You're All Surrounded: Needs further investigation

This show is a mystery to me. It’s such an odd mix of heartbreak and hilarity. This doesn’t mean I’m not enjoying it. I am. Just . . . not as much as I thought I would.

You’re not who I thought you were

One thing I love about Lee Seunggi is that charming twinkle in his eye. That sparkle can make even the jerkiest of characters appealing (if you haven’t seen his turn as the spoiled prince in The King 2 Hearts, you must move that to the top of your drama list post haste). But this new character is too damaged to sparkle. The poor boy watched someone choke the life out of his beloved mother right in front of his eyes. He’s allowed to be broken. And I give Seunggi props for his acting. Let’s face it, he kind of had one stock character in his repertoire up until now. Bitter, vengeful stoneface is something new, and he’s rocking the wounded, silent crankypants. I just miss the twinkle.

I Need a Suspension Bridge of Disbelief

It’s a TV show. Not everything has to make sense. But I have a hard time swallowing some of the “dangerous” situations. We meet Ji-yong as a young boy who throws himself into a fray of crazy teenage girls for his secret crush, and yet he hides under a bed and watches his own mother’s murder. I know she stopped him from revealing himself, but it seemed unbelievable to me that such a passionate, courageous kid could allow himself to stay hidden. I get it. The plot needs a traumatic backstory, so I can let that go. But then we meet psycho partygirl, who takes out four, highly-trained detectives in a strapless party dress. Maybe the guys didn’t know where to grab, but what happened to karate-kicking Soo-sun? She should have taken her down in ten seconds flat. And finally, the pipsqueak stalker this week manages to stab his totally aware-and-on-the-alert victim in a public park. The girl saw the police weren’t backing her up. Why didn’t she get out of the car? Scream for help when they pulled over? Call her new boyfriend on her cell phone? Or just beat the creepy perv with her purse? Let’s face it. He wasn’t that big.

Where’s the romance?

I assume Daegu and Soo-sun are the OTP, but there is precious little evidence to back this up (unless you count the sweet yellow umbrella moment from the flashbacks). Take the scene from Week 1 where the perp pushes them down the stairs and he lands on top of her. There was no awkward moment, no nervous eye contact, no hint of awareness, just a mad scramble to get the bad guy back. What a wasted opportunity! The two spend more time together in episode three as they enter the partners phase of their relationship. Again, she’s sleeping in the car and it looks like he’s going to do the caring-cover-her-with-a-jacket-move, but instead he tosses it over her head to mute her snoring. It’s funny. I like it. But I need some hearts and flowers somewhere.

Mom and Dad got issues

Maybe the older couple is truly the OTP, ‘cause there’s no denying their sparks. We meet Kim Sa-kyung when she waltzes into the precinct in her skintight leather skirt and slaps the fire out of Detective Seo. Talk about unprofessional. The next thing you know, she’s casually asking him to put medicated patches on her bare shoulder. We are missing a LOT of information on these two, but the attraction is obvious. Daegu and Soo-sun could take a lesson from their sunbaes.

Daegu-Daegu

Such a little thing, but I just love how the others call him Daegu-Daegu. It’s the most adorable sounding nickname, for a guy who’s as prickly as a cactus. If you watch the group, they all take turns grabbing him, offering hugs, or throwing an arm around his shoulders. It’s like a four-way bromance, only one of them is a girl. Daegu is in no way welcoming, friendly, or affectionate, but the other three keep reaching out. Speaking as an introvert who takes a while to warm up to people, I’m so glad there are huggers in the world.

I expected something different from this show so I’m having to adjust my perspective. But I’m willing to buckle my seatbelt and hang in there. I may be a little scowly in the beginning, but hopefully the crazy antics of everyone else can win both me and Daegu over.

Reply 1994: Ooooooookay?

Yep. That sums up my reaction to the finale. It was . . . okay.

We got to spend one last night with our 1994 crew and witnessed their tears, and loves, and noisy jubilation when Korea beat Italy that just went on and on and on. (Seriously, how long was that scene?) There were sweet callbacks to previous episodes and character interactions that made you want to go “awwwwwwwww”. I guess my dissatisfaction stems from one major flaw. But more on that later. Let’s start with the good stuff.

He’s the husband! He’s the husband!

I picked the Oppa ship early on and stuck with it, despite the heavy temptation to leap overboard by the overwhelming awesomeness that was Chilbongie. Oppa’s initial hesitation, his rival’s adorable persistence, and the out-of-nowhere overseas separation might sway a viewer’s heart back and forth. But there was one thing that never wavered. Na-jungah. In her eyes, there was only one man from start to finish. She wanted Oppa. Period. Not that I blame her. Our trashy, but affectionate medical genius pinched, and laughed, and cuddled his way into my heart, as well. They make sense together. Any other ending would have felt like a con-job, after the way the writer made Na-jung’s heart rock-solid from beginning to end.

But why does the writer hate Chilbongie?

