Badly in Love Season 2 Review: Another group of delinquent yankiis arrive to find love and some much-needed rules as they share a life under the same roof for 14 days and forge unbreakable bonds. The first season was a much-loved watch that showcased raw human emotion wrapped with entertaining characters with unconventional backgrounds. The series doesn’t try to smooth its rough edges; instead, it embraces the messy emotions and difficulties of the lives of the participants, which makes the series surprisingly reflective and heartfelt.
Season 2 (ラヴ上等 シーズン2) is set against the beaches of Okinawa in another school, raising the intensity and the stakes. Surprisingly, the season starts with a hilarious jump rope task so that the contestants can get alcohol with their dinner, which is surprisingly heartwarming to watch as well. It sets the tone for the rest of the episodes, and viewers can easily see that, behind the tough exterior, are kind, fun-loving people who have found themselves in a bad spot.
The hosts this season are MEGUMI, Nagano and Awich. The season has a total of 10 episodes and will be released over the course of 3 weeks:
- August 4 — Episodes 1–4
- August 11 — Episodes 5–7
- August 18 — Episodes 8–10
Badly in Love Season 2 Review
A Familiar Premise That Feels Refreshingly Different
Rather than showcasing the lives and loves of picture-perfect influencers, the concept of showcasing people with troubled histories is one of the most unique parts of this Netflix show. Although reality shows are dime a dozen, there’s something uniquely charming and enjoyable about watching real people putting their hearts on the line as they bring forth realistic life experiences and wear their flaws openly. The interactions, thus, feel quite unpredictable.
The way they interact with one another is organic, and their feelings are genuine and leave an impression. We see first-hand how their past influences some of their decisions in the present, and that makes the experience extremely impactful. With 9 new participants, the series does a great job exploring their regrets, forgiveness and second chances instead of relying solely on explosive arguments and fights. While that might feel like a possibility at first, the series becomes surprisingly heartfelt and warm as the episodes move forward.
Okinawa Adds Warmth Without Losing the Series’ Edge
The beaches, the sunshine and the beautiful, sparkling water all around the contestants as they heal, grow and fall in love feel straight out of a storybook. It also works as a striking contrast to the turbulence that the contestants feel within them, adding drama and relaxation at the same time. The beautiful settings give quieter conversations room to breathe and create a better impact.
Less Manufactured Drama, More Genuine Emotion
What makes the new season compelling is that it’s not trying to get a rise out of the contestants. The focus isn’t on explosive arguments, but rather the contestants’ journey to find themselves. On top of finding love, the focus is on the contestants openly discussing their mistakes and embracing their pasts, hoping to rebuild their lives and become more stable. These moments make the series stand out from other shows, where the focus is mostly on making the contestants react negatively.
It’s these emotional moments and the contestants’ journeys that hit viewers the most in the second season. No one is out to create a polished and fake persona to look great on TV. Well, at least that’s not what viewers will be able to figure out anyway! Of course, viewers won’t agree with all the decisions or comments made, but there’s no denying the honesty we get to see on-screen.
The Panel Continues to Be the Show’s Secret Weapon
Returning to the season are the hosts from the previous season, including MEGUMI, Nagano and Awich, who add their unique perspectives to the contestants’ decisions and thoughts and help to become the voice of the viewers. Awich, especially, is surprisingly introspective and adds very interesting insights to the contestants’ lives.
All the panellists are humorous and are empathetic of the contestants’ struggles, never making fun of their difficulties and past. They add context to the situations instead of simply reacting to them and are overall great additions to the show.
Final Verdict
Badly in Love Season 2 is unlike what it might seem to be from the outside and is surprisingly deep and introspective. Showcasing the struggles and hopes of people, the season expands on the first season and tells a story with great emotional depth. The show isn’t fast-paced like other reality shows, but it’s surprisingly moving and will leave viewers emotional. The strongest quality lies in its willingness to examine redemption, vulnerability and human connection, alongside a chaotic and unpredictable dating angle. While messy, it’s a great watch and hopefully will hold on to the vibe till the end.
Badly in Love Season 2 is streaming on Netflix. Are you looking forward to watching the upcoming episodes? Let us know in the comments below!
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