4
4
started strong, but way too many characters
Overall: I was pleasantly surprised with the first few episodes and the tension/yearning; however, the relationship progression stalled and the 24 support characters including several love triangles had me confused/not interested in the side relationships. I have watched the original series adaption; I have not read the book. I tried to write this review based on the current series' merits. Aired uncut (~1 hour) on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/love-sick-2024-episode-1-1mki2ks9q5g?lang=en_us and cut (~45 min) on Tia51's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR99-9wCOObG0rFQTm5mqfiLeR0eyARyx&si=dU0m-CXh1LffpvC8 Later aired uncut on Tia51's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6Rt0y1j7QI
Content Warnings: bullying, joking about attempting suicide, homophobia, fight, non con picture/video taking/sharing, cyber bullying, child abuse?, slaps
Watch Suggestions (to center on the 2 leads/get rid of love rivals/music competition, these are the uncut timings)
- watch all of episode 1
- episode 2 watch the beginning to 53:35
- episode 3 watch the beginning to 11:15, 28-50 and 54-end
- episode 4 watch 8-9 cameo, 25:30-27:30 and 38-45:45
- episode 5 watch 11:45-13:50, 26:15-28:35, 53-54 and 58:15-end
- episode 6 watch 17-19 and 37:50-42:30
- episode 7 watch 14:40-15:40, 39-40:30 and 56:30-58:10
- episode 8 watch 18:30-21:30, 28:30-30, 35:45 to 49:30
- episode 9 watch 41-43, 1hr5 to end
- episode 10 watch 5-20 and 45-end
- episode 11 skip 35:30-51
- episode 12 watch 6-8, 16-17, 29:30-35:45 and 44:30-46
- episode 13 watch 4-6, 24:45-36, 40:15-42, 46:25-47:25
- episode 14 24-17:15 and 56:15-end
- episode 15 watch 30-31:45, 36:30-37:45, 40:30-43:20 and 1hr6:40-end
What I Liked
- how the first episodes are focused on the 2 leads
- sweet/caring moments
- staring/tension/chemistry
- that Noh didn't do something in episode 3
- cameo in episode 4
- a trans character wasn't a comedic character
- character growth
- production value
Room For Improvement
- the intro was beautiful but it made me confused about the context for it (they do explain it in later episodes, not a favorite way to start a series), then the 2 year time jump
- a ton of characters (says 24 support roles in addition to the 2 main characters) were introduced and I was fairly lost with everyone except the leads, just when I'd get into a side couple romance it would jump to other characters
- new characters and love rivals introduced in the last two episodes instead of resolving other plotlines
- tension was great at the beginning but seemed to stall, there wasn't a good enough reason for me as to why the characters couldn't get together for so long
- a few fast cuts/scene jumps even in the uncut version
- the scene with diarrhea
- in episode 14 a character lectured about not trusting him and then soon after didn't trust the person he had lectured
- so pg that it felt unnatural, the refusal to shower together even when an established couple, doing a nose kiss instead of an actual lip kiss, multiple near kisses with a lame non-kiss at the end
- (neutral) comedy sound effects
Cut Version Differences (it seemed that the cut version removes some of the scenes with the female characters which I liked but it unfortunately removed some of the scenes between the male leads which I didn't like, I watched the uncut only after episode 2)
- in episode 1 it doesn't have that first scene from 2 years ago which I liked because I found they looked older 2 years ago, in part 2 they cut out Noh trying to get thru the gate, in part 3 they cut out the sister entering the room and them jumping on the bed/fighting over the sheets, cut out a group scene with the girlfriends, end of part 3 they cut out a scene with Noh's family, towards end of part 4 they cut short phone call with friends and with some other guys moving chairs
- in episode 2 they cut a scene that interrupted their cuddle, but then they cut the head on the shoulder in the taxi, in part 2 they cut out a girlfriend scene and some of the evil mom stuff
Content Warnings: bullying, joking about attempting suicide, homophobia, fight, non con picture/video taking/sharing, cyber bullying, child abuse?, slaps
Watch Suggestions (to center on the 2 leads/get rid of love rivals/music competition, these are the uncut timings)
- watch all of episode 1
- episode 2 watch the beginning to 53:35
- episode 3 watch the beginning to 11:15, 28-50 and 54-end
- episode 4 watch 8-9 cameo, 25:30-27:30 and 38-45:45
- episode 5 watch 11:45-13:50, 26:15-28:35, 53-54 and 58:15-end
- episode 6 watch 17-19 and 37:50-42:30
- episode 7 watch 14:40-15:40, 39-40:30 and 56:30-58:10
- episode 8 watch 18:30-21:30, 28:30-30, 35:45 to 49:30
- episode 9 watch 41-43, 1hr5 to end
- episode 10 watch 5-20 and 45-end
- episode 11 skip 35:30-51
- episode 12 watch 6-8, 16-17, 29:30-35:45 and 44:30-46
- episode 13 watch 4-6, 24:45-36, 40:15-42, 46:25-47:25
- episode 14 24-17:15 and 56:15-end
- episode 15 watch 30-31:45, 36:30-37:45, 40:30-43:20 and 1hr6:40-end
What I Liked
- how the first episodes are focused on the 2 leads
- sweet/caring moments
- staring/tension/chemistry
- that Noh didn't do something in episode 3
- cameo in episode 4
- a trans character wasn't a comedic character
- character growth
- production value
Room For Improvement
- the intro was beautiful but it made me confused about the context for it (they do explain it in later episodes, not a favorite way to start a series), then the 2 year time jump
- a ton of characters (says 24 support roles in addition to the 2 main characters) were introduced and I was fairly lost with everyone except the leads, just when I'd get into a side couple romance it would jump to other characters
- new characters and love rivals introduced in the last two episodes instead of resolving other plotlines
- tension was great at the beginning but seemed to stall, there wasn't a good enough reason for me as to why the characters couldn't get together for so long
- a few fast cuts/scene jumps even in the uncut version
- the scene with diarrhea
- in episode 14 a character lectured about not trusting him and then soon after didn't trust the person he had lectured
- so pg that it felt unnatural, the refusal to shower together even when an established couple, doing a nose kiss instead of an actual lip kiss, multiple near kisses with a lame non-kiss at the end
- (neutral) comedy sound effects
Cut Version Differences (it seemed that the cut version removes some of the scenes with the female characters which I liked but it unfortunately removed some of the scenes between the male leads which I didn't like, I watched the uncut only after episode 2)
- in episode 1 it doesn't have that first scene from 2 years ago which I liked because I found they looked older 2 years ago, in part 2 they cut out Noh trying to get thru the gate, in part 3 they cut out the sister entering the room and them jumping on the bed/fighting over the sheets, cut out a group scene with the girlfriends, end of part 3 they cut out a scene with Noh's family, towards end of part 4 they cut short phone call with friends and with some other guys moving chairs
- in episode 2 they cut a scene that interrupted their cuddle, but then they cut the head on the shoulder in the taxi, in part 2 they cut out a girlfriend scene and some of the evil mom stuff
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