To My Star S2 || BL Review

When I first found out that my favorite BL Korean drama To My Star was getting a Season 2, I could barely contain my excitement. I counted down the days until its release and couldn’t wait to share my thoughts with fellow BL fans.

Synopsis

After his career took a steady turn for the worse, one of South Korea’s brightest stars, Kang Seo Joon, was afraid he might never be happy again. But after a chance meeting brings the talented chef Han Ji Woo into his life, Seo Joon was certain his luck was about to change.

Despite their differences in personality, the chef and the celebrity found themselves unable to resist the other’s charms. Head-over-heels for each other, Seo Joon and Ji Woo believed they had finally found their happily ever after. But their happiness turns out to be short-lived when one of them disappears, leaving nothing but a note behind.

Lost without the other, will these two star-crossed lovers find a way back to each other or has their fairy tale romance truly come to an end?

Episodes:10

Duration:25min 

Aired:June 5,2022-July 3,2022

Country: South Korea

A More Mature & Emotional Plot

Season 2 takes To My Star from a light and sweet romance to a deep, emotionally charged love story. It dives into the characters’ insecurities, vulnerabilities, and emotional scars revealing the struggles behind their seemingly perfect romance. To my star went from being simplistic BL drama about two boys falling in love to dark and complex relationship dynamics with intense emotions. 

From the very first episode, the story hits hard with heartbreak, betrayal, loneliness, and excruciating emotional pain. Unexpected things are happening, unexpected secrets are revealed and unexpected sides are coming out. It’s a rollercoaster filled with other side of relationships which is not always a sunshine but is also fragile, messy and complex.

This season introduces new characters that add depth and complexity to the plot, making the overall storytelling more improved along with the plotline.

Well-Crafted Characters

Kang Seo Joon

Kang Seo Joon is a well-known actor with a friendly, easy-going personality. Perhaps because of his profession, he can easily make friends with anyone he just met. But, despite his large number of fan following or his extrovert nature, he always find himself lonely at the end of the day. Growing up without the love and care from his parents, he crave for such warmth.

That is, until he met Han Ji Woo. For the first time, he felt truly happy and complete. But that happiness came crashing down when Ji Woo suddenly left with no explanation, just a note.

Han Ji Woo

Han Ji Woo, on the other hand, is a talented chef who runs his own restaurant. Unlike Seo Joon’s outgoing nature, Ji Woo is introverted, stubborn, and reserved. Though he tries to appear cool and composed, I always find his personality very cute and tsundere like.

Expressing his feelings has never been easy for him. No matter how hard he tries to open up, his words often fall short. Being in a relationship with a celebrity only amplifies his insecurities, feeding the doubts and fears he struggles to win over. Battling with his inner demons, Ji Woo ultimately makes the painful decision to walk away from the happiness they shared. Without a conversation or explanation, he leaves Seo Joon behind with nothing more than a note.

Lee Sung Yoon

Another character was added to the storyline, Lee Sung Yoon, who is fierce, independent, and ambitious, she exudes confidence wherever she goes. She works as a designer in a jewelry shop, a career she passionately pursues after studying abroad. Upon returning to Korea, she meets Seo Joon while he is promoting a luxury jewelry watch she designed.

Though she is initially introduced as a side character, the story wouldn’t be the same without her. Sung Yoon plays a pivotal role in helping Seo Joon and Ji Woo navigate their struggles, guiding them toward understanding and growth. She becomes the key figure who identifies the underlying issues in their relationship which neither of them could see on their own.

Episode Length

I was genuinely satisfied with the episode length in this season. As a BL fan, I’m used to Korean BL dramas having short episodes and a limited number of episodes, which often leaves me feeling dissatisfied and unfulfilled. The stories tend to feel rushed before you know it, with just a snap of your fingers, the drama is over in a single night.

But this time, it was different. Each episode ran for about 25 minutes, even longer than in the first season, and it made all the difference. The pacing felt just right, well-written, well-executed, and never rushed. The cliffhangers at the end of each episode only made me more eager to hit “play” on the next one.

Unnecessary Drama??

Many viewers felt the drama included unnecessary conflicts and a breakup phase just to create drama, but I completely disagree. The insecurities and disagreements they faced are something every couple experiences at some point. It felt authentic, not forced.

Yes, it did take several episodes to finally reveal why Han Ji Woo suddenly decided to call it quits, but that pacing made sense. Ji Woo is a stubborn person who struggles to communicate his feelings, so his silence was consistent with his character. Still, I couldn’t help but wish there had been more episodes showing them together and happy, enjoying the love they fought so hard to protect.

Ratings + Breakdown

Intense Acting

The acting in this season was phenomenal. The story carries so much depth and heartfelt emotion that it demands genuine effort and talent to portray convincingly. Season 2 dives into more difficult and painful emotions compared to the lighter tone of Season 1, and the actors rose to the challenge beautifully. Every scene felt raw and authentic. I could feel their emotions and fully understand their struggles.

Lack of Romance

Since the plot focuses on the post-breakup phase, there are fewer romantic and intimate moments between the main characters. Much of the story revolves around one trying to push the other away by any means, and the other desperately searching for answers and convincing him to stay. While this dynamic was compelling, it meant the drama lacked the bright, happy side of their relationship. Given their amazing chemistry, I wished there had been more heart-fluttering and cute moments to balance the emotional heaviness.

Side Characters

While the main characters are well-written, the side characters are just as strong and impactful. Without them, the story wouldn’t have had the same depth. Yoo Ha, the adorable little girl, and Sung Yoon, with her pivotal role, truly shape the narrative. Their presence is more than just supportive. They drive the story forward in ways that feel both natural and essential.

Directing

The drama radiates warmth and aesthetic beauty. Set in a cozy, rural, mountainous region during winter, every scene feels intimate and visually captivating. The direction skillfully captures nature’s beauty, with stunning landscape shots and emotional close-ups that heighten the mood before key moments. The OSTs are beautiful as well, though at times their placement could have been more precise to fully enhance the emotional impact.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve watched To My Star Season 1, you already know the main characters couldn’t be more different. Their tastes, preferences, and personalities are like the north and south poles – completely opposite. Yet, despite these differences, they fall deeply in love. It’s proof that people can change and grow to be more authentic, even when it seems impossible. They are perfect example of the saying, “opposites attract.”

Honestly, I was a bit skeptical about Season 2. As much as I loved the first season, I worried that the story might lose its charm, become repetitive, or fail to meet expectations as happens with many drama sequels. But to my delight, this season not only maintained the magic, it outdid the first. The story became even more engaging, and it was impossible to watch just one episode without immediately clicking on the next.

If you want more, there is ‘Our Dating Sim’, which is another wholesome cute Korean BL drama that I have watched.

How was your experience?

Have you watched this BL Korean drama yet? If you have, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Did you enjoy it, or did the conflicts and emotional intensity make it frustrating for you? Were you hooked by the raw emotions, or did you find yourself wishing for more lighthearted moments? Share your opinions in the comments. I’m curious to know how this season made you feel!