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Answer Me 1988: Episode 4

This episode is all about the people you can’t help loving, be it ungrateful husbands, nagging wives, unresponsive kids, embarrassing parents, or your oldest friends who call you out on your dumbest mistakes. And we find that there’s pretty much only one way to mend rifts in any of these relationships: one sincere gesture, no matter how small, that comes straight from the heart.

 
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Lee Moon-se – “빗속에서” (In the Rain) [ Download ]

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EPISODE 4: “Can’t help ~ing”

It’s November 1988, and we begin with another mad dash to school. Deok-sun pulls on her stirrup pants (why did we wear these, really?), Sun-woo eats his mother’s terrible breakfast, and Dong-ryong says goodbye to an empty house since no one’s ever there. Jung-hwan turns down an offer from Dad to give him a ride in the car, saying that he has a ride of his own—his precious Air Jordans, he means.

The bus is so crammed full of students that latecomer Dong-ryong has to crawl through the window to get onboard. Deok-sun is left out on the street, so she hangs out of the open doorway as the bus takes off, which seems crazy. Aaand two seconds later, she’s left sitting in the street.

One day, Deok-sun announces to her family that she’s going to college. They all look at her like she’s crazy, and when she asks for a tutor, Dad tells her to learn from her sister. Deok-sun looks over at Unni Bora with a look of horror, and flashes back to three years ago when Bora tried to teach her algebra and ended up berating her for being so stupid.

Deok-sun says she’d rather die than be tutored by Unni, so then Dad says he heard that this “thing” is great for boosting your concentration. Next thing we know, Deok-sun is sitting across from an incredulous-faced Taek on either side of a baduk board.

Taek asks if she even knows how to play, and Deok-sun nods. He prompts her to make the first move… and she puts a stone down in the middle of a square instead of on an intersecting point. He pretty much gives up right then and there, and suggests eating ramyun instead.

Deok-sun’s parents get invited to eat upstairs with Jung-hwan’s parents, who wanted to share the fish they bought. Deok-sun’s mom marvels at the whole fishes piled high on the table, but it looks like what she’s more envious of is the way Jung-hwan’s dad dotes on his wife and peels the fish for her. In contrast, her own husband chomps down on his fish without even giving her a taste, and steals her rice so that he can eat twice as much.

Jung-hwan’s dad asks how the baduk lessons are going for Deok-sun, and Dad says she quit after the first day. But he heard that this other thing is great for concentration… and we cut to Deok-sun having a staring contest with a Rubik’s Cube.

She tries and tries but can’t seem to get it, and then peers over at Taek, who’s struggling to open a carton of yogurt. It cracks me up, this running thing with the genius who can’t do normal things like feed himself. She offers a trade, and no joke—Taek solves the Rubik’s Cube in the amount of time it takes her to peel open the yogurt and take a bite.

She messes it up and tells him to solve it again, and again, and every time he does it with machine-like precision. Over at Jung-hwan’s house, Hyung is trying to do the exact same thing, with Jung-hwan on a stopwatch to time him.

Deok-sun’s mom gets up early to start her day, and runs into Jung-hwan’s dad out in the yard. He’s carrying a giant sheet of seaweed to cook for his wife because it’s her birthday, and even stops to check on the laundry and pick up shoes on his way in.

Mom watches all that with a little sigh and returns to her own house, where Dad is sleeping the day away. She pinches him in the belly in retaliation, and he hits his son sleeping next to him, thinking it was him.

Jung-hwan’s dad stops him on his way out again, this time to remind him about their dinner plans tonight. Jung-hwan lies that he has night class, but Dad easily catches him in the lie because it’s Saturday and tells him to show up.

Jung-hwan and Deok-sun both stop in their tracks when they reach the yard at the same time, but the awkward moment passes as they revert to their usual bickering. She calls him a moron and says he’ll get caught for wearing those shoes to school, and he calls her the moron and points out the rice still stuck on her face.

She peels it off her face and eats it, ha, while he walks away with the tiniest grin on his face. I love the sneak-grins.

This time Deok-sun manages to get on the bus, but it’s crammed full as usual, and every time the standing passengers are jostled, most of them complain, but there are a fair number of boys who hoot and holler as girls get pressed up against them. Jung-hwan is clearly fixated on Deok-sun, who’s surrounded by a few other boys nearby.

His worry starts to build, and then there’s a really big lurch that sends everyone sliding… and in her haste to keep from falling, Deok-sun reaches out to grab onto Jung-hwan’s shirt. The buttons come popping right off and the shirt just hangs open. LOL. They just freeze like that, too embarrassed to say or do anything.

That night Jung-hwan’s family gets ready to go out for Mom’s birthday, and Dad is the only one excited about it. Jung-hwan is non-responsive, as usual, and Hyung can barely be convinced to leave his room because he’s so obsessed with solving the Rubik’s Cube.

When Mom finally comes out dressed up in her finest, they all gasp in horror and Jung-hwan asks if he can stay home. Still, Dad’s good mood won’t be killed, and he piles the family into the backseat of his dinky company car and drives them to dinner.

At Deok-sun’s house, the dinner table looks especially sparse today, and Dad complains that his favorite dish isn’t on the table. It launches them into a massive fight, with Mom calling him inconsiderate and Dad calling her dumb for not graduating high school. Yikes.

Meanwhile, Jung-hwan’s family arrives at the restaurant and no one really listens to Dad, all insisting on eating different things. When the waiter comes by to take a picture, Dad’s the only one who’s excited.

It’s like pulling teeth to get anyone else in his family to participate in anything, and the waiter stands there awkwardly as he has to convince them to take one damn picture.

He urges them all to smile, and the Polaroid gets left on their table. As the picture starts to form, all we see is Dad’s face with his giant smile.

Sun-woo heads to the library to study, and finds a cassette tape with a piece of candy in his locker. The note says, “All I can give you is this candy [satang],” and the song highlighted on the Byun Jin-sub tape is, “All I Can Give You Is Love [sarang].” It isn’t signed, but we see Deok-sun walking down the street with a bag of candies in her pocket and a smile on her face.

