kyled8042

I don't think season 2 ever addressed this and it felt very cheap and, even mean spirited to me as a viewer who enjoyed season 1. I am fine with them not having romantic chemistry if it makes sense thematically and deepens the story and characters. Unfortunately, season 2 acted as if the dynamic from season 1 never existed and cheapens Hana's character in having her softness connect with a first love character that has nothing to do with the plot except being infatuated with Hana. So Mun also gets cheapened in just having a "one track mind" in getting stronger and doing things alone basically regresses to acting the same way he does at the end after Hana tells him to rely on others and not burden himself. The show's story and characters seem reduced to caricatures to make way for action scenes. Too bad the action scenes seemed to be reduced to psychic duels as opposed to dynamic fight choreography from last season 1. Rarely has a season 2 of a series made me so disappointed in the series as a whole like this one. I think Hana and So Mun's dynamic change is a symptom of a deeper issue this season: I think this issue is that it was completely disconnected from season 1 and the characters felt reduced in their complexity to make way for cheap character moments and comedy. Just my thoughts, and thank you for reading :)

At this point I think I relate to the term "counter punch" in the title. It really felt like a punch towards the audience of those who may have liked season 1. This is just my perspective and it does not apply to every audience member. I really hope for season 3 for I would love to have a better ending then this season :)

I can empathize with this comment, for I think this season ruined so much of what I loved about this series from season 1. I guess people like this show for different reasons in that some comments can say how they like it or somewhat like it. I do not want to take away other's enjoyment for the show for I think it is valid to like it or dislike for whatever you reason you have. For me, this season may be the most disappointing season I watched, and I just look at season 1 and season 2 as two different series (One from OCN and one from TVN). I think the reason why I dislike this second season so much, despite its good production values and actors/actresses, is because season 1 was the drama that got me into Kdramas. I really felt a connection watching this show and watching the counters go through personal grievances in connecting to their families in the afterlife and healing the community in a place distorted with corruption yet definitely worth restoring. This season's character dynamics, story, and atmosphere seemed to shift so much from last season. So much so, that I felt disconnected to this season hoping it will get better with character dynamics and plot (It never did in my experience). I personally think this season was more a sequel to season 1 of the webtoon and not a sequel to season 1 of the Kdrama. From what I read, I prefer season 1 of the show a lot more over the webtoon. I am still bewildered on what the writers of this show were thinking as a personal fan. I do not know much about South Korean culture but I would love to learn more about it and hear the fan reception over there too. Unless there is a season 3 that ends the show really well and connects more to season 1, I kind of want to forget this second season exists. I feel guilty for saying this, but it is just how I feel as a fan
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I think this is a good point. I remember hearing the news how So Mun and Do Hana did not get together romantically through seasons 1 and 2 of the webtoon. I am unsure about season 3, though, for that chapter is still ongoing for written work. Personally, I think adding Dohwi, a whole new character that was not in the webtoon, might not have sat well with some viewers. Especially in how this character had romantic connection with Hana that I do not think was alluded to in the webtoon or season 1. Personally, I liked how season 1 did not have any explicit romance and I liked the character dynamics and stories. This season, I really had trouble connecting with Hana and Dohwi for it seemed too forced to me. I remember not knowing anything about the guy except that he likes Hana and that she is her younger self with him. I think in retrospect, I actually would like Hana's arc to be presented to where Hana had a younger brother (like the webtoon in season 2......or brother she does not know about in the series) that could have connected her with her past. This could have led to some backstory of Hana's family and life as a highschool student with parents and possibly a romantic interest. Just my thoughts. Even though I love season 1 and am not a fan of season 2, it says something in how it is making me think :)

Haha, that is true! There are different rumors for each season reminding me of how So Mun can be translated to "rumor" in Korean. I would love a season 3 personally just because I would like an excuse to watch Uncanny Counter with more episodes. Right now I am sticking with season 1 but would love to see a powerful ending if there is a new season. I am thinking, at this point, it depends on the writer of the webtoon for season 3 for where the story can go in a new season :)

