Slow as treacle

If you’re into historicals then you’ll probably love this. But by the rave reviews it’s received you’d think this was the best BL ever. It isn’t. What it is is a very pretty drama in a historical setting.

This is glacially slow and also peppered with lots of random violence and S/A against women. Which a lot of people will yell is ‘period appropriate’ and yes that’s true but isn’t necessary as a plot device to show a guy is evil. There are better, smarter ways to do that.

Pick it up if you like historicals and beautiful cinematography don’t if you don’t.

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Ignore the hate

You will like this or you won’t and I’m a liker.
Reddit yelled about Yim’s acting being awful and over the top and yea he was ott as Jade but it wasn’t bad acting, it was purposeful. Jade is a very insecure, quite innocent, anime obsessive and this story is told wholly through his eyes. So to me it makes perfect sense that the series felt anime coded. I enjoyed Jade and Mal’s journey to love very much. Uea and King becoming number 1 Jade protectors was also delightful to see.

Overall it’s a really enjoyable journey. Watch the uncut if you can because it also has some really nicely done spice scenes.

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Ignore the hate

If you’re looking for a MAME style dangerous romance then this isn’t that but what it is a wonderful HS love story with superb characterisation. Much like MSP, everyone in this feels teen and has appropriately teen reactions to different events which is what I think you should keep in mind.

Kang & Sailom are complex and well written but they are teens and as such they do have some very teen reactions and approaches to certain events.

If you’re looking for something with good swoony moments and consistent characters then you really can’t beat this.

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I finished this drama a few days ago now and I've been rolling it around in my brain in the weeks since. I loved Reply 1997, it was warm, funny and hit all the right cosy notes so I was interested in seeing what it's 'sequel' did. What I got was something so much more than 1997 (not that 1997 isn't good, it is. It's fab. It's just different.) So, with this in mind, here are some reasons you might just really love 1994.

1, The casting choices/Acting
For me, it doesn't really matter if you've written the best script in the world, the cast needs to work with the words and deliver what the author intended. The cast is what sets apart good shows from great shows and 1994 has a really, really strong cast who work beautifully together. From the little nosing I have done, it seems as though they all made fast friends and you can really tell. There's a mesh between them that feels genuine and honest. It is as though you're watching a real group of friends live out their real lives. Special shouts must go to Yoo Yeon Seok and Jung Woo who, as the two romantic leads, are so utterly convincing you really don't mind who Na Jung ends up with.

2, The writing
Lee Woo Jung and co are so exceptionally good at what they do. The fact the reply series is laced with the odd fart and poop joke I think causes some to ignore just what a good job this team does. The main cast of this show are nine separate characters, nine, they all feel different and developed and they all have their own unique elements and stories. In western media for a show to get us to love NINE CHARACTERS, they'd need at least two twenty episode series and, even then, it would take a great writing team. By about episode four you care about this group, you understand their different motivations. That's magic. Total writing magic. The other thing that I think is worth highlighting about the writing in this show is that it's not afraid to touch on difficult areas. There's a scene where two main male characters are having a discussion about menopause, it's quick, isn't turned into some joke but feels so completely genuine. I mention this one because I can't think of a time I've ever seen that in a western show. 1994's writing is full of little moments like that layer and build each character to a level where you thoroughly care for them.

3, Trash
Never have I ever enjoyed a male lead the way I enjoyed Trash. I think it's equal parts writing and the charm that Jung Woo brings to the character. In one breath he's breaking your heart with how hard he loves and how much he overthinks every little action he takes and in the next, he's being an utter goof and you're charmed all over again. He's also extremely sexy in a very 'normal' way, he looks like every girl's ideal first boyfriend.

4, It's length
Hey! Controversial right! A lot of the reviews I've read express a desire for the drama to be shorter. But I think making it shorter gives us that much less time to bond and understand this group of friends. My one complaint with 97 was that Shi Won's friends felt underdeveloped in comparison to her, Yoon Jae and Tae Woong. I can't say that with 94. Everyone of Na Jung's friends feels developed and fleshed out. You understand their motivations and what role they play in Na Jung's life. The length allows for quiet, less main plot-driven moments that mean we know the characters that much more.

In short, if you enjoy life stories that let you feel like a real part of the people you're watching on the screen then I truly believe you'll love this. It's warm and layered and one I know I'll always want to revisit.

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