Jung-hwan’s dad comes home with ice cream for his family, only to be met with silence from Jung-hwan (who’s got his headphones on), and a dismissive wave from Hyung (who’s still in his Rubik’s cave). Aw, Dad looks so disappointed at the rejection.

It turns out that Jung-hwan is listening intently to the news report on Taek’s latest match, where he was uncharacteristically bested by a newbie. He showed weakness, and people are speculating on a slump.

Sun-woo is listening to the same broadcast in the library, and turns to tell Dong-ryong about it, only to find him passed out on the floor. When Sun-woo gets home, Mom is on the way out with kimchi pancakes for Taek and his father. She tells Sun-woo not to say anything about Taek’s loss in case he feels bad about it.

Jung-hwan’s dad leaps to his feet in excitement when Jung-hwan steps out of his room, but of course Dad’s silly gags get absolutely zero reaction out of him. I love this kid, but seriously it would suck to be his parents.

Jung-hwan is outside feeding the dog as Deok-sun comes home, and when he hears that she was at the library, he scoffs like it’s not possible. He teases her for the popsicle stains around her mouth, and when Sun-woo comes by to ask her for pencil lead, Deok-sun hides her stained lips. It seems to bug Jung-hwan to see Sun-woo and Deok-sun going downstairs without him.

Taek’s house feels even more quiet than usual today, and Taek sits in front of his baduk board looking a little lifeless. Man, I hope he’s not reliving his losing game. Eek.

Sun-woo’s mom comes by with kimchi pancakes and whispers to Dad that they should just act normal, and Dad agrees, though he’s worried because Taek seems more affected by this loss. Dad sighs to see Taek taking medicine—I don’t know what for, but it appears to be headache medicine.

Jung-hwan’s dad comes to the kitchen for some water in the middle of the night, and discovers the carton of ice cream he brought home earlier, still sitting on the table where he left it. It’s all melted now, because no one bothered to come out.

When Taek’s dad wakes up in the morning, he finds Taek still sitting in the exact same spot, having practiced all night long. Ack, I hope our Taekie isn’t broken!

Deok-sun’s parents tell her to get tutored by Unni, who’s being paid to tutor Jung-hwan. Deok-sun would get to sit in for free, but she refuses to be subjected to it… that is, until she hears that Sun-woo will also be there.

In preparation for tutoring, Deok-sun squeezes into her tightest jeans and plucks her eyebrows, Jung-hwan madly brushes his teeth and scrubs his face until his nose bleeds, and Sun-woo insists on pulling on a wet shirt from the clothesline because it has to be that one. Is there going to be any learning in this tutoring group?

Jung-hwan runs into Dad in the kitchen, and is surprised when Dad responds with barely any energy. Aw, is he mad? Dad refuses to leave the house with Mom, who leaves the house so that she doesn’t bother the tutoring session. The ajummas gather for an afternoon beer out in the street, with the usual chitchat complaining about their husbands.

When Taek’s dad comes out to return a plate to Sun-woo’s mom, the others whisper at her to make a go of it with Taek’s dad. Sun-woo’s mom says he doesn’t say more than two words ever, and argues that she couldn’t marry a man that quiet.

Unni Bora’s tutoring session begins, and they all wonder what Dong-ryong is doing there. They ask if his father the teacher wouldn’t report them if he knew (because private tutoring is illegal), only to find out that his father tutors other kids on Sundays.

Bora checks to see what level everyone is at, and it’s clear right away that Jung-hwan and Sun-woo are the smart kids and Deok-sun and Dong-ryong have little interest in studying. Jung-hwan’s hyung comes out to bring Bora juice and cookies, and heads out to ask Taek about how to solve the last corner of his Rubik’s Cube.

The others tell him that Taek has gone back to the dorms and it’s been hard for them to see him lately too. Taek is playing baduk at the pro training center, and one by one his sunbaes file in with words of consolation. But it only seems to weigh on Taek more when they give him the canned you-can’t-always-win speech.

Back at Bora Academy, Unni gives up on math altogether and asks Deok-sun and Dong-ryong if they know any English. They recite a string of pronouns that they learned, and then chime in with all the other foreign languages they know, via song lyrics. They perform with gusto, and Sun-woo claps and cheers, much to Deok-sun’s joy.

Deok-sun’s parents run into Taek on his way home and Mom makes sure to shush Dad about anything baduk related. They invite him and his father over for dinner, but Taek declines. He runs into Jung-hwan’s mom too, who asks how he’s doing and offers a conciliatory, “Be strong.”

Jung-hwan’s dad is still in his funk and refuses to come to dinner, and Jung-hwan runs out to go see Taek. Mom warns him to be careful about Taek’s feelings.

Deok-sun’s family watches Kim Hye-soo on TV and Dad marvels at how pretty she is. Mom says she was that pretty at nineteen too, and Dad reminds her that they met at eighteen, and they have another fight over who looked worse back in the day.

Deok-sun heads out and her parents yell at her not to bug Taek either, and that they’ve all been taking great care not to make him feel bad. Sun-woo gets the same warning from his mom too.

Taek’s dad cleans up Taek’s room and sighs to find a sea of empty medicine packets near his baduk board. Dad cleans up the shop when the kids start arriving one by one, and he tries to tell all of them that Taek’s not in the best condition right now, but the kids all ignore him like they ignored their own parents and saunter right in.

Taek is near tears sitting in front of his baduk board by himself, and Jung-hwan opens the door. At first he has the same look of pity that everyone else has been wearing around Taek lately… but then he greets him with: “I heard you totally blew it! Good job, bastard. How can I go anywhere when I’m ashamed of my own neighborhood?”

They all come in with similar greetings pointing out his massive loss, not the tiniest bit sensitive or careful. Taek defends himself: “It was a mistake.” Dong-ryong says genius baduk players aren’t allowed to make mistakes, and Taek fights back: “Do I have to win all the time?!”

