I was initially hesitant to watch Reply 1988 because I thought a lot of the cultural and historical references would just fly over my head and I was afraid I’d be frustrated. And I’m sure I may have missed some of the finer nuances, but at its heart this show is fundamentally universal, freezing in time for us one street in one neighborhood that in many ways could be another street in another neighborhood in France, Argentina, Japan, India or Canada because at the heart of it, it’s about people who care about each other and live their daily lives with each other. It’s about family and community in good times and bad and ordinary people doing their best. Watching this show, I felt like I was also living on their block, and it gave me some-much needed company during confinement this year.
I’ve only teared up three times while watching a k-drama. The final scene of R88, as the camera sweeps through the now-abandoned street while a wistful and nostalgic middle-aged Sung Deok-sun narrates, was one of them. It’s a bittersweet reminder that everything changes and that we often don’t realize how precious a time in our life, or even a moment, can be until it has passed – especially the ordinary ones. This street in Seoul also reminded me that there are many wonderful and kind people in the world, and that I should do my best to follow their example.
Despite being in my watch list, I have never started this because I feared I couldn’t understand lot of things, too, or that it could be too sad. But from your review it seems a lovely drama, I should give it a look.
Please do. I was initially hesitant to watch for the same reasons. Add to that the long episodes. First episode in and time just flew by. It’s a drama that I didn’t want to end. I agree with @CBme in that it is indeed universal. The characters are so relatable that I somehow felt that these are people that I grew up with. It’s one of those shows that has the perfect mix of humor and drama that just tugs at your heart.
I second @doublefault! You’ll find that the specific cultural things are well-enough explained, and that by and large you’ll just ‘get it’ because the story is universal. I really started to care about everyone – they felt so real to me. And if you give it a go and it still isn’t your cup of tea, at least you visited the neighborhood! 😉
OLakes
December 11, 2020 at 9:18 PM
2020 Round Up
Day 12 – the “oldie” that you loved
I was initially hesitant to watch Reply 1988 because I thought a lot of the cultural and historical references would just fly over my head and I was afraid I’d be frustrated. And I’m sure I may have missed some of the finer nuances, but at its heart this show is fundamentally universal, freezing in time for us one street in one neighborhood that in many ways could be another street in another neighborhood in France, Argentina, Japan, India or Canada because at the heart of it, it’s about people who care about each other and live their daily lives with each other. It’s about family and community in good times and bad and ordinary people doing their best. Watching this show, I felt like I was also living on their block, and it gave me some-much needed company during confinement this year.
I’ve only teared up three times while watching a k-drama. The final scene of R88, as the camera sweeps through the now-abandoned street while a wistful and nostalgic middle-aged Sung Deok-sun narrates, was one of them. It’s a bittersweet reminder that everything changes and that we often don’t realize how precious a time in our life, or even a moment, can be until it has passed – especially the ordinary ones. This street in Seoul also reminded me that there are many wonderful and kind people in the world, and that I should do my best to follow their example.
Karmen ~ 🍜🏢🎭 ~ 📚☔🦋 ~ 🪂🌱💘 ~ ✨🍊💫 ~
December 12, 2020 at 1:39 AM
Despite being in my watch list, I have never started this because I feared I couldn’t understand lot of things, too, or that it could be too sad. But from your review it seems a lovely drama, I should give it a look.
DoubleFault
December 12, 2020 at 7:10 AM
Please do. I was initially hesitant to watch for the same reasons. Add to that the long episodes. First episode in and time just flew by. It’s a drama that I didn’t want to end. I agree with @CBme in that it is indeed universal. The characters are so relatable that I somehow felt that these are people that I grew up with. It’s one of those shows that has the perfect mix of humor and drama that just tugs at your heart.
Karmen ~ 🍜🏢🎭 ~ 📚☔🦋 ~ 🪂🌱💘 ~ ✨🍊💫 ~
December 13, 2020 at 9:48 AM
Thank you! It seems the kind of story I like the most!
OLakes
December 12, 2020 at 11:32 AM
I second @doublefault! You’ll find that the specific cultural things are well-enough explained, and that by and large you’ll just ‘get it’ because the story is universal. I really started to care about everyone – they felt so real to me. And if you give it a go and it still isn’t your cup of tea, at least you visited the neighborhood! 😉
Karmen ~ 🍜🏢🎭 ~ 📚☔🦋 ~ 🪂🌱💘 ~ ✨🍊💫 ~
December 13, 2020 at 9:49 AM
Thank you! You convinced me!