Reply 1994 (2013)

I have very mixed feelings after finishing this. I definitely didn't enjoy this as much as Reply 1997—it wasn't until the cameos did I realize how much I missed Shi-Won and Yoon-Jae. Yet, the series still had the similar Reply vibe, which made me enjoy watching it still.

I didn't really have a preference for the love triangle, mainly because the writers seem to very visibly alternate which character (Trash or Chil-Bong) had more screentime. I found myself rooting for whoever was on screen. Except, when they were both on screen and were insulting each other, I found myself not really a fan of either one of them. The way the love triangle went, though, it definitely went on for longer than it had to because it felt like Na-Jung was indifferent to Chil-Bong from the start and never wavered. There were some scenes where I really liked Na-Jung's chemistry with Trash, but other times they acted just like brother and sister and I thought Chil-Bong would've been better as the husband. Trash also really hurt himself when there was this ten-episode build-up around why he wouldn't accept Na-Jung's feelings and all we got was the most cliche "we're like family" explanation. Just a note though that I did get spoiled for the ending and I already knew who was going to be the husband.

Now here is one HUGE thing that bothered me: the fact that they used Yoon-Jin's drunk secret-spilling habit to advance the plot not once, not twice, but THREE times. If it was just once, I would've been okay with it. The second time, it got repetitive. And the third time was really just annoying, especially since nobody bothered to stop her (even knowing her habit) and just let her go on and on.

The series definitely dragged on for longer than it had to by including scenes and dialogue that would be in everyday conversation, and some episodes that were one and a half hours long killed me. But the vibe I still enjoyed because it felt very slice-of-life. At the same time, however, the scenes were longer but I felt like they jumped around so much and there were some scenes I wanted that were never shown. What was Na-Jung's initial reaction to Chil-Bong's first confession?

I'm honestly a little disappointed with how Hai-Tai and Bingguere's stories went. I LOVED Hai-Tai's banter with Yoo-Jin and his friendship with Na-Jung and it lowkey hurt me that he didn't end up with any girls in the main squad. For Binggeure, even though I get that sexual confusion is a thing, after Joon-Hee's intense presence in Reply 1997 and all the similar hinting for Binggeure being gay/bi as well, then suddenly giving him a female love interest in one episode and having them end up married...it just felt a lot like queer-baiting to me.

SCP and Yoon-Jin's relationship also had to take a lot of time to grow on me, because I was shipping her with Hai-Tai, and SCP just looked like an old man. I'm glad that that was a running joke though, which made it better.

I was honestly not a fan of Na-Jung at the beginning, because I was really annoyed by her fangirling. And I don't inherently have something against a main lead in an unrequited love, but the fact that she made it so damn obvious and overreacted with so much angst...that pissed me off.

Also, since the characters in Reply 1997 were friends before the drama started whereas the characters in 1994 had to meet each other, the friendship aspect felt very lacking at the start.

I definitely think this one incorporated more nostalgia and references, and my favorite was that of the Sampoong department store collapse, because it was the first time you really saw the huge impact of an event on the characters.

There are a lot of plotholes in this, it seems. What was the purpose of Na-Jung's younger brother? He was never at the dinner table or in the living room with the others except for when it was beneficial for the plot, and it just makes me wonder if the parents just left him in the room by himself. And where did Na-Jung's basketball fangirling go? It went from being the central point of her personality and the plot to basically being non-existent, except for a little mention here and there.

Note: Although this show was truly laugh-out-loud funny at times, I felt like the goat noise was also overrused.

7/10 is still quite a high rating in my eyes, but the high rating is for the Reply nostalgia and the brilliant metaphors and voiceovers and life lessons. If I used my logic, I'd give this show a much lower rating, but because it managed to tug on my heartstrings, 7/10 it is.

Read More

After watching Reply 1997 I was eventually lured towards 1994. It was an attraction that was bound to happen one day and I'm glad that the same nostalgic, slice-of-life feel continues on in this series too. But Reply 1994 isn't without it's flaws. (tldr: check out the last sentence!)


