I was so happy to see just 8 episodes and heard so much about this drama that I watched the entire series at one go but the ending was sooooo annoying! like why would u stop the series there! Besides the 2nd season is stuck bcz of pandemic and the waiting is killing me! Other than that, I m just happy to live in a world where love alarm doesn't exist! It's definitely the worst thing ever. Specially when there's a shield!
197 Reviews
WHAT A MESS!
Ro-atthemovies11 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Watched Love Alarm for one reason, Song Kang! Didn't know the other two main actors, who were a disappointment. The weak story has so many holes in it, kept me saying, "wait, what?" What a mess this turned out to be! Song Kang was rightfully the lead male in season 1! Then after a long wait for season 2, he gets pushed to second male, "wait, what?!" Pushed behind an actor that is not lead level. Did not understand what was so attractive about Kim JoJo, no one seemed to like her! She is weird, cold, secretive, lies and boring. With friends like Kim JoJo and Lee Hye Yeong, Hwang Sun Oh doesn't need enemies! While her boyfriend, Sun Oh was good to JoJo, really caring and loving but she turned on him with such ice and no explanation, "wait, what?!" Hye Yeong basically stalked her through high school, worked with her, never made an effort to talk to her, but once his best friend is strangely dumped by her, he's brave now to go after her, "wait, what?!" Hey Yeong is no better a person than JoJo, he turns on his life-long friend for Sun-Oh's disloyal ex, "wait, what?!" At first, I was disappointed that JoJo and Sun Oh didn't end up together. But in hindsight, not so much! Sun Oh deserved a better girl in his life, one that would treat him respectfully and truly love him. Happy he moved on to a career and a better girlfriend! Don't waste your time on this awful series! There are way too many good Kdramas on Netflix to waste time on this one!
Not bad, not bad indeed
TheDyingGirl23 August 2019
Okay kdrama that had potential
sini-20027 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The kdrama had a promising start and even its cliches I enjoyed the first five episodes. The two had really fun chemistry and were cute together. After the Jeju island I just was so confused about everything. Jojo breaking up with Sun-Oh so suddenly felt weird, I didnt see any reason for thay than bad writing or shock of value which I didnt expect from a kdrama. Also Hye-yeong deserved a lot better than being in unrequired feelings for Jojo and wished he'd find someone else.
I wish I understood the 4 year gap better cos it really fel like a draggy and pointless plot to me and I couldn't find it interesting. If this has season two I hope its better.
Ps. I will never forgive this show killing Duk-Gu like that. The show did him so dirty I'm still pissed.
Smooth Opening and Smooth Ending for Season 1
z0hny29 August 2019
Of Course! there will be season 2. K-dramas usually have 16 or more episodes.
Netflix added only 8 and the story is still incomplete.
This show had one of the most interesting concept I've ever seen. K-dramas in general revolve around romance, a back story and A unique concept.
But Love Alarm in general is a very beautiful blend of futuristic technology in daily life of youngsters when an app called Love alarm (JoAlarm) is launched which tells a person about how many people in a 10m radius love them. As expected this causes several beautiful phenomenon and some violence and sad happenings which is shown in the show very thoughtfully. People who watch K-dramas must watch Love Alarm. while others can give it a try.
Depicting Complexities of Relationships
ftzfatema17 March 2021
Though having the elements of typical k-drama, Love Alarm stands out and is unique that addresses issues like mental health and negative impact of social media addiction.
The most admirable thing about this drama is it's depiction of complexities of relationships and ever changing human emotions and feelings. This drama exhibits how over dependence on technologies can create further problems. It was good to see how the central characters were making efforts instead of solely relying on what "Love Alarm" app was suggesting.
Watching Love Alarm felt like a emotional rollercoaster ride. Though an enjoyable good drama, some confusion still remains in the end. However the ending is not bad at all as many are claiming. It's just that you'll feel sad for some character who has a bittersweet ending. Overall it's a good to watch drama.
