Love All Play (2022)

Could've been great.

Let's start off with what I liked about the show:

- It looked really good cinematography-wise, I liked the overall atmosphere and aesthetic of it.
- The characters had their charms and sometimes were very comedic.
- They had a bunch of funny moments which I genuinely enjoyed (one being the spoon scene, that was really funny for some reason).
- Yumin and Junghwan were endearing.
- Taejun vs. Junghwan
- Also that golden retriever Yunis junior.

Now, onto what I didn't like about the show: (warning: rant)

- The story was very all over the place. For something that was supposed to be a sports romcom, it was so angsty and Taeyang's and Taejun's growth as athletes weren't even touched on as much. (Honestly, their growth as characters in general wasn't really shown that much).
- The characters' arcs and stories weren't properly showcased. We just suddenly see these developments and I'm always left thinking "when did that happen?" or "where did that come from?" It's like I completely missed the show and I'm just learning about all of these developments secondhand. And because of this, I find myself not caring about their struggles that much and when they get through them, it's like "alright, good for them I guess".
- The conflict was so repetitive and kept going only for it to end just like that? The potential for conflict and resolution could've been really good but it wasn't.
- The show felt like it was focusing on too many stories and conflicts (or too many angles of one conflict? idek) and problems of Taeyang that it couldn't really understand what it wanted to say properly, leading to a very scattered show with no proper growth therefore leaving the characters with so much wasted potential for their arcs (especially Seungwoo's—I would've loved to see him at least want to play before ending his career). Honestly, I wanted to love this because I love sports stuff (2521 and Haikyuu! being some of them) and it started off pretty well! I find it really interesting when the characters have different goals for their athletic careers while also having to balance their personal struggles and how that's interwoven into their stories as athletes. But this was just, too much angst and very all over the place. In the 15th episode, they show flashbacks of Taeyang and Taejun playing badminton together and it's literally only from the first three episodes. That's how little we've seen any of the characters play badminton. Where is their growth as athletes? How is Taejun becoming more passionate about badminton? How is Taeyang coming back from her 3-year break? And why is the Yunis team suddenly accepting her? SHOW MEEEEEEE.
- I genuinely didn't like that Taeyang just kept taking all the bullshit too? It was fine for the first few episodes, but it just kept going to the point that it was annoying. Idk.
- Also why do Taejun and Taeyang hug like that? It feels so stiff, the only exception being the last hug they had during episode 16. Like just HUG! Put your heads together! Nuzzle!!!! Jeez.
- Lastly, I wanted to see more of Taejun's emotional struggles. With his parents practically being very absent when it comes to his badminton career, how he feels being overshadowed by his sister, his relationship with the sport, etc. But nope. I didn't even care when he gave his medal to his mom and said that he was never good enough because they didn't show his struggles. (Also, his mom is the worst).

Anyway, this was disappointing. I really wanted to like this, especially because a lot of people are saying it was good.

Am I missing something? Someone tell me because I would love to love this. Maybe I'll give it another watch during my free time, but for now these are my thoughts.

Lire davantage

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.

Lire davantage

Downhill after a great start

I was hooked to this story mainly because of our ML. Their interactions and conversations felt so inviting and you will find yourself rooting for them from the get go. The overall casts are good. The dynamics is chaotic but interesting.

However the premise of Badminton really drops the ball on this. Idk whether its normal for an athlete to have booze once in a while during training, or such controversy has ever really occured in RL , but I do know for a fact that if you want to excell as a great athlete, of any sport, alchohol is a big NO-NO. So the big plot of this story really didn't sink in with me coz I'm a badminton fan myself in RL. So yeah since the big secret was out I keep FF through all the shenanigans. I could not relate to it coz it didnt feel real. Yes, you reap what you sow, but knowingly that it will jeopardize you in the end doesn't really resonates with me especially if you are an athlete.

I enjoy the beginning, happy in the middle, but puzzled towards the end. Wish it would have been better.

As always; Would I watch this whole drama again? No.

Lire davantage

Such a fun watch! Light and breezy

This sort of reminds me of Weightlifting Fairy in tone...light and easy to watch. It's a sports romcom that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's more about a story about forgiveness and falling in love than the journey and growth of becoming the best at badminton.

