Responde 1988 (2015)

Perfect, simplicity, friendship, neighborhood.

Reply 1988 has became my top 1 drama without a doubt. It's amazing how it can show you the sentiments of each character from the main to the least important one, you get dragged to their history and understands everything that happens. Not being a spoiler, but if you watch this drama, since the first episode you might dislike someone... But, even the ones you dislike you learn about their actions and even if you don't love (because I did), you at least start to understand some of their actions or learn how to forgive them. It's wonderful how you can't see a main couple, you are surrounded with romance, from absolutely EVERYWHERE!!!! But you may be disappointed with the pairs, but don't be!! Try to understand everyone of them especially when they give you, viewer, their own explanation... Because there isn't a single thing in this drama that there isn't shown to us, the feelings, the reasons for everything, the closeness, every detail is perfect. The friendship of this gang is unique and makes you wanna have the same thing, or make you remember about yours. You get so immerse into the history that, if you did live in the simplicity, makes you remember about your childhood; or if you didn't, makes you value the simplicity about things who doesn't need luxury, and that friendship and love is the only thing that can bring peace to the human being. It is a flawless drama, with many episodes who aren't small, but it is going to be definitely worth watching. I love how everything fits, the clothes, the hairstyles, the OST's and each character. I can't judge you for not liking it, because I understand it is not the most attractive drama with the most beautiful scenery. But you can't definitely say it has many touching scenes and phrases about reality. I think I'm going to watch it one more time...

Leia Mais

Screw you, second main lead syndrome!!!!!

The only reason I dropped this drama was



Yup that's right

SECOND MAIN LEAD SYNDROME

I figured that the person I rooted for wasn't the lead. It ruined the entire drama for me. But anyone who likes slow paced dramas about family, friends and a quiet type of drama will enjoy this. It makes people cry and its a beautiful portrayal. It captures the aesthetic of the 80s very well. My parents who are from that era absolutely loved it. It's nice to know that the 80s worked the same way even in our country. It was very nostalgic and well-executed. I can't really complain though. This series is based on a true story. So I can't really change the ending because that's what actually happened. I'm the kind of person that doesn't enjoy excessive second lead syndrome. It makes the drama sad and sentimental for most people but it ends up annoying me a lot on most occasions which just makes me drop the drama in the end.

Leia Mais

I wasn't born 1988 but my heart stayed here

Y'all....I never thought I'd ever finish another kdrama until the very last episode but this broke my curse!!! Which is crazy bc this was 20 eps long and each eps being almost 2 hrs long!!

I loved loved loved this drama. I love how realistic and how close to life it is. It felt so nostalgic seeing the families exchanging food and the kids hanging around whichever house bc that reminded me so much of my childhood. All of the ahjummas and ahjussi were such imperfectly perfect parents to their kids. And the Ssangmundong kids' bonds were so strong, you can see how much they valued their friendship with each other over anything. All of it was so warm, fuzzy, sweet and comforting to me.

Call me crazy but my favorite character was Bora. She was horrible the first few eps but I'm so glad she got better. Don't even get me started on the Sungwoo-Bora love line bc that took me by SURPRISE....AND I LOVED IT. I genuinely believe it was the reason why I finished the series lol. Something about their dynamic was so endearing to me. Their pairing caught me so off-guard that I got so intrigued and next thing I knew they were all I cared about. I loved them so much.

I will miss the Ssangmundong neighborhood. Man, the hangover is strong on this one. I feel bad for future watchers bc this drama is gonna stay with you like it stayed in mine. I feel like I've experienced another childhood that I can never get back to again. Oh, I love when dramas make me feel like this.

Leia Mais

Rating number is based solely on my lack of enjoyment

Up front I'll say that this show is a slow, slice-of-life comedy/drama. Wonderful cast. I loved the idea that they all grew up together and lived in the same alley. We got to see their day-to-day lives. I LOVED the scene where they kept taking side dishes to the others in the alley and it became a seemingly never-ending travel from house to house with side dishes. They knew each other so well; they didn't knock before entering the houses of others. That's the kind of closeness that's developed over the years, creating comfort for all involved. Every character had their flaws, but they also had redeeming qualities (except perhaps the FL's sister, she just wasn't a nice person). I can totally see why the rating for this is so high, and why people liked it, but I didn't care for it.

I loved the character of Jung Hwan. He was fascinating to watch. Still waters run deep. This character was like watching a cautionary tale of what happens if you play it safe all the time, if fear or insecurity drives you, relationship-wise.

What I didn't care for:
The FL - I felt that she played the character over the top a lot, with a lot of shrieking, screaming, crying. This actress has a very expressive face, but it just felt like too much to me. She liked one person, then another, then another.
The romance storyline. None of it felt natural to me. I wasn't seeing/feeling chemistry. And I definitely didn't agree with who the FL ended up with, that's all I'm going to say.
SO MUCH yelling and hitting between all of the characters. Parents hitting kids, sisters hitting sisters, friends hitting friends. And in the midst of all the hitting was all the yelling.
WHAT was with the goat sounds. That was SO overused!
The "grown" FL and ML. To me, they were too different than the characters we'd been watching.