The most admirable thing about this drama is it's depiction of complexities of relationships and ever changing human emotions and feelings. This drama exhibits how over dependence on technologies can create further problems. It was good to see how the central characters were making efforts instead of solely relying on what "Love Alarm" app was suggesting.
Watching Love Alarm felt like a emotional rollercoaster ride. Though an enjoyable good drama, some confusion still remains in the end. However the ending is not bad at all as many are claiming. It's just that you'll feel sad for some character who has a bittersweet ending. Overall it's a good to watch drama.
There will be a second season, relax
moonhime1 September 2019
I can't believe how many reviews are only basing it off the cliffhanger. From what I could see, the webtoon goes way past where the first season ended, so just sit back and wait for season 2 and stop your bellyaching about the cliffhanger, they're super common in Asian dramas.
That being said, the story is fascinating. It has a big tech-fiction edge to it that is relatable to all of us that are so addicted to our phones and apps. The main characters are all great and very well cast. The feels are there, so much feels and the chemistry between the 2 main characters is like a fire that burns inside you! If you're a fan of k-dramas you'll love this one for sure, and if you aren't maybe wait until it's completed before you watch it or you'll just whine about the cliffhanger, or you know just go into it knowing you'll have a juicy cliffhanger that will get you excited for season 2.
That being said, the story is fascinating. It has a big tech-fiction edge to it that is relatable to all of us that are so addicted to our phones and apps. The main characters are all great and very well cast. The feels are there, so much feels and the chemistry between the 2 main characters is like a fire that burns inside you! If you're a fan of k-dramas you'll love this one for sure, and if you aren't maybe wait until it's completed before you watch it or you'll just whine about the cliffhanger, or you know just go into it knowing you'll have a juicy cliffhanger that will get you excited for season 2.
The 2nd season was pretty good
matildesampaiomarques14 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I think a lot of people are missing the point of the show. In my opinion the ending was perfect and here is why:
In the first season you are watching the grow of jojo's and shun-oh's relationship, which was a first love and a puppy love. It was very sweet (kinda) but both the characters had some trauma. Jojo got scared of getting hurt and/or dragging the first male lead down, therefore she ran away (installed the shield). In the mean time the second male lead had step aside to not interfere however when jojo closed her heart to sun-oh,he saw an opportunity. I just gotta say that i dislike the first male lead a lot. He knew that his "best friend" like jojo but didn't care, and then acted like was a victim with anger issue, and basically treated her like an object, saying she had been stolen from him, like she was a doll with no will of her own.
Now, i'm not saying that jojo didn't mess up when she installed the shield, however who hasn't made mistakes in a relationship because we got scared, especially being this the first experience with love and with heavy trauma behind it? It made the show more realistic.
The second season the characters are grown and we can see how close the second male lead has gotten with jojo. Their overall relationship is awesome and caring and its clearly a more mature love. In contrast, the first male lead is in a spiral, he is moody, has developed anger issues for real and he is in denial ( which doesnt make sense to me bc its been 4 years and he has a girlfriend but somehow he is still stuck on the puppy love.)
So i have a lot of complains about sun-oh in this season, he was a total creep and no one can change my mind. gonna list a couple of behaviours that were out of line:1º he grabbed her arm, dragged her, yelled at her multiple times saying that she still liked him after she told him no 2º he fn followed her like a stalker twice!
3º he caused a scene in her class and fn kissed her without her permission ( mind you she didn't like him and was dating the second male lead).
I get taht fans are upset bc she didn't ended up with Sun-Oh, they are always gonna be their first love and have kinda of an adoration for one and other but that doesn't mean that they love which other and that they are meant to be. They should move on.
Hye-Yeong proved to be an awesome character in this season and really showed how true his love was.
