2
10
2
Sugar Crown
no damsel - only distress
This review may contain spoilers
the most endearing love story - without being childish
This review consists of two parts: Part 1 GGS1 vs GGS2; Part 2: Drama Review
But first the most important question, do I need to watch s1 in order to understand s2? Simple answer: NO - but it's a unique drama experience to have more background information and if you have the time I would recommend to skim through s1 or watch a compilation edit of Wu Bai but it's not necessary.
PART 1:
I watched GGS1 and GGS2 back-to-back within a month and by far this one is the better romantic cdrama.
I understand that while it was airing s1 had more hype and this season was a letdown to the fans, but I watched it in 2023 and quite frankly my capacity to watch another 'pastell-pink-wearing-emotionless-boy-chasing-air-head' Female Lead has run out a long time ago (sorry for the harsh words but that's how I felt).
S2 is a prequel to S1 until mid episode 11, then it happens simultaneously and the final 2 episodes go beyond S1's finale.
Despite cast changes and the overall eSport change, I don't regret watching the first one because there are plenty of mentions of events and people that you make you go "oh i remember that".
But most importantly you see the ML of s2 as a supporting character and in that regard I have to fully give it to Hu Yi Tan, who in my brain, is forever engraved as Wu Bai. I mean... he IS Wu Bai. I tried watching him in other dramas but realized his acting range is pretty much one character type BUT I first saw him as Wu Bai and so it's perfect.
About the eSport: I preferred s2 because they had more time and resources to actually focus on showing the sport and the intensity. From my understanding s1 had to change their entire eSport from a game to CTF during censorship when they already finished filming, therefore you only ever see them sitting at the PC but that's it. Where as in S2 they use combat robots in an arena (give it a try, at first I was skeptical too)
Patriotism: Another thing that was toned town by at least 50% in s2. Towards the second half of s1, all I could hear was "for chinaaa", and "we need to do this for china".... to the point I where I was like. Are they doing this to appease the censorship board since they already weren't favored due to applying for a eSports drama and being rejected the first round?... well anyway in s2 it happens far less and that was nice.
------------------------
PART 2: REVIEW
Oh, the romance is so sweet. Our ML looks up to FL, who is three years his senior. He has liked her for a long time and so the story goes. He is like a puppy, but a very calm one. He only has eyes for FL and it's sooo nice to not have any annoying side characters.
Since the family drama was already dealt with in s1, this season we got smooth sailing. Yes there are some bumps but not any annoying ones caused by other people. And If I think about it again, all they needed was time to get together and they did so in the most adorable way.
It's a very sweet and endearing love story, that made me swoon a lot. There were many kisses, including some steamy ones (another difference to s1) and they had Healthy Boundaries. They worked on opposite teams and made it a rule not to talk about work or stand in each other's way. Something they proved over and over again, when standing in the arena on opposite sides.
I also liked the second lead couple, that were fighting a lot but more like cats and dogs so it was fun. Wang An Yu is always easy on the eyes.
---------------------------
There are only two dislikes I had about this and they're only benign:
THE HAT! In the first season Wu Bai was always seen wearing a black cappy and I think he looked very good in that, but in s2 he only wore it a couple episodes which was such a shame :(
Number two: It was a tad bit too long. Not even in a draggy way but since there is little conflict within the relationship you get to see them for almost 20 episodes as a couple, and they make it work - but i would have been fine with 30 episodes too.
---------------
Final verdict:
It's by far the most endearing and stress-free romantic drama I've seen that was not childish and easy to watch with a ML that loves the FL even before the drama starts. It wasn't anything breathtaking or fantastic, so I'll give it an 8/10 but if you truly want sweet-sweet romance, that isn't cringy, then give it a go :)
But first the most important question, do I need to watch s1 in order to understand s2? Simple answer: NO - but it's a unique drama experience to have more background information and if you have the time I would recommend to skim through s1 or watch a compilation edit of Wu Bai but it's not necessary.
PART 1:
I watched GGS1 and GGS2 back-to-back within a month and by far this one is the better romantic cdrama.
I understand that while it was airing s1 had more hype and this season was a letdown to the fans, but I watched it in 2023 and quite frankly my capacity to watch another 'pastell-pink-wearing-emotionless-boy-chasing-air-head' Female Lead has run out a long time ago (sorry for the harsh words but that's how I felt).
S2 is a prequel to S1 until mid episode 11, then it happens simultaneously and the final 2 episodes go beyond S1's finale.
Despite cast changes and the overall eSport change, I don't regret watching the first one because there are plenty of mentions of events and people that you make you go "oh i remember that".
But most importantly you see the ML of s2 as a supporting character and in that regard I have to fully give it to Hu Yi Tan, who in my brain, is forever engraved as Wu Bai. I mean... he IS Wu Bai. I tried watching him in other dramas but realized his acting range is pretty much one character type BUT I first saw him as Wu Bai and so it's perfect.
About the eSport: I preferred s2 because they had more time and resources to actually focus on showing the sport and the intensity. From my understanding s1 had to change their entire eSport from a game to CTF during censorship when they already finished filming, therefore you only ever see them sitting at the PC but that's it. Where as in S2 they use combat robots in an arena (give it a try, at first I was skeptical too)
Patriotism: Another thing that was toned town by at least 50% in s2. Towards the second half of s1, all I could hear was "for chinaaa", and "we need to do this for china".... to the point I where I was like. Are they doing this to appease the censorship board since they already weren't favored due to applying for a eSports drama and being rejected the first round?... well anyway in s2 it happens far less and that was nice.
------------------------
PART 2: REVIEW
Oh, the romance is so sweet. Our ML looks up to FL, who is three years his senior. He has liked her for a long time and so the story goes. He is like a puppy, but a very calm one. He only has eyes for FL and it's sooo nice to not have any annoying side characters.
Since the family drama was already dealt with in s1, this season we got smooth sailing. Yes there are some bumps but not any annoying ones caused by other people. And If I think about it again, all they needed was time to get together and they did so in the most adorable way.
It's a very sweet and endearing love story, that made me swoon a lot. There were many kisses, including some steamy ones (another difference to s1) and they had Healthy Boundaries. They worked on opposite teams and made it a rule not to talk about work or stand in each other's way. Something they proved over and over again, when standing in the arena on opposite sides.
I also liked the second lead couple, that were fighting a lot but more like cats and dogs so it was fun. Wang An Yu is always easy on the eyes.
---------------------------
There are only two dislikes I had about this and they're only benign:
THE HAT! In the first season Wu Bai was always seen wearing a black cappy and I think he looked very good in that, but in s2 he only wore it a couple episodes which was such a shame :(
Number two: It was a tad bit too long. Not even in a draggy way but since there is little conflict within the relationship you get to see them for almost 20 episodes as a couple, and they make it work - but i would have been fine with 30 episodes too.
---------------
Final verdict:
It's by far the most endearing and stress-free romantic drama I've seen that was not childish and easy to watch with a ML that loves the FL even before the drama starts. It wasn't anything breathtaking or fantastic, so I'll give it an 8/10 but if you truly want sweet-sweet romance, that isn't cringy, then give it a go :)
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