Thank for the comment. I like how you mention how this season was more enjoyable for those who wanted the relationship dynamics between counters to feel more like a family. I am glad it was enjoyable for those fans and I liked how you mentioned season 1 was more for those who might have appreciated a different dynamic. This is actually my first kdrama sequel I ever watched and I was surprised on how different it felt from the first season in regards to character dynamics. It gave me a lot to think about and I think there are lessons to learn in us not becoming demons and living virtuous lives :)

Thank you for replying back! I think that is a good point in how writing a relationship can feel more jarring now with everything that is going on. I notice a lot of tension between those who want there to be a relationship between So Mun and Hana and those who do not. Maybe a way to think of each season as its own separate thing with relationship dynamics between characters. This season felt to me like a reset from season 1 and maybe season 3 will feel like a reset as well. I like seeing imaginative works as "sandboxes" where audience can talk about ideas and feelings about in a flexible manner :)

That is okay. I am thinking some audiences find it better as a found family. Personally, I thought it made the series more boring and the dynamic between Hana and Mun not as interesting to watch. I am actually not a big fan of "found family" tropes in fiction so maybe I misinterpreted the first season. I sometimes think the "found family trope" leads to abandonment of actual family members, like So Mun and his grandparents that made me not admire his character as much this season. I hope people can enjoy whichever season they like. It is a show and I just wanted to offer my take as a fan :)

I think that is an interesting take how his series can be seen as sort of a "reboot sequel" that follows more the spirit of the webtoon than the spirit of the first season. Personally, I thought season 1 worked so much better as a TV show than season 2 did. I personally struggled to get through it hoping it will get better but it felt so cheap how plot twists and character relationships were resolved are not even brought up. I am actually curious how season 3 of the webtoon is developing things now :)

I too would like some development with Hana and So Mun's dynamic from season 1. It does not have to literally be a couple, but I really thought their dynamic was a lot of fun to see where audiences can interpret it in different ways. I really thought there was so much potential for these two being a duo so different from other kdrama romance duos, which are very hard for me to root for personally for they can feel forced and one dimensional. Just my perspective and you can root for any couples you want. It is a show for peace sake :)

I am actually not a big fan of some Kdrama romances for it can sometimes feel forced and one dimensional. My problem with Hana and Dohwi is how it did not show any qualities about Dohwi, outside of his infatuation with Hana, that relate to him as a person with his own life and goals. I even remember in this season how he seems to possibly leave his children students "unattended" after hearing that he can see Hana again. It felt I was being told to like them as opposed to feeling a natural connection from the two. Just my observation and thanks for reading :)

The take on this is I really enjoyed how season 1 left Mun and Hana's relationship up to interpretation based on the audience. I also loved how their relationship dynamic related thematically in where the two can possibly be younger versions of So Mun's mom and dad as well as Hana reminding So Mun's grandmother about her daughter. With this season, I was so confused in why Dohwi and Hana was necessary other than showing, at least to me, that he is only infatuated with her with no other qualities as a music teacher. Plus, their relationship did not seem to allude to any information about Hana's past as a school student in having friends and possibly connecting with her family. I understand people not being fans of So Mun and Hana as a couple, but I think this season seemed to dismiss their dynamic entirely from last season that felt too jarring. Just my take though as one fan of season 1 :)

Though I hope for a season 3 it can recontextualize season 2 and bring back the dynamic from 1 :D

I really enjoyed the dynamic between So Mun and Hana in the first season because it felt very different from other Kdrama pairings and it allowed the audience to interpret their relationship however they like. I also liked how their dynamic fit themeatically into the series with connecting So Mun and Hana with "possible younger versions of So Mun's mom and dad" and even So Mun's grandma "recalling memories of her daughter when she sees Hana". Dohwi was a nice guy "on the surface at least" but I do not know anything about him other than he is infatuated with Hana. I even see him leave his piano students "possibly unattended" just so he can see Hana at the park this season. I do not understand how Dohwi and Hana fit thematically into the season. It was so confusing and I can't help but think that maybe they changed it because of the controversy surround So Mun's actor. I could be wrong though :)

Very well done review! The first season is one of my all-time favorite series of all time. It was the show that got me into kdramas actually! I empathize with your point at the end saying that as a standalone drama, I think there is a lot to appreciate in this season. It is just as a follow up to season 2, I can't help but see it as an optional continuation but not at all required after watching season 1. I enjoyed reading your thoughtful review :)