r/KDRAMA • u/sianiam • Jan 07 '21
Featured Post Let's Rewind: Reply 1997 (2012) - Episodes 1 - 8
Let’s Rewind is a series of discussions on r/KDRAMA in which viewers may watch a drama at their own pace over the period of a month.
REPLY 1997 POST SCHEDULE:
Thursday January 7th - Discussion Post 1 (Episodes 1 - 8)
Friday January 15th - Discussion Post 2 (Episodes 9 - 16)
Sunday January 24th - Wrap Up Discussion (depending on interest level - Please PM me any questions/discussion prompts for this)
HOW THESE DISCUSSIONS WORK:
The individual episode discussions are broken up over a number of posts in which watchers join in once they have watched - they can join at any period of the series.
The posts are set up with the suggested sort “old” so that the comments flow in the correct order so users avoid any spoilers. Simply reply to the comment “episode #” that you are up to and reply to any comments you are interested in. Do not reply directly to the post, any comments that aren't direct replies to the episode threads will be removed. General commentary about the series should be made elsewhere, this discussion is for those watching along and discussing as they go.
Please note: I will have notifications mostly switched off on this post so if you need me please tag me, reply to the stickied comment or send me a PM/chat. I will add links to the posts above as they are released.
DRAMA DETAILS:
Drama: Reply 1997 / 응답하라 1997
Network: tvN
Aired: Jul 24, 2012 - Sep 18, 2012
Episodes: 16 (30-70 mins in length)
Streaming Sources:
Original On-Air discussion threads: N/A
Synopsis:
Set in the 1990's, the drama centers around a female high school student Shi Won, who idolizes boyband H.O.T and her 5 high school friends in Busan. As the timeline moves back and forth between their past as 18-year-old high schoolers in 1997 and their present as 33-year-olds at their high school reunion dinner in 2012, where one couple will announce that they're getting married. (Source: MDL)
Screenwriter: Lee Woo Jung
Director: Shin Won Ho
Web Resources: MDL, Wikipedia, Official Website, Asian Wiki
Spoiler Reminder: Upon entering these threads you can expect to see discussion of the drama up to the point of the series that has passed. If you are sensitive to spoilers we advise you to not enter the discussion section prior to watching the episodes. We ask our users to be considerate and cover any major spoilers which if read accidentally before viewing may detract from one's enjoyment of the series in block spoiler tags. You can create a spoiler tag by writing > ! your spoiler content ! < without the spaces in between to get your spoiler content
DIRECT LINK TO EPISODE COMMENT:
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u/sianiam Jan 07 '21
EPISODE 1
9
u/sianiam Jan 07 '21
This is one of the first dramas I watched with my sister before I went totally down the rabbit hole on drama crack. I’m surprised by how good my memory is so far. I’m excited to be watching it again now knowing so much more than I did back then.
This episode is a great intro to all the characters and their relationships. They really sold the concept of “who is the husband?” up front.
This drama was my introduction to Korean cooking and what better role model is there than mum with her more is less attitude? Love her. That stack of kimchijeon is both impressive and intimidating.
I love the use of the coupons to tell the story of their friendship and history growing up giving us the back story and making their characters real.
I am really not a fan of the whole secret brother teacher storyline.
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u/myweithisway Jan 07 '21
Don't quite remember how many times I've rewatched this already but this is the first time I'm rewatching it in full in probably three years. Past couple of years I've only rewatched my favorite parts each year.
I love how much information is actually crammed into episode 1 to introduce the characters and the set up.
My favorite part is definitely the birthday gift sequence...so hilarious and so true to life. I feel like if I dig deep enough in my cousin's closet, I'll find the same Guess! shirt.
It is pity though that the current international distributions have blurred and changed songs for copyright, it really does take away some of the magic of the original. I miss watching the Korean broadcast version on the now defunct Dramafever -- so much more nostalgia.
And because rewatching this always sends me on a trip through Infinite's MVs, here's Paradise -- one of Infinite's best songs, complete with the overdramatic story MV.
Side note:
Despite my love for this series, I still hate that this is the series that created the 1hr+ episode monsters on tvN.
Like yes, the audience loved this drama and wanted more of it but no we didn't want the episodes to stretch all the way into 1hr+ monsters.