Dong-ryong: “Yes. You’re not allowed to lose, or be jinxed, or fall into a slump, or poop. Okay, you can poop, but it can’t smell.” They all laugh at that, and Taek does too. Aw.

Jung-hwan tells him this is no time to be laughing, and suggests swearing instead. He demonstrates, eliciting a groan from Deok-sun. Of course, when he prompts Sun-woo to say the same thing, she finds it cool.

They egg Taek on to hurry up and say it, so he finally does and they all burst out laughing. They even make fun of the way Taek swears, and prod him to do better until they’re all shouting curses at the top of their lungs.

Deok-sun turns on the TV and starts a dance party, and they pull Taek up to his feet to dance, their laughter floating all the way out into the street. This is the cutest thing ever. I luff these kids.

Deok-sun’s parents go to a parent-teacher conference at her school, where her teacher is full of praises about her outgoing personality. But then she shares Deok-sun’s grades, and Dad slumps down in utter defeat.

As they stop for dinner, Mom complains that if they had more money, they could’ve gotten Deok-sun a tutor right away, while Dad complains that other moms tutor their own kids. Mom finds fault with everything today, from the way Dad orders without asking what she wants to the way he picks his teeth with his chopsticks at the restaurant. She sighs to see another couple at the next table with the husband feeding his wife tenderly, which only makes her own husband seem even less uncaring.

As they head back out in the rain, Dad grabs his own umbrella and walks out, and Mom finds that someone else has taken her umbrella. She wonders if maybe this is a chance for her to upgrade: “I can’t swap husbands but I can swap umbrellas.” And she grabs a pretty flower umbrella and quietly asks if it belongs to anyone. Satisfied that no one answered, she walks out with it.

Except when she gets outside, she finds that the umbrella has a gaping hole in it and she sighs that this is just her lot in life. But Dad comes back for her and tosses the other umbrella aside so they can share his. He offers his arm and chides, “No matter how much someone else’s things seem better, it’s all in vain.” She takes her husband’s arm with a tiny smile.

Jung-hwan’s mom calls everyone out for kimchi pancakes, but when the boys come out, Dad shuffles into his room and ignores Jung-hwan’s attempt to talk to him. Jung-hwan hangs out with the boys in Taek’s room and slides over to Dong-ryong to ask how to get his father to stop being mad at him.

Dong-ryong says that Jung-hwan’s dad is the world’s easiest person to smooth things out with: “All you have to do is respond.” Ha, you mean to his terrible gags, don’t you?

Jung-hwan’s dad eats ramyun by himself and won’t even eat the kimchi that Mom puts in front of him. The only thing that gets him up is when the door opens, and Mom asks if it’s Deok-sun. Dad does his usual over-the-top gag greeting… only to turn around and find Jung-hwan standing in the doorway.

The most awkward silence passes as Dad stands there with his arm raised in the air, knowing he’ll get nothing in response. But then Jung-hwan does exactly as advised and raises his arm up in the air to mimic Dad.

You can see the look of confusion and shock on Dad’s face as he tentatively reaches his hand out to do the rest of the routine, and though Jung-hwan is awkward as hell, he does every step along with Dad. It ends just as awkwardly as it began, and Jung-hwan just kind of walks away.

Dad stands there blinking, still a little shell-shocked… but then a smile creeps up and he’s back to his old self. Mom notices that he eats her kimchi now, and smiles gratefully.

Deok-sun’s parents are a little less contentious today, and Dad notes happily that Mom made his favorite dish again. Jung-hwan’s dad accidentally sends a toenail clipping flying into his wife’s open mouth and expects to get hit for it, but instead she just picks it out and asks if he wants to have some soju.

As they walk out, we see the family Polaroid taken at Mom’s birthday dinner. Everyone’s smiling broadly along with Dad. Aw.

The radio DJ’s message about the value of familiar, comfortable love fades into Jung-hwan reciting the same passage in his textbook, about how you can’t help loving those who’ve been around you for a long time.

Deok-sun thinks Jung-hwan’s fancy English skills are annoying, and turns to Sun-woo to say, “I am raining.” He corrects her without calling her stupid, which says a lot of his character.

They eat ramyun and Sun-woo asks how the studying is going, and Jung-hwan points out that it can’t possibly be going well when it’s the first time she’s studying in eighteen years. She and Dong-ryong have given up on math altogether, but they think they have a shot with languages and demonstrate with their mastery of the English “can’t help ~ing” phrases like, “I can’t help laughing.”

Dong-ryong says even Taek doesn’t know that. Taek hands Jung-hwan the completed Rubik’s Cube that Hyung was so desperate to solve, and Jung-hwan says that even if Taek started studying for the first time today, he’d still be better than Deok-sun or Dong-ryong.

Taek’s dad calls out for the boys to help carry something in, and Jung-hwan gets left to clean up the table. (They all earn points for not leaving Deok-sun to do it, in my book.) When Jung-hwan picks up the table, his leg cramps up and he shouts, “Cramp [jwi]!”

He tells her to do something, so she goes, “Meow!” because jwi also means “mouse.” She does it again and again until he laughs, and then he’s rolling on the floor cramping and laughing at the same time.

Deok-sun heads out to school on a rainy morning and finds Jung-hwan waiting outside their front gate. She asks if he’s waiting for her, and he scoffs like that’s absurd, when he’s clearly doing that very thing. He says he’s waiting for Sun-woo so she joins him, which gives him a chance to steal little glances at her. But then Sun-woo’s mom tells them he left eons ago, and Deok-sun leaves for the bus.

It’s another bumpy ride as passengers get jostled back and forth, and this time Jung-hwan decides to do something about it. He squeezes his way towards the back of the bus where Deok-sun is and positions himself right behind her, and then creates this little space bubble to keep her from getting tossed around.

He does this entirely by brute force, using his arms to keep them both in place with all of his strength. It’s ridiculous and adorable and totally swoony. Deok-sun notices that she’s not being tossed around before she notices Jung-hwan, which seems impossible since he’s basically surrounding her on all sides.