CONS:
- More than just a few of my favourite moments had a tendency to be suddenly cut short. I can't really call them cliffhangers since they reached their peaks but I was left longing for more on more than one occasion only to be fed something else completely different.

- It can drag. Somewhere along the line the length of the episodes bumped right up to an hour and a half. That's a lot when there's 21 episodes and sadly you could really feel them pumping in the filler in the end half of the very last episode. Sometimes they seem to struggle to find the balance between showing me stuff I want to see at that moment, and stuff which I sadly don't really...care about a great deal.

- Circles. I can confidently say that at least once the main love triangle almost completely reset back to square one. While this gave me a fresh sense of hope and excitement it eventually lost its lustre. Every now and then it even got painful.

- The music. This is completely personal. I'm sure quite a lot of you will be watching this to get a feeling of nostalgia but the music isn't to my taste.


PROS:
- I loved all the characters. Though my memory of Reply 1997 is hazy in places I know that I liked a larger amount of characters in 1994 than in 1997. They were what kept me going and they took me through all kinds of feels while they were at it, making you feel really connected to them all. (Sung Na Jung felt a bit too much like Sung Shi Won to become one of those favourites though. I wanted someone a bit different this time around.)

- Nostalgia: if I can call it that having been born in 1994 myself! It was both amusing and educational to watch this series because of its setting.

- Atmosphere. Like 1997, 1994 carries on that lovely, diary-esque feeling that I loved. These all feel like real people living out real lives, and for all its flaws the plot can and does make sense: sometimes that really is just how life is! They have your average conversations and life-changing events, time passes, people drift and sometimes return etc.

- Your patience is rewarded. You know those almost-cliffhanger moments I mentioned in the cons? Yep, I believe ALL of them are eventually continued but you'll likely be waiting until the very last moment of the series to get your fill.

- Fan-service. Kind of. (But not the ab-kind! Though there is some of that early on heheh.) Some characters from 1997 crossover at certain points!

- I personally preferred the college/uni setting to that of a high school, but that's probably just my age showing!



Overall I enjoyed Reply 1994 but am admittedly annoyed as it could've been so much better. Just like 1997 its ending has issues which had me counting down the last minutes with impatient frustration. But the characters are fabulous. And for all its flaws it's still a very memorable drama, which says a lot when there's so many out there.

Better than average with a unique feel, at times you'll get annoyed and tired of it but you'll find yourself coming back anyway: that's 1994 for me.

Read More

Too much filler, not enough story

I loved Reply 1988 and Reply 1997 was pretty good so I really wanted to like this, but I couldn't even finish it. It just felt like 90% of every episode was filler and just killing time, rather than developing the characters and storyline. In fact there's very little character development at all and despite watching 10 episodes, I still don't feel like I know the characters well or care about what happens to them.

This is especially the case for the main characters, the show didn't give me any reason to get invested in their lives or care about their stories. Na Jeong is the centre of the show but there's nothing interesting about her. Her main trait in the first 2 episodes was being a basketball fanatic, but that is never mentioned again over the next 8 episodes. The fact she is attracted to someone initially introduced as her brother is very weird. I don't know why anyone in the love triangle is attracted to each other, they all seem like blank slates.

The other characters were more interesting but unfortunately they were mostly kept to the side. Despite supposedly being about a friend group, it's ridiculous how little time they spend together. It's not until the 6th episode that they are all in the same room together hanging out, until then I didn't feel like I even had a proper introduction to them. In the first 10 episodes, I don't think Na Jeong has more than one conversation with Samcheonpo, Haitai, Yoon Jin and Binggrae. These supposed friends seem to live parallel lives.

Finally, the show over-relied on toilet humour. The episode where everyone got food poisoning and was constantly running to the toilet was the worst one.

Read More

Inferior to the other 2 series in the franchise

This was disappointing. I think it was inferior to 1997 and 1988 in every respect. I’ll start with the things I liked.