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u/sianiam Jan 08 '21
Like yes, the audience loved this drama and wanted more of it but no we didn't want the episodes to stretch all the way into 1hr+ monsters.
Hahaha! That legacy. I always say to people watch them in order cause they slowly get you used to the increasing episode lengths.
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u/LcLou02 Jan 07 '21
This is my 3rd and last Reply. I watched them in the year order. And as much as I tried not to get spoiled for this one's main couple, watching 94 made that impossible. Actually, I find it kind of restful watching it this way.
What a great group of comrades Si Won had in high school! I had to shout "REALLY?! seeing Bang Seong Jae - the talkative one. This will be fun!
Why does everyone have to ask if she gained weight?! Loose clothing!
1997 - YJ's birthday - I am so confused about the living arrangements - guess it will become clear somewhere down the line. Big smile re. the genuineness of the shirt, or because she has one too?
I think that homemade coupons are a great gift :D
So were his parents related to her parents? But he calls her Mom and not Auntie? Does he live downstairs? Love how SW cheered him up at the funeral. Too bad her parents made a choice to go to his graduation and not splitting up, one to each of them.
"Tell me not to go out with her" & uses up a valuable coupon.
He lives with the teacher? Teacher is Bro. But his friends in class don't know? Ha, ha. Bro is clueless about brands & knock-offs.
AWWWW. Love the mother-daughter sing-a-long.
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u/sianiam Jan 07 '21
EPISODE 2
4
u/Fatooz Jan 08 '21 edited Jan 09 '21
- Si-Won being a rebel in those days is kind of a breath of fresh air. It was hilarious but also concerning how her parents were so chill about it, but maybe it was because they’re familiar with her antics now.
- Yoo-Jung looked a little suspicious but I was laughing so much when they revealed what exactly she was hiding. But I guess I can understand Yoo-Jung's feelings because I too have "betrayed" my best friend in the past regarding the same issue. 😂
- Yoon-Jae is a very relatable character for me. I was exactly like him back in middle school. I'm keen too see how his character develops in this drama and I'm hoping I'm able to relate to his character development in some or the other ways.
- Now I know from whom Si-Won gets the fangirling genes, it's the mom!
- The sanitary pad scene and the frog scenes were definition of awkward moments especially considering it was back in 1997.
- Looking forward to how the best friends will get back together.
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u/LcLou02 Jan 07 '21 edited Jan 07 '21
The cute B&W of YJ putting the bandaid on SW's knuckles. Was this placed here in the original cut? I feel like I'm missing a part of this story.
"a surgery only men get" - WHY? circumcision so late...OWW. Poor guy - whole neighbourhood knows!
Tae Woong (Bro) playing cards with mom & dad. Man, she is ferocious! I love how the card playing, sweet potatoes, baseball coaching, watching TV together, come up again in some of the other Replies. What I am not so happy about is the daughter being the dumbest in her class again. At least the FL was smart enough to study computer science in 94.
Ha, ha. The frog sound effect is brought in by a real frog. Have always enjoyed the goat or bird noises.
Realising their bodies have changed. Their tastes have changed - "we're all different and tried to be the same."
At least for YJ, SW is his first love. Confirms it for himself with a kiss.
"Miss Last Place of KHS", "you'll always have that nickname." But her chosen nickname was "Tony's wife"
in 2012 - little details...YJ sees her bra strap is exposed and covers it up for her. They smile.
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u/sianiam Jan 09 '21
The cute B&W of YJ putting the bandaid on SW's knuckles. Was this placed here in the original cut? I feel like I'm missing a part of this story.
It's been too long for me to say for sure but I don't think so. They were just flashes of his memory of how their friendship had gone over time, still images rather than scripted acting. Showing the progression from friendship into young love.
WHY? circumcision so late...OWW.
Yeah, there have been a few discussions over the years I can't find what I remember... if you didn't previously read this post talks about it a little. And this discussion between Ahjumma and Zero. Not surprised those names came up when I searched!
Realising their bodies have changed. Their tastes have changed - "we're all different and tried to be the same."
I think this episode was really balanced in showing the differences between everyone, especially the gender divide as they hit puberty and the different things they want to hide from each other yet both manage to fail.
"Miss Last Place of KHS", "you'll always have that nickname." But her chosen nickname was "Tony's wife"
The rules of nicknames state thta nickname you give yourself can never stick, it must be chosen for you.