But she finally turns around and sees him there, and he just looks away, pretending not to notice her looking at him. Then she looks over at his arm, which is practically turning purple with all the veins popping out as he strains to hold them in place, and she cracks a tiny smile.

 
COMMENTS

Augh, how can I not love Jung-hwan when he’s being so cute with his crush? He just grows funnier and funnier with each episode too, revealing that he’s actually just as dorky as his friends and just as thoughtful too, no matter how much he tries to hide it underneath that cool-guy, I-don’t-care façade. His storyline with Dad really made me melt, because of all the kids, he seems the most outwardly embarrassed of his parents and not interested in their feelings at all. So when he took it upon himself to go the dumb gag routine with Dad even though it probably made his insides curdle, I loved him just a little more. Of course his feelings for Deok-sun continue to be adorable (the bus thing totally slayed me), and so far his crush on her is outshining her crush on Sun-woo. At this stage I actually like it that Deok-sun has no clue about his feelings and I hope it continues that way for a while, because the secrecy (and his lack of stealth) is what makes it delightful to watch.

His dad’s arc in this episode really tugged at the heartstrings too, because he suddenly seemed like such a sad clown. He requires so little to make him happy—not even outright appreciation or gratitude, mind you—he just wants his family to be present and responsive, and when he had to force family fun time like that, I felt so bad for him. He might be a childish father and a silly husband, but it’s so obvious that he loves his family more than life itself. Deok-sun’s parents had some pretty tough moments in the last two episodes too, and theirs is a relationship that’s almost too true to life—decades of fighting and nagging where now even the fights have turned into a familiar refrain. But just when it seems like it could take a turn for the worse, Dad always manages to remind Mom that they belong together. And in the end, a hundred gentlemanly gestures from rich, well-mannered men can’t compare to one thoughtful gesture from the man she loves.

But the most moving thing in this episode was Taek’s storyline, which revealed some interesting (and some worrisome) things about his character. I don’t think I could handle it if his headaches aren’t just stress-induced, so he’d better not be taking any more medicine after this, ya hear me? Being a child genius sure isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, even with Taek’s successful winning streak and world-championship fame. He seems stunted in every way that isn’t related to baduk, from basic hand-eye coordination to dealing with the emotional stress of losing. I guess it’s not really a coping skill you ever learn if you’ve never lost before, and it was clear that losing once nearly broke him. It was really tough to watch his reaction as everyone tiptoed around him, or offered those well-meaning words of encouragement that only drove him further into self-loathing hole.

What a perfect twist to have all the adults walk on eggshells around him to preserve the precious boy’s feelings, only to have his friends stomp all over him like they would if Deok-sun had failed another test, or if Jung-hwan had lost a game of soccer. They’d rib each other and be brutally honest, and that’s exactly what Taek needed—to be treated just the same, not any differently because he lost. They frankly don’t care whether he wins or loses, because either way he’s just their friend Taek who can’t use chopsticks, rain or shine. I love their refreshing approach—pointing out the big elephant in the room and swearing at it until it disappeared—not only because it made Taek smile again, but because it showed us that he can be carefree and silly and loud too, and that there are other joys in his life besides baduk. Their unconditional friendship actually teaches him about failure—that it’s okay to lose sometimes, because the people that matter in your life will love you all the same.

 
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I really am having a crush on PBG, and I do wish he's the husband. how happy will I be, the heart of an answer me series fan girl

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Taekie..be strong. Gosh,I'm more concerned about him than other characters.

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What if they reveal the husband really early and have another plot twist in the making? Remember in 1997 how one plot was given early then another plot came along? I'm just scared at this point that someone could've died because this show is supposed to be about family and not about the romance.... if they keep up with the timeline, it'd be too late for anyone else to get married, except for sun woo's sister... but WHAT IF SOMEONE PASSED AWAY?! god, why am i even obsessing??!!!

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Taekie-ya..be strong. I hope he gets the girl.

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My guess is Sun-woo likes Bo-ra:
(1) In episode 2, he was in a rush to school but when Deok-sun asked him about her jacket, he instantly knew and pointed out that it was Bo-ra's.
(2) There was also a Cosmopolitan photoshoot in promotion of 1988 where Go Kyung-pyo (Sun-woo) and Ryu Hye-young (Bo-ra) are the pair. So that might be a bit of a giveaway (unless there's a twist).
(3) If you've seen the preview for episode 5, it seems like Sun-woo is the one Mom called out for help to find Bo-ra, and he was rushing around even if it's raining. (I'm not sure yet about this because the one I saw is not subbed).

Anyway, I think it will be nice if Sun-woo turned out to be in love with Bo-ra because it adds another layer to her unni-dongssaeng relationship with Deok-sun. She gets most of the things she wants and needs after all, and it will be nice to see Deok-sun struggling with the fact that she can't even have the guy that she likes like her back because he likes her Unnie.

There is something realistically compelling about this show that made me watch it. It's an hour-and-a-half per episode but I never get bored watching it (something I never experienced when I followed 1994, which is why I dropped it after the 12th episode.). I guess it's also because of the money theme, and its whole effect on each family. I also like that each characters feel grounded, unlike in the previous two where the characters seem to be elevated to a degree of hyperreality (not that they were not loveable, by the way). I like the progression of feelings and emotion in this show, and I love that Deok-sun is your ordinary every-girl. She's not as active and fervent a fangirl as the awesome Sung Shi-won was, but instead she's more relatable.

There's still a lot of things along the way, and I'm pretty sure it'll get even more complicated. I am even preparing my heart in case Taek falls for Deok-sun too and he happens to be the guy on the other side of the triangle. But right now I really can't help but fall in love with Jung-hwan. His growing crush is definitely adorable. And the friendship! Augh, their tough love feels so incredibly amazing. I want to see how this survives.

Ah, this show ❤️ I really hope it doesn't drag because the first four episodes have been amazing so far. If it's consistently good til the end, it might just occupy the same space as 1997 in my heart :)

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I think the jacket example is stretching it. Everyone in the neighborhood knows that she borrows her sister's stuff. It's safe to assume if it's something "new" it's her sister's.