Great 1st season; Truly awful 2nd season
nolaquinn21 March 2021
I won't go into detail why the first season is phenomenal, especially the firts half of it is amazing, but oh my god....I waited so so long for the 2nd season and it was a huge disaster. The direction it takes is nonsensical and it missed so many great chances. And as others have pointed out, no character is really likeable. I watched the last half of the 2nd season in 1.5x speed, just to not waste even more of my time. Honestly, just watch the first season and dream up your own ending.
I loved itttt
kileysharon29 August 2019
The biggest toxic lie ever😂
WWAC15 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I loved the concept of the Love alarm because it reminded me of black mirror until they took its effect away. Highly bothered by the ending of Love Alarm Season two. People who are crushing on the ending with the bias of at least the second lead won this time worry me too.
It really feels like the break between season 1 and 2 affected the story big time and birthed some toxic plot twists. Jojo had issues to deal with from her past which made her afraid of accepting Sun Oh's love and what effect it could have on the wall she had put up . She was able to deal with Hye-yeong for the same reason she was with her ex because she felt safe and in control. Not because she loved him.
Duk-gu should have received a major penalty for trying to play God with Jojo because he felt since he couldn't win Gul-mi over he transferred his feelings to Jojo's relationship life. The biggest running theme was the inability to say I love you anymore because the app did that for you so the best way to end it if they really wanted a twist was to not give jojo a spear. That was a cheat code...if there really was a glitch then she should have gotten her alarm abilities back. Then she would ring both her alarms, Hye-yeong would also experience a variable just like sun oh and have someone else ring his alarm. Jojo would properly use the jeju marathon and getaway to get over her fears and be ready to accept love not safety from emotional upside down version of it and fully, therefore, making it fair game.
The ending is problematic because it just inspires people to be hurt in relationships in the name of you will grow to love me one day. That's just obsession to me. If anything we should be sad that Sun Oh didn't win because he never truly had love in his life that he could get from someone he was giving it to. Whilst Hye-yeong had love from his mom. This should not have been about first or second lead winning but lessons learnt from the effect of the love alarm and how we would adjust to it just like the realistic plays from the suicide and crime it evokes. Love Alarm 2.0 actually did make sense and if Hye-yeong could be with Jojo then heck Gul-mi and Duk-gu may as well have made it😂. Why be honest about that and not the other🤔.
This was just not the show for satisfying the second lead win scenario. Definitely not well played. There was a lot to unpack I understand but the shortcuts and lack of focus us on things like Jojo Hye-yeong's kiss attempt for example were just not explored and Duk-gu not removing the shield like the instructions said.
Like are we just meant to forget about that? This like game of thrones all over again too.😂 I just don't buy because it just doesn't make sense. Anyways I'm done.
It really feels like the break between season 1 and 2 affected the story big time and birthed some toxic plot twists. Jojo had issues to deal with from her past which made her afraid of accepting Sun Oh's love and what effect it could have on the wall she had put up . She was able to deal with Hye-yeong for the same reason she was with her ex because she felt safe and in control. Not because she loved him.
Duk-gu should have received a major penalty for trying to play God with Jojo because he felt since he couldn't win Gul-mi over he transferred his feelings to Jojo's relationship life. The biggest running theme was the inability to say I love you anymore because the app did that for you so the best way to end it if they really wanted a twist was to not give jojo a spear. That was a cheat code...if there really was a glitch then she should have gotten her alarm abilities back. Then she would ring both her alarms, Hye-yeong would also experience a variable just like sun oh and have someone else ring his alarm. Jojo would properly use the jeju marathon and getaway to get over her fears and be ready to accept love not safety from emotional upside down version of it and fully, therefore, making it fair game.
The ending is problematic because it just inspires people to be hurt in relationships in the name of you will grow to love me one day. That's just obsession to me. If anything we should be sad that Sun Oh didn't win because he never truly had love in his life that he could get from someone he was giving it to. Whilst Hye-yeong had love from his mom. This should not have been about first or second lead winning but lessons learnt from the effect of the love alarm and how we would adjust to it just like the realistic plays from the suicide and crime it evokes. Love Alarm 2.0 actually did make sense and if Hye-yeong could be with Jojo then heck Gul-mi and Duk-gu may as well have made it😂. Why be honest about that and not the other🤔.
