autumnleafspice
This review may contain spoilers
perfect sequel to To My Star (and probably the best sequel to ever exist)
When I first heard about the synopsis I was already making up my mind and lowering my expectations that this season would be just as awful as all the other sequels. There would be some stupid cheating plot and miscommunication, and it would be frustrating to watch and could've been resolved easily if the characters would just talk for two minutes. I was worried that this sequel (like so many other sequels before) would butcher the characters for easy drama and make me hate them. But what I actually got was... so much more profound and better than I expected.
Story: At first it may sound out of nowhere and odd that Jiwoo just up and left to go to some tiny village to open up a restaurant. But it makes sense when you think about it. In season one you can already see that Jiwoo is more the type to suffer in silence and run away and isolate himself once things get too much for him, which is exactly what happened here. This season stays beautifully in character and doesn't once feel overly dramatic or forced. Jiwoo sure did cause me a lot of frustration because of how he treated Seojoon. And I know that many expected a big declaration of love and Jiwoo on his knees begging for forgiveness, but that wouldn't be in character, since Jiwoo has trouble expressing his feelings and that's why I find that scene perfect. The show took its time without it seeming too lengthy. While the make-up scene is handled rather quickly, it doesn't feel rushed at all.
At first it seems very unreasonable for Jiwoo to just cut Seojoon off and throw away everything they've built for each other, but the more time passes the more you find out what led Jiwoo to do such a thing. And you slowly learn to understand his character more and more. And the way they resolve their issues was beautiful. The show didn't end with them making up and everything being fine. Jiwoo voices his concerns about their future almost immediately and they talk it out. They make compromises and communicate and that's how they make it work. Neither of them has to give up their life or their profession and that's actually a perfect ending. They can both still pursue their jobs and keep their homes. And the show manages to convince you within just a few minutes that they will make it work. I'm also glad that we get to see the story of the side characters (some of which we already know from season 1). They go on their own little journey and find their way in this world, making new plans for the future and finding love and friendship.
This ending leaves you both happy and sad. Happy, because it ends perfectly, and sad because that means we have to say goodbye to our beloved characters.
Acting/Cast: As always, the acting was superb. The cast is perfect, and I wouldn't change a thing. There are a few new faces this season and they make you like them almost instantly. They manage to make you interested in their stories. It's amazing.
Music: I think that music and soundtracks are actually one of KBLs strengths. I have yet to watch a BL where the soundtrack wasn't at least decent. And the music in To My Star season 1 was great and season 2 surely didn't disappoint.
Rewatch Value: I know that since this season isn't Jiwoo and Seojoon being happy 24/7 isn't going to make people rewatch it a lot, but I think that you should at least watch this season twice. This season has a lot of rewatch potential since it completes the story of the characters and now you know how things will play out you will see a lot of the scenes in a new light and you will be able to understand the motivations behind the character's actions more. Also, when you rewatch season one now you can already see the little foreshadowing and the little hints that lead to everything that happens in season two, which I think is always a great thing.
Overall: I think Hwang Da Seul and the rest of the cast and crew did an amazing job once again. And I am so grateful for this season and how things played out. This sequel is proof that there can be a sequel that deals with issues that are realistic, not out of nowhere, and don't involve cheating. And for that alone, I am glad.
I definitely recommend it to anyone who has watched season one.
Story: At first it may sound out of nowhere and odd that Jiwoo just up and left to go to some tiny village to open up a restaurant. But it makes sense when you think about it. In season one you can already see that Jiwoo is more the type to suffer in silence and run away and isolate himself once things get too much for him, which is exactly what happened here. This season stays beautifully in character and doesn't once feel overly dramatic or forced. Jiwoo sure did cause me a lot of frustration because of how he treated Seojoon. And I know that many expected a big declaration of love and Jiwoo on his knees begging for forgiveness, but that wouldn't be in character, since Jiwoo has trouble expressing his feelings and that's why I find that scene perfect. The show took its time without it seeming too lengthy. While the make-up scene is handled rather quickly, it doesn't feel rushed at all.
At first it seems very unreasonable for Jiwoo to just cut Seojoon off and throw away everything they've built for each other, but the more time passes the more you find out what led Jiwoo to do such a thing. And you slowly learn to understand his character more and more. And the way they resolve their issues was beautiful. The show didn't end with them making up and everything being fine. Jiwoo voices his concerns about their future almost immediately and they talk it out. They make compromises and communicate and that's how they make it work. Neither of them has to give up their life or their profession and that's actually a perfect ending. They can both still pursue their jobs and keep their homes. And the show manages to convince you within just a few minutes that they will make it work. I'm also glad that we get to see the story of the side characters (some of which we already know from season 1). They go on their own little journey and find their way in this world, making new plans for the future and finding love and friendship.
This ending leaves you both happy and sad. Happy, because it ends perfectly, and sad because that means we have to say goodbye to our beloved characters.
Acting/Cast: As always, the acting was superb. The cast is perfect, and I wouldn't change a thing. There are a few new faces this season and they make you like them almost instantly. They manage to make you interested in their stories. It's amazing.
Music: I think that music and soundtracks are actually one of KBLs strengths. I have yet to watch a BL where the soundtrack wasn't at least decent. And the music in To My Star season 1 was great and season 2 surely didn't disappoint.
Rewatch Value: I know that since this season isn't Jiwoo and Seojoon being happy 24/7 isn't going to make people rewatch it a lot, but I think that you should at least watch this season twice. This season has a lot of rewatch potential since it completes the story of the characters and now you know how things will play out you will see a lot of the scenes in a new light and you will be able to understand the motivations behind the character's actions more. Also, when you rewatch season one now you can already see the little foreshadowing and the little hints that lead to everything that happens in season two, which I think is always a great thing.
Overall: I think Hwang Da Seul and the rest of the cast and crew did an amazing job once again. And I am so grateful for this season and how things played out. This sequel is proof that there can be a sequel that deals with issues that are realistic, not out of nowhere, and don't involve cheating. And for that alone, I am glad.
I definitely recommend it to anyone who has watched season one.
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