Na Jung was OK. She was very likable and her acting was fine. In terms of the writing, her character lacked depth compared to Shi Won and Duk Sun though. Samcheonpo and Yun Jin were also good and probably had the most interesting story of all the characters. Hai Tai was likable too but his story needed to be fleshed out more.

But there were lots of flaws. First of all, I was kind of repulsed by Se Re Ki, both in the writing and acting. His acting was flat, he had no charisma, and his looks weren’t worthy of Na Jung. And his character was kind of creepy. I was really turned off by the patronizing way he treated people, especially Na Jung and his little puppy Bing Gu Re. Just thinking about him tickling his chin and calling him gangajee makes me shudder. And I would never trust the care of a neurosurgeon who was a slob that wears dirty underwear, eats rotten food, and never showers or cleans his room. Also, what kind of 26-year old would argue over music with a teenage girl on a bus and then violently attack her? I know that scene was played for comedy, but imagine if that happened in real life. If I were one of her friends sitting on that bus with her and I saw this creep laying his filthy paws on her, I and the rest of her crew would have jumped on him and strangled him with his own intestines. Is this the kind of guy that Na Jung falls for?

Also, I know this franchise is toying with this incest fantasy thing, which is really popular in Asian dramas and especially in anime, and I understand the appeal. However, in the other 2 series, this incest theme was kept to a fairly harmless level, but in 1994, it passed into the realm of (sorry for overusing this word) creepiness. I mean, I thought Yun Jae was Shi Won’s brother for like half the first episode, but in 1994, it wasn’t until a couple of episodes that I realized that Se Re Ki wasn’t Na Jung’s real brother. They really were brother and sister in just about every respect aside from biology. I don’t think this type of romance is very common due to the Westermarck effect (google it). When I think of girls that I grew up with, I don’t feel any sexual attraction towards them at all. So that just makes Na Jung’s irrational crush on her oppa that much less believable (in addition to the other ways that he lacks appeal).

Chil Bong wasn’t a great option for Na Jung either. He has the looks and the status, and he was a nice guy who was at least more consistent and confident in his feelings for Na Jung than that wish-washy fool Se Re Ki. However, his character was way too bland and paper-thin. We really never got to know him at all.

I’ll end on a very negative note: Se Re Ki’s little puppy dog Bing Gu Re. What’s up with this guy? He just seemed like a little babo crybaby to me. Why would a lively, assertive girl like Die Die have the slightest interest in this weak-assed kid?

I haven’t even mentioned how there’s no plot and tons of filler (overextended scenes of watching the World Cup, driving on the freeway missing multiple exits while Aboji needs to pee, basketball fandom that went nowhere, etc.).

Read More

I started this drama right after finishing Reply 1997. That was in August 2018...
It took me a while to watch this because the 21 episodes felt very long and draggy. Despise that, I adored every single scene of this show. I don't know how to explain it but even though I spent months pushing it back, once I started watching it again I would watch 6 episodes non-stop. And then have a three-month break haha. So even though it may seem contradictory, this show means a lot to me. I will explain it further in this review as I give more details about each aspect but basically, I feel like I've found and lost a friend. I felt the exact same way while watching 1997. And I'll definitely feel the same when I watch 1988.

Plot: Yeah, I was born in 2001 but I feel nostalgic whenever I think about the 90's. Maybe because I didn't get to experience those years where technology didn't exist. I think this show did an amazing job at showcasing the different eras of technology. The "pagers"/"beepers" were so amazing, I wish we still used that system today. I loved all the references they made to the World Cup, the music, the economic clash, the different cities of South Korea. The story entertained me from beginning to end so I didn't even care that it was draggy. I genuinely laughed multiple times in every episode and I also cried every now and then. I feel like the viewers got to grow with the rest of the characters because we were there when they met and when they parted ways to live their own lives and that is something I appreciated about this drama. The ending was kind of predictable but I still can't bring myself to dislike it.