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@tplantnyc exactly.

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Husband is JH. The husband in the future is like JH. Can't be Tk bc he is way to quite and wouldn't argue back or even try to read the diary. Not SW either too for the same reason ... Well maybe read the diary but u can totally see an older JK reading it and acting all jealous and then "whatever I'm gonna smoke now" reaction when she can't even remember who her first crush was

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I am so frustrated that Dramafever has the rights to this drama. They take forever to sub and the subtitles aren't even that great, a lot of the translation turns out sounding awkward and choppy. If it was Viki the subtitles would be out in less than a day. But because it's Dramafever, I read the recaps for Episode 3, read the recaps for Episode 4, waited an entire day, and still not even the subtitles for Episode 3 are out yet. Why did tvN have to contract with them?

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Thank you, my thoughts exactly. At this rate episode 5 will be out before we get to watch episode 4. Thank goodness DB is quick with the recaps.

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The DramaFever episodes seem to censor some things that weren't censored in the original Korean episodes, namely the TV shows within the drama itself. Maybe that is why the episodes come out later, because each episode needs to be scoured and censored appropriately.

Also, the translations could be better, especially considering that DramaFever has 1 week to do them. The Korean script is really great but the English script doesn't do it justice, not to mention many mistakes and inaccuracies.

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So far this is the husband hunt that I liked the best so far. 97 was obvious for me that it's going to be Yoon-jae. In 94, it got so frustrating but 88 seems to be okay so far. I still think it's going to be Jung-hwan because Sun-woo is too nice. And nice guys never get the girl, darn it! 88 has been really fun so far but I still wish they would just do 1 hour episodes. A lot of things can seriously just be edited out.

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I'm really loving the series and just can't stop re-watching the previous episodes. Gosh, it never bores me at all!I super love the family stories in this drama and they are somewhat very realistic to me.

As for Seon Woo, I just don't think he is the husband because he doesn't like DS, he's just so nice to everyone. Like the comments above, I think he likes Bora and if he really does, I would totally ship them both.

As for the husband, deep down in my heart, I really wish that It'd be JUNG HWAN. Like seriously, I think he is a really great husband material for Deok Seon. He may seem like a "cold" guy but really though, he doesn't speak through words, but through actions when showing his affections, and this makes me think that he would seriously be the husband because in the preview where the husband sat next to Deok Seon, I could definitely see that the way he spoke to her was very similar to how he spoke to her 20 years ago. His lips and his build, everything matches with JH's looks. Also, I can somehow see that the husband is the one who likes DS more and maybe the first one to like one another, and we can already see in the 3rd and 4th episodes that JH is starting to like when DS doesn't like him (yet, I hope).

Although deep down I really want JH to be the husband, I'm somehow really scared with the thought that Taek would potentially be the husband. Well, I read in the news that he is supposed to be the MALE LEAD while the other guys are playing the supporting roles. So, based on the love stories in Reply 1997 and 1994, the male lead always ends up with the girl. But seriously, I just hope that Taek finds a person who can cheer him up and fills his lonely heart with warmth, but just don't make it DS.

Anyway, thumbs up to the writer, director and the actors and actresses for nicely portraying each role! Sincerely am enjoying the episodes <3

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But, in every sites like asianwiki, even dramafever, it's ryu junyeol and go kyungpo the main leads..?

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Because Park Bo Gum has the most fans/ mostwell known among the lead actors. Look at the amount of comments complaining his lack of screen time.

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To add on,
if they don't put him as 'lead role', his fans will be even more irritating (when I have already been so irritated that I want to censor his name on my browser hoping that I can have a 100% pleasure watching this show and not irritated by anyone).

I can't see so many people wanting Taek to be the main guy if it is not acted by Park Bo Gum.

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Just realized after a more in depth research on Google that a lot of sites aren't actually sure who the male lead is, some sources say that PBG is the lead, but turns out the websites aren't really reliable.

In addition, sites that are much more reliable like Dramafever and asianwiki do not actually state that the male lead is Ryu Joon Yeol or Go Kyung Po or PBG or last but not least, Lee Dong Hwi. So the conclusion is, we can't really assume who is the real male lead and what we can do is to just wait for the upcoming episodes to air.... sadly.

But, for sure, the husband won't be Lee Dong Hwi or (this is weird, but gotta say every possibility), Jung hwan's brother hahaha. This is cause DS clearly stated that her husband was "smart" during the interview. The confirmed smarty pants is definitely Jung Hwan since he's no. 1 in school. Seon Woo is also not bad in his studies. Also, Taek is really "smart" cause he's good in playing Baduk and the Rubik's cube. But if DS's definition of smart is "study smart", then it will most probably be JH, assuming that SW likes Bora.

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I know I sound like a Park Bo Gum hater but I do not hate him.

I doubt the production inform any media with regards to who is the lead character. Park Bo Gum is the most famous so the likelihood of him as the main lead is higher in a normal drama, but this is a Reply series.

I know DR has no chance since first ep but they killed every ounce of possibility that it is him in ep4 when it turns out he's part of the not so smart peeps in their clique.

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I really don't think there is a male lead. All three of the main guys are leads in their own way and will have their own part in the drama. Deok-Sun is the female lead and focus of the drama, but it's an ensemble cast. Everyone will have their own story. If I had to say a guy was lead I'd go with Junghwan, but that could just be because the other guys haven't had much focus.

Tbh, I don't think anyone thought Ryu Joon Yeol was anything but a side character because nobody knew him. Everyone expected the two leads and focus of the triangle to be Go Kyung Po and Park Bo Gum, but that's obviously not true.

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well, dramafever stated that the drama starring lee hyeri (hyeri) and ryu junyeol..

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and with that last scene, the ship has sailed...

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Right now I think Sun-woo has a crush on Bora. It would explain why he comes by all the time, using Deok-sun as an excuse. Also, he was the only one that identified Unni's jacket when Deok-sun wore it in ep2. Lastly, it would be more heartbreaking for Deok-sun if he did liked Bora rather than a love triangle with Jung-hwan. Speaking of Jung-hwan, while I would be content him being the husband, I'm still firmly in the Taek camp myself (the boy desperately needs someone to take care of him and it's the only skill Deok-sun seems good at). If Sun-woo is at all going to be a contender, be better step it up asap.

