Back to the 2008 (2021)

keeps you guessing

This is one of those webdramas that gives you something to look forward every week. As much 'one episode per week' webdramas can be flustrating, this is one of those that made the wait worth it.
I would even go as far to say it's a very underrated gem among the sea of webdramas.

The story isn't something very new, even the 2008 setting was done before. However the less cookie-cutter approach was what I enjoyed. There are conflicts, twists, family issues and all that. Sometimes the pace is bit slower, but it picks up especially at the end - the last episode? Excellent. This drama really keeps you at the edge of your seat sometimes, the moment you think 'oh i have it figured out'... the story takes another turn.

Acting is mostly okay. The cast seems to be all rookies, so it's expected there will be some rough moments. However female lead really shines and was perfectly casted. Honestly if her character wasn't so well-acted, it could be annoying to watch. Also the actor who played Jihan was a stand-out. He nailed playing a misunderstood student, who just wants to feel accepted. I'm looking forward to watch him in more projects.

2008 wasn't that long ago, but the world has changed a lot. A lot of details in this drama are spot on, even costumes and makeup makes sense. They say good art design is invisible, you start to notice it when it's less stellar. Here the 2008 setting is believeable and seamless. You can tell the budget wasn't super high, but the crew did a great job. Sometimes I forgot it's a new drama and not something shot 10 years ago.

Overall, it's a drama worth watching. It's surprisingly engrossing, and Probably half (if not more) webdramas are set in school, which can be offputing. This one stands out to me because to me it's slightly more rooted in reality. Waves of 2008 nostalgia are a nice bonus.

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Quick Watch but Good

Because the episodes were so short and only 10 of them, it just started to get really good and then ended. It makes you want more. The FL was well cast, her acting was perfect. Baek Jae Woo cast as Kang Ji Han played his part really well too. As usual we hate the teacher and the parents, because of how they treat the kids. I would have liked for them to show the effect of their project of 'flipping the school upside down' and what the fall out of that was. That moment seemed to be left on the editor's chopping floor. Hopefully they will give a season 2. or a short movie as follow up.

Music, production, acting were all great. The writing could've been better in some ways, but still acceptable and held the viewer's interest, with a satisfactory ending. I would rewatch it, especially since it's so quick. A solid 7/10!

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