Reviews

squid end game

squid end game :D. instead using money to build community and become president of korea to fight against poverty. Our hero use money to join game again. he is completely a joke in this field.
this is not like jingsaw which people survive and go back because they didn't have any money beside their life.
our hero is not hero. he is just trash in society in the end. the producer make gamer controller like bad guy even he offer foods to people and yet they still paint him to be jerk. this is not good for society or relate to process to change anything. it is just become joke story unlike season 1.

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Underrated

This one flew under a lot of people's radars which is such a shame because it's honestly such a GOOD drama, whether it be the acting, plot, or production.

FL and ML stand on equal ground and they have a very sweet and loving relationship with little to no misunderstandings. They get together fairly early on so the later half of the drama is more plot/political drama focused. The side characters all had their own unique characters and personalities, and I loved watching their personal growth throughout the series (and special shoutout to the FL's dad who made me tear up several times even though I was cursing him out in the beginning).

Would definitely recommend watching, and especially a good starter historical drama for those who are new to it.

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A Satisfying Watch That Lacks the Impact of Season 1

Was it bad?? No. Was it that good?? Not exactly. Was it underwhelming?? Kind of.

I wont lie, i enjoyed this season of Squid Game but it still felt underwhelming considering the immense hype surrounding it. This was certainly the best sequel Netflix Korea has produced recently especially after the disappointing Sweet Home 2, Gyeongseong Creature 2 and others. However there are quite a few reasons why it left me feeling unsatisfied.

While it didnt reach the heights of Season 1, it was engaging enough to keep me watching till the end.


Here is what i liked and disliked about it:

What I Liked:
1. Front Man’s Direct Involvement in the Game:
I appreciated Lee Byung hun’s larger role in this season. After his brief cameo in S1, it was great to see him step into a main role. Having him directly participate in the games added much needed tension and intrigue.

2. Hyun Joo & Player 149 – The Heart of the Show:
Park Sung hoon and Kang Ae shim absolutely stole the spotlight. Their characters were well written with depth and emotional weight making them easy to root for. They were undeniably the standouts of the season.

3. Gong Yoo’s Extended Cameo in Episode 1:
I loved Gong Yoo’s performance in the first episode. His charismatic yet paychpathic portrayal left a lasting impression. Honestly his psychopathic energy made me wish he would star in a serial killer thriller. I also hoped his character would stick around longer, at least for a few episodes in S3.

4. New Games:
While most of the new games werent as thrilling, the carousel game in Episode 6 stood out. I appreciate the effort to introduce fresh challenges but i felt they lacked the intensity and depth of S1’s games. A bit more focus and creativity could have elevated them further.

5. Favorite Episodes - E1 & E6:
Although some found Episode 1 slow, i personally enjoyed it because of Gong Yoo. His presence carried the episode. Episode 6, featuring the brutal carousel game was another highlight for me.

6. Solid Acting Across the Board:
Even though several characters were underutilized, the entire cast gave strong performances.



What I Disliked:

1. Wasted Potential of Big Actors:
This was one of my biggest frustrations. Talents like Im Si wan, Kang Ha neul and others were severely underused. This seems to be a recurring issue with Netflix’s survival thrillers, bringing in big names for secondary roles without giving them enough material to shine.

While it wasnt as bad as Sweet Home 2, it still felt disappointing. Some annoying side characters received more screen time, while stronger actors were left with little to do. Im holding out hope that S3 will give these characters the attention they deserve.

2. Slow Start:
Despite enjoying Episode 1, i cant ignore how much the story dragged into Episode 2. I felt the content of both episodes could have been condensed into one allowing the games to start sooner in Episode 3.

3. Flat New Characters (Except Hyun Joo & 149):
Most of the new cast members felt one dimensional. It was hard to connect with them, they were just there. Hyun Joo and Player 149 were the only exceptions.

4. Annoying Characters Getting More Screen Time:
Some characters who should have been explored further were sidelined, while others, like Thanos were unnecessarily prominent. Lee Jin wook’s character arc felt incomplete and since he died in S2, there is no room for his development in S3. This imbalance was frustrating.

5. Gi hun & Front Man Felt Bland:
Gi hun occasionally came across as cringey, while the Front Man’s storyline lacked the twists we saw in S1. The big reveal about the old man in the first season packed a punch but there was nothing surprising about the Front Man here.