If you like slice-of-life, give it a try. It might also be enjoyed more if you don't binge watch it, but savor each episode.

Leia Mais

Journey of Life

I have been keeping this show to watch somewhere later but after completing it i realized this show is really a "GEM".
This is really a good Presentation of "Journey of Life", how everything changes quickly with time and the only thing remains unforgotten is the "Memories" you create during this journey.
There are so many instances with which i totally relate to and it has happened with me too like,
1. Parents trying hard to give their kids a good life and secure future, being a parents comes with responsibilities where they even forget what their personal wish is and all they do is live for their kids.
2. Plate rotation in neighborhood and having feast even in small occasions.
3. A time when finances aren't enough and in order to buy one thing u have to think 2wice but with future and opportunities situation does changes.
4. That incredible atmosphere in neighborhood and all are supporting each other in their bad times or laughing together in good times.
5. The bonding between friends.
I really liked everything about the show but one thing which really disappointed me is that after showing CT and SDS feelings for each other, not much time was given to them.
I really have no issues that they showed CT and SDS confessing in 2nd last ep but they could have made the last ep all about CT and SDS instead of just focusing on marriage of SSW and SBR bcoz the last ep was almost rd 2hrs or they could have made a "SPIN OFF MOVIE" dedicated specially to CT and SDS.

Initially it didn't appeared that CT have any romantic feelings for SDS that too throughout half of the entire show and suddenly they showed him having a soft corner for SDS which was just like a surprise where else, KJH who was already in love with her from the the start but at first he didn't confessed bcoz of SSW even after that KJH didn't confessed his feeling while he had so many chances and here i was really hoping for him to confess that too when SDS was giving KJH so many signals.
"LOVE is all about PATIENCE" but when it comes to confession better not to be too late otherwise u will end up regretting it forever. when KJH got to know about CT feelings for SDS even then he didn't confessed bcoz of his friendship just like what CT did, who cancelled his confession plan after knowing about KJH feeling for SDS. May be that's the reason i do feel bad for KJH but not completely bcoz he was the one who gave up on confessing while he had so many chances.
But still i cried when KJH gave her that fiance ring while confessing and then pretended that it was just a joke...:( :( which made it so difficult to choose between CT and KJH.

Well i do understand why CT loves SDS but i don't get why SDS suddenly fell for CT? or did something changed after that kiss when CT thought of it as a dream?

I m really in love with that scene where SDS accidentally spill the beans about kissing and then when CT ask her while his eye are full of tears, this scene really pinched me.

I have a soft spot for love stories which is about childhood couple bcoz its really amazing to see a friendship developing into love and then the promise to be with each other and most importantly that u only had eyes for each other.

Leia Mais

Could be the best K Drama ever.

This is simply a marvelous slice-of-life drama. The first 4 episodes are a bit slow, but it gets amazing from the 5th episode onwards. The performances were extremely realistic and awesome. The friendship dynamics between each character is explored extremely well, and the pacing is really good. The comedy felt natural and not forced. The highlight of the drama in my opinion is the brotherhood between Taek and Sun Woo. It's one of those rare series that make the viewer enjoy the setting rather than hate it, which was really well done, considering that its set in the late 1980s; a time most of the viewers aren't familiar with. The ending isn't a 10 out of 10 ending, but still, it fits the series and is really well done.

Leia Mais

Must help full

Excellent... Very interesting... Daebak.. Female lead acting is natural.. Worth for watching it... Story line is very interesting .. If you finished one episode then you can't wait for next episode to watch it..... Nice Family , friends , neighbors ...... Very hilarious... Calm male lead... Finally perfect story line... Awesome speaking way.. Enjoyable Dialogue content ... In reply series overall I watched.. I thought this is the best one... Emotions between friends and family.. Way to Take caring of parents .. Very kindly... After watching this we will give more attention to our parents and friends to grow your relationship become thick fond.... Must help full

Leia Mais

A MASTERPIECE

Went in this drama with predejuice i didn't like it despite barely knowing nothing about it but i can confidentially say it exceeded all my expectations it was a fun incredible heart warming watch i would say its one of my all time favorites. I really like that all the characters have such different personalities i love the dynamics of family relationships shows as a middle child i found myself finding conformt in her character i admire how it focuses on everyone without it seemingly being focused on 1 character in all honestly might be one of the best family k dramas

Leia Mais

One of the best shows !!

