Soundtrack #2 Review – An abrupt but predictable ending weighs down this musical kdrama with Geum Sae-rok, Steve Noh

2.5/5

Story

Starring Geum Sae-rok, and Steve Noh in lead roles – This limited 6-episodic drama also features K-pop musician Demian in a pivotal role.

The plot revolves around a struggling piano teacher Hyeon-seo and a successful content company (Playing) chief, Su-ho. Interestingly, these two leads share a complicated past with an unfinished breakup history. Joining the chaotic duo is another musical enthusiast K, who falls for Seo, while navigating his career. Will the love triangle fade the romantic history, or a new beginning await the duo?

Soundtrack #2 Overall Review

The drama began with past lovers caught up in a complicated reunion and slowly found its grip with the intriguing touch of a musical symphony with guitar and piano creating the rhythmic flow. However, it lost the beats in the finale episode as it appeared rushed with a forced happy ending.

While the themes of music, passion, financial crisis, and bigger dreams were explored to an extent in the initial episodes, the heavier themes like inferiority complex and insecurity, which were added towards the finale (episode 6) led to the unfortunate downfall. Although the drama ended with a happy ending, it seemed half-done as it unexpectedly concluded at the airport without the added backstory element.

Also Read: Soundtrack #2 Episode 5 Recap and Review - Suho and Hyeon-seo grapple with past emotions with a twisted love triangle 

While the musical video shoot in the serene beach location of Seoul was a treat to the eyes and ears, its lack of screen time was a bit disheartening. The series explored the intricate relationships of ex-lovers who broke up due to their dreams and clashing personalities and met again with a twist of fate.

Geum Sae-rok who is best known for the Youth of May, starred alongside Pachinko actor, Steve Noh. Both the leads stretched their abilities to bring magic to the otherwise dull and predictable kdrama. The web of intricate emotions considering the troubled pasts, the characters lacked depth, despite their evident chemistry. K-pop star Demian also starred in this drama but his abrupt exit after the romantic rejection was such a bummer.

Soundtrack #2 was supposedly a blend of musical passion with past and present narrative. While the warmth of a melodious tune tries to captivate hearts, the emotional baggage in the climatic episode didn’t fulfill the build-up expectations from the previous episodes. It would be unfair to skip some light-hearted moments like the silly encounter after a one-night stand scene or the drunken discussions between old friends. Even the recording sessions keep you hooked on the series. However, what made this a skip was the unfinished closure when the female lead discovered that she lacked self-love and also suffered severely from an inferiority complex. So, what she did do to overcome? How did the protagonists end up together after a final confrontation and moving-on dilemma? These were the loopholes that made this Choi Jung Gyu and Kim Hee Won directorial a miss.

Also Read: Soundtrack #2 Episode 1, 2 Summary and Review – Past catches up in a melodious twist!

Soundtrack #2 Final verdict

The musical aspect gives a fresh perspective to the predictable storytelling of reunited lovers, stuffed with the anticipated love triangle trope. Adding a musician in the cast with K-pop artist Demian (portrays K), was a winning move. His musical composition created a touch of artistic passion. However, the complex relationship, inferiority complex, and self-love themes were vaguely explored and lost their potential as the limited series ushered towards the impatient ending. You can watch this short series if you like predictable endings with charismatic leads!

Also Read: Soundtrack #2 Episode 3, 4 Recap and Review – Story turns monotonous after the initial episodes as it veers into a predictable ending

Soundtrack #2 is currently streaming on Disney+Hotstar.