Disclaimer : This isn't exactly a review, more so my thoughts on things.
Reply 1997
Title: 응답하라 1997 / Reply 1997
Chinese Title: 回答1997
Also Known as: Answer to 1997 / Answer Me 1997
Genre: Sitcom
Episodes: 16
Broadcast network: tvN
Broadcast period: 2012-July-24 to 2012-Sep-18
Air time: Tuesday 23:00 (2 episodes back to back)
Chinese Title: 回答1997
Also Known as: Answer to 1997 / Answer Me 1997
Genre: Sitcom
Episodes: 16
Broadcast network: tvN
Broadcast period: 2012-July-24 to 2012-Sep-18
Air time: Tuesday 23:00 (2 episodes back to back)
Synopsis
This drama will focus on the extreme fan culture that emerged in the 1990s when idol groups took center stage and K-pop was blossoming.
It tells the story of 6 former high school friends from a school in Busan who meet again in 2012 and brings back memories to 1997 when they were still high school students. Moving back and forth between the ’90s and today, the story centers on the life of Sung Si Won (Jung Eun Ji), who idolizes boyband H.O.T. and her 5 high school friends.
It tells the story of 6 former high school friends from a school in Busan who meet again in 2012 and brings back memories to 1997 when they were still high school students. Moving back and forth between the ’90s and today, the story centers on the life of Sung Si Won (Jung Eun Ji), who idolizes boyband H.O.T. and her 5 high school friends.
Cast
Main Cast
Jung Eun Ji as Sung Si Won
Seo In Guk as Yoon Yoon Je
Shin So Yool as Mo Yoo Jeong
Hoya as Kang Joon Hee
Eun Ji Won as Do Hak chan
Lee Shi Un as Bang Sung Jae
Jung Eun Ji as Sung Si Won
Seo In Guk as Yoon Yoon Je
Shin So Yool as Mo Yoo Jeong
Hoya as Kang Joon Hee
Eun Ji Won as Do Hak chan
Lee Shi Un as Bang Sung Jae
Introduction
Normally I tend to stray away from the dramas that are set past the year 2000 seeing as I've had some pretty bad experiences with dramas like that, and because of this, I didn't really want to watch this drama to begin with. I saw the description for it and was all 'Meh, sounds boring.' and I flicked away. Later I then realized that INFINITE's Hoya was actually starring in the drama, so I gave it a try and I've never regretted it ever since. I do believe that this is perhaps that one and only drama I have watched to the end and actually understood completely.
My original intent on this was to actually rewatched all the episodes and take screenshots to review them all one by one, but I got lazy seeing as I'm still nursing my somewhat-euphoric heart from that ending. It was just a brilliant series that I truly recommend alot of people watch.
((BEWARE : Up ahead I will have spoilers, if you're not into said spoilers or have not finished watching this drama, I suggest you turn away, cause you are REALLY going to get spoilt from this.))
My original intent on this was to actually rewatched all the episodes and take screenshots to review them all one by one, but I got lazy seeing as I'm still nursing my somewhat-euphoric heart from that ending. It was just a brilliant series that I truly recommend alot of people watch.
((BEWARE : Up ahead I will have spoilers, if you're not into said spoilers or have not finished watching this drama, I suggest you turn away, cause you are REALLY going to get spoilt from this.))
Characters
(Pitiful that I can't even find a more decent picture of her. OTL )
Shiwon/Siwon was a very interesting character for me and was somewhat a breath of fresh air. I normally continuously spaz about female leads being to whiny and irritating, but Siwon was... somewhat the opposite of whiny and irritating. Of course there were moments that I frowned upon, but over all, she was a brilliant character that was very amusing to watch. She was violent, an absolute fangirl, spoke gruffly and was overall a rebel. I like that in characters.
Siwon will definitely be someone I'll remember for a long time, sort of like Katniss Everdine from the Hunger Games. (By the way, her little spazzing when things don't go her way are, perhaps, one of the likeable things in her personality cause it's so darn amusing.)
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Shiwon/Siwon was a very interesting character for me and was somewhat a breath of fresh air. I normally continuously spaz about female leads being to whiny and irritating, but Siwon was... somewhat the opposite of whiny and irritating. Of course there were moments that I frowned upon, but over all, she was a brilliant character that was very amusing to watch. She was violent, an absolute fangirl, spoke gruffly and was overall a rebel. I like that in characters.
Siwon will definitely be someone I'll remember for a long time, sort of like Katniss Everdine from the Hunger Games. (By the way, her little spazzing when things don't go her way are, perhaps, one of the likeable things in her personality cause it's so darn amusing.)
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(Not exactly a picture from the actual drama itself, but I couldn't find the pictures he had for the series, so this'll have to do, besides, I think it suits perfectly fine :D )
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“I should have just told her immediately. But both long ago and even now, I was only hesitating. There is no “later” more urgent than “now,” for “later” may never come. For us to ignore the present before us, in favor of the next opportunity which may never come…Life is too short for that.”
