Înapoi în 1988 (2015)

Felt like home. Go watch it!!

This series has my whole heart and some more.

While the series begins in the year 1988, it still felt more like how I have experienced my childhood as a South Asian. It could be more personal because I am currently in a transition phase at the age of nearly 26. My life changed upside down nearly 2 years back when I left home to work in another city, leaving behind friends and family. The fact that I lived a similar childhood as shown in the series makes me feel proud even though my teenage years were in late 2000 and early 2010. Maybe my parents would relate more to this drama than I did; I should make them watch it.

The whole cast did a commendable job in making this drama so heartfelt and real. And every time Taek smiled in this series, it brought the biggest smile to my face as well. Hats off to that guy for showing what love should look like. My expectations from a guy were already sky-high, now after watching Bo-gum's character, my expectations have entered outer space. These kdramas are going to ensure I stay single forever!!!

Enough for the rant and TMI.

To everyone who read this review, go watch the series. You won't regret it, I promise.

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The best of the best

Reply 1988 was the first K-drama I actually got hooked in. Although I never experienced the life before the year 2000s, the drama gave me the nostalgic feeling. Maybe my parents often told me their stories when they were young, that's why there was a sense of familiarity when watching Reply 1988.

The acting/cast was brilliant. Hyeri's acting was honestly the pillar of the show. It's because Song Deok-Sun character can be the craziest girl in town to the most sensitive person in the planet. I also love the fact that she can carry all of that consistently without breaking her original character.

The storyline was perfect, there are nothing to complain. I just wished they can get Kim Jung-Hwan a better ending, or at least make an appearance at the end. People said Kim Jung-Hwan should've died by the plane crash in the original story before they changed it, and the public sort of agreeing that the original ending was better. I disagree.. It would bring an interesting plot, yes, however, it would also break the original genre of this drama, which is comedy. Moreover, I think it would be better for Kim Jung-Hwan to stay alive in the drama, at least better than dying.

All of the characters in the story are likeable, which can be rare in K-dramas. Maybe not at the beginning since I dislike Song Bo-ra so much as a sister. However, the character development of Song Bo-ra is honestly great. The whole scene of her wedding made me cry to the tears.

I watched all the reply series and this one is the best out of the three. Reply 1988 also has the best chemistry between characters and also the actors. I just wish they can create more reply series.. Maybe Y2K ones? like early 2000s?

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That sheep sound will always be in my head

I honestly don't know why I waited so long to watch this. Maybe I had to be in the 80s mood.
I didn't find the drama realistic at all but it was so enjoyable on so many levels
The cast was amazing that it was hard to pick a favorite. I honestly loved every single character

Now that it's finished (but this is definitely on the rewatch list) What I will miss the most:
1. The sheep sound. I loved it!
2. Purest of the kids friendships. Being 18 in the 80s isn't the same as being 18 now. Things felt simpler....
3. Every kid character was unique and likable. There isn't that one sided antagonist in this
4. Parents, all crazy but loving parents in their own ways. Highly exaggerated but also funny at the same time
5. Everything funny about the 80s!!! ridiculous curls, Crazy funky 80s Dance, phone w/ cord, old looking TV with that rainbow stand by screen, tapes, 80s pop culture: Tom Cruise! Night Rider! A Better Tomorrow! Maggie Cheung! Ok yeah I am old.
6. Everything lovely about the 80s: friendly neighbors, purest of 1st loves, 1st heart breaks, 1st friendship betrayal, 1st everything ....
7. Every monologue about youth and life


I am going to miss 1988

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Tears every Episode

This drama is too good. I binged watched this and cried several times in every episode. You feel as if you are there yourself, it is not too overdramatic does not seem that far fetched for a street to be so closely knit like this one.

I loved the story. I mean LOVE it, even the parts that didn't seem important at the time all become relevant and you could see the events (well most) happening on any street. It made me miss back when I used to have friends round and we would all watch movies and have snacks. I also enjoyed the way it was told in the sense that there is parts "filmed" in the future but not so often it felt very documentary like (which has put me off some dramas in the past).

It was very well put together and all the actors and actresses were amazing also. The bond between them all seemed like proper childhood ones and all the little romances kept me laughing and in shock with the twists also.

All I can really say is that I wish I lived in Ssangmun-dong.

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***SPOILERS***


Reply 1998 was recommended to me by two people but it took me awhile to watch due to the number of episodes. The episodes are also pretty long, each running at an hour and a half! I’m really glad I took some time for this; it was very heartwarming. This might be my first slice of life drama and nothing major happens here…there’s no main antagonist to get by or big problem to solve. Those expecting something more specific or thrilling to happen might be bored, but those who don’t mind watching day-to-day life may find this really special. This could also be a good drama to watch alongside something more serious, as a breather. The episodes are plotted in such a way that one can even watch right in the middle without missing anything important.

