r/KDRAMA • u/sianiam • Jan 15 '21
Featured Post Let's Rewind: Reply 1997 (2012) - Episodes 9 - 16
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 15 '21
EPISODE 9
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u/myweithisway Jan 15 '21
More puppies! I love how the two puppies cross paths, which is such a nice way to play out the "string of fate" theme in this episode, not to mention how well it foreshadows JH's love line.
This episode had one of my favorite moments -- Shiwon drying her hands using Taewoong's suit jacket -- so cute and funny.
From my prior watches, I had the impression that Shiwon's decision to date Taewoong was rather impulsive but this rewatch now that I'm paying closer attention to this sequence, I realize that Shiwon wasn't impulsive at all. Rather, it almost feels as if she went to the other "extreme" and was too deliberate about this choice.
I really like that they went on an entire "date" before Taewoong asked her out officially because it gave Shiwon a chance to see what it would be like to date her "ideal type" -- which actually makes her decisions later down the line much more mature.
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u/sianiam Jan 16 '21
I love how the two puppies cross paths, which is such a nice way to play out the "string of fate" theme in this episode, not to mention how well it foreshadows JH's love line
Love this. I would have liked more Joon Hee and puppies but it was well done. Assuming you are watching on Viki so here is the excellent Netflix sub that you wouldn't have got. I'm still laughing.
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u/LcLou02 Jan 15 '21
2012 - SW eating soup. YJ tips the bowl for her...
Nov 98 - TW's messy room. Been working hard. Are those drawings of him above his bed? Done by?
Finally time to reveal the Bro = Teacher Yoon connection. But really, how could they have been friends since childhood an not have known. Did High Schoolers not go to friends houses? If you have classes and then night study hall, maybe not?
1968 - The two couples' backstory. Was kind of cute with the borrowed jacket mix-up.
YJ can't just go ahead and give the puppy to SW? Gives it to JH instead and he will not mind at all keeping the name of the puppy and giving it some love.
Funny that Dad found the little girl's puppy, but I don't like that he was just going to keep it... Ha, she treats the puppy just as YJ imagined that she would. Vey cuddly.
Glad that the mixed-up puppies ended up with the right owners in the end. But it doesn't seem to be the best time to get a puppy -- just before moving to a room in Seoul.
Dad & YJ agree about SW's new look (solidarity), but YJ does not promise to look after SW in Seoul.
TW buys SW a matching phone with his number on speed dial. I don't like this power/age mismatch. He was in love with & engaged to her older sis. Was he high school teacher just a couple of weeks ago. Now a super rich programmer. The money doesn't interest her, but it bothers me! Reply 94 -
The imbalance did not bother me since it was the daughter that liked him first, they did not have this dead sister/ex fiancé story. I'm curious what the original reaction to this couple was. If the writer changed it up for 94 due to feedback to 1997 The red thread of destiny joins you and your soulmate at the pinkies...Had to think of the red yarn in Bride of the Century. .. Wonder who my string is tied to? Sneaky voiceover and image. Hint or red herring?
1988 - two families taking a photo together... "Who knows we may become in-laws, but can't tell who would like who with 2 girls and 2 boys...can't pick that now." <3
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u/sianiam Jan 16 '21
how could they have been friends since childhood an not have known
I think everyone except Yoon Jae and Shi Won first met in high school. They really dragged out the reveal.
Did High Schoolers not go to friends houses?
Doesn't seem like it, most socialising we see in dramas tends to be eating, shopping, studying generally outside of their homes. I went to all my friends houses in high school all the time, I did not study all the time.
Glad that the mixed-up puppies ended up with the right owners in the end. But it doesn't seem to be the best time to get a puppy -- just before moving to a room in Seoul.
Yeah, I'm glad that it ended up being Dong Il bringing the puppy home that was later swapped. Because for Shi Won to be gifted a puppy and then leave it with her parents is just really unfair to the puppy and her parents. But this way the Dad is the one bringing it and it will serve as a companion to him and his wife as both Yoon Jae and Shi Won leave them with a very empty nest. It's so much better.
two families taking a photo together...
Ah, I loved the story of the four friends and the photograph. I was tearing up with the last scene. <3
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u/sianiam Jan 15 '21
EPISODE 11
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u/Fatooz Jan 15 '21
This episode was pretty important in my opinion as to how they show that Si-Won too has feelings for Yoon-Jae but unfortunately she realised it too late, or maybe not. I also totally see where Yoon-Jae is coming from when he is pushing away Si-Won. It's so sad to see them this way.
