18 Again (2020)

A better version than the 18 Again film

I started watching this drama after seeing few scenes from instagram. The main thing that I loved about this show is that it shows how messy a divorce can be and the trouble it causes for the people that are left behind.

This drama is a whole package. Every episode has a lot of funny scenes, emotional and times where you want to appereciate the whole team for making this drama. The biggest strength in this drama is the cast. Every character went beyond their scope to prove it.

I hate love triangles, there are two of these in this drama but both ended on a good note which made me happy.

If you are looking for a drama filled with humor and heartbreak, this one is for you.

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A must-see for Lee Do Hyun

So... I started watching this drama because I was curious about this Korean remake of the movie 17 Again. I remember liking the film (I even have it on DVD) so I really wanted to see the Korean version. And... I have mixed feelings about it.

First of all, the story. Well, it's basically the same from the movie (at least, for the main plot). Because, of course, you can't make a remake of a 1h45 film into a 16h drama without developing the initial story. But, if the story was pretty good at the beginning, it became more and more filled with drama... Too much drama... I ended up really annoyed by all the useless drama that they have created. Moreover, there are too much clichés!!! They have used all the typical romantic clichés that we usually see in K-drama and that became more annoyingly funny than romantic at the end... They could've been more creative about that. Also, I think they made some really bad decisions with the main plot (but that's just my opinion). For example, the scene where he goes back to his old self was more impactful in the film than in the drama.

The casting was the only thing that was perfect in this drama. I mean, Lee Do Hyun killed it in the role of a young dad. He made me laugh, he made me cry. I really fell in love with him in this drama. I'll always remember the scene where he was holding the umbrella for his two children, that was so cute. Or the scene where he signs to his dad after the basketball match. The rest of the cast was also good, of course, but Lee Do Hyun stole the show for me.

The music is really good, although overused.

As a whole, I would say it is a good show to watch once. Prefer rewatching the film instead, it will take less of your time.

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A drama about how precious family bonds and healthy communication are.

18 Again was a blast! It deeply explores the consequences of mistakes made, empathy, hope, and second chances. The story delivers a lot of relevant elements in today's modern society; like single parents being unemployed or trying to find a job and restart their life, and high schoolers' struggles. I get wholeheartedly invested in these elements they discussed throughout the episodes. The ending is also satisfying! 😊

In brief, it's about an aspiring basketball player, played by Lee Do Hyun. He ended up getting his girlfriend pregnant and they decided to give up their dreams and raise their babies, yes, they had twins. 18 years later, he is stuck in a dead-end job as a washing machine repair guy (he's actually really good at fixing anything). Even though he's capable at his job, he keeps getting passed over for promotion in favor of the younger higher educated employee, so this is frustrating. Not only that, his wife was intending for a divorce and he can't seem to get close to either of his children. Feeling devastated, he went back to his school's basketball court to shoot some hoops to let out some steam. Upon realizing he's not as good as he used to be, he made a wish to go back to his youth and behold, his wish comes true! He is suddenly 18 years old again!

This is not a time slip show, only his body has reversed back to 18, and his mind is still 36. It's still the present day: he still has kids, his wife is still there, and everything is the same. This is a twist I appreciate because I think it allows the story to be more complex than if it was a time-slip show, as this way he's able to interact with his children and realizes that it's not his dream that he needs to pursue. This isn't an opportunity for him to become the basketball player he's always wanted to be, but an opportunity to be there for his children.

I have just two cons: there were a bit too many Kdrama tropes in the middle part of the show that makes our couple misunderstand each other in inconvenient situations, and I was getting a bit tired of them when they were repeated several times. Then a minor but fun con that I just have to say, I felt the actors' faces playing the younger and adult version of our male lead is very contrasting (Lee Do Hyun vs Yoon Sang Hyun). They have equally same screen time too. It's not about their performance at all, but simply their looks. I was hoping for someone more attractive (Gong Yoo, please?) to play the adult version so it feels balanced, sorry!^^"

But both of their acting is superb, especially I enjoyed Lee Do Hyun's range of emotions reliving his character wholeheartedly. I've been noticing him since Hotel del Luna (he was not the lead but he's so swoony!), and I'm already impressed with him from his expressiveness in The Good Bad Mother. He really is a versatile actor!

