This review may contain spoilers
This should be watched after 97
Reply 1994 follows a similar formula to 1997. It's focusing on the friendships/family & the triangle evenly. I generally don't like triangles, here without the "who is the husband" flashforwards it wouldn't have been so bad, because the second lead never had any chances & he did not have an excessive amount of screen time either.What especially annoyed me is how the main leads have broken up at episode 18-19. If I wanted to be generous I could understand, that the writer's intent for them was transitioning from puppy love to mature love via hardship, but the entire thing made little sense to me. Kdrama logic is certainly insane on many occasions, but she had to go to Australia of all places for 2 years, as a computer science graduate..... I understand why this would resonate with Koreans, because this is exactly how 30% of the couples break up, when the guy goes to the army for 2 years, but it was still very frustrating to watch.
The pacing is strange too, the first 16-17 episodes were rather slow & relaxed, even boring at times, then everything went to shit, followed by one episode that quickly wrapped up everything in 30 minutes, as if nothing happened. (then they talked A LOT about Korean football, maybe the product placement quota needed to be filled up?) This could have been a real excellent 16 episodes long drama, had they taken out the unnecessary filler.
Despite all the above Reply 94 was still quite amazing. The nostalgia factor is still there, the cinematography was way ahead of its time, it is a funny and witty show too. The cast was awesome, maybe even better than in 1997. Go Ara's transformation into a country bumpkin amazed me to no end.
(ppl who watch kdramas to advance their Korean language studies shouldn't bother with this, because it's impossible to understand anything :D)
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Reply 1994 has a cool and unique concept, as do all the Reply series. I love the vintage style of the series and enjoy seeing the years pass for each show so we get to see the characters adapt to new technology. However, the storyline felt dragged out and the 21 episodes were too long for me. The 1 1/2 hour episodes didn't help the problem... There were a lot of characters and I really enjoyed seeing everyone's story! But the love triangle, or whatever you want to call it, really turned me away from the show. I started to doubt my own thoughts and hate certain characters (not naming names but those show producers are very sneaky). The good parts about the show, though, were the family focus and certain characters that I really got attached to. I actually really liked the main girl even though she started out pretty weird haha :D I liked her quirky attitude and she was just a super unique character for this show. I loved seeing the chemistry between the boarding house parents and all the kids living there. It was truly a feel-good show that I would've enjoyed much more, had there not been such complicated love triangle situations. But that's the point of these Reply shows and it is a cool concept (kind of a mystery feel). So if you like that type of storyline, then go for it, try this show! But remember how long each episode is and stay dedicated to the show (even when it gets super annoying and stressful). It's all worth it in the end of Reply 1994!! (oh and I definitely recommend you watch 1997 first because there are funny parts in this show connected with 1997) Enjoy:)
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The only reason Reply 1994 has a lower rating than Reply 1997 for me, is because I simply preferred the story, chemistry, and characters in Reply 1997 more.
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Cozy
I have enjoyed a lot watching this drama even though some of the length episodes is really long. The last episode had 100 minutes!First of all: the story. It is the same as in the other Reply dramas: students from various parts of South Korea join in a boarding house and the viewer also tries to figure who the female lead's husband is gonna be. Even though I think the drama was a bit dragged, the acting and the embarrassing situations made everything so entertaining! The chemistry between Sung Dong Il and Lee Il Hwa is unmatched! I was so surprised by Baro's acting. The ending made total sense.
The OST was so good! Sung Si Kyung's cover of the Seo Tai Ji's song was my favourite. I think it's the first time I see so many actors taking part in the OST!
My rewatch value isn't that big because some of the episodes were quite long but very funny! I still recommend it.
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SECOND LEAD SYNDROME!
I did not like this series personally because my ship failed but overall, the ship that did sail had a very preconceived plotline to it.However, there was zero chemistry whatsoever (at least that's what I felt) between the FL and both the MLs involved in the triangle.
The actors were great. All the characters had well thought out storylines for them. Except, the main pairing in this drama failed to capture my interest till the end. The FL is very crass, to be honest, compared to the FL of Reply 1988. The second lead deserved better in my opinion. He was much more involved in satisfying the better interests of the FL. Whereas, the dude she ended up with actually was just there... since the beginning. That's it. (At least that's what I thought). The dude she ended up with never actually took a step to justify his feelings for the FL. Till the end, she had to be the one to approach him first or go to him, instead of him coming to her. Dude kind of even came off as a bit misogynistic in the last few episodes.
The pacing of this drama is actually quite slow compared to the other Reply series. The first few episodes did not really have a lot going on. So it felt a bit boring. The rest of the episodes, even thought they did show the plot developments of the side couples and extra characters, mostly focused on the love triangle involved, therefore making it seem a bit dragged towards the end.
Overall, if you have nothing else to watch, you can go ahead and watch this one! :)
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Loved it
Reminiscent of days gone by, my days gone by. This is definitely my era and youth. Love love loved it.Storyline was terrific and I loved how the producers re-created the bygone era’s well, even down to the books and tapes.
Acting and Casting couldn’t have been better selected. I love Go Ah-Ra and her cohorts they were all terrific and did extremely well in their portrayal of the characters they played.
Music is reminiscent of each decade as they went through - well thought out.
Rewatch value - I may never rewatch it again but I definitely could and would if someone wants to sit with me.
OVerall - this brought back the memories of my very own 1990’s and 2000’s. The baggy pants of MC Hammer (western world) and the music - I so loved reliving it. This may have had the Korean details but still took me back to my time at that point. Thank you so much to the Director and Producers for bringing this to life. I do have to add that I love how you brought in the cast from 1997 too. That was just super cute. 💕
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And hell yeah,i enjoyed every minute of it (except the ending cause i was biased since the beginning and i'm still sad that my ship sank)
The monologues, nostalgic music,the characters(that cracked me up everytime they opened their mouths) and just the feeling of being in the 90's was amazing.
Overall,i think the The Reply franchise is brilliant and it's definitely worth watching!
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The love makes me feel warm inside and it’s happy.
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This review may contain spoilers
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.
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