Friday, October 25, 2013

Reply 1994: I Luv A Good Twist


I think my overall reaction to Reply 1994 can be summed up thusly . . . He’s not her brother! He’s not her brother!

*Sheepishly clears throat*

Sorry, if I spoiled it for anyone. But that plot twist really crept up on me in the best way possible. The lack of a love interest in the better part of two episodes was confusing. Then one sepia-colored flashback sequence meanders across the screen, and the pieces snap together. I didn’t watch much of the preview, so I really have no idea who this Chilbongie character is. But if he beats out Oppa I’m gonna have to write another blog starting with “He’s not the husband! He’s not the husband! Waaaaaeeeee!”

It’s almost impossible not to compare this and the original Reply 1997, so I won’t even try. It’s too soon to tell, but I may even like the spin-off better. These are a few reasons why:

Ouch!

This scene . . . *snickers*. The romantic piano music swelled and everything. Has there ever been a more painful lip-lock in K-drama history? I wish I could have heard the actors’ thoughts when they got their scripts. Maybe something along the lines of “Are you kidding me!” Someone better release a Behind-the-Scenes video of this, because I don’t know how they kept a straight face. Way to subvert the traditional drunken kiss trope, dear writers. If this is a harbinger of things to come, I’m in.

Deng!

Na PD of 1 Night, 2 Days fame played a sadistic caricature of himself complete with puffy yellow jacket, as a boarding house student who serves the parents coffee with fish sauce, just for the fun of it. The evil glint in his eye as he watches them drink really sold it. I think he has a future in melodramas if he ever wants to step in front of the camera. Who cares about the basketball stars? Give me more entertainment industry inside jokes and I’d even drink a cup of Na’s coffee.

Ultimate Fighter: Family Edition

I’m an only child, so I can’t relate to the hair-pulling, gut-checking physical nature of the siblings. But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy it. Again, I worry for the actors when Go Ara bounces on top of her co-star like there’s no tomorrow. He may be the one with the bad back before all this is over.


The 'Rents!

Just like Reply 1997, this Mom still cooks for an army, but this time she actually has one, with a houseful of boarders to feed. Her quiet moment of happiness when her snippy neighbor took the time to save her laundry from the rain felt so true-to-life. It’s the little things like that gesture that keep us believing the human race is still worth saving in this crazy world.

The relationship between father and daughter seems way less volatile in this new series. But I like it. This Daddy pets his baby’s hair until his arm is ready to fall off, just to help her sleep. And he puts on a sideways hat and karoakes with his adopted son, complete with gangster poses. Watching quirky, but close family relationships is almost as good as a sizzling OTP couple. Almost.


Ooopaaa!

He’s not her brother! Did I mention that before? But, aside from that, I love this character. He comes across as a likable, but lazy, unmotivated loafer who can’t be bothered to change his underwear, and then we find out he’s a genius medical student. Haha. This actor shone through the often dismal times of You’re the Best, Lee Soon Shin. His gentle charm and clownish humor as the faithful Bread Man helped to lighten the mood. He’s one of those guys that gets better-looking the more you see him. This time I hope he gets the girl, and all the credit a first lead deserves.

Since everyone ended up with who I wanted in Reply 1997, I’m a little scared of this new story. What if the writers decide to throw a second-lead curve ball like in Baker King? Because, let’s face it, no matter how wonderful Chilbongie turns out, showing up in the third episode makes you a second lead. But that’s not enough to stop me from watching. You know where I’ll be after work tonight. Replying to the 90s one more time.

1 comment:

  1. hello. in dream high, the lead guy who got the girl didn't have any scenes until episode 3. just, fyi.

    ReplyDelete