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Hello Hello Disappointments

It leans towards the heartwarming and over the top sentimental department but the show majorly struggled to stretch the story into a 16 episodes, their solution was a series of subplots and fillers that felt hollow. It's like the 3 writers didn't agree with what direction they wanted to go and did their individual scripts instead.

One big major flaw was the writers ditched what seemed to be a major plot that they were brewing up from earlier episodes only to change direction midway.

A stalker follows and observes everything Dae Hyong does, he noted Dae Hyong's whereabouts and his change in moods and behaviors everyday. They even altered his voice to add to the mystery. But by the 2nd half, they revealed he was obsessed with Si-a instead. It unfolded in a very underwhelming way that lasted like a minute, everyone quickly moved on from it. The writers basically bait and switched. You would think the stalker was part of the major plot that would affect the main characters by how they were showing it from the beginning. Their workaround to change direction he was to make him be Si-a's stalker instead. It didn't add up and didn't make sense at all. This is such a bad writing, on top of already dragging story full of hollow subplots and fillers.

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Tear-Jerking Drama!! Tissue's a MUST. ~ Warm and Inspiring Fatherly Love. <3

I started this drama without any expectation in mind. It was listed as a recommendation from a friend who loves watching K-dramas but little did I know that I'll love it's entirety.

Story: Story wise I gave it a perfect 10 as the story never felt lacking and has kept with the hype till the end. The message of the drama itself made it extra special to me does convincing me to create this account and write a review so that it can be a reference to other avid-drama watchers to decide whether to watch it or watch it. Lol~

Acting/Cast: 10/10 even beyond that — I was never familiar with anyone (Well aside from the Father adult version since I have watched his other works countless of times) so i started this drama just to "Kill-Time" but the actors and actresses were all impressive and has exceeded my expectation. I'm even a big fan of Lee Dohyun now. 😁

Music: Simply 10/10. I got all the soundtrack on loop for weeks and is downloaded on my Spotify even for Offline listening. That should convince everyone. IF not you all should.

Rewatch Value: Definitely 10/10, IF not for the fact that I have tons on my pending watch list I would've watch it again after another drama or so.

Overall: 100/100 HAHAHAHA! I just love everything about this drama. 😁

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Mostly Boring

Not a lot of comedy in this series. Show tries to run propaganda of "strong divorced woman". Husband is the only one who has to repair all his "mistakes"(read sacrifices) to become an even greater domestic scapegoat for an ungrateful family, in particular a really undeserving wife. The wife is divorcing over non-issue instead of repairing her attitude. That is the narcissistic modern Korean woman for you. Unbearable, ugly and fake.

Wife is flirting at office as divorce is going on. Hard to sympathize with such a character. She does nothing to support her husband's career but this show forces you to believe that supporting wife's dreams is husband's role(hint: it's not). Children are not likeable either. Probably a metaphor for modern Korea, and pathetic situation men find themselves in. Time to get a North Korean waifu.

Honestly, North Korean women are much prettier, look natural and have far less attitude.

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Noticed issues further I watched

