it was perfect.

If you are someone who gets emotional easily or is easily influenced by words and how they are conveyed, this drama will get you! I cried so many times watching this, the phrases that the characters said in this drama stuck out to me a lot and I can't stop thinking about it.

Overall, I have nothing bad to say about it besides that it is a feel good drama that is PURE and makes me believe that a love like this can exist. I will definitely be rewatching this in the future.

Every coupley moment between the main characters are SO FREAKING CUTE AND PURE. I teared up even at the happy moments, it is one of my favorite k-dramas I've watched in a while.

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BREATH OF FRESH AIR | ONE OF THE MOST REFRESHING DRAMAS in 2021

I have been an avid k-drama watcher for years and I have never watched anything like Lovestruck in the City. It definitely takes a while to get used to the format of the show; interview-style (similar to The Office). But as the episodes go on, you definitely get to see more moments / interactions of the charcters.

The writers portrayed modern dating & relationships in a very realistic way. I think it was smart to have three different couples to be able to highlight the different types of romances that exist.

Lee Eun-o's character was very realistic as well, I love how the writers weren't afraid to highlight her flaws. She's a very self-aware character who is actually very brave. I really like how they showed her development as a character from losing herself after a failed relationship to trying to rebuild herself through Yoon Seona and then working on herself after returning as Lee Eun-o. She definitely did mess with Jae-won's heart a bit but it's because she had her own insecurities so as a viewer who could see her recognizing those flaws - made it ok to watch.

Park Jae-won's character is very cute, he's a really loving character who gives his all in a relationship. I like how they show many moments of him breaking down and getting angry at Eun-o and even lashing out at her - because it's so realistic. He had many reasons to be mad at Eun-o when she didn't tell him the truth about Yoon Seona and everything else. I personally think Ji Chang Wook's acting in this drama was so fun to watch - he made Jae-won's character very real and human-like.

Kyungjoon and Rini's relationship is so sweet! They've known each other for so long and even dated for a long period of time. The fights that they had as a long-term couple were necessary. A bit bummed that they separated at the end of the show, but once again it's because their characters have very different values.

Kang Geon and Sunyoung's "on and off" relationship as lover/friends/exes was refreshing to watch too. I love how blunt Sunyoung is. Them trying to stay in contact / see each other even after breaking up is realistic too. It's obvious to viewers that they still love each other but know that staying together won't be the best idea.

One of my favorite parts of this drama was the friendships that the characters had. You wouldn't think that they all know each other when you watch the first episode but it later shows how they are all intertwined in the same social circle. Rini, Euno, and Kang Geon's friendship is so cute - you can tell they are true best friends.

Overall, this drama is a breath of fresh air - it's not a typical Korean drama. If anyone has had dating experience, watching this will incite many emotions! I cried and laughed while watching this drama so many times. The conversations that the characters have with each other just felt so raw and real. It reminded me a lot of my own relationships when watching it. The cinematography is also top-notch especially when they filmed the beach scenes at Yangyang. And can we talk about the environment of the characters too. Jaewon's houses is architecture goals - fitting for his character's career. Euno and Kang Geon's house is the cozy hangout spot for all of them. Everything was filmed beautifully, even all the individual interview moments. The OST is so good too, I just wish it was on Spotify lol.

Ultimately, keep an open mind while watching this drama. Do not expect typical k-drama tropes / character types because they don't exist. The characters portrayed in this show are actually REALISTIC and if you can look past any expectations you have for korean dramas, you will enjoy this show!

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A drama that can grow on you

I agree with the majority of the viewers, that this drama could have been better in many ways. However, that doesn't mean this was overall a bad drama. Like almost everyone else, I had major second-lead syndrome until about episode 13.

I thought that it was both interesting and smart to start the drama with Han Ji Pyeong's background, making us think that he would be the male lead. (Even though I knew that was not the case because there were spoilers eveywhere on FB). That establishment made it clear to viewers that he would have a special role and connection to Seo Dal Mi.

The whole 15 years of writing letters back and forth was sweet but also paints Dal Mi as a major idealist; as she could not give other people a chance because she was so hung up on who "Nam Do San" despite never meeting him in real life. I appreciate her Grandma's intention of setting this whole letter thing up with Ji Pyeong because she was only trying to give her a friend. The only thing that bothered me about the whole process was that the Grandma never really considered how Ji Pyeong felt through it all.

There were so many times in the drama, when one of the characters wanted to tell Dal Mi the truth but decided not to because of another excuse. The part where Do San decided that he didn't want to tell Dal Mi the truth anymore because he wanted to live up to the "Nam Do San" that she knew from the letters was a low point in Do San's character, imo.

