---------------------------- Novel to Series Comparison -----------------------------

Lovesick Season 2, Episode 20: The One With The Other Concert

Chapters: 44, 45 (1/2 & full)
 

I’m leaning towards this episode as one of the good ones. There are scenes that they do extremely well that have me feeling lovey dovey, but then there are scenes that would have been better if they stuck to the novel. I know the censorship thing had everyone going crazy again but I actually saw it coming since E07 so my expectations fell extremely low when I knew the kiss scene was coming this episode. Had great discussions with people on the Soompi forums and the Lovesick International facebook page about censorship. It was around the week I was getting “attacked” by certain fans for having a different opinion (a “negative” one) but meh, everyone’s a critic (I know, subtle irony).

Differences and Missing/Added Parts

1.) PhuNoh opening

Although I liked how they squished exposition into these scenes to make up for the fact that they were either skipping it or it looked like they forgot to mention it in previous episodes, the corresponding chapters in the novel should have tackled it, the whole setting felt lack luster. I know, “We haven’t had a review of yours in a week and you’re already ting on them?”, is what comes to mind but yet again, HEAR ME OUT! The dialogue, for the most part, stuck with the novel. A bit of exposition is given, so they can skip certain scenes that would need to be taped, I understand but what was leftover were supposed to show how PhuNoh are starting to develop as a couple romantically, and Phun being more secure about Noh still “going out” with Yuri. What we got however is a washed down version of the chapter in almost every aspect.

Phun is supposed to be playful and somewhat flirty with Noh. In the series, they tease and joke but it doesn’t come off as genuine. It’s strange to watch because even good friends would be more touchy or happy when hanging out. I understand that Noh has what Aim said in the back of his head, but when he gave such a cold reply to Phun it felt very wrong and off. I think since the series ripped out a few parts of certain chapters things don’t gel well or come off like they should.  We never got to see how Phun was coping with breaking up with Aim and Noh comforting and bringing back Phun’s smile so seeing them like that makes sense, however since the dialogue is almost the same as in the novel, it doesn’t quite fit with the acting.

Then we have the cut kiss scene. Here’s where I have a huge problem and it’s not even related with the kiss. I get it, censorship, we can’t show this because double standard. Like I’ve said above, I knew this was going to happen, braced myself, and I was numb to the whole thing. The thing I have an issue with is, if the product team knew there was a chance that the kiss would never show, why didn’t they try to emphasis the longing Phun was said to feel for Noh’s touch? If they knew they were going to be constraint by not having a kiss, why not improve the feel and subtle details that would indicate that PhuNoh have great feelings of love for one another. Phun rubbing his cheek against Noh’s, Phun getting handsy, Noh being more real or loving when worry about Phun’s feelings when he protested to let him go. Subtle things like that are needed to give off the indication that they are loving and they want to be a couple. Instead we get a very watered down version of what could have been. I’m not sure if it’s part of the acting, the directing or both but something was missing besides the kiss. Heck, I think even if the kiss was still there I would feel it was out of place because of the actions leading up to it.
 

2.) Is she that forgettable?

This is more of a continuity complaint that anything. Let’s start from the novel since it is the original. During Noh and Yuri’s date, before he goes home to Phun, NohxYuri were supposed to run into a group of girls and Jeed was the ring leader. She’s supposed to have the hots for Noh and being in the Music Club in the Convent (Drama Club for the series), she has an interest in him. Long story short, Jeed calls Noh for a favor but Noh forgets who she is and how she got his number. From then on, he recognizes Jeed. Now the series tries to replicate this but I think they do it unintentionally and this brings up a big continuity problem. Noh and his gang have met Jeed before. Remember when Khom asked Jeed for her number using the nickname “Sharp” in S01 E02? Yup, they’ve all met her before. Now you have to wonder, why is it that Noh acts like he’s never seen Jeed in his life? He’s also seen her with Khom at the pool (When the swim team was still a thing) when he was returning Khom’s house keys that he lost (The time where Phun secretly found them in a tree and helped Noh out). Heck, he saw her a few days ago at the ice skating rink. So why is it that series is acting like Noh knows nothing about her? It’s not something huge or anything, but it was jarring to watch.