THIS is my major beef. Did someone see Yoo Yeon-seok kick a puppy or something? It seems like the writer held a serious grudge for some unknown reason and took it out on his character. Why must our cherubic pitcher be tortured up until the last minute? Let’s recap what they put him through, shall we:

1. Drowned him in the ocean in Samcheonpo’s hometown.
2. Almost crushed his skull in a department store collapse.
3. Had an angry sunbae beat him up for protecting Na-jung.
4. Gave him a mother and father who see him once a year.
5. Packed him off to Japan, where we didn’t see him for 3 episodes!!!!!!
6. Wrecked his pitching shoulder and made him go through surgery.
7. Broke his heart over & over again as he watched Na-jungah watch Oppa.

I’ve probably forgotten something, but why should we depress ourselves. At least with such an overinflated finale, I figured we’d get to see him happy for one episode. But, nooooooooo. He spent most of it rejected, crying, alone in America, or in the hospital. *Sigh* Was it asking too much to give him longer with his own happy-ever-after girl than one scene?

One Stinkin’ Scene!

Talk about an unromantic meet-cute. I never expected Chilbongie’s true love to come in a shower of chicken wings. It was obvious this was the girl for him. Kooky accent, not overly feminine, and doesn’t seem to know he’s alive. She’s just his type. I knew the actress playing the chicken girl must be a cameo, but I didn’t recognize her. Being a drama rookie, I had to look up Jung Yoo-mi and even then I wasn’t impressed. For our dear, longsuffering Chilbongie, I wanted someone with the beauty of Kim Tae-hee, the spunk of Ha Ji-Won, and the sweetness of Moon Geun-young. But it’s really asking too much of any actress to satisfy us in ONE! STINKIN! SCENE! So bitter.

The point where I reached for a tissue

It wasn’t so much the bittersweet goodbye that choked me up. Or our ever-faithful puppy finally letting go. It was Na-jung’s speech as she hugged him. I loved her promise that she would brag like crazy to her children someday that the awesome, famous person on TV used to like her. That may be the best version of “It’s Not You, It’s Me” I’ve ever heard.

What it’s really about

Who’s the husband was never what Reply 1994 was really about. It wasn’t romance. It was family. The kind that you’re born with, and the kind that you collect along the way. I admit that I envy Na-jung. But not for the two hot guys that couldn’t live without her. (Well, not much.) I envy her that she sits with all of her adopted family almost twenty years later to reminisce about the good old days. I’ve lost touch with so many dear, college friends that I spent some of my happiest moments with. I wish it were as easy for me to call them over my house for a lazy night of reflecting. She’s one lucky lady.

Reply 1994 really was like life. Sometimes disappointing, but still filled with fun and sweetness to ease the pain. Thank you, show, for all the laughter you brought me. Kamsahamnida.

Reply 1994: The Honeymoon is Over

You know that point in a relationship, be it with a boyfriend, pal, or coworker, where things start to get on your nerves? The rose-colored glasses are off and annoying, little habits start to feel like a big deal? I think I’ve hit that phase with this show. It’s good. Really good. Sometimes Really, Really Good. But here are a few things I wish we could fix before we move forward:

It’s your turn to get the baby! 

Remember that awesome episode where Mom woke up at 3 a.m. thinking it was another Soondae craving, but it turned out she was in labor? Dad was at an away game, so all the boys ran around the house like crazed lunatics trying to get her ready. Everyone piled into their tiny sedan like it was a clown car, and when they got to the maternity ward, the only doctor available was Oppa. Talk about your hilariously awkward birth scenes. Oh, you don’t remember that? Well, neither do I. Because we never saw it! All of a sudden, Baby Joon is being rocked by a houseful of doting, hottie babysitters, and I feel cheated because we missed out on what could have been a hilarious outing. Talk about missed opportunities.

Why don’t you ever want to talk about your day? 

Did anyone else feel a split second of panic for Chilbongie when the news about the department store collapse aired? Then I remembered he must be fine, because he’s hale and hearty in 2013. But that was a tense millisecond. I thought for sure this was going to be the turning point, where Na-jung realized how much she cared for him, and Oppa was left wishing he hadn’t dragged his feet. But all we get is a tender hug in the street and never another mention. Where’s the tearful reunion with the friends who were desperately calling him? And why wasn’t he in that basement? I assume he was checking out the new Wendy’s to make sure it was worthy of his dream girl, but he never really said. Again, the show left me wanting more and feeling grumpy at not getting it.

You never know when to stop! 

Speaking of which, is there a Korean equivalent for the old cliché “Less is more”? These episodes are long, even for Dramaland. Is it really necessary to give us three separate scenes of the boys saying goodbye to their army buddy (a minor character, at best)? Yet our own beloved Haitai only gets a quick send-off from his parents. These writers need to check their priorities. The story. The acting. It’s great. But I feel like they keep pouring the pointless scenes into their metaphorical plot glass, just waiting for somebody to say when. In that case, dear writers, WHEN!

Where’s the person I fell in love with? 

