Take it or leave it
This is what I would refer to as a “chewing gum” show. At first it’s tasty and delightful, then it gets boring; loses its flavor. But suddenly a bubble is blown, so it’s somehow interesting again. Then, just as quickly, the bubble goes “pop”. And ultimately you end up spitting it out.Basically, it was sort of fun while it lasted.
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Started off great, but by the end, not so much
I can’t help this feeling of being underwhelmed. This started out so good, there was a vibrancy and excitement that instantly had me hooked, but the back half of the series just didn’t hold up. The show peaked at Hae Seong getting the bully kicked out of school. Once the story switched from the fun of figuring out the school’s urban legends in search for the gold, to battling the evil school director, it just wasn’t as much fun. Far too much time was spent on the corrupt director. I could barely watch her scenes due to my detest of the character, but then her demise felt too rushed and really not that great of a vindication by the end.I’m probably feeling this way mostly because the “romance” tag doesn’t really fit this series. Or maybe it’s because the shiny appeal of the story slowly wore off. Not to mention adding in another Quizno’s commercial within the last 10 minutes of the final episode was upsetting, to say the least.
I wanted more from this. It served so well early on, but then gave scraps by the end. And that’s on me, my expectations were probably set too high. I wouldn’t say I disliked Undercover High School, not at all, I just wanted to like it so much more.
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10/10! From beginning to end!
One of the best action shows I’ve seen in a long time, or maybe ever. I love an action show or flick, but there’s a certain point where if it gets more violent than action-packed, it can become less enjoyable to watch. For sure Study Group has violence throughout, these kids are always fighting, whether literally or figuratively, for their place and their beliefs. It’s a testament to how great of a show this is that it balanced the line perfectly between action versus over the top violence. The fight scenes were all that more incredible because of the fantastical aspect added to them. The entertainment factor of the skillful choreographed fight scenes is addictive, you can’t not watch, and anytime someone flys in the air or crashes through a wall from a punch or a kick, it doesn’t matter if it’s unrealistic, it’s so easy to just go with it and enjoy seeing the villains that deserve a comic book style beat down get served. I wish I would have watched this even sooner, but either then or now, I’ll be just as bummed when it’s over and done. I already know this is going to be one of those shows that sticks in my mind for a long time. And I’m looking forward to watching it again someday, which I’m positive I will, but even then, I’ll be sad that it has to end.Was this review helpful to you?
To My Star is worth the watch, and also the rewatch…
Here’s the thing about Korean BLs, I wouldn’t say they are the best in the industry when it comes to others from differing countries of the genre, but I will say this, they are the BL dramas that I come back to and rewatch the most. And To My Star is a great example of this, at least for me. It’s not groundbreaking or ahead of it’s time or anything like that, but it’s still just really good. I find myself thinking about it and wanting to watch it again on the regular. In my consideration, TMS, both seasons, are essential viewing for BL fans, and I will stand by this opinion. It doesn’t even matter how many times I’ve viewed it at this point, because I know I will come back and watch it again and again.Was this review helpful to you?
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I usually despise a time jump!…
All the rave reviews are not wrong. This is simply an outstanding BL, even if some storylines or plot points could be considered recycled from many used tropes. Who cares! Bad Buddy does it well!From two people who can’t be friends, to people who can’t be just friends. Though that seems like just your ordinary enemies to lovers scenario. Bad Buddy is truly the definition of that comfort show you’re looking for that does it better than even the best. I watch this stuff because I like it, and Bad Buddy was done so well that it made me love it.
All of it, beautiful to watch. It check marks all those boxes. The acting from the MLs is truly spectacular, which definitely boosts the whole show. But you see, Bad Buddy has that little something extra. It has a beautiful and meaningful message. Even if you can’t change the world, that doesn’t mean that you should let the world change you. Live your life how you want to! Find what makes you happy and do your best to avoid what causes you unhappiness. Everyone else can either deal with it or suck it.
But to my “time jump” spoiler. I am frickin sick of a years long time jump gap that seems to be trending in shows. And yes, Bad Buddy once again was like, trope it up! But seriously, it’s done so well. Other shows should take note that this is how a time jump is done!
