18 Again

Except for Zac Efron's stunning smiles, I couldn't place the original film version of this series. Still, starting an adaption series is nerve-racking. Fortunately, the creators of 18 Again ensured that it would live up to the original by adapting it into their own plot.

The Korean version of the show takes a more serious approach to the main plot, focusing on Hong Dae-Young's relationships with his wife and children. Therefore, don't be deceived by the ludicrous, humorous trappings of this drama; it has so much heart that it never runs out of emotions. Fatherly love, familial love, romantic love, and even platonic love were all given equal time in the spotlight, resulting in a genuinely satisfying viewing experience that I didn't want to end.

In addition, the cast is fantastic. It's top-billed by veteran actors Kim Ha-neul and Yoon Sang-Hyun, and the main storyline was as expected well-acted. What surprised me was how good Lee Do-Hyun is in this drama.

I was concerned from the start about his ability to handle a lead part in this series with well-known competent actors. And he did it! His passionate performance has really blown me away.

My heart-eyes for Lee Do Hyun are completely unintended and most likely permanent.

So, if you enjoy slice-of-life/school/relationship dramas, I think you should give this a shot!

(PS- I'm still perplexed as to how 30-year-old Hwang In-youp can portray a "high school student" so well at the age of 30. WHAT IS THE KEY TO HIS YOUNG FOREVERNESS?)

I started watching it just for time pass.. but eventually it became my favourite series. This maked me laugh, emotional, excited, and happy too. I want to say that this is very underrated series. All the episodes deserves 10⭐ rating.. The best episode which brought tears in my eyes and maked me emotional is 8th episode... No matter what conditions are now.. we must be true to our loved ones. Parents always loves you and do all things for you only. We must not regret for anything. Always give our best. Don't hesitate to show your love to your loved ones, it make them feel loved. This are some of the main points highlighted in the drama. You'll love it please watch it. Also give 10⭐ rating.

This drama demonstrates hidden/ unspoken struggles in different characters. Either in between husband and wife or parents and children. Well written script. Very well done!

Most of the time I avoid family melodrama but this one is different. It shows the true love of family members for each other and everyone can relate with the story. I don't know about foreign countries but in India everyone mostly live with their family (basically joint family). Although this story shows the reality about how much our parents suffer to give good life to their childrens. Also when children's understand there parents feelings they also suffer so much and never open up infront of their parents.

It gives the idea of real life lovable family there struggle and other things. Literally, it's very beautiful story no doubt; in terms of story and plot. But, the supernatural elements are little bit confusing as we don't understand what happened at that particular time. Specially, when the lead actor go back to his young age, we don't understand how this happen? And it feels like they take it for granted and never care about how this happen/possible. They don't even try to find out how this is possible that someone go back to his 18 yr old body? This makes little confusion over viewer's mind.

However, this show is must watch in my "Must watch list" as this drama never disappoint you in terms of good and beautiful story along with amazing acting of actors.

This series took me a while to finish, as I don't generally watch these type of slow, slice of life type of dramas.

With that in mind, let me say what I thought this got both wrong and right.

First of all, this is obviously based off the hit 2009 Zach Efron movie (which I really liked I might add). Enough time has passed that this felt like a fresh take on the idea. The first two episodes are like a carbon-copy remake in Korean, and then it moves into original territory. The show takes a more serious look at the base story, focusing on Dae-Young's relationships with his wife and children. The comedic aspects of the movie are almost completely traded in for a more morose and poignant tone, and for the most part this is actually a very good thing. I liked the way the show examined marriage and parenting and how Dae-Young was able to re-evaluate his life from the perspective of an 18 year old. There was a lot of closure for side characters that were totally blown off in the movie, and I really liked that they decided to get rid of the super cringey part of the 2009 movie where his daughter fell in love with him - wow did I hate that part!

This show also had a really great soundtrack, with some stand out heart breaker songs and some beautiful piano scores.

What this got wrong though is it really was too long in my opinion. The story could have been told in half the episodes, at the most 10.

Overall this is a sweet and serious story that was really pushed through by Lee Do Hyun as the breakout star of this - while I have seen him in almost every thing else he has been in, this is his first main role, and boy does he shine! If slice of life/school/relationship drama's are your thing I think you should definitely give this a try!