Go Go Squid 2: Dt. Appledog's Time

Sweet noona romance in a familiar drama-verse

Opening statement: Some reviews focused on this show not being a continuation of the GGS1 story and so it was a criminal misrepresentation. I don't find that to be a problem as it was a good standalone drama as it is. To be fair, it did share the same GGS1 universe and some support cast played significant roles in this drama as well while the leads from GGS1 both made cameos. There are timeline issues which I shall leave to purists to explain but the ending brought both shows to a satisfying conclusion. So my review is purely based on the show as presented with no strings attached.
On the whole, this was a good c-drama. Good production value and decent CGI driven robot combats. The OST was also well done with references back to GGS1 OST where appropriate. The OTP had good chemistry and skinship. It helped that we are dealing with mature adults. Furthermore, I loved the FL, she looked like she was really in love when she gazed at the ML and some of their CP scenes were swoon worthy. The ML was just a love sick puppy most of the time but that's his role in a nutshell. The 2OTP was quite interesting and they were a complete counterpoint to our leads. Their relationship began as love at first sight and it was more about passion and feels while the OTP focused on longing and falling in love gradually with your soulmate. It was refreshing to see both FL's were older than the ML's.
The support cast were generally good, especially the older actors. The grandpa was a gem in both GGS shows. Someone need to talk to the FL's father about his hairstyle . . it was a bit cringy. The K&K team members were all well fleshed out characters. Two of them also acted as comedic foils to good effort. There was definitely a Band of Brothers vibe.
So far so good, you say. Yes, it would have been if we only looked at those criteria. Where the show dropped the ball a bit was in the storytelling and overall length. The honest truth is that the show was too long. There really wasn't enough material for 38 episodes. The middle section was a lot of team management mumble-jumble and the last 2.5 episodes (after the world championship) was basically one gigantic fan service. Nothing wrong with fan service but some scenes were just fillers to pad out the episodes. Some reviews also commented on the robot battles being boring. I don't agree with that as it was at least fast paced and tactical. I have watched a whole c-drama based on archery and do you know how boring archery competition is? Even the competition in GGS1 was just a lot of people banging on keyboards and staring at flashing screens with the commentators going crazy in the voiceover. What I did find wanting was the lack of love for the 2OTP and a lack of tension within the OTP relationship.
The 2OTP started strong and even had a psycho ex-GF to keep things spicy. Unfortunately, once the ex-GF issue was resolved, the writer just seemed to loss interest in them. They are still around and do the odd CP thing but mostly stuck in a holding pattern. More subplots involving them would have made the mid show drag less telling. Ditto the development of the OTP. I have no love of the "drama for drama sake" trope but it was a little disappointing to see that the 2ML being hamstrung at every turn regarding the FL. Sure, he was a real gentleman and bow out of the chase with good grace but the show seemed to be determined to shut him up before he can even open his mouth.
It was lovely to see the OTP in love but it was also a long stretch of cruising on auto-pilot. I don't like to make direct comparisons but I can't help but be reminded of "My Little Happiness" which I watched recently. It had a similar 2 CP setup but that show was only 28 episodes long and the pacing and plotting was better. Quality over quantity is a truism.
In the end, the use of the GGS moniker was a double edged sword. No doubt it heightened the initial interest in the show and allowed them to milk the IP a bit more. This they succeeded up to a point. The setting, central idea and casting were all good but by extending their reach too far, they exposed their own Archie's heel.

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all in all a pleasant surprise! (but a few cons)

I have neither watched GGS1 nor is this e-sports thing my genre, but I decided to give this a try since it's Hu YiTian as ML.
..and I must say I was surprised! Though I didn't expect too much, something has caught me within the first 10 Eps, so I decided to keep watching.

