Love All Play

Love (the first half) Play

As my title suggests, the first half had me and I was thoroughly enjoying it to the point that I convinced a moot to start watching it ongoing too. The cinematography and soundtrack were brilliant, but I loved the honesty that oozed from the ML (Park Tae Joon - Chae Jong Hyeop) with regard to his intentions and feelings for the FL (Park Tae Yang - Park Ju Hyun) and equally loved the awkward reactions she offered, however, after Ep 8 things felt a little forced and disjointed in terms of plot progression, which in my opinion, held back what the cast could have really done to knock this one out the park.

One of the biggest flaws that got to me was how much power was given to Park Jun Young (Park Ji Hyun) and her mother (Lee Ji Hyun) throughout the drama. In fact, I'm still holding my breath waiting for Park Tae Joon (Chae Jong Hyeop) to healthily release whatever he was holding onto/carrying his entire life because of their behaviour towards him and everyone around them. Practically EVERYONE in the drama enabled PJH and her mother's egos while allowing PTJ (Chae Jong Hyeop) to receive the short end of the stick around EVERY turn.

Secondly, with regards to the above, they could have easily cut down PJY (Park Ji Hyun) and her mother's drama and put more focus on the player's lives (MLs, SMLs and more of the teammates), which would have made an even better and more interesting melodrama plot line, in saying that the other alternative would have been to make the drama shorter, which in turn would have left fewer plot holes and concerns to cover.

It had many other flaws, but those were my two main concerns, which pretty much took up most of the drama. It's a pity because the last five minutes really made for a great ending, I just wished we had some more substance that was on par with it.

In saying that both, Chae Jong Hyeop and Park Ju Hyun did a great job as the leads, but for the love of badminton can someone please give Park Ji Hyun a non bitchy role sometime? I really want to like her at least once! 😅

- foxx

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First half: Amazing - Second half: Crap

I watched this one right after it aired cuz everybody was saying it was one of the best, the couple was cute and so on... They were cute indeed. But only in the first half of the show. From the moment they break up that's when things start to crumble.

- When the series begins taeyang made up her mind as to stop pitying and punishing herself for what happened between her and taejoon's sister. So she decided to come back to badminton. But when junyoung comes back and taeyang has to face her (and this ends up breaking her relationship with taejoon, and consequently her happiness), I thought that at some point she would realize that she's again punishing herself for smth that she had already done what she could to apologize for it. She had asked for forgiveness and retired, what else did junyoung want from taeyang?! So I thought that taeyang herself would stop all of that, just think about herself, and continue her life with taejoon by her side (since he himself wasn't giving a damn for all this drama). But the writers chose to extend all of this drama and made the couple get back together like in the last minutes of the last episode. Honestly, what was that ending really?! Just for the record, junyoung is the most annoying character and taeyang didn't do anything bad. It was just the people around her that made it look that way. And I understand that his parents not supporting their relationship might be smth that could made her uncomfortable. But she had already did what she could've done for something she wasn't even that much guilty for.
- The series also drags A LOT this drama between taeyang, taejoon and junyoung. It's like after it begins it becomes the only story that's being told for some eps. I think all of it could've been wrapped up faster so that other things could be talked about. Like taejoon's problem with his parents, and taeyang's reunion with her mother and sister. But I also think all that drama around taeyang shouldn't have taken too long bc it wasn't that much big of a deal. Like I said, it wasn't taeyang's fault what happened with junyoung. Yeah, it was taeyang who insisted on junyoung going out, and yeah, taeyang didn't immediately take up the responsability for what happened. But it was a fatality still. So I think it was a bit too much that everybody was blaming taeyang for an accident. Especially junyoung who was taeyang's friend and the only one who was there.
- I think that taejoon's problems with his family should've been addressed. It was clear that his parents cared a little too much for their daughter's feelings and not about how taejoon was feeling. Taejoon loved taeyang, but when his family found out about their relationship of course he was considered a betrayer. And taejoon never really said anything about nothing. He never complains or says how he feels. He just understands everybody. That annoyed me. All of them should've had a talk about this. And in the end it wasn't clear for me if his parents would stop putting difference between their children. And since the drama didn't show that, it's my opinion that his parents will just accept his relationship with taeyang because his sister decided to be okay with that.
- One thing that annoyed me a lot was how whenever taeyang was sad (which after their break up was like most of the time) she would ghost taejoon completely and leave him all worried bout her. Like she even spent WEEKS without talking with him, not saying a word if she was fine or anything. And when she decided to come back to training he acted like nothing had happened and everything was okay. It was so infuriating for me! He was too good for her. I remember a scene of them talking about feeling lonely and I thought that they would grow to be the emotional support of each other. But that wasn't what happened. Taeyang avoided everyone whenever she was sad and he just hid all that he was feeling. At least that's how it felt for me.
- But I admit I liked taeyang and taejoon as a couple in the first half. They were cute, supporting each other in the challenges of their career. Taejoon is just perfect. And taeyang was light and fun. Unfortunately all of this changed at some point.
- I think the only thing I really liked from beginning to end in this drama was yumin. She was my favorite character! Maybe bc she was removed from all the drama. But she's also not complicated. She's just herself. I also liked her relationship with junghwan. Yeah, he took too long to get over his ex. Yes that's super annoying. And yeah I totally get people not liking their relationship. But they were so freaking cute together! And I liked that she put some limits, not going after him and just walking away when she sees he's taking too long to get over. And in the end he went for her. Idk, I just think they were so cute together.

