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Reply 1997 korean drama review
Completed
Reply 1997
2 people found this review helpful
by yoonbread
Dec 13, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0
I started watching this drama because of Eunji.  I am a fan of her music and so I decided to give this drama a shot.

Truthfully, a large portion of why I enjoyed this show was because it was so relatable. I did not grow up in Korea but I have heard about the Korean boy band fan wars after getting into KPOP in my late teens, early twenties.  I did not live through H.O.T. versus Seckskies but I lived through Backstreet Boys versus NSync. The way Shi Won obsessed over H.O.T was similar to how I used to obsess over the Backstreet Boys.  I remember, vividly, hovering over a teen magazine and tearing out pages to share with my girlfriends and classmates, similar to the drama.  My inner 90's kid self laughed when the gang in the drama started getting into Tamagotchis and other 90's crazes like overalls, pig tails, CD players... Of course, I had a Tamagotchi!  It was also really nostalgic and heartwarming watching the friends have their reunion.  How many people still keep in touch with their high school friends in their late twenties?  Not too many people unfortunately.  This was something that I couldn't relate to but still found touching.

I also loved how the drama talked about real life topics despite some topics being controversial in a conservative country.  When I lived in Korea in the early part of this decade, it was still taboo to talk openly about homosexuality.  People were having same- sex relationships but it was still not a widely accepted mindset.  It was refreshing for the drama to kinda mention homosexuality and paint it with a warm, understanding light.  

I also commend the actors for portraying their roles so well.  Some might find the Busan accent to be whiny but I found it to be endearing.  This drama also transcend gender lines.  I recommended this drama to my fiance and he absolutely loved it.  Eunji, as Shi Won was the clear glue to this entire show.  She was so lovable that it is easy to see why people liked her.  In Guk as Yoon Je was also hilariously straight edged and goofy.  It was so funny how the main leads interacted with each other and their chemistry was palpable.  

All in all, if you grew up in the 90's...watch this drama.  You will love it.
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