6. Lack of Game Exploration:
While the carousel game stood out, the others felt rushed and underdeveloped. S1’s games were meticulously crafted and filled with tension but S2 lacked that same level of care, possibly because more main characters survived diminishing the stakes.

7. Missing Intensity & Seriousness:
The emotional weight and tension of S1 were noticeably absent. The sense of dread when characters faced death just wasnt there.


Overall Thoughts:

I did enjoy S2, it was engaging for the most part and i watched it from start to finish with interest. However compared to the S1, it felt underwhelming. Still it far exceeded Sweet Home 2 and other recent disappointments.

Im hoping S3 will bring back the intensity and depth that made the first season what it is today.

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Welcome the Morally Grey

A very interesting series that tackles the sensitive subject of euthanasia and addresses the matter from every angle by exploring the perspectives of doctors, patients, nurses, family members and the state, without supporting a specific side. Every character is loyal to their beliefs and supports them through their own ideologies and experiences. As for the acting, it was really good from all the cast members. They portrayed their roles very well and the way they should.

For me, it was one of those series that could use a couple more episodes to flesh out the characters a bit more and make the flow of the story smoother without jumping from one scene to another. Even so, it's definitely a series worth watching if you like social issues represented and you usually enjoy a show with darker undertones.

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Slightly..disappointing

I've waited for it since the previous season finished.
The storyline somewhat repeats itself (granted that it's the same game), like the relationship MC has with both 001s.
So many characters got added, but didn't get fleshed out enough (i.e. 011). For 095's death scene I felt bad, but not nearly enough as bad as I had felt for Ali's (still hurts my heart to this day The games felt novel and really interesting, I liked the new characters and how their relationships developed. (Absolutely despised TOP's character, he's a menace... TT)
With the outside intervention and frontman, I'm intrigued to see where the next season is going!

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WE NEED A BETTER SHOW FOR THE LEADS

I dropped this with last 2 episode , I am not enjoying it anymore .. I mean the sexual tension between the leads are on fire but .. all I do was skip and only watch the leads part .. I no longer have interest who was the woman that was on that room that was able to control the branches of the tree or whatever and also about their affairs .. at first I though that the woman was lesbian and was inlove to her servant but it turned that her husband was having an affair with her servant .. I did not know what was those people's connection with Khun Mat , and as Far As I have seen the house of the woman was not from that house that the group of Khen was trapped into .. because there was a seen that Khen went outside and went to that house that seems to have became a museum or something in the present. The drama shows that they are trapped at the house but they seems not because they are able to go to some places .. or is it because those places were a part of the loop or something. and I am confused about Khen suddenly able to go to Khun Mat's world without sleeping where in they seems to show that it was through dreams that Khen was able to visit Khun Mat .. anyways , I wonder also what happened to the couple that is also with Khen when they arrived at the house . I really loved this couple and I hope that they would star in another drama with light story and a fluffy one , this one ? maybe not for me .

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the hate squid game s2 is getting is LITERALLY UNNECESSARY!

I'm sorry to be saying this but I am PISSED.
this season, for me, was PERFECT. like ima be defending this season w my life fr 🙄
I love the cast sm!!! My glorious king im si wan (⁠●⁠♡⁠∀⁠♡⁠) (i hate how he did NOT get enough screen time..) so lets talk about how this season is getting unnecessary hate and complaints.

i heard of how people were unable to form a "bond" w characters like they did in the first season bc there wasn't enough story ?? like bro then tell me why I was absolutely bawling over ha jun. maybe y'all are just .. sigh yk.. forget that this is just a show. The main point lies in the acting which all of the cast NAILED.
I love how there was a variety of characters and we had a little bit of everything. Also Top was a silly goofy guy who added eccentricity to the show.
the acting of all the actors is literally phenomenal

I liked the pacing and story of this as well. Like yk you'd expect the games and plot to be stagnant and like similar but the games are so diff 😭😭? which makes it all the more exciting cuz you rlly dk what to expect when you thought you knew what was gna come!! LIKEEEE TRUST ME, I DIDNT EXPECT TO BE LIKE SO ANXIOUS SINCE ITS BASICALLY US REWATCHING THE GAMES, BUT LIKE TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, MY HEART WAS POUDINGGGG AND I HAD MY HAND ON MY MOUTH FOR LIKE EVERY. OTHER. EPISODE.
it keeps u on edge, truly.
that's it honestly. i don't want to spoil anything.
I hope this gets to as many of you. and y'all give s2 a chance instead of just going for online reviews and thoughts of others.

ofc aagin this is my opinion but I'm ALWAYS defending ts wit my life<3.

enjoy!!!! 7h welll spent!