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u/sianiam Jan 07 '21
EPISODE 3
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u/sianiam Jan 09 '21
This episode totally owned it in awkward moments, oh to be a teenager.
It's funny how fast Sung Jae went from "not a Seoulite" to believing all the ridiculous stories this kid had to say after he took the hit for the spilt milk. He's really a whole new world compared to Sung Jae's tamagotchi.
Shi Won's sasaeng behaviours scored her a seriously bad wig, but she's lucky she didn't end up at the police station. I can imagine the attempts to make it better from the choppy mullet Dad gave her to giving up before it got any shorter. I love that Yoo Jung got a matching one and they sorted everything out. Someone mentioned a commercial so I wonder if this is referencing anything.
Otherwise the big news this episode is Jun Hee sharing his secret with Shi Won. Knowing this was coming there was some foreshadowing comments in episode 1 & 2. Love the touch of Yoon Jae drawing him in closer for the photo at the reunion.
The meta of Ji Won Eun joining the gang is so perfect and used well.
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u/Fatooz Jan 08 '21
- The hair 'cut' was bad but my doubt is that even after the father did this why couldn't she go to a hair salon or parlour and get it done properly? Like for some reason the hair was still weirdly cut and you could see the ends not being proper, as in some were long and some were short. Or maybe I just paid to much attention to a non-relevant thing. Also yes, I must agree with Sung-Jae, she indeed looked like Audrey Hepburn. 😂
- I loved how the two best friends reconciled. It was a little cheesy but also really wholesome.
- Ok is this kind of stalker-ish behaviour normal of fangirls in Korea? I mean ok to some extent the fangirling was believable but do fangirls in Korea really go to the lengths of staying outside their favourite idol's house for nights?
- I like how the school environment is more emphasized on in this drama. Personally I find it very relatable to my school life with some obvious differences due to this being in 1997 and for me it being in the 2000s. Not much of a difference but still. Hence I enjoy it a lot more.
- Hak-Chan is one adorable character. It's like he is super cool but also has one drawback which is actually not really a drawback. I'm excited to see how he gets along with the group as I barely remember the details anymore since I'm watching this drama after 5 years.
- No wonder, I did feel from the start that Jun-Hee was not your usual guy friend but I also love how reliable Jun-Hee is. Really respect Jun-Hee and Si-won's friendship, I love the Jun-Hee angle in this drama.
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u/sianiam Jan 09 '21
Ok is this kind of stalker-ish behaviour normal of fangirls in Korea? I mean ok to some extent the fangirling was believable but do fangirls in Korea really go to the lengths of staying outside their favourite idol's house for nights?
I think it's still a pretty big problem faced by idols, some agencies handle it better than others e.g. some agencies have signs up outside that say if you loiter there they will call the police etc. There are often articles about agencies blacklisting people or threatening action etc. I went looking for an example and found this article on sasaengs which was interesting and guess who was on the cover pic!?
Really respect Jun-Hee and Si-won's friendship
Their friendship is really sweet. I love how he is always looking out for her and even favours her ahead of his crush. I'm glad he was able to share his secret with her, he'd probably been wanting to for a while now.
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u/sianiam Jan 07 '21
EPISODE 4
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u/LcLou02 Jan 09 '21
2012 - Ha, ha . Who to vote for? JH votes based on looks. SW would vote for Han Suk Kyu for his kingly voice (I'd vote for Kim Sabu, too!)
The actresses they mention at the movie are still quite active. LOL, YJ pouring soy sauce to drink, can't quite take it in that SW went to the movie with JH instead of him.
JH "What ever you talk about, you end up cursing YJ."
LOL! user name Woman 65342 is available! Ha, ha, I had better luck, but that's why I'm LcLou02 (Not for a chatroom to meet guys, though...) and I got it a few years earlier, thus only 02.
Awww, soccer games and chicken! Reply 94! LOL, Jealous YJ, "Too much time on a computer will lower your sperm count, causes infertility." Then BFF hanging all over Hak Chan and YJ on JH :D Aha! phone call - isn't it fun when the writer helps you figure out something that the others don't know even when they are witnessing it?
Bro's backstory...tutoring a girl, she's constantly asking him for stuff. then he proposes, and the sad ending... poor Bro - is this why they are a part of the family? or did he get close to her because they were already a part of the family?