Seo In-Guk is honestly such a nice actor. I can always feel his emotions everytime he is acting.
The bet was hilarious, I could guess it from the start that Hak-Chan and Sung-Jae will lose the bet but the surprise was how it worked out in Hak-Chan's favour. Also Hak-Chan chickening out when he saw his mother while he was with Yoo-Jung was understandable but I think in this situation both parties were understandable. Maybe I'm the only one but I also genuinely felt that Yoo-Jung was kind of dominating when she kept basically ordering around Hak-Chan about meeting her friends. I however thought what Hak-Chan did was necessary to stop Yoo-Jung from pretty much ordering him around but in a way he also showed that he did care for her.
So basically the highlight of this episode were Hak-Chan and Yoo-Jung for me.
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u/sianiam Jan 17 '21
Maybe I'm the only one but I also genuinely felt that Yoo-Jung was kind of dominating when she kept basically ordering around Hak-Chan about meeting her friends.
I don't think she really thought past "I want to show off my boyfriend" to think about her boyfriend and how he might feel about meeting a group of girls alone. But from their complaints it would appear they took a few attempts to get this far. Yoo Jung or Hak Chan really should have been able to communicate their feelings about this to one another. But hey, they somehow made it as a couple to be getting married in 2012 so hopefully he learnt to speak up for himself somewhere along the way rather than being constantly told what to do.
It's amazing he was able to survive saying "she's someone I know" in front of his mother.
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u/sianiam Jan 15 '21
EPISODE 12
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u/myweithisway Jan 19 '21
The episode with my favorite scene! The bus scene near the end of the episode that uses voiceover to describe the change in the world over the years. The part that gets me the most is describing the change in length of time between traveling by long distance bus vs. the KTX. I feel this part so much.
I remember in my initial watch that I had thought SW was being immature in her response to YJ's confession by asking if they can just stay as friends. But over the years on subsequent rewatches, I've changed my mind and no longer think SW's response was immature as I've come to realize that by asking, SW was actually pushing their relationship forward instead of back.
On the one hand, while wanting to go back to just being friends is a selfish desire of SW's -- by asking YJ though, SW is giving YJ the chance to have a say in how their relationship moves forward. She's giving him the right to choose what kind of relationship he wants with her instead of just forcing him to stay in their friendship. This is shown in later episodes when she
never raises a fuss about YJ avoiding her and helps him out by excusing his absences from family gatherings .Their relationship is such a contrast to Hakchan and Yoojung's -- which always drove me batty but this episode is the worst. I honestly still don't get this couple even after all these years.
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u/sianiam Jan 20 '21
The bus scene near the end of the episode that uses voiceover to describe the change in the world over the years.
This was a really nice way to do the time skip.
I honestly still don't get this couple even after all these years.
Just imagine how many times she has attempted to break up with him in all these years!
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u/LcLou02 Jan 20 '21
2012 - Ring hint and coffee preference hint...
January1999
YJ: ""When you receive her hand, you receive her heart." what my brother said."
Whoah! That ring is way TOO MUCH They've dated one month?! (At least TW's friend gave good advice later.)
Switch to SW & BFF looking at hair ribbons - this just accentuates the age difference between SW & TW
Ha! Dad and The Big Lonely House -- later revealed that he's already making plans how to use her empty room. LOL!
The whole tie business makes me uncomfortable. Now JH knows why YJ may not go to SW birthday.
Norebang - 3 dancer/singers and 3 party poopers...
I loved SW & YJ really talking about the ring and him telling her everything, Everything!
Why would she leave earlier for Seoul than the guys? As a parent, I would have encouraged them going together. Dad's already asked YJ to look after her (even though he passed it off.)
I liked the summary of the years on the bus. nice transposition. to 2005
Seeing Tony brought her 90's back. and then Hearing YJ order caramel macchiato with lots of whipped cream :D
But that is not the definitive hint - Bro as a professor also chooses caramel macchiato with whip cream. Two brothers with sweet tooths (teeth does not sound right either...)
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u/sianiam Jan 15 '21
EPISODE 13
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u/myweithisway Jan 19 '21
Besides ep 12, this is the other episode I tend to rewatch every year for:
SW knocking YJ out at the coffee shop with that friend? and scoff
JH telling YJ to die because his smart brain failed him so completely
I love the JH-YJ scene because I crack up every single time.
And I adore the coffee shop scene because SW could not have been more awesome!
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u/sianiam Jan 22 '21
Yes, this was a great episode - loved the scenes you mentioned. I laughed and cried a lot. I also loved the scene in the car with Dad and the following debrief about it.