Likes: For sure, Park Ju Hyun and Chae Jong Hyeop as the leads. Both are entirely charming in their own way. I like that they are not super famous because I feel like you can see their characters more. Park Ju Hyun has a tomboyish athletic look which is not typical in female leads, but I like that. It's more relatable. Also, I can't pinpoint why I feel like this...but she comes off like she may have a bit of a smart ass side to her which immediately makes me like her. hahaha. She was perfect as Tae Yang.
Chae Jong Hyeop reminds me of a smiley cute Labrador. He has this "good guy" boy next door feel. He first caught my attention in Nevertheless and I'm glad to see him in a leading role. He didn't disappoint and I feel like more good roles will come his way after this.

The two of them have a fun chemistry, the sole reason why I enjoyed this drama so much. I enjoy teasing banter so the first half had me hooked. The second half did get a little more weighed down with oppression. The problem here is that it felt like they were really stretching for these obstacles. Also, I think they should have paid a little more attention to the growth and struggles of being in sports. It felt very downplayed which I wouldn't say I minded that much, but I think a little more personal growth would have fared better. As for the rest of the cast, they felt like caricatures at best. Sometimes funny, sometimes overkill.

Overall, the tone was pretty light imo, even when it got weighed down a little in the second half. It's because the show doesn't really delve down and explore the deeper emotions the characters have. It just barely touches the surface. Some may not like that, but it was fine for me as I just wanted to watch something easy breezy and the chemistry carried the show for me.

Lire davantage

ML's Smile is What Kept Me Watching!

When they were happy and together, it made me smile a lot. They were such a sweet and supportive team but that was only at the beginning and the end. I really understood when people were saying FL cried a lot, it bothered me a few times but it wasn't that bad. She was having a really hard time. It went down hill as soon as he found out it was his sister that she had the accident. The relationship became all twisty and hard to watch, so much so that I considered dropping it at ep 10. I wish they made that storyline shorter, it was SO hard to watch. They should have gotten them back together before the end of the last episode.

The ML was a real one all the way through, he's the greenest flag. The leads really went through it. I would of liked to see more games, we only saw them play together a few times. It would have been nice to have a flashforward at the end, showing them with medals and trophies. Can't believe they didn't show who won the match at the end, like what was the point!? I really wanted to see then win gold together.

Lire davantage

Amazing Chemistry

The best part of this drama is, without question, the chemistry between the two leads. From the very start they had the best kind of relationship — playful bickering, but with the added fact that they were two people who each had their own trauma, who had somehow found each other and the emotional support they hadn't been able to get anywhere else. There was something so beautiful and heart-breaking about every scene with the two of them just being together, something so intimate about the conversations they had whether or not there was any skinship (which we did get, satisfyingly).

Other than that, the second and side ships were also fun to watch and had their unique dynamics that added to the story. Even as independent characters, I really liked all the side characters.

The main plot of this drama surrounds Taeyang's past catching up with her, and this really takes center stage in the second half of the show. It was a decent plotline, but I definitely wish that it was resolved sooner because as much as I loved the angst we got between the leads because of it (those super emotionally packed scenes were where I cried BUCKETS), but I felt like the badminton part of the drama started to taper off — there was less about the risks that athletes take and their motivations and goals, but it was more about forgiveness and guilt. I have nothing against this drama veering into melodrama territory but I definitely think it lasted a little too long and we barely got to see any badminton matches, whereas the first half was a lot about the characters training and trying to improve.

With that being said, the ending did feel a little rushed too. I disagree with some of the main themes that the plot ended up seeming to say and wish our two leads had been given more agency; it felt like some plot development either happened out of convenience or they were waiting for other characters to change so that they could make decisions. While I understand that our main leads are simply two very selfless and patient (perhaps to a fault) characters and that Asian culture is very family-centered, if you're more confrontational and about self-interest/self-love (as I am) you might find it frustrating and plot-convenient.

Overall, still a really fun watch for me. Taejun is hands down the best male lead I've watched this year and will go down as one of my permanent favorites. This entire drama is just full of green flag male leads.

