Ready, Set, Love (2024)

Squid Games meets Hunger Games meets The Bachelor meets...

I stumbled upon this show whilst scrolling through netflix a few months back and thought it seemed interesting and like a quick watch. I had basically zero expectations for this show but damn I was surprised, as I had fun with this drama. Firstly, I thought the flow of the show worked well, it didn't take too long to pick up the pace and it didn't drag either. I thought the acting was good, the set design was fun (obviously extremely inspired by Squid game), I liked the side couples probably more than the main couple. The world building is definitely a bit confusing and under-baked. However I didn't really expect much from a 6 episode rom-com drama. If you're looking for the show to actually dive deep into it's own world building and potential social etc issues and make some kind of deep parallel analysis to the real world, this show is probably not for you. If you're looking for a fun rom-com that just happens to take place in a dystopian universe, you will probably have fun with this show.

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muito bom????

Quando vi a sinopse desse drama, confesso que dei uma respirada e revirei os olhos. Depois do lançamento, vi bons comentários e fiquei curiosa... fui assistir totalmente sem expectativas e saí apaixonada.

Me apaixonei por todos os personagens, tirando a vac4 da mãe da Channel, e achei até o Almond interessante. Dei umas gargalhadas gostosas com toda a farofada, principalmente da protagonista que virou minha protegida. Amei a relação da Day e da May, da Channel e da Bovy e da Day e da Va. Não posso esquecer do meu casal sáfico de mamães que também foi tudo!! Amei todos os casais, mas os protagonistas me pegaram com tanta fofura!!

Gostei do plot principal e de como o drama terminou, mesmo que não tenha segunda temporada. É difícil mudar um sistema, mas as raízes de novas possibilidades foram plantadas.

Soltei uma risada gostosinha com "direitos dos homens são direitos humanos" e amei como o movimento #freemachos serviu protagonismo feminino do início ao fim.

Amei, amei, amei ver tantas mulheres, muito diferentes entre si, construindo seus próprios caminhos, sendo corajosas e escolhendo por si mesmas.

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Ready, Set, Love—what is it actually?

So, *Ready Set Love*—what is it actually? The premise had so much potential, but it just couldn't quite get it together. The genre blending here was the real issue. They seemed to want to balance humor, romance, and tragedy, but the result was an awkward mishmash. The humor often went so dark that it left you genuinely shocked, especially since it was supposed to be a light dating show. There were moments where it felt like they wanted to have fun with the absurdity, but then they’d drop a bombshell of tragedy without ever quite giving it the depth it deserved.

And speaking of the love story—it felt rushed. It was as if the show was trying to tick off the "romantic arc" checklist, but the chemistry between the main couple never had time to develop naturally. The relationship felt forced, especially when the show was so eager to dive into the tragedy that lay under the surface. Instead of focusing on the emotional depth of the main couple, the narrative shifted toward the second female lead and her tragic backstory. It felt like the victims of the dating show got lost in the shuffle, which left me confused about what the actual focus was supposed to be. Was it a love story? A dark comedy? Or just a sad tragedy in disguise? The unclear direction made it harder to invest in any one aspect.

Now, let’s talk about the acting. For what it was—a bizarre, semi-satirical take on a dating show—the actors did a solid job. I can’t imagine how tricky it must be to deliver those over-the-top, TV-show-within-a-show performances while still conveying real emotion. The cast nailed that balance, especially considering the tonal shifts. The main couple's awkwardness felt genuine, even though the script didn't give them much room to breathe.

Production-wise, though, they really nailed it. The set design, camera work, and pacing kept things visually engaging. It was clear that a lot of effort went into making the world feel larger-than-life, even if the story itself didn't quite match up. And the catchphrase "Ready, Set, Love" was oddly catchy—props to whoever came up with that one.

In the end, *Ready Set Love* is a show with a ton of potential, but the mix of genres and the focus on secondary plotlines really threw things off. It left me wanting more from the main characters and wishing they'd spent more time exploring the darker side of the story instead of distracting us with other subplots.

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gave more than expected (but maybe not enough?)

I picked this up thinking it would be just a light watch as I was getting bored,
but surprisingly it actually hooked me

the acting wasn’t top-notch, but it wasn’t bad either, most the actors gave exactly what was expected of their characters without taking away the spotlight of the other characters…

the show gave you enough to watch to keep watching and the over exaggeration that’s expected from Thai dramas too adding a more light tone overall and a comedic twist

the separate relationships between the characters was dealt with well too (romantic, platonic, parental etc)

However, I think with a longer run/ or even within 6 episodes, the more dystopian side could be explored, I think it was slightly brushed off how the societies normality wasn’t equal between men and women but no one had any issue with it until the last point (which was shown with the revolt at the end and almonds character showing how integrated the regime was). Also there was no true resolvement apart from the couples
(but there is a possibility for a season two)

overall it was a good watch if not deeply interpreted and taken more on face value with a hint of more complex details.

