18 Again (2020)

I didn't expect it that I am going to love it.

I had in the slum for Kdrama recently, and pick this one by chance looking for cheese school romance, but found gold, if not diamond instead.
And this drama made me obsessed with Lee Do Hyun. I have never put any thought about this guy before, damn don't even realize he was Mr. Butterfly in Hotel de Luna up until I search him up.

The soul of the drama is Ko Woo Young played beautifully by Lee Do Hyun. I sometimes forget that he is THAT young and yet he can materialize the character of a 36-year-old protective father who loves his children more than everything in his life. By the way, he is 25 yo but he played both roles perfectly (an 18 yo student outside and 36 yo father inside).

The best parts of the drama are the flashbacks of how the struggles of these young parents and how Woo Young tried his best to be close to his children. All these heartwarming scenes made me grabbed more tissue than I should. And the scenes with their respective parent in-law broke me into storm of cries.
I was a little thrown out by the 'love story' tho. How ironic, I came to watch romantic drama and yet find the romance in this drama has less value than the main idea of "love your family".

And the OST, gosh... This drama is about finding yourself back. More than often things in life don't go as we planned them to be and the hardship that we went through made us forget. We often forget the person that we are used to be, forget the reasons why we love our loved ones. AND everytime the song HELLO came out in the background, I felt the pang of pain. As if the song tries to say "hello again" to the old us that we have often forgotten. The old us who love everyone and was loved by everyone.

Would I re-watch it? Maybe not. I will remember (and probably go to Youtube to watch) those scenes that Lee Do Hyun brought to screen on what truly a father love is.

Read More

Heartwarming

A really nice show that melts your heart away.

The story flows really well and the casting is really great.

Got to give props to Kim Ha Neul, her acting was amazing and she was the MVP for me.

I wouldn't go and say that the show was amazing, it had some issues, for example:

* 2-5 minute repeat of the previous episode that included one or two new lines to make it feel new was kind-a of useless, I always skipped the start of each episode
* some scenes that didn't add to the story or plot but were added for some reason
* the daughter love triangle or in this case the love arrow... which didn't make a lot of sense
* the basketball cringe when they were purposely missing the basket by a huge margin

Nonetheless each episode felt fresh and I couldn't wait to watch the next one.

So I can definitely recommend it to anyone who looks for comfy show that you can snuggle and watch comfortably until the end.

Read More

Heartwarming and Fun Story

Actually i'm planning to skip this drama because reading from synopsis, I thought it's gonna be simple predictable story. But after watch a clip spoiler from instagram, when Lee Do Hyun scold the girls taking taxy to school, it so funny and I start watching it..

The first half of story actually really good and heartwarming, but the later half they kinda run out ideas, so many filler story and unnecessary scene..
But it's still fun drama to watch, superb acting from lee do hyun, funny friend go deok jin and chu ae rin, love triangle jiho-shi a-ja sung, and i like deok jin love line with the teacher@..

I recommend it if you are looking for light and fun drama.

Read More

great potential

I'm a fan of Kim Ha Neul and Yoon Sang Hyun so that is why I started watching. Most of the dramas I watch are before 2018 because I'm not into the zoomer ones like the ones on netflix. Getting straight to the point, the first 4 episodes were S tier. The next 12 episodes were snoozers for me because I have a short attention span so I need every second to matter in a drama. The main problem in this drama is that there are too many scenes that are replays and too many sleeper flashbacks.
The acting in this drama was really good because Lee Do Hyun did an outstanding job in the first couple of episodes and the other two main are veteran actors. But there were still scenes where you would cringe because how cheesy the acting is.
The story in this drama had good potential but after the 4th episode, the plot watered down really hard. But I was never bored when watching the drama. I usually don't finish dramas if they get too sleeper but I finished this one.
Overall a decent drama that I wouldn't watch again. Although the quality of the drama is good, I just cannot rate it higher than a 7.8 because too many replays and slow motions that make me angry. And the underwhelming 12 episodes.

EDIT: I'm currently watching this again with my mom and I realized that I haven't really appreciated the acting, small details, and the music very much. Story is still quite underwhelming but the acting and comedy makes up for it. The fact that I am also re watching this is also proof that this drama is a fun experience overall. I can proudly say that this is an 8.5 worthy drama and is a good watch for anyone especially if you are a father.

Read More

TRY 18 AGAIN!