First of all, the production looks quite expensive! The outfits and the styling in general unfortunately didn't do it for me, but the locations were great.
I LOVED the bromance of K&K team! I enjoyed every little scene of them, they never failed to make me laugh. Aren't they the kind of friends everyone would like to have? :)
Also pleasantly surprised with Grunt. Wasn't too sure about his character first, usually in real life I hate this too overconfident type of person, but somehow, something in this drama made him pretty likeable to me, which was definitely a plus.
Speaking of him, there was this thing about his relationship with Ai Jing. I LOVED their chemistry, they even had better chemistry than the first couple to me, and both pretty faces to look at... but something really annoyed me. Ai Jing was the oldest of them all, but always acted the most childish when it comes to her and Grunt. So much unnecessary drama, but since there was basically no drama between the first couple, it was okay I guess.
.. which would've been my next point. I'm still not sure about the first couple. There was no forced, unnecessary drama, which made it quite relaxing to watch on the first hand, but on the other, at some point, it starts to get boring...
I had a hard time trying to feel their chemistry. I can't even explain it, because to me, the acting was really on point, but.. maybe because the whole story was just a little too unreal? Yes, of course, it's a drama, but honestly, their love story just seemed too perfect to me, so at some point, it started to get a bit cheesy. But contrary to their kisses.. the FL seemed like a wall.. it seemed so emotionless, especially compared to dramas like "my little happiness" or "love is sweet".

So, all in all, this was basically a mix of funny and cute scenes, with a (to me) decent amount of robot combat scenes.
Give it a try if you'd like to have a chilled, pleasant journey of watching! And no, you don't need to watch GGS first, and maybe, after what I've read, it's even better since this will leave you a better impression then haha.
(But maybe I'll watch it in the future tho. The actress of Tong Nian is really beautiful :))

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Cute Romance

I have watched Go Go Squid 1 and this season wasn't as good. There were too many flash backs that didn't help the storyline or explain anything. Although there was some robot combat to make it a little more interesting,, the suspense fell flat. The leads did okay with their acting and finally towards the end DT had more lines to say. I didn't feel chemistry between Appledog and DT. There were a lot of cute moments, but eventually that got boring. I skipped a bunch of episodes for this exact reason. They could have cut about 10 episodes out of this, it dragged on that much. I prefer the first one. I did like the Robot house servant , but it seemed to be forgotten half way through and could've been used for more cute/sweet scenes. The father of the two sisters, was annoying. Yes he was there to delay their romances, but his interference so often was laughable and not in a good way. Overall I'd say it gives the viewer too happy of an ending, because it was too easy. I give it a 6.5.

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Worth watching

I have watched the first season and I have finished watching season 2. I found both the series enjoyable in different ways. The first season was good but I prefer season 2 with the cinematography and good artists. I especially love the relationship of Wu Bai , Ai Qing, Grant , the sister and the girls relationship with the father. I really must give credit to the father for being such a caring and understanding father.
I thought the grandpa acting was a bit over but he still did well regardless. The competition was interesting and it showed the skills of the director for filming it so well.
This drama is a definitely must watch

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I loved this storyline and I will be watching "Go Go Squid" part 1. I love robotics and I have never seen this sport before. I love it and wished we had technology while I was in high school. I mean we had computers but they were not in the homes yet. Anyway, I loved the storyline. I mean who would want a man to love one woman for 10 years? I definitely would. This drama had a calming effect on my mind well except for the competition. I was revved up even though I knew that it was only a story.
The two main leads: Hu Yi Tian who played Wu Bai (DT) was tall and handsome for sure. When he was wearing that wedding suit OMG the muscles in his thighs showed through. I need to see more of this actor. He was believable and made the story seem real.

Li Yi Tong who played Dt. Appledog did a great job. She was also believable in her character! I love some of the outfits she wore. I felt this character was somewhat tomboyish. That is me!

So Glad that the Actor/Actress YangZi and Li Xian were brought back to get married. Yangzi is one of my top 10 favorite Chinese Actresses... so love her.

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Not for robot wars enthusiasts

I loved GGS. But I’m frustrated by GGS2. It’s not the acting as I’m pleased to see that these actors are performing well and would draw me into the story - usually. I feel sorry for these actors.

My problem is if you are going to leave CTF and switch to robot wars ok I can go with that. But robot wars with the same 2 robots but played/used by different teams? Even international teams, well that is dreadful. They are called the same names!! What happens do they toss for who’s getting the good machine? Apple dog doesn’t even bring her own robot to a competition just her console. Finally in episode 7 I saw a third robot contender. It’s more like robot scuffle not wars.

