Never seen and I don't have the intention of watching The Heirs. I could not make it past Episode 10 for TTBY. In my opinion, it was such a waste of Lee Hyun Woo. (Oh please, 2016, be a good year and give Hyun Woo a good project.) I loved Hana Kimi for its wackiness and ridiculousness. TTBY was just a long clip of idols trying to get screen time.
I can't argue for BoF. I was new to dramas and liked it. Didn't have deep issues with the female lead not as much as I did with Playful Kiss. In any version of this classic, I always cannot empathize with the female lead. Of all live versions, I find the Taiwanese one bearable than the others--with a good chemistry between Joe Chen and Ariel Lin.
Oh my goodness. Thank you for this. You have included my fave trio: Yeo Jin Gu, Kim Yoo Jung and Kim So Hyun. The Moon Embracing the Sun was a memorable drama. I have a fondness for Kim So Hyun and she is about the same age as my first-born. She is my favourite 'child' actress, too. (I have been negligent these past few years and I haven't watched her dramas.) But oh, how they grew up right in front of us.
Thanks for this! I am taking note of the dramas I have missed out! <3
I actually didn't like Sprout and I have heard not-so-good things about Taiyou no Uta (leads chemistry-wise) so I will be avoiding that.
I already have Suki na Hito ga iru koto on my PTW and will be adding Love Relationship (for Honda Tsubasa and Nomura Shuhei).Thanks for the recommendations!
I'm not putting this on a spoiler box anymore since the whole drama review is a spoiler already. So for those who haven't seen or are currently watching this drama, read at your own risk!
On characters: When I look at R98 as a whole, I see 5 friends, their relationships and their families. If I break it down to particulars, I start with Duk Seon--because she is the key character to everything even though the drama isn't always told in her POV. Out of all three Replies, I liked her the best. Duk Seon wasn't that smart in school, but she was good-natured and filial to her parents (despite their neglect -- the woes of being a middle child). The most memorable part of her was in Episode 9 where we all thought she just left Taekkie on his own. (I thought ahh, she is dependable and responsible despite her happy-go-lucky exterior.)
I liked Jung Bong oppa - I don't know about you guys but of all the male youths, honestly speaking, in some aspects I was more attracted to him than JH, SW, even Taekkie.;)
Taek is probably the most interesting character - in terms of background and interaction with them. We know baduk was pretty much part of his growing up years and this influence manifests in his gestures, mannerisms and attitude. We can also surmise that his vice may have developed from being exposed to baduk seniors who smoke either out of leisure, routine or pressure. Let's also not forget he grew up without a mother figure and might have turned to baduk as a coping mechanism (don't really know; but he had a new set of friends and would have chosen to study in school with them instead pf concentrating on learning the game).
On JH - I had less frustrations than the others on JH partly because I had consciously distanced myself from shipping early. I can't blame viewers from feeling cheated. Events were shown in his perspective, and it magnified how he felt because we as viewers were seeing it from his point of view. I wondered if the reaction would have been different if we saw it from Taek's POV.
On families, I pretty much agree with you. The Kims were far better in my opinion. My heart sort of broke for Duk Seon when her mom called her 'Duk Seon' instead of 'Soo Yeon'. I was disappointed. Ra Mi Ran was memorable in this although Sun Young was also good. The dynamics between her and Choi Moo Sung (Taek abeoji) was nice surprise.
Edit: I'm coming back to this article tomorrow. I haven't commented yet and here I thought I did! First of all, congratulations on writing this review! I dramathoned this as this is more of my style of watching. I agree with you that episodes shouldn't be this long but the episodes are generally good so the audience would barely notice that if they're following the story closely.
Good night for now. I am really sleepy. I'll be coming back again tomorrow! :D
I could write a dissertation on this drama in its reflecting the era, the neighborhood, the families and the friendships…
Oh, very good points. Here, take one heart from me and let's be friends! :D
I could also go on and on about this drama. The families and friendships ruled here but to a certain degree, I expected the romantic development and the husband mystery to be shown on each episode even just for a bit. On the other hand, I am glad the husband mystery was tuned down even though it has been the mark of the Reply series.