It mostly centers on five teenagers growing up in the 1980s. I like how the show focused not just on the friendship of the main group but also the friendship between their parents, each family and its dynamics. Watching this entire network of relationships was a very pleasant experience and I can see myself rewatching some of the scenes later.

The main female character Deok Sun is a loudmouth and one of the wackiest characters in a drama but I found her pretty funny and likable. She gave off this good energy in every scene. Actually, all the characters here, from the gruff older sister Bora to even the older parents such as Mi Ran and her husband Sung Kyun (even wackier than Deok Sun!), had distinct personalities. I was expecting to fast forward the scenes with the parents but it turns out that their antics were just as entertaining as their kids!

What I didn’t like were the parts with a grown up version of DeokSun (in 2015) talking about her youth in flashback. Her husband was with her during this interview (she gets together with one of the guys and his identity is revealed later) and the problem is that his personality differed so much from when he was younger that it made him seem like a different person. I understand that the writers did this deliberately to keep the audience guessing but it was too much and I agree with those who said that it was as if he got a personality transplant :/

I also felt that one of the gang, Dong Ryul, didn't get as much screen time as the rest of them. He’s just as goofy as Deok Sun, but some scenes revealed that he could be surprisingly wise and deep when needed. His relationship with his father, the dean, was pretty abusive and I wish they addressed this more.

There is a love triangle here which I normally dislike, but this one - while it comes with its share of natural angst, wasn’t toxic or offensive to any of those involved. It’s interesting how they went against stereotypes where the more introverted party happened to be the more expressive and direct when it came to relationships. In the end, every character is happy and at the right place. This drama really manages to capture the nostalgia of growing up and what Korean culture was like at a time when things were much simpler.

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This show contrasts different family types. The family that never talks. The family that always fights. The family that’s warm and chatty. Of course, we are treated to the show challenging those stereotypes and pushing these characters outside of their boxes. I LOVE THAT. There is also consistency – Mr. Choi always gets talked over even when it comes to the considerate Sun Woo. Bo Ra is still mean to Taek even though as a rule everyone worships Taek.

All the families are in and out of each other’s homes all the time. They borrow each others stuff and shared each others food. Surprisingly, they are a close knit community with few dramas between them. The drama demonstrates how everyone loves in their own unique way – in true Asian style of more actions than words. I really appreciated all the family love in this drama. This story is so relateable from the family fights to the stereotypical treatment of certain personalities. There’s Jung Hwan’s older brother Jung Bong who fails exams after exams. Yet he knows lots of things and is useless, harmless and pathetic. Also, after seeing this, I think my parents are still stuck in the 80s.

I really disliked the flash forwards to present Duk Seon and her husband. He was mean and they weren’t sweet with each other. They were just annoying and antagonistic and it made me sad.

Of the five friends, Sun Woo is the nice one, Jung Hwan is the scary one, Duk Seon is the girl, Taek is the quiet one and Ryon Dong is the troublemaker. The five of them together are really so precious when the meaningful moments of life come along to test them. There’s a satisfaction that even though it looks like they hardly get along they are the five because they are the five. And they have a sense of identity and belonging with being together as friends. Also, I find it hilarious how they spend so much time reading together. It’s the equivalent of everyone being on their phones all the time. They are also really free to discuss the things that the adults try to avoid. They’re so direct when it comes to facing each individuals’ life circumstances. It was strange to me though how they could all get along in a group and have fun but when it came to one on one interactions it was very different.

As the show goes on you get to appreciate the dynamics and the relationships. I really came to love the mothers talk time and how they complained and compared their lives haha. Their personalities are so strong and honest.

“I’m fine with someone with no money, but I’m not fine with someone who’s no fun.”
“What about my husband then?”
“No thanks. You can keep him.”

The fathers are so different from each other. Taek’s father is the most normal. The other fathers are more caricatures. The show demonstrates how dysfunctional can be functional. While the women might complain about their men and vice versa, they feel that they can’t live without the others’ quirks.

“No matter how much better others’ things may seem, they all have their faults.”

Sun Woo
This guy is sooo nice. Nice to his mother, sister, friends, and everybody. My favourite thing about him is that he tells his friends that he is playing with his sister as a legit reason that he can’t accompany them somewhere or do something with them.

Duk Seon
This girl is pretty typical.

Bo Ra
Bo Ra is the sister from hell. It was funny how even the adults were scared of her. And she has no manners for anyone. As the show goes on she is really quite a funny character. She gives advice to the neighbourhood kids that is wise beyond her years.

