Reply 1988 was one of the K-drama that has received the most praise on the K-Drama subreddit thread along with the fantastic My Mister, so I had to watch it. The fact that this drama was from the people behind my favourite K-drama thus far, the excellent Hospital Playlist, only further piqued my interest in this series. After watching its first two episodes, I must say that I was disappointed. Although the series is technically good, it just didn't grip him like Hospital Playlist did. There is a possibility that the series will grip me at a later episode, but it is only 20 episodes and I am unsure if it will ever hook me if I continue to watch. I found the story so far to be a bit pedantic and melodramatic. Unlike the profound realism and bright optimism of Hospital Playlist, Reply 1988 opts for forced life moments with cheesy life lesson narration and slight comic relief through irritating family squabbles (where the wife is always yelling at and nagging the pathetic husband), shrill sister fights and weird husband antics. Though I do admit that the friendship between the 5 teenagers was quite touching.

On a side note, what is up with that annoying goat-bleating sound? I get that it's for comedic effect like a laugh track for sitcoms, but it really gets on your nerves.

I've finished Episode 5 and I'm still not interested enough to keep watching. I'm still not hooked. I find it to be a bit too slow and aimless for my taste. I guess that unfortunately, this highly-accalimed K-drama just doesn't mesh with me. This will be the first K-drama that I drop (unfortunately)...

However, I gave the drama another chance and I became quickly hooked. Watching this drama felt like coming home. Watching it was relaxing and the perfect way to unwind after a stressful day of school. Though the drama can be a bit slow and cheesy at times (like when Sun-woo talked to his dead father), it is always engaging and touching. Just like Hospital Playlist, this K-drama displayed the beauty of everyday life, in a specific neighborhood during a specific time period. I loved how the drama explored the issues and laws that were prevalent in that time period which piques my curiosity and made me do some research, such as why the same-name marriage law and the two-in-laws-from-the-same-family taboo existed.

I do have to say that I was surprised that Deok-sun ended up with Taek and not Jung-hwan. I was rooting for Jung-hwan the entire time. The writers wanted us to root for Jung-hwan because he held a flame for Deok-sun for much longer than Taek and was more earnest and persistent in his actions. Taek was just luckier. Deok-sun's husband also looked and acted like Jung-hwan too! What a bait-and-switch if I ever say one! Kudos to the writers though for not giving in to convention and giving the audience what we expect. However, I did quickly fall for Deok-sun and Taek's relationship, I must admit.

I also got quite emotional at times when the drama made me reflect on my own life; about whether or not I would actually practice as a dentist after I finish dental school or pursue something that I actually enjoy or whether I will ever get married (which I fear will not ever happen). I do love whenever a story makes me think about my own life, reminding me to live a life that I would be proud of - those are the best kinds of stories...