I honestly can't blame viewers (a lot of MDLers) who feel bad about JH. He was practically built up until the first half but I noticed the shift and lack of follow through from Ep 11 onward.
If there is one thing I learned with the Reply series, it's: To lessen your heartbreak, try delaying who you ship until the female lead actually chooses or shows who she likes. The one she likes is definitely the one she'll end up it. No big secret.
Isn't Kwak Dong Yeon technically an adult now? He's 19 y.o. and his Korean age is 20, right?
I can't argue for BoF. I was new to dramas and liked it. Didn't have deep issues with the female lead not as much as I did with Playful Kiss. In any version of this classic, I always cannot empathize with the female lead. Of all live versions, I find the Taiwanese one bearable than the others--with a good chemistry between Joe Chen and Ariel Lin.
With English subs: https://www.facebook.com/MDBCdrama/videos/535869299942998/
http://novel.naver.com/webnovel/list.nhn?novelId=126772
Thanks for this! I am taking note of the dramas I have missed out! <3
Ohmilawdie, help me. Here I go again. I will go mad waiting. I just know it!
My tera drive is ready. I hear KBS World will be airing episodes (with English subtitles) 24 hours after the Korean broadcast!
I already have Suki na Hito ga iru koto on my PTW and will be adding Love Relationship (for Honda Tsubasa and Nomura Shuhei).Thanks for the recommendations!
Too much sex appeal! x_x #deadahjumma
On characters: When I look at R98 as a whole, I see 5 friends, their relationships and their families. If I break it down to particulars, I start with Duk Seon--because she is the key character to everything even though the drama isn't always told in her POV. Out of all three Replies, I liked her the best. Duk Seon wasn't that smart in school, but she was good-natured and filial to her parents (despite their neglect -- the woes of being a middle child). The most memorable part of her was in Episode 9 where we all thought she just left Taekkie on his own. (I thought ahh, she is dependable and responsible despite her happy-go-lucky exterior.)
I liked Jung Bong oppa - I don't know about you guys but of all the male youths, honestly speaking, in some aspects I was more attracted to him than JH, SW, even Taekkie.;)
Taek is probably the most interesting character - in terms of background and interaction with them. We know baduk was pretty much part of his growing up years and this influence manifests in his gestures, mannerisms and attitude. We can also surmise that his vice may have developed from being exposed to baduk seniors who smoke either out of leisure, routine or pressure. Let's also not forget he grew up without a mother figure and might have turned to baduk as a coping mechanism (don't really know; but he had a new set of friends and would have chosen to study in school with them instead pf concentrating on learning the game).
On JH - I had less frustrations than the others on JH partly because I had consciously distanced myself from shipping early. I can't blame viewers from feeling cheated. Events were shown in his perspective, and it magnified how he felt because we as viewers were seeing it from his point of view. I wondered if the reaction would have been different if we saw it from Taek's POV.
On families, I pretty much agree with you. The Kims were far better in my opinion. My heart sort of broke for Duk Seon when her mom called her 'Duk Seon' instead of 'Soo Yeon'. I was disappointed. Ra Mi Ran was memorable in this although Sun Young was also good. The dynamics between her and Choi Moo Sung (Taek abeoji) was nice surprise.
http://mydramalist.com/discussions/reply-1988/26492-your-musings-on-this-drama-with-spoilers
Edit: I'm coming back to this article tomorrow. I haven't commented yet and here I thought I did! First of all, congratulations on writing this review! I dramathoned this as this is more of my style of watching. I agree with you that episodes shouldn't be this long but the episodes are generally good so the audience would barely notice that if they're following the story closely.
Good night for now. I am really sleepy. I'll be coming back again tomorrow! :D
I could also go on and on about this drama. The families and friendships ruled here but to a certain degree, I expected the romantic development and the husband mystery to be shown on each episode even just for a bit. On the other hand, I am glad the husband mystery was tuned down even though it has been the mark of the Reply series.
I honestly can't blame viewers (a lot of MDLers) who feel bad about JH. He was practically built up until the first half but I noticed the shift and lack of follow through from Ep 11 onward.
If there is one thing I learned with the Reply series, it's: To lessen your heartbreak, try delaying who you ship until the female lead actually chooses or shows who she likes. The one she likes is definitely the one she'll end up it. No big secret.