Actors/Acting/Characters: Let me start by saying that, yes, I was team Chilbong. Yoo Yeon Seok had my heart since the first scene. But I accept the fact that Najung ended up with Seuregi. His character was quite interesting and different from what we usually expect from the main love interest. Najung was amazing as the protagonist. In my opinion, her character was even more likeable than Shiwon's from Reply 1997. The whole group of friends- Najung, Chilbong, Seuregi, Samcheonpo, Yoonjin, Bingeure and Haitai- was so so so so so likeable that I wish that I was living at the boarding house with them. Their chemistry was outstanding- as friends, as lovers, as family. The parents were great, even if the father scared me sometimes hahaha. I loved the whole cast and characters, to be honest. I felt attached to every single one of their stories and I have a special place in my heart for all of them. I cried, I laughed, I screamed and I lived with them and that makes me think that the actors really did an amazing job bringing them to life. But Chilbong... I don't think I've ever felt the second-lead syndrome as intensely as I did with this one and I was team Jihoo in Boys Over Flowers!! One of my favorite scenes was Najung and Chilbong's scene at the field, when Najung says "I'm thankful I was loved by you". I had never cried so hard in my life, Jesus Christ. He truly was an amazing character. Yoonji and Samcheonpo's relationship was iconic. Totally different people who just worked well together. The friendship between Chilbong and Bingeure warmed my heart. Haitai was so funny that I couldn't help but wish I knew someone like him in real life. To sum it up: perfect cast to portray the perfect characters.

Music: Probably the best part. And that is saying A LOT. Every song in this drama was incredible and I found some amazing artists and songs because of it! Just like 1997's, I will listen to the soundtrack often. One of the best I've ever seen, if not the best.

Rewatch Value: When I wasn't watching this (during my "break" times) I would think "It's taking me so long to finish it... I'll never rewatch this." but I've changed my mind 100000%. If this drama makes me feel so many amazing things, why wouldn't it rewatch it???? I'll certainly do that at least once every two years. Just like Reply 1997. Too good to only watch it once.


OVERALL
Ahhh my heart is broken and happy at the same time.
When I remembered I still hadn't finished this drama ,I would think: "Well, I guess 1997 is just better than this one.". But WHILE WATCHING I couldn't bring myself to skip over scenes. I could only think "I love this so much." or "I feel so nostalgic." or "The soundtrack is so amazing." or "CHILBONGIE I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, PLEASE DONT BE SAD!!". Honestly, my heart felt so warm while watching this. It will forever have a special place in my heart, next to Reply 1997, because I can't choose between the two. I don't want to choose! They're both in my top 10 favorite dramas and that is quite impressive.
I adored this and I know that when I rewatch this in 2, 6, 15 years I will still remember this feeling. And that is something I can't ignore. So yeah, 10 stars!

Read More

Reply 1994 was a breath of fresh air after a long slump of very mediocre kdramas I've watched lately. So glad I decided to pick this up right after the 1997 series, as I had a hard time finding something nostalgic like that, which fits the same category.

The show starts of with an introduction to the Sinchon boarding house in Seoul, and every character who gets to come and experience the early adulthood in Seoul. I found it comforting have to follow the country kids journeys in college life, as compared to Seoulites, which brought a lot to the table. This drama was a complete glimpse into what the Korean culture is like, the different food and being one big family despite the relation in blood, the hype culture, the technology and Westernisation. There are many more themes I could name, but these are just some that stuck out to me and made me feel really nostalgic and almost like having FOMO for not being a young adult in the 90s.

Character development was also one of the points that shot this show to my list of favourites. Each and every character got their respective screen time, and there wasn't a single character I didn't like. In regards to the love triangle, I had stuck out with a clear bias for the baseball player, however, for the last 3 episodes my heart was wavering. Like seriously, I was torn between the two male leads and still can't make up my decision which one deserves the girl more.

Overall, a must watch to teleport and relive the 90s in the bustling Seoul (while having the 90s Korean playlist in the background, because you WILL be addicted)!

