Give it a try, your life might change.
It's such a hollow feeling finishing this because I know I probably won't ever watch something this amazing again. When Life Gives You Tangerines was my number one K-drama, and I genuinely felt that nothing would beat that, but honestly, from the beginning, I had some idea. The moment I started this, I got the strongest feelings of home and love. From the first 5 minutes, I swear.This show has shown me just so much love, but also given me countless life lessons. This is sounding so preachy, but it is what it is. I remember wanting to finish this quickly so I could start something new, and yet at the same time, really struggling at the end because I never wanted it to end. It's weird, but they did coexist at the same damn time.
People say that this is a slow and kinda boring drama, but isn't that the point? The depiction of life here is absolutely outstanding. Tell me, what would you say if someone asked what this show was about? I think I would be a bit overwhelmed because I know no matter how hard I try, I won't be able to explain perfectly. It's about life. It's about love. It's about the highs and lows that every single person on this planet feels. It will make you cry your eyes out, and it will make you laugh till your chest hurts. It is a beautiful show, and I am glad I watched it.
There's so much more I can say, but as I said, I won't be able to put down all my thoughts perfectly anyway. The simple truth is that no show will ever make me feel this great again. Oh, the joy to be able to watch this again from the beginning.
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Must watch!
I dropped it the first time I tried after 5mins of not "getting" it. Tried again a year later, and it is now easily one of my all time favourite kdramas! The friend group dynamics and antics had me laughing so much, and the way the families supported and cared for each other was reminiscent of my own neighbourhood growing up. I was gutted when the show ended, but it had to end some time, I suppose. Definitely highly recommend. If you struggle in the first few minutes, just hang in there. It will be worth the laughs, for sure!Was this review helpful to you?
Checklist on why “Reply 1988” deserves 10 Stars:
1. CAST - Every actor, whether main or supporting, junior or senior, adult or child, wholeheartedly portrayed their individual roles with depth and realism.2. SCRIPT - Five families living and thriving on the same street. You will laugh and cry with them throughout their many milestones and ordeals, and feel that you’ve become a part of their family by the time you wipe away your tears on the final episode.
3. MUSIC - OST is comprised of upbeat tunes and melancholic melodies that stick to your head like a catchy LSS. They’re played subtly in the background, making the scenes more heartfelt and pronounced.
4. SET DESIGN - South Korea in 1988 gradually transitioning to 2015. From the hairstyles and fashion, furniture and gadgets, to the lingo and trends - the production crew astonishingly enabled the audience to go back in time.
5. LESSONS IN LIFE - Watch and learn!
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This review may contain spoilers
Flag on the play ;do not pass go
Before I give my review i wanted to say that I am fan of Park Bo Gum, he's one of my fav actors. However the writers bothed the ending. with DeoSuk husband (love intrest) . The writers fumbled the ball, "flag on the play", " do not pass go, do not collect $200, go straight to jail," Did they change their mind to who sould have been her husband (b/c of how popular my fav actor is) .. I thought Choi Taek was more on the reseved end for his personalitky. Or does Choi Take has Mulitple Personalilty disorders. How he is depicted in present time is completley differnent person. The esscescnce of who Choi Taek is as a teen changes to the esscscence of Jung -Hwang. I mean reall, Make it Make sense". I cant even watch the last 2 episodes b/c of how they writers do Jung-hwang toward the end of this series: A carppy confession to someone he's been in love with since High School// hidding his feelings for the sake of freinds ship. Blows my mind.. I can keep going on & on about this so I will leave it there. my raiting is relfelceted in the writer's error. I think I will boycott the last 2 episodesWas this review helpful to you?
painfully beautiful
so well done that it makes my heart hurtthis drama is heavily family based and focuses on the day to day situations they each have, whether its the parents or the kids. what i really like about this so far is how normal it is and yet it can make me feel so many emotions. it's the perfect blend of everything — comedy, drama, slice of life. reminds me of home. it makes me think of all those good times i had as a kid with my family with no worries or responsibilities. crying as i write this LOL1!!!!
the characters are really easy to fall in love with — they all remind me of someone i know and i see myself in all of them at the same time. the parents are naggy and caring and it makes me miss my parents. it makes me miss the carefree days i had when i was younger where my biggest worry was homework. tbh idrk what to say because i dont have the right words but this show , that i'm not even finished, is a masterpiece. its nostalgia as a show. its heartbreak and joy and love and loss. its everything :(
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Made my heart grow three sizes
My heart grows three sizes when I think of this show. I love its nostalgia, childhood friendships, family and found family bonds, slice-of-life moments, awkward young romance, and combo of humor and heart. It's one of those shows where you feel like everyone - writers, directors, actors, musicians, etc - were all putting their hearts into it. I really cried at the end when they were grown up and moving out of the neighborhood!Was this review helpful to you?
The story in overal was good, some partes were boring in my opinion, and some really made me laugh out loud...I really liked all the families and the characters with their actors...Hyeri is really one of those idols that surprised me acting.
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Really well made, lovely acting and all around fun to watch. They pushed it a little with the length of each episode. Faster pace and some scene-cutting could have done wonders. Of course, I was in the wrong boat (Damn it junghwan!!) so in the end I felt a bit cheated personally. So close, yet so far... Damn you, second lead syndrome!
Watching this live really does you in. I wouldn't rewatch, but I'll always remember its magic.
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Nothing will beat this
I pretty much dislike every show I come across - but Reply 1988 was a top-tier, incredible drama. The stories were filled with laughter, food, togetherness, emotion, pranks, heartbreak, youth, resolution, soju, scolding, family, conflict, burning love, comedy, growth and more.Every episode was like a valuable lesson. I watched this with my mother who grew up in a community very, very similar to the one on-screen and it was wonderfully nostalgic and relatable for her.
Because the plot revolved around multiple families, there was never a *truly* dull moment and many of those milked scenes I remember toughing through in Reply 1994, I didn't have to deal with here. Things were always happening and the characters were always thinking, speaking, reflecting, riding the waves.
The drama is not perfect and that's okay. There are certainly faults here and there - things you notice that don't make sense, like the different older actors or how certain people's stories felt incomplete by the time the show's last episode ends... but this is as close to a golden 10 as I think anything will get.
Reply 1997 was a great start. Reply 1994 did well for what it's worth. But Reply 1988 easily takes the cake for me.
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Thank you to the amazing staff. A modern way to tell a drama in 1988
Guys, because of your reviews, I have started to watch this series and can confirm that you are absolutely right!At first glance, it looked like the standard 50 episode family K-dramas (you know: mean mother in-law, chaebols, poor families…) so I ignored this series. As I like some of the leads, I wanted to give a try and read your reviews.
Although everything looks like in the 80th, it is a very modern drama. The dialogues, acting, the stories are done in a modern way. Even the comedian parts are modern, not silly and exaggerated anymore. The look and story reflect the 80th perfectly, honestly. I am not a fan of the historical dramas but this can also play in any period. It is about families, friendships and love anywhere, anytime. You watch these families, friends and lovers and you just enjoy them. No idea why this drama makes me happy and peaceful. Maybe this is the secret of excellent movie/drama making. Thank you to the amazing staff behind R88
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