This was just not the show for satisfying the second lead win scenario. Definitely not well played. There was a lot to unpack I understand but the shortcuts and lack of focus us on things like Jojo Hye-yeong's kiss attempt for example were just not explored and Duk-gu not removing the shield like the instructions said.
Like are we just meant to forget about that? This like game of thrones all over again too.😂 I just don't buy because it just doesn't make sense. Anyways I'm done.
A lot of KDramas end after 1 season. This one should have.
kmrocky-70-80188222 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Season one was great and ended on a cliffhanger, it should have been resolved and ended right there. Reading the reviews it looks like most people do not like the second season.
I understand they were trying to send a message in season two. Don't trust technology, listen to what your heart and mind are trying to tell you, I get it but we still don't like the ending.
Jojo and Sun-oh should have ended up together. Season one was full of love and passion, they were cute together. The first season had a lot of promise.
Season two, every episode is full of doubt and negativity. I kept watching to see when it was going to pick up, It didn't. It was depressing and had a completely different vibe than season one. There didn't seem to be any romantic chemistry between Jojo and hye-yeong they just seem like very good friends. It made for a very blah and disappointing season 2.
I understand they were trying to send a message in season two. Don't trust technology, listen to what your heart and mind are trying to tell you, I get it but we still don't like the ending.
Jojo and Sun-oh should have ended up together. Season one was full of love and passion, they were cute together. The first season had a lot of promise.
Season two, every episode is full of doubt and negativity. I kept watching to see when it was going to pick up, It didn't. It was depressing and had a completely different vibe than season one. There didn't seem to be any romantic chemistry between Jojo and hye-yeong they just seem like very good friends. It made for a very blah and disappointing season 2.
Season 2. The final doesen't make any sense pls make a short 3rd season
samrokero25 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Seriously she should have chosen Sun-oh. All Hue-yong did was be de good guy: " Oh, I don't care about Love alarm, I don't care if you reject me, look I'm patient and nice" puaj, and that somehow enchanted her, whaaat? Remember Jojo loved Sun-oh, but she cut with him for almost no reason, because personal problems or whatever. Why she couldn't return with him? After the penultimate chapter the most reasonable would have been choosing Sun-oh! When she explained to Sun-oh why she chose Hye-yong it seemed more like she felt sorry for Hye-yong than in love with him. When she was doubtful that she loved Hye-yong because she didn't make his alarm ring couldn't she not care about Love alarm and save us time? Sun-oh returned with Yuk-jo after he ignored her while thinking about Kim Kojo during all his relationship with her, and then when he tried to convice Jojo to be his girlfriend again, he all the sudden insists with Yuk-jo to return with him, and she seems to like it. She should have move on from him the moment she noticed he didn't really loved her, what the heck. I would have given it a 9, not because the serie is almost perfect, but because it would have fitted really well if she chose Sun-oh. Not because Sun-oh is more handsome than Hye-yong, nor richer, obiously, but because it really seemed to me Sun-oh deserved it. I hope that when Joho asked herself what would have happend if she hadn't had the shield, that means that there will be a 3rd season where she finally chooses Sun-oh.
Not bad
good-9407329 August 2019
Follow your heart, not a love alarm
drsearch14 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Love Alarm has a very good message, which was explained in the last episode. Instead of living your life because of an app, you can just live your life by following your own will and heart. This is what Kim Jo-jo and Lee Hye-yeong eventually did. Many are upset because they really liked Hwang Sun-oh, and Song Kang who played him really nailed it in Season 1.
But Sun-oh chose to let his life be determined by the app, and accepted the break-up because of the app, although he knew that he loved Jo-jo and Jo-jo loved him. Meanwhile, Hye-yeong was really chasing Jo-jo and was madly in love with her, despite the app saying otherwise. There is a cardinal rule in life: the guy who tries harder gets the girl. And Love Alarm is no different.