Another striking part that needed more conclusion / story to was Dal Mi and Ji Pyeong's relationship. She knew that he liked her but she didn't tell him clearly how she felt even throughout all those years when Do San. It felt like she was giving false hope to Ji Pyeong the whole time, but in doing so she knew he would be by her side whenever she needed. How could she not address the fact that he was truly her first love?? How could she just not properly talk to him about it after getting mad at him for lying? Even if she doesn't love him anymore, she could have given him some kind of wrap-up to it all. She went on about how great "Nam Do San" was from the letters, but the second she met the real Nam Do San, she was able to forget all about the emotions and sentiments from the letters - just because he asked her to not bring up the past?

So many unanswered questions and plotholes. HOWEVER, this is why I think that it is much better that Dal Mi didn't end up with Ji Pyeong. I don't think it would have been possible because all she knew of Do San was through the letters and when she met the real Do San, her idealized image came to life in human form. There would have been no way for her to detach that. And even after she found out it was all a lie, it was too late for her and Ji Pyeong because she had started to really like the real Nam Do San.

I also think that after everything Dal Mi and Do San went together, it makes sense for them to end up together. They went through a lot of growth together and experiencing the whole "chasing my dream" together. Whereas Ji Pyeong was already successful, he was an outsider looking in at the youth. Which is why he is perfect in his mentor role.

Despite Do San's character being so lacking and painfully hard to watch, his character really turned into better form towards the end. Though, I don't know how realistic that character growth is since he was once so insecure and anti-social - I think Dal Mi definitely helped him grow into his own skin. The scene where Do San asks Dal Mi for the final time why she likes him and she said "because it's you, you're the reason" - I thought it was very sweet. Even though it's super cliche, it finally confirms that Do San has nothing to worry about and doesn't need to compare himself to Ji Pyeong because he finally got what he wanted - to be liked for who he truly is. I am satisfied with how the main characters' stories wrapped up - being CEO/CTO and getting married.

I wish there was more of a wrap-up / follow up to other characters. I wanted to see Ji Pyeong's involvement with the orphanage company and In Jae and her company. I also didn't like how they separated In Jae so much from the family even towards the end. She had like two scenes with the Grandma. It was just weird how the Grandma so easily gave in to be so protective of Dal Mi's mom. I guess the Grandma really is just that giving of a person - since we saw this in episode 1 of how she helped young Ji Pyeong.

The ideas used throughout the drama for the hackathons, different companies, etc were nice and fresh to see. It definitely felt more modern and up to date? I wished they gave more insight about the whole start-up process.

Other notable side characters, Chulsan was great for comedic purposes especially his relationship with Saha. Yunsan, pissed me off so much. Blaming Ji Pyeong for killing his brother - bruh he didn't have to go that low.

Overall, this drama was worth the watch. Despite all the flaws and injustice for some characters, I think that it was nice to watch the characters grow and become successful in their dreams. Obviously everything is glamorized because it is a k-drama, no start-up can succeed that easily but because this doesn't happen in real life - it was fun to watch. Ji Pyeong's character carried the whole damn drama, he is smart, dependable, and very caring. I'm glad he didn't end up with Dal Mi because he deserves someone who is actually on his level (sorry Dal Mi).

The OST was really good though, Red Velvet's Future, Ailee's Blue Bird has been on repeat for me.

If you can get over how painfully built Nam Do San's character is, and how naive Seo Dal Mi is then you can get through this drama. Plus Ji Pyeong and the Grandma's scenes were always so cute.

I love all the actors and actresses in this drama; I think Suzy did a great job playing Dal Mi and is one of my favorite roles from her so far. Nam Joo Hyuk did good as well because he made Nam Do San to be so believable. And I'm so thankful that this drama introduced me to Kim Seon Ho (I'm sure everyone feels the same way).

If there's any gain from this drama, it's motivation to maybe start your own business? But also a new found love for the up and coming Kim Seon Ho himself. I'm going to binge 2 Days 1 Night Season 4 because I can actually see him laugh and smile with those cute dimples of his in that show lol.

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One of the best kdramas ever no cap

Kim Hye Soo, aka the Queen, her character might be one of my all-time FAVORITE characters in the history of K-drama land. I personally am not the biggest fan of historical dramas, I always end up dropping them because they're not my cup of tea. However, I decided to check UTQU out when I saw a picture of this drama on Twitter. It was a side by side photo of the Queen holding the umbrella for her son when he was young and then again when he was old.

I love this drama so much, it is SO well written and the actors are so phenomenal. The queen's unconditional love for her children is what made everything. There were so many moments that were so touching. I learned a lot of wisdom about moms and their relationship with their children through the queen. It made me reflect back on my relationship with my parents as well.

Overall, I can not stress this enough - it is worth the watch. Truly a drama that I think everyone should watch at least once in their life because we all have a mom or guardian and I think this drama is relatable to everyone.

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