Jung Hwan
Jung Hwan’s story had a big focus on his parents. He started off being a typical teen and being all self-focused. But he had to realise that he needed to give back emotionally to both his father and his mother in a different way. It was such a mature and family-oriented take, I loved it. He also is nice to his brother and never judges him and his lifestyle choices. He supports his brother’s varying interests.
One of my favourite things about Jung Hwan’s character is that he braves through the awkwardness to show his loved ones his affection for them. He’s definitely an action man over words but he’s not a Daddy Long Legs. He owns up to his love.

Taek

“You can mess with anyone else but not with our Taek. Taek is our block’s greatest treasure. We have to protect him.”

Come on guys, it’s Park Bo Gum. I still can’t get over how unreal his face is. He is so freakin’ pretty. Taek is a cute little fella who is only good at being a genius and nothing much else. He doesn’t talk much, do much, or think much. He struggles in everyday life so people are quick to take over and do things for him.

“If someone doesn’t take care of him, he’s a like a corpse in his room.”

He’s a big baby but he’s also got a bigger income than anyone so it’s a fun setup.
Because he is played by the ever enticing Park Bo Gum – he gets away with some behaviour that I would’ve found unacceptable and dull on another actor. Taek is often half asleep.

Jin Joo
I love this little actress! Her character is portrayed so well as the docile personality of a child who has grown up with too many adults in her life. She is dutifully friendly, easily entertained by herself through media, and passed from adult to adult but still has her favourites. I didn’t like her at all when she grows up.

Romance
The main thing about this show’s romance is that it is tinged with sadness. Either because there is unrequited love somewhere or because everyone is so hush hush about it.

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I love this show. Everything about it just makes me feel so good. What I love about it is that it makes me feel so emotional and happy. With other dramas, I'm usually only happy after completing them but with this, I was so emotional, in every way. As many people have also said in their reviews, this drama makes me want to go back to 1988, despite the fact that I was born 10 years later. It gives you this sense of longing to be a part of the 'famous 5' because you're so intwined in their lives.

Spoilers approaching

Characters
Overtime, I fell in love with Taek, he has such a lovable personality that for that reason alone, I wanted Duk seon to end up with him. I got frustrated at Jung hwan for not expressing his feelings but I loved everything else about him. Dong Ryong was my favourite character, he could always lighten up the mood, so lovable! I adored Jin-joo, both the younger and older version, she always restored a sense of innocence in the story so her scenes were refreshing to watch. Even though she definitely became more outspoken years later, it was interesting to see a different side of her.
Perhaps the best part about the characters is how none of their lives were sugarcoated. Each one was shown for their shortcomings and attributes that made them special, making them even more relatable.

Commendations
- I was pleased at how their childhood was not constantly focused on. I feel as though the few scenes we got to see of them in their childhood sufficed to portray their closeness. I feel as though this is a mistake certain dramas would have made so I am content with how the R88 writers illustrated the past. Given that the 'present' is also the past in the show.
- The production in this drama was amazing, no item felt out of place. It truly transported one back to 1988.
- I was also grateful for the lack of magic realism in the show, everything was realistic, making it a refreshing drama amongst its surreal k-drama counterparts.

Downsides
I am a bit unsettled at how the development of Jung hwan and Dong ryong weren't shown at the end, I really wanted to see how they ended up, or even hear about it from Duk seon, but we got nothing. Instead, we got to see/hear about grown up Sun woo and Bo ra even though I was more interested in Jung hwan's and Dong ryong's. Jung-hwan's especially. It's unfortunate that hiss character faded into the background in the last few episodes as I had really grown to love him. I got a little bored at the Man-ok/Jung-bong storyline after they had reunited. I understand that it was important to give Jung-bong screen time but I felt as if that screen time should have been allocated to the main characters. I was also slightly disappointed at how the pace picked up so quickly in the episode that moved the timeline 5 years ahead. As the audience had already adapted to the slow-pace of the drama, the jump felt a bit rushed and sudden. While watching that episode, I was not satisfied with how things were going.
To be honest, I wasn't too interested in Duk-seon's future (or shall I say present life) in the first few episodes. Despite that aspect of the plot being glamorised, I only got interested in the husband hunt in the last couple of epsiodes when it became a major part of the plot. Furthermore, I would've preferred it if Duk-seon's feelings for both the male leads were delved into deeper, she was a bit hard to read in that respect. Perhaps that was done on purpose by the writers to express how Duk-seon isn't someone who is always sure of her decisions, as it was manifested with her uncertainty regarding her 'future ambition'.