Anyways, for me this was an overrated drama. The beginning was very promising but all went downhill with their break up and taeyang's past coming back. Maybe if the series didn't focus so much on the taeyang/junyoung drama and more on the messages that were trying to be passed on, the side characters dramas and the romance, maybe I would've liked more. And my rating is not lower than this just because the first half was really good.

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Makes the Top of the Billboard of best Kdrama

On my second watch I have re - rated it to 10.

The narrative structure is so rich - the main relationship so realistically portrayed, the character arcs so believable and not to leave out the awesome sports camera work.

Look forward to seeing the ML and FL in future shows as leads. They are in the top of the league KDrama actors.

She is different from Kim Taeri's character in 25 - 21 as is the plot and themes.
But the feel of richness is the same.

The ensemble cast delivers.

The only weak point if I was to point out would be the weak development of the second couple arc.
It could have been a strong second line (like Park Hyung Shik and FL in High Society as the second couple which got as much heft as the main leads) in the story.. But fell short.
The second arc just felt half baked and that plot line's strong potential was frittered away.

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an okay project i guess

park juhyun was the main reason that i watched this drama but the whole cast got me seated until the very last episode. i was kinda expecting it to be on a pair with racket boys (one of the best sports kdramas i ever watched) but, story-wise, love all play fell off. i didn't really find the pace consistently neat and often times the development to resolve each conflict was either too sloppy or superficial—which did suck because all of the characters had their own stories to be unveiled in a deeper approach. one thing that i prolly loved the most and, safe to say, was also one of its drama highlights is whatever that youngsim and seungwoo have. overall it's a good drama. you may get all the giggles + tears, mushy sweet lines, great chemistry, and chae jonghyeop's genial smiles. the ost was meh but the main song was great, it did wonders to build the sport-ish mood (which again was not their main theme i'd have to say). definitely will rewatch it once in a while. <3

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Surprising find! Main leads have great chemistry!

I almost skipped this one as sporting storylines are not my usual genre. Glad I didn’t! Two episodes in and I’m loving the story, acting and the amazing chemistry between the ML and FL. The MLs are both very talented and have kept my focus. The supporting cast are all skilled actors as well. But both Park Ju Hyun and Chae Jong Hyeop have the chemistry that the MLs should have. Good casting. Lately, for me, it’s been the SLs that not only have the better chemistry but a more captivating storyline. From what I have viewed so far, this drama has got it right. I’m primarily invested in the MLs but am also interested in the supporting characters. It’s a drama that’s easy to watch and so far has ticked all the boxes! Hoping this continues. Well done all involved!

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I swear if I see another scene with that ugly gym I'm going to go CRAZY

I watched four episodes of this drama and it literally went no where. The the grown adults were acting children in a playpen!

The hate for the main girl was just so repetitive and she was just getting bullied over and over again to the point I became desensitised to it and I just got bored of her being toyed around with. Like I get it, they hate her, and? Like I know bullying exists and it is a topic where we need to bring awareness of but realistically I just know that the female lead will need to gain all of those peoples' respect and it will all end happy and nice like they didn't literally bully someone in their workplace (this is a assumption by the way which is probably 100% true). Like I feel like they were written in a high school setting idk it just gives that vibe.

Also I was so sick and tired of seeing the dorms and the ugly blue gym. The gym was also sooo sooo ugly and I got so sick of it. Like this made me appreciate Racket Boys so so much more than I already did!

The plot was also so messy like I was just so so confused cause characters were just popping in and out and unnecessary side plots were just focused on and it bought nothing. I just was so confused and bored.

The main guy as well just was so strange... Like hear me out. Yeah he was really bubbly/kind/caring/funny (aka nice male lead) but then his childishness really pissed me off at sometimes. Like when he tease the female lead when she's literally in her lowest. Also maybe it's cause my favourite type of male leads are the ones who are nice but also is never hesitant to stand up of the right things to do, so when he was just there while the female lead was going through all that just pissed me of a bit. Like he literally gives middle school boy energy.