Read More

I actually watched this one third (started with Reply 1988 and then watched Reply 1997) and I think it suffered somewhat in comparison to the other two series, even though this one is the one with characters actually born around when I was born. :) I liked the cast a lot and thought that they had good chemistry all together. I was bitterly disappointed by the husband reveal, since I was firmly hoping for the opposite outcome even though I was pretty sure it wouldn't happen. The suspense that was found in 1997 was lacking in this one. It was a genuinely warm and touching show, like the others, and well worth watching. The parents were, as always, delightful.

Read More

Out of all the Reply series, I watched this last. I actually only became interested in it because of Coffee Friends. Boy was I missing out on so much.

I loved the sense of friendship and family in this drama. I love how each character was there for one another despite their own struggles and fights among themselves. It also broke my heart when their college life was already over and when the boarding house finally ended its business. Each character's ending was what was best for them, I believe. The character development wasn't huge or great but each of them changed in their own ways and owned up to their own struggles and paths. The best thing about this batch of friends was that the viewer also felt welcome and on a journey with them as well which was comforting.

I am one of those few who is actually satisfied with the ending of the main love story. I don't know why but there just seemed more sparks between the final couple so it made sense. But the last few moments leading to the ending definitely had me on the edge of my seat because I might be mistaken and was scared for the couple I rooted for.

Like every Reply series, it is full of realizations and quotations about life. That's what I love best about these series. Even if I watched it last, it's definitely my second rank!

Read More

Why do you do this writer-nim????

I found Go Ah Ra's character so annoying I actually dropped it on the first ep and came back a few months latter. I regret it.

It's not news for me to ship wrongly, but this was just plain BAD. Why make us feel THIS sorry for someone, dear LORD.

It took me another good months to write this, I just wasn't ready to talk about this drama. Writing this right now gave me so much anger I believe I'm still not ready.

I love the other dramas from the Reply series, they are some of my all time favs. Can't really tell how disappointed I am, it still hurts hahaha T_T

Read More

Na Jeong moved from the countryside to Seoul. Her parents opened a boarding house for students who came to Seoul, so it never gets boring in her home! There is her very close friend since childhood called Trash, a Seo Taiji fangirl called Yun Jin, two country pumpkins they named HaeTae and Cheon Po and the two cousins Smiles and Chil Bong. This simple slice of live drama tells the story of these 7 young people and how they grow up to become adults.

After the popularity of Reply to 1997 they decided to make another story that's built up similar, just that they start in 1994. I really liked 1997 but I was so happy to see that they made something new out of the story. The beginning is similar - Na Jeong is a fangirl of some basketball player. And they show the future, how the main couple is married, without showing the husband. They just give hints every episode and tease you, so you don't know who it is actually.

I really liked all the characters in this drama. They are fun to watch, lovable and grow on you from episode to episode. The only thing that could have been better is the chemistry between the couples. Not only the main couple, but in general. The couple that was sparkling the most for me is the mother and the father.

But aside from that, the kids showed a good friendship with each other, so the drama was really enjoyable! The story never dragged, I loved to see who she would end up with and I especially like the ending, that's just lovely and peaceful. It shows exactly what you needed and wasn't rushed.

For the lack of chemistry when it comes to love I deducted one star, but I still recommend this to everyone, who likes funny dramas with a bit of romance and a good slice of live story!

Read More

I finally...completed...this drama.

It took forever but not because it was bad just that it was so long! The episodes seemed to go on and on and there was never anything especially exciting happening so it was kind of hard to marathon.

Regardless, I did enjoy this show. It was simple and sweet, with some great acting and a rather nostalgic feel. I think it captured and expanded on the good points of Reply 1997 and while I believe it would have been better off not dragging certain scenes out I was really impressed overall. The 1997 cameos were especially nice, and everything was just executed so cleverly. Although it was excruciatingly frustrating, this show also managed to leave you completely oblivious as to the end-all OTP until nearly the last minute, which is a rare feat in dramaland. Geez.

I will miss this cast a lot but due to it's popularity I imagine we'll be seeing more sequels and appearances of these characters again. I can't wait!

Read More