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Wow, this was such a good episode! I hope stay focused on the friendship/neighborhood aspect because its the sweetest thing about these shows. However, I do love Jung Hwan's crush! He is so cute, trying to do sweet things without her knowing. I totally agree, keep it secret and subtle for a while, and I'll be happy. But I've gotta say, Taek is proving to be my favorite character. He's said maybe five lines total, but I absolutely love him. He is so different from the others, and yet seeing them rally around him when he was having a tough time just slayed me. Loving it so far! :)

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"Answer Me 1997" was pretty much perfect in my eyes, so naturally, I got hyped for 1994. Unfortunately, 1994 let me down in a lot of ways-- I was barely invested in the love triangle and the husband mystery because they kept yanking our chains for the fun of it instead of giving us the strong, character filled stories that we came to love in 1997. I wasn't holding out hope for 1988 at all (especially since I don't get most of the references). Still, out of love for the original and, I suppose, a resigned loyalty to the series, I started watching 1988 anyway, determined not to care about any love triangles and just watch it for what it was and enjoy it on its surface level-- like one watches reality television.

I knew I liked the Deok-sun and of course we can't forget Dad, and I appreciated the shear reality of the concerns the characters faced, but it wasn't until I saw this episode that I was able to really fall into the show. Then I was right back to the 1997 days of screaming at my tv, laughing hysterically, crying, cringing and investing in the love triangle despite myself.

Dong-hyung brought my thoughts back to that ridiculous friend I had when I was in high school. Sun-woo brought me back to the days when my own older brothers doted on me. Taek took a seat in the part of my heart I had reserved for people like Jun-hee. Jung-hwan won my allegiance.
I admit I'm hooked now, and I only hope they keep going with the character driven stories.

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Was it just me who totally didn't see Junghwan as a potential husband at the start and was thus pleasantly surprised when episode 3/4 happened? GAHD, I'm loving it. I love himmmmmmm alreadyyyyyyyyy! Please let him be the husband ;------;

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IT WAS EXACTLY THE SAME FOR ME

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does anyone else kinda want taek to like deok sun too? i feel like he'd have the cutest puppy crush ever!!!! but at the same time i don't want him to because i'd probably be in tears if his heart got broken

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I love this episode to bits! I love that 1988 isnt all about love and all. it actually has more family and life struggles in it and the love angle is perfectly mixed! What I love the most about this episode is when Jung Hwan's dad was angry and JH comforted him by responding to his joke! I was laughing nonstop! (and touched at the same time.) Of course, that bus scene! ohmy, if someone does that for you (how they portrayed it here is just swoooon). Poor Taek though, hoping there's no life-threatening illness here. I don't wanna cry anymore!!!!

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Finally got to watch it all the episodes with subs! But man I love this so far. I like that it's more centered around the families and friendships and less on the romance this time. The previous Answer Me's were awesome, but there's something about this one that feels different to me. I feel like I care about each individual character, parents and family members included, equally, and I'm actually happy to spend time on an arc that focuses on someone other than kids.

I think Deok-sun's got to be my favorite heroine of the franchise so far. She's so endearingly simple and honest, and while I'm not usually a fan of airhead heroines, something about everything she does just seems so sincere. From watching her cake her face with makeup to try and impress Sun Woo, to trying, despite her best efforts, to find a way to study, to even just watching her dance her heart out whenever she has the opportunity - all of it makes me like her more. I've only ever seen Hyeri in Hyde, Jekyll, Me (shudder) but it really seems to me like she's thrown herself into the role. Deok-sun is an ugly character (not physically, more in the boyish way she behaves and her total disregard for how she comes off) which, given the actress, I didn't really anticipate.

Another thing I was worried about. I thought it might be weird with Deok-sun being the only girl among four guys but it works. You kind of forget that she's even a girl, except for when the guys do something like drink or swear, and for the most part they don't really treat her like one either.

But...the love triangle. I know it'll probably be a Jung-hwan/Sun-woo battle, and at this point I'm 120% for Jung-hwan (it's really hard not be atm). If Sun-woo does end up being the husband, I really do hope the show actually makes us root for him and Deok-sun.

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+1
I found the other heroines of the Answer Me franchise too unbelievably loud, vapid and shrill to be actually endearing. But there's such a sincerity and innocence to Deok Sun's actions that I can't help but root for her. I actually see why Jung Hwan has developed a crush on her. Hyeri is playing her surprisingly well for a green idol actress.

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I think SW have a crush on Bora unnie too but when i rewatch ep 2 when the 4 guys are drunk and Dong Ryong said Dok Sun is getting cuter. He (SW) said yeah a little. I wish he will be the husband. Pls dont make Seon Woo the next Chilbongie ;(

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honestly, I don´t give a damn about any husband. thats not a game that would excite me the least bit.

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oh Jung Hwan my heart is fluttering *__* Netizens have also fallen in love with him

He reminds of me SIG's character from 97 at times but eh

But I can tell Sun Woo is going to break my heart with Taek

I don't know if it is too early yet but I think 88 is much better than 94...now we have to see if it beats 97

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First time to ever write a comment but I've been an avid fan of this blog for almost 2 years now.

Now, all I want to say out loud is how much I love this storyline out of all the other reply and well most of the kdramas. I am a sucker for plots that go all out with their characters. I always see if dramas put enough importance to side characters too, that's like a kdrama requirement for me (for books too).

Anywaaaay, I love all the relationships forming in this drama so far :( from the blood-related ones to the neighborhood ahjummas then the kids; I just feel like I'm going to have a hard time withdrawing from this one because clearly, I love every character. It all adds up to what makes reply 1988 a unique reply on its own..

I just need to get this out: KIM JUNG HWAN OHMYGOD YOU PERSON STOP IT

I already liked him during episode 2 when he punched the life out of that bully. I love quiet guys with an attitude but with so much loyalty so ~swoon it definitely is.