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Thai meets Hunger Games meets The Divergent

This was so cute! The plot was simple and cute. It felt like The Hunger Games cute little sister, that’s more simple and adorable. It had cringy humor but I didn’t hate it, I was embracing it. The acting was awkward at time, but you could tell that the actors were trying.
I watched it in one sitting and it left me feeling excited. If you need a break from more serious dramas, this one is for you. I’m currently watching The Glory and I needed something the cleanse my soul a little bit, something predictable and cute and this was exactly what I needed.
Love it! 🖤

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Squid Games but make it a Rom Com

Ready Set Love reminded me of squid games with the bright set and the different games with eliminations. That's as far as the similarities with Squid Game go. I almost dropped it when I first started watching because I didn't care for the FL. I thought her acting and expressions were over the top. I'm happy I didn't drop the show because it was good and the female lead improved as the show progressed. I'm happy the story didn't just focus on the game aspect, I liked the story of the characters working to dismantle the system. I wish this show was longer and maybe we wouldn't need a season 2. Because the story was short the romance was good but lacking. We knew the leads had chemistry due to a shared past but beyond that, we didn't get to see them fall for each other again it was just I like you because your meow meow the kid I played/protected when I was younger. I would've liked to see more progression in the romance. Also if the show was longer the viewer wouldn't have to guess what happened to Son's father because the viewer isn't given any information other than he was caught but obviously, he didn't go back to the farm so where did he go? We'll get our answer to that in a possible season 2 because, during the last scene of the show, we see Ms. Kwan being given pictures of Son and Day (Their son) and Son's father. I rated this a 7.5 because it was good but their some things I would've changed.

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Cringy romantic comedy with fascinating dystopian underbelly

At first, the series didn't grab me at all, the specific way of overacting and the overall cringiness of the comedy got on my nerves more than ever. What kept me watching and engaged in the show, was its dystopian background and the storyline that touches the world-building aspect of the show. The love story of it didn't work for me, but I enjoyed the commentary beneath the facade of the dystopia that makes the audience think and how the reversing of gender roles makes the story even more impactful, because unfortunatelly being desensitized to the treatment of women (the way the men are treated on the show) is very common. Overall, it is an interesting series, I just wish it leaned more into the thriller and mystery parts of it instead of comedy and romance.

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Fun binge watch!

Think parody of The Hunger Games or Squid Games, but with dating. I don't watch too many Thai dramas, because I find the acting either lacking or overboard. This came up while I was scanning Netflix for my next watch and I decided to give it a try, knowing nothing about it. I'm sure glad I did.

Since the whole show is pretty over the top, you don't notice if the acting isn't good. There is humor and suspense as we watch a Dystopian version of The Dating Game.

There is a lot of use of bright colors and interesting costuming, unfortunately so many of the suspense scenes are so dark it's hard to see what's going on.

It's a very fun show to watch.

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Promising start but disappointing in the end

Based on the trailer and synopsis Netflix showed me, I was expecting a fun game show romcom. In fact, the first episode certainly delivered that! The opening, the acting, the characters, the main couple, and game show theme showed what kind of drama we were getting into. Very colorful, kinda cheesy with some heartfelt moments, and hilarious.

However, the more I watched, the more the show ended up suffering from including way too many subplots and lack of development from most of the cast. Aside from the game show, there’s: showing the dystopian world they live in, what happens to the males in that world, The Farm, the little sister’s illness, Chanel’s family, exposing the dark side of The Farm, Day’s friend (Valentine) discovering that Almond is her brother, and much more. it’s all just…too much that the episodes felt cramped.

While Day x Son were a pretty decent couple (not a fan of ‘oh we were childhood friends before’ type of connections but they were still cute), the side couples felt so forced to me. Max had an immediate attraction to Chanel and their chemistry wasn’t that interesting so I wasn’t into it. Same with Paper and that radio/singer guy, they had one interaction/deep conversation together and honestly their scenes bored me so I wasn’t into that one either. Speaking of characters, I was a bit disappointed with how small of development the 3 out of the 5 guys got. Almond and Day were the most interesting and had decent development. Max and Paper could have been better and I’m pretty sure the show forgot about Glasses Guy (see, I even forgot his name).

I was expecting to love this show after episode 1 but unfortunately, it ended up being incredibly disappointing. While it does have its good points like the opening (I LOVE the song so much!), Day being a pretty fun FL, the silly moments, and even some heartfelt moments (the whole thing with Almond and Valentine broke my heart and wish we got more of them). But honestly, if this show ends up getting a season 2, I don’t think I would watch it.

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Ready, Set, Love: A Wild Ride of Love and Rebellion

I really liked this show! The colors were so pretty, like they captured the mood of the world perfectly. I loved the camera work too, it gave everything such a fresh vibe. You could feel the tension in the air between the characters, and the production itself just pulled me in right away. It’s the kind of show that draws you in with its aesthetic and then keeps you hooked with its story.