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Yoonjae, on my goodness, this guy was amazing, he was like the cherry on top of the perfect cake for me, not only was he a tad wity, slightly sensitive and had an over all strong personality, he showed that soft side that I just fell for instantly, the side that cared so deeply for Siwon and the side that also cared so deeply for his brother who in turn, treasured Yoonjae but also loved Siwon. The fact he was capable of prying himself away from Siwon as to not 'wound' his brother was lovely but so... heart-string-pull-worthy. There were moments where I thought he should just find someone else and save himself the heartache, but in the end, it was undeniable that the other end of his magnet was Siwon. They were MADE to be together. 'Nuff said.
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((( Normally I'd just talk about the main characters, but because he's the absolute love of the drama for me, I HAVE to talk about Joonhee/Junhee >:U I HAVE TOO.)))
Joonhee/Junhee is my absolute heart-throb of the drama. I could never love anyone in this show more than I love Joonhee. He's smart, lovely and caring all around. I'd say that Hoya genuinely played the role of a homosexual character well, his emotions for Yoonjae felt so real and heart warming, but heart breaking at the same time too cause everyone should probably know that his future is not with Yoonjae, that one guy he loved for so long but never admitted it too.
Even at the end when he had decided to move out of the dorm, he never said a thing incase their relationship was tarnished. Yoonjae sacrificed alot, but so did Joonhee, and I'm glad that at the end, it seemed like he was gaining a happy ending of his own too. I have theories on who owns that lovely sleek red car, but I suppose I have to better those theories when I rewatch the series. |
“The reason I like you? Because it’s you. Just you. That’s the only reason. I wish I knew. Then I can figure out how to stop liking you. If I can’t avoid it, I only want one thing. To stay by you as a friend, unchanged. Here’s to heartache. To love.” |
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Let me just be fair and say that if you removed even one character from the drama, it wouldn't be Reply 1997, each character fills and molds the plot and the people around them, there were so many people of significance in this drama that I would love to name, but can't right now cause I'm still in my 'low tone' mood and I'm still mentally spazzing. But trust me when I say that the characters in this series were amazing.
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Let me just be fair and say that if you removed even one character from the drama, it wouldn't be Reply 1997, each character fills and molds the plot and the people around them, there were so many people of significance in this drama that I would love to name, but can't right now cause I'm still in my 'low tone' mood and I'm still mentally spazzing. But trust me when I say that the characters in this series were amazing.
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Plotting
As stated in the synopsis, Reply 1997 follows the life of Sung Siwon, an avid fan of the band H.O.T by SM Entertainment and the member Tony Ahn, she is the true sign of dedication, she buys their albums and posters, ferries herself to long distances just to see their concerts. Pretty much that's pretty much the jist of the plot, to others, this may just seem like some random, typical love drama, but the way they entwine each scene is the magical bit. The one thing I look forward to dramas like these is how each set plays off, and this drama did it perfectly.
They included the little details, such as Yoonjae's love for adding extra whipped cream on his coffee, the fact Siwon couldn't wear her limited jacket anymore due to the severe rip on the sleeve, the ring, everything. The biggest thing in this drama, of course, if the way each emotion is displayed, how each emotion and the way they act is envoked due to some scene in the past or something. I am sorry to say that really I can't seem to put much justice into writing about this series, but it's a truly wonderful series.
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“People have to be satisfied with an attainable dream. If you’re greedy with unattainable dreams, you’ll only get hurt. Empty passion only leaves you with heartburn. That’s why unrequited love is foolish. However, foolish unrequited love can have potential. That passion sometimes causes miracles. And sometimes dreams come true from a distance while you may not achieve the dream, getting close gives you the chance to be happy.”
— Quote from the K-Drama ‘Reply 1997’ (Ep. 7)
My Ending Thoughts
In the end, though I'm sure there will be many dramas to approach in the future, I am sure I will remember this for quite a while. I will continuously remember the constantly the Sung Siwon that screamed and yelled whenever her bias or her band were insulted, the torment Yoonjae had to endure as he held in all his emotions till the bitter end where he triumphed at last, the suffering Joonhee held within himself every moment he was forced to face his the one he loved every day and night, the happiness they required when they were together, the sadness they shared when Mo Yoo Jeong's father passed away.
Will forever remember the emotional roller coaster they all rode together, and of course, remember that one picture they took at the very end of the drama where in effect, Yoonjae probably broke his arms in the process.
I said it many times before, and I will say it again, the drama was amazing, do take your time to watch it if you're interested, I thoroughly enjoyed it and wondered why it took me four episodes in before I discovered this drama. Every week I was on edge just waiting for the next episode, only to learn I'm just gonna whine all over again for another week cause of that darn cliff hanger
Thank you for reading.
Will forever remember the emotional roller coaster they all rode together, and of course, remember that one picture they took at the very end of the drama where in effect, Yoonjae probably broke his arms in the process.
I said it many times before, and I will say it again, the drama was amazing, do take your time to watch it if you're interested, I thoroughly enjoyed it and wondered why it took me four episodes in before I discovered this drama. Every week I was on edge just waiting for the next episode, only to learn I'm just gonna whine all over again for another week cause of that darn cliff hanger
Thank you for reading.
“People believe that they are born with an invisible red string tied around their little finger. The string is tied to a person they’re destined to be with. However, it’s hard to find out who is waiting at the end. The string is as tangled as the as the number of people tied together. As we untangle it, we get to see our fate.”
— Quote from the K-Drama ‘Reply 1997’ (Ep. 9)
BONUS! : The lovely friendship that is Yoonhee. My OTP damnit.