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I wasn't disappointed. Shin Min Ah shone more than ever in this, in my opinion. Even More than Lee Jun Ki. Both made the love story really endearing and not sappy at all.
The cast was great all in all. I particularly liked Kwon Oh Jung and Hwang Bo Ra couple. They provided the right comedic relief.
Also Yoo Seung Ho was great as the Jade Emperor, and Kang Moon Young as the magistrate's mother (although she was a bit histrionic at times). Perhaps Yeon Woo Jin was the one I found lamer.
I don't like Han Jung Soo as an actor, but I admit he usually fits the roles he portraits, I guess due to his physique.
I loved the storyline, I guess that's because I love folktales. I love the fact that the plot is inspired by a traditional tale.
The soundtrack is amazing. It reminds me of the epicness of Chuno. I'm planning to get it.
If you're not fond of sageuks, this one is for you. You won't be bothered by all the political hassle you usually find in this type of genre, and it's overall quite entertaining.
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The cast was overall well chosen (which doesn't mean that the acting was impressive; but it was OK). I liked the fact that some members of the band are musicians or idols themselves and they play their own instruments or sing.
Maybe Jo Bo Ah's acting was the lamest, although I didn't hate her character or anything.
Being a story about music I expected a much better soundtrack; not that it's bad at all, but I just expected it would be better. That's just my opinion anyway.
I already said in another review that one of TVN's features is good photography and good camera work, and this is no exception.
Finally, as many other viewers I also regret that Lee Min Ki was there just as a guest actor. That guy simply owned the two episodes he was in. However, I understand how that served to the plot and I would tell people not to stop watching the show because later on he's not in it. You won't regret it if you stick to it. It has a positive message and it's quite refreshing.
P.S. Can someone please give Jung Eui Chul a role that's not the one of a psycho or a loser? I mean, I like the guy. I'd like to see him smile or doing something funny for once and for a change, LOL.
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This one, however was as good or you could say even a little better, since it was the first one. The characters are equally endearing, the cast and the acting is good (maybe not as good as in R1988), the story is simple but touching and it talks about things everybody can relate to (family, friends, love...).
Maybe the cast in Reply 1988 was a little stronger and there was more balance between family issues, friendship and romance stories and especially the most veteran actors were awesome
Among all the actors I loved Eunji's performance and her character (even more than Reply 1988's Hyeri), her sassiness and strength, and also Song Jong Ho's (this man is soooo talented and underrated...). Needless to say Lee Il Hwa and Sung Dong Il were amazing.
The cameos and guest and supporting roles by idols, as well as all the references to korean pop culture were really funny.
One of the aspects I liked more was the subtlety and the finesse with which the subject of homosexuality is addressed. That is something you rarely encounter in a korean drama.
The production details, camera work, photography, were great. But those are some of TVN's features in their drama releases.
All in all, I strongly recommend this drama.
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I'm afraid I don't share that love. In fact, I only started to more or less enjoy it for the last five episodes. I think one of its main faults is that it is too long.
I didn't like the plot. To me it's a bunch of stereotypes. I know that's what's intended somehow, but either way I didn't like it.
As for the cast, I was pleasantly surprised about Lee Min Ho. I'm not exactly a fan, but I think he did a great job as the spoiled chaebol and he proved he has a comedic side. I also liked Kim So Eun as the female lead's sidekick. The rest of the cast was just ok (I love Kim Bum, but he was nothing more than beautiful in here), I guess. I must admit that I don't particularly like Kim Hyun Joong, and I hated his character all along, unlike many BOF fans.
The soundtrack is definitely one of the series's strong points. I guess it remains a classic.
Lastly, I haven't seen Hana Yori Dango, so I can't compare, but I have the feeling that the Japanese series must be much better.
This one won't definitely remain as one of my favourite dramas and I seriously doubt that I rewatch it again, but you can enjoy some of it somehow if you don't take it too seriously.
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I had seen Lee Bo Young in God’s gift: 14 days and Lee Jong Suk and Yoon Sang Hyun in Secret Garden, and I thought they had done a great job.
All in all I enjoyed it, but it just felt a little too pretentious at times. It’s understandable, though, since the basic premise is really ambitious: how difficult it is to find the balance between justice and compassion/sympathy/empathy, trust/faith in others, the inutility of revenge, forgiveness... I really like the fact that it adressed those issues.
I also found the love story and the loyalty involved in it really cute.
I love the fact that the lead female character is a strong, bold and independent woman as well, and that the relationship between both main female characters, the grudge they hold against each other, has nothing to do with a man they're both in love with, for instance, as it happens in other dramas. I really liked that plot. I didn't like the plot about the murderer as much, although I appreciate the fact that there is a message of redemption you don't find in other dramas either.
The soundtrack was also great. Indie band Every Single Day already did a great job in Pasta OST and I think they deserve more credit. They don't have enough recognition.
I really recommend this.
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The rest of the cast also did a good job, including Jang Geun Suk, in a different role from what we're used to see him playing.
This drama focuses mainly in character development (also the major shortcomings in BV lie in this area) and in music. In fact, you could say classical music is the true main character in this, and the repertoire is fairly chosen (although I expected a little more originallity, to be honest).
Therefore, do not expect a typical romance story.
The tension between politics and culture plot had its potential but it was overall a little boring to me. I enjoyed some other subplots much better.
You could call this a minor drama, but still I found it really interesting and I recommend its view.
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It's a simple story about ordinary people with ordinary problems (which doesn't mean we're before an ordinary drama) with which almost everyone can relate to.
All of the characters are endearing and lovable without exception. There are no shrew ahjummas overprotective of their rich flower-boy sons or vamps trying to steal your boyfriend.
I didn't even want to finish it because I knew I would miss them all, since they had become something as old acquaintances.
It's actually really difficult to reach this level of sympathy and empathy with the characters in other series, which means that the writers did a great job.
Reply 1988 is a tribute to a certain time not just in the life of many Koreans and Korean families, but as I said, many people who watch it from over the world can relate to this nostalgic look to youth and family relationships.
The cast is amazing and the situation comedy gags are really funny. The story is well balanced between family and love issues. I really appreciate the fact that the older characters are not stereotypes. I actually believe that if Reply 1988 works so well is because of the great acting and the character design.
The soundtrack adds to an impecable production that recreates the atmosphere of nostalgia.
Also, it's full of hidden jokes and tributes to Korean culture -about which I found out after watching it- that make the series richer (I recommend looking them up when you're finished, since some might spoil the plot).
Summing up, I REALLY recommend this. You don't even have to be a Korean drama junkie to enjoy it.
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