So yeah, I recommend this show and I dare you to let me know if you’re disappointed. There’s just no way. (P.S. if you find a way, that’s on you…)
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Pete and Kao deserved better, but what a sh*tshow of a series they got instead.
From the very first episode Pete and Kao were nothing but a ticking time bomb that we had to agonizingly and slowly, oh so very slowly, watch ignite. It took nine episodes, NINE, for the lies and deceit to be found out. And then the final three episodes were nothing but the aftermath of miscommunication and bad decisions, which left very little to make be want to spare a single care for them. Any happiness they had was shrouded in lies, and I personally think Pete could have done better than Kao. Which isn’t at all how I wanted this ship to sail! Pete & Kao had a brilliance in “Kiss Me Again” that was drowned in a series that gave them only conditional love that neither of them could navigate. They were set up for failure in the beginning and had no other option but to capsize. I don’t like it, I don’t want it, they deserved a better story.Sun and Mork were what kept me watching. And even their storyline became this reflection of how whether you tell a lie or keep a promise, it doesn’t matter, the people who supposedly love you may still leave you without explanation, choosing instead to believe their own prejudiced opinions until it’s almost and basically too late.
I’m disappointed and upset that angst was chosen time and again over actual character development. Instead of showing young adults learning how to be in a relationship, it felt like a bunch of kids in a sandbox fighting over their toys. You just wanted to yell at them to knock it off and grow the hell up.
We were robbed and so were the characters. We got good actors, but they had to play the facade of a character that could have been lovable instead of stuck in a rut of mundane and clichéd tropes that were meant only to stretch out a story that’s mediocre at best. The whole Pete, Kao, Non storyline should’ve been cleared up in a matter of a couple of episodes instead of being the focus of the whole series. I mean, come on! That’s what Pete and Kao get? A turd of a teenager effecting their relationship from beginning to end? Non should have been flushed so much sooner, but instead he just kept floating around and stinking up the show.
When all is said and done, I did get hooked and wanted to see how everything would eventually unfold. I just wish the story had been done better and wasn’t so focused on Pete and Kao’s relationship never feeling comfortable or stable until the very end. What a waste of potential this wound up being.
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Definitely worth the watch
Don’t let the episode count or complex storyline sway you from viewing. This is definitely worth your time. From the bottom of my kdrama loving soul, I can promise that this series will not leave you wanting, and instead it’ll check all those boxes for what will keep you hooked and intrigued until the very end. It was so hard to say good bye to each personality. They will live on forever in my heart! Right along with Kill Me, Heal Me. Bittersweet and beautiful and everything you want from a story that will make you fall in love, and yearn, and laugh at life.Was this review helpful to you?
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Just as good as the first season and maybe even better
It’s not often that a second season or sequel can outdo the original, but I’ll be damned if Weak Hero Class 2 wasn’t a phenomenal follow up and continuation of the story. I’m so in for a season 3.Admittedly, I was hesitant about the second season, and that had everything to do with Su Ho. He was my favorite character from season 1 and I was left devastated by his unknown fate at the end. I was worried that he would be swept under the rug or killed off; left as an afterthought in the second season. Luckily, that wasn’t at all the case. So much of Si Eun’s journey had centered around his friendship with Su Ho. He was that person for Si Eun that allowed him to open up to the world and the driving force for him to find his smile. The ending of season 2 couldn’t have been better and I couldn’t have asked for anything more. (I’m still coping with the curveball that was Baek Jin’s fate, it’ll probably be some time before I come to terms with that).
I liked the cast of characters so much in season 2. There was just something about this group that grabbed me and kept me held on and invested. They were far less ambiguous in terms of who could be trusted or not. Sure, there was still the old switcheroo with Seong Je, but I was never foolish enough to believe he’d ever be anything other than selfish and all for himself.
If the story were to continue my only hope would be that we could get more than just male characters. I understand that the story is set within all male school systems, but still, it’s just a lot of dudes.
The acting is great, the story is cool, the fight sequences will make you want to rewind and watch those awesome kicks at least once again. Plus, Su Ho!!! I sincerely enjoyed this so very much and I’m just on cloud nine. Chingus, fighting!
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