Lire davantage

it is a nice and refreshing drama with the spirit of youth at its core. even though it deviates from the topic of sports in the middle for a bit, the ending really pulled it together.
I really enjoyed the character development of some of the characters, especially the ML's sisters.
the drama showed a very natural process of healing and dealing with trauma.
all the characters had a very hopeful ending.
the drama showed us the stories of joining, quitting, rejoining, and retiring from the world of sports in the most realistic way possible.
shout out to the Yunis team for having the most lovable side characters!!

Lire davantage

go for this already, why are you still reading?

I'm not into sports honestly but this drama is just so good. I can't even explain it in words rn how I am feeling. This is just so good. Park Taejun is a walking Green Flag and Park Taeyang (Juhyun) one of my fav actress since "extracurricular" did not disappoint. The chem was so good. I don't usually write an entire paragraph about how I am feeling for a drama but this is just different. I will not be mentioning any other actresses/actors bcs if i would, the review would be very long. So for Soohyang unnie, she's so good at acting. She made me hate her in school 2015 and she was so good at acting there and it still the same as now. Like bruh are you really her? TT TT love this drama sm 100/10 would rewatch it after a year! Hoping i would kind of forget some part so he next time i watch this i would be surprised again.

Lire davantage

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 ❤

Lire davantage

Melodrama with some sports and romance elements

This started off quite well; it had a lot of promise and I liked it better than 2521 ( which I dropped at Ep 14) It’s not a rom-com, that’s why I say it’s a melodrama- which means there’s a lot of crying, relationship problems, unresolved past issues and wait... more crying.

The FL is an ex-national team badminton player. She “ran away” for three years because of an incident and has never resolved it. The ML is a promising badminton player who had been hiding behind his sister’s shadow his whole life and is desperate for his parents and the world’s attention. Both found solace and comfort in each other, and eventually love starts to develop. They are quite cute together, and there is some skinship ;) but it’s not the centre of the storyline.

You have your typical side couples, side teammates who initially hate you, treat you badly then after a long while start to stand up for you and encourage you. Some issues with the writing and characters eg the coach. Head coach and assistant coach are pretty incompetent- very old school kind of training, not encouraging nor inspiring. [Spoiler: Male doubles team- one player pushed his partner to the floor, grabbed his racket to hit the shuttlecock. Umm.. I don’t think that kind of play is EVER allowed on the court. End spoiler]

Initially rated it a 8/10, now dropping it to a 7.5. It’s getting kinda slow and draggy. Let’s see how it develops and ends. ;)

Update: Ending was a nice wrap up of all characters. I still didn’t like the mother: it remained quite draggy throughout the last 5 episodes which was unfortunate. I did complete it but ff here and there.

Lire davantage

One of the weaker rom coms of 2022

I´m a sucker for well-made rom coms. Even if they are full of clichés, I actually don´t really care as long as they are successfully played out. Of course chemistry between the lead characters and supporting cast are a must; story line, strong and/or witty writing, great acting and well developed main characters with an appealing arc are also a must.

Unfortunately Love All Play does not check all the boxes, actually it only has two things going on for it, great acting and great chemistry from the leading actors, the rest ìs MIA.

I´m surprised I´m saying this because I loved the opening two episodes, the set up and badmigton as the background was just very promising. I fooled myself thinking that if Love All Play was half as good as Racket Boys I was in for a treat, but oh boy oh boy it turned out just as bad, if not worse, than other recent droppable series such as 2521, Forecasting Love and Weather, Business Proposal, Our Beloved Summer, Shitting Stars, etc… list goes on. You got the point.

In 2022 the only two shows that I have actually enjoyed are Crazy Love and My Liberation Notes (which is not considered a rom com, but a slice of life).

What a waste of talent in Love All Play seriously. I really hope that Park Ju Hyun choses better projects with great characters in the future since I consider her one of the most talented and promising actresses of South Korea. Her portrayal of Bae Gyu Ri in Extracurricular set the bar quite high for herself and positioned herself as an actress capable of playing intense and complex characters. So I have to say that Love All Play is a total letdown.

Would I rewatch it or try to finish the series? No way in hell.

Would I recommend it to others? If you really don´t have a choice or if you´re brain dead, yes go ahead.

Lire davantage