Over all I didn't like this drama, found it really boring so I dropped it...

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Olympic-level talent, gold-medal whining

I just couldn't continue with this one for some reason and it's no fault of the actors. Because I've seen both main leads in other works and I enjoyed those ones (The Forbidden Marriage and Eye Love You). I don't have a problem with Tae Joon's characterization, it's the Tae Yang's that I'm not on board with. I mean, I am not expecting a perfect, strong Female lead with no weaknesses, but it's just frustrating for me to see how this young lady who was once the darling of the tennis world, wastes her talent by hiding her tail between her legs. Then she somehow feels that her ex-friend bullying her is justified of what happened in the past.

I can sympathize with people who are victims of injustice or maltreatment where they have no recourse to defend themselves, but it's another thing when the FL inflicts this suffering upon herself. And when I found out what REALLY happened in the past, how everyone ostracized her and sees Tae-young like an infectious disease, I just lost it. It's so easy to blame someone else for your misfortune, and this "sucks-to-be-me" pity party is one I refuse to watch.

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Personagens, os gêmeos Park são fora da curva não tem como desgostar dos dois, o Seung Woo você no começo deixa ele passar batido mas você SENTE que ele é uma pessoa boa, gentil, uma pessoa do bem. Personagens como a Jun Young e a Young Sim, no começo você não gosta muito mas ao passar dos capítulos, além deles se tornarem suportáveis, você começa a gostar delas. O Jung Hwan, é tipico personagem rico, arrogante, metido, faz e fala o que quer, mas a gente gosta (isso nos dorama né, pq na vida real, um mano assim é chatão), então mesmo a gente achando que não gostamos dele, gostamos dele sim. Yoo-Min, os treinadores, gosto deles tbm, mas os integrantes da equipe, se eu visse na rua algum deles surrava.

O começo é bastante cativante cara, a química dos dois é muito forte e eles combinam demais, o começo da historia é bom, sobre esporte então a gente fica empolgado com as competições. Mas infelizmente eu senti que não teve competições onde você realmente se importa com a partida. Quando eles tão jogando a partida eu sequer me importei sobre quem ganhava e se não fosse pelo fato que em QUALQUER uma das partida alguém poderia acabar com sua carreira pq tava machucado, dava vontade ate de pular.

A historia achei bem enrolada, derem uma prolongada muito grande, entretanto, pelo fato do melodrama ser forte é aceitável, então achei que combinou bem com o drama presente e com o clima meio melancólico.

Gostei bastante, gostei de tudo, menos da historia. Mas assistiria de novo fácil e recomendaria pra outras pessoas.

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Badminton and Lovers

"Você sabe o que acontece no deserto quando chove? Flores desabrocham. Incríveis. Você é como o deserto. Só não choveu ainda. " - Love All Play

Amei como abordaram o esporte badminton (que nunca tive interesse, mas o drama me fez interessar), e a vida dos atletas. Os "gêmeos Parks" formaram um casal maravilhoso, queria guardar Taejun num potinho. Todos os outros personagens conquistaram meu coração (menos a mãe do Taejun haha e a Junyoung que eu só fui gostar nos últimos episódios). Os outros casais secundários são uns amores! Terminou sem nenhuma ponta solta ❤

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RESEÑA <3

Me a parecido una historia muy bonita y especial, llena de sentimientos, miedos y metas.
Si que es verdad que igual en algún capítulo se hace algo lenta, pero por lo demás, es un kdrama que recomiendo ver.
Su temática se centra la mayor parte en el deporte, pero también cuenta las historias de algunos de los personajes o de los principales.
En todos los dramas, te pueden gustar todos los personajes , pero yo creo que siempre hay alguno que se gana más el corazón del espectador que otros. En mi caso fue Yeon Seung-woo. Su forma de ser, su preocupación y su final, me conmocionó.
Los actores hicieron un trabajo estupendo y el OST es fantástico.
Quizá esta serie me haya recordado a la de 2521.

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Tienes que verlo

Me gustó mucho la historia, siento que es como un confort drama, siento que los colores, escenarios, la forma en la que hablan los 2 principales y lo que dicen son como "cozy". 100% recomendado aunque en un par de episodios se pone un poco lenta. Hay gente diciendo que tiene mucho contenido de badnington, pero es que si quitas ese contenido no sucederian muchas cosas de la historia. El drama no es de romance muy meloso, me hubiera gustado que young-shim tuviera su historia romántica al final, también me hubiera gustado que tae-joon y tae-yang tuvieran más citas y contenido más típico de kdrama de romance.

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