I can confidently say that this is my favourite drama ever.

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Absolute masterpiece of a drama certified to bring lots of nostalgia and lots of tears in your eyes..! This drama has taken number no.1 spot on my all-time favourite Kdramas and rightfully so.

While I've watched the other Reply series and didn't think it could get any better, it certainly did get better with Reply 1988. It was refreshing to see a slide-of-life drama centred around family, or the Ssamundong neighbourhood - their daily lives and the dilemmas each of the family faces. With each of the character, you could definitely associate them with one of your family members. The plot was entertaining, simple and not over-the-top dramatic, and would leave you hanging and craving for another episode. This time-piece transported me back to the 80s with the rise of brand names and westernisation, Korean ballads, and a way different Seoul I've never seen before.

As for the romance, the love triangle and the guessing game for who's the husband had me scrapping theories left and right. While I was disappointed with Duk Seon's choice the first time I've watch it, the re-watch definitely gives you a whole different perspective on the character's love life. The actors were amazing, consider how little experience some actors had while playing their roles for this drama.

Truly a masterpiece which I'll never forgot. If I had to pick a drama to re-watch multiple times with different people, this would be it!

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5 STARS FOR EVERYTHING. This is my favourite show EVER inside and outside the k-drama world.

Here are 3 reasons why and a brief summary from my pov of what it's about.
SUMMARY - This is about a small community of 5 families and their lives as they bring up their kids and grow with the changing world around them. It focus' of the 5 friends of all the same age 4 boys and 1 girl and their families who are all great friends. It has romance, comedy and drama.

1. FAMILY - This series is completely about the meaning of family what makes a family, whether they are rich or poor, with only 1 parent or a blended family. The mothers are hilarious along with the equally strange and wonderful husbands. We see them struggle to raise teenagers who are grumpy and don't communicate too adult children who still need their parents to care for them. This isn't about romance, (only about 20%) of it, it is about friendship and family.

2. GENIUS - I read a comment someone made about how Taek (who isn't seen much especially in the first half of the drama) is one of the most important characters despite his absence. He is often away playing Baduk and doesn't attend school as he is famous for it. his character is based on a real-life baduk player who had all the same character quirks and matches. Even though he is not around he is constantly being talked about or on tv and the main room that the show begins and ends in is his bedroom where they hang out even when he isn't around. I can't reveal much more about him as it would spoil it but the writer is a genius.

3. EMOTIONAL - there are so many scenes in this that will make you want to leap into the show and live in that area, honestly I wished I lived in a community like that even if we were poor and struggling the amount of love and fun that was shared was beautiful.

just give it ago I hope you love it as much as I do

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One of the Best Family Dramas

I have no words to describe how I’m in love with this drama. I started watching it hoping to see something nice and I was surprised since the drama gives me something that I didn’t expect to get. Every week people have been debating who is the ‘husband’ but let’s be honest that the drama is not really about that. The romance part only covers like 20% of the whole drama and that 20% includes other characters’ love stories as well. I’m sad that other aspects of the drama have been overlook by some people since they have been so obsessed with who is the husband since day one.

I guess one of the reasons why I really love this drama is because it really hits home with many aspect of the plots. It’s a story about normal people with ordinary everyday lives but at the same time it is very engaging as well. All the characters are super lovely and likable and for young people like me, I truly enjoyed the bit which focuses on the older characters of the drama as well. The 3 mothers were hilarious together while Dukseon, Junghwan, Dongryong’s fathers are hilarious individually. Of course, my favorite scenes are mostly involving when the 5 friends are together but my point is that mostly every aspect of the plots have been very interesting and charming.

The acting is brilliant I must say. I was truly surprised with how well Hyeri acted here. The acting coach of the Reply series must be someone special since they always managed to bring the best out of the female leads of the series. No one can deny my admiration towards Park Bogum’s acting. His emotional scenes especially with his dad are the best since he executed it very well – his intonation were on point that I always ended up shedding a tear with the way his voice sounded. Ryu Junyeol is amazing as well – this is the first time I ever saw him act and I wondered why he didn’t start earlier. This is the first time I see Go Kyungpyo acting as someone obedient and kind and he did it so well. While Lee Dongwhi is super hilarious. I wished the writer wrote more plot for his character since he’s really one of the funniest among the casts. The older actors did so well as well. They are the reasons why the acting in this drama has been all time high since all of them have their own unique ways to capture the audiences’ attention.

This drama deserved nothing but 9 stars from me. Everything about it is so special and it is without doubt the very best family Kdramas I have ever watched. I’m looking forward to the writer’s next installment. She proved that she can be unpredictable with her writing so I wondered what else she has in store for us.

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