PLUS, that adorable Jung Hwan who is so confused about his feelings for Deok Sun

SERIOUSLY GUYS HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE LOVE FOR THIS DRAMA COS I CAN'T

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The preview for ep 5 made me think hard when deok sun's mom asked sun woo where bora was. But I could just be overthinking things. Nevertheless, it would be a pretty surprising plot twist to have sun woo and bo ra together (which would still need to be developed if it is).

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Am I completely broken as a person, because I'm just not feeling it for Jung Hwan yet! :-P

Came into this being such a Go Kyung Pyo fan, and of course I still like him, but I'd be okay with a Sun Woo/Bo Ra development, (if it'd make her less of an AWFUL HUMAN WOW) but my heart has also been stolen by Taek, in that I just want him to be better too.

I feel like we're all amped up for a husband-showdown, when really they're going to break our hearts with a character death. Probably one that will make us long for the cozy days of shipping wars. :-P

ANYWAY. Just had to let out my "ehh. I have nothing *against* Jung Hwan, but I'm just not in love with you." (but I've never had a thing for bad boys, and think goody-two-shoes are highly underrated.)

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I am enjoying this way way more than Answer Me 1997, which I stopped at ep10. I love how 1988 focuses more on family relationships.

And...Junghwan! He is so adorable with his crush. Look at how he raises his thumb with that tiny smile after Deoksun recited her pronouns....eeee I CAN'T. That cramp scene was very cuuuuuuute too! And I swooned when he did the bus thing~~

I'm very interested to see Bora's happenings in the next episode as shown in the preview. If I'm not mistaken, she's an activist, right? The way she scolded Deoksun for being part of the government's plan...and what's Sunwoo got to do with all this? Can't wait!

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But when he raises his thumb it seems to me like he's teasing her for her limited knowledge because Sun-woo elbows him afterwards LOL Other than that I agree with you. I love that in the cramp scene he's laughing at her but also blames her for that so he kicks her playfully and then laughs again, so cute. And the bus scene? LOVE. IT.

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I don't know why but Reply 1988 episodes don't seem to be stuffed with filler material unlike most of the Reply 1997/1994 episodes. I haven't yet been bored for more than a minute in 1.5 hr duration of every episode. The dynamic between the parents and the friendships are quite well fleshed out. Oh and I have a feeling there is going to be some major heartbreak waiting for us as well. Taek and his father in particular look so lonely and emotionally alienated...and seem to be living under a cloud all the time despite their secure financial status. It would be wonderful to give Taek a love interest. Also, I hope Park Bo Gum gets more scenes and dialogue.

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I totally loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this drama woot woot ! Another fantastic REPLY series!
Onward MARCHHHHHH

dances a jig lol

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Btw Unni and Sun-woo did cosmopolitan photoshoot together on September issue

http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/240922/20150915/reply-1988-go-kyung-pyo-ryu-hye-young.htm

"Reply 1988 lead actors Ryu Hye Young and Go Kyung Pyo became a stylish couple for the September issue of Cosmopolitan. For the photoshoot, the co-stars modeled modern interpretations of 1980s punk rock fashion."

HMM~

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She's doing photoshoots with everyone in the cast. Her agency is really pushing her. Though I do they they are going to be the secondary couple.

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*do think

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Honestly don't such spoiler-y photoshoots kill dramatic suspense? Why can't they publish these photos after the relevant plot reveal in the drama has already been made?

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OK - fair warning first: I'm a psychologist (who now teaches) so this means that I read WAY too much into EVERYTHING!

Now that that's out of the way. Many are pointing out Sun Woo's possible attention to Bora and yep, I see it too. After the '94 debacle (I so knew that Chilbongie wasn't going to be the husband because "being awesome" and "always there" and hoping that she notices you isn't how love works - but I was still totally crushed by his puppyness) I firmly said that I wasn't going to play the shipping game with this one. . .but damn. . Jung Hwan . . I'm sorry, I'm kind of sold already (and that's SO SO dangerous with this series).

But here's where I read WAY too much into things. If we want to continue potential parallels back to '97. '97 had Yoon-Je all hung up on Shi-Won while our kind of quiet character - Joon-Hee - all about Yoon-Je. Anyone notice that Jung-Hwan was the first in Taek's room and that Taek looked happy to see him (yes, this totally could be a whole just happy to see his friend - with the understanding that the whole gang would be coming). . .but what if we end up in a similar situation to '97? Jung-Hwan all about Duk-Sun (who has no idea how he feels, much like Shi-Won had no idea about how Yoon-Je felt while she was all about Oppa Tae-Woong) and Taek quietly into Jung-Hwan (who has no idea, much like how Joon-Hee had no idea bout Yoon-Je)?

I'm totally grasping for straws here right?

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I don't see how being a psychologist has to do with guessing and reading too much into things. The director and the scriptwriter has planned everything in advance and wants us to debate, probe and guess...this is what the intention of the the drama/ script is all about.
Don't mind me... I see that many here are very good analysts and it has nothing to do with studying Psychology but yes Psychology is an interesting subject and gives you an understanding of human behaviour but dramas/ films are always because of what the scriptwriter and the director intended and yes the way the actor acted out even the tiny nuances like smirk and flicker of eye lids as directed.

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That's kind of my point - that there is a script that has been written and that there are people playing roles instead of actual people living their lives - that the two aren't the same, so the warning of reading into things that aren't necessarily there and that at the end of the day, the script determines where things go/how they are setup (that, and in other places, I've frequently been accused of reading way to much into things [such as behavior, dynamics, body language and facial expressions, and the like], because it's a show - not life. . .and to stop using "the degree/work experience" to talk about characters in a show. . ), thus; "the warning."

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thats not it. you are just plain off the course.

Taek is mostly just an introvert.
I dont see him being attracted to anyone. more like unable to let out his feelings. pressure, stress, to succeed.
perhaps he is an aspie. he is genius, quiet and does some things real fast, but not incapable of normal communication. though baduk seems to be more of an obligation than an obsessive passion like the aspies often have...