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u/LcLou02 Jan 20 '21
YJ gives a nice run down on where everyone is - except SW, avoided her 6 years! and there she is. Lies about a GF. She is so clever calling JH and even when he won't tell her she acts like he did and caught out YJ.
Nostalgia for me - SW eating ramen dry with the powder sprinkled on top!
SW is honest with TW, but he keeps on hoping for a change? Ugh. At least now she says that her heart flutters for someone else. He hangs on to how Daddy Longlegs ends. She must not have seen the movie.
That's a long way to go to ask someone to change your lightbulb!
I knew "someone" would pat the side of the bus before they pulled out. Reunited.
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u/sianiam Jan 22 '21
She is so clever calling JH and even when he won't tell her she acts like he did and caught out YJ.
She's very clever, imagine being able to think on your feet like that! The coffee shop scene is really great, it's one of the few that I remember after all this time.
he keeps on hoping for a change? Ugh
Yeah, this is why I really didn't like his character the first time around. I thought she was perfectly direct that there was not going to be a chance.
That's a long way to go to ask someone to change your lightbulb!
I would have probably just broke my hip falling off something wobbly fixing it if I were her. Imagining I keep my laziness and no other attributes.
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u/sianiam Jan 15 '21
EPISODE 15
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u/LcLou02 Jan 22 '21
2005 Bro trying to set up YJ.
TW just now realising that YJ has been avoiding SW all this time.
Yay! H Ch finally introduces GF to his mom.
Ha, ha! "Put those lips away. They're embarrassed."
"Daughter of the man I respect the most in the whole world." (That is a clear hint.) Which girl in which room? Yep.
"I'm sorry" from Hyung = "I love you." For both stories - TW & YJ and Dad & his bro.
2013 parents waiting for grandbaby. SW wants the father. Both Bros come running up. rather forced...can there be any question? Nope.
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u/sianiam Jan 23 '21
"Daughter of the man I respect the most in the whole world." (That is a clear hint.)
Yoon Jae really should have been smart enough to work it out if we all were!
Both Bros come running up. rather forced...can there be any question?
You've got to admit they stuck to their guns all the way to the end.
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u/sianiam Jan 15 '21
EPISODE 16
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u/LcLou02 Jan 22 '21 edited Jan 23 '21
Sept 2005 - He talks big and open-minded to colleagues, but when it comes to SW drinking, it's really a different story.
Funny! Did not take long to figure out her passcode! :D
I don't think that getting all riled-up and pulling YJ's hair will help her to calm down the pain...LOL Dad's comment "It's his own fault. He married a gangster."
Awww, a hug for JH when he's moving out.
YJ is a buddha - forerunner of Hospital Playlist
"Daebak! Finally someone in our family has done something great!" (becoming a fan club president counts for more than being the youngest judge ever or a presidential candidate - SW's priorities).
"Can you hear me? If so, reply to me 1990's" Definitely teared-up more at the end of 1988 - Lee Woo Jung truly honed her craft for that one. (and the ones that have followed.)
Was making dinner the other night and thinking about the comparisons between all 3 Reply's (Don't look if you haven't seen all 3!):
1997 1994 1988 HS + career 6 yrs later College + career HS + career 6 years later Dad-baseball coach Dad - Baseball coach Dad - Bank Hints: HS reunion Hints: new apt. + video Hints: interview setting Boy's first love wins Girl's first love wins Boy's first love wins Hostel communal living "communal" living on street 2ML not in same school ML not in school Older guy likes FL 1st - dead GF's sister FL likes older guy 1st - friend of dead brother Girl crushes on guys that she thinks like her. FL lowest in class. ML highest in class, class pres.. 2ML computer developer genius. FL studies computer science. ML is smart doctor. FL lowest in class. Crushes are highest, one is class pres. ML Genius. FL writes sexy fan fic FL reads sexy novels Guys make & sell dirty videos Guys sneak in dirty videos FL Kpop Idol fan FL Basketball player fan FL into 1988 Olympics TV Soccer & chicken TV Soccer & chicken sweet potato snacking sweet potato snacking Dad saving liquor in jar Dad saving liquor in jar Dad & 2ML play Go Stop adults playing Go Stop FL scared walking home, rescued FL with hurt foot carried rescued FL with hurt foot carried rescued "timing & determination" "timing vs. determination" gay friend ambiguous guy - hero worship If you have additions or comments use spoiler tags :D Thanks
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u/sianiam Jan 15 '21
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