Na-jung feels a little dreary lately. Thankfully, she hasn’t gone down that self-sacrificing-hide-my-feelings-noble-idiot route that so many K-heroines do. But I miss the girl that grabbed Oppa’s hair and shoved him to the ground. The girl that unabashedly screamed at basketball practices until even the players were embarrassed. She’s still strong, smart and funny. Just a little . . . limp.

You’re such a player! 

I don’t root for second leads. It’s like a rule with me, because I want a happy ending, so I’m going to back the guy that gets the girl in the end. There’s just one, little problem . . . I haven’t got a clue who that is. We’ve got two heroes who are equally wonderful, and equally flawed. Oppa’s an adoring, close-like family, first love who just happens to be a genius. But he’s also romantically slow as molasses, a little dorky, and lives in the equivalent of a trash pile. (And he smokes, which is a major turn-off for me.)

Look up tenacious in the dictionary and you might see a picture of Chilbongie. He loves Na-jung and he ain’t giving up until Kim Min-jong sings the wedding song. He takes extra hard classes to be near his crush, and rushes out with a smile when she gets a craving for Deukbokki. But we’ve just learned he is also *gasp* a dumb jock. If it isn’t about baseball or the girl, he could care less, and can’t even be bothered to prepare for an open book test.

I love these guys so much, that it almost seems impossible to be happy with the ending, because they both can’t be the guy in that 2002 video. I hope this drama doesn’t follow the Reply 1997 pattern and shove another girl for one of them in the eleventh hour. Don’t drag it out as long as your predecessor did. Give us a few episodes to get used to the new girl, so we can be convinced that she isn’t a consolation prize. Quit playing games with my heart, show!

Reply 1994 has so much going for it, but I think I’ve hit that first hill in our relationship. I know we’ll get past this, but right now I’m feeling the strain.

Reply 1994: Why It's Gotta Be Oppa

Can Oppa be the husband and Chilbongie be the new, adopted son? I want both of them to be a part of this family. Our two Mr. Rights are each adorable in their own way, but only one of them gets the package the 2013 security guard delivered for Mr. Kim. My money's on Oppa, and not just because he's the best thing since sliced, Korean beef.

Here's a few points in his favor, underneath the headings of some well-known classics that might have been used as pager greetings back in the day.

Love is a Battlefield

Whoever ends up with Na-jung is gonna need a boatload of courage and a strong head of hair. This girl is tough. Oppa’s not afraid to twist her face off, or wrap her in a head lock, if necessary. Chilbongie’s such a sweetie, I’m afraid he might get hurt living with our female WWF impersonator. And his swoopy Justin Bieber hairdo wouldn’t last long in her hands. Maybe that’s why Oppa chops his mane so short.

Time is on my Side

It’s hard to beat that much history. Just like Na-jung, I didn’t realize the significance of the seal pillow at first. But when we both remembered . . . ugh. Those are the kind of things it takes a lifetime for a couple to know about each other. But these two have already spent a lifetime together. They know the important things. The tragic stories, and the funny ones. And they know the unimportant things. What your class schedule is and what your new pager password is going to be before you even change it. (1-1-1-1. Haha. So good!) 

Yakkety-yak (Don’t talk back)

Try to ignore the fact that he’s drying off with a bathmat. (I love Oppa, but his personal hygiene could use a serious upgrade.) What follows this moment is an entire round of “Yes, Dear”. 

Na-jung: Straighten the bath slippers. 

Oppa: Yes, dear. 

Na-jung: Turn off the light. 

Oppa: Yes, dear. 

Na-jung: And don’t forget to put lotion on your scaly face. 

Oppa: Yes, dear . . . which one is the lotion? 

She’s bossy as all-get-out, but this dunderhead needs someone to remind him of these things or he’ll be walking out the door without pants one day. 

U Can’t Touch This

Oppa must not be an MC Hammer fan, ‘cause he’s about the touchy-feeliest K-drama character I’ve ever seen. (I think he even surpasses Tae Gong-shil of Master’s Sun.) He wrestles her on the bed, he wraps his arms around her at the sink, he kisses her hair, and on and on it goes. Imagine you've never seen the show, and ran across one of those sappy Youtube videos. (You know someone is already splicing the clips. And I'm just the sort of sappy viewer that will be watching it.) But if you knew nothing about the characters' relationship, you might assume they were already married. 

Love Me Tender

Oppa can’t remember if he’s wearing socks, but he never forgets to watch out for Na-jung. He orders the seal doll way before the memorial day. He gets up at the crack of dawn to cook breakfast so she can go back to bed (even though he's a sleep deprived med student). He calls more than once to check up on her throughout the day. *Sigh* I wish I had a husband OR a brother like him. I’d be happy either way. 

Sorry, Chilbongie. You chip away at my heart with your wistful glances at the close family life the country folk share. I wish you could have Na-jung’s parents, but Na-jung belongs to Oppa. If the writers give us any other ending, I don’t know what I’m gonna do.

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.