This series has been on my list for so long and finally I finished watching it yesterday.
This is one of the best family dramas I have ever seen.
I loved the way the story was narrated. I had started making columns with point system for Taek and Jung Hwan haha.. I was not convinced Taek would be the one till last 3 episodes as most pointers were towards Jung Hwan.. I know second lead syndrome is a thing but till now in any show, I have somehow leaned more towards the lead.. This is the first time ever that I cried buckets and buckets of tears and I even thought it's okay if they stay in polygamy relationship of 3 of them..
The friendship and close knit bond of neighborhood, neighboring being there for each other when own blood relatives won't. how they are all supportive of each other and instead of comparing and being toxic, they are such positive influence on each other families.
The series displays different type of family bonds, like sibling bond of each family is different and bond between spouses is different in each family which is very relatable to most of us.
I was reminded of my neighbors back home where I would spend time in their houses waiting for my parents to get back from work or how we exchange different food between each other during special occasions, how you can reach out to them and they are their for your family in time of need.
The series even talks about menopause and I was surprised as it is not a topic in any series I have watched. They even portray how Dong-Ryong mom was working women and after she retried she couldn't stay home, felt depressed and wanted to work. But there is no "looking down" upon each other and just supportive conversation.
I don't even want to start about the beautiful friendship 5 of them share and also Duk-Seon friendship with her 2 classmates. Taek asking permission before making move on Duk-Seon and knowing the choices he made, Jung Hwan not having any bitter feelings and saying go get her (was bawling my eyes out).
I am going to stop writing more as I can literally write pages and pages about how good this show is!

I had only one issue with this series that at the end they don't tell what Jung Hwan is up to in his life like where he is and whether he got married or do they all still meet, and about Dong-Ryong (did he end up being with Duk-Seon's other friend?) and what is Jin-Ju up to.

Leia Mais

the bittersweet taste of memories...

I'm starting writing this review with my cheeks still wet by tears.
When I was looking for new series to watch with good ratings, I was a bit hesitant when I found Reply 1988 because of the subject, and of the length both of the series itself and of the episodes (some last almost two hours each). So I parked it in my wanna-watch list, waiting for a good moment to watch it.
I did a good choice not discarding it. This series is one of the best shows I watched so far, because of the story and the screenplay, because of the direction, because of the cast and the performances of each, because of the OST too.
That's not a banal family drama, but a story, a nice one, about families, about friendship, about love, and about memories, a story about transitions and transformation, finely performed by a cast of actors in a state of grace. The shiny gem among all has been Hyeri, who performed Deok-sun amazingly. She is from one of those younger generation of talented actors who well impressed me in terms of acting and scenic presence (like a Kim Tae-ri or Kim Da-mi). Deok-sun is a shiny person, full of contradictions, but really intelligent, and kind-hearted person. And around her the story travels among the memories of a youth which will never come back, stud with the stories of her friends, her family and the families of her friends, within a timeframe relatively short, but associated to that crucial moment of the lives of all of them, when they quickly transitioned from their being teens to their adult lives, and from the warmth and cozy place which were their families to the demanding challenges of their lives as adults. That moment full of passion and of enthusiasm, which will never come back again: the shiniest moment of the life, short but intense, that is the youth. In the end, the story of each one of us, which can be felt more deeply moving by whom, like me, is a peer of the older Deok-sun and her husband, while they tell those stories.
The whole during a period of the South Korean history, characterized by a crucial transition itself, from the dictatorship to the democracy, from a society still anchored to the traditions to the frenetic one of the current South Korea.
I felt captivated and involved all time long by the plot, which was compelled, and never boring nor flaw. I might say also because in part they were also looking like my story when I was just a youth and passing through that same moment of transition. I felt like part of that micro-world tied around the small alley of Ssangmundong. The involvement was so strong that several time I felt sad or happy as they were my friends or my family. That place was not just an ally surrounded by houses, but the place were an entire community, made of families, lived as a big family itself, in that fascinating Korean way to do it, sharing things, feelings, food, passions, friendship, help, money, tears, and laughs, where each house is home, a place to find a hot meal, a hand ready to help you and an ear ready to listen to you. Honestly, I also saw again my past life of the 80s and the 90s, even if, under another point of view, I felt a bit dazed mainly because of the music, since from that period I remember George Michael, INXS, Guns 'n Roses, Whitney Houston, and Belinda Carlisle (randomly), and they look replaced by the singers and the hits of the Korean music of that period.
Among a spectacular cast, I wish mentioning (in addition to Hyeri) Taek, performed brilliantly by Park Bo-gum, and some support roles that I found irresistible, that are Sung Dong-il, Kim Sung-kyun, and Bo-ra (Ryu Hye-young), not forgetting the small Jin-joo who I adored, so cute she was. But in general, the whole cast was well sorted.
The OST was very nice. Of course the more moving among the songs is Youth by Kim Chang-wan, and that because of the lyrics, in addition to the music itself.
Strongly suggested watching it: definitely worth.

Leia Mais