For those who feel sorry for Sun-oh, don't be. He got an excellent girlfriend Yuk-jo who is very patient, caring, unselfish, loving and pretty. Such girls are really rare, and he hit the jackpot here. If he starts to live his life like his best friend Hye-yeong did, which is following his heart, he will return her love.
I really enjoyed Love Alarm, both seasons. I think Season 1 was better directed and had better cinematography. At times I found the camera work in Season 2 distracting and even annoying. The colors were sometimes too bright, which was hurting my eyes. But the music was better in Season 2 and the shots on Jeju island were stunning, so the PD knows how to deliver good shots. The back stories were very nice, and I liked the growth of characters because of these stories. The actors were top in their class and I am looking forward to their next shows.
The only thing I would have changed was to give Sun-oh an explicit happy ending by finally letting Yuk-jo's love alarm go off in their final scenes and with them both smiling. This would have reduced the expected backlash and reduced the SLS effect.
I rate the TV show as 9/10. For those who love the actors, show them YOUR love by watching it on Netflix!
But Sun-oh chose to let his life be determined by the app, and accepted the break-up because of the app, although he knew that he loved Jo-jo and Jo-jo loved him. Meanwhile, Hye-yeong was really chasing Jo-jo and was madly in love with her, despite the app saying otherwise. There is a cardinal rule in life: the guy who tries harder gets the girl. And Love Alarm is no different.
For those who feel sorry for Sun-oh, don't be. He got an excellent girlfriend Yuk-jo who is very patient, caring, unselfish, loving and pretty. Such girls are really rare, and he hit the jackpot here. If he starts to live his life like his best friend Hye-yeong did, which is following his heart, he will return her love.
I really enjoyed Love Alarm, both seasons. I think Season 1 was better directed and had better cinematography. At times I found the camera work in Season 2 distracting and even annoying. The colors were sometimes too bright, which was hurting my eyes. But the music was better in Season 2 and the shots on Jeju island were stunning, so the PD knows how to deliver good shots. The back stories were very nice, and I liked the growth of characters because of these stories. The actors were top in their class and I am looking forward to their next shows.
The only thing I would have changed was to give Sun-oh an explicit happy ending by finally letting Yuk-jo's love alarm go off in their final scenes and with them both smiling. This would have reduced the expected backlash and reduced the SLS effect.
I rate the TV show as 9/10. For those who love the actors, show them YOUR love by watching it on Netflix!
Peaked halfway
xpunisherx17 December 2021
Show peaked halfway. Had such a good start and an amazing relationship between the two main characters. Then it fell off towards the end of season one. Definitely doesn't make me want to watch season 2 or even finish season one.
Soooo gooood!
simplyjacksonyoung15 March 2021
I never do reviews, like ever.
This however I binged the first season and had been waiting for what felt like a lifetime for season 2.
I loved every part of this series, location, scenes, characters, script, soundtrack, storyline.
Giving credit where it's due because I'd feel bad for not expressing how much I loved this show.
Highly recommend I can guarantee that I'll be re-watching and will still cry over a scene 😭😍
This however I binged the first season and had been waiting for what felt like a lifetime for season 2.
I loved every part of this series, location, scenes, characters, script, soundtrack, storyline.
Giving credit where it's due because I'd feel bad for not expressing how much I loved this show.
Highly recommend I can guarantee that I'll be re-watching and will still cry over a scene 😭😍
Good Enough
PennyReviews12 September 2019
"Love Alarm" season one or part one if you prefer, set a strong start for the love story , that will hopefully won't get stuck into cliches and get boring.
For now, the story was pretty good. The love alarm app was a bit confusing at first, but it quickly got clearer as the drama progressed. The part with the school love story was cute, although the begining of the romance was awkward. Still, the love triangle was strong and it only seems to get better and better in the second part.