3.) No encounter

Technically not said in the chapter it’s based off of but, Phun was supposed to run into Aim during the events of the concert. They were supposed to talk about how things are and where exactly they are right now, whether friends or completely losing ties altogether. One of the few times I wanted Aim to appear in an episode to give us insight in things Noh doesn’t see and we don’t get to see their conversation. I heard/read that Phun and Aim talk later on in one of the last 2 episodes of S02 Part 1 so it might be shown as a flash back. Just wanted to insert this part in here since it needed to be addressed.

4.) The Concert itself

Let’s get to the actual meat of the episode which was the actual concert. Did I like it? For the most part yes, it was very much enjoyable and found myself smiling at many of the scenes. Did it follow the novel? Most of it. Let’s get down to the nitty gritty details.

Although they stuck to the important songs we have a song change. Surprisingly, it’s the first song but I understood why. In the novel, it’s an English song and a fairly old one at that. I don’t expect Captain to be singing an English song perfectly so I give it half a pass for that. The other half, I can’t really get over how bad he sung Pharn. I love Pharn. For me, it was the song that encompassed the concept of Lovesick when reading it. What makes it so awkward though, is the fact that Gunsmile (Film) is the one who sung the OST of Pharn for Lovesick  and is at the Concert playing the drums in the second song. We didn’t have to open up with Noh/Captain singing. It also would have been an opportune time to address the fact that Mick doesn’t see Film as anything at all and he’s basically letting go of the idea of pursing Mick. Little details and foreshadowing like that is what the scene was lacking for me.

PhuNoh for me had its ups and down during the whole concert part of the episode. What’s weird is when Noh and Phun in the series are looking and smiling at each other, looks very much the way I imagined it when reading it in the novel. Noh having most of his attention on Phun at the sound area and Phun having a dopey smile while watching Noh perform, in a loving admiring way, is portrayed very well. Once they are pushed together on stage however, that’s when things become kind of bland. Although it’s supposed to be a shock for them that Phun is suddenly on stage, they are supposed to pull it off and have a ton of fun with it. They were described to be hanging onto each other’s shoulders and jumping and just enjoying themselves till exhaustion. Yeah, the series version was kind of 2 guys awkwardly singing on stage while the rest of the band seems to be having a ton more fun. Another thing they could have done to emphasis that Noh was singing for Phun was have him announce the title of the song, like in the novel, while looking at Phun when saying it. Similar to how Ohm announces the title of this dedicated song to Mick. Little details like that make a difference.

OhMick. Dear God OhMick! Give these two a round of applause, or a medal, or something because for me they are what tipped this episode to being one of the good episodes of season 2. This is the kind of concept I want from Lovesick. In the novel, Mick is not even supposed to be at the concert. Bringing Mick in, expanding their “so-called” drama but reaffirming that Ohm only sees Mick is great development for both characters and the surrounding characters involved. They touch on Film and Nan like Mick and Ohm respectively but have Ohm almost openly admit that he likes/loves Mick. That’s amazing to see in this show and I wish effort like this was put into the other ships. I harp on about wishing they’d drop the other 2 people involved in this poly-ship they have with Ohm-Mick-Kai-Nan-Film-Arm thing going on but the basic 4 OhMickNanFilm was solid and should stay this way. We can have a strong sense of conflict and second guessing throw in as long as we have an equal amount of romance/sweetness and decisiveness as well. I could watch the OhMick scenes over and over again with little complaint. Prop to Na and Min for their acting and chemistry portrayed on screen.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Irked moments:

So Aim has made this devious plan to have Jeed break Yuri and Noh up (still makes no sense) while she plays the evil puppet master laughing and twirling her mustache behind the curtains……………… where the hell is she? Shouldn’t she been watching from afar her plan unfold or did she also realize how stupid her plan was and didn’t care anymore?