STORY
The premise is so interesting, with men being reduced to just 1% of the population, turning them into a highly endangered species. The government supports this weird TV show, “Ready, Set, Love,” where women play a game to win a guy through a lottery system. Day is one of the chosen ladies, but she’s not there for herself—she's doing it for her ill sister, to cover medical bills. I didn’t expect to enjoy the show as much as I did, especially since it’s centered around the whole “fighting for a man” idea, but the romcom and thrill elements really shine. Plus, there’s this whole layer of rebellion that makes it more than just a typical competition.

CHARACTERS AND CAST
The chemistry between Day and Son is electric. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic really works for me, even though childhood connections aren’t usually my thing. But here, I totally believed that they would fall for each other.
Chanel, who I thought would be the typical SFL, actually surprised me. Her character is well-written; all she wants is acknowledgment from her mom, which she only gets through winning Son, but it wasn’t just about the guy for her. I loved her relationship with Max too—I was rooting for them from the start, and I was so glad she chose him in the end.
I also have to mention Bovy. She was set up to be an annoying character, but I ended up loving her! Her friendship with Chanel is everything. In episode 5, when she says, "I like him, but I've only known him for a few years while I've been friends with you all my life, I want you to be happy," it hit me. She was all about her loyalty to Chanel. Plus, the way she helped Paper come to terms with his sexuality was so sweet.
Chun and Paper’s journey was so special too, and I honestly enjoyed their development as a couple. And even though I kind of saw it coming, Almond being a witch made sense—his whole attachment to the farm as family really complicated things for him, it really hit after discovering Valentine was his sister.

PRODUCTION
The production is so good. I was hooked from the first episode just from how visually appealing it was. The colors really set the tone, and the camera work was on point. Every scene just felt so well put together. The outfits were gorgeous, and the whole aesthetic of the show made it feel like I was watching something special. Plus, the set designs felt very intentional, and you could tell a lot of thought went into creating this world.

MUSIC
I loved the music too. The soundtrack really matched the vibe of the show, and it was spot-on in terms of capturing the emotions of each scene. "Beyond the Wall" is still stuck in my head—it was such a great choice for the ending. It added so much depth to the overall feeling of the series.

Little Details:
The color scheme: The colors were just so pretty. It wasn’t just for aesthetics, but it really set the tone of the show and made everything feel immersive and beautiful.
Camera Work: The camera work stood out to me too. It was smooth and added to the vibe of the show without feeling over-the-top or distracting.
Son’s Dance: I don’t care what anyone says, that dance scene with Son was iconic. It was such a memorable moment in the show that I loved.
The "Escape" Scene: The scene where Son and Paper wore wigs and teamed up with Day for the “escape” was hilarious! Definitely one of the funnier moments in the series.
Commentators: The commentators added an extra layer of fun. Their commentary was on point and made the show within the show even more entertaining.
Chanel & Day: Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic was so intriguing. I know the focus is supposed to be on the men, but honestly, I would’ve loved to see more of Chanel and Day together. They really didn’t need men—just these two working together was powerful enough.
Bovy and Chanel's Friendship: The way Bovy and Chanel's friendship was handled was so refreshing. Bovy wasn’t going to let any man get between them, and that loyalty between friends was really touching. Their conversation in episode 5 at minute 34 was just everything.
Bovy helping Paper: The fact that Bovy helped Paper realize his sexuality was so genuine and caring. "You’re like me, you might like men," was such an important moment for him.
Chanel Choosing Max: Even though Chanel’s mom was pressuring her to choose Son, I really loved how she stuck to her own feelings and chose Max in the end. It felt like she was taking control of her own destiny.
Valentine’s Motivation: Valentine wanting to free the world from the farm’s control felt like such a noble cause, especially knowing she had personal stakes in it (Almond being her brother).
Almond’s Reveal: Almond being revealed as a witch was something I kind of saw coming, but it was still such an impactful twist, especially with his deep connection to the farm and his family’s involvement in it.
Paper’s Journey: I really liked Paper’s development. How he navigated his feelings, especially with Bovy’s help, was such a beautiful aspect of his character arc.
The Ending: The ending wasn’t a perfect resolution, but it was hopeful. Even though they weren’t able to free everyone from the farm, they took a huge step forward, and that felt meaningful.
Song Choice: “Beyond the Wall” was such a great song for the finale—it really summed up the emotional undertones of the show and left me with a sense of bittersweet hope.
The Farm's Dark Secret: The twist about the farm sedating women after they have sons and forcing them to give up their children was so chilling. It really made the whole show feel more intense and added a dark layer to what initially seemed like a quirky premise.

OVERALL
Overall, I’m so glad I watched this. It’s one of those shows that gets better the more you think about it. It mixes romcom with a little bit of thriller, a bit of drama, and plenty of moments that make you laugh and think. The ending left things open for a second season, and honestly, I’d watch it. But I also appreciate how they left things somewhat unresolved; it felt like a big step toward change, even if everything wasn’t fully fixed. The TV show itself, “Ready, Set, Love,” is more than just a game—it's a tool to give people false hope while the system remains rigged, and that twist added such an interesting layer to everything.

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