Thursday, May 21, 2015

[DRAMA REVIEW] Let's Eat Season 1 vs Let's Eat Season 2 - Why Season 2 is yummier than Season 1.....


Let's Eat is a 2013 korean cable drama that has been a success because of its unique theme that revolves around people with different likings about food. It stars acting idol Yoon Doojoon, actress Lee Soo Kyung and Yoon So Hee and actor Shim Hyung Tak. Because of the positive reactions of viewers a Season 2 was created and is currently airing this year. Unfortunately, only Yoon Doojoon who plays the main role named Go Daeyoung returned from the original cast. As the changes happen many fans of the original cast had low hopes for the success of Season 2 but the new cast and story proved that there was a reason a second season was made. Currently, the drama is gaining positive comments and ratings.

I personally like Season 2 because of the great story and character development. Truthfully I haven't finished watching Season 1 because I honestly felt bored by it. I will let you know how can the second season catch your heart more than its first. Here are the five elements that I think are well done in Season 2 more than Season 1:

--------------------------[REMINDER: SPOILER ALERT]----------------------------


5.  Supporting Characters



As I mentioned earlier I haven't finished watching Season 1. I am currently in episode six but I already read about its story in websites that recapped the drama so nonetheless I already know the story. While I'm watching it I always feel that I wanted to watch episodes of the second season. I don't know its just what I feel. I think that the acting in Let's Eat 2 is better than that of the first.

For example: Yoon SoHee's acting as Yoon JinYi is not that appealing. Her extreme use of her Jjang Jjang Man expression is not that cute at all. The only one from the supporting cast that I think was outstanding is Atty. Oh which was played by actress Lee Do Yun.

Wherein in Lets Eat 2, we can see the characters mingle and connect to each other like the role of Grandma JeomYi to Mi Ran adjumma which is the owner of the place where Daeyoung lives; Grandma to Joo Seung who has yet to unveil his mysterious character; Grandma to Taeksoo hyung; Joo Seung to Hye Rim, the partimer.

We can also see where the characters are coming from and why they act like that to one another. For example why Grandma is so obsess of taking care of Joo Seung is because she treats him as her own son now because her son is living far away from her. The obsession of Taeksoo hyung to Daeyoung because he doesn't want to be alone and his missing his family in Seoul.


4. The Food

In every episode of Let's Eat there always be an eating segment, hence the drama title right? Because our hero Go Daeyoung is a #food enthusiasts #foodblogger he would always take us to food trips. Who wouldn't want him in reality?

But personally, I think that foods that were being served this second season are much more outstanding and delicious than that of season one. Who would forget that Chinese food fiesta in episode 1? I think that the writers had fully researched the foods that will make the audience drool each episodes. Enough said, its better to compare it with visuals right?

Haemul jjim (Seafood Stir fry) vs Chinese food


Mackerel Stew vs Oysters



3. Go Daeyoung's Changes



Because Let's Eat really revolves with the life of Go Daeyoung, our hero, I would totally be wrong if I excluded him in the list. It was a nice move for the staff to let his character explore a different area with different characters that he will meet all throughout the second season. Go Daeyoung was such a charming character and picking Yoon Doojoon to portray him was a miracle. I just like tvN drama productions for picking such talented actors for the dramas that they produce. Who would forget about the drama Nine (Lee Jinwook), Misaeng (Im Siwan), and Ten (Joo Sang wook)? The characters just fits them all its like all are tailored-made for them.

We saw Go Daeyoung as a mysterious man in Season 1. He was even mistaken as a criminal. He didn't fully let us know and connect with his character and I believe that was one of the purpose of the Season 2, for us to fully understand him and like him. This season, we can see a different and more matured Go Daeyoung. He even is not that messy anymore. Maybe because of the things that he had experience from the past that he became much mature at his age of 31. I mean, who wouldn't be like that when you had experienced a lawsuit, loss of money and break up from a previous relationship (all revealed in episode 1 of the season). Still here in season 2, we can all watch  a funny, caring, somethimes cold, frustrated, angry, hurt and jealous Go Daeyoung. I also think that the present Go Daeyoung is more handsome than the season 1 Go Daeyoung...keke


Also, I think that the acting skill of Yoon Doojoon had definitely upgraded in this Season. He is such a great and handsome young actor that we should look forward to.