This has irked me forever but I always forget to address it but when Phun feeds Noh and vice versa, why does it seem like the feeder suddenly becomes immune to the concept of heat while the fed are seen to be burning their mouths. When Noh slept over Phun’s house he ate his product placement gyoza no problem but Phun was whining about it being too hot. Now, Phun is feeding Noh “extremely hot” takoyaki yet his fingers easily holds them for several seconds.


I loved the OhMick scenes where Ohm is basically singing/asking Mick if he can hug and kiss him, but every time it goes to a wide shot showing everyone on stage, Ohm is having fun on stage but when it goes to close ups of him and Mick they are being sweet and lovey dovey. Consistency error much?

We haven’t seen Khom in forever that I almost forgot that he and Jeed still had no proper closure. Their plot being buried under all the series and production team drama mixed with their lack of screen time together has made me forget about their ship.

Positives the Episode brought:

- Some good moments from PhuNoh

- FREAKING OHMICK

- Jeed easily controlling a crowd of fan girls

- Per finally lightening up and not being a

- Nan always bringing in some laughs (but I felt bad for her)

- They used the 2 most important songs from the novel

Overview:

1.) Not so Lovesick
2.) Jeed who?
3.) When we want you, you’re not there
4.) Another Concert

Personal Opinion:

I’ll say this, when I watched this episode the first time, I didn’t really care for it and I didn’t know why. It’s supposed to be based off a great chapter in the novel and yet most scenes where I found myself smiling and enjoying weren’t scenes from the novel. They were scenes that didn’t occur or were changed to fit the story. I’m not sure if that’s a good sign that the writers and actors in those scene are good at developing that plot or a bad sign that the writers, director, and actors for the main plot are neglecting important scenes.

I’m trying really hard to enjoy each episode, as I do believe that there’s at least a few things I can appreciate from an episode but the differences or lack of “umph” is what blinds me. The dialogue in most episodes are almost identical to the dialogue in the novel. If the words haven’t changed then what’s hindering me from enjoying the episode/scene? The only blunt/frank answer I can say is, the acting, directing, and editing. If the dialogue is the same our imaginations are what carried over those feelings and scenes in our heads so when a scene is played out very different or don’t meet our set expectations, I think that’s when we feel let down or not very happy.

I bring this up because I remember that I was being criticized/attacked because of the things I said in episode 19. I basically said, “You have to lower you standards to enjoy this show without being irritated by some parts.” Meaning, to love this show without doubting or questioning some parts, you’d have to have a lowered standard than before. Expectations and standards of what we think makes a “great series”, have been dropped whether we realize it or not. I remember I couldn’t wait every weekend to watch Lovesick episodes Raw and stay up till the early mornings to watch the choppy livestreams just to see a glimpse of PhuNoh holding hands. Those days have now turned into “well, whenever I get the time.” Or “I’ll wait for Kuda to sub it”. The moments of excitement and waiting for Lovesick to surprise and fill our hearts with happiness seem like a far off memory.

For this, I was of course “attacked” in a way for having a negative opinion. I could understand if my opinions or reviews were just me spewing how much I hate the episode, but it’s never like that. I’ve always tried to state good points in each episode with the negative and give a suggestion or example of how they could have made it better. Isn’t that the definition of constructive criticism? Giving the good, point out the bad and telling ways on how to improve? If that doesn’t scream constructive criticism then I don’t know what does. Either way, I’m fairly negative with a reason. I want to see the production team prove me wrong. I want them to make me eat my words or have all my doubts in them cleared with an amazingly done episode that encompasses the spirit of lovesick without having to follow the novel completely. It’s a negativity that stems from a place of hope. A hope that in one review I’d say more positive things rather than negative ones.