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Underwhelming experience

"Tin Tem Jai" had all the ingredients to be an engaging BL series, but unfortunately, it fell flat. The main character, Tin, was more annoying than endearing, with his juvenile behavior and constant need for validation. His actions often felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to become invested in his story.

The storyline was predictable and lacked depth, relying on tired tropes and forced drama. The romance between Tin and the doctor felt unconvincing, with the doctor's jealousy coming across as possessive and controlling. The power dynamic between the two felt off, with the doctor often coming across as overly dominant.

One of the most grating aspects of the series was Tin's obsession with bubble tea. It started as a quirky trait but quickly became a tiresome gimmick. Every time Tin appeared on screen with a bubble tea in hand, it felt like a lazy attempt to remind viewers of his "quirky" personality.

The acting in the series was also subpar. The actors struggled to convey convincing emotions, and their performances often felt stilted and unnatural. Tin's attempts at playing innocent or cute felt insincere and cringeworthy.

The only bright spot in the series was the second couple, who brought a much-needed spark to the show. Their chemistry was palpable, and their scenes were a welcome respite from the main couple's drama. It's a shame that they weren't given more screen time, as they felt more natural and compelling than the main couple.

Despite the promising premise, "Tin Tem Jai" failed to deliver. With its predictable storyline, annoying characters, lackluster romance, and poor acting, this series is skippable. Even fans of the BL genre may find themselves yawning at the too-familiar tropes and underdeveloped characters.

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Super cute and low stress - I recommend you don't take the bad reviews to heart

I just wanted to say I really enjoyed this series. I think Ms. Yu did a fantastic job with her role. She is so cute (and beautiful :-) and does a super job being cute and "girly" as we say in the U.S. without making it at all cringey. She really steals the show, I'll look to watch anything she is in. All the actors did a great job.

The story is fun, low trauma, and a good diversion after a long, hard day.

I'd also Like to call out Ding Guan Sen for doing a super great job also. His expressiveness felt so real to me that nailed his role so very well.

My recommendation, if you want something sweet and cute, watch it!

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too many characters/love rivals

Overall: though I was excited for a gangster romance, this vertical mini series was a let-down. Watched unsubbed (have to switch language on the app to Korean to find it, once favorited you can switch the language back and find it on your favorite list, but there aren't English subtitles) on ShortMax (also has Kiss Me With Unspoken Love and My Uncle, My Ex-Boyfriend). 70 episodes under 2 minutes each. Episodes 1-5 were free.

Content Warnings: murder/death, blood, sexual assault, non con kiss, beaten up/violence, non con picture taking, blackmail?, past murders, kidnapping/held against will, torture

What I Liked
- the tie pull
- sweet moments
- a few actual okay kisses
- good he didn't kiss him when the other guy was passed out in ep 27
- visuals
- good ending

Room For Improvement
- way too many love triangles/love rivals
- several camera blocked/cut to black kisses
- jumpy between episodes at times
- one character needed to stop drinking

App Information/How to Watch for Free
- you don't have to create a login for the app
- daily check ins were between 20-30 coins plus ability to double if I watched an add
- watched 6 ads for 25 coins each (wait time in between) plus 10 bonus for having watched all 6
- watched 10 free episodes per day (if you are out of coins, on the pop up on the lower right there should be an option to watch an ad to watch an episode)
- episodes cost 50 coins, you can't watch out of order, once unlocked they stay unlocked
- I was able to watch about 14 episodes per day, if starting at zero coins, that would take about 5 days

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Disappointing watch

I recently had the opportunity to watch "Hit Bite Love," a BL series that, unfortunately, failed to deliver on its promising premise. As I sat through the six episodes, I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed and, at times, uncomfortable.