First incling there was something wrong was when I started looking at recaps to see what would heppen. Thats when I knew it has lost my interest.
As others have mentioned, this drama goes on for too long. There are too many side plots happening when the concentration should be on Dae-young and Da-jungs relationship and their relationship with their children.
As for my main issues, reason for marking so low, has to do with Dae-young and all the trials the writers put him through. I have a feeling because the show kept going, they had to keep including stuff. All this built up to a very damaged person that is not really investigated in the show. Also, the circumstances he is put in, there was an opportunity to investigate/critque the society he is in. I think this was unintentional, I'll try to explain myself better.
There will be heavy spoilers.
Lets start chronologically, with the first big even being the death of his mother. He is unaware she is sick/going in for surgery and dies while he is away, playing basketball. I'm sure there is a big heaping of guilt here and obvious anger towards his father for not saying anything. Also, he appeared to have a healthy relationship with here, he has learned sign language as well. In one moment, she is gone, with no opportunity to say goodbye. This effectively orphans him as his father becomes distant/abusive. An important support structure in his life, his parents, is gone.
Then there is what precipitates this, his girlfriend becoming pregnant and him having to give up basketball.
Basketball was the one thing he was good at and was his escape for him from his life and one fell swoop, it is gone and he now has heaped on responsibilities, being a father and a husband and only just finishing high school. There was the scene where he meets his father again with his son, where his father mentions basketball is all he was good at, otherwise he was a failure. Sure it's not the first time he hears that. And from what people said, he was pretty much guaranteed to make it the big leagues. He had no other plans.
The big themes of this show seem to be go for your dreams at all cost, regret/guilt and communication. All of these are allowed for everyone else, except for Dae-Young.
His dream is shattered, his father has disowned him so he can't ask for help. I know his father helps on the sly but thats not the same as being there for him.
Lets contrast Dae-Young with Ye Ji Hoon and his brothers. Again, I don't know if this is deliberate by the writers but they are pretty much the mirror of Dae-Young. His brother is able to attend college and look after his sibling. And then when he dies, Ye Ji Hoon is able to have both his sporting career and raised his niece. All the while being told by Da-jung not to give up his dream, he can be both a parent and a successful athlete. Opportunities Dae-Young was denied.
Da-jung was able to become a successful reporter, supported by Dae-Young. He had the chance to restart his career but his childs illness stopped that. He had to sacrifice everything for his child, which as a parent is to be applauded but all he gets from people around him is didain/ridicule for where he ended up.
He is supporting his children with their dreams, helping his son get confidence to play basketball and accepting his daughters decision to go to beauty school.
This marriage appeared doomed from the start. If after 10 years, the husband can't confide in his wife that he has to again give up his dreams, there are bigger troubles. Also, Da-jung sensed there was something wrong, when he started drinking but either dissmissed it or forgot abount, understandably because of their sick child but something that isn't explored.
No one seems to acknowledge the sacrifices he has made/makes for his family. There are some scenes where Da-jung becomes awares of them but seems to be too late, and she comes to regret her divorce but also, she misses all the ridicule/scorn heaped upon him. The reunions in paricular are eye opening. When you have the opportunity/time as his class mates were able, you can make something of yourself but both these seem missing from his life.
This may be due to English translation, but there were two contrasting/interesting scenes. As he is leaving, his father calls him pathetic. Da-jung then also calls him pathetic, presumably just before the divorce. I wonder how hurtful that would have felt.
As mentioned above, a big support for Dae-young would have been his parents but they are gone. Da-jung appears to have a good relationship with her mother and has a friend to confide in. Aside from his immature friend who is an issue in himself, with not taking no for an answer from the teacher, Dae-young appears to have no one. He can't confide in his wife, appears to have a pretty hostile work environment and self-medicates by becoming an alcoholic. Would not be surprised if he was suffering depression by the end
After all that, I can understand how he ended up the way he did. However, I can not condone it. He is still responsible for his own actions but sometimes when your travelling a dark road, can't see where to stop.
But, this goes into some wider issues the writers touch upon. While a Korean show, it's issues that affect a lot of the world.
Does he not reach out because he is the head of the household, a man? Are there no places he can turn to for help? Looking back, I was not surprised at his outburst at the reunion. It was a deep pain that had been festering. As before, this does not make it right but can understand it.
The amount of work he had to put in on his job. It looked to be very manual labour intensive, leaving him exhausted at the end of the day. It may have long hours, meaning he can't see his children. They all agree he is not there for them but was it by choice? That does not excuse him not helping around when he can but can understand it. This is contrasted when he is young again. He now has time to listen, to be available because he has none of the above responsibilities. Perhaps if he had some more support, an opportunity to continue playing, he would not have ended up where did.
So, to summarise all this, this drama had it's funny moments. But, I think the writers unintentionally wrote Dae-young into a corner, making him the sole reason for the divorce. They touch upon Da-jung not communicating well but that seems to be her only flaw. Divorce/realtionships are tricky and there is never one reason why but they tried to make him the villain. If the writers had have just concentrated on the family and their circumstances, I think there was a good opportunity to explore their marriage breakdown further, see what they both did/didn't do and explore more of the issues that led to where Dae-young ended up.

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MUST WATCH!!!

'18 Again' is one of the best drama released in year 2020 and I think no one can denied it. The first two episode seem a bit slow but it grow well on me. The storyline might be simple and light but it's full of beautiful message that can reflect in our reality life. Not to mention every episode can make my cry like baby. I don't have any problems with the plot actually.. Everything was perfect and beautiful except for the ending.It's a happy and beautiful ending but still I find like something is missing in the last episode Yeah what ever. What I'm amazed about this drama is the transition between Hong Daeyong and Go Woo Young. It's really smooth

about the cast, it's superb especially Kim Dohyun. I love how he can acting like father and school student at the same time. the chemistry between Kim Dohyun and Kim Ha Neul are insane even their age gap is actually 17 years I think. The support cast is doing well too.