2. Sookyung nuna vs Baek Dwiji ; Lee Sookyung vs Seo Hyunjin



As I already mentioned Go Daeyoung, next to include is of course his leading ladies. In Season 1, there is Sookyung noona while in Season 2 there is Baek Sooji. First, let's jot down the characters similarities.

Sookyung and Sooji are both comical characters. They both are fun to watch. They live their lives with a fun kind of clumsiness and of course they are both heavy eater.  But the thing is Sookyung's character was a divorced woman so she was definitely older than Daeyoung while its a good fact for the writers to pick Sooji as Daeyoung's chingu meaning they have the same age. We saw Daeyoung as a dongsaeng and oppa in Season 1 so seeing him interacting with Sooji so comfortably was a breathe of fresh air. 

I already mentioned that both female leads love food so I also have to regard their eating styles.  For me, I love how Seo Hyunjin portrayed Sooji's character espeacially when eating which is the highlight of the drama's every episode. I always hear Sookyung moaning when eating and I don't feel that hungry whenever I watch her...


In Sooji, she has a way of eating that is not that over acting and I can feel that she is enjoying her food from the bottom of her heart. I also like how she speaks random words while eating..


There is no denying that Daeyoung (Yoon Doojoon) is so shippable with his female counterparts. Fans of Season 1 were beaming with frustrations when the new casting was confirmed. It was that part when Sookyung straightened her hair that I think she has charms too. But I think that her being a divorcee became a big problem with her realationship with Daeyoung. Remember that we still don't know what was the reason why they broke up. I mean Daeyoung has still so many milestones to achieve with his age while Sookyung needs some other man that can already settle down and make her happy all throughout her life. She was not in the age of playing yes or no with relationship. Although fans know that Daeyoung and Sookyung both have the same taste in food but thats not enough in a relationship, right? 


Seeing Daeyoung and Sooji from the very first episode was so fun and I already fell in love with their tandem. With their bickering and friendship, they were so fun and I always see how compatible they are as dramaland characters. Who would forget that confession of Sooji with Daeyoung that they are past elementary schoolmates? Whenever they are in the screen together I always feel so excited and my heart flutters. Yes, I am a shipper and I wish that Daeyoung and Sooji would end up together and maybe return for Season 3, Ha! I also think that its a good point that when it comes to eating the characters are both food lovers but with different eating styles which leads to bickering, haha.. The only problem that lies now is that Sooji is dating the character of Sangwoo which is a close hyung of Daeyoung and Daeyoung being in a friendzone by Sooji. 


When it comes to maturity, Sookyung is more mature than Sooji's character. Sooji has flaws like her insecurities and her pretending to be someone else she is not. But we still have more episodes to come so I guess the writer will pretty much do some development with her character. I hope that she would become more comfortable with herself in the future.



1. The Story



Season 1 to Season 2 was life changing for the character of Daeyoung. I like how Season 2 focuses on each character's lives and that each have their own contributions to the drama's progress while in Season 1 there is not that much character overview that we saw. Even Daeyoung was plainly seen as just a food blogger and a struggling insurance employee. We didn't see him expose his true nature as a human. There also are many filler scenes in Season 1 that just doesn't makes sense to me everytime.

I also love how the writer makes the drama much more of a reality with a roller coaster of emotions that she includes in each episodes. The fact that Sooji is struggling with money everytime, Taeksoo and Inha's characters being both lonely in life that they became each others companion, Hyerim's character as a struggling young woman and Grandma being obsess with Jo Seung because she doesn't have anyone to take care of were very relatable. 

