Responde 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.

Leia Mais

Reply 1994 is a mix of Reply 1997 and Reply 1988, and somehow it makes it work. The story centres around a girl, whose parents rent rooms for college students at Seoul. The viewers are asked to guess with whom the girl is going to end up with. In addition, we have the stories of the other college students and events that occur in the 1990's. For me, Reply 1994 was better than Reply 1988, though the main reason why I didn't like Reply 1988 was the length and in Reply 1994 the episodes got longer and longer but never reached the two hours (fortunately). I especially liked the episodes where the characters from Reply 1997 appeared and it was quite funny to watch. Moreover, Reply 1994 offers the family drama that Reply 1988 also has, but also the humour and the funny situations that Reply 1997 had. So, 5,5 out of 10, because it's a good drama, only way too long (it could have ended in 18th episode).

Leia Mais

After watching Reply 1997 and love it. I hesitate to watch 1994. Thinking it may spoil the great feeling i had of 1997.
But then i try 2 episode and love it. Have similarity yet different from 1997. At first, i am not impressed with the main casts except the so handsome childong. The supporting casts are amazing though. Then i gradully fall for trash oppa with najung. Jung woo played trash amazingly. He is not my usual type yet he can showed many side of trash which is loveable and casual.
Many love childong. Me too!! but from the start najung has eye only at trash so it is predictable and sweet. there are some twists that try to confuse us.
I think trash and najung has the most loveable and sweet kiss ever. Trash oppa is a great kisser. His posture when kissing is the best so far for me.
My mistake is comparing to 1997 , so i cant enjoy 1994. But i rewatch and find this is very good also in other way.
It has long episode. Just need to enjoy it. Because 1994 explore all casts, not just main role. Just flow with it, and we will get the story try to tell.
It is a must watch. Just stop with shipping main or second lead. Then you will enjoy this qualify drama. And please watch it start from reply 1997 then 1994 then 1988. Cause the casts prior will be cameo in next reply. It will spoil everything.

Leia Mais

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.

Leia Mais

Reply series rank number two

LIKE

How boarding house welcomed everyone from countryside when they were trying to fit into city area

How the scriptwriter made me guess "The One" with snippets here and there - this part is even more interesting than Reply 1988 as back then was only two and now we have four.. my god

What Geu Re did to love of his life to verify - that was cute

When Sung's family and Sseu Re Ki were sharing their pain from ages ago

DISLIKE

The couple I shipped was not together

MUSIC

To You - Sung Si Kyung
Feeling Only You - Jung Woo, Yoo Yeon Seok, Son Ho Joon

REWATCH VALUE

Yes shall watch it again someday.

Leia Mais

I got through a good portion of this, didn't watch the last 2 episodes because at that point it was  dragging and you already knew who she was going to end up with.  They played push an pull so much that you really thought the outcome was going to be different but it ends up being what you originally thought it would be and that's super annoying to me.  I think that if this came out before Reply 1997 then it would have been easier to watch, but the stories were so similar that it made it boring and feel like the PD was trying too hard.

I don't agree that Go Ara was bad in this drama, I think this role was perfect for her, but at the same time I do agree that's she's not a very good actress because an actress who needs the role to fit her personality in order to be successful is not good at acting.  The whole point of acting is to convey feelings that are not your own and make them believable to others.  She can't do that very well.

Leia Mais