Okay, let me tell you one thing : like a lot of viewers, I began this show with no expectations. At the beginning I even wanted to avoid 18 Again, I though it would be impossible to do a good 16 hours drama based on the American movie 17 Again. BUT I WAS WRONG aha. I just loved this show so much, even if it's not perfect. Yes it can be a bit slow, yes there is a love triangle, yes I didn't like the secondary couple (their story wasn't enough credible, it was a love at first sight pretty creepy but whatever). But overall, 18 Again is such an heartwarming and emotional k-drama fill of love (family love, romance, friendship) and comedy. I you like rom-com, If you like family drama, this one is for you. There are a lot of beautiful life lessons in this show.
PLUS: There is Lee Do Hyun in it. God, I didn't know this actor but he manages to be one of my favourite since the first episode. I'm impressed by his acting, he has a bright future ahead if he chose the good projects :) The others actors are great too, the music is very beautiful (Hello hello will make you cry for sure).

Read More

I mean, there's nothing I will say that hasn't already been said by the millions of reviews that came before me. It was a solid romance with just the right balance of fluff, angst and heart. Its my first time watching Lee Do Hyun and I absolutely ADORED him and his character- you bet I'll be checking out everything else he acts in! I see a very promising future for him. The cast is nothing to laugh at, yet he absolutely stole the show- if this character wasn't written exclusively for him, I'd be damned to find anyone else who would have been able to do as well or as much justice to the character as him.

Read More

A Heartwarming Journey of Redemption

18 Again is a remarkable Korean drama that takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster ride, exploring themes of self-discovery, second chances, and the power of family. The story revolves around Hong Dae Young, a middle-aged man who wakes up one day to find himself transformed into his 18-year-old self.

The plot immediately captures attention with its unique premise, setting the stage for a nostalgic and heartfelt journey. As Dae Young navigates the challenges of high school once again, viewers witness his struggle to balance his youthful energy with his responsibilities as a husband and father. This premise not only provides moments of humor and lightheartedness but also creates a rich canvas for exploring deep emotional connections.

The performances in 18 Again are truly exceptional, with each actor delivering a standout portrayal of their respective characters. Yoon Sang-hyun brings a perfect blend of vulnerability and maturity to the role of Dae Young, effortlessly transitioning between the older and younger versions of the character. Lee Do-hyun shines as the teenage Dae Young, captivating audiences with his authentic portrayal of youthful exuberance. Kim Ha-neul delivers a compelling performance as Jung Da-jung, powerfully conveying the complexities of her character’s journey with grace and authenticity.

What sets 18 Again apart is its exploration of universal themes that resonate deeply with viewers. The drama delves into the idea of regret and the desire for a second chance, prompting reflection on one’s own life choices. Through Dae Young’s journey, the series encourages viewers to seize opportunities, chase their dreams, and find redemption even in the face of past mistakes. Additionally, the importance of family bonds and forgiveness is beautifully emphasized, reminding audiences of the enduring strength and power of love.

The character development in 18 Again is truly remarkable, with each character undergoing growth and transformation. Dae Young’s children, his high school friends, and those he encounters along the way add layer upon layer of depth to the story. Through their personal struggles, viewers gain valuable insights into societal issues such as bullying and teenage relationships, fostering empathy and understanding.

Visually, 18 Again excels with its stunning cinematography. The vibrant colors and well-composed shots effectively convey the emotions and nuances of each scene, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The well-curated soundtrack further elevates the storytelling, punctuating poignant moments and evoking a range of emotions.

This is a remarkable Korean drama that captivates viewers with its unique premise, outstanding performances, and heartfelt storytelling. It delves into universal themes, leaving a lasting impression on viewers long after the final episode. With its powerful

Read More

I don't think the problem with this series was that there was a big age difference. Because we've watched couples with an age difference before(I Hear Your Voice, Secret Love Affair, Romance is the Bonus Book. Light in Your Eyes, One Spring Night...). I think there was no chemistry between the main couple. Even though I enjoyed watching their old times, Da Jung's old version bothered me. It was like she couldn't get into the acting role. Especially 13-14. What was the acting of the woman in the episodes, for God's sake? She acted like she was 15 years old and in addition the scenes were irritating. For example, there is a kissing scene at the end of episode 14. Pay attention to the acting of the female character in that scene. She is crying but her face looks like she is disgusted. I think I should point out that the script is also weak at many points. Especially in the episodes in 2020. I felt the emotion more intensely in the parts describing the old times. I wish old Dae Young would act in romantic scenes. There were times when I questioned the meaning of Yoon Sang Hyun's presence in the drama. I think it was a pity for him. In order to express the emotion more in very unnecessary scenes, those scenes were played by the old Dae Young. But there was always LDH in the romantic scenes. LDH acted great, but we can't deny that the script is weak.

Read More