One of the major issues with "Hit Bite Love" is its poor pacing. The series tries to cram too many storylines and characters into its short runtime, resulting in a narrative that feels rushed and disjointed. The use of flashbacks is particularly jarring, making it difficult to discern what's happening in the present and what's a memory. This disjointed storytelling makes it challenging to become invested in the characters and their journeys.

Another significant problem with "Hit Bite Love" is its handling of sensitive topics. The depiction of younger characters in sexual situations is uncomfortable and borderline inappropriate. The inclusion of BDSM elements feels gratuitous and exploitative, rather than being handled with the care and nuance that such topics deserve.

The character development in "Hit Bite Love" is also lacking. The characters are introduced and then seemingly forgotten, only to reappear episodes later without any explanation. This makes it difficult to become attached to any of the characters or to feel invested in their stories.

Furthermore, the acting in "Hit Bite Love" leaves much to be desired. The actors struggle to convey convincing emotions, and their performances often feel stilted and unnatural. The lack of chemistry between the leads is particularly noticeable, making it difficult to become invested in their relationships.

The way the producers handled the storyline is also questionable. It feels like they took scenes from different BL dramas and mashed them together, creating a messy and incoherent narrative. The lazy scriptwriting is evident throughout the series, with characters making decisions that feel unearned and plot twists that come out of nowhere.

The production values of "Hit Bite Love" are also subpar. The background music is often jarring and inappropriate, and the tense scenes feel forced and unnatural. The editing is also choppy, with scenes jumping abruptly from one location to another.

The fact that the producers thought it was a good idea to give Burger and King sexy parts, despite being underage, is very inappropriate. It's uncomfortable to watch and feels exploitative.

The stepbrother storyline between Saint and Hida is also problematic. The way their relationship is introduced feels confusing and rushed, and the plot twist that reveals they're stepbrothers is handled poorly.

Overall, I would not recommend "Hit Bite Love" to anyone. Its poor pacing, uncomfortable themes, lackluster production values, and lazy scriptwriting make for a watching experience that's more frustrating than enjoyable. While the dynamic between King and Burger is a highlight, it's not enough to redeem the series' many flaws.

If you're a fan of BL dramas, there are far better options available. "Hit Bite Love" feels like a lazy, unpolished effort, and it's not worth your time.

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A brutal reflection on reality

Despite what others are saying, this is exactly how I would've expected season 2 to go. In fact I predicted it, in conversation with friends that it would be an eerily similar story. The action sequences were exciting, although I do admit there were some dull moments that dragged on and on so I just sped up the video a little.

Gi Hun goes to such lengths to prevent repeats of season 1, begging people to leave the games, pleading on his knees, but no one listens. He tries to save people in that first game, but to no avail, the deaths playing out in parallel to the first games. I couldn't see any other way for it to play out.

These games are supposed to reflect capitalism, how the rich look down on the struggles of the poor, and see their battle for survival as some form of entertainment. They promise riches for the 1/456 who manage to succeed. Preying on desperation.

The side quest with Jun Ho was also rather necessary, despite others thoughts. He's trying to bring to justice these people, but they're always two steps forward, prepared for every move by planting one of their own in Jun Ho's midst. It is reflective of the real world, how the rich and powerful often evade being brought to justice by the common folk, by killing witnesses and whistleblowers, or by simply foiling their plans by planting moles.

The presence of moles paints a direct parallel with the games and the real world, as Hwang In Ho takes up the identity of Oh Young Il, destroying Gi Hun's last chance to reach the control room. There is some dramatic irony in this as we the audience obviously know the identity of player 001, but Gi Hun doesn't and we are left to despair as he comes to trust 001 all over again, not putting two and two together. (Could've been avoided if Jun Ho had just shown him a picture but where's the fun in that lol)

However this season also brought to light who the soldiers are and what they do. The fact that these soldiers are likely in similar positions to the participants if No Eul is anything to go by. They are however offered a different job, thereby becoming class traitors. This is backed up by the recruiter saying he had come face to face with his father in the games, before shooting him.

All in all season 2 was rather enjoyable, with rather tense moments that had my heart racing. Many of the characters were rather lovable, even Thanos was rather amusing to watch. I admit I don't know what to expect for season 3 now, and the direction it will take, but I look forward to the final act.

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