As the conclusion, I like this drama 😊

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It's definitely a 3-pointer shot from the half court.

** Finally reaching completion and I can confirm that many of the things my review was written has largely been true. Way back when I started writing this review at the start of the series airing, my expectation for it was relatively regarding me feeling enjoyment from the family aspect of the drama but quickly it turned into something more emotional and deep. I self-reflected and find that I am emotionally invested in the drama. My point about how if they explained the age-reversal part well, it could be a selling point for the drama and yet I now don't exactly agree with this sentiment because 18 again is more than that. It was able to live up to this trope of going back in time as a young fella whilst transcending above with the concept that family is central and key to our daily lifestyle. By being young, we lose the times we spent with our family because they are all so much more older than you and you become a "different individual". Yet, you also resembled greatly like the older version of you and you can't help but wish you can can become older again for your family. Overall, I highly recommend anyone to give this a watch expecting to learn about having a family, the morality behind it and the relationship which doesn't always seem ideal. The ending didn't disappoint me so the quality for the whole drama is maintained solidly. I give this a drama a 8.5 star which is a super high rating that I only gives to some particular drama. There is only 2 other drama higher than this in my list so you can expect good stuff from watching this. Enjoy and stay true to your family!


With the limited episodes out there as of this review, I find myself interested to await for more of the episodes to air as the story progress into a variety of genre I didn't expect from it. I have never watched the actual movie it was based on so I am totally brand new in not knowing the plot beforehand. Although, I am familiar with the concept of "going back into the past" whether it be through time travelling, reincarnation or age-reversal. It's a nice concept that can add unique flairs to a drama IF EXPLAINED WELL. I am not certain yet as to why it happened like that for this drama but they did gives us some clue so I am expecting more of that later on.

This drama is presenting numerous option it could take including the usual family drama. I smell hint of a mystery brewing, supernatural/fantasy element and sprinkled heavily on those are comedy/parody which would entertain you into laughter albeit it can be over exaggerated until you feel embarrassed. With a hotpot of genre, it can potentially be hard to digest the content provided by the drama which was why I am surprised for wanting more of the drama instead.

And the answer to that surprised was.... the raw emotions presented from a parent for their child and love. That to me regardless of the genre is a relatable topic and to see a parent interact with their children as a friend is something I wish more families would have. It gives me satisfaction when the parent could realized the thing s they missed out, whether it be through the neglect of their kids or that they were having miscommunication with their significant other when both want the best in the relationship. To also observe the witty words of a 30+ year old man among kids with a face as handsome as Do Hyun, that's the best combination to have and we all dream of that in our fantasy drama. What better way than to have the same 30+ year old man (ugly) turned '18' (handsome) met up with his "wife" who looks so pretty both young and old. Now that can turn spicy XD. Anyway, acting has been great for the cast and to have a side character that serves as a comedy relief is not bad either. It gives me that Backstreet rookie vibe for that person's role in the drama and we all know how crazy he gets.

For now, I believe the drama will turn out enjoyable at the very least so I recommend you give it a watch for anyone that liked a hidden gem which may not have a star-studded cast, but it compensates by including more funnest without degrading the emotional quality of a scene.

Post episode 4: I enjoy the epilogue and the comedy relief in between the drama. Especially at how inspirational a statement during the epilogue scenes. The characters so far have been well-designed with their own personality and the other "male competitors" have very good reasons as to why they should exist.

Update to Episode 8: I am definitely reviewing as I have watched more episodes since. This has clearly been an emotional ride so far with those epilogues and the cast serves a very distinct role. I come to find myself relating with the backstory of each characters and have upped the score from 8.5 to 9 star with how the drama is produced.

p.s: I have confirmed that one of the OST (Hello) was sung by SoHyang, the queen and one of the best female vocalist. A good OST can bring a drama scene a long way so to have an impressive singer which is known for being expressive in their voices, it just help me immersed myself deeper. The currently released OST is by Soyou and that is already quite soothing for me, building an atmosphere that create longing for the happier times but due to circumstances, you feel sad.

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