We could definitely see that the staff had made a great discussion and planning with Season 2 more than the first Season. I just hope that Season 2 will wrap up in a great way that a Season 3 can open in the following months. In the meantime, let us still enjoy watching Let's Eat Season 2 with our hearts open.











9 comments:

  1. Oh dear neehr! Just as i was thinking of starting a blog because soompi forum is not enough for me to express my love for DY and DY-SJ relationship, you came up with this post, so thank you!

    > I dropped season 1 after 2 episodes because of too much food porn and flow of story was too slow. That's why I am loving season 2 because no episode is wasted and almost every scene is significant. It's probably something the writer and director learned from season 1.
    > Yes, DY is more charming, more good looking and younger in season 2. Perhaps it's also intentional to make him a bit older so that the age difference between him and SK was not too obvious. And the side swept hair, gah! love love love!
    > Maybe I am biased, but SJ's way of eating is better and yes, especially when she's making this little side comments :D And I don't know if you've noticed it but JS also has this cute smile when he eats :-)
    > The chemistry! Honestly, it's totally alright with me if season 3 will not happen. But if it were to happen, then I want SJ and DY back together... if they are endgame this season (yikes!) it's almost certain, but there's still this small possibility that the writer will leave it open or none of the three main leads will end up with anyone.
    > I can feel SJ's struggle, she's a character that every single woman who's struggling to live on her own and questioning why she is still single can relate too.
    > What's funny is that before DY came, she was very independent, her life was a bit sad but she's coping. And then she met DY again. Though they started on bad terms, he quickly became her comfort zone and also her weakness. What she hasn't realized is that she's in her happiest, most vulnerable, most comfortable when she is with DY. I hope SW sees it and eventually be the one who breaks up with SJ. That will make him the good guy because he set her free.
    > But then no matter how many times I try to play screenwriter, the story always surprises me and I cannot wait how they will tie everything up in the last 4 episodes.

    PS: I started to like DY when he danced with the grannies, started to love him when he became pissed at SW for SJ, and then just fell hard in that last scene of episode 13. <3

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    1. Hi Graks glad to know that you and I connected because of this drama... I can't wait to watch the remaining 4 episodes.. I think that there will be a great probability that a Season 3 will come up... Did you know that the PD and the writer of Let's Eat and Rude Ms Young Ae are the same? Ms Young Ae had been a long time series with 11 seasons already. Goo Daeyoung is such a brilliant character that just cannot be gone into waste... hehe... :)))

      I would like Seo Hyunjin to appear if a Season 3 will be made... I don't know, I just don't like her to end up with Sangwoo... If they end up together I can't help but think that their relationship will end up like Inha and her plastic surgeon husband... Just holding back their feelings and all... I would like it if Season 2 will close with open ended finale..

      Like you I fell hard when Daeyoung said those words in Episode 13... He was such a fine man... ♥♥♥

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  2. do not make a comparising when you not finish yet season 1 story... wtf... you started with season 2 so you know the character better...but i start from season 1 which is the character so funny and many funny scene ....do not be a foolish blogger

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  3. do not make a comparising when you not finish yet season 1 story... wtf... you started with season 2 so you know the character better...but i start from season 1 which is the character so funny and many funny scene ....do not be a foolish blogger

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    1. Haha I believe you just finished watching from TV9 arent you?
      Same goes to me! I found it's a bit frustrating to see different cast but let us just enjoy this drama. I love Season 1 as well.
      Not a fan of KDrama, yet this one just catch my eye to keep watching.

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    2. Anyway thanks to this blogger that I could have an overview and excitement to watch Season 2.

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  4. As if you're paid to promote season 2. ��

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  5. wow... comparing season 1 and season without even finishing season 1 how stupid. what's wrong being divorce? are you saying that divorced people is a big problem for people who have not married anyone yet? how stupid. This is not a proper review but a blatant hatred to season 1 and SK.

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  6. I found season 2 to be boring. It was difficult to watch and had no excitement. Season 1 had you addicted because it made you curious and i loved how the main actress in s1 character change. I hope they bring the old cadt back because they were truely a better couple.

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