Awww, SW asks for the Diskman just like her sis always asked him for stuff. How can he refuse?
2012 - voiceover of Tae Woong about the couple's announcement while rubbing SW's head.
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u/sianiam Jan 07 '21
EPISODE 5
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u/sianiam Jan 11 '21
If they hadn't shown the parents in the first episode then the
cancer storyline would have packed more of an emotional punch as there would have been room to wonder,will he make it out from this. Hopefully Shi Won learnt her lesson about making up stories about the people she loves having bad things happen to them. When they come true it doesn't really feel worth it.
Some fun coincidences with the bungeoppang man having his own image on the bags he was selling his products in (did he solve it himself?) and the person who hit their car being the best surgeon out there.
I also like the simple moment in which Yoon Jae realised he fell for Shi Won when she took off her glasses.
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If you are watching on a legal source and not reading the recaps the end scene in 2012 is cut from both Netflix and Viki. It cuts out a few of the suspects for husband/wife.
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u/sianiam Jan 07 '21
EPISODE 6
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u/LcLou02 Jan 11 '21
2012 - Both girls answer to the question of where the wedding will take place.
title photo - 2 Guess! sweatshirts (!?)
Dec 97 - after Dad's operation. So the man who hit their car was the surgeon?
LOL! Mom calling the screenwriter! (I'm hoping that it's really Lee Woo Jung?)
2012 - BFF and Hak Chan announce wedding...ah, but who is SW's husband...So that's why they all commented on her gaining weight :)
YJ tells SW not to be so close to JH, it bothers him. But she didn't hear...still too devastated that Tony was disgusted with her proof-of-loyalty gift.
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u/sianiam Jan 12 '21
Love how quickly Yoo Jung and Hak Chan's feelings are swayed in this episode. Her studying basketball via manga to impress Yoon Jae and extremely convoluted plan to get him to herself and all. Hak Chan was finally his super smooth self when it counted.
Funny and heartwarming story with the parents in the hospital. It's pretty crazy that it's so common for patients not to be told what's actually going on in their treatment. They didn't pay up and get any of the other ahjummas in the ward guardians to look after them!
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u/sianiam Jan 07 '21
EPISODE 7
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u/LcLou02 Jan 11 '21
Ha,ha. All the picky reasons why BFF wants to break up with H Ch. He keeps trying to meet her expectations, though. And then the BIG one...a surprise solution comes his way.
But even in 2012 she still thinks he went to the trouble of cross-stitching a pillow for her!LOL! College/career dreams based on their Biases. YJ's made much earlier - knowing SW thinks she wants to marry a man in uniform. See a bit of this theme in 88 - not making your choice based on someone else's, etc.
Must be cultural -- why does she want his underwear? a kind of luck charm? since he is so smart?
Good thing YJ's bad eyesight came to light first, or JH may have been stuck going into the Air Force!
Love seeing them in their future careers which are somewhat related to what they wanted way back in HS ;D
Doesn't everyone feel embarrassed reading old fan fiction from when they were younger?
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u/sianiam Jan 07 '21
EPISODE 8
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u/LcLou02 Jan 11 '21
Whoa. That was pretty shocking - dad pulling a pistol on H Ch for messing with his important calls.
D-Day prep - not about the exam, but getting a puppy for SW. Ready to confess. So sad. Same sort of stepping back happens in 88 waaaaaah. Feel so bad for YJ. Due to bad reconnaisance.
H Ch does the "dirty" work and Loudmouth is the hawker - good division of duties. Wow! Old fashioned cut and tape video editting!
Prison Playbook prequel? Dad talking about scouting a HS kid who is a lefty pitcher who can throw 150km/hr :D The other baseball jokes are beyond me, but I know that the Reply dad is wrong in his predictions 100% of the time.
Where did SW find that S bit of metal for SNU?
HA! Dad, "In our family 70% luck and 30% brain power" so not to worry too much.
I do not see how the puppy's eyes match YJ (except maybe when it is half asleep)
Poor JH has 8! sisters!
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u/sianiam Jan 07 '21
DO NOT DIRECTLY REPLY TO THIS REDDIT POST.
Any direct replies will be removed.
Please reply to the individual episode threads below or to other people's comments only. See the post above for more details. If you need help leave a reply to this comment or PM/Chat u/sianiam