I’ve watched real robot wars which are exciting competitions with clever engineering and great designs. The style of the 3 robots in the first 8 episodes are tried and tested models I saw back in 1990’s. I’m bored.

Oh and it’s nauseatingly saccharine.

Other reviewers have pointed out plot inconsistencies; timeline issues; characters who’ve changed so much. Why bother calling this GGS2? It’s not living up to its heritage.

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Worse spinoff ever

This is by far the worse spinoff ever. Either they should have made it good, in par with GGS1 or never would have made it at all. I dropped it but gave it many chances. I watched till ep 4 -5, then jumped to ep 12 because read somewhere here or on viki comments maybe that GGS1 will align from there...well, it did not and this drama is _______. Sorry, don't wanna say more bad words. Well, in tradition of me saying what I want to say, and I will not be a fake about it: GGS1 is one of my fave C dramas, considering its 41 eps and I hate dramas that long, but it held my attention that long because it was cute and entertaining.

Then this DT Appledog's Time came, well, it definitely flunked in comparison to GGS1. Like read: Do not waste your time. I surely wasted mine.

Sorry to Hu Yi Tian because they botched up your drama...I know that is the reason why you stuck being the "extra" in GGS1 despite you being a leading man material because it was promised to you that you will have your own drama too...

P.S.: Why did they have to change the actors of the main players like Appledog, Solo, Ou Qiang, Grunt, Su Cheng...etc...that actually made it messed up that it already is...ugh

PPS: No bashers please, I am just telling the truth. I just don't want to mislead my fellow drama lovers that is the reason I joined this website or community in the first place, to contribute and may we have the best viewing experience ever! I, thank you!

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I'am not a hater I just want to say my views and opinion.

I 'am impressed by the casting, I know this is a different story from Go Go squid 1 but I just have one question. Why does it feel like the story of Go Go Squid 1 is so very different from here. That is why I 'am disappointed I 'am a fan of Go Go Squid 1 I watched it multiple times already and this is far from what I imagined for the continuation of their story. One more thing this really make me laugh hahaha, sorry why? why? why Tong Nian clothings looks so different? Is Han Shayang became poor? or is she? HAHAHA. well even though I didn't watch it fully but I think the story of DT and Appledog was god and also for grunt.

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amazing show so glad I come across this

only at episode 7 right now but I must write this review already. I came across this show when finishing Go Go Squid 1.

even though the name suggest otherwise, this show is almost not linked to GGS1. in fact it is very different. it is much deeper in emotion and so so good. while GGS1 is heavy with the competition history, this one is much more focus on the romantic relationship.

I have watched many shows but this one definitely the top one with memorable moments. in just a short period of time, there already so many cute / emotional moments, worthy to be remembered and mentioned (but I won't post any spoiler).

also have to say that the cast is really outstanding. I am so looking forward to watch this till the end (and re-watch soon after probably)

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I watched this show because I like Hu Yitian and I watch all his dramas, but this one isn't what I expected.
I have only watched 3 episodes and I already got sooo bored. Too many flashbacks, inner voices, rare sequences, nothing really happens but sometimes I get confused, and the music doesn't help, it makes it depressing. From the trailer I was expecting something more joyful, with more emotions and more actions on the robot fights. Maybe it will happen later, but it doesn't have a great beginning.
I didn't watch Go go squid, so I don't know about the characters, I think they are okay, Wu bai seems adorable and Ai Qing actress is so pretty, but I find her character really plain.
I hope the series get better.

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Well its not bad but not good too

Well actually the thing that make us put a step down is the 1st season. The GN and Ning ning made us soo addicted that we expect the same from this. I mean im still recovering ffrom the first one, this is good but well you know its average and the cast is also not giving their best. I mean captain was way cooler in the GunGod one but here the girl and everything was lacking.
Well I recommend if anyones gonna watch this you better watch the 1st

This is okay but dont have much hope
And the best part is the wedding one ohhh i loveee it... nobody could break the chemistry of han and ning ♥️♥️♥️

Love live go go squid 🦑 love you and please be safe guys ♥️♥️♥️

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