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A lot of people have mentioned Taek possibly being gay. There are some clues that Taek/Junghwan/Deok-Sun is the actual love triangle as well. Taek seems like he'll go to school soon too.

But I kind of hope he's straight and likes Deok-sun for something different (she did joke he should grow up and be her husband). I do appreciate them adding characters with a different sexuality, but if they do I'd actually like them to follow through with it. They obviously won't and he'll just suffer.

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Jung-Hawn will have the same faith as Chilbongie, i just know it, better not get too attached to him either.

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Finally watched the subbed episode.
Man.. not sure it is because of Park Bo Gum or Taek the character, I think I'll be sad if anything bad happen to him. Those eyes...urgh... makes me wanna reach into the screen and give him a hug~

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I really think Kim Jung Hwan is the husband. For one, his initials are the same as Kim Joo Hyuk's who plays the husband, 27 years later. Also, in the final scene in episode 2, Kim Joo Hyuk excuses himself to smoke and the box of cigarettes Sun Woo's mom found came from Jung Hwan's mom's cardigan but I don't think she smokes. I think she took it from Jung Hwan's room. I'm reading too much into this, aren't I? Haha I just ship Jung Hwan with Deok Sun so much, I'll be upset if they don't end up together.

What if Deok Sun ends up losing a sibling. Since Shi Won and Na Jung lost her sister and her brother respectively. Will the PDs kill off Bora Unnie?

I'm also currently watching Reply 1994 (currently at ep 14) and it's pretty obvious it's Trash though like several guys already mentioned Second Lead Syndrome is strong in Chilbongie. So I'm crossing my fingers it's Jung Hwan because it's obvious. Don't change your ways, PD-nim.

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I died laughing at the second bus scene when Dong Ryong tried to grab some girl's hair to prevent himself from falling. Who else with me? lol

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Am I the only who is still shipping for Taek?? Childhood crash can be just crash... First love doesn't necessarily end up together as well.

A person can be changed. Just like Taek swearing loudly. Taek can be smoking when he turn 40.

Deok-Sun might said to Taek to grow up faster so that she can marry. But she didn't even have feeling in it. She said it so easily bcos she thought it is impossible. Isn't it?

Well, anyway, I will still keep watching the drama and enjoy the flow. Just that I will be disappointed for Park Bo Gum if he isn't the lead this time as well.

How long does Park Bo Gum to be heart Broken before he become LEAD CHARACTER?????

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I kind of still see 1988 as the explanation through a past life on why Min turned into a serial killer. prove me wrong. i keep bumping into the screen trying to run to Taek while yelling: IT´S OK! It is going to be ok! you would want to do something so that the worst doesnt happen in this life or the next.
I mean, someday, turning 40 is bad enough though.

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I want him to be the husband sooo bad!!

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Go Team Jung Hwan!! Not sure if it means anything but the scene after the kids finish eating ramen and are just sitting around, did anyone else notice that only Deok-Sun and Jung Hwan are leaning back with their legs in the same position but opposite?
Also how cute was Hyeri's meow. I've been doing the that meow ever since that scene.
Totally loving this series and we're only 4 episodes in.

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Am I the only one who wishes Taek to be the husband?:)))

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I think you want Park Bo Gum to be the husband. So far, that's the only thing that attracts ppl to his character, I barely saw some interaction between him and DS. Of course, this might not be the case for everyone, but most people is just shipping because they're biased towards THE ACTOR, not Taek the character.
What if the actor playing Dong Ryeong's role is suddenly switched to play Taek's?

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of course it is greatly affected by the actor, cause he is after all the one playing Taek into such a tangibly fragile spirit. but it is not because the actor is who he is. I like Sun-Woo well enough and I like the diligent Dad, however, PBG can just sit still and act with his eyes, and bring the emotion through, while some others go over the top and still leave you confused. and, because with just a few details the character is different from the usual romcom leads (like Jung Hwan is. I might be the only one who doesnt get his charm, because he is really nothing new in kdrama world.) Taek is just different from everything we´ve seen. I get a slightly asperger feel, might be mistaken though. and as to why he is taking pills... I got a much scarier thought than an illness, but I can´t tell anyone.

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I'm in love with Jung Hwan...... >< again, I'm in love with a fictional character....

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For me, Jung Hwan just like Song Manse, they're not the common defenition of hansome or charming but they do have some kind of "weird" charm that make you can't help but fall in love with them <3

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I especially love seeing the parents arc this season. It is just something special about the parents and the kids in that little street.

By the way, is anyone in the main cast left handed? Cause Deok sun's hubby played the Kim Joohyuk is a leftie, and have they tried anything via this angle? I only seen till ep4 so i am not too sure.

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I have watched many many dramas, and this one out shines them all. So layered, meaningful and true.

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I'm probably as introverted and quiet as Taek. How I wish I have friends like these that will just accept my weirdness.

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Their story is very different on the Koreanovela which I watched. It is really entertaining. I appreciate the mothers who makes a huge part in my heart. How they love their children. I am a fan of Kim Jung Hwan and Deuk Sun. Even if there is a hint who will the husband of the lead actress. I am confident that Jung Hwan will be his partner. I am really touched to Jung Hwan when he always taking care of Deuk Sun. Deuk Sun is really funny and jolly. I cried on the moments wherein Jung Hwan knows that Deuk Sun will have a partner on the theater. He really cried. That is not only timing. Taek is more confident and their friends knows that Taek is in love with the girl. Deuk Sun has no idea on that. Worst come worst that they end being together. As a fan of Deuk Sun and Kim Jung Hwan, I really cried. Why they cannot be?/ You should watched the very ending. I really cried a lot. Thank you for making this koreanovela. :) #veryentertaining #loveversusfriedship #lovethecast #morepower

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Yes I'm a few years behind but so glad I found this show. Memorable scenes were of Deoksun and Jung-hwan towards the end of the episode.
The meow/cramp scene had me on the floor. Both actors did great. Loved it!

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