The performances were really good, moreover. Plus the leads had nice chemistry between them. However, there were some parts that were just too predictable and common in korean dramas.
So, overall, seven out of ten.
For now, the story was pretty good. The love alarm app was a bit confusing at first, but it quickly got clearer as the drama progressed. The part with the school love story was cute, although the begining of the romance was awkward. Still, the love triangle was strong and it only seems to get better and better in the second part.
The performances were really good, moreover. Plus the leads had nice chemistry between them. However, there were some parts that were just too predictable and common in korean dramas.
So, overall, seven out of ten.
Wtf happened with season 2?!
bcostley-7994014 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Lemme rant!
You know, I quite liked season 1. Although there were some slow parts and quite a few cringing scenes, or the odd one that just pissed me off, there was still one redeeming quality. Sun-oh's and JoJo's undeniable chemistry. It was the reason people kept watching, am I right? That and so JoJo's brat cousin get her just dues.
But lemme just say, WTF HAPPENED WITH SEASON 2. I mean she tortured Sun-oh for the whole season, Hye Young who wasn't a Maine character in the first season was suddenly all over the screen, and they didn't even have JoJo end up with the guy who she actually had chemistry with. 6 long episodes (including skipping parts) later, and I have changed my rating for the show from 8 to 1. I absolutely had how they created this "shield" thing for JoJo and somehow victimised her and excused her selfish actions. Sun-oh never got an apology for JoJo stupidly breaking up with him and for the pain she put him through, she somehow managed to stay the victim throughout the series, and the cousin remained a selfish brat and somehow had all her dreams come true. I mean come on!! Netflix really dropped the ball on this one. I don't think I've ever been more mad at a tv show ending before.
But lemme just say, WTF HAPPENED WITH SEASON 2. I mean she tortured Sun-oh for the whole season, Hye Young who wasn't a Maine character in the first season was suddenly all over the screen, and they didn't even have JoJo end up with the guy who she actually had chemistry with. 6 long episodes (including skipping parts) later, and I have changed my rating for the show from 8 to 1. I absolutely had how they created this "shield" thing for JoJo and somehow victimised her and excused her selfish actions. Sun-oh never got an apology for JoJo stupidly breaking up with him and for the pain she put him through, she somehow managed to stay the victim throughout the series, and the cousin remained a selfish brat and somehow had all her dreams come true. I mean come on!! Netflix really dropped the ball on this one. I don't think I've ever been more mad at a tv show ending before.
Beautiful
ashley_j_71418 September 2019
Your heart is safe now
alaningle714 March 2021
The series is based on a webtoon about an app which tells the person if there is someone within 10 metres who loves them and if that feeling is reciprocated when their love alarm lights up. Sadly the direction and screenplay is just too slow and the story takes forever to go nowhere. The character development leaves you not interested in any of them but more annoyed with their unreasonable behaviour.
Hotness wasted
cryspyne18 September 2021
What an annoying female lead ? , For once can we make heroines, humours, happy, smart and bad ass. I mean why heroines in most k drama , so life less, annoying to core , always need protecting when they don't.
It's the worst story I have come across, when ur characters can't move the story or the audience, you should know it's time to quit.
One star for the hotness of male lead and for whom I suffered the ordeal.
It's the worst story I have come across, when ur characters can't move the story or the audience, you should know it's time to quit.
One star for the hotness of male lead and for whom I suffered the ordeal.
I absolutely loved it!
cistersailor24 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I watched the entire thing the day it came out, and I only sort of regret doing that because I miss watching it! I love the chemistry between Jojo and Sun-oh. The only thing I don't like about it is the reason why she broke up with Sun-oh. I didn't completely understand why at first, so it might leave you in confusion. It did for me, at least. Some people might be complaining about not knowing whether Jojo ends up with Sun-oh at the end, but that's what a cliffhanger is all about! And another season.
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