Reply 1997

Every once in a while, amidst the multitudes of Korean dramas which employ all the stereotypical clichés such as Cinderella story lines, hapless women who have tear ducts the size of the Pacific Ocean, and men fighting over mates like gorillas, a show such as Reply 1997 comes along to provide viewers with a breath of fresh air. I recently undertook a marathon session of this drama after many recommendations from friends, and I don't know why I waited so long; everything about Reply 1997 is believable, relatable, and most of all entertaining. This drama will transport you to 1990's S. Korea, as several high school students wrestle with the ups and downs of life while dealing with one another. Reply 1997 will make you yearn for the good ol' days of your adolescence, as well as reminisce about the golden years of S. Korea. I guarantee that you go straight to your computer and make a playlist of most of the songs that are wonderfully woven into the drama.

Many different and surprisingly complex themes are explored in every episode; many of the experiences portrayed are those that you or someone close to you have probably gone through, and this drama recognizes that real life happens. One quip I had with Reply 1997 is that some of these themes could have been developed a little more, such as that involving Joon Hee. Another issue I could see arising is that viewers who are not familiar with the pop culture of 1990's S. Korea could have difficulty catching onto some of the references made. This is minor, however, as the top-notch acting and stellar writing more than make up for this.

Seriously, just go watch this thing. The only regret you'll have after you're done is that you won't be able to watch anymore episodes.

I watched this right after Reply 1988. But have to say this is not up to the Reply 1988 standard. However, we can give it a pass since Reply 1997 is the first installment of the franchise and Reply 1988 is the last.

The will they won't they arc along with "who's the father" arc was a bit overplayed. We all guessed who it is from episode 1 itself, so I didn't see the reason for it to be dragged till the last episode.

However, other than that the humanity, emotions, and stories of each character were well played. This is a heart warming drama and the main couple's cute storyline is a bonus!

7 start just for Seo In-guk acting he is really talented, I fell in love with each scene of him

I loved 1988 and I don't think any of the other reply will ever meet up to it.

This 1997 was good, it was a switch from the first two. Shorter but good.

Unfortunately, perhaps, saw Reply 1988 which is very good (later learned in reading reviews to understand why Reply 1994 and 1997 were so bad that this was the third effort by the writer/directors and they "finally got it right"). Unlike 1988, this series follows superficial characters focused on insipid, high school drivel. Not that the high schoolers in 1988 never act like high schoolers, but in 1988 it is part of their reality, not the focus of the plotlines. In 1994 and 1997 we follow characters who are so superficial that how anyone could care what happens is beyond me. My wife is Korean and even she couldnt get through 1997 (worse 1994). I can only imagine the entire country of Korea must be highly rating this program as the rating is ridiculous. I would have given this a 5 but to redress it's over rating, giving it a 2. Don't waste your time.